Sharon Salzberg is a New York Times Bestselling author and teacher of Buddhist meditation practices in the West. Her emphasis is on vipassana (insight) and metta (loving-kindness) methods and has been leading meditation retreats around the world for over three decades.

Sharon Salzberg, Dealing with Anxiety During Stressful Times (#39)

Kevin Rose explores the forefronts of the AI, investment hacking, optimizing wellness, technology of the future, and the world's lastest cultural trends. Each episode is packed with valuable insights to fuel personal and professional growth, from technologists and scientists to zen masters and productivity hackers; this variety show will always provide you with an abundance of unconventional wisdom.

Kevin has been recognized as one of Time Magazine's 'Top 25 Most Influential People on the Web' and a 'Top 25 Angel Investor' by Bloomberg, highlighting his impact in the tech and investment spheres. His influence extends to the cover pages of prestigious publications like Businessweek, Red Herring, 7x7, and Inc. Magazine. Further highlighting his versatility and widespread recognition, Kevin has also made notable appearances on the Jimmy Fallon Show and Charlie Rose.

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Health & Fitness

Kevin sits down with Suneel Gupta CEO of RISE, a breakthrough wellness company to break down some of the key concepts in Suneel’s book, Everyday Dharma. Aside from the definition, origin and concepts of dharma, Suneel discusses how to achieve sustainable peak performance by embracing simple habits, how to bolster emotional resiliiance and engagement, and how to master psychological shifts required to overcome life setbacks.   
Once seen as the “face of failure” in the New York Times, Suneel Gupta understands the road to success is not always smooth. Learning from his mistakes, Suneel became the founding CEO of RISE, a breakthrough wellness company that partnered with First Lady Michelle Obama to deliver low-cost health coaching to people in need. He is now a visiting scholar at Harvard Medical School and host of an award-winning documentary series on Amazon Prime. He is also a bestselling author of Everyday Dharma, which is all about the timeless art of finding success and joy in what we do.
Listeners can learn more about Suneel at website https://www.suneelgupta.com/ on X @suneel and on IG @suneelgupta

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Mentions: 
Everyday Dharma Book: https://www.suneelgupta.com/
The ultimate cold plunge ice bath. Get $150 off at kevinrose.com/plunge
Get two months of CoPilot FREE - kevinrose.com/copilot  

Show Notes: 

(0:00) Introduction

(1:00) The ultimate cold plunge ice bath. Get $150 off at kevinrose.com/plunge


(2:30) Get two months of CoPilot FREE - kevinrose.com/copilot


(4:30) Shout out to Kevin for being one of the first to take a bet on RISE  

(5:30) What Rise is all about 

(11:55) “Authenticity has become everything. It’s no longer a factor, it’s a filter.” 

(15:30) Obama's 2004 keynote speech

(23:30) Shout out to the one and only Tim Ferris - https://tim.blog  

(25:00) DeleteMe: 20% off removing your personal info from the web  

(27:10) Suneel Gupta’s viral failure story 

(29:10) “Long term success can often come from short term embarrassment.”


(32:30) Suneel’s personal story on ‘how to win and how to lost’ 

(36:20) “I don’t lose. I either win or I learn.”  

(38:30) The arrival fallacy  

(43:30) The philosophy of dharma  

(50:00) Definition and origin of dharma 

(51:20) “As it turns out, when I go out and I unpack the Dharma stories, the people who really were able to find their way back to the center, it wasn't competence that got them there. It was curiosity.”


(1:02:00) The concept of rhythmic renewal 

(1:05:00) The 55-5 rule for work efficiency in productivity 

(1:27:00) Question: When you think about these trail heads that lead back to everyday dharma, what's a diversified person look like?

(1:30:00) The concept of seva: selfless service 

(1:36:00) Closing thoughts


Connect with Kevin:
Website: https://www.kevinrose.com/ 
Instagram - @KevinRose
X - @KevinRose
YouTube - @KevinRose

How to Cultivate Everyday Dharma, Suneel Gupta (#54)

Kevin is joined by Magatte Wade, renowned for her TEDTalk and activism dedicated to unlocking prosperity in Africa. Magatte discusses the challenges and opportunities facing Africa today. She elaborates on her journey since the talk, focusing on her efforts to improve Africa's economic conditions through innovative startup cities and advocating for economic freedom. Magatte provides a deep dive into the intricacies of creating prosperous environments in Africa, her personal experiences with bureaucratic challenges, and her vision for Africa’s future.

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Guest Bio and Links:
Magatte Wade is the world's leading African prosperity activist. She was made famous initially for a TEDTalk she made in 2017 about what she argues is an excessive regulatory environment in Africa which forces young Africans to emigrate for economic reasons. She is an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and the author of The Heart of A Cheetah. 
Listeners can learn more about Magatte Wade at her website https://www.magattewade.com/, on X @magattew, and on YouTube @MagatteWadeOfficial

Resources:
Why it's too hard to start a business in Africa -- and how to change it
The Heart of a Cheetah 
Be the Solution: How Entrepreneurs and Conscious Capitalists Can Solve All the World's Problems by Michael Strong and John Mackey 
Africa Unchained: The Blueprint for Africa's Future by George Ayittey
Why Africa Needs Startup Cities

Show Notes: 

(0:00) Introduction

(0:50) Manscaped - Get 20% off with code KEVINROSE at manscaped.com


(2:30) Notion - Try Notion AI for free at kevinrose.com/notion


(4:20) Today’s guest is Magatte Wade

(6:50) Why it's too hard to start a business in Africa -- and how to change it 


(12:00) Slavery in the 21st century  

(14:50) Reasons Africa has been one of the fastest at adopting cryptocurrency and bitcoin   

(17:00) What makes money ‘sound’

(19:55) Facet: The Future of Financial Planning - www.facet.com/kevinrose    

(22:10) Question: What do you need to have happen so that rather than leaving Africa, there can be places in Africa that are entrepreneurial hubs that have true prosperity? 

(27:00) “How come some countries like mine are poor while others are rich?” 

(27:15) Stereotypes surrounding the African economy  

(30:40) Magatte’s journey into entrepreneurship  

(36:00) “You were always raised to criticize by creating. Got a problem with this? What's your solution? It doesn't have to be the right one, but get on that journey of solving.” 


(45:15) Question: Where do you feel you are going to have the most impact in your mission? 

(46:15) The Heart of a Cheetah  

(47:30) Magatte discusses the conflicting African ideologies  

(51:10) Question: Is it going to take a series of iterative changes or a revolution to have Africa prosper? 

(57:30) The concept of startup cities in Africa 

(59:00) The British common law explained - Dubai being the example 

(1:07:35) Próspera | Maximize Human Prosperity

(1:19:00) Partners in Próspera 


(1:23:00) Inspirations, mentors, and closing thoughts


Connect with Kevin:
Website: https://www.kevinrose.com/ 
Instagram - @KevinRose
X - @KevinRose
YouTube - @KevinRose

Magatte Wade, Unlocking Prosperity in Africa (#53)

Kevin sits down with the thought-provoking author Mark Manson, to explore the profound themes of his work, personal development, and how to cultivate authenticity. Mark discusses how to construct a value set, the impacts of social media, and mental health specifically destruction of the term of trauma, and the necessity of embracing struggle. Lastly, they give snippets on how to prioritize what truly matters in our increasingly noisy world.

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Guest Bio and Links:
Mark Manson is a contemporary author, blogger, and self-help guru known for his candid writing style and practical advice on personal development, relationships, and happiness. He gained widespread recognition with his best-selling book "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life," published in 2016. This book challenges conventional self-help wisdom and encourages readers to prioritize what truly matters in life.
Listeners can learn more about Mark Manson at his website https://markmanson.net/, on X @IAmMarkManson and YouTube @IAmMarkManson   

Resources:
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
So Good They Can’t Ignore You
Be Useful 
40 Harsh Truths I Know at 40 but Wish I Knew at 20
Everything is F*cked

Show Notes:

[0:00] Introduction

[1:15] Huge discount + 4 months free on the my favorite VPN 


[3:05] LMNT: Electrolyte drink mix with everything you need & nothing you don't. Get a free sample pack at kevinrose.com/lmnt 

[05:03] Kevin introduces Mark Manson to the listeners

[06:43] Mark gives the framework for his book: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck

[11:03] The genesis of Manson’s philosophies

[15:10] Warren Buffet ‘money problems’ analogy 

[20:45] The concept of experience stretching

[24:40] The idea of existentialism

[25:40] The practicality behind finding your dream career

[27:10] “You don’t find what you’re passionate about and then get good at it. You find what you’re good at, and then as a side effect, you naturally become passionate in the process of becoming good at it.” -Cal Newport

[31:12] DeleteMe: 20% off removing your personal info from the web


[33:05] Secret behind truly not giving a fck

[36:51] “An unintended side effect of the technology is that it has scrambled our ability to prioritize those things.” -Mark Manson

[41:11] Values in the age of social media

[43:45] Vulnerability and destruction of the term of trauma

[51:20] Thoughts on Mister Rogers philosophies 

[55:10] Constructing a value set

[58:50] The concept of the attention diet

[01:03:00] The Complete Guide to Goal Setting (Backed by Science)


[01:05:10] Mark’s journey on sobriety and self-discovery

[01:12:00] Benefits from abstaining from alcohol 

[01:21:00] Nuggets from 40 Harsh Truths I Know at 40 but Wish I Knew at 20


[01:33:15] The fault responsibility fallacy

[01:39:00] Everything is Fcked



Connect with Kevin:
Website: https://www.kevinrose.com/ 
Instagram - @KevinRose
X - @KevinRose
YouTube - @KevinRose

Mark Manson, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck (#52)

Kevin sits down with Henry Shukman to discuss the misconceptions surrounding Zen, especially in Western cultures, and the true meaning of Zen as a path of existential training. Kevin and Henry explore the different aspects of Zen training, including the deeper study of self and experience. The conversation also covers the impact of awakening or enlightenment, the significance of Koans in Zen practice, and the compatibility of Zen with religious traditions.

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Guest Bio and Links:
Henry Shukman is an authorized Zen Master in the Sanbo Zen lineage and is the Spiritual Director of Mountain Cloud Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In addition to teaching meditation, Henry is an award-winning author and poet. His struggles and traumatic experiences as a youth, combined with a spontaneous awakening experience at 19, paved the way for Henry to develop a well-rounded approach to healing and awakening through meditation. 
Listeners can connect with Henry at his website https://henryshukman.com/, and on IG @henryshukman  

Resources: 
Blue Cliff Record
The Gateless Gate: The Classic Book of Zen Koans
The Way App 
Pre Order Original Love now at: https://henryshukman.com/writing/original-love 
Mountain Cloud Zen Center 

Show Notes: 

[0:00] Introduction

[1:00] Write, plan, share with AI at your side


[3:00] DeleteMe: Make Your Personal Data Yours Again


[4:30] Kevin introduces guest, Henry Shukman to the listeners 

[8:00] Henry discusses the commercialization of Zen 

[10:30] Misconceptions and the true essence of Zen

[13:30] Question: When and where did koans originate?  

[20:30] “Whether it's a discovery or the recovery of something long forgotten, in a way it doesn't matter, because it hasn't been present to me. And when it suddenly is. It changes everything. It really changes everything.”


[23:30] Koans and how they apply to Zen practice 

[28:00] Role of meditation in Zen

[32:00] Shop L.M.N.T for your electrolyte needs  

[33:00] Question: What are the common curiosities that people approach you with and what can Zen solve for them?

