
Six Pixels of Separation Podcast
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.
Latest episodes

Oct 8, 2023 • 54min
SPOS #900 – Dan Ariely On Misbelief And Irrationality
Welcome to episode #900 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #900. Where would I be without Dan Ariely? You will have to listen in to find out. Beyond that, Dan is renowned for his insightful research in behavioral economics, which he simplifies for the everyday reader. His journey into understanding human irrationality began in a profoundly personal way: Recovering from severe burns caused by an explosion. The challenges of his treatments, particularly the agonizing daily baths, led him to question the patterns of irrational behaviors. Post recovery, Dan delved deep into the world of decision-making, keen to figure out how the knowledge from behavioral economics could enhance various facets of life— be it finance, health, habits, or personal relationships. As Dan expanded his understanding, he grew passionate about sharing these insights. His goal? To help people harness this knowledge to elevate their everyday lives. Dan's extensive work, including his great books, Predictably Irrational, The Upside of Irrationality, The (Honest) Truth About Dishonesty (and more), along with the film Dishonesty and The Irrational Game, seeks to make behavioral economics more accessible and relatable. Beyond his writings, Dan holds the esteemed title of James B. Duke Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Economics at Duke University. He is also a key figure at the Center for Advanced Hindsight (tongue in cheek, of course). His latest book is called, Misbelief - What Makes Rational People Believe Irrational Things, which is part freaky memoire (based on a very strange online trope created about him) and part exploration into why we (and our loved ones) might fall into a rabbithole of lies, and how to get out of it. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 53:38. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. 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 Twitter. Here is my conversation with Dan Ariely. Misbelief - What Makes Rational People Believe Irrational Things. Predictably Irrational. The Upside of Irrationality. The (Honest) Truth About Dishonesty. Dishonesty. The Irrational Game. Center for Advanced Hindsight. Follow Dan on X/Twitter. Follow Dan on LinkedIn. Follow Dan on Instagram. This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Oct 1, 2023 • 59min
SPOS #899 – Cara Brookins On Getting Unstuck
Welcome to episode #899 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #899. Have you heard the story about the mom who built her own home with her four kids using YouTube videos? That's my friend, Cara Brookins. Cara built software systems for 20 years as a software architect, but when her life crumbled around her, she turned herself into a builder and architect of a different kind… With no construction experience, Cara and her children built a 3,500 square foot house from the ground up by watching YouTube tutorials. Convinced that by building a house, they could rebuild their broken family, she and her kids poured the concrete, framed the walls, and laid the bricks. In the end, they had built a two-story, five-bedroom home. Using real-life examples from her unconventional construction site, Cara now helps organizations by focusing on teamwork, perseverance, and the resilience in each of us to overcome incredible odds. Her tactics of self-empowerment show how to blend an imperfect mix of personalities, talents, and temperaments into a cohesive, unstoppable team. While her story went viral in more than 75 countries and has been viewed more than two billion times, Cara has become a go-to expert for getting people unstuck and moving on their projects in business and beyond. Her first non-fiction book, Rise, is a must-read memoir that traces her family’s rise from battered victims to stronger, better versions of themselves. Her latest book, Unstuck - End Procrastination Using The Ancient Psychology Behind How-To Videos, offers the tools your team (and you) can use to overcome procrastination and reshape the way you think about productivity. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 59:15. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. 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 Twitter. Here is my conversation with Cara Brookins. Unstuck - End Procrastination Using The Ancient Psychology Behind How-To Videos. Rise. Follow Cara on Instagram. Follow Cara on LinkedIn. Follow Cara on X. This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Sep 24, 2023 • 1h 6min
SPOS #898 – Michael Bungay Stanier On How To Build The Best Possible Relationships
In this podcast, Michael Bungay Stanier, author of The Coaching Habit, discusses the power of catchy book titles, building strong workplace relationships, coaching as a style of leadership, 'fake work' in organizations, the power of our inner voice, and the limitations of empathy in the workplace.

