We love to credit the person at the top when things go right—and blame them when they don’t. But how much power does one leader really have? In Profits, Prophets, Coaches, and Kings: (When) Do Leaders Matter?, Pulitzer Prize winner Jared Diamond draws on politics, business, religion, and sports to show why timing and decision-making power can matter more tha ... Show More
Sep 11
Authenticity, Skepticism, and a Better Way to Live
What if being true to yourself isn’t about discovering a hidden “real you,” but actively creating the person you’ll become? In How to Be Authentic, philosopher Skye Cleary draws on Simone de Beauvoir to explore freedom, responsibility, and why authenticity is an ongoing adventure ... Show More
25m 41s
Sep 9
How to Read the Room, and Why You Should
The higher the stakes, the harder it becomes to read the room. Stress narrows our attention, confidence disguises bad assumptions, and familiar body-language “tells” often tell us very little. Pamela Meyer, a Certified Fraud Examiner and expert in deception detection, joins us wi ... Show More
29m 11s
Jan 2025
Ancient Eroticism, Pagan Workouts & Body Ideals: History of the Gym
It's January and (reluctant) thoughts turn to gym memberships, but what are the ancient origins of this phenomena?From the naked workouts of Ancient Greece to the bodybuilders of the 19th century, a lot has influenced exercise culture over the centuries - and it's always had a he ... Show More
40m 16s
Aug 2025
The golden age of exercise
Americans are flocking to gyms and fitness classes. It wasn't always that way. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Miranda Kennedy with help from Naureen Khan, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Phot ... Show More
30m 14s
Aug 2025
The golden age of exercise
Americans are flocking to gyms and fitness classes. It wasn't always that way. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Miranda Kennedy with help from Naureen Khan, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Phot ... Show More
30m 59s
Feb 2025
Recap: Why we avoid exercise and how to overcome it | Daniel Lieberman
Today we’re exploring what evolution can teach us about exercise. When it comes to doing exercise, there’s often a tug-of-war between our body and brain. Our body craves movement - it wants to be leaner, fitter, stronger. But our brain? Well, that’s a different story. It often dr ... Show More
11m 24s