Tim Ferriss

July 26, 2024

Jamie Foxx and Jacqueline Novogratz (#758)

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 #124 “Jamie Foxx on Workout Routines, Success Habits, and Untold Hollywood Stories” and #514 “Jacqueline Novogratz on Building Acumen, How to (Actually) Change the World, Speaking Your Truth, and the Incredible Power of ‘Dumb’ Questions.”

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

Please enjoy!

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

This episode is brought to you by AG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement, ExpressVPN high-speed, secure, and anonymous VPN service, and The League curated dating app for busy, high-performing people.

Transcript for the full Jamie Foxx episode | Transcript for the full Jaqueline Novogratz episode | Transcripts for all episodes

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#758: Jamie Foxx and Jacqueline Novogratz

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

SHOW NOTES

[06:50] Notes about this supercombo format.
[07:53] Enter Jamie Foxx.
[08:19] When Jamie met Kanye West.
[10:58] Why Jamie considers his studio magical.
[13:32] When Jamie met Ed Sheeran.
[15:00] What’s on the other side of fear?
[16:53] Making impressions.
[22:15] How Eric Marlon Bishop became Jamie Foxx.
[24:49] Overcoming fear at open mics.
[26:12] Could Prince or Michael Jackson find a career break in today’s “Age of Memes?”
[27:49] How Jamie learned to read the room.
[33:27] Why do some comedians lose the ability to make people laugh?
[39:04] Enter Jacqueline Novogratz.
[39:37] Jacqueline’s background and siblings’ accomplishments.
[42:06] Jacqueline’s journey into social impact investing.
[45:15] An early banking career and reputation for asking tough questions.
[48:36] A tendency to champion underdogs.
[53:18] From banker to disruptor.
[1:00:04] Jacqueline’s first opportunity in her new path.
[1:05:28] Failures, small wins, and perseverance.
[1:09:21] Jacqueline’s first real win in Rwanda.
[1:13:37] The path between Rwanda and founding Acumen.
[1:16:06] Jacqueline’s reasons for applying to Stanford Business School.
[1:18:10] How the Rwanda genocide redefined poverty for Jacqueline.
[1:20:42] Lessons Jacqueline learned about human nature from the genocide.
[1:26:25] Acumen’s three main functions and naming process.
[1:29:12] The quantification of impact investment through Lean Data.
[1:37:28] Alternative names for Acumen that got left on the cutting room floor.
[1:40:43] The concept of moral imagination.
[1:44:55] An early win at Acumen.
[1:50:43] Advice for young people aspiring to create positive change.
[1:53:20] The benefits of committing to something larger than oneself.
[1:56:10] Characteristics of a good mentor.
[1:59:36] Book recommendations.
[2:02:48] Advice for impact investors at various levels.
[2:09:20] Next steps for investors to start making a difference.
[2:14:00] Jacqueline’s authenticity.
[2:17:07] A taste of potential topics for a future round two.
[2:20:55] Parting thoughts.

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

Connect with Jamie Foxx:

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Connect with Jacqueline Novogratz:

LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

PEOPLE MENTIONED

Comment Rules: Remember what Fonzie was like? Cool. That's how we're gonna be — cool. Critical is fine, but if you're rude, we'll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation! (Thanks to Brian Oberkirch for the inspiration.)

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Marci Wright-Smith

1 year ago

Hi Tim,

I know you are taking a break, but we miss you and I am looking forward to listening to new and fresh podcast episodes or hearing about your latest pursuits on my commute to work.

I hope you are out in the locations that make you happy, with people who matter to you, or solo with Molly the pup.

Happy to hear earlier in the year that you have taken on winter sports and have a passion for skiing. Have you tried mountain biking? So fabulous, and I think you would loooove the bike park in Whistler, BC.

Cheers,
Marci and family.

Adam

1 year ago

Hey Tim, as per your 5-Bullet Friday alzheimer’s nugget – If you haven’t already heard of Dale Bredesen’s book, “End of Alzheimer’s” you should check it out!

Samir

1 year ago

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I hope you’re well.

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I would like to propose a direct, ongoing collaboration for guest posting. Please advise how to proceed.

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Parcels

4 months ago

Really enjoyed this two-for-one episode! The contrast between Jamie Foxx’s creative hustle and Jacqueline Novogratz’s social-impact journey gives a lot to think about. It reminds me that whether you’re chasing success or meaningful change, staying “on track” with clarity and good tools (mental, practical or organizational) makes all the difference. Great picks from the archive.