How I Write Archiv

Every year, 25 million people download Shaan’s podcast. Sure, he’s a brilliant entrepreneur, investor, and writer, but there’s one skill in particular that keeps Shaan’s audience coming back for more: storytelling.  And not the kind of storytelling that feels like an IQ contest. (I know you know what I mean.) Shaan tells stories that burst with aliveness, that make readers laugh out loud with joy or fall silent with understanding. And as a result, he’s built more than just a following; he’s built a fandom.  In this episode, Shaan reveals every framework he knows for telling stories so well they make your reader go, “Wait, how did they do that?”. And I mean, every framework. You won’t find this in the ole’ self-help aisle. Plus, he shows you exactly how to do it. We deconstruct everything from popular movies to business origin stories to viral Twitter threads.  Stories are the #1 way to grab readers’ attention, get them to like you, and ultimately, turn them into fans. And this episode is a masterclass on how to do it. WRITE OF PASSAGE:  Website & Newsletter: https://www.shaanpuri.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShaanVP Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaanpuri WRITE OF PASSAGE:  Want to learn more about the next class Write of Passage? Click here: https://writeofpassage.com/ PODCAST LINKS:  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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Perhaps the best-kept secret of any writer is the ability to find inspiration in unconventional places. And that’s Michael Mauboussin in a nutshell. Investing, business, reading, writing, luck, skill — name a topic he’s passionate about, and he’s found a way to make money from it in his writing.  How? By subverting “The Curse of Knowledge.”  With his decades-long career on Wall Street, you’d think that reading Michael’s work would be like trying to learn Latin on the fly. But the opposite is true.  “I put my arm around the reader, and we gaze off into the world and say, “Let’s talk about what we see. Let’s make this concrete and interesting.”  No stuffy professionalism. No robotic jargon. While many of us writers see the ignorance of a reader as a handicap, Michael sees it as an opportunity. And as a result, he’s become a billboard for how to build a career around who you truly are and what you’re actually interested in.  In this episode, you’ll learn how to do the same. Come learn tactical writing and life instruction from one of Wall Street’s best and brightest.  SPEAKER LINKS:  Website: https://www.michaelmauboussin.com/ Books: https://www.michaelmauboussin.com/books Twitter: https://twitter.com/mjmauboussin WRITE OF PASSAGE:  Want to learn more about the next class Write of Passage? Click here: https://take.writeofpassage.school/writing-sprints PODCAST LINKS:  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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Packy McCormick is proof that writing online can attract real-world opportunities you never dreamed of. He went from 20 Substack subscribers to a $40 million venture fund — and he’s still growing. In this episode, we dive into the three main “how’s” of Packy’s growth. First, he has a distinct, unforgettable style. His business-meets-memes newsletter, Not Boring, has amassed 220,000+ subscribers because his “funny finance guy” flair gives him an edge. Not to mention, it all started when he took the first-ever cohort of Write of Passage. (I may be biased, but seriously, that’s when it started.) Next, Packy shares his domain expertise. He sees writing and investing as the perfect one-two punch. His goal? Share what he knows, and make a behind-the-scenes world accessible to the average audience. And finally, Packy adds value to his readers. Relentlessly. Not by telling them what to think, but by trying to change the way they think. In a world filled with Beta content — cheap entertainment that disappears in 24 hours — Packy creates Alpha content — quality work that has long-term relevance. Style. Expertise. Value. This is just a sneak-peek into our conversation. If you want to find your distinctiveness in a modern digital world, this episode is for you. SPEAKER LINKS: Website: https://www.packym.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/packyM Newsletter: https://www.notboring.co/ WRITE OF PASSAGE: Want to learn more about the next class Write of Passage? https://writeofpassage.com/ PODCAST LINKS: Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-write/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to build influence with great ideas and simple writing? Look no further than Howard Marks.  Most smart people use big words and plastic jargon to reinforce the barrier between themselves and “the common folk.” Howard, on the other hand, breaks down this barrier, and that’s why his ideas are so influential (and why he’s Warren Buffett’s favorite author).  Ironically enough, simple writing is the hardest to master. Einstein once said that there are four types of intelligence: “bright, brilliant, genius, and simple.” In this episode, you’ll hear how Howard turns decades of investment expertise into clear, simple language.  