The Decision-Making Studio Podcast

Do you ever feel like our organisations are trying to chisel fine sculptures with blunt instruments?  This could be a company pursuing a cost-cutting drive at the expense of innovation and growth, a public policy that aims to solve last year's problem instead of dealing with future challenges, or an education system transfixed on improving test scores at the expense of deeper education.  The world is complex, nuanced and much like one of this show's running themes, interconnected.  The world is digital, and yet, many of our approaches are analog, particularly in the realm of public policy. Fortunately, there is a better way to look at the world that embraced uncertainty and complexity.  It's called systems thinking and my guest today is an expert in this field.  Michele Battle-Fisher is a professor in the Department of Community Health at Wright State University in Ohio, USA.  She is also the author of a book called "Application of Systems Thinking to Health Policy and Public Health Ethics: Public Health and Private Illness".  She is fun and engaging and we have a very nutrient dense conversation that covers: Michele's background and systems thinking origin story that involves a 5th grade speech contest; What systems thinking is and why it is useful for dealing with uncertainty and risk; Public policy, sub-optimal outcomes and predicting public behaviour; Health and the challenges associated with creating and meeting health targets (including an example from her book that looks at HIC amongst teens); Artificial intelligence (AI); Donald Rumsfeld's famous quote on "known unknowns" and "unknown unknowns"; "policy puffins" How we can all become better systems thinkers And much more! Show notes: Michele's archived blog: orgcomplexity.wordpreess.com Michele's scholarship webpage: mbattlefisher.wix.com/orgcomplexity Michele's book- Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/Application-Systems-Thinking-Health-Policy/dp/3319122029/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470658466&sr=8-1&keywords=michele+battle-fisher Springer (publisher) http://www.springer.com/us/book/9783319122021 Twitter @Mbattlefisher LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/mbattlefisher Facebook author page @michelebattlefisher HumanCurrent podcast @Letsworkhappy http://www.human-current.com Design4Emergence magazine @d4emergence @gabbleduck (editor- Stacy Hale) design4emergence.com LinkedIn Groups: System thinking network (formerly Systems Thinking World) UK Systems Society SNA for health Systems Thinking & System Dynamics Practitioners Global Network Select Research Institutes and Systems Focused Organizations: Sante Fe Institute santafe.edu Complexity Explorer (Sante Fe Institute) www.complexityexplorer.org Donella Meadows Institute www.donellameadows.org Bertalanffy Center for the Study of Systems Science http://www.bcsss.org/ International Society for the Systems Sciences http://isss.org Rethink Health rethinkhealth.org/ Waters Foundation www.watersfoundation.org System Dynamics Society systemdynamics.org/ Donald Rumsfeld Documentary http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2390962/ A few recommended books to introduce systems thinking: Meadows, D. (2008). Thinking in Systems- a primer. Chelsea Green: White River Junction, Vermont. Mitchell, M. (2011). Complexity: a guided tour. Oxford : New York. Kadushin, C. (2012). Understanding Social Networks. Oxford: New York. Caldarelli, G. & Catanzaro, M. (2012). Networks- a very short introduction. Oxford: New York. Holland, J. (2013). Complexity- a very short introduction. Oxford: New York. Watts, D. (2003). Six degrees- the science of a connected age. Norton: New York. Barabasi, A-L. (2010). Bursts- the hidden patterns behind everything we do, from your email to bloody crusades. Plume: New York. Barabasi, A-L. (2014). Linked: How Everything Is Connected to Everything Else and What It Means for Business, Science, and Everyday Life. Basic Books: New York. Booth-Sweeney, L. & Meadows, D. (2010). The Systems Thinking Playbook. Chelsea Green: White River Junction, Vt. ______________ Did you like this episode? Subscribe to the All Things Risk podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it on social media: Subscribe and/or leave a rating and review on iTunes: http://apple.co/1PjLmKh Subscribe on Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/all-things-risk/the-all-things-risk-podcast Subscribe on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ben-cattaneo Follow the podcast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RiskThings   Drop us a note: allthingsrisk@gmail.com Visit: www.allthingsrisk.com

