The Next Big Idea Daily

S25 E3: Focus on the Closest Alligator (Brett Crozier)

19 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Whether you're flying, captaining, or working, always focus on the alligator closest to the canoe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f...

S25 E2: Pull Like a Clydesdale (Brett Crozier)

18 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We are stronger when we work together. Literally. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S25 E1: Never Turn Down an Espresso (Brett Crozier)

17 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"Talk to me, Goose." Actually, this week we're saying, "Talk to me, Chopper." That was Brett Crozier's call sign when he served as a fighter pilot (an...

S24 E5: "Friendship in the Age of Loneliness: An Optimist's Guide to Connection” by Adam Smiley Poswolsky

14 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We're wrapping up our collection of summery Book Bites with a few lessons from Smiley Poswolsky's "Friendship in the Age of Loneliness: An Optimist's ...

S24 E4: “Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life” by Dacher Keltner

13 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dacher Keltner, a psychology professor at UC Berkeley who helped Pixar make “Inside Out,” explores the history and science of awe. Learn more abou...

S24 E3: "How to Prepare for Climate Change" by David Pogue

12 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When David Pogue (CBS Sunday Morning) realized that we are already living through the beginnings of climate chaos, he decided to write a book full of ...

S24 E2: “Ice: From Mixed Drinks to Skating Rinks—a Cool History of a Hot Commodity” by Amy Brady

11 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ice ice baby! Today, journalist and historian Amy Brady shares the astonishing 200-year history of ice in America, from ice rinks to ice cream to mode...

S24 E1: “Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs” by Jamie Loftus

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We're trying something different this week. Instead of hearing from one author, you'll hear from five. Together, they'll help you figure out how to ha...

S23 E5: The Prosperity Trap (Ben Ansell)

07 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What can the global response to climate change tell us about the health of modern democratic states? • Ben Ansell is professor of comparative democr...

S23 E4: The Security Trap (Ben Ansell)

06 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Ben explains why democracy and security are such uneasy bedfellows. • Ben Ansell is professor of comparative democratic institutions at Oxfor...

S23 E3: The Solidarity Trap (Ben Ansell)

05 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Why is it so hard to create a sense of national unity and civic responsibility here in the Divided States of America? • Ben Ansell is professor of c...

S23 E2: The Equality Trap (Ben Ansell)

04 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Why has the American political system failed to arrest accelerating inequality, and is there anything we can do about it? • Ben Ansell is professor ...

S23 E1: The Democracy Trap (Ben Ansell)

03 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As you may have noticed, modern democracies aren’t doing so hot. In country after country, income inequality soars while solidarity plummets. Resent...

S22 E5: Take the Scenic Route and Give Yourself Grace at the Finish Line (Shelby Stanger)

30 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In her final mini masterclass, Shelby warns you not to be so focused on reaching the finish line that you may miss the epic views along the way. • S...

S22 E4: Use Humor to Deflate Fear (Shelby Stanger)

29 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When scaling a steep rock wall or surfing gnarly waves, it’s easy to let fear get the better of you, but today, Shelby explains how you can use humo...

S22 E3: Map Your Trail, but Start as Soon as You Can (Shelby Stanger)

28 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Before you embark on a wild adventure, you obviously need to do some planning. But don’t go overboard. Give yourself a deadline, and get to work. •...

S22 E2: Have a Strong Why (Shelby Stanger)

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you have a strong why for pursuing a wild adventure, you’re more likely to find a way to get it done. • Shelby Stanger is the host of REI’s “...

S22 E1: A Little Adventure Can Go a Long Way (Shelby Stanger)

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Where are you listening to this podcast? In your car? At your desk? Puttering around your house? If Shelby Stanger had her druthers, you’d be listen...

S21 E5: We Mistake Information for Intimacy (Marcus Collins)

23 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Data, demographics — these things only take you so far. That's the final lesson Marcus Collins has to share with us. If you really want to get to kn...

S21 E4: The World Is Culturally Constructed (Marcus Collins)

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"Meaning," says Marcus Collins ("For the Culture") in today's episode, "is culturally mediated based on how we see the world. Understanding how people...

S21 E3: Our Approach to Market Segmentation Needs an Upgrade (Marcus Collins)

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Marcus Collins ("For the Culture") says that if you want to understand someone, you can learn much more from their tribal communities than thei...

S21 E2: The Future of Brands Will Be Communal (Marcus Collins)

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to our week-long masterclass with marketing magician Marcus Collins. He ran digital strategy for Beyoncé; teaches at the Ross School of ...

S21 E1: There's No Greater Force Than Culture (Marcus Collins)

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week: Marcus Collins, who teaches marketing at the University of Michigan's business school and serves as the chief strategy officer at Wieden+Ke...

S20 E5: Diversify Your Identity Beyond Work (Simone Stolzoff)

16 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When we work all the time, it doesn’t just take our best hours; it often takes our best energy, too. In his final lesson, Simone Stolzoff (”The Go...

S20 E4: Define What Good Enough Means to You (Simone Stolzoff)

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Your job isn't your soulmate. If it's good enough, then maybe that's good enough. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S20 E3: Be a Satisficer Not a Maximizer (Simone Stolzoff)

14 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Many of us have internalized the message that there’s one dream job for us and we shouldn’t stop until we find it. So we tweak our resumes and bro...

S20 E2: Value Time, Not Money (Simone Stolzoff)

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, Simone Stolzoff ("The Good Enough Job") tells Michael that when you think about the role work plays in your life, "it's worth cons...

S20 E1: How to Reclaim Life From Work (Simone Stolzoff)

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Do you live to work or work to live? Journalist Simone Stolzoff tackles that age-old question with renewed energy in his book "The Good Enough Job: Re...

S19 E5: You Only Know What You Make (Tiago Forte)

09 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Our time with Tiago Forte may be over, but hopefully your journey to building a second brain has only just begun. In his final lesson, Tiago explains ...

S19 E4: Prune the Good to Surface the Great (Tiago Forte)

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Tiago explains how mastering the art of subtraction can strengthen your creative output. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/a...

S19 E3: Diverge Before You Converge (Tiago Forte)

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s lesson: “Before you shut off new sources of information and converge on an end result, take time to diverge. Expand your horizons, expose...

S19 E2: Think Small (Tiago Forte)

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Tiago Forte, author of “Building a Second Brain: A Proven Method to Organize Your Digital Life and Unlock Your Creative Potential,” says th...

S19 E1: Capture the Insights All Around You (Tiago Forte)

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever struggle to keep track of all the information swirling around in your head? The idea you had for a new project at work; that stat you read...

S18 E5: Optimize Your Regrets (Daniel Pink)

02 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Anticipating regrets can often work to our advantage. It slows our thinking. It taps our cerebral breaks, allowing us time to gather additional inform...

S18 E4: Science Offers a Systematic Way To Deal With Our Regrets (Daniel Pink)

01 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

So, what can we do to turn our existing regrets into engines of progress? Science suggests a three-step process. Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...

S18 E3: To Understand What People Regret, Look Beneath the Surface (Daniel Pink)

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After analyzing thousands of regrets from people in more than 100 countries, Daniel Pink (”The Power of Regret”) has identified the four core regr...

S18 E2: Done Right, Regret Makes Us Better (Daniel Pink)

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Regret makes us feel worse, but it can make us do better. Indeed, the way it makes us do better is by making us feel worse. Learn more about your ...

S18 E1: Regret Is Universal (Daniel Pink)

29 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s popular to claim you have no regrets. Popular, but perilous. Because regrets aren’t anything to be ashamed of — on the contrary, they’re ...

S17 E5: We Find Ourselves Through Connecting With Others (Sharon Salzberg)

26 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, meditation expert Sharon Salzberg shares one final insight from her new book "Real Life: The Journey from Isolation to Openness and Freedom." L...

S17 E4: Cultivating Positive States Creates Resilience (Sharon Salzberg)

25 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Sharon Salzberg tells us how practicing loving-kindness meditation can change how we treat others and understand ourselves. Learn more about yo...

S17 E3: Loving Presence Transforms Our Relationship With Painful Emotions (Sharon Salzberg)

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What if instead of demanding that a painful emotion disappear or becoming all consumed by it, you began to relate to your experience with spaciousness...

S17 E2: Happiness Isn’t Where You Thought It Would Be (Sharon Salzberg)

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Society’s prescriptions for freedom, happiness, and abundance may not be your own. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S17 E1: Contraction Limits Creativity and Connection (Sharon Salzberg)

22 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sharon Salzberg has been meditating since 1971 — “since before it was cool,” she likes to say. That practice has inspired a series of books, mos...

S16 E5: The Most Durable Habits Are Elastic (Katy Milkman)

19 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

All week, Wharton professor Katy Milkman has been giving us research-backed tips for making changes that stick. Now, in the final installment of her m...

S16 E4: You Might Want to Form an Advice Club (Katy Milkman)

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Struggling to achieve a goal? Form a club with people who have your back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S16 E3: The Enjoyable Path Is Better Than the Effective One (Katy Milkman)

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How do you make change fun? By bundling an arduous task (exercising) with an enjoyable one (binge-watching lowbrow TV). --- Have you heard about our b...

S16 E2: Use Fresh Starts to Kick-Start Change (Katy Milkman)

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

New Year’s. Your birthday. The start of a new season. These are days when the slate is wiped clean. Which makes them perfect for establishing new ha...

S16 E1: To Make a Change, Plan a Tailored Attack (Katy Milkman)

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How do you get from where you are to where you want to be — from procrastinator to optimizer, couch potato to gym rat, night owl to worm-getting ear...

S15 E5: You Will Botch It (Matt Croasmun & Ryan McAnnally-Linz)

12 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you figured out how to live the good life? Don't worry if you're still working on it. It's only been a week. And you haven't even heard the final...

S15 E4: The Good Life Is Not a Buffet (Matt Croasmun & Ryan McAnnally-Linz)

11 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You can’t take bits and pieces of different philosophical traditions and put them together into a roadmap to the good life. --- • Have you downloa...

S15 E3: You Can’t Tackle the Big Question All at Once (Matt Croasmun & Ryan McAnnally-Linz)

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"What matters most in life?" There's a reason Matt and Ryan, theology professors at Yale and our guests this week, call it the Big Question. It's too ...

S15 E2: Lean Into Disagreement (Matt Croasmun & Ryan McAnnally-Linz)

09 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we learn why the deepest question — the one that can truly change our lives, ground us, and give us direction — is not “What do I really ...

S15 E1: Not Everything You Want Is Worth Wanting (Matt Croasmun & Ryan McAnnally-Linz)

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week: Matt Croasmun and Ryan McAnnally-Linz, professors at the Yale Center for Faith and Culture, share key insights from their New York Times be...

S14 E5: All Behavior Is Functional (Britt Frank)

05 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Even your suboptimal behaviors have a function. Understanding what they are can help you make a change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaph...

S14 E4: There Is No Such Thing as Self-Sabotage (Britt Frank)

04 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You say self-sabotage, your brain says self-protection. In today's master class, Britt Frank explains how your brain tries to keep you safe by shootin...

S14 E3: Mental Health Is a Physical Process (Britt Frank)

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re getting unstuck. We’re passing Go. We’re collecting $200. We’re finding a way forward. How? By utilizing the neuroscience-base...

S14 E2: Motivation Is Not a Mindset Issue (Britt Frank)

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In our brains, there is no such thing as a true “lack of motivation.” But how can we harness this biological fact to get off the couch and get mor...

S14 E1: We Need Anxiety (Britt Frank)

01 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on The Next Big Idea Daily: psychotherapist Britt Frank shares five key insights from her book "The Science of Stuck: Breaking Through Inert...

S13 E5: Plan on Fridays (Laura Vanderkam)

28 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the final installment of the master class based on her book “Tranquility by Tuesday,” productivity expert Laura Vanderkam says nailing your wor...

S13 E4: Effortful Before Effortless (Laura Vanderkam)

27 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Do effortful fun before effortless fun. But what's the difference? Laura explains in today's mini master class. Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...

S13 E3: Take One Night for Yourself (Laura Vanderkam)

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

To renew your spirits, Laura says you need to take some time for yourself. --- Download the Next Big Idea app and listen to hundreds of the world's be...

S13 E2: Have One Big Adventure and One Little Adventure (Laura Vanderkam)

25 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You know what you need? An adventure. That's right. You don't have to wait until your next vacation. You can — and should — make it a habit to do ...

S13 E1: You Need a Bedtime (Laura Vanderkam)

24 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In "Tranquility by Tuesday," time management guru Laura Vanderkam shares tools you can use to finally make time for the activities you love. But befor...

S12 E5: Build Bridges — and Keep Them Up (Mónica Guzmán)

21 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

All good things must come to an end. It's our last day with Mónica Guzmán, journalist, political de-polarizer, and author of "I Never Thought of It ...

S12 E4: Ask How, Not Why (Mónica Guzmán)

20 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What's the most powerful question you can ask in a politically charged conversation? "How did you come to believe that?" Learn more about your ad choi...

S12 E3: We Don’t See With Our Eyes, But With Our Whole Lives (Mónica Guzmán)

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

“The paths we walk to our views are rich and long,” Mónica Guzmán says in today’s episode, “and it is not very likely that one meme or mic d...

S12 E2: We Need To Get Curious About Each Other, With Each Other (Mónica Guzmán)

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

“I don’t understand this person!” You know you’ve thought it. About the uncle or neighbor or co-worker whose worldview is diametrically oppose...

S12 E1: We’re So Divided, We’re Blinded (Mónica Guzmán)

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, award-winning journalist Mónica Guzmán stops by to teach us how to cross the political divide, find common ground, and learn from people ...

S11 E5: Do the Obvious Things That Bring Happiness (Seth Stephens-Davidowitz)

14 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Alright, it's time to wrap up Seth Stephens-Davidowitz's five-part master class based on his book "Don't Trust Your Gut: Using Data to Get What You Re...

S11 E4: Increase Your Luck Surface Area (Seth Stephens-Davidowitz)

13 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Success depends less on getting lucky and more on using your luck well. In this episode, the fourth in Seth’s mini master class, he explains how to ...

S11 E3: What the Data Says About Getting Rich (Seth Stephens-Davidowitz)

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You might assume that the wealthiest 1% of Americans are neurosurgeons, corporate attorneys, and hedge fund managers. In reality, they're more likely ...

S11 E2: The Secret to Raising Great Kids (Seth Stephens-Davidowitz)

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Good news for all you parents out there: the data says you can relax. But there’s still one parenting decision that matters. A lot. Want to know wha...

S11 E1: Focus On Psychological Traits When Dating (Seth Stephens-Davidowitz)

10 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Big data. Baseball managers use it to win pennants. Stockbrokers use it to beat the market. And now you can use it to get what you really want in life...

S10 E5: Hindsight Bias Is Powerful (David Myers)

07 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we wrap up our week-long master class with David Myers with a discussion of hindsight bias and how it can help you be less hard on yourself. Ou...

S10 E4: Differences Seize Our Attention (David Myers)

06 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"Others notice us less than we imagine. This is liberating: A bad hair day hardly matters. Few will notice. Fewer will care. Of those, fewer still wil...

S10 E3: We Often Fear the Wrong Things (David Myers)

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

David says we worry about improbable horrors (like plane crashes) while ignoring greater risks (car smash-ups). Today, he explains how performing stat...

S10 E2: The Happy Power of Micro-Friendships (David Myers)

04 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all know it's good for us to nurture our relationships with close friends and loved ones. Today, David explains why chatting up strangers is also i...

S10 E1: Our Expressions and Actions Are Self-Revealing (David Myers)

03 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

All week long on The Next Big Idea Daily, Michael will be chatting with social psychologist David Myers about the wonder of human thought and action, ...

S9 E5: Boxing, Dancing and Connecting (Adam Gopnik)

31 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In our final episode with Adam Gopnik, the award-winning New Yorker writer and author of "The Real Work: On the Mystery of Mastery" learns how to box,...

S9 E4: Perfect Imperfection (Adam Gopnik)

30 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today: Why mastery requires idiosyncrasy. Our newsletter comes out every Friday. It features commentary from Michael, links to relevant Book Bites, pr...

