Edward Norton — On Creative Process, Creative Struggle, and Motherless Brooklyn (#393)

Edward Norton — On Creative Process, Creative Struggle, and Motherless Brooklyn (#393)

“It’s nice to be reminded that it’s been hard for other people when they were getting things done that you admired because it maybe gives you that extra little bit of determination or patience to persevere a little more.” — Edward Norton Edward Norton (@EdwardNorton) is one of the most celebrated actors of his generation. …

Nick Kokonas — How to Apply World-Class Creativity to Business, Art, and Life (#341)

Nick Kokonas — How to Apply World-Class Creativity to Business, Art, and Life (#341)

“I just look at some things and go, ‘Why is that? Why does it work that way?’ Oftentimes, the people most entrenched in a system have no idea why.” — Nick Kokonas Nick Kokonas (IG: @nkokonas, TW: @NickKokonas) is the co-owner and co-founder of The Alinea Group of restaurants, which includes Alinea, Next, The Aviary, …

Aisha Tyler — How to Use Pain, Comedy, and Practice for Creativity (#327)

Aisha Tyler — How to Use Pain, Comedy, and Practice for Creativity (#327)

“You can’t own results; you can only own initiative.” — Aisha Tyler Aisha Tyler (@aishatyler on Twitter, Instagram, and Vimeo) is an award-winning director, actor, comedian, bestselling author, podcaster, and activist. She’s amazing. If you enjoyed my episodes with Brandon Stanton, Debbie Millman, or Adam Robinson, among others, you will love this one. Whether you do …

Joseph Gordon-Levitt — Actor, Filmmaker, and Entrepreneur (#312)

Joseph Gordon-Levitt — Actor, Filmmaker, and Entrepreneur (#312)

“Art and fame are sort of odd bedfellows.” – Joseph Gordon-Levitt Joseph Gordon-Levitt (@hitRECordJoe) is an actor whose career spans three decades, and ranges from television (3rd Rock from the Sun) to arthouse (Mysterious Skin, Brick) to multiplex (Inception, 500 Days of Summer, Looper, Snowden). He made his feature screenwriting and directorial debut with Don …

Nick Thompson — Editor In Chief of WIRED (#311)

Nick Thompson — Editor In Chief of WIRED (#311)

“Procrastination is the enemy of good editing.” – Nick Thompson Nick Thompson (@nxthompson) is the editor in chief of WIRED. Under his leadership, Wired has launched a successful paywall, a Snapchat channel, and an AMP Stories edition; it has also been nominated for National Magazine Awards in design and feature writing. Nick is a contributor …

Dr. Gabor Maté — New Paradigms, Ayahuasca, and Redefining Addiction (#298)

Dr. Gabor Maté — New Paradigms, Ayahuasca, and Redefining Addiction (#298)

“Trauma isn’t what happens to you; it’s what happens inside you.” — Gabor Maté [HOUSEKEEPING NOTE: Some people in the comments are asking “Which ayahuasca/ibogaine retreat center would you recommend?” and similar questions. To avoid DIY medicine, potential injuries, and other liability headaches, we have decided not to publish these comments. There’s plenty of other …

Gretchen Rubin — Experiments in Happiness and Creativity (#290)

Gretchen Rubin — Experiments in Happiness and Creativity (#290)

“I wish I could not wish.” – Gretchen Rubin Gretchen Rubin (@gretchenrubin) is the author of several books, including the New York Times bestsellers The Four Tendencies, Better Than Before, The Happiness Project, and Happier at Home. She has an enormous readership, both in print and online, and her books have sold three million copies …

Lessons from Steve Jobs, Leonardo da Vinci, and Ben Franklin (#273)

Lessons from Steve Jobs, Leonardo da Vinci, and Ben Franklin (#273)

“Education is supposed to juice your curiosity, not diminish or sate it.” – Walter Isaacson Walter Isaacson (@WalterIsaacson) is a professor at Tulane University, and the president and CEO of The Aspen Institute, a nonpartisan educational and policy studies institute based in Washington, DC. He has been the chairman and CEO of CNN and the …

Sir Richard Branson — The Billionaire Maverick of the Virgin Empire (#272)

Sir Richard Branson — The Billionaire Maverick of the Virgin Empire (#272)

“Stick your neck out. … It’s a lot more fun than sitting at home and watching other people do it.” — Sir Richard Branson Sir Richard Branson (@richardbranson), founder and chairman of The Virgin Group, is a world-famous entrepreneur, adventurer, activist, and business icon. He has launched a dozen billion-dollar businesses and hundreds of other …