Episode
Rick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity
3:00:38
Published: Mon Jan 16 2023
Description
My guest is Rick Rubin, one of the most renowned music producers of all time, known for his work with a wide range of artists, including Run DMC, Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, JayZ, Adele, Johnny Cash, LL Cool J, Slayer, Neil Young, Ye (formerly Kayne West), Tom Petty, and many more. He is also the author of a new book, "The Creative Act: A Way of Being," which explores the creative process and how to access creativity. We discuss topics such as finding inspiration, the role of feelings as guideposts, learning from observing nature, balancing self-doubt and anxiety, and adopting new perspectives to channel the creative process. Rick also shares his thoughts on using deadlines, eliminating distractions, and how our experiences and emotions influence the creative process. Additionally, we discuss his love for professional wrestling. Our conversation can be applied to any activity or profession to access creativity. For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman Maui Nui: https://mauinuivenison.com/huberman Thesis: https://takethesis.com/huberman WHOOP: https://join.whoop.com/huberman InsideTracker: https://www.insidetracker.com/huberman Supplements from Momentous https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Rick Rubin (00:04:08) Maui Nui Venison, Thesis, WHOOP, Momentous (00:08:23) Creativity & Ideas, Cloud Analogy (00:12:26) Language & Creativity; Kids (00:17:36) Feelings & Creative Ideas (00:22:01) Rules, Choice & Art; Personal Taste & Other’s Opinions (00:30:20) Changing Perspective & Creativity (00:33:55) AG1 (Athletic Greens) (00:35:04) Scientific Knowledge; Opinions & Art (00:41:27) Finishing Projects; The Source & Nature (00:47:40) Perception Filters, Contrast & Novelty (00:58:42) Music & Identity, Evolving Tastes (01:03:03) InsideTracker (01:04:14) Focus, Disengaging & Subconscious; Anxiety (01:13:22) Collaboration, Art & Rigorous Work (01:18:26) Process & “Cloud”; Perception & Storytelling (01:29:13) Limited Resolution, Considering the Inverse (01:35:38) Wrestling, Energy & Reality; Dopamine (01:49:43) Wrestling, Style & Performance (01:52:40) Resetting Energy & Nature; Nostalgia (02:01:56) Sleep, Waking Up & Sunlight, Capturing Ideas (02:08:16) Creative Work Phases; Structure & Deadlines (02:15:32) Self-Doubt & Performance (02:19:13) Predictability & Surprise, Authenticity (02:25:02) Past Experiences, Other’s Opinions (02:29:42) Public Opinion & Science: Light, Acupuncture & Nutrition (02:39:44) “Look for Clues”, Belief Effects (02:46:25) Attention, Emotion & Art (02:48:07) Mantra Meditation, Awareness Meditation (02:57:33) Rick Rubin Questions, Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac
Chapters
This podcast episode features a conversation with Rick Hanson and delves into the creative process and its significance in every domain, from music to writing, science, and production, emphasizing practical tools for accessing it.
00:00 - 05:55 (05:55)
Summary
This podcast episode features a conversation with Rick Hanson and delves into the creative process and its significance in every domain, from music to writing, science, and production, emphasizing practical tools for accessing it. The episode also briefly mentions the importance of getting quality protein for the repair of all tissues, including brain tissue, on a daily basis.
EpisodeRick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity
PodcastHuberman Lab
Scientists have never been able to accurately capture a way to discuss creativity.
05:55 - 12:34 (06:38)
Summary
Scientists have never been able to accurately capture a way to discuss creativity. This podcast explores why that is and discusses how one may be able to tap into their creative flow.
EpisodeRick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity
PodcastHuberman Lab
The creative process may come more easily to children than to adults due to the lack of external constraints and desire for approval.
12:34 - 18:22 (05:48)
Summary
The creative process may come more easily to children than to adults due to the lack of external constraints and desire for approval. Adults tend to limit themselves based on rules and expectations, while children are more open to exploring their surroundings and discovering new things.
EpisodeRick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity
PodcastHuberman Lab
In this podcast, the speakers delve into the concept of creativity and how it can be defined and interpreted in a multitude of ways, using personal experiences and examples such as the band Ramones.
18:22 - 22:01 (03:39)
Summary
In this podcast, the speakers delve into the concept of creativity and how it can be defined and interpreted in a multitude of ways, using personal experiences and examples such as the band Ramones.
EpisodeRick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity
PodcastHuberman Lab
Understanding and owning your creative preferences is the most crucial skill required to be a successful artist.
22:01 - 29:09 (07:07)
Summary
Understanding and owning your creative preferences is the most crucial skill required to be a successful artist. Having infinite choices doesn't necessarily guarantee better compositions; gut feeling and making choices based on personal preferences are crucial to the creative process.
EpisodeRick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity
PodcastHuberman Lab
The ability to create a compelling story can capture the interest of many people, even if they aren't sure what they actually like about it.
29:09 - 35:30 (06:21)
Summary
The ability to create a compelling story can capture the interest of many people, even if they aren't sure what they actually like about it. This phenomenon can be seen in the field of science as well.
EpisodeRick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity
PodcastHuberman Lab
The creator of a product tries to fill a void in the market, making something they would personally use, but it is interesting to see how it is received by others who might have a different interpretation or purpose for it.
35:30 - 48:16 (12:46)
Summary
The creator of a product tries to fill a void in the market, making something they would personally use, but it is interesting to see how it is received by others who might have a different interpretation or purpose for it.
EpisodeRick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity
PodcastHuberman Lab
The relationship between art and science is a fascinating and often overlooked area of study.
48:16 - 56:20 (08:03)
Summary
The relationship between art and science is a fascinating and often overlooked area of study. By analyzing different artistic techniques and scientific theories, we can gain a deeper understanding of the world around us.
EpisodeRick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity
PodcastHuberman Lab
The delight we feel when experiencing something may not actually be directly related to that experience, but rather our subconscious association with other experiences.
56:20 - 1:04:44 (08:23)
Summary
The delight we feel when experiencing something may not actually be directly related to that experience, but rather our subconscious association with other experiences. This means that our interpretation of something can change depending on our individual perceptions and past experiences.
EpisodeRick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity
PodcastHuberman Lab
The path to moving forward is often portrayed as calm, heroic acts, but the reality is anxiety may still be present.
1:04:44 - 1:13:15 (08:30)
Summary
The path to moving forward is often portrayed as calm, heroic acts, but the reality is anxiety may still be present. It's essential to understand that anxiety doesn't have to stop one's progress, and it's possible to push through it.
EpisodeRick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity
PodcastHuberman Lab
The podcast discusses whether internal chaos and disorder is an essential ingredient for creativity, by drawing a comparison between sports like boxing and music musicians like the Ramones.
1:13:15 - 1:19:59 (06:43)
Summary
The podcast discusses whether internal chaos and disorder is an essential ingredient for creativity, by drawing a comparison between sports like boxing and music musicians like the Ramones.
EpisodeRick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity
PodcastHuberman Lab
Our minds subconsciously create a story to explain events, a hypothetical that makes it okay, which we then live the rest of our lives as if it really happened.
1:20:00 - 1:26:01 (06:01)
Summary
Our minds subconsciously create a story to explain events, a hypothetical that makes it okay, which we then live the rest of our lives as if it really happened. When approaching a project, it is important to consider whether to work with the cloud or in the implementation, depending on the goals.
EpisodeRick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity
PodcastHuberman Lab
The brain works through limited symbol and perceptual filters, leading to confabulated memories and limited understanding of the world around us.
1:26:01 - 1:30:50 (04:49)
Summary
The brain works through limited symbol and perceptual filters, leading to confabulated memories and limited understanding of the world around us.
EpisodeRick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity
PodcastHuberman Lab
The podcast explores the science of perception, including how the human psyche perceives different things based on the surrounding environment, and new emerging fields of psychology.
1:30:50 - 1:35:15 (04:24)
Summary
The podcast explores the science of perception, including how the human psyche perceives different things based on the surrounding environment, and new emerging fields of psychology.
EpisodeRick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity
PodcastHuberman Lab
The podcast discusses the power of watching wrestling to access creative energy and source and the ways in which it can help one to develop better attention and awareness skills.
1:35:15 - 1:41:32 (06:17)
Summary
The podcast discusses the power of watching wrestling to access creative energy and source and the ways in which it can help one to develop better attention and awareness skills.
EpisodeRick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity
PodcastHuberman Lab
Even though wrestling is scripted, the unpredictability and undiscovered nuggets of action that can occur during a match can lead to a bigger release of dopamine for viewers.
1:41:32 - 1:48:34 (07:02)
Summary
Even though wrestling is scripted, the unpredictability and undiscovered nuggets of action that can occur during a match can lead to a bigger release of dopamine for viewers.
EpisodeRick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity
PodcastHuberman Lab
The chaos of a punk rock show gave the speaker a sense of reset during grad school.
1:48:34 - 1:53:31 (04:57)
Summary
The chaos of a punk rock show gave the speaker a sense of reset during grad school. The guest and host discuss the unique aspects of sports like professional wrestling and surfing, and how they prioritize style in addition to talent.
EpisodeRick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity
PodcastHuberman Lab
The speaker speaks about two ways to reset and access the ability to think in a structured way without feeling overwhelmed, which are staring at aquariums and experiencing places that have potential to change versus those with very little change.
1:53:31 - 2:01:19 (07:47)
Summary
The speaker speaks about two ways to reset and access the ability to think in a structured way without feeling overwhelmed, which are staring at aquariums and experiencing places that have potential to change versus those with very little change.
EpisodeRick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity
PodcastHuberman Lab
The speaker shares their habit of falling asleep while listening to a lecture or speech to prevent getting lost in their own thoughts.
2:01:19 - 2:06:15 (04:55)
Summary
The speaker shares their habit of falling asleep while listening to a lecture or speech to prevent getting lost in their own thoughts. They also discuss the benefits of getting sunlight in the morning and reference scenes in which someone talks about predicting their own assassination.
EpisodeRick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity
PodcastHuberman Lab
The three phases of creativity are ideation, execution, and crafting, says the speaker.
2:06:15 - 2:15:39 (09:24)
Summary
The three phases of creativity are ideation, execution, and crafting, says the speaker. The crafting phase involves tweaking and combining ideas to create an end product, and it can become quite intense.
EpisodeRick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity
PodcastHuberman Lab
The creative process can be driven by a desire to please oneself without worrying about outcome, but this can also create pressure to repeat success.
2:15:39 - 2:22:45 (07:05)
Summary
The creative process can be driven by a desire to please oneself without worrying about outcome, but this can also create pressure to repeat success. Managing self-doubt and finding inspiration in unpredictability can help break the cycle.
EpisodeRick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity
PodcastHuberman Lab
The creative process is about capturing moments and rearranging them to yield something new, rather than trying to force creativity by gritting one's teeth.
2:22:45 - 2:31:43 (08:58)
Summary
The creative process is about capturing moments and rearranging them to yield something new, rather than trying to force creativity by gritting one's teeth. It's important to consider whose advice artists follow, as it may not be conducive to their own creative process.
EpisodeRick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity
PodcastHuberman Lab
The stance and limitations of journal editorial staff dictate what health therapies get published in scientific journals, creating filters based on biology and culture.
2:31:43 - 2:36:06 (04:22)
Summary
The stance and limitations of journal editorial staff dictate what health therapies get published in scientific journals, creating filters based on biology and culture. The changing times and upcoming generation of journal editors will impact what is considered "crazy" therapy today.
EpisodeRick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity
PodcastHuberman Lab
The speaker finds interest in unrealistic and unconventional things that may be hidden from people while advocating for emphasizing behavioral do's and don'ts first in exploration.
2:36:06 - 2:41:25 (05:19)
Summary
The speaker finds interest in unrealistic and unconventional things that may be hidden from people while advocating for emphasizing behavioral do's and don'ts first in exploration.
EpisodeRick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity
PodcastHuberman Lab
The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in our decision-making process and other bodily functions, such as appetite and pain management.
2:41:25 - 2:48:45 (07:20)
Summary
The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in our decision-making process and other bodily functions, such as appetite and pain management. However, when in pain, our signals can interfere with decision making and affect how we perceive art.
EpisodeRick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity
PodcastHuberman Lab
This transcript dives into the different forms of meditation, including awareness meditation, mantra meditation, breathwork, and physical forms such as Tai Chi.
2:48:45 - 2:56:05 (07:20)
Summary
This transcript dives into the different forms of meditation, including awareness meditation, mantra meditation, breathwork, and physical forms such as Tai Chi. It also touches on the concept of loving-kindness meditation with phrases.
EpisodeRick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity
PodcastHuberman Lab
The podcast guest thanks the host for his music and shares about a free resource that includes podcast summaries and toolkits for physical and mental health.
2:56:05 - 3:01:07 (05:01)
Summary
The podcast guest thanks the host for his music and shares about a free resource that includes podcast summaries and toolkits for physical and mental health. The guest also mentions the benefits of supplements for sleep, focus, hormones, and overall health, as well as recommends a comprehensive book for those seeking to understand the creative process.