You’ll learn:  Why high-quality work is more important than ever How discovering your unique point of view is crucial if you want your ideas to make an impact Howard’s four tenets for high-quality writing: clarity, humor, interesting topics, and challenging your reader.  Ultimately, you’ll learn how this billionaire investor shares his ideas in a way that engages and delights his audience, and how you can, too. SPEAKER LINKS:  Website: https://www.oaktreecapital.com/about/leadership/bio/howard-marks Twitter: https://twitter.com/howardmarksbook Books: https://www.amazon.com/Howard-Marks/e/B004LE5B00 WRITE OF PASSAGE:  Want to learn more about the next class Write of Passage? Click here: https://take.writeofpassage.school/writing-sprints PODCAST LINKS:  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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amor Towles is our modern day F. Scott Fitzgerald. Sure, he’s a critically acclaimed, award-winning novelist (ever heard of “A Gentleman in Moscow”?) but not because he’s cracked the publishing algorithm. Rather than scheming how many books he can sell or how many critics he can impress, his #1 goal is to fulfill his covenant with his reader. “They’ve invested in my art, and I owe it to them.” Towles' work oozes sensory detail and psychological richness. While most writers would describe writing as “creative” or “free-spirited,” he describes it as “accurate” and “careful.” Every sentence he writes serves a larger truth. In this episode, Towles gives one of the most detailed breakdowns of his writing process that we’ve had so far on How I Write.  You’ll learn the step-by-step process for how Towles drafts each novel; specifically, how outlining your work can free up your creative, poetic side. You’ll learn how to write descriptively — without bogging down your reader in indulgent details. You’ll learn how to master craft through repetition; how to approach your first draft versus your second; how to influence your writing with reading; and how to create art that serves a broader purpose.  Ultimately, you’ll learn how to tell exceptional stories from one of today's most exceptional storytellers. SPEAKER LINKS:  Website: https://www.amortowles.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/amortowles Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Amor-Towles/author/B004MW8MG6 WRITE OF PASSAGE:  Want to learn more about the next class Write of Passage? Click here: https://take.writeofpassage.school/writing-sprints PODCAST LINKS:  Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-write/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos ABOUT THE HOST:  I’m David Perell and I’m a writer, teacher, and podcaster. I believe writing online is one of the biggest opportunities in the world today. For the first time in human history, everybody can freely share their ideas with a global audience. I seek to help as many people publish their writing online as possible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steven Johnson has studied LLM technology for over 35 years. His consensus? Large Language models and human creativity aren’t at odds. They’re at their best when they work in harmony. Johnson has written thirteen books, many of which explore how tools and technologies expand what humans are capable of and transform societies. He created NotebookLM to help writers use AI to supplement their creative process — not to replace their thinking, but to amplify it.  In this episode, you’ll learn how to capture ideas without friction, how to seamlessly structure your work, how to leverage the element of surprise, and how to turn sheer information into unique insight — all while using AI, of course.  Ultimately, you’ll soak up Johnson’s 35 years of expertise and come away with actionable steps to make your writing process faster and your insights more surprising. SPEAKER LINKS:  Website: https://stevenberlinjohnson.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevenbjohnson Book: https://www.amazon.com/Steven-Johnson/e/B000APC0M6 Google NotebookLM: https://notebooklm.google/ WRITE OF PASSAGE:  Want to learn more about the next class Write of Passage? Click here: https://take.writeofpassage.school/writing-sprints PODCAST LINKS:  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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Dixon is the perfect example of how learning in public can catapult you to success. Come learn how he went from writer to owner, and how you can, too. SPEAKER LINKS: Website: https://cdixon.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/cdixon Blog: https://cdixon.substack.com/subscribe Book: https://www.amazon.com/Read-Write-Own-Building-Internet/dp/0593731387 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoAeFr1JnlHwQ1ex7WlWi-g WRITE OF PASSAGE: Want to learn more about the next class Write of Passage? https://take.writeofpassage.school/writing-sprints PODCAST LINKS: Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-write/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the start of 2024 and to celebrate I thought I’d run through some of the best lessons I’ve picked up over the last 12 months. This past year has had over 20 episodes produced so there was a lot to choose from but I ended up settling on 8 insights from some of my favorite conversations both inside and outside of the podcast. Expect to learn how Tim Ferriss sets an