Chess grandmaster Maurice Ashley discusses the lessons from losing, benefits of respecting opponents, and winning strategies in chess and life. He reflects on the character skills instilled by his grandmother and the value of hard work. They also explore playing chess blindfolded, the accuracy of chess in movies, and the underrated skill of intuition in chess. Additionally, they discuss concepts of equifinality and multifinality in system dynamics and the importance of reimagining education. The chapter concludes with a reflection on the value of deep thinking.

Art advocates Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen discuss the cognitive effects of art, exploring how it can unlock creativity, enhance well-being, and enrich communities. They emphasize the importance of combining art with STEM subjects, highlight the relaxing effects of tuning forks, and explore art as personalized medicine. They also discuss the unique impact of art on individuals compared to nature, the relationship between mental health and creativity, and the profound effect of art on the brain and emotions.

Elliot Aronson, preeminent psychologist, discusses his pioneering work on cognitive dissonance and rationalization. They explore the dangers of self-justification and strategies for better decision making. The podcast also touches on the power of vulnerability in teaching, the importance of persuasion and innovation in office supplies, reflections on career choices, the significance of practical work in psychology, and the keys to a happy marriage.

Brené Brown discusses the power of vulnerability at work, setting boundaries, and getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. They also rethink the assumption that vulnerability is a sign of weakness and explore the fear of shame as a barrier to vulnerability. The podcast covers the importance of vulnerability in leadership, the role of language in understanding emotions, and the fear of vulnerability in a performative culture.

Poet Maggie Smith, known for her viral poem 'Good Bones,' discusses strategies for handling complex emotions and accepting ambiguity in life and art with Adam. They explore the value of asking unanswerable questions and sustaining hope while acknowledging reality.

Rainn Wilson, actor who played Dwight Schrute on 'The Office', discusses his journey to stardom, exploring insights from philosophy and psychology. They also talk about Rainn's favorite moments from the show and do improv when Dunder Mifflin invites an organizational psychologist to talk to Dwight.

Psychologist Barry Schwartz and mathematician Coco Krumme discuss the drawbacks of always aiming for the best. They explore the negative consequences of optimization, the differences between universities, and the importance of finding a balance between success and happiness. The podcast also features innovation in business essentials at Staples and the challenges of managing multiple responsibilities.

George Saunders, a professional author, shares his unconventional path towards becoming a writer. He discusses the power of kindness, the challenges of maintaining productivity while nurturing creativity, the importance of innovation in everyday products, reflections on writing advice, the significance of endings in storytelling, and engaging with uncomfortable ideas and AI's impact on fiction writing.

Malcolm Gladwell discusses topics such as overemphasizing innate talent, impostor syndrome, perfectionism, affirmative action, humility, psychoanalysis, and the experiences of Lions and Bills fans in a lively conversation with Adam Grant on his podcast, WorkLife.

Explore the negative impact of dysfunctional meetings and how to transform them into productive and meaningful interactions. Discover practical techniques such as framing agendas as questions and rotating meeting leaders. Learn about the results of meeting restructuring and the positive outcomes of reevaluating meeting practices. Find out the benefits of having better meetings and a preview of the next episode.