Trailblazing leader Mellody Hobson and host Adam Grant discuss how to handle tough feedback by finding the grain of truth, reflecting on childhood struggles, embracing change, and investing in others. They explore the value of constructive criticism for personal growth and leadership development.

Adam and linguist Anne Curzan discuss evolving grammar rules, language peeves, and Gen-Z slang. They explore the history of English spelling, feigning knowledge, and the balance between grammar guardians and word lovers. Anne's book 'Says Who?' offers a fun usage guide for language enthusiasts.

Acclaimed novelist Gabrielle Zevin discusses embracing failure, finding inspiration, and balancing success and creativity with host Adam Grant. They explore key elements of storytelling and reflect on personal growth in writing, emphasizing the value of collaboration and redefining success on personal terms.

Entrepreneur Richard Branson discusses courage, risk-taking, and competition in entrepreneurship with Adam Grant. They explore leadership qualities, his advocacy for human rights and sustainability, and his 'screw it, let's do it' mentality. Branson shares insights on personal growth, challenges, and adventures, including his world records in hot air ballooning and kitesurfing.

Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, opens up about battling impostor syndrome and handling criticism. He discusses encouraging truth to power, self-improvement, and balancing leadership responsibilities. Trudeau shares insights on Canadian values, unity, and prioritizing impact-driven leadership over approval.

Rebecca Solnit and Adam Grant discuss the impact of social media on public discourse, the need for good conversations online, and the importance of recalibrating opinions in the digital age. They explore the pitfalls of quick judgments, the promotion of civil behavior in digital interactions, and the challenges of expressing nuanced views. The conversation delves into the shift from meaningful relationships to transactional interactions online, highlighting the deep sense of loneliness it can bring about.

Beloved author John Green discusses his obsession with evaluating human progress through Yelp-style reviews on diverse topics. He shares insights on the transformative power of intentional focus, the importance of intrinsic motivation in creativity, and the allure of young adult novels. The conversation also touches on navigating remote work, reflections on vices, and writing challenges.

Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb, discusses leading with care, overcommunication, and treating a company as a community. They explore the importance of trust, transparency, empathy, and redefining work-life balance in corporate settings.

Aza Raskin discusses the pitfalls of infinite scroll, ethical tech innovation, and decoding non-human communication with AI. He explores the impact of social media on society, challenges in democracy, and the need for creative approaches. The podcast delves into animal communication, intelligence, and the Earth Species Project's goal of societal harmony.

David Duchovny, Golden Globe-winning actor, discusses the value of failure, the perils of success, and whether nice people finish last. He emphasizes personal growth from embracing failure and shares insights on acting, psychological depths, art, and emotional storytelling.