Big Questions with Cal Fussman

Cal is inspired by the hero’s journey of an 8-year-old boy who had 75 percent of his body burned by fire. Though the circumstances are horrible, his power of connection and positivity has taken Marius to an amazing place. Marius has had more than 40 surgeries through Shriner’s Hospitals for Children. The fingers that he lost in the blaze have been replaced by his toes. His nose has been recreated. Now a man, Marius has inspired millions with a story that reminds us to keep moving forward with a smile no matter the obstacle.

The author of biographies on Leonardo Da Vinci, Albert Einstein and Steve Jobs talks to Cal about his latest work: Code Breaker, Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing and The Future of the Human Race. It’s a conversation about a topic that will alter the world, and it gives Cal the power to move forward on his quest to reshape health care.

Cal catches up with his old pal and podcast host James Altucher to talk about the release of James’ new book, which questions the concept that you need 10,000 hours to achieve mastery. Cal could use the advice, as he needs to learn as much about health care as quickly as possible in order to try to reshape it. The conversation ultimately turns into two pals catching up after a crazy year, and you’ll feel like you were sitting at the breakfast table alongside them.

Cal catches up with his old pal and podcast host James Altucher to talk about the release of James’ new book, which questions the concept that you need 10,000 hours to achieve mastery. Cal could use the advice, as he needs to learn as much about health care as quickly as possible in order to try to reshape it. The conversation ultimately turns into two pals catching up after a crazy year, and you’ll feel like you were sitting at the breakfast table alongside them.

Cal talks with the entrepreneur who never felt comfortable around the phrase: “The sky’s the limit.” Instead, Naveen founded Moon Express. And Viome, a company that detects from your gut what you need to eat to be at your healthiest. Nobody appreciates curiosity more than Cal, but he’s never gotten the most out of his as an entrepreneur. It’s time. And you can, too. Just listen.

Cal asks The Science Guy why so many Americans don’t seem to believe in science, and why so many wouldn’t wear masks during COVID, even as more than 400,000 people died. After spending his entire adult life explaining the marvel and practicality of science through a television show, books and his podcast, Bill looks at the opposing forces, and points to The Constitution’s endorsement of science as a way forward.

After winning the Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs a year ago just as COVID was beginning to spread around the world, Laurent had to make a decision. Return to his offensive line spot with the Chiefs and pursue another Super Bowl ring. Or go to the front lines of COVID as a doctor at a long-term care facility in his home of Montreal. He chose to go to the front lines. After learning what Laurent took from the experience, Cal will never be the same.

After having breakfast with the iconic broadcaster almost every day for more than a decade, Cal has no choice but to produce Larry King’s obituary. He uses Larry’s own voice to explain how Larry became a master of communication and connection, and explains why the world will never see another like him.  Show Notes: Cal’s favorite Larry King story. 00:11 Why Larry King is so important. 04:58 The day Larry King’s father died. 06:21 Larry’s tough upbringing. 08:15 Larry’s love for radio. 08:40 Larry’s love for The Brooklyn Dodgers. 09:01 Larry’s Gil Moppo story as told to Jimmy Fallon. 09:20 Why Larry didn’t end up binding hats. 18:20 Patterns relating to iconic success. 18:56 How Larry got into broadcasting. 19:15 Larry arrives in Miami with less than $20 in his wallet. 19:34 Larry finds his first radio station. 19:49 Larry tells the story of being nervous on his first day on the air. 20:33 How Larry Zeiger got his radio name. 20:46 The birth of Larry’s interviewing style. 24:01 Larry tells the classic story of his first interview with Frank Sinatra. 25:23 How Larry could make a question disappear. 31:21 How Larry got fired. 34:59 The day Larry was down to $48 and won $11,000 at the track. 36:17 What Larry was most proud of about himself. 41:03 How Larry’s misadventures played into his interviewing style. 41:42 How Larry got his all-night radio show across America. 42:07 How Larry’s style connected with everybody. 42:35 How Larry met Ted Turner on his pathway to CNN. 42:59 Larry’s first night on CNN with New York Governor Mario Cuomo. 43:38 How Larry mesmerized Americans and the world for eight hours a day. 44:06 Larry’s best advice: Every setback is a step forward. 44:30 Larry’s heart attack, after smoking 3 packs a day for 37 years. 44:38 When Larry found out his heart surgeon had only nine fingers. 45:00 How Larry saved thousands of lives with his cardiac foundation 46:05 How Larry influenced a presidential election with one question. 46:38 Cal shows up at breakfast to help Larry write his autobiography. 48:11 Cal talks about how Larry mentored him. 48:26 Larry talks about Cal passing on his legacy. 49:32 Cal describes what made Larry so great. 50:00 Breakfast at Nate n Al’s. 50:36 The hardest part of getting old is seeing your friends pass away. 52:56 Fighting death with humor. 53:45 Larry thinks about freezing himself. 54:11Larry is avalanched by health problems. 54:50 Larry discusses not being able to walk. 55:14 Covid was the worst thing that could happen to Larry. 55:37 Larry gets the answer to his final question. 57:20 Summing up with Larry’s influence. 57:35. Why there will never be another Larry King. 58:45 People Mentioned: Larry KingHarry BelafonteRichard NixonRobert TaylorJimmy FallonGil Moppo MermelsteinHerbie “The Negotiator” CohenBrazzi AbbateEngelbert HumperdinkArthur GodfreyBobby DarinJimmy HoffaJackie GleasonFrank SinatraJim MahoneyJim GarrisonLou WolfsonTed TurnerMario CuomoEverett KoopDr. Wayne IsomOJ SimpsonGeorge H.W. BushBill ClintonRoss PerotMike WallaceRobert KraftJay LenoSid YoungAndy KingChaia KingChance KingDonald TrumpMark TwainGreg Christensen  

A day before the inauguration of the new president, Cal remembers a conversation he had with Joe Biden when he was Vice President during The Great Recession. Some of the questions and answers are just as relevant today. Cal believes that fixing health care will be the monument for this time, and he’s ready to help out in any way he can. Time to get to work.

A few years back, with Cal 30 pounds overweight, Joe baited Cal into his company’s obstacle races in order to transform Cal’s life. Cal completed the 5-mile Sprint, then the 10-mile Super, then the 17-mile Beast, and was filmed doing it. The story behind his journey and Joe’s quest to similarly transform 100 million people was crafted into a documentary called Spartan Exit Strategy, and is available to rent for less than $5 on Prime Video, iTunes, Apple TV, Google Play, Microsoft and Fandango. Soon after its release, Cal and Joe connected to do a podcast about it, when suddenly the U.S. Capitol Building got stormed. It leads to a one-of-a-kind conversation.