The Next Big Idea Daily

Forget Left vs. Right. Here's What Really Drives the Supreme Court

14 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Supreme Court isn't the ideological battleground you think it is—it's a workplace, complete with egos, alliances, and quirks that shape the law ...

How to Stay Steady When the World is Crazy

13 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

There's a word most of us don't use nearly enough—equanimity—and Margaret Cullen says it's the key to feeling fully alive without getting wrecked ...

The Skill Nobody Teaches You: How to Not Know

12 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The people who sound the most certain are often the most likely to be wrong. Simone Stolzoff makes the case for embracing uncertainty as a superpower ...

Why Your Haircut Costs More Every Year (And Your TV Set Costs Less)

11 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

First, Alex Mayyasi of NPR's Planet Money breaks down the hidden mechanics shaping your wallet. Then Atossa Araxia Abrahamian pulls back the curtain o...

Lessons in Life, Loyalty and Leadership

08 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

When a Navy captain risks his career to protect his crew during a crisis at sea, the fallout becomes a masterclass in loyalty and moral courage. Brett...

You've Been Pooping All Wrong (And It's Affecting Your Brain)

07 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Your toilet habits might be quietly shaping your health, energy, and mood — and Dr. Trisha Pasricha is here to explain why, with big ideas from You'...

You Have Time to Read War and Peace (Here's the Math)

06 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us don't have a time-management problem — we have a time-anxiety problem, and Laura Vanderkam is here to prove you have more hours than you ...

The Workforce Is Aging. Here's Why That's Good News.

05 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone's talking about AI reshaping the future of work, but there's a quieter revolution underway: the workforce is getting older — fast. First, D...

Five Rules for Getting Out of Your Own Way

04 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The blank page is often the enemy of creativity, so why do the right constraints actually make us more inventive? First, David Epstein shares big idea...

Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most

01 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Big ideas from Effortless by Greg McKeown and Friday Forward by Robert Glazer. 🔗 Sponsored By: Notion — Try Custom Agents now at ⁠notion.com/...

The Tesla Playbook

30 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Most companies fail not because they do too little — but because they do too much. First, former Tesla president Jonathan McNeill reveals how subtra...

The Mental Health Tricks That Actually Work (From Someone Who's Tried Everything)

29 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

When anxiety is running the show and your brain won't quit, humor might be more than a coping mechanism—it might be a survival strategy. Jenny Lawso...

How to Get Rich: Take the Long View

28 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Americans have been hustling for financial wisdom for 300 years — but how much of that advice actually made anyone rich? First, historian Joseph Moo...

The Science of Tiny Habits: How Little by Little Becomes a Lot

27 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Going big is overrated — and Eric Zimmer makes a compelling case that the smallest changes are the ones that actually stick, building quietly into s...

Meganets and Megatrends

24 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

David Auerbach kicks things off by explaining how massive digital systems he calls "meganets" have grown beyond anyone's control, reshaping our realit...

Why Your Life Feels Empty (And the Neuroscience Fix You Haven't Tried)

23 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us are too busy making a living and amusing ourselves to ask the one question that matters most — what actually gives your life meaning? Fir...

Why Your Doctor Gets It Wrong (and a Simple Shift That Would Fix It)

22 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Almost all of us will be misdiagnosed at some point—a terrifying stat in an age of high-tech medicine. First, Alexandra Sifferlin digs into why do...

Your Brain Wants You to Be Happy

21 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Happiness isn't just something you feel — it's a skill you can practice. Neuroscientist Richard Davidson kicks things off with research showing th...

Secrets of the Starving Artist

20 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

"Do what you love and the money will follow" is a nice bumper sticker — but how have real artists actually paid the bills? Mason Currey kicks things...

Get Along, Get Ahead

17 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The moment "I" becomes "we," something shifts—in our brains, our decisions, and our potential. First, Jay Van Bavel and Dominic Packer reveal how ...

Pain Isn't Just Physical. Here's the Neuroscience That Proves It.

16 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

You've been told pain is "all in your head" — but what if that's not dismissive, it's actually the key to healing? First, Rachel Zoffness breaks dow...

AI Is Coming for Your Tasks, Not Your Job

15 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The robots aren't replacing you — they're reshaping what you actually do all day. First, LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky and Chief Economic Opportunity ...

The Emotion You're Most Ashamed of Is the One Worth Listening To

14 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us treat envy, rage, and shame like problems to fix — but psychotherapist Daniel Smith argues those "hard feelings" carry wisdom we can't af...

You're Not the Problem. Work Is.

13 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

That Sunday-night dread before the workweek isn't a personal failing—it might be a design flaw. First, Amy Leneker shares her surprisingly simple fr...

The Art of Managing Risk

10 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Retired general Stanley McChrystal and former media executive Michele Wucker share what they've learned about navigating an uncertain world. Sponsore...

You're Not Experiencing Time. You're Building It.

09 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What we call "now" might be less a moment we experience and more a story our brains construct. Jo Marchant kicks things off by exploring the surpris...

Before You Quit, Listen to This

08 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Something in your life isn't working — but should you push through or walk away? First, Anthony Klotz, the researcher who predicted the Great Resign...

How to Disagree Without Turning It Into a Fight

07 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We live in a world where you can argue with anyone, anytime, for any reason — but are we actually any good at it? Harvard behavioral scientist Julia...

Parenting in the Age of Infinite Temptation

06 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Our civilization is running a massive, unplanned experiment on developing brains. Fortunately, Michaeleen Doucleff has a science-based plan to rewire ...

When Did Everyone Become an Influener?

03 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The people behind your favorite feeds aren't just posting. They're performing, hustling, and building empires out of everyday life. First, Stephanie M...

Why It’s Dangerous to Be Right Too Soon

02 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Kaplan kicks things off with stories of scientists who were ridiculed, exiled, and even imprisoned for discoveries the world wasn't ready to acce...

Sweat More, Live Longer? The Case for Heat.

01 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Your body's relationship with heat goes way deeper than a good sauna session — it might be the key to longevity, emotional bonding, and even what ma...

Most People Are Good. A Few Are Dangerous.

31 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Most people are genuinely good, but the small percentage who aren't can do outsized damage to your life, your work, and your sanity. Leanne ten Brinke...

The Protein Myth: Why Our Favorite Nutrient Is Overhyped

30 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Protein is everywhere — in our shakes, our snack bars, our cultural obsession with optimization — but the story of how it became nutrition's golde...

More Energy and How to Get It

27 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Up first, Stanford medical professor Daria Mochly-Rosen argues that the tiny machines inside our cells — mitochondria — are quietly running the sh...

Why Smart People Stay Stuck (And How to Break Free)

26 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

You've probably been told to think bigger, try harder, or just believe in yourself — but what if the real thing keeping you stuck is a set of invisi...

How Energy Built Civilization, and Could Destroy It

25 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We've never had more power at our fingertips, yet we're constantly anxious about running out of it — in our phones, our grids, our planet. From the ...

The 5 Habits That Keep Your Brain Young

24 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Brain fog, forgetfulness, and aging aren’t destiny. Majid Fotuhi shares a science-backed plan to fight back. Sponsored By: Shopify — Start your ...

We're Living Through a Storytelling Revolution

23 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Sponsored By: Shopify — Start your $1/month trial at ⁠shopify.com/daily⁠ Notion — Try Custom Agents now at ⁠notion.com/daily

What the Music You Love Says About You

20 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

First up, record producer turned neuroscientist Susan Rogers on This Is What It Sounds Like: What the Music You Love Says About You. And stick around ...

The Science of Defiance (and Why You Need It)

19 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

1️⃣ Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes by Sunita Sah 2️⃣ The No Club: Putting a Stop to Women's Dead-End Work by Linda Babcoc...

Can a Text Message Reduce Crime?

18 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

First, economist Jennifer Doleac shares five key insights from her new book, The Science of Second Chances: A Revolution in Criminal Justice. Later, s...

Creativity Is a Habit, Not a Talent

17 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Up first, Blythe Harris and Mallory May show how just five minutes of daily creativity can rewire your brain, reduce stress, and make you feel more al...

The Myth of the Picky Child

16 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

1️⃣ Picky: How American Children Became the Fussiest Eaters in History by Helen Zoe Veit 2️⃣ Fat Talk: Parenting in the Age of Diet Culture b...

What Can Animals Teach Us About Longevity?

13 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

1️⃣ Jellyfish Age Backwards by Nicklas Brendborg 2️⃣ Methuselah’s Zoo by Steven Austad 🔗 Sponsored By: Shopify — Start your $1/mont...

The Surprising Power of Big Mistakes

12 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

1️⃣ Mistakes to Meaning: Owning Your Past So It Doesn’t Own You by Joshua Steiner and Michael Lynton 2️⃣ Right Kind of Wrong: The Science o...

What Pain Can Teach Us

11 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We begin with Darcey Steinke, who shares five key insights from her new book, This Is the Door: The Body, Pain, and Faith. And then in the second half...

Why the Universe Keeps Getting More Interesting

10 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

First, Michael Wong and Robert Hazen propose a new scientific theory that suggests complexity — from life to technology — emerges through a univer...

The Science of Oversharing: Why Revealing More Builds Trust

09 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We worry constantly about saying too much. But Leslie John says the bigger problem in our lives isn’t oversharing — it’s undersharing. When we d...

Was the War on Drugs the Worst Policy Failure in American History?

06 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

First, Akwasi Owusu-Bempah and Tahira Rehmatullah share big idea from their 2023 book, Waiting to Inhale: Cannabis Legalization and the Fight for Rac...

After Atheism: One Writer’s Search for Faith

05 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Christopher Beha on why evidence alone can’t answer life’s biggest questions — and why skepticism may be the first step toward belief. His new b...

The Hard Work of Loving Well

04 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

• Love’s Labor by Stephen Grosz • Finding the Words by Colin Campbell Sponsored By: NBID: Shopify — Start your $1/month trial at ⁠shopif...

Space Babies and Martian Bones: How Leaving Earth Will Change Our Bodies

03 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We're closer than ever to living on Mars — but evolution won't wait for us to get there. Sponsored By: Shopify: Start your $1/month trial at ⁠s...

Your Relationship Habits Are Broken. The Fix Is Counterintuitive.

02 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Nedra Glover Tawwab says the advice that actually works is the advice you least want to take.

Cade Metz and Kevin Roose on the Rise of AI

27 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

• Genius Makers: The Mavericks Who Brought AI to Google, Facebook, and the World by Cade Metz • Futureproof: 9 Rules for Surviving in the Age of ...

What If We Fired All the Politicians?

26 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

First up, Hélène Landemore shares five insights from Politics Without Politicians: The Case for Citizen Rule. And then we hear from Senator Amy Klob...

How to Feel Loved: 5 Research-Based Mindsets That Work

25 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

• How to Feel Loved: The Five Mindsets That Get You More of What Matters Most by Harry Reis and Sonja Lyubomirsky • The Science of Creating Conne...

What AI Can Teach You About Your Brain

24 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A Princeton cognitive scientist traces the centuries-long quest to discover the mathematical laws of thought. Sponsored By: Shopify — Start your $...

You Don’t Find Meaning. You Design It.

23 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Dave Evans and Bill Burnett on flow, wonder, and building a life that feels fully alive. Sponsored By: Shopify — Start your $1/month trial at shop...

To Sleep, Perchance To Dream

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

• The Oracle of Night by Sidarta Ribeiro • When Brains Dream by Antonio Zadra and Robert Stickgold Sponsored By: Shopify - Start your $1/month ...

When You Were Born Matters More Than You Think

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Marked by Time: How Social Change Has Transformed Crime and the Life Trajectories of Young Americans by Robert Sampson Correction: Parole, Prison,...

Your Relationship Isn't a Product. It's a Project.

18 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Bonded By Evolution by Paul Eastwick Between Us by Batja Mesquita Sponsored By: Shopify - Start your $1/month trial at shopify.com/daily

Agile Is the New Smart

17 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As AI transforms the economy, adaptability will be more predictive of success than raw brainpower. AQ: A New Kind of Intelligence for a World Tha...

Your Meetings Suck. Here's How to Fix Them.

16 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Rebecca Hinds is an organizational behavior expert who studies how collaboration breaks down in modern workplaces — and how to fix it. Her new book ...

Finding Love (and Losing It)

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we’re going to hear some big ideas from the 2022 book Speaking in Thumbs: A Psychiatrist Decodes Your Relationship Texts So You Don't Have To...

The Neuroscience of Romantic Obsession

12 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Tom Bellamy's new book, Smitten: Romantic Obsession, the Neuroscience of Limerence, and How to Make Love Last, is out now.

You Could Be Having Better Sex. Here’s How.

11 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Nicole McNichols is a psychology professor at the University of Washington, where her course on human sexuality attracts more than 4,000 students each...

Your Guilt Isn’t a Personal Failure. It’s a System Problem.

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today, big ideas come from the books Guilt Free: Reclaiming Your Life from Unreasonable Expectations by Jennifer Reid and Set Boundaries, Find Peace: ...

The Case Against Personal Responsibility

09 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Chater and George Loewenstein are behavioral scientists who've spent decades studying decision-making, and their new book is called It's on You: ...

Two Takes on Entrepreneurship

06 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Business historian John Landry and entrepreneur Howard Wolk argue that America really is different when it comes to fostering new ventures. Then we'll...

How to Have the Hard Conversations Before It’s Too Late

05 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Colette Jane Fehr is a psychologist who specializes in couples therapy, and she argues that the conversations we avoid are often the ones that matter ...

Art Is Not a Luxury. It’s Medicine.

04 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The science showing how music, dance, and creativity improve mental health, physical health, and longevity. Sponsored By: Shopify - Start your $1/mo...

Five Simple Ways to Build a Flourishing Life

03 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It's a Daniel Coyle doubleheader! First up, Daniel shares five big ideas from his brand new book, Flourish. And later in the show, we revisit The Cult...

How Great Ideas Happen

02 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Great ideas aren’t invented from scratch—they’re discovered through small, often overlooked adjustments.

