Episode

#649: Rick Rubin, Legendary Producer — Timeless Methods for Unlocking Creativity, Secrets Hidden in Plain Sight, The Future with AI, Helpful Distractions, Working with Strong Personalities, Breaking Out of “The Sameness,” and More
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1:24:59
Published: Wed Jan 11 2023
Description

Brought to you by Wealthfront high-yield savings account, Peloton Row premium rower for an efficient workout, and You Need A Budget cult-favorite money management app.Rick Rubin (@RickRubin) is a nine-time GRAMMY-winning producer, one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world, and the most successful producer in any genre, according to Rolling Stone. He has collaborated with artists from Tom Petty to Adele, Johnny Cash to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beastie Boys to Slayer, Kanye West to the Strokes, and System of a Down to Jay-Z. You can find my 2015 interview with Rick at tim.blog/RickRubin.His new book is THE CREATIVE ACT: A Way of Being. *This episode is brought to you by Wealthfront! Wealthfront is an app that helps you save and invest your money. Right now, you can earn 3.8% APY—that’s the Annual Percentage Yield—with the Wealthfront Cash Account. That’s more than fifteen times more interest than if you left your money in a savings account at the average bank, according to FDIC.gov. It takes just a few minutes to sign up, and then you’ll immediately start earning 3.8% interest on your savings. And when you open an account today, you’ll get an extra fifty-dollar bonus with a deposit of five hundred dollars or more.  Visit Wealthfront.com/Tim to get started.*This episode is also brought to you by You Need A Budget! You Need A Budget is a cult-favorite budgeting app for a reason—it works. The app and its simple 4-rule method will change the way you think about money and get you laser focused to live the life you want. With You Need A Budget, you’ll finally experience financial clarity, having all the data points you need to make informed financial decisions. With all that information at your fingertips, you can finally home in on buying that dream house, paying off that last debt, or setting yourself up to retire early. And the You Need A Budget team offers daily, free, live classes—including video courses, bootcamps, and challenges—as well as active fan groups in every corner of the internet. Try the app free for 34 days (no credit card required) at YouNeedABudget.com/Tim.*This episode is brought to you by Peloton Row! Peloton Row delivers personalized rowing workouts to help you learn and master your stroke. Form features like Form Assist and Form Ratings & Insights indicate how to improve your stroke in class in real time and provide a post-class breakdown so you can hit the Row harder next time. And with the ability to customize your target metrics, you become an expert at the level and pace that feels good for you. You get all your cardio and strength in one shot, while protecting your joints and ligaments in a high-intensity, low-impact way. Fun fact: you work 86% of your muscles in only 15 minutes.Right now is the perfect time to get rowing with Peloton Row. Peloton Row offers a variety of classes for all levels plus game-changing features that help you get rowing or advance the rowing you can already do. Explore Peloton Row at OnePeloton.com/Row.*[00:00] Start[06:28] Why Rick wrote The Creative Act.[09:24] The Tao of Rick Rubin.[12:16] Making the creative toolbox multi-purposeful.[15:00] Collaborations: ensuring the best ideas prevail over egos.[19:50] Creative revisions are experiments, not guaranteed improvements.[26:44] Knowing when to be defined by or to deviate from an established genre.[33:07] Why Rick resisted advice to make his first book an autobiography.[37:10] Even a solo project is a collaboration.[38:07] Noticing what nobody else sees.[40:24] Being in the wonderful state “which makes art inevitable.”[42:22] Craftsperson vs. artist.[44:29] Good distraction vs. bad distraction.[46:40] Breaking out of sameness.[49:24] Filtering out non-constructive feedback.[51:39] Does artificial intelligence deserve a role in the creative process?[55:36] What happens when new music catches Rick’s ear?[56:54] How to be the best music producer possible.[1:00:17] Artists who seem to best channel wonder from the mundane.[1:04:12] Managing massive inspirational intake.[1:05:24] New movies on Rick’s radar.[1:06:23] Tips for artists who want to endure the ages.[1:12:06] Pacing the book — as the writer and the reader.[1:15:39] Parting thoughts.*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissPast guests on The Tim Ferriss Show include Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Dr. Jane Goodall, LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Esther Perel, Elizabeth Gilbert, Terry Crews, Sia, Yuval Noah Harari, Malcolm Gladwell, Madeleine Albright, Cheryl Strayed, Jim Collins, Mary Karr, Maria Popova, Sam Harris, Michael Phelps, Bob Iger, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Neil Strauss, Ken Burns, Maria Sharapova, Marc Andreessen, Neil Gaiman, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Jocko Willink, Daniel Ek, Kelly Slater, Dr. Peter Attia, Seth Godin, Howard Marks, Dr. Brené Brown, Eric Schmidt, Michael Lewis, Joe Gebbia, Michael Pollan, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Vince Vaughn, Brian Koppelman, Ramit Sethi, Dax Shepard, Tony Robbins, Jim Dethmer, Dan Harris, Ray Dalio, Naval Ravikant, Vitalik Buterin, Elizabeth Lesser, Amanda Palmer, Katie Haun, Sir Richard Branson, Chuck Palahniuk, Arianna Huffington, Reid Hoffman, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Rick Rubin, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Darren Aronofsky, Margaret Atwood, Mark Zuckerberg, Peter Thiel, Dr. Gabor Maté, Anne Lamott, Sarah Silverman, Dr. Andrew Huberman, and many more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chapters
Get a 34-day free trial of You Need A Budget, a money management app that will teach you how to manage your money, while Peloton Row offers a low-impact workout that can be done in small segments of time or stored vertically.
00:00 - 06:12 (06:12)
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Money management, Workout
Summary

Get a 34-day free trial of You Need A Budget, a money management app that will teach you how to manage your money, while Peloton Row offers a low-impact workout that can be done in small segments of time or stored vertically.

Episode
#649: Rick Rubin, Legendary Producer — Timeless Methods for Unlocking Creativity, Secrets Hidden in Plain Sight, The Future with AI, Helpful Distractions, Working with Strong Personalities, Breaking Out of “The Sameness,” and More
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
The Artist's Way is special because it is not the author's story, unlike other books.
06:12 - 12:43 (06:31)
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literature
Summary

The Artist's Way is special because it is not the author's story, unlike other books. The book contains a lot more content than the Tao and exhibits similarities to another book mentioned by Rick Rubin.

Episode
#649: Rick Rubin, Legendary Producer — Timeless Methods for Unlocking Creativity, Secrets Hidden in Plain Sight, The Future with AI, Helpful Distractions, Working with Strong Personalities, Breaking Out of “The Sameness,” and More
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
The key to successful collaboration in music production is prioritizing the best idea above personal gain.
12:43 - 20:07 (07:23)
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Music Production
Summary

The key to successful collaboration in music production is prioritizing the best idea above personal gain. It's important to avoid letting personal relationships or biases influence decision-making and to keep an open mind to all ideas.

Episode
#649: Rick Rubin, Legendary Producer — Timeless Methods for Unlocking Creativity, Secrets Hidden in Plain Sight, The Future with AI, Helpful Distractions, Working with Strong Personalities, Breaking Out of “The Sameness,” and More
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
The key to writing a great script is to get all your ideas down quickly without worrying about perfection.
20:07 - 27:01 (06:53)
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Writing, Scriptwriting
Summary

The key to writing a great script is to get all your ideas down quickly without worrying about perfection. It's important to also work on other things in between and have patience when comparing ideas to ensure you're making progress.

Episode
#649: Rick Rubin, Legendary Producer — Timeless Methods for Unlocking Creativity, Secrets Hidden in Plain Sight, The Future with AI, Helpful Distractions, Working with Strong Personalities, Breaking Out of “The Sameness,” and More
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
This transcript looks at the evolution of the band Linkin Park, their decision to try different styles and move away from just being a rap rock group, and the importance of musicianship and audience connection.
27:01 - 32:03 (05:01)
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Linkin Park
Summary

This transcript looks at the evolution of the band Linkin Park, their decision to try different styles and move away from just being a rap rock group, and the importance of musicianship and audience connection.

Episode
#649: Rick Rubin, Legendary Producer — Timeless Methods for Unlocking Creativity, Secrets Hidden in Plain Sight, The Future with AI, Helpful Distractions, Working with Strong Personalities, Breaking Out of “The Sameness,” and More
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
Consistency in creative output over longer periods of time requires a congruency between the artist's desires and actions.
32:03 - 37:25 (05:22)
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Creativity
Summary

Consistency in creative output over longer periods of time requires a congruency between the artist's desires and actions. Surfing popular trends may yield temporary success, but without intrinsic resonance to the artist's pursuits, it is hard to sustain.

