Top Takeaways of 2024
The episode you’ve been waiting for is here: our Top Takeaways of 2024. Listen to some of the world’s smartest, most influential thinkers, business leaders, innovators, technologists, and other newsmakers — including Eric Schmidt, Mellody Hobson, Atul Gawande, Fareed Zakaria, Jill Abramson, Stephen Breyer, Niall Ferguson and others. You don’t want to miss this episode.
AI: How It’s Being Used Now, What’s Next, and What’s After That
There’s a lot being said about AI these days that’s science fiction. One person who knows the facts is David Schmaier, President and Chief Product Officer of Salesforce. Here, he talks in detail about the many unseen ways AI is being used now, how it will profoundly stimulate innovation and benefit humanity, the rise of robots, and more.
The Search for Another Earth
Is there another planet in the universe like Earth? Is there life elsewhere? And if so, how advanced is it? Join us as Sara Seager — astronomer, planet hunter, MIT professor, and MacArthur Genius Grant recipient — presents a mind-blowing progress report on the rigorous search for Earth’s planetary twin and other life in the universe.
Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman on China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea
China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are all determined to subvert America. Nobody knows more about this than former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, who has worked for three presidents and five secretaries of state. Hear what this foreign policy expert says America must do to remain dominant, how AI will impact the world order, and much more.
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt on AI: Shaping the Next Era of Humanity
Eric Schmidt is astonishing. Here, the former CEO of Google and one of the world’s most brilliant technologists talks with visionary wisdom about Artificial Intelligence and its impact on business, healthcare, warfare, climate change, human survival and more. Don’t miss this chance to learn how AI powers we have not yet imagined will affect our daily lives.
Eric’s new book, which is wonderful, is Genesis.
200 Billion Animals Are Killed for Food Each Year
Chew on this: Approximately 200 billion animals are raised for food each year, often in horrific conditions. The contribution of these animals to climate change is greater than the emissions of all the cars being driven around the world. There is a solution. Listen, as Princeton bioethicist Peter Singer explains both the problem and a simple answer.
Loonshots: How Lunatic, Moonshot Ideas Become Real and Change the World
It’s not easy for huge, breakthrough ideas — the kind that truly change the world — to see the light of day. Here, physicist, entrepreneur and author Safi Bahcall talks in detail about the creativity and determination required, plus the obstacles to overcome, and cites fascinating examples including James Bond, Lipitor, Apple, Airbnb and others.
Blunt Wisdom From the World’s Top Executive Coach
If there’s such a thing as a secret to success, Marshall Goldsmith knows it. Perhaps the world’s top executive leadership coach, he’s worked with many CEOs, founders and billionaires and has a deep understanding of how to change behaviors, how to lead, and ultimately, how to succeed in both your career and life. Listen and benefit from what he knows.
Secrets of Legendary Investor Howard Marks
Warren Buffett doesn’t need investment advice. But he does listen to fellow billionaire and co-founder of Oaktree Capital Howard Marks. Here, the legendary investor shares his insights on the market, the psychology of investing, why low interest rates can lead to unwise behavior, and why “always good, sometimes great, never terrible” describes his remarkable career.
AI and Healthcare: A Dose of Good News
Sam Hazen has seen the future of healthcare, and it works. The CEO of one of the world’s largest healthcare providers, HCA, is using artificial intelligence and robotics to improve patient health and hospital services, make healthcare more affordable, and more. Don’t miss this dose of good news about healthcare.
Chew on This: The Founder of Whole Foods Is Bananas for Capitalism
The story of Whole Foods is the story of its founder, John Mackey, and it’s nothing short of astonishing. Here, this charismatic entrepreneur talks about the fundamentals of success, his own superpowers, why capitalism is a powerful force for progress, and what he believes is the most important thing in life. (It’s not money.) Feast on this conversation.
Former Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross on Investing, Entrepreneurship, and Trump
With no exaggeration, Wilbur Ross is brilliant, successful, blunt, compelling, and completely devoid of baloney. Here, he reveals his thoughts on investing, China, entrepreneurship, serving as U.S. Commerce Secretary, the greatest threat to America, working for Donald Trump, and more. When Wilbur Ross talks, be sure to listen.
Norway’s Former Minister of Defense and Foreign Affairs: Are Chaos and Upheaval the New Norm?
The world is on a wild ride — two wars, massive immigration, fractured political parties. Are chaos and upheaval the new normal? Norway’s former Minister of Defense and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ine Eriksen Søreide, shares her wise perspective on the threat of Russia, the critical role of the U.S., coping with immigration and more.
Former President of Chile Michelle Bachelet: Leading with Integrity, Truth, and Empathy
Authentic political leadership is in short supply these days. There’s no better person on the topic than the first female President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet. Elected to office twice, she achieved remarkable reforms and had a stunning approval rating of 84%. Here, she talks about the need to tell the truth, defend democracy, be empathetic, and more.
Close Calls: The Terrifying Threat of Nuclear War
How would a nuclear war start and unfold? How close are we to thermonuclear annihilation? Annie Jacobsen, a weapons expert and Pulitzer Prize finalist, knows. Here, using insider information, she dramatically outlines how close we’ve come to Armageddon, what nuclear winter would entail, and much more. Don’t miss this chilling but necessary episode.
Fareed Zakaria Makes Sense of a Crazy World
Massive, mind scrambling changes are taking place in society and politics these days. Nobody makes more sense of it than Fareed Zakaria. Listen, as he talks with his typical brilliance about the problems with our political parties, the need for open markets, how to fix the U.S. Supreme Court — and why he believes enormous optimism is justified.
Vietnam: From Great Foe to Great Friend
It’s a story that seems unimaginable. Fifty years after the end of our brutal war with Vietnam, the two countries are now good friends, close trading partners, allies in many important ways. How did this remarkable reconciliation occur? What does it mean for the future? Don’t miss this engrossing talk with U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, Marc Knapper.
“Our current friendship with Vietnam reflects a journey that a Hollywood scriptwriter could not have written.”
Hear, Here. A Fresh Take on the News Media’s Flawed Coverage of Joe Biden with a Former NY Times Executive Editor
The news media’s coverage of Joe Biden’s mental fitness is itself a major news story. Here, Jill Abramson, a former Executive Editor of the NY Times, provides fresh insight on the failures of the media, the White House’s aggressive cover-up, what it all means for journalism in general, and more. Don’t miss one of our most important conversations ever.
A Former Prime Minister of Israel Speaks Bluntly
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has a special perspective and wise insights into the battle against Hamas. Here, he shares his thoughts and suggestions on ending the war, securing the future for Israel, dealing with Iran, the need for a Palestinian state, and more. There’s reason to be both hopeful and concerned.
“To eliminate Hamas as if it didn't exist is impossible. … It is an ideology, and no military action can remove ideology from the face of the earth.”
“I am more worried about the solidarity of Israeli society than I am about the enmity of our outside enemies.”
It’s Time We Take A Good, Hard Look At War
As war rages in Ukraine and Gaza, these questions are being asked: Are wars inevitable? Where will the next major conflict break out? Are the U.S. and China headed for war? Are women leaders less warlike than men? Can wars be avoided? Listen, as Margaret MacMillan, one of the world’s leading war historians, provides answers. Don’t miss this one.