The Next Big Idea Daily
Next Big Idea Club
What if engaging with great ideas could become one of your daily habits? What if some of the best tips for living better and working smarter were served up with your morning coffee, a hit of motivation guaranteed to start your day right? That’s the idea behind The Next Big Idea Daily. We work with hundreds of non-fiction authors — experts in productivity, creativity, leadership, communication, and other fields. They distill their big ideas into bite-sized chunks, and we offer you one each morning.
Episodes
Mentioned books
8 snips
Nov 23, 2023 • 17min
"Conflicted: How Productive Disagreements Lead to Better Outcomes" by Ian Leslie
Ian Leslie, a columnist for the New Statesman, teaches us how conflict can lead to insight, creativity, and connection. Learn about the advantages of productive disagreements, the power of conflict in building rapport and trust, and the lessons from the Wright Brothers on the value of honest arguments and vigorous debate in the workplace.
Nov 22, 2023 • 10min
"The Canceling of the American Mind: Cancel Culture Undermines Trust and Threatens Us All—But There Is a Solution" by Greg Lukianoff & Rikki Schlott
Greg Lukianoff and Rikki Schlott discuss the dangers of cancel culture in undermining trust and threatening society. They explore its impact on free speech culture and academic freedom, highlighting the need for a solution to this divisive phenomenon.
Nov 21, 2023 • 14min
"Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us" by Susan Magsamen & Ivy Ross
Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross discuss how the arts and aesthetics can transform traditional medicine, build healthier communities, and mend the planet by altering our brains and bodies through neuroplasticity. They highlight the positive impacts of arts on well-being, learning, and community building, and explore the accessibility of arts and crafts and their effects on mental well-being and overall satisfaction.
Nov 20, 2023 • 14min
"Quitting: A Life Strategy: The Myth of Perseverance—and How the New Science of Giving Up Can Set You Free" by Julia Keller
Julia Keller, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, challenges the idea of perseverance and explores the science of quitting. She discusses the pressure to not quit, draws parallels to Simone Biles' decision at the Olympics, and explores the concept of quitting in addiction and mental disorders.
10 snips
Nov 17, 2023 • 16min
"Sensitive: The Hidden Power of the Highly Sensitive Person in a Loud, Fast, Too-Much World" by Jenn Granneman & Andre Sólo
Embrace your sensitivity and leverage it in friendships, relationships, the workplace, leadership, and parenting. Learn about the positive impact of sensitivity on creativity, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence. Discover the benefits of being highly sensitive and the importance of curating a supportive environment.
Nov 16, 2023 • 13min
"Big Bets: How Large-Scale Change Really Happens" by Rajiv Shah
Rajiv Shah discusses the benefits of working on big bets and making a difference in the world. He shares personal experiences and highlights the Rockefeller Foundation's efforts to increase COVID-19 testing. The chapter explores large-scale change examples like getting students back in school and investing in global vaccination, highlighting the importance of building relationships and trust.
Nov 15, 2023 • 14min
"The Experience Machine: How Our Minds Predict and Shape Reality" by Andy Clark
Neuroscience and psychology researcher Andy Clark discusses how our minds predict and shape reality. The podcast explores how predictive processing shapes human experience, the role of predictive processing in constructing pain experiences, and harnessing the power of expectations for well-being and performance.
Nov 14, 2023 • 12min
"I'm So Effing Hungry: Why We Crave What We Crave — and What to Do About It" by Amy Shah
Dr. Amy Shah, a scientist specializing in health and cravings, discusses understanding and controlling cravings, including the role of dopamine and the influence of gut bacteria on cravings and behavior. She also explains the power of gut bacteria in changing cravings, happiness, and decision-making, and introduces the concept of psychobiotics to alter the gut microbiome for mental state and behavior influence.
Nov 13, 2023 • 10min
"The Deadline Effect: How to Work Like It's the Last Minute ― Before the Last Minute" by Christopher Cox
Christopher Cox, Editor at Harper's and GQ, explores the concept of the 'deadline effect' and shares the importance of setting and enforcing deadlines to increase productivity. Learn about the advantages of shorter deadlines, adding enforcement mechanisms, and using interim deadlines to manage time effectively.
8 snips
Nov 10, 2023 • 16min
"The Power of Wonder: The Extraordinary Emotion That Will Change the Way You Live, Learn, and Lead" by Monica C. Parker
Monica Parker, consultant to top companies like LinkedIn, Google, and LEGO, takes us on a journey through the transformative power of wonder. She explores the benefits of wonder and its ability to alter perception through contrast. Parker emphasizes the importance of embracing a wonder mindset, expanding consciousness, and embracing mystery.
