Smart People Podcast

What if the problem isn’t that a few companies got greedy? What if the problem is that we built a system that teaches companies to sell us out? In this episode, Eric Ries joins us to explain the economic lie sitting underneath so much of modern business: that companies exist to extract as much value as possible for shareholders, even if that means making the product worse, treating employees poorl...

What actually makes you who you are? In this episode, we get into one of the biggest questions a person can ask, not in a vague or philosophical way, but through the lens of neuroscience. Our guest is Dr. Masud Husain, Professor of Neurology and Cognitive Neuroscience at Oxford, Editor-in-Chief of Brain, and the award-winning author of Our Brains, Our Selves, which won the Royal Society Trivedi Be...

Most of us think we understand the plastic problem. We’ve heard about ocean pollution. We’ve heard about recycling. We’ve heard the word microplastics enough times that it barely registers anymore. But what if the most important part of this story isn’t the trash, the packaging, or even the environment? What if the real issue is happening inside our own bodies? In this conversation, Judith Enck, f...

What if the way we think, communicate, react under pressure, and connect with others isn’t random at all? And much of your experience could actually be decoded using a very specific behavioral model. And this model could explain why certain conversations energize you while others shut you down, why stress brings out patterns you don’t recognize, and why people who care about each other still miss...

What if you’re not burned out, not clinically depressed, and nothing in your life is falling apart—but you still feel numb, empty, or like you’re just going through the motions? In this episode, sociologist and mental health researcher Dr. Corey Keyes explains the science behind that feeling, and why he calls it “languishing.” We dig into how our culture massively underestimates mental health by d...

What if there really was an owner’s manual for being human? In this episode, Chris sits down with one of the top executive coaches in the country Shaun Dyke, to reveal the models that billion-dollar leaders use to understand people, motivate change, and create results. They unpack the hidden psychology behind your reactions, relationships, and results—and why most of us are still flying blind with...

If you’ve ever felt guilty for resenting your job—even one you worked hard to get—you’re not alone. In this episode, psychologist and author Dr. Malissa Clark breaks down why burnout and dissatisfaction aren’t always about hours worked, and why our relationship with work is more complicated than we think. We explore the hidden forces that keep us “always on,” why rest doesn’t always feel restful,...

Think you’re a creative person? Think again. In this episode, psychologist and author Dr. Zorana Pringle explains why most of us are far less creative than we believe—and what to do about it. We explore why great ideas often die before they ever get started, how fear disguises itself as perfectionism, and why creativity has more to do with action than inspiration. If you’ve ever felt stuck, distra...

What if the biggest challenge with AI isn’t the technology, but what it’s revealing about us? Jeff Burningham has built companies, invested in hundreds of startups, and even run for governor — but his most urgent message comes in his new book The Last Book Written by a Human: Becoming Wise in the Age of AI. He believes AI is a mirror, reflecting our values, flaws, and potential, and the real quest...

What if the most powerful psychedelic on Earth isn’t just a hallucination—but a message? Neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Gallimore joins us to explore the mind-bending world of DMT, a molecule found in both nature and the human body that seems to reliably transport users to an alien-like realm filled with intelligent beings. In this episode, we dive into the science behind DMT, the mysterious commonalit...

What if the desire for revenge wasn’t just emotional—but biological? In this gripping conversation, Yale-trained lawyer and researcher James Kimmel Jr. explains how the brain processes revenge, why it feels so satisfying in the moment, and why it rarely brings the peace we expect. Drawing from neuroscience, psychology, and his own powerful personal story, James unpacks how revenge fuels everything...

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the right things—the workouts, the healthy food, the meditation app, the supplements—but your body still isn’t responding the way it should… this episode is for you. Because here’s the truth: You can’t heal until your body feels safe. Not calm. Not relaxed. Safe. And that’s not just a mindset—it’s a biological state. Today’s guest, Dr. David Rabin, is a bo...

