Best Kara Babcock Podcasts (2025)

1
The secrets of a great apology 32:14

3d ago32:14

32:14

When you mess up, a sincere apology can make all the difference. But making things right takes more than a simple “I’m sorry.” In this episode, Adam takes us from the pre-kindergarten classroom to Formula One’s race track to investigate what it takes to make amends, right wrongs, and repair relationships. Guests: pre-K teacher Kath Konecky; managem…

1
The dangers of identity capitalism with Jia Tolentino 34:52

10d ago34:52

34:52

In this season of WorkLife, we’re pairing each of our regular episodes with a companion interview to do a deeper dive into the topic. This is the deeper dive for our episode on the case against personal branding. Jia Tolentino is a writer at The New Yorker, screenwriter, and author of Trick Mirror—as a lauded culture critic, she’s a keen observer (…

1
The case against personal branding 24:58

18d ago24:58

24:58

In the age of social media and influencers, we’re constantly pushed to think of ourselves as brands—shiny packages containing all of our best traits to market to employers and followers. But striving to build a “personal brand” may actually hinder your ability to make genuine connections and maintain a strong reputation. In this episode, Adam explo…

1
Protecting your time with Linda Babcock 35:06

25d ago35:06

35:06

In this season of WorkLife, we’re pairing each of our regular episodes with a companion interview to do a deeper dive into the topic. This is the deeper dive for our episode on how to say no. Linda Babcock is a professor emerita of economics at Carnegie Mellon and co-author of “The No Club,” a club of people who help each other set boundaries. Lind…

1
Angel Season 1 Wrap-Up 1:04:31

30d ago1:04:31

1:04:31

Steph and Kara discuss the first season of Angel. Evil lawyers, hegemonic systems, and men with feelings: Angel’s first year in the city named after him was an eventful one. Spoiler section starts at 42:20. Hear us discuss… So many men on this show!! Best and worst episodes The thesis of this season, maybe the whole series? Wait … did Angel … win ……

1
How to say no 35:44

1M ago35:44

35:44

In a world filled with requests, many of us are struggling to stay afloat. Even if you’re not a people-pleaser, the desire to maintain a positive reputation can make it hard to turn others down. In this episode, Adam explores the art and science of delivering an effective “no.” He highlights strategies for setting boundaries with others to create s…

1
Angel S1E22: “To Shanshu in L.A.” 1:19:21

1M ago1:19:21

1:19:21

Angel has stolen a valuable prophecy scroll from Wolfram & Hart. Determined to retrieve it, they dispatch their best warrior: the Phantom of the Opera. He hits Angel where it will hurt the most. not only does he disable Cordelia and Wesley, but he destroys Angel’s sole joy in life. Angel vows revenge, and no lawyer or demonic entity or prophecy wil…

1
Shonda Rhimes on saying yes to what scares you 45:16

1M ago45:16

45:16

Shonda Rhimes is the revolutionary creator, writer, and executive producer behind so many groundbreaking TV shows—from Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal to Bridgerton and How To Get Away With Murder. Her work has changed the way stories are told on TV and the lives of viewers who see themselves represented on the screen for the first time. Shonda and Adam…

1
Angel S1E20: “War Zone” & S1E21: “Blind Date” 1:55:43

1M ago1:55:43

1:55:43

First, a techbro billionaire (90s style) hires Angel to retrieve incriminating photos of his demonic peccadilloes. This leads Angel to get mixed up with Charles Gunn and his crew of homeless vampire fighters. When a white boy vampire gang kidnaps Gunn’s sister in retaliation for the crew’s activity, Angel tries his best to help these not-so-helples…

1
Melinda French Gates on navigating change 30:39

2M ago30:39

30:39

Melinda French Gates is a philanthropist, business leader, advocate, and self-proclaimed “recovering perfectionist.” In her new book, The Next Day, she opens up about the lessons she’s learned about change, from getting divorced to leaving the Gates Foundation that she co-founded and co-chaired for decades. Melinda and Adam discuss how derailment c…

1
Angel S1E18: “Five by Five” & S1E19: “Sanctuary” 1:45:53

2M ago1:45:53

1:45:53

First, the slayer arrives in the City of Angel, but it’s not the one you’re thinking of. Wolfram & Hart hire her to kill Angel, a task Faith sets to with gusto. When she threatens to take Wesley off the board, Angel has no choice but to take her out. Then, the two-parter concludes with the other slayer—yeah, that one—showing up just in time to see …

1
We’re wrong about what makes us happy with Dan Gilbert 38:21

2M ago38:21

38:21

What do you think will make you happy next year? According to Dan Gilbert’s research, your guess is probably wrong. Dan is a Harvard psychologist, bestselling author of Stumbling on Happiness, and popular TED talker, and he and Adam discuss why it’s so difficult to make accurate predictions about our own future and how to figure out what actually m…

1
Angel S1E17: “Eternity” 1:39:13

2M ago1:39:13

1:39:13

Angel is in the right time, right place to save the life of a dusty, old, dried up actress in her late twenties. When she learns he’s a vampire, she realizes she has a unique opportunity to stave off her withering descent into cronehood. But how to convince a vampire with a soul to sire you? Hear us discuss… Cordelia is a brilliant actor as long as…

1
Megan Rapinoe & Sue Bird on leading great teams and moving on 42:13

2M ago42:13

42:13

Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird are two of the greatest athletes of all time — Megan is an Olympic gold medalist and was named the best soccer player in the world by FIFA. Sue has won five of her own Olympic gold medals in basketball and four WNBA championships. Now that the couple have each retired from their legendary sports careers, they host a podca…

1
Angel S1E15: “The Prodigal” & S1E16: “The Ring” 1:42:15

2M ago1:42:15

1:42:15

First, a flashback-heavy episode finally gives new viewers Angel’s backstory … more than halfway through the season. Back in present day Los Angeles, Angel and Kate cross paths again as he works to down some demons smuggling demon drugs. Then, shady characters take advantage of Angel’s trust, kidnapping him and forcing him to participate in a demon…

1
How David Fajgenbaum saved his own life — and thousands of others 40:08

2M ago40:08

40:08

David Fajgenbaum had his last rites read to him at 25 years old after a brutal struggle with an inflammatory disease that attacks the vital organs. As a medical student with two weeks left to live, he repurposed a drug and tested it on himself—and saved his own life. Now, he’s repeating the same process for many others through his nonprofit, Every …

1
Angel S1E13: “She” & S1E14: “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” 1:50:53

2M ago1:50:53

1:50:53

First, Angel gets mixed up with a mysterious, enticing demon from another dimension whose ko glows red. She’s trying to save her girls from a wannabe boy band, and she doesn’t care what kind of body count she racks up in the process. Then, Angel investigates the strange goings-on in a suburban household. Is one of the kids possessed? Or is this jus…

1
What hibernating animals can teach us about human sleep with Vladyslav Vyazovskiy 39:25

2M ago39:25

39:25

Do you ever wish you could hibernate like a bear during the winter? Vladyslav Vyazovskiy thinks it might be possible. As a sleep physiologist at Oxford, Vladyslav studies why humans sleep and the sleep patterns of other species. He and Adam discuss the possibility of unlocking a hibernation ability in humans and its potential benefits – from curing…

1
Angel S1E11: “Somnambulist” & S1E12: “Expecting” 1:55:53

3M ago1:55:53

1:55:53

First, Angel has brutally vivid nightmares of stalking and feeding from people off the streets of LA. He correctly deduces this means a vampire he sired in the eighteenth century is in town, and unfortunately for all of us, Kate is on the case. Meanwhile, Cordelia and Wesley inadvertently start a feud with the neighbouring dental office. Then, Cord…

1
The voices in your head with Ethan Kross 37:45

3M ago37:45

37:45

Do you have an inner monologue? Ethan Kross is a psychologist and neuroscientist who studies our inner lives, from how you respond to the voice in your head to how you manage your emotions. Ethan and Adam compare notes on their inner voices (or lack thereof), share advice on how to calm an anxious mind, and discuss the benefits of mental time trave…

