Today, we look at how and why some ideas take off and others don’t – in other words, how and why things scale. I am delighted to bring to you my conversation with John List. John has been described as a ‘master economist’ and a ‘revolutionary experimenter’. He is certainly a pioneer in combining economic…
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Episodes

Ep. 177: John List – On How and Why Things Scale, the Power of “Quitting” and More
Today, we look at how and why some ideas take off and others don’t – in other words, how and why things scale. I am delighted to bring to you my conversation with John List. John has been described as a ‘master economist’ and a ‘revolutionary experimenter’. He is certainly a pioneer in combining economic…

Ep. 176: Susan Eisenhower – On Decision-Making, Russia-Ukraine, and How Ike Led
I’ve been wanting to have an episode in which we take a ‘big picture’ look at Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, there is so much analysis out there about the conflict that I wasn’t sure if I could bring on the right guest who could be highly credible and offer a unique perspective, preferably steeped…

Ep. 175: Robert Earl Stewart – The Running-Shaped Hole
What happens when your ability to make decisions gets clouded – and driven – by addiction? Why does ‘letting go’ make sense in these circumstances? What does it feel like when doing the right thing for your health seems somehow risky and frightening? And what in the world does running have to do with all…

Ep. 174: Paula Reid – On Adventure Psychology
Recent events – at the time of writing, Russia’s unlawful invasion of Ukraine – reinforce that uncertainty is an inherent human condition. Our guest on this episode offers an approach to this reality that is useful. Paula Reid is an adventurer, and more precisely, an adventure psychologist. She has completed a number of epic things…

Ep. 173: Minal Bopaiah – On Equity, Designing Organisations Where All Can Thrive
Today, we look at organisations and the people within them. I want you to meet our guest, Minal Bopaiah. Minal is the founder of Brevity and Wit, a strategy and design firm dedicated to designing a more equitable world. She is also the author of a great book Equity – How to Design Organisations Where…
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In-betweenisodes
Inbetweenisode 18: Open Plan Offices Suck – And What to do If You Have to Work in One
It’s no secret that open plan offices suck. This has been confirmed by a recent study from Harvard. Their only redeeming quality is that they’re cheap – great if the only thing that matters to the work that gets done in them is cost. For everything else, they’re terrible. One of the things open plan…
Inbetweenisode 17: Uncertainty, Overcoming Challenges and a 46 km Run
Some thoughts on uncertainty and that special moment when you know you will meet and overcome a tough challenge. That, and my upcoming 46 km run, The46in219. Show notes: My 46 km birthday run – https://the46in219.carrd.co/ David Goggins – https://davidgoggins.com/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _…
In-betweenisode 16: Decide Like a Human Being
We aren’t robots. Why make decisions like one? Some thoughts on what it means, and how, to make decisions “like a human being”. Show notes: Bruce Lee’s 1971 interview with Pierre Berton; Ruth Chang’s TED talk on how to make hard choices; The microbiome its links to neurobehaviours; Cardiovascular exercise and the brain; The benefits of…
Inbetweenisode 15: What Am I Reading?
We start this episode with an important announcement ? that this is an episode brought to you by Audible. Listeners in the UK and US can get a free 30 day trial to Audible and a free audio book: US listeners: get your free trial and audio book at Audible UK listeners: get your free trial and…
Inbetweenisode 14 – The Power of “Maybe”
In this short inbetweenisode, I discuss how to use the power of “maybe” to set meaningful objectives, and then what how to approach risks to those objectives. I bring a powerful analogy from the world of cycling into the mix. Show notes: Chris Boardman: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Boardman Chris Boardman 1994 Tour de France Prologue Time Trial:…