Perfectionism
Subject in Mental Health
Perfectionism has come up in 3 episodes across 3 podcasts in TMT, including This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von, The Tim Ferriss Show, The Curiosity Shop with Brené Brown and Adam Grant. 5 people have made recorded remarks about it.
What people said
Nick SabanFormer Alabama football head coach
Saban says his mother taught him that the goal was not beating others but performing as well as he was capable, making him a perfectionist.
“it's not about winning the game. It's not about beating the other guy. It's about did you do it as well as you're capable of doing it?”
This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von: #689 - Nick Saban (Oct 6, 2026) · Listen from 12:07
Tim FerrissAmerican author, podcaster and investor, host of The Tim Ferriss Show
Ferriss says part of him believes he is shortchanging himself by using perfectionism to avoid writing, since writing helps one think.
“the writing helps you to learn to think, as Kevin Kelly, to invoke that name again. He writes to think”
The Tim Ferriss Show: #878: How to Start When You're Stuck, Finish What You Begin, and Stop Waiting for Inspiration — Creative Advice from Elizabeth Gilbert, Seth Godin, Joyce Carol Oates, Anne Lamott and More (Aug 5, 2026) · Listen from 51:15
Seth GodinAmerican author of Purple Cow
Godin suggests Ferriss may not be the best judge of when his writing is ready and could hire an editor for feedback.
“this might not be your best skill, knowing when it's ready to publish”
The Tim Ferriss Show: #878: How to Start When You're Stuck, Finish What You Begin, and Stop Waiting for Inspiration — Creative Advice from Elizabeth Gilbert, Seth Godin, Joyce Carol Oates, Anne Lamott and More (Aug 5, 2026) · Listen from 53:34
Anne LamottAmerican writer and essayist, author of Bird by Bird, Operating Instructions and Somehow: Thoughts on Love
Lamott describes perfectionism as the voice of the oppressor that keeps people crazy.
“how perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor. It's the voice of the enemy”
The Tim Ferriss Show: #878: How to Start When You're Stuck, Finish What You Begin, and Stop Waiting for Inspiration — Creative Advice from Elizabeth Gilbert, Seth Godin, Joyce Carol Oates, Anne Lamott and More (Aug 5, 2026) · Listen from 8:37
Brené BrownAmerican research professor and author on vulnerability, shame, and courage
Brown argues perfectionism is one of the most common expressions of shame.
“Perfectionism, like when perfectionism is driving, shame is riding shotgun”
The Curiosity Shop with Brené Brown and Adam Grant: The Emotion Few Talk About, But Many Feel (Apr 23, 2026) · Listen from 23:14
Coverage over time
Podcasts
- This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von · 1 episode
- The Tim Ferriss Show · 1 episode
- The Curiosity Shop with Brené Brown and Adam Grant · 1 episode
Episodes
#689 - Nick SabanThis Past Weekend w/ Theo Von · Oct 6, 2026 · 1 h 24 min
Nick Saban talks with Theo Von about his marriage, perfectionism, coaching philosophy, retirement from Alabama, NIL-era recruiting, the College Football Playoff, and his ESPN docuseries.
#878: How to Start When You're Stuck, Finish What You Begin, and Stop Waiting for Inspiration — Creative Advice from Elizabeth Gilbert, Seth Godin, Joyce Carol Oates, Anne Lamott and MoreThe Tim Ferriss Show · Aug 5, 2026 · 59 min
Tim Ferriss compiles writing advice from Elizabeth Gilbert, Anne Lamott, Joyce Carol Oates, Jerry Seinfeld, Mary Karr, Brandon Sanderson and Seth Godin on starting, persisting and finishing.
The Emotion Few Talk About, But Many FeelThe Curiosity Shop with Brené Brown and Adam Grant · Apr 23, 2026 · 60 min
Brené Brown and Adam Grant discuss shame, guilt, humiliation, and embarrassment, how shame fuels violence and control, shame resilience, and imposter syndrome.