Smart People Podcast

Although mindfulness gets a lot of ‘air time’ these days, many people are overlooking the fact that in our closely integrated society it is just as important that we recognize how we present ourselves to the world and to others. Humans naturally have many blind spots that don’t allow them to take a true inventory... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest this week, Adam Werbach, has been on the cutting edge of the environmental and sustainability movements for two decades. Adam is an environmental activist, author, and entrepreneur. In 1996, Adam became the youngest person ever elected as national president of the Sierra Club, at the age of 23. He is currently the President... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the summer of 1804, two of America’s most eminent statesmen squared off, pistols raised, on a bluff along the Hudson River. That two such men would risk not only their lives but the stability of the young country they helped forge is almost beyond comprehension. Yet we know that it happened. The question is... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happiness experts have long told us to tune out our negative emotions and focus instead on mindfulness, positivity, and optimism. However, our guest this week disagrees. Instead he says positive emotions alone are not enough. Anger makes us creative, selfishness makes us brave, and guilt is a powerful motivator. The real key to success lies... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Growing water shortages around the world are topping the news right now, beyond just California. USA Today recently tracked the top 8 U.S. states that are running out of water. Water policy is broken around the world, but there is one place that has gotten it right…and that’s Israel. The desert nation is not only avoiding... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we speak with Roger Lowenstein about the tumultuous era and remarkable personalities that spurred the unlikely birth of America’s modern central bank, the Federal Reserve. Today, the Fed is the bedrock of the financial landscape, yet the fight to create it was so protracted and divisive that it seems a small miracle... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Wharton Business School professor Maurice Schweitzer helps us unpack the psychology of when and how to interact with people as our friends and our foes, and how we can use this knowledge to get the best outcomes in life. Insights from Maurice can help us in business (how to build trust, gain... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The market for health and wellness products is exploding. Every day there is a new cure, miracle berry, diet, homeopathic remedy, etc., and it’s easier than ever to throw together a webpage and reach a global audience.  And this is all fine and well… except for the small fact that the vast majority of these... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rich Roll is a graduate of Stanford University and Cornell Law School. If that wasn’t impressive enough, he is also a vegan, ultra-endurance athlete. Rich is a former entertainment attorney turned full-time wellness & plant-based nutrition advocate, motivational speaker, husband, and father of 4 (four!!!). In 2012, Rich became a #1 bestselling author with his book, Finding Ultra: Rejecting... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we interview Steven Kotler, author of a number of best selling books including, The Rise of Superman: Decoding the Science of Ultimate Human Performance. Drawing on over a decade of research and first-hand reporting with dozens of top action and adventure sports athletes like big wave legend Laird Hamilton, big mountain snowboarder Jeremy... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices