Six Pixels of Separation Podcast

Adam Brotman, co-founder of Forum3 and former Chief Digital Officer at Starbucks, dives into the age of AI, discussing how brands must redefine themselves beyond just adopting tools. He explores the impending shifts in marketing, emphasizing that AI will handle much of current agency work. Brotman highlights the importance of integrating AI at the core of business strategies while balancing human connections. With insights on customer loyalty and personalization, he paves the way for navigating a future where companies remain human-focused in an AI-driven world.

Christie Smith, a former senior executive at Apple, Deloitte, and Accenture, now leads The Humanity Studio, focusing on redefining leadership in the modern workplace. She discusses the urgent need for empathetic leadership in a post-pandemic world, where people-centered approaches are key. The conversation dives into how organizations must move beyond traditional productivity measures, emphasizing human energy and emotional connections. Moreover, she explores the complex dynamics of distributed teams and the ethical dilemmas posed by generative AI, calling for a balanced, mission-driven culture.

In this engaging discussion, Nelson Repenning, a professor at MIT Sloan, dives into why smart organizations struggle to get effective work done. He introduces dynamic work design, a method aimed at improving execution through five key principles. Nelson shares real-life stories from various sectors, illustrating how traditional work cultures can become traps of unproductive busyness. He emphasizes that true productivity isn't about doing more, but doing work that aligns with actual desired outcomes, especially in an era of increasing complexity and AI.

Vicki Tan, author of Ask This Book A Question and product designer for giants like Google and Spotify, dives into the intricacies of decision-making. She discusses how cognitive biases shape our choices and the importance of storytelling in helping us navigate life's complexity. Vicki emphasizes that reframing questions can unlock clarity over simply seeking answers. The conversation also touches on cultural attitudes towards risk and the intersection of design with personal growth, providing a refreshing perspective on the art of decision-making.

Angela Chee, a keynote speaker and author of The Power Of the Only, discusses the strength found in being the 'only' voice in any room. She emphasizes how to own your voice and navigate the complexities of modern communication. The conversation touches on the emotional spotlight effect, the balance between authenticity and intention, and the evolution of personal branding in a digital world. Angela shares her Five Principles of empowerment and explores the impact of AI on human authenticity, urging listeners to cultivate genuine connections.

In this engaging discussion, Dave Whorton, founder of Tugboat Institute and co-author of "Another Way," shares his passion for building evergreen companies designed for longevity rather than quick exits. He delves into the significance of purpose-driven leadership and the 7 Ps of sustainable business success. Whorton emphasizes the cultural shift needed in entrepreneurship, advocating for sustainable impact over hyper-growth. He also reflects on the resilience of these companies in challenging economic times, championing a new perspective on business values.

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.