

How To Academy Podcast
How To Academy
How To Academy is London's home of big thinking. From Nobel laureates to Pulitzer Prize winners, we invite the world’s most influential voices to share new ideas for changing ourselves, our communities, and the world. Our biweekly podcast is your chance to hear in-depth from the most exciting thinkers in global culture.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 20, 2024 • 1h 14min
Justin Webb Meets Brian Klaas - Why Everything We Do Matters
Discover how seemingly insignificant events can lead to profound consequences in our lives and society, as social scientist Brian Klaas debunks the myth of control. From historical decisions to personal revelations, chaos theory, and the butterfly effect, this podcast explores the wild and fascinating reality of interconnected lives and the ripple effects of our actions.

9 snips
Mar 15, 2024 • 1h 4min
Neuroscientist Tali Sharot - How to See the World Anew
Neuroscientist Tali Sharot discusses habituation and how we become indifferent to our surroundings over time. She shares tips on keeping life exciting and vital, from the workplace to world news, and explores the impact of habituation on creativity, mental health, and beliefs. The podcast also touches on the slippery slope of deception and obedience to authority, highlighting the need to address lies early on to prevent escalation.

Mar 12, 2024 • 36min
Philosopher Tom Chatfield - How Technology Changes Humanity, From Fire to AI
Philosophy Tom Chatfield loves technology and the humanities with equal passion, and has spent a lifetime thinking about our relationship to the devices we shape and that in turn shape us. Neither a luddite nor a utopian, he seeks to tell a new and more nuaunced story about the role of technology in our evolution and in our present.Should we be frightened of the rise of AI and the extermination of desirable jobs? Are Silicon Valley stories like the Singularity legitimate possibilities for our future or only folktales for a digital age? What can the Amish teach us about when to embrace new gadgets? You'll discover the answer to these questions and more on this episode of the podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 8, 2024 • 32min
Novelist Kiley Reid - Come and Get It
The author of the New York Times bestseller Such a Fun Age returns with a tale of campus politics, desire, and bad behaviour.How much of yourself are you willing to trade to get what you want? Unfolding in a University of Arkansas dormitory, Kiley Reid's new novel Come and Get It is a smart, stylish and scathing investigation of our money-obssessed society. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 5, 2024 • 1h 1min
Neuroscientist Dr Richard Restak – How To Prevent Dementia
Neurologist and professor Richard Restak has dedicated his life to the science of brain health. Now he returns to How To Academy to share more ways to strengthen our memory and prevent the onset of Alzheimer's. From memory tricks to new friendships, learn how to protect your memory, while making life more vivid along the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 1, 2024 • 35min
Novelist and Macarthur 'Genius' Kelly Link - The Book of Love
Kelly Link, acclaimed writer, discusses her transition from short stories to novel writing, capturing the essence of youth in narratives and exploring the intersection of love and horror in storytelling. She shares insights on her writing process, the transformative power of the ocean, and hints at future projects during the insightful interview.

23 snips
Feb 23, 2024 • 1h 1min
Daniel Goleman - Emotional Intelligence at Work
Discover the truth behind multitasking and flow states at work. Learn from Harvard psychologist on emotional intelligence benefits for business. Explore practical strategies for neural training, mental fitness, and workplace empathy. Understand the importance of emotional intelligence in recruitment.

Feb 20, 2024 • 48min
Novelist and Diplomat Ray Nayler - The Tusks of Extinction
Novelist and diplomat Ray Nayler discusses themes of resurrecting mammoths, elephant hunting, Russian culture, and the dark reality of the ivory trade in his novella. He balances gripping storytelling with philosophical depth and explores ethical dilemmas of de-extinction and funding projects.

Feb 16, 2024 • 1h
Dr Gemma Newman - The Six Healing Health Habits You Need to Know
Dr Gemma Newman, family doctor, shares free healing practices that we can adopt into our daily lives. Topics include the power of gratitude and integrating emotions, prioritizing sleep and tips for improving sleep quality, and the healing power of love and letting go.

23 snips
Feb 13, 2024 • 36min
Amitav Ghosh - How the Opium Trade Shaped Capitalism
Novelist and historian Amitav Ghosh explores the influence of the opium trade on colonial history, its connection to the world's biggest corporations, and its relevance to America's contemporary opioid crisis.