S9 E3: Mastering the Art of Baking (Adam Gopnik)

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Adam Gopnik's first memory of mastery was watching his mother roll out strudel dough, so in midlife, he asked his mother — a linguistics professor b...

S9 E2: Learning to Drive (Adam Gopnik)

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's the second day of our week-long master class with Adam Gopnik, New Yorker staff writer and author of "The Real Work: On the Mystery of Mastery." ...

S9 E1: The Grammar of Mastery (Adam Gopnik)

27 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A few years ago, Adam Gopnik, a longtime writer for The New Yorker and three-time winner of the National Magazine Award, started thinking about all th...

S8 E5: The Language of Creativity (Jonah Berger)

24 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the final installment of his mini master class, Jonah shares his formula for telling great stories. The latest edition of our weekly newsletter com...

S8 E4: Ask Questions (Jonah Berger)

23 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Does asking questions make you look smart? (Yes!) Our newsletter comes out every Friday. It features commentary from Michael, links to relevant Book B...

S8 E3: The Language of Confidence (Jonah Berger)

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s what cult leaders, charlatans, and at least one former president have in common. Our newsletter comes out every Friday. It features commentary ...

S8 E2: When Nouns Are More Persuasive Than Verbs (Jonah Berger)

21 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Jonah explains how adding one or two letters to the end of a word can propel you to success. Our newsletter comes out every Friday. It features...

S8 E1: Words Tell Us Everything (Jonah Berger)

20 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Almost everything we do involves words. "Words," says Wharton professor Jonah Berger, "are how we persuade, communicate, and connect. They're how exec...

S7 E5: Put Your Own Life Jacket on First (Jessi Hempel)

17 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the final installment of Jessi’s five-part master class, she explains why setting boundaries is critical if you want to establish healthy relatio...

S7 E4: Show Up (Jessi Hempel)

16 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to the people closest to you, do you ever regret not showing up? --- • This is day four of our week-long master class with Jessi Hempe...

S7 E3: Center Other People’s Experiences (Jessi Hempel)

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What truths emerge when we imagine life as other people experience it? --- • This is day three of our week-long master class with Jessi Hempel, auth...

S7 E2: When Someone Tells You Who They Are, Listen (Jessi Hempel)

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

First, listen. Then try "Tell me more." --- • This is day two of our week-long master class with Jessi Hempel, author of "The Family Outing." • Be...

S7 E1: Memory Is Unreliable (Jessi Hempel)

13 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Michael sits down with journalist and podcaster Jessi Hempel to discuss her new memoir, "The Family Outing," which tells the remarkable sto...

S6 E5: Small Actions Make a Big Difference (Myra Strober & Abby Davisson)

10 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s not enough for us to solve our money and love issues on an individual level. Enter the tempered radical. Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...

S6 E4: When Communicating, Tread Lightly, Listen and Give Grace (Myra Strober & Abby Davisson)

09 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Don’t let poor communication ruin your next conversation about money and love. Instead, follow Myra and Abby’s tips. Subscribe to our newsletter i...

S6 E3: The 5Cs Method (Myra Strober & Abby Davisson)

08 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Myra and Abby share their five-step process for making good decisions. It goes like this: CLARIFY what’s most important to you. COM...

S6 E2: Money and Love Decisions Shouldn’t Be Made in Haste (Myra Strober & Abby Davisson)

07 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ready, set … wait a sec. Today, Myra and Abby explain why slowing down is key to making good decisions. --- • Myra Strober is a professor emerita ...

S6 E1: Decisions About Money and Love Are Profoundly Intertwined (Myra Strober & Abby Davisson)

06 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Diet Coke and Mentos. Suede and water. Tupac and Biggie. Money and love. What do they all have in common? They don't play well together. Especially th...

S5 E5: Give Yourself Permission to Pull Back (Gloria Mark)

03 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the final installment of her master class, Gloria strikes an optimistic note. “We are not doomed to have short attention spans,” she says. “W...

S5 E4: You Can Develop Agency to Manage Your Attention (Gloria Mark)

02 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Before checking the news, imagine what your future self will be doing at 10 p.m. Will you be relaxing reading your favorite book or still working on t...