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The Tim Ferriss Show #854 · February 17, 2026 · 1h 27m

Tish Rabe — 200+ Children's Books, Getting Picked for Dr. Seuss, Lessons from Early Sesame Street, How to Write 300+ Songs, and More

Tish Rabe
SpotifyShow Notes

Tish Rabe — NYT bestselling children's author with 200+ books and 11M+ copies sold. Wrote for early Sesame Street, then was picked to continue Dr. Seuss after his death. Now running her own publishing company in her 70s. A craft and career story touching on creative longevity and starting late.

Curious

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Musical training protects against cognitive decline00:49:45
Rabe connects her opera training to staying sharp in her 70s. Backed by real research.
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Editorial

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Writing endings first00:07:27
Rabe's creative process — start with the ending, work backward.
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Dual-level humor for kids and parents00:10:58
Sesame Street's technique of layering humor for multiple audiences.
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Starting a publishing company at 70+00:55:10
Rabe launched Tish Rabe Books late in life.
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Getting free books to underserved kids01:12:54
Rabe's campaign for book access in underserved neighborhoods.
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References

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The Cat in the Hat's Learning Library — Tish Rabe (continuing Dr. Seuss) — 50+ books continuing Dr. Seuss's vision for science education

Misc

✧Rabe was an opera major before becoming a children's author
✧Jim Henson personally influenced her early Sesame Street work
✧Joe Raposo wrote "Bein' Green" — referenced as a masterclass in simple songwriting
✧Michelle Obama once requested 16 additional pages be added to a project
✧Big Bird in China (1982) — Rabe spent 13 coffee-less days in a bird costume in the rain
✧Rabe's billboard reads as a personal credo on kindness and friendship