Cal Fussman

"I always knew from that point on that a good question could get you to the most powerful person on earth." - Cal Fussman

Cal has lived an exciting and passionate life in which questions have played a key role. His experiences place him at the top of the list of the most interesting of people. He has either been there and done that himself, or hung out with those who have.

Cal grew up in Long Island, New York, and attended college in Missouri. He went from writing sports articles and having drinks with the likes of Hunter S. Thompson, to worldwide wanderer for ten years, to writing for Esquire magazine and interviewing Muhammad Ali, Mikhail Gorbachev, Serena Williams, Jeff Bezos, Richard Branson, and other icons of the last 75 years, to a decade of eating daily breakfast with communications master, Larry King, to hosting the Big Questions Podcast and speaking about how to harness the power of questions.  

Cal shares anecdotes from his experiences, such as the impact of writing to President Lyndon B. Johnson at seven, his path through journalism school, and his unique interviewing style that emphasizes curiosity and connection. From interviewing world leaders and celebrities to teaching corporate workshops on communication, Cal explains how thoughtful questioning can build trust, foster belonging, and elicit profound insights. He also reflects on his travels and the importance of understanding core human stories. The conversation underscores the transformative power of questions in shaping lives and careers.

This Curated Questions episode can be found on all major platforms and at CuratedQuestions.com.

Keep questioning!

Episode Notes

[02:28] The Inaugural Question: A Childhood Curiosity

[09:05] From Childhood to Journalism: The Evolution of a Questioner

[13:25] Breaking into Sports Journalism: A Pivotal Moment in Nebraska

[23:37] The Art of Asking: Crafting Questions with Impact

[28:28] Creating Comfort in Conversations

[29:40] The Evolution of Questions

[31:12] Traveling the World with No Money

[35:52] Interviewing World Leaders and Celebrities

[37:26] Connecting in the Age of Remote Work

[39:45] The Power of Vulnerability in Storytelling

[44:58] Different Interview Styles

[51:11] The Power of Personal Stories

[56:00] Conclusion and Contact Information

 

Resources Mentioned

Cal Fussman

Hunter S. Thompson

Muhammad Ali

Mikhail Gorbachev

Serena Williams

Jeff Bezos

Richard Branson

Big Questions Podcast

Tim Ferriss

John F. Kennedy

Lyndon B. Johnson

University of Missouri

University of Nebraska

Tom Osborne

New York Yankees

George Steinbrenner

Miami Herald

St. Louis Post Dispatch

Johnny Depp

Inside Sports

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