Why Bookstores Still Matter

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Think bookstores are an anachronism? Think again. Evan Friss, author of The Bookshop, says they remain a cornerstone of American cultural life and are...

Why You’ll Never Rise Above Your Self-Image

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Shadé Zahrai is a peak performance educator who has spent a decade training leaders at Microsoft, Deloitte, and JPMorgan. She argues that self-doubt ...

The Secret to a Life of Connection and Purpose

28 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Jennifer Wallace shares a blueprint for living a meaningful life and creating a world we so urgently need. Her new book is Mattering. And later...

Why We Click: The Surprising Science of Human Connection

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Kate Murphy explores how and why our bodies, brains, and emotions fall into rhythm with others. Sponsored By: Shopify - Start your $1/month trial at...

Excellence Starts With Curiosity

26 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Brad Stulberg is a bestselling author and performance coach whose new book, The Way of Excellence, offers a practical guide to achieving mastery in wh...

Embracing Creative Tensions to Solve Your Toughest Problems

23 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

1️⃣ Both/And Thinking by Wendy Smith and Marianne Lewis 2️⃣ Black-and-White Thinking by Kevin Dutton Sponsored By: Shopify - Start your $1/...

We’re Teaching American History All Wrong

22 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

James Traub is a journalist and educator who spent a year visiting public schools across the country to understand what’s going wrong and what’s g...

How Not to Die (According to an ER Doctor)

21 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ashely Alker MD is an emergency medicine doctor and medical consultant who has seen it all — from freak accidents to horror-movie-worthy diseases. ...

Life Changes You. The Question Is How.

20 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

First up, Maya Shankar (The Other Side of Change) on uncertainty, resilience, and becoming someone new on the other side of disruption. Then John Kaag...

Why the Five-Day Workweek No Longer Makes Sense

19 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Chances are, you work five days a week. Monday through Friday. And you probably don’t think much about it, because that’s just how work works, rig...

How to Solve Problems Before They Happen

16 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

First, Dan Heath reveals how the most effective leaders don't just solve problems — they prevent them from happening in the first place. Then Thomas...

Your Self-Discipline Isn’t the Problem

15 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Productivity expert Chris Bailey explains why follow-through fails — and how aligning your values, intentions, and friction levels makes action feel...

What If Laughing More Made You Better at Everything?

14 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us think of humor as something that happens at comedy clubs or in group texts with friends. But what if laughter could actually make you bette...

The One Human Need That Explains (Almost) Everything

13 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

First up, Philosopher and novelist Rebecca Newberger Goldstein argues that the mattering instinct is the hidden engine behind nearly everything we do....

Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life

12 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

First up, Ezekiel ("Zeke") Emanuel, one of America's leading physicians, makes the case that enjoying life — cheesecake included — might be the he...

How to Navigate Your Career in Uncertain Times

09 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Whether you're plotting a job change or just trying to survive another uncertain year at work, the truth is most of us spend 90,000 hours of our lives...

The Impact of Alcohol on Our Bodies and Culture

08 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Some of us may have overindulged during the holidays, and some of us may be trying a Dry January — or at least rethinking our relationship with booz...

Forget Self-Improvement. Try This Instead in 2026.

07 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Maybe you’ve already set some resolutions for 2026 — exercise more, eat better, be more patient. But here’s the problem: We make these promises ...

Why a Tough Childhood Might Help Some Kids Survive

06 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

An evolutionary perspective reveals how early adversity can sometimes accelerate development. The Nature of Nurture by Jay Belsky The Social ...

New Year, Same Patterns? Here’s Why That’s OK.

05 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Now that we’re in early January, a lot of us are thinking about what we want to change this year. But here’s the thing — we often focus on addin...

A Spy's Guide to Parenting

02 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Emily Oster is a professor of economics at Brown University and the author of the 2021 book The Family Firm: A Data-Driven Guide to Better Decision Ma...

What Is Capitalism?

31 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Capitalism shapes everything about our lives — the way we work, the cities we live in, the goods we consume. But where did it come from, and where i...

Are You Smarter Than a Plant?

30 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Max Telford is a leading evolutionary biologist who's spent his career tracing the deepest roots of life itself. His new book is called The Tree of Li...

The Heart of Entrepreneurship

29 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Melissa Bernstein, co-founder of the beloved toy company Melissa & Doug, has spent decades discovering what it means to build a business that's true t...

How to Navigate Life's Transitions

26 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

First up, Ann Tashi shares key insights from her book Traveling in Bardo: The Art of Living in an Impermanent World. And later in the show, we'll hear...

What Kind of American Are You?

24 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

First, Colin Woodard argues that where you are in the country determines how you live and how you'll die. Then Luke Shaefer tells us how America's mos...