The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk · 2025-11-17 · 59 min · 12,321 words

662: Nicholas Thompson - The Atlantic CEO on Growing Up With a "Precariously Insecure" Genius Father, Hiring Leaders with an Edge, How Running Builds Discipline, and Why Moving at an Uncomfortable Pace Built a Million-Subscriber Media Empire

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Welcome to the Learning Leader Show. I am your host, Ryan Hawke. Thank you so much for being here. Go to Learningleader.com for show notes of this and all podcast episodes. Go to learningleader.com.

Now on to tonight's featured leader. Nick Thompson is the CEO of The Atlantic and author of one of my favorite books I've read in years called The Running Ground. During our conversation, we explore why stretch goals force you to move at an uncomfortable pace. And Nick talks about how doing this running also applies at his place of work. Then how running through cancer treatments made him stronger, a super emotional part of the conversation.

He talks about the must-have attributes he looks for when hiring leaders at the Atlantic, including one that really surprised me. And then Nick shares what his brilliant and chaotic father taught him about ambition, discipline, and the fine line between the two. This one is enlightening. So good. Ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy my conversation with Nick Thompson.

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