Derek Sivers
Episodes
Why did I move to New Zealand?
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I get this question a lot, so here’s my honest answer.
How to listen to Ulysses
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
(I haven’t done this yet, but plan to. I listened to that Odysssey audiobook in two days of walking around Port Meadow, Oxford, and have been yearn...
the birth and reverb of friendship
23 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Imagine you’re a ghost. You drift through the world but nobody sees you. You’re disconnected.
a relationship that ended, not failed
22 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I was dating for the first time, after a six year long relationship.
Have I been married?
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sofia was my first big love. We met at 21, when we were both in the circus. She opened me up, and taught me how to be honest. I was absolutely cert...
Why are my best friends Jewish?
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This is a real question. I don’t know the answer and I’m curious.
One big choice shapes a hundred more
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I was 36, and had been living in Portland for two years. I saw an amazing house for sale — really amazing — stunning design, ideal location on th...
Come and get me (both you and AI)
06 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I’m going for the double meaning of “get me” that also means “understand me”.
I’m in the final third of my life
05 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
According to statistics, I’m in the final third of my life. (I don’t expect to beat the odds, because I inherited a cancer-creating genetic disor...
I love the contradiction of religions
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Because I was raised with no religion, I used to think they were all ridiculous.
The first time I met someone who believes in God
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
My parents never mentioned God or any religion. Not necessarily atheist — nothing against. The subject just never came up.
Dismissed!
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dismissing gives me a quick little lift.
I hated Dubai until I learned about it
16 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dubai was in my “Top 5 places where I NEVER want to go”. I heard it was commercialized hedonism, glorified overindulgence, pandering to millionai...
To question is to consider, not refute
15 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tomorrow you have plans to go to an event with a friend. You made the plans a month ago. You ask your friend, “Do you still want to go?”
Rats are surprisingly sweet pets
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I used to live in a basement apartment, next to the trash room. Rats were often blocking my door, and I could hear them walking in the ceiling right ...
We don’t need to use what we make
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For many years, I was a touring musician, performing live on stage every week. But I didn’t like attending concerts. I liked making music more tha...
Wealth = Have ÷ Want
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Not a new idea, but just another visualization and reminder.
How to make the best possible translation of a book?
14 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You know that frustration of reading a book that should have been an article? Me too. So I try to do the opposite — to write so succinctly that yo...
the best book ever written
12 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I’ve asked my favorite musicians if, when they’re done writing a new song, they feel it’s the best song ever. All of them said yes.
Ben Kihnel
28 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I just got the call from the super-connected Alex Steininger that our mutual friend Ben Kihnel died in his sleep. He was only 48.
Esperanto, Toki Pona, Swahili, Indonesian
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This is a lukewarm little story with a few connected bits, but it might be interesting or even helpful. Follow the links in it, for full effect. E...
walk and talk
12 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Kevin Kelly invited me to walk 100 kilometers (62 miles) through northern Thailand for seven days, ending in Chiang Mai. Walking with us were ten oth...
dashing dog, searching for purpose
30 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
People search for their passion or purpose. But “purpose” and “passion” are words we use when we’re not working.
The joy and freedom of harmlessly upsetting social norms
21 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
My band was playing a gig in Oslo, Norway, when I struck up a conversation with a woman who was staring at me. Turns out we had read many of the same...
Why I let go of my U.S. citizenship
20 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I forbid myself from anything too tempting or addicting. I keep no cookies in my home. To prevent myself from falling off the wagon, I strap myself ...
the Michael Browne suits
15 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In 2020, I was about to move to New York City. I wanted to get to know all of its ethnic enclaves, like visiting the whole world in one city. But I ...
Thinking something nice about someone? Tell them.
07 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When you think something nice about someone, you should tell them.
50 conversations in Bangalore and Chennai
02 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
February 13 through 21, 2023, I went to Chennai and Bengaluru, India. My sole purpose was to meet new friends. I’m an “Overseas Citizen of India...
Explorers are bad leaders
09 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Explorers poke through the unknown, experimenting, trying many little dead-ends.
Travelling just for the people
06 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When I was 21, I moved to New York City.
Want anonymity? Make a persona not a mystery.
02 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Because of my open inbox, I meet a lot of strangers. I love it. Almost everyone tells me who and where they are in the world. If they don’t, I w...
I want to lose every debate.
31 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
My favorite moments in life are when someone shows me a new perspective — a way of thinking I had never considered.
Conversations with Tyler Cowen
29 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tyler Cowen is my favorite interviewer of all-time. His interviewing style has spoiled me for all others. He creates a tasting feast for the mind.
Reading the Bible start to finish
27 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I like going to the source. Like finding musicians’ influences, and getting to know that music too. Same with film, art, philosophy, and technolog...