I listen to a lot of podcasts about various topics. This is by far one of the best. Erudite, articulate, very enlightening and educational and also impartial and evidence-based.

I have enjoyed this podcast for several years. It is thought provoking and informative from a platform that is based on learning. The majority of episodes would get 5 stars. But the NEXUS Part 1 podcast ended with a strong political bent that was disturbing. The last few minutes could and should have been edited out. Keep your podcast politically neutral and allow your listeners to come to their own conclusions.

Used to love all the great book recommendations, but Casey Means? Really? You should be ashamed spreading health misinformation. Now I have zero trust in any of your future recommendations.

I’ve been listening for awhile now. The longer I have listened, the more Rufus has interjected the interesting guests with his left leaning agenda. It’s become more of a “I’m Rufus and this is what I believe”, and less “here’s my guest with interesting things to say”.

I learn a lot listening to this podcast. It is also very uplifting…. It is one of my favorite podcasts because it is entertaining while simultaneously uplifting and educational. Thank you!!! 😊

Nine minutes in I heard her say I-I-I soooooooo many times as she told of private schools and fancy universities in a “valley girl voice”. Ugh, No thanks.

No matter who you are—a passionate reader of books across genres, a dream-chaser, a fresh graduate entering the workforce, or just a podcast aficionado—The Next Big Idea Club will change the way you see the world. And it’s right at the tip of your earlobes. For intellectuals, creatives, or simply the curious, this podcast is a source of groundbreaking ideas, made easy to access and internalize thanks to dynamic weekly interviews and insightful book summaries. Amidst the challenges of the pandemic, this podcast emerged as a beacon of insight in my life, blending deep intelligence with approachable content that inspires and introduces new perspectives on fascinating topics across a wide range of fields—from science and sports to economics, health, and more. Four years later, whether I find myself on U.S. soil, in the cerulean heights, or in a different language zone, it continues to be a steadfast companion, offering the best non-fiction in the English language. The quality is such that I have adopted it as part of the curriculum in our language school in Argentina.

Interesting that the show had an ad at the end referring to non fiction writers. So in the brave new world, seems like non fiction writers will vanish. As will much of the creative arts. Or it will receded into a niche, much like steampunk today. Only created and accessed by a nostalgic few.

I’ve been a longtime fan of Erik (and of this show) and really enjoyed his recent interview. It inspired me to buy a copy of his new book! Thank you

Huge fan here, and this is one of the only podcasts I stay up to date with. I was struck by the introductory statement by Caleb Bissinger that, "convinced that he (Abraham Lincoln) would abolish the thing that they (the South) held most dear, slavery." That is a very simplified (for dramatic effect) summation of "The South" and it was offensive to me. I grew up in the South and have always been horrified and by how the slavery culture became essential to the agrarian Southern part of the country. If we are to "simplify" why most evil cultural trends persist, it always comes down to money. We can point to the same motivator today as we all moan about misrepresentation and chaos in government. US citizens will never be reliably represented by our US government because money holders will always pay to stay on top, same as always.

Make America great again! It’s amazing how clueless you are when you offend half of the population with your propaganda

I’m just writing to thank you Rufus, Caleb, and everyone else at the next big idea for the sharing so many powerful ideas in such a concise digestible format. This podcast has changed my thinking and my life for the better over and over again. I was listening to the episode about generosity. I realized now might be a good time to write a review. I love thinking about all the possibility in this world as we embrace generosity, becoming super communicators, think about drugs differently, and create atomic habits to name just a few topics. It does indeed feel good to share and write a review. Thank you for spreading such powerful positive ideas to shape our future!

I get so much knowledge from each episode and I love how Rufus hosts and talks. Not like most podcasts that are more or less opinion shows where the hosts love to mainly hear themselves, in this podcast it this is all about diving deep into one book per episode with the author. The books discussed are non-fictional and science driven , so there is plenty that can be learned from . 👍

Huge fan of the show. Always an interesting conversation and topic, but have especially loved the episodes where Caleb has hosted. I feel like the topics are generally more meaty and less “thought-leadery.” I would suggest all listeners to make sure you don’t miss an episode where he’s leading the way!

