VIRGINIA POSTREL: Staying Hopeful in a Changing World

VIRGINIA POSTREL: Staying Hopeful in a Changing World

From The Double Win by Michael Hyatt & Megan Hyatt-Miller

January 7, 2026 · 59 min · Season 3 · Episode 46

About this episode

Michael Hyatt discusses with Virginia Postrel the complexities of change and the importance of resilience in a rapidly evolving world.

Why does it feel like everything is falling apart, even as our lives get materially easier in so many ways? Michael Hyatt talks with author and cultural thinker Virginia Postrel about why progress becomes invisible, how nostalgia for the “good old days” distorts reality, and why modern change moves unevenly. They explore why humans crave beauty and meaning (not just function) and how AI is reshaping the future of work. A clear theme emerges throughout the wide-ranging conversation: change is inevitable, and how we respond matters. Resilience, margin, and an entrepreneurial mindset make all the difference. If you’ve felt powerless against “big systems,” this episode is a reminder that innovation is often personal, practical, and close to home: start where you are, solve what you can, and expect the unexpected. Memorable Quotes “The issues of character never go away. They are eternal human questions, and we forget because we have sort of nostalgic views of the past.” “Even the smartest AI can’t figure out what people want—what people are dissatisfied with. And a lot of innovation comes from that. We tend to focus on big technologies. And even big technologies come from a lot of…

People in this episode

Hosts: Michael Hyatt, Megan Hyatt-Miller

Guest: Virginia Postrel

Topics covered

  • hope
  • change
  • resilience
  • innovation
  • AI
  • nostalgia

Keywords

  • progress
  • nostalgia
  • beauty
  • meaning
  • future of work
  • entrepreneurial mindset

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