Dmitry Bykov – Writer, Assassin Survivor, Soothsayer
October 7, 2022Dmitry has written 85 books including novels, poetry and biography, and published too many articles to count. In 2019, Bykov survived an apparent assassination attempt using a nerve agent and the Russian state now lists him as a “foreign agent,” which means he says things they don’t like to hear. In our conversation he discusses Putin, Zelensky, writing and his upbringing. This episode was produced by Dave Manahan.
Yuhua Wang – From Tiananmen to Harvard
March 19, 2022Yuhua is a husband, father, associate professor of government at Harvard and an expert in Chinese politics. He grew up in Beijing, came to the US for graduate school and is now a scholar and prolific author. He has studied deeply how the Chinese dynastic tradition works, both the rises and the declines. This episode was produced by Dave Manahan.
Congressman Jim Himes On Ukraine, Government Service and Humility
March 6, 2022Jim Himes represents Connecticut’s 4th District and has been serving since 2009. He is a father, husband, Rhodes scholar and Harvard and Goldman alum. He shares his thoughts on the war in Ukraine, what the day-to-day is like in government, Trumpism and the biggest thing he didn’t learn in school.
Harold Lopez-Nussa – Just the Right Note
February 20, 2022Harold is a Cuban musician and composer who plays extraordinary songs that are both rooted in Jazz but also stretch well beyond that. Hear him talk about his upbringing, switching from classical to jazz and why an audience is so important. This episode was produced by Dave Manahan.
John Yorke – Master of Story Structure
February 6, 2022John Yorke is the author of Into the Woods, a former BBC producer and a master in story structure. We all tell stories, be it socially, in our business or as writers and artists. Learn what the timeless laws are behind any great story. This episode was produced by Dave Manahan.
Jim Comey – Watching the Train Leave the Station
November 10, 2021Jim Comey is a husband, father and grandfather, the former director of the FBI and the author of the New York Times Bestseller A Higher Loyalty. This episode was edited and produced by Dave Manahan.
Dan Zwirn – Boom, Bust and Redemption
October 27, 2021Dan is CEO and CIO of Arena Investors, which manages over $2 billion. He made a fortune, lost it and is now re-making it. He shares his investment philosophy, his tangle with regulators and how turning to Stoic philosophers helped him gain perspective when his fortunes unexpectedly shifted. This episode was edited and produced by Dave Manahan.
Ray Dalio, Unplugged
October 12, 2021Ray is the founder of Bridgewater Associates, the largest hedge fund in the world, and author of the New York Times Bestseller Principles. He discusses growing up, founding Bridgewater and confronting loss. This episode was edited and produced by Dave Manahan.
Dr. Alexander Vanyukov – Asking for Help on Moscow’s Covid Front Lines
September 28, 2021
Heart-surgeon Dr. Alexander Vanyukov was in the epicenter of Russia’s Covid response. Overwhelmed, he asked for help. Find out what happened next. This episode was edited and produced by David Manahan and translated by Anna Brosgol.
Rabbi Michael Friedman – Religion in the Modern World & Judaism 101
September 15, 2021
What is the role of religion in the modern world? What is the day-to-day life of a Rabbi and how does one become one? What are the differences between different religions and differences within religion? Hear a thoughtful conversation. Edited and produced by Dave Manahan.