Episode
#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
3:17:58
Published: Fri Mar 11 2016
Description
This episode is very special to me and features a verbal Jedi who never gets interviewed himself: Cal Fussman. Cal (@calfussman) is a New York Times bestselling author and a writer-at-large for Esquire Magazine, where he is best known for being a primary writer of the “What I Learned” feature. The Austin Chronicle has described Cal's interviewing skills as "peerless." He has transformed oral history into an art form, conducting probing interviews with the icons who’ve shaped the last 50 years of world history: Mikhail Gorbachev, Jimmy Carter, Ted Kennedy, Jeff Bezos, Richard Branson, Jack Welch, Robert DeNiro, Clint Eastwood, Al Pacino, George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Bruce Springsteen, Dr. Dre, Quincy Jones, Woody Allen, Barbara Walters, Pelé, Yao Ming, Serena Williams, John Wooden, Muhammad Ali, and countless others. Born in Brooklyn, Cal spent 10 straight years traveling the world, swimming over 18-foot tiger sharks, rolling around with mountain gorillas in Rwanda, and searching for gold in the Amazon. He has also made himself a guinea pig — Cal has boxed against world champion Julio Cesar Chavez and served as a sommelier atop of the World Trade Center. He now lives with his wife—whom he met while on a quest to discover the world’s most beautiful beach—and his three children in Los Angeles, where he spends every morning eating breakfast with Larry King. Show notes and links for this episode can be found at www.fourhourworkweek.com/podcast. This podcast is brought to you by Audible. I have used Audible for years and I love audio books. I have two to recommend: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman Vagabonding by Rolf Potts All you need to do to get your free 30-day Audible trial is go to Audible.com/Tim. Choose one of the above books, or choose between more than 180,000 audio programs. That could be a book, a newspaper, a magazine, or even a class. It's that easy. Go to Audible.com/Tim and get started today. Enjoy! This podcast is also brought to you by Wealthfront. Wealthfront is a massively disruptive (in a good way) set-it-and-forget-it investing service, led by technologists from places like Apple. It has exploded in popularity in the last two years and now has more than $2.5B under management. Why? Because you can get services previously limited to the ultra-wealthy and only pay pennies on the dollar for them, and it’s all through smarter software instead of retail locations and bloated sales teams. Check out wealthfront.com/tim, take their risk assessment quiz, which only takes 2-5 minutes, and they’ll show you—for free–exactly the portfolio they’d put you in. If you want to just take their advice and do it yourself, you can. Well worth a few minutes to explore: wealthfront.com/tim. ***If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. I also love reading the reviews!For show notes and past guests, please visit tim.blog/podcast.Sign up for Tim’s email newsletter (“5-Bullet Friday”) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Visit tim.blog/sponsor and fill out the form.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss YouTube: youtube.com/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, 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
Tim Ferriss interviews Cal Fussman, a New York Times bestselling author and writer at large for Esquire magazine, best known for being a primary writer of the "What I Learned" feature.
00:00 - 07:38 (07:38)
Summary
Tim Ferriss interviews Cal Fussman, a New York Times bestselling author and writer at large for Esquire magazine, best known for being a primary writer of the "What I Learned" feature.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
In this podcast, Tim Ferriss talks about his unconventional approach to interviews and anecdotes, and how he handles insecurities during live events.
07:38 - 13:11 (05:32)
Summary
In this podcast, Tim Ferriss talks about his unconventional approach to interviews and anecdotes, and how he handles insecurities during live events.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The House of Run podcast discusses the life of John Carlos, the 1968 Olympic bronze medalist and political activist.
13:11 - 18:38 (05:27)
Summary
The House of Run podcast discusses the life of John Carlos, the 1968 Olympic bronze medalist and political activist. They delve into his childhood, experiences at the Olympics, and the aftermath of his iconic protest.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker shared how he took time off after graduation to travel and see Muhammad Ali bag the heavyweight championship for the third time while also hoping to write a magazine story about him.
18:38 - 25:33 (06:55)
Summary
The speaker shared how he took time off after graduation to travel and see Muhammad Ali bag the heavyweight championship for the third time while also hoping to write a magazine story about him.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker discusses the expectations and pressure of appearing "big time" while at a bar, but also recognizes the humanity and down-to-earth nature of a regular patron.
25:33 - 33:26 (07:52)
Summary
The speaker discusses the expectations and pressure of appearing "big time" while at a bar, but also recognizes the humanity and down-to-earth nature of a regular patron.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker describes a visual experience that was like a kid in a candy store or a baby dazzled by a mobile, which was the most fantastic and phantasmagorical moment of their life.
33:26 - 39:30 (06:04)
Summary
The speaker describes a visual experience that was like a kid in a candy store or a baby dazzled by a mobile, which was the most fantastic and phantasmagorical moment of their life.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker recounts a story of being at a mountain with two friends, contemplating the risks of going down, but ultimately deciding to continue and experiencing something unforgettable.
39:30 - 45:29 (05:58)
Summary
The speaker recounts a story of being at a mountain with two friends, contemplating the risks of going down, but ultimately deciding to continue and experiencing something unforgettable.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The host takes a ride with a Hungarian woman who wants to make sure he experiences authentic goulash.
45:30 - 54:23 (08:53)
Summary
The host takes a ride with a Hungarian woman who wants to make sure he experiences authentic goulash. They talk about goulash and the woman's experience surviving the 2004 tsunami in Thailand.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
In this snippet, the speaker highlights the fact that people can become fascinating when you meet them for the first time and don't know what to expect.
54:24 - 1:01:25 (07:01)
Summary
In this snippet, the speaker highlights the fact that people can become fascinating when you meet them for the first time and don't know what to expect. Moreover, they reveal that people tend to open up and share in ways they might not with others when they perceive the interaction as a one-time one.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The possibility of meeting interesting people and making lasting connections while traveling can be exciting and fulfilling.
1:01:25 - 1:06:43 (05:17)
Summary
The possibility of meeting interesting people and making lasting connections while traveling can be exciting and fulfilling. With the help of the internet, it's even easier to connect with others and share experiences.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker describes their experience of traveling by sailing vessel and muleback to reach a remote beach destination, and how it was ultimately worth the effort.
1:06:43 - 1:13:08 (06:24)
Summary
The speaker describes their experience of traveling by sailing vessel and muleback to reach a remote beach destination, and how it was ultimately worth the effort.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker reflects on the evolution of his understanding of the purpose of interviews, starting from a mistaken belief that it was only about news reporting to later realizing it involves more than just having fun with celebrities.
1:13:08 - 1:19:37 (06:29)
Summary
The speaker reflects on the evolution of his understanding of the purpose of interviews, starting from a mistaken belief that it was only about news reporting to later realizing it involves more than just having fun with celebrities.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Cal Fussman discusses the art of storytelling and shares his experiences interviewing famous personalities including Gorbachev, De Niro and Donald Trump.
1:19:38 - 1:28:18 (08:40)
Summary
Cal Fussman discusses the art of storytelling and shares his experiences interviewing famous personalities including Gorbachev, De Niro and Donald Trump. He also talks about his time as a sommelier at Windows of the World prior to the tragic events of 9/11.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Scaling up from hiring a few employees to dozens or even hundreds can be a challenge for startups.
1:28:18 - 1:38:00 (09:42)
Summary
Scaling up from hiring a few employees to dozens or even hundreds can be a challenge for startups. Successful entrepreneurs advise sharing stories of how to handle growth and hiring candidates based on their work ethic and values, rather than just qualifications.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The power of the first question is to go straight to the heart, not the head, as it helps establish a connection with the person being interviewed.
1:38:00 - 1:43:25 (05:24)
Summary
The power of the first question is to go straight to the heart, not the head, as it helps establish a connection with the person being interviewed. This lesson is valuable when conducting interviews or asking questions of any kind.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker discusses his experience as a boxer and the reactions he received from the crowd when he entered the ring.
1:43:25 - 1:51:08 (07:43)
Summary
The speaker discusses his experience as a boxer and the reactions he received from the crowd when he entered the ring. He reflects on his opponent's experience and mindset, knowing he was likely to lose.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker shares a story about receiving boxing lessons and preparing to fight Julio Cesar Chavez.
1:51:08 - 1:57:11 (06:02)
Summary
The speaker shares a story about receiving boxing lessons and preparing to fight Julio Cesar Chavez.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker talks about training for boxing at 35 years old and the challenges he faces as he tries to learn and adopt a style that emphasizes full focus and straight-ahead energy.
1:57:12 - 2:04:14 (07:02)
Summary
The speaker talks about training for boxing at 35 years old and the challenges he faces as he tries to learn and adopt a style that emphasizes full focus and straight-ahead energy.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker discusses the upcoming boxing match and how his opponent is worried about hurting his hands.
