FOMO Sapiens with Patrick J. McGinnis

Patrick J. McGinnis
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FOMO Sapiens with Patrick J. McGinnis

FOMO Sapiens is the podcast for anyone who wants to make smarter decisions, take action, and thrive in an unpredictable world. Hosted by Patrick J. McGinnis—the guy who coined FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)—this show brings you insights from world-class entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders who’ve mastered the art of navigating uncertainty. Each episode is packed with real-world strategies, powerful stories, and actionable advice to help you cut through the noise, take control of your choices, and build a life you actually want—without the fear of missing out. Listen now and start making decisions on your own terms.

  1. S13 E14 Stanford's Isabelle Hau on Why Relational Intelligence Matters

    2D AGO

    S13 E14 Stanford's Isabelle Hau on Why Relational Intelligence Matters

    Isabelle Hau, author of "Love to Learn" and Executive Director of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, joins Patrick McGinnis on FOMO Sapiens to discuss the critical importance of relational intelligence (RQ) in child development. Hau, who overcame early assessments of low academic aptitude, emphasizes the need for nurturing relationships and free play to counteract the relational deprivation crisis affecting children today. She highlights the impact of smaller families, reduced play time, and excessive technology use on children's social and emotional development. Hau advocates for "relational tech" over "junk tech" and stresses the importance of fostering a love for learning through play and human connection. She also provides insights for entrepreneurs in the education space, emphasizing the unprecedented opportunities for innovation in learning due to advancements in data, brain science, technology, and evolving educational needs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    46 min
  2. S13 E13 Kevin Evers Breaks Down Taylor Swift's Business Genius on FOMO Sapiens

    APR 17

    S13 E13 Kevin Evers Breaks Down Taylor Swift's Business Genius on FOMO Sapiens

    On this week’s episode of FOMO Sapiens, Kevin Evers, senior editor at Harvard Business Review and author of There’s Nothing Like This, uncovers the secrets behind Taylor Swift’s business brilliance. Patrick McGinnis explores how Swift built a brand through consistency, trust, and innovation while making bold moves to stay ahead of the competition. Evers delves into her customer obsession, drawing comparisons to Jeff Bezos, and how her use of social media fosters FOMO and loyalty among fans. With a keen eye on her ability to turn controversies into narrative-driven opportunities, they discuss how Swift’s strategic thinking has reshaped the music industry and beyond. Entrepreneurs will walk away with insights on building brand loyalty, navigating industry disruptions, and adapting strategies while staying authentic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    42 min
  3. S13 E12 Nayeema Raza on What it Takes to Succeed as a Creator

    APR 11

    S13 E12 Nayeema Raza on What it Takes to Succeed as a Creator

    In an age where media often feels oversaturated, Nayeema Raza is boldly carving out a space for genuine curiosity and fearless inquiry through her podcast Smart Girl Dumb Questions. On this week’s FOMO Sapiens, Patrick J. McGinnis dives into Nayeema’s journey—from producing at top outlets like The New York Times to launching her own independent show. Nayeema shares how she’s turning “dumb” questions into an essential tool for sparking deep, meaningful conversations. This episode explores the art of creating content that isn’t just accessible but also thought-provoking—engaging everyone from astrophysicists to everyday individuals. They also dive into the challenges of building a digital media brand where AI isn’t just a threat but a tool. Nayeema’s ultimate mission is to democratize knowledge and prove that sometimes the simplest questions lead to the most profound insights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    49 min
  4. S13 E11 How Asking the Right Questions Can Transform Your Life, with Topaz Adizes

    APR 3

    S13 E11 How Asking the Right Questions Can Transform Your Life, with Topaz Adizes

    What if the right question could change everything? In this episode of FOMO Sapiens, Patrick McGinnis sits down with Topaz Adizes, Emmy award-winning writer, director, and founder of Skin Deep, to explore the transformative power of asking well-crafted questions. With over 1,250 intimate conversations under his belt, Topaz explains how discomfort in a question—not the answer—can deepen connections and foster resilience. He shares practical techniques for creating open, vulnerable spaces that go beyond yes/no answers and how regular practice of these conversations can change the way we reflect and relate to others. Tune in to learn how focusing on the right questions can reshape your reality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    48 min
  5. S13 E10 How to Stop Fearing the Future and Start Designing It – with Frederik Pferdt

