The Knowledge Project

The Outlier Playbook: The Patterns Behind Enduring Success

What do some of the greatest outliers in business history have in common? For the past year, I’ve been sharing the stories of history's greatest outliers like James Dyson, Estée Lauder, Sol Price, Henry Singleton, Les Schwab, Rose Blumkin, Jim Clayton, and Andrew Mellon. These are names that deserve to be studied, but rarely are. This episode explores the mindsets, systems and patterns history’s most notable outliers used to turn adversity into long-term advantage. ----- Approximate Timestamps: (00:00) - Introduction (01:51) - Part 1: A Taste for Saltwater (09:20) - Part 2: Do it now (17:40) Ad Break (19:37) - Part 3: Systems to Scale (30:51) - Part 4: Understand What Really Matters ----- Upgrade: Get a hand edited transcripts and ad free experiences along with my thoughts and reflections at the end of every conversation. Learn more @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fs.blog/membership [https://fs.blog/membership/] ------ Newsletter: The Brain Food newsletter delivers actionable insights and thoughtful ideas every Sunday. It takes 5 minutes to read, and it’s completely free. Learn more and sign up at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fs.blog/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://fs.blog/newsletter/] ------ Follow Shane Parrish:X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/shaneparrish⁠ [%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0https://x.com/shaneparrish] Insta: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/farnamstreet/⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-parrish-050a2183/⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-parrish-050a2183/] ------ Thank you to the sponsors for this episode: .tech domains: Nothing says tech like being on .tech⁠⁠⁠ https://get.tech/⁠⁠ [%20https://get.tech/] reMarkable: Get your paper tablet at ⁠⁠https://www.reMarkable.com⁠⁠ [https://www.reMarkable.com] today ----- This episode is for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Pierre Poilievre on the Role of Government, Freedom, and Affordability

This week, we're releasing a special episode of TKP with Pierre Poilievre. While we don't often tackle politics on the show, we are trying to improve political discourse by offering a platform for both sides to speak with depth and nuance. This episode covers the economy, media, free speech, immigration, corporate subsidies, and more. (And before you ask, the same invite was extended to both Pierre and Prime Minister Mark Carney). ----- Approximate Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (01:31) What is the Role of Government? (03:31) Canadian National Identity (05:52) Canada's Global Role (07:33) Immigration: Problems & Solutions (09:37) What's Going Right? (14:50) Second & Third Order Consequences (17:52) Government Spending & Economic Prospects (20:05) Positioning: Canada & the United States (24:36) Canada & Foreign Companies (26:57) Fighting for Canada Long Term (30:05) Weaponized Complexity (31:52) What Role Does the Media Play? (37:49) Rapid Fire: Get to Know Pierre (47:44) Maintaining Hope in Politics (49:06) The Drug Crisis (54:00) Bringing Hope into 2026 ----- Upgrade: Get a hand edited transcripts and ad free experiences along with my thoughts and reflections at the end of every conversation. Learn more @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fs.blog/membership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://fs.blog/membership/] ----- Newsletter: The Brain Food newsletter delivers actionable insights and thoughtful ideas every Sunday. It takes 5 minutes to read, and it’s completely free. Learn more and sign up at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fs.blog/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://fs.blog/newsletter/] ----- Follow Shane Parrish: X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/shaneparrish [https://x.com/shaneparrish] Insta: https://www.instagram.com/farnamstreet/ [https://www.instagram.com/farnamstreet/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-parrish-050a2183/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-parrish-050a2183/] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Be Your Best in 2026: The Most Important Lessons from The Knowledge Project (2025)

The Knowledge Project closes 2025 with a look back at the most meaningful conversations of the year. Featuring insights from some of our most impactful episodes, this collection brings together practical insights on decision-making, leadership, preparation, relationships, trust, and performance. This episode features insights from world-class investor Alfred Lin, tech founder and operator Bret Taylor, behavioral scientist Logan Ury, legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick, former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, disciplined value investor Anthony Scilipoti, trust and communication expert Lulu Cheng Meservey, Shopify President Harley Finkelstein, and performance coach Jim Murphy. These are the insights that help you prepare better, make clearer decisions, and build momentum for the year ahead. Thank you for listening and we can't wait to see you next year. ----- Approximate Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (01:32) Alfred Lin: Inputs vs Outputs - Daily Routines and Priorities (08:05) Bret Taylor: Founder Mode (Accountability vs. Caricature) (19:43) Ad Break (21:58) Logan Ury: Navigating Relationships and Attachments (29:04) Bill Belichick: Preparation and Success In Life And The NFL (38:33) Indra Nooyi: Delivering a Message That Gets Heard (43:36) Anthony Scilipoti: Don’t Rely on AI, You Still Have to Put the Work In (52:11) Lulu Cheng Meservey: Engineering Trust and Building Confidence That Others Can Believe In (57:53) Harley Finkelstein: Overcoming Failure + The Hard Work Behind the Life You Want (1:05:15) Jim Murphy: Performance Habits of Successful People ----- Upgrade: Get a hand edited transcripts and ad free experiences along with my thoughts and reflections at the end of every conversation. Learn more @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fs.blog/membership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://fs.blog/membership/] ------ Newsletter: The Brain Food newsletter delivers actionable insights and thoughtful ideas every Sunday. It takes 5 minutes to read, and it’s completely free. Learn more and sign up at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fs.blog/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://fs.blog/newsletter/] ------ Follow Shane Parrish: X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/shaneparrish [https://x.com/shaneparrish] Insta: https://www.instagram.com/farnamstreet/ [%20https://www.instagram.com/farnamstreet/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-parrish-050a2183/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-parrish-050a2183/] ------ Thank you to the sponsors for this episode: Basecamp: Stop struggling, start making progress. Get somewhere with Basecamp. Sign up free at http://basecamp.com/knowledgeproject [http://basecamp.com/knowledgeproject] reMarkable: Get your paper tablet at https://www.reMarkable.com [https://www.reMarkable.com] today Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Bernie Marcus: The Home Depot Story [Outliers]

Bernie Marcus is the co-founder and former CEO of Home Depot.  This is how he built a culture of ownership, kept going when everyone turned him down, nearly lost it all, and created one of the most successful retailers in history.  ----- Approximate Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (02:00) Part 1: An Accidental Miracle (09:29) Part 2: A Golden Horseshoe Kick (25:49) Part 3: Building From Nothing (38:53) Part 4: Orange Everywhere (49:40) Part 5: The Legacy (54:17) Lessons ----- Upgrade: Get a hand edited transcripts and ad free experiences along with my thoughts and reflections at the end of every conversation. Learn more @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fs.blog/membership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://fs.blog/membership/] ------ Newsletter: The Brain Food newsletter delivers actionable insights and thoughtful ideas every Sunday. It takes 5 minutes to read, and it’s completely free. Learn more and sign up at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fs.blog/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://fs.blog/newsletter/] ------ Follow Shane Parrish: X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/shaneparrish [%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0https://x.com/shaneparrish] Insta: https://www.instagram.com/farnamstreet/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-parrish-050a2183/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-parrish-050a2183/] ------ Thank you to the sponsors for this episode: .tech domains: Nothing says tech like being on .tech⁠⁠ https://get.tech/⁠ [%20https://get.tech/] reMarkable: Get your paper tablet at ⁠https://www.reMarkable.com⁠ [https://www.reMarkable.com] today ----- Sources: Marcus, Bernie, and Arthur Blank. Built from Scratch: How a Couple of Regular Guys Grew The Home Depot from Nothing to $30 Billion. New York: Crown Business, 1999. Best Practice Institute. "Bernie Marcus Interview." YouTube video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNP0YYDi1FY. ----- This episode is for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

How to Think Like a World-Class Marketer | Rory Sutherland

Ogilvy Vice Chairman Rory Sutherland reveals the formula for persuasion, why people make decisions and how you can use psychology to your advantage. Rory is the world’s leading advertising strategist. He spent almost four decades as Ogilvy studying why people behave the way they do and how to change that behavior. He explains why contrast drives choices and efficiency often destroys value, and how trust, friction, and design shape real-world behavior. +Rory was previously on the show, check out episode 19. [https://fs.blog/knowledge-project-podcast/rory-sutherland/] ----- Approximate Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (01:31) AI and Decision Making (03:48) Are We Looking for Efficiency in the Wrong Place? (15:52) Ad Break (18:09) Ice Cold Beer Thought Experiment (19:56) Trust and Manipulation (27:15) Dyson Customer Experience and 'Brand Quake' (29:21) Customer Value Thinking (34:28) Why Is Dyson So Effective at Marketing? (36:28) Ad Break (38:51) Map/Territory Problem in Business (39:27) The Problem with Shareholders (42:29) The Problem with 'Tech Bro' Decision Making (45:14) Warren Buffett’s Approach to Choosing Management (47:52) John Bragg’s Approach to Buying Infrastructure (51:23) High Trust vs Low Trust Societies (58:45) What Can We Learn from the Mad Men Era of Marketing (1:03:59) The Danger of Bad Marketing (1:17:47) Navigating Cancel Culture with Common Sense (1:29:59) Signalling to Ourselves When We Purchase Something (1:39:06) Changing of Societal Norms (1:43:27) How to Write Good Copy (1:56:30) What Is Success for You? ----- Upgrade: Get a hand edited transcripts and ad free experiences along with my thoughts and reflections at the end of every conversation. Learn more @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fs.blog/membership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://fs.blog/membership/] ------ Newsletter: The Brain Food newsletter delivers actionable insights and thoughtful ideas every Sunday. It takes 5 minutes to read, and it’s completely free. Learn more and sign up at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fs.blog/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://fs.blog/newsletter/] ------ Follow Shane Parrish: X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/shaneparrish [%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0https://x.com/shaneparrish] Insta: https://www.instagram.com/farnamstreet/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-parrish-050a2183/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-parrish-050a2183/] ------ Thank you to the sponsors for this episode: Basecamp: Stop struggling, start making progress. Get somewhere with Basecamp. Sign up free at http://basecamp.com/knowledgeproject [http://basecamp.com/knowledgeproject] reMarkable: Get your paper tablet at https://www.reMarkable.com [https://www.reMarkable.com] today .tech domains: Nothing says tech like being on .tech https://get.tech/ [%20https://get.tech/] Shopify: https://shopify.com/knowledgeproject [https://shopify.com/knowledgeproject] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]