#804: Robert Rodriguez, The Wizard of Cinema Returns — The "Fear-Forward" Way of Life, How to Overcome Self-Doubt, Learning to Love Limitations, and Counter-Intuitive Parenting That Works

Robert Rodriguez is a film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer, editor, and composer. Rodriguez has written, produced, directed, and edited a series of successful films including El Mariachi , Desperado , From Dusk Till Dawn , the Spy Kids franchise, Once Upon a Time in Mexico , Frank Miller’s Sin City , and many more. Robert recently launched Brass Knuckle Films , an investable action film slate.

This episode is brought to you by:

Cresset prestigious family office for CEOs, founders, and entrepreneurs: https://cressetcapital.com/tim (book a call today)

AG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement: https://DrinkAG1.com/Tim (1-year supply of Vitamin D (and 5 free AG1 travel packs) with your first subscription purchase.)

Wealthfront high-yield cash account: https://Wealthfront.com/Tim (New clients get 3.50% base APY from program banks + additional 0.65% boost for 3 months on your uninvested cash (max $150k balance.) Terms apply. The Cash Account offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC (“WFB”) member FINRA/SIPC, not a bank. The base APY as of 11/27/25 is representative, can change, and requires no minimum. Tim Ferriss, a non-client, receives compensation from WFB for advertising and holds a non-controlling equity interest in the corporate parent of WFB. Experiences will vary. Outcomes not guaranteed. Instant withdrawals may be limited by your receiving firm and other factors. Investment advisory services provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Securities investments: not bank deposits, bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value.

*

Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Start.

[00:08:19] Recounting what’s happened in the 10 years since Robert’s last appearance on the show.

[00:11:23] The freedom of limitations.

[00:14:08] Fruit-bearing “failures.”

[00:16:09] How Robert stumbled onto his own brand of counterintuitive parenting.

[00:18:42] How fan investing for Brass Knuckle Films works.

[00:23:59] How to effectively pitch a movie idea.

[00:26:55] The time to start your art is now. Aim high.

[00:33:00] The value of learning by doing.

[00:43:31] The power of labels to elevate or diminish our ambitions.

[00:47:51] Why lack of access is a myth.

[00:49:08] No human doubts — when not knowing is half the battle.

[00:54:25] Fear forward past the confines of the comfort zone.

[00:59:02] Interactions with the enigmatic Rick Rubin.

[01:01:53] Harnessing the creative spirit: action first, inspiration second.

[01:07:00] Living is reliving: why Robert wants you to start journaling.

[01:15:38] “Don’t just parent. Partner.”

[01:22:47] In defense of what some call nepotism.

[01:28:27] Why the double R naming scheme in the Rodriguez household?

[01:30:04] Tribe talk.

[01:33:38] Robert’s favorite exercise-related life hack: the rock walk.

[01:36:15] Parting thoughts.

*

For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show , please visit tim.blog/podcast .

For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show , please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsors

Sign up for Tim’s email newsletter ( 5-Bullet Friday ) at tim.blog/friday .

For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts .

Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books .

Follow Tim:

Twitter : twitter.com/tferriss

Instagram : instagram.com/timferriss

YouTube : youtube.com/timferriss

Facebook : facebook.com/timferriss

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferriss

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .