Big Questions with Cal Fussman

Discover how meditation and awareness can improve performance and increase self-awareness. Learn about focusing on breath, connecting with the body, and the benefits of sitting meditation and cold plunges. Connect with the speaker and hear their appreciation for a previous interview with Kobe. Get insights on expressing gratitude and promoting the Thrivex cold immersion system for improved focus, mood, recovery, stress relief, and mental toughness.

Goose McGrath shares his incredible life journey from adversity to success, including a broken spine, addiction struggles, travel adventures, and finding love. The chapter emphasizes creating a life worth living and inspiring others, while also discussing starting a passion for organizing festivals, the power of friendship and trust, making an impact in Ethiopia, experiencing extreme hardships to gain perspective, and the transformative journey in real estate investing.

Alicia Tillman, Chief Marketing Officer of Delta, shares how she became one of the most influential CMOs. Topics include the importance of cross-department collaboration, unifying a company through marketing, career progression and transforming big companies, and unlocking specialness and gratitude.

Cal gets some takeaways from the author of Four Billionaires and Parking Attendant. The book has been reviewed as, "a blueprint for building a career and a life." Chris has worked in the communications department at the White House, run the public affairs office at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and worked with billionaires as Director of Global Communications at the Carlyle Group. The 80-20 rule can change your life – and there's a lot more!

The podcast discusses how the pandemic has changed Thanksgiving gatherings and explores the evolving dynamics of the holiday. The speakers reflect on filling empty seats at the table, creating new traditions, and honoring lost loved ones. They also discuss the universal nature of the nickname 'pops' and delve into the significance of Thanksgiving, appreciating moments with loved ones. The chapter concludes with a Thanksgiving message expressing gratitude and introducing Unwritten, a service to record life stories.

How do you know if your good idea is a good idea? What's the secret sauce behind turning a good idea into an innovative company? Why are roughly only 10 percent of startups successful? Furst, a beloved Professor and director of the Center for Deliberate Innovation at George Tech, has answers that we can all apply to the way we think about innovation. He's founded companies and his book, The Heart of Innovation, was recently published. Cal set up a creative way to look at the topic, bringing in his pal, Adam McGraw, to join the conversation. McGraw recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of his startup – CREW -- which uses authentic connections to enable CEOs and senior executives to get the most out of themselves. Cal has seen CREW in action and come away Impressed. He wants to know what Furst thinks. Check it out . . . and apply the takeaways to your own life.

Psychologist for Super Bowl and Olympic champions, Michael Gervais, shares advice on visualizing success, self-awareness, and achieving goals. He discusses the impact of social media on mental state, the negative effects of fear of other people's opinions (FOPO), and the significance of genuine connections in treating depression. The podcast also includes the inspiring story of Chungju Young, who started a successful shipbuilding company and emphasizes the importance of purpose and relationships for a happy life.

Company leaders during the pandemic lacked support, but Crew aims to change that. Father and son team, Adam and Andy McGraw started Crew to bring executives together. The podcast highlights the benefits of connecting with different generations and explores topics like authenticity, community building, success, purpose in work, and the importance of sales and communication.

When Cal finds himself dwelling on the past in a world filled with conflicts, he gets an unexpected phone call and advice from his friend, Dr. Shlain: Reduce the past to its essence, keep your feet in the present moment and put your mind 90 percent in the future – all at the same time. No need for psychedelics, here. It's as simple as: If you can see far, you can think far. This mind-bending tactic is designed to allow anybody to move forward and get the clearest thinking of their lives. Give it a try!

The Hamas attack on Israel was like nothing anyone in that country had ever seen and it took the world to a new and very tense place. Cal was set to talk with the comedian Paul Ollinger as news of the barbarity of the attack broke, and their conversation veered toward the few days in history that are never forgotten -- and the unexpected ways they can impact us going forward.