Suleika Jaouad, diagnosed with cancer at 22, shares her experience living with a potentially fatal illness. Topics include navigating life after cancer, finding resonance in narratives of illness, the power of organ donation, and a playful prank call to Jonathan Franzen.

Caroline Paul, a thrill-seeker, and writer, discusses fighting fires, walking on airplane wings, and finding awe in birdwatching. They talk about defying societal expectations about aging, embracing adventure, and the transformative power of awe in nature.

Guests Lily and Amanda Levitt open up about battling anorexia and social anxiety. Lily discusses seeking treatment after a conversation with her dad. Amanda talks about her decision not to attend college. The podcast dives into personal struggles and overcoming challenges, highlighting the importance of seeking help and pursuing passions.

Economist Joseph Stiglitz discusses limits of markets, debates with Nobel laureate Milton Friedman, why small governments don't lead to more freedom, and his advocacy for societal issues. The podcast challenges the concept of perfect knowledge in economic models, explores complexities of economic policy decisions, critiques neoliberalism's impact on growth, and advocates for progressive capitalism in addressing current issues.

Monica Bertagnolli, director of the National Institutes of Health, discusses challenges in medical research like innovation, federal funding, data privacy, and advancing cancer treatment. She shares personal journey and reflections on academic research.

Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman, a groundbreaking psychologist, discusses Bias and Noise in decision-making, highlighting the impact on accuracy. They explore the Origins of Behavioral Economics and the intersection of economics and psychology, emphasizing the need for intuitive solutions. The podcast delves into perception of environmental cleanup and embraces change and wisdom, offering insights on making fulfilling life choices.

Google researcher Blaise Agüera y Arcas discusses designing AI algorithm for U.S. Navy at 14, discoveries about Johannes Gutenberg, and mind-blowing A.I. moments. Talks about academia vs entrepreneurship, challenges in big companies, data sharing dilemmas, transparency in tech industry, philosophical debates on A.I. consciousness, and societal identity shifts.

Rajiv Shah discusses leading major humanitarian efforts post-Haiti earthquake, the importance of taking bold gambles based on data, and owning up to mistakes. He shares insights on global health impact through strategic vaccination initiatives and the need for pandemic preparedness. The podcast also touches on navigating career expectations in an Indian American community and compensating talent in nonprofit organizations.

Author Charles Duhigg shares insights on improving communication. The value of asking deep questions and sharing personal stories. Exploring the habit loop and success of a bestselling book. Challenges in crafting the movie Frozen. Evolution of social media platforms and data ownership.

Cat Bohannon, researcher and author, discusses the evolution of female anatomy, childbirth challenges, and the flaws in the human reproductive system. Topics include the purpose of breast milk, the biological reasons behind menstruation, and the impact of female bonds on human evolution. The podcast explores historical wet nursing practices, population bottleneck in human ancestors, and contrasting societal structures of chimpanzees and bonobos.