“Billionaires can’t take a week off? What’s the point of having a billion dollars if they have fewer options than I do?” –Tim Ferriss
In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and Tim discuss common travel fantasies, and the fears that keep people from traveling (5:00); how we can redefine what “wealth” is and live fuller lives (18:00); why keeping a healthy perspective on information intake, technology, and “efficiency” is important, both on the road and in daily life (25:00); the “beginner’s mind,” and tips for writing and creativity (54:00); the merits of going on foot and “getting lost” on the road, and how this figured into Rolf’s writing classes (1:17:00); notions of “success,” and how to definite the notion of success in a way that enhances one’s way of being in the world (1:37:00); and Rolf’s recommendations for drinks, food, documentaries, books, and poetry (1:50:00);
Tim Ferriss (@tferriss) is a best-selling author and podcaster.
General Links:
- Paris Writing Workshops (Rolf’s summer writing classes)
- Vagabonding, by Rolf Potts (audiobook)
- The Game Camera (short film cowritten by Rolf and Kristen Bush)
- Tim Ferriss on how to create a successful podcast (Deviate episode)
- Arnold Schwarzenegger on The Tim Ferriss Show
- LeBron James on The Tim Ferriss Show
- Cheryl Strayed on The Tim Ferriss Show
- Jerry Seinfeld on The Tim Ferriss Show
- Tortuga (bags design for long-term travel)
- Unbound Merino (travel clothing company)
- AirTreks (round-the-world flight planner)
- BootsnAll (online travel community)
Interview Links:
- Van Life before #VanLife (Deviate episode)
- Man bites dog (aphorism about journalism)
- “War is God’s way of teaching Americans geography” (quote)
- Beginner’s mind (attitude of openness)
- Adaptation (2002 film)
- Anne Lamott (American author)
- Kurt Vonnegut (American author)
- The Hero’s Adventure with Joseph Campbell (podcast remix)
- Flâneur (urban wanderer)
- Situationists (1960s social and artistic movement)
- Psychogeography (exploration strategy)
- Dave Chappelle (comedian)
- John Hughes (filmmaker)
- Rachel Kaadzi Ghansah (American essayist)
- Grizzly Man (2005 documentary film)
- Werner Herzog Reads Curious George (satire)
- Con Air (1997 film)
- Aimee Nezhukumatathil (poet)
- Naomi Shihab Nye (poet)
- Major Jackson (poet)
- Donald Hall (poet)
Books mentioned:
- Walden, by Henry David Thoreau (book)
- The 4-Hour Work Week, by Tim Ferriss (book)
- The Art of Nonfiction, by Ayn Rand (book)
- Writing Tools, by Roy Peter Clark (book)
- To Show and to Tell, by Phillip Lopate (book)
- Screenplay, by Syd Field (book)
- Story, by Robert McKee (book)
- Save the Cat, by Blake Snyder (book)
- A Moveable Feast, by Ernest Hemingway (book)
- Leaves of Grass, by Walk Whitman (book)
- Good Hope Road, by Stuart Dischell (poetry)
- Alien vs. Predator, by Michael Robbins (poetry)
The Deviate theme music comes from the title track of Cedar Van Tassel’s 2017 album Lumber.
Note: We don’t host a “comments” section, but we’re happy to hear your questions and insights via email, at deviate@rolfpotts.com.
