Michael Wright: Surviving 9/11

Michael Wright: Surviving 9/11

Author: Curiosity Media September 10, 2024 Duration: 1:10:45

Cal replays one of the most amazing conversations he's ever had -- with a man who was in the bathroom on the 81 st Floor of the World Trade Center before starting work on the morning of 9/11/2001 when the hijacked plane hit. Michael Wright, a 30-year-old account executive at the time, got down to the ground only to look up and see the other tower falling on his head. Cal listens to the story every year to never forget the day and to focus on the power of resilience. But also for another reason this year – to remember how connected the United States was right after 9/11. The most connected Cal had ever seen it. Please send this conversation to one person you think might appreciate it.


For decades, Cal Fussman has built a remarkable career by asking the right things at the right time, drawing profound insights from icons like Muhammad Ali, Mikhail Gorbachev, and Serena Williams. That same genuine curiosity drives every episode of Big Questions with Cal Fussman. This isn't about quick soundbites or surface-level chatter. Instead, Cal creates a space where guests-from visionary CEOs and legendary coaches to groundbreaking artists-feel comfortable exploring the pivotal moments and hard-earned lessons that truly shaped their paths. You'll hear conversations that meander into unexpected places, often uncovering the personal philosophies and resilient mindsets behind public success. Produced by Curiosity Media, the podcast serves as a masterclass in listening and human connection, relevant for anyone interested in the intersections of business, creative careers, and lifelong education. Each discussion feels like a deep dive into a life fully examined, offering tangible wisdom for navigating your own big questions.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Big Questions with Cal Fussman
Podcast Episodes
Old Is New In The Age of AI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:40
Cal was ready to dump his storage bins of CDs, tape cassettes, and DVDs — until he discovered a twist: the world is racing back to the very things he was about to throw away. Parents are pulling out old DVD players so th…
The Last Book Written By A Human [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:07
Cal sits down with Jeff Burningham, author of The Last Book Written by a Human, to unpack the AI tidal wave about to hit classrooms, boardrooms, governments, and even religions. This isn't doomscrolling—it's a positive r…
Jim Carrey's $10 Million Lesson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:16
Jim Carrey's $10 Million Lesson Cal has an epiphany as he's giving one of his storytelling workshops. He's able to tie the thought to the moment in 1985 when a down and out actor named Jim Carrey wrote a check to himself…
First A Scam, Then The Future Of Trust [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:14
On a sunny Sunday morning, Cal shares breakfast with friends—when a woman reveals how a shady third-party travel site jacked up her airline ticket price. It was no fluke: The company is flooded with complaints on Yelp. T…
Your New Therapist: Talk To Ash [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:52
It was during the pandemic when Cal first realized how many people were searching for mental health professionals and couldn't find them. Cal wished everyone could have access to the best therapist he's ever met – Sallie…
De Niro And A Day Of No Regrets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:09
Cal has long believed the best way to avoid regret is to really listen when someone talks about theirs. One answer came to him during an interview with the actor Robert De Niro. Another, just recently, from the Godfather…
Mr. Wonderful, Bill Gates & Free Money [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:36
Cal hears an interview with Kevin O'Leary – Mr. Wonderful on Shark Tank -- that puts into focus the loss of jobs coming with the onset of AI. Then he sees a robot cleaning floors at the convenience store of his gas stati…
Then I Look At AI . . . And The World's Alright With Me [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:58
Cal reads a Wall Street Journal story about a graduation speech that ends with the audience asked to sing Bill Withers' Lean On Me—a soulful anthem for uncertain times. The Class of '25 faces a tough job market. Internsh…
AI & Your Job [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:44
After speaking at a CREW conference in Texas, Cal meets a smart young Uber driver who was curious about the number of jobs that we can anticipate losing in America because of AI. The driver wanted to know what the lives…