[33:30] “Zen is for revelation. It's sort of exposing us to more dimensions of what life actually is.”


[36:50] Henry shares his personal journey into Zen

[49:30] The importance of checks and balances when teaching Zen practices 

[50:15] Question: What do you tell someone in hospice laying there and says: ‘Henry, Where am I going? Or I don’t want to die.’  

[58:00] Question: How many koans did you have to pass to become a fully accredited Zen master? 

[1:00:00] “In a certain way, Zen is absolutely not a religion. It's about changing our hearts and minds.”


[1:02:50] Question: Do you think prayer can be a form of meditation?

[1:06:00] Therapeutic benefits of psychedelics, plant medicine, and meditation to achieve awakening

[1:07:00] Henry’s experience with 5-MeO-DMT

[1:10:30] Reflections on the transformative power of Zen

[1:18:30] Strategies to make a long-lasting practice with meditation 

[1:21:00] The Way app offers guided meditation training

[1:30:00] Download the Way app: https://www.thewayapp.com/ 

[1:36:50] Perspectives on drinking alcohol

[1:42:00] Questioning ancient Zen feats of power

[1:47:00] Extreme self-sacrifice and equanimity

[1:53:35] “The ways that we think we'll find happiness, we might have it back to front. Where we think by getting what we want and pushing away what we don't want. That's the path to happiness. And it's very natural and very understandable, but it could be that there's another way that's actually deeper, which requires us to let go of that. And then we find that we're part of something already, which gives us basically an infinite amount of happiness, an infinite happiness.”


[1:56:00] Closing thoughts

Henry Shukman, Lessons from an Authentic Zen Master (#51)

Kevin sits down with Chris Dixon to discuss his new book "Read Write Own: Building the Next Era of the Internet". They also dissect the history and evolution of the internet, including the rise of web2, corporate networks, and the decentralization promises of web3 and crypto. They discuss blockchain technology, crypto speculation vs utility, decentralized networks, NFTs, AI, and VR. Chris provides an overview of how blockchain and crypto can help build a more open, transparent, and user-empowering next era of the internet.

Partners:
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LMNT: Free sample pack of clean and sugar-free electrolytes
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DeleteMe: 20% off removing your personal info from the web

Guest Bio and Links:
Chris Dixon is a General Partner and has been at Andreessen Horowitz since 2012. He founded and leads a16z crypto, which invests in web3 technologies through four dedicated funds with more than $7 billion under management. Chris is the author of Read Write Own: Building the Next Era of the Internet.
Listeners can learn more about Chris at his website https://cdixon.org/ or on X @cdixon 

Resources: 
Read Write Own: Building the Next Era of the Internet

Show Notes: 

[0:00] Introduction

[0:00] Kevin introduces guest, Chris Dixon to the listeners 

[3:00] Chris speaks on his book Read Write Own: Building the Next Generation of the Internet  

[6:30] Insight into the early days of Internet evolution 

[9:30] “For the most part, entrepreneurship on the internet is building networks.” 

[11:30] Protocol networks, corporate networks, and blockchain networks 

[15:00] Early days of YouTube  

[22:00] Perspectives on the current state of internet technology

[25:40] Question: How much do you think the average consumer will have to know about web three in the future? 

[33:00] The intersection of AI and blockchain technologies 

[34:30] The need for policies to protect creators online 

[39:25] Question: ​​What are your thoughts on NFTs and how they evolved over the last couple of years?

[43:30] Outside-in vs. inside out technologies  

[55:00] The idea of federated social networks

[1:00:00] Predictions and AI synergy


Connect with Kevin:
Website: https://kevinrose.com
Instagram - @KevinRose
X - @KevinRose
YouTube - @KevinRose

Sharon Salzberg, Dealing with Anxiety During Stressful Times (#39)

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