The Voluntary Life

Latest Episodes:

274 Imaginary Teams Dec 19, 2016

Show notes

Personal freedom comes from individual choice and individual responsibility, as opposed to collective identity and collective responsibility. If you want to achieve personal freedom, don't join imaginary teams. Listen to the episode to find out more! Show Notes:

273 The Best Books On Entrepreneurship Dec 13, 2016

Show notes

Jake's guide to the most helpful books on entrepreneurship, including why each book is recommend and what you can expect from it. As mentioned in the episode, if you want to get a free copy of Jake's book "Negotiate For Mutual Profit", sign up to the TVL mailing list here. Show Notes:

Becoming an Entrepreneur: How to Find Freedom and Fulfillment as a Business Owner by Jake Desyllas
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
The Founder's Dilemmas by Noam Wasserman
The Art of the Start by Guy Kawasaki
Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber
The Goal by Eliyahu M. by Goldratt
Critical Chain by Eliyahu M. by Goldratt
The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufmann
Getting to Yes by Fischer and Ury
Negotiate For Mutual Profit by Jake Desyllas (free when you sign up to TVL email list)
How to Master the Art of Selling by Tom Hopkins
Drive by Dan Pink
Discipline Without Punishment by Dick Grote
Gifts Differing: Understanding Personality Type by Isabel Briggs Myers
Built to Sell by John Warrillow
Finish Big by Bo Burlingham
Anything You Want by Derek Sivers
Losing My Virginity by Richard Branson
How To Get Rich By Felix Dennis

272 Why I Choose Peaceful Parenting Dec 04, 2016

Show notes

I choose to parent without violence or aggression. This means I eschew various actions that a lot of parents still consider acceptable- actions such as spanking, hitting, yelling, psychotropic drugs, circumcision, and so on. In this episode, I explain my own reasons for choosing to practice peaceful parenting. Show Notes:

What Is Peaceful Parenting?
Parent Effectiveness Training by Thomas Gordon
The Milgram Experiment
TVL Series Your Own Moral Compass Part 1 (E151), Part 2 (E152), and Part 3 (E153)

271 The Best Books To Start Learning About Financial Independence Nov 27, 2016

Show notes

Jake's guide to the best books on pursuing financial independence. Some of the books are must-reads, whereas others are suggested for specific purposes or additional information only. No country-specific books are included, so the list is relevant regardless of where you live. Listen to the episode to find out why I recommend each book and what you can expect from them. Show Notes:

Job Free by Jake Desyllas
Financial Independence Series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4
The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley
Stop Acting Rich by Thomas Stanley
Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominguez and Vicky Rubin
Fail Safe Investing by Harry Browne (TVL Review)
Why the Best-Laid Investment Plans Usually Go Wrong by Harry Browne
The Permanent Portfolio by Craig Rowland and J.M. Lawson
A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton Malkiel (TVL Review)
The Little Book of Common Sense Investing by John Bogle
Guide to Investing In Gold and Silver by Michael Maloney
Where Are the Customers' Yachts? by Fred Schwed
The 4% Rule and Safe Withdrawal Rates In Retirement by Todd Tressider
The Global Expatriate's Guide to Investing by Andrew Hallam
What Has Government Done to Our Money by Murray Rothbard

270 Harry Browne's Article "A Gift for My Daughter" Nov 21, 2016

Show notes

A discussion of a very thought-provoking article by the late Harry Browne, called "A Gift for My Daughter". The episode includes a recording of Harry reading his own words. Harry's ideas had a huge influence on me, but I don't agree with him about everything. This article is particularly interesting because it explains an important truth, and yet I think it also demonstrates one of Harry's most significant blindspots. Show Notes:

A Gift for My Daughter by Harry Browne
TVL Episode On How I Found Freedom In An Unfree World
How I Found Freedom In An Unfree World by Harry Browne
Fail Safe Investing by Harry Browne
Job Free by Jake Desyllas
Episode 265: A Review Of Escape From Childhood By John Holt

269 Review of A Guide to the Good Life by William B. Irvine Nov 13, 2016

Show notes

In this episode I am joined by my wife Hannah Braime to discuss William B. Irvine's book, A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy. This book argues that the philosophy of stoicism is relevant to modern life and can be used to help you live well, according to your own values. We recorded the episode for the Psychology Book Club. I am sharing it here because the themes are highly relevant to The Voluntary Life. Show Notes:

A Guide To The Good Life by William B. Irvine
Psychology Book Club
Hannah Braime

268 Family Pressure, Expensive Weddings, And Kids Nov 08, 2016

Show notes

A listener asks: "How do you cope with family and friend pressure to buy bigger and better and to have an expensive wedding and kids, which leaves you with no ability to save and get ahead in life?" What do you think? Listen to the episode to hear my response.

267 Consumerism Vs Saving: Four Theories Oct 31, 2016

Show notes

Why do people spend so much of their disposable income on consumption and save so little towards their own financial independence? This episode presents four competing theories that try to answer this question:

Theory 1: People are brainwashed into consumerism by advertising.
Theory 2: Spending escalates as people try to keep up with their peer groups.
Theory 3: Central bank policies have undermined saving.
Theory 4: Spending is the path of least resistance, so you won't save unless you have sufficient motivation.

Which (if any) of these theories have merit? Is there a better explanation? Let me know what you think! Show Notes:

Job Free by Jake Desyllas

266 Self-Sufficiency And DIY: Good For Financial Independence? Oct 23, 2016

Show notes

Many people who write about financial independence emphasise the benefits of self-sufficiency and DIY as part of their lifestyle. Will it help your journey to financial independence to try to be self-sufficient? Does it make financial sense to do your own repairs and renovations? This episode provides a different perspective. Show Notes:

Job Free by Jake Desyllas
TVL Episode 225: Comparative Advantage Is Mind-blowing
I, Pencil by Leonard Read
How to Make a $1500 Sandwich in Only 6 Months

265 A Review Of Escape From Childhood By John Holt Oct 15, 2016

Show notes

John Holt was a leading figure in the school reform movement, who became increasingly interested in how children learn outside of school—what he called "unschooling." He wrote many influential books about alternatives to schooling and he helped start the modern homeschooling movement. His book Escape From Childhood provides a thought-provoking critique of how most adults treat children, and a vision of how we could treat children with dignity, giving them greater freedom. Show Notes:

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected