Summary We're bombarded daily with news about groundbreaking science or shiny new technologies. More than ever, we have to rely on the explainers who can help us understand why and how these achievements actually matter. Will they improve our lives, or more importantly the lives of the vulnerable, in meaningful ways? In this episode, we'll hear from one of the most prolific science and tech journalists of the last few decades to help us make sense of it all. About Our Guest David Pogue was the New York Times weekly tech columnist from 2000 to 2013. He’s a six-time Emmy winner for his ..read more

Summary How easily could you prove that you are, indeed, you? For most of you, it would be no sweat. In fact, you've probably done it hundreds of times. As a result, you can do things like get a bank account, rent a car, or buy an apartment. In much of the world, proof is harder to come by. Many people don't have a way to prove things like their income or identity. And yet companies that rely on these workers claim to have sustainable supply chains while leaving behind the people who make them possible. My guest, Ashish Gadnis, runs BanQu, a blockchain company working to make supply chains tra ..read more

Summary What would you do with $800,000 that came with no strings attached? This actually happens to about two dozen MacArthur Fellows every year. Or better yet, a grant of $100 million, like MacArthur gave away in its 100 and Change program? It sounds exhilarating, but what if getting the money depended on you having a good idea for how to use it? Dr. Cecilia Conrad's work is finding and developing good ideas, first as the Managing Director of the MacArthur Fellowships, and now as the CEO of MacArthur's Lever for Change Foundation. In these roles, she's led the effort to: find and support the ..read more

Summary What does it look like when a company has a purpose beyond profit? Rather than focusing on merely making money, Otter Products—the world's leading maker of mobile device protection—has a higher purpose: "We grow to give." In this episode, I talk with the CEO of Otter Products, Jim Parke. Join us to hear his amazing stories and learn about what happens when a company believes business should be a force for good in the world. About Our Guest Jim Parke is the President and CEO of Otter Products, the world's leading manufacturer of mobile device protection. He has extensive experience in c ..read more

Summary No matter what political ideology we have, we all agree that we deserve ethical government. But, trust in government in the US and around the world is at historic lows. Much of this falling trust comes from seeing political officials use their power to enrich themselves at the cost of the public good. In this episode, Walter Shaub—a leading voice—helps us understand why ethics in government is worth fighting for. He also shares his fascinating experiences doing just that, along with issues at the forefront today. Shaub is one of my personal heroes, and I'm excited for you to hear why I ..read more

Summary Over 5 million people in the US live with paralysis, caused by injury, stroke, or disease. Recovery is incredibly hard because nerve damage is difficult and sometimes impossible to heal. Moreover, our medical and insurance systems are inadequate, designed to help people live with their injuries rather than heal from them. A pioneering therapy clinic called Neuroworx is leading the way into life-changing treatment for people with paralysis. In this episode, we'll learn from Dr. Dale Hull, an OBGYN doctor who became suddenly paralyzed more than 20 years ago. Now, not only can he walk aga ..read more

Summary Everyone needs and deserves a home. It’s our place to be safe, healthy, and loved. In this episode, we’ll learn from Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International and author of the book, Our Better Angels. Jonathan will teach us about the critical failures that are keeping people from having a safe and decent place to live, as well as the solutions that work. We'll also learn about Jonathan's winding career path to CEO of Habitat, one that took him through investment banking, real estate, retail leadership, church management, and even a stint as the head coach of th ..read more

Summary For over 20 years, Dr. Naa and her husband Eddie have led efforts to care for people with HIV and AIDS in Ghana. During that time, their clinic has treated more than 15,000 patients and their foundation has reached millions of Ghanaians to reduce the spread of the disease and the stigma faced by those who have it. In this episode, we’ll learn about Dr. Naa’s journey from her childhood in rural Ghana to becoming a Dutch-trained medical doctor treating patients with nowhere else to turn. She’ll also share one of the best falling-in-love stories you’ve ever heard. Dr. Naa is an unstoppabl ..read more

Summary If you want to improve yourself and could choose only one trait to begin, you should start with humility. It's called the "mother of all virtues" because it opens the door to all kinds of personal development. But humility is also sorely misunderstood. It isn't just an internal attitude about ourselves, but an outward set of behaviors that people can observe. It's also essential to effective leadership. This episode, we'll be taught by humility expert, Prof. Brad Owens. He's done award-winning research on humility in leaders and has shown that leadership humility is key to getting bett ..read more