The Big Think Interview

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Intimate interviews with the world's biggest thinkers.
Latest episode
The trick that offloads intrusive thoughts so your brain can actually work
David Epstein, author of Range and Inside the Box, breaks down what's actually happening inside the brain when we multitask, and why "just focusing" is a solution that doesn't hold up to reality.

David Epstein

A man wearing glasses and a navy blazer speaks while gesturing with his hands against a plain white background.
A classical stone bust of a man with a broken top, isolated against a black background.
11mins
“Masculinity” has become synonymous with “toxic.” Journalist Christine Emba explains how that happened, and how it can change.
A detailed image contrasting a fiery asteroid on the left with a cool, intricate snowflake on the right against a dark background.
11mins
Humanity has two giant collisions to thank for its existence, explains biologist Sean B. Carroll.
24mins
Mating, monogamy, and maximizing your sexual potential explained by 3 sex experts.
A melting yellow smiley face on a black background.
15mins
Harvard has conducted an 85-year-long study on what makes humans happy. Psychiatrist Robert Waldinger explains what they found.
BetterHelp
A woman holding up a picture of a smiling mouth.
6mins
Pathologically busy people clamoring for happiness. Founder of HATCH Monica Parker explains how we can do so much better than that.
Mcdonald's mcdonald's mcdonald's mcdonald.
7mins
Marketing maverick Gary Vaynerchuk reveals how empathy, listening, and patience aren’t just virtues – they’re your ultimate advertising tools.
A close up of a man with curly hair.
9mins
Actor, author, and director Jesse Eisenberg demystifies the role of anxiety and self-doubt in leadership.
The cover of colorblind philosophy.
37mins
Coleman Hughes advocates for a colorblind America, presenting compelling arguments in favor of treating all individuals without regard to race.
Barbed wire with the word free speech on it.
31mins
Author of the Canceling of the American Mind Greg Lukianoff explains the current state of free speech in the United States.
The ceo playbook on a blue background.
5mins
Adam Bryant interviewed over 1,000 CEOs. These are the 3 critical skills to running a company.
The u s vs itself.
33mins
The United States is the biggest risk in 2024. Here are the other 9, explained by Ian Bremmer, president of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media.
The future with rays of light in the background.
29mins
Four visionaries—Kevin Kelly, Peter Schwartz, Ari Wallach, and Tyler Cowen—share their insights on the future, urging viewers to consider the impact of their actions on future generations.
A man is walking towards a crate with the number 60 on it.
6mins
People are living longer than ever, challenging our assumptions around milestones like retirement. Economist Lynda Gratton explains a “multi-stage life,” and how retiring later isn’t necessarily something to fear.
Employees over customers.
6mins
Quiet quitting, The Great Resignation, burnout: there are a ton of buzzwords to describe how modern work culture is broken. Now that we know what the problems are, how do we fix them? Tiffani Bova shares how employers can heal their relationship with their employees.
Two men in suits standing next to each other, discussing fraud.
8mins
Fraud is a $5 trillion “industry.” But not all its perpetrators look alike. Kelly Richmond Pope, a professor of accounting, breaks down who commits fraud — and why.
President Barack Obama delivers a persuasive speech from a podium.
6mins
It just takes one “yes.” Wharton professor Jonah Berger shares his three tips for getting what you want from others.
A man and woman standing at a podium in front of an american flag.
10mins
Bo Seo, Esther Perel, and Dan Shapiro share their tips for arguing better.
A window that says fail better on a yellow background.
7mins
There are three kinds of failure. Only one can help you have a better shot of succeeding in the future. A Harvard business professor explains.
A yellow and black snake with a black background.
10mins
“Only a narcissist would want to become president.” This is the psychology of an authoritarian unpacked.