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Ali & Taimur Abdaal

The weekly podcast about happiness, creativity, and the human condition. It's us, Ali and Taimur Abdaal, occasionally joined by guests, talking about things to help us think, do, and be better.
Things like social interaction, lifestyle design, mental models... Things that are hard to examine, but important to explore. And hopefully, things that make for a fun and interesting chat every week.
We'd love for you to join us.

Not Overthinking

In this episode of Not Overthinking, Ali and Taimur sit down with Derek Sivers to explore the journey of entrepreneurship, the concept of 'enough', and the role of money in happiness. Together, they discuss true financial freedom, future aspirations, and finding purpose in work. Derek reflects on his experience after selling CD Baby, navigating feelings of loss, setting new goals, and embracing change. The conversation touches on creativity, the fear of leaving behind successful ventures, and the excitement of exploring education and productivity. Using the metaphor of breaking out of the atmosphere, they reflect on growth and the opportunities beyond established success.

(00:00) Introduction to Derek Sivers
(03:07) The Concept of 'Enough' in Entrepreneurship
(06:00) The Role of Money in Happiness
(08:54) Defining True Financial Freedom
(12:01) Future Aspirations and Purpose
(15:04) Exploring Problem Areas and Education
(17:58) Derek's Journey After Selling CD Baby
(21:02) Finding New Goals and Passions
(24:13) The Importance of Actionable Goals
(26:51) Exploring New Ventures and Projects
(32:33) Exploring Through Exploiting
(34:53) The Comfort of Coasting on YouTube
(40:51) The Fear of Change and the Unknown
(46:16) The Price of Freedom: Leaving Money on the Table
(50:43) Breaking Out of the Atmosphere: New Possibilities
(57:08) Embracing the Unknown: Preparing for Change

🎙 About the Podcast - Not Overthinking
Not Overthinking is a podcast about happiness, creativity, and the human condition. We talk about things to help us think, do, and be better. Things like social interaction, lifestyle design, mental models...things that are hard to examine, but important to explore. And hopefully, things that make for a fun and interesting chat every week.

Exploring the Meaning of Work

In this episode of Not Overthinking, we discuss our morning routines, the excitement surrounding new book releases, and significant life updates, including Ali's upcoming fatherhood. We delve into the emotional aspects of parenthood, contrasting experiences, and share insights on Taimur's recent acquisition of his startup, Causal, exploring the implications for their work and future plans. We also discuss the intricacies of business acquisitions, the startup landscape, and the balance between product development and distribution strategies. They reflect on the emotional journey of selling a company, the importance of personal branding, and the joys of new technology in family life. Taimur shares insights on navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, emphasising the role of luck and timing in successful acquisitions. The discussion also touches on the impact of emerging technologies like OLED TVs and the Vision Pro on personal experiences.
Enjoy :)

Chapters

(00:00) Morning Routines and Grindsets
(03:01) Exciting Book Releases and Personal Time
(06:01) Life Updates: Expecting a Baby
(09:05) Navigating Parenthood: Perspectives and Experiences
(12:03) Work Transitions: Causal's Acquisition
(18:03) The Acquisition Process and Future Plans
(28:36) The Strategic Value of Acquisitions
(32:04) Navigating the Startup Landscape
(39:10) Product vs. Distribution: A Balancing Act
(49:16) Reflections on Selling a Company
(57:00) The Joys of New Technology and Family Life

Ali’s having a baby + Taimur sells his company

In this episode of Not Overthinking, Taimur shares his recent experience of becoming a father, discussing the challenges and joys of the early days of parenting. He reflects on his role as a husband during this time, the adjustments he has made to his daily routine, and the emotional bond he is forming with his newborn daughter. The conversation also touches on societal perceptions of parenthood, the impact of having a child on work-life balance, and advice for future parents. In this conversation, Taimur and Ali explore various aspects of parenting, including the evolution of their philosophies, the complexity of generalisations in parenting advice, the challenges of choosing baby gear, and the balance between privacy and sharing their children's lives online. They discuss the ethical implications of parenting content and the influence of societal norms on parenting practices. The conversation concludes with reflections on the role of self-help narratives in fostering personal growth and accountability.

(00:00) Welcome to Fatherhood
(03:03) The Journey of Pregnancy
(06:03) The Role of a Husband
(08:48) Adjusting to Newborn Life
(12:03) Bonding with the Baby
(14:54) Reflections on Parenthood
(18:13) Entering Society as Parents
(20:47) Work-Life Balance as a New Dad
(23:58) Advice for Future Parents
(29:17) Revisiting Parenting Philosophies
(32:10) The Complexity of Generalizations
(35:51) Exploring Parenting Resources
(36:51) Navigating Baby Gear Choices
(41:44) The Balance of Privacy in Parenting
(46:01) The Ethics of Sharing Kids Online
(51:52) The Ethics of Public Exposure for Children
(57:08) Exploring the Manosphere and Its Impact
(01:14:25) Personal Responsibility and Self-Improvement Narratives

Exclusive: Taimur Becomes a Father

In this episode of "Not Overthinking," Taimur and Professor Jason Blakely dive into what ideology means and why it’s a big part of modern life. They talk about the limits of data in politics and how the stories we believe shape our views. They also discuss the challenges of staying objective and how ideologies like liberalism and conservatism shape our thinking.

(00:00) Introduction to Ideology and Guest Introduction
(02:45) Defining Ideology: Beyond Common Misconceptions
(06:42) The Non-Optional Nature of Ideology
(09:54) The View from Nowhere: Objectivity in Politics
(12:46) The Limits of Data in Political Analysis
(16:48) Rationality and Its Misconceptions
(22:53) The Role of Stories in Ideology
(29:11) Tech Bro Ideology: A Modern Perspective
(37:21) Liberalism vs. Conservatism: Core Impulses
(51:30) Cultural Socialization and Ideological Frameworks
(52:29) Exploring Ideologies: Limits and Intersections
(55:18) The Political Spectrum: A Misleading Model
(59:22) Understanding Fascism: A Revolutionary Right
(01:01:44) Steel Manning: Engaging with Opposing Ideologies
(01:06:47) The Ethical Call of Communism
(01:10:59) Navigating Ideological Discourse
(01:15:40) The Role of Science in Ideological Change
(01:18:03) Finding Common Ground in Ideological Debates
(01:21:51) The Human Experience: A Call for Humanism
(01:25:13) The Challenge of Understanding Rival Ideologies
(01:29:04) The Future of Ideological Engagement

Lost in Ideology with Prof. Jason Blakely - Not Overthinking 🎙️

In this episode of "Not Overthinking," together with Mags, we explore the complexities of work-life balance, the pressures of productivity, and the cultural narratives surrounding success. We discuss the concept of being 'locked in' to work, the impact of societal expectations on personal goals, and the importance of finding fulfilment beyond traditional measures of success. The dialogue highlights the tension between pursuing passions and the realities of market demands, ultimately questioning what it means to lead a fulfilling life in a competitive environment.

(00:00) Introduction and Background
(03:01) Navigating Work-Life Balance
(05:56) The Concept of Being 'Locked In'
(08:47) The Pressure of Productivity
(12:03) Defining Productivity and Work Ethic
(15:10) The Hamster Wheel of Work
(18:12) The Role of Luck in Success
(20:58) Cultural Narratives Around Work
(24:09) Finding Enough: The Pursuit of Goals
(26:48) Artisanal Pursuits vs. Market Realities
(29:48) The Balance of Work and Passion
(32:58) Societal Pressures and Individual Goals
(36:14) Conclusion and Future Discussions

Productivity Guilt and Hustle Culture - Not Overthinking

In this episode of "Not Overthinking," we cover a range of recent experiences and future plans. Ali talks about his recent marriage, honeymoon in Costa Rica, and his time at Burning Man, where he learned the value of living in the present and taking hobbies seriously. 

We also discuss Ali's move to Hong Kong, his plans to join local clubs, and our thoughts on aging. Our conversation touches on our shared interests in photography, filmmaking, and gear reviews. Additionally, we dive into my business venture, VoicePal, and Taimur’s reading recommendation, 'The Two Cultures' by C.P. Snow.

