• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Farnam Street Logo

Farnam Street

Mastering the best of what other people have already figured out

  • Newsletter
  • Sponsor
  • Podcast
  • Articles
  • Log In
  • Become a Member
TweetEmailLinkedInPrint

The Knowledge Project Podcast

Jon McNeill: How Elon Musk Makes Decisions

Jon McNeill is the former President of Tesla and the co-founder and CEO of DVx Ventures.

Elon Musk believes speed creates a competitive advantage, whether it’s speed of decision, speed of cash, or speed of response. But what does that look like day to day, and how do you build a company around it?

Jon spent years inside Elon’s companies, and he explains how they work. We talk about what happens when you skip the chain of command, why bad news can’t wait, and why Elon wanted problems explained in three sentences.

We also get into the five-step algorithm Jon uses to simplify problems, why Elon treats a company like a garden full of weeds, and how Tesla grew with zero marketing budget.

Public Release: Nov 10.
Members have access now.
Join us.

Coming Soon: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Transcript

Transcript

Get transcripts, early access, ad-free episodes, and so much more. Learn more or sign up now.

Already a member? Head over to the Members Only area to access transcripts and other Member Only content.

Become a Member

More Episodes

[Outliers] K.C. Irving: Competing with Giants

K.C. Irving refused to be stopped. When a railway raised his shipping costs, he bought a ship. When oil suppliers tried to squeeze him, he …

Listen Now[Outliers] K.C. Irving: Competing with Giants

The Science of Doing Your Best Work | Steven Kotler

Steven Kotler is a bestselling author and the executive director of the Flow Research Collective, where he studies the science of peak …

Listen NowThe Science of Doing Your Best Work | Steven Kotler

Ryan Serhant: How to Get People to Say Yes

Ryan Serhant is a real estate broker, founder of SERHANT., and star of Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing New York and Netflix’s Owning …

Listen NowRyan Serhant: How to Get People to Say Yes
The Knowledge Project Podcast with Shane Parrish

The Knowledge Project

A podcast about mastering the best of what other people have already figured out. The Knowledge Project focuses on insights and lessons that never expire. You’ll walk away from every episode with actionable insights that help you get better results and live a more meaningful life.

Listen now onApple Podcasts
More Options
  • Spotify
  • Overcast
  • g id="Pocket-Casts-Roundel---Red">Pocket Casts
  • RSS

Never miss an episode

A podcast about mastering the best of what other people have already figured out.

Articles

  • Mental Models
  • Decision Making
  • Learning
  • Book Recommendations
  • All Articles

Podcast

  • Latest Episodes
  • Organized by Theme
  • ChatBot

Books

  • Clear Thinking
  • The Great Mental Models
  • All Books

Newsletter

  • Archive
  • Sign Up

About

  • About Shane
  • Speaking
  • Inquire about Sponsorship

Farnam Street Logo

© 2026 Farnam Street Media Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Proudly powered by WordPress. Hosted by Pressable. See our Privacy Policy.

We’re Syrus Partners.
We buy amazing businesses.


Farnam Street participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising commissions by linking to Amazon.