In this in-betweenisode, I offer a "yin and yang" perspective on intelligent risk-taking.  "Think Big" is a about finding an aspiration, vision or goal that based on deep meaning and will keep you motivated during times of adversity.  "Start Small" is all about taking practical steps towards that goal. Show notes: Pablo Casals: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Casals "The Black Swan" by Nassim Taleb: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Swan-Impact-Highly-Improbable/dp/0141034599/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1471474779&sr=8-1&keywords=the+black+swan  __________ Did you like this episode? Subscribe to the All Things Risk podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it on social media: Subscribe and/or leave a rating and review on iTunes: http://apple.co/1PjLmKh Subscribe on Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/all-things-risk/the-all-things-risk-podcast Subscribe on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ben-cattaneo Follow the podcast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RiskThings   Drop us a note: allthingsrisk@gmail.com Visit: www.allthingsrisk.com  

I thoroughly dislike New Year's resolutions because in the vast majority of cases, they fail.  So, I think it is highly appropriate that we have an episode in August that revolves around the themes of health, wellness, resilience improving performance and becoming a better version of yourself by a measure of 10x.  Today's show discusses all of these things and much more without relying on the clichéd and popular methods we hear about that ultimately do not work. My guest is Hari Kalymnios.  Hari is a keynote speaker, trainer, author, Tedx speaker, executive coach and many other things.  He is all about helping people become what he likes to call "super leaders".  He owns a leadership training company here in London called "The Thought Gym" (thethoughtgym.com) and has a very interesting background.  We have a wonderful conversation that covers: Hari-s interesting background including how he got into training and coaching; Things he learned from studying high performers; Mental strength Building energy; Food and nutrition; Daily rituals Adopting new and positive habits sot that they stick; Fixed versus growth mindsets; Risk and intelligent risk-taking; The power of consistency and loads more! Show notes: Hari's website: harikalymnios.com  thethoughtgym.com  Hari's Tedx talk "Unlock Your Inner Superhuman": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQWGgO4pWy4  Hari's Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/thethoughtgym  Hari on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thethoughtgym  The Thought Gym on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheThoughtGym/  Hari's book "The Thought Gym": https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thought-Gym-Train-mind-follow/dp/1481966294/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470868480&sr=8-1&keywords=the+thought+gym  Joseph McClendon III: makeyourfate.com Book "The Ph Miracle": https://www.amazon.co.uk/pH-Miracle-Balance-Reclaim-Health-ebook/dp/B00FOSA8M8/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1470868538&sr=1-1&keywords=the+ph+miracle  _______ Did you like this episode? Subscribe to the All Things Risk podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it on social media: Subscribe and/or leave a rating and review on iTunes: http://apple.co/1PjLmKh Subscribe on Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/all-things-risk/the-all-things-risk-podcast Subscribe on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ben-cattaneo Follow the podcast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RiskThings   Drop us a note: allthingsrisk@gmail.com Visit: www.allthingsrisk.com    

Imagine cycling up and over the Andes mountains in Ecuador and Peru (a few times), into the Amazon, across the desert in Bolivia, then into Paraguay and finally Argentina, finishing in Buenos Aires.  Sounds pretty gruelling, doesn't it?  Now let's add a twist: do this on no money, nothing.  Well, that is exactly what my guest Laura Bingham recently accomplished. Laura is an adventurer and very recently completed this epic journey.  I had the pleasure of speaking to her about it all on this episode of the show - and you will have the pleasure of listening to it!  This was an amazing conversation that I am sure you will enjoy and from which get plenty of inspiration and advice, regardless of whether or not you are into cycling or travel. Laura and I discuss: Her background, which includes teaching in Mexico and sailing across the Atlantic Ocean back to her native England; The origins of her idea to cycle across South America; How it worked - how she found food, places to stay, and navigated several challenges; Mental strength, including overcoming difficult periods; Some of the highlights of the adventure; Advice for anyone looking to meet a challenge; Tarantulas, armadillos, and chicken dinners; Much much more! Show notes: Laura's website: www.laurabingham.org  Laura on Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurabingham93  Laura on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurabingham93/  Laura in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurabingham93/  Operation South America: http://www.operationsouthamerica.org/  Motivational Madness on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/viralrescue  The All Things Risk Podcast Episode 2 - Martian Cioana: http://allthingsrisk.libsyn.com/ep-2-martian-cioana  The Transcontinental Race: http://www.transcontinental.cc/  __________________________________ Did you like this episode? Subscribe to the All Things Risk podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it on social media: Subscribe and/or leave a rating and review on iTunes: http://apple.co/1PjLmKh Subscribe on Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/all-things-risk/the-all-things-risk-podcast Subscribe on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ben-cattaneo Follow the podcast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RiskThings   Drop us a note: allthingsrisk@gmail.com Visit: www.allthingsrisk.com

