The Pathless Path with Paul Millerd Paul Millerd
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The Pathless Path is hosted by Paul Millerd - a writer, creator, and consultant. He has conversations with freelancers, self-employed entrepreneurs, creators, and vagabonds who share their perspectives on their relationship with work, burnout, bootstrapping, indie hacking, remote work, reinvention, creativity, sabbaticals, leisure, self-employment, unconventional living, and digital nomadism. Past guests include Ali Abdaal, Khe Hy, Ben Hunt, Wade Foster, Dan Vassallo, Kris Abdelmessih, Steph Smith, Amir Salihefendić, Alex Pang, Visakan Veerasamy, and more.
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Apprenticeships, Sabbaticals & "Good Work" — Steve Schlafman & Matt Yao on slowing down, deprogramming, unlearning, learning from others, deciding to quit, going on a sabbatical, not being jealous anymore, competitiveness and enoughness, finding good
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Steve is a professional coach and the founder of Downshift — the world's first decelerator. He has left a career in venture, but he remains ambitious, it's just that his ambition is now to have a good, multidimentional life, where he can be a good dad for his kids.Matt has left a traditional path early on to write, travel and discover his own path. When he met Steve, he offered him to become his apprentice and joined Downshift.
🎥🍿 YOUTUBE: WATCH HERE
Links:
DownshiftSteve's websiteSteve's TwitterMatt's TwitterMatt's blog — Game of OneMatt's blog — Build in ClimateDownshift on Twitter⌛TIMESTAMPS(00:00) - Intro
(02:14) - The scripts that Steve & Matt grew up with
(05:00) - Slowing down, deprogramming and unlearning
(11:52) - The cocoon stage
(14:05) - Deciding to quit
(18:25) - Learning from others on the path and having children
(25:18) - Trust
(28:29) - Matt's sabbatical, finding good work
(34:26) - No jealousy, competitiveness vs enoughness
(39:28) - Matt's apprenticeship with Steve
(48:37) - Putting yourself in a place where it's easy to help you
(52:35) - Downshift & Ambition
(01:03:06) - Marriage & Family
(01:10:54) - Reframing money, skiing and oatmeal
(01:17:15) - Launching decelerator
(01:21:26) - Closing remarks
📕Buy Paul’s Book (45k+ Sold): The Pathless Path
😁👉😁 Want To "Find The Others" On Pathless Paths? - Check out the Pathless Path Community
📲Connect + Follow Paul
Twitter: @p_millerdPaul’s Newsletter: Subscribe to PathlessPaul’s YouTube: Subscribe🙏Further Ways To Support The Podcast:
Accounting, Taxes, And Payroll For Your S-Corp (Ideal for $60k+ income): CollectiveLooking for alternatives to traditional health insurance in the US? Check out CrowdhealthI use Transistor to host this podcast. It rocks. Launch Yours HereI record high-quality videos using Riverside: Sign Up HereEpic transcription & text-based video editing via DescriptBecome a sponsor of the Podcast / NewsletterWant to upgrade your Zoom studio? Check out Kevin Shen’s Dream Studio CourseWant to launch a course? Teachable is what I recommendWeb Hosting: Skystra Fast WordPress HostingHost your own community" Circle 14-day free trial -
"2M Subscribers, I love what I do, should I take a break?" — David Pakman on finding good work early, , how money and motivation changed over time, finding a balance in content creation, life after YouTube, his doubts about taking a sabbatical, having
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David Pakman is a political commentator and the host of The David Pakman Show. He joins the podcast to explore a possible paradigm shift in the way he approaches his work and life after the birth of his daughter.
🎥🍿 YOUTUBE: WATCH HERE
Links:
The David Pakman ShowX (Twitter): @dpakmanYouTube: David Pakman ShowInstagram: david.pakman⌛TIMESTAMPS(00:00) - Intro
(01:12) - The scripts that David grew up with
(03:26) - David's first steps on the internet
(06:13) - Finding an alternative path
(11:11) - Advice for young YouTubers
(13:17) - Money, motivation, workflows and how they changed over time
(18:15) - Imagining life after YouTube, doubts about taking a sabbatical
(27:57) - Having a child
(31:23) - Taking time off and fans
(35:08) - Divisive politics, public recognition and hateful comments
(42:20) - Growth ceiling, YouTube colleagues and the lack of clear role models
(47:32) - The dynamics of creator economy, YouTube & other creative projects
(53:49) - David's inspirations, what does he read
(57:47) - Closing remarks
📕Buy Paul’s Book (45k+ Sold): The Pathless Path
😁👉😁 Want To "Find The Others" On Pathless Paths? - Check out the Pathless Path Community
📲Connect + Follow Paul
Twitter: @p_millerdPaul’s Newsletter: Subscribe to PathlessPaul’s YouTube: Subscribe🙏Further Ways To Support The Podcast:
Accounting, Taxes, And Payroll For Your S-Corp (Ideal for $60k+ income): CollectiveLooking for alternatives to traditional health insurance in the US? Check out CrowdhealthI use Transistor to host this podcast. It rocks. Launch Yours HereI record high-quality videos using Riverside: Sign Up HereEpic transcription & text-based video editing via DescriptBecome a sponsor of the Podcast / NewsletterWant to upgrade your Zoom studio? Check out Kevin Shen’s Dream Studio CourseWant to launch a course? Teachable is what I recommendWeb Hosting: Skystra Fast WordPress HostingHost your own community" Circle 14-day free trial -
#168 Building With "margin for life" — Justin Jackson on lessons from running a skate shop, optimizing for profit, running a "calm company," co-founding Transistor, having kids early, designing margins and how money actually does make him happy
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Justin is the co-founder of Transistor, a podcast hosting platform on which The Pathless Path podcast is hosted. Justin is passionate about designing his company so that all the team benefits. He achieves that by making sure that there is always a financial margin as well as a "margin for our emotional health, margin for our physical health, margin for life."
🎥🍿 YOUTUBE: WATCH HERE
Links:
Personal websiteX (Twitter): @mijustinJustin's podcastTransistor⌛TIMESTAMPS(00:11) - Guest introduction
(02:30) - The scripts that Justin grew up with
(07:21) - Lessons from running a skate shop
(13:15) - Optimizing for profit in business
(25:49) - The opportunities on the internet, staying in the water, the survivor bias
(36:00) - Getting into digital business
(43:02) - The importance of the customer support
(45:21) - "A calm company" — designing the company to make their lives better
(54:28) - How Transistor has changed Justin's life?
(54:52) - Having kids early and how more money actually made him happy
(57:13) - How Justin approaches money
(59:45) - Navigating the changes in the podcasting platforms
(01:08:22) - The next chapter for Justin
(01:10:14) - Where can we find out more about Justin?
(01:11:15) - Closing remarks
📕Buy Paul’s Book (45k+ Sold): The Pathless Path
😁👉😁 Want To "Find The Others" On Pathless Paths? - Check out the Pathless Path Community
📲Connect + Follow Paul
Twitter: @p_millerdPaul’s Newsletter: Subscribe to PathlessPaul’s YouTube: Subscribe🙏Further Ways To Support The Podcast:
Accounting, Taxes, And Payroll For Your S-Corp (Ideal for $60k+ income): CollectiveLooking for alternatives to traditional health insurance in the US? Check out CrowdhealthI use Transistor to host this podcast. It rocks. Launch Yours HereI record high-quality videos using Riverside: Sign Up HereEpic transcription & text-based video editing via DescriptBecome a sponsor of the Podcast / NewsletterWant to upgrade your Zoom studio? Check out Kevin Shen’s Dream Studio CourseWant to launch a course? Teachable is what I recommendWeb Hosting: Skystra Fast WordPress HostingHost your own community" Circle 14-day free trial -
#167 Wandering in the Wilderness — Dom Francks on confronting fragility, his love of nature, the disconnect from nature, working as a software engineer, viewing yourself as a piece of poetry, how we're always embedded in nature and being guided by int
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Dom is the lead guide at the VIVIFY Regerative Leadership Program. He helps leaders develop by taking them on an 8-day backpacking expedition in the Sierra mountains. Dom is passionate about preserving the natural world, staying connected to it and practicing aliveness.
