The Next Big Idea

David Brooks, a New York Times opinion columnist and author, delves into the art of truly seeing others. He shares insights on the importance of empathy, discussing how our egotism can hinder interpersonal perception. With engaging anecdotes, he emphasizes that attentive gaze and small acts of recognition can transform relationships. Brooks also offers practical conversation techniques and reflects on his personal journey toward vulnerability, highlighting the role of human connection in healing societal rifts and combatting rising loneliness.

Brené Brown, a renowned researcher and storyteller, dives into the essence of courageous leadership rooted in vulnerability and self-awareness. She explores how her Texas upbringing shapes her identity and underlines the importance of emotional vocabulary in fostering empathy. Discussing her latest work, Strong Ground, Brené emphasizes mastering the four essential skills for effective leadership. A surprise appearance by Adam Grant adds depth to their conversation about balancing discipline with creative freedom and preparing the next generation for future challenges.

Brené Brown, a leading researcher and bestselling author on vulnerability and leadership, shares insights during a lively conversation with Adam Grant. They delve into identifying core values and the essence of courageous leadership, emphasizing that vulnerability is crucial, even if diluted in popularity. Brené reveals lessons learned from FBI negotiators and offers practical tools for managing teams and having difficult conversations. She redefines values as sacrifices and critiques the concept of executive presence, advocating for deeper, authentic connections.

Walter Isaacson, an acclaimed biographer and former CNN CEO, delves into the profound significance of the Declaration of Independence's most famous sentence. He reveals it as a national mission statement and explores its emotional resonance. Isaacson addresses the founders' contradictions, particularly regarding slavery, and highlights the influence of Enlightenment thinking. He discusses the ongoing relevance of this sentence in today's democracy, warning about its fragility and urging unity in a time of division.

Walter Isaacson, renowned biographer of figures like Steve Jobs and Einstein, delves into his transformative experience shadowing Elon Musk. He discusses Musk's controversial rise from hero to divisive figure, exploring the empathy required to understand his complex personality. Isaacson reveals Musk's childhood struggles, his high-risk ventures with Tesla and SpaceX, and the unique management style that drives innovation. He also reflects on Musk's isolating leadership approach and how parenting shapes his creativity, ultimately questioning the implications of Musk's impulsive risk-taking.

In this engaging discussion, journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin shares insights from his book about the 1929 market crash. He explores how excessive leverage fueled financial disasters and the public's evolving relationship with money during the Roaring Twenties. Sorkin highlights the chaotic scenes of Black Thursday and reflects on what signals were missed leading up to the crash. He also draws parallels with today's economy, questioning if we're at risk of repeating history and discussing the role of new financial products like blockchain in shaping our future.

Nick Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic and marathon enthusiast, shares his incredible journey in running and life. He reveals the profound lessons learned through endurance sports, including how pain can enhance performance. Nick delves into his complex relationship with his father, a brilliant yet troubled man, and how family dynamics shaped him. He discusses overcoming a cancer diagnosis that struck right after a personal best and emphasizes running's role in fostering presence and creativity amid chaos. Plus, he offers advice for budding runners.

In this engaging conversation, Steven Pinker, a cognitive psychologist and bestselling author, dives into his latest work on common knowledge. He explains how awkward social moments, like the uncertainty of ordering coffee, stem from our complex mental processes. Pinker discusses the role of blushing and laughter in signaling social norms, and explores how common knowledge fuels advertising strategies, especially during major events like the Super Bowl. He also critiques cancel culture, linking it to the enforcement of societal norms and warns about the implications of norm erosion on civil discourse.

In an eye-opening discussion, Sam Kass, former senior food policy advisor to President Obama and author of The Last Supper, dives deep into the looming food crisis. He highlights the shocking vulnerability of our food supply due to climate change affecting everything from almonds to chocolate. Cass argues that fixing our food system could unite us, emphasizing the need for culture-driven policy shifts. He shares insights on promising agricultural technologies like CRISPR and AI, while maintaining a cautious optimism about our ability to overcome these challenges.

In this engaging discussion, Dave Blundin, a serial entrepreneur and MIT instructor with deep roots in AI, shares his belief that AI is under-hyped and will redefine the world. He reflects on his early fascination with neural networks, starting in the 1980s, and the vibrant AI ecosystem in Boston. Dave offers insights on the urgency of seizing AI opportunities, the challenges of chip shortages, and the significant impact of AI on healthcare and longevity. He stresses the importance of strong co-founder relationships and shares practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.