Rephonic
Artwork for The Next Big Idea

The Next Big Idea

Next Big Idea Club
Artificial Intelligence
Mental Health
Psychology
Climate Change
Consciousness
Education
Happiness
Neuroscience
Technology
Creativity
Social Media
Personal Development
Nutrition
Memory
Storytelling
Relationships
Free Will
Anxiety
Uncertainty
Decision Making

The Next Big Idea is a weekly series of in-depth interviews with the world’s leading thinkers. Join hosts Rufus Griscom and Caleb Bissinger — along with our curators, Malcolm Gladwell, Adam Grant, Susan Cain, and Daniel Pink — for conversations that might just change the way you see the world. New episodes every Monday and Thursday. For ad inquiries, please reach out to: Network+NBI@yapmedia.com

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes355Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationSociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Next Big Idea

Latest Episodes

For years, cardiologist Eric Topol hunted for the rarest people in America: those over 80 who had never been sick. When he finally found 1,400 of them, he made a shocking discovery. It wasn't their genes. These "super agers" were often the last ones ... more

Despite decades of urgency and alarm, progress on climate change has felt frustratingly slow. What if we've been going about it all wrong? Elizabeth Dunn and Jiaying "JZ" Zhao think there's a missing ingredient in the conversation: joy.

In their new... more

Publisher, scientist, humorist, diplomat — Benjamin Franklin was America's first polymath. Today, with help from Eric Weiner, we revisit Franklin's life, searching for tips about how to be healthy, wealthy, and wise.

This episode first aired in July... more

"We’re entering our 250th birthday, and we’re not quite in the mood for a birthday party. We’ve been tearing ourselves apart." That's what Walter Isaacson told Rufus when they sat down last year. But, he says, it doesn't have to be that way. "Let's u... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

The Next Big Idea Daily
The Next Big Idea DailyNext Big Idea Club
Hidden Brain
Hidden BrainHidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam
Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics RadioFreakonomics Radio + Stitcher
People I (Mostly) Admire
People I (Mostly) AdmireFreakonomics Radio + Stitcher

Recent Guests

Robert Wright
Author of The God Test, journalist
Episode: THE GOD TEST (Part 1): Are You Ready for Superintelligence?
Laura Vanderkam
Author and time-management expert
Author of Big Time
Episode: You Have 72 Free Hours a Week. How Do You Want to Spend Them?
C. Thi Nguyen
Philosophy professor at the University of Utah
University of Utah
Episode: Are You Playing Someone Else’s Game?
Simon Kuper
columnist at Financial Times, author of World Cup Fever
Financial Times, World Cup Fever
Episode: This World Cup Is Messy. Watch It Anyway.
Peter Diamandis
Founder of the Xprize; co-author
XPRIZE / Moonshots podcast
Episode: The Case for AI Optimism with Peter Diamandis and Steven Kotler
Steven Kotler
Co-author; journalist and scientist
Moonshots / author of We Are as Gods
Episode: The Case for AI Optimism with Peter Diamandis and Steven Kotler
Annie Murphy Paul
Author of The Extended Mind, The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain
Author, The Extended Mind
Episode: Best Of: The Power of Thinking Outside Your Brain
Nicholas Epley
Professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business
University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Episode: Want to Be Happier? Try Talking to Strangers.
Gretchen Rubin
Author of The Happiness Project and Life in Five Senses
Author
Episode: Best Of: Gretchen Rubin’s Guide to Getting Out of Your Head and Into the World

Hosts

Rufus Griscom
Host of The Next Big Idea
Caleb Bissinger
Host of The Next Big Idea

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 2k ratings
  • Favourite podcast

    It’s really my favourite podcast; very well produced and they thrive to cycle through different topics (not just AI). They started to bring in opposing views and mention them more clearly, but in general they could do better critically comparing and contrasting. For instance, broscience by Peter Attia. When it come out, they gave Attia 2 episodes as one of the most important things; however, since Attia published his book, it became clear that it was debunked in so many ways and highly unscienti... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ddddddddddaniel
    Germany2 months ago
  • Great Episode on John & Paul’s Creative Partnership

    I’ve been a fan of this podcast for years, it’s always great, but the episode about Ian Leslie’s book on John and Paul’s creative relationship finally compelled me to leave a review. I’m a huge Beatles fan.

    Ian’s deep dive into their creative symbiosis was fascinating, and Caleb, who hosted this one, asked super thoughtful questions that made the conversation really warm and engaging.

    Highly recommend this episode for music and pop culture fans. I ordered the book right after listening.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    wfox454
    United States4 months ago
  • Ironic

    I find it ironic you interrupt the show to mention about Peter Attia yet don’t mention Ari Emmanuel, zeke’s brother, involvement with Epstein

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Bruindude88
    United States5 months ago
  • I just found and started listening, right now.

    Did I just find my people? As I listen to commercials. I’m hopeful. In my simple description of “people” that are okay with enough for you less for me are “Sheep in Wolf clothing”. They know. But not enough for their “Golden Calf’s”; will allow solutions. When any money is involved.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JollyGee33
    United States9 months ago
  • Sam Kass is a Leader

    I’d love to see this podcast platform even more thought leaders. I want my country to do a better job of elevating calm people with good stories, who know how to tell those stories well. I really liked hearing Sam’s telling of where he thinks investment should go with AgTech, his point that many markets are not actually big enough for climate disruption tech, and his ability to tell a clear story. Most of all, I liked his take on optimistic realism for the future. Cheers also to our host of inte... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Disappointed in Veo
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

High-quality, book-led deep dives that reward attentive listening.
Audience appreciates practical takeaways and clear host questioning.
Thoughtful, well-produced conversations with strong guests.
Consistent intellectual rigor and broad topic range, though some episodes polarize opinions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#159
United States/Education
Apple Podcasts
#87
Canada/Education
Apple Podcasts
#161
Australia/Education
Apple Podcasts
#138
India/Education
Apple Podcasts
#148
Sweden/Education
Apple Podcasts
#167
Belgium/Education

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

THE GOD TEST (Part 1): Are You Ready for Superintelligence?
Q: What is 'the noosphere' and how does it relate to AI?
Noosphere, the idea of a mind-in-the-world or a global consciousness, is used to frame how culture and communication extend beyond individuals; AI could act as a new layer in this global mind, accelerating collective thinking and coordination while also posing dangers of centralization and manipulation.
THE GOD TEST (Part 1): Are You Ready for Superintelligence?
Q: Would you share the thesis of Non Zeros?
The book argues that evolution proceeds through non-zero-sum interactions where cooperation can create win-win outcomes, leading to larger and more complex societal structures, and that technology amplifies these cooperative dynamics while also introducing risks.
Best Of: The Power of Thinking Outside Your Brain
Q: How does space influence thinking according to the guest?
Environment, particularly natural spaces or well-structured private spaces, can replenish cognitive resources and provide cues of identity and belonging that enhance focus and motivation.
Best Of: The Power of Thinking Outside Your Brain
Q: Why do gestures matter for thinking and communication?
Gestures not only aid communication but also help the speaker think more fluently and access ideas that are not yet verbalized, effectively shaping how we understand and remember information.
This World Cup Is Messy. Watch It Anyway.
Q: Talk to me a little bit about the origins and the political-philosophical vision behind the World Cup.
The World Cup originated from the idea of peace between people through soccer, with the founder Jules Rimet believing in non-discrimination in joining the World Cup and viewing it as a space for global peaceful exchange, even with regimes of the time; yet geopolitics still drive outcomes beyond the field.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Next Big Idea

What is The Next Big Idea about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtfully eclectic interview series that centers big ideas across thinking, science, technology, and culture. Episodes frequently feature authors, researchers, and practitioners who unpack complex topics—ranging from AI ethics and open-source movement to neuroscience, philosophy, and hospitality leadership—through rigorous questions, real-world examples, and actionable takeaways. The show often blends book-driven conversations with long-form storytelling, encouraging listeners to rethink how they approach work, creativity, and everyday life. A notable strength is curating high-caliber guests who translate dense ideas into accessible insights, often woven with practical frameworks and sponsor-supported context. This mix makes it appeali... more

Where can I find podcast stats for The Next Big Idea?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Next Big Idea. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Next Big Idea and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Next Big Idea get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Next Big Idea, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The Next Big Idea?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Next Big Idea, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does The Next Big Idea have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Next Big Idea has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Next Big Idea?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Next Big Idea:

1. The Next Big Idea Daily
2. Hidden Brain
3. Worklife with Molly Graham
4. Freakonomics Radio
5. People I (Mostly) Admire

How many episodes of The Next Big Idea are there?

The Next Big Idea launched 7 years ago and published 355 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Next Big Idea?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Next Big Idea?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Next Big Idea from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Next Big Idea?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Next Big Idea. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Next Big Idea?

Recent guests on The Next Big Idea include:

1. Robert Wright
2. Laura Vanderkam
3. C. Thi Nguyen
4. Simon Kuper
5. Peter Diamandis
6. Steven Kotler
7. Annie Murphy Paul
8. Nicholas Epley

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days