logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2025
1h 30m

Why Following Your Dreams Isn't Enough

Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam
About this episode
Entrepreneurs typically have no shortage of passion, heart, and vision. But at Stanford University, Huggy Rao says there are other elements that may matter more when it comes to whether their projects succeed or fail. This week, we'll examine how this problem shapes not just individual lives, but organizations, businesses, and even public policy. Then, in th ... Show More
Up next
Nov 2
How Love Really Works
Most of us have ideas about what we’re looking for in a romantic partner. But psychologist Paul Eastwick says these preferences are surprisingly poor guides for finding love. He explains why attraction is so difficult to predict, and what the research suggests is the best way to ... Show More
1h 30m
Oct 26
The Story of Stories
Why is my friend late? How does nuclear fission work? What can I do to help my baby sleep through the night? We all feel the need to understand why certain things happen. Some researchers think the drive to explain the world is a basic human impulse, similar to thirst or hunger. ... Show More
1h 30m
Oct 19
Do You Have Trouble Sleeping?
Millions of us move through our days without getting enough sleep. We know that sleep deprivation can affect our physical health and our mood. But sleep researcher Chris Barnes says a chronic lack of good sleep can also affect how we make decisions and even what we value. He join ... Show More
1h 30m
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2024
How To Design Your Business For A Better Quality Of Life
What is success? What is success for an entrepreneur?Is is money? Is it having an impact? Or...is it having the quality of life you want? For many entrepreneurs, it's all the above.We want it all.But there's a chance you are sacrificing your most precious years without actually l ... Show More
14m 30s
Aug 2024
You'll Wish You Dreamed Up These Ideas
Negotiations can be tricky, with investors typically digging into the weeds of every tiny facet of a business, from sales traction to overhead costs to team member qualifications. But this week, our board asked some unexpected questions that rattled contestants down to their core ... Show More
24m 59s
Nov 2020
What’s The Secret To Making Real Progress?
If you put a lot of energy into your writing (or any dream) and you make little headway, stay tuned for today’s episode. Coach Debby offers ancient and very modern day wisdom to help you reach your results with more consistency.<p>See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/ ... Show More
54m 6s
Jul 2018
Encore: The Startup Mindset: Innovation for Sale
The buzz: Congratulations! How do you know when your tech startup is a success? A big enterprise answers your call. What’s in it for them? Your disruptive products and solutions deliver the innovation they cannot develop on their own due to cost, change-resistant culture, lack of ... Show More
57m 4s
Jun 2019
Unlocking Creativity In Life and Business
In today’s episode, Chad and Steph sit down to talk about what you can expect from our episodes this week. We’ve got everything from an expert in lucid and liminal dreaming to a Google COO. You’re going to hear some of the best insights on how to bridge bureaucratic divides in yo ... Show More
21m 33s
Nov 2019
S3 EP7: Epilogue: The Quest to Shape a Life That Ripples with Impact
We've spent this season on the podcast exploring the beauty of an excellent life. And our listener-heroes have some difficult questions about the process of daring to excel. You asked: What role does FEAR play in advancing our best work? Is the rise of entrepreneurship bringing w ... Show More
46m 9s
Feb 2024
LISTENER QUESTIONS: Dont Wait For Approval Follow Up
LISTENER QUESTIONS: Dont Wait For Approval Follow Up In this episode, we dive into the empowering message of not waiting for approval to pursue our dreams. From J.K. Rowling to Elon Musk, we explore how successful individuals took charge of their lives and carved their own paths ... Show More
20m 46s
May 2025
S2 E1 Innovation: Coming up with new ideas
Forget the hammocks and ping-pong tables. Creativity takes work. Managers at Google, Lego and a pair of AI startups share advice on breaking through.To listen to the full series, subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plusIf you’re already a ... Show More
35m 36s
Aug 2023
Mark Cuban’s 3 principles to unleashing your potential
What are the traits of a successful person? In this episode, Ryan chats with billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban to discuss what it takes to thrive. Then, leadership expert Charlene Li dives deeper into his insights – teaching you ways to embrace curiosity, reduce stress, and mas ... Show More
25m 33s