In our rapidly changing world, it might make you feel crazy to look around and see others going about life as usual. There’s actually a term for this phenomenon: hypernormalization. In this episode, Adam talks with Rahaf Harfoush, a digital anthropologist and expert on toxic productivity culture, about the immense pressures of living through “unprecedented times.” Rahaf breaks down the concept of hypernormalization, and Adam explains why it can fuel feelings of destabilization and disconnection. The two challenge the propaganda that promotes productivity for its own sake and explore healthier ways to get things done.

Host & Guest

Adam Grant (Instagram: @adamgrant | LinkedIn: @adammgrant | Website: https://adamgrant.net/)

Rahaf Harfoush (Instagram: @foushy | Website: https://rahafharfoush.com/) 

Links

Newsletter: https://rahaf.kit.com/

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For the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/worklife/worklife-with-adam-grant-transcripts

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The Ku Klux Klan is one of the tightest-knit White supremacist groups in America—once someone joins, they’re usually in for life. But since the 1980s, over 200 members have renounced their affiliation, and all give credit to the same man: a Black jazz musician named Daryl Davis. In this episode, Adam is joined by Daryl and Jeff Schoep, a former leader of the largest neo-Nazi group in the US whose life and mind were changed by meeting and befriending Daryl. They discuss techniques for challenging ignorance and prejudice, analyze the cognitive dissonance experienced by members of extremist groups, and reflect on the conversations with Daryl that helped Jeff think again. They also explore the limits of empathy and curiosity.

Host & Guest

Adam Grant (Instagram: @adamgrant | LinkedIn: @adammgrant | Website: https://adamgrant.net/)

Daryl Davis (Instagram: @realdaryldavis | Website: https://www.daryldavis.com/) 

Jeff Schoep (Instagram: @jeff_schoep | Website: https://jeffschoep.com/) 

Links

https://beyondbarriersusa.org/

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For the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/worklife/worklife-with-adam-grant-transcripts

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Suleika Jaouad is the author of the memoir Between Two Kingdoms and the new Book of Alchemy—she’s also a lifelong journaler. In this episode, Adam and Suleika reflect on how Suleika’s journaling practice has helped her through cancer, discuss the art and science of journaling, and brainstorm creative ways to incorporate it into reflection and relationships. They also chat about Suleika and her husband Jon Batiste’s shared love of prank calls and bond over a mutual hatred of the common advice to live every day like it’s your last.

Host & Guest

Host: Adam Grant (Instagram: @adamgrant | LinkedIn: @adammgrant | Website: https://adamgrant.net/)

Guest: Suleika Jaouad (Instagram: @suleikajaouad | Website: https://www.suleikajaouad.com/)

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For the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/worklife/worklife-with-adam-grant-transcripts

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Malala Yousafzai is an activist for girls’ education and women’s empowerment, and the youngest Nobel Peace Laureate in history. In her new book, Finding My Way, is her effort to take control of her story after becoming a public figure at a young age. In this episode, Malala and Adam talk about the pressures of childhood fame, Malala’s struggles with saying no, and her journey to rediscover spontaneity and learn to ski and ride a bike. They also discuss how Malala’s thoughts on marriage have changed, discuss the important role men play in changing structures that hold women back, and debate the merits of teasing the people you love. 

Host & Guest

Host: Adam Grant (Instagram: @adamgrant | LinkedIn: @adammgrant | Website: https://adamgrant.net/)

Guest: Malala Yousafzai (Instagram: @malala | Website: https://malalabook.com/, https://malala.org/)

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For the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/worklife/worklife-with-adam-grant-transcripts

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Jacob Collier is a Grammy-winning musician, an exceptional teacher and communicator, and a rousing innovator onstage. Jacob joins Adam in front of a live audience at TED to give an interactive performance and share his perspective on audience participation, his insights on communication, and his unconventional approach to making music that defies genre. They also discuss Jacob’s strategy for dealing with hecklers, his “harmonically irresponsible” covers of popular songs, and the innate human desire to wiggle.

Host & Guest

Host: Adam Grant (Instagram: @adamgrant | LinkedIn: @adammgrant | Website: https://adamgrant.net/)

Guest: Jacob Collier (Instagram: @jacobcollier | YouTube: @JacobCollier | Website: https://www.jacobcollier.com/)

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For the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/worklife/worklife-with-adam-grant-transcripts

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As a business journalist, Andrew Ross Sorkin writes for the New York Times DealBook, which he founded, and co-anchors Squawk Box on CNBC. In this episode, Adam and Andrew riff on what makes a great conversation and compare notes on their best and worst interviews—including when Elon Musk told Bob Iger to f*** off. They also investigate what Andrew has learned about the psychology of powerful people and explore surprising insights from his new book, 1929, on the infamous stock market crash.

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Host: Adam Grant (Instagram: @adamgrant | LinkedIn: @adammgrant | Website: https://adamgrant.net/)

Guest: Andrew Ross Sorkin (Instagram: @sorkinsays | Website: https://www.andrewrosssorkin.com/) 

Links

Book: https://sites.prh.com/1929

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For the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/worklife/worklife-with-adam-grant-transcripts

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John Grisham is the author of over 50 #1 bestselling novels, including A Time To Kill and The Pelican Brief—but before he became the preeminent writer of legal thrillers, he had a tumultuous career as a lawyer. Adam and John discuss how John’s experience in the courtroom inspires his fiction, and how it has continued to shape his perspective on storytelling and criminal justice. They also dig into John’s writing process, unpack his feelings of doubt that still linger after success, and reflect on the moment that changed his mind about the death penalty.

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Host: Adam Grant (Instagram: @adamgrant | LinkedIn: @adammgrant | Website: adamgrant.net/)

Guest: John Grisham (Instagram: @johngrisham | Website: https://jgrisham.com/) 

Links

https://www.facebook.com/JohnGrisham/

https://jgrisham.com/books/

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For the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/worklife/worklife-with-adam-grant-transcripts

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RaQuel Hopkins is a therapist and HR professional whose hot takes on growth and well-being have challenged how many people talk and think about mental health. In this episode, Adam and RaQuel explore how some people use mental health labels as a crutch, discuss ways to expand our capacity instead of simply coping with emotional wounds, and address the problems with trigger warnings. They also debate what it takes to grow after trauma.

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Host: Adam Grant (Instagram: @adamgrant | LinkedIn: @adammgrant | Website: adamgrant.net/)

Guest: RaQuel Hopkins (Instagram: @raquel_the_capacity_expert) 

Links

https://www.arccltv.com/raquel-hopkins

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Brené Brown is a researcher, storyteller, and author who hosts the podcast Dare to Lead and has given some of the most popular TED Talks of all time. Brené joins Adam live at Authors@Wharton to talk about her new book, Strong Ground. They discuss how to identify your core values, what courageous leadership looks like, and whether vulnerability has gained popularity. They also address the problems with “executive presence,” compare notes on how to have hard conversations and set boundaries, debate the merits of the “tush push,” and reflect on what Brené learned from working with FBI hostage negotiators.

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Host: Adam Grant (Instagram: @adamgrant | LinkedIn: @adammgrant | Website: adamgrant.net/)

Guest: Brené Brown (Instagram: @brenebrown | Website: https://brenebrown.com/) 

Links

Strong Ground by Brené Brown

List of all Brené Brown’s books: https://brenebrown.com/books-audio

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For the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/worklife/worklife-with-adam-grant-transcripts

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Matthew McConaughey is the Academy Award-winning star of Dallas Buyers Club, Dazed and Confused, or Interstellar. But he’s not just an actor—he’s also an entrepreneur, philanthropist, teacher, and prolific writer. His second book, Poems and Prayers, was built on decades of his journal entries, poems, and life lessons learned. In this episode, Matthew and Adam discuss the difference between cynicism and skepticism, reflect on Matthew’s experience in learning to laugh at his embarrassing moments, and consider effective and ineffective steps for practicing gratitude. Matthew also shares the story behind his iconic “Alright, alright, alright” catchphrase and why he’ll never get tired of hearing it.

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Host: Adam Grant (Instagram: @adamgrant | LinkedIn: @adammgrant | Website: adamgrant.net/)

Guest: Matthew McConaughey (Instagram: @officiallymcconaughey) 

Links

Poems & Prayers by Matthew McConaughey

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

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Website: ted.com

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For the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/worklife/worklife-with-adam-grant-transcripts

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