Thom Shanker

Thom Shanker

Author: Smart People Industries October 8, 2011 Duration: 38:07
“There was this explosion. A cloud. Red Mist. He self-detonated.  A suicide vest. As sometimes happens with suicide vests, shoes and shins still stood on the roadway, disconnected for eternity from their owner.” -Thom Shanker, Author and this week’s Guest The war on terror has now been underway for 10 years and over this time... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every other week, Chris Stemp and Jon Rojas sit down with a guest who has fundamentally shaped their field, driven not by a rigid agenda but by genuine curiosity. The Smart People Podcast from Smart People Industries is built on the idea that the most compelling insights emerge from relaxed, authentic dialogue. You’ll hear authors, innovators, and cultural leaders-each with significant recognition in areas like business, education, or society-speak in a way that often feels more like a fascinating dinner conversation than a formal interview. Chris’s thoughtful questioning, paired with Jon’s producer perspective, gently guides discussions into unexpected territories, revealing the personal journeys and nuanced ideas behind public achievements. This podcast thrives in the space between expertise and accessibility, making complex topics relatable without sacrificing depth. It’s for anyone who believes that learning is a continuous, engaging process, and that the best lessons come from listening to people who think differently. Tune in biweekly for conversations that are as intellectually substantial as they are genuinely enjoyable, reminding us that smart discourse can be both enlightening and warmly human.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 500

Smart People Podcast
Podcast Episodes
David Hoffeld - Using Neuroscience to Sell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:22
In this episode, leading sales trainer, researcher and CEO of Hoffeld Group, David Hoffeld blends cutting-edge research in social psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral economics, to show you the best way to sell. He e…
Sam Weinman - How to Win at Losing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:26
Our guest this week is an award winning sports journalist and Golf Digest's digital editor. So naturally, we start off the episode talking about digital content, the future of writing and publishing, and of course...golf…
Lawrence Levy - When Steve Jobs Needed Help, He Called Lawrence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:12
Lawrence Levy is a Silicon Valley lawyer and executive hired by Steve Jobs in 1994 as CFO and member of the Office of the President of Pixar Animation Studios. He was responsible for Pixar's business strategy and IPO and…
Dr. Richard Wolff - Capitalism is Broken. Here is the Solution. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:08
Our guest this week believes capitalism is broken, and he makes a pretty good argument to support this. He explains how capitalism as a system has spawned deepening economic crisis alongside its bought-and-paid-for polit…
Jerome Hardaway - Supporting Veterans through Vets Who Code [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:38
This week we welcome to the podcast Jerome Hardaway, Executive Director of Vets Who Code. Jerome is an Air Force veteran, alumni/Opportunity Fund recipient of General Assembly's Web Development Immersive Program, and Pan…
Doug Hensch - How to Build Resilience [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:50
In this episode we interview consultant and executive coach, Doug Hensch, and we discuss his brand new book, Positively Resilient: 5 1/2 Secrets to Beat Stress, Overcome Obstacles, and Defeat Anxiety. Doug shares with us…
Jonathan Levi (Part 2) - How to Optimize Your Memory [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:26
This week we welcome back former guest, Jonathan Levi. Jonathan is an entrepreneur, and an expert in speed reading and advanced memorization. His online course is ranked as one of the top selling of all time on Udemy and…
Dr. Jessica Tracy - How Pride Can Help You Achieve Your Goals [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:55
Today on the show we speak with leading psychologist, Dr. Jessica Tracy. Dr. Tracy is professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, where she also directs the Emotion & Self Lab and…
Chris Bailey - A Life of Productivity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:52
Chris Bailey - A Life of Productivity. In this episode we speak with productivity expert Chris Bailey and learn the best ways to transform our life by getting done the things that are most important. The Productivity Pro…