2.5M Q&A - Naval Ravikant, Quitting Alcohol & Having Kids
10 Sep 2024 (8 days ago)
Appreciating Traditional Journalism
- Traditional journalism and confrontational interviews are now viewed with more appreciation.
- The ability to engage in controlled, seemingly aggressive conversations is a valuable skill.
- While asking probing questions comes naturally, the ability to argue effectively is a skill that requires development.
People Who Said Chris Wouldn’t Make it
- Few people, if any, expressed doubt about the speaker's potential for success, primarily because they were indifferent and not paying attention.
- The speaker believes that most individuals lack genuine enemies and that any negativity directed towards them stems from a general cynicism towards the world rather than personal animosity.
- The speaker has consciously chosen to abandon any resentment or motivation stemming from past experiences, such as being bullied, and no longer feels driven by those events.
How to Support Chris Better
- The best way to support the content is to subscribe to the show and share it with friends.
- Over 50% of podcast listeners discover new shows through personal recommendations.
- Subscribing and sharing episodes with friends is the best way to support the content creator.
How Much of the Show is Edited?
- The content presented is almost entirely unedited, with minimal cuts or alterations.
- The decision to minimize editing stems from a desire for authenticity and a belief that excessive editing can sanitize and distort the natural flow of conversation.
- The unedited format aims to provide viewers with a genuine representation of the interaction, including its imperfections and variations in pace and tone.
Wearing Shorts With Tulsi Gabbard
- A question is posed about the appropriateness of wearing shorts and a t-shirt during an interview with a former United States Representative.
- It is stated that a life has been constructed to allow for wearing whatever is desired, without needing to wear suits, ties, or pants.
- It is argued that a person's attire is not indicative of their level of care or respect for a situation or person.
Living With Zack
- The speaker is no longer living with Zach, who has moved in with his girlfriend.
- The speaker is currently living in a new house, which is still under construction.
- Although they no longer live together, the speaker still sees Zach, who recently visited the new house.
Engaging With the Mainstream
- Podcasts provide an alternative to mainstream media, but there is a concern that some podcast listeners may believe misinformation, such as vaccines being harmful and climate change being untrue.
- There is still a need for mainstream perspectives and fact-checking, as independent media may not be subject to the same level of scrutiny.
- There is a conscious effort to balance perspectives on topics like climate change and vaccines by featuring guests with differing viewpoints.
Does Chris Pay Guests?
- Guests are never charged to appear and money is never accepted or paid to guests.
- Many offers to feature guests for large sums of money have been refused.
- Guests are only invited because of an interest in speaking with them.
Getting Better at Asking Questions
- Follow your curiosity to discover what you want to know.
- Ask clarifying questions such as "What do you mean by that?" or "Can you elaborate?" to encourage the guest to provide more information.
- Avoid offering options within your questions to prevent limiting the guest's response and allow for a more open and insightful conversation.
Has Chris Shaved His Head Completely?
- The speaker states that the current topic of conversation will be brief.
- The speaker discloses that they have never completely shaved their head.
- The speaker expresses their belief that a shaved head would not be aesthetically beneficial for them or the world.
When is Chris Having Children?
- The individual answering the question believes finding a partner is a crucial step before considering having children.
- He expresses a preference for having two children, citing logistical advantages and societal norms favoring families of four.
- He acknowledges the possibility of having more than two children but requests patience and time to reach that decision.
Dreaming Big Without Fear of Failure
- Fear, uncertainty, and vigilance significantly influence decision-making.
- There is no defined five-year plan; instead, a focus on hard work and attentiveness dictates progress.
- Success can be achieved even without grand aspirations, high self-esteem, or unwavering confidence.
Was Chris the Secret Donor of CJI?
- The speaker denies being the secret donor of $2 million to Craig Jones' Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournament.
- The speaker states that they tried to find out who the donor was, even in private conversations with Craig Jones.
