The business & startups books recommended on Diary of a CEO’s podcast

#1 · Man's Search for Meaning

The endorsement here comes from Pierre Poilievre, on Joe Rogan Experience #2470 - Pierre Poilievre in 2026. Pierre is Leader of Canada's Conservative Party and Leader of the Official Opposition, a self-described free-market 'prime minister in waiting' who has campaigned since 2022 on making Canada the freest country on earth. In total it earned 16 separate on-air endorsements across 4 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“my favorite psychologist is u Victor Frankle Victor Frankl and he developed this um logos treatment which was basically giving people a sense of meaning” — Pierre Poilievre 00:15:39

#2 · Meditations

Recommended by Ivanka Trump on Ivanka Trump: Most People Can’t Tell Signal From Noise. 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.

#3 · Why We Sleep

Andrew Huberman brought this up on How to Heal From Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) | Dr. Victor Carrión (2024-09-23). That episode features Dr. Victor Carrion, Professor and vice chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford and director of the Stanford Early Life Stress and Resilience Program. A leading expert on childhood PTSD and the developer of Cue-Centered Therapy. In total it earned 13 separate on-air endorsements across 4 different shows (Andrew Huberman, Diary of a CEO, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“I really have to tip my hat to Dr Matthew Walker from UC Berkeley for writing the book why we sleep ... he deserves such a token of praise” — Andrew Huberman 00:51:52

What it is: "The first sleep book by a leading scientific expert--Professor Matthew Walker, Director of UC Berkeley's Sleep and Neuroimaging Lab--reveals his groundbreaking exploration of sleep, explaining how we can harness its transformative power to change our lives for the better. Sleep is one of the most important but least understood aspects of our life, wellness, and longevity. Until very recently, science had no answer to the question of why we sleep, or what good it served, or why we suffer such devastating health consequences when we don't sleep.

#4 · Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind

The endorsement here comes from Norman Ohler, on Norman Ohler: Hitler, Nazis, Drugs, WW2, Blitzkrieg, LSD, MKUltra & CIA | Lex Fr in 2025. 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.

#5 · Essentialism

Recommended by Charlie Houpert on Building “Charisma on Command” to 10M+ Subscribers — Charlie Houpert. Charlie is Founder of Charisma on Command, a YouTube channel and online education business (Charisma University) teaching social confidence and communication; former management consultant turned solo entrepreneur. In total it earned 6 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Tim Ferriss).

“I'd read Essentialism, and it was like, just do the thing. Great book. Amazing. Greg Mchuan, so good. Read it. Read it four times.” — Charlie Houpert 00:49:44

What it is: Essentialism isn't about getting more done in less time. It's about getting only the right things done. Have you ever found yourself stretched too thin? Do you simultaneously feel overworked and underutilized? Are you often busy but not productive? Do you feel like your time is constantly being hijacked by other people's agendas? If you answered yes to any of these, the way out is the Way of the Essentialist. Essentialism is more than a time-management strategy or a productivity technique.

#6 · Four Thousand Weeks

Tim Ferriss brought this up on The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck — Mark Manson on Writing, Career Reinvention (2022-12-31). That episode features Mark Manson, Three-time #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck (~20 million copies sold), longtime personal-development blogger at MarkManson.net, and co-author of Will Smith's memoir 'Will'. In total it earned 6 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan, Tim Ferriss).

“it's Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman, which I thought was a fantastic book and there are a number of chapters that really stuck out as counterintuitively helpful” — Tim Ferriss 01:46:56

What it is: The average human lifespan is absurdly, outrageously, insultingly brief: if you live to 80, you have about four thousand weeks on earth. How should we use them best? Of course, nobody needs telling that there isn't enough time. We're obsessed by our lengthening to-do lists, our overfilled inboxes, the struggle against distraction, and the sense that our attention spans are shrivelling. Yet we rarely make the conscious connection that these problems only trouble us in the first place thanks to the ultimate time-management problem: the challenge of how best to use our four thousand weeks.

#7 · Lost Connections

The endorsement here comes from Tim Ferriss, on Chris Sacca — How to Succeed by Living on Your Own Terms in 2025. 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.

#8 · How to Win Friends and Influence People

Recommended by Oz Pearlman on Oz Pearlman (Mentalist): This Small Mistake Makes People Dislike You! They Do Th. 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.

#9 · The Psychology of Money

Tim Ferriss brought this up on David Senra — How Extreme Winners Think and Win: Lessons from 400+ of History’s (2025-09-24). 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.

