Nat's Notes
Learn from the best books in the world. Every week, host Nat Eliason distills the core wisdom in a book that has either changed the world or may change it in our lifetime. Topics span philosophy, psychology, technology, business, health, history, and more. Explore all of the detailed show notes at natsnotes.com.
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How Buddhism Could Change Your Life (The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying)
12/07/2023
How Buddhism Could Change Your Life (The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying)
What I learned from Pre-order my book Join the Nat’s Notes Newsletter to . If you prefer video, be sure to . Readwise is my favorite reading tool. I use it to automatically extract my highlights from physical books, and I use their Reader to read and highlight everything I find online. Then they automatically organize all of my notes and send them directly to my note-taking tool, so I can immediately look up anything I loved in past books I read. It’s a total game changer for getting the most out of every book you read, and if you love books, you need to be using it. Timestamps [00:58] Doubt Yourself [03:08] Hiding from Death [07:47] We Don’t Know Ourselves [10:51] Western Laziness [14:34] Our Fear of Change [16:38] Becoming a Buddha [20:10] You Are Fundamentally Perfect [22:29] The Goal of Meditation [25:36] How to Meditate [27:26] How Long to Meditate [30:01] What is Karma [33:26] How to Practice [36:36] Asking for Help If you enjoyed this show, please let me know on Twitter () or Instagram ()
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An Incredible Future is Coming (Where is My Flying Car by J Storrs Hall)
11/24/2023
An Incredible Future is Coming (Where is My Flying Car by J Storrs Hall)
What I learned from Join the Nat’s Notes Newsletter to . If you prefer video, be sure to . Readwise is my favorite reading tool. I use it to automatically extract my highlights from physical books, and I use their Reader to read and highlight everything I find online. Then they automatically organize all of my notes and send them directly to my note-taking tool, so I can immediately look up anything I loved in past books I read. It’s a total game changer for getting the most out of every book you read, and if you love books, you need to be using it. Timestamps [1:44] Why Air Travel Stagnated [6:02] We Need to Use More Energy [10:57] Why Has Physical Technology Slowed? [13:07] The Insane Potential of Nanotech [15:03] The Machiavelli Effect [17:21] Failures of Nerve & Imagination [19:39] The Age of Aquarius [21:11] The Climate Change Myth [26:04] The Disaster of Government Regulation [29:44] Bonus Topics If you enjoyed this show, please let me know on Twitter () or Instagram ()
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Truth, Technology, and Building the Future (Anthology of Balaji by Eric Jorgenson)
11/17/2023
Truth, Technology, and Building the Future (Anthology of Balaji by Eric Jorgenson)
What I learned from . Join the Nat’s Notes Newsletter to . If you prefer video, be sure to . Readwise is my favorite reading tool. I use it to automatically extract my highlights from physical books, and I use their Reader to read and highlight everything I find online. Then they automatically organize all of my notes and send them directly to my note-taking tool, so I can immediately look up anything I loved in past books I read. It’s a total game changer for getting the most out of every book you read, and if you love books, you need to be using it. Timestamps [00:54] The End of Death [02:21] The Government Stops Innovation [06:00] Finding New Medicines [08:13] Technology Reduces Inequality [11:05] Why Crypto is Exciting [13:05] Could Bitcoin Replace Gold? [14:24] Printing Digital Wealth [16:13] Youth Extension, not Life Extension [18:17] Scientific Truth vs. Political Truth [20:09] How Science Got Corrupted [21:49] A Popular Idea is not Necessarily True [24:03] What to Focus On [27:38] Bonus Topics If you enjoyed this show, please let me know on Twitter () or Instagram ()
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How to Predict the Future (Same as Ever by Morgan Housel)
11/10/2023
How to Predict the Future (Same as Ever by Morgan Housel)
What I learned from . Join the Nat’s Notes Newsletter to . If you prefer video, be sure to . Readwise is my favorite reading tool. I use it to automatically extract my highlights from physical books, and I use their Reader to read and highlight everything I find online. Then they automatically organize all of my notes and send them directly to my note-taking tool, so I can immediately look up anything I loved in past books I read. It’s a total game changer for getting the most out of every book you read, and if you love books, you need to be using it. Timestamps [00:00] How to Predict the Future [01:57] Risk is What You Don’t See [03:53] People Want Certainty, not Accuracy [07:31] Storytelling is a Superpower [11:06] Calm Times Create Crazy Times [13:19] Don’t Go Too Fast [16:27] More Stress Is Good [17:56] Good News Happens Slowly [19:48] How to Be a Rational Optimist [21:16] Perfection Makes You Fragile [23:10] It’s Supposed to Be Hard [25:04] Don’t Quit When You’re Ahead [26:05] Questions to Ask Yourself If you enjoyed this show, please let me know on Twitter () or Instagram ()
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The Freedom Trap (Freedom by Sebastian Junger)
11/03/2023
The Freedom Trap (Freedom by Sebastian Junger)
What I learned from Join the Nat’s Notes Newsletter to . If you prefer video, be sure to . Readwise is my favorite reading tool. I use it to automatically extract my highlights from physical books, and I use their Reader to read and highlight everything I find online. Then they automatically organize all of my notes and send them directly to my note-taking tool, so I can immediately look up anything I loved in past books I read. It’s a total game changer for getting the most out of every book you read, and if you love books, you need to be using it. Timestamps [00:00] Obsessing Over Freedom [02:50] The 400 Mile Journey [06:41] Towns vs Tribes [09:14] You Can’t Escape Society [12:20] Paradoxes of Wealth & Freedom [13:23] Movement & Freedom [17:21] Risking Death for Others [18:56] Human Rights [22:53] Fighting [26:07] Thinking If you enjoyed this show, please let me know on Twitter () or Instagram ()
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How to End Cravings and Stop Bad Habits (Scarcity Brain by Michael Easter)
10/27/2023
How to End Cravings and Stop Bad Habits (Scarcity Brain by Michael Easter)
What I learned from . Join the Nat’s Notes Newsletter to . Readwise is my favorite reading tool. I use it to automatically extract my highlights from physical books, and I use their Reader to read and highlight everything I find online. Then they automatically organize all of my notes and send them directly to my note-taking tool, so I can immediately look up anything I loved in past books I read. It’s a total game changer for getting the most out of every book you read, and if you love books, you need to be using it. Timestamps: [00:00] We Should Focus on Bad Habits [02:40] The Scarcity Loop [06:19] How to Break the Scarcity Loop [08:50] Scarcity Cues [12:02] Addiction is not a Disease [15:25] How to Combat Addiction [18:15] Gamification & Scarcity Loops [22:02] Food Cravings [27:19] We’re All Hoarders [30:29] Drowning in Information [34:12] How to We Stop Craving More? If you enjoyed this show, please let me know on Twitter () or Instagram ()
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#14 Unlock Your Inner Genius (Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson)
10/20/2023
#14 Unlock Your Inner Genius (Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson)
What I learned from Join the Nat’s Notes Newsletter to . If you prefer video, . Readwise is my favorite reading tool. I use it to automatically extract my highlights from physical books, and I use their Reader to read and highlight everything I find online. Then they automatically organize all of my notes and send them directly to my note-taking tool, so I can immediately look up anything I loved in past books I read. It’s a total game changer for getting the most out of every book you read, and if you love books, you need to be using it. [00:00] Self Reliance [02:34] Trust Your Beliefs [05:29] The Consequences of Not Acting on Your Ideas [08:09] How to Do Meaningful Work [11:46] Don’t Lose Yourself [14:16] Consistency is a Trap [17:14] Living in the Present [21:18] The Travel Trap [23:23] The Cyclical Nature of Society If you enjoyed this show, please let me know on Twitter () or Instagram ()
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#13 Write Better Today (On Writing by Stephen King)
10/13/2023
#13 Write Better Today (On Writing by Stephen King)
What I learned from Join the Nat’s Notes Newsletter to . Readwise is my favorite reading tool. I use it to automatically extract my highlights from physical books, and I use their Reader to read and highlight everything I find online. Then they automatically organize all of my notes and send them directly to my note-taking tool, so I can immediately look up anything I loved in past books I read. It’s a total game changer for getting the most out of every book you read, and if you love books, you need to be using it. [00:00] Intro [01:29] Stephen King’s Career [07:05] Battling with Addiction [10:08] How to Be A Writer [13:13] There Must be Joy [16:34] 2,000 Words a Day [19:25] How to Tell Stories [23:39] The Power of Honesty [26:00] Editing Your Work If you enjoyed this show, please let me know on Twitter () or Instagram ()
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#12 The Communist Manifesto
10/06/2023
#12 The Communist Manifesto
What I learned from reading Join the Nat’s Notes Newsletter to . Readwise is my favorite reading tool. I use it to automatically extract my highlights from physical books, and I use their Reader to read and highlight everything I find online. Then they automatically organize all of my notes and send them directly to my note-taking tool, so I can immediately look up anything I loved in past books I read. It’s a total game changer for getting the most out of every book you read, and if you love books, you need to be using it. (00:00) Why the Communist Manifesto (03:04) Defining the Benefits of Communism (07:22) The Source of Class Divide (10:58) Reactions to the Divide (15:01) Bourgeoisie & Industry are Doomed to Fail (18:12) Abolition of Private Property (21:49) Wage Labor is Subsistence Living (23:57) The Communist Utopia (26:23) Why Would Anyone Work Hard? (28:37) Utopia vs Reality (32:50) Questionable Solutions to Real Problems If you enjoyed this show, please let me know on Twitter () or Instagram ()
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#11 Creating Your Life's Work (The War of Art & Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield)
09/29/2023
#11 Creating Your Life's Work (The War of Art & Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield)
What I learned from two of my favorite books on doing creative work, and , both by Steven Pressfield. Join the Nat’s Notes Newsletter to . Readwise is my favorite reading tool. I use it to automatically extract my highlights from physical books, and I use their Reader to read and highlight everything I find online. Then they automatically organize all of my notes and send them directly to my note-taking tool, so I can immediately look up anything I loved in past books I read. It’s a total game changer for getting the most out of every book you read, and if you love books, you need to be using it. (00:00) The Battle with Your Mind (04:44) What is the War of Art? (08:43) Where Resistance Shows Up (12:25) Resistance at the Finish Line (13:50) The Forms of Resistance (19:28) Support as Resistance (21:39) The Need to Turn Pro (25:10) Shadow Callings and Shadow Careers (27:31) Destructive Addictions (29:58) Fear and Amateurs (32:22) How to Turn Pro If you enjoyed this show, please let me know on Twitter () or Instagram ()
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#10 Don't Fear Your Full Potential (The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker)
09/22/2023
#10 Don't Fear Your Full Potential (The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker)
What I learned from Join the Nat’s Notes Newsletter to . Readwise is my favorite reading tool. I use it to automatically extract my highlights from physical books, and I use their Reader to read and highlight everything I find online. Then they automatically organize all of my notes and send them directly to my note-taking tool, so I can immediately look up anything I loved in past books I read. It’s a total game changer for getting the most out of every book you read, and if you love books, you need to be using it. (00:00) Why Do You Do What You Do? (02:07) How Do You Feel Heroic? (11:22) The Fear of Death (15:07) Evolution and Anxiety (17:34) Why Aren’t We More Courageous? (21:36) Struggle as a False Sense of Control (24:10) Automatic Cultural Man (NPCs) (28:03) The Foundation of Self Belief (31:10) Cosmic Heroism (33:36) Looking for Meaning (38:01) How to Live If you enjoyed this show, please let me know on Twitter () or Instagram ()
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#9 Productivity Won't Make You Happy (4,000 Weeks by Oliver Burkeman)
09/15/2023
#9 Productivity Won't Make You Happy (4,000 Weeks by Oliver Burkeman)
What I learned from Join the Nat’s Notes Newsletter to . Readwise is my favorite reading tool. I use it to automatically extract my highlights from physical books, and I use their Reader to read and highlight everything I find online. Then they automatically organize all of my notes and send them directly to my note-taking tool, so I can immediately look up anything I loved in past books I read. It’s a total game changer for getting the most out of every book you read, and if you love books, you need to be using it. [00:58] The Deeper Problem with Productivity [03:19] Our Relationship with Time [08:51] Fixating on Control Leads to Misery [13:20] Distraction and Relaxation [17:09] Living Out of the Moment [20:29] Leisure as the Center of Life [23:52] You Only Get 4,000 Weeks If you enjoyed this show, please let me know on Twitter () or Instagram ()
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#8 The Bad Boy of Stoicism (Montaigne's Essays)
09/08/2023
#8 The Bad Boy of Stoicism (Montaigne's Essays)
