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Welcome to episode #1058 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Ron Friedman is an award-winning social psychologist, bestselling author, and expert on the science of high performance (he's also a personal friend). His previous books, The Best Place to Work and Decoding Greatness, explored how organizations can create better workplaces and how individuals can learn from the world's most successful performers. Now, in his new book, Superteams - The Science and Secrets of High-Performing Teams, Ron turns his attention to a deceptively simple question: What separates extraordinary teams from everyone else? Drawing on research involving thousands of professionals across industries, he reveals that the best teams aren't necessarily the ones that collaborate the most, work the longest hours, or have the most talented individuals. Instead, they excel at protecting their time, energy, and attention, making one another better, and continuously learning and improving. Ron and I have known each other for years, and in this conversation, we explore why most organizations misunderstand teamwork, how the modern workplace has become an endless cycle of meetings and distractions, and why individual productivity can sometimes undermine collective performance. We discuss the surprising finding that high-performing teams are just as likely to work remotely as they are in an office, the importance of shared goals and interdependence, and why the best teams find meaning in belonging to something bigger than themselves. We also dig into how AI is changing team dynamics, why some employees hide their use of these tools while others openly share what they're learning, and what leaders can do to create the psychological safety necessary for people to challenge themselves, make mistakes, and grow. From meeting-free days and protecting deep work to the science of recovery and the delicate balance between healthy pressure and toxic expectations, Ron makes a compelling case that great teamwork isn't about squeezing more out of people... it's about creating the conditions where people can bring out the best in one another. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 58:21. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Ron Friedman. Superteams - The Science and Secrets of High-Performing Teams. The Best Place to Work. Decoding Greatness. Follow Ron on Instagram. Follow Ron on X. Follow Ron on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Super Teams. (01:31) - Defining Super Teams and Their Characteristics. (03:21) - Research Methodology and Findings. (06:08) - The Importance of Office Environment. (08:35) - Work-Life Balance and Hustle Culture. (11:36) - Team Dynamics and Super Teams. (14:04) - Impact of AI on Team Performance. (17:21) - Invisible Rituals and Team Chemistry. (20:38) - Post-COVID Work Dynamics. (23:27) - Redefining Work in a New Era. (24:18) - The Meaning of Work and Team Dynamics. (26:27) - The Impact of Work Environment on Super Teams. (30:55) - Protecting Attention for Enhanced Team Performance. (36:16) - Balancing Challenge and Psychological Safety in Teams. (40:47) - Creating Opportunities for Learning in Teams. (43:06) - Optimism and Actionable Insights for Leaders.

Welcome to episode #1057 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Julia Dhar is a leading voice in behavioral science and organizational transformation, and the founder of the Behavioral Science Lab at Boston Consulting Group. A three-time World Schools Debating Champion and TED speaker known for her work on productive disagreement, Julia has spent much of her career exploring a deceptively simple question: Why do organizations invest so much time, money, and human potential in change... only to fail so often? In her new book, How Change Really Works - Seven Science-Based Principles for Transforming Your Organization, co-authored with Kristy R. Ellmer and Philip Jameson, she challenges the conventional wisdom that people are naturally resistant to change. Instead, she argues that leaders routinely misunderstand the psychology of transformation, confuse agreement with alignment, and underestimate the importance of giving people genuine agency. In this conversation, Julia and I explore why so many organizational transformations fail, what the current rush toward AI reveals about the disconnect between leadership and employees, and why simply announcing a new strategy doesn't mean anyone will embrace it. We unpack her research on "change distance," the gap between executive enthusiasm and employee expectations, and examine why optimism, clear expectations, and agency are essential to making change stick. We also discuss the power of storytelling in transformation, why leaders must choose between narratives of threat, fitness, and destiny, and how even successful change initiatives can quietly unravel when the initial excitement gives way to boredom. Throughout our conversation, we wrestle with the difference between involving people and actually empowering them, the danger of AI creating more homogeneous thinking, and why building collective confidence may matter more than another ambitious strategic plan. At the heart of Julia's work is a powerful idea: people don't necessarily resist change... they resist change that doesn't make sense to them, doesn't account for their reality, or leaves them feeling that their actions don't matter. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 58:21. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Julia Dhar. How Change Really Works - Seven Science-Based Principles for Transforming Your Organization. Behavioral Science Lab. Boston Consulting Group. Follow Julia on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction and guest background. (02:05) - Behavioral science principles for change success. (04:07) - Generational and cultural aspects of change. (08:31) - The role of collaboration and collective effort. (12:38) - The power of points of view and clear messaging. (15:44) - Homogeneity and originality in AI-generated ideas. (16:40) - The importance of storytelling and symbols. (25:44) - The impact of culture and collective belief. (30:23) - The disconnect between leadership and employees. (36:58) - The reality of operational challenges. (40:38) - Baking a bigger pie versus limiting slices. (41:26) - The power of storytelling in change. (47:48) - The human need for purpose and impact. (49:21) - Understanding agency and human capacity. (52:21) - Building and demonstrating agency. (54:50) - The importance of impact and feedback. (55:54) - Connecting with Julia and resources.

