Guest Episode

January 15, 2023

Rick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity

Focus, Productivity & Creativity

Listen or watch on your favorite platforms

My guest is Rick Rubin, one of the most renowned music producers of all time, known for his work with a wide range of artists, including Run DMC, Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, JayZ, Adele, Johnny Cash, LL Cool J, Slayer, Neil Young, Ye (formerly Kayne West), Tom Petty, and many more. He is also the author of a new book, “The Creative Act: A Way of Being,” which explores the creative process and how to access creativity. We discuss topics such as finding inspiration, the role of feelings as guideposts, learning from observing nature, balancing self-doubt and anxiety, and adopting new perspectives to channel the creative process. Rick also shares his thoughts on using deadlines, eliminating distractions, and how our experiences and emotions influence the creative process. Additionally, we discuss his love for professional wrestling. Our conversation can be applied to any activity or profession to access creativity.

Other Resources

Monroe Institute Meditations

About this Guest

Rick Rubin

Rick Rubin is a world-renown music producer of numerous award-winning artists, including Johnny Cash, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beastie Boys, Adele and the Geto Boys, and he is the host of podcast, Tetragrammaton.

00:00:00 Rick Rubin
00:04:08 Maui Nui Venison, Thesis, WHOOP, Momentous
00:08:23 Creativity & Ideas, Cloud Analogy
00:12:26 Language & Creativity; Kids
00:17:36 Feelings & Creative Ideas
00:22:01 Rules, Choice & Art; Personal Taste & Other’s Opinions
00:30:20 Changing Perspective & Creativity
00:33:55 AG1 (Athletic Greens)
00:35:04 Scientific Knowledge; Opinions & Art
00:41:27 Finishing Projects; The Source & Nature
00:47:40 Perception Filters, Contrast & Novelty
00:58:42 Music & Identity, Evolving Tastes
01:03:03 InsideTracker
01:04:14 Focus, Disengaging & Subconscious; Anxiety
01:13:22 Collaboration, Art & Rigorous Work
01:18:26 Process & “Cloud”; Perception & Storytelling
01:29:13 Limited Resolution, Considering the Inverse
01:35:38 Wrestling, Energy & Reality; Dopamine
01:49:43 Wrestling, Style & Performance
01:52:40 Resetting Energy & Nature; Nostalgia
02:01:56 Sleep, Waking Up & Sunlight, Capturing Ideas
02:08:16 Creative Work Phases; Structure & Deadlines
02:15:32 Self-Doubt & Performance
02:19:13 Predictability & Surprise, Authenticity
02:25:02 Past Experiences, Other’s Opinions
02:29:42 Public Opinion & Science: Light, Acupuncture & Nutrition
02:39:44 “Look for Clues”, Belief Effects
02:46:25 Attention, Emotion & Art
02:48:07 Mantra Meditation, Awareness Meditation
02:57:33 Rick Rubin Questions, Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

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Focus, Productivity & Creativity