1
Angel S1E10: “Parting Gifts” 1:23:26

3M ago1:23:26

1:23:26

As they reel from Doyle’s sacrifice, Angel and Cordelia discover he left Cordelia a painful bequest. A demon comes to Angel Investigations look for help against the new player in town: a bad boy rogue demon hunter who doesn’t play by the rules. But the tables quickly turn, and Angel is the one who needs help if he doesn’t want to be down two employ…

1
The emotions you’ve felt but never named with John Koenig 32:06

3M ago32:06

32:06

Have you heard of the word sonder? It’s the realization that each “random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own.” John Koenig introduced it in his book The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows—a compilation of new words aiming to capture the nuance and complexity of emotions that can be hard to put a finger on. In this vocabulary-expa…

1
Angel S1E9: “Hero” 1:25:46

3M ago1:25:46

1:25:46

The Dark Avenger is on the case, and his rats are low. But if he isn’t available, maybe Doyle can help you out. That’s what he reluctantly tries to do with a group of demons fleeing the Scourge, demonic Nazis bent on eliminating any demon who isn’t “pureblood.” With Angel and Cordelia’s help, the demons almost escape from LA. When the Scourge catch…

1
Decoding cross-cultural communication with Erin Meyer 39:01

3M ago39:01

39:01

When talking and working with people from different cultures, sometimes meanings and intentions can get lost in translation. Erin Meyer is an expert on how we communicate and collaborate differently around the world. She and Adam discuss how cultural norms affect honesty and assertiveness, unpack the science behind some common American stereotypes,…

1
[Rerelease] Angel S1E8: “I Will Remember You” 1:44:05

3M ago1:44:05

1:44:05

This is a rerelease of our June 2022 bonus episode where we covered “I Will Remember You.” Fear not, a fresh take on this episode is also in your feed just prior to this one. Watch the episode along with us, and then listen to Steph and Kara of three years ago! Original episode notes No, you are not hallucinating. We take a special road trip to LA,…

1
Angel S1E8: “I Will Remember You” Commentary Track 1:01:36

3M ago1:01:36

1:01:36

Something different: Steph and Kara watched “I Will Remember You” together and recorded their commentary. We start watching the episode at 06:11. Watch along with us as Buffy visits Angel in Los Angeles for the first time. She’s not happy with him, but their fight is interrupted by a demon attack that accidentally transforms Angel into a human. At …

1
The importance of validation with therapist Caroline Fleck 37:17

3M ago37:17

37:17

Seeking acceptance is a natural part of the human experience — but do you know how to dish it out? Clinical psychologist Caroline Fleck believes that validating others is a key to building stronger relationships. She and Adam discuss strategies for recognizing another person’s feelings, the distinction between empathetic validation and exaggerated …

1
Angel S1E6: “Sense and Sensitivity” & S1E7: “The Bachelor Party” 1:49:07

4M ago1:49:07

1:49:07

First, in the “Beer Bad” of the series, Detective Kate Lockley is stymied in her long-running investigation into mobster Little Tony until Angel lends a helping hand. A consultant with a talking stick has other ideas, however, and soon Kate’s entire precinct is trauma-dumping all over each other. Then, Doyle’s wife rocks into town to serve papers, …

1
Rewriting your story with Allison Sweet Grant 42:27

4M ago42:27

42:27

Allison Sweet Grant is the author of the debut novel I Am the Cage — and also Adam’s wife. In this special episode, Allison and Adam dive into Allison’s book, inspired by her experience growing up with a congenital limb discrepancy and undergoing a complicated medical procedure at a formative age. They explore the lessons for identity, shame, trust…

1
Angel S1E4: “I Fall to Pieces” & S1E5: “Rm w/a Vu” 1:39:09

4M ago1:39:09

1:39:09

First, Cordelia urges Angel to start charging for helping the helpless. A Doyle vision sets them on the case of Melissa, an office worker with an ex whose stalking game puts Spike to shame. Angel goes undercover to take the ex apart, only to find that the ex has beat him to it. Then, when Cordy finds her dream apartment, it seems like her luck is c…