Welcome to episode #1056 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Mike Michalowicz has spent much of his career trying to solve a problem he describes simply: eradicating entrepreneurial poverty. As the bestselling author of Profit First and numerous other books on entrepreneurship and business, Mike has built a body of work around challenging conventional wisdom and finding practical systems that work with human behavior rather than against it. He's also an old friend, which means our conversations have a tendency to wander into some unexpected places... and this one certainly does. His latest book, The Money Habit - The Worry-Free Way To Financial Independence, takes the thinking behind Profit First into personal finance, arguing that financial independence isn't about forcing ourselves into budgets, sacrifice, and behaviors we'll eventually abandon... it's about designing a system around the habits we already have. But our conversation ranges well beyond money. We explore what AI could mean for entrepreneurs and small businesses, whether automation will actually give us more free time or simply create more opportunities to work, and why contemplation may become increasingly valuable in a world determined to eliminate every idle moment. We wrestle with whether everyone actually wants "meaningful" or creative work, why AI may be exposing the limitations of many jobs rather than simply replacing them, and what happens when everyone uses the same technology to pursue the same so-called best practices. From there, we get into something Mike and I both spend a lot of time thinking about... books, ideas, creativity, and why certain things break through while others don't. Success isn't always a meritocracy. Great work isn't necessarily what becomes popular. And efficiency isn't necessarily the same thing as progress. Perhaps the opportunity with AI isn't to automate our humanity away, but to use these new tools the way Picasso used the camera... allowing technology to disrupt the old craft while opening entirely new forms of human expression. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 58:49. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Mike Michalowicz. The Money Habit - The Worry-Free Way To Financial Independence. Profit First. Mike's other books. Mike's many podcasts. Follow Mike on Instagram. Follow Mike on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Mike Michalowicz and His Mission. (02:55) - The Role of Contrarian Thinking in Business. (06:11) - Current Economic Landscape and Entrepreneurial Challenges. (08:59) - AI's Impact on Small Businesses and Creativity. (11:57) - Finding Time for Contemplation in a Busy World. (14:57) - AI as a Tool for Efficiency and Human Connection. (18:03) - The Future of Work: Balancing Automation and Human Touch. (21:02) - The Dichotomy of Work: Creative vs. Repetitive Tasks. (23:58) - Content Creation in the Age of AI. (26:57) - The Future of Business in an AI-Driven World. (31:32) - The Illusion of Best Practices. (34:00) - The Emotional Nature of Success. (37:42) - The Importance of Communal Experiences. (40:44) - Technology vs. Human Experience. (43:06) - The Shift in Book Culture. (49:22) - The Challenge of Writing and Consumption.

Welcome to episode #1055 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Roy Schwartz is the co-founder of Axios and CEO of Axios HQ, where he has helped redefine how organizations communicate in an age of information overload. Before launching Axios alongside Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen, Roy helped build Politico into one of the most influential political news organizations in the world. Today, Axios reaches millions of readers through its distinctive Smart Brevity format, while Axios HQ helps some of the world's largest organizations communicate more clearly and effectively. In his new book, Simplify - Do 50% More With 50% Less, Roy argues that our biggest challenge isn't a lack of productivity... it's toxic complexity. As AI accelerates the pace of work, organizations and individuals alike risk drowning in meetings, emails, processes, and information unless they deliberately simplify how they operate. In this conversation, Roy explains why concise communication has become a competitive advantage, how Smart Brevity evolved from a newsroom philosophy into a business operating system, and why audience-first thinking is more important than ever. We also explore the future of journalism in an AI-driven world, the economics of modern media, how AI can strengthen editorial judgment without replacing it, why trust has become the most valuable asset any news organization can possess, and what leaders can do to reduce "work slop" before AI creates even more of it. Throughout the conversation, Roy makes the case that simplification isn't about saying less... it's about making what matters impossible to miss. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 53:41. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Roy Schwartz. Simplify - Do 50% More With 50% Less. Smart Brevity. Axios HQ. Axios. Follow Ray on X. Follow Ray on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction and Roy's background. (02:08) - The origin of Axios and its media approach. (04:01) - The role of smart brevity in journalism. (06:47) - How Axios breaks news effectively. (09:52) - The impact of AI on news and communication. (14:55) - Building trust and brand with journalists. (20:00) - The evolution of Vice and media valuations. (25:05) - The sacred cows of media and advertising. (30:06) - Using AI to augment journalism and corporate communication. (34:59) - Strategies for internal communication and reducing content overload. (39:56) - Preparing for rapid change and simplification. (44:54) - The future of content, trust, and AI in media.

