Worklife with Adam Grant

Oz Pearlman, known as the World’s Greatest Mentalist, shares his intriguing journey from Wall Street to captivating audiences with his mind-reading shows. He reveals the art of mentalism as a skill of performance and intuition, emphasizing the importance of risk-taking and preparing for failure. Oz discusses the power of audience connection, using body language and empathy to craft memorable experiences. He also offers practical tips to combat procrastination and reframes rejection into resilience, all while delighting the crowd with live demonstrations.

In this conversation, Rahaf Harfoush, a digital anthropologist and author, dives into the concept of hypernormalization, explaining why many feel destabilized in today's chaotic world. She critiques toxic productivity culture, arguing it exacerbates burnout and disconnect. Rahaf emphasizes the importance of balancing grief with joy, recognizing individual experiences within collective struggles. She advocates for humane productivity that aligns with personal rhythms and stresses the significance of community care and boundaries for better emotional health.

In this insightful discussion, Daryl Davis, a Black jazz musician and activist, and Jeff Schoep, the former leader of a neo-Nazi organization, explore the power of dialogue in dismantling hate. Daryl shares his unique approach of engaging with extremists, emphasizing curiosity over confrontation. Jeff reflects on how his interactions with Daryl transformed his views, showcasing the struggles and courage involved in leaving a hate group. Together, they highlight core human values that bridge divides and the importance of keeping conversations open, even with those who hold opposing beliefs.

Suleika Jaouad, an author and lifelong journaler, shares her journey through cancer in this engaging conversation. She challenges the advice to 'live every day like it's your last,' proposing instead to embrace each day as if it's your first. Suleika discusses how her journaling practice helped her cope with illness and strengthened her relationship with musician Jon Batiste through shared rituals. She highlights how private writing can unlock intuition and deepen connections while emphasizing the importance of savoring small moments and balancing seriousness with play.

Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel Peace Laureate and a fierce advocate for girls’ education, shares insights from her new book, Finding My Way. She discusses the challenges of childhood fame and the quest for normalcy at university. Malala reflects on redefining resilience through her experiences with trauma, therapy, and newfound hobbies like skiing. She also shares how her views on marriage evolved and highlights the importance of collective activism. With a blend of seriousness and humor, she encourages young women to pursue their own passions.

Jacob Collier, a Grammy-winning musician and innovative educator, joins Adam Grant for a lively discussion. He shares the origins of his audience choir concept and the joy of communal singing. Collier explains his unique approach to handling hecklers, emphasizing safety and inclusive culture. He highlights the importance of play in adulthood, linking it to collective musical experiences. The conversation dives into harmony, the emotional power of music, and why reimagining familiar songs fosters connection. Joy, for Collier, is an act of defiance that unites people.

Andrew Ross Sorkin, a prominent business journalist and founder of DealBook at The New York Times, shares his insights on engaging interviews with host Adam Grant. They discuss interviewing as a dynamic tennis match and techniques like the four-walls approach to elicit deeper responses. Sorkin reveals how he adapts mid-interview, drawing from a tense exchange with Elon Musk. He also reflects on the psychology of powerful figures and unpacks themes from his book, 1929, analyzing the stock market crash and its lasting psychological impacts.

John Grisham, the best-selling author of legal thrillers and former lawyer, shares insights on how his courtroom experiences shape his writing. He recounts his early trial nerves and the thrill of victories despite initial fears. Grisham discusses his disciplined writing routine and the balance between planning and spontaneity in storytelling. He reflects on his journey from law to writing, his evolving views on the death penalty, and his advocacy against wrongful convictions, highlighting the moral implications of state executions.

RaQuel Hopkins, a therapist and HR professional known as a 'capacity expert,' challenges conventional notions of mental health. She argues that using mental health labels as shields can limit personal growth and responsibility. RaQuel emphasizes building emotional resilience over simply coping with trauma. She critiques the overemphasis on comfort in mental health discourse and questions the effectiveness of trigger warnings. With practical insights, she encourages a shift towards internal validation and focuses on developing capacity for personal evolution.

Brené Brown, a renowned researcher and storyteller, dives into courageous leadership and her latest book, Strong Ground. She highlights the importance of authentic care in leadership and shares insights from her work with FBI negotiators on emotional resonance. Brené also tackles the complexities of hard conversations and the essence of vulnerability, emphasizing values as critical to effective leadership. She critiques the concept of 'executive presence,' arguing it often perpetuates bias, and encourages operationalizing values into actionable behaviors.