THE NON-OBVIOUS SHOW
Rohit Bhargava interviews groundbreaking authors, researchers and thinkers about the non-obvious ideas most people miss. Every episode is a conversation built around one guest and one big idea worth spreading. New episodes every Thursday.

THE COMPLETE ARCHIVE
82 episodes across 6 seasons - browse them all below, newest first.
EPISODE 83
How To Be A Better Bosswith Sabina Nawaz
In this episode, Sabina Nawaz shares insights from her extensive leadership experience, focusing on how pressure, power, and self-awareness influence...
Full Episode →EPISODE 82
How To Overcome the Daily Norms Holding You Backwith Nilofer Merchant
Nilofer Merchant discusses the hidden norms shaping our work environment, how to challenge them, and reframe our approach to work for greater fulfillment...
Full Episode →EPISODE 81
The Curious Optimism of People Who Choose Impossible Questswith Mark Medley
Explore the fascinating world of individuals pursuing seemingly impossible goals, the long-term mindset, and the hope and resilience that drive human...
Full Episode →EPISODE 80
Having Wild Courage To Get What You Wantwith Jenny Wood
Explore the unconventional traits of wild courage with Jenny Wood, a NYT best-selling author and founder of Google's Own Your Career program.
Full Episode →EPISODE 79
Why We Talk To Cats and Make Everything "Humanish"with Justin Gregg
Explore the fascinating world of anthropomorphism, its impact on human behavior, AI, marketing, and the future of human-like technology with dolphin...
Full Episode →EPISODE 78
Why Belief Is the Biggest Reason For Success or Failurewith Nir Eyal
Explore the fascinating insights into human perception, beliefs, and the power of persistence with Nir Eyal, author of Beyond Belief.
Full Episode →EPISODE 77
How To Manage Your Boss To Win At Workwith Melody Wilding
Melody Wilding, a human behavior expert and author, shares insights on managing up, understanding human psychology in the workplace, and navigating...
Full Episode →EPISODE 76
The Hidden Secrets of How Stuff Gets Madewith Tim Minshall
Explore the fascinating world of manufacturing with Tim Minchel, author of 'How Things Are Made'.
Full Episode →EPISODE 75
How Under Armour Is Rediscovering Their Identitywith Kevin Plank
Kevin Plank, founder of Under Armour, shares his journey from humble beginnings to building a global sports apparel brand.
Full Episode →EPISODE 74
Why Your Ambition Is Working Against Youwith Amina AlTai
In this conversation, Amina AlTai discusses her book 'The Ambition Trap,' exploring the duality of ambition as both a natural drive and a potential source...
Full Episode →EPISODE 73
The Difference Between Mentors and Sponsorswith Dr. Rosalind Chow
In this episode, Dr. Rosalind Chow discusses the crucial differences between mentorship and sponsorship, how trust and power dynamics influence...
Full Episode →EPISODE 72
Don't Be Yourself: Why Authenticity Is Overratedwith Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic
In this episode, Tomas challenges conventional wisdom around authenticity, self-belief, and leadership, offering nuanced perspectives on what it really...
Full Episode →EPISODE 71
How To Avoid the Strategy Trap In Businesswith Kevin Ertell
In this episode, we explore the nuanced relationship between strategy and execution in business, through the lens of Kevin Ertell, a seasoned executive...
Full Episode →EPISODE 70
Selling Your Mother: The Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Storywith Monica Nassif
Monica Nassif's journey with Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day reveals the power of authenticity in branding.
Full Episode →EPISODE 69
Telling the Stories of Custodians Saving Dying Traditionswith Eliot Stein
In a fast-paced world where technology often overshadows cultural heritage, the essence of our shared humanity is at risk of fading away.
Full Episode →EPISODE 68
Why You Should Let People Yell At Your Kidswith Marina Lopes
Marina Lopes, a Brazilian American journalist, shares insights from her global research on parenting practices.
Full Episode →EPISODE 67
Surviving Bad Bosses Without Becoming One Yourselfwith Mita Mallick
In this episode, Mita Mallick, a workplace culture expert and bestselling author, shares insights on how to navigate and prevent bad boss behaviors, and...
Full Episode →EPISODE 66
Talking Nice: How to Be More Trusted at Workwith Minda Harts
In this engaging conversation, Minda Harts shares her journey as an author and workplace trust expert, discussing the importance of being heard...
Full Episode →EPISODE 65
Inside the Magical Subculture of Disney Adultswith AJ Wolfe
In this conversation, AJ Wolfe, author of 'Disney Adults', explores the unique subculture of Disney adults, discussing their motivations, the complexities...
Full Episode →EPISODE 64
How To Think Like a Futuristwith Henry Coutinho-Mason
In this episode, Rohit and Henry Coutinho Mason explore the mindset of a futurist, discussing the importance of understanding human behavior, the role of...
Full Episode →EPISODE 63
Sikh Wisdom and the Art of Understanding Peoplewith Simran Jeet Singh
In this conversation, Simran Jeet Singh discusses the importance of diverse storytelling, the challenges of navigating faith in public spaces, and the...
Full Episode →EPISODE 62
The Unlikely Rise of the Coach Brand and "Accessible Luxury"with Lew Frankfort
In this episode, Lew Frankfort, former CEO of Coach, shares his journey of transforming Coach into a $5 billion brand.
Full Episode →EPISODE 61
Why The Secret To Success Is To Stop Competing:with Ruchika T. Malhotra
In this episode Ruchika T. Malhotra, an expert on inclusive leadership, sits down with Rohit to discuss her new book "Uncompete: Rejecting Competition to...
Full Episode →EPISODE 60
Will Superhuman Intelligence Be Good or Bad for Humanity?with Nick Bostrom
In this conversation, Rohit and Nick delve into the complexities of AI, existential risks, and the duality of optimism and pessimism surrounding...
Full Episode →EPISODE 59
How To Have More Courage and Be More Boldwith Ranjay Gulati
This week's conversation explores the concept of courage, emphasizing that it exists within a context and is influenced by support systems.
Full Episode →EPISODE 58
The Future of Storytelling (For Creators)with Charlie Melcher
This week's conversation explores the significant transformation in storytelling, highlighting a shift from traditional, passive media consumption to...
Full Episode →EPISODE 57
The Future of Exploration [LIVE] - What Will Human Discovery Look Like In the Next Decade?with Layne Beachley and Dawn McIntosh
This conversation delves into the future of exploration, focusing on the ocean and space, and the importance of self-discovery and equity in these fields.
Full Episode →EPISODE 56
Why the World Still Needs Human Expertswith Dorie Clark
In this conversation, Dorie Clark discusses the significance of human expertise in an era dominated by AI.
Full Episode →EPISODE 55
How Anyone Can Be Funnierwith Anne Libera
In this engaging conversation, Anne Libera, a comedy expert and director of Comedy Studies at The Second City, shares her insights on the art of comedy.
Full Episode →EPISODE 54
Why Successful Entrepreneurs Need To Give Firstwith Brad Feld
In this episode of The Non-Obvious Show, the conversation explores the themes of transactional versus non-transactional relationships, the philosophy of...
Full Episode →EPISODE 53
Finding Your Calling In Work and Lifewith Christopher Wong Michealson and Jennifer Tosti-Kharas
In this episode, the conversation explores the concept of meaningful work, its definitions, and the impact of technology on the workplace.
Full Episode →EPISODE 52
Where Humans Will Live In The Futurewith Parag Khanna
In this conversation, geopolitical expert Parag Khanna discusses the importance of physical mobility for economic and social advancement, the dynamics of...
Full Episode →EPISODE 51
Why Every Business Needs A Good Strategic Enemywith Laura Ries
In this episode, Laura Ries discusses the importance of differentiation in marketing, emphasizing the need for businesses to identify a strategic enemy in...
Full Episode →EPISODE 50
Negotiating While Black (Or While Underestimated)with Damali Peterman
In this conversation, Damali Peterman discusses the nuances of negotiation, particularly from the perspective of being underestimated due to race or...
Full Episode →EPISODE 49
How To Laugh at Tragedy Without Becoming A Victimwith Tom Nash
In this engaging conversation at Sydney SXSW, Tom Nash shares his unique perspective on overcoming adversity, the importance of humor in coping with...
Full Episode →EPISODE 48
The Future of Boredom [LIVE] - What Happens When It Is Harder To Do Nothing?with Dr. Joanne Orlando and Dan Ilic
In this episode, the conversation explores the often-overlooked value of boredom in our hyper-connected world.
Full Episode →EPISODE 47
How Men Find Community and Build Empathywith Michael Tennant
In this episode of The Non-Obvious Show, host Rohit Bhargava engages with Michael Tennant, an empathy expert and founder of Curiosity Lab, discussing the...
Full Episode →EPISODE 46
Insider Secrets On How We Shop and What We Eatwith Paco Underhill
In this episode, Paco Underhill, a pioneer in consumer behavior and retail anthropology, shares insights from his extensive research on how consumers shop...
Full Episode →EPISODE 45
How To Be Defiant When It Matters Mostwith Dr. Sunita Sah
In this episode of The Non-Obvious Show, Dr. Sunita Shah discusses the concept of defiance, challenging the negative perceptions surrounding it.
Full Episode →EPISODE 44
The Infuriating Upside of Trash Talkwith Rafi Kohan
In this episode of the Non-Obvious Show, host Rohit Bhargava engages with Rafi Kohan, author of 'Trash Talk', to explore the cultural and psychological...
Full Episode →EPISODE 43
Using Bizarre Lifestyle Experiments To Save Democracywith A.J. Jacobs
In this engaging conversation, AJ Jacobs, known for his unique lifestyle experiments, discusses his latest book, 'The Year of Living Constitutionally.' He...
Full Episode →EPISODE 42
How To Be A Super Communicatorwith Charles Duhigg
In this conversation, Charles Duhigg discusses his book 'Supercommunicators' and explores the essential skills that make someone an effective communicator.
Full Episode →EPISODE 41
How Work Workswith Michelle P. King
Does your job meet your needs and if not, what changes can you make to ensure it's a more fulfilling aspect of your life?
Full Episode →EPISODE 40
How Status Really Works And How It Doesn'twith Chuck Thompson
What does status mean today? Executive producer, editor, and author Chuck Thompson explores this question and the evolution of status in his book The...
Full Episode →EPISODE 39
What You Don't Know About Disabilitywith Ashley Shew
Is the future disabled? Ashley Shew, an associate professor of Science, Technology, and Society at Virginia Tech explores this question and writes for...
Full Episode →EPISODE 38
The Disturbing Truth About Fate Vs Flukeswith Brian Klaas
Does everything happen for a reason or is it all just flukes?
Full Episode →EPISODE 37
How to Transform the Way You See Timewith Richard Fisher
What will it take to transform the way the world views time?
Full Episode →EPISODE 36
How To Spot A Fraud or Scamwith Kelly Richmond Pope
Would you know fraud when you see it or are you committing some fraud yourself?
Full Episode →EPISODE 35
How "Workarounds" Can Solve Big Problemswith Paulo Savaget
Could a workaround solve your problem? Paulo Savaget is an award-winning researcher and professor of engineering entrepreneurship who went on a three year...
Full Episode →EPISODE 34
Why Social Media Makes Us Angrywith Tobias Rose-Stockwell
Do you know how social media really works? Tobias Rose-Stockwell's research on how tech amplifies discontent and disrupts democracy has inspired leading...
Full Episode →EPISODE 33
How To Work With (Almost) Anyonewith Michael Bungay Stanier
How To Work With (Almost) Anyone: featuring Michael Bungay Stanier, the award-winning author of The Coaching Habits, as well as teacher and speaker who...
Full Episode →EPISODE 32
Why Most Projects Fail and How To Fix Themwith Bent Flyvbjerg & Dan Gardner
Why do most projects fail? Bent Flyvberg and Dan Gardner explore this question and the pattern of failed megaprojects in their book How Big Things Get...
Full Episode →EPISODE 31
Everything You Never Knew About Pocketswith Hannah Carlson
How often do you think about your pockets? Hannah Carlson, an author and lecturer in dress history and material culture at the Rhode Island School of...
Full Episode →EPISODE 30
How To Write Your Own Obituarywith James R. Hagerty
How will you tell your life story and are you thinking about it right now?
Full Episode →EPISODE 29
Why Afrofuturism Matterswith Dr. Kevin Strait
What is afrofuturism and how can we develop a powerful view of the future for African Americans through a cultural lens? Dr.
Full Episode →EPISODE 28
How Culture Influences Our Behaviorwith Dr. Marcus Collins
How do we bring more culture into the work that we do? Marcus Collins, an award-winning marketer, cultural translator, professor, and author, explores...
Full Episode →EPISODE 26
Being More Coachable and Accepting Good Advicewith Jacquelyn Lane and Scott Osman
How do you become coachable in order to transform your life and career?
Full Episode →EPISODE 25
Dealing with Difficult Peoplewith Amy Gallo
How do you deal with difficult people to create better harmony at work?
Full Episode →EPISODE 24
How To Be More Persuasivewith Zoe Chance
Zoe Chance teaches the most popular course at the Yale School of Management, called "Mastering Influence and Persuasion," yet she describes herself as...
Full Episode →EPISODE 23
Why Employees Leave and Why They Staywith Joey Coleman
World leading expert on employee and customer experience, Joey Coleman is the Chief Experience Composer at Design Symphony - a customer experience...
Full Episode →EPISODE 22
How To Be A "Good-ish" Personwith Dolly Chugh
What does it take to unlearn history in order to build a more just future for everyone?
Full Episode →EPISODE 21
Understanding Data Even If You Hate Numberswith Neil Hoyne
How do we demystify data and measurement? Neil Hoyne has centered his career around championing the universal accessibility of data-driven actionable...
Full Episode →EPISODE 20
How To Create a More Inclusive Workplacewith The Band of Sisters
How do you fight workplace gender bias? What happens when a "band" of top female executives gather together to share their hard earned knowledge about how...
Full Episode →EPISODE 19
Why An Analog World Is More Humanwith David Sax
Is the future analog? David Sax is an award-winning journalist and keynote speaker, specializing in dissecting the intersection of business and culture.
Full Episode →EPISODE 18
Getting Unstuck and Embracing Changewith Barry J. Moltz
How do you make the changes your business needs? Popular small business marketing expert and radio show host Barry J. Moltz has discovered the formula to...
Full Episode →EPISODE 17
Everything Professional Designers Should Knowwith Ellen Lupton, Kaleena Sales & Valentine Vergara
How do we create a more inclusive world through design? Ellen Lupton, Kaleena Sales, and Valentine Vergara are part of a diverse group of creators who...
Full Episode →EPISODE 16
How To Think Like a Cartoonistwith Tom Fishburne
Can humor help you find better ideas? "Marketoonist" Tom Fishburne is an international keynote speaker and marketer specializing in cartoons, digital...
Full Episode →EPISODE 15
How Women's Fitness Shaped the Worldwith Danielle Friedman
How have women shaped the exercise industry? Danielle Friedman is an award-winning journalist and the author of.
Full Episode →EPISODE 14
Getting People Talking About Racewith Priya Vulchi & Winona Guo
How do you get people talking about race? Imagine taking a year off to travel to every state in America, sleep on the couches of strangers and tap random...
Full Episode →EPISODE 13
How To Talk To A Racistwith Dr. David W. Campt
How do you talk to a racist? Dr. David Wiley Campt, aka The Dialogue Guy, is a renowned speaker, master facilitator, and author.
Full Episode →EPISODE 12
The Truth About College Admissionswith Jeff Selingo
What is the truth behind college admissions? New York Times bestselling author Jeff Selingo has written about higher education for over two years...
Full Episode →EPISODE 11
How To Transform Your Brandwith Emmanuel Probst
What are the secrets to brand transformation? Brand guru Emmanuel Probst is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Assemblage, the Global Lead of...
Full Episode →EPISODE 10
What Female Leaders Really Needwith Deepa Purushothaman
How do you support female leaders? Corporate inclusion visionary, Deepa Purushothaman encourages companies and individuals to challenge the status quo of...
Full Episode →EPISODE 9
The Secrets of Digital Body Languagewith Erica Dhawan
What does your digital body language convey? Erica Dhawan is an award winning keynote speaker and the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Digital...
Full Episode →EPISODE 8
How To Get People To Support Youwith Suneel Gupta
How do you get people to support you? Suneel Gupta is a bestselling author, renowned speaker, Harvard Medical School visiting scholar, and host of a...
Full Episode →EPISODE 7
How To Be An Epic Gift Giverwith John Ruhlin
How do you become an epic gift giver? John Ruhlin was known as a gifting expert, keynote speaker, and author of Giftology.
Full Episode →EPISODE 6
How Ownership Really Workswith Michael Heller & Jim Salzman
How does ownership really work? Michael Heller and James Salzman explore the six simple rules that everyone uses to claim everything in their new book...
Full Episode →EPISODE 5
The Death of Common Sensewith Martin Lindstrom
What has caused the death of common sense? Martin Lindstrom is a bestselling author, consumer branding expert, and named one of TIME Magazine's "World's...
Full Episode →EPISODE 4
Why Collaboration Is Overratedwith Safi Bahcall
Originally aired: December 15, 2021 Why is collaboration overrated?
Full Episode →EPISODE 3
The Power of Outsider Thinkingwith Beth Comstock
Originally aired: November 15, 2021 What is the power of outsider thinking?
Full Episode →EPISODE 2
How To Develop Your Big Ideaswith Daniel H. Pink
Originally aired: September 15, 2021 How do you develop big ideas?
Full Episode →EPISODE 1
What Makes Someone Remarkable?with Guy Kawasaki
Originally aired: October 15, 2021 What makes someone remarkable?
Full Episode →