(00:00) Introduction and Catching Up
(02:59) Marriage, Honeymoon, and Costa Rica
(08:14) Understanding Burning Man
(16:40) Experiencing Burning Man and Reflections
(25:59) Future Plans and Settling in Asia
(27:05) Settling in Hong Kong and Exploring Hobbies
(36:06) The Appeal of Gear Reviews and Enjoying Time
(39:32) Finding Joy in Different Hobbies
(47:07) Updates on VoicePal and SaaS Entrepreneurship
(53:28) Book Recommendation: 'The Two Cultures' by C.P. Snow

Marriage, Burning Man and Life Updates

In this episode, we chat with Jason Blakely, an associate professor of political science, discussing a range of topics related to political science, ideology, and the role of science in society. Jason critiques the approach of treating social sciences like natural sciences, highlighting the limitations and misinterpretations this can lead to. The discussion also delves into the concept of "Psi-ops" in social sciences, the influence of cultural and narrative elements in understanding social phenomena, and the distinction between natural and social sciences. The conversation critically examines the current ideological and cultural frameworks in society, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and interpretation in understanding human behaviour and social dynamics.

Enjoy! x

Decoding Political Science and Ideology with Jason Blakely

Summary

In this episode, Ali and Taimur catch up and discuss various topics. They introduce a calendar widget that allows users to provide feedback on meetings. They also discuss the value of experience and the misconceptions around being an ideas person. They reflect on their past impressions of fundraising, sales and marketing, delegation and outsourcing, brand deals and gifting, and book writing. Overall, they highlight the importance of gaining experience and understanding the intangibles in various fields. In this conversation, Ali and Taimur discuss the discovery of Zotero and the gap in the market for business coaching content. They also explore the value of zoom screen shares and internal dashboards in learning about business processes. The conversation touches on the importance of hands-on experience and learning from founders, as well as the process of book promotion and dealing with negative reviews. They also discuss the upcoming book promotional activities and the financial aspect of book sales.

Takeaways

 • Experience brings valuable intangibles that are hard to explain but essential in various fields.
 • Being an ideas person is not enough; having tangible skills and expertise is crucial for success.
 • Misconceptions about fundraising, sales, and marketing can hinder progress and understanding.
 • Delegation and outsourcing can free up time and allow individuals to focus on their core strengths.
 • Impressions of brand deals and gifting can change as one gains experience and understanding.
 • Learning from others and seeking guidance can provide valuable insights and improve outcomes. Discovering new tools and resources can fill gaps in knowledge and improve productivity.
 • Learning from experienced entrepreneurs and observing their processes can provide valuable insights.
 • Hands-on experience and exposure to real-world business situations can be more valuable than theoretical knowledge.
 • Book promotion involves various activities, including interviews, podcasts, and media features.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up
03:18 Introducing the Calendar Widget
09:06 The Value of Experience
13:50 The Role of an Ideas Guy
18:20 The Importance of Experience and Intangibles
23:21 Misconceptions about Fundraising
24:49 Impressions of Sales and Marketing
26:15 The Value of Delegation and Outsourcing
27:39 Changing Perceptions of Brand Deals and Gifting
29:27 Perceptions of Subscriber Count and Book Writing
33:10 Discovering Zotero and the Gap in the Market
34:48 The Rise of Alex Hormozi and the Business Coaching Market
35:14 The Value of Zoom Screen Shares and Internal Dashboards
36:20 Learning from Sales Calls and Emailing Processes
38:25 The Importance of Experience and Learning from Post-Exit Founders
39:44 Seeking Guidance from Those Who Have Achieved Your Goals
40:20 The Fluidity of Starting Something New
41:59 The Value of Hands-On Experience and Learning from Founders
43:30 Bookshelf Themes and the Productivity Genre
44:48 The Process of Book Promotion and Translations
46:00 Dealing with Negative Reviews and Imposter Syndrome
48:37 Preparing for Daytime TV Segments
49:08 Rehearsing for TV Interviews and Being Concise
52:00 Upcoming Book Promotional Activities
54:32 Earning Royalties from Book Sales
56:00 The Financial Aspect of Book Sales
57:25 A Plug for Lucia's Work and Job Opportunities

Taimur's New Startup Idea

In this episode, we talk about other podcasts and the future of the Deep Dive with Ali Abdaal podcast. Enjoy xx

Catching Up and Talking Podcasts

In this episode, we talk about the last five-or-so months of not posting any podcast episodes. Enjoy xx

Why did we stop posting?

In this episode, we each talk about 3 words/phrases that have changed the way we think about things and see the world. We touch on Taimur's new addiction to David Dobrik's vlogs, and Ali doesn't stop going on about a magic convention that he attended this weekend.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Words that changed our lives

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