Uploaded September 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Walter Isaacson is an author of biographies on Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, Leonardo da Vinci, and many others. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
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TRANSCRIPT:
lexfridman.com/walter-isaacson-transcript

EPISODE LINKS:
Walter's Twitter: twitter.com/WalterIsaacson
Walter's Instagram: instagram.com/walter_isaacson
Walter's Website: https://isaacson.tulane.edu
Walter's Books:
Elon Musk: amzn.to/48aWSZC
The Code Breaker: amzn.to/3EAa0cU
Leonardo da Vinci: amzn.to/3RlFICB
The Innovators: amzn.to/45R8gs4
Steve Jobs: amzn.to/3P9Ak2B
American Sketches: amzn.to/45LM4PN
Einstein: amzn.to/3r6Ttu6
Benjamin Franklin: amzn.to/44NobWW
Kissinger: amzn.to/3RdTA1u
The Wise Men: amzn.to/45LQDJX

PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: lexfridman.com/podcast
Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2lwqZIr
Spotify: spoti.fi/2nEwCF8
RSS: lexfridman.com/feed/podcast
Full episodes playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4
Clips playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOeciFP3CBCIEElOJeitOr41

OUTLINE:
0:00 - Introduction
3:00 - Difficult childhood
20:04 - Jennifer Doudna
23:01 - Einstein
28:20 - Tesla
45:24 - Elon Musk's humor
49:34 - Steve Jobs' cruelty
52:58 - Twitter
1:05:07 - Firing
1:07:52 - Hiring
1:16:55 - Time management
1:24:39 - Groups vs individuals
1:28:25 - Mortality
1:31:57 - How to write
1:52:56 - Love & relationships
1:57:50 - Advice for young people

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