The ai & technology books recommended on Diary of a CEO’s podcast

#1 · Meditations

The endorsement here comes from Ivanka Trump, on Ivanka Trump: Most People Can’t Tell Signal From Noise in 2026. Ivanka is Businesswoman, former real estate and fashion executive, and ex-White House senior advisor. Daughter of Donald Trump, she built a fashion line doing close to $800M in annual sales before shutting it down to serve in government. In total it earned 16 separate on-air endorsements across 5 different shows (Andrew Huberman, Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“I think like Marcus Aurelius's meditations is so informative on so many levels.” — Ivanka Trump 00:26:38

What it is: Meditations is a collection of personal reflections and notes by the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (reigned 161 to 180 AD), offering a profound look into the philosophy of Stoicism. It was never intended for publication, making it a raw and intimate self-help manual for the emperor during his campaigns and rule. The central theme revolves around living a good, rational, and virtuous life in harmony with nature and the cosmos. Aurelius continually reminds himself that everything in the universe is constantly changing and fleeting, urging the reader to accept the impermanence of life and the inevitability of death.

#2 · The Real Anthony Fauci

Recommended by Joe Rogan on Joe Rogan Experience #2472 - Jeff Ross. That episode features Jeff Ross, Stand-up comedian known as the 'Roastmaster General,' famous for Comedy Central and Netflix roasts. Releasing his Netflix special 'Take a Banana for the Ride' the night of this taping. In total it earned 12 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“if you read RFK Jr.'s book, The Real Anthony Fouchy, it'll open your mind. It'll open your eyes.” — Joe Rogan 01:54:34

#3 · Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind

Norman Ohler brought this up on Norman Ohler: Hitler, Nazis, Drugs, WW2, Blitzkrieg, LSD, MKUltra & CIA | Lex Fr (2025-09-19). Norman is German novelist and non-fiction author of Blitzed, Tripped, and The Bohemians. He researches the role of drugs in history using primary archival sources and is working on a new book, Stoned Sapiens, about human civilization through the lens of drugs. In total it earned 9 separate on-air endorsements across 4 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“Like Sapiens by Harari, which is a great book, he also misses that.” — Norman Ohler 03:04:44

What it is: From a renowned historian comes a groundbreaking narrative of humanity’s creation and evolution—a 1 international bestseller—that explores the ways in which biology and history have defined us and enhanced our understanding of what it means to be “human.” One hundred thousand years ago, at least six different species of humans inhabited Earth. Yet today there is only one—homo sapiens. What happened to the others? And what may happen to us? Most books about the history of humanity pursue either a historical or a biological approach, but Dr.

#4 · How to Change Your Mind

The endorsement here comes from Tim Ferriss, on Q&A with Tim — The Upcoming AI Tsunami and Building Offline Advantage in 2026. Tim is Author, podcaster, and early-stage investor; solo Q&A host answering pre-submitted and live audience questions about AI, careers, creativity, and life. In total it earned 7 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan, Tim Ferriss).

“people who have been doing this since before Michael Pollan's exceptional book, How to Change Your Mind” — Tim Ferriss 00:48:18

What it is: When Michael Pollan set out to research how LSD and psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) are being used to provide relief to people suffering from difficult-to-treat conditions such as depression, addiction and anxiety, he did not intend to write what is undoubtedly his most personal book. But upon discovering how these remarkable substances are improving the lives not only of the mentally ill but also of healthy people coming to grips with the challenges of everyday life, he decided to explore the landscape of the mind in the first person as well as the third.

#5 · Lost Connections

Recommended by Tim Ferriss on Chris Sacca — How to Succeed by Living on Your Own Terms. That episode features Chris Sacca, Billionaire venture capitalist, early backer of Twitter and Uber, founder of climate fund Lower Carbon Capital, and former Shark Tank investor. In total it earned 6 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Tim Ferriss).

