Why Following Your Dreams Isn't Enough
Hidden Brain
Nov 10
Why Following Your Dreams Isn't Enough
Why Following Your Dreams Isn't Enough

Hidden Brain
Nov 10
Shownote
Shownote
Entrepreneurs typically have no shortage of passion, heart, and vision. But at Stanford University, Huggy Rao says there are other elements that may matter more when it comes to whether their projects succeed or fail. This week, we'll examine how this prob...
Highlights
Highlights
What causes some ambitious projects to collapse while others thrive, even when led by passionate visionaries? Behind every high-profile failure lies a common thread—not a lack of big ideas, but a neglect of the unglamorous work that holds them together. From abandoned skyscrapers to political polarization, this episode explores the invisible systems that determine success or failure in both organizations and relationships.
Chapters
Chapters
What happens when a dream event turns into a disaster?
00:00Why did a towering Pyongyang hotel remain empty for decades?
10:47How fixing small problems can prevent big failures
25:36Can imagining failure actually save a project?
35:30What does it take to turn visionary ideas into real results?
45:16Who are the people who bridge political divides—and how do they do it?
1:05:24How can we reconnect across ideological lines through shared humanity?
1:19:03Transcript
Transcript
Shankar Vedantam: This is Hidden Brain. I'm Shankar Vedantam. The year was 1964. The legendary singer, Frank Sinatra, met Mia Farrow, an up-and-coming actress, on a soundstage at 20th Century Fox. Despite their 30-year age difference, the two began dating ...