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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Value judgments, cultural relativism, and other conversation killers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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