Adam Grant

Hey everyone, it's Adam Grant.

Welcome back to Rethinking, my podcast with Ted on the science of what makes us tick.

I'm an organizational psychologist, and I'm taking you inside the minds of fascinating people to explore new thoughts and new ways of thinking.

Matt Damon is a Hollywood icon.

From the Bourne Identity and Ocean's Eleven series, to the talented Mr. Ripley, to the Martian in Interstellar, it's hard to pick a favorite performance.

Though for me, nothing can top Good Will Hunting.

But offscreen, Matt has another passion, to ensure access to clean, safe water around the world.

When he met social entrepreneur Gary White in 2008, they realized they could combine their influence and expertise to reach even more people.

Their joint efforts created Water.org, which Gary leads as CEO, and the pair have been working together on this issue ever since.

Thank you so much for having me.

Okay, so I want to talk a little bit about the relationship between the two of you.

And Matt, I think your creative chemistry with Ben is famous.

We all, I think, fell in love with the two of you watching Good Will Hunting a long time ago.

You're continuing to work together today.

What did that relationship teach you about how to build a collaboration with Gary?

So it sounds like you survived and even enjoyed the interrogation by Matt.

Do you have a take on Matt's most underrated skill from working with him that people can't see on screen?

Matt, I know the chemistry read is a standard part of the Hollywood casting process.

Is there anything you took away from that that applied to how you would interrogate a potential partner like Gary?

It's hard not to get fired up about it, hearing you talk about it.