Michael Lewis and Martine Rothblatt (#749)

This episode is a two-for-one, and that’s because the podcast recently hit its 10-year anniversary and passed one billion downloads. To celebrate, I’ve curated some of the best of the best—some of my favorites—from more than 700 episodes over the last decade. I could not be more excited. The episode features segments from episode #427 “Michael Lewis — Inside the Mind of the Iconic Writer” and episode #487 “Dr. Martine Rothblatt — A Masterclass on Asking Better Questions and Peering Into the Future.”

Please enjoy!

Bios of guests may be found at tim.blog/combo.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Audible, or on your favorite podcast platform.

This episode is brought to you by Eight Sleep’s Pod 4 Ultra sleeping solution for dynamic cooling and heating, AG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement, and Shopify global commerce platform, providing tools to start, grow, market, and manage a retail business.

Transcript for the full Michael Lewis episode | Transcript for the full Martine Rothblatt episode | Transcripts for all episodes

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#749: Michael Lewis and Martine Rothblatt

This episode is brought to you by Shopify! Shopify is one of my favorite platforms and one of my favorite companies. Shopify is designed for anyone to sell anywhere, giving entrepreneurs the resources once reserved for big business. In no time flat, you can have a great-looking online store that brings your ideas to life, and you can have the tools to manage your day-to-day and drive sales. Go to shopify.com/Tim to sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period. It’s a great deal for a great service, so I encourage you to check it out. Take your business to the next level today by visiting shopify.com/Tim.

This episode is brought to you by Eight Sleep. Temperature is one of the main causes of poor sleep, and heat is my personal nemesis. But a few years ago, I started using the Pod Cover, and it has transformed my sleep. Eight Sleep has launched their newest generation of the Pod: Pod 5 Ultra. It cools, it heats, and now it elevates, automatically. With the best temperature performance to date, Pod 5 Ultra ensures you and your partner stay cool in the heat and cozy warm in the cold. And now, listeners of The Tim Ferriss Show can get $400 off of the Pod 5 Ultra for a limited time! Click here to claim this deal and unlock your full potential through optimal sleep.

This episode is brought to you by AG1! I get asked all the time, “If you could use only one supplement, what would it be?” My answer is usually AG1, my all-in-one nutritional insurance. I recommended it in The 4-Hour Body in 2010 and did not get paid to do so. Right now, get a FREE Welcome Kit, including Vitamin D3+K2 and AG1 Travel Packs, when you first subscribe. Visit DrinkAG1.com/Tim to claim this special offer today and receive your 1-year supply of Vitamin D—a vital nutrient for a strong immune system and strong bones!

What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.

SHOW NOTES

[04:13] Notes about this supercombo format.
[05:16] Enter Michael Lewis.
[05:54] Why Michael quit his well-paid job to become a full-time author.
[12:58] Liar’s Poker is a cautionary tale, not a how-to book.
[15:16] On ambition and the metrics of success.
[18:31] Maximizing self-satisfaction, optimizing the writing process, and learning to sing.
[20:51] The value of having an impolite editor on your side.
[23:52] On the merits of productive laziness.
[28:13] How Michael determines if a project should proceed.
[29:51] Michael’s billboard.
[32:45] Enter Martine Rothblatt.
[33:14] Martine’s appreciation for Alan Watts’ book on human identity.
[35:34] Martine’s thoughts on AI-human coexistence in the movie Her.
[36:31] BINA48 and realistic human simulations in media.
[39:53] Martine’s role models and inspirations.
[41:20] When Martine started a biotech company to save her daughter’s life.
[52:44] Glaxo Wellcome’s misconceptions about Martine’s successful drug.
[56:17] Martine’s interest in satellite communication systems.
[1:00:33] Promoting scientific literacy and curiosity.
[1:05:20] Questioning authority and Martine’s transgender journey.
[1:10:28] Martine’s non-binary gender identity.
[1:12:34] Key decisions in Martine’s transition.
[1:13:28] The need for genetic information protection laws.
[1:16:00] South American population and organ transplant research.
[1:21:42] Vagus nerve manipulation for various therapies.
[1:31:25] Martine’s Alzheimer’s cognitive enabler patent.
[1:38:17] The Rothblatt family’s “love nights” tradition.
[1:43:54] The possibility of machines experiencing love.
[1:49:20] Ethical considerations for future technology.
[1:52:44] Current practices future generations might view as barbaric.
[1:57:42] United Therapeutics’ zero-carbon-footprint headquarters.
[2:00:32] Refurbishing unusable lungs to save lives.
[2:04:45] United Therapeutics’ focus on long-term COVID-19 effects.
[2:07:26] Martine’s billboard.
[2:08:27] Advice for finding positivity in life.
[2:11:48] Parting thoughts.

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

Connect with Michael Lewis:

Website | Podcast

Connect with Martine Rothblatt:

Twitter | Instagram

PEOPLE MENTIONED

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Greg

1 year ago

Tim has referred to Kevin Kelly as the most interesting man in the world … Martine might just be the most interesting human.

Steve Hunter

1 year ago

Love the content but in the pod, emails and on the website the number of ads is getting absurd – how many times can you pimp AG1, 8Pod, LinkedIn, etc. At times it is hard to find the actual content! Be better.

-1

Audrey

1 year ago

Dear Tim & Martine, long haulers have so much more than lung issues. And not all of us had serious cases. Tim, this would be worthlooking into. There are many formerly high-functioning people withering from this conditions – and many recovered. The recovery stories come from outside conventional medicine because there _is no_ medical therapy. It’s incredibly sad for those without resources because even supplements are expensive and not covered by insurance.

Katie

1 year ago

Tim, I have listened to 100’s of your podcast episodes over the years, and the episode with Martine was/is my absolute favorite. Following your interview, Martine became a personal hero of mine, as a parent, a scientist, and a human being. Shepardizing has become my favorite way to deep-dive into scientific journals, thanks to this interview. As you consider your own next steps and the future of the podcast, please consider inviting Martine for a “second round” interview. I think we have much more to learn from this incredible human!