3 Takeaways
256 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 days ago -3 Takeaways features insights from the world’s best thinkers, business leaders, writers, politicians, scientists and other newsmakers. Each episode ends with 3 key takeaways to help you understand the world in new ways that can benefit your life and career. Hosted by Lynn Thoman.
Homepage Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
How Taylor Swift, Barbie and Louis Vuitton Redefined Movies, Music, Art and Fashion: the Billion-Dollar Marketing Era (#194)
April 23, 2024 05:00 - 25 minutes - 17.3 MBWe live in an age of hyper-marketing, when the marketing of events like Taylor Swift and the “Barbie” movie overwhelm the offering itself and takes on a life of its own. Here, Natasha Degen, marketing and cultural analyst extraordinaire, dissects how marketing is blurring the lines between movies, music, art and fashion and reveals the secrets behind today’s most talked about cultural events and personalities.
The Keys To Ending Conflict, From A Negotiator Who Knows (#193)
April 16, 2024 05:00 - 21 minutes - 14.7 MBPeople and countries are at each other’s throats these days. How can some of this conflict be resolved? Here, world-class negotiator William Ury reveals the innovative techniques that have helped him resolve some of the world’s most malignant conflicts. You’ll almost certainly be able to put these techniques to use in your own life.
An Other-Worldly Talk About Other Worlds With The Chillest Astrophysicist Alive (#192)
April 09, 2024 05:00 - 18 minutes - 12.7 MBAccording to Janna Levin, “the chillest astrophysicist alive” (says Wired Magazine), there’s a great probability that other life exists in the universe. But what form might this life take? What the heck are black holes? How many planets are out there? And why should we give a hoot about all this? Be sure to listen to this other-worldly conversation. “I find it impossible to believe we're magically the only experiment in life when we look at our own galaxy, which is a collection of 300 billi...
An Other-Worldly Talk About Other Worlds With The Chilliest Astrophysicist Alive (#192)
April 09, 2024 05:00 - 18 minutes - 12.7 MBAccording to Janna Levin, “the chillest astrophysicist alive” (says Wired Magazine), there’s a great probability that other life exists in the universe. But what form might this life take? What the heck are black holes? How many planets are out there? And why should we give a hoot about all this? Be sure to listen to this other-worldly conversation. “I find it impossible to believe we're magically the only experiment in life when we look at our own galaxy, which is a collection of 300 billi...
Why Do We Keep Getting Walloped By Black Swan Events? Is The World On The Edge Of Chaos? Tune In. (#191)
April 02, 2024 05:00 - 22 minutes - 15.5 MB“We have this notion that we have more control than ever, but I think we have it less and less,” says the brilliant Brian Klaas. Don’t miss this mind-bending chat about flukes, chance and random events. Also, how seemingly inconsequential actions have life-changing consequences, the eternal clash between chaos and order, and how to live successfully in a world on the edge of chaos.
The Battle for Your Brain: The Emerging World of Neurotechnology, Brain Hacking and Thought Control (#190) repost
March 26, 2024 05:00 - 22 minutes - 15.8 MBBrain sensors embedded in watches. Earbuds that decode our brainwaves. Neurotechnology that reads our emotions and thoughts, and can be used to manipulate them. It sounds like science fiction, but it’s science fact. Don’t miss this chilling and cautionary talk with Duke professor Nita Farahany, author of The Battle for Your Brain.
The Battle for Your Brain: The Emerging World of Neurotechnology, Brain Hacking and Thought Control (#190)
March 26, 2024 05:00 - 22 minutes - 15.8 MBBrain sensors embedded in watches. Earbuds that decode our brainwaves. Neurotechnology that reads our emotions and thoughts, and can be used to manipulate them. It sounds like science fiction, but it’s science fact. Don’t miss this chilling and cautionary talk with Duke professor Nita Farahany, author of The Battle for Your Brain.
