Best Rational Optimism Podcasts (2025)

1
A world without values | Janne Teller, Dale Turner, Robin van den Akker, Isabel Hilton 44:37

2d ago44:37

44:37

Once values such as justice and equality were agreed upon by all. Now they are identified by some as vehicles to entrench or overturn power. On the left, 'justice' as a means to sustain and impose privilege, 'truth' as an attempt to claim enduring authority. On the right, 'diversity' and 'equality' as means to undermine the status quo in favour of …

1
Ep. 154: “Recognize Your Teams” – Effective Facility Management and Maintenance of the Built Environment with Shawn Morgal of The Building People 21:42

6d ago21:42

21:42

Shawn Morgal is Vice President of Facilities Management and Operations & Maintenance at The Building People where he is proudly serving multiple federal and local government agencies in support of the FM and O&M business lines. Mike Petrusky asks Shawn about his career journey and current perspectives on the state of the facility and asset manageme…

1
The challenge to optimism | Angus Deaton 21:34

8d ago21:34

21:34

The economy is a vital part of the way we understand our lives and our politics more generally. But after years of growth, development, and progress, on the surface everything is rosy. But as Nobel Laureate Angus Deaton argues, behind the big picture many people have been left behind by the modern economy, and this is precisely because of the blind…

1
Searching for the purpose of life |Babette Babich, Frank Tallis, Jonathan Webber, Sandra Laugier 45:53

16d ago45:53

45:53

The journey in search of the destination Does life have a purpose? Is that what gives life meaning? Or is it the journey that matters the most? Join our four speakers - Nietzschean philosopher Babette Babich, clinical psychologist Frank Tallis, existentialist philosopher Jonathan Webber, and linguist philosopher Sandra Laugier - as they explore the…

1
Ep. 153: “Start Small and Start Smart” – The Power of RFID Technology in FM and Asset Management with Joe Alvarez of National Office Systems Companies 20:03

20d ago20:03

20:03

Joe Alvarez is President & CEO of National Office Systems Companies where he is passionate about helping to bridge the gap between an organization's processes and technology when considering storage and asset management systems. Mike Petrusky asks Joe about RFID technology and the ways that it offers a more efficient and accurate way to track asset…

1
Nietzsche, the birth of tragedy, and the technology trap | Babette Babich 24:19

15d ago24:19

24:19

Nietzsche, the birth of tragedy, and the technology trap with Babette Babich Babette Babich discusses Nietzsche, the importance of tragedy, and the danger of technology interfering with our judgement. Babette Babich is a world renowned Professor of Philosophy at Fordham University in New York. In this in-depth interview, she looks to Nietzsche's Bi…

1
Caroline Wayman - Leadership under pressure 28:44

22d ago28:44

28:44

Episode 67 Caroline Wayman – Leadership under pressure SUMMARY Caroline Wayman is an accomplished, high-profile leader who – as Chief Executive of the Financial Ombudsman Service – lead the drive to compensate bank customers caught up in the national Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) scandal. Over ten years, her team dealt with two million PPI com…

1
The philosophy of fun | Myriam François, Freya India, James Tartaglia 50:35

30d ago50:35

50:35

The essential philosophy of fun Do we need to have fun or is it an unnecessary excess? Are we living in an age of fun's decline, what with the moralism and strictures of Gen Z, or is there something else going on? On this panel, our three guests - philosopher James Tartaglia, film-maker Myriam François, and writer Freya India - dive into the idea o…

1
Neoliberalism: A Soviet nightmare | Abby Innes 31:25

1M ago31:25

31:25

There is an old Soviet joke, ‘Capitalism is the exploitation of man by man. Communism is its exact opposite.’ On the surface, neoliberalism, with its emphasis on free markets, competition and privatisation, is as far removed as possible from the Soviet Union. But behind the policies, could they be guided by the same false utopianism? Abby Innes, pr…

1
Ep. 152: “The Data to Prove It” – Telematics, Transportation Operations and Fleet Management with Mike Duffy of The University of Virginia 20:55

1M ago20:55

20:55

Mike Duffy is Transportation Operations and Fleet Manager at The University of Virginia where he is passionate about improving UVA FM vehicles and equipment, implementing programs that steward funds while reducing environmental impacts. Mike Petrusky asks Mike to share about his career journey in fleet management, his achievements in the field, and…

1
Alexandra Pasternak-Jackson – Building Rational Optimism 56:00

1M ago56:00

56:00

This month Finnish Leadership is building its rational optimism.This episode we sit down with the CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce, Finland Alexandra Pasternak-Jackson. We discuss the role of optimism in leadership, authenticity, the importance of sparring, Finnish leaders’ international appeal, the changing nature of American-Finnish busine…

1
The dark side of chasing rewards | Paul Bloom, Nancy Sherman, and Dan Ariely 46:48

1M ago46:48

46:48

Something for nothing Do rewards and incentives damage our humanity? In much of our personal and professional lives, we receive rewards for good behaviour and carrying out our responsibilities. But, evidence now suggests there are risks to this approach. Studies show rewards can damage wellbeing, fostering dependence and undermining our own sense o…

1
Rethinking the Enlightenment | Historian Aviva Chomsky 26:24

1M ago26:24

26:24

The spectre of the Enlightenment What the Enlightenment a net positive or a net negative? Or is that the wrong question, and should we look at it simply as a historical period? Join Professor of History Aviva Chomsky as she dissects one of the most important periods in modern history from the lens of a critical historian. The Enlightenment was not …

1
Was Karl Marx misunderstood? | Terry Eagleton on the forgotten ideals of Marxism 24:23

2M ago24:23

24:23

Why Marx was right Having fallen out of favour around the turn of the century, Marxism is now back in fashion, often playing the role of an alternative to the increasingly right-wing politics of the modern world. Once the guiding ideology of Korean guerillas and Hampstead screenwriters alike, Marxism is back and taking universities and intellectual…

1
Ep. 151: “You Should Feel Empowered” – Holistic Facility Solutions with Chief Facilities Officers at the 2025 Annual Conference for the Virginia Chapter of APPA 28:28

2M ago28:28

28:28

Mike Petrusky hosted a Chief Facilities Officer panel discussion at the 2025 Annual Conference for the Virginia Chapter of APPA where the theme was “Holistic Facility Solutions: Balancing Operational Efficiency with Health and Wellness Priorities”. The panelists were Ken Copeland, Vice President for Business Affairs and Finance at Hampden-Sydney Co…

1
The power and the pitfalls of narrative | Matthew Beaumont, Ruth Padel, and Theodore Dalrymple 42:34

2M ago42:34

42:34

Lost in stories Is life a story or a sequence of events? Our narratives enable us to make sense of the complex, often confusing, world that we live in. And yet there is a risk that rather than helping us to truly understand this world, narratives can hide reality from us, providing delusional states of mind in its place. From witch hunts to cults, …

1
Dr Marcellus Baz BEM – Building relationships and making a difference 29:00

2M ago29:00

29:00

Episode 66 Dr Marcellus Baz BEM – Building relationships and making a difference SUMMARY Dr. Marcellus Baz BEM is an award-winning social entrepreneur, youth mentor, and the founder of Switch Up and the Marcellus Baz Foundation. Honoured with a British Empire Medal and an honorary doctorate from Nottingham Trent University, Baz has dedicated his li…

1
Reflections on mental health today | Interview | Susie Orbach 23:02

2M ago23:02

23:02

The dark side of 'mental health' with Susie Orbach Why are psychotherapy, psychology, psychoanalysis, therapy so popular today? Do these respond to a new need in our society or are they evolutions of age-old human approaches to resolution and knowing oneself? Join psychotherapist and psychoanalyst (famously Princess Diana's therapist!) Susie Orbach…

1
The life and philosophy of Peter Singer | In conversation with Myriam François 25:56

2M ago25:56

25:56

Peter Singer is one of the world's leading philosophers, renowned for his challenging and often controversial views. From animal ethics to effective altruism, Singer has shaped the philosophical landscape. In this episode we uncover the key events in his life that led to his ideas, and hear him answer his critics and defend the convictions that hav…

1
Dr Anino Emuwa – Why women leaders face unconscious bias 28:43

2M ago28:43

28:43

Nottingham Business School’s Business Leaders’ Podcast Episode 65 Dr Anino Emuwa – Why women leaders face unconscious bias SUMMARY Dr Anino Emuwa is an entrepreneur, academic and thought leader. She is also a passionate advocate for women in leadership. In Episode 65 of the Nottingham Business School’s Business Leaders’ Podcast, Dr Anino talks to V…

1
The price of everything, value of nothing | Politics series | Daniel Susskind, Abby Innes, Will Hutton, Richard Kibble 51:30

2M ago51:30

51:30

Under capitalism, it can be hard to disentangle an idea of 'value' from that which the market sets as 'valuable' - that is to say, expensive items. Is the price mechanism in any way a useful or accurate way of representing value, or are we unable to measure what we really value through it? Join our panel of four diverse social scientists to make se…

