Oliver Burkeman is a journalist and an author of multiple books, including his bestseller, Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. During our conversation, Oliver talks about being an insecure overachiever, his historic obsession with productivity, learning to say no to things you want to do, the 80/20 principle, and how modern life rewards winners with an unending, lifetime supply of intense work.

He also discusses getting clear on what matters to you in life, the work and ideas of James Hollis, and, when facing a big life decision, asking the question, "does this choice diminish or englargen me?"

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00:00 Intro

00:49 Oliver's struggles with time management

03:58 "The mistaken belief that it can be cured"

06:53 How Oliver has addressed his productivity addiction

12:29 The importance of saying no

16:57 Insecure overachievers and people pleasers

21:52 Today, the reward for winning is a lifetime of intense work

28:25 Human's concept of time over time

32:15 Time management in other cultures

37:33 When deciding, ask: "Does this choice englargen or diminish me?"

45:03 Quotes from James Hollis and Carl Jung

51:14 Closing comments about "Four Thousand Weeks"

Derek Sivers is an author, a TED speaker, a businessman, a musician, and one of my favorite thinkers on the planet. During our conversation, Derek talks about pursuing mastery, having enough, what success means to him, how he thinks about money, having and raising a kid, and more.

Derek's book Hell Yeah or No is one of my all-time favorites, and his essays have had a huge influence on my life. I love Derek's originality, his enthusiasm for life and ideas, and most importantly, his generosity, kindness, and friendliness.

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00:00 Intro

00:37 Written off from an early age

02:45 How Derek knew he wanted to be a musician

08:55 Transitioning from a musician to a businessman

15:45 Having enough

22:33 Money

28:20 The importance of quiet, journaling and solitude

40:50 Freedom and children

54:53 Giving away $22 million

01:03:57 Lifestyle creep

01:08:39 Why Derek chooses freedom

01:11:19 Envy and maintaining minimalism

01:19:30 Success

01:21:26 Quotes from Derek's essays

01:26:07 Dan's New Zealand story

01:35:11 Small actions can have big consequences

01:37:28 Reach out to Derek: https://sive.rs/contact

Hemant Mehta is an author, a YouTuber, and an atheist activist. During our conversation, Hemant talks about his journey to atheism, the threat of Christian nationalism to secular society, and the atheist and secular movements. He also addresses the loss of community felt by those who leave religion, and the life and legacy of Daniel Dennett, including his work with The Clergy Project.

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00:00 Intro

00:37 Hemant's personal and religious background

06:58 Hemant's experience losing his religious belief

08:40 Has Hemant's atheism changed him?

11:30 What persuaded Hemant to become an atheist?

14:49 Modern instances of religious overreach into secular society

20:37 Hemant's definition of atheism

22:57 What motivates Hemant's work

30:50 Christian nationalism in America

36:25 Reasons for optimism

42:19 The loss of community as people leave religion

46:58 Does Hemant have doubts about his atheist convictions?

49:22 Who does Hemant go to for information?

55:49 Dan Dennett and The Clergy Project