The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

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Monday, 26 May 2025 - 2 hours 8 minutes

What if AI isn’t just a tool - but the greatest threat to human connection we’ve ever faced?

Simon Sinek is a world-renowned entrepreneur, optimism expert, and founder of The Optimism Company, a platform which teaches human skills to leaders and organisations. He is also the bestselling author of books such as, ‘Start With Why’ and ‘Leaders Eat Last’. 

He explains: 

• Why modern politics is killing your sense of purpose.

• Why we’ve forgotten how to be a good friend.  

• How AI will create a generation of helpless humans. 

• The number one secret skill AI can’t learn. 

• How human skills like empathy are vanishing. 

  
  

00:00 Intro

02:35 Biggest Forces of Change in Society

06:05 Is AI Cause for Concern?

12:55 Authenticity in the Age of AI

18:38 Skills Needed in the Evolving World of AI

20:08 Is Universal Basic Income a Solution to AI-Driven Job Loss?

20:58 UBI’s Impact on Meaning and Purpose

24:34 The Uncertain Future of AI

25:48 The Race for AI Dominance

28:25 AI’s Long-Term Impact on People’s Lives

32:32 Preparing Young People for the Future of AI

35:27 Importance of Gratitude in a World of Unlimited Possibilities

45:35 Importance of Relationships

48:03 Importance of Failure

49:07 Learning Through Experience and Resourcefulness

53:52 Why Struggle Is a Good Thing

55:45 People Buy the Story, Not the Product

59:37 Scale Breaks Things

1:02:37 Ads

1:03:41 Self-Love as a Key to Successful Relationships

1:05:31 Why Wrong Is Easier

1:09:15 Friction Creates Freedom

1:11:18 Building Community in the Age of AI

1:13:45 What Holds a Community Together?

1:16:57 Staying True to Your Values

1:20:46 Does Lack of Meaning and Purpose Lead to Loneliness?

1:22:21 Loneliness by Gender

1:23:06 Mental Health and Likelihood of Loneliness

1:25:15 How to Find Companionship When Lonely

1:30:37 Curiosity as a Key to Building Connection

1:32:28 Importance of Staying in Touch With Your Emotions

1:36:19 Drop in Automation-Related Job Postings

1:38:06 AI as an Opportunity to Discover New Hobbies and Skills

1:42:24 What Simon Is Struggling With Right Now

1:46:27 Choosing the Right Person to Fight With

1:48:33 Self-Reliance as a Career Foundation

1:53:26 Why Simon Wrote a Book About Friendship

1:56:20 How to Know if Someone Is a Friend

1:57:40 Following Up With People You Connect With

2:01:17 Mentoring Someone Behind You

2:03:08 The Challenge Coins

2:13:16 What Simon Misses About Being in a Relationship

Follow Simon: 

Instagram - https://bit.ly/3z0riRb 

Twitter - https://bit.ly/45jgWrz 

Spotify: You can purchase the 15th Anniversary Edition of Simon’s book, here: https://bit.ly/3SOMdx3  

The 1% Diary is back - limited time only:

https://bit.ly/3YFbJbt 

The Diary Of A CEO Conversation Cards (Second Edition):

https://g2ul0.app.link/f31dsUttKKb 

👀 28.05.2025. Be the first to know:

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Follow Steven: https://g2ul0.app.link/gnGqL4IsKKb

Sponsors:

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Ekster - http://partner.ekster.com/DOAC with code STEVEN

Perfect Ted - https://www.perfectted.com with code DIARY40 for 40% off

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