Climate Future: What We Know and Don’t Know About Our Future (#189)
March 19, 2024 05:00 - 30 minutes - 20.7 MBCurrent debates over climate change are focused almost entirely on reducing emissions - which is something we should do - but we also need to answer the question, how should we be adapting? MIT’s Robert Pindyck shares what we know and don’t know and how we can adapt given the enormous climate uncertainty. “Let’s suppose we do have an increase in temperature of 3 degrees. What would happen?”
Liespotting — An Expert Reveals How To Know When You’re Being Deceived. Honestly. (#188)
March 12, 2024 05:00 - 18 minutes - 12.5 MBThere’s an epidemic of deception taking place, and while some lying has a valid function, it helps to know when you’re being deceived. Expert Pamela Meyer reveals why we lie, how to spot deception in work and life situations, and how she knew Bill Clinton’s claim that he “never had sex with that woman” was bs.
Liespotting — An Expert Reveals How To Know When You’re Being Deceived. Honestly. (#188) repost
March 12, 2024 05:00 - 18 minutes - 12.5 MBThere’s an epidemic of deception taking place, and while some lying has a valid function, it helps to know when you’re being deceived. Expert Pamela Meyer reveals why we lie, how to spot deception in work and life situations, and how she knew Bill Clinton’s claim that he “never had sex with that woman” was bs.
AI That’s More Powerful Than Humans Is Coming. How Will We Be Able To Control It? (#187)
March 05, 2024 06:00 - 21 minutes - 14.9 MBSuper intelligent AI is coming that will make today’s AI seem primitive. It will be vastly more powerful than humans, have access to extensive real-time data about almost everyone, and be able to control our lives. A world-leading authority on the topic, Stuart Russell, reveals what must be done for humanity to get the best from AI and avoid the worst. “The arrival of super intelligent AI is like the arrival of a superior alien civilization…”
Look Again: The Power of Noticing What Was Always There (#186)
February 27, 2024 06:00 - 23 minutes - 16.4 MBOur lives are filled with joyful, positive experiences — a beautiful sunset, a good meal, laughter with someone we love — but we tend to forget them quickly. Here, a groundbreaking neuroscientist, Tali Sharot, explains how we can make the feeling of joy linger, the phenomenon of habituation and why we should “break up the good experiences, but swallow the bad ones whole.”
These Times Demand This Fascinating Look At How Abraham Lincoln Kept America One Country (#185)
February 20, 2024 06:00 - 22 minutes - 15.6 MBWith political contentiousness now at a fever pitch and with Presidents Day in mind, there’s much to be gained by learning about the savvy genius and deep kindness of Abraham Lincoln. Here, acclaimed author Ed Achorn provides a fascinating, warts-and-all look at how this brilliant and inspiring man helped keep America one country.
Starbucks Board Chair Mellody Hobson’s Life Sounds Like Fiction, But It’s Fact. Here, She Discusses Her Success (#184)
February 13, 2024 06:00 - 25 minutes - 17.5 MBMellody Hobson’s life—from her tough Chicago childhood to becoming Starbucks board chair to her marriage to George Lucas — has shattered stereotypes. Here, the president and co-CEO of Ariel Investments talks about pursuing excellence, how to become indispensable, tricks for managing time, the need to take risks, and much more.
Taste What You're Missing: Surprising Stories and Science Why Food Tastes Good (#183)
February 06, 2024 06:00 - 22 minutes - 15.7 MBChew on this: The way food looks, smells, and even sounds affects how much we like it. We have taste buds in our stomach. Adding salt to grapefruit makes it sweeter. There’s an amazing story behind why we love some foods and not others. Everyone who eats should listen to this conversation with food expert extraordinaire, Barbara Stuckey.
The One And Only Dr. Atul Gawande In An Eye-Opening, Wide-Ranging Talk About Global Health (#182)
January 30, 2024 06:00 - 22 minutes - 15.6 MBSurgeon, professor, public health leader, bestselling author, global healthcare legend. Listen as Dr. Atul Gawande talks about the astonishing success of modern medicine, how countries that spend far less on healthcare than the U.S. achieve similar outcomes, the global effort to increase lifespan, the future of healthcare, and much more.
Top Takeaways of 2023 (#181)
January 23, 2024 07:00 - 20 minutes - 14.1 MB3 Takeaways brings you conversations with people who are changing the world. The world’s foremost thinkers, business leaders, writers, politicians, scientists and other newsmakers share three key insights to help you understand the world in new ways that can benefit your life and career. In this special year-end episode, we present the most powerful and compelling takeaways of 2023. Can you guess which takeaway is from each guest before we tell you who it is? The guests include former Dir...
An Eye-Opening, Cautionary Look At The Problematic Clout Of A Few Giant Index Funds (#180)
January 16, 2024 06:00 - 22 minutes - 15.6 MBFour index funds are now so large they have unprecedented, concentrated power in public companies, enabling them to exert enormous influence over our politics and economy. While the cause for concern is clear, the solution is not. Join us, as Harvard law professor John Coates shines a bright light on this serious and growing problem. “Two companies control 10 to 15 to maybe 20% of all of the stock of all the companies on all the U.S. stock exchanges.”
The CEO of U.S. News & World Report On Why Today’s Most Critical News Story May Be The News Media Itself (#179)
January 09, 2024 06:00 - 18 minutes - 13.1 MBCredible journalism is crucial for democracy, and trust in our news media is alarmingly low. The CEO of U.S. News & World Report, Eric Gertler, explains why and talks bluntly about the dramatic rise of opinionated and fake news, the impact of a generation getting its news from social media, transitioning from analog dollars to digital dimes, and more.
Made New Year’s Resolutions? An Expert Shares Scientific Strategies To Achieve Lasting Change (#178)
January 02, 2024 06:00 - 20 minutes - 14.4 MBMany people have important personal goals they want to achieve, but come up short. Here, behavioral change expert and Wharton professor Katy Milkman shares scientifically proven strategies for affecting deep personal change. Two key insights: Willpower alone usually isn’t enough. It helps to make difficult tasks enjoyable. Katy Milkman is the author of the bestselling book How To Change.
Top Dog: An Expert On The Science Of Winning Shares Powerful Tips And Strategies To Improve Performance (#177)
December 26, 2023 14:00 - 22 minutes - 15.4 MBAshley Merryman is an expert on the science of winning and has helped Olympic and professional athletes, Fortune 100 execs, and military leaders compete more successfully. Here, she reveals strategies that have transformed the world of elite performance — including how to thrive under pressure, benefit from a loss, and more. She is the co-author of Top Dog: The Science of Winning and Losing.
A Legal Reform Expert Discusses The Horrors Of Our Criminal Justice System And How To Improve It (#176)
December 19, 2023 06:00 - 20 minutes - 14.1 MBIt’s no secret the U.S. criminal justice system is failing people of color. But the issue is bigger and more horrific than people think. Here, Christina Swarns, a top criminal legal reform expert, discusses wrongful convictions, false confessions, plea deals, the critical role of DNA — and most important, what can be done to improve the system. Christina Swarns has argued and won before the U.S. Supreme Court. She is the Executive Director of the Innocence Project, which gets wrongfully con...
How Will Dramatically Declining Birth Rates Reshape Our World? A Population Expert Weighs In. (#175)
December 12, 2023 06:00 - 19 minutes - 13.7 MBThe birth rate in many countries is plummeting below what’s needed to maintain the population. In China, it’s estimated the population will shrink by 50%. In the U.S., by about 20%. Should we hit the panic button? According to American Enterprise Institute scholar, Nick Eberstadt, the answer is a thoughtful “no.” Listen and find out why.
Former Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar Details Previously Unknown Reasons For The Stunning Success of Operation Warp Speed (#174)
December 05, 2023 06:00 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MBOperation Warp Speed achieved in 7 months what normally takes 8–12 years. Former Secretary of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, reveals in fascinating detail how it was done — the key people involved, how it was influenced by the Manhattan Project, the government’s critical, groundbreaking partnership with the drug industry, and more.
At A Time Of Great Global Volatility, The U.S. Economy Is Far Outperforming All The Other Major Countries. Listen And Learn Why. (#173)
November 28, 2023 06:00 - 19 minutes - 13.7 MBNews flash: By every measure that matters, the U.S. economy is dramatically outperforming the industrialized world. The Provost of King's College at Cambridge University, Gillian Tett, explains why. She also shares brilliant insights on the enormous volatility in the world, the future of globalization, why Brexit is a disaster, and more.
An Expert On Higher Education Talks About Critical Skills Not Being Taught At Universities (#172)
November 21, 2023 06:00 - 21 minutes - 14.7 MBThere’s great debate these days about the merits of a college education. Here, an expert on the topic, Harvard’s David Deming, weighs in with facts and insights on how colleges fail and succeed, the essential skills universities need to teach, how a college education fights inequality, the true usefulness of college, and more.
A Former Israeli Foreign Minister Discusses The War With Hamas And What It May, And May Not, Achieve (#171)
November 14, 2023 06:00 - 19 minutes - 13.6 MBAs war rages between Israel and Hamas, former Israeli Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami shares some remarkable insights about the encirclement of Israel by well-armed Iranian proxies; the possibility the war will spread; the rise of antisemitism in America and Europe; and a possible path to peace. Don’t miss this important conversation.
Chevron CEO, Mike Wirth, On The Race To Meet The World’s Energy Needs With Lower Carbon Solutions (#170)
November 07, 2023 06:00 - 23 minutes - 16.1 MBCan the world make an orderly transition from fossil fuels to lower carbon solutions? Chevron CEO, Mike Wirth, believes we can, but there are major challenges ahead. Join us as he shares his thoughts on EVs, fusion, carbon capture, geothermal, and other technologies. The future is coming. Will the world be ready? Listen to find out.
A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, And Have We Really Thought This Through? (#169)
October 31, 2023 05:00 - 18 minutes - 13.1 MBAttention Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos: What on earth are you thinking?! Settling in space is fraught with monumental challenges. Here, serious and funny spaceheads Kelly and Zach Weinersmith discuss some of them — the effects of partial gravity on sex and having babies, food and energy production, laws that govern space society, and more.
Karl Rove Takes A Riveting, No-Holds Barred Look At The Frightening State Of American Politics (#168)
October 24, 2023 05:00 - 24 minutes - 16.9 MBKarl Rove, former political consultant and presidential advisor, shares his take on the current ugliness in American politics … the critical challenges of the Republican and Democratic parties … the immorality of Donald Trump … the corruption of Joe Biden … and how America can be healed. Don’t miss this riveting talk with a remarkable man.
What’s Really Happening Along Our Mexican Border, From A Plain-Spoken Texas Congressman (#167)
October 17, 2023 05:00 - 19 minutes - 13.5 MBAccording to U.S. Congressman Tony Gonzales, whose district runs along the majority of Texas’ border with Mexico, the border is “essentially open and anyone can cross.” Here, with blunt honesty, he talks about the scope of the problem, its horrifying impact, how little is being done to address it, and our desperate need for genuine solutions.
Former Chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia On Why Both the US and China Are Guilty Of False Narratives About The Other (#166)
October 10, 2023 05:00 - 16 minutes - 11.1 MBThe U.S. and China are locked in an economic battle that threatens world stability. According to former Morgan Stanley Asia Chairman Stephen Roach, both nations are equally at fault for relying on false narratives to accuse the other. Listen, as he shares both countries’ perspectives and answers the critical question: Is there a way out?
President of Rockefeller Foundation and Former Head of USAID Raj Shah on Big Bets and Transforming The Face of Human Poverty On The Planet (#165)
October 03, 2023 05:00 - 22 minutes - 15.7 MBImagine a world in which no child starves to death and electricity is available to just about all. Raj Shah, President of the Rockefeller Foundation, has a plan for making it happen: making big bets — the kind that have worked to vaccinate 900 million children and stop the spread of Ebola. Learn why thinking big is key to solving big challenges. Raj's new book is Big Bets.
Why The Use Of Group Identity To Pursue Social Justice May Fail To Achieve Its Noble Goals (#164)
September 26, 2023 05:00 - 18 minutes - 12.5 MBThe attempt across much of America to achieve social justice by advantaging people based on their identity is noble and well-intended. It’s also misguided and destined to fail. So says Yascha Mounk, a professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. Listen as he explains the need for a shared humanity.
How Inequality Affects the Way We Think, Live, and Die (#163)
September 19, 2023 05:00 - 22 minutes - 15.3 MBWhy does the feeling of inequality lead some people to make self-defeating decisions? Why does feeling poor sometimes have a more powerful effect on people than actually being poor? How can people avoid the damage caused by feeling “less than?” Keith Payne, a psychology professor at the University of North Carolina, has answers.
A World-Leading Tech Analyst Shares His Insights on AI, Job Creation, Chinese EVs, Crypto, and More (#162)
September 12, 2023 05:00 - 20 minutes - 13.8 MBThe world is filled with speculation about the impact of AI, automation and other technologies. Here, a world-leading tech analyst, Benedict Evans, shares his unique insights into what the near- and long-term future will hold, especially for jobs. Other topics include ChatGPT, crypto, Chinese EVs, virtual reality, blockchain, and more.
The Science of Failure – Right Kind of Wrong with Harvard Business School’s Amy Edmondson (#161)
September 05, 2023 05:00 - 19 minutes - 13.3 MBFailure will happen. Count on it. Especially in today’s complex, uncertain world. Here, Harvard professor Amy Edmonson explains how we can transform our relationship with failure, how people and organizations can fail wisely, and how we can use failure as powerful fuel for success. You may never look at failure the same way again.
The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business: Setting the Table with Union Square Hospitality Group Founder & Chairman Danny Meyer - repost (#160)
August 29, 2023 05:00 - 22 minutes - 15.4 MB“Business, like life, is all about how you make people feel. It’s that simple, and it’s that hard. In the end, what’s most meaningful is creating positive, uplifting outcomes.” Danny Meyer, founder and Chairman of Union Square Hospitality Group, whose restaurants have won an unprecedented 28 James Beard Awards, several three Michelin stars, and a Julia Child Award, says he once thought he was primarily in the business of serving good food but learned that food is secondary to something tha...
A Top National Security Expert Explores The Critical Role Cybersecurity Plays In America’s Security (#159)
August 22, 2023 05:00 - 20 minutes - 13.8 MBAlong with major technological advances come major security threats. Here, the Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technologies, Anne Neuberger, reveals some of America’s most serious threats and some of the steps we’re taking to counter them. There’s good reason to feel both worried and secure.
Learn The Latest Findings On How Working Remotely Effects Productivity, Hiring, Real Estate, And More (#158)
August 15, 2023 05:00 - 20 minutes - 13.8 MBWorking remotely is having a dramatic impact across a wide swath of society — including how and where we live, how business is run, real estate values, hiring practices, and more. But its impact on productivity is minimal. Here, Stanford’s Nick Bloom shares his latest findings on working from home and what we can expect in the future.
The Former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Our Critical Need To See “The Other Side of The Story” (#157)
August 08, 2023 05:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBFormer Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, retired Admiral Bill Owens, fervently believes we need to see “the other side of the story” — the perspective of other countries and people. With that in mind, wait till you hear his surprising thoughts on China, Taiwan, Russia, the war in Ukraine, and other hot button issues of the day.
