This collection features brilliant minds like Kat Cole, a business leader known for her rise through Focus Brands, and Noreena Hertz, a loneliness expert whose work critiques societal norms. Adam Grant reveals the importance of intellectual humility, while NASA's Thomas Zurbuchen discusses complex decision-making in space missions. Jane McGonigal showcases the benefits of gaming on skills, and Nir Eyal offers strategies to combat distraction. Seth Godin, Angela Duckworth, and Jim Collins further explore creativity, mindset, and trust in relationships, providing invaluable insights from diverse fields.

Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA's Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, shares his remarkable journey from a curious child fascinated by the night sky to a leader making billion-dollar decisions in space exploration. He talks about the quest for extraterrestrial life, the unique challenges of microgravity aboard the International Space Station, and the complexities of Mars missions. Zurbuchen emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in tackling space debris and discusses the balance between innovation and safety in funding ambitious space projects.

In 2021, the U.S. space agency NASA launched a spacecraft toward a pair of asteroids more than 11 million kilometers away. The target? The smaller of the two asteroids, just 170 meters wide. The success of the $300 million, seven-year project demanded careful coordination of scientists, engineers, and project managers across different national space agencies. It also required strong leadership from NASA's head of science, Thomas Zurbuchen. He shares his path to an executive role at NASA, his management philosophies, and how he oversees trailblazing space missions with high risk of failure.

Thomas Zurbuchen, former head of science at NASA, shares insights on managing complex projects with a high risk of failure. Topics include time management, strategy, task prioritization, delegation, and failure management. He also discusses the importance of building relationships and effective communication in international collaborations. Zurbuchen reflects on leaving NASA, building a legacy, and the significance of rotating leaders in big organizations.

Greg Eghigian, a professor of history and bioethics, and Thomas Zurbuchen, the longest-serving head of science at NASA, dive deep into UFOs and UAPs. They explore the historical significance of sightings, from ancient times to Roswell. The duo discusses the challenges and absurdities of classifying UAPs while emphasizing the need for open-minded scientific inquiry. With insights into the Drake Equation, they ponder the potential for extraterrestrial life, all while maintaining a lighthearted tone amidst such a mysterious subject.