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The Next Big Idea Daily
The Next Big Idea Daily
Next Big Idea Club

What if engaging with great ideas could become one of your daily habits? What if some of the best tips for living... more

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Episodes

Can You Save Civilization by Getting Married?

Nothing predicts happiness better than a good marriage, says University of Virginia sociologist Brad Wilcox.

20 Dec 2024 · 14 minutes
What Do We Owe Animals?

Brandon Keim shares a few big ideas from his new book "Meet the Neighbors: Animal Minds and Life in a... more

19 Dec 2024 · 14 minutes
Escaping the Toxic Productivity Trap

If you've ever wondered, "When will it feel like I've done enough?" this episode is for you. 📩 Check out our... more

18 Dec 2024 · 11 minutes
The Career Advice You Really Need

Three innovators offer a road-tested framework for career development that helps anyone make real progress on their path when they... more

17 Dec 2024 · 15 minutes
How to Winter

It’s the winter solstice this week, which means we have officially hit the darkest time of the year. But dark... more

16 Dec 2024 · 12 minutes
Are You Playing It Safe? Stop That.

Chase Jarvis shares five big ideas from Never Play It Safe. 🎁 Take 50% off a Next Big Idea Club express... more

13 Dec 2024 · 13 minutes
"Playing from the Rough" by Jimmie James

When Jimmie James set out to become the first person to play all of America’s 100 greatest golf courses in... more

12 Dec 2024 · 15 minutes
The Surprising Biology of the Seven Deadly Sins

What if the seven deadly sins aren't moral failings? What if, instead, they're biological functions that humans need to survive? 📕... more

11 Dec 2024 · 15 minutes
How to Be a Likeable Badass

Today, key insights from Alison Fragale's "Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve," a book that our curator... more

10 Dec 2024 · 10 minutes
A Woodworker's Guide to Life

Today, master woodworker Callum Robinson on craft, history, family, and our relationship with the natural world. 📕 Ingrained: The Making of... more

09 Dec 2024 · 13 minutes
Let's Talk About Sex, Baby

We all deserve great sex, according to relationship therapist Dr. Emily Jamea. And she joins us today to share the... more

06 Dec 2024 · 14 minutes
How the Cultural Instincts That Divide Us Can Help Bring Us Together

A lot has been written about the downsides of tribalism, but could the forces that separate people also help build... more

05 Dec 2024 · 14 minutes
The Wellness Trap

What if modern wellness culture is standing in the way of true well-being? 🎁 Take 75% off a Next Big Idea... more

04 Dec 2024 · 17 minutes
How the James Webb Telescope Unlocked the Secrets of the Cosmos

A $10 billion marvel of human ingenuity is rewriting the cosmic narrative right before our eyes. *** 🎁 Take 75% off a... more

03 Dec 2024 · 10 minutes
Is Your Job a Good Fit?

You’re probably used to looking for so-called good jobs and avoiding bad ones, but we might be better off looking... more

02 Dec 2024 · 10 minutes
The Wisdom and Wonder of Uncertainty

Google searches for "uncertainty" are at a five-year high, so it seems like the right time to revisit "Uncertain: The... more

29 Nov 2024 · 14 minutes
From Hot Takes to Handshakes: A Thanksgiving Survival Guide

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! To celebrate, we’re bringing back Ian Leslie, a columnist for the New Statesman, who’s going to teach... more

28 Nov 2024 · 14 minutes
Happiness That You Can Eat

James Beard Award-winner Rowan Jacobsen on the surprising history and magical properties of chocolate. 🎁 Save 50% on a Next Big... more

27 Nov 2024 · 12 minutes
What Would Socrates Do?

What can the father of Western philosophy teach us about how to live today? A great deal, according to Donald... more

26 Nov 2024 · 15 minutes
How to Find Work That Works for You

A psychologist’s guide to finding your most fulfilling job yet. 📕 Job Therapy: Finding Work That Works for You by Tessa... more

25 Nov 2024 · 12 minutes
Is Marriage Still Relevant?

Allison Raskin's new book is "I Do (I Think): Conversations About Modern Marriage."

22 Nov 2024 · 9 minutes
The Urban-Rural Divide Is Smaller Than You Think

Elizabeth Currid-Halkett, a public policy professor at USC, has spent years studying small-town America. What she's learned may surprise you. 📕... more

21 Nov 2024 · 9 minutes
How Economics Explains the World

Andrew Leigh, a former professor of economics and current member of Australia's parliament, shares key insights from his timely new... more

20 Nov 2024 · 13 minutes
A Brief History of the Female Body

In "A Brief History of the Female Body," Dr. Deena Emera draws on her vast expertise as a biologist, her... more

19 Nov 2024 · 13 minutes
How to Achieve Financial Freedom Without Sacrificing What Matters Most

Most entrepreneurs start a business seeking freedom but end up in a prison of hundred-hour workweeks isolated from their loved... more

18 Nov 2024 · 14 minutes
Is Technology the World's Most Powerful Religion?

Today, we're joined by Greg Epstein, Harvard and MIT's humanist chaplain, who shares a few key insights from his new... more

15 Nov 2024 · 13 minutes
Mastering AI: A Survival Guide to Our Superpowered Future

Award-winning journalist Jeremy Kahn shares his advice for staying on the right side of the AI revolution.

14 Nov 2024 · 16 minutes
Who We Are, How We Got Here, and Where We’re Going

A blueprint for a better future that offers a unified theory of human behavior, culture, and society. 📖 A Theory of... more

13 Nov 2024 · 15 minutes
A Doctor's Search for Humanity in Medicine

As an assistant professor, practicing psychiatrist, university wellness leader, and regular media expert, Jessi Gold was used to constant busyness.... more

12 Nov 2024 · 9 minutes
Your Journey to Financial Freedom

Jamila Souffrant offers a step-by-step guide to achieving wealth and happiness.

11 Nov 2024 · 12 minutes
What We Miss in Our Pursuit of the Good Life

Happiness and meaning are usually seen as the two keys to the good life. But there's a third. Lorraine Besser... more

08 Nov 2024 · 16 minutes
The Psychology Behind America's Political Divide

Can we find a way to mend the personal bonds that are fraying for so many of us? 📕 Good Reasonable... more

07 Nov 2024 · 11 minutes
'The Art of Verbal Warfare' by Rik Smits

Value judgments, cultural relativism, and other conversation killers.

06 Nov 2024 · 11 minutes
Can You Make Your Anxiety Work for You?

It's the most stressful day of the year! To help us stay calm, we're bringing in renowned psychologist Wendy Suzuki... more

05 Nov 2024 · 12 minutes
Women and the Fight to Build a Just Economy

Women in this country lag behind men according to most economic measures. Why this is and how to change it... more

04 Nov 2024 · 14 minutes
Mastering the Art of Conscious Conversations

We live in conversations like fish live in water. Here's how to become a better swimmer — er, talker. 📕 The... more

01 Nov 2024 · 13 minutes
The Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History

Sharon McMahon shares a few inspiring stories from her new book, "The Small and the Mighty," a #1 New York... more

31 Oct 2024 · 13 minutes
Who Owns Your Face?

Kashmir Hill, a reporter at the New York Times, shares the story of a small AI company that gave facial... more

30 Oct 2024 · 13 minutes
The Science of Paternal Potential

Most male mammals, including our closest primate relatives, barely participate in childcare. So why do at least some human men... more

29 Oct 2024 · 15 minutes
Seth Godin's Advice for Making Better Plans

Seth Godin is one of the world's most influential business thinkers. Today, he shares five key insights from his brand... more

28 Oct 2024 · 11 minutes
Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts

Oliver Burkeman has been called a self-help guru for people who make fun of self-help. He joins us today to... more

25 Oct 2024 · 12 minutes
A Journey into the Heart of American Democracy

Frank Barry takes us on a thought-provoking journey into the heart of our democracy and the soul of our country.... more

24 Oct 2024 · 13 minutes
AI, ChatGPT, and the Race That Will Change the World

Rival CEOs. A race to build god-like machines. What could go wrong? In "Supremacy," Bloomberg's Parmy Olson shares the thrilling... more

23 Oct 2024 · 10 minutes
Your Stone Age Brain in the Screen Age

The human brain hasn't changed much since the Stone Age, which is why it's so poorly equipped to resist modern... more

22 Oct 2024 · 11 minutes
How to Manage Your Time Like a Lazy Genius

Happy Monday! To kick off the week, we're joined by Kendra Adachi, who's here to teach you how to be... more

21 Oct 2024 · 13 minutes
Rediscover Calm in a Chaotic World

Start your weekend with a little mindfulness... 📕 Deeper Mindfulness: The New Way to Rediscover Calm in a Chaotic World by... more

18 Oct 2024 · 14 minutes
How to Be a Happy High Achiever

Clinical psychologist Mary Anderson shares a road map ambitious people can follow to transform chronic stress and anxiety into sustainable... more

17 Oct 2024 · 17 minutes
Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity

Earlier this week, MIT's Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson were awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics for their groundbreaking research... more

16 Oct 2024 · 16 minutes
How to Transform Your Daily Grind and Achieve a Better Life

American work isn’t working. Brigid Schulte is here to change that. 📩 Check out our daily Substack and our weekly LinkedIn... more

15 Oct 2024 · 14 minutes
The Generations-Long Fight for Justice on Native Land

Rebecca Nagle has written for the Atlantic, the Washington Post, the Guardian, and Indian Country Today. She hosts the celebrated podcast... more

14 Oct 2024 · 16 minutes
What if the Problem Isn’t Your Partner―It’s Stress?

It's Friday. You made it. But before you get into weekend mode, check out these key insights from Elizabeth Earnshaw,... more

11 Oct 2024 · 16 minutes
How We Can Fix Our Waste and Heal Our World

Today, some key insights from Total Garbage, a new book by Edward Humes about the waste embedded in our daily... more

10 Oct 2024 · 15 minutes
Why Are We Obsessed With Human Origins?

Stefanos Geroulanos, an eminent historian, tells the story of how we came to obsess over the origins of humanity ―... more

09 Oct 2024 · 16 minutes
How to Optimize Your Brain and Transform the Way You Work

Mithu Storoni isn't just an eye surgeon and neuroscience researcher; she's also an expert in how to get your brain working... more

08 Oct 2024 · 11 minutes
How to Identify Energizers, Creatives, and Winners Around the World

Tyler Cowen, one of the world's most respected economists, shares how to spot, assess, woo, and retain highly talented people.

07 Oct 2024 · 15 minutes
Life Lessons From Kierkegaard

Today, we're straying a bit off our usual path to share some inspiring insights from Aaron Simmons's book "Camping with... more

04 Oct 2024 · 12 minutes
How to Make the Most Consequential Decision in the World

Voting for president is no small thing. Gautum Mukunda, from the Harvard Kennedy School, reflects on its significance in his... more

03 Oct 2024 · 16 minutes
Inside the Mind of Volodymyr Zelensky

Time correspondent Simon Shuster provides an intimate portrait of Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky. 📕 The Showman: Inside the Invasion That Shook the... more

02 Oct 2024 · 9 minutes
Living in Sync with Your Inner Clock

Want to be sharper, healthier, and happier? Then you need to up your sleep game. Lynne Peeples, author of The... more

01 Oct 2024 · 14 minutes
A Guide to Finding Fulfillment in Work and Life

Megan Hellerer graduated from Stanford at the top of her class, landed a dream job at Google, and dutifully climbed... more

30 Sep 2024 · 17 minutes
The Science of Human Possibilities

Kumar Murty illuminates the interconnectedness of mental acuity and spiritual enlightenment. 📩 Check out our daily Substack and our weekly LinkedIn... more

27 Sep 2024 · 13 minutes
How Corporations Get Rich off America’s Poor

The federal government spends around $900 billion a year on programs that are supposed to help poor Americans. Why does... more

26 Sep 2024 · 15 minutes
The Horse: A Galloping History of Humanity

Horses revolutionized the way we hunted, traded, traveled, farmed, fought, worshipped, and interacted. They determined international borders, molded cultures, fueled... more

25 Sep 2024 · 15 minutes
Answers to the Big Questions of Midlife

Debra Whitman, a globally recognized expert on aging, presents practical steps you can follow to make sure the second half... more

24 Sep 2024 · 14 minutes
Sell Like A Spy

Jeremy Hurewitz on the tradecraft that can make you better at persuasion. 🎟️ Grab a ticket to our event with Daniel... more

23 Sep 2024 · 15 minutes
Stories From the Best of Humanity

Let's end the week on a positive note. Gabriel Reilich and Lucia Knell share a few much-needed life-affirming stories handpicked... more

20 Sep 2024 · 15 minutes
Why Public Schools Are Worth Fighting For

Public schools are the most democratic institutions this country has ever created. So why are they under threat? And can... more

19 Sep 2024 · 12 minutes
Create Extraordinary Places that Bring People Together

Museums, restaurants, grocery stores, and universities — in the era of AI and the metaverse, these real places will matter... more

18 Sep 2024 · 13 minutes
How to Pay Attention in a Distracted World

Christian Madsbjerg explores how we can reclaim the lost art of paying attention.

17 Sep 2024 · 11 minutes
How to Unleash Curiosity, Improvisation and Intuition at Work

Creativity isn't just for artists. You can — and should — embrace creativity no matter your line of work. Today,... more

16 Sep 2024 · 15 minutes
How to Find the Silver Linings Even on Your Darkest Days

From award-winning Washington Post columnist Steven Petrow, a guide to finding joy even during life’s most difficult times.

13 Sep 2024 · 14 minutes
How Our Culture Enables Misbehaving Men

It's been seven years since #MeToo went viral. What has actually changed? Reah Bravo joins us to share answers from... more

12 Sep 2024 · 19 minutes
How to Live Future Ready

Frederik Pferdt, Google’s first Chief Innovation Evangelist, inspires you to shape your future, navigate ambiguity and uncertainty with intention, and... more

11 Sep 2024 · 18 minutes
How to Make Social Media Less Polarizing

Chris Bail offers a revealing look at how user behavior is powering deep social divisions online ― and how we... more

10 Sep 2024 · 14 minutes
The Purpose-Fueled Formula for Sustainable Success

Today, Molly Fletcher, the "female Jerry Maguire,” shares her tips for engaging in meaningful professional and personal growth. 🎟️ Tickets to... more

09 Sep 2024 · 14 minutes
Hope for Cynics

Cynicism is making us sick. Stanford Psychologist Dr. Jamil Zaki has the cure. 🎟️ Join us in NYC on Sept. 11... more

06 Sep 2024 · 13 minutes
Nicholas Kristof on a Life in Journalism

Today, Nicholas Kristof, the legendary New York Times columnist, shares five big ideas from his new book "Chasing Hope."

05 Sep 2024 · 16 minutes
Die Hot with a Vengeance

The multi-billion-dollar beauty industry is built around a single mandate: be hot. Sable Yong tells us why that message is... more

04 Sep 2024 · 10 minutes
The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others

Today on the show, journalist Elissa Strauss explores the powerful role caring for others plays in our individual and communal... more

03 Sep 2024 · 11 minutes
The Disciplines of Strategic Thinking

Today, Michael Watkins delves into the essential practices that can prepare leaders and their teams for tomorrow's challenges. 🎟️ We're hosting... more

02 Sep 2024 · 16 minutes
A Philosopher’s Guide to the Good Life

Adam Sandel, a philosopher and Guinness World Record holder in pull-ups, shares five key insights from "Happiness in Action," a... more

30 Aug 2024 · 17 minutes
Is Modern Masculinity Holding Men Back?

Today's model of masculinity is outdated. It's not giving boys and men the courage, strength, and resilience they need to... more

29 Aug 2024 · 14 minutes
The Stoic Path to Wealth

What if ancient wisdom could help you achieve prosperity today? Darius Foroux is here to explain. 📩 Check out our daily... more

28 Aug 2024 · 12 minutes
Life and Death Decisions in Post-Roe America

Today, we hear from journalist Shefali Luthra about her new book, "Undue Burden," which the San Francisco Chronicle called "an... more

27 Aug 2024 · 10 minutes
Dream First, Details Later

Ellen Marie Bennett turned a hunch into a multi-million dollar business. So can you. 🎟️ Grab a ticket to our event... more

26 Aug 2024 · 9 minutes
Use Nature's Playbook to Energize Your Brain, Spark Ideas, and Ignite Action

Jeff Karp went from the back of the class to opening his own research lab at Harvard. In this episode,... more

23 Aug 2024 · 16 minutes
The Truth About Immigration

For nearly 20 years, Wharton professor Zeke Hernandez has been studying immigration. Today, he makes an evidence-based argument for why... more

22 Aug 2024 · 16 minutes
Are You Hardwired for Happiness?

Today, Ashish Kothari shares nine proven practices to overcome stress and live your best life. 📩 Check out our daily Substack... more

21 Aug 2024 · 12 minutes
Sex, God, and the Brain

"You heretics!" That's probably what you'd say if we told you that sexual pleasure gave birth to religion. Sex... more

20 Aug 2024 · 16 minutes
How to Get Noticed at Work for All the Right Reasons

Building on the lessons she learned as an award-winning TV news journalist, Jessica Chen introduces a new way of getting... more

19 Aug 2024 · 17 minutes
Becoming the Parent Your Kids Deserve

Today, Gary John Bishop offers insightful (if unorthodox) parenting advice from his recent book "Grow Up." 📩 Check out our daily... more

16 Aug 2024 · 9 minutes
How Toxic Beauty Culture Harms Women

What is toxic beauty culture ― from Botox to Instagram filters ― doing to women and girls? Ellen Atlanta reports. 📩... more

15 Aug 2024 · 16 minutes
Will We Merge With AI? Ray Kurzweil Thinks So.

Celebrated computer scientist and unabased AI optimist Ray Kurzweil says a future where nanorobots inhabit our brains is closer than... more

14 Aug 2024 · 13 minutes
Can We Cure Grief?

Journalist Cody Delistraty reports on the scientists and technologists searching for better and new ways to cope with loss. From... more

13 Aug 2024 · 12 minutes
The Truth You Need to Succeed

Bonnie Hammer worked her way up from the mailroom to become the “the most powerful woman in entertainment," according to... more

12 Aug 2024 · 15 minutes
The Elastic Limits of Human Performance

To close out our Olympics-themed week, we're sharing one of our favorite book bites from our archive: Alex Hutchinson on... more

09 Aug 2024 · 14 minutes
Do Hard Things

What does it really mean to be tough? Performance coach Steve Magness has a surprising answer. 📩 Check out our daily... more

08 Aug 2024 · 17 minutes
Women in Sports Are Shaping the Future of Feminism

Today, journalist Macaela MacKenzie gives us an inside look at how women athletes are leading the fight for equality —... more

07 Aug 2024 · 14 minutes
How to Stay Rad as You Grow Old

Steven Kotler (“Gnar Country”) has been studying human performance for 30 years and teaching people from all walks of life... more

06 Aug 2024 · 19 minutes
An Olympian’s Guide to Chasing Dreams and Befriending Pain

The Olympics are on! Have you been watching? We have. We can’t get enough. Which is why all this week... more

05 Aug 2024 · 11 minutes
How Trust Works

Trust is at the heart of all relationships, and when trust is broken, those relationships can be tremendously difficult to... more

02 Aug 2024 · 9 minutes
How to Be a Citizen

We think that civil society is imposed by law. But what if that's not the case? What if it's something... more

01 Aug 2024 · 13 minutes
The Invention of Reality TV

Today, Pulitzer Prize winner Emily Nussbaum shares five big ideas from her new book "Cue the Sun!"

31 Jul 2024 · 13 minutes
A New Framework for Understanding Addiction

Today, we hear from Elias Dakwar, a psychiatrist addiction specialist, about his new book "The Captive Imagination: Addiction, Reality, and... more

30 Jul 2024 · 12 minutes
How to Thrive in a World That's Constantly Changing

Change is universal. How we deal with it is not. Guest: April Rinne ("Flux: 8 Superpowers for Thriving in Constant Change") 📩... more

29 Jul 2024 · 13 minutes
The World Gets Happiness Wrong. Here's How to Get It Right.

We all want to be happy, but happiness always seems out of reach. Lucky for us, Stephanie Harrison ("New Happy")... more

26 Jul 2024 · 11 minutes
Free Speech in an Age of Rage

Today: Jonathan Turley, a law professor at George Washington University, on what we lose when we constrain free speech.

25 Jul 2024 · 15 minutes
Triumph of the Yuppies

What can the Yuppies of the 1980s tell us about American culture today?

24 Jul 2024 · 12 minutes
Why Some Startups Change the Future

Why do the most successful startups disregard best practices? 📩 Sign up for our brand new daily Substack 📫 And check out... more

23 Jul 2024 · 12 minutes
How to Make It to the End with No Regrets

Jodi Wellman shares five key insights from "You Only Die Once."

22 Jul 2024 · 12 minutes
What Loners, Outcasts, and the Misunderstood Can Teach Us About Creativity

Richard Deming is an award-winning poet and critic and is the director of Creative Writing at Yale University. Today, he... more

19 Jul 2024 · 12 minutes
Democracy in Retrograde

Today, Emily Amick, lawyer and former counsel to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Betches Media cofounder Sami Sage share... more

18 Jul 2024 · 10 minutes
"The Presidents and the People" by Corey Brettschneider

American presidents have often pushed the boundaries established for them by the Constitution. Today, Corey Brettschneider shares the inspirational stories... more

17 Jul 2024 · 12 minutes
A Better Way of Thinking About Medicine and Healing

Today, journalist Julia Hotz reports on a radical new trend in healthcare: social prescribing. 📩 Can't get enough of The Next... more

16 Jul 2024 · 13 minutes
Mastering the Art of Changing Minds

Michael McQueen has spent two decades teaching Fortune 500 leaders the skills they need to change people's minds. Now, he's... more

15 Jul 2024 · 13 minutes
The Power of Connection in a Fractured World

Let's close out the week by hearing from Sharon Brous, one of the country's leading rabbis, about her new book... more

12 Jul 2024 · 14 minutes
A Journey From White Nationalism to Antiracism

R. Derek Black grew up with the founders of the American white nationalist movement but became an advocate for antiracism.... more

11 Jul 2024 · 13 minutes
Myths Shaped America. Now They've Brought Us to the Brink of Crisis.

We are a nation of mythmakers. But in his new book, "A Great Disorder: National Myth and the Battle for... more

10 Jul 2024 · 14 minutes
A Scientist's Path from Grief to Wonder

A decade ago, Alan Townsend's wife and daughter were both diagnosed with life-threatening forms of brain cancer. In the face... more

09 Jul 2024 · 9 minutes
Can You Become Immune to Burnout?

After extreme stress nearly killed Kandi Wiens, she dedicated herself to understanding why some people seem to be naturally “immune”... more

08 Jul 2024 · 13 minutes
How Something Comes From Nothing

To close out the week, we hear from Adam Moss, the legendary editor of New York magazine, about the personal,... more

05 Jul 2024 · 9 minutes
What Would Ben Franklin Do?

Today, Eric Weiner joins to discuss his new book, "Ben & Me: In Search of a Founder's Formula for a... more

04 Jul 2024 · 12 minutes
The 40,000-Year Story of Animals and Us

Today, Keggie Carew shares a few key insights from her book "Beastly: The 40,000-Year Story of Animals and Us," which... more

03 Jul 2024 · 14 minutes
Can Psychedelics Cure the Most Severe Pain Disorders?

Today, renowned sociologist Joanna Kempner, author of the new book "Psychedelic Outlaws: The Movement Revolutionizing Modern Medicine," introduces us to... more

02 Jul 2024 · 11 minutes
How to Save Human Ability in the Age of AI

As artificial intelligence gets more and more powerful, how do we protect human skills? Matt Beane, one of the world’s... more

01 Jul 2024 · 13 minutes
Practical Optimism

Let's close out the week with a few big ideas from Sue Varma, author of "Practical Optimism: The Art, Science,... more

28 Jun 2024 · 16 minutes
How Debate Teaches Us to Listen and Be Heard

Tonight, there's a presidential debate. This morning, let's hear Bo Seo, two-time world champion debater and former coach of the... more

27 Jun 2024 · 12 minutes
How AI Will Revolutionize Education (and Why That's a Good Thing)

Khan Academy has helped more than 135 million students in 190 countries learn new things. Now its founder, Sal Khan,... more

26 Jun 2024 · 13 minutes
The Scientific Secrets of Building a Strong Social Network

Celebrated science writer David Robson joins us to reveal how social connections are far more important than we thought and... more

25 Jun 2024 · 13 minutes
Is Your Work Worth It?

Today,a philosopher and an organizational psychologist walk into ... a soap opera?

24 Jun 2024 · 17 minutes
Bianca Bosker Ventures Into the Art World

Today, Bianca Bosker shares a few brilliant insights from her latest New York Times bestseller "Get the Picture: A Mind-Bending Journey... more

21 Jun 2024 · 12 minutes
How Stories, Statistics, and Studies Exploit Our Biases

We all have biases. Worse, they cause us to fall for misinformation. Here's what to do about it.

20 Jun 2024 · 13 minutes
A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine

Today, Uche Blackstock shares five key insights from her instant New York Times bestseller "Legacy." *** 📦 Become a Next Big Idea... more

19 Jun 2024 · 12 minutes
A Neurotoolkit for Creating Lasting Change

Today, we hear from Nicole Vignola, a neuroscientist and organizational psychologist who has written an exciting new book called "Rewire:... more

18 Jun 2024 · 14 minutes
How the Science of Personality Can Help You Make Better Business Decisions

Organizational psychologist Richard Davis has spent decades advising the leaders of the world's biggest companies. What he's learned will help... more

17 Jun 2024 · 14 minutes
We Live in a Tame World. Here's How to Find the Wild.

Craig Foster, the South African filmmaker best known for his Oscar-winning documentary "My Octopus Teacher," joins Michael to share a... more

14 Jun 2024 · 19 minutes
Can Big Tech Be Contained?

Our dependence on the big five tech companies threatens our civil rights, economy, and democracy. Tom Kemp has a plan... more

13 Jun 2024 · 12 minutes
Finding for the Good in Bad English

Today, linguist Valerie Fridland ("Like, Literally, Dude") takes us on a tour of the speech habits we love to hate... more

12 Jun 2024 · 12 minutes
The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health

In her #1 New York Times bestseller, "Good Energy," Casey Means argues that improving your metabolic health is the key... more

11 Jun 2024 · 20 minutes
What if Innovation Isn’t All It’s Cracked Up To Be?

Has our idolatry of innovation gone too far? Lee Vinsel and Andrew L. Russell think so. Their book is "The... more

10 Jun 2024 · 16 minutes
How Outdoor Adventure Improves Our Lives as We Age

Adventurer Caroline Paul shares key insights from her new book "Tough Broad."

07 Jun 2024 · 17 minutes
How America Weaponized the World Economy

Today, Georgetown's Abraham Newman shares a few key insights from his recent book "Underground Empire."

06 Jun 2024 · 13 minutes
The Mysterious Anomalies Challenging Our Understanding of the Universe

Harry Cliff offers an eye-opening account of the inexplicable phenomena that science has only recently glimpsed, and that could transform... more

05 Jun 2024 · 11 minutes
The Peril and Promise of Medicinal Psychedelics

Psychedelics are a buzzy new mental health treatment. Do they work, and are they safe? The New York Times' Ernesto... more

04 Jun 2024 · 13 minutes
Time Management Tips From Google’s Productivity Expert

Tens of thousands of Google employees rely on Laura Mae Martin's strategies for how to make the most of their... more

03 Jun 2024 · 14 minutes
The Science of Personality Change

Neuroscientist Christian Jarrett on how we can change ourselves for the better.

31 May 2024 · 11 minutes
"Wealth Supremacy: How the Extractive Economy and the Biased Rules of Capitalism Drive Today’s Crises" by Marjorie Kelly

Marjorie Kelly, a distinguished senior fellow at The Democracy Collaborative, argues that a bias toward wealth has warped the economy.... more

30 May 2024 · 17 minutes
The Inside Story of Presidents in Crisis

The one and only George Stephanopoulos stops by to share five key insights from his No. 1 New York Times... more

29 May 2024 · 17 minutes
How to Soothe Your Body and Mind in Minutes

Today, Jennifer L. Taitz, a clinical psychologist at UCLA, shares a few calming insights from her new book, "Stress Resets."

28 May 2024 · 12 minutes
How to Ask Better Questions

Do you struggle to connect with other people? It could be because you're not asking the right questions. In this... more

27 May 2024 · 16 minutes
Corporate Crimes, Backdoor Bailouts, and the Death of Freedom

What if everything you think you know about capitalism is wrong? Guest: Grace Blakeley Book: Vulture Capitalism: Corporate Crimes, Backdoor Bailouts, and... more

24 May 2024 · 11 minutes
A Brief History of Intelligence

Today, Max Bennett explains how understanding the story of how our brains evolved can help shape the next generation of... more

23 May 2024 · 15 minutes
How Small Actions Can Have a Big Impact

Today, Adaira Landry and Resa Lewiss, a pair of Harvard-trained physicians, share actionable career advice from "MicroSkills: Small Actions, Big... more

22 May 2024 · 15 minutes
No-BS Secrets to Success

Jim VandeHei co-founded two highly influential news outlets, Politico and Axios. But as he explains in today's episode, his path... more

21 May 2024 · 14 minutes
What 20th Century Anarchy Can Teach Us About Contemporary Polarization

Steven Johnson returns to share some key insights from his new book "The Infernal Machine: A True Story of Dynamite,... more

20 May 2024 · 13 minutes
A Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control

To end the week, we'll hear from Katherine Morgan Schafler, a former on-site therapist at Google, who challenges us to... more

17 May 2024 · 17 minutes
What a CBS News Correspondent Saw on the Front Lines of the Climate Crisis

In "Before It's Gone: Stories from the Front Lines of Climate Change in Small-Town America," Jonathan Vigliotti shares the stories... more

16 May 2024 · 15 minutes
Can Big Tech Be Reined In?

As chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Tom Wheeler advocated for stronger legislation of big tech companies. In his... more

15 May 2024 · 15 minutes
When Extreme Wellness Causes Real Damage

Jacqueline Alnes was a DI runner in college, but her athletic career was cut short by a series of mysterious... more

14 May 2024 · 16 minutes
Are You Suffering From Microstress?

Are all the little things getting you down? Rob Cross and Karen Dillon are here to help. Their new book... more

13 May 2024 · 16 minutes
Forget Habits. You Need Rituals.

Harvard's Michael Norton says cultivating a "ritual" mindset can infuse our lives with meaning. His new book is "The Ritual... more

10 May 2024 · 9 minutes
Frank Bruni Examines Our Age of Grievance

Longtime New York Times columnist Frank Bruni says fervent hostility has eroded the civility, common ground, and compromise necessary for... more

09 May 2024 · 16 minutes
Humans and Octopuses Are More Alike Than You Think

Ecologist David Scheel has been obsessed with octopuses for decades. What he's learned — and why it should matter to... more

08 May 2024 · 12 minutes
"The Twentysomething Treatment: A Revolutionary Remedy for an Uncertain Age" by Meg Jay

Your twenties are the most challenging time of your life. Does it have to be that way?

07 May 2024 · 15 minutes
"A Healthy State of Panic: Follow Your Fears to Build Wealth, Crush Your Career, and Win at Life" by Farnoosh Torabi

Life lessons from the creator of the popular finance podcast So Money.

06 May 2024 · 18 minutes
"Passion Struck: Twelve Powerful Principles to Unlock Your Purpose and Ignite Your Most Intentional Life" by John Miles

Inside of you resides an intentional life without limits. The time has come to awaken it. • Subscribe to our newsletter •... more

03 May 2024 · 17 minutes
"The Power of Ethics: How to Make Good Choices in a Complicated World" by Susan Liautaud

Today, a few big ideas from Susan Liautaud, who teaches cutting-edge ethics courses at Stanford University.

02 May 2024 · 10 minutes
"How Sex Changed the Internet and the Internet Changed Sex: An Unexpected History" by Samantha Cole

"How Sex Changed the Internet and the Internet Changed Sex." The title says it all, doesn't it? Author Samantha Cole... more

01 May 2024 · 9 minutes
"The Stoic Mindset: Living the Ten Principles of Stoicism" by Mark Tuitert

"As a top athlete," says today's guest, Mark Tuitert, "you can easily be blinded by the goal: winning." Mark would... more

30 Apr 2024 · 12 minutes
"The Generous Leader: 7 Ways to Give of Yourself for Everyone’s Gain" by Joe Davis

Today, Joe Davis, managing director and senior partner at the Boston Consulting Group, explains why gernosity is the key attribute... more

29 Apr 2024 · 16 minutes
"This Beauty: A Philosophy of Being Alive" by Nick Riggle

You didn't choose to live this life, but you can still make it beautiful.

26 Apr 2024 · 13 minutes
“Nuclear War: A Scenario” by Annie Jacobsen

If you're living in a city in America right now, there's a nuclear weapon pointed directly at you.

25 Apr 2024 · 15 minutes
"Catastrophe Ethics: How to Choose Well in a World of Tough Choices" by Travis Rieder

Life is full of moral dilemmas. How do you know you're making the right calls? • Subscribe to our newsletter • Download... more

24 Apr 2024 · 16 minutes
"Extra Life: A Short History of Living Longer" by Steven Johnson

Today, friend-of-the-pod Steven Johnson stops by to share a few big ideas from his recent book "Extra Life," which President... more

23 Apr 2024 · 13 minutes
"Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Talent, and Live More Fully" by Elaine Lin Hering

Have you ever been afraid to speak up? You're not alone, says Elaine Lin Hering, a lecturer at Harvard Law... more

22 Apr 2024 · 17 minutes
"Which Way Is North: A Creative Compass for Makers, Marketers, and Mystics" by Will Cady

To close out the week, let's hear from Reddit's Global Brand Ambassador, Will Cady, who has a few surprising tips... more

19 Apr 2024 · 12 minutes
"The Ancient Art of Thinking For Yourself: The Power of Rhetoric in Polarized Times" by Robin Reames

Robin Reames grew up in a fundamentalist Christian, white, and very conservative family in the Deep South. "Up until about... more

18 Apr 2024 · 17 minutes
"The Return of Great Powers: Russia, China, and the Next World War" by Jim Sciutto

In this episode, CNN anchor and chief national security analyst Jim Sciutto warns that another world war could be looming. •... more

17 Apr 2024 · 12 minutes
"Anxious Eaters: Why We Fall for Fad Diets" by Janet Chrzan & Kima Cargill

Keto, Atkins, paleo, and Whole30 — it seems like fad diets are everywhere these days. How did they get so... more

16 Apr 2024 · 14 minutes
"The Great Money Reset: Change Your Work, Change Your Wealth, Change Your Life" by Jill Schlesinger

Today, indispensable financial advice from Jill Schlesinger, Emmy and Gracie Award winning business analyst for CBS News and author of... more

15 Apr 2024 · 11 minutes
"The Way Home: Discovering the Hero's Journey to Wholeness at Midlife" by Ben Katt

Can Joseph Campbell’s "hero’s journey" help you find fulfillment?

12 Apr 2024 · 13 minutes
"Our Biggest Fight" by Frank H. McCourt Jr. & Michael J. Casey

Is the design of the internet to blame for our current crises of disinformation, mental illness, and hyper-partisan division? • Subscribe... more

11 Apr 2024 · 11 minutes
"The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality" by Amanda Montell

Why does living in the so-called Information Age only seem to make life more confusing? Amanda Montell has some surprising... more

10 Apr 2024 · 13 minutes
"The Neuroscience of You: How Every Brain Is Different and How to Understand Yours" by Chantel Prat

Today, a few brainy insights from neuroscientist Chantel Prat, author of "The Neuroscience of You," which our pal Adam Grant... more

09 Apr 2024 · 17 minutes
"The Friction Project" by Huggy Rao and Robert Sutton

How smart leaders make the right things easier and the wrong things harder. • Subscribe to our newsletter • Download our app •... more

08 Apr 2024 · 13 minutes
"Tightwads and Spendthrifts: Navigating the Money Minefield in Real Relationships" by Scott Rick

For the past few years, Scott Rick, a behavioral scientist at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, has... more

05 Apr 2024 · 15 minutes
"Possible: How We Survive (and Thrive) in an Age of Conflict" by William Ury

William Ury wrote the world’s best-selling book on negotiation. Now he's here to help us navigate conflict.

04 Apr 2024 · 16 minutes
"Says Who?: A Kinder, Funner Usage Guide for Everyone Who Cares About Words" by Anne Curzan

Linguist and professor Anne Curzan encourages us all to lighten up when it comes to grammar rules.

03 Apr 2024 · 15 minutes
"The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight" by Andrew Leland

As a teenager, Andrew Leland started to lose his sight. One day, in all likelihood, he will be blind. In... more

02 Apr 2024 · 11 minutes
"Cultures of Growth" by Mary C. Murphy

Carol Dweck’s "Mindset" transformed our view of individual potential. Now her protégé, Mary Murphy, is here to explain how mindset can... more

01 Apr 2024 · 15 minutes
"Languishing: How to Feel Alive Again in a World That Wears Us Down" by Corey Keyes

Do you ever feel kind of ... meh? Corey Keyes is here to help. • Subscribe to our newsletter • Download our... more

29 Mar 2024 · 12 minutes
"Women Money Power: The Rise and Fall of Economic Equality" by Josie Cox

Journalist Josie Cox stops by to share highlights from the story of women’s fight for financial freedom.

28 Mar 2024 · 14 minutes
"The 100 Trillion Dollar Wealth Transfer: How the Handover from Boomers to Gen Z Will Revolutionize Capitalism" by Ken Costa

Could Generation Z's focus on ethics, climate change, and purpose change capitalism forever? • Subscribe to our newsletter • Download our app •... more

27 Mar 2024 · 17 minutes
Is It Possible to Cheat Death?

Nobel Prize-winning molecular biologist Venki Ramakrishnan walks us through the ongoing revolution in biology that could allow us to live... more

26 Mar 2024 · 14 minutes
How to Turn Anxiety Into Your Superpower

Anxiety can be painful and embarrassing, even downright debilitating. But author and podcaster Morra Aarons-Mele says it's also a force... more

25 Mar 2024 · 13 minutes
"Think Remarkable: 9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a Difference" by Guy Kawasaki

Guy Kawasaki has spent 40 years working with game-changing organizations like Apple, Google, Mercedes, and Canva. More recently, he's been... more

22 Mar 2024 · 12 minutes
"Indivisible: How to Forge Our Differences into a Stronger Future" by Denise Hamilton

It's not enough to be inclusive. Denise Hamilton, a nationally recognized workplace culture and DEI expert, says we should strive... more

21 Mar 2024 · 12 minutes
"The Perfect Story: How to Tell Stories that Inform, Influence, and Inspire" by Karen Eber

The ability to tell a good story is more than just a social skill. It’s a key element in good... more

20 Mar 2024 · 17 minutes
"How Does That Make You Feel?: Everything You (N)ever Wanted to Know About Therapy" by Joshua Fletcher

Today, Joshua Fletcher (a.k.a. Anxiety Josh) takes us on a tour of the inner mind of a therapist. • Subscribe to... more

19 Mar 2024 · 12 minutes
"Slow Productivity" by Cal Newport

Do fewer things. Work at a natural pace. Obsess over quality. Those are Cal Newport's three strategies for achieving "Slow... more

18 Mar 2024 · 18 minutes
"The Other Significant Others" by Rhaina Cohen

Why do we assume romantic relationships are more important than friendships? Rhaina Cohen, award-winning producer and editor for NPR's Embedded, has... more

15 Mar 2024 · 12 minutes
How to Dismantle Gender Bias in the Workplace

Today, we hear from Angelique Bellmer Krembs, global head of brand at BlackRock, about the micro-offenses women encounter in the... more

14 Mar 2024 · 9 minutes
"Sentience: The Invention of Consciousness" by Nicholas Humphrey

Today, join scientist Nicholas Humphrey on an epic quest to uncover the evolutionary history of consciousness.

13 Mar 2024 · 14 minutes
A Celebrated ER Doctor's Guide to Better Listening

In his new book, "Tornado of Life: A Doctor's Journey through Constraints and Creativity in the ER," physician and writer... more

12 Mar 2024 · 17 minutes
"Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals" by Oliver Burkeman

The average human lifespan is just over four thousand weeks. How will you spend your days? How should you spend... more

11 Mar 2024 · 15 minutes
What Peggy Orenstein Learned About Life by Making the World's Ugliest Sweater

In the early days of the Covid lockdown, many of us found ourselves taking up new hobbies, like playing guitar... more

08 Mar 2024 · 13 minutes
Why Hasn't America Put a Woman in the White House?

What is it about American political culture that has kept women from the presidency for so long? NBC News correspondent... more

07 Mar 2024 · 11 minutes
"Her Space, Her Time: How Trailblazing Women Scientists Decoded the Hidden Universe" by Shohini Ghose

You might have heard of Einstein and Newton and Galileo, but can you name the woman whose work led to... more

06 Mar 2024 · 10 minutes
Why Do We Remember?

Neuroscientist and psychologist Charan Ranganath reframes how we think about remembering and shares the tools we can use to hold... more

05 Mar 2024 · 13 minutes
"Learned Excellence: Mental Disciplines for Leading and Winning from the World's Top Performers" by Eric Potterat & Alan Eagle

Today, learn how to perform at your very best from the psychologist who has advised elite military operators, Olympic medalists,... more

04 Mar 2024 · 14 minutes
"The Life Brief: A Playbook for No-Regrets Living" by Bonnie Wan

Ad exec Bonnie Wan shares her playbook for navigating life’s decisions, crossroads, and curveballs. • Subscribe to our newsletter • Download our... more

01 Mar 2024 · 13 minutes
"Of Greed and Glory: In Pursuit of Freedom for All" by Deborah G. Plant

Historian Deborah Plant takes us on a personal exploration of America’s obsession with continuing human bondage.

29 Feb 2024 · 12 minutes
Anyone Can Become a Supercommunicator — Even You

Charles Duhigg, the bestselling author of "Power of Habit," is on the show today to explain what marital spats, NASA... more

28 Feb 2024 · 19 minutes
"Digital Madness: How Social Media Is Driving Our Mental Health Crisis—and How to Restore Our Sanity" by Nicholas Kardaras

We’ve become mad for our devices. Our devices are driving us mad.

27 Feb 2024 · 12 minutes
Geeks of the World, Unite!

Today, MIT's Andrew McAfee stops by to share a few key insights from his recent book "The Geek Way: The... more

26 Feb 2024 · 17 minutes
How to Use Emotional Intelligence to Perform Your Best

Happy Friday, friends! To close out the week, here are a few tips on how to have a great day,... more

23 Feb 2024 · 13 minutes
"The Survivors of the Clotilda" by Hannah Durkin

Today, the true story of the Clotilda, the last slave ship to land on American soil — more than half... more

22 Feb 2024 · 14 minutes
The Nuclear Threats of the 21st Century

In an alarming new book "Countdown: The Blinding Future of Nuclear Weapons," journalist Sarah Scoles explores the current state of... more

21 Feb 2024 · 10 minutes
Are You Addicted to Drama? This Will Help

Today, clinical psychologist and mind-body expert Scott Lyons turns the notion of the drama queen on its head.

20 Feb 2024 · 12 minutes
How the Best in the World Reverse Engineer Success

Want to become the best at what you do? First, says Ron Friedman ("Decoding Greatness"), you must learn how to... more

19 Feb 2024 · 15 minutes
‘Humankind’ Makes the Case That We Are Wired for Happiness

Humans, it turns out, are pretty decent. That's according to Dutch historian Rutger Bregman, whose book "Humankind: A Hopeful History"... more

16 Feb 2024 · 18 minutes
How to Build a Just Economy

Nick Romeo, a writer for The New Yorker, has spent the last several years covering the most compelling economic policies... more

15 Feb 2024 · 12 minutes
Make Your Relationships Great This Valentine's Day

Today, we hear from Rick Hanson, senior fellow at UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, about his latest book, "Making... more

14 Feb 2024 · 16 minutes
Can One Therapy Session Transform Your Mental Health?

In "Little Treatments, Big Effects," Harvard-trained psychologist Jessica Schleider explains how you can reboot your mental health in a single... more

13 Feb 2024 · 13 minutes
Leadership Advice From One of Silicon Valley's First Female Black CEOs

Shellye Archambeau was an executive at IBM, Blockbuster's president, and then MetricStream's CEO. She currently serves on the boards of Verizon... more

12 Feb 2024 · 16 minutes
Why Life Gets Better With Age

Today, five lessons, "Learning to Love Midlife," a blueprint for aging gracefully by Chip Conley, CEO of the Modern Elder... more

09 Feb 2024 · 10 minutes
"Madness: Race and Insanity in a Jim Crow Asylum" by Antonia Hylton

For her first book, Antonia Hylton, a Peabody and Emmy award-winning journalist, unearthed the 93-year-old history of a segregated asylum... more

08 Feb 2024 · 11 minutes
How the Moon Inspired Religion, Science, and Our Political System

Rebecca Boyle stops by to discuss her new book, "Our Moon: How Earth's Celestial Companion Transformed the Planet, Guided Evolution,... more

07 Feb 2024 · 9 minutes
What Diabetes Tells Us About Medical Blindspots

In "Rethinking Diabetes: What Science Reveals About Diet, Insulin, and Successful Treatments," science journalist Gary Taubes argues that when it... more

06 Feb 2024 · 18 minutes
Want To Be a Great Leader? Try Cultivating a Co-Creation Mindset

How did Apple overcome a culture of secrecy? How did Pixar out-innovate Disney? In their new book, "Brave Together," Chris... more

05 Feb 2024 · 14 minutes
"Goodbye, Perfect: How to Stop Pleasing, Proving, and Pushing for Others… and Live For Yourself" by Homaira Kabir

Stop trying to be perfect. Try this instead.

02 Feb 2024 · 16 minutes
"The Myth That Made Us How False Beliefs about Racism and Meritocracy Broke Our Economy (and How to Fix It)" by Jeff Fuhrer

False narratives about post-racism and meritocracy have been used to condone egregious economic outcomes. What can we do to fix... more

01 Feb 2024 · 12 minutes
"Free Will: An Opinionated Guide" by Alfred R. Mele

Last week, Stanford neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky came on the show to make the case that free will does not exist.... more

31 Jan 2024 · 8 minutes
"Nobility in Small Things: A Surgeon's Path" by Craig Smith

Craig Smith has been a heart surgeon for more than 40 years, and in that time he's saved the lives... more

30 Jan 2024 · 14 minutes
"Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication" by Vanessa Van Edwards

Charisma. Some people have it, some people don’t. Or so we’ve been led to believe. But speaker, researcher, and bestselling... more

29 Jan 2024 · 13 minutes
"Seek: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World" by Scott Shigeoka

Curiosity may not seem like a skill, but it is. You can cultivate it. Scott Shigeoka will teach you how. •... more

26 Jan 2024 · 15 minutes
"How Minds Change: The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion" by David McRaney

What does it take to open someone's mind? We asked David McRaney for his science-backed tips.

25 Jan 2024 · 11 minutes
"The Perennials: The Megatrends Creating a Postgenerational Society" by Mauro Guillén

Increasing longevity and the explosion of technology are reshaping the world. What will it mean for your education, career, and... more

24 Jan 2024 · 12 minutes
"Moving On Doesn't Mean Letting Go: A Modern Guide to Navigating Loss" by Gina Moffa

"The art of losing isn't hard to master," Elizabeth Bishop wrote in her poem "One Art." Psychotherapist Gina Moffa agrees.... more

23 Jan 2024 · 17 minutes
"All In: How Great Leaders Build Unstoppable Teams" by Mike Michalowicz

With the rise of hybrid work, intergeneration offices, and flexible schedules, it has never been harder to build a successful... more

22 Jan 2024 · 13 minutes
"The Good Life Method: Reasoning Through the Big Questions of Happiness, Faith, and Meaning" by Meghan Sullivan & Paul Blaschko

To close out the week, let's hear from two philosophers about what it means to be happy, good, and to... more

19 Jan 2024 · 12 minutes
"Glad We Met: The Art and Science of 1:1 Meetings" by Steven G. Rogelberg

Every day, in offices around the world, there are an estimated 200 million one-on-one meetings. In "Glad We Met," Steven... more

18 Jan 2024 · 14 minutes
"Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will" by Robert Sapolsky

Does free will exist? Stanford professor Robert Sapolsky says, "Hell no!" Which sounds scary, we know, but he's here today... more

17 Jan 2024 · 19 minutes
"Beyond Longevity: A Proven Plan for Healing Faster, Feeling Better, and Thriving at Any Age" by Jason Prall

We don't just want to live for a long time — we want to thrive as we age. Today, science... more

16 Jan 2024 · 11 minutes
"Gray Areas: How the Way We Work Perpetuates Racism and What We Can Do to Fix It" by Adia Harvey Wingfield

It's Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which has us thinking about the state of our nation — specifically, the state... more

15 Jan 2024 · 15 minutes
"I Didn't Do the Thing Today: Letting Go of Productivity Guilt" by Madeleine Dore

Madeleine Dore went in search of the secret to productivity, only to find that there isn't one. Instead, we're being... more

12 Jan 2024 · 12 minutes
"On the Brink of Utopia: Reinventing Innovation to Solve the World's Largest Problems" by Thomas Ramge & Rafael Laguna de la Vera

How innovative are our times really? Not very, according to Thomas Ramge and Rafael Laguna de la Vera. And they've... more

11 Jan 2024 · 14 minutes
"Ours Was the Shining Future: The Story of the American Dream" by David Leonhardt

You may know David Leonhardt from his wildly popular New York Times newsletter, "The Morning." What you may not know... more

10 Jan 2024 · 9 minutes
"Project UnLonely: Healing Our Crisis of Disconnection" by Jeremy Nobel

Today, Dr. Jeremy Nobel unpacks our personal and national experiences of loneliness to discover its roots and to show how... more

09 Jan 2024 · 14 minutes
"Head & Heart: The Art of Modern Leadership" by Kirstin Ferguson

Do you have what it takes to be a great leader? Find out by listening to Kirstin Ferguson, who joins... more

08 Jan 2024 · 16 minutes
"Uncertain: The Wisdom and Wonder of Being Unsure" by Maggie Jackson

Today, author Maggie Jackson offers a guide to flourishing in times of flux and angst by harnessing the overlooked power... more

05 Jan 2024 · 15 minutes
"What the Taliban Told Me" By Ian Fritz

Have you ever met an airborne cryptologic linguist? No? Well, today's your lucky day. We're joined by Ian Fritz who... more

04 Jan 2024 · 10 minutes
"Nuts and Bolts: Seven Small Inventions That Changed the World (in a Big Way)" by Roma Agrawal

A structural engineer examines the basic building blocks of engineering that have shaped the modern world.

03 Jan 2024 · 16 minutes
"Sweat: A History of Exercise" by Bill Hayes

Exercise isn't just our modern obsession: the ancients were keen on it, too. That's according to award-winning journalist Bill Hayes,... more

02 Jan 2024 · 15 minutes
Best Of: How to Excel When Everything Is Changing (with Brad Stulberg)

Change is not the exception, it’s the rule. Today, Brad Stulberg ("Master of Change") tells us how to deal with... more

01 Jan 2024 · 10 minutes
Best Of: Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey

You can get happier. And getting there will be the adventure of your lifetime. Harvard professor Arthur C. Brooks shares... more

29 Dec 2023 · 15 minutes
Best Of: Rainn Wilson ("The Office") on Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution

Actor, producer, and writer Rainn Wilson ("The Office") explores the problem-solving benefits that spirituality gives us to create solutions for... more

28 Dec 2023 · 14 minutes
Best Of: Shankar Vedantam on the Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain

Today, Shankar Vedantam, host of "Hidden Brain," walks us through the surprising role of self-deception in human flourishing.

27 Dec 2023 · 16 minutes
Best Of: How to Find Balance in the Age of Indulgence (with Anna Lembke)

Today, Dr. Anna Lembke, psychiatrist and author, explores the exciting new scientific discoveries that explain why the relentless pursuit of... more

26 Dec 2023 · 14 minutes
Best Of: Amy Edmondson on the Science of Failing Well

This week, we're looking back at some of our favorite episodes from the last year. Today, we'll hear from award-winning... more

25 Dec 2023 · 9 minutes
"Needy: How to Advocate for Your Needs and Claim Your Sovereignty" by Mara Glatzel

To close out the week, we called up Mara Glatzel to share her unique approach to identifying, honoring, and advocating... more

22 Dec 2023 · 15 minutes
"How We Ended Racism: Realizing a New Possibility in One Generation" by Justin Michael Williams & Shelly Tygielski

“It’s the year 2050… and racism has ended.” Could this really be our future?

21 Dec 2023 · 14 minutes
"Same as Ever: A Guide to What Never Changes" by Morgan Housel

Today, we're joined by Morgan Housel, author of the mega-bestseller The Psychology of Money, who'll discuss his new book, Same... more

20 Dec 2023 · 16 minutes
"Enchantment: Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age" by Katherine May

In this episode, the New York Times–bestselling author of Wintering invites us to rediscover the feelings of awe and wonder available to... more

19 Dec 2023 · 17 minutes
"The Phoenix Economy Work, Life, and Money in the New Not Normal" by Felix Salmon

We are living in a strange world. Felix Salmon calls it “the New Not Normal.” Today, he explores the economic ramifications... more

18 Dec 2023 · 14 minutes
"Reasons Not to Worry: How to Be Stoic in Chaotic Times" by Brigid Delaney

Can the ancient wisdom of the Stoics help you live a better life today?

15 Dec 2023 · 11 minutes
"System Error: Where Big Tech Went Wrong and How We Can Reboot" by Rob Reich, Mehran Sahami & Jeremy M. Weinstein

Technology is rapidly reshaping our lives. And not always for the better. In this episode, three Stanford professors argue that... more

14 Dec 2023 · 16 minutes
"Starstruck: A Memoir of Astrophysics and Finding Light in the Dark" by Sarafina El-Badry Nance

Egyptian-American astrophysicist Sarafina El-Badry Nance shares how she boldly carved out a place in the field of astrophysics, grounding herself... more

13 Dec 2023 · 12 minutes
"How Not to Age: The Scientific Approach to Getting Healthier as You Get Older" by Michael Greger

Today, physician and New York Times bestselling author Michael Greger shares simple hacks you can use to stay healthy as... more

12 Dec 2023 · 16 minutes
"Strategic: The Skill to Set Direction, Create Advantage, and Achieve Executive Excellence" by Rich Horwath

Over the past two decades, Rich Horwath has helped more than a quarter million leaders develop their strategic thinking and... more

11 Dec 2023 · 12 minutes
"How the Talmud Can Change Your Life: Surprisingly Modern Advice from a Very Old Book" by Liel Leibovitz

Today, journalist and podcaster Liel Leibovitz explores how the Talmud — an ancient work of Jewish ethics, law, and tradition... more

08 Dec 2023 · 15 minutes
"We, the Data Human Rights in the Digital Age" by Wendy H. Wong

Today, Wendy Wong, a political scientist at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan, stops by to tell us why we... more

07 Dec 2023 · 13 minutes
"Fool Proof: How Fear of Playing the Sucker Shapes Our Selves and the Social Order—and What We Can Do About It" by Tess Wilkinson-Ryan

The fear of playing the fool is a universal psychological phenomenon and an underappreciated driver of human behavior, says Tess... more

06 Dec 2023 · 11 minutes
"Burn Rate: Launching a Startup and Losing My Mind" by Andy Dunn

CW: This episode contains references to suicide. In his 20s, Andy Dunn launched a DTC men’s fashion brand called Bonobos.... more

05 Dec 2023 · 12 minutes
"Awaken Your Genius: Escape Conformity, Ignite Creativity, and Become Extraordinary" by Ozan Varol

Today, Ozan Varol, the acclaimed author of "Think Like a Rocket Scientist" shares five tools you can use to unlock your originality... more

04 Dec 2023 · 13 minutes
"The First Rule of Mastery: Stop Worrying about What People Think of You" by Michael Gervais

Today, to close out the week, we'll hear psychologist Michael Gervais's groundbreaking guide for overcoming what may be the single... more

01 Dec 2023 · 16 minutes
"Apprentice Nation: How the 'Earn and Learn' Alternative to Higher Education Will Create a Stronger and Fairer America" by Ryan Craig

College isn’t for everyone. Could high-value apprenticeships provide an alternative pathway to economic opportunity?

30 Nov 2023 · 13 minutes
"Is Math Real?: How Simple Questions Lead Us to Mathematics’ Deepest Truths" by Eugenia Cheng

Today, one of the world’s most creative mathematicians offers a new way to look at math.

29 Nov 2023 · 11 minutes
"The Age-Proof Brain: New Strategies to Improve Memory, Protect Immunity, and Fight Off Dementia" by Marc Milstein

"There are little things that we can do daily that lower our risk of dementia and Alzheimer's by anywhere from... more

28 Nov 2023 · 12 minutes
"How Work Works: The Subtle Science of Getting Ahead Without Losing Yourself" by Michelle P. King

In her two decades researching organizations, Michelle King has discovered that people who succeed possess a particularly unique skill: They... more

27 Nov 2023 · 13 minutes
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"Fool Proof: How Fear of Playing the Sucker Shapes Our Selves and the Social Order—and What We Can Do About It" by Tess Wilkinson-Ryan
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Description

The fear of playing the fool is a universal psychological phenomenon and an underappreciated driver of human behavior, says Tess Wilkinson-Ryan. She's... more