- The speaker compares the intrigue surrounding Craig Jones and his associates to the unpredictable nature of the best seasons of Game of Thrones.
More Thoughts on No Alcohol
- There is a place for alcohol in life, but the effects of sobriety are strong, especially elective sobriety, which is choosing to be sober without needing to be.
- Reintroducing alcohol after a period of sobriety is important, and one way to do this is to be sober at home but allow drinking on holidays.
- Elective sobriety should be done for a predetermined amount of time, after which alcohol should be reintroduced, and the cycle can be repeated.
Has Chris Read All of Red Rising?
- Someone is currently reading the second book in the Red Rising series.
- Red Rising is a science fiction/fantasy series written by Pierce Brown.
- The speaker is about to finish the final book in the Red Rising series.
Being Adopted By Mike Israetel
- Someone asked when the speaker would become an adopted son of Dr. Mike Israetel.
- The speaker stated that someone once told him that he and Mike Israetel look alike.
- The speaker believes that he looks more like Jared Feather than Mike Israetel, but stated that Jared Feather is "trailer trash" from Iowa and he is "trailer trash" from the northeast of the UK.
Anxiety About Getting Older
- The speaker acknowledges a feeling that they should be more settled in life at the age of 36.
- The speaker recognizes that they made sacrifices in their personal life to pursue career goals, specifically moving to America at 33 to start a business.
- The speaker is currently putting effort into settling down and finding a partner.
Having Progressives on the Show
- The speaker expresses interest in having Kyle Kulinski and Krystal Ball on the show, stating they are fans of both and consider them very interesting.
- The speaker mentions difficulty in contacting Kyle Kulinski and Krystal Ball, noting a lack of publicly available email addresses.
- The speaker acknowledges communication with HassanAbi, but notes his busy schedule, streaming 25 hours a day, makes scheduling difficult.
Has Chris Hired New People?
- There were over 6,000 applications received for two open roles: general manager and guest booker.
- The assessment period for the roles is ongoing.
- The unstated individual is hopeful that new hires will allow them more personal time.
What Are the Podcaster’s Podcasts?
- Founders, hosted by David Senra, is a podcast that provides insights into historical figures and books.
- Lex Fridman's podcast is popular among podcasters.
- All In Podcast, released every Friday, is a favorite due to its high quality.
Visiting Florence
- A trip to Florence is recounted, mentioning a visit to the Duomo.
- The speaker acknowledges the presence of "Chris" during the trip.
- The speaker expresses gratitude for the support of "Thomas".
Does Being Articulate Come Naturally?
- Being articulate is not necessarily an innate talent and can be developed.
- The goal of communication should be precision, aiming to convey the intended meaning effectively.
- Vocabulary can be expanded by actively listening to individuals with strong vocabularies and incorporating new words into writing and conversation.
Sports Mode or Regular in Crocs?
- The speaker dislikes the appearance of Crocs in sport mode and only wears them that way in emergencies.
- The speaker finds Crocs to be more stylish without the backstrap.
- The speaker is willing to argue with anyone who disagrees with their opinion on Crocs.
Experience With Lasik
- Lasik surgery provided super sharp vision, even at night, after a year of recovery.
- For about a year after surgery, there were issues with flaring around lights, particularly problematic when driving.
- The surgery was performed at the optometrist College of London (OCL).
When Chris Works Out
- Chris usually exercises at the same time each day.
- His workout routine typically involves attending a class, training with a trainer, or using an assault bike.
- He aims to finish his workout by 9:00 a.m. after starting at 7:40 a.m..
Cricket in Australia
- An invitation is extended to play a game of cricket in Sydney.
- Despite a previous Achilles injury sustained while playing cricket, there is a willingness to participate in fielding, particularly in the slips position.
- A first-time tour of Australia is announced, with tickets available at ChrisWilliams.live for events in Melbourne on November 6th, Brisbane on November 8th, and Sydney on November 9th.
Should Alex O’Connor Shave His Moustache?