We’ve been taught to fear stress, avoid it, and manage it like a toxin. But what if that belief is actually making us weaker? Dr. Sharon Bergquist has spent decades studying the relationship between stress, cellular health, and chronic disease—and what she’s discovered turns the conventional wisdom upside down. We dig into what that means at the biological level: how stress impacts our cells, how...

What if the federal government walked away from public education? That’s not a hypothetical—it’s part of a real plan gaining traction right now. In this episode, we break down what it actually means to defund and dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, and why it could upend the future for millions of students. Former Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. joins us to cut through the noise an...

What if the relentless chase for big goals is actually what’s making you feel unfulfilled? In this episode, hospice physician and author Jordan Grumet shares what he’s learned from those at the end of life—and why our culture’s definition of purpose may be all wrong. Instead of striving for impact, Jordan invites us to focus on the simple, joyful actions that light us up right now. You’ll learn wh...

This isn’t another hype-filled tech episode or a doomsday warning about robots taking over. It’s a grounded, human conversation about what we lose when we hand over too much to AI—and how to hold onto what matters most. In this episode, author and technologist Faisal Hoque blends decades of innovation experience with Eastern philosophy to explore something few are talking about: how convenience-dr...

What if brainwashing isn’t just a Cold War relic, but something we’re all quietly experiencing every day? In this episode, Harvard professor and author Rebecca Lemov joins us to unpack the hidden mechanics of mind control—from historical POW camps to the subtle pull of your social media feed. We talk about the concept of “ungrounding,” how it sets the stage for behavior change, and why no one is i...

We're sharing a new show we think you'll enjoy! If you ever wonder, “Where is all our money going?”—you’re not alone. In episode 192 of Money For Couples titled, “We spend 98% of what we make—Where is it all going?”, you’ll hear real stories and practical strategies to help you align on finances, stop money fights, and build a shared financial vision. We’re going to play a portion of that episode...

Ever wonder why a routine checkup can leave you more anxious than assured? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Erika Schwartz—author of Don’t Let Your Doctor Kill You—who’s on a mission to dismantle the fear culture in modern medicine. If you’re tired of endless tests and pill-pushing, get ready for real talk about where to draw the line. Think you need a dozen tests to explain why you’re tired?...

Introducing 'Reflections,' a new twist on our classic podcast format. In this special new series, I'm flipping the script - instead of interviewing an expert, I'm sharing my personal takeaways, insights, and action items from our previous conversation. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at how our expert's wisdom is impacting my life, and discover how you can apply these lessons to your own jour...

Sex and gender are at the center of heated debates—but what if much of what we believe isn’t rooted in biological truth? In this episode, Dr. Nathan Lents, author of The Sexual Evolution, reveals what nature and evolution really tell us about sex, gender, and human relationships. You’ll discover why diversity in biology—whether in sex, gender, or mating strategies—isn’t just common but essential f...

🚨 AI is changing healthcare—are we ready? 🚨 In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Lloyd Minor, Dean of the Stanford School of Medicine, to explore how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing medicine—from diagnosing diseases faster to improving patient care and even reshaping drug development. But with all the promise, there are major challenges: Can we trust AI with life-or-death decisions?...

Introducing 'Reflections,' a new twist on our classic podcast format. In this special new series, I'm flipping the script - instead of interviewing an expert, I'm sharing my personal takeaways, insights, and action items from our previous conversation. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at how our expert's wisdom is impacting my life, and discover how you can apply these lessons to your own jour...

In this episode, Adam Galinsky, acclaimed professor and TED speaker, dives into the fascinating world of social hierarchy, influence, and inspiration. From his role as an expert witness in high-profile cases like Dominion vs. Fox News to his groundbreaking research on human dynamics, Adam shares how understanding social structures can empower us to inspire and connect with others. We explore the l...

Introducing 'Reflections,' a new twist on our classic podcast format. In this special new series, I'm flipping the script - instead of interviewing an expert, I'm sharing my personal takeaways, insights, and action items from our previous conversation. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at how our expert's wisdom is impacting my life, and discover how you can apply these lessons to your own jour...