Habits & Behavior

Glenn Hutchinson

AJ and Johnny sit down with psychologist Glenn Hutchinson to explore the hidden forces behind temptation, habits, infidelity, and self-control. Hutchinson explains why willpower often fails when we face powerful urges, how unconscious processes drive behavior without our values, and how we invent explanations for decisions after the fact. The discussion covers changing your environment to bypass willpower, the separate systems of love, attachment, and sexual desire, and why people can betray partners they genuinely love. Hutchinson also touches on what rebuilding trust can look like after infidelity.

Jennifer Egan

Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Jennifer Egan discusses her creative process, revealing that her confidence comes not from believing in her first drafts but from trusting her ability to revise extensively — sometimes over 35 drafts. She explores the role of luck in a writing career, the importance of trusting editors and early readers over her own initial judgment, and how sustaining a long career requires embracing uncertainty rather than seeking formulaic success.

Allison Fallon explains why clearing clutter feels harder than it should, pointing to research showing that letting go of possessions lights up the same part of the brain that registers physical pain. She then offers eight concrete starting points, from clothes you have not worn in a year to the storage closet you keep avoiding. It is a practical on-ramp to minimalism for anyone who keeps meaning to start.

In this classic episode from January 2024, Cal Newport walks through the process of learning hard things. He argues that while most people can learn most things, the process is harder than we often assume, especially in an age of easy digital distractions. The episode covers note-taking strategies, fitting hobbies into a busy schedule, and how his earlier book ‘So Good They Can't Ignore You’ relates to his more recent ‘Slow Productivity.’

Dr. David Perlmutter

In this episode, neurologist Dr. David Perlmutter shares the latest science on how the brain's immune cells—microglia—drive both health and disease. He explains how immunometabolism links metabolism and immune function, why Alzheimer's is increasingly viewed as a metabolic disorder, and how lifestyle factors like exercise, nutrition, and stress management can support brain immune resilience. The conversation covers the limited role of current Alzheimer's drugs, the surprising benefits of GLP-1 medications for neuroprotection, and the specific foods and supplements that defend the brain from degeneration.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

Mel Robbins sits down with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the most decorated 100-meter sprinter in history. Fraser-Pryce shares the mindset behind her three Olympic golds and ten World Championship titles, including how she uses visualization and self-belief to perform under pressure. She opens up about bouncing back from failure and tuning out the comparison that distracts from personal excellence. She also discusses how becoming a mother strengthened her career rather than ending it, defying critics who said she had to choose. The conversation is both a masterclass in elite performance and a universally applicable guide to unlocking your best self.

Julie Freidell

Julie Freidell shares the moment her bedroom filled with clutter despite her commitment to simple living, and the five strategies she used to get back on track. She emphasizes that simplifying is a journey with no finish line, requiring continuous adjustments. The episode explores discarding excess, reconnecting with intentions, and making a plan to regain control. Her reflections highlight how clutter can distract from presence with family. This narrated article offers practical wisdom for anyone seeking a simpler, more intentional life.

Gary Gulman

Comedian Gary Gulman sits down with Stephen Dubner to discuss how he transforms depression into comedy, the lingering grudges he holds, and the importance of recovery and creativity. They also play basketball together, a key part of Gulman's wellness routine. The conversation touches on getting fired and how that experience reshaped his path.

David Pakman

Ryan Holiday talks with David Pakman, political commentator and host of The David Pakman Show, about navigating a media environment saturated with spin, outrage, and misinformation. They explore practical strategies for thinking independently: separating news from commentary, recognizing manipulation, and questioning your first reaction. Pakman draws on his experience building an independent platform and insights from his books The Echo Machine and Pay Attention. The conversation emphasizes that in a post-truth era, developing critical thinking habits is a daily practice.

Cylon George

Cylon George explores the impact of people-pleasing on personal authenticity. In this short episode, he reflects on how the desire for universal approval leads to ignoring gut instincts and pulling away from our true selves. He argues that disappointing others is sometimes necessary for living with integrity, and offers reassurance that we can survive that disappointment while prioritizing our own well-being. The episode encourages listeners to trust their instincts, accept being misunderstood, and release the need to control others' responses.

Jon Gordon

In this episode, host Shawn Stevenson interviews author and speaker Jon Gordon about building better habits. They discuss the power of a gratitude walk, how to silence negative inner thoughts, and strategies for making new habits easier to adopt. Gordon explains concepts like 'the Habit Before the Habit' and the importance of a personal highlight reel. The conversation covers practical techniques for improving health, mindset, and performance through small, consistent actions.

Jim Collins

Jim Collins, author of Good to Great and Built to Last, discusses his latest research project focusing on extraordinary individuals like Grace Hopper and John Glenn. He shares how their lives illustrate the 'cliffs and fog' of life—sudden disruptions and prolonged uncertainty—and how navigating these tests unlocks potential. The conversation explores the shift from studying companies to studying people, offering a more personal lens on greatness.

Michael Mehlberg

In this episode, Michael Mehlberg argues that the most effective learning happens through active experience rather than passive consumption. Drawing from his first flying lesson, he illustrates how combining reading, watching, listening, teaching, and hands-on practice leads to lasting understanding. He emphasizes that writing about new concepts in your own words solidifies comprehension and encourages listeners to take ownership of their learning journey.

Hillary Sterling

Hillary Sterling, executive chef at Ci Siamo in New York City, discusses how she transformed from a Brooklyn kid eating cream cheese sandwiches into one of the city's most accomplished chefs. The episode explores the relationship between cooking and caregiving, examining how food preparation serves as a form of emotional labor and connection. Sterling reflects on her culinary journey, the influence of her background, and what it means to cook for others as an act of service.

Kathryn Paige Harden

Sam Harris interviews behavioral geneticist Kathryn Paige Harden about her book Original Sin, exploring how genetics, environment, and luck shape behavior and moral responsibility. They examine why behavioral genetics remains controversial, what heritability actually means, the paradox of how biological explanations can increase blame rather than decrease it, and the ethical implications of embryo selection.

Danae Smith

Danae Smith explores how wonder can be cultivated in everyday moments through intentional practices of stillness, presence, and gratitude. Rather than waiting for extraordinary events, she argues that slowing down and appreciating the familiar helps quiet comparison, deepen contentment, and rediscover the beauty already around us.

Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer opens up about her journey from child star to finding authentic self-worth. She discusses how early fame, anxiety, and depression led to a midlife crisis at 17, and how motherhood, boundary-setting, and emotional honesty became tools for redefining success from the inside out. The conversation weaves through childhood trauma, the pressure to perform, and the courage required to choose yourself over others' expectations.

Sheila Bair

One in 20 car loans to young people are now in serious delinquency—the highest rate since the 2008 financial crisis. Former FDIC chair Sheila Bair joins the show to answer young listeners' questions about car buying, debt, and avoiding financial traps. The episode explores why young people are struggling with auto loans and what they should know before borrowing.

Greg Audino

Greg Audino explores the practice of allowance — accepting emotions, urges, and unexpected events without resistance — as the foundation for both inner peace and meaningful growth. He argues that mindfulness and ambitious pursuit aren't contradictory: you can flow with life's disruptions while gently pursuing goals, creating a state of peaceful agency rather than anxious striving.

Oakley Robbins

Mel Robbins sits down with her 21-year-old son Oakley to explore how to reclaim agency during change, stress, and uncertainty. Oakley shares his personal journey from feeling stuck and lonely to finding happiness again, unpacking the mindset shifts and concrete actions that made the difference. The episode tackles how to distinguish between needing to change yourself versus the situation, recognizing when you're quietly quitting, and the first step to take when unhappy with your life.

Nick Maggiulli

Scott Galloway and Nick Maggiulli, COO of Ritholtz Wealth Management, field listener questions on personal finance across life stages. They address practical strategies for building wealth on modest incomes, generating retirement income without fixating on dividends, and whether young families should continue investing or wait for inheritance. The episode balances actionable advice with psychological frameworks for long-term financial success.

Dr. Cindy Geyer, Dr. Eric Topol, Dr. Aseem Malhotra

A compilation episode featuring three cardiologists and metabolic health experts challenging the cholesterol-centric narrative around heart disease. The conversation explores inflammation, insulin resistance, metabolic dysfunction, and lifestyle as primary drivers of cardiovascular risk, emphasizing that heart disease develops over decades and that many risk factors are modifiable through prevention strategies.

James Altucher

James Altucher explores how daily momentum and generosity create a richer life. He reflects on a childhood friend whose life lost direction, then unpacks five ways to practice generosity—through ideas, honesty, gratitude, time, and support—to build meaningful opportunities and stronger relationships. The episode frames life as a constant uphill climb requiring daily intentional pushes.