1
Ep. 150: “Understand What Could Be” – Facilities Management Innovation and Optimization with Darrell Rounds FMA, C.E.M. of Stellantis 18:39

2M ago18:39

18:39

Darrell Rounds FMA, C.E.M. is Director of Facilities Management for North America Manufacturing Operations at Stellantis where he is passionate about leveraging global cross functional collaboration, lean implementation, project management, problem solving, and data analysis. Mike Petrusky asks Darrell to share about his current role and perspectiv…

1
The crisis of the new | Stanley Fish, Claire Hynes, and Martin Puchner 59:13

2M ago59:13

59:13

Is genuine originality a realistic goal for artists? From fashion to fantasy, entertainment to enterprise, we seek the 'new' as the means to originality, change, and creativity. And for the most part, we imagine the new is always identifiable as a radical break from the past. But the nature of the new is more elusive and unknown than it first appea…

1
Joppe Quaedvlieg - asking for what you really want 50:14

3M ago50:14

50:14

This month Finnish Leadership is asking what it really wants This episode we sit down with international leader, author and communication expert Joppe Quaedvlieg to cover what organizations get wrong during hiring, how leaders struggle to articulate what they want and who they want to be, building saunas in the desert, LinkedIn becoming tinder, con…

1
Sartre vs Baldwin | Joanna Kavenna, Jonathan Webber, and Marie-Elsa Bragg 44:30

3M ago44:30

44:30

We take it for granted that through language and communication we can learn about the experience of others. But it remains unknown whether we can fully know what it is like to be another human being. James Baldwin and Jean-Paul Sartre take radically different approaches. For Sartre, the experience of others is unknown to us. Fundamentally, we are a…

1
Anton Roe – How the best companies grow their own future leaders 24:42

3M ago24:42

24:42

Nottingham Business School’s Business Leaders’ Podcast Episode 64 Anton Roe – How the best companies grow their own future leaders SUMMARY Anton Roe first joined the fledgling MHR payroll software company as an apprentice, on a £27-a-week Youth Training Scheme. More than 30 years later, Anton is now the company’s CEO – and MHR software pays the sal…

1
The philosophy of geopolitics SPECIAL | Donald Trump, Homer's Odyssey, and Korean Web Novels 43:55

3M ago43:55

43:55

What do Friedrich Nietzsche, the Korean War, and Homer's Odyssey have in common? Join the team at the IAI for four articles about the history and philosophy of geopolitics, ranging from Nietzsche's impact on Russia's imperialist strategies to the importance of Ancient Greek tragedies during the decline of the West. Written by Slavoj Žižek, John Mil…

1
Ep. 149: “Start Somewhere” – Enhancing Data Management across the Facility Asset Lifecycle with Susan Clarke of Autodesk & Erik Zink of Eptura 24:04

3M ago24:04

24:04

Susan Clarke is Senior Manager of Building Operations Strategy at Autodesk and Erik Zink is VP of Worktech Consultancy & Corporate Development at Eptura where they work to serve the marketplace with a strong alliance between the two companies. Mike Petrusky asks Susan and Erik to share the latest trends and challenges in asset management, the oppor…

1
The philosophy of dehumanisation | David Livingstone Smith 31:21

3M ago31:21

31:21

The philosophy of dehumanisation with David Livingstone Smith In this exclusive interview, philosopher David Livingstone Smith explores the history, nature, and evolution of dehumanisation. As what is 'acceptable' in society changes, so do the tactics of undercover dehumanisation. How can we identify these, and how might we progress? Smith's soluti…

1
Consciousness is quantum mechanical | Stuart Hameroff 30:10

3M ago30:10

30:10

Consciousness is one of the most fundamental aspects of our existence, but it remains barely understood, even defined. Across the world scholars of many disciplines - philosophy, science, social science, theology - are joined on a quest to understand this phenomenon. Tune into one of the more original and controversial thinkers at the forefront of …

1
Rob Barker – The importance of rational optimism 36:19

3M ago36:19

36:19

Nottingham Business School’s Business Leaders’ Podcast Episode 63 SUMMARY Rob Barker – The importance of rational optimism Rob Barker is an entrepreneur, adviser and investor in the international fitness industry. He started his career as a sales rep with Precor – one of the world’s largest suppliers of gym equipment – rising to the rank of Preside…

1
Defending panpsychism | Philosophers Philip Goff and Hilary Lawson 25:37

3M ago25:37

25:37

Metaphysics vs consciousness Panpsychism has recently become something of a household term in philosophical and scientific conversations alike. Deceivingly simple, it defends the view that consciousness is the primary 'stuff' of reality, and that all things have mind-like qualities. Join philosopher Philip Goff, one of the world's leading defenders…

1
Ep. 148: “Rationalize the Data” – Digital Transformation Initiatives in Asset Management with Kelly Kinghorn of ReVisionz, Inc. 21:41

3M ago21:41

21:41

Kelly Kinghorn is Senior Partner and Digital Technology Practice Lead at ReVisionz, Inc. where he is passionate about guiding clients through their journey with expertise in digital transformation of physical assets. Mike Petrusky asks Kelly about his perspectives on asset management, the challenges of managing data and the role of new technologies…

1
Consciousness beyond the brain | Rupert Sheldrake 31:25

3M ago31:25

31:25

Re-thinking the limits of the mind Most scientists think that consciousness is created by the brain. After all, most assume consciousness vanishes if the brain is destroyed. But what if this consensus view is radically mistaken? Join distinguished scientist Rupert Sheldrake as he argues that the mind extends beyond the brain and explores the radica…

1
The consciousness test | Yoshua Bengio, Sabine Hossenfelder, Nick Lane, and Hilary Lawson 50:19

4M ago50:19

50:19

The consciousness test Could an artificial intelligence be capable of genuine conscious experience? Coming from a range of different scientific and philosophical perspectives, Yoshua Bengio, Sabine Hossenfelder, Nick Lane, and Hilary Lawson dive deep into the question of whether artificial intelligence systems like ChatGPT could one day become self…

1
Michaela Kettner - Getting Inside the Head of a Hiring Manager 48:26

4M ago48:26

48:26

This month Finnish Leadership is Getting Inside the Head of a Hiring Manager This episode we sit down with international leader and podcaster and personal brand expert Michaela Kettner. We ask the questions: does the best idea win? Who gets promoted? What’s the manager on the other side of the hiring desk thinking? And why do so many of us, play “t…

1
Sarah Ellis – Making ‘squiggly careers’ better for everyone 39:55

4M ago39:55

39:55

Episode 62 Sarah Ellis – Making ‘squiggly careers’ better for everyone SUMMARY Sarah Ellis is co-founder of the pioneering Amazing If company that is revolutionising the way in which people view their careers. She and her business partner Helen Tupper have written two Sunday Times best-selling books about their innovative Squiggly Careers theory. T…

1
Longtermism SPECIAL: The next stage of effective altruism 33:04

4M ago33:04

33:04

Should we sacrifice the present for a better future? Join the team at the IAI for three articles about effective altruism, longtermism, and the complex evolution of moral thought. Written by William MacAskill, James W. Lenman, and Ben Chugg, these three articles pick apart the ethical movement started by Peter Singer, analysing its strengths and we…

1
The lure of Lucifer | Terry Eagleton, Susan Neiman, and Stephen de Wijze 37:22

4M ago37:22

37:22

Why do we love evil? We may condemn tyrants and abhor serial killers, but we are obsessed with evil and violence. Our news and our entertainment focus on such material. Are we fascinated by evil, violent characters because they make life more exciting? Or because they express our true nature? Should we look to end this morbid obsession, or accept i…

1
Ep. 147: “Consequential Questions” – AI Agents and the Promise of a Better Built Environment with Paul Doherty, IFMA Fellow, DFC Senior Fellow of The Digit Group, Inc. 23:49

4M ago23:49

23:49

Paul Doherty, IFMA Fellow, DFC Senior Fellow is an Award-winning Architect and President and CEO at The Digit Group, Inc. (TDG), a leading Smart Cities design, build, operate and solutions company, headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. Mike Petrusky asks Paul to explain the practical applications and implications of AI in facilities and asset manage…

1
Salma Tuqan – Cultural leadership at Nottingham Contemporary 22:41

4M ago22:41

22:41

Episode 61 Salma Tuqan – Cultural leadership at Nottingham Contemporary SUMMARY Salma Tuqan is Director of Nottingham Contemporary – one of Britain’s most prestigious galleries outside of London. She has worked with arts organistions all over the world, and for eight years was inaugural Curator of Middle Eastern Art at London’s Victoria and Albert …

1
The relationship between morality and power | Philosophers Tommy Curry, Michael Huemer, Melis Erdur 1:04:21

4M ago1:04:21

1:04:21

Morality and prejudice Is there such a thing as morality? And, if so, can we know what it is and act on it? Or is morality rather a shield for the powerful and a defence of their interest? The answer may have life-changing consequences... Join a heated debate between three philosophers with three different perspectives on the meaning of morality an…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Rational Optimism Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen