Best The Wolf, A Workweek Friend Podcasts (2025)

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How To Win Friends And Influence People 1:10:00

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21d ago1:10:00

1:10:00

Live like Dale Carnegie, neg like Calvin Coolidge. Where to find us: Our Patreon Our merch! Peter's newsletter Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: Self-help Messiah: Dale Carnegie and Success in Modern America The Positive Thinkers Age of industrial violence 1910-1915 : the activities and findings of the Unit…

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Thomas Chatterton Williams' "Summer of Our Discontent" 1:31:42

1M ago1:31:42

1:31:42

Peter and Michael discuss a book that's light on facts and long on sentences. Where to find us: Our Patreon Our merch! Peter's newsletter Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: Book Review: ‘Summer of Our Discontent,’ by Thomas Chatterton Williams Police shootings database 2015-2024 From the archive, 22 March 19…

1
He's Just Not That Into You 1:00:09

3M ago1:00:09

1:00:09

How one comedian's offhand advice launched a decent TV episode, a mediocre book and a terrible movie. Where to find us: Our Patreon Our merch! Peter's newsletter Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: Susan Faludi's "Backlash" For Women Who Count on Men to Be Jerks Bridget Jones’s Legacy Single Women in Popular …

1
Malcolm Gladwell's "Blink" 57:44

3M ago57:44

57:44

Did you know that in the split-second it took you to read the title of this episode, your subconscious already figured out that it was going to be extremely good? Peter and Michael talk about Malcolm Gladwell's "Blink," a book that is mostly cute scientific anecdotes but also indirectly resulted in millions of taxpayer dollars being wasted on fraud…

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The Supreme Court Goes Full TERF [TEASER] 1:01:53

4M ago1:01:53

1:01:53

This is most of the episode but if you want to hear the last 20 minutes, support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/IfBooksPod

1
"In Covid's Wake" Part 2: Wrong About The Right 1:10:19

4M ago1:10:19

1:10:19

Last episode we met two Princeton political scientists who are bad at virology. Today we learn that they are also bad at political science. Where to find us: Peter's newsletter Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: Lawrence Wright’s “The Plague Year” Jonathan Howard’s “We Want Them Infected” How the Pandemic De…

1
"In Covid's Wake" Part 1: Lying About Lockdowns 57:47

4M ago57:47

57:47

Two political scientists look back at a deadly pandemic and ask, "could we have done even less?" Where to find us: Peter's newsletter Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: Lawrence Wright’s “The Plague Year” The 2019 WHO report 30‐day mortality following COVID‐19 COVID-19: examining the effectiveness of non-pha…

1
Bonus: The Lab Leak Goes Mainstream 1:21:09

5M ago1:21:09

1:21:09

By popular demand we are releasing last month's Patreon bonus episode on the main feed! We chart the transformation of the lab leak from an unfounded theory promoted by right-wing cranks to an unfounded theory promoted by liberal journalists. Where to find us: Peter's newsletter Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Tha…

1
The Let Them Theory 53:44

6M ago53:44

53:44

Peter and Michael discuss The Let Them Theory, a self-help guide to seeking bliss through unmitigated complacency. Where to find us: Peter's newsletter Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: How to stop screwing yourself over Mel Robbins and Plagiarism Let her? Army wife claims Mel Robbins stole her idea for blo…

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Josh Hawley's "Manhood" [TEASER] 53:11

7M ago53:11

53:11

To hear the rest of the episode, support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IfBooksPod

1
Steve Harvey's "Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man" 58:53

7M ago58:53

58:53

Are you a single lady struggling to find love with a man? Don't fret! A twice-divorced game show host who thinks conversation is for women is here to help. Where to find us: Peter's newsletter Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Thanks to Mindseye for our theme song!

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Of Boys And Men 1:22:42

8M ago1:22:42

1:22:42

Who's to blame for the crisis of American masculinity? On the right, politicians tell men that they being oppressed by feminists and must reassert their manhood by supporting an authoritarian regime. And on the left, users of social media are often very irritating to people who write airport books. Where to find us: Peter's newsletter Peter's other…

1
You Are A Badass 58:58

9M ago58:58

58:58

Peter and Michael dissect Jen Sincero's "You are a Badass," a book that answers the question: What if "The Secret" was written in the painful, try-hard style of "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck"? Featuring a surprise digression about Sincero's other, even worse books. Where to find us: Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenanc…

1
What's The Matter With Kansas? 1:05:33

11M ago1:05:33

1:05:33

In 2004, historian Thomas Frank proposed a theory about the rightward drift of the white working class. Was he a prescient king whose work presaged the rise of Trump — or a bumbling fool with a broken thesis? Unfortunately it turns out he is a secret third thing that takes one hour and six minutes to explain. Special thanks to Julia Valdés for her …

1
Sam Harris's "The End of Faith" 1:09:58

12M ago1:09:58

1:09:58

Peter and Michael discuss the book that launched the phenomenon of New Atheism and asked the question: What if we hated Muslims, but in a secular way? Where to find us: Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: Views of Violence Carnival Booth: An Algorithm for Defeating the Computer-Assisted Passenger Screening Sy…

1
Who Moved My Cheese? 1:09:12

1y ago1:09:12

1:09:12

What should workers do when they get laid off? In 1998 a bleak, asinine bestseller told them to find another whey. Where to find us: Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: Bright-Sided: How Positive Thinking Is Undermining America Downsizing in America Temp: How American Work, American Business, and the American…

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UNLOCKED: Eric Adams 59:28

1y ago59:28

59:28

New York’s favorite criminal is in the news, so here is our episode about his ridiculous life. To hear all of our bonus episodes, support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IfBooksPodBy Michael Hobbes & Peter Shamshiri

1
Glenn Kessler Retire B*tch [TEASER] 36:08

1y ago36:08

36:08

Is fact-checking a legitimate enterprise? Is America's most famous fact-checker nothing more than a dweeb? Michael and Peter discuss. To hear the rest of the episode, support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IfBooksPodBy Michael Hobbes & Peter Shamshiri

1
Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother 55:37

1y ago55:37

55:37

A memoir about parenting very badly and then getting weirdly defensive when anyone asks you about it. Where to find us: Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: Effects of Authoritative Parental Control on Child Behavior, Child Development Types of Parenting Styles and Effects On Children Does “Tiger Parenting” Ex…

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S10 E6: From 0 to 350: The Rapid, Explosive Growth of Koala Insulation 31:12

1y ago31:12

31:12

Ever wonder how a franchise can keep growing without a ceiling in sight? Cory Lyons, the CEO of Koala Insulation and a 20-year veteran in the franchise world, will give us his insights. In this episode, Cory reveals what drew him to Koala Insulation, how they’ve managed explosive growth since franchising in 2020, and why they’re only scratching the…

1
S10 E5: How F45 Training's Unique Fitness Concept Became a Global Phenomenon 28:29

1y ago28:29

28:29

Ever wondered what it takes to stand out in a saturated niche like health and fitness? Tune in as The Wolf chats with Tom Dowd and Janina Czado, the dynamic duo behind F45 Training's exciting transformation and the birth of their new brands, FS8 and VAURA. They're shaking up the fitness world with a clever hub and spoke model but not without the hi…

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S10 E4: Watch Out Crumbl— Because THIS is Dessert’s Next Big Franchise 17:16

1y ago17:16

17:16

The Wolf’s bringing it back to another solo episode, and this time he’s got all of Twitter wondering why he’s been MIA for so long. He explains where he’s been all this time, and how his game-changing franchising platform, Krokit has been keeping him busy these past few months. Plus, remember how the Wolf called out Nothing Bundt Cakes as an import…

1
The Anxious Generation 2:00:18

1y ago2:00:18

2:00:18

Is social media to blame for the teen mental health crisis? It's complicated! Thanks to Emily Weinstein, Amy Orben, Andrew Przybylski, Dean Burnett, Michael Mullarkey and Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz for help researching and fact-checking this episode! Where to find us: Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: Emily Wei…

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S10 E3: Beyond the Headset: The Sandbox VR Journey 27:03

1y ago27:03

27:03

Who’s the brains behind one of the world’s most cutting-edge VR franchises? Step into the immersive world of Sandbox VR with The Wolf and its Founder/CEO, Steve Zhao. Steve explains how Sandbox VR revolutionized the entertainment industry by combining technology, community, and an incredible VR experience. From their state-of-the-art AI and compute…

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S10 E2: The 3 Most Interesting Franchises of 2024 20:32

1y ago20:32

20:32

The Wolf’s reaching into the listener mailbag and answering some of your most pressing franchise questions for this special edition episode. What are the top three franchises he’s keeping his eye on this year? NGL but… the answers might shock you (no hype cycle or fad brands in this list)! And speaking of hype cycles, what are some major red flags …

1
S10 E1: Navigating Motherhood: How New Mom School Prepares Moms for Postpartum Life, with Alexandra Spitz 39:36

1+ y ago39:36

39:36

Nothing will change after the baby comes… right? Err— not exactly, folks. But what if there was a class out there that could explain everything new moms should expect after the expecting period ends? From teething to nursing to working remotely and everything in between (why do baby heads always smell so good anyway?), discover how New Mom School h…

1
Breaking News Re-Release: "Hillbilly Elegy" 51:12

1+ y ago51:12

51:12

To celebrate ("celebrate") Donald Trump choosing JD Vance as his running mate we are re-releasing our "Hillbilly Elegy" episode. Enjoy!

1
Tips from the Top: Expert Franchise Insights 10:42

1+ y ago10:42

10:42

Why take advice from just anyone when you can hear it from the best in the biz? From the master of locations, Dinesh Goswami, to the mad genius behind the cult sensation, Dave’s Hot Chicken, we’ve had so many master-level franchisors on the podcast this year, that I just had to share some of their hottest insights. So, I compiled the best advice an…

1
Richard Hanania's "The Origins of Woke" 1:01:54

1+ y ago1:01:54

1:01:54

Peter and Michael discuss "The Origins of Woke," a glimpse into the dark aspirations of the Republican Party and the mind of a very unusual man. Where to find us: Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: What Speech Does "Hostile Work Environment" Harassment Law Restrict? Tunis v. Corning Glass Works, 698 F. Supp.…

1
Tips from the Top: Franchising’s Best Advice 10:39

1+ y ago10:39

10:39

It seems like anyone and their mom is ready to give you advice about franchising. But why not take advice from franchising’s greatest who successfully scaled from the bottom to the top of the industry? This week, we’re mixing it up and compiling some of the best bits of advice and wisdom from franchising’s finest minds. I’ve hand-picked some of my …

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S9 E10: How Slick City Became an Adventure Park on Steroids 35:05

1+ y ago35:05

35:05

Join The Wolf as he sits down with Bron Launsby, the mastermind behind Slick City, a thriving franchise in the recreation center space. Learn the secrets behind their success, from innovative performance slides to exceptional customer experiences. Bron shares ambitious expansion plans, aiming to open up to 40 new locations by 2025, with a vision of…

1
S9 E9: 130 Units in 60 Months: Inside Soccer Stars’ Booming Franchise Model 43:02

1+ y ago43:02

43:02

Who can forget being shuffled around to soccer games in the back seat of mom’s minivan, eagerly waiting to find out what post-game snacks awaited you at the end of your little league matchup? What if there was a franchise that could capture that same magic? The Wolf talks to Adam Geisler and John Erlandson, the co-founders of Youth Athletes United,…

1
S9 E8: Unpacking beem Light Sauna’s Formula to Success 42:19

1+ y ago42:19

42:19

How does the co-founder of beem Light Sauna think about scaling a thriving health and wellness franchise? The Wolf talks with Cynthia May, CEO and Co-Founder of beem Light Sauna, to discover her secret to scaling from 0 to 65 locations in a little over four years. Cynthia reveals her biggest challenges and successes in scaling a franchise brand, un…

1
S9 E7: How Checkers & Dave’s Hot Chicken Became a National Cult Obsession 32:21

1+ y ago32:21

32:21

Before it became a media franchise sensation, Dave’s Hot Chicken was a pop-up shop in East Los Angeles creating a line as long as the eye could see. Now it has a national cult following with investors like Drake and Usher invested in the Nashville-style chicken chain. The Wolf sits down to chat with founding franchisees, Andrew Feghali and Lawrence…

1
S9 E6: How Dinesh Goswami Acquired 125+ Pizza Huts, Popeye’s, and Taco Bells 42:39

1+ y ago42:39

42:39

Did you know when it comes to where your franchise is situated, there’s a breakfast side and a dinner side of the street? Dinesh Goswami certainly does, and with 125+ franchise locations open, including Pizza Hut, Popeye’s, , Taco Bell, and Checker’s, he knows why understanding your location is the #1 thing you can do to ensure the longevity of you…

1
S9 E5: Mobile Station Mogul: Gas Biz Guy on the Future of the Gas Industry 30:42

1+ y ago30:42

30:42

What’s the latest Twitter beef with an army of minions going to war for Gas Biz Guy? Is it a joke or is there legitimate beef behind the brawl? Join The Wolf as he sits down with viral Twitter personality Gas Biz Guy (aka Chris Hellgeth), a self-made entrepreneur who turned a ten-cent cigarette sale into a $100 million-a-year gas distribution busin…

1
The Columbia Protests [TEASER] 27:17

1+ y ago27:17

27:17

Peter and Michael discuss the media coverage of the protests at Columbia — from the crazed, bloodthirsty ravings of right-wing media to the more muted, respectful bloodthirst of centrist media. To hear the rest of the episode, support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IfBooksPod

1
S9 E4: The Visionary Leader Behind Pearle Vision's Eyewear Empire, with Bill Noble 43:50

1+ y ago43:50

43:50

How did a West Point flight school graduate become the founder of 79 optical stores across the US? Bill Noble, Pearle Vision’s largest multi-unit franchise owner, joins the pod to chat with the Wolf about his fascinating journey from sitting in the cockpit to building a nationwide franchise empire. From his early days at Harrah's Entertainment to h…

1
S9 E3: Deb Merrill’s Jimmy Johns Journey 34:52

1+ y ago34:52

34:52

Deb Merrill had no idea she was destined for franchise management until her brother-in-law asked if she’d be interested in running a Jimmy John’s. Realizing that stage management wasn’t the dream job she had hoped it would be, Deb left her theater career behind for the food service industry. In this candid conversation with the Wolf, Deb opens up a…

1
"Going Infinite": Michael Lewis Takes On Sam Bankman-Fried 1:15:44

1+ y ago1:15:44

1:15:44

Peter and Michael discuss Michael Lewis’s bestselling book about the rise and fall of Sam Bankman-Fried, a young prodigy whose only flaw was that he dreamed too big. Where to find us: Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: Michael Lewis Is Buying What Sam Bankman-Fried Is Selling Michael Lewis Likens Critics of …

1
S9 E2: The King of Chicken and Beef: How Drew Gressett Opened 80+ Zaxby’s and Hat Creek Locations 36:56

1+ y ago36:56

36:56

Drew Gressett’s sitting down with the Wolf to discuss his personal journey in the restaurant industry—from his journey founding Hat Creek Burger Company to owning 60+ Zaxby’s. Hear Hat Creek Burger Company’s humble origin story—from starting as a food truck in 2008 to now having 26 brick-and-mortar locations, Drew shares the challenges and triumphs…

