FOMO Sapiens with Patrick J. McGinnis

Get ready to dive into the electrifying world of nightlife and brand building with Josh Wyatt, the CEO of Avant Gardner and the iconic Brooklyn Mirage. Join Patrick McGinnis as they explore Josh’s journey from risk-averse to embracing bold ventures, a transformation that led him to helm cultural hotspots like Noya House and Fotografiska. Discover the magic behind the relaunch of the Brooklyn Mirage, a purpose-built entertainment mecca in New York City. Josh shares the innovative strategies he's using to create a lasting, FOMO-inducing experience that transcends traditional nightlife. From drawing inspiration from operatic grandeur to reimagining audience engagement, they explore Josh's forward-thinking ideas, including a fully non-alcoholic bar concept that caters to evolving consumer preferences. This episode is a backstage pass to the vision and execution behind building a cultural phenomenon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can you actually become more outgoing, more conscientious, or even more emotionally stable? In this episode of FOMO Sapiens, Patrick McGinnis sits down with Olga Khazan, staff writer for The Atlantic and author of Weird, to dive into the science of personality change. Drawing from her own experience to become more extroverted, Olga explains how traits we once thought were fixed can shift through small, intentional actions. From the Big Five to mindfulness and behavioral tweaks, this conversation offers science-backed tools for reshaping your self—and why it’s not too late to become the person you want to be. Perfect for anyone curious about personal development, identity, or reinvention. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Isabelle Hau, author of "Love to Learn" and Executive Director of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, joins Patrick McGinnis on FOMO Sapiens to discuss the critical importance of relational intelligence (RQ) in child development. Hau, who overcame early assessments of low academic aptitude, emphasizes the need for nurturing relationships and free play to counteract the relational deprivation crisis affecting children today. She highlights the impact of smaller families, reduced play time, and excessive technology use on children's social and emotional development. Hau advocates for "relational tech" over "junk tech" and stresses the importance of fostering a love for learning through play and human connection. She also provides insights for entrepreneurs in the education space, emphasizing the unprecedented opportunities for innovation in learning due to advancements in data, brain science, technology, and evolving educational needs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of FOMO Sapiens, Kevin Evers, senior editor at Harvard Business Review and author of There’s Nothing Like This, uncovers the secrets behind Taylor Swift’s business brilliance. Patrick McGinnis explores how Swift built a brand through consistency, trust, and innovation while making bold moves to stay ahead of the competition. Evers delves into her customer obsession, drawing comparisons to Jeff Bezos, and how her use of social media fosters FOMO and loyalty among fans. With a keen eye on her ability to turn controversies into narrative-driven opportunities, they discuss how Swift’s strategic thinking has reshaped the music industry and beyond. Entrepreneurs will walk away with insights on building brand loyalty, navigating industry disruptions, and adapting strategies while staying authentic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nayeema Raza, the creator and host of Smart Girl Dumb Questions, shares her journey from top media outlets to independent podcasting. She highlights how 'dumb' questions can spark meaningful conversations across diverse topics. The discussion covers the challenges of building a digital media brand and the role of AI as a creative tool rather than a threat. Nayeema emphasizes democratizing knowledge and the need for varied voices in an oversaturated media landscape, proving that simplicity can lead to profound insights.

What if the right question could change everything? In this episode of FOMO Sapiens, Patrick McGinnis sits down with Topaz Adizes, Emmy award-winning writer, director, and founder of Skin Deep, to explore the transformative power of asking well-crafted questions. With over 1,250 intimate conversations under his belt, Topaz explains how discomfort in a question—not the answer—can deepen connections and foster resilience. He shares practical techniques for creating open, vulnerable spaces that go beyond yes/no answers and how regular practice of these conversations can change the way we reflect and relate to others. Tune in to learn how focusing on the right questions can reshape your reality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The future isn’t something that just happens—it’s something you can design. This week on FOMO Sapiens, Patrick sits down with Frederik Pferdt, Google's first-ever Chief Innovation Evangelist and author of What’s Next Is Now, to uncover how the world’s top innovators reframe uncertainty, take action, and shape their own futures. Frederik shares why the most successful people don’t fear change—they leverage it—and how shifting your mindset from “having” to “being” and “feeling” can create breakthroughs in both life and business. From rewiring your brain for adaptability to making better, bolder decisions (without the FOMO), this conversation is packed with tactical strategies for thriving in an unpredictable world. Tune in to learn how to turn uncertainty into opportunity and take control of what’s next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if you just walked away—literally? This week on FOMO Sapiens, Patrick sits down with Tom Turcich, the 10th person in history to walk around the world, to explore what seven years of solitude, cultural immersion, and extreme endurance taught him about risk-taking, adaptability, and finding purpose in the unknown. With only a backpack and his loyal dog, Savannah, Tom navigated 38 countries, countless challenges, and life-altering moments—from dangerous encounters to deep self-discovery. Now, he shares how the lessons from the road apply to business, decision-making, and breaking free from the fear of missing out. If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping outside your comfort zone—or wondered what it really takes to do the impossible—this episode is for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What kind of person looks at an old, abandoned building and thinks, This should be a museum about words? Ann B. Friedman did. But turning that vision into reality wasn’t easy. This week on FOMO Sapiens, Patrick talks with Ann about the steep challenges of launching Planet Word—from convincing funders to back an untested concept to navigating DC politics and designing exhibits that actually engage modern audiences (including those who claim they "don’t like reading"). Ann shares how she tackled skepticism, built a world-class team, and turned an abstract idea into an immersive, interactive experience. Plus, they dive into the impact of language in the digital age, how words shape our reality, and why the way we communicate is evolving faster than ever. If you’ve ever had a big idea but doubted whether it could work, this episode is for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most people think virtual communication is just about choosing between email, Slack, or Zoom. But according to Prof. Andrew Brodsky, an expert in virtual communication and Top 40 Under 40 MBA Professor, that’s dead wrong. In this episode of FOMO Sapiens, Patrick sits down with Andrew to unpack why digital conversations fail, how to build trust and rapport remotely, and why “in-person bias” can actually hurt productivity. Andrew’s expertise isn’t just academic—his personal journey battling cancer as a teenager forced him to master virtual communication long before it became the norm. He breaks down the science of digital dialogue, the cultural impact of different communication platforms, and the small tweaks that make a massive difference in how you’re perceived online. If you’re leading a remote team, closing deals over Zoom, or just want to avoid being that person on Slack, this episode is a must-listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices