Big Questions with Cal Fussman

Big Questions celebrates its one-year anniversary with takeaways from guests over the last year. Kobe Bryant explains how excellence transfers across all pursuits. Seth Godin describes how to think beyond the societal patterns that can knock us off balance. Larry King gets at the importance of communicating your own story. Nely Galan shares how pain can be turned into profit. Spartan CEO Joe DeSena describes the start of his plan to make the world healthy. Navy Seal commander turned podcaster Jocko Willink offers wisdom on the value of knowing your limitations. Best-selling author Dan Pink reveals the benefits of taking a break while Ryan Holiday talks about the value of exercise in coming up with new ideas. Record-breaking long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad illustrates how to improve with age. Best-selling author Alex Banayan tells a story about the value of role models. Mick Ebeling prepares to stop the tremors caused by Parkinson's Disease. And Tim Ferriss steps in to celebrate the day Big Questions came about. The good times just keep on going, as Cal sends out Sportiqe hoodies to the winners of the Why Is Your Best Friend Your Best Friend? contest.

This episode speaks to anyone who meets an unexpected and unwanted twist of fate. When Dr. Guatam Gulati takes his family on a dream of a lifetime safari in Africa, he joins a group of Maasai warriors in a tribal dance and, after landing from a jump, finds himself in excruciating pain, and his left kneecap no longer where it used to be. It's now in his thigh. It's dark, the only light for miles comes from the stars above and a nearby campfire. The road to recovery is longer than anyone can imagine. It makes for a tremendous story, that showcases the power of friendship, resourcefulness and determination. And, in the end, reminds us all what is important in life.

The story of Alex's bestselling book, The Third Door, continues in this episode. The journey started seven years ago, when Alex was a college freshman, going through a mini life crisis when he realized he wasn't cut out to be a doctor and would be disappointing his family. Alex began to wonder about the meaning of success. What were the most successful people doing when they were his age? That question led him on a path to find out by meeting Bill Gates, Lady Gaga, Stephen Spielberg and many others. It also led him to meet Larry King and Cal when Alex discovered he needed to learn how to interview these people and write up the adventure. For five years, Cal mentored Alex through the project. Just before the book was released, Cal and Alex talked about the journey on Big Questions (episode 42). But even Cal was surprised to learn about all that Alex had to go through when the book was finally launched and became a bestseller. The sequel is an amazing story of resilience and triumph.

It's holiday season and the perfect time for a podcast about gifts. The story of an extraordinary gift – a very special piano – is a favorite of Cal's and will bring good cheer to all who listen. The story revolves around songwriter Jimmy McHugh, who was highly successful until the stock market crash in 1929 that set off The Great Depression. McHugh was forced to sell everything he owned to survive, and the loss of his piano left him unable to work because he could no longer write songs without one. He moved into a flat and was sleeping on a straw mattress, wondering how he was going to get through the calamity. And then, a gift came along that changed his life, and a lot of other lives. That gift – an upright piano – led McHugh to write an optimistic song that helped America get through The Depression. The song turned into an anthem. It's called: On the Sunny Side of the Street. It would come to be performed by Frank Sinatra, Louie Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Rod Stewart, and the lesson in the lyrics is just as relevant today, as told by McHugh's grandson, Lee Newman, and the musician Dave Damiani. Please pass this episode on, for everyone it touches will feel better and be a little bit luckier for it.

For 11 years, Jordan Harbinger was the voice of The Art of Charm podcast that got up to 3 million listens a month. Then, not long ago, Jordan and his partners split and Jordan was out on his own and having a hard time sleeping. This is the story of his comeback. The Jordan Harbinger Show is bigger than ever – receiving 4 million listens a month. Jordan explains to Cal what it takes to make a business comeback. This is also a cautionary tale for anyone who is about to enter a partnership, business marriage, marriage or even a band. Things often don't work out for reasons that just aren't apparent at the beginning – or because the parties avoid them once they're apparent. There is plenty of cautionary advice here. But ultimately, this episode is about the triumph of human connection.

Cal finds out how a man who worked on the FBI Crisis Negotiation Unit for 24 years incorporates what he learned on the job into day-to-day life. Cal's biggest take-away is that people who are good at asking questions have the essential elements to negotiate well. Many of the characteristics inherent in successful interviewing apply – especially mastery of tone of voice and observation of body language. Negotiation, Cal learns, is a perishable skill and must be honed every day. Voss, now the CEO of the negotiation training company Black Swan, shows Cal how a misplaced piece of luggage at the airport can be a great opportunity to practice. And how careful listening can get you where you want to go in life.

From sharing a couch for almost two months to challenging Will Smith to bungee jump out of a helicopter over the Grand Canyon, three young guys from different places around the world form bonds that create an ever-deepening friendship. Ammar Kandil, Thomas Brag and Matt Dajer go on adventures that define the group's name: Yes Theory. They say yes to tasks that make them uncomfortable, and the difficulties they encounter lead to authenticity – which intensifies their friendship. They film everything they encounter in their path and produce mini-documentaries for their Youtube Channel – attracting millions of viewers. As soon as the conversation starts, Cal instantly feels like a friend to these best of friends.

The star of the Netflix comedy series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt talks with Cal at Chicago Ideas Week about the art of being funny in an age when tastes are quickly shifting. Cal points out that the humor which made people laugh when he was a kid might not resonate with the current generation and in many cases would be seen as politically incorrect. With culture shifting generationally and our political divide, how does one find the sweet spot to strike a mass audience? Ellie does it naturally. Cal wonders if he can learn.

Former CEO of Home Depot, Frank Blake, discusses the power of questions and their role in lifting the fortunes of the company. He reflects on the evolution of questioning abilities and emphasizes the need for organizations to foster a culture of thoughtful questioning. The podcast also explores the power of connection, the impact of writing notes to honor people, and the use of questions in managing a board and handling a data breach.

The author of the New York Times best-seller When joins Cal at Chicago Big Ideas week and gives him advice on the best time of the day to eat, exercise and hold meetings. Not to mention the worst time of day to make important decisions. He also explains to Cal how people will be watching television and consuming podcasts at different times and in different ways, and why it's wise to think about serving up Big Questions in a new format. The takeaways in this episode may make you decide to live your life in a new way.