Michael Lewis, a renowned financial journalist and bestselling author, joins the discussion to delve into the often-overlooked world of civil servants. They tackle the misconceptions surrounding government roles, emphasizing the human stories behind bureaucratic work. The conversation highlights the challenges of public perception versus private industry leniency. Through personal anecdotes and humor, Lewis sparks a dialogue about accountability, the impact of storytelling on society, and the vital contributions of public servants, revealing a complex yet hopeful narrative.
01:25:35
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Trump's Transition Team
Michael Lewis was intrigued by Trump's dismissal of Obama's transition team briefings.
This led him to explore the federal government and write "The Fifth Risk".
question_answer ANECDOTE
Arthur A. Allen
Lewis tells the story of Arthur A. Allen, an oceanographer who developed a system for predicting drift patterns at sea.
Allen's work has saved thousands of lives.
insights INSIGHT
Unsung Heroes
Government workers are often unaware of their own compelling stories.
Their focus on service makes them great characters but poor self-promoters.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
The book tells the story of the Oakland Athletics' 2002 season, where General Manager Billy Beane and his assistant Paul DePodesta used advanced statistical analysis, known as sabermetrics, to assemble a competitive team despite a limited budget. The approach, pioneered by Bill James, focused on metrics such as on-base percentage and slugging percentage rather than traditional measures like batting average and runs batted in. This data-driven strategy allowed the Athletics to compete with teams having much larger payrolls, like the New York Yankees, and achieve significant success, including a 20-game winning streak and a playoff appearance[2][3][5].
The big short
Inside the Doomsday Machine
Michael Lewis
The Big Short tells the story of the 2007-08 financial crisis through the lens of several key players who predicted and profited from the collapse of the housing market. The book focuses on characters such as Steve Eisman, Mike Burry, Greg Lippmann, and the founders of Cornwall Capital, who saw the impending disaster and made significant gains by shorting the market. Lewis explains the complex financial instruments and the systemic failures that led to the crisis, making the narrative both accessible and engaging.
The Fifth Risk
Michael Lewis
In *The Fifth Risk*, Michael Lewis delves into the Trump administration’s botched presidential transition, highlighting the consequences of willful ignorance and greed among its leaders. The book explores the critical services managed by the U.S. government, including ensuring food and drug safety, predicting extreme weather events, and tracking black market uranium. Lewis focuses on the Departments of Energy, Agriculture, and Commerce, revealing their often-overlooked roles and the dedicated employees who work within them. The title 'The Fifth Risk' refers to 'project management,' the unforeseen and long-term risks that only a vigilant and committed agency can forecast and prevent. Lewis's narrative is character-driven, featuring interviews with former federal staff members and historical context to illustrate the importance of effective government management and the dangers of short-term solutions[1][4][5].
War and Peace
Leo Tolstoy
Set during the Napoleonic Wars, 'War and Peace' follows the lives of several Russian aristocratic families, including the Bezukhovs, the Rostovs, and the Bolkonskys. The novel spans from 1805 to 1820 and is known for its realistic detail and psychological analysis. It explores the impact of Napoleon's invasion of Russia on the characters and society, delving into themes of love, family, war, and personal growth. The novel includes historical events such as the Battle of Austerlitz, the Treaties of Tilsit, and the French invasion of Russia, intertwining historical and fictional elements[3][4][5].
Who Is Government?
Michael Lewis
As the Trump administration targets the federal workforce, we're joined by Michael Lewis, editor of and contributor to The New York Times bestselling collection "WHO IS GOVERNMENT?: The Untold Story of Public Service.” Together, they explore the vital yet uncelebrated work of civil servants, discuss why negative perceptions of them persist, and consider what we may lose amid DOGE’s chainsawing. Plus, learn what your relationship with your mother says about your relationship with government.
Follow The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart on social media for more:
The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart 
