Book · recommended on 7 episodes
Bird by Bird
Anne Lamott ISBN 9781664417984
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Anne Lamott ISBN 9781664417984
Find it on AmazonAffiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
This book by Anne Lamott has come up 7 times on Tim Ferriss. 4 of those mentions were genuine on-air recommendations, not just passing references. The people who brought it up: Chris Beresford-Hill, Craig Mod, Tim Ferriss. The earliest mention we indexed is from 2021-06-23 and the most recent from 2025-03-28. Every occurrence below links to the episode page and to the exact second it was said on YouTube.
Anne Lamott gives her perspective on the art and work of writing. The title comes from a family story when her brother had to complete a report on birds. He put it off until the last minute and was overwhelmed. Her father counseled him saying they would take it, "Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird."
“that title is a reference to Bird by bird which I think you've talked about before yeah and Lamott of course Bird by Bird yeah I love that book”— Craig Mod
The guest here is Craig Mod: Writer, photographer, and independent publisher based in Japan; known for epic multi-week solo walks of Japan's old pilgrimage routes, his membership program, and books including Kissa by Kissa and Things Become Other Things (Random House). Craig Mod returns to detail his epic solo walks across Japan, his rules for radical presence, and a life-changing reunion with his birth mother.
“Bird by bird her classic book on writing help thanks wow a celebration of prayer and her latest somehow”— Tim Ferriss
The guest here is Anne Lamott and Josh Waitzkin: Anne Lamott is a New York Times bestselling author of 20 books including Bird by Bird and Operating Instructions; Josh Waitzkin is an eight-time National chess champion, two-time Tai Chi Push Hands world champion, Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, and author of The Art of Learning. A 10-year anniversary combo episode pairing Anne Lamott on radical self-care with Josh Waitzkin on flow, learning, and presence.
“Ann Lamott, who was the author of one of my favorite books. Bird by Bird on creative process.”— Tim Ferriss
The guest here is Noah Kagan: 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. Noah Kagan and Tim Ferriss break down launching a million-dollar business in a weekend through asking, presales, and cheap validation.
“but I read a book, I know you know this book called Bird by Bird. And I think about it all the time.”— Chris Beresford-Hill
The guest here is Chris Beresford-Hill: Award-winning advertising creative; worldwide chief creative officer at Ogilvy, formerly chief creative officer at TBWA\Chiat\Day and an eight-year run at BBDO under David Lubars. Known for Super Bowl ads (Emerald Nuts' Robert Goulet, Mountain Dew's Bryan Cranston Shining spot) and the Adidas Billie Jean King sneaker stunt. Ad veteran Chris Beresford-Hill breaks down creativity, persuasion, and how cold emails, fast decisions, and 'getting away with it' built his career.
“bird by bird her classic book on writing and i will have a fair amount to say about that”— Tim Ferriss
The guest here is Anne Lamott: Best-selling author of 19 books including the writing classic 'Bird by Bird' and faith essay collections like 'Traveling Mercies.' A Sunday school teacher, recovering alcoholic, and Guggenheim fellow known for blending candor, humor, and spirituality. Anne Lamott on taming the inner critic, radical self-care, writing badly on purpose, recovery, prayer, and turning pain into medicine.
“bird by bird her classic book on writing and i will have a fair amount to say about that”— Tim Ferriss
The guest here is Anne Lamott: Best-selling author of 19 books including the classic writing guide Bird by Bird and the memoir Operating Instructions. A Sunday school teacher, left-wing activist, and recovering alcoholic sober since 1986 who writes with candor and humor about faith, addiction, motherhood, and grace. Anne Lamott on writing badly to write at all, recovery, dark nights of the soul, and turning pain into medicine.
“bird by bird as one might say which is also one of my favorite books on the craft of writing and fiction”— Tim Ferriss
The guest here is Tim Ferriss: Author, investor, and host of The Tim Ferriss Show, known for The 4-Hour Workweek and for interviewing world-class performers about their habits and routines. Here he flips the format to be the guest in a solo Q&A with his supporter group. Tim Ferriss answers fan questions on his morning and exercise routines, holotropic breathwork, self-compassion, meaning, and managing trauma.
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