Whether its the football pitch of the FIFA Women’s World Cup or the diving board of the Olympics, Dr Kate Hays is a woman who knows how to win. Now she joins us to reveal the techniques that create winning mentalities - from breathing techniques to widening the bases from which we draw confidence - that allow us to create the best performance under the greatest pressure.An essential conversation for any individual who wants to succeed, any team which wants to thrive, and anyone who wants to fulfil their potential. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After Kurt Cobain, Bob Dylan is Courtney Love’s all-time rock’n’roll hero. Todd Almond performed Dylan’s songbook on Broadway. They join us for a deeply personal celebration of the legendary songwriter.An electrifying, bewitching singer who, in the words of The New York Times can simultaneously imbue a single sustained note with “a plea, a wound, and a threat”, Courtney Love occupies a singular place in the rockstar pantheon.Her friend and collaborator Todd Almond is a Broadway multi-hyphenate equally acclaimed as a performer, lyricist and playwright, who took us ‘heaven on earth’ (The New York Times) as the star of Conor MacPherson’s Broadway smash hit Girl from the North Country.We brought Courtney and Todd together to celebrate the work of the greatest American songwriter of all-time: Bob Dylan.Whether you're a Bobcat, a Dylanologist, or just an old romantic, tune in for a one-of-a-kind celebration of a singular American talent from two extraordinary performers with unique and personal perspectives on his life and art. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Optimism, irrational though it might be, is central to the human psyche: it gives us an advantage both in everyday life and in the evolutionary race. Sumit Paul-Choudhury joins us to share his theory of rational optimism: possibilism.Without this optimism we would never have survived the unpredictable – and often hostile – world we evolved into. Yet optimism is not reserved for times of extremity. Its benefits manifest throughout our everyday lives: our relationships, careers, bodies and minds. And it will play a critical role in overcoming the challenges of the 21st century.This is a powerful manifesto for hope and a much-needed new perspective on our prospects. He shows how embracing action, imagination and possibility, we can find a path to the bright side, even – perhaps especially – when the future seems dark. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tom Holland is a storyteller whose range and erudition seem to be as unbounded as history itself. Now he brings us closer than ever to the lives of the first twelve Roman emperors. The ancient Roman empire was the supreme arena, where emperors had no choice but to fight, to thrill, to dazzle. To rule as a Caesar was to stand as an actor upon the great stage of the world. Delving into his new translation of Suetonius’s Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Tom Holland joins George Osborne to illuminate the lives of the Caesars as never seen before. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Andrew Brodsky, CEO of Ping Group and author of "Ping: A Guide to Thriving in the Age of Digital Communication," shares invaluable insights into remote communication. He discusses the evolution of digital interactions since the pandemic and introduces the 'PING' framework for better virtual exchanges. Brodsky highlights the power of communication chunking to boost productivity and emphasizes how emojis can enhance trust. With practical tips on mastering video calls and the nuances of email versus in-person meetings, he helps listeners navigate the digital workspace effectively.

Sahil Bloom is an entrepreneur and writer whose popular newsletter offers high-performance advice to over 800,000 followers. In this engaging discussion, he redefines wealth beyond money, introducing five essential types: Time, Social, Mental, Physical, and Financial. Bloom emphasizes the power of relationships and the importance of being present for loved ones. He shares personal anecdotes about prioritizing family time and how intentional choices can transform lives, urging listeners to reflect on their own paths to fulfillment.

Ada Palmer, a novelist, composer, and historian of ideas, takes listeners on an enlightening journey through the Renaissance. She challenges the notion of this period as a mere 'golden age,' exploring its dark undercurrents and societal struggles. From the rise of the Medici to the paradoxical advances in medicine amid rampant mortality, Palmer reveals riveting stories of power, loyalty, and sacrifice. She also discusses how her historical research informs her speculative fiction, blending captivating tales with the complex realities of history.

Sunita Sah, a medical doctor and organizational psychologist at Cornell and Cambridge, emphasizes the importance of saying 'no' to align actions with core values. She discusses how defiance can promote personal growth, urging listeners to assert their beliefs in a conformist society. The conversation touches on the balance between compliance and defiance, especially in professional settings, and highlights the toll of silence in the face of injustice. Sah advocates for quiet defiance as a powerful tool for moral courage and community empowerment.

Anna Sulan Masing, an academic, poet, and journalist, explores the complexities of East and Southeast Asian identity in Britain. She tackles the oversimplification of identities on official documents, revealing the historical roots of 'othering.' Masing delves into the colonial narratives that shape societal perceptions and highlights the importance of diverse storytelling. She critiques racially charged myths, like MSG, and discusses the need for marginalized voices to reclaim their narratives. Throughout, she advocates for joy as a form of resistance in the face of cultural appropriation.

Neal Stephenson, a #1 New York Times bestselling author, explores his new novel 'Polostan,' intertwining history and fiction. He discusses Dawn Rae Bjornberg's journey through pivotal 20th-century events like the Great Depression and her unexpected role as a KGB spy. The conversation covers Magnitogorsk's steel legacy, the socio-political struggles of British polo, and military tactics during upheaval, revealing the fascinating interplay between technology, ideology, and humanity in shaping history.