Yale Professor Zoe Chance Reveals Smart, Simple Ways To Influence People To Get What You Want (#156)
August 01, 2023 05:00 - 23 minutes - 16.3 MBBecoming more influential is within your grasp, and it doesn't mean becoming a selfish ass — says Yale professor Zoe Chance, who teaches the wildly popular course Mastering Influence and Persuasion. Here, she shares brilliant, simple strategies — including the “magic question” to ask — to get what you want in a graceful way. “The bedrock principle of influencing behavior is … to have people react unconsciously in a favorable way.”
How An Innovative, Global Vaccine Alliance Accomplished What No Other Organization Could (#155)
July 25, 2023 05:00 - 21 minutes - 14.9 MBNow for some wonderful news. There’s a global public-private alliance that has done what no other organization could: helped vaccinate almost half the world’s children, about a billion, against deadly and debilitating diseases. Learn about Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, from its CEO Seth Berkley, and the innovative funding mechanisms that have helped it succeed.
Livewired: Creating New Senses for Humans (#154)
July 18, 2023 05:00 - 18 minutes - 12.4 MBA wristband that enables deaf people to “hear.” Brain implants that enable you to control a robotic arm. Neurotechnology that enables blind people to “see.” In this mind-boggling talk, Stanford neuroscientist David Eagleman reveals how the brain’s plasticity and breakthroughs in neurotech are enabling us to ask: How do you want to experience the universe? What kind of senses and body do you want to have?
Learning from the Best: A Nobel Laureate's Journey to Understand the Secrets of School Quality (#153)
July 11, 2023 05:00 - 16 minutes - 11.5 MBWhy do some schools routinely produce high-performing students? How truly important is class size? Why do charter schools typically outperform regular schools — is it the schools themselves, the students they attract, or a combination of both? Get ready to be educated on crucial issues of education by Nobel Prize laureate Joshua Angrist.
Former Ford and Boeing CEO Alan Mulally On Love By Design, The Secret Behind Two Remarkable Turnarounds (#152)
July 04, 2023 05:00 - 49 minutes - 34.2 MBHow did legendary business leader Alan Mulally rescue both Ford and Boeing? With a detailed set of principles and practices he calls love by design. Inspired by the teachings of his parents, this cultural manifesto stresses love and respect for all participants, radical honesty and humility, and an ironclad commitment to the greater good.
War In The Age of AI. A Chilling, Mind-Blowing Talk With A Former Pentagon Defense Expert (#151)
June 27, 2023 05:00 - 18 minutes - 12.7 MBThe transformation to AI-enabled warfare is happening at breakneck speed. The stakes are huge and — given the sophistication and vulnerability of the weapons systems — so are the risks. Former Pentagon defense expert Paul Scharre explains in chilling detail how the future of global security is at stake and how AI changes everything.
Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked (#150)
June 20, 2023 05:00 - 19 minutes - 13.6 MBTech companies, including Apple, Facebook, Netflix, and others, go to great lengths to hook us and keep us addicted to their devices and programs. The deliberateness and details of how they do it are shocking. And the addiction is so harmful, many tech execs (like Steve Jobs) don’t allow their own kids to use the devices. Listen, and learn from NYU’s Adam Alter.
Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders? (#149)
June 13, 2023 05:00 - 19 minutes - 13.6 MBWhy do we have so many incompetent male leaders in both government and the private sector? According to a University College London professor, we focus too much on stylistic indicators like charisma and confidence. What are the best traits for effective leaders? Are female leaders different? Who are examples of great leaders? Listen and learn.
Hear, Here: The President and CEO of NY’s Metropolitan Museum On Its Critical Role In Modern Life (#148)
June 06, 2023 05:00 - 25 minutes - 17.5 MBNew York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art is a beloved and important cultural icon. Here, its President and CEO, Dan Weiss, shares his brilliant insight into the essential role of art museums in contemporary life, the astonishing growth of the Met’s online audience, how technology helps satisfy the human need to connect with art, and more.