
Mark Medley
Journalist and author of Live to See the Day, who reports on and profiles people pursuing long-term or seemingly impossible goals, exploring motivation and meaning.
Top 5 podcasts with Mark Medley
Ranked by the Snipd community

27 snips
Feb 12, 2026 • 50min
How to Find True Love & Why Some People Pursue Impossible Goals
Mark Medley, journalist and author who profiles people chasing unlikely, long-term goals. Paul Eastwick, UC Davis psychology professor studying attraction and long-term relationships. They discuss what really predicts lasting attraction, why apps and first impressions mislead, how vulnerability and social networks build closeness, and why some people devote lives to goals they know may never be achieved.

11 snips
Jan 8, 2026 • 24min
The people pursuing impossible goals
Mark Medley, Deputy Editor of The Globe and Mail's Opinion section and author of 'Live to See the Day', explores the intriguing world of impossible goals. He discusses the motivations behind pursuing pursuits that may never be achieved, like finding lost species and planetary defense initiatives. Medley emphasizes traits such as patience and resilience, and delves into fascinating profiles, including that of Les Knight and the Voluntary Human Extinction Movement. Ultimately, he reflects on how these ambitions can extend our concern for future generations.

9 snips
Jan 23, 2026 • 16min
New books argue that far-off goals and humor can help shift daily routines
Mark Medley, a journalist and author of "Live to See the Day," explores the journeys of people pursuing unlikely goals, like a no-hope political candidate and an amateur searching for a missing duck. He reflects on the thin line between aspiration and delusion, emphasizing how failure can teach valuable lessons. Comedian Chris Duffy, author of "Humor Me," discusses how humor can be taught and its vital role in breaking routine. He shares anecdotes about finding joy in unexpected moments and highlights humor's profound social and health benefits.

Mar 13, 2026 • 20min
What drives people to pursue impossible goals
Mark Medley, Globe and Mail journalist and author of Live to See the Day, profiles people devoted to long-shot quests. He explores why people commit to cathedral-scale projects and what sustains them. Topics include space searches like SETI, the Future Library, patience and joy in long pursuits, and the humility of caretakers passing work to future generations.

Jan 13, 2026 • 20min
What drives people to pursue impossible goals
Mark Medley, a journalist at the Globe and Mail and author of 'Live to See the Day,' dives into the fascinating world of those who chase impossible goals. He explores why individuals, like perennial candidate Liz White, are drawn to relentless pursuits. Unpacking the 'cathedral analogy,' he discusses how some lay foundations for future generations without seeing the results. Medley shares stories from SETI and highlights the joy of embracing uncertainty, linking optimism to hope for the future and long-term thinking that inspires stewardship for all.


