With an election coming up, crime and punishment are a hot topic. Listen to this specially curated episode of 3 Takeaways as some of the sharpest minds on the subject share their insight. Guests include top legal reform expert, Christina Swarns; former Harvard Law School Dean, Martha Minow; Judge Jed Rakoff; founder of the Innocence Project, Barry Scheck; former New York City Police Commissioner, Bill Bratton; and Michael Chertoff, former Secretary of Homeland Security.
Aug 20, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 211
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.
Aug 13, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 210
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.
Aug 06, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 209
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.”
Jul 30, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 208
What do Einstein, Mozart, Walt Disney, Brie Larson and many other talented and successful people have in common? The experience of being stuck — of being mired in a rut and struggling to accomplish. Here, NYU professor Adam Alter provides a detailed, actionable, and fascinating blueprint for how to get out of the rut. Be sure to listen and learn. “Colossal talents have experienced the same kinds of procrastination and productivity issues the rest of us do.”
Jul 23, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 207
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.
Jul 16, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 206
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 a...
Jul 09, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 205
Slowly but surely, AI is taking over. What does it mean to live in an age where we can outsource our thinking to machines? According to Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, it's no less than a fundamental restructuring of what it means to be human and a questioning of our essence. Learn how to future-proof yourself and maintain what makes us human. “If you want to future-proof yourself in the age of AI … the worst thing you can do is be lazy.” “If we are at the mercy of AI, free will isn't even an...
Jul 02, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 204
Want to get smarter about education? Listen to this specially curated episode of 3 Takeaways — with former Presidents of Harvard University, Larry Summers and Larry Bacow; former Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan; former head of Oxford University, Dame Louise Richardson; former Academic Dean of the Kennedy School, Iris Bohnet; Nobel Prize laureate, Joshua Angrist; and founder of online Khan Academy, Sal Khan.
Jun 25, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 203
Pandemics are on the rise. Will bird flu be next? The government says it’s monitoring the situation, but should we worry? According to former National Security Council Director for Medical and Biodefense Preparedness and expert on emerging infectious diseases, Luciana Borio, the answer is yes. Not only because bird flu is dangerous, but because the government may be giving us happy talk. The more you know, the better. So join us.
Jun 18, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 202
Want to become a super communicator? You can, according to Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Charles Duhigg. Here, the author of Supercommmunicators shares the neuroscience and key principles everyone can use in their daily life. One example: Ask others how they feel about their life, rather than about the facts of their life. “Being charismatic or clever or smart is not an ingredient of being a super communicator.” “People who are good at connecting ask questions … 10 to 20 times as ...
Jun 11, 2024•17 min•Season 1Ep. 201
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.
Jun 04, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 200
The decline of America and Western civilization is being discussed more loudly these days. But is it true or inevitable? Is the U.S. a waning influence, unraveling from within mainly due to extreme divisiveness? Niall Ferguson, one of the world’s most renowned historians, shares his well-informed perspective. It’s a convo that demands attention.
May 28, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 199
Kara Swisher is Silicon Valley’s premiere chronicler, filled with wisdom and insight on tech companies and the out-sized egos who found and run them. Here, she shares her take on the industry and on Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Tim Cook, the Google co-founders and others, who she’s known since their companies were mere start-ups.
May 21, 2024•17 min•Season 1Ep. 198
The world is filled with talented, amazing people, but only a few find fame and success. What’s the essential magic behind Taylor Swift, The Beatles, Steve Jobs and others? Here, Cass Sunstein, author of “How to Become Famous,” shares his keen insights into the essential attributes of hugely successful people. Want to join them? Join us. “There are plenty of Steve Jobs out there. We tend to think he's unique. But there are Steve Jobs, parallel amazing people, who never made it.”...
May 14, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 197
A.J. Jacobs spent an entire year living as America’s Founding Fathers did 200 years ago. Really. He learned they envisioned a very different balance of power than exists in Washington today. How out of whack are things? How should the Constitution be interpreted? Is there too much free speech? Don’t miss this remarkable conversation.
May 07, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 196
Terrorism is roiling the Middle East and is a fact of life in many places around the world. How should civilized societies respond? What is an effective approach? Dame Louise Richardson, an Irish expert on the topic, has some surprising and insightful answers. The topic is timely and affects us all. Don’t miss this very necessary conversation.