Stephen Dubner, Angela Duckworth (co-hosts)

Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner explore the social taboo around money conversations. They discuss whether the reluctance to discuss salary is beginning to fade, how open dialogue about finances might boost financial literacy, and the surprising moment when Duckworth’s teenage daughter independently called Vanguard to learn about retirement accounts. The episode originally aired in January 2022.

Lea Genders

Lea Genders reframes failure as essential for growth, advocating learning from setbacks instead of striving for perfection. She emphasizes small improvements and self-awareness as keys to sustainable behavior change. The episode encourages treating mistakes as feedback and continuing to try.

Dr. Margie Davenport

Exercise physiologist Dr. Margie Davenport, who chaired the 2019 Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for Pregnancy and the 2025 postpartum guideline, dismantles historical prohibitions on exercise during pregnancy with evidence. The episode covers the origin of outdated rules (like the 140 bpm limit), concrete benefits (40% fewer cases of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, 67% fewer cases of depression), what fetal monitoring actually shows during HIIT and heavy lifting, postpartum recovery data, and a paradigm shift from blanket restrictions to shared decision-making with pregnant athletes.

Ryan Holiday

Ryan Holiday explores the distinction between ego and confidence, arguing that what appears as self-assurance often masks internal doubt. The episode examines how ego operates as a barrier to growth across all life domains—whether pursuing ambitions, experiencing success, or navigating difficulty—and presents daily habits for cultivating genuine self-awareness and resilience.

Anthony Ongaro

Anthony Ongaro reflects on selling a beloved home and discovers that what we grieve when letting go isn't the object itself, but the feeling of access to the life and memories connected to it. He reframes possessions not as permanent anchors but as temporary vines we swing from, arguing that releasing them makes room for growth and forward momentum. The episode offers a practical philosophy for embracing change while recognizing that meaningful experiences persist long after possessions are gone.

James Clear

This episode reads James Clear's article on Kurt Lewin's behavior equation: behavior is a function of the person and their environment. Clear explains how small adjustments to your mindset and surroundings can make healthier, happier, and more productive choices feel almost automatic. Drawing on behavioral psychology and design, the piece highlights the power of shaping your environment to support good habits and make bad habits harder.

Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI news, examining the fear that artificial intelligence could soon escape human control. He analyzes the concept of recursive self-improvement, referencing Anthropic's research, and questions whether faster software development actually leads to smarter AI. Newport argues that current AI tools are completely controllable, and that the existential-risk narrative is overblown. He provides a grounded perspective on the realistic capabilities and limitations of AI technology.

Max Levchin

Max Levchin, co-founder of PayPal and founder of Affirm, shares his journey from Soviet Ukraine to building multi-billion dollar companies. He discusses the science fiction that shaped his vision, the harsh realities of socialism that drove his faith in capitalism, and the decision-making principles he lives by. He also dives into the future of commerce with AI agents, why he's betting on transparent lending, and personal stories of cycling, marriage, and the books that changed his life.

Cal Newport explores the concept of "mini-pauses" — short, integrated breaks designed to help you step back and reassess when you feel stuck, without requiring a full sabbatical. He offers concrete tactics like a morning coffee shop loop, scheduling a fake doctor's appointment, a 24-hour escape, or even flying to Asheville. He also elaborates on the "think" component of his read-think-write process and shares what kinds of books he reads before bed.

Fareed Zakaria

Fareed Zakaria challenges the narrative of American decline in the face of Middle East conflict, international order retreat, and domestic political chaos. He argues that structural fundamentals—economic strength, military capability, demographic advantages, and institutional resilience—suggest the U.S. retains capacity for renewal despite real governance failures. The episode explores how perception of decline often misses the deeper patterns that determine civilizational trajectory.

Angelo Keely

Angelo Keely discusses sustainable fat loss strategies with Max Lugavere, covering emotional eating patterns, protein's role in muscle preservation, and the simple habits that enabled his 25-pound weight loss. The conversation emphasizes practical, sustainable approaches to body composition rather than restrictive dieting.

Manoush Zomorodi

Manoush Zomorodi discusses her new book The Body Electric, exploring how sedentary, screen-heavy lifestyles damage health and how simple interventions work. The core finding: five minutes of gentle movement every 30 minutes significantly improves blood sugar, blood pressure, mood, and focus. They explore workplace resistance to movement breaks, the body-brain connection, and practical strategies for building sustainable habits that make better health accessible within demanding modern work.

