How do elite chess players think? How many moves ahead do they plan? Jennifer Shahade should know. A Woman Grandmaster, two-time US Women's Chess Champion, a professional poker player and author of several books, Jennifer draws on decades of experience in her latest book, "Thinking Sideways: How to Think like a Chess Player and Win at Life". In this podcast she talks about decision-making, creativity, preparation, parenting, coaching and dealing with uncertainty, anxiety and nerves. Instead of resorting to platitudes she offers concrete evidence, through various anecdotes, of how getting small things right can make a difference.

Picture source: https://jennifershahade.com/. Photo by Maria Emelianova.

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Johan Norberg's latest book, Peak Human: What We Can Learn from the Rise and Fall of Golden Ages, is a sweeping account of seven civilizations that flourished through openness, curiosity, trade and innovation. Drawing on examples from Athens, Rome, the Abbasid Caliphate and the Dutch Republic, Johan explores what creates a golden age and what causes its decline.

He discusses the ideas of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, the role of free speech and political satire in ancient Athens, the scientific achievements of the Islamic world and the entrepreneurial spirit that transformed the Dutch into one of history's most successful societies.

Despite wars, political turmoil and the pandemic, Johan argues that we may be living through the greatest age in human history. While he worries that societies continue to repeat old mistakes, he believes it is still far too early to give up on mankind.

Picture source: https://www.johannorberg.net/

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Why does the World Cup captivate billions of people every four years? How did a football tournament become a stage for politics, national identity, soft power and some of the greatest stories in sport?

Acclaimed football writer and journalist Jonathan Wilson talks about his book, "The Power and the Glory: A New History of the World Cup". He covers the remarkable history of the tournament while explaining how football became a global language, why different nations developed distinct styles of play, the rise of FIFA and the complicated relationship between sport, power and politics. We also discuss VAR, football culture in England, the enduring appeal of the World Cup and what it's like to cover the tournament as a journalist.

Picture credit: https://www.jonawils.com/

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