Big Questions with Cal Fussman

Looking for a fresh point of view on the recent U.S. presidential election, Cal reaches out to his Australian friend, Holly Ransom, who gives leadership conferences around the world as the CEO of Emergent Global. Richard Branson nominated Holly for Wired Magazine’s Smart List of Future Game Changers to Watch. And you’ll hear why when you listen to this podcast. Bonus: A lot of leadership takeaways!

Cal looks back on the few days before November 5, 2024, and realizes how all the people who were so kind and cordial around him are divided nearly 50/50 between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. He’s sure that 80 percent of us can all get along together . . . so long as we have a peaceful transfer of power.

With the potential for increased violence around the world, Cal reaches out to an old friend from Larry King’s breakfast table for a look at the global ramifications of the upcoming U.S. elections. Ozan Ozkural is on the Foreign Policy Committee of the Brookings Institution – one of the world’s top think tanks. As the founder of Tanto Capital Partners, Ozan constantly travels around the world making deals in the energy and power sectors, and his reading on the geopolitical situation will inform you and even relax you – so listen up.

It may be too late for Cal. His kids are 30, 27 and 22 years old. But it may not be too late for you or your friends to take your kids with you to vote. If it takes your kids out of school for a few hours, they may remember it for their rest of their lives, and it can be the first step in an education about democracy and the power of their vote. This message comes from the author of: How To Raise A Citizen (And Why It’s Up To You To Do It). And there’s probably never been a better election to start doing it than this one. Listen up, and you’ll hear why.

This podcast is like a walk on the red carpet into the world of AI filmmaking with one of its leaders. The message here is clear. By trying out these tools, you’ll be evolving to meet the world that is coming. One of the major points behind this conversation is to diminish the fears of people who believe that AI is coming to take their jobs. Simply trying out these new platforms will give you an opening to skills that you’re going to need in the new world. You might even find this more creative than what you’re doing now and pivot toward it. Dave Clark knows people just like that. So listen up, because only good can happen if you open yourself up to this technology and the creativity it can lead to . . .

After hearing how traces of plastic are now being found in hearts that are being examined in autopsies, Cal plays a conversation with a man who has devoted his future to combatting the problem. After working at Adidas for 26 years, Eric Leidtke pivoted to start the Unless Collection, a company that makes shoes, socks and all kinds of clothing out of plants, not plastics. In fact, the Unless Collection’s shoes, The Degenerate, can be thrown in a hole in your backyard after they’re worn out and they’ll biodegrade without leaving behind a trace of pollution. Scientists predict that by 2050, the oceans will have more plastic in them than fish by tonnage. It’s important that everyone knows about the work being done by Unless Collection. So, please, spread the word!

Cal learns from a cardiologist who cared for President George Bush 41 that artificial intelligence is at the point where it can tell us how long we’re destined to live. That old fashioned stethoscope? No longer really necessary. We can get better readings from tech than the human ear. Listen up to Dr. Giovanni Campanile and get a glimpse of your heart in the present and the future through AI. As well as tips on how to live longer and healthier.

Ravin Jesuthasan, a global thought leader and author focused on the future of work, dives into the profound impact of AI on the job market. He reveals that 60% of workers will need AI training by 2027, highlighting concerns over equitable access. The discussion touches on biases in AI, advocating for skills-based hiring. Jesuthasan also emphasizes AI's potential to enhance job satisfaction, particularly in healthcare, while urging companies to adapt their strategies to thrive in this evolving landscape. The urgency for continuous learning is a key takeaway.

In this engaging talk, Sabaa Quao, Chief Creative Officer at Cossette and co-founder of the 60-second film festival Filminute, shares insights into the impactful world of one-minute storytelling. He discusses how brief narratives can convey deep messages and explores the challenges of maintaining trust in an era dominated by AI. The conversation touches on the ethical concerns of digital content creation and the evolving role of authenticity in marketing. Quao emphasizes the power of creativity in navigating today's complex media landscape.

Cal replays one of the most amazing conversations he’s ever had -- with a man who was in the bathroom on the 81 st Floor of the World Trade Center before starting work on the morning of 9/11/2001 when the hijacked plane hit. Michael Wright, a 30-year-old account executive at the time, got down to the ground only to look up and see the other tower falling on his head. Cal listens to the story every year to never forget the day and to focus on the power of resilience. But also for another reason this year – to remember how connected the United States was right after 9/11. The most connected Cal had ever seen it. Please send this conversation to one person you think might appreciate it.