What I learned from Join the Nat’s Notes Newsletter to . Readwise is my favorite reading tool. I use it to automatically extract my highlights from physical books, and I use their Reader to read and highlight everything I find online. Then they automatically organize all of my notes and send them directly to my note-taking tool, so I can immediately look up anything I loved in past books I read. It’s a total game changer for getting the most out of every book you read, and if you love books, you need to be using it. [02:47] Reason Over Escapism [05:59] Staying Unattached to Society [08:05] True and Fake Pleasures [12:16] Having Ideas vs. Regurgitating Others [13:43] How to Learn [17:54] Wealth and Ambition [22:30] Ambition vs Contentment [28:29] Controlling Your Will [36:16] The Value of Challenge [38:13] Managing Fear of Loss [40:40] Educating Children If you enjoyed this show, please let me know on Twitter () or Instagram ()
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#7 The Fertility Crisis (Count Down by Dr. Shanna Swan)
09/01/2023
#7 The Fertility Crisis (Count Down by Dr. Shanna Swan)
What I learned from Join the Nat’s Notes Newsletter to . Readwise is my favorite reading tool. I use it to automatically extract my highlights from physical books, and I use their Reader to read and highlight everything I find online. Then they automatically organize all of my notes and send them directly to my note-taking tool, so I can immediately look up anything I loved in past books I read. It’s a total game changer for getting the most out of every book you read, and if you love books, you need to be using it. TIMESTAMPS [03:32] How Bad Is It? [09:29] Disastrous Changes in Sperm Count [11:32] Consequences of Low Testosterone [15:11] The Rise in Miscarriages [18:51] How Your Fertility is Determined in the Womb [25:34] Effects of Alcohol, Marijuana, and Opioids [30:53] Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Gender Dysphoria [35:38] The Effects of Pesticides and Herbicides [40:00] How to Protect Your Fertility If you enjoyed this show, please let me know on Twitter () or Instagram ()
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#6 The Case for Pessimism (Schopenhauer's Essays and Aphorisms)
08/25/2023
#6 The Case for Pessimism (Schopenhauer's Essays and Aphorisms)
What I learned from Join the Nat’s Notes Newsletter to . Readwise is my favorite reading tool. I use it to automatically extract my highlights from physical books, and I use their Reader to read and highlight everything I find online. Then they automatically organize all of my notes and send them directly to my note-taking tool, so I can immediately look up anything I loved in past books I read. It’s a total game changer for getting the most out of every book you read, and if you love books, you need to be using it. Equip is my go-to source for high quality, whole food supplements. I take their beef liver capsules almost every single day since I know how good organ meat is for me, but I don’t want to have to cook liver. If you aren’t getting any organ meat in your diet, this is a great way to add it. And they’re giving 15% off to listeners of Nat’s Notes. [01:28] Schopenhauer's Philosophy [03:00] Philosophical Pessimism [07:21] Schopenhauer's Life [09:39] The Drudgery of Work [17:03] Experience, Representation, and Perception [22:00] Is Life Suffering [25:26] Desire and Boredom [27:36] The Wisdom and Folly of Mindfulness [33:46] Wealth is Unfulfilling [36:49] Thinking for Yourself [43:19] Why Our Education System is Broken [45:38] Good vs. Bad Writing [50:32] Struggle, Set Goals, or Contemplate If you enjoyed this show, please let me know on Twitter () or Instagram ()
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#5 My Favorite Nonfiction Book (Finite & Infinite Games)
08/18/2023
#5 My Favorite Nonfiction Book (Finite & Infinite Games)
What I learned from Join the Nat’s Notes Newsletter to . Readwise is my favorite reading tool. I use it to automatically extract my highlights from physical books, and I use their Reader to read and highlight everything I find online. Then they automatically organize all of my notes and send them directly to my note-taking tool, so I can immediately look up anything I loved in past books I read. It’s a total game changer for getting the most out of every book you read, and if you love books, you need to be using it. Timestamps [05:21] Your limits are self-imposed [09:53] How we give laws power [10:58] Infinite games are playful [13:46] The limitations of being serious [15:19] Power vs. strength [17:17] Competition is a choice [18:15] Avoiding zero-sum thinking [23:45] Poise, vision, and laughter [24:31] Time and freedom [27:55] The machine vs. the garden [33:36] Stories spread organically If you enjoyed this show, please let me know on Twitter () or Instagram ()
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#4 The Tasty Rock that Changed the World (Salt: A World History)
08/11/2023
#4 The Tasty Rock that Changed the World (Salt: A World History)
What I learned from Join the Nat’s Notes Newsletter to . Readwise is my favorite reading tool. I use it to automatically extract my highlights from physical books, and I use their Reader to read and highlight everything I find online. Then they automatically organize all of my notes and send them directly to my note-taking tool, so I can immediately look up anything I loved in past books I read. It’s a total game changer for getting the most out of every book you read, and if you love books, you need to be using it. It also has the best-in-class article reader for saving everything I find online. You gotta try it out. Timestamps (02:15) Why a Book About Salt? (04:50) Why Civilization Depended on Salt (07:15) Salt and Fertility (09:18) Ancient China (11:02) Ancient Egypt (13:39) Salt’s Impact on Early Trade Routes (15:25) Ancient Rome (17:43) Venice’s Salt Monopoly (24:00) The Hanseatic League (29:12) Early American Civilizations (32:59) North American Colonies & Revolution (37:15) The French Revolution (39:13) The American Civil War (41:27) Salt’s Impact on Energy (43:46) The Decline of Salt (44:31) Is Salt Healthy? If you enjoyed this show, please let me know on Twitter () or Instagram ()
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#3 What Nietzsche Can Teach'ya (Thus Spoke Zarathustra)
08/04/2023
#3 What Nietzsche Can Teach'ya (Thus Spoke Zarathustra)
What I learned from Join the Nat’s Notes Newsletter to . Readwise is my favorite reading tool. I use it to extract my highlights from physical books, and I use their Reader to read and highlight everything I find online. Then they organize all of my notes and send them directly to my note-taking tool, so I can immediately look up anything I loved in past books I read. It’s a total game changer for getting the most out of every book you read, and if you love books, you need to be using it. Timestamps (2:30) Readwise (03:40) God is Dead (06:28) What Do You Worship (08:41) Creating Something Beyond Yourself (10:27) No Soul, No Free Will (12:45) Worshipping the State (13:59) The Superman (16:43) Old Virtues Are Cowardice (19:25) The Good and Bad of Christian Morals (21:25) The Myth of Equality (26:16) Marriage and Children (30:41) The Will to Power (Power Motivates Us) (33:19) Good and Evil Don’t Exist (36:15) Eternal Recurrence Books Mentioned This is Water: The Fourth Turning: Straw Dogs: The Denial of Death: Man’s Search for Meaning: The Comfort Crisis: The Lessons of History: Letters from a Stoic: If you enjoyed this show, please let me know on Twitter () or Instagram ()
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#2 Your Problems Aren't Real (Straw Dogs by John Gray)
07/28/2023
#2 Your Problems Aren't Real (Straw Dogs by John Gray)
What I learned from Straw Dogs: . Join the Nat’s Notes Newsletter to . Books Mentioned in the Episode: The Fourth Turning: Meditations: Works and Days: The Drama of the Gifted Child: Atomic Habits: Power of Habit: Darwin’s Dangerous Idea: Denial of Death: Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (01:34) Why This Book (03:00) Progress is a Myth (05:52) We’re Not That Different from Animals (10:03) Science is a Form of Faith (13:48) The Self is an Illusion (20:02) Morality Moves in Cycles (23:15) Our Obsession with Control (26:51) We’re Terrified We’re Useless (29:13) We Use Productivity as Escapism (33:13) The Purpose of Life If you enjoyed this show, please let me know on Twitter () or Instagram ()
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#1 Do You Know What Your Food Ate? (What Your Food Ate by David R Montgomery & Anne Biklé)
07/21/2023
#1 Do You Know What Your Food Ate? (What Your Food Ate by David R Montgomery & Anne Biklé)
What I learned from by David R. Montgomery and Anne Bikle. Join the Nat’s Notes Newsletter to . (1:25) Nutritional Differences in Organic vs. Conventional Foods (4:09) The Effects of Plowing on Food Quality (8:10) Why Glyphosate Might Be Killing You (11:11) The Risk of Artificial Fertilizers vs. Manure (15:16) Nutritional Differences in Whole vs. “White” Grains (18:31) Effects of Pesticides and Herbicides on Mental Health (22:41) Is Milk Healthy? (26:33) Why Some, But Not All, Meat is Bad for Your Health If you enjoyed this show or have any feedback, please let me know on Twitter () or Instagram ()
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Welcome to Nat's Notes
07/20/2023
Welcome to Nat's Notes
Hello and welcome to Nat’s Notes! In this podcast I will be finding the best books in the world, old and new, known and unknown, and sharing the more powerful, insightful, and life-changing things I learn from them with all of you here. Please subscribe to make sure you get every future episode. And join the Nat’s Notes Newsletter to .
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