I love this podcast. Caleb is such a great interviewer and I can’t wait to hear more from him.

Rarely not worth your time I don’t listen to every single one of anything but I listen to most of these and I am a big consumer of all information history health and more

The content on this app is superb. The podcasts are my favorite and most useful element, followed by the book bites. The functionality of the app is a little wonky, but the quality of the content makes up for it. I work with college students, and I have actually gotten funding to have several students use it as part of their well-being and leadership journey. I appreciate the superb minds that are curating interesting and important and relevant new research, because I don’t have time to do so and what they feature has had about an 85% hit rate with me, which I find absurdly high. It is becoming an indispensable tool for me both personally and professionally.

I listen to a lot of junky comedy podcasts. I love them, but sometimes you feel like you need to eat a salad, ya know? This podcast is that salad. Great podcast for a morning walk and always good for finding the latest and greatest in non-fiction.

This starts off with “Are you ready to be infuriated?”. Wasn’t long after the guest came on that said, if everyone would pay the taxes they own we could abolish poverty. Stating basically that the taxpayers who take advantage of federal/state tax breaks such as the 529 plan and other retirement savings are not paying their fair share of taxes, and if they did pay “what they owe” we could abolish poverty. These retirement savings plans do reduce the amount of taxable income and tax they will pay, but these are the laws on the books meant to encourage people to save for retirement and education at higher levels than they normally would without the breaks. If these laws were revoked the savings levels for these areas would be drastically reduced possibly putting people in jeopardy in their retirement years due to not saving enough. The authors and to a large extent the hosts standpoint on these problems is only a bandaid on the problem, not solving anything only pushing the problem down the road where it will appear as a different yet similar form of poverty.

Informative and fun to listen to!

Rufus, I had a great time talking to you and your wife Alisa at our neighborhood park dinner a couple of months ago. I started listening to your podcast after that and immediately got addicted to it. I will not single out any specific episode, as each of them evokes different ideas and emotions. For me this podcast is the continuation of our dinner conversation. This prompted a realization in me that in life you are just as nice as in your podcast, which is very respectable. You have gathered a great group of colleagues all of whom deserve a lot of praise. Please continue the good work and hope to see you and your [not almost but utterly perfect] wife Alisa in the neighborhood.

You have field my mind with so much more the what I was thinking. I truly thank you

First time I listened to this podcast and its a home run. Annie’s take on the importance of quitting a job, a relationship or any other endeavor is eye opening and forces us out of our comfort zone and onto a richer life. So timely in my case. I am now hooked! Thank You BIll

The next big idea is well curated, thoughtful, and intelligent the interviewers always make the guest shine and sound better than they would without them. And the guests are always interesting and not your typical pundit, CEO, or leader of the moment.

Thank you for a fascinating and very well-crafted series of podcasts. I always come away inspired. I just listened to An American Odyssey and the interview with Dan McGrath. Just riveting, and so well done. Thank you!!

I never, ever leave reviews but I love this podcast and book club. I joined the book club before I ever listened, and have literally never once been disappointed by a selection, even when the description sounds like a book that isn’t up my alley or relevant to my world. Unfortunately, as a law student I can no longer afford the membership at the moment but the podcast is a great way to keep up and the conversations are always interesting and insightful.

Could it be possible that the humans might have originated on Pangea? Then as the continent split, it’s the beginning of the breaks up the tribes.

How could you do an ENTIRE episode on Musk’s acquisition of Twitter and not even touch the topic of censorship and deplatforming? That’s poor journalism, and all that was said was basically “Ew, how annoying” and “I just don’t think he can manage it.” Where are the facts? Where is any kind of rigorous analysis? I really used to like this podcast. Unsubscribed.

This is for hypocrites who hate free enterprise but still buy and sell every day.

Informative and entertaining! Gratefully N

Love most of the episodes. I have a few favs I have listened to multiple times because I find the concept helpful and want to keep then fresh in my mind.

Brilliant discussion, so much good information; I had to listen twice, once to hear the concepts and once more to take notes on the studies. Well done!