extremely high/low quality bar, why Marc Andreessen uses a barbell approach to consume information, Kevin Kelly’s reason to be the only (not the best), how Riva Tez paints with words, why The Cultural Tutor won’t read anything from the past 50 years, how Tyler Cowen brings joy to his work, my thoughts on artificial intelligence, and much more… WRITE OF PASSAGE: Want to learn more about the next class Write of Passage? https://take.writeofpassage.school/writing-sprints PODCAST LINKS: Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-write/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tiago grew up reading in Barnes and Noble — up to six hours at a time! Now, his bestselling book, Building a Second Brain, is the perfect combination of his favorite genres: self-development, business, and tech. Come learn how Tiago has helped thousands of people unlock their creative potential.  SPEAKER LINKS:  Website: https://fortelabs.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TiagoForte Twitter: https://twitter.com/fortelabs Blog: https://fortelabs.com/blog/ Book: https://www.buildingasecondbrain.com/book WRITE OF PASSAGE:  Want to learn more about the next class Write of Passage? Click here: https://take.writeofpassage.school/writing-sprints PODCAST LINKS:  Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-write/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Urban used to hate writing because he thought it was boring. Now, he has 600,000+ newsletter subscribers, 811,000+ Twitter followers, and one of the most unforgettable (and hilarious) writing styles on the Internet. Come learn how to make your writing fun to read and fun to write. SPEAKER LINKS: Website & Newsletter: https://waitbutwhy.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/waitbutwhy Book: https://waitbutwhy.com/whatsourproblem WRITE OF PASSAGE:  Want to learn more about the next class Write of Passage? Click here: https://take.writeofpassage.school/writing-sprints PODCAST LINKS:  Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-write/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Ferriss has built one of the most lucrative personal brands on the Internet: 2,000,000 newsletter subscribers, 5 #1 New York Times Bestselling books, and 900 million podcast downloads. Come learn his top writing tactics, routines, and habits! SPEAKER LINKS:  Website: https://tim.blog/ Newsletter: https://go.tim.blog/5-bullet-friday-1/ Books: https://tim.blog/tim-ferriss-books/ Podcast: https://tim.blog/podcast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/tferriss WRITE OF PASSAGE:  Want to learn more about the next class Write of Passage? Click here: https://take.writeofpassage.school/writing-sprints PODCAST LINKS:  Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-write/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sahil Bloom once believed working in finance was the only way to make money; then, he started writing online and proved himself wrong. Come learn how he turned Twitter threads into 1 million followers by writing with soul. SPEAKER LINKS:  Website: https://www.sahilbloom.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/SahilBloom Newsletter: https://www.sahilbloom.com/newsletter WRITE OF PASSAGE:  Want to learn more about the next class Write of Passage? Click here: https://take.writeofpassage.school/writing-sprints PODCAST LINKS:  Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-write/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Byrne Hobart has a Substack following of over 50,000 subscribers, consisting of some of the smartest people in Silicon Valley — startup founders, venture capitalists, hedge fund managers, you name it. Come learn how he produces high-density, high-insight ideas so consistently.  SPEAKER LINKS: Newsletter: https://www.thediff.co/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ByrneHobart LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/byrnehobart WRITE OF PASSAGE:  Want to learn more about the next class Write of Passage? Click here: https://take.writeofpassage.school/writing-sprints PODCAST LINKS:  Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-write/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From making his first dollar online at 12 years-old to raking in $4,000,000 a year, Ali Abdaal is not your average online creator. And his advice on how to “make it” online is not so average, either. SPEAKER LINKS:  Website: https://aliabdaal.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aliabdaal Twitter: https://twitter.com/AliAbdaal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliabdaal Book: https://www.feelgoodproductivity.com WRITE OF PASSAGE:  Want to learn more about the next class Write of Passage? Click here: https://take.writeofpassage.school/writing-sprints PODCAST LINKS:  Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-write/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos ABOUT THE HOST:  I’m David Perell and I’m a writer, teacher, and podcaster. I believe writing online is one of the biggest opportunities in the world today. For the first time in human history, everybody can freely share their ideas with a global audience. I seek to help as many people publish their writing online as possible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices