No-BS Secrets to Success
Jim VandeHei co-founded two highly influential news outlets, Politico and Axios. But as he explains in today's episode, his path to success was far from straightforward.
Episodes
The Next Big Idea Daily
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 — boil down their big ideas into bite-sized chunks, and then offer you one each morning.
Episodes
What 20th Century Anarchy Can Teach Us About Contemporary Polarization
Steven Johnson returns to share some key insights from his new book "The Infernal Machine: A True Story of Dynamite, Terror, and the Rise of the Modern Detective."
A Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control
To end the week, we'll hear from Katherine Morgan Schafler, a former on-site therapist at Google, who challenges us to change the way we look at perfectionism.
What a CBS News Correspondent Saw on the Front Lines of the Climate Crisis
In "Before It's Gone: Stories from the Front Lines of Climate Change in Small-Town America," Jonathan Vigliotti shares the stories of regular Americans who are confronting the effects of climate disaster.
Can Big Tech Be Reined In?
As chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Tom Wheeler advocated for stronger legislation of big tech companies. In his new book, "Techlash: Who Makes the Rules in the Digital Gilded Age?," he says there's more to be done.
When Extreme Wellness Causes Real Damage
Jacqueline Alnes was a DI runner in college, but her athletic career was cut short by a series of mysterious neurological symptoms. Her search for a cure led her to discover the dark side of wellness culture. Her new book is "The Fruit Cure: The Story of Extreme Wellness Turned Sour."
Are You Suffering From Microstress?
Are all the little things getting you down? Rob Cross and Karen Dillon are here to help. Their new book is "The Microstress Effect: How Little Things Pile Up and Create Big Problems--and What to Do about It."
Forget Habits. You Need Rituals.
Harvard's Michael Norton says cultivating a "ritual" mindset can infuse our lives with meaning. His new book is "The Ritual Effect: From Habit to Ritual, Harness the Surprising Power of Everyday Actions."
Frank Bruni Examines Our Age of Grievance
Longtime New York Times columnist Frank Bruni says fervent hostility has eroded the civility, common ground, and compromise necessary for our democracy to survive. His new book is "The Age of Grievance."
Humans and Octopuses Are More Alike Than You Think
Ecologist David Scheel has been obsessed with octopuses for decades. What he's learned — and why it should matter to you — is the subject of his new book: "Many Things Under a Rock: The Mysteries of Octopuses."
"The Twentysomething Treatment: A Revolutionary Remedy for an Uncertain Age" by Meg Jay
Your twenties are the most challenging time of your life. Does it have to be that way?
"A Healthy State of Panic: Follow Your Fears to Build Wealth, Crush Your Career, and Win at Life" by Farnoosh Torabi
Life lessons from the creator of the popular finance podcast So Money.
"Passion Struck: Twelve Powerful Principles to Unlock Your Purpose and Ignite Your Most Intentional Life" by John Miles
Inside of you resides an intentional life without limits. The time has come to awaken it. • Subscribe to our newsletter • Download our app • Join our club (and use code DAILY for a special discount)
"The Power of Ethics: How to Make Good Choices in a Complicated World" by Susan Liautaud
Today, a few big ideas from Susan Liautaud, who teaches cutting-edge ethics courses at Stanford University.
"How Sex Changed the Internet and the Internet Changed Sex: An Unexpected History" by Samantha Cole
"How Sex Changed the Internet and the Internet Changed Sex." The title says it all, doesn't it? Author Samantha Cole stops by to tell us why we have sex to thank for the internet we know and love.
"The Stoic Mindset: Living the Ten Principles of Stoicism" by Mark Tuitert
"As a top athlete," says today's guest, Mark Tuitert, "you can easily be blinded by the goal: winning." Mark would know. He won the gold medal in speed skating in the 1500-meter event at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. When he woke up the next day, however, a worrying thought shot through his head: Now what? What do I focus on now? To answer those questions, he turned to the ancient philosophy of Stoicism.
"The Generous Leader: 7 Ways to Give of Yourself for Everyone’s Gain" by Joe Davis
Today, Joe Davis, managing director and senior partner at the Boston Consulting Group, explains why gernosity is the key attribute of a modern leader.
"This Beauty: A Philosophy of Being Alive" by Nick Riggle
You didn't choose to live this life, but you can still make it beautiful.
“Nuclear War: A Scenario” by Annie Jacobsen
If you're living in a city in America right now, there's a nuclear weapon pointed directly at you.
"Catastrophe Ethics: How to Choose Well in a World of Tough Choices" by Travis Rieder
Life is full of moral dilemmas. How do you know you're making the right calls? • Subscribe to our newsletter • Download our app • Join our club (and use code DAILY for a special discount)
"Extra Life: A Short History of Living Longer" by Steven Johnson
Today, friend-of-the-pod Steven Johnson stops by to share a few big ideas from his recent book "Extra Life," which President Obama praised for offering readers "a useful reminder of the role of modern science in fundamentally transforming all of our lives." • If you enjoy this episode, check out the audio essay we made with Steven. It's called "Immortality: A User's Guide"
"Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Talent, and Live More Fully" by Elaine Lin Hering
Have you ever been afraid to speak up? You're not alone, says Elaine Lin Hering, a lecturer at Harvard Law School. But your silence has repercussions for you and those around you. Today, Elaine is here to help you summon the courage to say what's on your mind.
"Which Way Is North: A Creative Compass for Makers, Marketers, and Mystics" by Will Cady
To close out the week, let's hear from Reddit's Global Brand Ambassador, Will Cady, who has a few surprising tips for unlocking your creativity. • Don't miss our event with Scott Galloway on April 22nd in New York City. Tickets are going fast! Grab yours at nextbigideaclub.com/events and use the code PODCAST for 50% off
"The Ancient Art of Thinking For Yourself: The Power of Rhetoric in Polarized Times" by Robin Reames
Robin Reames grew up in a fundamentalist Christian, white, and very conservative family in the Deep South. "Up until about my late adolescence and early adulthood," she says, "I more or less believed that the polarized view of the world that dominated my subculture was true. They are the bad guys. We are the good guys." But things changed when she went away to college and discovered rhetoric. That ancient art ultimately showed her how everything from disagreements with her parents to the polariz...
"The Return of Great Powers: Russia, China, and the Next World War" by Jim Sciutto
In this episode, CNN anchor and chief national security analyst Jim Sciutto warns that another world war could be looming. • We're hosting a live event with Scott Galloway in New York City on April 22nd. Learn more and grab your ticket at nextbigideaclub.com/events
"Anxious Eaters: Why We Fall for Fad Diets" by Janet Chrzan & Kima Cargill
Keto, Atkins, paleo, and Whole30 — it seems like fad diets are everywhere these days. How did they get so popular, and are they doomed to fail? • Want to attend our live event with Scott Galloway on April 22? Learn more at nextbigideaclub.com/events/
"The Great Money Reset: Change Your Work, Change Your Wealth, Change Your Life" by Jill Schlesinger
Today, indispensable financial advice from Jill Schlesinger, Emmy and Gracie Award winning business analyst for CBS News and author of "The Great Money Reset: Change Your Work, Change Your Wealth, Change Your Life."
"The Way Home: Discovering the Hero's Journey to Wholeness at Midlife" by Ben Katt
Can Joseph Campbell’s "hero’s journey" help you find fulfillment?
"Our Biggest Fight" by Frank H. McCourt Jr. & Michael J. Casey
Is the design of the internet to blame for our current crises of disinformation, mental illness, and hyper-partisan division? • Subscribe to our newsletter • Download our app • Join our club (and use code DAILY for a special discount)
"The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality" by Amanda Montell
Why does living in the so-called Information Age only seem to make life more confusing? Amanda Montell has some surprising answers.