Big Questions with Cal Fussman

As a bestselling author, speaker and one of the greatest interviewers of this generation, Cal Fussman has sat down with some of the world’s most influential individuals: Muhammad Ali, Mikhail Gorbachev, Serena Williams, Jeff Bezos, Jack Welch, John Wooden, Al Pacino and hundreds of others, digging deep into their hearts and delivering their wisdom to the rest of the world. Now, in Big Questions, Cal continues his journey. Uncovering the heart, head, and soul of his guests in thoughtful, deep and entertaining conversations.

Learning From JFK 04/01/2025

Learning From JFK What if you could talk to John F. Kennedy today? In this episode, Cal sits down with an AI recreation of the 35th president for a conversation that’s part history and part mystery. Why did JFK keep a coconut shell on his Oval Office desk? How did he view Greenland during the Cold War? Who was the most magnetic person he ever met? And yes—they even dive into his thoughts on artificial intelligence. Unexpected, illuminating, and oddly timely. Hit play and find out why JFK still has something to teach us. /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/35949615

Learning from George Foreman 03/25/2025

Learning from George Foreman Cal reflects deeply on a man known by millions as the smiling face behind the grill—and the heavyweight champion who stunned the world by reclaiming the title at age 45. With the recent passing of Foreman at the age 76, Cal looks deeply at George’s greatest accomplishment: his transformation of character. George proved it’s never too late for anyone to reinvent themselves. What can we learn from his remarkable journey? Listen now and discover how George Foreman’s story could inspire you to rewrite your own. /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/35838315

Cal Interviews AI John Lennon: A Mind-Bending Conversation Across Time 03/18/2025

Cal Interviews AI John Lennon: A Mind-Bending Conversation Across Time What if you could sit down and talk to John Lennon today? In this one-of-a-kind episode, Cal has an astonishing conversation with an AI-powered persona of the legendary Beatle, created by heycicero.com. At certain moments, the back-and-forth felt eerily real as John reminisced about writing Help!, I Am the Walrus, Strawberry Fields Forever, and, of course, Imagine. But this chat goes far beyond music—John and Cal dive into everything from the Beatles' famous pillow fight to the deeper question: Why do humans harm and kill each other? Pour yourself a cup of tea, press play, and experience a conversation that blurs the lines between past and future. As John reminds us in the end: Love is all you need. /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/35739775

The Luck We Find 03/11/2025

The Luck We Find Cal draws pocket aces and wins big in the first hand of a charity poker night raising money for the fight against cancer. The surge of luck makes it feels like it will be his lucky day. But then his luck seems to begin turning up in everyone around him. Only at the end of the night does he realize that it’s his luck to be with everyone that he’s touched. Enjoy the story . . . /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/35622985

The Academy Awards, Leo, and the Magic of Movie Theaters 03/04/2025

The Academy Awards, Leo, and the Magic of Movie Theaters As Cal watches the Academy Awards, he has a startling realization—he’s barely stepped inside a movie theater all year. Then, host Conan O’Brien delivers a hilarious skit introducing home streamers to a wild new concept: the movie theater. The moment sparks a memory of an interview Cal once did with Leonardo DiCaprio, where Leo spoke passionately about his favorite films and the power of cinema. That interview is replayed here, reminding us all why the theater experience is worth rediscovering. So sit back, listen, celebrate the magic of the big screen. /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/35522275

AI, War & Peace 02/25/2025

AI, War & Peace Technology, history, and global politics collide in this episode after Cal asks ChatGPT if there is a way that he can stop a war. The question unexpectedly evolves into an exploration of the forgotten Nutmeg War—a historical conflict with surprising modern parallels. Cal connects the dots between this overlooked episode of history, the recent three-year conflict unfolding in Ukraine, and the buzz surrounding Greenland. This analysis is a window into how AI can show you history and the world around you in a way that you can’t get anywhere else. /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/35411805

