Rick Rubin: Your Whole Personality Is NOT True
Overview
Topic: Creativity, authenticity, and the creative process
In this episode, Jay Shetty sits down with legendary music producer Rick Rubin to discuss the nature of creativity, the importance of authenticity, and how to overcome common creative blocks. Rick shares insights from his experience working with iconic artists, explaining that true art is a devotional act and that the only real competition is with oneself. They also explore practical techniques for breaking creative sameness, the difference between distraction and procrastination, and how to use dream journaling to tap into the subconscious mind.
Minute by Minute (31)
[00:00 - 01:00] The Addiction to Being Liked
Jay Shetty asks Rick Rubin why people are addicted to being liked and often go against their true selves. Rick explains that people want to be accepted, but the best way to be accepted is to be yourself.
[01:00 - 02:00] Supporting Diverse Artistic Visions
Rick discusses authenticity and how he supports artists' visions even if they differ from his own. He emphasizes that differences and imperfections make us interesting and human.
[02:00 - 03:00] The Three Faces Proverb
Rick talks about how a human sharing their own experience is different from AI like ChatGPT. Jay Shetty shares a Japanese proverb about having three faces.
[03:00 - 04:00] The Power of Personal Expression
Rick explains that the most personal information is the most unique. Jay Shetty discusses the fear of not being creative or artistic.
[04:00 - 05:00] Everyday Creative Decisions
Rick explains that everyone makes creative decisions daily, such as choosing a different route home or cooking.
[05:00 - 06:00] Blocks to Creativity
Jay Shetty asks about the biggest blocks to creativity. Rick identifies concern about what others think as a major block.
[06:00 - 07:00] Liking Your Own Work
Rick discusses how success comes from liking your own work enough to share it, rather than focusing on external validation.
[07:00 - 08:00] Art as a Devotional Offering
Rick describes art as a devotional offering to God, which elevates it above budgets or audience segments.
[08:00 - 09:00] The Love in Aggressive Music
Rick shares his experience working with the band Slayer and how their aggressive music connected with fans through love.
[09:00 - 10:00] The Stifling Feedback Loop
Jay Shetty notes that the feedback loop has become much shorter today with social media, which can stifle creativity.
[10:00 - 11:00] Going Against Publishing Rules
Rick discusses how his book went against publishing rules, and how he waited until it was written before finding a publisher.
[11:00 - 12:00] The Purpose of Art
Rick explains that the goal of art is to show how you see the world and learn how others see it.
[12:00 - 13:00] Breaking Sameness
Jay Shetty reads a section from Rick's book about breaking sameness and changing the context of a performance.
[13:00 - 14:00] Evoking Genuine Emotion
Jay Shetty asks Rick if he has ever asked an artist to sing to someone real in their life to evoke emotion.
[14:00 - 15:00] Johnny Cash's Devotional Song
Rick shares a story about Johnny Cash recording a cover of 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' as a devotional song to God.
[15:00 - 16:00] Shifting Consciousness
Jay Shetty reads about changing the environment to shift consciousness, such as recording in the dark or hanging upside down.
[16:00 - 17:00] Fresh Performances in the Dark
Rick explains how changing the environment, like turning off the lights, can make a performance feel fresh.
[17:00 - 18:00] Recording in a Mansion
Rick shares how he recorded the Red Hot Chili Peppers in a mansion instead of a traditional studio to create a unique environment.
[18:00 - 19:00] Inviting an Observer
Jay Shetty reads about inviting an audience to a session to change how an artist performs.
[19:00 - 20:00] The Beatles' Group Dynamics
Rick shares a story about the Beatles being thoughtful individually but sarcastic and performative when interviewed together.
[20:00 - 21:00] Creative Masterminds
Jay Shetty mentions Bob Iger's book and how directors like George Lucas, Spielberg, and Tarantino would show their movies to each other.
[21:00 - 22:00] The Value of Community
Rick discusses the value of having a supportive community of fellow artists to share work with.
[22:00 - 23:00] Filtering Criticism
Jay Shetty asks how to filter criticism and feedback in a world of instant social media reactions.
[23:00 - 24:00] Criticism Reflects the Critic
Rick explains that criticism tells you more about the critic than the art itself, using Drake and Beyoncé as examples of incomparable artists.
[24:00 - 25:00] Competing with Yourself
Rick emphasizes that the only real competition is with yourself, to continue evolving and pushing yourself.
[25:00 - 26:00] The Feeling of Unworthiness
Jay Shetty discusses how people often feel they are not worthy of pursuing their passion or purpose.
[26:00 - 27:00] Distraction vs. Procrastination
Rick explains the difference between distraction and procrastination, noting that distraction can be a helpful tool.
[27:00 - 28:00] The Power of Walking Meetings
Rick shares how he used walking meetings in Santa Monica to improve his health and the quality of his meetings.
[28:00 - 29:00] Freeing the Mind on the Move
Rick explains how walking and driving allow the mind to be free and generate creative ideas.
[29:00 - 30:00] Separating Job from Purpose
Jay Shetty and Rick Rubin discuss the importance of separating your job from your purpose to avoid putting too much pressure on your art.
[30:00 - 31:08] Dream Journaling Techniques
Rick shares a technique for remembering dreams by writing them down immediately upon waking without moving, and how his dream journal revealed consistent themes over time.
Broadcaster Questions (7)
[00:00] What in your opinion has made us so addicted to wanting to become someone that people like and often go against who we truly are?
Context: Jay Shetty asks Rick Rubin about the societal pressure to conform and be liked at the expense of authenticity.
[05:06] What have been the biggest blocks to creativity or to accessing that?
Context: Jay Shetty asks about the primary obstacles that prevent people from tapping into their creative potential.
[13:41] Have you ever asked an artist to sing to someone real in their life potentially to get an emotion out?
Context: Jay Shetty asks Rick Rubin about techniques used in the studio to evoke genuine emotional performances from vocalists.
[15:48] Could you tell us some examples of those?
Context: Jay Shetty asks Rick Rubin for real-world examples of changing the environment or context to break creative sameness.
[22:26] How have you learned to filter criticism and feedback?
Context: Jay Shetty asks Rick Rubin how he and the artists he works with handle external feedback and criticism in the age of instant social media reactions.
[26:51] Have you or anyone you've ever worked with ever dealt with big bouts of procrastination or overthinking?
Context: Jay Shetty asks Rick Rubin about dealing with procrastination and overthinking in the creative process.
[27:59] Why do you think we don't feel worthy of anything, not just making art, but so many of us I think feel a sense of like we're not worthy to do what we love?
Context: Jay Shetty asks Rick Rubin about the widespread feeling of unworthiness that prevents people from pursuing their passions.
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