Sep 17, 2023 • 1h 12min
SPOS #897 - Marcus Collins On Brands, Culture And The Path Forward
Welcome to episode #897 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #897. Meet Dr. Marcus Collins, a dynamic brand and marketing figure who has immersed himself in understanding the profound influence of culture on human behavior. Leveraging a rich background that spans roles as a clinical professor at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business and he's the head of strategy at Wieden+Kennedy, New York, Marcus utilizes his deep insights to bridge the gap between theory and practice, helping individuals leverage cultural understanding to induce action. Marcus's acclaim in the advertising and business realms is evident through his multiple recognitions, including a spot in the American Advertising Federation’s Advertising Hall of Achievement, and featured on Thinkers50 class of 2023 Radar List, among others. His strategic and creative endeavors have breathed life into notable campaigns such as "Cliff Paul" for State Farm and Google's "Real Tone" technology. Before stepping into the advertising arena, Marcus co-founded a startup in the music and tech sphere, leading initiatives at giants like Apple and crafting digital strategies for the iconic Beyoncé. More recently, Marcus shares his wealth of knowledge in his bestselling book, For The Culture. I loved reading this book. It delves deep into the nexus between culture and human tendencies. Drawing from a vast reservoir of literature, case studies, and first-hand experiences, Marcus offers readers a roadmap to foster culturally contagious ideas that resonate and induce movement. If you're wondering about the state of brands, how culture impacts sales, and where the ideal communities are, take a listen. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 1:11:29. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. 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 Twitter. Here is my conversation with Dr. Marcus Collins. For The Culture. Wieden+Kennedy. Follow Marcus on X/Twitter. Follow Marcus on LinkedIn. Follow Marcus on Instagram. This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Sep 10, 2023 • 54min
SPOS #896 – Zeynep Ton On The Case For Good Jobs
Welcome to episode #896 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #896. Renowned scholar and dynamic force in the business academia and consulting world, Zeynep Ton has dedicated her career to scrutinizing the nuances of operational management through a lens that values not just the customers and investors but the employees who are often regarded as mere cogs in the wheel. With her home base at the MIT Sloan School of Management, she leverages her role as a Professor to delve deep into the symbiotic relationship between employee satisfaction, customer service, and investor returns. Her insightful research has graced the pages of prestigious publications like the Harvard Business Review, Organization Science, and Production and Operations Management, making her a formidable voice in the business analysis sphere. Before her tenure at MIT Sloan, Zeynep honed her craft at Harvard Business School for seven years, earning accolades for her exceptional teaching acumen. In 2014, Zeynep pulled together a decade and a half of rigorous research in her ground-breaking book titled, The Good Jobs Strategy - How the Smartest Companies Invest in Employees to Lower Costs and Boost Profits. This work not just chalked out but vivaciously argued that a blueprint of superior returns and outstanding service is incomplete without weaving in investment in employee well-being with operational strategies that spur productivity and morale. Now, she's back with her latest book, The Case for Good Jobs - How Great Companies Bring Dignity, Pay, and Meaning to Everyone's Work. It feels like perfect timing for a book like this, if you look at the workforce and how the economy is moving. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 54:07. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. 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 Twitter. Here is my conversation with Zeynep Ton. The Case for Good Jobs. The Good Jobs Strategy. Follow Zeynep on LinkedIn. Follow Zeynep on X/Twitter. This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Sep 3, 2023 • 1h 13min
SPOS #895 – Michael Geist On Meta Blocking News Links And The Future Of Media
Welcome to episode #895 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #895. When it comes to the digital economy, the law and the media, everyone should be following Dr. Michael Geist. Now, more than ever, his voice may be the only "truth" we are seeing in the media as Canada deals with the massive fallout that is Bill C-18 (Canada's Online News Act). My primer on this ridiculous law is here: Big Tech, Big Media, Big Trouble And Big Lies. With that, the issues (and opportunity) bleed well beyond the borders of Canada and should strike fear into anyone interested in our global digital economy. For a long while, Michael has been reshaping the landscape of Internet and E-commerce Law from his academic pulpit at the University of Ottawa. With credentials that read like an academic's dream — degrees from Osgoode Hall, Cambridge, and Columbia — he's not just dissecting law... he's writing it, in real-time, for a digital age. You've likely stumbled upon his incisive columns, where he distills complex technology law issues into digestible wisdom. But wait, there's more. Michael is the maestro behind a slew of copyright books that are nothing short of revolutionary. Titles like, The Copyright Pentalogy, and, In the Public Interest, are shaking the foundations of Canadian copyright law, carving out a new roadmap for the digital era. He's not just penning books... he's also editing monthly technology law publications and running a blog that's become a go-to resource on Internet and intellectual property issues. Michael's reach isn't confined to academia or print... he's a boardroom staple too. Whether it's Ingenium, Internet Archive Canada, or the Electronic Frontier Foundation, his advisory skills are in high demand. He's even steering the digital strategy for Waterfront Toronto, leading it into uncharted technological waters. His influence is such that he was named among the 50 most impactful people on intellectual property globally and among the 25 most influential lawyers in Canada, multiple years running. Why does Michael matter? Because in a world wrestling with the ethics and laws of a digital frontier, he's the sage we didn't know we needed, but can't afford to ignore. We dig deep into the media landscape, the mis-step of the government, why Meta proactively decided to no longer allow users to post links out to news websites, and why everyone (no matter where you live) should be paying attention to what Meta, Google and others technology companies are doing. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 1:13:16. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. 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 Twitter. Here is my conversation with Dr. Michael Geist. Michael’s Blog (which is filled with Bill C-18 brilliance). Michael’s Podcast: Law Bytes. Michael on Substack. The Copyright Pentalogy. In the Public Interest. Follow Michael on LinkedIn. Follow Michael on Twitter/X. This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Aug 27, 2023 • 1h
SPOS #894 – Dr. Karl Moore On Leadership And Business Across Generations
Welcome to episode #894 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #894. When you live in a city like Montreal, you often get introduced to people who have both "done the work" and are eager to stay connected. A long while back, I had the pleasure of meeting Professor Karl Moore. And, over the years, we have become friends who often run into one another on the streets of Montreal. With a distinguished position at McGill University's Desautels Faculty of Management and over 25 years as a Fellow at the University of Oxford, Dr. Karl Moore is no stranger to the leadership pulse of today's world. His interaction with CEOs and the new-gen leaders, the millennials and Gen Zs, is not just cursory — it's insightful. Karl's exploration into the world of CEOs started with his Ph.D., leading him to study leadership dynamics and strategic evolution. His McGill MBA course, CEO Insights, has become a unique conduit for 31 CEOs to share wisdom each fall, morphing over eight years into the highly-acclaimed The CEO Series on Bell Media's CJAD radio station. These engaging one-on-one interviews with prominent CEOs find their way into Forbes and Les Affaires, magnifying his reach and insight. Having collaborated with the legendary Henry Mintzberg for two decades on various leadership programs and having seasoned his expertise with eleven years at IBM and Hitachi, Karl's journey into academia reflects depth and innovation. His five-year faculty stint at Oxford's Said Business School adds another rich layer to his profile. Karl recently published his tenth book, Ok Boomers - Working with Millennials and Zs - a discerning look into the dynamic between generations in leadership. His subsequent work, We Are All Ambiverts Now, based on over 750 interviews with C-suite executives, promises to continue the conversation. His recent talk at Harvard and annual teaching at Stanford stand as testimonials to his profound impact on business thinking. Karl's nomination for the Thinkers50 Distinguished Achievement Awards in the Leadership Category acknowledges him as a leading thinker in his field. In the panorama of business leadership and academia, Karl stands as a thought leader, bridging generational insights and pioneering change. Let's dig deep into the world of business, our economy and culture. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 1:00:06. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. 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 Twitter. Here is my conversation with Professor Karl Moore. Ok Boomers - Working with Millennials and Zs. We Are All Ambiverts Now,. The CEO Series. Follow Karl on LinkedIn. Follow Karl on Twitter or X. This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Aug 20, 2023 • 57min
SPOS #893 – Robert Glazer On Elevating Yourself (And Your Team)
Welcome to episode #893 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #893. Founder and Chairman of Acceleration Partners, Robert Glazer, has become a significant figure in the realm of global partner marketing. With a knack for entrepreneurship and a passion for excellence, he led his company to a recognizable position in the industry, establishing best-in-class processes for client acquisition, retention, culture, and service. Under Bob's leadership, Acceleration Partners achieved an annual growth rate of 30% over 10 years, receiving over 25 industry and company culture awards. Bob’s portfolio includes extensive experience in digital monetization, customer acquisition, e-commerce, and direct-to-consumer marketing. He has been instrumental on both the buyer and seller side of M&A and served as a board advisor to several high-growth companies. He extends his influence beyond the corporate sphere through his popular weekly inspirational newsletter, Friday Forward, reaching over 300,000 individuals across 60+ countries. Bob's voice resonates as the author of six books, and he hosts the Elevate Podcast. In a world where individuals often pay for things with regrets, Bob exemplifies a disciplined approach. His combination of professional innovation, thoughtful leadership, and personal integrity stands as a beacon in today’s business landscape, embodying a legacy of transformative success. His story encourages us all to strive for continuous growth, both in our careers and personal lives, fostering a strong sense of empathy and community-driven success. His latest book, Elevate Your Team - Empower Your Team To Reach Their Full Potential and Build A Business That Builds Leaders, is the sequel to Elevate. Bob shares his professional journey and realization at Acceleration Partners during its rapid growth. He provides a playbook for navigating the delicate balance of improving team performance, retaining talent, and nurturing future leaders without inducing burnout. The book serves as a manual for the new era of leadership, focusing on building people rather than wearing them out. It offers actionable strategies to help leaders enhance their skills and enables their teams to reach full potential, creating a results-oriented, learning-driven culture that adapts to the company's ever-evolving growth needs. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 57:09. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. 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 Twitter. Here is my conversation with Robert Glazer,. Elevate Your Team - Empower Your Team To Reach Their Full Potential and Build A Business That Builds Leaders. Elevate. Friday Forward. Elevate Podcast. Acceleration Partners. Follow Bob on LinkedIn. Follow Bob on Instagram. Follow Bob on Twitter or X. This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Aug 13, 2023 • 53min
SPOS #892 – Laura Gassner Otting On Finding Success In Wonderhell
Welcome to episode #892 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #892. Friend, author, speaker, thinker and executive coaching powerhouse, Laura Gassner Otting, is not just a catalyst but a virtuoso of ambition. She is someone who traded law school for a spot on a presidential campaign, she’s shaped history, and now, she's sculpting futures (yours and mine). How? By challenging the mediocrity that binds us to our comfort zones. From the White House to her own executive search firm, she’s navigated change like a seasoned captain steering through turbulent seas (and the work world just got much more turbulent). Laura built one of the swiftest-growing search firms, becoming the ally to dreamers and doers across all shades of ambition. Selling her firm was no swan song. It was a crescendo to new heights. These days, Laura’s not just seen on Good Morning America or the Today Show... she's felt in the hearts of her readers, in boardrooms, and on stages. With books like Limitless and her latest, Wonderhell, she’s become the ringleader of a movement and community. Her philosophy? It's not about pursuing success but about defining it. It's a journey from profit to purpose, wrapped up in big ideas, larger-than-life goals, and an audacity that’s contagious. Her community work isn't a footnote... it's a testament. Building schools, running marathons, igniting political action - these aren't hobbies, they're hallmarks of someone ignited by big challenges and bigger ideas. Rebel? Sure. Instigator? Absolutely. Provocateur? Without a doubt. Laura's the embodiment of business acumen with a twist of revolution, served up with a side of ceaseless determination. Let's dig into how we can all be limitless in our dreams without getting trapped in Wonderhell. Before we do, I’m also honored that Laura is one of our Thinkers on the ThinkersOne platform. Want to add big smarts to your meeting? Get personalized video experiences from top Thinkers like Laura to surprise and inspire your team – in-person, hybrid, or virtual! Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 53:14. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. 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 Twitter. Here is my conversation with Laura Gassner Otting. Wonderhell. Limitless. LGOtv. Sign up to Laura’s newsletter. Check out Laura on ThinkersOne. Follow Laura on Facebook. Follow Laura on LinkedIn. Follow Laura on Instagram. Follow Laura on X (or Twitter). This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Aug 6, 2023 • 1h
SPOS #891 – Joanne Lipman On How To Find Your Next
Welcome to episode #891 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #891. Journalist, media executive and author, Joanne Lipman, is back with a great new book, Next! - The Power of Reinvention in Life and Work (many know her from her previous effort, That's What She Said). Joanne is revered for her innovative leadership across various high-profile media institutions, including USA Today, USA Today Network, Conde Nast Portfolio, and The Wall Street Journal's Weekend Journal. Her editorial acumen has guided these organizations to earn a total of six Pulitzer Prizes. Starting her career as a reporter at The Wall Street Journal, Joanne shattered glass ceilings to become the first woman Deputy Managing Editor. During her tenure, she orchestrated the creation of Weekend Journal and Personal Journal, leading coverage that garnered three Pulitzer Prizes. Further solidifying her "star editor" reputation, as termed by CNN, Joanne was the founding Editor-in-Chief of Conde Nast Portfolio (which was a great business magazine), winning National Magazine and Loeb Awards. In 2015, Lipman achieved another milestone by becoming Gannett's first Chief Content Officer. As the Editor-in-Chief of USA Today and USA Today Network, she skillfully managed over 3,000 journalists across 109 metro newspapers, including the Detroit Free Press and the Arizona Republic. Under her leadership, the network clinched three additional Pulitzer Prizes. Beyond her editorial roles, Joanne is an accomplished speaker, television commentator, and an on-air contributor at CNBC. She shares her vast journalistic experience as a lecturer at Yale University and has been honored as the inaugural Distinguished Journalism Fellow at Princeton's Institute for Advanced Study. She has also co-authored the highly praised musical memoir, Strings Attached. Her vast accomplishments aptly justify The New York Times' portrayal of her as the "innovator in chief." Joanne explains that her latest book, Next!, is the ultimate guide to reinventing how you live, work and lead, backed by cutting-edge science and inspiring true stories. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 1:00:28. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. 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 Twitter. Here is my conversation with Joanne Lipman. Next! - The Power of Reinvention in Life and Work. That's What She Said. Strings Attached. Follow Joanne on Twitter. Follow Joanne on Instagram. Follow Joanne on LinkedIn. This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.
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