AI & Comedy on SNL’s 50th Anniversary 02/18/2025

AI & Comedy on SNL’s 50th Anniversary After reading about Saturday Night Live's 50th anniversary, Cal turns to one of his AI assistants, Arbor, for recommendations on the freshest new comedians. What starts as a simple question about stand-up talents turns into an eye-opening look at how AI is reshaping the way we can discover entertainment—and how we’ll all be interacting with AI in the near future. Naturally, this podcast will also deliver a few laughs . . . /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/35317340

AI & Your Therapist: Can AI Help You Overcome Your Biggest Roadblocks? 02/11/2025

AI & Your Therapist: Can AI Help You Overcome Your Biggest Roadblocks? Marketing guru Seth Godin recently shared on The Tim Ferriss Show that people often ask AI simple questions—missing out on the real value of deeper conversations. Cal has been exploring this idea on Big Questions, using AI to dive into the legacies of Muhammad Ali, Kobe Bryant, and beyond. This week, the experiment gets personal. Struggling with his discomfort around social media, Cal turns to AI—not just for strategy, but for something deeper. Can AI help reframe his mindset? Can it act as a therapist, guiding him toward a healthier relationship with the digital world? The conversation takes some surprising turns, and what he discovers might just change how you think about AI. Tune in for an episode that blends tech, psychology, and personal growth in ways you won’t expect! /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/35232555

The Visionary Behind Siri: AI’s Past, Present & Future 02/04/2025

The Visionary Behind Siri: AI’s Past, Present & Future Siri didn’t emerge from a single mind—it was the product of many brilliant innovators. But in this episode, Cal talks with one of the key founders behind the company that built the digital assistant Steve Jobs had to have. Norman Winarsky takes us back to the moments Siri first stunned the world in the testing phase in 2009 and 2010 and shares his thoughts on today’s AI revolution—what excites him, what concerns him, and what leaves him in awe. /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/35138865

President Trump & AI 01/28/2025

President Trump & AI Donald Trump divides opinions like few others—some love him, others loathe him. But over the next four years, his most impactful decisions might not be about politics as usual. Instead, they could shape the future of artificial intelligence -- and humanity. In this thought-provoking episode, Cal dives into why the President’s moves in AI policy will matter to everyone regardless of their political stance—and why getting it right is crucial. A commentary from NotebookLM.com adds some twists to Cal’s insights and is further evidence that AI will continue to take us to places we can’t yet imagine. /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/35041575

Kobe, Claude AI & The Nature Of Competition 01/21/2025

Kobe, Claude AI & The Nature Of Competition As we approach the fifth anniversary of Kobe Bryant’s passing, Cal dives deep into a fascinating discussion with Claude AI about the relentless spirit of competition that defined the NBA great. But the conversation takes an unexpected turn when Cal asks Claude if it competes with ChatGPT and other AI models. Join this thought- provoking journey as Cal uncovers lessons about the two sides to competition and simultaneously learns how to ask AI better questions to unlock its potential. /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/34931835

Muhammad Ali & AI: Lessons From A Hero’s Birthday 01/14/2025

Muhammad Ali & AI: Lessons From A Hero’s Birthday January 17th marks what would have been Muhammad Ali’s 83rd birthday. To honor his legacy, Cal embarks on a unique journey—reconnecting with his childhood hero through ChatGPT. Along the way, he discovers a powerful truth: asking the right questions is the key to unlocking the answers we seek about artificial intelligence and beyond. This episode explores the intersection of curiosity, technology, and the timeless lessons of The Greatest. /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/34832090

Sandra Matz: Your Data And Your Future 01/07/2025

Sandra Matz: Your Data And Your Future Discover the astonishing ways your daily life reveals more about you than you could ever imagine. Columbia University professor Sandra Matz takes you on a journey through the hidden world of data collection, showing how a single routine hour in the morning can generate more data than was used to send a spacecraft to the moon. In this eye-opening conversation with Cal, explore an era in which those who collect our data may know us better than we know ourselves. See the power your digital footprint holds over your life and what it means for our future. /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/34751370

Immortality & AI 12/31/2024

Immortality & AI Quincy Jones, Toby Keith, David Sanborn and others passed on in the last year – but their music lives on. Which makes Cal wonder if we all have a shot at immortality in the age of AI. Listen up, and get more out of your life. /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/34665985

Thomas Panek: Your Holiday Gift 12/24/2024

Thomas Panek: Your Holiday Gift The remarkable story of a boy who once dove into a swimming pool that didn’t have any water in it because he couldn’t admit that he was going blind and couldn’t see that he was headed for concrete, and how that boy turned into the CEO of Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a married father of four, a board member and a finisher of The Boston Marathon and The New York Marathon. Thomas Panek’s story is relevant to all of us, for it shows us the gifts that we can all receive once we push aside our pride and reach out for help. /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/34576840

Sandro Corsaro: Bridging Humanity & Technology 12/17/2024

Sandro Corsaro: Bridging Humanity & Technology Emmy nominated Producer, Author, Animator and Creative Executive for Disney, NBCUniversal and Wayfair has a fascinating conversation with Cal about the ever-evolving intersection of humanity, creativity and technology. Sandro has opened the door for Cal to translate the power of questions and storytelling into new areas, and this episode will leave you inspired to embrace the future while staying rooted in who you are. /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/34473565

Matt Mahurin: An Artist In The Age of AI 12/10/2024

Matt Mahurin: An Artist In The Age of AI What happens when an artist at the peak of his craft—known for iconic Time Magazine covers, music videos for legends like U2 and Metallica, Sundance documentaries and photographs in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art—navigates the rise of AI? Discover how Matt Mahurin sees creativity in this thought-provoking episode. Perfect for anyone curious about staying on top in an ever-changing world. /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/34343215

YUKA: Transforms How You Shop For Food 12/03/2024

YUKA: Transforms How You Shop For Food Feeling stuffed after Thanksgiving? Meet YUKA, the revolutionary app with over 64 million users worldwide. Just scan a product's barcode, and YUKA instantly reveals whether it's BAD, POOR, GOOD or EXCELLENT for your health. Join Cal as he dives into how this app is changing the way we shop—and why you should start using it too. This quick, fun, and eye opening episode can improve your health. Don’t miss it! /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/34248975

Jared Zelman: Do Math With Einstein 11/26/2024

Jared Zelman: Do Math With Einstein Cal talks with the founder of Cicero – a company that uses artificial intelligence to allow you to have conversations with Aristotle, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Michael Jackson and many other influential figures over the centuries. You see them as they actually looked and hear them in their own voices (when possible). Content is based on records of what they wrote and said. It fulfills a vision of Steve Jobs – who, back in 1985, believed that one day we’d be able to talk to people of this magnitude through the computer. Listen to the story of how it all came together and join the waiting list at heycicero.com. /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/34143726

Jehan Luth: AI & Tesla 11/19/2024

Jehan Luth: AI & Tesla Yes, we all know about cars that drive themselves. But how did it happen that the CEO and founder of Banyan can get in his Tesla on the Jersey Shore and travel to mid-town Manhattan barely touching the wheel or the accelerator? How quickly did that come upon us? And what does that mean a year from now? Two? Three? This is a historical conversation. /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/33986202

Election Analysis From Down Under 11/12/2024

Election Analysis From Down Under Looking for a fresh point of view on the recent U.S. presidential election, Cal reaches out to his Australian friend, Holly Ransom, who gives leadership conferences around the world as the CEO of Emergent Global. Richard Branson nominated Holly for Wired Magazine’s Smart List of Future Game Changers to Watch. And you’ll hear why when you listen to this podcast. Bonus: A lot of leadership takeaways! /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/33888272

Election Day Closing Argument 11/05/2024

Election Day Closing Argument Cal looks back on the few days before November 5, 2024, and realizes how all the people who were so kind and cordial around him are divided nearly 50/50 between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. He’s sure that 80 percent of us can all get along together . . . so long as we have a peaceful transfer of power. /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/33781182

Ozan Ozkural: A World View As Election Nears 10/29/2024

Ozan Ozkural: A World View As Election Nears With the potential for increased violence around the world, Cal reaches out to an old friend from Larry King’s breakfast table for a look at the global ramifications of the upcoming U.S. elections. Ozan Ozkural is on the Foreign Policy Committee of the Brookings Institution – one of the world’s top think tanks. As the founder of Tanto Capital Partners, Ozan constantly travels around the world making deals in the energy and power sectors, and his reading on the geopolitical situation will inform you and even relax you – so listen up. /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/33644257

