The Non-Obvious Show

This week's conversation explores the significant transformation in storytelling, highlighting a shift from traditional, passive media consumption to immersive, interactive experiences that empower audiences and foster social connections.   Takeaways We are experiencing a renaissance in storytelling. There is a paradigm shift in how stories are created and consumed. Traditional media was flat and...

This conversation delves into the future of exploration, focusing on the ocean and space, and the importance of self-discovery and equity in these fields. Layne Beachley, a legendary surfer, and Dawn McIntosh, a space systems engineer, discuss their experiences and insights on how exploration can be more responsible and inclusive. They emphasize the need to protect our oceans, the role of women in...

In this conversation, Dorie Clark discusses the significance of human expertise in an era dominated by AI. She emphasizes the need for long-term thinking and strategic planning, while also addressing the challenges of perseverance versus quitting. The discussion highlights the evolving landscape of expertise and personal branding, particularly in the context of generative AI's impact on media and...

In this engaging conversation, Anne Libera, a comedy expert and director of Comedy Studies at The Second City, shares her insights on the art of comedy. She discusses the essence of humor, the science behind it, and how anyone can learn to be funnier. The conversation explores the changing landscape of comedy, the role of representation, and the importance of live performance in honing comedic ski...

In this episode of The Non-Obvious Show, the conversation explores the themes of transactional versus non-transactional relationships, the philosophy of accessibility, and the importance of responsiveness in communication. The speakers discuss the evolving definitions of accessibility, personal responsibility in relationships, and the shift in work-life balance. They delve into the 'Give First' ph...

In this episode, the conversation explores the concept of meaningful work, its definitions, and the impact of technology on the workplace. Philosophers and psychologists discuss the importance of understanding who benefits from our work, the pressures of finding a calling, and the cultural perspectives that shape our views on work. The discussion also touches on the implications of automation and...

In this conversation, geopolitical expert Parag Khanna discusses the importance of physical mobility for economic and social advancement, the dynamics of global talent migration, and the evolving landscape of urban living in the context of AI and climate change. He emphasizes the need for young people to embrace mobility as a skill and explores various unconventional destinations that offer promis...

In this episode, Laura Ries discusses the importance of differentiation in marketing, emphasizing the need for businesses to identify a strategic enemy in order to stand out in their sector. She reflects on her family's legacy in positioning, the balance between creativity and positioning, and the dangers of line extensions. Laura shares insights on successful brand strategies, the significance of...

Summary In this conversation, Damali Peterman discusses the nuances of negotiation, particularly from the perspective of being underestimated due to race or gender. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity, identity, and everyday negotiation opportunities. The discussion also touches on the challenges of cookie-cutter negotiation tactics and the unique experiences of negotiating as a Black wo...

In this engaging conversation at Sydney SXSW, Tom Nash shares his unique perspective on overcoming adversity, the importance of humor in coping with trauma, and the concept of the nocebo effect. He discusses how his experiences have shaped his mindset as an 'anti-victim' and explores the idea of post-traumatic growth. Throughout the dialogue, Nash emphasizes the significance of curiosity and learn...

Summary In this episode, the conversation explores the often-overlooked value of boredom in our hyper-connected world. The guests discuss how boredom can foster creativity, the impact of digital technology on our ability to be bored, and the societal implications of our relationship with boredom. They also delve into the future of boredom, suggesting it may become a sought-after experience as peop...

  In this episode of The Non-Obvious Show, host Rohit Bhargava engages with Michael Tennant, an empathy expert and founder of Curiosity Lab, discussing the importance of emotional awareness, vulnerability, and community in fostering deeper connections. Tennant shares his personal journey through loss and the development of his card game, Actually Curious , aimed at promoting empathy. The conversat...

In this episode, Paco Underhill, a pioneer in consumer behavior and retail anthropology, shares insights from his extensive research on how consumers shop and make decisions. He discusses the evolution of retail spaces, the impact of gender on shopping habits, and the role of technology in shaping consumer experiences. Underhill emphasizes the importance of observational research over traditional...

  In this episode of The Non-Obvious Show, Dr. Sunita Shah discusses the concept of defiance, challenging the negative perceptions surrounding it. She emphasizes the importance of understanding our values and how they can empower us to act defiantly in various situations. Through personal anecdotes and research, Dr. Shah illustrates how defiance can be a positive force for change, both personally...

In this episode of the Non-Obvious Show, host Rohit Bhargava engages with Rafi Kohan, author of 'Trash Talk', to explore the cultural and psychological dimensions of trash talk in sports and beyond. They discuss the epidemic of mental weakness in society, the historical misunderstanding of trash talk, and its role as a tool for competition. Kohan emphasizes the importance of trust in trash talk, t...

In this engaging conversation, AJ Jacobs, known for his unique lifestyle experiments, discusses his latest book, ' The Year of Living Constitutionally .' He shares insights on approaching disagreements as puzzles, the importance of learning through fun, and the impact of writing by hand on thought processes. Jacobs emphasizes the urgency of understanding the Constitution in today's political clima...

In this conversation, Charles Duhigg discusses his book ' Supercommunicators ' and explores the essential skills that make someone an effective communicator. He emphasizes the importance of understanding different communication styles, the role of empathy, and the significance of deep questions in fostering authentic connections. Duhigg also highlights the impact of nonverbal communication, the ch...

Does your job meet your needs and if not, what changes can you make to ensure it's a more fulfilling aspect of your life? Dr. Michelle Penelope King is a globally recognized expert on inequality and organizational culture, and the bestselling author of The Fix: How to Overcome the Invisible Barriers that are Holding Women Back at Work and How Work Works: The Subtle Science of Getting Ahead Without...

What does status mean today? Executive producer, editor, and author Chuck Thompson explores this question and the evolution of status in his book The Status Revolution: The Improbable Story of How the Lowbrow Became the Highbrow. In this episode, Rohit Bhargava and Chuck Thompson discuss topics inspired by the book, including the neuroscience behind dopamine boosts from luxury consumerism, the new...

Is the future disabled? Ashley Shew, an associate professor of Science, Technology, and Society at Virginia Tech explores this question and writes for those who will become disabled in her book Against Technoableism: Rethinking Who Needs Improvement. In this episode, Rohit Bhargava and Ashley Shew discuss topics inspired by the book, including re-thinking who needs improvement, the five main trope...

Does everything happen for a reason or is it all just flukes? Brian Klaas, a professor of Global Politics at University College London, writer, podcaster, and researcher explores this question and why things happen in his book Fluke: Chance, Chaos, and Why Everything We Do Matters . In this episode, Rohit Bhargava and Brian Klaas discuss topics inspired by the book, including Kokura's Luck, Chaos...

What will it take to transform the way the world views time? Richard Fisher, a senior journalist with BBC Global News, explores this question and shares ways to expand our minds into deeper time scales in his book The Long View: Why We Need to Transform How the World Sees Time . In this episode, Rohit Bhargava and Richard Fisher discuss topics inspired by the book, including short termism in busin...

Would you know fraud when you see it or are you committing some fraud yourself? Kelly Richmond Pope is a nationally recognized expert and professor in forensic accounting who spent years interviewing fraud perpetrators before switching to learning from the victims. In her book, Fool Me Once: Scams, Stories, and Secrets from the Trillion-Dollar Fraud Industry , Kelly shares insight on the various w...

Could a workaround solve your problem? Paulo Savaget is an award-winning researcher and professor of engineering entrepreneurship who went on a three year journey to study how people invent workarounds to solve problems. In his book,The Four Workarounds: Strategies from the World's Scrappiest Organizations for Tackling Complex Problems, he shares his experience and findings in hopes of inspiring o...

Do you know how social media really works? Tobias Rose-Stockwell's research on how tech amplifies discontent and disrupts democracy has inspired leading tech companies to adopt key interventions to reduce toxicity and polarization. In his book, Outrage Machine , he combines this research with personal anecdotes to create a guide to understanding how the internet has broken our brains and how we ca...