The Random Show, Episode 14/15 – Bourbon, Photography, iPhone Apps, and Start-ups

Random Episode 15 from Glenn McElhose on Vimeo.

In this long-overdue episode of Random, Kevin Rose and I discuss everything from start-ups and photography to naming products, iPhone apps, and survivalist training. Fueled by bourbon and pizza — cheat day, of course — we had a blast.

Hope you enjoy! The mentioned links, assorted goodies, and show notes are below.

Last but not least, The Random Show is now on iTunes! If you simply want audio-only, or if you’d like to watch the episodes on your iPhone or iPad, here you go:

VIDEO: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-random-show-podcast/id417595309

AUDIO: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-random-show-podcast-audio/id417635513

Orbit Room Cafe

Milk, Inc.

http://milkinc.com/

Daniel Burka

http://www.deltatangobravo.com/

Path

http://www.path.com/

Business Insider – 15 Greatest Tech Pivots

Bessemer’s “anti-portfolio” (mistakenly referred to as Accel’s anti-portfolio)

http://www.bvp.com/Portfolio/AntiPortfolio.aspx

Control 4 Home Automation

http://www.control4.com/

Olympus E-PL2 digital camera

Panasonic LUMIX G 20mm f/1.7 Aspherical Pancake Lens

Christopher Michel – Photography

http://www.christophermichel.com/

Matt Mullenweg

http://ma.tt/

Power: Why Some People Have It And Others Don’t, by Jeffrey Pfeffer

Benjamin Franklin: An American Life, by Walter Isaacson

Sedo

http://sedo.com

Domain names – hash tag for kevin on Twitter: #krdomain

IPA (phonetic alphabet) flash cards

http://ipaflashcards.com/

Evernote

http://www.evernote.com/

PDF pen – app

http://www.smilesoftware.com/PDFpen/

America: The Story Of US

http://www.history.com/shows/america-the-story-of-us

###

All previous episodes of The Random Show can be found here.

The Tim Ferriss Show is one of the most popular podcasts in the world with more than one billion downloads. It has been selected for "Best of Apple Podcasts" three times, it is often the #1 interview podcast across all of Apple Podcasts, and it's been ranked #1 out of 400,000+ podcasts on many occasions. To listen to any of the past episodes for free, check out this page.

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Tim Gaffney
Tim Gaffney
12 years ago

Another great show guys!

I would pay money to subscribe.

Funds donated to one of your worthy causes?

I also comment, so I can get email notification of the other

commets – great ideas and suggestions in the comments.

Bruce
Bruce
12 years ago

Help!!! I am currently working in Iraq and want to watch this but cannot download on iTunes. iTunes won’t allow me to do it because my ip address is coming up from out of the country. The internet here is not fast enough to stream it. Is there somewhere I can download it besides iTunes? This is the first episode to come out since I have been over here.

Thank you in advance.

glenn
glenn
12 years ago
Reply to  Bruce

Bruce, there’s a download link on the bottom right corner of this page but it is a rather large file so hopefully it won’t take too long. Hope this helps!

Bruce
Bruce
12 years ago
Reply to  glenn

Thank you Glenn. I really appreciate this.

Natalie Bauer
Natalie Bauer
12 years ago

Tim, Kevin and Glenn – Thanks for another great Random! 🙂

SAS is an awesome book. Like girl scouts on crack.

Exit Through the Gift Shop was a wild movie.

If you are a big Rye fan Alberta Premium is great and highly rated. A very good whiskey, also from Canada, is Forty Creek. A couple of delicious bourbons are Knob Creek and Maker’s Mark. Happy drinking!

Alles liebe.

Kellie Kalish
Kellie Kalish
12 years ago

Tim,

THANK YOU for featuring IPAflashcards! Take the plunge – crack open the deck 😉

Also, new stuff in the works. I’ll keep you posted.

