Big Questions with Cal Fussman

Cal The Journalist meets John The Salesman and things will never be the same – not for Cal, anyway. For years, Cal had been told to stay on his side of The Wall that separated the editorial and sales departments of newspapers and magazines. But the Internet has changed that world and now everyone must sell themselves in some way, shape or form. Cal is delighted to find out that, at its best, sales is all about his passion – storytelling. Cal learns how John used rejection to create a new story that turned him into salesman of the year at Conde Nast. Cal learns how to be proactive through new forms of cold calling. Cal learns how to shape a story toward the sale and artfully close the deal. And Cal comes to understand that he had it in him all along.

What a superpower it would be to be able to look at the ordinary and wonder how it could be different… and then make it better. That’s what Cal discovers when he speaks with Miki Agrawal, entrepreneur and author of the book, Disrupt-Her. He’ll never be the same. He’s already switched to bamboo toilet paper after Miki explained to him all the environmental benefits. Miki has specialized in the “poop, pee and menstruation” space – founding a company called Thinx that created period-proof underwear and another called Tushy that allows people to clean themselves more efficiently over the toilet. She applies her philosophy in every aspect of life. And her book, a manifesto for the modern woman, illustrates how women will behave differently going forward. Which is a good reason for men to read it – because they’re probably going to be behaving differently, as well.

Many years ago, TOMS shoes founder Blake Mycoskie asked a wise man for some advice. That man wrote some on a sheet of paper: “The more you give, the more you live.” It has guided Blake ever since. First, in the start-up of TOMS – which donates a pair of shoes to an impoverished child every time it sells a pair. And most recently, in the start-up of a campaign to end gun violence through changing federal policy by instituting background checks before every gun sale. This is a solution that 90 percent of Americans agree with – and Blake is asking every one of them to go to Toms.com and send a postcard to her or his representative. There are many takeaways in this episode, as Blake describes the essence of an entrepreneurial life, from how difficult it can be to the difference it can make.

Cal goes to the archives and pulls out a childhood tale George Clooney told him about how his eccentric family taught him to tell a good story. The podcast continues with the story of how drug addiction was transformed into a landmark run across the Sahara Desert for Charlie Engle. So many takeaways from this episode: The basics of storytelling. Overcoming addiction. The power of discipline. Seeing the world through fresh eyes. Inventing new challenges. A primer in how to get the most out of life and tell the story.

The singer and songwriter talks to Cal about how life experiences turn into music. The conversation leads to the background behind Andy’s hits: Honey I’m Good, Keep Your Head Up and Fresh Eyes. But at its deepest level the discussion delves into the process that we all must go through to create. The takeaways are many. How to keep going when nobody around you seems to be paying attention to what you’re doing. How having a hit can be just as stressful to the creation process as striving for the first. And how to keep expanding. The lessons of a man who started out singing for coins on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica and went on to sing the national anthem at the World Series apply far beyond music and can be integrated into everyone’s life.

Big Questions celebrates its one-year anniversary with takeaways from guests over the last year. Kobe Bryant explains how excellence transfers across all pursuits. Seth Godin describes how to think beyond the societal patterns that can knock us off balance. Larry King gets at the importance of communicating your own story. Nely Galan shares how pain can be turned into profit. Spartan CEO Joe DeSena describes the start of his plan to make the world healthy. Navy Seal commander turned podcaster Jocko Willink offers wisdom on the value of knowing your limitations. Best-selling author Dan Pink reveals the benefits of taking a break while Ryan Holiday talks about the value of exercise in coming up with new ideas. Record-breaking long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad illustrates how to improve with age. Best-selling author Alex Banayan tells a story about the value of role models. Mick Ebeling prepares to stop the tremors caused by Parkinson’s Disease. And Tim Ferriss steps in to celebrate the day Big Questions came about. The good times just keep on going, as Cal sends out Sportiqe hoodies to the winners of the Why Is Your Best Friend Your Best Friend? contest.  

This episode speaks to anyone who meets an unexpected and unwanted twist of fate. When Dr. Guatam Gulati takes his family on a dream of a lifetime safari in Africa, he joins a group of Maasai warriors in a tribal dance and, after landing from a jump, finds himself in excruciating pain, and his left kneecap no longer where it used to be. It’s now in his thigh. It’s dark, the only light for miles comes from the stars above and a nearby campfire. The road to recovery is longer than anyone can imagine. It makes for a tremendous story, that showcases the power of friendship, resourcefulness and determination. And, in the end, reminds us all what is important in life.

The story of Alex’s bestselling book, The Third Door, continues in this episode. The journey started seven years ago, when Alex was a college freshman, going through a mini life crisis when he realized he wasn’t cut out to be a doctor and would be disappointing his family. Alex began to wonder about the meaning of success. What were the most successful people doing when they were his age? That question led him on a path to find out by meeting Bill Gates, Lady Gaga, Stephen Spielberg and many others. It also led him to meet Larry King and Cal when Alex discovered he needed to learn how to interview these people and write up the adventure. For five years, Cal mentored Alex through the project. Just before the book was released, Cal and Alex talked about the journey on Big Questions (episode 42). But even Cal was surprised to learn about all that Alex had to go through when the book was finally launched and became a bestseller. The sequel is an amazing story of resilience and triumph.

It’s holiday season and the perfect time for a podcast about gifts. The story of an extraordinary gift – a very special piano – is a favorite of Cal’s and will bring good cheer to all who listen. The story revolves around songwriter Jimmy McHugh, who was highly successful until the stock market crash in 1929 that set off The Great Depression. McHugh was forced to sell everything he owned to survive, and the loss of his piano left him unable to work because he could no longer write songs without one. He moved into a flat and was sleeping on a straw mattress, wondering how he was going to get through the calamity. And then, a gift came along that changed his life, and a lot of other lives. That gift – an upright piano – led McHugh to write an optimistic song that helped America get through The Depression. The song turned into an anthem. It’s called: On the Sunny Side of the Street. It would come to be performed by Frank Sinatra, Louie Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Rod Stewart, and the lesson in the lyrics is just as relevant today, as told by McHugh’s grandson, Lee Newman, and the musician Dave Damiani. Please pass this episode on, for everyone it touches will feel better and be a little bit luckier for it.

For 11 years, Jordan Harbinger was the voice of The Art of Charm podcast that got up to 3 million listens a month. Then, not long ago, Jordan and his partners split and Jordan was out on his own and having a hard time sleeping. This is the story of his comeback. The Jordan Harbinger Show is bigger than ever – receiving 4 million listens a month. Jordan explains to Cal what it takes to make a business comeback. This is also a cautionary tale for anyone who is about to enter a partnership, business marriage, marriage or even a band. Things often don’t work out for reasons that just aren’t apparent at the beginning – or because the parties avoid them once they’re apparent. There is plenty of cautionary advice here. But ultimately, this episode is about the triumph of human connection.