Neil Gaiman and Debbie Millman (#750)

This episode is a two-for-one, and that’s because the podcast recently hit its 10-year anniversary and passed one billion downloads. To celebrate, I’ve curated some of the best of the best—some of my favorites—from more than 700 episodes over the last decade. I could not be more excited. The episode features segments from episode #366 “Neil Gaiman — The Interview I’ve Waited 20 Years to Do” and episode #214 “How to Design a Life — Debbie Millman.”

Please enjoy!

Bios of guests may be found at tim.blog/combo.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Audible, or on your favorite podcast platform.

This episode is brought to you by LinkedIn Jobs recruitment platform with 1B+ users, Eight Sleep’s Pod 4 Ultra sleeping solution for dynamic cooling and heating, and AG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement.

Transcript for the full Neil Gaiman episode | Transcript for the full Debbie Millman episode | Transcripts for all episodes

Listen onApple Podcasts

Listen onSpotify

Listen onOvercast

This episode is brought to you by LinkedIn Jobs. Whether you are looking to hire now for a critical role or thinking about needs that you may have in the future, LinkedIn Jobs can help. LinkedIn screens candidates for the hard and soft skills you’re looking for and puts your job in front of candidates looking for job opportunities that match what you have to offer.

Using LinkedIn’s active community of more than 900 million professionals worldwide, LinkedIn Jobs can help you find and hire the right person faster. When your business is ready to make that next hire, find the right person with LinkedIn Jobs. And now, you can post a job for free. Just visit LinkedIn.com/Tim.

This episode is brought to you by Eight Sleep! Temperature is one of the main causes of poor sleep, and heat is my personal nemesis. I’ve suffered for decades, tossing and turning, throwing blankets off, pulling them back on, and repeating ad nauseam. But a few years ago, I started using the Pod Cover, and it has transformed my sleep. Eight Sleep has launched their newest generation of the Pod: Pod 4 Ultra. I’m excited to test it out. It cools, it heats, and now it elevates, automatically. With the best temperature performance to date, Pod 4 Ultra ensures you and your partner stay cool, even in a heatwave. Plus, it automatically tracks your sleep time, snoring, sleep stages, and HRV, all with high precision. For example, their heart rate tracking is at an incredible 99{c87e2df4b343d0515d304e127afe4653a549475791ab451641a18e09bd64e760} accuracy.

Pod 4 Ultra also introduces an adjustable Base that fits between your mattress and your bed frame to add custom positions for the best sleeping experience. Plus, it automatically reduces your snoring when detected. Just add it easily onto any bed. 

And now, listeners of The Tim Ferriss Show can get $350 off of the Pod 4 Ultra for a limited time! Click here to claim this deal and unlock your full potential through optimal sleep.

This episode is brought to you by AG1! I get asked all the time, “If you could use only one supplement, what would it be?” My answer is usually AG1, my all-in-one nutritional insurance. I recommended it in The 4-Hour Body in 2010 and did not get paid to do so. I do my best with nutrient-dense meals, of course, but AG1 further covers my bases with vitamins, minerals, and whole-food-sourced micronutrients that support gut health and the immune system. 

Right now, you’ll get a 1-year supply of Vitamin D free with your first subscription purchase—a vital nutrient for a strong immune system and strong bones. Visit DrinkAG1.com/Tim to claim this special offer today and receive your 1-year supply of Vitamin D (and 5 free AG1 travel packs) with your first subscription purchase! That’s up to a one-year supply of Vitamin D as added value when you try their delicious and comprehensive daily, foundational nutrition supplement that supports whole-body health.

What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.

SHOW NOTES

• [05:11] Notes about this supercombo format.
• [06:14] Enter Neil Gaiman.
• [06:44] What Ian Fleming taught Neil about writing — even when he doesn’t want to.
• [09:56] Neil’s biggest rule for writing.
• [12:41] Neil’s process for writing first drafts.
• [14:30] What Neil aims to accomplish with his second drafts.
• [14:40] Something Neil noticed when he first started writing and editing with the use of computers.
• [17:27] Notebooks Neil prefers for writing first drafts.
• [21:56] Fountain pens Neil has known and loved.
• [22:57] How Neil’s default writing time has changed over the years.
• [24:56] The value of the Groundhog Day routine.
• [26:24] Today’s methods may not be tomorrow’s.
• [27:53] Lessons learned from Terry Pratchett.
• [29:22] Parting thoughts and gratitude.
• [31:21] Enter Debbie Millman.
• [31:45] How Debbie describes her diverse background to new acquaintances.
• [33:38] A childhood drawing predicting Debbie’s future.
• [37:54] Debbie’s unintentional path to becoming a designer.
• [45:41] Overcoming initial rejection.
• [50:04] Debbie’s advice to her college self after that first major rejection.
• [54:25] Empathy vs. feeling slighted by those who reject us.
• [59:28] Manhattan’s influence on Debbie’s pursuit of happiness and career.
• [1:06:42] Debbie’s abuse history and its impact on her self-sufficiency and charitable work.
• [1:12:41] Coping with abuse aftermath and feelings of isolation.
• [1:18:40] Debbie’s experience being called a “corporate clown” and “she-devil.”
• [1:37:00] From lowest point to godmother: a transformative journey.
• [1:37:38] The world-changing potential of brochures.
• [1:43:14] The Design Matters podcast: origins and evolution over 12 years.
• [1:46:46] Milton Glaser’s impact on design and Debbie’s life.
• [1:52:16] The “10-Year Plan for a Remarkable Life” exercise.
• [1:57:51] The nature of hard decisions.
• [2:07:07] Recommended Design Matters episodes for design novices.
• [2:07:55] Parting thoughts.

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

Connect with Neil Gaiman:

Website | Tumblr | Bluesky | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Connect with Debbie Millman:

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Design Matters Podcast

PEOPLE MENTIONED

Related

The Tim Ferriss Show is one of the most popular podcasts in the world with more than one billion downloads. It has been selected for “Best of Apple Podcasts” three times, it is often the #1 interview podcast across all of Apple Podcasts, and it’s been ranked #1 out of 400,000+ podcasts on many occasions. To listen to any of the past episodes for free, check out this page.