Dr Courtney Conley

Dr Courtney Conley, a movement specialist, joins host Rangan Chatterjee to explore walking as a foundational health practice. The episode deconstructs the 10,000-step target, reveals that even adding just 1,000 steps daily reduces dementia and all-cause mortality risk, and provides practical cues for efficient walking including rolling through feet, walking tall, and nasal breathing. The conversation covers foot health issues from plantar fasciitis to osteopenia, the importance of strength training alongside walking for aging, and how to transition safely from cushioned to minimal footwear.

Jaron Lanier

Sam Harris and Jaron Lanier discuss recent geopolitical crises and emerging technologies. Topics include the Trump administration's failed Iran strategy, the information warfare surrounding Gaza and October 7, disputed reporting on Israeli prisoner treatment, the implications of AI-generated music, Claude's recent mathematical breakthrough, and ethical questions around GLP-1 use concealment. The episode balances current events analysis with longer-term technological and ethical concerns.

Sal Di Stefano, Adam Schafer, Justin Andrews

Sal, Adam, and Justin compare two equally-voluminous training approaches: short daily workouts (15 minutes) vs. full body sessions 2–3x per week. They argue that daily short workouts produce more total volume over time, build stronger habits, require less physical recovery stress, and work best for home gym users. Full body training suits gym-goers better, delivers more enjoyment and strength stamina, but risks consistency breaks when you miss a session. Sal shares his personal success hitting a deadlift PR at 45 using a two-lift-per-day structure.

Charlie Puth

Charlie Puth joins Conan to discuss his latest album Whatever's Clever! and his worldwide tour. They explore how musicians use sound to shift room energy, the dangers of self-centered artistry, and what it takes to sustain a creative career in music.

Anna Lembke

Cal Newport interviews Anna Lembke, author of the bestselling "Dopamine Nation," to explore whether phone addiction is comparable to substance addictions. They examine the neurobiological mechanisms of behavioral addiction, the role of dopamine dysregulation in phone dependency, and practical strategies for recalibrating our relationship with technology. The episode covers digital minimalism frameworks and responsible technology use.

Andy Glaze

Andy Glaze, a firefighter paramedic and ultrarunner, discusses his descent into addiction, the turning point that redirected his life, and how movement became a catalyst for emotional healing. The conversation explores PTSD recovery, the limits of running as a coping mechanism, and the practical algorithm of personal transformation. Glaze doesn't hold back about his journey from rock bottom to rebuilding.

David Lang

Stephen Dubner explores the emotional and logistical aftermath of a major artistic premiere through conversations with composer David Lang following his new work's debut with the New York Philharmonic. The episode examines what happens to a creator after the public unveiling of months or years of work, including the psychological arc from anticipation to doubt to reflection, plus reactions from audiences and orchestra leadership.

Jaron Lanier

Sam Harris and Jaron Lanier discuss current events including the launch of Making Sense Community, Sam's conversation with Ben Shapiro, the New York Times's coverage of Hasan Piker, Zohran Mamdani's approach to Islamism, misuse of the word 'genocide,' and AI-driven job displacement. The episode covers media dynamics, political discourse, and technological disruption.

Irene Elias

Irene Elias of Self Love Junkie explores how fear often stands between us and the life we desire. She explains that most fear is a self-created story, not a reflection of real danger. By taking small, consistent steps toward what scares you, you build courage and transform doubt into momentum. The pain of regret, she argues, is far more daunting than the temporary discomfort of risk.

The hosts break down five data-backed reasons for long-term fitness consistency, with enjoyment ranking first and aesthetics ranking last. They cover a study showing exercise more effective than antidepressants and talk therapy for mental health, and discuss research on which professions age faces fastest and how income drastically influences women's perception of male attractiveness. Anecdotes include Adam's partner being mistaken for a younger woman and Justin's son's gymnastics victory after sports psychology work. The episode also introduces the Push Scroll app, which requires exercise to unlock social media, and features live coaching calls.

Joshua Becker discusses the freedom found in admitting our flaws, showing how honesty dismantles pride and opens the door to growth, connection, and healing. He shares vulnerable reflections on his own struggles, revealing how authenticity relieves internal pressure and deepens relationships.

James Altucher

James Altucher's article 'The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Minimalists' reframes minimalism as 'emptiness'—letting go of mental, social, and physical clutter. He argues that habits like lying, gossiping, and compulsive digital checking weigh us down. By clearing this excess, we create space for curiosity, connection, and genuine enjoyment.

