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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 weeklyEpisodes349Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Next Big Idea

Latest Episodes

Most of us swear we have no free time. But the week is 168 hours long. Subtract a 40-hour job and eight hours of sleep a night, and you're left with 72 hours. So where do they go? Today, Laura Vanderkam, author of the new book Big Time, shares her sy... more

GPAs. Citations. Step counts. Likes. We love a good metric, don't we? It tells you exactly where you stand, no arguing. Mention a 4.0 to a high schooler and they'll know exactly what you mean. Tell a fellow Fitbit-wearer you just hit 10,000 and they'... more

The World Cup kicked off over the weekend, and so far the mood is meh. Fans are fuming over sell-your-kidney ticket prices, frightened by reports that ICE may target matches, tailgates, and sports bars, and generally feeling down on this quadrennial ... more

Nearly half of all Americans believe AI is bad for humanity. Peter Diamandis is not one of them. On his podcast, Moonshots, and in his new book, We Are as Gods, co-written with the inimitable Steven Kotler, he makes the case that artificial intellige... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

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
Ben Rhodes
Former Obama speechwriter and deputy national security advisor; author
The Next Big Idea / All We Say, The Battle for American Identity
Episode: The Case for Speechmaking in the Age of Doomscrolling
Nick Thompson
CEO of The Atlantic; host of The Most Interesting Thing in AI
The Atlantic
Episode: When Will AI Empty Your Dishwasher? (with Nicholas Thompson)
Simone Stolzoff
Author of How to Not Know
Author, How to Not Know
Episode: What if Uncertainty Isn’t Such a Bad Thing?
Majid Fotuhi
Neuroscientist, Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
Episode: You Can Grow Your Brain. Here’s How.
David Epstein
Author of Inside the Box; guest on the show
David Epstein, author
Episode: Here’s Our Favorite Book of the Season
Nir Eyal
Author of Beyond Belief
Author, Beyond Belief
Episode: “Beliefs Are Tools, Not Truths”
David Pogue
Author and former New York Times tech columnist
Author, Apple book author
Episode: The History and Future of Apple

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 1.9k 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
    Germanya month 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 States4 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 States8 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 States8 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
#160
United States/Education
Apple Podcasts
#128
Canada/Education
Apple Podcasts
#168
Australia/Education
Apple Podcasts
#97
South Africa/Education
Apple Podcasts
#121
India/Education
Apple Podcasts
#130
Indonesia/Education

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Best Of: Stop Chasing More. Start Embracing Your Limits.
Q: What is a life task?
Oliver explains that a life task is what reality is asking of you in a given moment, which may require effort or rest, and should be doable within your current circumstances rather than an impossible destiny.
Best Of: Gretchen Rubin’s Guide to Getting Out of Your Head and Into the World
Q: How did Gretchen Rubin transition from law to writing?
She had an early, compelling idea for a book while clerking for Justice O'Connor, realized she preferred writing to law, and followed a guide to write and sell a nonfiction book proposal, which launched her writing career.
The Case for Speechmaking in the Age of Doomscrolling
Q: How has technology changed the way speeches are written and received?
Technology has compressed attention and shifted consumption toward shorter formats, but great speeches still rely on a strong narrative arc and moments of risk and revelation; the medium shapes the message, yet the core human experience of listening and being moved remains central.
The Case for Speechmaking in the Age of Doomscrolling
Q: What is the essential role of a speech in a democratic society today?
Speeches provide a way to tell a country's story, frame hard truths, and offer a shared purpose that can unite diverse audiences and motivate collective action, especially when delivered with authenticity and a clear through-line from history to present to future.
What if Uncertainty Isn’t Such a Bad Thing?
Q: Why is uncertainty something to be welcomed rather than avoided?
Because uncertainty can be the birthplace of learning, adaptability, and genuine progress, and it helps people act with purpose even when the full path isn't visible.

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

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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. Worklife with Molly Graham
3. ReThinking
4. Choiceology with Katy Milkman
5. Hidden Brain

How many episodes of The Next Big Idea are there?

The Next Big Idea launched 7 years ago and published 349 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Next Big Idea?

Recent guests on The Next Big Idea include:

1. Nicholas Epley
2. Gretchen Rubin
3. Ben Rhodes
4. Nick Thompson
5. Simone Stolzoff
6. Majid Fotuhi
7. David Epstein
8. Nir Eyal

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.

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