If you’re new to the AoM podcast, or maybe have missed a few episodes in the last six months, here’s a look at the 10 most popular episodes we’ve published so far in 2025. Each one offers something that will enrich your life. Some give you a practical takeaway. Others just help you see the world a little differently.
If you haven’t already, follow the show on your favorite podcast app (Apple, Spotify, Overcast). We put out an episode a week and they’re free! Also, check out our archives. There’s over 1,000 episodes. We’ve got a lot of great guests lined up for the second half of the year, so stay tuned.
The Science of Porn: Myths, Facts, and Overlooked Issues
Porn is more accessible than ever, but its real effects on mental health, relationships, and development are often clouded by emotion and ideology. Dr. Brian Willoughby has spent 15 years researching porn’s impact and unpacks what the data actually says about how porn is affecting people. We cover everything from porn’s impact on erectile dysfunction and depression, to how porn use varies by religiosity, age, and gender to what parents should know about talking to their kids about it.
The Power of the Notebook — The History and Practice of Thinking on Paper
The humble notebook has a surprisingly rich history that took it from a business technology for accounting to a creative technology for artists. Roland Allen shares that history, how the notebook was used by eminent figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Theodore Roosevelt, and why, even in a digital world, jotting thoughts on paper remains a powerful aid to thinking, memory, and creativity.
The 80/80 Marriage — A New Model for a Happier, Stronger Relationship
Many couples approach marriage with a 50/50 mindset, expecting everything to be split evenly and fairly. But Nate Klemp argues that this scorekeeping approach actually undermines happiness. In this episode, he explains how shifting to a model of “radical generosity” can foster deeper connection, greater appreciation, and a stronger partnership.
No, There Isn’t a Loneliness Epidemic (And That May Be an Even Bigger Problem)
Face-to-face socializing has dropped sharply in America but this hasn’t led to a corresponding spike in loneliness. Derek Thompson explains this paradox, why it’s a problem, and why socializing is good for us individually and as a society.
How to Use Leverage Points to Get Unstuck in Work and Life
When life or work feels stuck, most people either push harder or give up. But Dan Heath offers a smarter approach. Drawing from his book Reset, he explains how small, strategic shifts — called leverage points — can unlock big change. We talk about how to rethink broken systems in work and life to get them going again.
20 Secrets of Adulthood
Adulthood can be murky, but a few well-crafted truths can help guide your path. Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project and Secrets of Adulthood, shares some of her favorite aphorisms for navigating life, covering everything from why happiness doesn’t always feel good, to decision-making shortcuts, to why you should wear your favorite sweater more often.
Sleep Like a Caveman
People aren’t sleeping less than they used to, but they feel worse about their sleep than ever. Dr. Merijn van de Laar, author of How to Sleep Like a Caveman, explores how ancient sleep patterns can help us stop obsessing and start resting. He explains why common “problems” like nighttime wakeups are actually normal, and how our modern quest to optimize sleep might be doing more harm than good.
Man’s Search for Meaning, With Viktor Frankl’s Grandson
Man’s Search for Meaning has long been one of the most impactful books in my life, so it was an honor to talk with Viktor Frankl’s grandson, Alexander Vesely. A psychotherapist and documentarian, Alexander shares insights into Frankl’s life, his creation of meaning-centered therapy, and how that philosophy was forged in the crucible of the concentration camps. We explore the meaning of meaning and how to find purpose in both joy and suffering.
Co-Intelligence — Using AI to Think Better, Create More, and Live Smarter
AI tools like ChatGPT aren’t going away, and they’re only getting more powerful and more entwined with our daily lives. Ethan Mollick, Wharton professor and author of Co-Intelligence, explains why everyone should spend time exploring these tools, how to use AI as a collaborator rather than a crutch, and what this new era means for creativity, productivity, and the future of work.
Men Don’t Run in the Rain — And 7 Other Essential Lessons for Being a Man
When Rick Burgess was growing up, his dad wasn’t just his father — he was also his football coach. In this conversation, Rick shares the timeless lessons on being a man he got from his dad, including why it’s essential to own your choices, stay humble, quit making excuses, and most importantly, what it really means to never run in the rain.
