Guy Kawasaki's Remarkable People

Can cynicism actually be killing us? Stanford psychology professor Dr. Jamil Zaki reveals the shocking truth about how our negative assumptions about humanity are destroying our health, relationships, and success. In this eye-opening conversation, Jamil explains the crucial difference between cynicism and skepticism, showing how "hopeful skepticism" can transform your life. From his groundbreaking research on empathy as a ...

What drives us to seek revenge, and why does it feel so satisfying yet leave us worse off? Guy Kawasaki sits down with James Kimmel Jr., a lawyer turned behavioral science researcher who presents a radical reinterpretation of revenge in our society. Kimmel argues that much of what we call justice-seeking is actually a dopamine-driven revenge cycle that perpetuates violence and suffering rather than solving problems.

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What if the secret to better relationships isn't fixing problems but simply making people feel understood? Clinical psychologist Caroline Fleck reveals why validation—not agreement—transforms how we connect with others. In her groundbreaking book Validation, Caroline shares the science behind why feeling seen matters more than being right. Discover the eight-step validation ladder, learn why accepting emotions leads to rea...

What if the secret to high-performing teams isn't hiring the smartest people, but creating the right environment? Vanessa Druskat, organizational psychologist and associate professor at the University of New Hampshire, reveals how emotionally intelligent teams outperform their competition through trust, collaboration, and psychological safety.

Vanessa's research identifies nine specific norms that separate top-performing te...

Four years out of law school, and she's taking on the entire U.S. Department of Justice? Meet Cindy Cohn, the attorney who turned a Haight-Ashbury party connection into one of the most pivotal legal victories in internet history. As Executive Director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation—the world's leading digital rights organization—Cindy commands a team of 125 lawyers, technologists, and activists fighting the surveill...

What if the ancient practice of drilling holes in skulls was actually an early attempt at emotion regulation? In this fascinating episode, Guy Kawasaki sits down with psychologist and neuroscientist Ethan Kross to explore how we can master our inner voice and harness our emotions as powerful tools.

Ethan directs the Emotion and Self-Control Laboratory at the University of Michigan and is the author of two groundbreaking boo...

Ever wonder why you choose an orange over an apple, or why your grandmother's feedback hits differently than a stranger's opinion? Meet Emily Falk, pioneering neuroscientist and author of What We Value, who reveals how we can transform our relationship with daily decisions by thinking like scientists about our own minds. Emily breaks down three brain systems that drive every choice we make: our value system (the final deci...

What happens when two friends decide to learn about successful acquisitions and accidentally create one of the world's most popular business podcasts? Meet Ben Gilbert, co-founder and co-host of Acquired, the show that transforms company histories into captivating 4-hour audio experiences.

With millions of listeners worldwide, Acquired has become the Harvard Business School case study of the podcasting world. In this episod...

Can menstruation and menopause policies reshape democracy? Find out in this electrifying conversation with Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, the powerhouse behind the "menstrual equity" movement and Executive Director of the Burnbaum Women's Leadership Center at NYU Law. She reveals how periods became political, why women's bodily autonomy connects directly to democratic participation, and what's next in the fight for gender equity. In...

Ever wondered how small psychological shifts can create massive life changes? Stanford psychology professor Greg Walton reveals the science behind "wise interventions" - evidence-based strategies that tackle psychological barriers and transform educational outcomes. Through fascinating research and compelling stories, Walton explains how feeling like you don't belong, approaching challenges with fixed thinking, and other p...

Could your questions be holding you back? Drawing from decades of experience as an educational innovator and organizational leader, Jeff Wetzler, author of Ask, reveals why most of us ask poor questions and how mastering the art of inquiry can dramatically improve our decision-making, relationships, and leadership. He shares his proven five-step ASK approach—Choose Curiosity, Make it Safe, Pose Quality Questions, Listen to...

Can AI and spirituality coexist? Deepak Chopra, world-renowned pioneer in integrative medicine and personal transformation, challenges our perceptions by embracing artificial intelligence as a spiritual tool. In this mind-expanding conversation, Chopra reveals why he believes AI represents "the most powerful technology for expanding awareness in every area" and how it's revolutionizing our path to enlightenment. Discover h...

Is the tech industry rotting from the inside out? Ed Zitron thinks so. As a PR expert, media critic, and outspoken tech industry commentator, Zitron pulls no punches discussing what he calls the "ROT economy" - where growth at all costs has replaced innovation and customer value. In this brutally honest conversation with Guy Kawasaki, Zitron dissects OpenAI's unsustainable business model, critiques tech billionaires' empty...

Is there such a thing as a sustainable competitive advantage anymore? Step into the strategic mind of Rita McGrath, one of the foremost thinkers in innovation and strategy. In this eye-opening conversation, the Columbia Business School professor challenges conventional thinking about market disruption, inflection points, and how organizations can stay agile in rapidly changing environments. From dissecting the true story b...

Can design shape not just how things look, but how we see the world? Debbie Millman, host of the legendary "Design Matters" podcast and chair of the Masters in Branding program at the School of Visual Arts, answers this question and more in this captivating conversation. From her childhood drawings predicting her future career to her insights on what makes brands truly connect with audiences, Millman shares wisdom cultivat...

Can we truly understand what drives desperate families to risk everything at the border? Rachel Rutter, Executive Director of Project Libertad and CNN Hero, delivers a powerful reality check about America's immigration system. Her organization provides legal representation and wraparound services to unaccompanied immigrant children navigating a complex and often hostile immigration system. Rachel dispels common immigration...

Can a volleyball coach's mindset transform your leadership approach? In this captivating episode of Remarkable People, Guy Kawasaki talks with legendary volleyball coach John Cook, who led Nebraska to four national championships and more Division I wins than any other coach this century. Cook shares his coaching philosophy centered on "coaching with love" rather than anger, and reveals how social media has dramatically cha...

Can dance transform how girls engage with STEM? Yamilée Toussaint, founder of STEM From Dance and 2024 CNN Hero, is breaking barriers by fusing creative movement with technical learning to empower young girls of color. Her innovative approach has reached over 4,000 girls nationwide, helping them build confidence in math and science through dance. In this inspiring conversation, Yamilée shares her journey from teaching high...

Can a secretary to a billionaire become his business partner and go on to lead communications for Google and Netflix in the Middle East? Maha Abouelenein proves that with self-reliance and value creation, extraordinary paths unfold. Born in Minnesota but building her career across Egypt and Dubai, Maha shares her journey from small-town America to international communications maven. Her book Influence reveals seven powerfu...