🎥🍿 YOUTUBE: WATCH HERE
Links:
Personal websiteVIVIFY (Get $500 off if you mention this podcast)Substack⌛TIMESTAMPS(00:00) - Intro
(01:18) - The scripts Dom grew up with
(06:40) - Dom's grandfather, a WW2 vet
(09:05) - Experiencing hardship, confronting the fragility
(16:19) - Dom's love of nature
(18:01) - Stanford & Golf
(21:41) - Balancing wilderness education and software engineering
(30:57) - How to avoid being perpetually dissatisfied
(32:46) - Viewing yourself as a piece of poetry
(37:36) - How liking your work makes you better at it
(39:27) - We're always embedded in nature
(42:39) - How to connect with nature
(51:01) - Leisure and wandering
(55:24) - Being guided by intuition
(01:03:13) - Closing remarks
📕Buy Paul’s Book (45k+ Sold): The Pathless Path
😁👉😁 Want To "Find The Others" On Pathless Paths? - Check out the Pathless Path Community
📲Connect + Follow Paul
Twitter: @p_millerdPaul’s Newsletter: Subscribe to PathlessPaul’s YouTube: Subscribe🙏Further Ways To Support The Podcast:
Accounting, Taxes, And Payroll For Your S-Corp (Ideal for $60k+ income): CollectiveLooking for alternatives to traditional health insurance in the US? Check out CrowdhealthI use Transistor to host this podcast. It rocks. Launch Yours HereI record high-quality videos using Riverside: Sign Up HereEpic transcription & text-based video editing via DescriptBecome a sponsor of the Podcast / NewsletterWant to upgrade your Zoom studio? Check out Kevin Shen’s Dream Studio CourseWant to launch a course? Teachable is what I recommendWeb Hosting: Skystra Fast WordPress HostingHost your own community" Circle 14-day free trial -
#166 Breaking Free of the Rules — Rick Lewis on being a child actor, dropping out of college, being a professional juggler, street performing and a clowning, the corporate world as an outsider, breaking rules, parenting and how to reinvent yourself
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Rick Lewis could be succinctly described as "a speaker, author & professional consultant", but such technical labelling wouldn't paint a fair picture of who he really is. He describes what he's doing as "intelligent misbehavior". He's public appearances have a much deeper goal than just pure entertainment. Rick is passionate about discovering and breaking the hidden rules that rule our behavior and stifle our growth as people.
🎥🍿 YOUTUBE: WATCH HERE
Links:
Personal websitePivot to the PodiumRick's Book⌛TIMESTAMPS(00:00) - Intro
(00:11) - Guest introduction
(00:59) - The scripts that Tick grew up with
(08:07) - College & Entrepreneurship
(14:08) - Guided by joy
(20:01) - Getting support from others
(24:32) - Public speaking, writing the book, how to avoid plateauing
(40:35) - Observing the corporate world as an outsider
(43:23) - The biggest takeaways, finding the throughline
(59:57) - Parenting & aging
(01:07:50) - How to approach public speaking?
(01:13:16) - Rapid fire questions with Rick
(01:16:16) - Where can we learn more about Rick?
📕Buy Paul’s Book (45k+ Sold): The Pathless Path
😁👉😁 Want To "Find The Others" On Pathless Paths? - Check out the Pathless Path Community
📲Connect + Follow Paul
Twitter: @p_millerdPaul’s Newsletter: Subscribe to PathlessPaul’s YouTube: Subscribe🙏Further Ways To Support The Podcast:
Accounting, Taxes, And Payroll For Your S-Corp (Ideal for $60k+ income): CollectiveLooking for alternatives to traditional health insurance in the US? Check out CrowdhealthI use Transistor to host this podcast. It rocks. Launch Yours HereI record high-quality videos using Riverside: Sign Up HereEpic transcription & text-based video editing via DescriptBecome a sponsor of the Podcast / NewsletterWant to upgrade your Zoom studio? Check out Kevin Shen’s Dream Studio CourseWant to launch a course? Teachable is what I recommendWeb Hosting: Skystra Fast WordPress HostingHost your own community" Circle 14-day free trial -
#165 Gardening in the Digital Ecosystem — Kevin Espiritu on his fascination with the early Internet, how Poker broke his brain on money, starting his YouTube channel, Epic Gardening, taking a long term perspective, how to structure a video, transformi
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Kevin is the man behind the Epic Gardening channel. Although he had not read the Pathless Path at the time of the recording of this episode, he seems to be living it with every breath he takes. The only constant thing in his life seems to be that is constatly reinventing himself. From professional poker, gaming, web design, indie consulting, blogging to running a huge YouTube channel about gardening with almost 3 mil. subscribers, we meet at his next crossroads, after he's decided to take a step back from running the show personally day to day.
🎥🍿 YOUTUBE: WATCH HERE
Links:
Epic Gardening YouTube channelKevin's personal YouTube channelKevin's Personal WebsiteX (Twitter): @KevinEspirituInstagram: kevinespiritu_⌛TIMESTAMPS(00:00) - Intro
(01:16) - The scripts that Kevin grew up with
(03:06) - Getting fascinated by the Internet as a child
(07:58) - Poker and how it broke his brain on money
(13:44) - Quitting poker
(19:57) - Starting his YouTube channel
(31:13) - The similarities and the differences between playing poker, gaming and content creation
(38:51) - Taking investment, restructuring
(43:47) - Creating down to earth, accessible videos
(48:50) - Expanding, introducing other people to the audience
(53:34) - The probabilistic mindset
(57:50) - Promoting books — asking for help
(01:06:37) - What's next for Kevin
(01:08:07) - Closing remarks
📕Buy Paul’s Book (45k+ Sold): The Pathless Path
😁👉😁 Want To "Find The Others" On Pathless Paths? - Check out the Pathless Path Community
📲Connect + Follow Paul
Twitter: @p_millerdPaul’s Newsletter: Subscribe to PathlessPaul’s YouTube: Subscribe🙏Further Ways To Support The Podcast:
Accounting, Taxes, And Payroll For Your S-Corp (Ideal for $60k+ income): CollectiveLooking for alternatives to traditional health insurance in the US? Check out CrowdhealthI use Transistor to host this podcast. It rocks. Launch Yours HereI record high-quality videos using Riverside: Sign Up HereEpic transcription & text-based video editing via DescriptBecome a sponsor of the Podcast / NewsletterWant to upgrade your Zoom studio? Check out Kevin Shen’s Dream Studio CourseWant to launch a course? Teachable is what I recommendWeb Hosting: Skystra Fast WordPress HostingHost your own community" Circle 14-day free trial
Customer Reviews
Good guests with unique stories and insights to share
I first learned about Paul from another writer and blogger I follow. I enjoy the way Paul brings a diverse set of people with interesting perspectives, it helps to decondition one from the standard scripts and ideas that often unknowingly govern our lives.
Be prepared to lose all interest in your job
This podcast and “The Pathless Path” book have made it EXTREMELY hard to work my regular, boring job 😂 For better or for worse, though I think it’s a good thing. I feel like I’ve woken up after 2 years of sticking my head in the sand. I LOVED entrepreneurship when I was in college, but lost my passion as I got my first job, started a family, bought a house, etc. But now I’ve been slapped in the face and reminded that there is more to life than a paycheck. I’m now deeply contemplating my passions and gaps where I can add value to others lives, and hope to launch my own solopreneur journey in the next month or 2. Thank you for waking me up Paul. And thank you for colabing with others in this podcast doing similar things, their stories are inspiring.
Great podcast
"The Pathless Path with Paul Millerd" is a super cool podcast that totally shakes up the traditional career journey. I really appreciate how it pushes you to think outside the box and question the usual norms around work and success. Millerd's conversations are thought-provoking and inspire you to find your own unique path to happiness and fulfillment in your professional life.