Big Questions with Cal Fussman

Last year, the editor in chief of Entrepreneur Magazine released a book that is an action plan for embracing change and future proofing your career. This book takes on exponential meaning with the emergence of artificial intelligence. Jason, one of the world's great optimists, allays fears that the public has about A.I. by pointing out panicked reactions to great innovations in the past that we now embrace. Cal wonders if we are taking baby steps toward the end of humanity. Enjoy!

When Cal first met the comedian, he was starting out as Irish Dave. Now, the author of Do You Talk Funny? is packing comedy clubs under his legal name, David Nihill, and identifying with Mexicans. It's a long story that will make you laugh. The bottom line is: Everybody would love to be funnier. On this episode, Dave will show you how.

Cal catches up with the Stanford lecturer who's spent a lifetime showing people how to think faster and speak better in public. It all started when Matt embarrassed himself by ripping his pants doing a karate speech in high school. He has since developed decades of tips to help you whether you're making a business presentation or giving a wedding toast. Listen up. This episode is a burst of confidence.

When Cal found out that Amy had read 30,000 personal stories written by people about finding happiness, he figured she would have detected some patterns. She sure has. The publisher and editor-in-chief of Chicken Soup for the Soul gives Cal 10 tips that will make your day happier. Guaranteed to make you smile!

More than 6,000 Americans and friends of America have been rescued in dangerous spots in Afghanistan, Ukraine and Sudan over the last two years by Bryan and Project Dynamo – a non-profit organization funded by private donations. Bryan has gotten Americans out of jails and some terrible spots in ways that would normally appear in spy thrillers. In this episode, we hear the story of twin American babies born to a surrogate Ukrainian mother in Russia. The babies were either separated from the Ukranian surrogate mom or abandoned without any record of their American origins, and placed in a Russian orphanage. When you hear how Bryan got them back to their American parents, you'll have an even deeper appreciation for Fourth of July.

Michael has sold more than a million copies of his book: The Coaching Habit. And now he's releasing one called: How To Work With (Almost) Anyone. Both topics come up in Cal's freewheeling conversation with the Rhodes Scholar which reminds Cal of the back-and-forth at Larry King's breakfast table.

We all have childhood dreams. Many of them elude us as we age and take more practical roads in life. This episode focuses on Mario Garcia's decision in his early fifties to go all in on his childhood dream: making a movie. It's called: The Throwback, and stars Will Sasso from Curb Your Enthusiasm. Mario wrote the script, fundraised, directed the film, and produced it. It got a standing ovation when it was shown in Ybor City after Mario's conversation with Cal. Listen to how Mario did it, and see what YOU might be capable of achieving if you decide to go all in.

That's a nice and soft way to title an episode with the author who wrote the book STFU. That's short for: Shut The F--- Up. The Power Of Keeping Your Mouth Shut In An Endlessly Noisy World. Dan gives tips on how to listen more and get the most out of conversations. He explains that people who have the most meaningful conversations tend to be happier. And if you know someone who can't stop talking, pass this podcast along . . . in the nicest way, of course!

This podcast has implications for all who work. It's important to know how "workquakes"​ ​are coming into our lives more and more frequently, pushing us to change jobs and even​ ​head for new professions. Feiler, author of the book: The Search, Meaningful Work In A Post-Career World, tells us how we can expect a "workquake" every two and a half years, and what this is doing to the very definition of the words work, meaning and, as a​ ​consequence, loyalty. This podcast will change the way you see the world around you.

After being advised to immerse himself in artificial intelligence, Cal asks ChatGPT for help in finding just the right gift for his upcoming wedding anniversary. This episode is a comical gift for everybody, as it demonstrates how AI can be used in nearly every facet of life. Enjoy it!