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Wavemaker Conversations

Michael Schulder
Climate Change
Russia
Rippling
Performance Psychology
Iran
Kronos
Kairos
Israel-Palestine Conflict
Probable Futures
Wellness
China
Artificial Intelligence
Death
Existential Psychotherapy
Mathematics
Football
Choking Under Pressure
Vladimir Putin
Addiction Medicine
Time

Network news veteran Michael Schulder hosts in-depth conversations that take listeners to a place where curiosity meets hope. Featuring some of the most creative thinkers, respected leaders, and preeminent authors in a wide variety of fields, including history, sports, the arts, business, current affairs, journalism, mental health, and more. For updates please subscribe to the Wavemaker Conversati... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes106Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Wavemaker Conversations

Latest Episodes

As AI reshapes power, two leading cybersecurity minds join me to map the terrain of national security, business and daily life.

Laura Galante is the former Director of the U.S. government’s Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center. Tal Feldman i... more

Former NFL offensive lineman John Urschel fell in love with math before he fell in love with football. He pursued both fields with equal intensity. How he has succeeded in both (his mother played an important role) is an inspiring story - and as good... more

Sebastian Junger and I discuss his search for purpose as a young man; his 1997 best-seller, The Perfect Storm, that put him on the map; his high risk years as a war reporter; the aneurism that nearly killed him; becoming a father late in life; and wh... more

Find part 1 of this conversation HERE

Spencer Glendon's work on climate change is driven by this question: How can we, together, "increase our chances that the future is good?"

Glendon is answering that question through his nonprofit organization P... more

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Recent Guests

Tal Feldman
AI researcher, co-author, and commentator on AI policy and safety
AI researcher and author
Episode: AI & Cybersecurity: From the Situation Room to the Living Room feat. Laura Galante & Tal Feldman
Robert Leaf
Legal mind focused on AI safety and governance
AI safety researcher
Episode: AI & Cybersecurity: From the Situation Room to the Living Room feat. Laura Galante & Tal Feldman
John Urschel
Former NFL lineman and mathematician
MIT (Assistant Professor)
Episode: John Urschel’s Unreasonable Goals: From the NFL to MIT
Sebastian Junger
Author and journalist
Author, Journalist
Episode: Sebastian Junger: Escape from the tyranny of self-interest
Spencer Glendon
Founder of Probable Futures, climate and futures researcher
Probable Futures
Episode: Spencer Glendon: Our Probable Futures - part 1
David Blight
Professor of history at Yale University, expert on Frederick Douglass
Yale University
Episode: America @ 250 feat. David Blight, Peter Baker, & Susan Glasser live in conversation at the Dreamland Theatre
Peter Baker
Chief White House Correspondent for The New York Times
The New York Times
Episode: America @ 250 feat. David Blight, Peter Baker, & Susan Glasser live in conversation at the Dreamland Theatre
Susan Glasser
Veteran staff writer, The New Yorker Magazine
The New Yorker
Episode: America @ 250 feat. David Blight, Peter Baker, & Susan Glasser live in conversation at the Dreamland Theatre
Evan Osnos
Journalist for The New Yorker; author of The Haves and Have Yachts
The New Yorker
Episode: Evan Osnos: The Haves & Have Yachts - live in conversation at the Dreamland Theatre

Host

Michael Schulder
Host of Wavemaker Conversations

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 37 ratings
  • Outstanding

    I was stuck in Atlanta traffic from the infamous bridge collapse. My head was about to burst. My 20-minute commute was taking two hours. I wondered: How am I going to last over the next couple months?

    I stumbled upon this wonderful podcast. Now, I look forward to the commute wondering what I might learn today. I bring a notepad, just in case I want to scribble down words of wisdom.

    The interviews are wonderful, wide-ranging, insightful and inspirational. Michael Schulder is masterful.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dmanpod
    United States9 years ago
  • Yalom

    What a Great interview! So many different insights in yaloms work and private life. Especially if you already read other interviews.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Jbolck
    Netherlands10 years ago
  • Hooked! Devouring Them All!

    I'm hooked! I lIstened to the Sanjay interview last night and found it interesting as it combined my interest in science, the brain and strategies to make myself an informed, educated parent. Michael is a gracious host and his questions pulled out enlightening and engaging responses from Sanjay. I was left wanting more!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cr7 goal7
    United States11 years ago
  • Wavemaker is THE podcast for the Renaissance man or woman!

    Every single topic Michael addresses answers all of MY unanswered questions!

    It’s like he has ESP, and knows what I want to know before I’ve even asked.

    Love it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GailRStarr
    United States11 years ago
  • Fresh and Intelligent

    Wavemaker has opened my ears to podcasting. It is not my new routine when each episode is available. The conversations are intelligent and i know the takeaway i get from it is huge. Looking forward to the next edition

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RugbyBob123
    United States11 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise intellectual depth and engaging guest lineups.
The show mixes culture, science, and history in a way that feels essential.
High production quality and insightful, wide-ranging conversations.
Thoughtful host with broad curiosity and deep guests.
Audience feedback highlights the host's preparation and thoughtful questioning.

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Dream Life Club
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Behind the Bastards
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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

AI & Cybersecurity: From the Situation Room to the Living Room feat. Laura Galante & Tal Feldman
Q: What are the main regulatory or governance gaps that could let AI misuse occur, and what can boards do today?
Legislation and tort concepts may help, but new policies are needed to incentivize safe development and auditing of AI, including external audits and governance structures. Boards should map where AI is deployed, require human controls, and implement regular reviews of automated decisions.
John Urschel’s Unreasonable Goals: From the NFL to MIT
Q: Why continue to play football given the CTE risks and your mathematical talents?
Urschel explains that his love for the game, driven by a deep passion for both football and math, outweighs the risks in his view, and he remains committed to pursuing excellence in both fields.
Sebastian Junger: Escape from the tyranny of self-interest
Q: Based on your Afghan experiences, how would you advise a president to project power and govern?
He argues that stabilizing and building a just, transparent government is essential, and warns against propping up corrupt systems; any intervention should include a genuine commitment to a fair society and accountable governance.
Sebastian Junger: Escape from the tyranny of self-interest
Q: Why is terror sometimes a motivator for extraordinary work, and how do you balance that with your life now as a father?
He suggests that extreme emotions can catalyze focus and purpose, but he also emphasizes adaptation and choosing paths that align with responsibility to loved ones, indicating a shift from battlefield risk to risk taken in service of family and community.
Sebastian Junger: Escape from the tyranny of self-interest
Q: Tell me about that. And have you found the real you?
Junger reflects that the real self evolves over time; the early drive for risk and exploration gives way to a more contemplative, family-centered identity, with fatherhood redefining his sense of purpose and what he considers meaningful.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Wavemaker Conversations

What is Wavemaker Conversations about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The conversations center on big ideas that shape society, economy, and culture, featuring historians, journalists, authors, policymakers, and researchers who bring historical context, cross-disciplinary thinking, and practical insights to timely topics. Episodes frequently explore democracy, power dynamics, science and technology, wellness, and climate risk, often tying historical lessons to current events and future implications. A standout pattern is its ability to pair deep expertise with accessible storytelling, making complex subjects feel relevant to a broad, educated audience. Noteworthy is the show's willingness to host influential thinkers across disciplines, from finance and diplomacy to literature and performance psychology, crea... more

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How many listeners does Wavemaker Conversations get?

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How many subscribers and views does Wavemaker Conversations have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Wavemaker Conversations 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 Wavemaker Conversations?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Wavemaker Conversations:

1. The Ezra Klein Show
2. The New Yorker Radio Hour
3. The Rest Is History
4. The News Agents
5. The Daily

How many episodes of Wavemaker Conversations are there?

Wavemaker Conversations launched 12 years ago and published 106 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 Wavemaker Conversations?

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 Wavemaker Conversations?

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What guests have appeared on Wavemaker Conversations?

Recent guests on Wavemaker Conversations include:

1. Tal Feldman
2. Robert Leaf
3. John Urschel
4. Sebastian Junger
5. Spencer Glendon
6. David Blight
7. Peter Baker
8. Susan Glasser

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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