If you need to keep up on the latest fade in sociology or management this is the place for you. All the ideas are supported enthusiastically with zero critical examination. It’s just a gigantic ad factory. I usually look at the guest/book and go research it elsewhere.

The Midwestern accent used in the melon ads is so overdone I would hesitate to subject a child to the program for fear they might develop something similar.

It’s so true—we Americans have this belief that changing any habit requires suffering on some level. Instead, making change fun works a whole lot better.

I really enjoyed listening to this weekly until the show became too political. Every episode seemed to contain at least one jab towards Former President Trump. Expected better from a show claiming to be the next big idea and predicated on the idea that you had to open your mind.

One of my, if not, my favorite podcast. Very insightful, informative, and joyful!

Just listened to my first episode but I’m hooked. It’s just so good. I can’t wait to learn more.

If your like myself, filled with curiosity and love learning about new things, ideas and concepts but find yourself in a bookstore with no idea where to even start this podcast is for you! The vast variety of topics are always super interesting and unique. I find myself going down wormholes of new ideas and/or reading books that I didn't even know I would be interested in! I love this podcast & Rufus does a great job as host!

The latest episode about the future of food was truly fascinating. Discussions of vertical gardening, lab-produced meat, and nutrition pellets for soldiers were so informative and the professional/familiar dynamic between Rufus and Allison was perfect. Thank you for always giving me new things to think about!

The episode called DRUG USE: Is Getting High and American Right? (March 4, 2021) was a total mind-changer for me. It completely made me re-think about how I viewed drug use. Wow!!! If you only listen to one episode, this is the one.

I truly enjoy this podcast. I am not always able to read valuable nonfictions. This podcast enable to be exposed to these very fresh and different thoughts. I really appreciate those who created this podcast and continue on. THANK YOU!

Great podcast. Has great variety of topics and has made me rethink or discover new ways of thinking. Invaluable if you enjoy your assumptions being constantly challenged by other ideas.

I love the format of this podcast. This is a great way to “sample” new books.

Great start to the new season and can’t wait for the rest. I almost always end up reading the books they discuss, it makes me feel like I know the author after listening to the podcast. Keep up the good work, looking forward to the next episode.

This review is not to cancel this series. I will continue to listen as I prefer to try to keep my mind open to all possibilities. I am for legalization of most substances, but not all. I try to look for objective information, free from bias. I assumed (wrongly it appears) that a Pushkin podcast would be objective. This podcast is not. The science is shaky and it feels like a child molester trying to convince everyone else why the children are not victims. Very creepy. Also, when you throw in clear slams on the previous president, without any examples that point to the current discussion, clear bias. Final example... a statement such as the law enforcement lobby is interested in keeping drugs illegal to continue to subjugate black populations, you know this is not science and the scientific method but instead propaganda. Shame, lots of potential to educate, but lost opportunity.

Great podcast, but the number ads and their lengthiness feels abusive to the listener

Wonderful, thoughtful conversations that will start you thinking in new directions.

I genuinely enjoyed the content and diversity of your podcast until the recent bonus episode with Sam Harris. Listening to an accomplished white man attempt to negate the emotional complexity of the history of race with the U.S. was absolutely appalling to listen to and try as I might was more than I could stomach. While I can appreciate an alternative perspective, what this man neglected to acknowledge was that lack of reparations are justifiable means for an entire group of people to be upset. If not before now more than ever after the storming of the capital by white supremacist and domestic terrorists. This lacked tact to say the least and timing. His vocabulary for describing his emotional response to the movement was repulsive. While it’s one thing to voice opposing opinions and provide controversial thought, this was poorly accomplished and was similar to a white person using the “n” word only to follow it up with the statement, “it’s okay I have black friends” Sam Harris is entitled to his opinion and has the rights to speak his mind, but that’s easy to say when he fails to acknowledge his systemic advantages for what they are instead of a frustration towards the lack of attention to what he deems as great issues. To have the privilege to exist within Maslow's hierarchical structure and be on his plane of thought is the precise conversion that the racial equality movement today is targeting.

... until Sam Harris. After listening to his “poor me” white guy rant, I had to unsubscribe. I am so disappointed.