When Will AI Empty Your Dishwasher? (with Nicholas Thompson)

When Will AI Empty Your Dishwasher? (with Nicholas Thompson)

Author: Next Big Idea Club May 21, 2026 Duration: 54:05
Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic and host of "The Most Interesting Thing in AI," joins Rufus and Caleb to explain why the machines may master our minds long before they master our muscles — and what that gap tells us about where AI is headed. Along the way: why human podcasters still beat AI ones, how Nick learned to stop worrying and love open source, and where he'd point an infinite AI budget. 🎧 Check out Nick’s previous appearance on the show here. 📦 Join the Next Big Idea Club and we’ll send you a copy of David Epstein’s new book, Inside the Box, and an invitation to a members-only Q&A with David on May 26. Learn more at nextbigideaclub.com/ 🔗 SPONSORED BY: Granola ➡️ If meetings are eating up your day, Granola is a no-brainer. You can try it totally free for three months. Just head to ⁠granola.ai/idea⁠ Incogni ➡️ Protect your personal information online and get an exclusive 60% off an annual plan at ⁠incogni.com/nbi⁠ Quince ➡️ Refresh your spring wardrobe and get free shipping and 365-day returns at ⁠quince.com/nbi⁠ Shopify ➡️ Launch your business for just $1/month. Start selling today at ⁠shopify.com/nbi⁠

Each week on The Next Big Idea, hosts Rufus Griscom and Caleb Bissinger sit down with authors and researchers whose ideas are shaping our culture, education, and understanding of society. The conversations are guided by a unique group of curators-Malcolm Gladwell, Adam Grant, Susan Cain, and Daniel Pink-who help frame these discussions around the most compelling new concepts in science and social thought. This isn't just an interview podcast; it's a deep exploration of the books and theories that have the potential to shift perspectives and spark meaningful change. You'll hear the stories behind the ideas, the personal journeys of the thinkers, and practical insights that extend beyond the page. The dialogue is structured yet spontaneous, offering listeners a genuine sense of being part of a substantive conversation. Episodes are released every Thursday, providing a consistent dose of intellectual curiosity. The podcast is produced by the Next Big Idea Club, an organization dedicated to surfacing and discussing transformative knowledge. Whether you're looking to understand the nuances of human behavior, the latest scientific discoveries, or the forces driving social change, this series serves as an accessible gateway to complex topics. The aim is to make big ideas feel relevant and engaging, without oversimplifying their importance. Tune in for a thoughtful break from the noise, where the focus is entirely on understanding what comes next.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Next Big Idea
Podcast Episodes
WINTER: The Secret to Thriving in the Darkest Season [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:12
In our deeply divided nation, there's one thing many of us seem to agree on: winter is the worst. A recent study found that nearly half of Americans would skip winter if they could. Yet not everyone dreads the cold month…
DRIVE: A Fresh Look at the Science of Motivation (with Daniel Pink) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:02
What drives human motivation? For years, the answer seemed simple: rewards. Dangle the right carrot — a bonus, stock options, "Employee of the Month" certificate — and people will perform. But Daniel Pink's 2009 bestsell…
James Clear’s Ultimate Guide to Building Good Habits (Encore) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:43
Forming a new habit is tough. Sticking with it is even tougher. That’s probably why someone buys a copy of James Clear’s 2018 book “Atomic Habits” every 11 seconds. James breaks down the science of habit formation into s…
How to Find Purpose, Meaning, and Success (2022) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:29
Arthur C. Brooks used to run a prominent think tank where he was paid handsomely to influence public policy. Did all that success make him happy? Nope. So Arthur quit his job and set out to transform his life. Now he’s w…
WHAT IS LIFE? (Part 2): Consciousness, AI, and Aliens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:39
Does free will exist on a sliding scale? Will humans and AI co-evolve? Are aliens already here on earth? These are just a few of the many mind-bending questions Rufus and Sara Walker, author of “Life as No One Knows It,”…
WHAT IS LIFE? (Part 1): A Mind-Bending Conversation with Sara Walker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:56
We’ve had many bracing thinkers on this show, but Sara Walker might take the cake. A physicist and astrobiologist at Arizona State University, she's just written "Life as No One Knows It: The Physics of Life's Emergence,…
STRATEGY: How to Make Better Plans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:17
You may think you know what strategy is, but Seth Godin is willing to bet you haven’t got a clue. It’s not just setting goals. It’s not just making plans. It’s— Well, you’ll have to tune in to find out. 📕 This Is Strateg…
TECH AGNOSTIC: How Technology Became the World's Top Religion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:29
Greg Epstein, the humanist chaplain at Harvard and MIT, wants you to think twice before putting your faith in Silicon Valley's promises. 🎙️ Follow The Next Big Idea Daily on Apple or Spotify 🎁 Take 20% off a Next Big Ide…
The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect (2023) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:36
When he was 26, Will Guidara took the helm of a middling brasserie in New York City called Eleven Madison Park. A decade later, it was named the best restaurant in the world. How did he pull off this unprecedented transf…

«1...678910