Big Questions with Cal Fussman

Theresa Fesinstine brings a unique perspective to AI, treating it as a human with kindness, much like a nurturing English teacher. She discusses the significance of emotional engagement in enhancing AI-human interactions. The conversation moves from the art of wine pairing to the diverse applications of generative AI tools. Theresa shares personal experiences, particularly how AI transformed her culinary adventures and supported her entrepreneurial journey. Ultimately, she advocates for deeper human connections in a tech-driven world.

Jairek Robbins, son of renowned self-help guru Tony Robbins, is a global coach impacting lives in 133 countries. He shares powerful insights on personal choice and cultivating self-awareness. The discussion dives into the importance of authenticity in one’s journey of self-discovery and the influence of early relationships on personal healing. Jairek also touches on cross-cultural conflict resolution strategies and reflects on redefining success, emphasizing crafting meaningful experiences over societal expectations.

Chessboxing? What? Do the competitors pound each other in the head as they move pieces on the chessboard? It’s actually a sport that is going to be on display at the Olympics in Paris this summer. It’s not an official Olympic event. Yet. But three hundred thousand people stream events and it’s only getting bigger and bigger. What does it mean for you? Listen to Matt Thomas’s story.

Linus Eckenstam, a Barcelona-based designer specializing in humanizing web forms, joins for an insightful chat about AI's impact on society. They discuss the transformative potential of AI in various professions and the urgent need for understanding its implications. Linus emphasizes fostering genuine human connections in an increasingly digital world. The conversation also covers the evolution of meetings in the AI era, the balance between creativity and efficiency, and the ethical considerations that accompany technological advancement.

Marketer Ben Albert discusses using structure and games to connect people while dealing with gout pain. Conversation explores changing social dynamics, gamifying interactions, and the importance of meaningful connections in a digital age.

Cal talks with the co-founder and former CEO of Whole Foods about the journey he took from shirtless 22-year-old hippie hitchhiking in Austin on acid to creating and running the health food empire. And what a wild trip it’s been – as evidenced in his new book: The Whole Story, Adventures in Love, Life and Capitalism. Plenty of takeaways for all of us in this conversation – especially on artificial intelligence.

Matt Beane, author of The Skill Code, explores how AI affects human skills and relationships. He discusses the reliance on technology over mentorship, threatening novice-to-expert bonds. Matt shares his journey from consulting to academia, highlighting the struggle essential for skill acquisition. He introduces 'shadow learning' and emphasizes the need for authentic connections in a digital age. The conversation also touches on balancing AI with personal experience to foster innovation and meaningful interactions.

Cal gets social media strategies from the Podcast Princess, who grew a team of unpaid interns into her own highly successful agency – YAP (Young and Profiting). Her advice gives Cal the awareness of how to turn a technological problem into an area of creativity that could ultimately be a financial gamechanger. Hala believes that life is 0 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to it. Everybody who listens to this conversation will come away with ideas on getting the most out of themselves.

When Cal was young, he was educated as a journalist not to sell. He was taught to interview and write and stay on the editorial side of the wall that separated the two sides of publishing. The selling was to be done on the other side of the wall by the sales department. Cal lived by the rules and could never see himself as a salesman even as the internet appeared, the rules began to change and the wall came down. Now, after all these years, he learns from a celebrated sales consultant that sales doesn’t have to be about selling. It can be about helping the customer buy. Cal can feel comfortable doing just that – and just in time. Could it be for you, too?

The world has never moved faster than it’s about to with the emergence of AI. What does this mean for all of us? So many businesses in the past didn’t jump into the future because they wanted to protect the present – and suffered for it. Many have gone out of business. Cal speaks with the author of Leaders Leap for advice on how we all should be thinking about our place in the working world. This is no time to be “sleepwalking through the revolution.” Check it out.