

The Next Big Idea
Next Big Idea Club
The Next Big Idea is a weekly series of in-depth interviews with the world’s leading thinkers. Join hosts Rufus Griscom and Caleb Bissinger — along with our curators, Malcolm Gladwell, Adam Grant, Susan Cain, and Daniel Pink — for conversations that might just change the way you see the world. New episodes every Thursday.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 5, 2023 • 1h 15min
Susan Cain on the Power of the Bittersweet (2022)
The podcast explores the power of bittersweet emotions and the transformative impact of sadness and pain. It discusses the concept of longing as a force for creativity and love, and the significance of small moments of beauty. The podcast also delves into the concept of 'saudade' in romantic relationships, the healing power of art, and the American culture of constant positivity.

14 snips
Sep 28, 2023 • 1h 12min
HUMAN COMPATIBLE: Can We Control Artificial Intelligence?
Stuart Russell, an expert in artificial intelligence, discusses the rapid development of AI, the potential termination of the human species, AGI, language models, specialized processes in the human brain, the potential of super intelligent AI, AI in education and science, and regulating dangerous technologies.

12 snips
Sep 21, 2023 • 1h 7min
UNREASONABLE HOSPITALITY: The Power of Giving People More Than They Expect
Will Guidara, transformed a mediocre brasserie into the best restaurant in the world. Explore the power of unreasonable hospitality, the lessons learned in building a best in class restaurant, the journey of 11 Madison Park during the recession, and the importance of creating memorable and genuine hospitality experiences. Also, discover their transition from restaurant ownership to relationship capital.

12 snips
Sep 14, 2023 • 1h 8min
ELON MUSK: Walter Isaacson on the World’s Most Polarizing Person
Walter Isaacson, legendary biographer, unpacks controversies surrounding Elon Musk, highlighting his personal journey and audacity. Isaacson discusses Musk's multiple personalities, epic missions, achievements with Tesla and SpaceX, and the role of Starlink in the Ukraine War. The chapter also explores the benefits of reading and debates about Musk's impulsiveness.

23 snips
Sep 7, 2023 • 1h 3min
CHANGE: How to Excel When Everything Is in Flux
Learn how to excel and thrive in an ever-changing world. Exploring transformative journeys of individuals who've overcome challenges. Embrace change for growth and embrace imperfections. Power of core values and flexible identity. Diversify identity to improve performance. Shifting from reacting to responding in moments of change. Excel in a constantly changing world with Brad Stulberg's insights.

Aug 31, 2023 • 54min
DREAM TOWN: Shaker Heights and the Quest for Racial Equity
Laura Meckler, author of 'Dream Town: Shaker Heights and the Quest for Racial Equity,' discusses the challenges and successes of achieving racial integration and equity in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Topics include housing integration, racial achievement gaps, implicit bias in education, and efforts to address these issues through project-based learning.

12 snips
Aug 24, 2023 • 57min
PERENNIALS: How to Thrive in a Post-Generational Society
Exploring the impact of increasing longevity and technology on education and careers, advocating for changing mindsets in the age-diverse workforce, revamping education and rethinking life, questioning the traditional life sequence and advocating for lifelong learning, exploring the potential of immersive and mixed reality technologies in education, challenging traditional notions of work and retirement in a post-generational society, discussing the benefits of multi-generational living and the role of companies in supporting transitions and lifelong learning.

12 snips
Aug 17, 2023 • 1h 16min
ULTRA-PROCESSED: What Fake Food Is Doing to Our Health
Ultra-processed food makes up 60% of the American diet, killing us. Tactics of food conglomerates in developing markets, negative health effects of ultra-processed foods, sensory experience of eating Pringles. Impact on body and brain, exercise misunderstanding, and influence of Coke. The problem of ultra-processed foods, impact on health, and strategies for addressing unhealthy food in impoverished communities.

33 snips
Aug 10, 2023 • 1h 9min
How to Succeed by Quitting (2022)
In “Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away,” cognitive scientist turned professional poker player turned bestselling author Annie Duke says mastering the art of quitting is the key to making smart decisions.(This episode originally aired in October 2022.)Host: Rufus GriscomGuest: Annie DukeExecutive Producer: Caleb Bissinger• Want to check out the video e-course Annie made for “Quit”? Download The Next Big Idea app! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

14 snips
Aug 3, 2023 • 1h 15min
Why the Modern World Puts Us All at Risk for Addiction (2021)
In “Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence,” Dr. Anna Lembke says today’s superabundance of pleasurable stimuli makes us all vulnerable to overindulgence. But don’t lose hope. Anna, the medical director of addiction medicine at Stanford, says that by understanding how modern stimulants — from Instagram to masturbation machines — prey on our primitive brains, we can find ways to overcome the unhealthy dependencies that prevent us from leading balanced lives.(This episode originally aired in December 2021.)Host: Rufus GriscomGuest: Anna LembkeExecutive Producer: Caleb BissingerThe Next Big Idea is produced in partnership with LinkedIn Presents Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices