Big Questions with Cal Fussman

With 1,200 election victories that arc from the House of Representatives to the Presidency of The United States, Phillip Stutts has seen how elections are won by both parties. He says the formula is always the same, and he defines it in his book: The Undefeated Marketing System: How to Grow Your Business and Build Your Audience Using the Secret Formula That Elects Presidents. It's also, Phillip shows Cal, a way to get the most out of your health.

As we begin to see the light at the end of the COVID tunnel, Cal converses with the legendary singer/songwriter of American Pie and Vincent about the blessings of freedom and connectivity. Along the way, as they talk about music, Don tells Cal about the feeling that goes through him when a great song gets off the ground. "Most music you hear lays there. It's nothing. You don't want to hear it again. It's a nice try, but it's a strikeout. Then there's stuff that lives." Leaving Cal wondering about what it's going to take to get out a message about reshaping healthcare that will have the same impact as a song everyone loves to sing 50 years after its creation.

Ever since Cal began to look into healthcare, people have been e-mailing him and asking him to compare the system in the U.S. to that of other countries around the world. Cal talks with Israeli actress and producer Noa Tishby to get a comparison. Tishby is the author of the just released book, Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country On Earth. This conversation explains why Pfizer and Moderna used Israel as a testing ground for their COVID vaccines, and looks at characteristics in the Israeli system that we might find desirable.

Cal wonders if there are patterns from the aftermath of 9/11 and The Great Recession that could help us move forward from COVID. There are few people who were more deeply involved in those crises as GE's CEO at the time — Jeff Immelt. Jeff took the reins of GE only a few days before 9/11, was at the center of the struggle through The Great Recession, and now, after his departure from the company, he gives us a look at what may happen to healthcare going forward. But most of all, this conversation gives us all insights on how to think in times of crisis.

When Cal reads how Samit transformed an immigrant who'd been on welfare into a business owner bringing in more than a million dollars a year, he becomes curious what Samit could do for him as he tries to reshape health care. Samit does not disappoint. He advises Cal to become Andrew Carnegie. Check out what the twelve truths that make up Samit's book, Future Proofing You, can do for your life.

Cal is inspired by the hero's journey of an 8-year-old boy who had 75 percent of his body burned by fire. Though the circumstances are horrible, his power of connection and positivity has taken Marius to an amazing place. Marius has had more than 40 surgeries through Shriner's Hospitals for Children. The fingers that he lost in the blaze have been replaced by his toes. His nose has been recreated. Now a man, Marius has inspired millions with a story that reminds us to keep moving forward with a smile no matter the obstacle.

The author of biographies on Leonardo Da Vinci, Albert Einstein and Steve Jobs talks to Cal about his latest work: Code Breaker, Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing and The Future of the Human Race. It's a conversation about a topic that will alter the world, and it gives Cal the power to move forward on his quest to reshape health care.

Cal catches up with his old pal and podcast host James Altucher to talk about the release of James' new book, which questions the concept that you need 10,000 hours to achieve mastery. Cal could use the advice, as he needs to learn as much about health care as quickly as possible in order to try to reshape it. The conversation ultimately turns into two pals catching up after a crazy year, and you'll feel like you were sitting at the breakfast table alongside them.

Cal catches up with his old pal and podcast host James Altucher to talk about the release of James' new book, which questions the concept that you need 10,000 hours to achieve mastery. Cal could use the advice, as he needs to learn as much about health care as quickly as possible in order to try to reshape it. The conversation ultimately turns into two pals catching up after a crazy year, and you'll feel like you were sitting at the breakfast table alongside them.

Cal talks with the entrepreneur who never felt comfortable around the phrase: "The sky's the limit." Instead, Naveen founded Moon Express. And Viome, a company that detects from your gut what you need to eat to be at your healthiest. Nobody appreciates curiosity more than Cal, but he's never gotten the most out of his as an entrepreneur. It's time. And you can, too. Just listen.