Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic and author of "The Running Ground," joins Colin for an illuminating conversation about overcoming self-imposed limitations, navigating technological disruption, and leading through uncertain times. Thompson reveals how discovering his own untapped potential as a distance runner in his 40s—after years of underestimating himself—transformed his understanding of what holds us back in life and work. He explores how the discipline and perseverance required for long-distance running mirrors the mindset needed to lead a major media organization through the AI revolution. The discussion delves into the challenges facing society today as AI emerges as a major technological force and what its rise means for quality journalism, copyright battles with AI companies, the flood of AI-generated content threatening to displace human creativity, and why Thompson believes embracing these tools—while fiercely protecting original content—is essential for society.

In this compelling episode of "Winging It," we sit down with Ambassador Michael McFaul, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia and Stanford professor, to discuss his groundbreaking new book "Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder." McFaul draws on decades of experience—from advising President Obama to serving in Moscow as Putin tightened his grip on power—to explain how the world's autocracies are forming dangerous alliances and challenging the democratic order. We explore lessons from the Cold War, the stakes of great-power competition with China and Russia, and why America's leadership abroad is tied to its advocacy of enduring democratic values.

In this episode of *Winging It*, Blue Owl Group’s Colin Crowell chats with Tim Wu — author, law professor, and former White House adviser—to discuss his new book, "The Age of Extraction."

Together they trace the arc from the early optimism of the open Internet to today’s data-driven economy, where human attention, personal information, and even trust have become resources to be mined. Wu reflects on the market structures and public policy deficiencies that fueled the rise of today’s digital behemoths, his stint seeking to advance tech policy in Washington, and what an “Age of Restoration” might look like.