“lost connections is the one I read in full which I thought was great that's about isolation loneliness and things to do about it” — Tim Ferriss 02:37:41

What it is: "Across the world, Hari found social scientists who were uncovering evidence that depression and anxiety are not caused by a chemical imbalance in our brains. In fact, they [believe they] are largely caused by key problems with the way we live today. Hari's journey took him from a ... series of experiments in Baltimore, to an Amish community in Indiana, to an uprising in Berlin. Once he had uncovered [what he argues are] nine real causes of depression and anxiety, they led him to scientists who are discovering seven very different solutions"--Amazon.com.

#6 · How to Win Friends and Influence People

Oz Pearlman brought this up on Oz Pearlman (Mentalist): This Small Mistake Makes People Dislike You! They Do Th (2025-10-23). Oz is World-leading mentalist and Dragons' Den (USA) regular who walked away from a Merrill Lynch Wall Street job to perform. He has appeared dozens of times on CNBC and headlines for corporate and celebrity audiences, and is author of the book Read Your Mind. In total it earned 6 separate on-air endorsements across 4 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“It's like How to Win Friends and Influence People. It's a book I've read over and over and over.” — Oz Pearlman 00:39:47

What it is: Available for the first time ever in trade paperback, Dale Carnegie's enduring classic, the inspirational personal development guide that shows how to achieve lifelong success. One of the top-selling books of all time, "How to Win Friends & Influence People" has sold more than 15 million copies in all its editions.

#7 · The Psychology of Money

The endorsement here comes from Tim Ferriss, on David Senra — How Extreme Winners Think and Win: Lessons from 400+ of History’s in 2025. That episode features David Senra, Host of the Founders podcast, who reads and breaks down biographies of history's greatest entrepreneurs; launching a new interview show on Patrick O'Shaughnessy's Colossus network. In total it earned 5 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Andrew Huberman, Diary of a CEO, Tim Ferriss).

“Psychology of money. Great book. Won't stop selling. I know man. Got lightning in a bottle in that one. Earned it.” — Tim Ferriss 02:25:52

What it is: Timeless lessons on wealth, greed, and happiness doing well with money isn’t necessarily about what you know. It’s about how you behave. And behavior is hard to teach, even to really smart people. How to manage money, invest it, and make business decisions are typically considered to involve a lot of mathematical calculations, where data and formulae tell us exactly what to do. But in the real world, people don’t make financial decisions on a spreadsheet. They make them at the dinner table, or in a meeting room, where personal history, your unique view of the world, ego, pride, marketing, and odd incentives are scrambled together.

#8 · Fingerprints of the Gods

Recommended by Raul Bilecky on Joe Rogan Experience #2449 - Raul Bilecky. Raul is A former video editor turned independent archaeological explorer who runs the YouTube channel Pillars of the Past. With Peruvian roots, he uses Google Earth to locate and drone-document unrecorded ancient sites across Peru. In total it earned 4 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“Fingerprints of the Gods was one of the first books I picked up as a kid. My dad had it in his library and that set me off on a course” — Raul Bilecky 00:13:30

What it is: This book is about the beginning of the human race. How perhaps normal history has left things out, or maybe just left things unexplained. Graham Hancock explains how certain ancient structures all over the world are much older than originally thought, how civilizations who had no means of travel seemed to have communicated in some way. Hancock tries to answer questions we may have never even thought to ask. Were ancient civilizations visited by a superior race? Were these civilizations taught about technology they wouldn't have had?

#9 · Influence

Max Levchin brought this up on The Path from The Soviet Union to Building Multi-Billion Dollar Companies — Max (2026-06-10). Max is Cofounder of PayPal and founder/CEO of Affirm; Soviet-Ukraine-born engineer-turned-CEO, cryptography enthusiast, obsessive cyclist, and prolific tech investor (sci-fi.vc). In total it earned 4 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Tim Ferriss).

“if you're trying to start a business, you should read Influence by Cialdini because that is probably the most important social science book” — Max Levchin 01:41:34

What it is: Influence, the classic book on persuasion, explains the psychology of why people say "yes"—and how to apply these understandings. Dr. Robert Cialdini is the seminal expert in the rapidly expanding field of influence and persuasion. His thirty-five years of rigorous, evidence-based research along with a three-year program of study on what moves people to change behavior has resulted in this highly acclaimed book. You'll learn the six universal principles, how to use them to become a skilled persuader—and how to defend yourself against them.

#10 · The Lessons of History

The endorsement here comes from David Senra, on David Senra — How Extreme Winners Think and Win: Lessons from 400+ of History’s in 2025. David is Host of the Founders podcast, who reads and breaks down biographies of history's greatest entrepreneurs; launching a new interview show on Patrick O'Shaughnessy's Colossus network. In total it earned 4 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“Me and you both love Will and Ariel Durant, right? Read the history of human civilization. read their 100page book, Lessons of History.” — David Senra 01:25:13

What it is: Written by the authors of the 10 volume The Story of Civilization, this short (fewer than 120 pages) work notes "events and comments that might illuminate present affairs, future probabilities, the nature of man, and the conduct of states." Its 13 chapters discuss historiography (what is history), history and the earth, history and biology, race, character, morals, religion, economics, socialism, government, war, growth and decay. The final chapter asks, "Is progress real?"

#11 · Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach

Recommended by guest on Anca Dragan: Human-Robot Interaction and Reward Engineering | Lex Fridman Podcas. That episode features Anca Dragan, A professor at UC Berkeley working on human-robot interaction and reward engineering algorithms, who also consults at Waymo. She studies how robots can generate behavior that accounts for coordinating with people. In total it earned 3 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Lex Fridman).

“I got my hands on a PDF copy in Romania of Russell Norvig a I modern approach... it was so captivating” — guest 01:26:44

#12 · The Anxious Generation

Chris Sacca brought this up on Chris Sacca — How to Succeed by Living on Your Own Terms (2025-01-23). Chris is Billionaire venture capitalist, early backer of Twitter and Uber, founder of climate fund Lower Carbon Capital, and former Shark Tank investor. In total it earned 3 separate on-air endorsements across 4 different shows (Andrew Huberman, Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan, Tim Ferriss).

“ready book list yeah you didn't ask me well I did for your syllabus but you dodged and gave me poetry anxious generation and coddling of American mind” — Chris Sacca 02:35:05

What it is: After more than a decade of stability or improvement, the mental health of adolescents plunged in the early 2010s. Rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide rose sharply, more than doubling on many measures. Why? In The Anxious Generation, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt (pronounced "height") lays out the facts about the epidemic of teen mental illness that hit many countries at the same time. He then investigates the nature of childhood, including why children need play and independent exploration to mature into competent, thriving adults.

#13 · Flow

The endorsement here comes from Louisa Nicola, on Cognitive Decline Expert: The Disease That Starts in Your 30s but Kills You in Y in 2026. Louisa is Australian-born neurophysiologist and brain health clinician-academic based in New York whose doctoral work focuses on women and Alzheimer's disease. She advises elite performers and works alongside leading neurosurgeons. In total it earned 3 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“The book that changed my mind on that was Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, which actually speaks about the flow state.” — Louisa Nicola 01:55:33

What it is: Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's famous investigations of "optimal experience" have revealed that what makes an experience genuinely satisfying is a state called flow. During flow, people typically experience deep enjoyment, creativity, and a total involvement with life. In this new edition of his groundbreaking classic work, Csikszentmihalyi demonstrates the ways this positive state can be controlled, not just left to chance. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience teaches how, by ordering the information that enters our consciousness, we can discover true happiness and greatly improve the quality of our lives.

#14 · The 4-Hour Workweek

Recommended by James Smith on James Smith: Become Confident In 100 Minutes | E174. James is British personal trainer turned online fitness entrepreneur and author of Not a Diet Book, Not a Life Coach, and a new book on confidence; returning Diary of a CEO guest. In total it earned 2 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Tim Ferriss).

“he recommended the book four hour by week and i got home and i read through it and there were some things that just didn't apply” — James Smith 01:25:42

What it is: The New York Times bestselling how-to and why-to guide to throwing out the old tools and methods for success and replacing them with a whole new way of living Tim Ferriss has trouble defining what he does for a living.

#15 · Leaders Eat Last

Bobby Hundreds brought this up on Bobby Hundreds — Building an Iconic Streetwear Brand and Much More | The Tim Fer (2023-05-17). Bobby is Artist, designer, and storyteller; co-founder and chief creative officer of streetwear brand The Hundreds, and author of 'This Is Not a T-Shirt' and 'NFTs Are a Scam / NFTs Are the Future.'. In total it earned 2 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“start with why that with why and Leaders Eat laugh but I I read a lot of FSG books” — Bobby Hundreds 03:11:07

What it is: Why do only a few people get to say “I love my job?” It seems unfair that finding fulfillment at work is like winning a lottery; that only a few lucky ones get to feel valued by their organizations, to feel like they belong. Imagine a world where almost everyone wakes up inspired to go to work, feels trusted and valued during the day, then returns home feeling fulfilled. This is not a crazy, idealized notion. Today, in many successful organizations, great leaders are creating environments in which people naturally work together to do remarkable things.

#16 · Supernatural

The endorsement here comes from Brian Muraresku, on Joe Rogan Experience #2047 - Brian Muraresku in 2024. Brian is Lawyer-turned-author of 'The Immortality Key,' researching the psychedelic hypothesis behind ancient Greek and early Christian ritual. In total it earned 2 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“Graham Hancock wrote a lot about this and it's my favorite book of his it's called Supernatural” — Brian Muraresku 02:46:43

#17 · Stolen Focus

Recommended by Chris Sacca on Chris Sacca — How to Succeed by Living on Your Own Terms. Chris is Billionaire venture capitalist, early backer of Twitter and Uber, founder of climate fund Lower Carbon Capital, and former Shark Tank investor. In total it earned 2 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Tim Ferriss).

“stolen focus by Jonathan Harari you know that one just amazing I think it's like the best like digital detox” — Chris Sacca 02:36:39

What it is: Is your ability to focus and pay attention in free fall? You are not alone. The average office worker now focuses on any one task for just three minutes. But it's not your fault. Your attention didn't collapse. It has been stolen. Internationally bestselling author Johann Hari shows twelve deep factors harming our focus. Once we understand them, together, we can take back our minds.

#18 · The Changing World Order

Edward O. Thorp brought this up on Brené Brown and Edward O. Thorp — The Tim Ferriss Show (2024-05-22). That episode features Brene Brown and Edward O. Thorp, Two featured guests: Brene Brown, University of Houston research professor and six-time #1 NYT bestselling author (Atlas of the Heart, Dare to Lead); and Edward O. Thorp, mathematics professor, legendary blackjack player and hedge fund manager, author of Beat the Dealer and A Man for All Markets. In total it earned 2 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Tim Ferriss).

“Ray Delio has a book that I would I think is very well worth reading even though it's a tough slog” — Edward O. Thorp 01:37:22

#19 · Destined for War (the Thucydides Trap)

The endorsement here comes from Pierre Poilievre, on Pierre Poilievre: Why America Is Quietly Abandoning Its Allies (& What Comes Nex in 2026. Pierre is Leader of Canada's Conservative Party and the official opposition (His Majesty's Loyal Opposition). A long-serving free-market conservative MP seen as a likely contender for prime minister. In total it earned 2 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Lex Fridman).

“there is an incredible book called Thusidities Trap which a professor named Allison said that throughout history he took I think 20 occasions” — Pierre Poilievre 01:17:16

#20 · Generations

Recommended by Tony Robbins on Tony Robbins: No One Is Ready For What's Coming (The truth about AI).. Tony is The world's best-known life and business strategist, author and philanthropist who has coached presidents, athletes and CEOs, runs a group of 100+ companies, and built a global self-help empire from a poverty-stricken childhood. In total it earned 2 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Tim Ferriss).

“I'd recommend for everyone there's a book called Generations. Have you read it?” — Tony Robbins 00:33:57

#21 · The Hero with a Thousand Faces

Ray Dalio brought this up on Ray Dalio: We’re Heading Into Very, Very Dark Times! America & The UK’s Decline (2025-09-11). Ray is Billionaire investor who founded Bridgewater Associates, which he built into the world's largest hedge fund managing about $150 billion. He is known for studying 500 years of history to predict economic and geopolitical cycles, and for his books on principles. In total it earned 2 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Andrew Huberman, Diary of a CEO).

“Joseph Campbell's The Hero's Journey. Is it the the hero with a thousand faces? Yes, that's it. Hero with a thousand faces.” — Ray Dalio 01:29:37

What it is: Originally written by Campbell in the '40s-- in his pre-Bill Moyers days -- and famous as George Lucas' inspiration for "Star Wars," this book will likewise inspire any writer or reader in its well considered assertion that while all stories have already been told, this is not a bad thing, since the retelling is still necessary. And while our own life's journey must always be ended alone, the travel is undertaken in the company not only of immediate loved ones and primal passion, but of the heroes and heroines -- and myth-cycles -- that have preceded us. ([Amazon.com review][1].) [1]:

#22 · Start with Why

The endorsement here comes from Bobby Hundreds, on Bobby Hundreds — Building an Iconic Streetwear Brand and Much More | The Tim Fer in 2023. Bobby is Artist, designer, and storyteller; co-founder and chief creative officer of streetwear brand The Hundreds, and author of 'This Is Not a T-Shirt' and 'NFTs Are a Scam / NFTs Are the Future.'.

“Simon Sy next stuff is like very easy to understand start with why that with why and Leaders Eat laugh” — Bobby Hundreds 03:11:07

What it is: The most important question for any organization There's a naturally occurring pattern shared by the people and organizations that achieve the greatest long-term success. From Martin Luther King Jr. to Steve Jobs, from the pioneers of aviation to the founders of Southwest Airlines, the most inspiring leaders think, act, and communicate the exact same way—and it's the complete opposite of everyone else.The common thread, according to Simon Sinek, is that they all start with why.

#23 · The Infinite Game

Recommended by David Baszucki on The Path to 150M+ Daily Roblox Users, Ketogenic Therapy for Brain Health, and Mo. David is Co-founder and CEO of Roblox; co-founder of the Baszucki Group and metabolic-psychiatry advocate (metabolicmind.org).

“One of our board members gave me this book called the infinite game and it's the original infinite game book... I'm a big fan of that” — David Baszucki 01:46:04

#24 · Principles

host brought this up on Ray Dalio: Money, Power, and the Collapse of Empires | Lex Fridman Podcast #251 (2021-12-25). That episode features Ray Dalio, Legendary investor and founder of Bridgewater Associates, the world's largest hedge fund. Author of 'Principles' and 'Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order.'.

“founder of bridgewater associates author of a book i highly recommend called principles” — host 00:00:00

#25 · The Case Against Reality

The endorsement here comes from Henry Shukman, on Zen Master Henry Shukman — 20 Minutes of Calm and The Powerful World of Koans | in 2022. Henry is An appointed teacher in the Sanbo Zen lineage and guiding teacher of Mountain Cloud Zen Center, who teaches mindfulness and awakening practices. He is also an award-winning poet and author of the Zen memoir 'One Blade of Grass.'.

“i just recently read his book the case against reality which is a sort of detailed dive it's not too long it's very readable he writes well” — Henry Shukman 01:54:48