The ideas that
actually matter.

Kelly McGonigal

Mel Robbins talks with Stanford health psychologist Dr. Kelly McGonigal about small, research-backed shifts anyone can make to feel more joy, hope, and connection — even when life is hard. McGonigal explains how muscles act as a pharmacy that releases “hope molecules,” how to turn stress into a friend, and how everyday actions like walking, listening to music, or recalling a meaningful memory can unlock the brain’s built-in resources. She also shares three research-backed sources of hope and shows listeners how to train their attention to notice more of the good already around them.

Kier Gaines

Kier Gaines, a licensed therapist who grew up in a rough DC neighborhood, joins Lewis to explore why people freeze right before the moment they've prepared for finally arrives. They discuss the distinction between blame and responsibility, how anger can shift from protective armor to a limiting anchor, and why self-victimization feels safer to the brain than accountability. Gaines also shares insights from his new book "It All Starts When You Do," including his practice of interrogating his own beliefs rather than protecting them, and the hard simplicity of his core question: how much is actually enough?

Hannah Gadsby

Hannah Gadsby joins for a conversation about neurodivergence, relationships, and shame. Gadsby describes how a later-in-life autism diagnosis reshaped the way they understand themself — a process they call an "exfoliation of shame." The episode digs into why neurodivergent and neurotypical people can experience the same interaction so differently, and why an ordinary "casual" conversation can feel like a marathon for someone who is masking. Gadsby also makes the case for not taking other people's differences personally, and explains what changed when they gave up self-deprecating humor and stopped apologizing for who they are. (This is a best-of re-air.)

Malcolm Gladwell revisits the fate of human remains from the 9/11 attacks that were taken to Freshkills landfill, once the world's largest dump, and examines the ongoing battle between those who view the material as impersonal dust and those who insist it contains the remains of the dead. The episode explores questions of dignity, memory, and how society resolves conflicts over the final disposition of fragmented human remains after mass tragedy.

In this short episode, Ryan Holiday explores two Stoic themes. First, he discusses how to approach difficult, dense, or inaccessible books—arguing that the effort to engage with challenging material is itself a form of training and a way to build the skill of focus. Second, he reflects on the nature of fear, drawing on Stoic wisdom to suggest that our anticipation of suffering is often worse than the suffering itself, and that cultivating a realistic perspective on fear can reduce its power over us.

The Mind Pump crew argues that the most common and damaging mistake in body transformation is starting with a calorie deficit (a cut) before building muscle. Using client stories and metabolic science, they explain why trying to 'shrink' into a lean physique first leads to muscle loss, a crashed metabolism, and rebound fat gain. Instead, they make the case for a dedicated building phase to add shape and raise resting energy expenditure, then revealing the results with a far more effective cut. They also spend time dismantling the fear many women have that strength training will make them 'bulky' and lay out a specific exercise approach for glutes and abs that prioritizes progressive overload over chasing the burn.

Vanessa Van Edwards

Behavioral researcher Vanessa Van Edwards returns to decode the psychology of connection. She explains why autopilot social scripts kill rapport, reveals a three‑level conversational blueprint for going deep fast, and shares body‑language techniques to project warmth and competence. Using her newest book Conversation, she gives a science‑backed primer on charisma, turn‑taking, and the story archetypes that shape every interaction.

Gabrielle Lyon, Ben Greenfield, Brigham Buhler

Chris Williamson hosts a biohacking roundtable with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, Ben Greenfield, and Brigham Buhler. The discussion covers the most effective peptides for health and muscle, emerging technologies like MUSE stem cells, the controversy around testosterone therapy, the peptide ban, and lifestyle interventions for longevity. Listeners gain a broad overview of cutting-edge biohacking tools and the ongoing tension between health freedom and regulatory protection.

This episode narrates Cal Newport's explainer of David Allen's Getting Things Done productivity system. It describes why commitments held only in your head quietly drain attention, and why work should be broken into specific next actions rather than vague projects. The show walks through the system's core mechanics: collection bins, a daily processing pass, and weekly and long-range reviews. The goal is to turn amorphous obligations into a concrete next action you can actually start.