Apr 30, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 195
We live in an age of hyper-marketing, when the marketing of events like Taylor Swift and the “Barbie” movie overwhelm the offering itself and takes on a life of its own. Here, Natasha Degen, marketing and cultural analyst extraordinaire, dissects how marketing is blurring the lines between movies, music, art and fashion and reveals the secrets behind today’s most talked about cultural events and personalities.
Apr 23, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 194
People and countries are at each other’s throats these days. How can some of this conflict be resolved? Here, world-class negotiator William Ury reveals the innovative techniques that have helped him resolve some of the world’s most malignant conflicts. You’ll almost certainly be able to put these techniques to use in your own life.
Apr 16, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 193
According to Janna Levin, “the chillest astrophysicist alive” (says Wired Magazine), there’s a great probability that other life exists in the universe. But what form might this life take? What the heck are black holes? How many planets are out there? And why should we give a hoot about all this? Be sure to listen to this other-worldly conversation. “I find it impossible to believe we're magically the only experiment in life when we look at our own galaxy, which is a collection of 300 billi...
Apr 09, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 192
“We have this notion that we have more control than ever, but I think we have it less and less,” says the brilliant Brian Klaas. Don’t miss this mind-bending chat about flukes, chance and random events. Also, how seemingly inconsequential actions have life-changing consequences, the eternal clash between chaos and order, and how to live successfully in a world on the edge of chaos.
Apr 02, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 191
Brain sensors embedded in watches. Earbuds that decode our brainwaves. Neurotechnology that reads our emotions and thoughts, and can be used to manipulate them. It sounds like science fiction, but it’s science fact. Don’t miss this chilling and cautionary talk with Duke professor Nita Farahany, author of The Battle for Your Brain.
Mar 26, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 190
Current debates over climate change are focused almost entirely on reducing emissions - which is something we should do - but we also need to answer the question, how should we be adapting? MIT’s Robert Pindyck shares what we know and don’t know and how we can adapt given the enormous climate uncertainty. “Let’s suppose we do have an increase in temperature of 3 degrees. What would happen?”
Mar 19, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 189
There’s an epidemic of deception taking place, and while some lying has a valid function, it helps to know when you’re being deceived. Expert Pamela Meyer reveals why we lie, how to spot deception in work and life situations, and how she knew Bill Clinton’s claim that he “never had sex with that woman” was bs.
Mar 12, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 188
Super intelligent AI is coming that will make today’s AI seem primitive. It will be vastly more powerful than humans, have access to extensive real-time data about almost everyone, and be able to control our lives. A world-leading authority on the topic, Stuart Russell, reveals what must be done for humanity to get the best from AI and avoid the worst. “The arrival of super intelligent AI is like the arrival of a superior alien civilization…”
Mar 05, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 187
Our lives are filled with joyful, positive experiences — a beautiful sunset, a good meal, laughter with someone we love — but we tend to forget them quickly. Here, a groundbreaking neuroscientist, Tali Sharot, explains how we can make the feeling of joy linger, the phenomenon of habituation and why we should “break up the good experiences, but swallow the bad ones whole.”
Feb 27, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 186
With political contentiousness now at a fever pitch and with Presidents Day in mind, there’s much to be gained by learning about the savvy genius and deep kindness of Abraham Lincoln. Here, acclaimed author Ed Achorn provides a fascinating, warts-and-all look at how this brilliant and inspiring man helped keep America one country.
Feb 20, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 185
Mellody Hobson’s life—from her tough Chicago childhood to becoming Starbucks board chair to her marriage to George Lucas — has shattered stereotypes. Here, the president and co-CEO of Ariel Investments talks about pursuing excellence, how to become indispensable, tricks for managing time, the need to take risks, and much more.
Feb 13, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 184
Chew on this: The way food looks, smells, and even sounds affects how much we like it. We have taste buds in our stomach. Adding salt to grapefruit makes it sweeter. There’s an amazing story behind why we love some foods and not others. Everyone who eats should listen to this conversation with food expert extraordinaire, Barbara Stuckey.
Feb 06, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 183
Surgeon, professor, public health leader, bestselling author, global healthcare legend. Listen as Dr. Atul Gawande talks about the astonishing success of modern medicine, how countries that spend far less on healthcare than the U.S. achieve similar outcomes, the global effort to increase lifespan, the future of healthcare, and much more.
Jan 30, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 182