1
Cancelling cancel culture with Loretta Ross 36:38

4M ago36:38

36:38

As a public intellectual, activist and professor at Smith College, Loretta Ross is no stranger to confrontation and debate. But years of working to change the minds of others have led her to rethink her own ideas about approaching difficult conversations. Loretta and Adam discuss why shaming rarely changes behavior and her powerful alternative to c…

1
Angel S1E2: “Lonely Heart” & S1E3: “In the Dark” 1:56:28

4M ago1:56:28

1:56:28

First, a vision from Doyle sends the newly formed Angel Investigations team into the heart of the LA nightclub scene. There, Angel meets a fierce ladycop hot on the tail of a serial killer who’s literally jumping the bones of its victims. Then, Spike arrives in LA ahead of the Gem of Amara after Buffy rudely stole it from him over in Sunnydale. He’…

1
Reimagining the US political system with Sharon McMahon 37:47

4M ago37:47

37:47

Sharon McMahon is a government expert, but that doesn’t mean she wants to run for office. As an author, podcaster and civics teacher, Sharon finds that her time is best spent kindly correcting people on the internet and leading her millions of Instagram followers — who call themselves the Governerds — in conversations about how to improve democracy…

1
Angel S1E1: “City Of” 1:58:24

4M ago1:58:24

1:58:24

Angel, a 240-year-old vampire with a soul, moves to the city named after him for a fresh start after a break-up. Relatable. The Powers That Be won’t let him brood in peace, however. First they send Doyle his way to act as his new Whistler, complete with painful visions and Irish stereotypes. Next they arrange for Angel to bump into Queen of Sunnyda…

1
Improving teen mental health with Lisa Damour 41:10

4M ago41:10

41:10

Adolescence can be an emotionally volatile time, and in the age of social media, concerns about teenage mental health are more pressing than ever — for teens and parents alike. Dr. Lisa Damour is a clinical psychologist who specializes in teenagers and their mental health, consulting on the Pixar film Inside Out 2 and authoring the New York Times b…

1
Fixing the trust crisis with Rachel Botsman 43:17

5M ago43:17

43:17

Who do you trust — and when? Rachel Botsman is a leading expert on trust in the modern world, and her new audiobook, How to Trust and Be Trusted, offers bold new ways of thinking about building, maintaining and restoring relationships. Rachel and Adam redefine trust, examine why we often trust the wrong people and question the assumption that trans…

1
Sam Altman on the future of AI and humanity 39:42

5M ago39:42

39:42

Sam Altman is the CEO and cofounder of OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. He and Adam discuss AI's advances in creativity and empathy, its ethical challenges, and the role of human oversight. Sam and Adam also discuss strategies for adapting to a changing world and their hopes for technology that enhances human progress while maintaining human val…

1
Angel: (Re)Introducing Your Hosts, Steph and Kara 1:01:13

5M ago1:01:13

1:01:13

Steph and Kara “reintroduce” themselves in case there are any new listeners joining the podcast for the Angel rewatch. Additionally, they talk about what they’re most anticipating for this series and predict how they might react to some of its differences from Buffy. Most of the episode is spoiler-free for Angel. Spoilers start around 43:25. This w…

1
Merve Emre on emotional intelligence as corporate control (Re-release) 53:44

5M ago53:44

53:44

It's been 25 years since the concept of emotional intelligence exploded onto the scene. Cultural critic Merve Emre makes a bold case that in the wrong hands, it can be used to exploit people. We unpack the surprising roots of emotional intelligence, how it's been co-opted as a form of corporate control and why you might want to rethink some of your…

1
Julia Louis-Dreyfus on doing death, truth-telling in comedy and getting wiser (from On with Kara Swisher) 41:20

5M ago41:20

41:20

Actor Julia Louis-Dreyfus is most famous for her comedic TV characters Elaine Benes in Seinfeld and Selina Meyer in Veep. But in recent years, she's been showing her dramatic chops, including in her latest film, Tuesday, in which she takes on grief, denial and death. She's also been winning awards as the host of her podcast Wiser Than Me. In this e…

1
Befriending your impostor syndrome with Iceland's president Halla Tómasdóttir 33:44

5M ago33:44

33:44

When Halla Tómasdóttir lost her bid for the Icelandic presidency in 2016, she wasn't sure she wanted to run again. But after battles with self-doubt, encouragement from her supporters and an epiphany about leadership, she ran again this year — and this time, she won. Halla joins Adam to discuss dealing with impostor syndrome, why leadership is wort…

1
How Mark Rober hides "science vegetables" in viral videos 41:08

6M ago41:08

41:08

If you don't know Mark Rober, your kids do. He's best known for his viral engineering feats — like creating an obstacle course for squirrels, designing glitter bombs to get revenge on package thieves and building the world's largest Nerf gun. Before launching YouTube's most followed science channel, he was a NASA engineer, and he now runs his own c…

1
Jane Goodall on leadership lessons from primates 42:50

6M ago42:50

42:50

Have you ever felt like your work colleagues sometimes act like animals? In this conversation, Jane Goodall and Adam take that idea literally, exploring what Jane's expertise on chimp behavior can teach us about how humans relate and organize. With grace and wisdom, she shares primal insights on how we acquire and keep power, the difference between…

1
The art of invention with Nathan Myhrvold 26:30

6M ago26:30

26:30

Nathan Myhrvold may be the closest thing we have to a modern-day Renaissance man. A cofounder, inventor, chef, photographer, dinosaur hunter, author and former Chief Technology Officer at Microsoft, Nathan infuses creativity and innovation into everything he does. Nathan and Adam dive into the science behind the creative process, discussing what it…

1
The science of fighting crime with Nick Cowen 32:57

6M ago32:57

32:57

Criminologist Nick Cowen doesn't just analyze crime — he studies how to prevent it. As a professor at the University of Lincoln in the UK, he explores the unexpected factors that influence crime rates. Nick joins Adam to discuss how social norms and incentives helped the UK curb drunk driving, and the two talk through the science behind what actual…

1
Malcolm Gladwell on the importance of self-correction 46:16

7M ago46:16

46:16

Malcolm Gladwell joins Adam for a lively discussion and debate, recorded live at the Authors@Wharton series. More than 20 years after releasing his blockbuster book The Tipping Point, Malcolm has decided to rethink his first famous ideas by writing his new book, Revenge of the Tipping Point. He and Adam riff on the value of acknowledging our past m…

1
Finding the joy of service with Milk Bar's Christina Tosi and restaurateur Will Guidara 34:18

7M ago34:18

34:18

Christina Tosi and Will Guidara have found many winning recipes — in food, business and love. Christina is the chef-owner at Milk Bar, a James Beard award winner and the author of multiple cookbooks. Will transformed Eleven Madison Park into a three-Michelin-star restaurant ranked among the world's best. The power couple joins Adam to share remarka…

1
Should leaders be feared or loved? with historian Niall Ferguson 40:05

7M ago40:05

40:05

Niall Ferguson is an intellectual provocateur. His specialty is counterfactual history — imagining how events could have unfolded differently. And he and Adam disagree on nearly everything. In this episode, Niall and Adam have a vigorous debate about the vital qualities of effective leadership in government, sports, business, and education. Availab…

1
Overcoming loneliness with Surgeon General Vivek Murthy 31:30

7M ago31:30

31:30

Surgeon General Vivek Murthy thinks about public health holistically. Whether he's addressing youth mental health crises, the loneliness epidemic or serving on the White House's COVID-19 pandemic response team, Vivek is dedicated to improving well-being. In a live conversation, Vivek and Adam discuss the individual and collective foundations of bel…

1
The dark side of charisma 23:46

8M ago23:46

23:46

You may think no leader could ever be too charismatic, but the evidence is clear: a dazzling personality doesn't always drive success. In this episode, Adam investigates why an excess of charm can actually be detrimental to people and organizations. He chats with bestselling author and executive coach Liz Wiseman and one of her clients, CEO Hazel J…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Kara Babcock Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen