Useful Not Famous

By MAVEN

Useful Not Famous is the podcast for people who care more about their bank account than their ego.

Hosted by Jeff Sarris and Amara Andrew.... more

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FAQs about Useful Not Famous:

How many episodes does Useful Not Famous have?

The podcast currently has 47 episodes available.

Useful Not Famous episodes:

January 12, 2026 Can there be happiness without ambition?
Are you struggling to find happiness? You may be stuck with shallow happiness, when you need to focus on deep happiness.
Jeff Sarris and Amara Andrew explore the difference between shallow happiness and deep happiness. They discuss how being present-focused can lead to instant joy but might prevent long-term achievements. They reference Derek Sivers' philosophy of 'Hell Yeah or No,' emphasizing doing things that truly excite you. The hosts also share personal experiences with balancing short-term joy and long-term goals, highlighting the importance of building a brand over time rather than seeking instant fame. They conclude with insights on ambition, objectives, and the value of consistent effort in achieving true happiness.
00:00 Introduction to Shallow vs. Deep Happiness
00:35 Meet the Hosts: Amara and Jeff
01:13 The Philosophy of 'Hell Yeah or No'
03:08 Conferences and Business Networking
05:00 Balancing Short-Term and Long-Term Happiness
07:11 Ambition vs. Objectives
14:01 Living in the Moment vs. Planning for the Future
23:51 Driving Exotic Cars
24:06 The Fascination with Ferrari
25:42 The Joy of Anticipation
26:33 Wrestling and Viral Moments
29:54 The Pitfalls of Chasing Virality
32:38 Building a Sustainable Brand
33:48 The Importance of Hyperlocal Content
37:48 Consistency Over Virality
48:05 Celebrating Small Wins
---
Useful Not Famous is the podcast for people who care more about making money than getting likes and subscribers.
Join our useful family at usefulnotfamous.com to get one actionable tip delivered to your inbox every Monday morning.

Follow Jeff Sarris
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Follow Amara Andrew
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...more
50min
January 05, 2026 Have we ever actually been happy
In this episode of Useful Not Famous, Amara and Jeff explore the concept of desire and how it ties to unhappiness. They discuss whether happiness truly exists or is just a state of contentment and joy. They delve into how setting no specific objectives can lead to unexpected and fulfilling paths, using examples like Robert Greene's journey to writing 'The 48 Laws of Power.' They also touch on the importance of continuous learning, especially through reading non-fiction, and how it can lead to personal and professional growth. Tune in to find out how exploring can lead to significant and unexpected successes!
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:23 Meet the Hosts: Amara and Jeff
00:49 Exploring the Concept of Desire
02:54 The Three Types of Fun
04:45 The Nature of Happiness
10:40 Desire and Unhappiness
12:23 Personal Reflections on Desire and Career
14:41 The Joy of Unexpected Freedom
15:51 Embracing the Unknown
16:10 The Power of Learning and Exploration
17:43 Introducing Hive: A New Framework
19:55 The Journey of Robert Green
25:49 The Importance of Continuous Learning
32:44 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
---
Useful Not Famous is the podcast for people who care more about making money than getting likes and subscribers.
Join our useful family at usefulnotfamous.com to get one actionable tip delivered to your inbox every Monday morning.

Follow Jeff Sarris
Instagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok
Follow Amara Andrew
Instagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok

...more
35min
December 29, 2025 You'll never be world class unless you do this
In this episode of Useful Not Famous, Amara Andrew and Jeff Sarris delve into the concept of becoming the best in the world at what you do, drawing inspiration from The Almanack of Naval Ravikant. They discuss the importance of continuous improvement, redefining your goals, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. The conversation covers a range of topics, including the necessity of hard work, competing with yourself, the satisfaction that comes from doing what you love, and learning from notable examples like Michael Jordan and Taylor Swift. They also touch on the broader idea that everyone has a unique form of genius, which can be harnessed by focusing on what truly fulfills you. Join them as they explore the mindset and strategies needed to achieve greatness in whatever you do.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back
00:30 Discussing Naval Ravikant's Wisdom
00:57 Reflecting on Past Podcast Episodes
01:24 The Journey to Becoming the Best
02:44 Competing with Yourself
05:07 The Importance of Hard Work
11:21 Focusing on the Right Questions
14:22 Living in the Present
18:52 Finding Fulfillment in Non-Work Activities
20:25 Redefining Creativity and Artistic Identity
23:04 Different Types of Genius
24:08 The Importance of Passion in Avoiding Burnout
26:48 The Role of Hard Work and Practice in Success
28:36 Taylor Swift: A Case Study in Reinvention
30:39 Balancing Passion and Practicality
37:08 The Magic of Mastery and Practice
40:36 Podcast Updates and Future Plans
---
Useful Not Famous is the podcast for people who care more about making money than getting likes and subscribers.
Join our useful family at usefulnotfamous.com to get one actionable tip delivered to your inbox every Monday morning.

Follow Jeff Sarris
Instagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok
Follow Amara Andrew
Instagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok

...more
42min
November 24, 2025 You're a museum of everything you've ever loved
'I am a museum of everything I've ever loved.'
We dive into what it means to us and how we all collect memories and experiences that shape who we are. We chat about the idea of always adding to our personal 'museums' and how life is all about growth and trying new things.
---
Useful Not Famous is the podcast for people who care more about making money than getting likes and subscribers.
Join our useful family at usefulnotfamous.com to get one actionable tip delivered to your inbox every Monday morning.

Follow Jeff Sarris
Instagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok
Follow Amara Andrew
Instagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok

...more
34min
November 17, 2025 This recording does not exist. And we'll prove it.
What really exists is not things made, but things in the making. Once made, they are dead.
—James Gleick
---
Useful Not Famous is the podcast for people who care more about making money than getting likes and subscribers.
Join our useful family at usefulnotfamous.com to get one actionable tip delivered to your inbox every Monday morning.

Follow Jeff Sarris
Instagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok
Follow Amara Andrew
Instagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok

...more
31min
November 10, 2025 Do you want to be interesting or understood?
Publicly, they want to be interesting. Privately, they want to be understood.
—Derek Thompson, Hit Makers: How to Succeed in an Age of Distraction
---
Useful Not Famous is the podcast for people who care more about making money than getting likes and subscribers.
Join our useful family at usefulnotfamous.com to get one actionable tip delivered to your inbox every Monday morning.

Follow Jeff Sarris
Instagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok
Follow Amara Andrew
Instagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok
...more
51min
November 03, 2025 Why is finding your passion so hard?
If you think you haven’t found your passion yet, you’re probably expecting it to be overwhelming.
—Derek Sivers

---
Useful Not Famous is the podcast for people who care more about making money than getting likes and subscribers.
Join our useful family at usefulnotfamous.com to get one actionable tip delivered to your inbox every Monday morning.

Follow Jeff Sarris
Instagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok
Follow Amara Andrew
Instagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok
...more
36min
October 21, 2025 It took 16 years to learn this
"You seem to be holding a bag of trash. But if you know there's actually a diamond inside, you'll sift through the junk until you find it."
—Derek Sivers

---
Useful Not Famous is the podcast for people who care more about making money than getting likes and subscribers.
Join our useful family at usefulnotfamous.com to get one actionable tip delivered to your inbox every Monday morning.

Follow Jeff Sarris
Instagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok | LinkedIn
Follow Amara Andrew
Instagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok | LinkedIn
...more
32min
October 14, 2025 Are you paralyzed by worry?
"The best thing a human can do is help another human being know more."
—Charlie Munger

---
Useful Not Famous is the podcast for people who care more about making money than getting likes and subscribers.
Join our useful family at usefulnotfamous.com to get one actionable tip delivered to your inbox every Monday morning.

Follow Jeff Sarris
Instagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok | LinkedIn
Follow Amara Andrew
Instagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok | LinkedIn
...more
37min
October 06, 2025 The truth about purpose
"Not to assume it's impossible because you find it hard. But to recognize that if it's humanly possible, you can do it too."
—Marcus Aurelius

---
Useful Not Famous is the podcast for people who care more about making money than getting likes and subscribers.
Join our useful family at usefulnotfamous.com to get one actionable tip delivered to your inbox every Monday morning.
Fuck fame, make money.

Follow Jeff Sarris
Instagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok | LinkedIn
Follow Amara Andrew
Instagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok | LinkedIn
...more
35min

FAQs about Useful Not Famous:

How many episodes does Useful Not Famous have?

The podcast currently has 47 episodes available.