Kellie

Jose Alejandro Garcia
Jose Alejandro Garcia
12 years ago

6 to 12 months? I know it’s a joke, but I’m still checking back too often for Random 🙁

Drew
Drew
12 years ago

Hey Tim –

Great resource if you’re interested in photography… http://www.500px.com

This site not only has a collection of consistently beautiful photography on a wide variety of subject matter, but also lists the equipment, lenses, filters, exposure time, ISO setting, etc. that each photographer uses. It’s been hugely helpful for me and my photography as well.

Good luck!

Chris Hanlon
Chris Hanlon
12 years ago

Another great show thanks guys.

I will make a recommendation on survival books. There is one I read over ten years ago: Survive! by Martin Forrester (I am 85% sure that is the name & author) Best survival book I have ever read.

What I love is his humour throughout the book. It truly is the book you would want to have with you if you survived an aircrash on a deserted island… The humour is as important psychologically as the physical food water & shelter tips.

Chris Hanlon
Chris Hanlon
12 years ago

Oh and the exit through the giftshop can be seen here… http://www.tagtele.com/videos/voir/69728

Patrick Hitches
Patrick Hitches
12 years ago

Exit through the gift shop was wild! Nice recommendation brother… LOVED how it turned out too. He fricken killed that expo! haha

Sean Jacobs
Sean Jacobs
12 years ago

Tim,

Great choice on camera and lens! I personally use the Panasonic Lumix GF-1 kit with that 20mm/1.7 lens. It’s phenomenal. LIghtweight and small but nearly as powerful as a full on DSLR. Lightroom is truly an amazing piece of software also as they mentioned.

When you are ready, look into upgrading your lens to a Voigtlander Nokton 50mm/1.1

This lens is 1/10 the cost of the Leica Noctilux 50mm/0.95 ($1000 vs $10000). This is absolutely the ultimate low light lens. It will increase the artistic look and sharpness of your shots. http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2009/11/24/leica-noctilux-classic-f1-vs-voigtlander-nokton-1-1/ is a great comparison of the two lenses and shows a bit of what kind of look they are capable of.

Enjoy!

-Sean

Christina Lee
Christina Lee
12 years ago

For Kevin: First, that is one good looking bike!! Second, Control 4 sounds like all of my nerdiest home gadgetry dreams come true. The lighting features that you described could be super beneficial to your health by aligning your body’s natural circadian rhythm to the rise and fall of the sun. It would be AWESOME if you could have the color temp of your AM lights be a crisp white with a hint of blue for a refreshing morning light similar to the suns natural color in the morning hours. Then even more awesome, particularly if you have trouble sleeping, would be to have the lighting slowly dim as you get ready for bed – preferably with warm, red tones of light in contrast to the the dynamic white/blueish light of the morning sun. One of my favorite evidence based interior designers posted this article on the subject if you’re interested: http://deborahburnett.com/images/uploads/Derung_Visual_timing_light_en.pdf

For Tim: You discuss a blue light in your latest book that aids in better sleep for the sleep deprived and helps to prevent fatigue throughout the day – do you study any type of Epigenetic science related to the color of light or was this just a random discovery made in attempt to get yourself some well deserved sleep?! I’m also pretty excited to hear about your adventures in photography.. I’m a newby to the world of photography as well. 🙂

Brad Hassett
Brad Hassett
12 years ago

Tim,

If you’re getting into photography you may find this helpful: http://intothedarkroom.com/products/publish/blogshow-7a263/ . It’s a fantastic WordPress plugin that creates slideshows for your blog. I’m not sure if you plan on posting your images on your blog but thought I would tell you about it in case you do.

I would like to disclose that I am a developer for the company but I fully believe in our products. If you’re interested in trying it out or any of our other photography products I would be more than happy to give it to you for free.

Brad

Justin
Justin
12 years ago

Great show gents- we all know you guys are busy so thanks for taking the time to make this.

Mark Cafiero
Mark Cafiero
12 years ago

[Moderated: Removed links]

Hey Tim it’s Mark, the guy who sent you that photo of the Matterhorn a while ago, who was mentioned in your extended version, who you tweeted about last weekend with the body transformation photos…….

