How To Academy Podcast

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.

In a compelling conversation, Lola Young, an activist, actor, and Baroness renowned for her advocacy on modern slavery and climate justice, reveals her extraordinary journey from foster care to prominence. She shares insights on the importance of understanding personal history and how it fuels resilience. Young discusses the role of art in public policy, emphasizing storytelling's power in shaping societal values. She also addresses the need for reform in the House of Lords and highlights poverty as the UK's pressing issue, advocating for compassion in tackling systemic inequalities.

In this thought-provoking conversation, George Monbiot, a Guardian columnist and environmentalist known for tackling neoliberalism, joins comedian Frankie Boyle for a candid discussion. They explore the alarming wealth gap and the philosophical underpinnings that have allowed the rich to dominate. Monbiot critiques neoliberal influences on democracy and public services while advocating for participatory democracy as a remedy. The duo delves into the need for engaging narratives to inspire political action and the urgent call for reform in the face of societal challenges.

Join Adam Zeman, a Professor of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology at the University of Exeter, as he reveals the fascinating science behind imagination. He discusses how imagination is our default state, influencing our thoughts and actions daily. Zeman explores intriguing concepts like aphantasia, the mind's eye, and the unconscious mechanics of creativity. He highlights how various experiences shape our imagination and creativity, as well as the interplay between art and science. Discover the transformative power of imagination in our lives!