A century ago, economist John Maynard Keynes confidently predicted that by 2030, we would only be working 15 hours a week. Yet, here we are—working harder than ever! While technology has dramatically boosted productivity, our work hours remain largely unchanged, and the prevalence of “bullshit jobs” is alarming. It’s time to consider whether a four-day workw ... Show More
Nov 17
The $400 Trillion Problem No One Wants to Talk About
The world’s pension promise is unraveling. In the 1950s, sixteen workers supported each retiree; today, that number has shrunk to just 2.7. This dramatic shift is straining pay-as-you-go pension systems to the breaking point. By 2050, one in six people will be over 65, yet politi ... Show More
17m 5s
Nov 12
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Economics: Explained
Discover what drives lasting prosperity. This year, the Nobel Prize in Economics was awarded to Mokyr, Aghion, and Howitt for demonstrating how technological innovation drove the surge in wealth during the Industrial Revolution. From steam engines to AI, learn why a lack of under ... Show More
18m 50s
Oct 11
Why Everyone is leaving New Zealand
Unveil the stunning secret of New Zealand—a paradise losing its young talent! 🌄 With just 5.3 million people, this remote gem boasts top-notch living, education, and healthcare, yet faces a brain drain to Australia (over 10% of Kiwis live there!). Why are skilled workers fleeing ... Show More
14m 23s
Sep 2024
3308: Dangerous Ideas: What If Everything We Thought Was True About Productivity Was Wrong By Cal Newport on New Habits
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.
Episode 3308:
Cal Newport explores the surprising difficulty of simple tasks and challenges our assumptions about productivity. He ... Show More
9m 4s
Aug 2024
Is it getting too hot to work?
As temperatures rise, productivity falls.Extreme global temperatures are draining tens of billions of dollars in economic productivity every year from some of the world’s biggest cities. It’s not just outdoor jobs that are impacted, but office work too. In this episode, we ask wo ... Show More
17m 29s
May 2022
Productivity Rules for Winning the Week with Demir Bentley
<span style="font-weight: 400;">A lot of the time as husbands and fathers we find ourselves in the mode of busy-ness, but that doesn't necessarily mean that we are productive. Being busy does not always equal that we are productive, but if we actually focus on productivity, we wi ... Show More
1 h
Jul 2024
Why psychological safety matters in a changing workplace, with Dennis Stolle, PhD
APA’s 2024 Work in America survey found that younger workers are more likely than older workers to feel stressed, lonely and undervalued at work. Dennis Stolle, PhD, senior director of APA’s office of applied psychology, talks about why that might be and how employers can create ... Show More
29m 38s
Jan 2025
Break Free from Productivity Prison
Scott Smith challenges the traditional pursuit of productivity, advocating instead for efficiency and effectiveness. Drawing from decades of entrepreneurial experience, he shares five practical rules for getting more done with less effort, emphasizing automation and pattern recog ... Show More
11m 35s