The Knowledge Project with Shane Parrish

The Knowledge Project with Shane Parrish

Shane Parrish

The Knowledge Project with Shane Parrish

Entrepreneurship English

Master the best of what other people have already figured out.

“The highest density of wisdom per episode of any podcast.”

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#225 Outliers: Henry Singleton – Distant Force

#225 Outliers: Henry Singleton – Distant Force

If Warren Buffett is the king of capital allocation—Henry Singleton is the ghost. Singleton built one of the most successful conglomerates in American history, transforming business while remaining virtually unknown. While Wall Street chased fads, Singleton, who could play chess blindfolded, quietly turned industrial conglomerate Teledyne into a business juggernaut with 20.4% annual returns over...

#224 Bret Taylor: A Vision for AI’s Next Frontier

#224 Bret Taylor: A Vision for AI’s Next Frontier

What happens when one of the most legendary minds in tech delves deep into the real workings of modern AI? A 2-hour long masterclass that you don’t want to miss. Bret Taylor, current chairman of OpenAI, unpacks why AI is transforming software engineering forever, how founders can survive acquisition (he’s done it twice), and why the true bottlenecks in AI aren’t what most think. Drawing on his...

#223 Pierre Poilievre: What I Want to Build (and Break) To Fix Canada

#223 Pierre Poilievre: What I Want to Build (and Break) To Fix Canada

Pierre Poilievre, leader of Canada’s Conservative Party, reveals a roadmap for restoring opportunity and unity across the country. From unleashing innovation by cutting red tape, to reigniting upward mobility and building a powerhouse economy, Poilievre’s message goes beyond borders. If you care about restoring opportunity, strengthening democracy, and securing a brighter future for North...

#222 Outliers: Cornelius Vanderbilt — The First Tycoon

#222 Outliers: Cornelius Vanderbilt — The First Tycoon

Cornelius Vanderbilt was a force in 19th century America, playing a pivotal role in transitioning the U.S. economy from rural mercantilism to industrial corporate capitalism. Vanderbilt didn't just compete—he dominated; and didn’t just dominate one industry—he conquered three: ferries, steamships, and railroads. He understood that power lay in controlling infrastructure and not just operating...

#221 Bruce Flatt on Value, Discipline, and Durability

#221 Bruce Flatt on Value, Discipline, and Durability

Brookfield CEO Bruce Flatt reveals the investment philosophy behind building one of the world's largest alternative asset managers with over a trillion dollars under management. At the core of Brookfield's strategy is a disciplined focus on downside protection that has delivered 19% annualized returns over 30 years. Flatt identifies three major trends driving their investments: digitalization...

#220 Outliers: James Dyson — Against the Odds

#220 Outliers: James Dyson — Against the Odds

How do you turn 5,127 failures into a multi-billion-dollar empire? James Dyson turned dust into possibility, failure into discovery, and frustration into revolution. Dyson didn’t just build a better vacuum; he redefined a whole industry. Facing thousands of failed prototypes, crushing financial setbacks, and a dismissive industry that insisted a superior vacuum was impossible, Dyson transformed...

#219 Logan Ury: The Dating Myths You Need to Stop Believing

#219 Logan Ury: The Dating Myths You Need to Stop Believing

Most people date the wrong way. They chase the spark, mistake attraction for compatibility, and expect their partners to read their minds. Then they wonder why relationships don’t last. Logan Ury thinks about dating differently. As the Director of Relationship Science at Hinge, she’s spent years studying what actually makes relationships work. Her findings will change the way you think about...

#218 Outliers: Estée Lauder — A Success Story

#218 Outliers: Estée Lauder — A Success Story

Most people hear "Estée Lauder" and think of cosmetics—lipstick, perfume, face cream. But the real story isn’t just about makeup—it’s about a woman being an unstoppable force. Estée Lauder didn’t just build a beauty brand; she rewrote the rules of an industry. She turned rejection into fuel, defied industry gatekeepers, and transformed a homemade face cream into a multi-billion-dollar global...

#217 Josh Wolfe: Human Advantage in the World of AI

#217 Josh Wolfe: Human Advantage in the World of AI

While Silicon Valley chases unicorns, Josh Wolfe hunts for something far more elusive: scientific breakthroughs that could change civilization. As co-founder and managing partner of Lux Capital, he's looking for the kind of science that turns impossible into inevitable. Josh doesn’t just invest in the future—he sees it coming before almost anyone else. In this conversation, we explore: The rapid...

#216 Outliers: Andrew Mellon – America’s Secret Banker

25 February 2025

#216 Outliers: Andrew Mellon – America’s Secret Banker

He was the strangest titan America ever produced: a whisper-quiet banker who turned systematic thinking into a superpower, building an industrial empire while barely raising his voice above a murmur. Andrew Mellon's story isn't just about money—it's about how patience, observation, and positioning can create more wealth than charisma ever could. But when the Great Depression hit, the very...