You're Not Lazy: How To Learn Anything Faster - Cliff Weitzman Founder of Speechify

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Cliff Weitzman is one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met, he’s the CEO and founder of Speechify, which is the #1 text-to-speech app that converts books and anything on the internet into an audiobook. Cliff originally built Speechify because he has dyslexia and growing up struggled to read, but after sharing it with the rest of the world the app has now been downloaded by 20 million+ users. Cliff is only just getting started having done all of this in his 20s and being listed in Forbes’ magazine's 30 Under 30 list. In the conversation we talk about how Cliff developed the Speechify app, the life lessons he learned along the way, how speed listening is a superpower and why the best thing you can do is put more love out into the world. Enjoy!
Season 5 Episode 5
00:00 Intro
02:12 Your childhood and growing up with dyslexia
11:09 Your ambitiousness
14:17 Building a text-to-speech program
18:12 Why listening is a superpower
24:00 Reading 100 books a year with speed listening
40:20 Do you have a note taking process for listening?
45:24 Life lessons from building Speechify
01:02:44 Expanding your network & the power of adding value
01:17:45 How to avoid procrastination
01:22:11 Organising your life and maintaining relationships
01:37:29 Tips for putting more love into the world
🔗 CONNECT WITH CLIFF
🎥 KZbin Channel - ‪@CliffWeitzman‬
💻 Website - speechify.com/
📸 Instagram - / cliffweitzman
🐦 Twitter - / cliffweitzman
👥 Linkedin - / cliffweitzman
🔗 CONNECT WITH ALI
🎥 KZbin Channel - ‪@aliabdaal‬
🐦 Twitter - / aliabdaal
📸 Instagram - / aliabdaal
💻 Website - aliabdaal.com
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📚RESOURCES MENTIONED
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Brandon Sanderson's episode on Deep Dive - • Originality, Writing a...
📄SHOW NOTES & TRANSCRIPT
Visit the website for the transcript and highlights from the conversation - aliabdaal.com/podcast/
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[@KevinYeePharmD]

"Just put good energy out in the world and good things will happen". Love this 🔥

[@CliffWeitzman]

haha thanks Kevin and thanks for the wonderful DM!

[@KevinYeePharmD]

@@CliffWeitzman haha learned it from you!

[@OliviaHarrison731]

I don’t know if anyone else noticed this but I loved how Cliff said “learning differences”. For someone with autism I really appreciated that ❤

[@smartphone4good]

Cliff made me realize how much time I've been wasting listening to podcasts at normal speed. I tried 1.5x speed for the first time today and I was surprised to know that I could comprehend as much as I did. I feel motivated to develop my listening skill. Thanks for sharing your story Cliff.

[@nm3547]

👏👏👍

[@JessifurC]

To anyone feeling discouraged: Cliff is clearly someone who has been unnaturally driven from an early age. Along with having a well educated, supportive, (and I imagine financially sound) family, you can clearly tell by simply listening to him speak that he's now reaping the compounded benefits of his experiences. But that's the key word - compounded. Everybody is at a different timeline on this exponential curve. We all can drastically improve our lives, but we have to try. Even just a little every day... and before you know it, we may just be our own version of Cliff Weitzman! *QUESTION TO ALI/CLIFF: How do you two... who are so successful, manage both "love" AND your professional endeavors? ("being the best" as Cliff put it). In my journey, I've found the two to be mutually exclusive. Simply as a matter of having limited time.

[@CliffWeitzman]

Hey Jessi great question. To me, personally, the meaning of life IS to give love. To my family, partner, friends, and even to speechify's users... when they gain utility from my work that is me giving love at scale (similar to how my grandma feels when I eat food she made... thats her giving love). So giving love comes first. That is WHY I do speechify. not the other way around. If you specifically mean romantic love I do limit the time I spend on it, but I also dedicate time for it mindfully and when i'm in that mode i'm IN. Undivided attention. The two are not mutually exclusive in the same way that Breathing and business... eating and business... going to the bathroom and business... reading and business are not mutually exclusive. Love is as important as any of those. I will say that you can find and maintain a healthy relationship with 1-2 hours on average of QUALITY time a day (obviously you add date nights every 2 weeks or so on-top of that). that's the key... the time can be limited but you give your partner your full attention and are present. I have a sheet where I track my goals in intervals of 3 month, 6 month, 1 yr, 5 yr, 10 yr across 10 categories which include Love, business, adventure, family, fitness, music, spirituality, etc. Goals for Love and business in that sheet are not mutually exclusive. Hope this helps

[@Soheepflaume]

@@CliffWeitzman Okay the fact that you replied to this comment with so much sincerity is what makes you a person with integrity and love you really do practise what you say and it's so inspiring thank you for being so passionately you!

[@John-qf9nr]

You can never stop this podcast, I don’t know how many it’s helping, but I know it’s helping me

[@VanceRefrigeration]

Nearly two hours isn’t enough for you, you greedy bastard

[@xfernogt9394]

After your typical introduction with a person? Ask these three questions in whatever way you'd like: What's your biggest goal right now? What gives you energy? What's holding you back? ”These three questions quickly gets you to the meat of a person, because you either bond over ambition or you bond over vulnerability.”

[@englishimmersion3557]

Cliff should be featured in more podcasts, such a genius.

[@miladyessir]

After this kinda podcasts I literally wanna cry how inspiring human stories can be and how I can impact my own friends by learning material from podcast. Thank you Lai and Cliff for such an amazing opportunity. You’re both my role models!

[@rahul-puppala]

This video is in 1x speed but feels like 1.5x

[@hassankigo]

lol i keep checking to confirm

[@heidikamrath1951]

That’s how Ali rolls, lol

[@hassankigo]

Cliff actually talks faster than Ali

[@heidikamrath1951]

@@hassankigo but if Ali reduced the “like” stops, who knows how much faster it could flow, lol

[@BasutuEquestrian]

Ali and Cliff think and talk in 2 speed ❤😂🎉

[@bibinoojen]

This is the first time I've ever heard the term fluent listener, I think it just changed my life. I need details on how to become a super listener! I don't think solely listening correlates with retention and comprehension. I listen at double speed but my memory is absolutely terrible! 😂😭

[@Taimour-H]

listened to him on not overthinking and now this- what a wonderful person.

[@ShellyNoelly]

Thank you for giving me permission - I have been listening to podcasts since 2006 or so .. and I've always been hesitant to speed things up because I thought I was doing things wrong some how ... so this is amazing - I'm going to push now .. especially because I want to learn about so many things. Thank you

[@esterfon-pat8723]

I learned a lot from this talk. I certainly can do a better job putting love in the world and reaching out to people I admire. Thank you, Ali and Cliff.

[@Meonyt777]

it is so difficult to find out what is holding us back from living free. I am on my way to find this all out in my life.... thank you for this

[@itsdlifestyle]

Fire podcast interview, so many gems - thank you Ali and Cliff 🔥🙌

[@chitru1802]

I am dyslexic and there was so much that I could relate to Cliff's stories, ideas, habits and experiences. This is a podcast that I have decided to listen again and again frequently. Waiting eagerly for the next part of this discussion.

[@MatteoBarbieri3]

That’s the best video I’ve watched on KZbin so far, thank you both so much ❤

[@christinechong8964]

Super englightened and inspired after listening to this podcast. Thanks so much, Ali!

[@joeleynon4559]

Thank you for this podcast. This made me start listening to audiobooks!

[@beaumiffle]

This is my favourite podcast ever, thank you so much for sharing!!

[@leesoo-yeon9933]

Your Podcasts really helps Ali! Thanks re.

[@avzalbekodiljonov9323]

You guys have done a very great podcast which helps a lot for the people who encounter problems in their very delicate and fragile lives when it comes to dealing and coping with life, thank you guys so much and I so appreciate your work 😊

[@docteurmiao]

Oh So cool to see Cliff on this podcast! discovered Cliff's journey a few years back, very impressed by what he built and his story telling, Great episode!

[@ishakhussain3334]

Amazing podcast! Really love the idea of trying to get to know as many people as you can - there are countless exceptional individuals in our world.

[@ozlemcotuk5056]

You are both wonderful human beings! I learned so much from this episode and feel so inspired to take action. Just wanted to thank both of you for the things you have done and continue doing ❤

[@kmtsa5845]

That’s badass. Love how he focuses on people and not goals

[@SOFI_READS]

Thank you so much for this fantastic conversation!🙏🏻

[@sherryloiselle4988]

I find this very encouraging having difficulty learning. I have had a number of aha moments and I’m not even half way through. Thank you for giving me a starting place . I came across deep dive a while back and didn’t continue then I came across you again Ali and I am just watching one session after another . Such valuable content great guests and of course you are fantastic. Just for content, I am a regular Mom of 3 adult children. Circumstances have caused me to have to start my life over after retiring from 36 years of government employment. Your episodes give me hope !!!

[@TJEskew]

Absolutely amazing stuff. Thank you for putting this into the world 🙏🏼💯

[@mohamedmursalabdi775]

Thank you ali and cliff, thank you for your valuable information 😊

[@rishikasaria9859]

This guy is just so great! Loved this podcast, Ali, It's one of the best I've ever watched. I usually don't comment but couldn't resist. I guess I'll keep coming back to this conversation. Thanks a ton!

[@CliffWeitzman]

Thank you Rishika

[@Akashsamal-od9wy]

When the productivity guru meets the master. Absolutely loved it.

[@rudy934]

I found out about speechify from this video and signed up speechify premium I was already using text to speech regularly and this will really upgrade my experience. Thank you so much for making the product 💚

[@BuildingWealthAndRelationships]

This is pure gold. Pure gold!

[@tobiasstadler3037]

You guys are very inspiring! Thank you for sharing these lovely minutes full of heart warming input.

[@dinnertonight298]

This is perhaps the most influential 100 minute investment I've ever made when I watched it a few months ago. Being able to devour 3 full audiobooks a week along all the other things I do has changed my life completely. Amazing episode, and lifechanging technology!

[@janemuses3031]

While inspiring to listen to, imagine it would be super intimidating to work for this guy - he'd have more opinions than anyone in whatever dept/area because he has already read 100 books on the topic and spoken to the top people in that area as well. Funny he talks at 1.5X speed as well.

[@diegovinicius4186]

17:55 interesting techinique, i used to do the same thing when I was trying to "improve my time" when I was getting the bus to work (wasn't remote at the time), so I was always listening to some audio book or even reading a book, and to "smooth" the noises of people in the bus, I used to put classical music to play, or some instrumental songs, so my brain could ignore the background noises, and use the music as the background while I could focused in what I was reading or listening.

[@youssefnoureldin875]

Ali this is by far your best episode ! Amazing insights and life hacks 🙏🏻 thanks for sharing

[@markallisonparamotor]

Loved this, thanks for sharing. What an inspiring chap.

[@aigerimkartenbayeva]

Cliff is such an amazing person!

[@AyoAwotona]

Amazing and inspiring conversation. Thank you both so much.

[@TomeyTran]

The way Cliff hangout and maintain relationships just blown my mind!

[@habeebahoyedokun5634]

Best podcast ever Love this Learnt a lot

[@apraxia1396]

I finished this podcast in 5 minutes using 20x speed. Speed reading sure is effective.

[@hasnastudies808]

honestly I like how cliff uses storytelling skill to promote to his app !

[@elianaj.3373]

I loved this. And also the fact that you are two geniuses from two different faiths often pitted against each other when I believe we’re natural allies, Jews and Muslims. Thank you so much for being you and sharing it!

[@BransTiong]

I legit found out i can listen to things at 2x speed. Went through this whole podcast mindblown HAHAHA

[@diegosepulveda8691]

I love it!!!!, First of all, I already download speechify and is was very towards the like of the founder and the mission. And I love the app, its awesome. Ali thank you so much, for your honesty, continue doing videos and telling about all the stuff you talk about, also your honesty and transparency I value very much.

[@gingeworkshop]

Loved Cliff's energy! Definitely checking his channel out. Thanks for having him on this Podcast Ali :)

[@awaaa4767]

What an incredible conversation.

[@DilanTech]

thank you for doing this. It is really informative and useful

[@Lv_Av]

Thank you both, just WOW.

[@zuziisuzii]

Wow listening to Cliff and getting to know him thanks to this interview just made a big impact on my life. What an inspirational person he is! 🤯😍

[@NiagaraThistle]

This is a great podcast! Cliff's energy and outlook on life and "putting love out there" is AMAZING. Thanks Ali for these interviews.

[@jouza3]

Thanks a lot for this great podcast episode ❤❤❤

[@thiagoduarte6368]

Your energy and this talk just made my day, Cliff! Thanks for hosting this podcast, Ali!!

[@bryce2fadeway]

Always spend time with people that makes you better ❤

[@emmakleiner8470]

This is the best episode so far ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I loved it

[@CamillaJohannesen]

This was such a good conversation Ali and Cliff! I took so many notes, in my favorite Apple notes haha. So much value. It was such a good point about understanding why it's good to hang out with these amazing people, that you send cold email to, or include in your Excel sheet. What Ali said about feeling weird about wanting to meet them makes sense, and I guess what you said cliff, that we all have something to offer to them too! That Jack Dorsey is lucky to meet you as well, and it's so true. Getting rid of imposter syndrome is a big one. Thanks guys! Will get to making my spreadsheet now, and do some cold outreaches.

[@annabelpeter8163]

I love this so much...thank you for this

[@RiseAudioLab]

really really enjoyed this one, listened while driving to work.

[@MonelleAngelique]

I love this podcast. You both are so inspiring. Definitely one of my favourite episodes! Thank you Ali and Cliff

[@nehajain5850]

What are your other favourite episodes?

[@flowting5163]

I freakin love this episode Ali! It's fantastic!

[@bernardovasquez9083]

Excelente episodio! Quiero ver la segunda parte!

[@faridakhadjiboyeva3908]

You are special Ali! Such a great podcast🎉

[@saeedehsani9068]

Great and lovely episode. ❤️

[@malicktchakpedeou9989]

Best Speechify commercial one can ever come up with.

[@peacefulheart1431]

Ignore fear & always look for a solution : a summary of this podcast ... very much inspired.

[@CliffWeitzman]

wow great summary!

[@aroobaejaz9915]

Absolutely loved this episode!❤

[@Bossdunc]

I enjoyed listening to this conversation a lot 🙂

[@user-jy4dn5ym8e]

Thank you so much, my daughter has dyslexia, and yeah this decoding problem is so weird to understand … actually the only thing that helped is speech therapy for reading. Much like you she is an amazing loving hunny pie

[@hongkongfoamflinging]

Love Your effect on these videos

[@kingradway]

I increased this video to 1.25 for the first time and I got some work to do lol but I love thisss podcast !!!!!!

[@timcarden3938]

This guy's energy is on another level. Loved this one

[@coolskool1.061]

I’m listening to this at X1.25 this works for me took a little time to adjust to it , saves me on time 😊

[@jobkiruhi259]

I really enjoyed watching this.

[@Ella-hu6hg]

Please do part II!

[@mdsumon5831]

They both aslo my favourite character. I liked what they are doing. Also, I have got inspired many thing from them. ❤

[@ayush-ind]

This part is the most interesting: 01:02:44 Expanding your network & the power of adding value

[@0mgCaley]

Such a great video! Succinct and full of gems

[@Letyfrance]

favorite episode so far

[@scepter0143]

One listening thing that I do is (because I speak an Indian language along with English and am equally fluent) is have this KZbin podcast in one tab and my playlist in that language playing at a slightly lower volume.

[@mindstarbysandhyasurve5515]

Wow this guy is truly awesome

[@uzochukwu1556]

Dope podcast 🔥

[@meganoz]

Not sure if my Audible review worked so I just came here to add it here as well because I just loved this episode so much! :) I am a fan of all of Ali's work but this episode is the first one I think is going to change my life the most and so I am compelled to write my first review and say thank you to both of you. As a mum of a toddler I don't have a lot of spare time to myself so finding time to read and focus on learning anything new is especially difficult. I have gotten into the habit of listening to audiobooks and podcasts but am now very excited at the prospect of expanding my listening options to virtually anything and everything! I also never really thought about the benefits of increasing my listening speed but can now see the time saving is priceless (I comfortably increased to 1.3x just in the space of this episode and am keen to see how much further I can push it over time). I can't wait to check out Speechify and for part 2 of this episode! I also love how Cliff puts himself out there to meet new people so if either of you ever plan to travel to Central Australia let me know! PS. Happy to share my insights on parenting & productivity (or lack thereof) anytime haha

[@Nyangaoo]

I always forget to sub, thanks for the reminder

[@anandmagar6132]

Thank you ❤

[@Lucas-rr7el]

you guys speak very fast and as an English learner , I barely catch up with this speed😂and 100% focus.Anyway,this is a great content.

[@codewithsajid]

i have dyslexia and adhd as well, and i'm also aspiring to be a programmer like him. Very cool!

[@DeepDivewithAliAbdaal]

Sponsored by Huel - go to www.huel.com/deepdive and with your first order you’ll get a free t-shirt and shaker. Sponsored by Trading 212 - download the Trading 212 app trading212.com/promocodes/ALI and use the promo code "ALI" after signing up and depositing to receive a random free share worth up to £100. Sponsored by WeWork - visit www.we.co/ali and use the code ‘ALI’ at checkout to redeem 50% off your first booking.

[@paramtapkaushal2292]

11 minutes in, I'm reeled in, I find myself vulnerable with all the stuff he's talking about and can relate to him at basically every point, and so I see that a very natural vision based on the way of life can be a solid marketing strategy, to rope in the similar audiences for the product.

[@paramtapkaushal2292]

18:30 same here

[@julietb1234]

The conversations are similar to "taare zameen par" movie and i enjoy listening 😂

[@Alphastorm7]

I really enjoyed the podcast, it made me really motivated to start training my comprehension at faster speeds. I'm sure as a CEO of a successful company like Speechify, Cliff has the data that led him to saying that entertainment reading for new generation went from 60% to 6% in 6 Years. I tried looking it up though, but was unable to find anything to support that. It might be my inability to do my research correctly.

[@DahGreen]

Still listening and super enlightening and inspiring interview so far, but I wanted to say: HELL YES TO JIM DALE Harry Potter audible books. I've listened to the books multiple times back-to-back.

[@heidikamrath1951]

Masterful!

[@ahnaliesemaria]

this made me rethink my entire life (and also cry) 😅

[@Misale_edu]

Wow, Can't believe that was nearly two hours

[@saschiapayne4450]

“How dare you read that quickly?” 😂

[@emadla12]

I have adhd and when I was younger they did not know anything about it so my father used to summarize my courses like historians geography

[@JamesDaly]

1:05:56 this is such a crazy worlds collide episode, the Adam he’s mentioning with the beautiful Webster is a mutual friend, and yes his Webster is insane 😆