Derek Sivers

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Derek Sivers posts from sivers.org

Derek Sivers


    • Feb 25, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 26m AVG DURATION
    • 233 EPISODES

    4.9 from 145 ratings Listeners of Derek Sivers that love the show mention: derek sivers, thank you derek, thanks derek, long form, short and sweet, website, thoughts, wisdom, long time, book, thoughtful, full, insightful, advice, fan, always, stories, lot, better, recommend.


    Ivy Insights

    The Derek Sivers podcast is a refreshing and thought-provoking addition to the podcasting world. With his unique perspective and philosophical approach, Derek delivers concise and impactful episodes that leave listeners with nuggets of wisdom to ponder. His ability to challenge conventional wisdom and ask the tough questions is both admirable and intriguing. Whether you agree with him or not, Derek has a way of keeping you engaged and wondering about various perspectives.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is Derek's ability to condense complex thoughts and issues into easily understandable scenarios. His storytelling skills are fun, memorable, and impactful. Each episode is succinct yet powerful, leaving a lasting impression on the listener. Unlike many long-form podcasts, Derek's episodes are concise and filled with valuable insights without any unnecessary filler or fakeness. His minimalist practicality shines through, making each episode a source of inspiration.

    While there are no glaringly negative aspects of this podcast, some listeners may find the short duration of episodes to be a downside. However, it can also be seen as an advantage since it allows for quick consumption of golden nuggets of wisdom without having to sit through hours of chatter or sponsored ads. Additionally, some listeners might prefer more in-depth discussions on certain topics covered in the episodes.

    In conclusion, The Derek Sivers podcast offers listeners a unique and insightful perspective on various topics ranging from personal development to philosophy. Derek's ability to distill complex thoughts into easily understandable scenarios is commendable. This podcast provides valuable content without falling prey to the long-winded trends often seen in other podcasts. If you're looking for concise yet impactful episodes that will challenge your thinking and provide inspiration for personal growth, The Derek Sivers podcast is worth listening to.



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    Latest episodes from Derek Sivers

    Why did I move to New Zealand?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2025 2:55 Transcription Available


    I get this question a lot, so here's my honest answer.

    How to listen to Ulysses

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 3:04 Transcription Available


    (I haven't done this yet, but plan to. I listened to that Odysssey audiobook in two days of walking around Port Meadow, Oxford, and have been yearning to listen again.)

    the birth and reverb of friendship

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2025 1:46 Transcription Available


    Imagine you're a ghost. You drift through the world but nobody sees you. You're disconnected.

    a relationship that ended, not failed

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2025 3:07 Transcription Available


    I was dating for the first time, after a six year long relationship.

    Have I been married?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025 3:14 Transcription Available


    Sofia was my first big love. We met at 21, when we were both in the circus. She opened me up, and taught me how to be honest. I was absolutely certain that I was going to spend the rest of my life with her.

    Why are my best friends Jewish?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024 2:54 Transcription Available


    This is a real question. I don't know the answer and I'm curious.

    One big choice shapes a hundred more

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2024 2:22 Transcription Available


    I was 36, and had been living in Portland for two years. I saw an amazing house for sale — really amazing — stunning design, ideal location on the edge of the city, and its backyard was the start of a huge state park. I had a visceral reaction.

    Come and get me (both you and AI)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2024 1:16 Transcription Available


    I'm going for the double meaning of “get me” that also means “understand me”.

    I'm in the final third of my life

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 1:04 Transcription Available


    According to statistics, I'm in the final third of my life. (I don't expect to beat the odds, because I inherited a cancer-creating genetic disorder.) So maybe it's the final quarter.

    I love the contradiction of religions

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2024 1:48 Transcription Available


    Because I was raised with no religion, I used to think they were all ridiculous.

    The first time I met someone who believes in God

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2024 1:50 Transcription Available


    My parents never mentioned God or any religion. Not necessarily atheist — nothing against. The subject just never came up.

    Dismissed!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2024 1:40 Transcription Available


    Dismissing gives me a quick little lift.

    I hated Dubai until I learned about it

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2024 13:13 Transcription Available


    Dubai was in my “Top 5 places where I NEVER want to go”. I heard it was commercialized hedonism, glorified overindulgence, pandering to millionaires and influencers — extravagance and opulence. Everything I hate. That's why I had never gone there.

    To question is to consider, not refute

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2024 1:57 Transcription Available


    Tomorrow you have plans to go to an event with a friend. You made the plans a month ago. You ask your friend, “Do you still want to go?”

    Rats are surprisingly sweet pets

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2024 2:44 Transcription Available


    I used to live in a basement apartment, next to the trash room. Rats were often blocking my door, and I could hear them walking in the ceiling right above me as I slept. I hated them so much that I happily killed as many as I could, with no remorse.

    We don't need to use what we make

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2024 1:04 Transcription Available


    For many years, I was a touring musician, performing live on stage every week. But I didn't like attending concerts. I liked making music more than listening to music. I felt I must be in the wrong line of work, creating something that I don't consume. I never reconciled this feeling.

    Wealth = Have ÷ Want

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2024 1:15 Transcription Available


    Not a new idea, but just another visualization and reminder.

    How to make the best possible translation of a book?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 2:43 Transcription Available


    You know that frustration of reading a book that should have been an article? Me too. So I try to do the opposite — to write so succinctly that you wish I would have said a little more. You complete it with your own thoughts.

    the best book ever written

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2024 1:34 Transcription Available


    I've asked my favorite musicians if, when they're done writing a new song, they feel it's the best song ever. All of them said yes.

    Ben Kihnel

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2024 1:39 Transcription Available


    I just got the call from the super-connected Alex Steininger that our mutual friend Ben Kihnel died in his sleep. He was only 48.

    Esperanto, Toki Pona, Swahili, Indonesian

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2024 9:07 Transcription Available


    This is a lukewarm little story with a few connected bits, but it might be interesting or even helpful. Follow the links in it, for full effect. Esperanto start

    dashing dog, searching for purpose

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2023 1:37 Transcription Available


    People search for their passion or purpose. But “purpose” and “passion” are words we use when we're not working.

    The joy and freedom of harmlessly upsetting social norms

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2023 3:49 Transcription Available


    My band was playing a gig in Oslo, Norway, when I struck up a conversation with a woman who was staring at me. Turns out we had read many of the same books, and we were super-attracted to each other. We talked all night, but just as things got physical in my hotel room, house-keeping came knocking on the door saying we needed to check out now. Right now. Damn.

    Why I let go of my U.S. citizenship

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2023 2:25 Transcription Available


    I forbid myself from anything too tempting or addicting. I keep no cookies in my home. To prevent myself from falling off the wagon, I strap myself to the mast.

    the Michael Browne suits

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2023 2:45 Transcription Available


    In 2020, I was about to move to New York City. I wanted to get to know all of its ethnic enclaves, like visiting the whole world in one city. But I know I have a tendency to stay at home, immersed in my work.

    Thinking something nice about someone? Tell them.

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2023 2:10 Transcription Available


    When you think something nice about someone, you should tell them.

    50 conversations in Bangalore and Chennai

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2023 3:44 Transcription Available


    February 13 through 21, 2023, I went to Chennai and Bengaluru, India. My sole purpose was to meet new friends. I'm an “Overseas Citizen of India” and my son is half-Indian (Tamil). I will always have ties to India. I wanted to deepen those ties and make new connections.

    Explorers are bad leaders

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2023 1:08 Transcription Available


    Explorers poke through the unknown, experimenting, trying many little dead-ends.

    Travelling just for the people

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2023 2:32 Transcription Available


    When I was 21, I moved to New York City.

    Want anonymity? Make a persona not a mystery.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2023 2:55 Transcription Available


    Because of my open inbox, I meet a lot of strangers. I love it. Almost everyone tells me who and where they are in the world. If they don't, I wonder.

    I want to lose every debate.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2023 1:25 Transcription Available


    My favorite moments in life are when someone shows me a new perspective — a way of thinking I had never considered.

    Conversations with Tyler Cowen

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2023 3:09 Transcription Available


    Tyler Cowen is my favorite interviewer of all-time. His interviewing style has spoiled me for all others. He creates a tasting feast for the mind.

    Reading the Bible start to finish

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2023 2:59 Transcription Available


    I like going to the source. Like finding musicians' influences, and getting to know that music too. Same with film, art, philosophy, and technology.

    make believe

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2022 2:50


    Kids scream, “Monster in the hallway!”, and hide behind the couch. They stack up cushions for protection, and plan their defense. They know it's not true — there's not really a monster in the hallway — but it's exciting to feel the adrenaline of panic, then make a shelter and feel safe.

    a daily run, part two

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2022 4:00


    In my previous post, “a daily run” — (please read it first) — running was a metaphor for whatever actions you take in your life. The story is about how we choose beliefs because they're useful, not true. Beliefs make emotions. Emotions make actions.

    Your explanations are not true

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2022 2:20


    We all confabulate without realizing it.

    shortest date, and ketchup

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2022 3:05


    Here's a story about my shortest date, and ketchup.

    Anything You Want — third edition for 2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2022 2:45


    In 2011, I got a phone call from a number I didn't recognize.

    scuba, panic, empathy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2022 3:47


    I used to scoff at those people who had panic attacks. “The cake is late! Oh no! I'm freaking out! I can't breathe!” Ridiculous. Hysterical. Over-reacting.

    writing one sentence per line

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2022 2:11


    My advice to anyone who writes: Try writing one sentence per line. I've been doing it for twenty years, and it improved my writing more than anything else.

    the joke that changed my life

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2022 3:01


    Growing up in America, I didn't know much about other cultures.

    Ancestors, Luck, and Descendants

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2022 3:11


    My Sivers ancestors came from Grantham, Lincolnshire, England on a boat to America in 1849. The boat crashed on rocks in the Irish sea, caught fire in the Atlantic Ocean, got pushed off course repeatedly by storms, and finally landed in New Orleans after two months. New Orleans was overcome with cholera, so they hopped a steam boat up the Mississippi River to St. Louis. Cholera killed nine passengers and the pilot of the boat. Days after they arrived in St. Louis, the city caught fire so they escaped in a covered wagon to Glenwood Iowa, finally arriving after three more months. In 1890, one of their sons ventured to the wild west of Colorado to pursue an opportunity.

    Why I left America

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2022 3:25


    I was living on the beach in Santa Monica, California, and life was perfect. I was in paradise, and deeply happy.

    Considerate book pricing

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2021 2:56


    I love having my own store so I can make things the way I think they should be.

    How many pets do you have?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2021 2:49


    I used to have too many pets.

    Transformative Principal

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2020 41:29


    On education, parenting, and encouraging focus Go subscribe at jethrojones.com

    Productivityist

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2020 54:26


    Why I don’t like holidays, How to Live, how constraints give you more freedom Go subscribe at productivityist.com

    The Speaking Show

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2020 33:56


    Making a shift in your life, goals, a specific plan to only do what makes you happy, being rich Go subscribe at doitmarketing.com

    $250K books sold. $250K to save lives.

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2020 2:13


    Six weeks ago I emailed my private email list with a secret link to buy my new books.

    Long Distance Love Bombs

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2020 72:47


    Big fun questions. Five types of thinking and how to improve them, achieving success and motivation, deliberate daydreaming. Go subscribe at longdistancelovebombs.com

    long distance love bombs
    Pausecast

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2020 43:29


    A guided pause, living life as a series of grand experiments, asking yourself questions, possible futures, and the Muppets Go subscribe at rachaelomeara.com

    pausecast

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