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Write Something People Want to Read | Charlie Hoehn
In this episode, Charlie Hoehn explains the secrets behind why some books are unforgettable, and others no one seems to remember. He shares his journey of helping authors transform their ideas into best-selling books and provides actionable advice on structuring, writing, and marketing a book. You'll learn how to craft titles that make people want to read your book, design compelling covers that stand out on the shelves, and use certain strategies to engage readers effectively depending on the ideas you communicate. Hoehn also shares the psychology behind book promotion, how to leverage feedback, and the dynamics of traditional versus self-publishing. Whether tackling a novel or email, this episode will transform how you write and communicate.
Charlie Hoehn is the founder of Author.Inc and a 3-time New York Times bestselling editor. He's the mind behind some of the influential books from Tim Ferriss, Ramit Sethi, Codie Sanchez, and Noah Kagan. Charlie's expertise has helped sell over 10 million books.
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(00:00) Intro
(03:04) Helping Authors Succeed
(03:38) Writing for a Specific Audience
(07:14) The Importance of Real Feedback
(10:18) Traditional vs. Self-Publishing
(20:50) The Economics of Self-Publishing
(24:42) The Art of Book Cover Design
(30:29) Crafting a Compelling Title
(36:42) The Importance of Book Structure
(47:22) Editing: The Final Touch
(51:35) Book Sales Percentiles
(52:32) The Harsh Reality of Book Sales
(54:20) The Emotional Impact of Writing
(55:12) Dealing with Compliments and Criticism
(58:24) The Quest for Bestseller Lists
(1:00:04) The Complexities of Hitting the New York Times List
(1:12:25) Leveraging AI in Writing
(1:20:21) Effective Marketing Strategies for Authors
(1:28:14) Creating Evergreen Content
(1:35:30) The Importance of Authenticity in Writing
(1:40:54) Final Thoughts
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1:42:58
How to Win the War with Yourself | Ryan Holiday
Ryan Holiday unpacks the subtle and not-so-subtle messages life sends us—and what happens when we ignore them. From mismatched tattoos and injured ankles, Ryan reflects on the lessons he’s learned about preparation, awareness, and humility. Using examples ranging from personal missteps to famous entrepreneurial gambles, this episode is a deep dive into the art of learning from experience, knowing when to listen, and the cost of stubbornness. Plus, Holiday revisits his roots to discuss how Stoic principles can guide you in navigating feedback, balancing ambition with self-awareness, and understanding the fine line between determination and delusion.
Holiday is a New York Times bestselling author. He has written over 10 books, covering both the fundamentals of Stoicism as well as key elements of modern-day marketing and media. His most recent release is Right Thing, Right Now. Holiday has been a guest on the podcast twice before.
Newsletter - The Brain Food newsletter delivers actionable insights and thoughtful ideas every Sunday. It takes 5 minutes to read, and it’s completely free. Learn more and sign up at https://fs.blog/newsletter/
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(00:00) Intro
(02:20) When to Ignore Advice
(04:49) The Importance of Reflection and Journaling
(07:26) Balancing Emotions and Stoic Practices
(24:34) Misconceptions and Historical Context of Stoicism
(29:53) The Pursuit of Excellence and Its Trade-offs
(40:58) The Power of Saying No and Opportunity Costs
(49:09) The Role of Anger and Emotional Control
(52:58) Defining Self-Discipline
(53:43) The Essence of Self-Discipline
(54:29) Balancing Discipline and Life
(55:09) Consistency and Overcoming Setbacks
(56:09) The Struggle with Compulsive Tendencies
(58:33) Navigating Competition and Personal Goals
(01:01:22) Cultivating Discipline Through Physical Practice
(01:02:15) Instilling Discipline in Children
(01:04:22) Understanding Character and Virtue
(01:23:32) The Impact of Modern Technology on Writing
(01:35:04) Defining Success and Managing Expectations
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1:41:55
How to Think (and Work) Like a Billion Dollar Investor | Adam Karr
Investor Adam Karr reveals his hidden playbook for spotting exceptional CEOs and building extraordinary businesses. Learn his counterintuitive techniques—from the surprising link between writing skills and executive performance to the 10-minute test that unveils a leader's true potential. Packed with battle-tested wisdom, Karr shares the deceptively simple principles that separate great business leaders from the merely good.
Adam Karr is the President and Portfolio Manager at Orbis Investments.
(00:00) Intro
(02:44) Investing Strategies and Market Games
(04:08) Adapting and Evolving Investment Styles
(05:20) The Importance of Obsession and Environment
(06:29) Aligning with Long-Term Investment Goals
(07:11) Identifying and Evaluating Obsessed CEOs
(08:13) The Role of Culture in Investment Decisions
(08:54) Building Long-Term Positions and Overcoming Short-Term Pressures
(12:21) The Blueprint for Success
(15:24) Learning from Role Models and Mentors
(21:25) The Power of Writing and Decision Analytics
(29:11) The Magic in the Last 5% of Investment Research
(35:25) Understanding Roll-Ups: Success Factors and Challenges
(36:01) Applying Knowledge for an Unfair Advantage
(37:42) Learning from Feedback and Case Studies
(40:47) The Importance of Independent Thinking
(43:06) Lessons from Industry Leaders
(49:32) The Will to Practice and Time Management
(56:44) Positioning for Success and Resilience
(01:08:59) Defining Success and Helping Others
Newsletter - The Brain Food newsletter delivers actionable insights and thoughtful ideas every Sunday. It takes 5 minutes to read, and it’s completely free. Learn more and sign up at https://fs.blog/newsletter/
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Upgrade — If you want to hear my thoughts and reflections at the end of the episode, join our membership: https://fs.blog/membership/ and get your own private feed.
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1:10:22
John Mackey: Inside Whole Foods' Blueprint for Building a Billion-Dollar Movement
From near bankruptcy after a devastating flood to a $13.7 billion Amazon acquisition, Whole Foods founder John Mackey reveals how a small health food store became an empire that revolutionized American eating.
Discover how a single near-death experience transformed a 25-year-old college dropout into the pioneer of the organic food movement. Mackey shares raw insights from the frontlines: how he turned hostile customers into evangelists, survived multiple extinction-level threats, and built a mission-driven billion-dollar business without compromising its soul.
John Mackey is the co-founder of Whole Foods Market, where he was the CEO of the company from 1980 to 2022. He is the author of the bestselling book, Conscious Capitalism.
Newsletter - The Brain Food newsletter delivers actionable insights and thoughtful ideas every Sunday. It takes 5 minutes to read, and it’s completely free. Learn more and sign up at https://fs.blog/newsletter/
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00:00 Introduction
02:30 From Safer Way to Whole Foods: The Early Days
03:46 The Struggles and Successes of Whole Foods
05:22 Navigating Criticism and Market Realities
08:36 The Lamar Location and the 100-Year Flood
10:46 Rebuilding and Realizing Stakeholder Value
14:57 Learning the Retail Ropes
22:35 Growth, Challenges, and Entrepreneurial Resilience
35:51 Acquisitions and Expanding the Whole Foods Empire
41:17 The Drive to Build a Chain
42:17 Founder-Led vs. Professional Management
44:38 Challenges of Bureaucracy
46:56 The Importance of Cost Control
50:44 Entrepreneurial Spirit and Creativity
52:56 Facing Leadership Challenges
01:02:57 The Amazon Merger
01:19:01 Capitalism vs. Socialism
01:26:27 The Illusion of Control in Socialism
01:27:44 The Kibbutz Experiment: Idealism vs. Reality
01:30:53 Capitalism: A Win-Win Game
01:32:04 The Power of Win-Win-Win Philosophy
01:34:28 A Personal Story: Winning Over Deborah
01:37:29 The Role of Business Planning
01:38:49 Qualities of Successful Entrepreneurs
01:49:12 The Hero's Journey: Advice for Young Entrepreneurs
01:51:05 Introducing Love Life: A Holistic Health Venture
01:57:18 The Importance of Whole Foods and Nutrition
02:08:09 Concluding Thoughts on Success and Happiness
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2:12:27
How an Elite Athlete Built a $10M Business Breaking Every Rule | Rob Fraser
Rob Fraser unveils the untold story of OUTWAY—from hawking socks on street corners to building an eight-figure empire. Surviving near-catastrophic business crises, he leveraged lessons from his professional sports career to navigate the business world. Discover the counterintuitive mental models that transformed a world-class athlete into a business maverick, turning the humble sock into a ten-million-dollar revolution.
As a special offer to listeners, the TKP community can get 30% off using the code SHANE at checkout. https://outway.com/
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MASTER THE BEST OF WHAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY FIGURED OUT
Skip decades of trial and error. Each episode reveals proven insights from world-class performers.
No fluff. No small talk. Just actionable wisdom for your business and life.
Turn hard-earned lessons into your competitive edge.
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-parrish-050a2183/
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