Hey, I have started a new company called Chimpsy. We are moving into San Francisco with a Groupon feature on June 6. We have little “photo fieldtrips” that we offer to students. They are fun little 2 hour crash courses in photography. I’ll give you a free pass. In fact, if you want to come, I’ll actually fly out and teach yours personally. You and all your friends. Let me know if you want to take me up on that.

Mark

John
John
12 years ago

Tim,

The book titled “Understanding Exposure” is an excellent book. This book was recommended to me when I first picked up a camera, 5 years ago. He has another book along the same simple, yet extensive information titled “Understanding Shutter Speed.” Even the basic point and shoot that majority of population use has the settings to allow for some manipulation of these speeds, which can create a whole new world into artistic/creative photography.

david bakunowicz
david bakunowicz
12 years ago

Hi Tim & Kevin,

Thankyou so much for the tip of viewing “Exit through the Gift Shop”. Wow! This blew my mind. I found this so intiguing. I’ve begun to research the question “is ETTGS a hoax? And if so, what is true? What is not…?

I’m interested, what r peoples thoughts on this film and its legitimacy?

Cheers,

Dave

Hector Adrian
Hector Adrian
12 years ago

Tim, you look a lot more laid back and happy, I remember you coming across as more serious and slightly uptight in the past. Is there a reason for it?

NCA
NCA
12 years ago
Reply to  Hector Adrian

He’s more laid back and happy because he is now $2,000,000 richer.

Tim Ferriss
Tim Ferriss
12 years ago
Reply to  NCA

NCA,

The income actually has nothing to do with it. I still drive the same VW Golf I bought used in 2004, and my lifestyle “burn” is minimal. An additional $2-10MM has no material impact on my day-to-day life.

The difference is being more comfortable in my own skin. That’s it. Perhaps from having a second bestseller (Fulfilling “once you’re lucky, twice you’re good” and feeling able to relax, perhaps?), or perhaps from valuing relationships more over time.

Best,

Tim

Hector Adrian
Hector Adrian
12 years ago
Reply to  NCA

I didn’t mean it to sound like an attack on Tim or anything, he just seems so laid back and happy, and it seems pretty authentic. I want some of that 😀

NCA
NCA
12 years ago
Reply to  NCA

Income has nothing to do with it Huh? Alright then how about you donate every cent you made off your last book (and will continue to make) to the Wounded Warrior Project, sell your home and donate that money as well, oh and as far as personal appearances you can donate all that money too. When it is all said and done, money has everything to do with it, don’t get me wrong Tim, your first book changed my life and you have done alot of good and put in the hard work and you deserve to reap the rewards, but let’s be real about it, and to say that money has nothing to do with it…well, that’s just a cop out and you know it.

Let’s see how many of your valued relationships would value you if you were broke, I think we know the real answer to that. Money does buy happiness, it also buys pain, false friends, but it also provides a sense of well being, happiness, and security.

I would have respected your answer more had it been truthful and real world. So like I said, donate all that “additional $2-10MM” you speak of and I really believe you will be singing a different tune.

Best,

NCA

Tim Ferriss
Tim Ferriss
12 years ago
Reply to  NCA

Hi NCA,

Money does buy “happiness” (self-reported well-being) up to about $100,000 in annual income. Based on all available research, it has diminishing returns past that. My point was that any difference in my demeanor in the last few Random shows vs. earlier episodes wouldn’t be — based on that research — attributable to income from the last book. I was already past the $100,000 point.

It saddens me that your comment is so accusatory, without asking for clarification. How many of my valued relationships would value me if I lost all my money? Almost all of them, as that’s how I pick them. It’s a reason most of my close friends I’ve known since high school, and also why I live in SF vs. NYC or other more externally-focused locales.

In any case, you’re certainly entitled to your feelings and opinions about this, but I don’t think your accusation is fair. I donate at least 10% of my pre-tax income to non-profits and causes per year (probably closer to 20%), and you’ll be hard pressed to find many people how do that, even among those who make $100M/year.

That’s all I can offer. Hope it helps somehow.

All the best,

Tim

Drew
Drew
12 years ago
Reply to  NCA

I don’t know what your deal is NCA or where your angry comments come from. Clearly I don’t need to stand up for anyone here nor do I want to engage in a negative conversation but I can’t bite my tongue after reading a couple of your comments. It seems that everyone is supportive and encouraging on here and then there is you. You’re the reason I rarely read comments or post any myself. We have someone inspirational and innovative and you find any minute point to direct this clear anger for whatever reason. There are plenty of other people you could attack that don’t post blogs about donating to disasters (see Japan/music blog) or people with money that don’t care about how we treat animals (see shark fin blog) and you pick Tim. You said his book changed your life but you are quick to accuse false accusation or believe an answer is a straight up lie. It seems like money is the reason you got excited. Don’t you think people that change lives deserve to be paid for what they do? Could YOU put a price on it? If your life was changed by a book how many others have been affected? As stated earlier I won’t be engaging in any debate with you, that isn’t my goal. I figured I write what I’m certain others are thinking. Honestly I wish people like you would direct their negative, angry energy somewhere else.

Katya
Katya
12 years ago

Really enjoy these shows.

A Q: is there any way to invest in Milk inc?

thx

Katya

Drew
Drew
12 years ago

You guys are great, thanks so much for making this show along with it being so easily accessible. I try to surround myself with influential, inspirational people and I couldn’t be happier to get a little insight of how you guys do what you do.

I know you get a lot of questions so I’ll be brief. I have the opportunity to get a little, tiny piece of air time on the radio in which it will be possible to ‘sell’ or maybe ‘advertise’ for companies in the same field (apologies, don’t know the proper terminology). I was wondering if that ‘s what you guys do when you introduce a product or website on the show?

Being who you are I’d imagine company’s come to you, I was wondering if you have any short suggestions on how I would approach company’s to do the same.

Thanks again for the show, I really enjoyed it!

stu
stu
12 years ago

Hi Tim,

Just finished the 4 Hour Body book! Outstanding book! Right up my street.

Just watched this Random episode and now subscribed to the Podcasts. Looking forward to the next one mate

Tom
Tom
12 years ago

I really wish Random was a weekly show. I get so excited when I see a new episode posted because it gets me on to all kinds of things I didn’t even know existed before. Keep the shows coming, they kill it.

Matt
Matt
12 years ago

Who’s the random gorgeous woman who happened to stumble in to watch you guys? (you should have spent more camera time on her:)

Matt
Matt
12 years ago

at 19:10….Tim flicks us off:)

Great show guys…. I actually watched the whole thing….keep it up!

Union
Union
12 years ago

Hi Tim, Kevin, love the show, and just realized you can subscribe to it in iTunes, only problem is — I have a Windows Phone… any chance you guys could add the podcast to the Zune Marketplace as well? That’d be awesome!

Thaaaaaaaaaanks! Union

nazia
nazia
12 years ago

i like the show thanks for sharing

Heyward
Heyward
12 years ago

Hey, can a smart person please tell me why tim said that the china study- in linking animal protein to cancer- was not quite right?

Roberto Lebron
Roberto Lebron
12 years ago

Great show! Took plenty of notes and downloaded apps as I was listening. This is some of the best stuff on the web, the way you meander through one interesting topic after another, and the tone is always upbeat and cool. Thank you! Keep it up!

Payam Rajabi
Payam Rajabi
12 years ago

Hey Tim,

It’s awesome that you want to get more into photography. I started a photoblog in 2005 (check link) and posted one photo each day. It keeps you motivated to always be shooting and to have an open eye about the world. Every considered doing that yourself? You can Tumblr and Cargo Collective are two of my favourite choices for photo blogging platforms.

Also, I recently found this video which I find very inspiring: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH7YxbuZQs8

Payam Rajabi
Payam Rajabi
12 years ago

Hey Tim,

It’s awesome that you want to get more into photography. I started a photo blog in 2005 (check link) and posted one photo each day. It keeps you motivated to always be shooting and to have an open eye about the world. Ever considered doing that yourself? Tumblr and Cargo Collective are two of my favourite choices for photo blogging platforms.

Also, I recently found this video which I find very inspiring:

Payam Rajabi
Payam Rajabi
12 years ago

Oh, and if you’re using a Mac, I would choosing Apple Aperture over Adobe Lightroom. It’s a lot more intuitive and easy to use, while giving you all the same great tools.

Qishisanye
Qishisanye
12 years ago

Purchased the ipa flashcards, not really a fan. I was a linguistics major looking for an easy way to refresh my ipa skills. Only 50 out of the 300 cards have word examples that let you actually learn the Ipa sounds. It also appears the creator doesn’t know what a diphthong is, many of the vowels are incorrectly labeled. Be careful if you have an accent because you will associate the wrong sound with the ipa symbol by just reading the examples aloud. Good idea, poor execution. Not worth 50 bucks!

Kellie Kalish
Kellie Kalish
12 years ago

@Qishisanye

For starters, I’m sorry you weren’t pleased with the cards. Please don’t hesitate to return them. We offer a 30-day money back guarantee via amazon. If you’re beyond the 30 days and are that disappointed, I’ll gladly make arrangements for you.

To clarify, the website is transparent regarding how many example cards are in the deck, and on how the remaining cards are broken down. I’m guessing you may have seen the show and ordered the cards thinking they were all the same format. We are well aware of diphthongs; the cards were edited by a linguistics professor. If you have specific examples of cards you feel are incorrect, we would welcome the advice at feedback@ipaflashcards.com or take the survey on our website. We’re always interested in ways to make improvements for the future.

Again, I’m sorry you weren’t impressed with the cards. We worked hard on the content, print quality and presentation.

-Kellie Kalish

President of Minokidowinan Language Resources

Eric T Hanson
Eric T Hanson
12 years ago

Great episode, thanks guys. LOVE the knives, Tim.

One ‘thing’:

Kevin… Let’s be honest, buddy. You can’t pull off a motorcycle.

Stop while you’re ahead, and stick with the Vespa.

Cheers,

-E

Jan
Jan
12 years ago

Tim ??.

Thanks to you and Kevin for another interesting and inspiring random episode. It’s especially great to see you talk about languages again.

Being a big fan of your methods and a believer in your ideas, I was wondering if maybe you could give us a timeline and an overview of how you approach a completely new language like you did in your “How to Resurrect Your High School Spanish… or Any Language” post for reactivating languages in one of the next episodes.

All the best,

Jan

Logan Parker
Logan Parker
12 years ago

Hah Tim you look more badass with a cleanly shaven head.

Michael F
Michael F
12 years ago

I definitely love The Random Show. I know you don’t do guest posts, but what do you allow as far as sharing the info and linking back to your post?

Miguel Lira
Miguel Lira
12 years ago

Hey Man, just wanted to share that I just bought the latest version of the kindle version of 4HWW (I had the previous one) and I have been reading it using my laptop (dont have a kindle yet). It is pretty amazing, the book has helped me tremendously, I particularly like the microtesting tips and all the tricks related to negotiating and getting things done. I read Koch´s 80/20 Book before yours, and it is the perfect follow up; your talks about applying 80-20 to businenesses and personal life with a hands on approach.

Just wanted to share and say thanks.

Rima
Rima
12 years ago

Hi everybody!

I got this morning PAGG and want to start taking them tomorrow but i don’y know if i should wait till after my cheat day? Cause what directions said not to take them on carb day?

Please let me know.

Rima.

Julia Rege
Julia Rege
12 years ago

Could I have a protein shake of Metagenics Chocolate Whey(15 grams protein) plus 2 eggs scramble (1 yolk) for breakfast? Or an Orgain Protein drink in chocolate or vanilla (15gprotein) and 2 eggs scrambled (1 yolk)? I cannot get down plain whey protein with vegetables in it as an option. It makes me sick to my stomach. I also don’t have a ton of time in the morning to prepare vegetables and beans so a protein shake is easiest.

Bob Siddoway
Bob Siddoway
12 years ago

Hey Tim,

I didn’t realize you were a bourbon fan? I thought only red wine. What’s your favorite bourbon?

Also, just wanted to let you know I lost 8.5 lbs in 3 weeks on the 4HB diet and had crazy amounts of energy. I’ve switched over to the primal diet now more for maintenance purposes. Anyway, if you’re ever in Idaho, I’ll buy you a drink, on cheat day of course. 😉

Tai
Tai
12 years ago

Awesome! Love your work…

Harpreet Kang
Harpreet Kang
12 years ago

Hey Mr. Ferriss:

First of all I would like to say that I have read your book, The 4 Hour Work Week, 3 times and it is simply incredible. I can’t seem to put it down and get inspired every time I read it. Also I am very familiar with your blog and absolutely love it!!! The random shows are my personal favorites. I’m 22 and taking time off from school in Toronto, its been over a year now. I feel like I’m still in the same position and nothing has changed since last year. I want to start my own business but just can’t seem to find that last bit to get me started. All my life I’ve been dreaming up clever ideas to start, so at least that department of my factory is still active.

Mr. Ferriss from all your adventures through life, what excites you to pursue more?

Roger Gunn
Roger Gunn
12 years ago

Hi Mr. Ferris.

I was given your name today by someone who thought you might be interested to know of what is happening with the CVAC System following the article in the Wall Street Journal about it’s use by Novak Djokovics.

If so, I’d love to hear from you.

best

Roger Gunn

Wendy
Wendy
12 years ago

I am getting a lot of value out of the 4-Hour Body as a triathlete and I’m onto the 4 hour work-week to help with time-management as a solo-practitioner/teacher. At the moment I am looking for some information, similar to what you did with running for cyclists. Also, I really enjoy long rides on the week-end. I was thinking of doing the bing day on the day I cycle to ensure I have enough calories on the bike. Any thoughts or recommendations in this area?

Valerie
Valerie
12 years ago

Tim,

I’m impressed at your ability to be on top, ahead of the curb but honestly your self-improvement advise is not designed for people who have super successful careers and have a personal life. Also, I’m assuming you have are not married or have kids so do you “really” know what you’re talking about?

Singed,

Anonymously interested to believe the self-help guru, but believe he’s an exceptional out-of-the-box self-promoter.

Henry
Henry
12 years ago

Tim,

Great book recommendation! I picked it up right after and found it very interesting and useful. A section that hit me on the head was the price Power people pay, i.e. autonomy (e.g. time, relationships, hobbies, pleasure, etc.)

One of the main points I enjoyed and appreciated from the 4HWW is time and mobility. In effort to gain more Power I don’t think I’m willing to the pay the price of losing autonomy, one of my most valued goals in life.

Best,

Henry

devin dennis
devin dennis
11 years ago

That is some alarming and advantageous advice appropriate there. I cannot delay until the little humans go to beddy-bye so that I can apply and plan some of this being out.Thanks!

Walt Wagner
Walt Wagner
11 years ago

Great show. Some great new apps I will use. Picked up a Nikon 3100 Xmas 2010 great camera. I will check out the exposure book and put it to some use. Living in the DC area there are some great shots you can get if you use the right lighting. Sunset shots of the Potomac and the sights are amazing. I will have to try and make a few of those drinks. I saw the Bulleit Bourbon I received it as a Birthday gift in December. I’m more a Scotch than a Bourbon guy but I must say this stuff is awesome. Like the venue of the show keep mixing it up.

Philipp
Philipp
10 years ago

UI

Candelaria
Candelaria
10 years ago

KM

Mark
Mark
8 years ago

Tiny Houses is growing for good reason. Housing is expensive, debt levels are rising and it’s harder to get ahead and save for retirement. Moderator: link removed]

Galeria Malarstwo Polskie
Galeria Malarstwo Polskie
30 days ago

Your post was not just informative, but also beautifully written. Your talent is evident.