Huberman Lab

Rick Rubin: Protocols to Access Creative Energy and Process

Mon Dec 25 2023

Rick Rubinmusic productioncreativitymeditationsunlighthealth practiceselectromagnetic signalswrestlingcollaborationpersonal growthdreamsmagic

Description

Rick Rubin, a world-renowned music producer, discusses his creative process and answers questions from listeners. Topics include protocols for creativity, benefits of meditation and sunlight, concerns about EMS and health practices, overcoming creative blocks, embracing uncertainty in the creative process, the value of wrestling and focusing on the process, collaboration and personal purpose, creativity, dreams, and magic. The episode provides science-based information and tools to the general public for free.

Insights

Rick Rubin's Creative Process

Rick Rubin shares his protocols for creativity, including coherence breathing exercises and treading water. Regular meditation has provided numerous benefits to Rick Rubin and the speaker, including improved sleep and mood. The speaker discusses their concerns about electromagnetic signals and their preference for using wired headphones. The evolution of health and wellness practices over time is explored, including weightlifting and yoga becoming mainstream. The importance of focusing on the process of creating rather than the outcome is emphasized.

Benefits of Meditation and Sunlight

Regular meditation has provided numerous benefits to the speaker, both in terms of what it has afforded them and what it has helped them avoid. Wearing sunglasses during the day can disrupt natural sleep signals from sunlight and contribute to insomnia. Sunlight signals in the morning and evening help regulate circadian rhythms and signal wakefulness or sleepiness. Low solar angle sunlight during sunrise and sunset does not cause significant skin damage or eye damage as previously believed. The field of dermatology may benefit from collaborating with neuroscientists and circadian biologists to further understand the effects of sunlight on health.

Concerns about EMS and Health Practices

The speaker discusses their concerns about electromagnetic signals and their preference for using wired headphones. The evolution of health and wellness practices over time is explored, including weightlifting and yoga becoming mainstream. The speaker emphasizes the value of zero-cost practices like sunscreen and Bluetooth headphones in improving people's lives. They share their personal approach to health, including eating natural foods and using minimal products. AI is brought up, with the speaker expressing uncertainty about its impact on art compared to human artists.

Overcoming Creative Blocks and Writer's Block

The cause of creative blocks is usually personal, such as self-judgment or fear of outside judgment. Creating for oneself without expectations or pressure can help overcome creative blocks. The idea that there are infinite sources of inspiration available and that ideas can come from anywhere is mentioned. The host shares a personal challenge of feeling compelled to reach out to people instead of focusing on work due to a fear of separation or abandonment. Deadlines are discussed as helpful tools, but only after the initial creative process has begun.

Embracing Uncertainty in the Creative Process

Rick Rubin is comfortable with uncertainty and the unknown in his creative process. He experiences anxiety at the start of new projects but wants them to be good. Rick Rubin sometimes plays a therapeutic role for artists he works with during the creative process. Artists who are sensitive may use drugs to numb their pain, which can lead to early deaths. Rick advises artists to embrace their painful emotions and channel them into great work. He leads a protected life to avoid excessive stimulation that interferes with his inner landscape.

The Value of Wrestling and Focusing on the Process

People enjoy wrestling because it reflects the uncertainty of the real world. Wrestling and other physical sports appeal to both primitive and evolved aspects of the human brain. Enjoying wrestling requires suspending disbelief and accepting it as a representation of real life. Seeing people get away with things in wrestling can be frustrating, similar to real-life situations like politics. The question of whether something is worth doing should not be reliant on the outcome but rather on making the best thing possible. Thinking about outcomes before finishing a project undermines the creative process.

The Creative Process and Personal Growth

The importance of focusing on the process of creating rather than the outcome is discussed. The value of authenticity and truthfulness in creative endeavors is emphasized. The principles discussed in the podcast can be applied to various aspects of life, leading to personal growth and improvement. The creation process involves tapping into oneself and being open-minded to external influences. Setting boundaries and maintaining a balance between internal reflection and external engagement is crucial for creativity.

Collaboration and Personal Purpose

The importance of working together with someone to create the best possible outcome is discussed. They mention that not all producer-artist relationships maintain friendships, but they have managed to do so. During a dinner conversation, the speaker redirects the focus from business to art, highlighting their preference for discussing artistic matters. The guest praises the speaker's ability to explain complex scientific ideas in a way that is understandable and caring. The speaker expresses their purpose in life as collecting, organizing, and disseminating health and science information.

Creativity, Dreams, and Magic

Chapters

Summary

Transcript

Rick Rubin's Creative Process

00:00 - 06:40

Rick Rubin, a world-renowned music producer, discusses his creative process and answers questions from listeners.
Rick Rubin shares his protocols for creativity, including coherence breathing exercises and treading water.
Regular meditation has provided numerous benefits to Rick Rubin and the speaker, including improved sleep and mood.
The speaker discusses their concerns about electromagnetic signals and their preference for using wired headphones.
The evolution of health and wellness practices over time is explored, including weightlifting and yoga becoming mainstream.
The importance of focusing on the process of creating rather than the outcome is emphasized.
The guest speaker praises the host's ability to explain complex scientific ideas in a way that is understandable and caring.
The podcast explores the impact of smartphones and the internet on creativity and accessibility to information.
The speaker emphasizes the value of authenticity and truthfulness in creative endeavors.
The importance of working together with someone to create the best possible outcome is discussed.

Protocols for Creativity

06:11 - 14:06

Rick Rubin shares his protocols for creativity, including coherence breathing exercises and treading water.
Regular meditation has provided numerous benefits to Rick Rubin and the speaker, including improved sleep and mood.
The speaker discusses their concerns about electromagnetic signals and their preference for using wired headphones.
The evolution of health and wellness practices over time is explored, including weightlifting and yoga becoming mainstream.
The importance of focusing on the process of creating rather than the outcome is emphasized.
The guest speaker praises the host's ability to explain complex scientific ideas in a way that is understandable and caring.
The podcast explores the impact of smartphones and the internet on creativity and accessibility to information.
The speaker emphasizes the value of authenticity and truthfulness in creative endeavors.
The importance of working together with someone to create the best possible outcome is discussed.

Benefits of Meditation and Sunlight

13:43 - 20:59

Regular meditation has provided numerous benefits to the speaker, both in terms of what it has afforded them and what it has helped them avoid.
Wearing sunglasses during the day can disrupt natural sleep signals from sunlight and contribute to insomnia.
Sunlight signals in the morning and evening help regulate circadian rhythms and signal wakefulness or sleepiness.
Low solar angle sunlight during sunrise and sunset does not cause significant skin damage or eye damage as previously believed.
The field of dermatology may benefit from collaborating with neuroscientists and circadian biologists to further understand the effects of sunlight on health.
The speaker stopped using Bluetooth headphones due to personal experiences with lymph swellings behind their ears.

Concerns about EMS and Health Practices

20:33 - 28:16

The speaker discusses their concerns about electromagnetic signals and their preference for using wired headphones.
The evolution of health and wellness practices over time is explored, including weightlifting and yoga becoming mainstream.
The speaker emphasizes the value of zero-cost practices like sunscreen and Bluetooth headphones in improving people's lives.
They share their personal approach to health, including eating natural foods and using minimal products.
AI is brought up, with the speaker expressing uncertainty about its impact on art compared to human artists.
Childhood activities mentioned by the speaker include reading, listening to music, playing guitar, and learning magic tricks.
Mentalists are discussed as the speaker's favorite form of magic because they rely less on props and create a sense of pure magic through mind reading.

Overcoming Creative Blocks and Writer's Block

27:49 - 35:27

The cause of creative blocks is usually personal, such as self-judgment or fear of outside judgment.
Creating for oneself without expectations or pressure can help overcome creative blocks.
The idea that there are infinite sources of inspiration available and that ideas can come from anywhere is mentioned.
The host shares a personal challenge of feeling compelled to reach out to people instead of focusing on work due to a fear of separation or abandonment.
Deadlines are discussed as helpful tools, but only after the initial creative process has begun.

Embracing Uncertainty in the Creative Process

34:59 - 43:09

Rick Rubin is comfortable with uncertainty and the unknown in his creative process.
He experiences anxiety at the start of new projects but wants them to be good.
Rick Rubin sometimes plays a therapeutic role for artists he works with during the creative process.
Artists who are sensitive may use drugs to numb their pain, which can lead to early deaths.
Rick advises artists to embrace their painful emotions and channel them into great work.
He leads a protected life to avoid excessive stimulation that interferes with his inner landscape.
Wrestling allows Rick Rubin to relax in high-intensity environments because there are no real stakes.

The Value of Wrestling and Focusing on the Process

42:40 - 50:38

People enjoy wrestling because it reflects the uncertainty of the real world.
Wrestling and other physical sports appeal to both primitive and evolved aspects of the human brain.
Enjoying wrestling requires suspending disbelief and accepting it as a representation of real life.
Seeing people get away with things in wrestling can be frustrating, similar to real-life situations like politics.
The question of whether something is worth doing should not be reliant on the outcome but rather on making the best thing possible.
Thinking about outcomes before finishing a project undermines the creative process.

The Creative Process and Personal Growth

50:10 - 57:55

The importance of focusing on the process of creating rather than the outcome is discussed.
The value of authenticity and truthfulness in creative endeavors is emphasized.
The principles discussed in the podcast can be applied to various aspects of life, leading to personal growth and improvement.
The creation process involves tapping into oneself and being open-minded to external influences.
Setting boundaries and maintaining a balance between internal reflection and external engagement is crucial for creativity.
The guest speaker shares their natural inclination towards solitude and nature, highlighting the importance of adapting to new information and experiences.
Dealing with resistance in artistic collaborations is approached on a case-by-case basis, with a focus on teamwork and mutual commitment to producing the best possible outcome.

Collaboration and Personal Purpose

57:31 - 1:04:54

The importance of working together with someone to create the best possible outcome is discussed.
They mention that not all producer-artist relationships maintain friendships, but they have managed to do so.
During a dinner conversation, the speaker redirects the focus from business to art, highlighting their preference for discussing artistic matters.
The guest praises the speaker's ability to explain complex scientific ideas in a way that is understandable and caring.
The speaker expresses their purpose in life as collecting, organizing, and disseminating health and science information.
They mention their desire for people to have access to important information rather than it being about themselves.

Creativity, Dreams, and Magic

57:31 - 1:04:54

The importance of focusing on the process of creating rather than the outcome is discussed.
The value of authenticity and truthfulness in creative endeavors is emphasized.
The principles discussed in the podcast can be applied to various aspects of life, leading to personal growth and improvement.
The creation process involves tapping into oneself and being open-minded to external influences.
Setting boundaries and maintaining a balance between internal reflection and external engagement is crucial for creativity.
The guest speaker shares their natural inclination towards solitude and nature, highlighting the importance of adapting to new information and experiences.
Dealing with resistance in artistic collaborations is approached on a case-by-case basis, with a focus on teamwork and mutual commitment to producing the best possible outcome.

Creativity, Dreams, and Magic

57:31 - 1:04:54

The importance of focusing on the process of creating rather than the outcome is discussed.
The value of authenticity and truthfulness in creative endeavors is emphasized.
The principles discussed in the podcast can be applied to various aspects of life, leading to personal growth and improvement.
The creation process involves tapping into oneself and being open-minded to external influences.
Setting boundaries and maintaining a balance between internal reflection and external engagement is crucial for creativity.
The guest speaker shares their natural inclination towards solitude and nature, highlighting the importance of adapting to new information and experiences.
Dealing with resistance in artistic collaborations is approached on a case-by-case basis, with a focus on teamwork and mutual commitment to producing the best possible outcome.

Creativity, Dreams, and Magic

57:31 - 1:04:54

The importance of focusing on the process of creating rather than the outcome is discussed.
The value of authenticity and truthfulness in creative endeavors is emphasized.
The principles discussed in the podcast can be applied to various aspects of life, leading to personal growth and improvement.
The creation process involves tapping into oneself and being open-minded to external influences.
Setting boundaries and maintaining a balance between internal reflection and external engagement is crucial for creativity.
The guest speaker shares their natural inclination towards solitude and nature, highlighting the importance of adapting to new information and experiences.
Dealing with resistance in artistic collaborations is approached on a case-by-case basis, with a focus on teamwork and mutual commitment to producing the best possible outcome.

Creativity, Dreams, and Magic

57:31 - 1:04:54

The importance of focusing on the process of creating rather than the outcome is discussed.
The value of authenticity and truthfulness in creative endeavors is emphasized.
The principles discussed in the podcast can be applied to various aspects of life, leading to personal growth and improvement.
The creation process involves tapping into oneself and being open-minded to external influences.
Setting boundaries and maintaining a balance between internal reflection and external engagement is crucial for creativity.
The guest speaker shares their natural inclination towards solitude and nature, highlighting the importance of adapting to new information and experiences.
Dealing with resistance in artistic collaborations is approached on a case-by-case basis, with a focus on teamwork and mutual commitment to producing the best possible outcome.

Creativity, Dreams, and Magic

57:31 - 1:04:54

The importance of focusing on the process of creating rather than the outcome is discussed.
The value of authenticity and truthfulness in creative endeavors is emphasized.
The principles discussed in the podcast can be applied to various aspects of life, leading to personal growth and improvement.
The creation process involves tapping into oneself and being open-minded to external influences.
Setting boundaries and maintaining a balance between internal reflection and external engagement is crucial for creativity.
The guest speaker shares their natural inclination towards solitude and nature, highlighting the importance of adapting to new information and experiences.
Dealing with resistance in artistic collaborations is approached on a case-by-case basis, with a focus on teamwork and mutual commitment to producing the best possible outcome.

Creativity, Dreams, and Magic

57:31 - 1:04:54

The importance of focusing on the process of creating rather than the outcome is discussed.
The value of authenticity and truthfulness in creative endeavors is emphasized.
The principles discussed in the podcast can be applied to various aspects of life, leading to personal growth and improvement.
The creation process involves tapping into oneself and being open-minded to external influences.
Setting boundaries and maintaining a balance between internal reflection and external engagement is crucial for creativity.
The guest speaker shares their natural inclination towards solitude and nature, highlighting the importance of adapting to new information and experiences.
Dealing with resistance in artistic collaborations is approached on a case-by-case basis, with a focus on teamwork and mutual commitment to producing the best possible outcome.

Creativity, Dreams, and Magic

57:31 - 1:04:54

The importance of focusing on the process of creating rather than the outcome is discussed.
The value of authenticity and truthfulness in creative endeavors is emphasized.
The principles discussed in the podcast can be applied to various aspects of life, leading to personal growth and improvement.
The creation process involves tapping into oneself and being open-minded to external influences.
Setting boundaries and maintaining a balance between internal reflection and external engagement is crucial for creativity.
The guest speaker shares their natural inclination towards solitude and nature, highlighting the importance of adapting to new information and experiences.
Dealing with resistance in artistic collaborations is approached on a case-by-case basis, with a focus on teamwork and mutual commitment to producing the best possible outcome.

Creativity, Dreams, and Magic

57:31 - 1:04:54

The importance of focusing on the process of creating rather than the outcome is discussed.
The value of authenticity and truthfulness in creative endeavors is emphasized.
The principles discussed in the podcast can be applied to various aspects of life, leading to personal growth and improvement.
The creation process involves tapping into oneself and being open-minded to external influences.
Setting boundaries and maintaining a balance between internal reflection and external engagement is crucial for creativity.
The guest speaker shares their natural inclination towards solitude and nature, highlighting the importance of adapting to new information and experiences.
Dealing with resistance in artistic collaborations is approached on a case-by-case basis, with a focus on teamwork and mutual commitment to producing the best possible outcome.

Creativity, Dreams, and Magic

57:31 - 1:04:54

The importance of focusing on the process of creating rather than the outcome is discussed.
The value of authenticity and truthfulness in creative endeavors is emphasized.
The principles discussed in the podcast can be applied to various aspects of life, leading to personal growth and improvement.
The creation process involves tapping into oneself and being open-minded to external influences.
Setting boundaries and maintaining a balance between internal reflection and external engagement is crucial for creativity.
The guest speaker shares their natural inclination towards solitude and nature, highlighting the importance of adapting to new information and experiences.
Dealing with resistance in artistic collaborations is approached on a case-by-case basis, with a focus on teamwork and mutual commitment to producing the best possible outcome.

Creativity, Dreams, and Magic

57:31 - 1:04:54

The importance of focusing on the process of creating rather than the outcome is discussed.
The value of authenticity and truthfulness in creative endeavors is emphasized.
The principles discussed in the podcast can be applied to various aspects of life, leading to personal growth and improvement.
The creation process involves tapping into oneself and being open-minded to external influences.
Setting boundaries and maintaining a balance between internal reflection and external engagement is crucial for creativity.
The guest speaker shares their natural inclination towards solitude and nature, highlighting the importance of adapting to new information and experiences.
Dealing with resistance in artistic collaborations is approached on a case-by-case basis, with a focus on teamwork and mutual commitment to producing the best possible outcome.

Creativity, Dreams, and Magic

57:31 - 1:04:54

The importance of focusing on the process of creating rather than the outcome is discussed.
The value of authenticity and truthfulness in creative endeavors is emphasized.
The principles discussed in the podcast can be applied to various aspects of life, leading to personal growth and improvement.
The creation process involves tapping into oneself and being open-minded to external influences.
Setting boundaries and maintaining a balance between internal reflection and external engagement is crucial for creativity.
The guest speaker shares their natural inclination towards solitude and nature, highlighting the importance of adapting to new information and experiences.
Dealing with resistance in artistic collaborations is approached on a case-by-case basis, with a focus on teamwork and mutual commitment to producing the best possible outcome.

Creativity, Dreams, and Magic

57:31 - 1:04:54

The importance of focusing on the process of creating rather than the outcome is discussed.
The value of authenticity and truthfulness in creative endeavors is emphasized.
The principles discussed in the podcast can be applied to various aspects of life, leading to personal growth and improvement.
The creation process involves tapping into oneself and being open-minded to external influences.
Setting boundaries and maintaining a balance between internal reflection and external engagement is crucial for creativity.
The guest speaker shares their natural inclination towards solitude and nature, highlighting the importance of adapting to new information and experiences.
Dealing with resistance in artistic collaborations is approached on a case-by-case basis, with a focus on teamwork and mutual commitment to producing the best possible outcome.

Creativity, Dreams, and Magic

57:31 - 1:04:54

The importance of focusing on the process of creating rather than the outcome is discussed.
The value of authenticity and truthfulness in creative endeavors is emphasized.
The principles discussed in the podcast can be applied to various aspects of life, leading to personal growth and improvement.
The creation process involves tapping into oneself and being open-minded to external influences.
Setting boundaries and maintaining a balance between internal reflection and external engagement is crucial for creativity.
The guest speaker shares their natural inclination towards solitude and nature, highlighting the importance of adapting to new information and experiences.
Dealing with resistance in artistic collaborations is approached on a case-by-case basis, with a focus on teamwork and mutual commitment to producing the best possible outcome.

Creativity, Dreams, and Magic

57:31 - 1:04:54

The importance of focusing on the process of creating rather than the outcome is discussed.
The value of authenticity and truthfulness in creative endeavors is emphasized.
The principles discussed in the podcast can be applied to various aspects of life, leading to personal growth and improvement.
The creation process involves tapping into oneself and being open-minded to external influences.
Setting boundaries and maintaining a balance between internal reflection and external engagement is crucial for creativity.
The guest speaker shares their natural inclination towards solitude and nature, highlighting the importance of adapting to new information and experiences.
Dealing with resistance in artistic collaborations is approached on a case-by-case basis, with a focus on teamwork and mutual commitment to producing the best possible outcome.