ReThinking

Jon Batiste, a Grammy and Oscar-winning musician and bandleader for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, shares his journey through creativity and recognition. He discusses the emotional highs and lows of being a celebrated artist and the importance of mentorship. Batiste also emphasizes pushing personal limits and how art can inspire social change. He reflects on the power of presence in musical creation, the influence of video games on his work, and the deep themes of grief in his upcoming project, 'American Symphony'.

Esther Duflo, a Nobel laureate and MIT economist renowned for her work on poverty alleviation, shares her fascinating journey from disliking economics to revolutionizing its approach. She debunks myths linking poverty to laziness, revealing how support systems like cash transfers can encourage work. Duflo emphasizes the importance of behavioral changes over mere attitude shifts and likens economists to plumbers, highlighting the practical problem-solving needed to tackle global challenges. Insightful and engaging, her perspective reshapes our understanding of economic issues.

Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, shares her visionary insights on leadership, emphasizing the importance of empathy and care for employees. She discusses balancing individuality with fitting in and the need for business education to evolve, advocating for a focus on societal responsibilities. Nooyi reveals her experience with intimidation from a world leader and her indifference to the Pepsi versus Coke rivalry. She also highlights PepsiCo's shift towards health and sustainability while addressing the dynamic nature of today's workplaces.

Indra Nooyi, the former CEO of PepsiCo and a Time 100 honoree, shares her insights on leadership and the future of work. She reveals her unique approach of writing over 400 letters to her employees' parents, emphasizing mentorship's importance. Topics include navigating gender bias, the need for flexible work models, and prioritizing family commitments. Indra also discusses the Pepsi Refresh Initiative, advocating for corporate social responsibility, and the evolving dynamics in board discussions, particularly the inclusion of women.

Allyson Felix, the most decorated American track and field athlete, shares her inspiring journey from a devastated silver medalist to a gold medalist and advocate for maternal protections in sports. She discusses the emotional complexities of competition, the mental shifts that come with motherhood, and overcoming the fear of not winning. Felix emphasizes the need for systemic change to support female athletes and the importance of representation as role models for future generations. Her story is a powerful testament to resilience and redefining success.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, the visionary behind Hamilton and In the Heights, is joined by his father, Luis A. Miranda Jr., a dedicated political strategist and activist. They explore the balance between creativity and productivity, discussing how Lin's curiosity sparked his groundbreaking musicals. The duo dives into themes of identity, representation, and the importance of daydreaming. They also tackle the dynamics of father-son collaboration and the evolving rhythm between work and life, emphasizing the creative power that can come from resting and reflecting.

John Green, bestselling author of 'The Fault in Our Stars' and renowned YouTuber, dives into the fascinating concept of paying attention to our attention. He shares his journey of rating everything from human wonder to Canadian geese on a five-point scale. The conversation touches on the shortcomings of traditional reviews, exploring how personal narratives shape our understanding. John reflects on the allure of young adult literature for all ages and discusses the complexities of mental health, burnout, and the importance of authentic creative connections.

Mellody Hobson, a trailblazing leader and co-CEO of Ariel Investments, shares her journey of turning tough feedback into growth. She emphasizes the value of separating the message from the delivery in constructive criticism. Through personal anecdotes, she highlights the importance of authenticity in leadership and creating supportive environments for open dialogue. Hobson also discusses the challenges of letting go and the significance of standing up for one’s values, inspiring listeners to embrace resilience and empower others.

Merve Emre, an Associate Professor of English at Oxford and a contributor to The New Yorker, dives deep into the controversial concept of emotional intelligence. She argues that it’s often misused in corporate environments to exploit workers. The discussion reveals the surprising origins of emotional intelligence and its evolution into a tool for corporate control. Emre examines the interplay between emotional labor and gender, challenging listeners to rethink their assumptions about emotions at work and shedding light on the dynamics of authenticity and leadership.

Daniel Kahneman, a Nobel Prize-winning psychologist, shares his insights on intuition and decision-making. He emphasizes the joy of learning from mistakes and how they fuel personal growth. The discussion explores balancing gut feelings with data to aid smarter choices, especially in hiring. Kahneman also critiques positive psychology, advocating for a focus on alleviating misery instead of just chasing happiness. His reflections challenge listeners to rethink their personal and professional approaches to judgment and creativity.