Influence

This book by Robert Cialdini has been genuinely recommended 2 times on Tim Ferriss. The people who vouched for it on air: Max Levchin, Tim Ferriss. It comes up in conversations about exercise & strength, relationships. The earliest recommendation we indexed is from Jun 2020 and the most recent from Jun 2026. Every quote below is verbatim, attributed, and linked to the exact second it was said. Sourced expert opinion, not medical advice.

Influence, the classic book on persuasion, explains the psychology of why people say "yes", and how to apply these understandings. Dr. Robert Cialdini is the seminal expert in the rapidly expanding field of influence and persuasion. His thirty-five years of rigorous, evidence-based research along with a three-year program of study on what moves people to change behavior has resulted in this highly acclaimed book. You'll learn the six universal principles, how to use them to become a skilled persuader, and how to defend yourself against them.

• “if you're trying to start a business, you should read Influence by Cialdini because that is probably the most important social science book”

  Why it counts as a recommendation: “you should read Influence by Cialdini because that is probably the most important social science book published in the last 50 years”
  Max Levchin · The Tim Ferriss Show · Jun 202601:41:34

  Said during "The Path from The Soviet Union to Building Multi-Billion Dollar Companies, Max Levchin". The episode features Max Levchin: Cofounder of PayPal and founder/CEO of Affirm; Soviet-Ukraine-born engineer-turned-CEO, cryptography enthusiast, obsessive cyclist, and prolific tech investor (sci-fi.vc). Affirm and PayPal cofounder Max Levchin on marriage, cycling, fighting socialism, building buy-now-pay-later, and his obsessive coffee philosophy.

• “rave reviews of the books sapiens poor Charlie's Almanac influence and man's search for meaning among others”

  Why it counts as a recommendation: “rave reviews of the books ... influence”
  Tim Ferriss · The Tim Ferriss Show · Jun 202000:12:35

  Said during "Tools of Titans, Derek Sivers, BJ Miller, and Christopher Sommer | The Tim Ferriss Show". The episode features Derek Sivers, BJ Miller, and Christopher Sommer: A compilation of three Tools of Titans profiles: Derek Sivers, the introverted musician-turned-philosopher who founded and sold CD Baby; BJ Miller, a triple-amputee palliative care physician who has guided roughly 1,000 deaths; and Christopher Sommer, a former US National Team gymnastics coach and founder of the Gymnastic Bodies strength-training system. Tim Ferriss narrates his Tools of Titans intro plus profiles of Derek Sivers, BJ Miller, and Christopher Sommer.