Six Pixels of Separation Podcast

Bob Goodson, President and Founder of Quid, played a pivotal role in the development of the 'like' button back at Yelp. He discusses how this seemingly simple feature reshaped global communication and digital identity. The conversation dives into the 'arms race' of social engagement and the unintended consequences of the like button, such as surveillance capitalism and its impact on culture. Goodson also compares TikTok’s engagement model and emphasizes the responsibility of technologists in shaping societal norms.

Welcome to episode #990 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Lori Rosenkopf is the Simon and Midge Palley Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and currently serves as the Vice Dean of Entrepreneurship. In that role, she oversees Wharton’s Venture Lab and its West Coast campus, while continuing her long-standing research into social networks, innovation and how knowledge flows between people, companies and technologies. Before her academic career, Lori worked as a systems engineer for Kodakand AT&T Bell Labs, giving her a rare blend of practical and academic insight into how organizations innovate. She’s also the author of the new book Unstoppable Entrepreneurs – 7 Paths for Unleashing Successful Startups and Creating Value through Innovation. It’s a smart, grounded book that expands the definition of entrepreneurship, shifting it away from the mythology of Silicon Valley unicorns toward a more inclusive, pragmatic framework of value creation across industries and backgrounds. Lori’s experience guiding more than 20,000 students has helped her see entrepreneurship not as a single path, but a set of diverse approaches, whether you're building something disruptive, innovating inside a larger company, or launching a mission-driven startup. In this episode, we explore the evolving nature of entrepreneurial identity and why many of the old narratives no longer fit. We talk about the role of failure, the rise of creators as entrepreneurs and the impact of AI on idea generation. Lori also shares her thoughts on market fit, how to foster innovation in organizations, and why community and mentorship are more critical than ever. There’s a realism here that’s refreshing: entrepreneurship isn’t always glamorous, but it can be deeply meaningful. We also dive into the challenges of corporate disruption, the future of work and the tension between profit and social impact. If you’ve ever felt like you don’t fit the stereotype of an entrepreneur, this conversation might help you realize that the stereotype is the problem… not you. It’s a powerful reflection on how we build, why we build and who gets to build. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 56:28. 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 - Six Pixels of Separation. Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook. Check out ThinkersOne. or you can connect on LinkedIn. ...or on X. Here is my conversation with Lori Rosenkopf. Unstoppable Entrepreneurs – 7 Paths for Unleashing Successful Startups and Creating Value through Innovation. Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Venture Lab. Follow Lori on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Innovation. (03:01) - The Ecosystem of Entrepreneurship Education. (06:02) - Dispelling Myths: The Reality of Entrepreneurs. (08:57) - Defining Entrepreneurship: Value Creation Through Innovation. (12:04) - The Shopify Effect: Accessibility and Challenges in Entrepreneurship. (15:01) - Surviving the Grind: The Reality of Entrepreneurial Life. (18:03) - Market Fit: The Holy Grail of Entrepreneurship. (20:50) - The Rise of the Content Creator as Entrepreneur. (31:18) - The Cult of Personality in Entrepreneurship. (32:40) - The Role of Age in Entrepreneurship. (34:36) - AI and Idea Generation for Entrepreneurs. (39:21) - The Disruption of Traditional Corporate Roles. (41:42) - Value Creation Beyond Profitability. (44:31) - Changing Work Culture and Entrepreneurial Mindset. (46:34) - Innovations in Business Models and Technology. (48:47) - The Importance of Community in Entrepreneurship. (51:52) - Trends in Entrepreneurship and Future Outlook. (54:34) - Understanding Failure in Entrepreneurship. (55:56) - Wealth Inequality and the Role of Entrepreneurs.

Welcome to episode #989 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Andrew Brodsky is reshaping how we think about work, not by focusing on tasks or tools, but by interrogating how we communicate. A management professor at the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin, Andrew specializes in organizational behavior, with a sharp focus on the friction (and possibility) that emerges when human behavior meets digital platforms. With a PhD from Harvard Business School and a BS from Wharton, his work explores everything from how to show emotional authenticity on Zoom to how organizations can build culture without a physical office. In his new book, Ping - The Secrets of Successful Virtual Communication, Andrew offers a science-backed, research-driven guide to the biggest question facing modern professionals: when should something be an email, a Slack, a video call or nothing at all? He pushes past the cliché of "this meeting could’ve been an email” to examine what kinds of communication actually drive clarity, trust and effectiveness. In this episode, we explore the messy reality of hybrid work, the erosion of “third places” where colleagues used to casually connect, and the deeper organizational consequences of fragmented communication norms. Andrew explains why remote work isn’t the root of all workplace disconnection (return-to-office mandates won’t fix your culture) and how better communication (intentional, strategic, well-matched to the message) is the real differentiator for teams. We also talk about the long-term implications of this shift: from how loneliness is showing up in employee engagement surveys to how new communication technologies might shape our future work rhythms. Whether you're leading a team, working across time zones, or just trying to get a response to your last message, this conversation offers practical takeaways grounded in deep expertise and real-world research. Andrew’s insights cut through the noise and help us see virtual communication not as a limitation, but as an opportunity to be more human, more clear and more connected… no matter the channel. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 1:03:22. 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 - Six Pixels of Separation. Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook. Check out ThinkersOne. or you can connect on LinkedIn. ...or on X. Here is my conversation with Andrew Brodsky. Ping - The Secrets of Successful Virtual Communication. Ping Group. Follow Andrew on X. Follow Andrew on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - The Evolution of Virtual Communication. (02:50) - Understanding Virtual Communication. (05:48) - The Challenges of Virtual Interactions. (09:03) - The Role of Communication in Performance. (12:04) - Optimizing Remote Work Culture. (15:02) - The Future of Meetings and Collaboration. (17:49) - Teaching Communication Skills. (20:59) - Investing in Effective Communication. (24:05) - The Impact of Remote Work on Relationships. (27:04) - The Future of Work and Economic Implications. (33:28) - The Shift in Workplace Dynamics. (39:15) - The Evolution of Social Spaces. (41:53) - The Role of Technology in Communication. (49:30) - Navigating Virtual Interactions. (01:01:11) - Lessons Learned from Covid 19.

Julian Treasure, a renowned author and founder of The Sound Agency, emphasizes the crucial difference between hearing and listening. He argues for reviving listening as a vital skill, alongside discussing the adverse effects of noise and modern distractions on our well-being. The conversation dives into the implications of AI in music, the risks of technology isolating us from natural sounds, and the rising importance of conscious listening to foster understanding in polarized times. His initiative, The Listening Society, aims to cultivate this essential skill in communities.

Cindy Anderson, Global Lead for Engagement & Eminence at IBM’s Institute for Business Value, dives into thought leadership dynamics and its ROI. She reveals insights from over 4,000 executives on what drives engagement. The discussion tackles the effects of AI on content quality and the challenge of audience fatigue. Cindy emphasizes the necessity of credible insights and effective presentation methods while differentiating influencers from genuine thought leaders. Essential listening for anyone involved in creating impactful content!

Pico Iyer, a renowned travel writer and author of 'Aflame - Learning from Silence', shares his unique insights on silence and mindfulness. He dives into the impact of solitude found in monastic life and how it offers clarity amidst chaos. The conversation explores the paradox of creativity fostered by constraints and the beauty in moments of loss. Iyer emphasizes the urgency of being present in a distraction-laden world and meditates on how silence can lead to a deeper understanding of self and society.

Welcome to episode #985 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Kathleen deLaski is one of the most important voices rethinking the purpose, structure, and future of higher education. As founder of the Education Design Lab and board chair of Credential Engine, she’s spent the last decade helping over 1,200 colleges, organizations, and regional economies reimagine learning pathways for next-generation students - particularly the new majority learners often left behind by traditional institutions. Her new book, Who Needs College Anymore? is a provocative and optimistic look at how postsecondary education must evolve, drawing on over a decade of field research, human-centered design, and more than 150 interviews with educators, employers, learners, and policymakers. In this conversation, we unpack the diploma divide, the rising cost of education, the friction between what college teaches and what employers expect, and how AI is rewriting the script for entry-level jobs and professional training. Kathleen - whose career spans time as a journalist at ABC News, a Pentagon spokesperson, working at AOL in the early days of the Internet, and a philanthropic force behind education reform - brings not just perspective but practical ideas on how colleges, businesses, and society must adapt. This one challenges what we think college is for, and what meaningful learning might look like in a skills-based future. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 51:11. 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 - Six Pixels of Separation. Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook. Check out ThinkersOne. or you can connect on LinkedIn. ...or on X. Here is my conversation with Kathleen deLaski. Who Needs College Anymore?. Education Design Lab. Follow Kathleen on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - The Rise of Human-Centered Design in Education. (02:45) - Challenges in Higher Education and the Need for Innovation. (06:00) - Cultural Shifts and the Value of College. (08:53) - The Diploma Divide and Its Societal Implications. (11:54) - Affordability and Access to Education. (14:47) - The Disconnect Between Degrees and Job Market. (18:06) - The Importance of Experience Over Degrees. (21:13) - Networking and Its Role in Career Success. (29:38) - The Impact of AI on Job Markets. (32:36) - The Future of Entry-Level Jobs. (36:05) - Reevaluating Professional Education. (41:35) - The Value of Trades in Modern Society. (43:06) - Digital Learning and Its Challenges. (47:17) - Generational Perspectives on Work Ethic.

Steve Pratt, co-founder of Pacific Content and author of 'Earn It', dives deep into the art of meaningful marketing and storytelling. He discusses how many marketers get lost in short-term tactics and why brands must embrace bravery and authenticity. With insights on the content saturation challenge, he emphasizes producing quality over quantity. Pratt also explores how brands can position themselves as media powerhouses and warns against the lure of algorithm-driven strategies, highlighting the irreplaceable role of human creativity.

Matthew Weinzierl, a Harvard Business School professor and research associate, explores the economic dynamics of the space industry. He discusses his new book, which argues that space is emerging as a significant economic frontier. Topics include the competition fueled by SpaceX, the outdated frameworks of international space law, and the role of economists in shaping the future of space activities. Weinzierl also examines the balance between centralized control and decentralized innovation, as well as the societal benefits tied to space exploration amidst earthly challenges.

Ethan Kross, a psychology professor at the University of Michigan and author of 'Chatter' and 'Shift,' shares his insights on mastering emotions in today's chaotic world. He discusses the importance of a flexible emotional toolkit tailored to individuals. Kross highlights how negativity in media affects our emotional health and advocates for strategic news consumption. He explores the role of AI in mental wellness while emphasizing that human connections remain crucial. Ultimately, he shows how even negative emotions can fuel creativity and success.