People love to hear expert predictions and forecasts during times of high uncertainty and volatility.  Many of these are wrong - with an important exception. In this this short episode, I discuss why we should embrace nuance ("shades of grey") and how to do so.  Show notes: Future Babble by Dan Gardner: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Future-Babble-Expert-Predictions-Believe/dp/0753522365/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469049168&sr=8-1&keywords=future+babble  "Science Says There's a Surprising Way to Change People's Political Views": http://uk.businessinsider.com/surprising-way-to-change-political-opinions-2016-6?utm_content=buffer487d3&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer?r=US&IR=T  "Rise of the 'alta-male'": http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/thinking-man/rise-of-the-alta-male-the-new-priorities-of-men-in-2016/  _______________ Did you like this episode? Subscribe to the All Things Risk podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it on social media: Subscribe and/or leave a rating and review on iTunes: http://apple.co/1PjLmKh Subscribe on Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/all-things-risk/the-all-things-risk-podcast Subscribe on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ben-cattaneo Follow the podcast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RiskThings   Drop us a note: allthingsrisk@gmail.com Visit: www.allthingsrisk.com

Risk management needs an overhaul.  It needs to join the 21st Century.  Daniel Wagner and Dante Disparte's new book Global Risk Agility and Decision-Making: Organisational Resilience in the Era of Man-Made Risk not only discusses why this is the case, but also provides a great road map of how to achieve it. This week, Daniel joins me as the first guest to make a re-appearance on the show.  He discusses many of the book's themes and we have a fascinating conversation that I felt could have gone for hours.  We talk about: Brexit - while I never want to date any of my episodes, I thought I'd be re-miss not to tap Daniel's expertise on country risk management and spend some time getting his take on Britain's recent referendum; The Anthropecene Era and man-made risks - we spend some time talking about climate change in particular, but the book also discusses things like terrorism and cyber risk; Where risk management goes wrong for organisations - short-termism, greed, etc.;  Risk agility; Systemic issues like corruption and vested interests in global politics; Organisations "having a conscience"; Individual and organisational leadership; Disruption Common sense and much more! It is a wonderful conversation that I am sure you will enjoy! Show notes: the book's website: http://globalriskagility.com/ Find the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Global-Risk-Agility-Decision-Making/dp/1349948594/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468324654&sr=8-1&keywords=global+risk+agility  Daniel on Twitter: https://twitter.com/countryriskmgmt  Dante Disparte on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ddisparte  Daniel's company, Country Risk Solutions: http://countryrisksolutions.com/  __________________________ Did you like this episode? Subscribe to the All Things Risk podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it on social media: Subscribe and/or leave a rating and review on iTunes: http://apple.co/1PjLmKh Subscribe on Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/all-things-risk/the-all-things-risk-podcast Subscribe on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ben-cattaneo Follow the podcast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RiskThings   Drop us a note: allthingsrisk@gmail.com Visit: www.allthingsrisk.com

What is it about travel? Why put yourself in positions of almost pure uncertainty in foreign lands? What is about not knowing what a place is going to be like that is so wonderful? To explore these and other topics, Hayden Lee joins me today. Hayden is the host of a show called “The Travel Stories” podcast. Hayden is also a musician (he was the bassist for a band called Lazarus Mode), sound technician, and many other things. He is also loads of fun and a great story-teller. This was a fantastic conversation with some great stories, loads of laughs, and some wonderful insights.  We get into:  •Hayden’s background – he is the ”son of a hippie mom and a biker dad” •His experience picking up and moving to Australia with all but $300 to his name •Going back to England a few years later via Asia •Three of Hayden’s “I almost died” stories •Motorbiking in the Mekong Delta •What makes travel so wonderful •Uncertainty, taking risks •And loads more!   Show notes:   •Check out Hayden’s show, “The Travel Stories Podcast”: http://travelstoriespodcast.com/ •Follow Hayden on Twitter: https://twitter.com/travelstoriesuk •Check out his show’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/travelstoriespodcast/?fref=ts   Did you like this episode? Subscribe to the All Things Risk podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it on social media: Subscribe and/or leave a rating and review on iTunes: http://apple.co/1PjLmKh Subscribe on Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/all-things-risk/the-all-things-risk-podcast Subscribe on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ben-cattaneo Follow the podcast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RiskThings   Drop us a note: allthingsrisk@gmail.com Visit: www.allthingsrisk.com

