The Next Big Idea Daily

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...

This Episode Will Change Every Breath You Take

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When was the last time you actually thought about the air around you? Unless you're stuck in a windstorm or gasping after a run, probably never. But i...

A Starter Kit to Make Your Finances Bulletproof

22 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

First up, Harvard economist John Campbell on how to make the financial system work better for you. His new book, co-written with Tarun Ramadorai, is F...

An Exercise in Uncertainty and a Memoir of a Life Interrupted

19 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Up first, we hear from Jonathan Gluck, author of An Exercise in Uncertainty. And then Suleika Jaouad shares key insights from Between Two Kingdoms. A...

The Power of Being Alone: Why Solitude Is Good for You

18 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Act One: The Joy of Solitude: How to Reconnect with Yourself in an Overconnected World by Robert Coplan Act Two: Arrangements in Blue Notes by Amy K...

You’re Working Hard. You’re Still Stuck. Here’s Why.

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Let’s say you’ve made it to a position to manage other people. Congratulations! But unfortunately, you can’t just coast from here. The mindset t...

The Surprising Science of Pets

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you have a pet? A dog, a cat, a goldfish? If so, why? I don’t mean why did you adopt the dear things, I mean why do humans keep pets at all? It’...

Here's How to Get Lucky

15 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We all know someone who seems impossibly lucky. They land the perfect job, get into the right school, meet the right people at the right time. But luc...

How to Spot a Swindler

12 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Charlatans by Moisés Naím and Quico Toro Nobody's Fool by Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris Sponsored By: Aura Frames - Get $35 off Aura’s ...

The Weird Force That May Well Kill You

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Like it or not, gravity controls life and death on this planet, yet we barely understand it. Crush by James Riordon Pull by Brennan Spiegel ...

You're a Hypocrite, But That's OK

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why acknowledging our own contradictions can make us better friends, colleagues, and citizens. The Hypocrisy Trap by Michael Hallsworth The S...

The Simple Shift That Reduces Stress and Increases Freedom

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why choosing less leads to more clarity, wellness, and connection. Act One: Less Is Liberation by Christine Platt Act Two: Work Won't Love You Back ...

Your Life Could Use a Little More Danger

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Here’s how small, smart risks can boost your creativity and strengthen your relationships — at work and at home. Act 1️⃣: Safe Danger by Ben ...

The Story of Depression

05 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A Cure for Darkness by Alex Riley The Empire of Depression by Jonathan Sadowsky 🎁 Get 20% off a Next Big Idea Club membership when you use co...

How to Break Up With Your Car

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The surprising case for walking, cycling, community—and life after automobile overload. Life After Cars by Sarah Goodyear, Doug Gordon, and Aar...

Where Intelligence Really Comes From

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why simple neurons—and simple algorithms—can create minds far more complex than their parts. Act One: The Emergent Mind by Gaurav Suri and Jay Mc...

Want to Lead Better? Stop Being So Authentic.

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve all been told to bring our authentic selves to work, to be vulnerable, to share our truth. But what if all that authenticity is actually holdi...

Leading the Future of AI-Enhanced, On-Demand Work

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Now, if you run any kind of business, you know that finding the right talent can be one of your hardest problems. You can spend months recruiting, wee...

Better Living Through Mindfulness

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we're exploring two powerful books about transforming how we care for ourselves and show up for others. First, Sharon Salzberg, the renowned me...

Your Thanksgiving Table Is Missing Something

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why reviving ancient ingredients may be the key to healthier people and a healthier planet. Act One: The Lost Supper by Taras Grescoe Act Two: Dinne...

How Running Can Unlock the Life You Didn’t Know You Had

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

First up, the Atlantic's CEO Nicholas Thompson on hidden potential, aging well, and pushing past the limits we imagine. Then we hear from Washington P...

Why Talent Isn’t Enough: The Surprising Habits of Thriving Teams

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Act One: Team Intelligence by Jon Levy Act Two: Come Up For Air by Nick Sonnenberg 📱 Follow The Next Big Idea Daily on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, ...

The Neuroscience of Loneliness: Why Your Brain Needs Real Connection

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Isolation stresses the body, shrinks empathy, and shortens life — and friends are biological medicine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap...

How to Grow Old

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

First up, Sandeep Jauhar shares insights from his 2023 book, My Father's Brain, exploring his father's descent into Alzheimer's and revealing what neu...

The Art of Spending Money (Without Losing Your Mind)

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Morgan Housel explains why real wealth isn’t about what you buy but about what you appreciate. Then BU's Lawrence Kotlikoff offers practical financi...

Strong Floor, No Ceiling: A New American Dream

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As the nation approaches its 250th birthday, Oliver B. Libby lays out a centrist blueprint to restore opportunity and rebuild trust. His new book is S...

The Sentence That Built a Nation, According to Walter Isaacson

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Big news: The Next Big Idea Club just announced its nonfiction book pick of the season, and that book is The Greatest Sentence Ever Written, by Walter...

Stop Complaining About Gen Z. Start Leading Them.

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This new generation of workers is different, and you can use that to your advantage. 1️⃣ The Future Begins with Z: Nine Strategies to Lead Genera...

Living in the Shadow of AI

14 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What does it mean to be human in a world that is increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence? Act One: Code Dependent: Living in the Shadow of AI ...

We Are Eating the Earth

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Journalist Michael Grunwald explains how our food system is destroying the planet—and what it will take to fix it. Later, Amanda Little tells us wha...

The Science of Fear—and How to Break Free From It

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why do we fear the wrong things? We worry about plane crashes but not car rides, strangers but not algorithms, sharks but not sugar. In The Fear Knot:...

Are We Wired for War?

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if the battlefield isn’t just out there, but also inside our heads? In the new book Warhead: How the Brain Shapes War and War Shapes the Brain,...

How to Be Bold

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

First up, we hear from Ranjay Gulati, a Harvard Business School professor whose new book, How to Be Bold, reveals the surprising research on what make...

Let's Get Weird

07 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In her 2020 book Weird: The Power of Being an Outsider in an Insider World, Olga Khazan draws on cutting-edge research in psychology and sociology to ...

How Will AI Transform Our Politics?

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Bruce Schneier is a security technologist at Harvard’s Kennedy School. Nathan Sanders is a data scientist at Harvard's Berkman Klein Center. They've...

Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About Food (But Were Afraid to Ask)

05 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In Food Intelligence, health journalist Julia Belluz and nutrition scientist Kevin Hall deliver a comprehensive guide to food, diet, metabolism, and h...