THE NON-OBVIOUS SHOW

Shift Your Perspective. Be More Interesting.

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 Non-Obvious Show with Rohit Bhargava - podcast cover art

THE COMPLETE ARCHIVE

Every Episode Of The Show.

82 episodes across 6 seasons - browse them all below, newest first.

SEASON 6

202618 EPISODES
How To Be A Better Boss - Sabina Nawaz cover art

EPISODE 83

How To Be A Better Boss

with 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 →
How To Overcome the Daily Norms Holding You Back - Nilofer Merchant cover art

EPISODE 82

How To Overcome the Daily Norms Holding You Back

with 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 →
The Curious Optimism of People Who Choose Impossible Quests - Mark Medley cover art

EPISODE 81

The Curious Optimism of People Who Choose Impossible Quests

with 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 →
Having Wild Courage To Get What You Want - Jenny Wood cover art

EPISODE 80

Having Wild Courage To Get What You Want

with 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 →
Why We Talk To Cats and Make Everything "Humanish" - Justin Gregg cover art

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 →
Why Belief Is the Biggest Reason For Success or Failure - Nir Eyal cover art

EPISODE 78

Why Belief Is the Biggest Reason For Success or Failure

with Nir Eyal

Explore the fascinating insights into human perception, beliefs, and the power of persistence with Nir Eyal, author of Beyond Belief.

Full Episode →
How To Manage Your Boss To Win At Work - Melody Wilding cover art

EPISODE 77

How To Manage Your Boss To Win At Work

with 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 →
The Hidden Secrets of How Stuff Gets Made - Tim Minshall cover art

EPISODE 76

The Hidden Secrets of How Stuff Gets Made

with Tim Minshall

Explore the fascinating world of manufacturing with Tim Minchel, author of 'How Things Are Made'.

Full Episode →
How Under Armour Is Rediscovering Their Identity - Kevin Plank cover art

EPISODE 75

How Under Armour Is Rediscovering Their Identity

with Kevin Plank

Kevin Plank, founder of Under Armour, shares his journey from humble beginnings to building a global sports apparel brand.

Full Episode →
Why Your Ambition Is Working Against You - Amina AlTai cover art

EPISODE 74

Why Your Ambition Is Working Against You

with 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 →
The Difference Between Mentors and Sponsors - Dr. Rosalind Chow cover art

EPISODE 73

The Difference Between Mentors and Sponsors

with 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 →
Don't Be Yourself: Why Authenticity Is Overrated - Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic cover art

EPISODE 72

Don't Be Yourself: Why Authenticity Is Overrated

with 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 →
How To Avoid the Strategy Trap In Business - Kevin Ertell cover art

EPISODE 71

How To Avoid the Strategy Trap In Business

with 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 →
Selling Your Mother: The Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Story - Monica Nassif cover art

EPISODE 70

Selling Your Mother: The Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Story

with Monica Nassif

Monica Nassif's journey with Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day reveals the power of authenticity in branding.

Full Episode →
Telling the Stories of Custodians Saving Dying Traditions - Eliot Stein cover art

EPISODE 69

Telling the Stories of Custodians Saving Dying Traditions

with 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 →
Why You Should Let People Yell At Your Kids - Marina Lopes cover art

EPISODE 68

Why You Should Let People Yell At Your Kids

with Marina Lopes

Marina Lopes, a Brazilian American journalist, shares insights from her global research on parenting practices.

Full Episode →
Surviving Bad Bosses Without Becoming One Yourself - Mita Mallick cover art

EPISODE 67

Surviving Bad Bosses Without Becoming One Yourself

with 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 →
Talking Nice: How to Be More Trusted at Work - Minda Harts cover art

EPISODE 66

Talking Nice: How to Be More Trusted at Work

with 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 →

SEASON 5

202524 EPISODES
Inside the Magical Subculture of Disney Adults - AJ Wolfe cover art

EPISODE 65

Inside the Magical Subculture of Disney Adults

with 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 →
How To Think Like a Futurist - Henry Coutinho-Mason cover art

EPISODE 64

How To Think Like a Futurist

with 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 →
Sikh Wisdom and the Art of Understanding People - Simran Jeet Singh cover art

EPISODE 63

Sikh Wisdom and the Art of Understanding People

with 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 →
The Unlikely Rise of the Coach Brand and "Accessible Luxury" - Lew Frankfort cover art

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 →
Why The Secret To Success Is To Stop Competing: - Ruchika T. Malhotra cover art

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 →
Will Superhuman Intelligence Be Good or Bad for Humanity? - Nick Bostrom cover art

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 →
How To Have More Courage and Be More Bold - Ranjay Gulati cover art

EPISODE 59

How To Have More Courage and Be More Bold

with 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 →
The Future of Storytelling (For Creators) - Charlie Melcher cover art

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 →
The Future of Exploration [LIVE] - What Will Human Discovery Look Like In the Next Decade? - Layne Beachley and Dawn McIntosh cover art

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 →
Why the World Still Needs Human Experts - Dorie Clark cover art

EPISODE 56

Why the World Still Needs Human Experts

with Dorie Clark

In this conversation, Dorie Clark discusses the significance of human expertise in an era dominated by AI.

Full Episode →
How Anyone Can Be Funnier - Anne Libera cover art

EPISODE 55

How Anyone Can Be Funnier

with 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 →
Why Successful Entrepreneurs Need To Give First - Brad Feld cover art

EPISODE 54

Why Successful Entrepreneurs Need To Give First

with 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 →
Finding Your Calling In Work and Life - Christopher Wong Michealson and Jennifer Tosti-Kharas cover art

EPISODE 53

Finding Your Calling In Work and Life

with 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 →
Where Humans Will Live In The Future - Parag Khanna cover art

EPISODE 52

Where Humans Will Live In The Future

with 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 →
Why Every Business Needs A Good Strategic Enemy - Laura Ries cover art

EPISODE 51

Why Every Business Needs A Good Strategic Enemy

with 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 →
Negotiating While Black (Or While Underestimated) - Damali Peterman cover art

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 →
How To Laugh at Tragedy Without Becoming A Victim - Tom Nash cover art

EPISODE 49

How To Laugh at Tragedy Without Becoming A Victim

with 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 →
The Future of Boredom [LIVE] - What Happens When It Is Harder To Do Nothing? - Dr. Joanne Orlando and Dan Ilic cover art

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 →
How Men Find Community and Build Empathy - Michael Tennant cover art

EPISODE 47

How Men Find Community and Build Empathy

with 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...

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Insider Secrets On How We Shop and What We Eat - Paco Underhill cover art

EPISODE 46

Insider Secrets On How We Shop and What We Eat

with 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 →
How To Be Defiant When It Matters Most - Dr. Sunita Sah cover art

EPISODE 45

How To Be Defiant When It Matters Most

with 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 →
The Infuriating Upside of Trash Talk - Rafi Kohan cover art

EPISODE 44

The Infuriating Upside of Trash Talk

with 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 →
Using Bizarre Lifestyle Experiments To Save Democracy - A.J. Jacobs cover art

EPISODE 43

Using Bizarre Lifestyle Experiments To Save Democracy

with 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 →
How To Be A Super Communicator - Charles Duhigg cover art

EPISODE 42

How To Be A Super Communicator

with Charles Duhigg

In this conversation, Charles Duhigg discusses his book 'Supercommunicators' and explores the essential skills that make someone an effective communicator.

Full Episode →

SEASON 4

202414 EPISODES
How Work Works - Michelle P. King cover art

EPISODE 41

How Work Works

with 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 →
How Status Really Works And How It Doesn't - Chuck Thompson cover art

EPISODE 40

How Status Really Works And How It Doesn't

with 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 →
What You Don't Know About Disability - Ashley Shew cover art

EPISODE 39

What You Don't Know About Disability

with 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 →
The Disturbing Truth About Fate Vs Flukes - Brian Klaas cover art

EPISODE 38

The Disturbing Truth About Fate Vs Flukes

with Brian Klaas

Does everything happen for a reason or is it all just flukes?

Full Episode →
How to Transform the Way You See Time - Richard Fisher cover art

EPISODE 37

How to Transform the Way You See Time

with Richard Fisher

What will it take to transform the way the world views time?

Full Episode →
How To Spot A Fraud or Scam - Kelly Richmond Pope cover art

EPISODE 36

How To Spot A Fraud or Scam

with Kelly Richmond Pope

Would you know fraud when you see it or are you committing some fraud yourself?

Full Episode →
How "Workarounds" Can Solve Big Problems - Paulo Savaget cover art

EPISODE 35

How "Workarounds" Can Solve Big Problems

with 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 →
Why Social Media Makes Us Angry - Tobias Rose-Stockwell cover art

EPISODE 34

Why Social Media Makes Us Angry

with 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 →
How To Work With (Almost) Anyone - Michael Bungay Stanier cover art

EPISODE 33

How To Work With (Almost) Anyone

with 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 →
Why Most Projects Fail and How To Fix Them - Bent Flyvbjerg & Dan Gardner cover art

EPISODE 32

Why Most Projects Fail and How To Fix Them

with 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 →
Everything You Never Knew About Pockets - Hannah Carlson cover art

EPISODE 31

Everything You Never Knew About Pockets

with 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 →
How To Write Your Own Obituary - James R. Hagerty cover art

EPISODE 30

How To Write Your Own Obituary

with James R. Hagerty

How will you tell your life story and are you thinking about it right now?

Full Episode →
Why Afrofuturism Matters - Dr. Kevin Strait cover art

EPISODE 29

Why Afrofuturism Matters

with 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 →
How Culture Influences Our Behavior - Dr. Marcus Collins cover art

EPISODE 28

How Culture Influences Our Behavior

with 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 →

SEASON 3

202312 EPISODES
Being More Coachable and Accepting Good Advice - Jacquelyn Lane and Scott Osman cover art

EPISODE 26

Being More Coachable and Accepting Good Advice

with Jacquelyn Lane and Scott Osman

How do you become coachable in order to transform your life and career?

Full Episode →
Dealing with Difficult People - Amy Gallo cover art

EPISODE 25

Dealing with Difficult People

with Amy Gallo

How do you deal with difficult people to create better harmony at work?

Full Episode →
How To Be More Persuasive - Zoe Chance cover art

EPISODE 24

How To Be More Persuasive

with 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 →
Why Employees Leave and Why They Stay - Joey Coleman cover art

EPISODE 23

Why Employees Leave and Why They Stay

with 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 →
How To Be A "Good-ish" Person - Dolly Chugh cover art

EPISODE 22

How To Be A "Good-ish" Person

with Dolly Chugh

What does it take to unlearn history in order to build a more just future for everyone?

Full Episode →
Understanding Data Even If You Hate Numbers - Neil Hoyne cover art

EPISODE 21

Understanding Data Even If You Hate Numbers

with 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 →
How To Create a More Inclusive Workplace - The Band of Sisters cover art

EPISODE 20

How To Create a More Inclusive Workplace

with 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 →
Why An Analog World Is More Human - David Sax cover art

EPISODE 19

Why An Analog World Is More Human

with 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 →
Getting Unstuck and Embracing Change - Barry J. Moltz cover art

EPISODE 18

Getting Unstuck and Embracing Change

with 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 →
Everything Professional Designers Should Know - Ellen Lupton, Kaleena Sales & Valentine Vergara cover art

EPISODE 17

Everything Professional Designers Should Know

with 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 →
How To Think Like a Cartoonist - Tom Fishburne cover art

EPISODE 16

How To Think Like a Cartoonist

with 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 →
How Women's Fitness Shaped the World - Danielle Friedman cover art

EPISODE 15

How Women's Fitness Shaped the World

with Danielle Friedman

How have women shaped the exercise industry? Danielle Friedman is an award-winning journalist and the author of.

Full Episode →

SEASON 2

202210 EPISODES
Getting People Talking About Race - Priya Vulchi & Winona Guo cover art

EPISODE 14

Getting People Talking About Race

with 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 →
How To Talk To A Racist - Dr. David W. Campt cover art

EPISODE 13

How To Talk To A Racist

with 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 →
The Truth About College Admissions - Jeff Selingo cover art

EPISODE 12

The Truth About College Admissions

with 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 →
How To Transform Your Brand - Emmanuel Probst cover art

EPISODE 11

How To Transform Your Brand

with 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 →
What Female Leaders Really Need - Deepa Purushothaman cover art

EPISODE 10

What Female Leaders Really Need

with 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 →
The Secrets of Digital Body Language - Erica Dhawan cover art

EPISODE 9

The Secrets of Digital Body Language

with 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 →
How To Get People To Support You - Suneel Gupta cover art

EPISODE 8

How To Get People To Support You

with 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 →
How To Be An Epic Gift Giver - John Ruhlin cover art

EPISODE 7

How To Be An Epic Gift Giver

with 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 →
How Ownership Really Works - Michael Heller & Jim Salzman cover art

EPISODE 6

How Ownership Really Works

with 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 →
The Death of Common Sense - Martin Lindstrom cover art

EPISODE 5

The Death of Common Sense

with 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 →

SEASON 1

20214 EPISODES
Why Collaboration Is Overrated - Safi Bahcall cover art

EPISODE 4

Why Collaboration Is Overrated

with Safi Bahcall

Originally aired: December 15, 2021 Why is collaboration overrated?

Full Episode →
The Power of Outsider Thinking - Beth Comstock cover art

EPISODE 3

The Power of Outsider Thinking

with Beth Comstock

Originally aired: November 15, 2021 What is the power of outsider thinking?

Full Episode →
How To Develop Your Big Ideas - Daniel H. Pink cover art

EPISODE 2

How To Develop Your Big Ideas

with Daniel H. Pink

Originally aired: September 15, 2021 How do you develop big ideas?

Full Episode →
What Makes Someone Remarkable? - Guy Kawasaki cover art

EPISODE 1

What Makes Someone Remarkable?

with Guy Kawasaki

Originally aired: October 15, 2021 What makes someone remarkable?

Full Episode →

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