This is an in-betweenisode in which I offer some thoughts on the recent UK referendum to leave the EU (Brexit), and how to respond to greater uncertainty caused by changes in our external environments. Did you like this episode? Subscribe to the All Things Risk podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it on social media: Subscribe and/or leave a rating and review on iTunes: http://apple.co/1PjLmKh Subscribe on Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/all-things-risk/the-all-things-risk-podcast Subscribe on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ben-cattaneo Follow the podcast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RiskThings   Drop us a note: allthingsrisk@gmail.com Visit: www.allthingsrisk.com

How do leaders, innovators, and successful entrepreneurs practice resilience?  How does resilience help to create success (and how do we even define success)?  My guest on this week’s episode is best-selling author, CEO, management expert and technology entrepreneur Faisal Hoque.  Faisal currently runs a company called Shadoka and is a regular contributor for Fast Company.  Faisal has a very interesting background.  He moved from Bangladesh to the USA when he was 17 and by the age of 22, started his own company and was on the way to achieve tremendous success.  However, he eventually had to deal with tremendous adversity and that’s when he started to make a number of changes in his life and approach.  We get into all of that, and much more.  We discuss: •Entrepreneurship •Resilience •Mindfulness •Meditation •Life paths and trajectories •Emotional intelligence and systemic thinking •Success •Risk and living in uncertainty •Overcoming adversity And much more! Show notes:  Faisal’s website: http://faisalhoque.com/ Shadoka: http://shadoka.com/ Faisal on Twitter: https://twitter.com/faisal_hoque Faisal in Fast Company: http://www.fastcompany.com/user/faisal-hoque Faisal in Business Insider: http://uk.businessinsider.com/author/faisal-hoque Survive to Thrive: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Survive-Thrive-Practices-Entrepreneurs-Innovators-ebook/dp/B0101FI78A/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1466638185&sr=8-5&keywords=survive+to+thrive Everything Connects: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Everything-Connects-Creativity-Innovation-Sustainability-ebook/dp/B00HSO0YIE/ref=sr_1_1_twi_kin_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1466638220&sr=8-1&keywords=everything+connects Lydia Dishman article on having mulitple jobs: http://www.fastcompany.com/3060326/the-future-of-work/in-the-future-well-all-have-multiple-jobs Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zen-Mind-Beginners-Shunryu-Suzuki-ebook/dp/B00I8USOM0/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1466638892&sr=1-1&keywords=zen+mind+beginners+mind River Monsters: http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/river-monsters/ _________________________________ Did you like this episode? Subscribe to the All Things Risk podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it on social media: Subscribe and/or leave a rating and review on iTunes: http://apple.co/1PjLmKh Subscribe on Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/all-things-risk/the-all-things-risk-podcast Subscribe on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ben-cattaneo Follow the podcast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RiskThings   Drop us a note: allthingsrisk@gmail.com Visit: www.allthingsrisk.com

This is a short in-betweenisode in which I discuss grit and motivation.  I offer four tips and steps around how to push through when a lack of motivation is a factor.   Show notes: Article on negative thoughts: http://business.financialpost.com/entrepreneur/three-techniques-to-manage-40000-negative-thoughts Article on how action creates emotion: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/insight-therapy/201010/action-creates-emotion Article on habits: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-happiness-project/200910/stop-expecting-change-your-habit-in-21-days Tim Ferriss on habits: http://fourhourworkweek.com/2009/01/07/the-power-of-less-leo-babauta-zen-habits Rich Roll: www.richroll.com  _________________________________ Did you like this episode? Subscribe to the All Things Risk podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it on social media: Subscribe and/or leave a rating and review on iTunes: http://apple.co/1PjLmKh Subscribe on Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/all-things-risk/the-all-things-risk-podcast Subscribe on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ben-cattaneo Follow the podcast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RiskThings   Drop us a note: allthingsrisk@gmail.com Visit: www.allthingsrisk.com