Alan Alda join's Adam for this week's Take a Knee and they kick off the episode by chatting about the tenants of improv being the foundational elements of effective communication. They then discuss what it means to listen and how leaving yourself open to change is key in interacting with people in everyday life. Alan then talks about how his time hosting Scientific American Frontiers and his time at the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science formed his desire to write his new book, If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face. Adam asks Alan about his days on M*A*S*H and his work with Woody Allen and they close the episode chatting about Alan's mother's mental illness as well as mastering gardening.
Former Adam Carolla Show co-host and news girl Teresa Strasser joins Adam for this week's episode of Take A Knee. Adam opens the show talking to Teresa about her wild upbringing and home life. This leads to a conversation on what success really means and the best motivator to getting there. After that, Adam talks about the importance of being genuine in whatever you’re doing and not outsource for your own material. Before they wrap, Adam and Teresa discuss their biggest fear of disappointing others, and how to turn that fear to your advantage.
"The Brink of Midnight" creator and host John Brenkus joins Adam for this weeks episode of Take A Knee. Adam opens the show asking John about his love for science and applying it to all aspects of various sports. Then the guys talk about Johns new podcast "The Brink of Midnight" which is all about significant moments in life that cause you to change your course. After that, Adam and John discuss the importance of making opportunities for yourself rather than waiting around for them to fall into your lap. Before they wrap, the guys talk about the correlation between fear and motivation.
Bill Simmons of 'The Ringer' joins Adam for this week's episode of Take A Knee and the guys have a long form conversation exploring the trajectory of Bill's career after getting out of college in Boston and landing a journalism job and how that translated to his meteoric rise as a sports and comedy writer.
Comedian Vir Das joins Adam for this week's episode of TAK to talk about his path from a childhood spent in India and Nigeria to doing comedy in English for both Indian and American audiences and how the experiences are similar and dissimilar at the same time
Human Rights advocate and Co-Founder of Vanguard Africa Jeffrey Smith joins Adam for this week's episode of Take A Knee. Adam opens the show asking Jeff about his organization Vanguard Africa that helps promote democracy in struggling countries within Africa. Then Jeffrey talks about the most effective way money should be spent in Africa to help lift up struggling countries. After that, Adam asks Jeffrey about the current state of South Africa and how it relates to some of the other countries in the region. Before they wrap, Adam wonders what it would be like if all aid was pulled from Africa and they were left to figure it out for themselves.
Host of The Amazing Race and director of the Tour de France documentary Le Ride Phil Keoghan joins Adam for this week's episode of Take A Knee. Adam opens the show asking Phil about the history behind the Tour de France and how its changed over the years. Then the guys discuss the importance of having grit, determination, and resilience in your life if you want to make a success of yourself. After that, Adam asks Phil about his new documentary and the journey he took to make it both physically and mentally. Before they wrap, Phil talks about the notion that it’s better to be effective than it is to be right when dealing with other peoples short comings.
CEO and Co-Founder of Hello Tech Richard Wolpert joins Adam for this week's episode of Take A Knee. Adam opens the show asking Richard about some of the previous companies he started before getting into Hello Tech. Then Richard talks to Adam about his time working for Steve Jobs and what it was like working for Disney after not hearing great things about the company throughout the years. Before they wrap, the guys discuss the use of data and analytics in companies today and how effective they are.
Football Icon “Mean” Joe Greene joins Adam for this week's episode of Take a Knee. Adam opens the show asking Joe about his upbringing playing sports in Elgin, Texas. Then Adam talks about Joe’s contribution to the Steelers' legendary Steel Curtain, and how good their team was winning 4 Super Bowls in 6 years. After that, Joe talks to Adam about his absent father father growing up and the one time they met up in his adult life. Before they wrap, Adam asks Joe about his upcoming book Mean Joe Greene: Built by Football.
Writer, Director, and Producer Eli Steele of new the documentary I Am or How Jack Became Black joins Adam for this week's episode of Take A Knee. Adam opens the show asking Eli about his background growing up with an African American father and a Jewish mother. This leads to a longer conversation on the credibility of white privilege and how prevalent it is in todays societies around the country. After that, Adam and Eli continue to talk about identity politics and how race continues to be a dividing issue not only in society but also in business. Before they wrap the guys try to figure out an alternative approach to reporting racism in the media.