The 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 08:19]Hear us talk about:Myths about behaviour change: 'There is no "one size fits all" approach to changing behaviour.' [3:32] | How to ethically think about being a 'choice architect.' [15:30] | The nuances of paternalism. [19:16] | How to inoculate yourself against manipulation that is not in your best interest: 'Knowledge and context should shape all decisions.' [21:28] | Insights around behaviour change and how it works: 'Rigidity in expectations will be our downfall.' [26:05] | How Katy's thinking on behaviour change has evolved over the years. [31:50]

Much like Dug the dog from the Pixar movie ‘Up,’ we all have our version of a squirrel that distracts us. In fact, there’s an entire industry in Silicon Valley that profits off of creating ‘squirrels’ to catch our attention. In the face of that, how do we find the time and focus to do the things that really matter? John Zeratsky, a former design leader at Youtube and Google Ads, is the author of two books aimed at helping people make time for and focus on the things that actually matter in life. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/  John reads two pages from ‘Rapt: Attention and the Focused Life’ by Winifred Gallagher. [reading starts at 08:03]Hear us talk about:How to decide if something is worth your attention. [15:09] | 'Your happiness and sense of purpose are filtered through the impact you have on other people.' [20:17] | 'Almost everything in life contains its own inherent value and reward.' [22:43] | The true meaning of contentment. [23:30] | How to remain content in the face of failures. [25:41] | How to seek out the right partners and team members. [29:47] | The ‘Sprint process’ in John’s book. [31:57]

Does doing your work add to your sense of humanity … or lessen it? In this episode, Luke Burgis discusses the concept of 'principled entrepreneurship' and the significance of a holistic view of business in the context of human ecology. Luke is an author and veteran entrepreneur. He also introduces us to his book "Wanting" and the pivotal change in his own life that pushed him to lead a more virtuous existence. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ Luke reads two pages from 'Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World' by René Girard. [reading begins at 13:44]Hear us talk about:The process of deconstructing and reconstructing yourself. [06:38] | How mimesis contributes to conflict: 'Imitation of desires leads to rivalry and conflict.' [17:50] | Is conflict a natural part of the human condition? [20:16] | The positive effect of cultivating relationships in unexpected places. [28:20] | The opportunity cost of choices: 'Decisions come with the renunciation of other opportunities.' [35:51] | Shaping desires. [37:22]

Who's your favourite superhero? And now … what's the colour of their skin? Excluding greens and blues and purples, there aren’t that many Superheroes of Colour. But did you know that Wonder Woman has a black twin sister? In this episode, award-winning copywriter Jordan Dinwiddie introduces us to Wonder Woman's sister Nubia, and discusses the importance of recognising and embracing your power. Jordan, who works at Wieden + Kennedy, has been behind many ads that we see daily, including ads featuring Lebron James, and notable black women in sports. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ Jordan reads two pages from the graphic novel 'Nubia: Real One' by L.L. McKinney. [reading begins at 20:08]Hear us talk about:Forging partnerships. [9:41] | Having productive conversations and disagreements without breaking a relationship. [14:23] | Having your powers acknowledged: “Stop hiding your powers and step into it.” [21:01] | Holding onto your sense of power, identity, and politics in environments where there are forces pulling you away from them. [23:38] | Creating and building a community for other women of colour. [25:16] | “It is an act of activism to be 100% yourself.” [27:53]

What power do you have? We know power can be taken and hoarded, but can power be given away? I’ve walked the streets in protests on and off for many years, and I’ve always had mixed feelings about it. On one hand, I’m with people, and we’re making our voices heard. On the other hand, will this really make a difference? Or is this simply an expression of frustration and powerlessness? Matthew Barzun is someone with a nuanced understanding of this dynamic, and we dig into in this conversation. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ Matthew reads the essay ‘Toward a Fateful Serenity’ written by his grandfather, Jacques Barzun. [reading begins at 8:40] Hear us discuss:Actively managing your power: “You don’t give away power to be selfless. You do it because you’ll get it back through others, so you can continue the cycle.” [15:30] | The power pyramid. [22:55] | The constellation: a symbol for interdependence. [28:26] | Understanding and tackling the systems around us. [30:58] | The pyramid versus the constellation. [33:10] | Creating a ‘constellation’ within an organisation: does the system always win? [36:28] | Applying the constellation mindset: “The more people who do it together, the better it goes.” [39:49] | Managing risk. [42:38]

Did you have rules growing up? As the eldest child, I definitely had some of the ‘good in theory’ rules that my mum and dad were testing out as new parents. But there are rules, and then there are rules. Dr. Caroline Heldman’s past is part of what fuels her work. Today, she’s an academic, an author, and an activist, and she joins me to share her views on being a force for change in this world. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/  Caroline reads ‘On Being White ... And Other Lies,’ an essay by James Baldwin that was published in Essence. [reading begins at 16:22] Hear us discuss: “Whiteness is constructed by rejecting and debasing blackness.” [20:07] | Recognising the power of privilege. [23:19] | What it means to be an activist: “Taking action for social change is why I’m here on this planet.” [26:44] | “I’m all about the cause. I don’t want the title; I don’t want credit. I don’t care, as long as the culture shifts.” [33:31]

Have you ever felt like a victim of your reputation? You gain recognition for something; you claim it as your personal brand. Then, people assume that's all there is to you. How do you keep confounding others’ expectations of you? And more importantly, how do you continue to confound your own expectations? Dr. Vikram Mansharamani, author of Think for Yourself: Restoring Common Sense in an Age of Experts and Artificial Intelligence joins me today to talk about this. Vikram has lectured at Harvard and Yale, and was named LinkedIn's top voice for Finance & Global Economics. Clearly, he knows about building a reputation. Yet, when he describes himself, his expertise is the last thing he focuses on. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ Vikram reads from ‘The Peter Principle’ by Laurence J. Peter. [reading beings at 14:56] Hear us discuss:“Every single perspective is limited, biased, and incomplete.” [6:30] | “We’re so focused on the evaluation of the present that we’re not willing to consider an alternative for the future.” [20:18] | The ‘career jungle gym’. [21:49] | Holistic development: moving through the stages of learning. [26:20] | Being a generalist versus playing to your strengths. [28:57] | Nurturing curiosity. [32:34]

On a scale of 1-10, how good of a person are you? Yeah, tricky question. And even trickier: Is the person you think you are the same as the person who actually shows up, day-to-day, in life? Dolly Chugh, as well as being one of my favourite people, is a professor of social psychology at the NYU Stern School of Business, and author of The Person You Mean to Be: How Good People Fight Bias. Dolly has made it her goal to speak to those of us who label ourselves as good people but may not realise how our unconscious biases affect the way we function. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ Dolly reads from A More Beautiful and Terrible History: The Uses and Misuses of Civil Rights History by Jeanne Theoharis. [reading begins at 11:23]Hear us discuss: Addressing systemic bias: “Unlearning what we know and learning what’s correct makes it easier to see the systems around us.” [21:00] | Learning to unlearn: the ‘paradox mindset.’ [24:19] | Counteracting simple narratives: “You don’t have to believe only one thing.” [27:27] 

Ximena Vengoechea shares insights on overcoming loneliness through productive conversations. Topics include the importance of boredom, navigating loneliness by feeling understood, and becoming a better listener. The podcast explores how technology impacts human connection, mastering the art of questioning, and combating loneliness during the pandemic.

Whatever country you’re living in, perhaps you feel the divide between ‘us’ and ‘them’ is becoming sharper. And that chasm is getting wider, deeper, and more treacherous. Indra Adnan raises a provocative question in light of that: why are we invested in the failure of half of our society? Indra challenges the very way we do politics as an agent of change both locally and in the wider world, and her latest book, The Politics of Waking Up, speaks to that. Get all the book links and resources at https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/Indra reads from Ken Wilbur’s ‘A Theory of Everything.’ [Reading begins at 28:10]Hear us talk about:The definition of power. “Too often seen as force or coercion.” [2:45] | “People came together in extraordinary ways.” [13:31] | “It’s not politics itself which is toxic…” [36:28] | A force of change. [43:16]