Michael’s new book How to Begin: Start Doing Something that Matters is now available at www.HowToBegin.com.I was in a mastermind group for about 15 years - we were a gathering of people who had something in common, but there was also a lot we didn’t have in common. An enduring friendship from that time is the one I have with Eric Klein, someone who is very precious to me, someone I love having in my life, and someone who’s just a mensch. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ Michael reads two pages from his upcoming book, ‘How To Begin.’ [reading begins at 6:35]Hear us discuss: “There is an individual greatness that you are here to incarnate, express, and live out.” [11:23] | Owning your qualities. [11:58] | The shadowy side of qualities: “The quality will not care how it comes about, it’s gonna follow the architecture of your psyche into the world.” [14:36]

In anticipation of the new book’s launch in January, we’re reaching into the vaults to pull the best episodes for you. Want to preorder? Go to HowToBegin.comThe belief that we have free will and that we are in charge of what goes on around us is mostly an illusion. Our decisions are rarely our own. For good or ill, most times we are nudged into ways of behaving. Author and Professor of Behavioural Science, Katy Milkman, joins me to talk about the science of getting where you want to be and how to use the insight that we are predictably imperfect to make better decisions. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ Katy reads from ‘Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness’ by Cass Sunstein and Richard Thaler. [reading begins at 09:14]Hear us talk about:Myths about behaviour change: 'There is no "one size fits all" approach to changing behaviour.' [4:27] | How to ethically think about being a 'choice architect.' [16:25] | The nuances of paternalism. [20:11] | How to inoculate yourself against manipulation that is not in your best interest: 'Knowledge and context should shape all decisions.' [22:23] | Insights around behaviour change and how it works: 'Rigidity in expectations will be our downfall.' [27:00] | How Katy's thinking on behaviour change has evolved over the years. [32:45]

In anticipation of the launch of Michael’s new book, we’re reaching into the vaults to pull the best episodes for you. Want to preorder? Go to HowToBegin.comThis won’t, unfortunately, be news to you: Each year, we consume the resources of 1.6 planet earths. We’re diminishing the environment, exhausting biological capital … and heading towards, well, who really knows... Is there hope? Yes. Is it up to you? Yes, at least partially. And where do we begin? By understanding what it takes to be a good ancestor. Practical philosopher, Roman Krznaric, joins Michael Bungay Stanier for a conversation about preserving our planet by adopting a long-term way of thinking that will not only benefit us but succeeding generations as well. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ Roman reads pages from John McPhee’s book ‘Basin and Range.’ [reading begins at 7:25]        Hear Michael and Roman talk about: Channeling your anger into constructive action. [12:31] | Being a ‘good ancestor.’ [15:06] | “We can change our habits,” Roman says. [22:13] | “Nothing in nature grows forever.” [25:30] | Activists’ responses to Roman’s book and the concept of long-term thinking. [26:52] | “Take care of the place that will take care of our offspring.” [31:03]

Ainsley Brittain is my co-conspirator at MBS.works; pretty much the other half of the company. She’s a lovely person, friend, and colleague, and since we are both full-time, full-hearted, and full-brained workers on this project, Ainsley has actually influenced the book, making her the perfect guest for today’s ‘How To Begin’ episode. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ Michael reads two pages from his upcoming book, ‘How To Begin.’ [reading begins at 4:30]Hear us discuss: Mitigating risk: “Data is so grounding.” [8:18] | Learning to trust yourself. [12:10] | “When you commit to that process and loosen your grip on the outcome you’re hoping for, you’re more likely to get where you’re supposed to be.” [14:47] | The Conspiracy - MBS.works [15:04]

In anticipation of the launch of Michael’s new book, we’re reaching into the vaults to pull the best episodes for you. Want to preorder? Go to HowToBegin.com We are all investors. Whether it concerns our time, our focus or our money, we choose where we want to put it. When you invest, the first question always asked is ‘What is the rate of return?’ What if the question was ‘What does the most good?’ In this episode, Swati Mylavarapu introduces us to her values-based venture capital fund and discusses the significance of humanising the workplace beyond an aim for profit and technological advancement. Swati is co-founder of Incite.org, a brilliant strategist and a forceful good in the world. Swati reads two pages from ‘Ghost Work: How to Stop Silicon Valley from Building a New Global Underclass’ by Mary L. Gray and Siddharth Suri. [reading begins at 16:20]Hear us talk about:What ‘world-positive’ means from an investment standpoint: ‘Being an investor requires being a concerned and active citizen.’ [2:30] | What Swati offers as a non-traditional venture capitalist. [7:11] | Building and shaping new technology ventures. [22:01] | What influences investment decisions? [24:23] | The value-based diligence process when picking companies to invest in. [25:28] | The modern meaning of ‘work.’ [29:25]

Writing a book can be lonely, scary, and confusing, but one of the things that has been brilliant about writing How To Begin is my friend, Jenny Blake. She’s been a friend of mine for many years now, and I feel like our friendship has only deepened within the last year. Since we think similarly, we’ve been encouraging each other to write a book, and when I thought of the small number of people I’d love to preview my new book, Jenny was an unmissable top-of-the-list person; she’s been with me all the way. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ Michael reads two pages from his upcoming book, ‘How To Begin.’ [reading begins at 7:50]Hear us discuss: The intimidation of making a big leap. [12:29] | “It’s harder to read the label from inside the jar.” [14:39] | A lucky amateur?: “It takes ten years to become an overnight success.” [17:26] | “Plans are useless, but planning is useful.” [19:07] | The pursuit of ‘you 2.0’ [21:34]

Michael’s new book How to Begin: Start Doing Something that Matters is now available at www.HowToBegin.com.When I was in Lisbon recently, I had one of those lovely moments of meeting a kindred spirit. It’s not the same as meeting someone who’s interesting or lovely, instead, there’s a recognition of ‘you and I, we are similarly weird and interesting.’ I gave Steven D’Souza my book, and he gave me his new book, Not Being. It’s a great book that tries to navigate similar big questions that I mull over. In one section, he wrote: “Now I find more truth in poetry than in prose; in nature than in classrooms. I’ve come to the point where I’m tired of the narrative of development, and exhausted by the imperative for self-improvement. I’m ending the search. I want to enjoy life on the other side of these personal development projects.” You don’t typically hear the first question I ask my guests; Who are you, what’s your story? Sometimes people plunge into that with gusto, sometimes there’s a bit of a nervous laugh - but Peter Bregman sat with this question longer than most of us, and revealed that he’s more than his résumé of being a coach, teacher, and author. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ Peter reads two poems; ‘The Invitation’ by Oriah Mountain Dreamer [reading begins at 11:40], and ‘The Guest House’ by Rumi. [reading begins at 14:40]Hear us discuss: “I live my life in relation to emotion.” [16:51] | Continuing to be ambitious after achievements. [18:22] | You Can Change Other People: “We all are learning how to be honest without learning how to be helpful.” [20:46] | Acknowledging and responding to struggle: “If you can’t empathise, you will never be an ally.” [23:55] 

Octavia Goredema is many things; a British woman thriving in LA, a career coach, a champion for women, and a Member of the British Empire. You may be familiar with her, as she’s been on this podcast before. We met when she wrote me an email complimenting one of my books, and we’ve enjoyed a precious friendship, since then. I only hope that she has more nice things left to say about my writing. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ Michael reads two pages from his upcoming book, ‘How To Begin.’ [reading begins at 3:30]Hear us discuss: What it takes to be your best self: “It’s a strikingly simple, but powerful concept. There’s no right or wrong way.” [7:31] | Returning to your best self. [8:51] | Connecting to joy: “At the end of each month, I do a lot of reflection on how I felt, what I learnt, and my final perspective.” [11:53]

Michael’s new book How to Begin: Start Doing Something that Matters is now available at www.HowToBegin.com.We’ve probably all had the experience of someone else resisting one of our brilliant ideas. Do you remember how that feels - not being seen or heard? You know what’s almost as irritating, perhaps even more so? When you’re the person resisting your own good idea; you team up with the status quo to back away from this opportunity to unlock your greatness. Loran Nordgren is a teacher at the Kellogg School of Management, and the co-author of the book The Human Element: Overcoming the Resistance That Awaits New Ideas, because there are endless reasons why new ideas are not immediately embraced. As a co-author, he joins me in this episode to share how he turned the medium into the message. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ Loran reads the poem ‘My Grandmother’s Love Letters’ by Hart Crane. [reading begins at 10:30]Hear us discuss: “There is deep, incredible promise in collaboration.” [2:46] | “I often feel that we are strangers to almost all generations and things past.” [13:05] | The evolution of connecting with people as you age. [14:15] | Having a healthy relationship with the status quo: “People need time to acclimate to new ideas.” [16:56] | Managing anxiety as a creator. [29:00]

Mark Bowden and I have known each other for at least 15 years. He’s a great friend, and a wonderful host, plus he’s written a number of books including Truth and Lies, a title I helped him come up with. And Mark has helped me brainstorm titles for my books as well, so who better than one of my dearest friends to join me in kicking off this new series? Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ Michael reads two pages from his upcoming book, ‘How To Begin.’ [reading begins at 4:15]Hear us discuss: The complexity of prizes and punishments: “If you’re getting into a relationship of any worth, you’ve got to expect ups and downs.” [7:41] | Applying the ‘prize and punishment’ way of thinking to everyday life. [11:15] | Scenario planning: The infatuation stage. [12:07]