Víkingur Ólafsson is a world-renowned Icelandic pianist. Celebrated for his profound artistry and visionary programming, he has performed with premier orchestras such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Philharmonia Orchestra, and London Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2023, he performed his album of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Goldberg Variations on a world t…

Peter Thiel is an entrepreneur and investor. He is the co-founder and former CEO of PayPal, started in 1998, redefining the world of secure and fast e-commerce. Shortly thereafter, Thiel was the first outside investor in Facebook in 2004. Additionally, he co-founded Founders Fund, which has backed transformative companies like SpaceX and Airbnb, Wi…

Ben Greenfield is a leading figure in health and wellness, renowned health consultant, New York Times bestselling author, and host of influential podcast, Boundless Life. Voted “America’s Top Personal Trainer” by the NSCA and named one of the “Top 100 Most Influential People in Health and Fitness” by Greatist, he combines cutting-edge research with…

Pharrell Williams is a Grammy-winning songwriter, producer, and performer. Getting his start in music alongside Chad Hugo as the production duo known as The Neptunes in 1992, Pharrell has produced chart-topping hits for artists including Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and Snoop Dogg. He has co-composed the music for the Despicable Me film franc…

In this episode, Rick connects with the physicist and Nobel Prize winner Richard Feynman. Known for his groundbreaking contributions to quantum mechanics, Feynman’s work inspires curiosity and innovation in science. ------ Thank you to the sponsors that fuel our podcast and our team: Athletic Nicotine https://www.athleticnicotine.com/tetra Use code…

Brianna Wiest is a bestselling author, speaker, and advocate for self-reflection and personal growth. Known for transformative works including 101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think, The Mountain Is You, and her latest release, The Pivot Year, she has sold over 2 million copies of her books which frequently top global bestseller lists. Now b…

Bjarke Ingels returns to continue his conversation in Part Two. Bjarke Ingels is one of the world’s leading architects as the founder and creative director of renowned architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG). Recognized for his innovative approach to sustainable and futuristic design, Ingels has led transformative projects worldwide, including …

Bjarke Ingels is one of the world’s leading architects as the founder and creative director of renowned architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG). Recognized for his innovative approach to sustainable and futuristic design, Ingels has led transformative projects worldwide, including the Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art in China and groundbreakin…

Matthew McConaughey is an Academy Award-winning actor, producer, author, and professor of film, known for his captivating leading roles and versatility. He has appeared in more than 40 feature films, beginning with his breakout role in Richard Linklater’s Dazed and Confused, that have grossed over $1 billion. While he is most popular for his roles …

David Whyte returns to continue his conversation in Part Two. David Whyte is a prolific Irish poet, philosopher, and speaker whose work that spans nearly four decades has resonated with audiences around the world. Beginning his career in 1986, Whyte has published three books of prose and ten volumes of poetry, including Still Possible and Consolati…

David Whyte is a prolific Irish poet, philosopher, and speaker whose work that spans nearly four decades has resonated with audiences around the world. Beginning his career in 1986, Whyte has published three books of prose and ten volumes of poetry, including Still Possible and Consolations: The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyda…

Killer Mike is an Atlanta-born rapper and actor. His music career began in 2003, with his solo debut, with the album Monster, reaching the Billboard Top Ten, and later gaining global recognition as part of the hip-hop duo Run the Jewels alongside El-P. Since the start of his career, Killer Mike has released seven studio albums, including Michael, f…

In this episode, Rick connects with Alfred Hitchcock, the legendary filmmaker known as the "Master of Suspense." Renowned for his innovative storytelling and groundbreaking techniques, Hitchcock's films remain a benchmark for suspense and psychological thrillers in cinema history.Di Rick Rubin

Joaquin Phoenix is widely regarded as one of the best actors of his generation, known for his intense and eccentric on-screen portrayals in period dramas, thrillers, and psychological films. He was raised among siblings who were largely involved in acting, including his late brother, River Phoenix, alongside whom he began his acting career in the 1…

Tyler Cowen has long nurtured an obsession with music. It’s one of the few addictions Tyler believes is actually conducive to a fulfilling intellectual life. In this bonus episode, a year after Tyler walked us through the world of the Avant-Garde, and his favorite pop music, Tyler guides us through some of the major pillars of Russian classical mus…

Tyler Cowen is a world-renowned economist, professor, columnist, and co-author of the influential economics blog Marginal Revolution. Graduating from George Mason University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics, and later receiving his PhD in economics from Harvard University, he has developed a vested interest in the economics of culture, as he…

Jason Louv is a bestselling author, journalist, and teacher of magick, meditation, and the occult. His career in journalism has been centered around surveillance, international trade, and technology, with his writing featured in publications such as VICE News, ESQUIRE, Boing Boing, and Motherboard. Through his online education portal, Magick.Me, an…

Shane Smith is a journalist, and he is the founder and Executive Chairman of international media company VICE Media. Since 1994, Smith has transformed VICE from a small, Montreal-based youth magazine into a global multimedia empire, spanning digital platforms, television, film production, and creative services. As a journalist, Smith has reported o…

Wes Lang is a contemporary artist based in Los Angeles. His work is best recognized through symbols including skulls, horses, and the indigenous American, as he aims to convey themes of freedom, mortality, and the American Dream. Lang draws inspiration from his heroes–fallen country music icons and jazz musicians–to tap into the rugged spirit of po…

Jack Mallers is an entrepreneur, software developer, and founder of Strike, an application that focuses on making Bitcoin payments fast and easy. Introduced to Bitcoin in 2013 by his father, Mallers has since been a pioneer in the world of cryptocurrency. In 2020, he launched Strike, popularizing Bitcoin by leveraging the Lightning Network, which e…

Joe Sabia is a filmmaker, digital creator, and celebrity interviewer. He began his career in media working across various platforms including television, film, and music videos. In his six years as Senior Vice President of Creative Development at Condé Nast Entertainment, he became a renowned multimedia storyteller, best known for the creations of …

In this episode, Rick connects with Jim Morrison, the Lead singer of The Doors. The poet, writer, and filmmaker is cited as "one of the most influential frontmen in rock history."Di Rick Rubin

Esther Perel is a psychotherapist and a leading voice on modern relationships. Growing up in Antwerp and practicing in the United States, she began her career studying the impact of cultural transitions on human relationships. In addition to her therapy practice in New York City, she serves as an organizational consultant for Fortune 500 companies …

Michael Cohl is an internationally acclaimed Emmy and Tony Award-winning live entertainment producer and concert promoter. In his 55-year career, Cohl’s expertise spans a broad range of live experiences, from music to sports, theatre, and film. He is the Chairman of EMC Presents and founder and CEO of S2BN Entertainment, which brings highly immersi…

Woody Harrelson is a notorious television and film actor. After a brief stint in New York Theater at the start of his career, he made his on-screen debut on NBC’s “Cheers,” regarded as one of the best TV shows of all time. He has gained acclaim for his roles in movies like The People Vs. Larry Flynt, No Country for Old Men, and Three Billboards Out…

Bea Laus, professionally known as beabadoobee, is a Filipino-English singer and songwriter. She wrote her first song on guitar in 2017, titled “Coffee,” which quickly gained over 300,000 views on YouTube and captured the attention of Dirty Hit Records. Pairing an introspective indie rock sound with intimate melodies on the guitar, Beabadoobee has c…

Mark McAfee is the CEO and Founder of Raw Farm, the largest raw dairy operation in the world. On his family-owned farm, McAfee, a fifth generation farmer, works to offer nutrient dense dairy products that are unprocessed, living, and retain their beneficial bacteria. As the Chairman and President of the Board of the Raw Milk Institute, McAfee’s lea…

Nate Silver is a statistician, poker player, and political forecaster. Silver transformed his affinity for mathematics as a child into analyzing and predicting sports and elections alike. In 2008, Silver founded FiveThirtyEight, a polling aggregation website and blog. Soon after, he was named as one of the world’s 100 most influential people by Tim…

Es Devlin is a renowned stage designer and artist known for her innovative work in theater, opera, dance, and concerts. Since 1999, she has created groundbreaking designs for the National Theatre, Royal Opera House, World Expo, and the United Nations. Her work, at the intersection of art, music, and technology, often features large-scale kinetic sc…

Ben Patrick, known as the “Knees Over Toes Guy,” is the founder, president, and CEO of Athletic Truth Group (ATG) Online Coaching. Though a longtime basketball player in his youth, Patrick’s three knee surgeries by the age of 18 stopped his athletic career short. After struggling with pain medication addiction and depression, Patrick soon became de…

Ariel Emanuel is the CEO of Endeavor and TKO Group Holdings. Emanuel co-founded the Endeavor talent agency in 1995 and has grown it into one of the most influential sports and entertainment companies in the world. Known for his dynamic and direct dealmaking style, Ariel has played a vital role in shaping the careers of high-profile clients and the …

Ezra Koenig is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter of the band Vampire Weekend. He co-founded the group in 2006 while attending Columbia University. Vampire Weekend has released several critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums, blending indie rock with elements of world music. Beyond his work with Vampire Weekend, he is the …

Ezra Koenig is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter of the band Vampire Weekend. He co-founded the group in 2006 while attending Columbia University. Vampire Weekend has released several critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums, blending indie rock with elements of world music. Beyond his work with Vampire Weekend, he is the …

This interview with John Sinclair was recorded a few months before he passed away on April 4, 2024. John was an icon of the counterculture movement. In the late 1960s, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for marijuana possession, sparking protests and rallies like the John Sinclair Freedom Rally, which featured performances by John Lennon and St…

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya is a professor of medicine, economics, and health research policy at Stanford University, where he is also the director of Stanford's Center for Demography and Economics of Health and Aging. After dedicating much of his career to studying the economics of health care, when the COVID-19 crisis began, Dr. Bhattacharya shifted his…

Julie Greenwald is a prominent music industry executive. She got her start at Def Jam Recordings in 1992, became president of Atlantic Records in 2004, and was elevated to chairperson and CEO of the Atlantic Music Group in 2022. Throughout her career, she has played a crucial role in the success of artists like Coldplay, Cardi B, Coldplay, Lizzo, B…

Michael Richards is a multiple Emmy and SAG Award-winning actor best known for playing the iconic character Cosmo Kramer on the classic sitcom Seinfeld. After cutting his teeth on the Los Angeles comedy circuit alongside legends like Robin Williams, Sam Kinison, and Andy Kaufman, Richards landed minor film and TV roles throughout the 1980s, includi…

Robert Downey Jr. is an actor and producer whose critically acclaimed performance as Lewis Strauss in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer earned him an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA Award. His newest project, The Sympathizer, an HBO miniseries based on the 2015 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, has Downey Jr. taking on multipl…

Tom O'Neill is an award-winning investigative journalist and entertainment reporter. His book, Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties, is the culmination of a 20-year investigation, which unearthed information about the murders, the murderers, the prosecutors who tried them, and the complex web of connections between …

Serj Tankian is a Grammy-award-winning artist best known for being the frontman of System Of A Down. His powerful vocals and thought-provoking lyrics helped the group achieve wild success, including over 40 million records sold worldwide, multiple platinum albums, more than a billion YouTube plays, and multiple Grammy nominations (winning Best Hard…

Chris Pine is a multifaceted actor with a Zen-like presence on screen. He’s perhaps best known for his charismatic portrayal of Captain James T. Kirk in the Star Trek reboot film series and Steve Trevor in Wonder Woman. He began his career with small roles in TV shows like ER and CSI: Miami before making his feature film debut in The Princess Diari…

Marianne Williamson is a bestselling author, speaker, political activist, and spiritual thought leader. She is the author of 15 books, including 5 New York Times Best Sellers (A Return to Love, A Woman's Worth, Illuminata, The Healing of America, and Illuminated Prayers), and the highly-anticipated forthcoming book presenting a new way of thinking …

Golden Harper is a lifelong runner, biomechanics expert, and the creator & founder of Altra Footwear & P.R. Gear. He ran his first marathon at age 10 (3:08:05) and holds the world’s best for a 12-year-old in the marathon at 2:45:34. After growing up working in his family’s running store (which he now co-owns), he studied Exercise Science (with a fo…

Jon Kabat-Zinn is a pioneering figure in the field of mindfulness and its integration into mainstream Western medicine and psychology. He is Professor of Medicine Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, where he created both the Stress Reduction Clinic and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society. Kabat-Z…

Laird Hamilton is an action water sports pioneer. The big wave surfing legend revolutionized the sport with his invention of tow-in surfing, stand-up paddling, and foilboard surfing. Laird is an inventor, author, occasional fashion and action-sports model, fitness and nutrition expert, husband and father. He is the co-founder and Chief Innovator of…

Chris Dixon is an entrepreneur, investor, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, and the author of Read Write Own: Building the Next Era of the Internet. He started and manages a16z crypto, a branch dedicated to investing in new internet technologies, managing over $9 billion across four specialized funds. Prior to his venture capital career, Chri…

Nicole Shanahan is an entrepreneur and fellow at Stanford’s Codex, where she developed AI for law and government. Born and Raised in Oakland with the help of government assistance. She excelled at school, earning degrees in Asian Studies, Economics, and Mandarin Chinese and a law degree from SCU. Nicole was a player in the rise of Silicon Valley’s …

Merlin Sheldrake is a biologist, writer, and speaker whose interdisciplinary expertise spans plant sciences, microbiology, ecology, and the history and philosophy of science. He is the bestselling author of Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds, and Shape Our Futures, a thought-provoking exploration into the impact of fungi on…

Dr. Jack Kruse is a neurosurgeon who had an awakening in 2007 after suffering a torn meniscus. This led to his study of physics, light, magnetism, and electricity. He ultimately concluded that modern medicine lacked a deep understanding of how humans function in relation to the natural world. Kruse lost 150 lbs. using his newly acquired understandi…

Tremaine Emory is a designer and creative director famous for mixing fashion, art, visual storytelling, and social issues in his designs. Emory is the founder of the collective “No Vacancy Inn,” as well as the clothing label “Denim Tears,” which blends streetwear with high fashion. He's collaborated with brands like Ugg, Stüssy, Champion, Converse,…