A Decoder mailbag episode addressing listener feedback on Nilay Patel's “software brain” video essay, the show’s ongoing coverage of AI and Big Tech backlash, surveillance reporting, and how the team approaches interviewing politicians ahead of the midterms. The conversation reflects on what makes the current wave of tech criticism distinct and how audience input shapes the show's editorial direction.

Andy Daly

Conan O'Brien and comedian Andy Daly connect with Peter, a caller from Framingham, Massachusetts, who works for the CPCS Innocence Program—an organization that uses DNA evidence to exonerate the wrongly convicted. The trio explores the surprising places investigators find DNA, from discarded items to everyday objects, injecting humor into the serious business of justice. They also reflect on how comedy can serve as a bridge during difficult discussions, drawing on their own experiences as performers.

Dan Snow takes on the last great Viking invasion of England, telling the story of the Battle of Stamford Bridge in September 1066. The episode pits King Harold Godwinson against the legendary warrior Harald Hardrada, painting a brutal picture of a fight that ended with extraordinary courage and bloodshed. Using new archaeological discoveries, Dan reconstructs the clash, showing how this pivotal moment reshaped the course of English history mere weeks before the Norman Conquest.

The Pop Culture Happy Hour team celebrates the unapologetically basic TV shows and movies they genuinely love. From Nicolas Cage's treasure-hunting antics in National Treasure to the ABBA-fueled joy of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, and the comforting formulas of Dateline NBC and The People's Court, the conversation explores why embracing mainstream, formulaic entertainment can be a source of reliable pleasure. The metaphor of the pumpkin spice latte — basic but beloved — sets the tone for a discussion about letting go of cultural pretension and enjoying what actually makes you happy.

Demetrios Brinkmann

Host Chris Benson and guest Demetrios Brinkmann explore the emerging world of computer-use AI agents that can operate software, take actions on behalf of users, and reshape how people work and interact with the internet. They break down the core concepts: agent harnesses, the Model Context Protocol (MCP), agent-to-agent interactions, and agentic commerce. The conversation also covers real-world automation of everyday tasks, the challenges of bringing these autonomous agents into enterprise environments, and how the relationship between underlying AI models and the harness infrastructure is evolving.

Cal Newport examines recent AI news, focusing on GPT-6's stealth thinking, the rise of reasoning models, and Google's Astra, separating hype from substantive progress.

John Maxwell

Ed Mylett and John Maxwell explore the thirteenth law of leadership: the Law of the Picture. This law states that people do what people see, not what they're told. Ed shares his personal conviction about how his team mirrored his actions more than his Monday speeches. The episode covers the power of example, why culture is embodied rather than announced, and how the Law of the Picture connects to the Law of Magnetism.

Andrew Anagnost

Andrew Anagnost, the high school dropout turned CEO of Autodesk, shares his unconventional path to leadership with host Jeff Berman. He discusses joining a rebellious internal group that allowed him to drive change from within, the corporate battle to secure the top job, and his belief that leading with empathy is a strategic business advantage, not just soft management.

This short guided episode offers a Stoic-based morning routine for those waking with grief. It invites the listener to allow the heaviness, find one source of warmth, and select one small act of care, while permission is also given to simply breathe if it's all too much. The practice draws on Marcus Aurelius' Meditations and emphasizes response over resistance.

The Indicator examines a concerning entry from the latest Federal Reserve Beige Book that highlights a troubling development in higher education. The report points to significant challenges facing small town colleges, sparking a discussion about whether they are at risk of extinction. The episode explores the regional economic factors behind this trend.

Harry Stebbings discusses the week's biggest tech and venture capital stories: Jensen Huang's AGI claim, OpenAI's GPT Astra, AI safety debates, Tesla's robotaxi ambitions, venture deal drama, and startup funding rounds.

Connor Leahy

Tom Bilyeu sits down with Connor Leahy, CEO of ControlAI and a leading voice in AI safety, to discuss the existential risks of artificial superintelligence. Leahy explains why AI is fundamentally different from any previous technology, how international competition creates a game-theoretic trap, and why current regulations are dangerously insufficient. The conversation explores the point of no return and what it would take to avert catastrophic outcomes.

Crystal Lewis, Dr. Majid Fotuhi

We often assume that memory loss is inevitable with age, but emerging research on neuroplasticity reveals our brains can stay sharp. This episode explores simple, science-backed habits—from a playful parking lot memory trick to exercise, sleep, and finding purpose. Hosts talk with neuroscientist Dr. Majid Fotuhi, who explains how these practices build cognitive resilience. High school teacher Crystal Lewis shares a memorable exercise to demonstrate how vivid mental images can boost recall.

Life Kit reporter Andee Tagle walks new and expectant parents through the main savings vehicles available for children, from the newly introduced Trump accounts to traditional 529 plans and custodial brokerage accounts. She compares their features and helps parents understand which option—or combination—makes the most sense for their family’s goals. The episode is designed to cut through the confusion and give overwhelmed parents a clear, actionable starting point.

Bill Burnett, Dave Evans

Stanford professors Bill Burnett and Dave Evans argue that chasing a single true purpose is the wrong goal. They explain why the familiar advice to “follow your passion” often backfires, discuss whether a job must deliver both money and meaning, and describe how small experiments can get you unstuck. Scott also shares a personal story about sending his son to college and how a central role in his life is beginning to shift. Their latest book is How to Live a Meaningful Life.

Scott Glenn

Scott Glenn, VP of Asset Protection at Home Depot, explains why organized retail crime is a bigger threat than shoplifting. Professional groups steal large quantities of goods for black-market resale, driving up costs and forcing stores to lock up merchandise. The episode covers how retailers are responding to rising theft and what it means for customers.

John Thorn, Nancy Faust

Major League Baseball's postseason inspires this exploration of how baseball became a uniquely musical sport. Through interviews with MLB's official historian John Thorn and former Chicago White Sox organist Nancy Faust, the episode traces the origins of walk-up music and the role of the ballpark organist in shaping the game's atmosphere. It examines how live organ music and personalized batter introductions evolved into a cultural cornerstone of baseball fandom.

Ben Thompson and Andrew Sharp discuss Ben's recent article on the transformative value of LLMs that write things down, helping users uncover blindspots. They note the availability of omnicompetent assistants to everyone, and examine the arrival of OpenAl's Astra models, which point toward a future where models use computers. The conversation also covers the rapid pace of AI progress in fall 2026, Meta's Muse as a tool to unlock agent potential for normal people, and a pair of viral p(doom) tweets from Anthropic employees that revive fears about out-of-control AI, with a pandemic-era callback offering an instructive parallel. Finally, an emotional announcement about the iPhone Air rounds out the episode.

Bella DePaulo

Bella DePaulo, a social psychologist and the author of “Single at Heart,” challenges the deep assumption that single people are secretly miserable. Drawing on surveys of over 20,000 people across 100+ countries, she unpacks why happy singles are routinely not believed, how choice turns solitude into something nourishing, and what the pandemic revealed about singles’ resilience. The conversation overturns common myths about loneliness, support networks, and the hidden costs of couple-centric life.

Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze take calls from listeners dealing with family financial chaos, student loan nightmares, and the temptation to use speculation to get ahead. The episode covers navigating a spouse's inherited bankruptcy, handling a disowned spouse's ParentPLUS loans, whether cryptocurrency should be used to pay off a mortgage, if a 64-year-old with no savings can still build wealth, and what to disclose about personal wealth in a serious relationship.

Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant explore why Homer's Odyssey continues to captivate audiences millennia after its creation. They discuss its origins as an orally transmitted epic poem and the timeless human themes—homecoming, perseverance, identity—that make the story resonate across cultures. The episode examines the poem's structure, its place in Western literature, and the elements that have allowed it to endure as a foundational work of storytelling.

Brian Armstrong

Coinbase co-founder and CEO Brian Armstrong joins Elad Gil to lay out Coinbase's vision for an 'Everything Exchange' encompassing tokenized stocks, stablecoin payments, and prediction markets. He argues AI agents will become the dominant economic actors on crypto rails, making agent-to-agent commerce a fundamental shift. Armstrong also unveils New Limit, his new longevity company pursuing epigenetic reprogramming to reverse age-related decline, and discusses early therapeutic programs and the path toward clinical trials.

Martin Seligman

Positive psychology pioneer Martin Seligman joins host Matt Abrahams to discuss how challenging negative thoughts with evidence can improve optimism and agency. They explore the five pillars of flourishing, the power of active constructive communication in strengthening relationships, and practical strategies to overcome imposter syndrome. Seligman also shares how learning from critics and celebrating others’ successes are essential skills for well-being.

Ehsan Ahmad, Deric Poston

Ehsan Ahmad and Deric Poston, comedians and co-hosts of The Solid Show, join Joe Rogan. Ehsan's new comedy special "Ehsan Ahmad: Too Soon" is streaming on YouTube.

In this social intelligence briefing, AJ and Johnny discuss why smart professionals often start hedging when their recommendations are challenged. They explain that the root cause isn't lack of confidence but a misreading of the pushback, where people react to their own assumptions rather than the actual concern. Through deep listening, you can uncover the real worry behind objections, which in turn strengthens your ability to hold your ground.

Dr. Oded Rechavi

Dr. Oded Rechavi, a genetics professor at Tel Aviv University, explains how DNA, RNA, and epigenetic mechanisms determine what information can pass between generations. He discusses the Weismann barrier and why acquired traits are usually not inherited, then presents groundbreaking research in C. elegans showing that small RNAs can transmit antiviral resistance and even behavioral information across generations. The episode also explores potential future applications for reproductive health and diagnostics.

James Daunt

James Daunt, who went from running one small London bookshop to reviving both Waterstones and Barnes & Noble, tells Stephen Dubner how physical stores can compete with Amazon. He shares the philosophy and turnaround tactics that brought two iconic chains back from the brink, arguing that the in-person experience can do what e‑commerce cannot.

Oscar Nuñez

Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey break down the character of Oscar Martinez, share favorite moments, and welcome actor Oscar Nuñez to answer fan questions. They debate whether Oscar was the true head of the accounting clump and revisit the classic copier vs. chairs debate. Nuñez also reflects on taking his character to season two of 'The Paper' and shares behind-the-scenes memories from 'The Office.'

Many fintech companies want to become banks, but the path is complex, expensive, and strictly regulated. This episode uses a game show format to walk through what it takes to earn a banking charter, from meeting capital requirements to passing regulatory scrutiny, and why companies like Square and Mercury pursue this status despite the difficulty.

Gary Gulman

Stephen Dubner sits down with comedian Gary Gulman to discuss how creativity and recovery intertwine. Gary opens up about using his mental health battles as material, the importance of staying active, and bouncing back from career setbacks. They also head outside to shoot hoops, a ritual Gary credits for his stability. The conversation touches on getting fired and the challenge of holding grudges.

In this episode of The Daily Stoic, Ryan Holiday explores the challenge of forgiving someone who hasn’t apologized or shown remorse. He argues that true forgiveness is for your own peace, not dependent on the other person’s acknowledgment. Holiday also discusses the Stoic idea that principles are only real when they cost you something; otherwise they’re just comfortable preferences. The episode is a brief meditation on letting go of resentment and living by values even when it’s difficult.

Jay Shetty explores why it's so difficult to let go of the life timeline we imagined for ourselves. He breaks down five practical ideas for making peace with your current reality, including how to escape the trap of social comparison, reframe 'should' statements, and process the grief of futures that never materialized. He introduces a two-column exercise designed to reveal the hidden opportunities that emerged from your plans not working out.

Dr. Will Cole

In this episode, Dr. Will Cole discusses the latest science on cellular health and aging. He explains how individual organs can age at different rates, the concept of cell ex-differentiation, and three hidden threats to cellular vitality. The conversation covers personalized medicine, bioindividuality in mental health, and practical strategies for reducing toxin exposure and supporting cellular rejuvenation through nutrition and lifestyle.

Cylon George

Cylon George draws on a personal experience of losing control of a car on an icy highway to map out a mental framework for navigating life's crises. He explains that when you feel yourself sliding, the instinct to accelerate or overcorrect often makes things worse. Instead, he suggests easing off the gas—slowing down and stepping back from frantic activity—and keeping your hands firmly on the wheel by maintaining the small grounding practices we tend to abandon under stress. The core message is that while external circumstances may be beyond your control, your inner response never is.

Angela Duckworth

Angela Duckworth returns to discuss her new book 'Situated', which explores how people and places shape our potential. She shares a near-drowning story, reflects on a 15-year-delayed apology to a fellow author, and reveals how a graduate student’s critique of 'Grit' redirected her research. Dax and Angela talk about the arrival fallacy, why Leon Marchand changed his environment to break a world record, and why grit alone isn’t enough.

Sal, Adam, and Justin debunk common fears about artificial sweeteners, explaining why they aren't physically dangerous but still fail to aid weight loss in real life. They discuss how artificial sweeteners shift palatability so that whole foods and water taste bland, and how the novelty effect of pairing them with meals can lead to overeating. The conversation also covers practical hacks like using LMNT electrolytes with pre-workout for a better pump, the alarming sexual and psychological side effects of finasteride, and their favorite morning energy stack of Ketone IQ with caffeine. Along the way, they share stories about making 1,000 pounds of tomato sauce as a family, a rock climbing store in Seoul, and the reality of night club culture after a few drinks.

This episode traces the origin story of iRobot, the company behind the Roomba vacuum. It begins in 1984 at MIT, where professor Rodney Brooks proposed that robots only need simple rules to navigate, and follows him and his students Colin Angle and Helen Greiner as they build a company around the idea. iRobot spends years on government contracts and robotic dolls before the 2002 launch of the Roomba. The vacuum's simple, bumping navigation charms households — even giving cats rides — and carries the company to a blockbuster IPO. The episode closes by noting that the Roomba is headed for trouble.

Planet Money explores the economic moment through listener stories, revealing a picture not captured by standard statistics. While unemployment is low and the market is up, inflation remains sticky and over 75% of Americans report money stress. Listeners shared experiences of extreme frugality, quiet guilt among those doing well, and a new generation becoming hyper cost-conscious. The episode argues that the K-shaped economy metaphor oversimplifies a reality where boom and doom coexist.

In this short Stuff episode, Josh and Chuck dive into the flapper phenomenon of the 1920s—young women who defied social conventions with new fashions, freer behavior, and a lust for fun. They examine the cultural upheaval flappers represented and the reactions they sparked.

Suze Orman

In a live appearance at Harlem's historic Apollo Theater, financial expert Suze Orman discusses the relaunch of her bestselling book 'Women & Money'. She argues that now is the right time for women to take control of their finances, offering practical advice on protection, spending, and future security. She emphasizes that money is not an end in itself but a means to a full and meaningful life. Orman also shares her personal story of growing up on Chicago's South Side, working as a waitress until 30, and rising to become one of the country's top financial advisers.

Alanis Morissette

Alanis Morissette joins Alex Cooper to discuss her journey from a young artist fighting to be heard in a male-dominated music industry to becoming the defining voice of the '90s. She opens up about the anger and honesty that fueled her music, pushing back against expectations placed on women. The conversation turns to her personal life, including breaking codependency patterns and experiencing postpartum depression. Alanis shares how getting older has brought a profound sense of freedom and total metamorphosis.