I’m going back to digg, full-time, with new tools

I’m returning to Digg full-time, starting the first week of April. This is the company I started back in 2004, and stepping back into the driver’s seat feels both surreal and completely right.

Here’s the reality: the team that recently relaunched Digg ran head-first into one of the gnarliest problems on the internet right now - smart bots. Not the clumsy spam bots of the early web. These are sophisticated AI-driven agents that flooded the platform within hours of launch. Tens of thousands of fake accounts. The team deployed every tool they could, internal (and external vendors), and it still wasn’t enough. When you can’t trust that the votes, comments, and engagement are real, you’ve lost the very foundation a community platform is built on.

On top of that, the gravitational pull of existing social platforms is massive. Network effects aren’t just a moat - they’re a wall. Positioning Digg as simply an “alternative” to the incumbents was never going to cut it. What comes next needs to be genuinely different.

So we’re doing a hard reset. A small, determined team is stepping up to rebuild with a completely reimagined approach. And here’s the thing that makes me genuinely optimistic: advances in AI tooling have fundamentally changed how we operate. The entire team is now actively building, and we’re able to run multiple parallel efforts at once. It’s now realistic for us to prototype a number of products concurrently, which meaningfully expands our surface area for discovery. That wasn’t possible even a year ago.

I’ll continue advising True Ventures, but Digg is now my primary focus. And yes, Diggnation will continue recording monthly while we figure this out. I couldn’t be more fired up.

The Kevin Rose Show is (finally) back

For those who don’t know, my studio was destroyed in the LA fires. It’s taken months, but we’ve fully rebuilt and will be operational in the next three weeks with a weekly AI-focused podcast, along with occasional general geek interest and personal development shows.

So why more AI content? Here’s why this matters to me: we are living through the most transformational technology shift of our lifetimes. AI is moving at a pace that makes the early internet look like it was standing still. I want you - my readers, my community - to be in the know. I want to future-proof you for what’s coming. Whether you’re a founder, an investor, a creative, or just someone who’s curious about the world, now is the time to get up to speed. This podcast is my way of making sure you have a front-row seat.

The Solopreneur Revolution Is Here

Speaking of the podcast reboot, a brand new podcast episode just dropped - and the founder has a very ambitious idea.

I sat down with Ben Cera, the solo founder and CEO of Polsia. If you haven’t heard of Polsia, it’s wild: a platform where you type in a business idea and AI agents instantly go to work building it for you. Market research, landing pages, Meta ad campaigns, cold outreach - Polsia spins up autonomous agents that function like a full startup team.

Ben went from building alone with AI sixteen hours a day to hitting product-market fit and scaling to millions in ARR as a one-person company. A one-person company. Let that sink in.

Whether you’re a non-technical dreamer with an idea or a seasoned builder rethinking what’s possible, this one’s worth your time.

New Random Show with Tim Ferriss

Lastly - Tim and I just dropped a new Random Show and it’s a sprawling, ridiculous, wonderful mess of a conversation. Just the way we like it.

We got into everything: Colonoscopy confessions, a deep dive on adult LEGO as a legitimate creative and therapeutic practice (Tim’s obsessed with the Great Wave set, I’m into the bonsai tree), we swapped notes on our respective coffee and tea pilgrimages through Japan and Taiwan (Glitch Coffee in Ginza), and Tim gave me grief for pronouncing “espresso” as “expresso.” Fair enough.

But the real meat: we dove into how full genome sequencing helped me crack a health issue I’d been struggling with for years, the intersection of AI and life sciences, deepfake concerns , genetic data privacy, the promise and limitations of accelerated TMS for depression, and some truly fascinating stuff on the future of wearable health tech.

Full episode here.

---

It’s a wild time to be alive. Between rebuilding Digg, getting the show back up, and watching AI reshape everything around us - I’ve never felt more energized. Thanks for being here. More soon.

Be well 🙏,

In this episode, I sit down with Ben Cera, solo founder and CEO of Polsia.

Polsia is a platform where you type in a business idea and AI agents instantly go to work building it for you. From market research and landing pages to Meta ad campaigns and cold outreach, Polsia spins up autonomous agents that function like a full startup team.

Ben shares how he went from building alone with AI 16 hours a day to hitting product–market fit, scaling to millions in ARR as a one-person company, and why he believes AGI is already here.

Whether you’re a non-technical dreamer with a business idea or a seasoned builder rethinking what’s possible, this conversation offers a front-row seat to the solopreneur revolution.

Topics Covered

• How building alone with AI for a year led Ben to realize agents could replace an entire startup team

• The origin of the name Polsia (”AI Slop” spelled backwards) and why he stopped caring what investors think

• Rick Rubin’s creative philosophy and why building for yourself, not others, is the only way to survive the grind

• Universal Paperclips as design inspiration: choosing weird over polished on purpose

• Why Polsia’s autonomous “night shift” cycle is both a product decision and a cost + feedback loop strategy

• The Meta ads engine: click a button, set a budget, and AI creates Sora-generated UGC video ads deployed on your behalf

• Scaling pain as a solo founder: rate limits, infrastructure meltdowns, and building support agents to fix what broke

• Why Ben refuses to hire, “eating his own dog food” so customers never face a problem he hasn’t solved

• The case that 80% autonomous companies will outcompete everyone else within the next few years

• Travis Kalanick as mentor, the “push through the pain” philosophy, and five years at CloudKitchens

• Polsia’s long-term vision: an AI-native economy with investor agents, micro-acquisitions, and a more democratic American dream

• Opus vs. Codex: Ben’s dual-model workflow for pragmatic shipping and ruthless bug-finding

• Why the solo billion-dollar company isn’t about ego, it’s a wake-up call

Links

• Polsia — https://polsia.ai

• Polsia Live Dashboard — https://polsia.ai/live

• Ben Cera on X (Twitter)

• Universal Paperclips — the clicker game that inspired Polsia’s design

Clearly I was serious when I said I didn’t want to overwhelm your inbox with too many emails. It’s been a few months since my last update, but I’ve got quite the action-packed one for you.

Project updates —

It’s never been a better time to build in tech. My toolkit keeps getting better — ChatGPT 5.2 and Gemini 3 just dropped, and combined with my daily drivers (Opus 4.5, Cursor 2), I’ve finally become a productive nights-and-weekends engineer. So, what am I up to? A lot.

🪏 Digg Rebooted

Justin continues to lead Digg’s day-to-day operations as CEO and has assembled an exceptional team. They are progressing rapidly toward launching open communities early next year. That will mark the beginning of the real creative phase — when the more ambitious ideas that set Digg apart can come to life. By early next year, we will finally be positioned to answer the key question: “How is this different from Reddit?”

🧪 Digg Labs

My nights and weekends are spent prototyping the wilder side of community formation and sharing, rethinking everything from the ground up. This is our tiny skunkworks lab (just two of us), with the goal of testing new types of trusted social interactions. Early next year, we will unveil an early alpha of a fun idea around micro private communities. In a world where AI slop takes over social, this will be a very protected and private space. I plan to test this as a replacement for the Circle community that I currently have — alpha invites coming your way soon 💥.

🍁 Oak Is Back

Some of you may remember Oak, the meditation and breathing app I built years ago. With close to 2M downloads, 30k reviews (4.8 stars), and after five years without updates, it’s been looking for some love and needs to be rewritten. The buddy who took it over many years ago has returned it to me, so I’m back at the wheel. The plan: new breathing exercises, a social gratitude journal, a couple of Henry Shukman meditations, and more.

If you’re a mid-to senior-level React Native or Flutter engineer — ideally based in LA or willing to relocate — I’d love to hear from you. You’d be working out of my incubator space alongside me. AI-first (you live in Cursor) is a must. This isn’t a remote gig; it’s a build-together opportunity. Reply to this email with your X handle/GitHub/LinkedIn if that sounds like your kind of thing.

🔮 The Next (Next)

I’m thrilled to tease a new project I’ve been quietly building: a live technology interview show called The Next (Next). If you remember my old Foundation series, this lives in that spirit — conversations that go deep, but with a different focus. Rather than only spotlighting household names in tech, The Next is about showing you the upcoming trends, emerging founders, and the technologies worth paying attention to before they become the next big thing.

I’m currently building out a new studio (mine, as you may remember, burned down in the LA fires), with construction wrapping up in early January. More details soon.

🍻 Life Update: 6.5 Months of Sobriety

I recently completed a little over six months of sobriety. It was an experiment I’d been wanting to run for a long time — mainly to understand what life felt like without alcohol as a default social lubricant.

It was a wild road, actually much harder than I had anticipated. The first few weeks were the honeymoon period; then the “I made it to a month, you deserve a drink!” feelings crept in. What’s interesting is exploring who it is that’s saying that. Who is saying I deserve a drink — and to whom? And more importantly: How far can you trace that congratulatory chatter? What relief is it looking for?

These are deeper questions, but they dovetail nicely with my meditation practice, so I enjoy exploring them. After the six-month mark, I decided to break sobriety at a nice dinner with friends. The verdict? Alcohol unfortunately isn’t as much fun as it once was. Even a couple of drinks dramatically change my sleep, mood, and meditation practice.

So, I plan to return to that sober life, but without making alcohol my enemy. There’s a quote from Anthony de Mello that has stayed with me throughout this process:

“When you fight something, you’re tied to it forever. As long as you’re fighting it, you’re giving it power.”

I don’t want to define myself by what I’m against. I want freedom — the kind that comes from indifference, not resistance.

A note of caution: Many people can’t come to a place of indifference, and the daily struggle is real. I have several sober friends who have found freedom and clarity through committed 12-step programs. If you find yourself in this boat, please look into these — there is great wisdom in many of these organizations.

The Random Show with Tim Ferriss

We’re back! Topics include building with AI, holiday gift guides, sober life, Tim’s new girlfriend, and more.

That’s it for this newsletter.

Thanks for being here and reading this far. In a world of infinite scroll and constant distraction, the fact that you signed up to receive words in your inbox still feels like a small miracle.

More soon, and wishing you fantastic holidays with your loved ones.

Hi everyone 👋 –

I know it’s been a minute since I’ve dropped into your inbox. Life has been wonderfully chaotic, and I’ve been deep in some exciting projects. But I’m back with something I think you’re really going to enjoy.

I just recorded a podcast with my longtime friend Anish Acharya, who’s now a General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz. We go way back – we worked together at Google – and somehow we’ve never actually sat down and recorded a conversation together until now.

We covered a ton of ground:

• How the “like” button came into existence

• What consumer investing really looks like

• The rise of “vibe coding” and why creativity is about to become the most valuable skill in a world

• The weird future of AI-powered recording devices (and why they make everyone uncomfortable)

It truly is a wild time to be alive, one where anyone with curiosity and creativity can single-handedly build anything they desire. I hope you walk away with some inspiration and new tools! Give it a listen and let me know what you think.

Be well,

Kevin Rose

Her story starts in a place many of us know too well—grinding away at a high level, chasing perfection, until something inside her pushed back. For her, it the eventual realization she was losing her love for the very thing she'd given her life to.

What happened next is where it gets wild.

A friend suggested she try sitting at a Zen center. First night, 25 minutes of silence, and despite her distracted mind going chatter (what mediators call "monkey mind"), she felt like she'd come home. That was 30 years ago.

Why you should listen

For the high performers: Valerie directly addresses the fear that meditation will make you soft or kill your edge. Spoiler: it won't. She explains how laying down what she calls "the great burden" actually freed up her mental bandwidth. You don't lose your drive—you just stop wasting energy on all the unnecessary mental overhead.

For the curious: We break down what Zen actually is (beyond the greeting cards and perfume bottles), what koans are, and how to start a (serious) practice.

For anyone who's lost someone: At the end, I asked Valerie about dealing with loss. I lost my dad over a decade ago and still miss him . Her response...that those we've lost are "right here" in ways we might not expect.

A few moments that stuck with me:

• When she realized "unconditional love isn't something you give or receive-it's what you are"

• Her teacher saying a human personality is just "a lump of karma" (we're all still our messy selves, just held together less tightly)

• Time collapsing into a single point where the only moment that exists is now

If you're even slightly curious about meditation, or if you're already practicing but want to go deeper, this one's worth your time.

You can find Valerie's teaching at mountaincloud.org if you want to sit with her online or visit Mountain Cloud Zen Center in Santa Fe.

Let me know what you think.

Be well,

A new podcast episode is out! (Apple, Snipd, Spotify, RSS)

On the second episode of my new podcast, "Less Than One," I get deeply personal as I sit down with my good friend of over twenty years, Jason DeFilippo, to discuss a topic that's significantly shaped both of our lives: our relationship with alcohol.

Our friendship, like so many others, was built over countless pints and late-night conversations. Jason opens up about his harrowing experience - a near-fatal stroke directly linked to his long struggle with alcohol. He shares what hitting rock bottom felt like, detailing the frightening physical and mental aftermath, and how he worked to reclaim his life.

Inspired by Jason's journey and dealing with some health warnings of my own, I also share my decision to explore sobriety. We talk openly about the social anxiety and dependencies I've grappled with since childhood. Together, Jason and I unpack what alcoholism truly means, the complexities and insights of 12-step programs, and the unexpected freedom that comes from making amends and choosing to live one day at a time.

Ultimately, this conversation goes beyond simply quitting drinking; it’s about embrace change, getting older, the strength found in vulnerability, and the evolution of a lifelong friendship.

(Apple, Snipd, Spotify, RSS)

Hope you enjoy,

After years of exploring the outer edges of technology, productivity, and entrepreneurship on the Kevin Rose Show, I'm excited to share something deeply personal with you.

Today marks the launch of "Less than One," a new podcast dedicated to subtraction, human connection, meditative depth, minimalism, sober living, and the journeys of authentic builders crafting meaningful lives.

I know these topics aren't for everyone—but for those who've been quietly curious about a more reflective side, this is for you.

Our inaugural episode features Jason Fried, co-founder of 37signals and co-author of Rework, who embodies what I call the "authentic builder."

Over 25 years, Jason has forged a path that runs completely counter to hustle culture, proving that working less, constraining your ambitions, and focusing on what truly matters isn't a limitation—it's a superpower.

We dive deep into his philosophy that "small is not just a stepping stone, small is a great destination itself," and explore how he's built sustainable success through trust, genuine appreciation, and the radical act of letting things happen rather than forcing them.

This isn't replacing the Kevin Rose Show—I'll continue exploring the latest in tech, AI, and health optimization there. Think of this as the contemplative counterpart, the space where we slow down and examine what it means to build not just successful products, but a slower meaningful life. It's for those moments when you're wondering if there's more to success than the next optimization, the next hack, or the next breakthrough.

You'll need to seek out "Less than One" intentionally—it's available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and its own RSS feed.

See you over there, and as always, thanks for join me.

• Craig’s early years in the BBS/ANSI art scene and how it shaped his creative drive

• Escaping post-industrial America and finding healing in the structure of Japanese life

• The joy and challenge of learning Japanese, and how language opens cultural doors

• From blog software in the '90s to essays that changed the course of his career

• Silicon Valley vs. Tokyo: ambition, trade-offs, and choosing a slower life

• The transformative power of walking: from ancient pilgrimages to solo introspection

• Building a reader-funded membership model and launching handcrafted books

• How a 200-word essay led to $100M+ in economic impact for a rural Japanese city

• Addiction, self-worth, fatherhood, and the emotional repair of being seen

• The cultural weight of jazz kissa, pizza toast, and public bathhouse rituals

• Anti-influencer media: binaural audio, slow video, and presence in a distracted world

Links

• Craig’s blog

• Things Become Other Things - Craig’s new book

A massive THANK YOU to everyone who participated in our Q2-2025 Favorite Things survey. With over 20k+ total votes across 24 categories, we've captured a pretty great snapshot of the tools and technologies our community values most.

We launched this because the AI landscape is evolving at breakneck speed, making it crucial to keep on top of the preferences and emerging products (especially as they quickly change over time) — truth be told, even though they were just collected a few weeks ago, some of them are outdated…that’s how fast we’re moving.

View the full interactive survey results here (built with AI)

As technologies continue to evolve, we'll run this survey semi-annually to track changing preferences. Your participation will help us all identify emerging trends and stay at the forefront of this rapidly shifting landscape.

Keep exploring,

Twice a year, we’re tapping into the collective brainpower of 120,000+ technologists (that’s you) to track the tools, apps, and products shaping our world. This isn’t for sale—it’s our insights, for us—and we’ll share the results back with you.

Got a favorite note-taking app? AI assistant? Password manager? We want to know. Your input helps us spot trends and uncover the best (and worst) tech out there. It only takes 2 minutes—jump in here: https://forms.gle/QvEpaiVTpx3NZbzt7

Thanks for being part of this. Looking forward to seeing what’s hot (and what’s not), complete with charts and graphs.

Be well,

Looking for more insights and real-time conversation? Join our private community here. Previously paying substack member? The real-time conversation moved! — Search your inbox for an invite from Circle: noreply@circle.so

But what about when we want to explore something entirely outside our comfort zone? When we're not ready to commit to permanent change but need to rapidly gain experience to determine if a new path is worth pursuing?

When we're not yet convinced we need lasting change, incrementalism is too slow—especially in environments that demand rapid adaptation. In a world evolving at breakneck speed (AI being a prime example), relying solely on small tweaks leaves us behind the curve.

This article isn't about replacing the wisdom of gradual habit formation. Rather, it introduces a complementary approach: the time-bound forcing function. Unlike traditional habit-building, which prioritizes sustainability, this method optimizes for speed, knowledge acquisition, and rapid adaptation—helping you quickly determine which new directions deserve your long-term commitment.

Staying Nimble as You Age

Why is this new approach so important?

As we get older, we tend to stick with what we know, this is the death of the creative mind — we MUST manually force major uncomfortable shifts to maintain long-term cognitive flexibility.

Regularly embracing radical shifts keeps your mental plasticity sharp, proving to yourself that you can adapt, no matter how deeply ingrained your habits are. These radical shifts disrupt established norms, creating an opportunity for neuroplasticity. The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections is heightened when faced with novel and challenging environments. This is how we maintain mental agility as we age (Draganski et al., 2004).

This is especially crucial now that AI is accelerating change across nearly every industry. The pace of innovation means that skills and workflows that were relevant just a few years ago (months ago?) may already be outdated. To stay ahead of the curve, professionals must develop a habit of forced adaptation—diving headfirst into new tools, methodologies, and technologies rather than waiting for gradual, comfortable transitions.

Those who can rapidly adjust to these shifts will remain competitive, while those who resist may find themselves left behind. As Naval Ravikant wisely observed, "And so as you age, you should have wisdom. That's your substitute for the raw horsepower of intelligence going down." Staying sharp isn’t just about maintaining knowledge—it’s about continuously expanding and connecting the dots of wisdom by constantly embracing new challenges.

The Power of Burning the Boats

The phrase "burning the boats" comes from ancient military history. When Hernán Cortés arrived in Mexico in 1519, he ordered his men to burn their ships, eliminating any possibility of retreat. This decisive action left only one option: succeed in their conquest or perish. This extreme commitment transformed his soldiers' mindset and determination.

In personal transformation, this principle applies powerfully. Small tweaks keep you safely within your comfort zone, while the most profound changes demand initial struggle and discomfort. By deliberately removing your escape routes—deleting the old app, canceling the subscription, giving away your old device—you create the psychological conditions for real change (Deci & Ryan, 2000).

When partial commitment leaves your old habits as an easy fallback, your brain remains split between old and new pathways. But full immersion forces rapid adaptation. The initial higher cognitive load actually accelerates learning (Sweller, 1988), and by eliminating options to revert to familiar patterns, you create optimal conditions for new neural pathways to form, solidifying the new behavior (Lally et al., 2010).

Two Experiments I’m Running Right Now

The recent destruction of my home in the LA fires marked a profound turning point in my life. Losing everything created a rare opportunity: the chance to reimagine my entire approach across multiple domains. Rather than making small adjustments, I've embraced radical changes in several areas. While I'll detail what proves most effective in future posts—eventually transitioning successful experiments into sustainable habits in the Atomic Habits tradition—today I'm focusing on two significant shifts I've implemented as a way to keep me technically nimble.

#1: Android, Truly, All-In, for Six Months

Yes, I’m selling my iPhone. Imagine an Apple die-hard ditching their iPhone entirely for half a year—no safety net, no second device. The first few weeks would be frustrating. Muscle memory would fail. Simple tasks would feel foreign (how the hell do I paste something to my Mac?). But by month two or three, something shifts: new workflows emerge, and the new system becomes second nature. This person has now achieved fluency in Android in a way that casual tinkering never could. For me, this isn't about just "switching phones", but rather rounding out my thinking on the future of AI at the hardware level. I believe Google has a massive head start here, and I want to be witnessing this unfold at the forefront.

By removing the familiar cues and routines of my iPhone environment, I'm forcing myself to engage with Android in its entirety. This immersive learning experience accelerates the learning process by minimizing distractions and maximizing focus. The initial frustration of switching to Android is the brain working through the high cognitive load. This is the brain using neuroplasticity to form new connections.

#2: Three Months with the Arc Browser

Arc is the hip browser of the tech world—sleek, minimalist, and packed with new features that challenge the way we think about web browsing. Built by The Browser Company, Arc reimagines the browsing experience with features like split-screen multitasking, built-in notes, AI enhancements, and a unique command bar. Some might call it a browser for power users, but I find it more minimal and clever, yet at the same time a massive mental shift in how we interact with the web.

A longtime Chrome user who forces themselves to use Arc exclusively for several months will go through a similar process of adaptation. Initially, everything feels inefficient—the UI is different, the tabs are in a strange place, and long-standing browsing habits are disrupted. But by the end, they’ve either discovered a better workflow that suits their needs or gained a deep understanding of why they prefer Chrome. Either way, the experiment leads to a real, informed perspective—not just a half-hearted attempt at change.

How to Implement High-Impact Change

Here’s how to structure a radical shift:

• Identify a significant change — Select something truly impactful: a new operating system, an alternative productivity tool, or a substantial lifestyle modification.

• Eliminate the escape route – Burn the boats. Make it impossible to revert to old habits too soon.

• Define temporal boundaries – Establish a specific timeframe (typically 4-12 weeks) that demands full commitment while preventing exhaustion.

• Fully immerse – Treat it as an adventure, embrace discomfort, and track your progress. Once the experiment ends, decide what to keep and what to discard.

Conclusion — Dare to Make the Leap

Consistency (and a measured approached to getting there) is undeniably important, especially for known lifelong habits we want to cultivate. But for bigger and bolder initiatives into the unknown, mindset that welcomes radical change will always outpace one that clings to micro-tweaks. With time-bounding, you're far less likely to fail the trial. Sometimes, the best way forward isn't another small step—it's a leap. Burn the boats, force the shift, and see just how adaptable you really are. My gut says you’ll surprise yourself.

Good luck, and I'll report back on Android, Arc, and others.

Looking for more insights and real-time conversation? Join our private community here. Previously paying substack member? Search your inbox for an invite from Circle: noreply@circle.so

References

• Bransford, J. D., Brown, A. L., & Cocking, R. R. (Eds.). (2000). How people learn: Brain, mind, experience, and school. National academy press.

• Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The "what" and "why" of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological inquiry, 11(4), 227-268.

• Dede, C. (2009). Immersive interfaces for engagement and learning. Science, 323(5910), 66-69.

• Draganski, B., Gaser, C., Busch, V., Schuierer, G., Bogdahn, U., & May, A. (2004). Neuroplasticity: changes in grey matter induced by training. Nature, 427(6972), 311-312.

• Lally, P., van Jaarsveld, C. H., Potts, H. W., & Wardle, J. (2010). How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world. European journal of social psychology, 40(6), 998-1009.

• Sweller, J. (1988). Cognitive load during problem solving: Effects on learning. Cognitive science, 12(2), 257-285.

Think of AI today like computers in the '90s - those who embrace it early will have an incredible advantage. Join us as we explore what makes this technological revolution uniquely exciting and full of possibility.

In this episode, I sit down with Reid Hoffman - LinkedIn co-founder, Greylock investor, and AI thought leader - to discuss his new book "Superagency: What Could Possibly Go Right with Our AI Future?" Reid breaks down how AI is already transforming our daily lives and shares the practical tools he uses to stay ahead of the curve.

To celebrate Reid’s book launch, I’m giving away 100 copies of his new book (details inside of our community on Circle, see below)

Our private chat/community, now on Circle

Attention existing Substack paid members, we’ve now moved to Circle. Billing has stayed with Stripe and none of your private information was moved, there is nothing to do from your end…except(!!)…join our new Circle community here. Make sure to use the same email address you have used with Substack to create a new account. Need to manage billing? Once logged in, navigate here.

Want to join the community? More details here.

That’s it for now, be well,

As we turn the page to a new year, I'm setting an intention to focus on health—both physical and mental. For me, this means embracing movement-based exercises that prioritize mobility and flexibility (great video on this), diving deeper into meditation (see below, join my 30-day challenge) to cultivate mental clarity, and letting go of habits that no longer serve my well-being. First up on that list is alcohol.

Let's Talk About Alcohol

I don't smoke weed (no judgment, but it just doesn't do it for me), but I do like the occasional cocktail or glass of wine. I find that in moderation, alcohol can be fun—whether it's a shared bottle of wine over dinner or a beer with a friend (I wish beer didn't jack my stomach up now — #old). But as the years pass, I've realized that the hangovers get worse, even with minimal intake, the recovery takes longer, and the science increasingly supports what many of us have suspected: the less, the better.

That said, for me, the occasional drink provides a sense of relaxation or helps mark a special moment. My 2025 plan? Zero alcohol unless it’s a special event with close friends or my partner, and if I do indulge, I'm limiting myself to two drinks max.

Ultimately, my goal is to keep my monthly intake below eight drinks, which averages to about two drinks a week. This decision isn't about deprivation—it's about making choices that align with how I want to feel every day. I'm excited to see how this small but significant change impacts my energy, focus, and overall health. As of this writing, I've had 2 drinks in the last 15 days and I feel fantastic (of course 😭🙂). I'll keep you updated as I navigate this experiment—cheers to a healthier new year!

Reversing Course—Upcoming Live Diggnation!

Speaking of drinking... We're bringing back Diggnation Live! This is a big deal—our first live show in a decade. For those of you who've followed the journey, you know how much this podcast means to us. We're pulling out all the stops for this reunion, and I couldn't be more excited to share the stage again with Alex.

Here's what's in store:

• Guests pop-ins: Chris Sacca (Shark Tank), Tim Ferriss, and a lineup of epic personalities will join us on stage. Oh, and we also have one super secret guest ****** *******, bringing with him a major surprise announcement. Get ready to time travel to 2004.

• Music: To close out the night, Beastie Boys DJ Mixmaster Mike will have an insane set. If you've ever experienced his energy, you know this will be unforgettable.

Tickets are selling fast, so don't wait—grab yours here.

• Latest episodes, here: www.diggnation.show

• Instagram, here: https://www.instagram.com/thediggnation

• What does “junk in the trunk mean?”, here.

Join the 30-Day Meditation Challenge; you got this!

Meditation isn't just about sitting still and breathing; it's a tool for rewiring your brain, reducing stress, and building mental clarity. If you've ever said, "I don't have 10 minutes to meditate," then it *might* be time to cut out some Netflix and change up some priorities 😉 — this is your year.

To help kickstart your practice, I'm inviting you to join our 30-day meditation challenge using "The Way" app. Here's how it works:

• The app is free for 12 days, you can always bail if it’s not for you

• Each day requires just ten minutes of your time—perfect for beginners or seasoned meditators can choose longer sits

• I'll be checking in daily in our Slack to keep us all accountable

If you've been meaning to take meditation seriously, this is your sign. Let's do this together—because a calm, focused (and more productive) mind is the best gift you can give yourself in 2025.

Apps Redefining My Productivity in 2025

I'm always on the hunt for tools that help me work smarter, stay organized, and manage life more effectively. Here's my updated tech stack for the new year:

• Craft: I've trying Craft as an alternative to Notion for tasks, note-taking, and important data. The interface is beautiful. I’m still a fan of Notion, but I love trying new things :).

• ChatGPT Pro: Yes, it's $199/month (ouch), but I’m loving the o1 pro mode. o1 pro mode uses more compute for the best answers to the hardest questions. Recently I’ve noticed, when prompted correctly, it can reveal redacted names.

• Monarch: is now my go-to for personal finance management, with Kubera offering me a holistic view of net worth (members get 1-year of Kubera for free).

• Duolingo: Perfect for squeezing in language learning during downtime.

• Oura Ring: Tracking HRV and sleep metrics to keep tabs on my health.

• Granola: An AI-powered note-taking app that keeps me organized during meetings.

• Spark: My email app of choice for managing the chaos of my inbox. Superhuman is also great for a minimal shortcut driven user (2-months free for members).

If you're looking for ways to rethink your own productivity, these tools might be worth exploring.

New Podcast with Reid Hoffman

Lastly, I'm thrilled to announce an upcoming podcast with Reid Hoffman, Co-Founder of LinkedIn and a member of Microsoft's board. We'll dive into his latest book, Superagency: What Could Possibly Go Right with Our AI Future, exploring the transformative potential of AI in shaping industries and society. This podcast will be released in early Jan!

I’m excited for 2025 — let's make it the year of exploration — falling into love and uncertainty in all that we do. Surrender. New directions, growth, and meaningful connections. I'm excited to share this journey with you—cheers to a fantastic year ahead!

Be well ❤️🙏

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Prefer YouTube? — watch the episode here

Exploring the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern life, Kevin Rose sits down with celebrated Zen teacher Henry Shukman to explore the depths of meditation practice, the nature of awakening, and the universal human capacity for transformation. From practical meditation advice to fascinating Zen stories and the relationship between different spiritual traditions, this wide-ranging discussion offers both practical guidance for beginners and deep insights for experienced practitioners.

Show Notes

Notable Quotes

• "Between stimulus and response, there is a gap. Everything is in that gap." - Viktor Frankl (referenced)

• "The way that can be spoken of is not the true way" - Tao Te Ching

• "No coffee, no Pat" - Pat Hawk Roshi

• "We're all made of the universe" - Henry Shukman

The Way App and Meditation Practice

• Discussion of The Way meditation app's approach

• The challenge of user retention in meditation apps

• Focus on building durable meditation habits

• A different approach from other meditation apps - emphasis on long-term practice

Building a Meditation Practice

• Optimal meditation duration?

• What is the best time to meditate?

• Importance of daily consistency over longer sporadic sessions

• Discussion of gradual progression from shorter to longer sits

Understanding Different Types of Meditation Benefits

• Mindfulness and basic awareness

• Recognition of thoughts and feelings

• Development of self-compassion

• The space between stimulus and response

Awakening Experiences

• Nature of awakening experiences

• Discussion of "person of no rank" concept

• Relationship between time, space, and consciousness

• Different cultural interpretations of similar experiences

Religious Traditions and Meditation

• Comparison of different meditation traditions

• Discussion of reincarnation beliefs

• The Cloud of Unknowing and Christian Mysticism

• Universal aspects of spiritual experiences across traditions

Practical Guidance

• Role of caffeine in meditation practice

• Building a sustainable practice

• Integration with daily life

• Balancing spiritual pursuit with everyday responsibilities

Key Stories and Examples

• Bodhidharma and the origin of tea

• Story of the plum blossom awakening

• Mount Athos experiences

• Various Zen teaching stories

Resources Mentioned

• The Way App - Henry’s meditation app (iOS/Android)

• "Original Love" - Henry’s new book

• "The Cloud of Unknowing" - Anonymous

• "Buddhism Without Beliefs" by Stephen Batchelor

• Mountain Cloud Zendo

P.S. — Join the Private Slack Chat!

And hey, if you haven't already, join our thriving chat community. Over 500+ people discuss everything from cutting-edge tech to investing insights and beyond:

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Be well,

As a Partner at True Ventures, I spend my days exploring the edges of technology, primarily in AI, life sciences, and consumer internet.

The pace of AI advancement is honestly mind-blowing. I'm seeing demos of upcoming tech (3-6 months out) that will make today's capabilities stale and obsolete…

Today, I want to share one of my essential AI tools.

While my daily toolkit includes Notebook LM, ChatGPT, and Claude, there's one that's become indispensable: Perplexity.

After several months of use, it's largely replaced Google as my go-to search tool. What sets it apart is its real-time data processing and rich multimedia results, weaving together text, videos, and images in a way that feels like the future of search.

To give you a peek into how I use it, here is an actual query I did this week (click to see the results):

"worldcoin is trying to verify humans, what other experimental technologies might help fight against bots"

Ok, so why am I telling you this?

Recently, my friend Heidi Maser (who helped scale Uber and is now at Perplexity) wanted to offer our community an exclusive deal. She's crafted an incredible offer—a full year of Perplexity Pro (a $200 value), completely free.

The finer details:

• Only for active KR newsletter subscribers (that's you!)

• It is not available for existing Perplexity Pro users (does your partner use Perplexity?)

• You must sign up by 11/14/24 using your newsletter email address

• Must select the "yearly" plan at checkout

• Standard Terms of Service and Privacy Policy apply

Ok! — to redeem your discount, check your email for the newsletter with the link!

P.S. — Huge thanks to Heidi for making this happen. She’s a rockstar, give her a follow on LinkedIn :)

Join the Private Chat!

And hey, if you haven't already, join our thriving chat community. Over 500+ people discuss everything from cutting-edge tech to investing insights and beyond:

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Until next time,

I recently sat down with Dr. Colleen Cutcliffe, CEO of Pendulum Therapeutics, for a discussion about probiotics, metabolism, and a potential natural alternative to GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic. Here's why I'm excited to share this with you...

The Backstory

A month ago, I ran into a friend who had slimmed down and was looking fit. These days, I’ve had a good dozen or so friends lose weight with GLP-1 drugs, so I was surprised when she told me it wasn’t Ozempic but Pendulum's new GLP-1 probiotic. Her chocolate cravings (her usual downfall) had changed entirely. Instead of demolishing a whole bar, she could have one bite and walk away satisfied.

I've known Pendulum for years (we invested at True), and I've personally used their glucose control product with great success. However, I had lost touch with Colleen and didn’t realize they had a new GLP-1 product — so I asked her to come on the podcast and discuss it.

Note: Peter Attia did a much longer and more thorough deep-dive with Colleen, found here

What Makes This Different?

In my interview with Colleen, she explained how their probiotic actually helps your body produce its own GLP-1 hormone naturally. The science is fascinating – they've identified specific strains of bacteria that, when delivered to your gut's distal colon, help stimulate natural GLP-1 production. No shots, no prescription.

The results are pretty impressive; 91% of users reported reduced food cravings after six weeks*, and the higher the initial cravings, the more significant the improvement.

Why This Matters

Over the last year+, I've watched friends scramble to find GLP-1 prescriptions, hitting up sketchy compounding pharmacies, or paying astronomical prices when their insurance won't cover them. It's wild out there.

But obesity isn't just about weight – it's tied to heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and even cognitive decline (some scientists are calling Alzheimer's "Type 3 diabetes"). We need better solutions that are both accessible and backed by science.

Join Our Mini-Trial

Sadly, the trial is now closed — thanks to all who participated!

What's Next?

We'll be collecting data throughout the trial and sharing the results with participants. Stay tuned for updates on how the community is progressing.

Exciting stuff ahead! As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences if you decide to participate.

Until next time, be well,

*based on a consumer survey of 274 people

What a whirlwind few weeks! I've bounced from home in LA, to London, then Berlin, and now Hawaii for a tech conference. It's been a bit of a blur, but incredibly enriching.

Walk-and-Talk in the Cotswolds

One of the highlights was a 10-day walking tour in the Cotswolds of England with a wonderful group of people. This particular walk was extra special as it was organized by Tim Ferriss (tim-tim), Kevin Kelly, and Craig Mod, who invited an eclectic and fascinating crew to join. The concept of the “walk-and-talk” or “moveable salon” is that a small group of people goes out together for a series of slow, multi-day walks covering long distances. This time, space, and movement together provide an opportunity for deep conversation and connection while experiencing beautiful landscapes.

The idea comes from Kevin Kelly, the founding executive editor of Wired magazine and a prolific futurist thinker. Kevin believes these walks are a powerful way to cultivate new friendships and have meaningful dialogues away from the distractions of everyday life. He's detailed his philosophy and practical tips in an article called "How to Walk and Talk: Everything We Know", which I highly recommend checking out.

Another key figure in popularizing these walks is Craig Mod, a writer, photographer, and walker who has become something of a renaissance man in the digital age. Craig has undertaken numerous long walks in Japan, most notably along the historic Nakasendo and Tokaido roads. What sets Craig apart is his ability to turn these walks into multi-faceted creative projects, blending photography, writing, and even interactive elements with his newsletter subscribers — he’s a wonderful human.

Craig's approach aligns beautifully with Kevin's "walk and talk" philosophy but with his own artistic twist. He practices what he calls "slow-seeing" — a deliberate, meditative approach to experiencing and documenting the world around him. In a world that often feels increasingly virtual and disconnected, Craig's work reminds us of the value of physical presence and taking the time to truly see and experience our surroundings.

True Ventures AI Summit in Berlin

Fresh off the Cotswolds, I headed to Berlin for True Ventures' AI summit. It was an incredible gathering of minds at the forefront of artificial intelligence. I'll be sharing more videos and anecdotes from the event soon, but one highlight was my conversation about Lemony, an innovative AI solution that's reshaping how teams access private data with ai.

Lemony is designed to pave the way for private, intelligent systems tailored for team collaboration and use within professional organizations. What makes it unique is its approach to AI deployment: the Lemony Box comes pre-loaded with multiple AI models and a software layer, ensuring private, fast, and compliant AI capabilities. It’s perfect if you have private data and want to run it on a little box at home or in the office.*

Forget $1000/mo. for GLP-1s. Upcoming Podcast and
GLP-1 Probiotic Study

Next week, I'm recording a podcast featuring a fascinating proprietary probiotic that shows promising effects on gut health, appetite regulation, and overall well-being. This GLP-1 Probiotic is designed to boost the production of GLP-1, the "un-hunger" hormone that plays multiple roles in metabolic health.

What makes this probiotic unique is its formulation with targeted, science-backed strains that help your body produce more GLP-1 naturally. It's important to note that this probiotic doesn't contain GLP-1 itself and is not a GLP-1 agonist drug. Instead, it works by enhancing your body's natural GLP-1 production.

The initial results from consumer surveys are pretty impressive:

• 91% reported reduced overall food cravings

• 88% reported reduced sugar cravings

• 87% reported reduced carb cravings

As a special offer for all newsletter subscribers (both free and paid), you'll have the opportunity to participate in a mini-study we're organizing around this probiotic. This is a chance to experience firsthand the potential benefits of this innovative approach to gut health and appetite regulation, risk-free; more details soon.*

AI I've Been Playing With

Replit: I'm blown away by how this platform has revolutionized the speed of software development. With Replit, I've been able to go from idea to working prototype in mere minutes – it's truly astonishing. The cloud-based workspace eliminates all the typical setup headaches, letting you dive straight into coding in any language. What's really game-changing is the built-in AI assistant; it's like having a coding partner who can help debug, autocomplete, or even generate entire code blocks through simple conversation.

The instant environments mean you can spin up a new project or fork an existing one in minutes, not hours. Whether you're a seasoned dev or a curious beginner, Replit makes it incredibly easy to bring your ideas to life at lightning speed. I've found myself prototyping ideas that would have taken days in just a single afternoon. It's not just a tool; it's a creativity amplifier that's democratizing software development in an exciting way.

Similar to Replit, check out bolt.new. It’s a web development agent that uses AI to allow users to build, run, edit, and deploy full-stack web applications directly from their browser. Think of it as a browser-based dev sandbox that combines AI with web containers. Play with both.

Changes to the Newsletter/Site

I've made a significant change to the paid newsletter structure. Going forward, all podcasts and articles will be 100% free, with no ads. The primary perk for paid newsletter members will now be access to our private chat, which has been absolutely fantastic. We’re in the process of modifying Campfire's source code to customize our chat further.

What I'm reading/watching:

• Artificial General Intelligence: The MIT Press Essential Knowledge Series This concise guide offers a balanced and accessible overview of AGI, exploring its potential impacts and challenges. It's a great starting point for anyone looking to understand the broader implications of advanced AI systems.

• Tao Te Ching: A New English Version: This classic of Eastern philosophy continues to offer profound insights into the nature of existence and the art of living. Its poetic wisdom provides a refreshing counterpoint to our often hectic, technology-driven lives.

• The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self

  Martha Beck (who joined the Cotswolds walk-and-talk!) offers a powerful roadmap for aligning our inner truth with our outer lives. This book is a compelling blend of psychological insights, practical exercises, and personal anecdotes that can help readers navigate life's challenges with greater authenticity and purpose.

Eight Sleep - $400 off

Members! Don't miss out — our Eight Sleep deal is live now through Oct 31st. You can snag the Pod 4 Ultra for $400 off! I've got the Pod 4, and it's fantastic. This is seriously the best deal you'll find anywhere (I'm not taking any commission, so they bumped up the discount for you). Grab the link here if you want in!

Subscribe now

That's all for now. As always, thank you for being part of this journey. Your engagement and support drive me to continue bringing you valuable content, unique opportunities, and, hopefully, some inspiration along the way.

Until next time, be well,

*Lemony and Pendulum are both True Ventures investments, but, as always, your trust always comes first; nothing here is paid. I truly love these products. 🙏

Because of my ADHD, retaining information can be a challenge for me. To tackle this, I've developed a strategy that helps me absorb and remember what I learn.

I start by listening to the audiobook to see if it clicks with me. If I really like it, I buy the print version to reread it. While reading, I highlight and take notes on the essential parts. Then, I pull together the key insights into a digital document so I can revisit them later and reinforce my understanding. This is work...

Recently, I've replaced this approach with a new AI-driven workflow. After listening to the audiobook, I find the PDF version and upload it to a custom AI GPT. Then, I chat with the AI to get advice based on the book's content.

Note: Make sure you legally own the book or PDF you're uploading

What Are Custom AI Agents?

The "MyGPTs" feature in ChatGPT (also known as "Personal Projects" in Claude) lets you create custom chat environments using content you provide, like documents, PDFs, images, and more. This means you can tailor the AI's knowledge and responses to closely match the material you've given it — making your interactions more personalized and relevant.

For example, I uploaded the PDF of Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, a fantastic book recommended in my AMA that offers powerful skills for ensuring every conversation, especially the tough ones, leads to the results you want.

Now that you have a fully trained GPT on this content. You can use this custom GPT when starting a difficult conversation that feels overwhelming.

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For example, imagine needing to propose a significant strategic change to your company's executive team—a high-stakes discussion that could significantly impact your career and the organization's future. By consulting your custom book-powered GPT, you can draft a proposal that sets the right tone and incorporates strategies from Crucial Conversations to keep the discussion constructive.

Here's a real example prompt I gave the GPT:

Prompt:

Tell me how to address this problem in one paragraph using the Crucial Conversations framework: "I feel like I'm being overlooked for a promotion at work; my boss won't let me take on more responsibilities even though I know I'm capable. I'm being held back. How might I convince her to give me a shot?"

The custom AI GPT response:

Your Response:

“I’ve been reflecting on my role and the goals I have for growth, and I’d really appreciate your perspective. I’ve noticed that I haven’t been given opportunities to take on more responsibilities, which is something I’m eager to do. I want to make sure I’m doing everything I can to contribute to the team’s success. Could we discuss what I might need to demonstrate to take on those responsibilities, or if there are concerns holding me back that I could address?”

The AI even told me why it crafted the message this way…

Why I Wrote It This Way:

Using the Crucial Conversations framework, the focus is on dialogue and mutual understanding. The paragraph starts with a non-threatening, reflective tone to maintain safety ("I’ve been reflecting..."), avoiding blame or defensiveness. It then gently states the concern ("I haven’t been given opportunities...") while expressing a willingness to contribute positively. The use of open-ended questions ("Could we discuss...") helps create a shared pool of meaning and encourages your boss to share his perspective. This approach aligns with the Crucial Conversations principles of starting with heart (focusing on what you really want) and making it safe to talk about almost anything, which paves the way for constructive dialogue.

Hot damn, brilliant response. This AI-driven method strengthens my understanding of the book and provides personalized advice on effectively navigating complex situations.

This approach obviously isn’t limited to Crucial Conversations; the versatility of custom GPTs means you can use them with virtually any text.

For instance, if you’re seeking investment advice, you could upload Warren Buffett's favorite books, like The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham. Your custom GPT could then help frame your investment questions in the way Buffett might approach them, grounded in value investing principles.

Or, if you're navigating leadership challenges, you might use Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek to guide your interactions with your team (my podcast with Simon here). The possibilities are endless, allowing you to tailor your conversations or queries with insights drawn from the most respected thought leaders in any field.

Want to have your mind blown further? 🤯🤯

Here is a podcast I made with AI (Notebook ML) using the contents of this article. This podcast was created without human intervention or edits, based solely on the text of this article:

Enjoy!

Very Important Note:
All future episodes of Diggnation will be posted to the official Diggnation channels, not here on the Kevin Rose Show feed. Get your favorite feed (Youtube, Spotify, Apple, RSS) right here on the new website — www.diggnation.show

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