Welcome to episode #1054 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Ron Johnson is one of the most influential retail innovators of the modern era. Best known for creating the Apple Store(alongside Steve Jobs), he helped redefine what a physical store could be, transforming retail from a place that simply sold products into a destination centered on service, learning, and human connection. Before Apple, Ron helped reshape Target's merchandising strategy through groundbreaking designer collaborations, and later served as CEO of JCPenneyduring one of the industry's most ambitious retail transformations (and it did not go well). In his new book, Shop Different - How Retail Revealed Apple's Genius, Ron offers an insider's account of working alongside Steve Jobs to build one of the world's most successful retail organizations, while reflecting candidly on both the triumphs and the setbacks that shaped his career. In this episode, Ron shares the thinking behind the Apple Store, the creation of the Genius Bar, why physical retail remains more relevant than ever, and what today's retailers continue to misunderstand about customer experience. We discuss the lessons from JCPenney, the dangers of dynamic pricing, why great retail is built on trust rather than transactions, and how successful brands create places where customers want to belong instead of simply places to buy. We also explore the future of AI in retail, experiential shopping, direct-to-consumer brands, and why technology should remove friction behind the scenes while making human interactions even more meaningful. Throughout the conversation, Ron returns to a simple but powerful idea: the best retailers don't win by selling more... they win by serving people better. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 54:51. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Ron Johnson. Shop Different - How Retail Revealed Apple's Genius. Follow Ron on L:inkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - The Journey of Ron Johnson: From Apple to JCPenney. (03:02) - Transforming JCPenney: The Vision and Challenges. (06:05) - Understanding Customer Dynamics in Retail. (09:01) - Brand Loyalty vs. Pricing Strategies. (11:58) - The Treasure Hunt Experience in Retail. (15:00) - Dynamic Pricing: The Future of Retail? (18:13) - Apple Store Innovation: A New Retail Paradigm. (21:07) - The Evolution of Apple Products and Retail Strategy. (29:52) - The Evolution of Apple and Its Cultural Impact. (31:27) - The Genius Bar: A Community Hub. (34:56) - Training and Empowering Customers. (36:40) - The Future of Retail: Adapting to Change. (39:53) - The Role of AI in Retail. (40:23) - The Resilience of Physical Retail. (43:36) - The Importance of Physical Presence. (45:43) - Experiential Retail: Food and Community. (49:15) - Creating Scarcity and Excitement in Retail. (51:50) - The Power of Physical Connection.

Welcome to episode #1053 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Eric Ries is one of the most influential entrepreneurs and management thinkers of the past two decades. Best known as the creator of the Lean Startup movement, his ideas fundamentally changed how founders, innovators, and established organizations build products, test ideas, and bring innovation to market. His work has shaped startups, Fortune 500 companies, governments, and nonprofits around the world, earning him recognition as one of the defining voices on modern entrepreneurship. In his latest book, Incorruptible - Why Good Companies Go Bad... And How Great Companies Stay Great, Eric turns his attention to a much deeper question: why do organizations that begin with strong values and bold missions so often lose their way? Drawing on years of advising founders and studying corporate history, he argues that corruption is rarely about bad people... it's about systems, incentives, governance, and what he calls "financial gravity," the invisible forces that slowly pull organizations away from the very principles that made them successful in the first place. In this conversation, Eric explores why mission-driven companies outperform over the long term, how corporate governance can preserve or destroy an organization's purpose, and why stewardship may be one of business's most undervalued leadership traits. We also discuss the unintended consequences of shareholder primacy, what today's AI revolution can learn from previous waves of technological disruption, and why the future belongs to organizations that are intentionally designed to remain true to their values even as they scale. It's a thoughtful conversation about leadership, innovation, governance, and what it really takes to build companies that endure. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 53:30. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Eric Ries. Incorruptible - Why Good Companies Go Bad... And How Great Companies Stay Great. Lean Startup. Follow Eric on X. Follow Eric on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Eric Ries and His New Book. (03:02) - The Journey of Lean Startup and Its Impact. (06:04) - The Dark Side of Success in Startups. (08:50) - Understanding Corruption in Business Practices. (12:11) - The Paradox of Enlightened Capitalism. (15:09) - Financial Gravity and Its Effects on Companies. (18:00) - Corporate Governance: The Need for Change. (21:13) - The Role of Structure in Business Success. (24:08) - Navigating the Stormy Seas of Business. (26:56) - Civic Renewal and the Future of Business. (28:51) - The Weight of Words: Redefining Corruption. (32:09) - Generational Perspectives on Business Values. (36:24) - Speed vs. Quality: The Business Dilemma. (42:20) - AI: A Double-Edged Sword for Society. (49:44) - A Renaissance of Mission-Driven Companies.

Welcome to episode #1052 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Lifang He has spent more than two decades helping some of the world's most influential technology companies build products that people don't just use... they love. A global brand strategist and product marketing leader, she has led branding, go-to-market, and growth initiatives for companies including Apple, Amazon, and Ring. During her time at Apple's longtime creative agency, TBWA\Media Arts Lab, she helped shape global iPhone launches, giving her a front-row seat to one of the most successful product introductions in history. Her new book, Brand Power Built In - How Tech Products Really Win Hearts and Minds, argues that too many companies still treat branding as something that happens after a product is built, when the real opportunity is embedding brand thinking into product design from the very beginning. In this episode, Lifang explains why the strongest technology companies don't separate product from brand, but instead view every customer interaction as an opportunity to build trust, differentiation, and emotional connection. We discuss category creation, product education, customer adoption, and why successful innovations require both functional excellence and a compelling human story. The conversation also explores the leadership challenges of maintaining a clear product vision, why companies often lose sight of their original "why" through endless trade-offs, and how AI is creating an entirely new generation of products whose ultimate competitive advantage may not be technology alone... but the brands behind them. Lifang makes the case that in an increasingly AI-driven world where products rapidly converge, brand will become one of the few sustainable sources of differentiation. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 48:25. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Lifang He. Brand Power Built In - How Tech Products Really Win Hearts and Minds. Follow Lifang on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Lifang He and Her Background. (05:51) - Building a New Category: The Role of Brand. (11:53) - Brand Power Built In: The Book's Insights. (18:07) - The Importance of 'Why' in Product Development. (23:58) - Consumer Trust and Brand Responsibility. (30:03) - AI and Brand Power in the Tech Landscape. (35:47) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts.

Welcome to episode #1051 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Dr. Sebastian Wernicke has built his career at the intersection of data science, artificial intelligence, economics, and decision-making. He leads the Data Science and AI team at Oxera, one of Europe's leading economics consultancies, and has become widely recognized for his ability to make complex ideas about data both accessible and deeply human. Many people first encountered Sebastian through his memorable TED Talk, which cleverly used data to satirize TED Talks themselves, but his work has always been driven by a much bigger question: how can organizations use data to challenge assumptions instead of reinforcing them? His new book, Data Inspired - Building An Organizational Culture Of Inquiry For Lasting Transformation, argues that businesses have become too focused on being "data-driven" and not focused enough on becoming "data-inspired." In this episode, Sebastian explains why more data doesn't automatically lead to better decisions, why confirmation bias often causes us to use data to strengthen existing beliefs, and why the greatest value of data lies not in optimization but in transformation. We also discuss the promises and disappointments of big data, the rise of generative AI, synthetic data, AI agents, and why the hardest challenge facing organizations isn't technological... it's cultural. Along the way, Sebastian makes a compelling case that leadership is ultimately about designing environments where people are encouraged to ask better questions, embrace uncertainty, and use evidence to change their minds rather than defend them. It is a thoughtful conversation about data, intelligence, curiosity, and why the organizations that thrive in the AI era will be the ones that build cultures of inquiry instead of cultures of certainty. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 57:16. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Dr. Sebastian Wernicke. Data Inspired - Building An Organizational Culture Of Inquiry For Lasting Transformation. Sebastian's viral TED Talk. Oxera. Follow Sebastian on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Sebastian Wernicke and Data Inspired. (02:52) - The Meta Nature of TED Talks and Storytelling. (06:12) - Confirmation Bias and Data Interpretation. (09:03) - The Limits of Data-Driven Decision Making. (12:10) - The Concept of Data Inspired. (14:58) - The Role of AI in Data Utilization. (18:07) - The Promise and Pitfalls of Big Data. (21:12) - Cultural Elements in Data Transformation. (24:02) - Trust in AI and Machine Learning. (26:52) - Human Nature and the Quest for Perfection. (29:30) - The Balance of Autonomy and Control in AI. (30:30) - The Rise of Synthetic Data. (32:00) - Skepticism Towards Synthetic Data. (34:54) - Exploring Personas and Assumptions. (37:40) - The Role of Data in Decision Making. (39:27) - The Complexity of Uncertainty in Business. (41:52) - Rethinking Intelligence and Creativity. (46:54) - Building Beautiful Questions with Data. (51:30) - Navigating the Data Dilemma. (54:46) - Cultural Attitudes Towards Privacy and Surveillance.