Lindsey Cormack: Take Your Kids To Vote 10/22/2024

Lindsey Cormack: Take Your Kids To Vote It may be too late for Cal. His kids are 30, 27 and 22 years old. But it may not be too late for you or your friends to take your kids with you to vote. If it takes your kids out of school for a few hours, they may remember it for their rest of their lives, and it can be the first step in an education about democracy and the power of their vote. This message comes from the author of: How To Raise A Citizen (And Why It’s Up To You To Do It). And there’s probably never been a better election to start doing it than this one. Listen up, and you’ll hear why. /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/33559927

Dave Clark: Make An AI Movie 10/15/2024

Dave Clark: Make An AI Movie This podcast is like a walk on the red carpet into the world of AI filmmaking with one of its leaders. The message here is clear. By trying out these tools, you’ll be evolving to meet the world that is coming. One of the major points behind this conversation is to diminish the fears of people who believe that AI is coming to take their jobs. Simply trying out these new platforms will give you an opening to skills that you’re going to need in the new world. You might even find this more creative than what you’re doing now and pivot toward it. Dave Clark knows people just like that. So listen up, because only good can happen if you open yourself up to this technology and the creativity it can lead to . . . /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/33420502

Eric Leidtke: Responding To A Problem 10/08/2024

Eric Leidtke: Responding To A Problem After hearing how traces of plastic are now being found in hearts that are being examined in autopsies, Cal plays a conversation with a man who has devoted his future to combatting the problem. After working at Adidas for 26 years, Eric Leidtke pivoted to start the Unless Collection, a company that makes shoes, socks and all kinds of clothing out of plants, not plastics. In fact, the Unless Collection’s shoes, The Degenerate, can be thrown in a hole in your backyard after they’re worn out and they’ll biodegrade without leaving behind a trace of pollution. Scientists predict that by 2050, the oceans will have more plastic in them than fish by tonnage. It’s important that everyone knows about the work being done by Unless Collection. So, please, spread the word! /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/33362547

AI And Your Heart 10/01/2024

AI And Your Heart Cal learns from a cardiologist who cared for President George Bush 41 that artificial intelligence is at the point where it can tell us how long we’re destined to live. That old fashioned stethoscope? No longer really necessary. We can get better readings from tech than the human ear. Listen up to Dr. Giovanni Campanile and get a glimpse of your heart in the present and the future through AI. As well as tips on how to live longer and healthier. /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/33257487

Ravin Jesuthasan: AI And Your Job 09/24/2024

Ravin Jesuthasan: AI And Your Job Cal comes across a survey that indicates that six out of every 10 workers will require AI training before 2027. And that only half of those workers may have access to the necessary training opportunities. Which leads him to seek out global thought leader Ravin Jesuthasan to get a gauge on the future of the workplace. Increased productivity? Certainly. Human fears of losing jobs? Of course. But the author of The Skills-Powered Organization takes Cal and the conversation much deeper. Listen up. It’s important. /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/33177487

Sabaa Quao: The Power of 1 Minute 09/17/2024

Sabaa Quao: The Power of 1 Minute Some of Cal’s favorite conversations have come after a friend of his has started a sentence with these four words: “You’ve got to meet . . .” The trust behind an introduction like that always leads to special moments. And this week’s episode is no exception. Cal’s friend Monique Mardinian set up a meeting with Sabaa Quao, the Chief Creative Officer at Cossette, Canada’s largest marketing and communications company. Sabaa has also co-founded Filminute, the festival known around the world for being limited to films that are only 60 seconds long. This conversation shows the power in a single minute of content. It also looks into the question of how we’re going to trust in a time of artificial intelligence when we can no longer be sure if what we see and hear is real. You can be sure of one thing: This conversation is as real as it gets. /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/33082012

Michael Wright: Surviving 9/11 09/10/2024

Michael Wright: Surviving 9/11 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. /episode/index/show/bigquestions-calfussman/id/32974172

Big Questions with Cal Fussman

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