Interview style podcasts while seemingly easy, take a tremendous amount of talent and effort behind the scenes. Would WTF with Marc Maron be as successful if he wasn’t able to interview fascinating people and use his comedic chops to stoke a lively discussion? No way. The format can be alluring to new podcasters but most tend to be stale because the booking guests takes a back seat and the host may not be the best interviewer. This subtle difficulties made me pleasantly surprised when I was turned onto Think Bigger Think Better, an interview podcast with guests with business, science, and philosophy backgrounds.

The cohesive thread that ultimately determines the success of an interview podcast — an interesting discussion — is readily apparent with Think Bigger Think Better and I think it’s due to both the caliber and variety of the guests. Creator and host, Paul Gibbons, has had guests ranging from best-selling authors, notable CEOs, and even professional poker player Annie Duke. While undoubtedly their conversations are wide-ranging, Gibbons is able to steer the conversations in a big-picture, semi-existentialism way that enables both the guests and the listeners to think about what matters.

Discover Pods was fortunate to catch-up with Gibbons to discuss the podcast, challenges, and some of his dream guests. See below for our Q&A.

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher

Discover Pods: How’d you get into podcasting?

GIBBONS: Slowly! There are so many great one’s out there, I was shy about getting into the fray. But I’ve ton a ton of professional public speaking – and I get to talk to what I think are some of the most interesting people out there.

DP: In your own words, why should listeners tune in to Think Bigger Think Better?

GIBBONS: Variety of topics – nobody is wider (economics, psychology, politics, neuroscience, business, ethics, space, nutrition and more)

Quality – I only accept CEOs, best-selling authors, top public intellectuals, and people really breaking ground. I have two government cabinet ministers coming on!

DP: What is Think Bigger Think Better about?

GIBBONS: Too many businesses focus on the next quarter, not the next quarter century – what they could do to change the future of humanity. The only one who does this obsessively is [Elon] Musk. I want to challenge all business leaders, and all businesses to think about what they could do that would make the biggest difference, and not the 100th kind of toothpaste, or 300th kind of potato chip.

Think Bigger Think Better is about knowing the facts, having evidence, using science and reason – and not tradition, gut feelings. We make important choices – vaccination, climate change, charter schools – and health decisions on gluten (is it a fad?), or antioxidants – I want those decisions to use the best science.

DP: Are there particular episodes or interviews you think new listeners should check out first?

GIBBONS: Business listeners should listen to the one on human flourishing.
Space junkies the one on space..
Parents the one on gifted kids.
Political junkies the ones on the presidency, and on fake news.

DP: Who’s on your podcast guest wish list?

GIBBONS: Musk (duh) I do have one of his people coming on.
Steven Pinker – he agreed, then backed out, and I’m on him again
Somebody who is expert on gluten, someone on microbiome, someone on Mars colonization, someone on AI, someone on blockchain…

DP: What’s the biggest challenge you face as an indie podcaster?

GIBBONS: I write books, do speaking engagements, and dozens of other things – it is the time! Also as a noob, it is hard for me to get on with Sam Harris and folks like that.

DP: Where do you want to take your podcast?

GIBBONS: Top 20 on science and philosophy – easy!

DP: What other podcasts are you listening to now?

GIBBONS: Sam Harris, Hardcore History, RadioLab, Joe Rogan (depending on the guest), 1A (NPR)

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