Rick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity | Huberman Lab Podcast

Published January 2023 on YouTube

Rick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity | Huberman Lab Podcast

1. Rick Rubin

Andrew Huberman and Rick Rubin discuss the creative process and how it applies to various domains, including music, writing, film, and science. They explore the subconscious, the interaction between the subconscious and conscious mind, and how nature influences creativity. Rick's new book, "The Creative Act: A Way of Being," is also discussed as a valuable resource for anyone seeking to access their own creativity.+

2. Performance Boosters

Nutrient-Dense Meat:Andrew emphasizes the importance of quality protein for muscle and tissue repair and introduces Maui NUI, a company that offers nutrient-dense and delicious venison meat. He also provides a discount code for listeners to try it out.+

Brain Performance Boosters:Andrew discusses the benefits of using customized nootropics from Thesis and fitness wearable device Whoop to optimize cognitive and physical performance. He shares his personal experience with both products and offers discount codes for listeners to try them out.+

3. Creativity & Ideas, Cloud Analogy

Rick Rubin and Andrew Huberman discuss the elusive nature of creativity, comparing it to a cloud or a dream. They explore the idea that creativity is not an intellectual process, but rather a feeling that artists follow in their body.+

4. Language & Creativity; Kids

Andrew and Rick discuss the limitations of language in describing the creative process and how children may have an advantage in accessing creativity due to their lack of preconceived notions. They also touch on the role of imitation in building skill sets and finding one's own voice.+

5. Feelings & Creative Ideas

Andrew and Rick discuss the role of the body in creativity, with Rick describing a feeling of energy and Andrew highlighting the importance of interpreting bodily signals. They also touch on the subjective nature of creative inspiration and how it differs from person to person.+

6. Creative Translation

Creative Translation:Rick Rubin explains how he translates creative ideas without relying on language, instead using actionable suggestions and experimentation to move towards the desired outcome. He emphasizes the importance of being in tune with oneself as an artist and being willing to break rules to achieve the desired result.+

Making Choices:Rick Rubin and Andrew Huberman discuss the importance of limiting choices in the creative process and owning one's feelings as an artist. They also touch on the importance of decision-making in science.+

Developing Taste:Andrew discusses the importance of taste in the creative process and how perfectionism can hinder its development. He shares insights on how individuality and a willingness to do things differently can lead to success, citing personal experiences and observations.+

7. Changing Perspective & Creativity

Andrew and Rick discuss the difference between commercial and artistic endeavors in the creative process. They also delve into the neurobiology of strategy formation and implementation, and the importance of broadening or narrowing vision to come up with new creative ideas.+

8. AG1 (Athletic Greens)

Andrew takes Athletic Greens every day to cover all of his foundational nutritional needs, including vitamins, minerals, probiotics, adaptogens, and digestive enzymes. Listeners can try Athletic Greens and receive a special offer for ten free travel packs and a year's supply of vitamin D3, K2.+

9. Limits and Creativity

The Limits of Medical Knowledge:Andrew and Rick discuss the accuracy of medical textbooks and the reliability of scientific discoveries, highlighting the limitations of our current understanding of medicine and science. They question the assumptions and beliefs that underpin our knowledge and suggest that new discoveries may challenge these assumptions.+

Creativity and Feedback:Rick Rubin and Andrew Huberman discuss the evolution of hip hop and the impact of feedback on creativity. Rubin explains how when he was making hip hop in the early days, no one thought it would ever mean anything. Huberman questions whether the ability to receive immediate feedback is problematic for creativity. Rubin believes that any external information that undermines the clarity of the connection between the artist and their work is probably bad for the art.+

10. Creative Balance

Creative Process:Andrew and Rick discuss the creative process and the importance of finishing a project. They explore the balance between experimentation and committing to a final product, and how using other projects as motivation can help with the finishing process.+

Source and Imagination:Rick and Andrew discuss the concept of Source as the organizing principle of everything and how our imagination is unconstrained in comparison to the physical world. They explore the infinite options provided by nature and the delight that comes from peering into different spatial scales.+

11. Perception and Abstraction

Abstraction in the Brain:Andrew discusses the concept of abstraction in the brain and how everything we perceive is an abstraction. He uses examples from art and neuroscience to explain how the brain creates abstract representations of the world around us.+

Perception and Novelty:Andrew and Rick discuss the convergence of art and science, and how certain experiences tap into something fundamental that defies language. They explore the idea that novelty plays a role in triggering a magical experience, and how seeing something from a particular angle can create wonder.+

Changing Perspectives:Rick and Huberman discuss how changing our perspective can alter our perception of the world, and how this applies to art. They explore the idea of painting without seeing the model, and how it can lead to a more interesting and unique representation. They also touch on the wonder and mystery of the world, and how we can become more aware of it by paying attention to the little things around us.+

Perception and Delight:Andrew and Rick discuss how our perceptual filters are normally deficient and how seeing something delightful can reveal our perceptual deficit. They also talk about how comedy and humor work and how it's not just about the jarring nature of a surprise, but also about the anticipation and delivery. The sense of community that comes with shared experiences is also discussed.+

12. Music & Identity, Evolving Tastes

Andrew and Rick discuss why the music we listen to during our teenage years can evoke such powerful emotions and become a part of our identity. They explore how music helps us define ourselves and why it's important to have a range of musical tastes. They also discuss the importance of evolving and changing interests over time.+

13. InsideTracker

Andrew discusses the importance of regular blood work and introduces Inside Tracker, a personalized nutrition platform that analyzes data from your blood and DNA to help you better understand your body and reach your health goals. He explains how the platform makes it easy to understand what sorts of nutritional, behavioral, and supplementation-based interventions you might want to take on in order to adjust the numbers of those metabolic factors, hormones, lipids, and other things that impact your immediate and long-term health.+

14. Creative Anxiety

Clearing the Static:Rick Rubin shares his process of dedicating himself fully to a project for a set period of time, with no outside distractions. He emphasizes the importance of staying away from the project when not directly engaging with it and engaging in other activities to clear the mind.+

Creative Anxiety:Rick shares his thoughts on disengaging from the creative process and how anxiety can be a natural part of the beginning stages of a project. He believes in holding problems lightly and being open to whatever direction the project takes. Despite his anxiety, he trusts that the subconscious is working through the process.+

Anxiety and Energy:Andrew and Rick discuss anxiety as an activating energy that can push us forward towards our goals. They explore the idea that everything is energetic and that we can do things from a place of anger, joy, or love. The conversation touches on the relationship between music and emotions, and how it can match where we are at the time.+

15. Collaboration, Art & Rigorous Work

Collaboration and Creativity:Andrew and Rick discuss the relationship between collaboration and creativity, and how artists and scientists approach their work differently. They explore the idea of internal chaos as a potential source of creativity and how it can be managed in order to achieve success.+

Intense Boxing Training:Andrew and Rick discuss the intense training regimen of Floyd Mayweather, including his sparring sessions and running routine. They also touch on the importance of taking boxing seriously from a psychological perspective.+

16. Brain Filters

Brain Filters:Andrew and Rick discuss the brain's tendency to place symbolic filters on things, such as recognizing faces. They also talk about the continuum between focusing on implementation and being in the cloud, and how Rick approaches projects.+

Studio Flow:Rick Rubin discusses the importance of not interrupting the flow of creativity in the recording studio and how everyone involved can recognize when something special is happening. He also touches on how our brains create stories to make sense of unexpected events in our daily lives.+

Memory and Storytelling:Andrew and Rick discuss how our brains confabulate and create stories, even in situations where we have memory deficits. They explore how this phenomenon can lead to the creation of false memories and the importance of being cautious when it comes to repressed memories.+

Brain Filters:Andrew and Rick discuss how the brain works through limited filters, including perceptual filters and symbol representations. They also touch on how memories are confabulated based on deficient representations.+

17. Nature's Truth

Nature and Reality:Andrew and Rick discuss the limitations of human perception and the importance of looking to nature for truth. They argue that everything we know is made up and that pro wrestling is closer to reality than anything else we watch.+

Opposite Authenticity:Andrew and Rick discuss the concept of considering the opposite of what we believe to be true and how it relates to psychology and neuroscience. They also touch on the habituation of the nervous system and the importance of paying attention and awareness in different ways.+

18. Wrestling and Dopamine

Wrestling Memories:Andrew and Rick reminisce about their childhood memories of wrestling and how it coincided with their puberty, a time of rapid development and changing rules.+

Wrestling and Archetypes:Andrew and Rick discuss the energy and archetypes of wrestling, and how it allows for a feeling of playfulness and relaxation. They delve into the power of archetypes as a filter for humans, and the importance of maintaining a blurred understanding of reality.+

The Power of Dopamine:Andrew explains the concept of dopamine schedules and how they relate to pleasure, motivation, and seeking. He shares a beautiful experiment that explored when dopamine is released in the context of watching sport or watching comedy. The schedule of anticipation was every time there was a switch of which team got it, and the bigger dopamine release happened when something unexpected happened. They discuss how wrestling is a powerful way to access creative energy and source because you don't know the script, and anything could happen.+

Finding Creative Nuggets:Andrew and Rick discuss the creative process and the importance of dopamine in keeping us coming back for more. They compare it to the energy of wrestling and the honesty it represents in a world where truth is often elusive.+

Reality in Wrestling:Rick and Andrew discuss the blurred lines between reality and fiction in wrestling, and how it differs from other forms of entertainment. They also touch on the concept of creativity and breaking boundaries in the entertainment industry.+

19. Wrestling, Style & Performance

Andrew and Rick discuss the unique aspects of wrestling as a sport that combines physical ability, storytelling, and charisma. They compare it to other sports like football and skateboarding, highlighting the importance of style and performance in wrestling. The real-time iteration of wrestling adds to its uniqueness, with unexpected events always happening.+

20. Chaos and Inspiration

Resetting with Chaos:Andrew shares his personal coping mechanisms for accessing non-linear thinking and resetting his mind. He discusses how punk rock shows and aquariums help him access a sense of chaos and unpredictability, which allows him to think in a structured way without feeling overwhelmed.+

Finding Inspiration:Andrew and Rick discuss the importance of finding inspiration from things that have both structure and no structure, and the impact of change on our connection with the Earth. They share personal experiences of how the same place can change drastically over time, and how this can open up different aspects of our psyche.+

Moving Forward:Andrew Huberman and Rick Rubin discuss their perspectives on nostalgia and attachment to the past. While Huberman is fascinated by the New York of the past, Rubin focuses on the present and future. They touch on the idea that change is a natural part of life and how younger generations view their cities differently. Rubin emphasizes that he never looks back and lives in the present.+

Wrestling and Relaxation:Andrew and Rick discuss the relaxing qualities of watching wrestling, including how it can cleanse the palate and lead to a good night's sleep. They also touch on the physical risks involved in wrestling and share personal experiences watching the sport.+

21. Sleep Prep & Creativity

Preparing for Sleep:Andrew and Rick discuss the importance of clearing the mind before heading off to sleep and share their personal routines for preparing for sleep, including listening to lectures and going for walks on the beach. They also touch on the benefits of yoga nidra and avoiding violent content before bed.+

Creative Process:Andrew and Rick discuss their creative process and how they generate ideas. They share their thoughts on the importance of recording ideas and being open to inspiration. They also discuss the value of pursuing interests for their own sake, rather than with a specific goal in mind.+

22. Work Phases

Phases of Work:Rick Rubin shares his insights on the different phases of work, from seed collecting to experimentation and crafting. He emphasizes the importance of not treating all phases of work in the same way and highlights the value of being in the seed collecting phase, where there are no deadlines and everything is in a state of play.+

Creative Process Phases:Rick discusses the phases of the creative process and the importance of having internal deadlines to complete a project. He also emphasizes the need to be flexible with deadlines and to prioritize the project's best interest over meeting a public deadline.+

23. Self-Doubt & Performance

Andrew and Rick discuss the role of self doubt in the creative process. While it can be helpful as a check on oneself, it can also undermine creativity. They explore how to dance with self doubt and use it as a balancing tool in our lives, allowing us to doubt our way to a great work or masterpiece.+

24. Music's Unpredictable Appeal

Music and Unpredictability:Rick Rubin shares his love for classical and old music that surprises him, and discusses how live recordings of the Grateful Dead are more interesting than their albums due to their unpredictability. Andrew Huberman confesses his confusion about the Grateful Dead's drum solos, but recognizes the appeal of uncertainty to their fans.+

Real Moments:Rick Rubin discusses his approach to music production, aiming to create real moments that are not necessarily perfect. He draws inspiration from the jazz mentality and believes that bringing it into other types of music makes for compelling things. The discussion also touches on the Grateful Dead's unique approach to live performances and their devoted followers.+

25. Past Experiences, Other’s Opinions

Andrew and Rick discuss the creative process and decision-making. They touch on the importance of not being attached to the past and being open to new ways of doing things. They also caution against assuming that what worked in the past is the only way to do things.+

26. Brain Plasticity Misconception

Brain Plasticity Misconception:Andrew and Rick discuss the misconception around brain plasticity and how it was actively suppressed by a small group of scientists. They shed light on the fact that plasticity exists throughout the lifespan and how this misconception wasted years of research.+

Changing Tides:Andrew Huberman discusses the changing tides in the scientific community's perception of acupuncture and other alternative therapies, citing the increasing amount of research being done on their biological mechanisms. He also touches on the sociology of cultural trends and how they can affect the way we approach health and other topics.+

Exploring Alternative Health:Rick Rubin and Andrew Huberman discuss the benefits of alternative health practices such as acupuncture and ozone therapy, as well as the importance of nutrition in overall health. They also touch on the idea of trying new things and being open to unconventional approaches to wellness.+

27. “Look for Clues”, Belief Effects

Creative Clues:Andrew and Rick discuss the importance of accessing the outside world for creative inspiration. They believe that the universe is on the side of creativity and that there are clues everywhere, if we pay attention.+

Gut Microbiome Manipulation:Andrew and Rick discuss the possibility of gut microbiota manipulating human behavior and decision making. They also explore the power of belief in shaping physiological outcomes, using exercise as an example.+

28. Attention, Emotion & Art

Andrew and Rick discuss the importance of being undistracted in order to be productive. They explore how being happy or unhappy may not be as relevant as being able to stay present in the work. The conversation also touches on how success can become a distraction and the importance of maintaining an underdog mentality.+

29. Understanding Meditation

Understanding Meditation:Rick Rubin and Andrew Huberman discuss different types of meditation, including mantra and awareness meditation. They explore how meditation can help us focus on the present moment and be more aware of our surroundings.+

Meditation Practice:Rick and Andrew discuss their meditation practices, including TM and other forms. Rick shares the benefits of deep meditation and even suggests a meditation-like practice for physical healing.+

Cultivating Mindfulness:Andrew and Rick discuss the benefits of mindfulness and meditation, emphasizing that it is a practice that anyone can cultivate. They also touch on the power of learning techniques and the importance of showing up to practice.+

30. Creativity Q&A

Andrew Huberman announces that Rick Rubin will be answering questions about creativity and the creative process. Listeners can submit their questions in the comment section on YouTube and the conversation will be posted on the Huberman Lab Clips channel.+