How I Write

Latest Episodes:

Mark Manson: From Online Blogger to 3-Time #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Nov 01, 2023

Show notes

Mark Manson’s success as a writer stems from one central idea: “What feels like play?”

After his dating blog took off in 2012, Mark started writing about all the things that excited him: psychology, personal development, and “self-help for people who hate self-help.” His breakout book, “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck,” was the #1 most read nonfiction book worldwide in 2017 (and I swear I saw it on the front table of every airport I went to).

Mark was once described as “the local drunk who spends too much time in the philosophy section of the bookstore.” What was meant to be a diss became a core part of his Personal Monopoly. Mark is bullish on sounding like himself. The man writes zingers, and that’s why his work resonates.

In this episode, we dive deep into how Mark stays true to his own voice. You’ll learn how he 3X’d his audience in just a few months; how he wrote Will Smith’s memoir; and how he combines quality ideas, catchy titles, and whip-smart marketing.

We cover the evolution of ideas, how to structure them, the “awkward teenage phase” of writing, and how to write in a way that spreads on the Internet.

Website: https://markmanson.net/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/IAmMarkManson

Books: The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck

Want to learn more about the next course with Write of Passage?

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Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-write/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv

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Lenny Rachitsky: How This Ex-Airbnb Product Manager Created A Top Newsletter On Substack Oct 25, 2023

Show notes

Lenny writes one of the top five business newsletters on Substack — which has amassed over 500,000 subscribers. He hosts a podcast that makes him more money than he made in corporate America. And he’s built a raving X audience of over 188,000.

No training. No ego. And to top it all off, he writes in one of the most oversaturated markets on the Internet: product management.

How does he do it?

After his first Substack post went viral, “What Seven Years at Airbnb Taught Me About Building a Business”, Lenny saw the positive impact that his ideas had on his readers. He became obsessed with adding value. His motto?

“There’s always room for better content.”

In an age of cheap, viral-hungry clickbait, Lenny’s quality bar is through the stratosphere. He spends hours researching and revising. He takes ten, twenty, thirty passes on every piece he writes. He’s hyper-focused on adding value. And his audience loves it. His commitment to quality catapults his content above the noise.

In this episode, you’ll see inside Lenny’s process. He opens up about creating high-signal content; following what energizes him; balancing storytelling with practicality; protecting his writing schedule; and above all, rising above the noise.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lennysan

Website: https://www.lennyrachitsky.com

Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com

Podcast: https://www.lennyspodcast.com

Want to learn more about the next course with Write of Passage?

Click here: https://writeofpassage.school/hiw

Want to learn more about How I Write?

Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-write/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv

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Riva Tez: Becoming A Free Thinker Oct 18, 2023

Show notes

Riva Tez is one of the freest writers I know. It’s as if the boundaries of conventional thinking don’t apply to her. She’s allergic to dogma and passionate about questioning the taboos of our time, and her obsessive research gene has given her a knack for stumbling upon forgotten and under-explored ideas.

She’s a singular human being. Part of her brilliance is the way she combines her love for Rilke’s poetry with an interest in philosophy, theology, and consciousness. In all three areas, she goes right after dogma — and by asking the questions that only she can ask, she finds the answers that only she can find.

In a world of people who are obsessed with optimization, Riva is passionately unoptimized; in a culture of people who are obsessed with the news, Riva has cut out almost all the contemporary noise from Netflix to the New York Times.

If you feel constrained in your writing or thinking, this episode is for you. An hour with Riva will free you from the trappings of your mind, unleash your creative spirit, and lift your head up to a divine calling.

Twitter: @rivatez

Medium: Riva-Melissa Tez

Article: Walking with Nietzche

Forbes: 30 Under 30 Profile

Want to learn more about the next course with Write of Passage?

Click here: https://writeofpassage.school/hiw

Want to learn more about How I Write?

Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-write/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv

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Sam Parr: How To Make $2 Million A Month By Writing Oct 11, 2023

Show notes

Sam is a master copywriter and business builder. If there was ever somebody who knows how to turn online writing into cash, Sam is it.

In this episode, Sam shows how you can sell at scale and where to find the opportunities in the business of writing. We’ll teach you how to think through headlines, find content for your own writing, and torch the internet with your ideas.

Sam started in the early days of email newsletters and he was a master of writing viral content. He tells the story about plagiarizing his way onto Amazon’s bestseller list by looking at the intersection of romantic comedies, werewolves, and the Twilight Series. He combined many stories, self published his own book, sued by a publisher for plagiarizing, and ended up exploding on the self-publishing Reddit forum — all of which led to 1000s of new subscribers for his newsletter.

Since then, his success continues to multiply. First, by selling “The Hustle” for eight-figures to HubSpot. Then, by growing “My First Million” into one of the top ten business podcasts in the world. And now, he recently launched a company called Hampton.

One thing that stands out with Sam is how good he is at colloquial copywriting. His writing sells because it sounds like how people actually talk. First he builds trust with people. Then they open up their wallets. He gets people to open up their wallets by building trust with them very fast through writing. In this episode, he shows exactly how to do that.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thesamparr

Website: https://www.Joinhampton.com

Podcast: https://www.mfmpod.com

Want to learn more about the next course with Write of Passage?

Click here: https://writeofpassage.school/hiw

Want to learn more about How I Write?

Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-write/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv

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Marc Andreessen: It’s Time To Write Oct 04, 2023

Show notes

Marc Andreessen deserves a place on the Mount Rushmore of Silicon Valley. His presence in the tech space is unprecedented and he's one of the most prolific investors. The world of online writing is in debt to him.

He co-founded Netscape, where he created the first popular web browser. He invented the tweetstorm, and has helped form the internet. He coined the idea “software is eating the world”, which has defined humanity's evolution over the last decade.

Marc isn’t just a mad man creator. He’s a passionate historian and cultural critic too. Name the topic. Marc has an opinion.

This episode is a masterclass into a combination of tech and liberal arts in a way to fuel your writing. I came to chat with him about writing, but left with a PhD in obscure Silicon Valley history and a list of book recommendations large enough to fill The Library of Congress.

Website: https://www.a16z.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pmarca

Want to learn more about the next course with Write of Passage?

Click here: https://writeofpassage.school/hiw

Want to learn more about How I Write?

Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-write/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv

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Ava: The Emotions of Writing Sep 28, 2023

Show notes

How do you create intimacy and connection with readers?

While some writers have a way of letting you inside their mind, Ava (@noampomsky) has a way of letting you inside her heart. There's an intimacy about her writing - an honesty, a tenderness, a contemplative-ness, a sense of connection that shows up in her work and it's what makes her unique.

Ava sees writing as a distinct form of consciousness. This process of continually excavating your mind to find out what you think and then eventually you realize that you have so much more to say on this topic than you ever originally realized.

Ava Huang's story is a treasure trove of insights, of moments that make you pause and think, "Wow, writing is so much more than just words on a page." It's about the heart, the soul, and the contemplative journey that we all take.

Substack: Bookbear Express

Twitter: twitter.com/noampomsky (@noampomsky)

Want to learn more about the next cohort with Write of Passage?

Click here: https://writeofpassage.school/hiw

Want to learn more about How I Write?

Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-write/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv

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Derek Sivers: No Wasted Words Sep 20, 2023

Show notes

It’s hard to capture in words the love and creativity that Derek Sivers brings to his work. He describes himself as a “monomaniac, introvert, and slow thinker.” But those words just reveal his humility.

Derek’s work has charmed millions — from his early days as a professional musician and circus performer, to founding CD Baby, writing fan favorites like Anything You Want and taking the stage at TED.

In this conversation, Derek shares how he finds his best ideas, why he plans to publish a “posthumous autobiography,” and why life is not a problem to be solved but a paradox to be experienced.

Website: sive.rs

Twitter: @sivers

Books:

How to Live: 27 Conflicting Answers and One Weird Conclusion

Anything You Want: 40 Lessons for a New Kind of Entrepreneur

Hell Yeah or No: What’s Worth Doing

Want to learn more about the next cohort with Write of Passage?

Click here: https://writeofpassage.school/hiw

Want to learn more about How I Write?

Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-write/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv

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Kevin Kelly: On Fame, Structuring Ideas, Writing Books, and Founding Wired Magazine Sep 13, 2023

Show notes

Kevin Kelly is one of the most important tech writers of the last half century.

Kevin started as the publisher and editor of the Whole Earth Catalog, which was one of Steve Jobs’ favorite publications. After being mentored by Stewart Brand, he started writing books and magazine pieces before cofounding Wired Magazine. He has since become a prolific author - writing one feature article for Wired Magazine every year, and writing numerous bestselling books.

The man is full of mysteries. Kevin writes abundantly but types very slowly. He writes often but calls himself a reluctant writer. He constantly explores new ideas but actually likes editing more than writing.

Rare is the opportunity to sit down with the master who has decades of experience as a writer. This episode is a peek behind the curtain.

SPEAKER LINKS:

Website: https://kk.org

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevin2kelly

Latest Book: "Excellent Advice for Living": https://a.co/d/3nYau0X

Want to learn more about the next cohort with Write of Passage?

Click here: https://writeofpassage.school/hiw

Want to learn more about How I Write?

Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-write/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv

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Lulu Cheng Meservey: The PR Class You Didn’t Know You Needed Sep 06, 2023

Show notes

Lulu Cheng Meservey gives a masterclass on non-boring corporate communications, Korean pop culture, and religious fanaticism. Lulu shares what she’s learned running comms for startups, decoding cultural erogenous zones, and crafting impactful messages in 280 characters or less. Whether you're a writer, a communications professional, or simply curious about the intersection of K-POP and Internet whackos, this podcast is a window into modern communication.

Lulu is currently the Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Chief Communications Officer at Activision Blizzard, and was formerly head of comms at Substack. Her newsletter “Flack” is a new playbook for communications, written to help you win over people who matter, without wasting time or being cringe.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lulumeservey

Newsletter: https://www.getflack.com/

Want to learn more about the next cohort with Write of Passage?

Click here: https://writeofpassage.school/hiw

Want to learn more about How I Write?

Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-write/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv

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Derek Thompson: From Acting to the Eminem of Macroeconomic Analysis Aug 30, 2023

Show notes

Derek Thompson weaves together ideas from all over the place — economics, public policy, sports, and even pop culture. His writing is a breath of fresh air in a world of cookie cutter Internet content. Where other click-hungry journalists have caved to antagonistic practices, Derek’s writing is cool and charitable. And it’s also poetic. With a background in theater, he draws inspiration from the likes of literature and playwrights. This conversation will appeal to anybody who wants to write more elegantly, deal with critics, and master the art of the non-fiction story.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dkthomp

Website: https://www.theatlantic.com/author/derek-thompson/

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/plain-english-with-derek-thompson/id1594471023

Books: Hit Makers: How to Succeed in an Age of Distraction - https://a.co/d/3yAif4H

Want to learn more about the next cohort with Write of Passage?

Click here: https://writeofpassage.school/hiw

Want to learn more about How I Write?

Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-write/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv

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