#10 · Mastery

The endorsement here comes from Andrew Huberman, on A Process for Finding & Achieving Your Unique Purpose | Robert Greene in 2023. That episode features Robert Greene, Bestselling author of The 48 Laws of Power, The Laws of Human Nature, The Art of Seduction, and Mastery. Trained at UC Berkeley and the University of Wisconsin-Madison; writes about psychology, strategy, and human nature rooted in history. In total it earned 5 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Andrew Huberman, Diary of a CEO, Tim Ferriss).

“I first learned about Robert's work from reading the book Mastery which to my mind is a brilliant exploration and a practical tool for how to think about and pursue one's purpose” — Andrew Huberman 00:00:30

What it is: Robert Greene, the "modern Machiavelli" debunks the prevailing mythology of success and presents a radical new way to greatness.

#11 · Antifragile

Recommended by Richard Koch on Terry Crews and Richard Koch | The Tim Ferriss Show. That episode features Terry Crews and Richard Koch, Terry Crews is a former NFL player turned actor (The Expendables, Brooklyn 99, Everybody Hates Chris), America's Got Talent host, and bestselling author of the memoir Tough. Richard Koch is a renowned investor and bestselling author of The 80/20 Principle, The Star Principle, and Unreasonable Success and How to Achieve It. In total it earned 4 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Tim Ferriss).

“Nicholas Nassim talb wrote a book called an fragile which I think is probably his best book and the thesis behind that as you know is that resilience is not the point” — Richard Koch 02:45:37

What it is: "The acclaimed author of the influential bestseller The Black Swan, Nicholas Nassim Taleb takes a next big step with a deceptively simple concept: the "antifragile." Like the Greek hydra that grows two heads for each one it loses, people, systems, and institutions that are antifragile not only withstand shocks, they benefit from them. In a modern world dominated by chaos and uncertainty, Antifragile is a revolutionary vision from one of the most subversive and important thinkers of our time. Praise for Nicholas Nassim Taleb "[This] is the lesson of Taleb. and also the lesson of our volatile times.

#12 · 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.

#13 · 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?"

#14 · Atomic Habits

Recommended by Chris Williamson on Chris Williamson: Fix This One Habit And 2026 Will Be Your Best Year!. Chris is British podcaster and host of Modern Wisdom, one of the world's biggest podcasts and a former nightclub promoter turned personal-development thinker now based in the US. In total it earned 3 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Andrew Huberman, Diary of a CEO, Tim Ferriss).

“James Cle has been on my show. I think he's been on your show too. Uh best habit book of all time, Atomic Habits.” — Chris Williamson 00:44:37

What it is: No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving every day. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results. Atomic Habits pdf

#15 · Good to Great

James Watt brought this up on Brewdog Founder: The Untold Story Of One Britain’s Fastest Growing Companies: Ja (2022-07-04). James is Co-founder and CEO of BrewDog, the Scottish craft beer company he started in 2007 with friend Martin Dickie and a dog. In total it earned 3 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Tim Ferriss).

“it's actually in the book good to see by jim collins which is a fantastic business book” — James Watt 00:10:56

#16 · The Anxious Generation

The endorsement here comes from Chris Sacca, on Chris Sacca — How to Succeed by Living on Your Own Terms in 2025. 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.

#17 · Outliers

Recommended by Joe Rogan on Joe Rogan Experience #2491 - Brian Simpson. That episode features Brian Simpson, Stand-up comedian and Army veteran, a regular at the Comedy Mothership in Austin. Known for his deadpan delivery and a podcast/streaming-adjacent life as a hardcore gamer. In total it earned 3 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan).

“Outliers. great book. It's a really good book. It talks about like why people are successful.” — Joe Rogan 01:56:53

What it is: In this stunning new book, Malcolm Gladwell takes us on an intellectual journey through the world of "outliers"--the best and the brightest, the most famous and the most successful. He asks the question: what makes high-achievers different? His answer is that we pay too much attention to what successful people are like, and too little attention to where they are from: that is, their culture, their family, their generation, and the idiosyncratic experiences of their upbringing.

#18 · The Body Keeps the Score

Joe Navarro brought this up on Former FBI Agent: If They Do This Please RUN! Narcissists Favourite Trick To Con (2025-04-21). Joe is Former FBI special agent of 25 years specializing in counterintelligence and behavioral analysis, now a world-renowned body language expert and author of 14 books including 'Be Exceptional' and 'What Every Body Is Saying'. In total it earned 3 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Tim Ferriss).

“there's a great book called the body keeps the score the body will definitely keeps the score you will pay a price for being in the proximity of a toxic individual” — Joe Navarro 02:05:37

What it is: Trauma is a fact of life. Veterans and their families deal with the painful aftermath of combat; one in five Americans has been molested; one in four grew up with alcoholics; one in three couples have engaged in physical violence. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, one of the world’s foremost experts on trauma, has spent over three decades working with survivors. In The Body Keeps the Score, he uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma literally reshapes both body and brain, compromising sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust.

#19 · 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.

#20 · Getting Things Done

Recommended by Chris Williamson on Chris Williamson: Fix This One Habit And 2026 Will Be Your Best Year!. Chris is British podcaster and host of Modern Wisdom, one of the world's biggest podcasts and a former nightclub promoter turned personal-development thinker now based in the US. In total it earned 3 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Tim Ferriss).

“People want a really really great productivity strategy. Getting things done by David Allen is is about as good as you can get.” — Chris Williamson 00:54:24

What it is: In today's world, yesterday's methods just don't work. In Getting Things Done, veteran coach and management consultant David Allen shares the breakthrough methods for stress-free performance that he has introduced to tens of thousands of people across the country. Allen's premise is simple: our productivity is directly proportional to our ability to relax. Only when our minds are clear and our thoughts are organized can we achieve effective productivity and unleash our creative potential.

#21 · Rich Dad Poor Dad

Nischa Shah brought this up on Nischa Shah: They’re Lying To You About Buying a House! My 652510 Rule Built $20 (2025-07-21). Nischa is A qualified chartered accountant who spent nine years in investment banking before becoming a financial educator. Her YouTube channel grew to nearly 2 million subscribers, simplifying personal finance for everyday people. In total it earned 3 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Lex Fridman).

“some of the breakthroughs I've had have come from the books I've read. Even the first book I read which was Rich Dad Poor Dad” — Nischa Shah 01:46:57

What it is: <uRich Dad, Poor Dad PDF</u\ \ April of 2022 marks a 25-year milestone for the personal finance classic Rich Dad Poor Dad that still ranks as the 1 Personal Finance book of all time. And although 25 years have passed since Rich Dad Poor Dad was first published, readers will find that very little in the book itself has changed — and for good reason. While so much in our world is changing a high speed, the lessons about money and the principles of Rich Dad Poor Dad haven’t changed.

#22 · The Alchemist

The endorsement here comes from Chris Williamson, on 800k Q&A - Diary Of A CEO, Iman Gadzhi & Body Positivity in 2023. Chris is Host of the Modern Wisdom podcast, former club promoter and Love Island contestant turned long-form interviewer known for evolutionary-psychology and self-development conversations. In total it earned 3 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Tim Ferriss).

“The Alchemist by Paulo coella got like one and a half right Alchemist would probably be in there” — Chris Williamson 01:14:36

What it is: Offers an adaptation in graphic novel format of a modern classic about the globe-trotting spiritual journey of a humble shepherd boy.

#23 · The Artist's Way

Recommended by Noah Kagan on How to Launch a Million-Dollar Business This Weekend — Noah Kagan (4K). Noah is Founder/CEO of AppSumo (about $80M/year), former employee #30 at Facebook and #4 at Mint.com, YouTuber with a million subscribers, and author of Million Dollar Weekend. In total it earned 3 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Tim Ferriss).

“your Julia Cameron Artist's Way. That book is so funny. Yeah. It's a good one. It's a good one.” — Noah Kagan 03:30:16

What it is: The Artist's Way is the seminal book on the subject of creativity. An international bestseller, millions of readers have found it to be an invaluable guide to living the artist's life. Still as vital today-or perhaps even more so-than it was when it was first published one decade ago, it is a powerfully provocative and inspiring work. In a new introduction to the book, Julia Cameron reflects upon the impact of The Artist's Way and describes the work she has done during the last decade and the new insights into the creative process that she has gained. Updated and expanded, this anniversary edition reframes The Artist's Way for a new century.

#24 · The 4-Hour Workweek

James Smith brought this up on James Smith: Become Confident In 100 Minutes | E174 (2022-09-01). 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.

#25 · Happy Sexy Millionaire

The endorsement here comes from Ali Abdaal, on Productivity Expert: How To Finally Stay Productive: Ali Abdaal | E93 in 2021. Ali is Doctor-turned-YouTuber, entrepreneur, and productivity expert; a Cambridge medicine graduate with millions of subscribers who teaches productivity and self-improvement. It has been genuinely recommended 2 times on the show.

“And if anyone's listening to this who hasn't read the book, would recommend. Or the audiobook in particular, which is narrated by you.” — Ali Abdaal 01:35:27