“Billionaires can’t take a week off? What’s the point of having a billion dollars if they have fewer options than I do?”  –Tim Ferriss

In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and Tim discuss common travel fantasies, and the fears that keep people from traveling (5:00 ); how we can redefine what “wealth” is and live fuller lives (18:00 ); why keeping a healthy perspective on information intake, technology, and “efficiency” is important, both on the road and in daily life (25:00 ); the “beginner’s mind,” and tips for writing and creativity (54:00 );  the merits of going on foot and “getting lost” on the road, and how this figured into Rolf’s writing classes (1:17:00 ); notions of “success,” and how to definite the notion of success in a way that enhances one’s way of being in the world (1:37:00 ); and Rolf’s recommendations for drinks, food, documentaries, books, and poetry (1:50:00 );

Tim Ferriss (@tferriss) is a best-selling author and podcaster.

General Links:

• Paris Writing Workshops (Rolf’s summer writing classes)


• Vagabonding, by Rolf Potts (audiobook)


• The Game Camera (short film cowritten by Rolf and Kristen Bush)


• Tim Ferriss on how to create a successful podcast (Deviate episode)


• Arnold Schwarzenegger on The Tim Ferriss Show


• LeBron James on The Tim Ferriss Show


• Cheryl Strayed on The Tim Ferriss Show


• Jerry Seinfeld on The Tim Ferriss Show


• Tortuga (bags design for long-term travel)


• Unbound Merino (travel clothing company)


• AirTreks (round-the-world flight planner)


• BootsnAll (online travel community)

Interview Links:

• Van Life before #VanLife (Deviate episode)


• Man bites dog (aphorism about journalism)


• “War is God’s way of teaching Americans geography” (quote)


• Beginner’s mind (attitude of openness)


• Adaptation (2002 film)


• Anne Lamott (American author)


• Kurt Vonnegut (American author)


• The Hero’s Adventure with Joseph Campbell (podcast remix)


• Flâneur (urban wanderer)


• Situationists (1960s social and artistic movement)


• Psychogeography (exploration strategy)


• Dave Chappelle (comedian)


• John Hughes (filmmaker)


• Rachel Kaadzi Ghansah (American essayist)


• Grizzly Man (2005 documentary film)


• Werner Herzog Reads Curious George (satire)


• Con Air (1997 film)


• Aimee Nezhukumatathil (poet)


• Naomi Shihab Nye (poet)


• Major Jackson (poet)


• Donald Hall (poet)

Books mentioned:

• Walden, by Henry David Thoreau (book)


• The 4-Hour Work Week, by Tim Ferriss (book)


• The Art of Nonfiction, by Ayn Rand (book)


• Writing Tools, by Roy Peter Clark (book)


• To Show and to Tell, by Phillip Lopate (book)


• Screenplay, by Syd Field (book)


• Story, by Robert McKee (book)


• Save the Cat, by Blake Snyder (book)


• A Moveable Feast, by Ernest Hemingway (book)


• Leaves of Grass, by Walk Whitman (book)


• Good Hope Road, by Stuart Dischell (poetry)


• Alien vs. Predator, by Michael Robbins (poetry)

The Deviate theme music comes from the title track of Cedar Van Tassel’s 2017 album Lumber.

Note: We don’t host a “comments” section, but we’re happy to hear your questions and insights via email, at deviate@rolfpotts.com.