

Six Pixels of Separation Podcast
Mitch Joel
Six Pixels of Separation - Mitch Joel’s weekly conversation with business leaders, thinkers, innovators and cultural icons. The show is about insights and provocations on brands, consumers, technology, business and how connected we’ve all become.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 14, 2019 • 56min
SPOS #666 - Clive Thompson On Coders
Welcome to episode #666 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #666 - Host: Mitch Joel. If we're going to always talk business here on this show, I needed something with music in it to celebrate episode #666 (number of the beast, etc…). We're in luck. Clive Thompson is not just a computer geek (like me), or a passionate journalist (like me), he also writes, records, and performs music in the band The Delorean Sisters. Still, most know him for his writing in the science and technology space for the New York Times Magazine, Wired, Smithsonian magazine and many others. He wrote the book Smarter Than You Think and more recently published his sophomore effort, Coders - The Making of a New Tribe and Remaking of the World. The book explores the fascinating world of computer programmers - the people who run today's world (and the world of tomorrow). What do these people want from technology? What will these people program for us? How will these algorithms play out? How do we ensure that they’re the right people to be coding our future? Let's rock out with Clive. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 56:01. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Subscribe over at iTunes. 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. or you can connect on LinkedIn. ...or on Twitter. Here is my conversation with Clive Thompson. Coders - The Making of a New Tribe and Remaking of the World. Smarter Than You Think. Follow Clive on Twitter. This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Apr 7, 2019 • 58min
SPOS #665 - Cal Newport On Digital Minimalism
Welcome to episode #665 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #665 - Host: Mitch Joel. Cal Newport is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Georgetown University. In addition to researching cutting edge technology, he also writes about the impact of these innovations on society. Cal is the author of six books, including the recently published bestseller, Digital Minimalism and (a personal favorite) Deep Work, which argues that focus is the new I.Q. in the modern workplace. Cal’s work has been published in over 20 languages and has been featured in many major publications. He’s also a frequent guest on NPR. In this episode, we did deeper into his work, and why we must all be more selective of the technologies that we bring into our personal and professional lives. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 57:36. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Subscribe over at iTunes. 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. or you can connect on LinkedIn. ...or on Twitter. Here is my conversation with Cal Newport. Digital Minimalism. Deep Work. So Good They Can’t Ignore You. Cal’s other books. Cal’s not on Twitter, so here’s a link to his blog. This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Mar 31, 2019 • 1h
SPOS #664 - Joseph Jaffe Talks Built To Suck
Welcome to episode #664 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #664 - Host: Mitch Joel. Joseph Jaffe is widely regarded as one of the top marketing thinkers in the world (Jaffe Juice). He is the author of five excellent books (Life After The 30-Second Spot, Join The Conversation, Flip The Funnel, Z.E.R.O.) and his latest, Built To Suck (plus his new company H.M.S. Beagle). A long-time friend (and one of the main inspirations behind the Six Pixels of Separation podcast), we used to record semi-regular conversations, debates and back-and-forths that would dive a little deeper into the business, innovation and marketing landscape. Well, we’re back, so consider this our 35th conversation (or, as I like to affectionately call it, Across The Sound 35.20), and in this episode, we discuss Joe’s brand new book, Built To Suck… and how brands should try (very hard) to suck a lot less. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 1:00:00. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Subscribe over at iTunes. 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. or you can connect on LinkedIn. ...or on Twitter. Here is my conversation with Joseph Jaffe. Built To Suck. H.M.S. Beagle. Jaffe Juice. Life After The 30-Second Spot. Join The Conversation. Flip The Funnel. Z.E.R.O. Follow Joseph on Twitter. This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Mar 24, 2019 • 52min
SPOS #663 - Bernadette Jiwa Tells The Right Story
