Episode · The Shawn Ryan Show · 2026-01-26
Books mentioned on #274 Tim Ferriss - Life-Changing Practical Wisdom Backed by Experience and Science
Tim Ferriss is the author of five #1 New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers, including The 4-Hour Workweek, The 4-Hour Body, and The 4-Hour Chef. His podcast, The Tim Ferriss Show, has surpassed one billion downloads and is widely regarded as the “Oprah of audio.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Of wolves and men
Of Wolves and Men by Barry Lopez is a classic, genre-busting work of non-fiction that explores the biology, history, and cultural mythology surrounding wolves and their relationship with humans.
Recommended“It's a beautiful book called of wolves and men about effectively the the history of wolves and men, but it dives into the biology of wolves, their mythological significance, how they're viewed by various indigenous cultures, and it redefined what was possible within non-fiction writing. It's by someone named Barry Lopez.”
Where to get it
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The Obstacle Is the Way
The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday is a popular self-improvement book that draws on ancient Stoic philosophy to teach readers how to turn everyday trials, hardships, and setbacks into triumphs.
Discussed“So the philosophy of stoicism and uh people can certainly find a lot of of great books written contempor you know in a contemporary sense by Ryan Holidayiday the obstacle is the way. I actually produced the audio book for that book in the day.”
Where to get it
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Letters from a Stoic
Letters from a Stoic by Seneca is a classic collection of ancient philosophical letters offering practical guidance on virtue, resilience, and emotional control.
Discussed“And uh at that point we resonated on stoicism because I had been traveling almost always with a copy of letters from a stoic which are the moral letters to Lucille by Senica the Younger.”
Where to get it
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Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming
Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming by Stephen LaBerge and Howard Rheingold is a comprehensive guide designed to teach readers how to recognize and consciously control their dreams through systematic techniques.
Recommended“Towards the end of high school, I read a book called Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming by Steven Leberge. And still to this day, I think it is one of the most impressive books I have found uh for teaching a skill in a systematic way.”
Where to get it
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On the Shortness of Life
On the Shortness of Life by Seneca is a foundational Stoic philosophical essay that examines the perception of time, mortality, and the importance of mindful attention to make every minute count.
Recommended“But until then, read on the shortness of life by Senica and it's like make every minute count cuz uh I think you can do a lot to extend your health span like how long you can function at a high level and I think certainly you have a copy of Outlive by Peter on your shelf. I would recommend”
Where to get it
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Outlive
Outlive by Peter Attia and Bill Gifford is a comprehensive guide to longevity and health optimization, focusing on proactive medical strategies to extend both lifespan and healthspan.
Recommended“I would recommend people check that out. Oh yeah, Peter is he is a he is a credible former scientist and physician who really pays attention to the details and does not sell hype.”
Where to get it
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Tribe
Tribe by Sebastian Junger is a non-fiction exploration of community, belonging, and the psychological impacts of modern isolation compared to tribal societies.
Recommended“And there's a great book by Sebastian Younger called Tribe. I really recommend everyone read this. I mean, Sebastian has been through some [ __ ] That's about That's about That's about PTSD.”
Where to get it
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The 80/20 Principle
The 80/20 Principle by Richard Koch is a prominent business and productivity guide that explores how a minority of efforts, inputs, or causes typically lead to a majority of the results, outputs, or rewards.
Recommended“So, there's a book called the 8020 principle by Richard Kosh K. Read that.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (2) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“So, yeah, it's been uh yes, the for our body was 2010, which meant I started writing in 2008.”
“That's from Julia Cameron who wrote the artist's way.”