2:04:14 - 2:09:01 (04:47)
Summary
The speaker discusses the upcoming boxing match and how his opponent is worried about hurting his hands. The speaker will be wearing training gloves during the fight.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker shares a boxing technique, involving a combination of left jabs, right hand, left hook and straight right hand.
2:09:02 - 2:13:35 (04:33)
Summary
The speaker shares a boxing technique, involving a combination of left jabs, right hand, left hook and straight right hand.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
A boxer tells the story of a controversial fight where he was accused of being racist towards his opponent, but in reality, the situation was much more complex.
2:13:35 - 2:19:19 (05:43)
Summary
A boxer tells the story of a controversial fight where he was accused of being racist towards his opponent, but in reality, the situation was much more complex.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
George Foreman was once an invincible boxing champion until he suffered a humiliating loss to Muhammad Ali, leading him to question the definition of success and search for guidance in the biographies of successful people.
2:19:19 - 2:28:29 (09:09)
Summary
George Foreman was once an invincible boxing champion until he suffered a humiliating loss to Muhammad Ali, leading him to question the definition of success and search for guidance in the biographies of successful people. He later rediscovered his passion for boxing and went on to become a champion once again, inspiring others with his story of redemption.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
David Epstein shares how he recommended George Foreman read Gabriel Garcia Marquez's A Hundred Years of Solitude to write a great book and how Foreman's boxing strategy was designed to expend the least amount of energy and land one shot.
2:28:29 - 2:34:42 (06:13)
Summary
David Epstein shares how he recommended George Foreman read Gabriel Garcia Marquez's A Hundred Years of Solitude to write a great book and how Foreman's boxing strategy was designed to expend the least amount of energy and land one shot.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker recommends a book that is deemed required reading to understand current social issues, such as the events in Ferguson, Missouri, sharing how the book helped him prepare for a speech and provided practical examples throughout.
2:34:42 - 2:41:17 (06:35)
Summary
The speaker recommends a book that is deemed required reading to understand current social issues, such as the events in Ferguson, Missouri, sharing how the book helped him prepare for a speech and provided practical examples throughout.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker discusses his love for the movie "Man on Wire" and the experience of watching it in 3D IMAX.
2:41:17 - 2:46:59 (05:42)
Summary
The speaker discusses his love for the movie "Man on Wire" and the experience of watching it in 3D IMAX. He also mentions taking multiple people to see the movie and giving them motion sickness pills beforehand.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The role of the person conducting an interview is to understand the role that needs to be filled and ask questions to the applicants that will be good for that position.
2:47:00 - 2:51:44 (04:44)
Summary
The role of the person conducting an interview is to understand the role that needs to be filled and ask questions to the applicants that will be good for that position.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker advises aspiring writers to write and not use school or any other excuse as a hindrance to writing.
2:51:44 - 2:57:58 (06:14)
Summary
The speaker advises aspiring writers to write and not use school or any other excuse as a hindrance to writing. He emphasizes the importance of practice and discipline in writing.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
A bottle of Lordeau Champagne helped a fake sommelier open doors to new social experiences and parties.
2:57:58 - 3:02:26 (04:28)
Summary
A bottle of Lordeau Champagne helped a fake sommelier open doors to new social experiences and parties.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
A man receives support to reveal a secret story by someone who helped bankroll his past ventures, which now haunts him everytime he enters his office.
3:02:26 - 3:08:24 (05:58)
Summary
A man receives support to reveal a secret story by someone who helped bankroll his past ventures, which now haunts him everytime he enters his office.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker advises people to take a wine class to learn about varietals, regions and flavor profiles to enhance their wine knowledge.
3:08:24 - 3:16:02 (07:37)
Summary
The speaker advises people to take a wine class to learn about varietals, regions and flavor profiles to enhance their wine knowledge.
Episode#145: The Interview Master: Cal Fussman and the Power of Listening
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Tim Ferriss offers a weekly email newsletter called "Five Bullet Friday" to his subscribers, sharing interesting and cool things that he has come across during the past week.
3:16:02 - 3:17:53 (01:51)
Summary
Tim Ferriss offers a weekly email newsletter called "Five Bullet Friday" to his subscribers, sharing interesting and cool things that he has come across during the past week. From favorite articles to gizmos and gadgets, the newsletter provides a fun little morsel of entertainment to start off the weekend.