Cal Fussman

Cal Fussman is an American journalist and author. He is a Writer at Large for Esquire magazine, known for the "What I've Learned" column, where he interviews leaders in various fields, including Mikhail Gorbachev, Jimmy Carter, Ted Kennedy, Jeff Bezos, Richard Branson, Jack Welch, Robert De Niro, Clint Eastwood, Al Pacino, George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Bruce Springsteen, Dr. Dre, Quincy Jones, Woody Allen, Barbara Walters, Pelé, Yao Ming, Serena Williams, John Wooden, and Muhammad Ali.

Fussman started his career as a sportswriter for The Miami Herald and The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, then moved to New York, where his work appeared in magazines including Inside Sports and Sports Illustrated. He learned how to interview on trains and buses, when he traveled around the world for 10 years and constantly engaged in conversation with people from all cultures and walks of life. This decade of global exploration fueled his unique interviewing style and storytelling approach. Fussman's writing during this time and thereafter often revolved around quests.

Fussman began contributing to Esquire when David M. Granger took over as Editor-in-Chief in 1997. He became the lead interviewer for the magazine's "What I've Learned" column, in which people who have lived extraordinary lives discuss the wisdom they have accrued. Some of these interviews have been reissued in two books titled "The Meaning of Life." The Austin Chronicle described Fussman's work in this format as "peerless" and "prolific." Additionally, he has a chapter giving advice in Tim Ferriss' book "Tools of Titans."

Fussman's keynotes and interactive workshops are derived from decades of interviewing hundreds of the world’s most extraordinary individuals. He inspires organizations to take a fresh look at their business through storytelling, connection, and the fundamental idea that changing your questions can change your life. He has been named "The Master Storyteller" by Tim Ferriss and has received a James Beard award for his exceptional contributions. Fussman hosts the "Big Questions" podcast and has delivered keynotes for major companies including General Motors, Facebook, Pixar, Twitter, and Apple Music, as well as at universities like UCLA and Georgetown. His speaking engagements focus on topics such as curiosity, connection, leadership, and storytelling, emphasizing how these elements can lead to significant professional and personal growth.