Ep. 7 - The World’s Best Managers (with Emily Oster)

Birth of a Parent

Every parent eventually becomes the CEO of a small, chaotic organization. Economist and data expert Emily Oster explains what parenting can teach us about decision-making, leadership, and why good management matters more than perfect answers.


Shownotes: 

  • Much of today's conversation draws on Emily Oster's book The Family Firm, in which she argues that families can benefit from applying principles of good management – such as deliberate decision-making, clear communication and long-term planning – to everyday family life.
  • The episode also touches on Emily's earlier bestselling books, Expecting Better and Cribsheet, which introduced millions of parents to her evidence-based approach to pregnancy and the early years of parenting.
  • Emily reflects on taking part in developmental psychologist Katherine Nelson's research as a child. Nelson's pioneering work explored how conversations between parents and children shape language, memory and the development of autobiographical identity.
  • When discussing negotiation and conflict, Michael references Getting to Yes, the classic book developed through the Harvard Negotiation Project, whose ideas continue to influence negotiation in diplomacy, business and everyday life.
  • This podcast is part of the Early Childhood Matters platform by the Van Leer Foundation.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More description

Every parent eventually becomes the CEO of a small, chaotic organization. Economist and data expert Emily Oster explains what parenting can teach us about decision-making, leadership, and why good management matters more than perfect answers.


Shownotes: 

  • Much of today's conversation draws on Emily Oster's book The Family Firm, in which she argues that families can benefit from applying principles of good management – such as deliberate decision-making, clear communication and long-term planning – to everyday family life.
  • The episode also touches on Emily's earlier bestselling books, Expecting Better and Cribsheet, which introduced millions of parents to her evidence-based approach to pregnancy and the early years of parenting.
  • Emily reflects on taking part in developmental psychologist Katherine Nelson's research as a child. Nelson's pioneering work explored how conversations between parents and children shape language, memory and the development of autobiographical identity.
  • When discussing negotiation and conflict, Michael references Getting to Yes, the classic book developed through the Harvard Negotiation Project, whose ideas continue to influence negotiation in diplomacy, business and everyday life.
  • This podcast is part of the Early Childhood Matters platform by the Van Leer Foundation.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2026-08-19 32 min
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