1
S9 E1: How Adam Saxton Turned McAlister’s Deli Into an Unstoppable Franchise Beast 38:18

1+ y ago38:18

38:18

You’ll never be able to operate 90+ franchises if your first franchise isn’t golden to begin with. Take it from Adam Saxton, operator of over 90+ McAlister’s Delis and co-CEO/Owner of the Saxton Group. With territories in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, Adam chats with the Wolf about his unusual philosophy for franchise expansion, including a unique o…

1
"The Better Angels of Our Nature" Part 2: Campus Lies, I.Q. Rise & Epstein Ties 1:24:12

1+ y ago1:24:12

1:24:12

2 Better 2 Angels Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IfBooksPod Where to find us: Peter's other podcast, 5-4 Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Sources: Jeffrey Epstein’s Science of Sleaze Pinker’s response to Epstein allegations How Jeffrey Epstein Captivated Harvard Jeffrey Epstein Hoped to Seed Human Race With His DNA It’s Offic…

1
Who's Afraid of Naomi Wolf? [TEASER] 30:17

1+ y ago30:17

30:17

We're finally discussing a good book! Naomi Klein's "Doppelgänger" chronicles the long, steady descent of another Naomi — Wolf (buddy oof) — from feminist icon to crank conspiracist. To hear the rest of the episode, support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IfBooksPodBy Michael Hobbes & Peter Shamshiri

1
S8 E10: Listener Mailbag: Negotiating Franchise Agreements, Back Office Solutions, & the Nashville Chicken Wars 17:13

1+ y ago17:13

17:13

Buckle up because the Wolf is taking another stab at your best Twitter questions in this solo question-and-answer pod. Should you be able to negotiate a franchise agreement? If so, how much of an agreement is negotiable, or are most franchise agreements a take-it-or-leave-it proposition? Then the Wolf uncovers his #1 recommendation for back-office …

1
S8 E9: How Lucas Mitchell Bought 20 Five Guy’s With Just $700k 47:45

1+ y ago47:45

47:45

The Wolf chats with french fry master, Lucas Mitchell, a successful entrepreneur and franchisee of Five Guys, to discuss the ins and outs of scaling a franchise business. From building strong relationships with franchisees to managing shiny object syndrome, Lucas shares valuable insights and lessons learned along his journey. How did Lucas go from …

1
Lean In 57:00

1+ y ago57:00

57:00

In 2013, Sheryl Sandberg became an icon for women who wanted to move from middle management at a tech company into upper management at a tech company. Today, Peter and Michael examine the contents of her bestselling book, survey the wreckage of corporate feminism and ask whether women will finally find liberation in the Metaverse. Where to find us:…

1
S8 E8: Stretching the Limits: The Rise of StretchLab, with Steve Hitzemann 46:27

1+ y ago46:27

46:27

Loosen up. Literally. StretchLab is the Austin-based company helping others to increase performance and decrease joint pain. The Wolf chats with owner Steve Hitzemann about the fast-growing franchise’s rapid ascent to success. How did Steve dare to dream of a business model based on nothing more than stretching? Hear how Steve made the impossible p…

1
S8 E7: A Bundt Cake Franchise With ~$300k In Profits?! 15:31

1+ y ago15:31

15:31

The Wolf’s taking a break from his normal podcasting format to break down the latest in franchising news this week. Is Orange Theory’s acquisition by Self Esteem Brands a good thing or a sign of impending doom? With Orange Theory’s numbers diminishing since the initial insanity of their boom, could this spell disaster or is it a shrewd business mov…

1
"The Better Angels of Our Nature" Part 1: You're Not Wrong, Pinker. You're Just An *sshole 1:37:45

1+ y ago1:37:45

1:37:45

This week we're tackling Steven Pinker's 900 page dissection of the reasons why violence, torture and war have declined over the last 10,000 years. Was it an indeterminate mixture of politics, economics, technology and serendipity? Or did some European guys write some books that said murder was bad? Special thanks to Philip Dwyer, Eleanor Janega, D…