Big Questions with Cal Fussman

Guy Kawasaki discusses discipline in writing and life, sharing insights on Steve Jobs. The podcast explores concise communication, transitioning to podcasting, and the impact of evangelism in technology. Humorous anecdotes and reflections on discipline are shared, emphasizing quality over personal charisma in success.

As Cal speaks with the leading podcaster and marketer, he channels the 12 years that he had breakfast with CNN broadcast icon Larry King almost every day. It was a time when guests would drop in on the regulars and share their areas of expertise. In this case, Jeremy reveals his knowledge of Roman history. And the question becomes: Are there any parallels between Roman times and what we are seeing now in American politics? It’s proof that we can have civilized political conversations even when we disagree, and look forward to the next breakfast.

How can I guy who built an obstacle racing empire ever give up? That was the question when Spartan hovered near bankruptcy when its events were cancelled during the pandemic. Joe and Spartan trudged forward and last year Spartan rallied with a profit. After all the money borrowed during Covid, Joe says it seems like the profit is like giving a starving elephant a Tic-Tac. But the races go on, and Joe moves on his goal of making 100 million Americans healthy.

A series of connections leads Cal to a conversation with a master of wet plate photography – created around 1850. But the talk about photos that can last a thousand years leads to a very surprising place: that all of the photos on your iPhone or mobile device will disappear over the next 50 years unless you print them out and protect them. Listen up, and spread the word.  

Cal speaks with the man who is the father of the virtual assistant and who predicted ten years ago that most work would be automated and out of human’s hands. Now, he is even more convinced this will be the case, and makes the case that it’s necessary for all of us. What this may mean for mankind doesn’t seem to matter. It’s all in the math. Everyone ought to listen to this.

James Arthur Ray, a personal development leader, shares his rollercoaster journey from fame to prison, debt, and finding love. Despite tragedy, he found redemption and happiness. The story reflects on resilience, unexpected connections, and the importance of moving forward after turmoil.

Cal has been told that privacy disappeared more than twenty years ago with the emergence of the internet. But the emergence of artificial intelligence is only going to exacerbate the problem. Kemp’s book: Containing Big Tech: How to Protect Our Civil Rights, Economy and Democracy is filled with tools that anybody can use to safeguard their privacy. This conversation will make you feel safer.

Learn about the $8.8 trillion productivity loss due to employee disengagement and how better job interviewing can help. Explore the concept of finding the right job fit and the importance of transparent job descriptions. Discover the impact of rapid hiring on team chemistry and culture. Gratitude and hope for a better interview process are expressed.

Behavioral psychologist Peter McGraw discusses the societal shift towards solo living, the trend of marrying oneself in Japan, the evolution of marriage, benefits of solitude, embracing individual empowerment, and the importance of human connections in a technology-driven world.

Cal speaks with the German artist who won the Sony World Photography award with a fake photo – one he generated through artificial intelligence with prompts. Boris did not tell the judges the photo was fake, and then refused to accept the award to get out the truth. We soon will live in an age when we will not know whether we can believe our own eyes. Prepare for a deep conversation about what is going to happen to the concept of trust in the future.