- The speaker expresses support for Alex O’Connor to experiment with his appearance and adopt a more visually striking style.
- The speaker believes that transforming O’Connor's appearance would be a positive contribution to the world.
- The speaker acknowledges O’Connor's history of experimenting with facial hair, including various mustache styles, a full beard, and stubble.
Ben Shapiro on the Show
- An individual will appear on a podcast soon.
- The podcast is hosted by someone named Benir.
- The speaker is making a promise.
Would Chris Still Be Doing the Pod If it Wasn’t Successful?
- The speaker would continue to do the podcast even if it wasn't successful because they enjoy speaking to the guests.
- The speaker started the podcast when no one was listening and would continue even if it got canceled.
- The speaker views the success of the podcast as a bonus, as their primary motivation for starting it was to learn about the world and themselves.
Naval on the Show
- A request to participate in a project has not been formally made, but will be in the future.
- The speaker believes the individual will agree to participate.
- The speaker wants to ensure the timing and aesthetics of the project are ideal.
Tim Dillon on the Show
- A request was made for a specific guest, Tim Dillon, to appear on the podcast.
- There were scheduling conflicts that prevented Tim Dillon from being a guest on the podcast.
- The host is working on getting Tim Dillon and other desired guests on the podcast.
When to Have a Drink & When to Say No
- A simple method for deciding when to drink and when to abstain is to establish time or location-based limits, eliminating the need for constant decision-making.
- This approach removes the cognitive burden of deciding whether or not to drink on any given occasion, allowing for greater enjoyment of events.
- Setting a timeframe for abstaining from alcohol, such as a month or a year, and identifying specific locations where drinking is acceptable, simplifies the decision-making process.
How is Chris Doing?
- He finds it difficult to discuss the negative aspects of his fame, as it may seem like complaining about a desirable situation.
- He experiences a high frequency of interactions with people, with encounters happening every 15 minutes while out and about.
- He acknowledges that he is sensitive to others' opinions and experiences heightened uncertainty due to engaging in therapy and emotional work.
A Dark Matter, Alternate Chris
- The speaker was asked what alternative life decision they would want to see the character Chris from the book Dark Matter make.
- The speaker stated they would not answer to avoid spoiling the book, Dark Matter, by Blake Crouch.
- The speaker highly recommends the book, Dark Matter.
Hardest Part of Being Chris
- The hardest part of the person's job is all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into producing the show, such as scheduling, budgeting, contract negotiations, and managing the logistics of filming.
- The person feels pressure to deliver a high-quality show for the audience and has been hesitant to share the challenges of production.
- The person is looking forward to hiring a general manager or CEO to handle the operational aspects of the show so they can focus on finding interesting guests and developing creative ideas.
Mel Robbins on the Show
- There is a desire to have Mel Robbins as a guest, and there has been communication with her team to arrange an appearance.
- There is an interest in visiting Japan, particularly as an individual named Chris Cabana resides there.
- Extensive travel has occurred this year, resulting in contentment with remaining in a new house.
Being Newly Single
- The speaker's life hasn't changed much since becoming single, as their previous relationship was long-distance, and they are now able to focus even more on work.
- The speaker acknowledges that constantly working is not ideal, but being single removes a reason to stop.
- The dating world is significantly different than it was four years ago, before the pandemic, especially regarding men's issues, online dating, and the influence of status on dating preferences.
Why Chris Respects Dan Bilzerian
- Dan Bilzerian is respected because he speaks his mind, even if what he says is not agreeable or necessarily correct.
- Bilzerian's "heart to mouth filter" is minimal, meaning he expresses his true thoughts and beliefs.
- Bilzerian is a unique individual, and there are valuable lessons to be learned from the episode featuring him.
Chris’s Biggest Music Recommendations
- Bad Omens is a music recommendation, with all albums being good.
- Other music recommendations include Paris, Architects, Bill Murray, Day to Remember, Silverstein, Taking Back Sunday, Palisades, and Bring Me The Horizon.
