From recording some of the first rap hits to revitalizing Johnny Cash's career, the legendary producer has had an extraordinary creative life. In this episode he talks about his new book and his art-making process — and helps Steve get in touch with his own artistic side.   SOURCES:Rick Rubin, music producer and record

Hank Green is an internet phenomenon and a master communicator, with a plan to reform higher education. He and Steve talk about the video blog that launched Hank’s career, the economics of the internet, and how a cancer diagnosis prompted him to become a stand-up comedian.  SOURCES:Hank Green, founder of Complexly and

The director of the Hayden Planetarium is one of the best science communicators of our time. He and Steve talk about his role in reclassifying Pluto, bad teachers, and why economics isn’t a science.  SOURCE:Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium.  RESOURCES:Starry Messenger: Cosmic Perspectives on Civi

Bestselling author James Nestor believes that we can improve our lives by changing the way we breathe. He’s persuasive enough to get Steve taping his mouth shut at night. He explains how humans dive to depths of 300 feet without supplemental oxygen, and describes what it’s like to be accepted into a pod of whales.  SOU

Under his helm, the TED Conference went from a small industry gathering to a global phenomenon. Chris and Steve talk about how to build lasting institutions, how to make generosity go viral, and what Chris has learned about public speaking.  SOURCE:Chris Anderson, head of TED.  RESOURCES:Infectious Generosity: The Ulti

The author of the classic The Selfish Gene is still changing the way we think about evolution.  SOURCE:Richard Dawkins, professor emeritus of the public understanding of science at Oxford University.  RESOURCES:The Genetic Book of the Dead, by Richard Dawkins (2024).Flights of Fancy: Defying Gravity by Design and Evolu