Episode
#649: Rick Rubin, Legendary Producer — Timeless Methods for Unlocking Creativity, Secrets Hidden in Plain Sight, The Future with AI, Helpful Distractions, Working with Strong Personalities, Breaking Out of “The Sameness,” and More
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
The ability to see beauty in the everyday and to notice things others may not is a defining characteristic of artists, who aim to recreate and share those moments with others.
37:25 - 45:22 (07:57)
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Art
Summary

The ability to see beauty in the everyday and to notice things others may not is a defining characteristic of artists, who aim to recreate and share those moments with others.

Episode
#649: Rick Rubin, Legendary Producer — Timeless Methods for Unlocking Creativity, Secrets Hidden in Plain Sight, The Future with AI, Helpful Distractions, Working with Strong Personalities, Breaking Out of “The Sameness,” and More
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
This episode explores the benefits of incorporating positivity and lightness into one's creative work, even when tackling dark subject matter.
45:22 - 49:22 (03:59)
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Creativity
The process of finding what kind of art and music you enjoy involves exposing yourself to different forms of creativity, delving into what ignites your curiosity and interest, and constantly exploring new art and music forms.
49:22 - 57:42 (08:20)
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Music
Summary

The process of finding what kind of art and music you enjoy involves exposing yourself to different forms of creativity, delving into what ignites your curiosity and interest, and constantly exploring new art and music forms. This can be achieved by listening to different tracks or albums and noting down elements that spark interest.

Episode
#649: Rick Rubin, Legendary Producer — Timeless Methods for Unlocking Creativity, Secrets Hidden in Plain Sight, The Future with AI, Helpful Distractions, Working with Strong Personalities, Breaking Out of “The Sameness,” and More
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
This episode highlights the importance of finding and perfecting one's unique talent, especially in the context of music, where individuality and creativity offer a path to success regardless of commercial norms.
57:42 - 1:05:22 (07:40)
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Music
Summary

This episode highlights the importance of finding and perfecting one's unique talent, especially in the context of music, where individuality and creativity offer a path to success regardless of commercial norms.

Episode
#649: Rick Rubin, Legendary Producer — Timeless Methods for Unlocking Creativity, Secrets Hidden in Plain Sight, The Future with AI, Helpful Distractions, Working with Strong Personalities, Breaking Out of “The Sameness,” and More
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
Committing to writing for just 15 hours a week can make a huge difference in a writer's output, and it's a goal that's highly achievable with dedication and discipline.
1:05:22 - 1:10:15 (04:53)
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Writing
In this episode, the host talks about the challenge of reading and digesting non-fiction books, especially given the overwhelming amount of information available on diverse topics, and shares some tips on how to make the most of your reading experience.
1:10:15 - 1:15:54 (05:38)
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Non-Fiction Reading
Summary

In this episode, the host talks about the challenge of reading and digesting non-fiction books, especially given the overwhelming amount of information available on diverse topics, and shares some tips on how to make the most of your reading experience.

Episode
#649: Rick Rubin, Legendary Producer — Timeless Methods for Unlocking Creativity, Secrets Hidden in Plain Sight, The Future with AI, Helpful Distractions, Working with Strong Personalities, Breaking Out of “The Sameness,” and More
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
Tim Ferriss and David Silverman discuss Experimental Fiction, books, podcasts and tech gadgets.
1:15:54 - 1:20:11 (04:17)
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Experimental Fiction
Summary

Tim Ferriss and David Silverman discuss Experimental Fiction, books, podcasts and tech gadgets. They explore the power of the human mind and other senses to inform actions in work and life.

Episode
#649: Rick Rubin, Legendary Producer — Timeless Methods for Unlocking Creativity, Secrets Hidden in Plain Sight, The Future with AI, Helpful Distractions, Working with Strong Personalities, Breaking Out of “The Sameness,” and More
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
Peloton Row offers features like form assist and post-class breakdowns to help improve your technical skills and maximize your workout.
1:20:11 - 1:25:11 (04:59)
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Peloton Row
Summary

Peloton Row offers features like form assist and post-class breakdowns to help improve your technical skills and maximize your workout. The machine also offers various options for low impact rowing and can be stored vertically for convenience.

Episode
#649: Rick Rubin, Legendary Producer — Timeless Methods for Unlocking Creativity, Secrets Hidden in Plain Sight, The Future with AI, Helpful Distractions, Working with Strong Personalities, Breaking Out of “The Sameness,” and More
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show