David Epstein

Cal Newport talks with bestselling author David Epstein about a chapter from his new book, Inside the Box, that applies the industrial 'Theory of Constraints' to personal productivity. They discuss how the tool-rich digital environment can paradoxically reduce effectiveness, and how to identify and fix the single bottleneck that limits your output. The episode also includes advice on breaking news app addictions and Cal's reaction to a recent newsletter.

Dave Evans, Sarah Schnitker

In the second part of a conversation with behavioral scientist Dave Evans, Hidden Brain explores the concept of radical acceptance — why it is so difficult to fully embrace reality as it is, and why such acceptance is an essential first step in building a meaningful life. The episode also features a Your Questions Answered segment where psychologist Sarah Schnitker returns to address listeners' questions about patience.

Oz Pearlman

Oz Pearlman is a mentalist, magician, and endurance athlete who has spent 30 years making audiences believe he can read minds. This episode unpacks the psychology behind mentalism — how body language, storytelling, and subtle psychological principles create the illusion of mind-reading. Oz explains the core mechanics of his craft, how to build instant trust with strangers, techniques for detecting deception, and the mental toughness required to perform for the world's most powerful people.

Haemin Sunim

Zen Buddhist teacher and author Haemin Sunim discusses how we always have a choice in how we interpret and respond to life's challenges, even when things don't go our way. This bitesize episode, drawn from a longer conversation, explores the crucially important notion that difficult times offer opportunities for growth and unexpected joy.

Chris Paul

NBA veteran Chris Paul on maintaining elite performance into his late 30s: plant-based nutrition, sleep optimization, recovery protocols, and why the mental game matters more than the physical game as you age.

Nilay Patel

Patel and David Pierce rank Apple's 50 best products ever, debating which innovations truly changed the tech landscape versus which were incremental improvements.

Dr. Mark Hyman (solo)

Hyman on the somatic basis of anxiety: why cognitive approaches alone fail for many anxious patients, and why nervous system regulation (vagal toning, breathwork, cold exposure) addresses the root cause that talk therapy misses.

Sir David Beckham & Dr. Dawn Mussallem

David Beckham and oncologist Dr. Dawn Mussallem discuss elite sport, prevention, and the lessons from a heart transplant survivor who turned her health crisis into a prevention advocacy mission.

Fidji Simo

Fidji Simo on using AI to democratize personalized health guidance: how Instacart's food data combined with AI could give everyone access to the kind of nutritional guidance currently available only to the wealthy.

Dr. Daniel Levitin

Neuroscientist Daniel Levitin on how music affects the brain: it activates more brain regions simultaneously than any other activity, reduces cortisol, increases dopamine, and can improve outcomes in pain management, dementia, and surgery recovery.

Dr. Anna Lembke

Stanford psychiatrist Anna Lembke explains the pleasure-pain seesaw: the brain maintains homeostasis, so every pleasure hit triggers a compensatory pain response. Modern life — scrolling, snacking, multitasking — creates chronic dopamine overstimulation that depletes motivation. The fix: self-binding strategies that create barriers between you and compulsive behaviors, plus deliberate 'dopamine fasting' to reset the balance. Highly research-backed.

David Bach

David Bach's 'automatic millionaire' plan: automate saving and investing so it happens without daily willpower decisions. Pay yourself first, set up automatic transfers, and let compound interest do the work. Practical, accessible financial advice for people who aren't finance experts.

Dr. Stacy Sims

Exercise physiologist Stacy Sims on why most fitness and nutrition advice fails women — it's based on male bodies. Covers why fasting doesn't work for women, how hormonal changes affect fat distribution, the protein gap (current RDA was set for sedentary men), benefits of creatine for women, cold plunging differences, and gut microbiome changes during perimenopause. Research-dense and highly practical.

James Clear

James Clear walks through the full Atomic Habits framework: 1% daily improvement compounds to 37.78x over a year. The four laws of behavior change, identity-based habits, why bad outcomes are lagging measures of bad systems, and how to make habits small enough for your worst day. The Robbins-Clear pairing makes this the most accessible version of the material.

Dr. Katy Milkman

Wharton behavioral scientist Katy Milkman reveals 7 hidden barriers to achieving goals. Key frameworks: the Fresh Start Effect (why January 1 actually works for habit change), temptation bundling (pair unpleasant tasks with enjoyable ones), and why willpower alone always fails. Research-backed strategies for making change stick.

Dr. Mark Hyman (solo)

Hyman's year-end reset protocol: a practical guide for people who've fallen off track with health habits. The 10-day detox, movement restoration, sleep hygiene, and stress management in one integrated protocol.

Dr. Mark Hyman (solo)

Hyman's comprehensive case against sugar: the metabolic damage, the addictive neuroscience, the industry tactics, and a practical protocol for breaking sugar dependency in 10 days.

Cal Newport

Georgetown computer scientist Cal Newport on deep work, slow productivity, and why busyness is the enemy of meaningful output. The key: do fewer things, at a natural pace, with obsessive quality.

Dr. Mark Hyman (compilation)

Hyman compiles the best breathwork insights from the show: nasal breathing, box breathing, 4-7-8 technique, Wim Hof method, and the physiological mechanisms that make breathwork one of the most powerful free health interventions.

Sal Di Stefano

The hosts present ten evidence-based cardio hacks: rucking as the best all-in-one cardio, nasal breathing for intensity regulation, post-meal walks for blood sugar, and more.

Prof. Tim Spector

Tim Spector explains the full metabolic picture of menopause: changing body composition, altered glucose responses, increased inflammation, cardiovascular risk shifts, and bone density loss — and evidence-based dietary and lifestyle interventions.

Dr. Darshan Shah

Dr. Darshan Shah shares the daily habits of his longevity patients who are aging exceptionally: morning sunlight, cold exposure, time-restricted eating, diverse plant intake, strength training, and consistent sleep schedule.

Sal Di Stefano

The hosts present seven evidence-based strategies for reducing chronic inflammation and pain without medications — diet, movement, sleep, stress management, cold exposure, omega-3 supplementation, and eliminating inflammatory triggers.

Sal Di Stefano

The hosts discuss the hybrid athlete trend — combining strength training with endurance — and how to program both without overtraining. Practical periodization for people who want to squat heavy AND run a half-marathon.

Gabby Reece

Former professional volleyball player Gabby Reece and Dr. Federica Amati discuss maintaining mobility, strength, and flexibility through aging. Why mobility loss accelerates disease risk and practical daily movements that preserve joint health.

Chamath Palihapitiya

Markets crash as Trump imposes sweeping tariffs. The besties debate whether tariffs are strategic negotiation (Sacks) or economic self-harm (Friedberg). Chamath analyzes the market selloff. Discussion of whether global trade is being permanently reorganized.

Chamath Palihapitiya

The besties discuss DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) and its aggressive federal spending cuts. Sacks defends the initiative as overdue reform. Chamath worries about implementation chaos. Friedberg analyzes the economic impact of federal job losses.

Chamath Palihapitiya

China's DeepSeek releases an AI model comparable to GPT-4 at a fraction of the training cost. The besties debate whether this invalidates the US AI infrastructure investment thesis, whether China's AI strategy is working, and whether compute moats are real.

Sal Di Stefano

Sal, Adam, and Justin discuss why 80% of New Year's fitness resolutions fail by February and present their framework for building sustainable habits — starting with the minimum effective dose, building identity-based habits, and avoiding the overtraining trap.

Sal Di Stefano

Sal, Adam, Justin, and Doug reflect on 10 years and 2500+ episodes of Mind Pump — how the fitness industry has changed, their biggest mistakes, the advice that aged well, and what they'd tell their younger selves.

Jay Campbell

Health advocate Jay Campbell discusses cutting-edge performance-enhancing compounds — peptides, Retatrutide (next-generation GLP-1), and why the supplement industry is both overhyped and underselling genuine breakthroughs.

Dan Buettner

Dan Buettner returns to distill his blue zones research into five daily habits anyone can adopt: natural movement throughout the day, plant-forward eating, purpose rituals, social connection at meals, and stress-shedding practices like napping or prayer.

Sara Imari Walker

Sara Imari Walker on the physics of life. Life isn't defined by chemistry but by information — the ability of a system to generate and maintain causal structure over time. Assembly theory as a new framework for understanding what makes matter alive.

Barton Gellman

Barton Gellman on election integrity and how democracies fail. The mechanisms that protect elections are more fragile than most people realize. Surveillance, misinformation, and institutional erosion threaten democratic self-governance.

Chamath Palihapitiya

Highlights from the 2024 All-In Summit featuring Jensen Huang on AI infrastructure, Argentine President Javier Milei on libertarian economics, and Mark Zuckerberg on Meta's AI strategy. The besties compile their favorite moments.

Chamath Palihapitiya

The besties discuss the emerging era of AI agents — autonomous software that can browse the web, write code, and complete complex tasks. Friedberg argues agents will be more transformative than chatbots. Discussion of Google's antitrust loss.

Cal Newport

Cal Newport on the crisis in knowledge work. Email and Slack destroyed deep work. His solution: redesign workflows around human cognition rather than forcing human cognition to adapt to digital tools. Slow Productivity as an alternative to hustle culture.

Robert Sapolsky

Robert Sapolsky on why free will is an illusion. Every decision traces back to neural firing patterns shaped by genetics, hormones, childhood, and environment. There is no moment where a 'you' independent of biology steps in to choose.

Chamath Palihapitiya

Friedberg leads a discussion on the deep tech revival — nuclear fusion, space, biotech, and defense tech companies attracting venture funding after a decade of software dominance. Sacks discusses Anduril and Palantir's defense tech success.

Tristan Harris

Tristan Harris on the AI arms race. The same attention-extracting dynamics that broke social media are being replicated in the AI race — but with higher stakes. Labs are racing to deploy capabilities faster than safety research can keep up.

Peter Zeihan

Peter Zeihan on the unraveling of the post-WWII global order. Demographics, energy, and geography — not ideology — drive geopolitics. Most countries face demographic collapse. America's geographic advantages make it the last superpower standing.

Coleman Hughes

Coleman Hughes on colorblindness as a moral ideal. His book The End of Race Politics argues that treating people as individuals rather than members of racial groups is both morally superior and more practically effective than race-consciousness.

Rory Stewart

Rory Stewart on the fraying world order and the hubris of intervention. Walking across Afghanistan taught him that reality is far more complex than policymakers imagine. The West's failures stem from overconfidence in its own understanding.

Shi Heng Yi

35th-generation Shaolin Master Shi Heng Yi on the five hindrances to self-mastery: sensual desire, ill will, dullness, restlessness, and doubt. How physical discipline creates mental clarity, and why the body is the gateway to the mind.

Dr. Federica Amati

ZOE's head nutritionist Dr. Federica Amati and James Clear discuss strategies for building lasting dietary habits. Why willpower fails, how environment design trumps motivation, and the compound effect of small daily food choices.

Dr. Chris van Tulleken

Dr. Chris van Tulleken explains the UPF crisis: 50-60% of calories in the UK and US now come from ultra-processed food. His self-experiment showed measurable brain changes from 4 weeks of UPF-heavy eating. Why the food industry designs food to override satiety.

Chamath Palihapitiya

Two major stories: the besties interview Tucker Carlson on media and politics, then break down the OpenAI boardroom coup where Sam Altman was fired and rehired within 5 days. Sacks provides insider perspective on the governance crisis.

Jared Kushner

Jared Kushner joins the besties to discuss the Abraham Accords, the Israel-Hamas war, and paths toward Middle East peace. Kushner argues that economic incentives — not ideology — are the path to stability. The besties push back on the role of US involvement.

Chamath Palihapitiya

The besties react to the October 7th Hamas attack and Israel's response. Sacks argues for restraint, Chamath focuses on market implications, Friedberg examines energy markets, and Calacanis discusses the startup funding crunch. Heated disagreements on proportionality and US involvement.

Aubrey Gordon & Michael Hobbes

BMI was invented by a Belgian mathematician in the 1830s who explicitly said it shouldn't be used to measure individual health. It was adopted by insurance companies in the 1960s because it was cheap and easy, not because it was accurate.

Dr. Satchin Panda

Circadian biology researcher Dr. Satchin Panda explains how the body's internal clocks regulate metabolism on a 24-hour cycle, why eating outside your biological window impairs health, and the optimal time-restricted eating protocol.

Aubrey Gordon & Michael Hobbes

The Biggest Loser as a case study in metabolic damage: NIH research showed contestants' metabolisms slowed by 500+ calories/day and NEVER recovered, even 6 years later. The show that proved extreme dieting permanently breaks metabolism.

Aubrey Gordon & Michael Hobbes

The pilot episode: Aubrey and Michael lay the foundation — anti-fat bias is not just mean, it's medically harmful. Fat patients receive worse care, are diagnosed later, and die younger not because of their weight but because of how doctors treat them.