Welcome to episode #663 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #663 - Host: Mitch Joel. One of the most prolific and fascinating business professionals in the area of better brand storytelling and marketing is Bernadette Jiwa. She is a veritable force of nature who creates frequent and compelling prose that are sprinkled with optimism and wisdom. Last September she was on the show to discuss her book, Story Driven – You Don’t Need To Compete When You Know Who You Are, and she’s back with a brand new book called, The Right Story - A Brief Guide to Changing The World. I consider her to be a true business philosopher, because Bernadette delivers the goods. When she not writing books and publishing articles, Bernadette helps companies of all sizes to build a brand to be proud of. Bernadette has a whole bunch of business books that you must read: Hunch, Meaningful, Marketing: A Love Story, Fortune Cookie Principle, Difference and Make Your Idea Matter. It is a thrill to have her back on the show to discuss her latest, The Right Story. Enjoy the conversation…. Running time: 52:02. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Subscribe over at iTunes. 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. or you can connect on LinkedIn. ...or on Twitter. Here is my conversation with Bernadette Jiwa. The Right Story - A Brief Guide to Changing The World. Story Driven – You Don’t Need To Compete When You Know Who You Are. Hunch. Meaningful. Marketing: A Love Story. Fortune Cookie Principle,. Difference. Make Your Idea Matter. Follow Bernadette on Twitter. This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Mar 17, 2019 • 55min
SPOS #662 - Paul Jarvis Is A Company Of One
Welcome to episode #662 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #662 - Host: Mitch Joel. What kind of business do you want to build? What kind of business do you really want to work for? It's true that we live a world where we can choose to do so many interesting and different things... and we can do them from the comfort of our own home (if we so choose). Paul Jarvis is the author of a great book called, Company of One. I was fortunate enough to be asked to blur this book. Paul thinks differently (very differently) about work (and what it means). He's a designer who likes writing (or vice versa) and has worked for himself since the 90s. His courses —Creative Class and Chimp Essentials — have been taken by more than 13,000 paying students. His writing has been talked about by everyone from Ashton Kutcher to Arianna Huffington. Paul also sends out a weekly newsletter, called Sunday Dispatches (and I love it!). Here has a very different perspective on what "making it” means, and how to live a life with work that matters. Enjoy the conversation. Running time: 54:57. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Subscribe over at iTunes. 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. or you can connect on LinkedIn. ...or on Twitter. Here is my conversation with Paul Jarvis. Company of One. Sunday Dispatches. Chimp Essentials. Creative Class. Follow Paul on Twitter. This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Mar 10, 2019 • 54min
SPOS #661 - Henry Mintzberg Dreams About Management
Welcome to episode #661 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #661 - Host: Mitch Joel. Where do the concepts of how we run a business come from? Many don't realize that management concepts are rarely created, implemented and perfected by simply fumbling through it. In fact, Henry Mintzberg is responsible for much of the management concepts that are in practice today. A true legend. You can’t use those words lightly when it comes to the business world. Henry Mintzberg is a true legend. He is an internationally renowned academic and author on business and management. He is currently the Cleghorn Professor of Management Studies at the Desautels Faculty of Management of McGill University in Montreal, where he has been teaching since 1968. A published author (more times than most can count), he has been pushing progressive management theory since the early seventies. Most know him for his 1989 book, Mintzberg On Management. Mintzberg also runs a business called, Coaching Ourselves. Most recently, he published a book (which is a curation and re-editing of his online articles) called, Bedtime Stories For Managers. Henry wants leaders to manage with soul, become keynote listeners (not speakers) and engage with their teams in more meaningful ways. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 54:28. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Subscribe over at iTunes. 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. or you can connect on LinkedIn. ...or on Twitter. Here is my conversation with Henry Mintzberg. Bedtime Stories For Managers. Coaching Ourselves. Mintzberg On Management. Follow Henry on Twitter. This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

6 snips
Mar 3, 2019 • 55min
SPOS #660 - What Would Seth Godin Do?
Bestselling author and marketing expert Seth Godin discusses the shifting landscape of marketing, the value of targeting a specific audience, the role of friction in business, the revolution in education, the changing role of gatekeepers, and even has a musical segment where they sing about change and redemption.

Feb 24, 2019 • 53min
SPOS #659 - Hustle and Float With Rahaf Harfoush
Welcome to episode #659 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #659 - Host: Mitch Joel. We have been debating and discussing the power of technology, culture and humans for a long time. Rahaf Harfoush is a Strategist, Digital Anthropologist, and Best-Selling Author who focuses on the intersections between emerging technology, innovation, and digital culture. She teaches Innovation & Emerging Business Models at Sciences Politique’s Masters of Economics and Finance program in Paris. Before that, Rahaf was the Associate Director of the Technology Pioneer Program at the World Economic Forum in Geneva. Her first book, Yes We Did - An Insider’s Look at How Social Media Built the Obama Brand chronicled her experiences as a member of Barack Obama’s digital media team during the 2008 Presidential elections and explored how social networking revolutionized political campaign strategy. Her second book was the best selling, The Decoded Company (that she co-authored). Her latest book is Hustle & Float - reclaim your creativity and thrive in a world obsessed with work. For too long, creativity and productivity have been considered essential but unconnected. Thousands of books have been written about each of these concepts separately. In fact, nearly every business book out there tackles achievement and performance through one of these two lenses. Hustle and Float is an exploration of the increasing tensions between productivity and creativity within our personal and professional lives. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 53:25. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Subscribe over at iTunes. 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. or you can connect on LinkedIn. ...or on Twitter. Here is my conversation with Rahaf Harfoush. Hustle & Float - reclaim your creativity and thrive in a world obsessed with work. The Decoded Company. Yes We Did - An Insider’s Look at How Social Media Built the Obama Brand. Follow Rahaf on Twitter. This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Feb 17, 2019 • 56min
SPOS #658 - The Post-Truth Era With Shiv Singh
Welcome to episode #658 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #658 - Host: Mitch Joel. He's been running in the digital marketing circle for as long as I can remember. While we have never met in person, we have been connected and following one another's work and perspectives for many years. Shiv Singh now advises Fortune 500 companies and startups on strategy, marketing and how to succeed in the digital era as the Founder of Savvy Matters. Prior to starting his consultancy, Shiv was a senior executive driving marketing, innovation and digital strategies at Visa and PepsiCo. Before that, he was an agency guy (like me) at Razorfish (now PublicisSapient). In 2016, Shiv was inducted into the American Advertising Hall of Achievement has also been recognized by Adweek as a Top 50 marketer. He published the book, Social Media Marketing for Dummies back in 2014 and now he's back with his latest book, Savvy - Navigating fake companies, fake leaders, and fake news in the post-truth era. He co-authored this book wit his wife, Rohini Luthra. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 56:02. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Subscribe over at iTunes. 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. or you can connect on LinkedIn. ...or on Twitter. Here is my conversation with Shiv Singh. Savvy - Navigating fake companies, fake leaders, and fake news in the post-truth era. Social Media Marketing for Dummies. Rohini Luthra. Savvy Matters. Follow Shiv on Twitter. This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Feb 10, 2019 • 54min
SPOS #657 - Lasting Change In An Instant With James Fell
Welcome to episode #657 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #657 - Host: Mitch Joel. There's no denying that change is important. One of my favourite quotes of all time is this: "If you don't like change, you're going to like irrelevance even less." - Retired United States General, Eric Shinseki. But (as we all know), change is hard. Very hard. And in happens slowly... over time. What if that were not true? What if change could happen in an instant? That is the argument (and strategy) behind the book, The Holy Sh!t Moment - How Lasting Change Can Happen in an Instant by James Fell. James was in debt, drunk, flunking out, and tipping the scales toward obesity, at one point in his life. Still, there was one single moment that changed his life. It was in that moment that split his life in two, dividing it into “before,” and “after.” From there, James become one of the most popular health and fitness writers in North America (writing for the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, Chatelaine, Men’s Health, and many others). He wrote a book about weight loss (Lose It Right), but it's this new book, The Holy Sh!t Moment, that he is most excited about. Can we change in a instant and have it last forever? Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 53:30. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Subscribe over at iTunes. 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. or you can connect on LinkedIn. ...or on Twitter. Here is my conversation with James Fell. The Holy Sh!t Moment - How Lasting Change Can Happen in an Instant. Lose It Right. Follow James on Twitter. This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.