    MAR 27

    S13 E10 How to Stop Fearing the Future and Start Designing It – with Frederik Pferdt

    The future isn’t something that just happens—it’s something you can design. This week on FOMO Sapiens, Patrick sits down with Frederik Pferdt, Google's first-ever Chief Innovation Evangelist and author of What’s Next Is Now, to uncover how the world’s top innovators reframe uncertainty, take action, and shape their own futures. Frederik shares why the most successful people don’t fear change—they leverage it—and how shifting your mindset from “having” to “being” and “feeling” can create breakthroughs in both life and business. From rewiring your brain for adaptability to making better, bolder decisions (without the FOMO), this conversation is packed with tactical strategies for thriving in an unpredictable world. Tune in to learn how to turn uncertainty into opportunity and take control of what’s next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    47 min
  6. S13 E9 The Man Who Walked the World: Tom Turcich’s Seven-Year Journey & Life-Changing Lessons

    MAR 20

    S13 E9 The Man Who Walked the World: Tom Turcich’s Seven-Year Journey & Life-Changing Lessons

    What if you just walked away—literally? This week on FOMO Sapiens, Patrick sits down with Tom Turcich, the 10th person in history to walk around the world, to explore what seven years of solitude, cultural immersion, and extreme endurance taught him about risk-taking, adaptability, and finding purpose in the unknown. With only a backpack and his loyal dog, Savannah, Tom navigated 38 countries, countless challenges, and life-altering moments—from dangerous encounters to deep self-discovery. Now, he shares how the lessons from the road apply to business, decision-making, and breaking free from the fear of missing out. If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping outside your comfort zone—or wondered what it really takes to do the impossible—this episode is for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    55 min
  7. S13 E8 How to Start a Museum with Planet Word's Ann B. Friedman

    MAR 13

    S13 E8 How to Start a Museum with Planet Word's Ann B. Friedman

    What kind of person looks at an old, abandoned building and thinks, This should be a museum about words? Ann B. Friedman did. But turning that vision into reality wasn’t easy. This week on FOMO Sapiens, Patrick talks with Ann about the steep challenges of launching Planet Word—from convincing funders to back an untested concept to navigating DC politics and designing exhibits that actually engage modern audiences (including those who claim they "don’t like reading"). Ann shares how she tackled skepticism, built a world-class team, and turned an abstract idea into an immersive, interactive experience. Plus, they dive into the impact of language in the digital age, how words shape our reality, and why the way we communicate is evolving faster than ever. If you’ve ever had a big idea but doubted whether it could work, this episode is for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    50 min
  8. S13 E7 Virtual Communication is Broken—Here’s How to Fix It with Prof. Andrew Brodsky

    MAR 6

    S13 E7 Virtual Communication is Broken—Here’s How to Fix It with Prof. Andrew Brodsky

    Most people think virtual communication is just about choosing between email, Slack, or Zoom. But according to Prof. Andrew Brodsky, an expert in virtual communication and Top 40 Under 40 MBA Professor, that’s dead wrong. In this episode of FOMO Sapiens, Patrick sits down with Andrew to unpack why digital conversations fail, how to build trust and rapport remotely, and why “in-person bias” can actually hurt productivity. Andrew’s expertise isn’t just academic—his personal journey battling cancer as a teenager forced him to master virtual communication long before it became the norm. He breaks down the science of digital dialogue, the cultural impact of different communication platforms, and the small tweaks that make a massive difference in how you’re perceived online. If you’re leading a remote team, closing deals over Zoom, or just want to avoid being that person on Slack, this episode is a must-listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    45 min
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4.6
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About

FOMO Sapiens is the podcast for anyone who wants to make smarter decisions, take action, and thrive in an unpredictable world. Hosted by Patrick J. McGinnis—the guy who coined FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)—this show brings you insights from world-class entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders who’ve mastered the art of navigating uncertainty. Each episode is packed with real-world strategies, powerful stories, and actionable advice to help you cut through the noise, take control of your choices, and build a life you actually want—without the fear of missing out. Listen now and start making decisions on your own terms.

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