As summer arrives in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s a perfect time to pause and lose yourself in some thought-provoking ideas. This is a curated selection of interviews from our Thinkers and Ideas podcast—conversations with expert authors that have captured our imaginations.

From GDP alternatives to the geopolitics of space to the science of Taylor Swift, we guarantee there’s something here that will spark your interest. Whether you’re relaxing on holiday or simply taking a moment for yourself, we hope these stories inspire you as much as they did us.

And for those enjoying summer later in the year—stay tuned. We’ll be back in December with another handpicked list.

Like: The Button That Changed the World by Martin Reeves and Bob Goodson

Why does a ‘like’ feel so good? Martin Reeves and Silicon Valley veteran Bob Goodson take you on a journey to understand this innocuous but ubiquitous icon, and what its story reveals about our world.

Leadership Insights That Endure: Highlights from Five Years of BCG’s Weekly Briefs by Christoph Schweizer and Rich Lesser

What’s keeping today’s business leaders up at night? In Leadership Insights That Endure, BCG’s top executives—including CEO Christoph Schweizer and Global Chair Rich Lesser—offer candid reflections and hard-won lessons on the defining challenges of our time, from AI to global trade.

Uncertainty and Enterprise with Amar Bhide

Uncertainty is often seen as a malign force to be mitigated, but it also drives us to explore, experiment, and take risks. In his new book, Columbia University professor Amar Bhidé, expands our understanding of uncertainty and how to wield it, through compelling stories of entrepreneurship.

M&A Failure Trap with Baruch Lev and Feng Gu

Why do most mergers fail? NYU professor emeritus Baruch Lev and Feng Gu, professor of accounting and law at the State University of New York, have analyzed more than 40,000 acquisitions. They explain what’s behind those failures—and the key lessons for CEOs who want to beat the odds.

The Measure of Progress with Diane Coyle

Has GDP had its day? Economist Diane Coyle argues it’s an outmoded and unhelpful measure of economic growth. She describes where traditional measures fall short in a modern economy and the impact on public and corporate decision-making. She also proposes a new basic unit of economic value—time.

Chokepoints with Eddie Fishman

In every geopolitics news story, the threat of sanctions is never far away. Eddie Fishman, a senior research scholar at Columbia University, explains how that happened, how the tools of diplomacy went from military might to economic effects, and how the US became so adept at wielding them.

The Corporation in the Twenty-First Century with John Kay

Prepare to have what you think you know about modern business challenged. In his new book, economist John Kay rethinks the relationships between capital and labor, producer and product, and explains the gap between our historic concept of the corporation and the current reality. The result? A new way to think about business, and how to stay relevant as its role continues to evolve.

There’s Nothing Like This with Kevin Evers

Can you run your business like you’re Taylor Swift? HBR senior editor Kevin Evers dissects the singer-songwriter’s career and the lessons it holds for decision makers. From her strategic moves to her ability to reinvent herself and connect with fans in new ways, you’ll gain a new level of respect for Swift’s genius.

Space to Grow with Matthew Weinzierl and Brendan Rosseau

Who will govern space? The evolution of the world outside our atmosphere from scientific frontier to commercial real estate raises urgent questions about the space economy. Harvard Business School professor Matthew Weinzierl and space industry strategist Brendan Rosseau address the possibilities, and the challenges, when space is open for business.

Mindmasters with Sandra Matz

The power of the algorithm and the threat of Big Data is never far from the headlines. Columbia Business School professor Sandra Matz unpacks the impact on our psyches, explores the scandals and the dangers, and celebrates the underreported benefits of personalization. Understand the implications for businesses and regulators, including the possibility of entirely new business models—if you can stop scrolling for long enough.