The Next Big Idea

The podcast explores the world's longest study of happiness conducted by researchers at Harvard. It emphasizes the role of love and healthy relationships in contributing to happiness and good health. The chapter also highlights the importance of self-reflection, recognizing the challenges and benefits of relationships, making meaningful connections, and promoting engagement, learning, and gratitude.

Edward Slingerland, a professor and philosophical hedonist, discusses how our taste for alcohol has shaped civilization and improved our social, creative, and pleasurable lives. Topics include the origins of civilization and beer, the complex relationship with alcohol, alcohol's role in enhancing creativity, the influence of alcohol on bar culture, and the use of alcohol to enhance relationships. The podcast also explores the power of alcohol in dancing and features a discussion on a captivating book.

Rory Stewart, adventurer, writer, politician, and non-profit leader, talks about his fascinating life and experiences in politics. He reflects on the broken political system, the impact of a hard Brexit, and the loss of idealism. He discusses Give Directly, a non-profit providing unconditional cash transfers, and shares his unique approach for President Biden. Stewart emphasizes the importance of individual choice and dignity in poverty alleviation. A captivating conversation about his career, small projects, and the search for meaning.

In this podcast, Rufus Griscom interviews Morgan Housel, author of "Same as Ever." They discuss the timeless lessons from his new book, as well as his previous book, "The Psychology of Money." They explore the nostalgia surrounding the 1950s, the connection between status and money, and the enduring behaviors and patterns in human behavior. They also emphasize the importance of integrating optimism and pessimism, accepting life's challenges, and understanding incentives and self-interest. Overall, this podcast offers insightful wisdom on how to navigate the psychology of money and make better decisions in life.

Cat Bohannon, author of 'Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution,' challenges male-centric narratives and discusses the exclusion of women in scientific studies. She explores family planning, the evolution of sexism, and midwifery practices, highlighting early matriarchy among homo sapiens. The podcast also explores the adaptability of hunter-gatherer societies, the dynamics of courtship and prostitution, and the importance of empowering women in society.

Journalist and podcaster Jessi Hempel discusses her memoir 'The Family Outing' in which she reveals how her immediate family members came out. It explores living authentically, the unreliability of memory, repairing relationships, centering others' experiences.

Anna Sale, host of the 'Death, Sex, & Money' podcast, shares expert advice on mastering difficult conversations. Topics include infidelity, navigating divorce, communicating in relationships, the power of personal stories, discussing money taboos, facing the reality of death, and the concept of successful aging.

This podcast discusses the negative impact of achievement culture on kids and adults, including rising rates of anxiety and depression. The guests explore the worries of parents and society regarding the well-being of children and present solutions to dismantle this culture. They also discuss the effects of achievement culture on individuals, the changing nature of work and wealth, the challenges of unwinding economic privilege, and the potential impact of AI on job sectors and education.

Learn about embracing failure for learning and growth, the role of failure in personal growth, the concept of elite failure practitioners, catching and correcting errors to prevent failures, intelligent failure and learning from mistakes, and the significance of learning from mistakes and avoiding overconfidence

David Brooks, acclaimed author and New York Times columnist, discusses mastering the social skills of understanding and respecting others to make better decisions, enhance creativity, and repair social fabric. Topics include the significance of daily interactions, humanizing others, practical tips for great conversations, the power of storytelling, AI limitations, and finding deep connections in a community.