3 Takeaways Lynn Thoman

Pandemics are on the rise. Will bird flu be next? The government says it’s monitoring the situation, but should we worry? According to former National Security Council Director for Medical and Biodefense Preparedness and expert on emerging infectious diseases, Luciana Borio, the answer is yes. Not only because bird flu is dangerous, but because the government may be giving us happy talk. The more you know, the better. So join us.

Want to become a super communicator? You can, according to Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Charles Duhigg. Here, the author of Supercommmunicators shares the neuroscience and key principles everyone can use in their daily life. One example: Ask others how they feel about their life, rather than about the facts of their life.“Being charismatic or clever or smart is not an ingredient of being a super communicator.”“People who are good at connecting ask questions … 10 to 20 times as...

As war rages in Ukraine and Gaza, these questions are being asked: Are wars inevitable? Where will the next major conflict break out? Are the U.S. and China headed for war? Are women leaders less warlike than men? Can wars be avoided? Listen, as Margaret MacMillan, one of the world’s leading war historians, provides answers. Don’t miss this one.

The decline of America and Western civilization is being discussed more loudly these days. But is it true or inevitable? Is the U.S. a waning influence, unraveling from within mainly due to extreme divisiveness? Niall Ferguson, one of the world’s most renowned historians, shares his well-informed perspective. It’s a convo that demands attention.

Kara Swisher is Silicon Valley’s premiere chronicler, filled with wisdom and insight on tech companies and the out-sized egos who found and run them. Here, she shares her take on the industry and on Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Tim Cook, the Google co-founders and others, who she’s known since their companies were mere start-ups.

The world is filled with talented, amazing people, but only a few find fame and success. What’s the essential magic behind Taylor Swift, The Beatles, Steve Jobs and others? Here, Cass Sunstein, author of “How to Become Famous,” shares his keen insights into the essential attributes of hugely successful people. Want to join them? Join us.“There are plenty of Steve Jobs out there. We tend to think he's unique. But there are Steve Jobs, parallel amazing people, who never made it.”