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30 episodes
Your Brain Is Hiding the Truth From You (#314)
Ep 314 · Aug 11, 2026 · 21 min
What if your brain isn’t showing you the world as it truly is? Journalist, professor, and author of "A World Appears: A Journey into Consciousness" Michael Pollan explores one of the deepest questions of all: why do we experience anything in the first place? He discusses: What consciousness actually is Why the brain predicts reality instead of simply taking it in How perception may be a kind of “controlled hallucination” Why we may see the world in the most useful way, not the most accurate way…
Putin’s Real Enemy Isn’t Ukraine (#313)
Ep 313 · Aug 4, 2026 · 20 min
Why would the world’s largest country risk everything to destroy a smaller neighbor? What is it about Ukraine that poses a greater threat to Vladimir Putin than any army? Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and The Atlantic writer Anne Applebaum has spent decades studying Russia, Ukraine, and authoritarian regimes. She argues that the war is being fought over far more than territory and that the outcome will reshape democracy, military power, and global politics. She discusses: ● What Putin was rea…
The Wild True Stories Behind History's Greatest Art Thefts (#312)
Ep 312 · Jul 28, 2026 · 21 min
How does someone steal the Mona Lisa from the Louvre and simply walk away? And how did an even more brazen crew rob the same museum in broad daylight last year with just a cherry picker and some power tools? The real stories are stranger than Hollywood and best-selling author Noah Charney knows them all. One of the world’s leading experts on art crime, he has advised museums, governments, and law enforcement agencies around the world. It turns out that stealing priceless art is often surprisingl…
Alphabet (Google) Chairman John Hennessy on The Future of AI, Human Intelligence, and Leadership (#311)
Ep 311 · Jul 21, 2026 · 21 min
Artificial intelligence could change almost everything. John Hennessy thinks we're still asking the wrong questions. As Chairman of Alphabet and one of the pioneers of modern computing, Hennessy has helped shape some of the biggest technology revolutions of the past half century. He explains what today's AI can - and can’t - actually do, what would qualify as artificial general intelligence, and why the greatest impact of AI may come from amplifying human capability rather than replacing it. He…
How Charisma Really Works (#310)
Ep 310 · Jul 14, 2026 · 25 min
Why do some people instantly draw us in? Olivia Fox Cabane reveals that charisma is not a gift. It is a skill - and most of us misunderstand what creates it. In this episode, you’ll learn: The three qualities that make someone charismatic Why introverts can be highly magnetic How people judge you before you speak Why presence matters more than performance The surprising link between confidence and self-compassion Simple ways to become more charismatic immediately Charisma is not just how people…
Beyond Silicon Valley: Where the Next Breakthroughs Will Come From (#309)
Ep 309 · Jul 7, 2026 · 19 min
Everyone knows where the last generation of great technology companies came from. The more interesting question is where the next generation will. Mehran Gul spent years studying the world's most successful innovation hubs to understand why some places repeatedly create breakthrough companies while others never quite do. He shares surprising insights about China's rise, Silicon Valley's future, and why artificial intelligence could reshape the global map of innovation in ways that few people exp…
The Psychology of Influence with Robert Cialdini (#308)
Ep 308 · Jun 30, 2026 · 24 min
Dr. Robert Cialdini, author of Influence - 5 million copies sold, and one of the most important books Warren Buffett says he's ever read - has spent decades studying why people say yes. He reveals the psychological forces shaping our decisions, why tiny changes can dramatically influence outcomes, and how the most effective communicators get people to yes without anyone feeling pushed. Once you understand these principles and hidden triggers, you'll start seeing them everywhere.
Mark Cuban: The Hidden Companies Controlling Healthcare, the Future of AI, and Why Not Me? (Part 2) (#307)
Ep 307 · Jun 23, 2026 · 20 min
Most people think healthcare is broken by accident. Mark Cuban says it isn't. In part two of our conversation, he explains the hidden companies who really control healthcare, where AI is headed, and the biggest opportunities most people are missing. He also shares the advice he gives young people, the three “superpowers” he believes matter more than talent, network, or money, and the one question he thinks everyone should ask themselves.
Mark Cuban: The NBA Thought It Was in the Basketball Business. It Was Wrong. (Part 1 of 2) (#306)
Ep 306 · Jun 16, 2026 · 20 min
The NBA thought it was selling basketball. Mark Cuban thought it was selling something else. That insight shaped how he has built companies, evaluated opportunities, and challenged entire industries. The lesson starts with basketball. It ends somewhere much bigger. He also shares the skill he values most in entrepreneurs, and how AI is changing the way ambitious people learn.
Once Upon a Stranger: Can Small Talk Lead to a Bigger Life? (#305)
Ep 305 · Jun 9, 2026 · 20 min
What if those brief conversations - with a barista, a neighbor, or someone sitting next to us - matter far more than we realize? Gillian Sandstrom, a University of Sussex psychologist and author of Once Upon a Stranger, explores why we're so reluctant to talk to people we don't know, what happens when we do, and how seemingly small interactions can add up to a richer, happier, and more connected life.
Former Secretary of Energy - Why Clean Energy Alone Won’t Keep the Lights On (#304)
Ep 304 · Jun 2, 2026 · 20 min
The wind stops blowing. The sun goes down. What happens next? Former U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz explains why the transition to clean energy may be far more complicated than most people realize. In one of the most clear-eyed conversations about our energy future, Moniz pulls back the curtain on what it will actually take to build energy that is clean, reliable, and affordable - and why some of the hardest challenges have little to do with solar panels or wind turbines. He reveals which…
The Religious Cult Behind North Korea’s Power (#303)
Ep 303 · May 26, 2026 · 20 min
We think of North Korea as a communist dictatorship. But Jonathan Cheng, the Wall Street Journal’s China Bureau Chief and former Korea Bureau Chief, says that misses the real story. He argues North Korea functions more like a religion - complete with rituals, worship, and a ruling family treated like immortals. Once you hear it, you can’t unsee it. His new book is Korean Messiah.
Why America May Not Be Ready for the Wars of the Future (#302)
Ep 302 · May 19, 2026 · 20 min
When people think about war, they picture missiles and mushroom clouds. But what if the greatest threats today are the ones most people never see coming? Christine Wormuth, former U.S. Secretary of the Army and current leader of the Nuclear Threat Initiative, explains why some of today’s biggest dangers are quieter, harder to detect, and easier to unleash than most people realize.
The Global Power Shift No One Is Talking About – And Who’s Driving It (#301)
Ep 301 · May 12, 2026 · 20 min
Most people see the world as the U.S. vs. China.But the real power shift is happening elsewhere. Richard Fontaine, CEO of the Center for a New American Security and a former senior advisor at the National Security Council and the U.S. State Department, shows which countries are quietly shaping the next world order - and why the biggest power shifts are happening far from the spotlight.
AI, Inflation, and the Dollar: The Hidden Forces Shaping the Economy Right Now (#300)
Ep 300 · May 5, 2026 · 19 min
Inflation, interest rates, AI, tariffs, the dollar… Most people treat them as separate stories but actually, they’re not. Former Council of Economic Advisers Chair Jason Furman explains how these forces are all connected - and why most people are missing the bigger picture. What’s really driving inflation, why the dollar’s power may be slipping, and why the biggest risk isn’t what most people are watching. A conversation about the hidden forces shaping the economy - and what comes next.
Did Apple Accidentally Help Build China’s Manufacturing Empire? (#299)
Ep 299 · Apr 28, 2026 · 20 min
“We trained a whole country.” It sounds like an exaggeration. It’s not - according to Patrick McGee, author of Apple in China. So what actually happened in China?
Cleveland Clinic CEO: The Future of Medicine Is Already Here (#298)
Ep 298 · Apr 21, 2026 · 20 min
Dr. Tom Mihaljevic, CEO of Cleveland Clinic and a leading heart surgeon, explains how medicine is already changing in ways most people don’t see. He has spent his career performing complex heart surgeries and now leads one of the world’s top hospitals. A conversation about what’s changing in care and what it means for patients right now.
The Hidden Iran Risk No One Is Talking About (#297)
Ep 297 · Apr 14, 2026 · 21 min
Iran briefly showed it could choke off a waterway carrying nearly a fifth of the world’s oil. That’s the visible threat. The real risk may be something else entirely. Former Deputy National Security Advisor and U.S. Special Representative to Iran Elliott Abrams breaks down where Iran's strategy backfired, whether those in power in Tehran can hold on, and why the most dangerous consequence could outlast the war itself. He is senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. ---------------------…
Scientists May Soon Design Entirely New Life Forms (#296)
Ep 296 · Apr 7, 2026 · 21 min
We’re entering a world where life itself could become programmable. What if creating new forms of life becomes as simple as writing code? Geneticist Adrian Woolfson explains how close we are — and why the consequences could be extraordinary. -------------------------- Exciting news! We’ve been nominated for a Webby Award—one of the top honors in podcasts. If you enjoy the show, you can vote for 3 Takeaways here: (Just takes a minute - sign in with Apple, no need to provide your email) https://wb…
After the War: 3 Surprising Truths About the Middle East - with Ambassador Dan Kurtzer (#295)
Ep 295 · Mar 31, 2026 · 20 min
Is the war with Iran actually a turning point for the Middle East? Dan Kurtzer - former U.S. Ambassador to Israel and Egypt, advisor to presidents, peace negotiator and Princeton professor - has seen these moments up close, when expectations surge - and the outcome looks nothing like the promise. His unfiltered take on Iran - and what actually changes after a war like this. -------------------------- Exciting news! We’ve been nominated for a Webby Award—one of the top honors in podcasts. If you…
Former Tesla president on The 5 Step Algorithm Behind Tesla, SpaceX, and Radical Innovation (#294)
Ep 294 · Mar 24, 2026 · 20 min
Love him or hate him, Elon Musk has upended entire industries - from cars to rockets - by doing things differently. Jon McNeill, former president of Tesla, reveals the thinking behind Tesla and SpaceX that drives radical innovation - and shows how anyone can apply it. He also offers a rare glimpse into how Elon Musk operates close up. -------------------------- Exciting news! We’ve been nominated for a Webby Award—one of the top honors in podcasts. If you enjoy the show, you can vote for 3 Takea…
The Quiet War: How Countries Fight Without Firing a Shot (#293)
Ep 293 · Mar 17, 2026 · 21 min
A few paragraphs from Washington once stopped oil tankers in their tracks halfway around the world - no navy, no missiles. Eddie Fishman, who helped design and implement U.S. sanctions and economic warfare policies, explains how these quiet battles shape global power. If countries can inflict real damage without firing a shot, what does power look like in this new kind of war - and how vulnerable are we?
The Hidden Plastic Inside Us (And Why It’s Rising Fast) (#292)
Ep 292 · Mar 10, 2026 · 22 min
Scientists are finding tiny fragments of plastic inside the human body - including the brain. Dr. Matthew Campen of the University of New Mexico explains how they get there - and why the biggest source may surprise you.
Government by Deal: What Happens When Everything Becomes Negotiable? (#291)
Ep 291 · Mar 3, 2026 · 25 min
The government feels louder and faster than ever: executive actions, constant disruption, everything happening at once. But Yuval Levin of the American Enterprise Institute argues that all this motion may be masking something deeper. He explains why durable change comes from laws passed by Congress - not one-off deals- and why the shift from rule-making to deal-making could shape the future in unexpected ways.
Why Quantum Computing Changes What’s Possible with Princeton Dean of Engineering Andrew Houck (#290)
Ep 290 · Feb 24, 2026 · 18 min
The rules of quantum physics aren’t just strange - they’re usable. Particles can exist in multiple states at once. Observation can reshape reality. Now, scientists are turning those quirks into machines that could solve problems today’s computers simply can’t touch. Princeton Engineering Dean Andrew Houck breaks down what quantum computing really is, what it can (and can’t yet) do, and why it could transform fields from drug discovery to energy. A clear-eyed look at the weirdest laws of the univ…
Six Ways the Constitution Keeps Leaders in Check with Cass Sunstein (#289)
Ep 289 · Feb 17, 2026 · 21 min
The Constitution isn’t just a statement of ideals. It’s a framework for power - built to divide authority so that no single institution can fully control the law. But that design has a consequence: it slows decisions and complicates action. Is that inefficiency a weakness - or the very mechanism that protects liberty? Drawing on his experience at the center of federal rule-making, Harvard Law School’s Cass Sunstein explores how these constitutional guardrails actually work, why they were designe…
The Winner’s Curse: Why “Winning” Often Means You Just Lost with Nobel Laureate Richard Thaler (#288)
Ep 288 · Feb 10, 2026 · 23 min
We all love the thrill of winning - the house, the promotion, the deal. But as Nobel laureate Richard Thaler explains, some of our biggest “wins” are actually the moments we set ourselves up to lose. Thaler breaks down why we overbid, overpay, and talk ourselves into choices we regret. And he shares simple tricks to help you catch yourself before you make a mistake you can’t undo.
The American Dream is Now a Coin Flip: Here's Why and What We Can Do (#287)
Ep 287 · Feb 3, 2026 · 24 min
The American Dream promises that hard work leads to a better life. But for many children today, that promise depends less on effort and more on where they grow up. Raj Chetty, a Harvard professor and the founder of Opportunity Insights, has spent years following millions of lives to understand what truly drives economic mobility. His findings challenge long-held assumptions about opportunity in America. If the American Dream has started to feel like a coin flip, what’s quietly shaping the odds?…
Why Innocent People Plead Guilty (#286)
Ep 286 · Jan 27, 2026 · 21 min
Federal Judge Jed Rakoff has spent decades inside the justice system - as a prosecutor, a defense attorney, and now a judge. In this conversation, he challenges how we think justice works and explains why outcomes often have little to do with guilt or innocence.
The Surprising Science of Why We Laugh (#285)
Ep 285 · Jan 20, 2026 · 20 min
We think laughter is a response to something funny. A joke. A punchline. A light moment. But listen closely to real conversations, and laughter shows up in places that are far more important than we realize - and often when nothing is funny at all. Neuroscientist Sophie Scott CBE reveals what laughter really signals, how it works, and why it quietly shapes our relationships, our hierarchies, and our sense of belonging. Sophie Scott is a professor at University College London and one of the world…
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