Welcome to episode #1050 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Fredric Marshall has spent decades helping people navigate change. An entrepreneur, investor in AI startups, CEO of Quantum Learning, and advisor on leadership and transformation, he has watched multiple waves of technological disruption unfold from the inside. His latest book, Thrive - The Antidote to Future Shock, revisits Alvin Toffler's famous concept of "future shock" and argues that today's anxiety isn't a personal failing... it's the predictable result of living through an era where change, information, and technological progress are arriving faster than most people can absorb. In this episode, Fred explores why the conversation about AI has become so emotionally charged, why younger generations feel a profound sense of uncertainty about their future, and why the real challenge isn't learning new tools... it's learning to direct our attention with intention. He explains why thriving requires more than technical skills, discussing the importance of agency, relationships, health, systems, and managing the growing tension between our digital and physical lives. The conversation also examines evidence-based optimism, the cultural backlash against AI, leadership in an era of disruption, and whether the pursuit of endless growth has reached its limits. Fred makes the case that while artificial intelligence will radically reshape work, the future belongs to people who can simplify complexity, think clearly, and consciously choose where to invest their attention. It's a thoughtful discussion about resilience, technology, and building a life that doesn't just survive change... but flourishes because of it. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 59:29. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Fredric Marshall. Thrive - The Antidote to Future Shock. Quantum Learnin. Follow Fred on Instagram. Follow Fred on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Future Shock. (05:57) - The Impact of Technology on Work and Life. (08:48) - The Concept of Thriving vs. Surviving. (12:04) - The Role of AI and Economic Disruption. (15:14) - Navigating the Digital Layer and Social Media. (18:09) - The Future of Work and Community. (20:56) - Addressing Youth Concerns and Uncertainty. (24:03) - The Balance of Digital and Analog Life. (26:51) - The Quest for Enough in a Technological World. (29:52) - The Madness of Constant Growth. (30:41) - Evidence-Based Optimism and Humanity's Response. (31:34) - Historical Progress and Modern Stressors. (33:10) - Dialing in Life: Eight Key Areas for Thriving. (36:09) - Understanding Agency in a Complex World. (39:51) - The Role of Environment in Personal Growth. (40:48) - Leadership in a Changing Landscape. (43:22) - Future Readiness and Cultural Shifts. (46:52) - Youth Perspectives on Agency and Change. (50:42) - Balancing Humanity and Efficiency in the Future. (57:41) - The Importance of Attention and Time Management.

Welcome to episode #1049 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Farid Mheir has spent four decades at the intersection of engineering, business strategy, and digital transformation. Trained as a microelectronics engineer, he helped pioneer online grocery commerce with IGA in the mid-1990s before building e-commerce platforms for major retailers across North America and Europe. Today, through his advisory firm, and as a faculty member at the McGill Executive Institute, Farid advises executives on AI strategy and organizational transformation. His new book, AI Mindsets - A Guide to Succeed in an AI-Driven World, distills decades of experience into thirty-one practical mindsets designed to help leaders move beyond AI hype and build organizations prepared for an era of intelligence abundance. In this episode, Farid explains why AI represents a shift as significant as the arrival of the internet, arguing that while the web democratized access to information, AI is making intelligence itself widely accessible. We explore what remains uniquely human in a world of increasingly capable machines, why wisdom, judgment, and experience become more valuable as intelligence becomes abundant, and how organizations must undergo a cultural, not just technological, transformation to realize AI's potential. Farid also discusses prompt engineering, answer engineering, AI agents, software development, and why the greatest opportunity lies not in replacing people but in moving them upstream toward more creative and strategic work. Throughout the conversation, he makes the case that success in the AI era will depend less on mastering new tools than on adopting new ways of thinking about work, leadership, and the future itself. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 1:07:20. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Farid Mheir. FMCS.Digital. AI Mindsets - A Guide to Succeed in an AI-Driven World. Follow Farid on X. Follow Farid on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to AI Mindset and Intelligence. (03:05) - The Evolution of Knowledge and Intelligence. (05:57) - AI as a Human-like Tool. (09:04) - The Scarcity of Wisdom in an AI World. (11:54) - The Future of Work and Job Titles. (15:01) - Prompt Engineering vs. Answer Engineering. (17:59) - The Role of Experience in AI Utilization. (20:57) - The Generational Shift in AI Interaction. (24:10) - The Importance of Critical Thinking in AI Usage. (37:20) - The Cultural Shift in AI Utilization. (40:45) - Human Connection in a Tech-Driven World. (46:28) - The Evolution of AI and Organizational Mindset. (55:40) - The Future of Work: AI's Role in Knowledge Industries. (01:01:10) - The Transformation of Software Development with AI.

Welcome to episode #1048 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Tom Rath is one of the most influential voices in the fields of leadership, strengths, wellbeing, and human performance. A researcher and the #1 New York Times bestselling author of books including How Full Is Your Bucket?, StrengthsFinder 2.0, Eat Move Sleep, and so many more, Tom's work has shaped how millions of people think about work, health, and personal development. His latest book, What's the Point? - Turning Purpose Into Your Daily Superpower, challenges one of today's most common assumptions: that purpose is something we discover once in a lifetime. Instead, Tom argues that purpose is built through everyday actions and by focusing less on ourselves and more on how we contribute to others. In this episode, he explains why the future of work demands a fundamentally different mindset as AI reshapes traditional jobs and organizations. We explore why responding to tasks is becoming less valuable than creating new ideas, why careers will likely become more entrepreneurial and project-based, and why younger generations are right to expect more meaningful work. Tom also discusses the changing relationship between employees and employers, the limits of personal branding and self-awareness, and why looking outward toward customers, colleagues, and communities ultimately creates more fulfillment than endless introspection. Throughout the conversation, he makes the case that the greatest opportunity in the age of AI is not simply becoming more productive... it's becoming more human by asking one deceptively simple question before every meeting, every project, and every day: What's the point? Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 57:18. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Simon Rogers. What We Ask Google - A Surprisingly Hopeful History Of Humankind. The Data Journalism Podcast. Datablog. Google Trends. Follow Simon on X. Follow Simon on Bluesky. Follow Simon on LinkedIn. Chapters: 00:00 The Evolution of Purpose in Work 02:54 Navigating the Changing Landscape of Thought Leadership 06:00 Reevaluating Work Relationships Post-Pandemic 08:59 The Quest for Meaning in Modern Jobs 11:59 Rethinking Career Paths and Opportunities 15:00 The Impact of AI on Work and Purpose 18:00 Redefining Purpose in Everyday Interactions 21:04 The Balance Between Personal Branding and Purpose 23:58 The Future of Work and Employee Wellbeing 30:36 The Changing Office Landscape 34:18 Exposure to Diverse Careers 36:12 The Importance of Broadening Horizons 37:32 Service and Community Engagement 38:55 The Shift in Job Perception 40:25 Rethinking Work and Experience 42:47 The Rise of Entrepreneurship 45:08 Creating Value Beyond Traditional Employment 49:30 Purpose in Organizations 52:12 Looking Outward for Well-Being 54:12 Advancements in Health and Well-Being

Welcome to episode #1047 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Simon Rogers has spent his career turning data into stories that help us better understand the world... and ourselves. A former news editor at The Guardian, where he founded and edited its influential Datablog, Simon is now the Data Editor at Google, working with Google Trends, one of the largest publicly accessible datasets of human curiosity and behaviour ever created. He is also the co-host of The Data Journalism Podcast and a longtime advocate for open data, visualization and making complex information meaningful. His new book, What We Ask Google - A Surprisingly Hopeful History Of Humankind, explores what billions of searches reveal about our private fears, shared vulnerabilities, cultural obsessions and desire to help one another. In this episode, Simon discusses why search offers a uniquely intimate portrait of humanity... not the carefully curated version we present on social media, but the questions we ask when we genuinely need answers. He explains how searches surrounding grief, friendship, parenting, health and crisis reveal that people are often far less alone than they feel, and perhaps more compassionate than our public discourse suggests. We also explore Google Trends as a cultural and predictive signal, the communities formed through shared curiosity, and why being surrounded by data does not necessarily make us more insightful. Simon reflects on how AI is changing the language and complexity of our searches without fundamentally changing what humans want to know. What emerges is a fascinating portrait of search as a collective stream of consciousness... chaotic, vulnerable, curious and surprisingly hopeful. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 53:45. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Simon Rogers. What We Ask Google - A Surprisingly Hopeful History Of Humankind. The Data Journalism Podcast. Datablog. Google Trends. Follow Simon on X. Follow Simon on Bluesky. Follow Simon on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - The Role of a Data Editor. (02:47) - Exploring Optimism Through Data. (05:57) - Understanding Human Connection Through Search. (09:05) - Cultural Reflections in Search Trends. (11:59) - The Intimacy of Search Queries. (15:08) - The Power of Data Visualization. (17:57) - Shifts in Search Behavior During Covid. (21:05) - The Complexity of Community and Connection. (23:57) - Echo Chambers and Misinformation. (27:06) - Predictive Power of Search Data. (28:19) - AI's Impact on Search Behavior. (33:28) - Understanding AI Integration in Search. (36:12) - Data Richness vs. Insightfulness. (39:01) - The Art of Data Storytelling. (41:25) - Search Behavior and Societal Reflections. (44:16) - Loneliness and Connection in Search Data. (45:39) - The Future of AI and Search Engines.

Welcome to episode #1046 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Dr. Liane Davey has spent her career helping leaders and teams perform at their best. As an organizational psychologist, bestselling author,  trusted advisor to companies around the world and dear friend, she has long explored what separates high-performing teams from those that quietly struggle beneath the surface. Her latest book, Thoughtload - Manage The Madness And Free Your Team To Do Great Work, introduces a deceptively simple but powerful idea: the biggest challenge facing today's organizations isn't workload... it's thoughtload. While most leaders focus on reducing tasks and increasing productivity, Liane argues that the real drain on performance comes from the invisible cognitive, emotional, and energetic burden people carry every day. In this conversation, we explore why organizations have become obsessed with measuring outputs instead of outcomes, how constant urgency creates the illusion of productivity while undermining effectiveness, and why many of today's workplace frustrations... from endless meetings to return-to-office debates to AI-generated "work slop"... are symptoms of a much deeper problem. We also discuss what thoughtful leadership looks like in an era of intelligent machines, why collaboration breaks down when people are cognitively overloaded, and how AI might eventually become a tool for reducing thoughtload rather than amplifying it. More than a conversation about burnout or workplace wellness, this is a discussion about attention, focus, judgment, and what it will take to build organizations where people can once again do their very best work. Liane is also the author of You First and The Good Fight and have been a guest of this show countless times. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 51:58. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Dr. Liane Davey. Thoughtload - Manage The Madness And Free Your Team To Do Great Work. The Good Fight. You First. Follow Liane on LinkedIn. Follow Liane on Instagram. Chapters: (00:00) - Understanding Thoughtload. (02:46) - The Productivity Trap. (05:56) - Measuring Outputs vs. Outcomes. (09:00) - The Role of Management in Work Value. (12:02) - Identifying Worthwhile Work. (15:00) - Managing Thought Load Effectively. (17:50) - The Impact of Office Environment on Thoughtload. (21:09) - Navigating the Return to Office. (24:11) - The Future of Work and Thoughtload. (27:10) - Navigating Work Culture and Diversity. (27:57) - Attention Span and Modern Content Consumption. (30:08) - The Illusion of Speed in Work. (32:13) - Thoughtload and Workplace Dynamics. (35:12) - The Impact of AI on Work and Thoughtload. (38:58) - Prioritization in the Age of AI. (43:05) - Collaboration Challenges and Thoughtload. (45:59) - AI as a Tool for Managing Thoughtload. (48:00) - The Cost of Being You and Personal Reflection.

Welcome to episode #1045 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Chris Bradley has spent more than twenty-five years helping organizations navigate strategy, growth, and long-term transformation as a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company. He also serves as a Director of the McKinsey Global Institute, the firm's independent research arm, where he explores some of the biggest economic, technological, and societal questions shaping our future. His latest book, A Century of Plenty - A Story of Progress for Generations to Come, challenges one of today's most pervasive narratives: that humanity's best days are behind us. Drawing on years of research, Chris argues that another century of extraordinary progress is not only possible, but achievable... if we choose growth, innovation, and optimism over scarcity and zero-sum thinking. In this conversation, we explore why economic growth remains one of the greatest drivers of prosperity, health, culture, and opportunity, and why so many people nevertheless feel increasingly pessimistic about the future. Chris explains the historical forces that created unprecedented advances over the past century, examines the demographic, energy, and productivity challenges that lie ahead, and shares why he believes AI could become one of the most important catalysts for renewed growth rather than a force to fear. It is a conversation that pushes back against today's prevailing pessimism while offering a thoughtful, data-driven case that progress remains humanity's greatest competitive advantage. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 1:00:36. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Chris Bradley. A Century of Plenty - A Story of Progress for Generations to Come. McKinsey & Company. McKinsey Global Institute. Follow Chris on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Chris Bradley and His Work. (02:59) - The Evolution of Guitar and Modern Musicians. (05:56) - A Century of Plenty: Economic Growth and Its Impact. (12:03) - Reflections on Progress and Generational Optimism. (17:54) - The Dichotomy of Growth: Opportunities vs. Challenges. (23:47) - Imagining a Prosperous Future for All. (30:47) - The Dangers of Zero-Sum Thinking. (36:02) - The Need for Innovation and Productivity. (44:24) - AI: A Double-Edged Sword. (55:21) - Transforming Workplaces with AI.

Welcome to episode #1044 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Steve Brown has spent more than twenty-five years helping organizations prepare for the future of technology. A former Senior Director and in-house futurist at Google DeepMind during the launch of AlphaFold, former Chief Evangelist and Futurist at Intel, entrepreneur and advisor, Steve has worked with global brands including Nike, JPMorgan Chase, Samsung, Disney and more to navigate digital transformation and the rapidly evolving AI landscape. His latest book, The AI Ultimatum - Preparing For A World Of Intelligent Machines And Radical Transformation, argues that AI is not another technology deployment but a fundamental organizational transformation that will reshape business over the next decade. In this episode, Steve explains why simply licensing AI tools is only the beginning, outlining the three stages organizations must navigate as they evolve toward becoming truly AI-first. We discuss the growing role of AI agents and digital employees, why leaders must rethink workflows instead of simply automating existing processes, and how organizations can prepare employees for a future where humans and intelligent machines work side by side. Steve also explores the importance of data strategy, change management, and responsible AI governance, while tackling difficult questions about surveillance, workforce anxiety, human creativity, and whether AI represents another technology cycle or something fundamentally different. Throughout the conversation, he makes the case that the real challenge is not adopting AI for efficiency alone, but reimagining how organizations create value in a world where intelligence itself has become programmable. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 1:01:14. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Steve Brown. The AI Ultimatum - Preparing For A World Of Intelligent Machines And Radical Transformation. Steve's Blog. Follow Steve on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Navigating the AI Transformation. (06:06) - The Three Steps of AI Adoption. (08:47) - AI in Journalism: The Human-Machine Collaboration. (12:02) - Consumer Perception of AI-Generated Content. (18:03) - The AI Ultimatum: Embrace or Be Left Behind. (21:10) - The Role of Responsibility in AI Adoption. (24:00) - The Future of Digital Employees. (29:42) - The Future of Remote Work and AI Avatars. (30:05) - Managing Digital Employees: A New Paradigm. (32:35) - Types of AI Agents and Their Impact on Work. (34:34) - Evolving Roles: From Accountants to Financial Advisors. (37:09) - The Burnout Dilemma: Technology vs. Human Capacity. (39:11) - Involving Employees in AI Design Processes. (41:03) - Resistance to AI: Fear of Replacement and Identity. (44:42) - Leadership Perspectives on AI Integration. (46:36) - Creating Super Teams: The New Managerial Role. (48:04) - Case Study: Nvidia's AI Workforce Strategy. (50:10) - Early Successes in AI Deployment. (52:19) - Surveillance vs. Performance Measurement in AI. (56:25) - The Need for a Healthier Work Ecosystem. (58:24) - A Shift in Thinking: The Rise of OpenClaw.