Mike Posner on "Cooler Than Me," "I Took a Pill in Ibiza," and His Walk Across America | Podcast Interview | E113

In Search Of Excellence

My guest today is the incredible Mike Posner. Mike is a singer-songwriter, record producer, and poet. He has released four albums and is best known for his hit song "Cooler Than Me," which he wrote as a sophomore in college. He is also known for the smash hit "I Took a Pill in Ibiza," which is one of my favorite songs of all time and, as of today, has 1.9 billion streams on Spotify. He has written songs for Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, Nick Jonas, Snoop Dogg, and many others, and has been nominated for a Grammy and various MTV Video Music Awards. As the author of the poetry book Teardrops and Balloons, he is also the only Grammy Award-nominated musician to walk across the United States on foot.
00:00:00 - Introduction.

00:02:57 - Lessons from family and mission-driven values.

00:05:50 - A pivotal moment of change.

00:08:45 - Entrepreneurial efforts during college.

00:11:38 - Early interests and influences.

00:14:36 - Challenges and motivational moments.

00:17:31 - Discussing patterns of depression and emotional states.

00:20:26 - Overcoming self-doubt and silly feelings.

00:23:18 - Achievements: Walking across continents and Grammy nominations.

00:26:15 - Socio-economic background and educational environment.

00:29:08 - Reflections on personal achievements.

00:32:08 - Rethinking career and life questions.

00:34:56 - Balancing career aspirations with financial realities.

00:37:56 - Academic experiences and personal capabilities.

00:40:51 - Memorable encounters with celebrities.

00:43:43 - Evaluating creative collaborations.

00:46:40 - The power of visualization and goal setting.

00:49:36 - Long-term commitment to music and personal growth.

00:52:28 - Supportive family dynamics and early creative experiences.

00:55:27 - Creative process and spontaneous songwriting.

00:58:18 - Brief moments and lasting impressions.

01:01:16 - Learning about the music business.

01:04:11 - Recognition and personal identity in the industry.

01:07:06 - Networking and spreading music through social connections.

01:10:00 - Philosophical thoughts on happiness and external circumstances.

Sponsors:
Sandee | Bliss: Beaches
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Chapters

1. Overcoming self-doubt and silly feelings (00:00:00)

2. Achievements: Walking across continents and Grammy nominations (00:00:00)

3. Introduction (00:00:00)

4. Lessons from family and mission-driven values (00:02:57)

5. A pivotal moment of change (00:05:50)

6. Entrepreneurial efforts during college (00:08:45)

7. Early interests and influences (00:11:23)

8. Challenges and motivational moments (00:14:36)

9. Discussing patterns of depression and emotional states (00:17:31)

10. Overcoming self-doubt and silly feelings (00:20:26)

11. Achievements: Walking across continents and Grammy nominations (00:23:18)

12. Socio-economic background and educational environment (00:26:15)

13. Reflections on personal achievements (00:29:08)

14. Rethinking career and life questions (00:32:08)

15. Balancing career aspirations with financial realities (00:34:56)

16. Academic experiences and personal capabilities (00:37:56)

17. Memorable encounters with celebrities (00:40:51)

18. Evaluating creative collaborations (00:43:43)

19. The power of visualization and goal setting (00:46:40)

20. Long-term commitment to music and personal growth (00:49:36)

21. Supportive family dynamics and early creative experiences (00:52:28)

22. Creative process and spontaneous songwriting (00:55:27)

23. Brief moments and lasting impressions (00:58:18)

24. Learning about the music business (01:01:16)

25. Recognition and personal identity in the industry (01:04:11)

26. Networking and spreading music through social connections (01:07:06)

27. Philosophical thoughts on happiness and external circumstances (01:10:00)