- The two ends of the music spectrum consist of genres such as emocore, post hardcore, and melodic deep house.
Being a Better Decision-Maker
- Most decisions are reversible, so they can be made quickly.
- Rational assessments and the desire for closeness are not mutually exclusive.
- Decision-making is inherently emotional, and overthinking can be paralyzing.
Current Gym Goals
- The current gym goals are to achieve a muscular physique with an emphasis on legs and shoulders.
- The training routine consists of the Norwegian 4x4 program, shoulder and tricep exercises, and totals five and a half hours per week.
- Upcoming videos will feature training with Mike Isreal, George Heaton, and Chris Bumstead.
How to Get Out of a Rut
- Ruts can feel heavy and make everyday tasks seem daunting.
- Accountability, such as having a commitment to another person, can help maintain consistency and prevent procrastination.
- Finding a pursuit that is more important than negative feelings can help overcome those feelings.
Advice to Rising Public Figures
- Public recognition has been a positive experience, with no negative encounters or harassment.
- There have been no instances of stalking or harassment, and the speaker feels their life is relatively private.
- The speaker acknowledges the potential challenges of navigating friendships and fan relationships but finds the overall experience enjoyable.
Raising the Bar When Life Feels Good
- To motivate yourself to make a change, consider how not changing has negatively impacted your past, present, and future.
- Instead of solely making a decision to change, take a physical action that moves you towards your goal.
- Reflect on your purpose in life and whether you want to make a significant impact or settle for a comfortable but less fulfilling existence.
Favourite Cologne to Wear
- The speaker's favorite cologne is Baccarat Rouge (yellow version).
- The speaker mentions that his friend's girlfriend complimented the friend on how nice he smelled after borrowing a hoodie that the speaker had worn.
- The speaker also recommends Penhaligon's Halfeti cologne.
Feeling Well-Rested in the Morning
- The speaker has been experiencing low energy and has been sleeping more than usual, but not feeling rested.
- The speaker suggests getting a mold check in the house and getting blood tests done to check for immune markers and testosterone levels.
- The speaker believes that if someone is sleeping well, they should not be tired, and if they are, it means something else is wrong.
Balancing Grind Mode & Zen Mode
- To find a balance between productivity and personal well-being, it is suggested to dedicate weekdays to work and weekends to relaxation or to alternate between one month of intense work followed by a week of leisure.
- It is highlighted that focusing on both health and joy, as well as work, is crucial, and finding a balance between these aspects might be easier when considered over a longer period, such as a week, month, or year, rather than trying to achieve it daily.
- It is emphasized that achieving balance is not about rigidly adhering to a specific routine every minute of the day but rather about finding an overall equilibrium over extended periods, similar to managing step counts or calorie intake on a weekly or yearly basis.
Why Chris Didn’t Release the Andrew Tate Episode
- The interview with Andrew Tate was not released initially because YouTube was removing content skeptical of COVID-19.
- It was not released later because the host felt it would be unfair to release an out-of-date interview where Tate makes claims about a rapidly changing situation that may not be true.
- The host states that they were not concerned about "damage to their brand" by interviewing Dan Bilzerian and are generally interested in speaking to people they find interesting.
Books for Male Adolescent Development
- A listener thanks the speaker for discussing men's issues and for recommending helpful podcasts on evolutionary psychology.
- The listener asks for book or researcher recommendations on male adolescent development.
- In response, the speaker suggests books and authors within the evolutionary psychology genre, including "The Ape that Understood the Universe" by Steve Stewart Williams and "The Moral Animal" by Robert Wright.
Chris’s Writing
- The speaker has written over 250,000 words for his newsletter and now considers himself a writer.
- The speaker enjoys writing and finds that it brings clarity to his thoughts in a way that speaking does not.
- The speaker announces upcoming guests for his show, including Chris Bumstead, Lyana Dee, Will Tennyson, Jesse James West, Casey Neistat, and Ben Shapiro.