Move Fast. Break Shit. Burn Out.

In this episode, we had the great honor of connecting with James Andrews, an 'Innovation Artist' and founder at Creator Mode Studios, whose career and journey have been so mindblowing it's hard to convey. Celebrated for elevating artists like Nas, Destiny's Child and The Fugees at Columbia Records in the early 90's, he now drives innovation at Creator Mode Studios and as an angel investor at Authenticated Ventures. But that doesn't begin to capture the myriad ways James is driving change. He explains how the art of diplomacy has helped him achieve his vision of change; creating a shared value in the diagram for the artists, the execs and the listeners. He talks about how he learned the skill of being able to flow "from Harvard to Harlem" or "from jersey to suit" to bring people along on the journey. Sprinkled in, he brings a healthy dose of curiosity and deep listening skills to supercharge his diplomacy skills. And while he really has "done it all", he also shares incredibly vulnerably and authentically about the areas of self-discovery he's still exploring along with the support structures he's cultivated around him to support him on his journey (like a black men's group or a daily gratitude practice). Check out this movie. Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, ultra Catalyst Sean Kitzmiller, Design Strategy Lead at TIAA, talks about the powerful gift to yourself, as well as others, when you combine radical inclusion with the power of being open to different approaches. Sean's story is full of anecdotes about things he's learned from interns that he's mentored. Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode of "Move Fast. Break Shit. Burn Out.", we're joined by Sneha Shah, EVP, Head of New Business Ventures. Sneha, with over two decades of experience in building high-growth global data and FinTech businesses, delves into the critical skills of curiosity and storytelling in driving change. She shares her journey, highlighting how curiosity fuels her ability to foresee industry trends and innovate, while storytelling allows her to emotionally connect with others, bringing them along on the transformative journey. Sneha's approach to being an effective Catalyst involves not just foreseeing necessary changes but effectively engaging others in the process. She also reflects on the importance of grounding in personal values to remain effective and true to one's goals amidst the inevitable challenges one encounters in the change making process. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone looking to drive change! Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Join us in this inspiring episode as we chat with Marilia Bezerra, Chief Programs Officer at the IKEA Foundation. Marilia brings a unique perspective, blending self-care with the zeal for global change. She shares how tackling social, environmental, and economic challenges is a marathon, not a sprint, requiring a balance of dedication and self-care. Diving into her early days at the Foundation, Marilia recounts her intense first 30 days, filled with nearly 40 meetings, to deeply connect with her team and stakeholders. She highlights the importance of self-awareness and simple grounding rituals, like stepping away from your desk and going shoeless, to stay rooted amidst rapid global shifts. Marilia passionately argues against the 'lone hero' narrative, advocating for a collective journey in making the world a better place. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation on balancing urgency with tranquility in the quest for meaningful change. Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

As the Senior VP of Innovation & Partnerships at GS1, Melanie Hilton underscored the significance of two pivotal skills amidst the whirlwind of change: diplomacy and relentless optimism. Her insights shed light on how diplomacy nurtures collaboration and understanding, fostering unity amid diverse viewpoints. Meanwhile, she championed the power of relentless optimism in fueling motivation and innovative thinking amid uncertainty. Melanie's emphasis on patience as the antidote to the rapid pace of change resonated, urging a composed and strategic approach to navigate transitions effectively and make informed decisions amid constant flux. Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

From an early age, Dr. Meisha-Ann Martin had a drive to change work environments. But even as a data analytics expert, she learned that data is not enough to drive lasting change. In our conversation we take a deep dive into the power of vulnerability and connecting with one's own emotion, as a way to shift people's mindsets - which allows for lasting behavior change. Meisha-Ann explains that while she used to help people "see" a problem, now she helps them "feel". She also shares that when we show up with vulnerability, we need a different recovery routine than when we stay personally detached from our work. Listen to learn more! Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Sue Kalweit is the Managing Director at Deloitte Transactions and Business Analytics LLP, and a world-class athlete, ranked 69th in the US in the 2022 CrossFit Games. One of the key skills she has learned that Catalysts need is taking care of ourselves. With mentees, she explains that we all have a triangle that demonstrates our relationships, each side representing a different category: Family and Friends, Co-Workers, and Ourselves. The most frequent side we let collapse? Self! Sue shares how CrossFit supports many of her self-care needs - fitness, nutrition, and community - and inspires us to think about how we might include more self-care. Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Jennifer Goldsack, a former Olympian and CEO of DiMe, dives into the balance of hard work and enjoyment in healthcare transformation. She discusses the critical need for teamwork and celebration of successes to combat burnout in the post-COVID era. Drawing parallels from her Olympic experience, she highlights the importance of flexibility and self-care for leaders. Jen emphasizes innovative collaboration to make healthcare more equitable, urging a positive shift in team morale and work-life balance.

In this episode, featuring Dr. Ryan Vega, Chief Health Officer for Vantiq and former Chief Innovation Officer for the Veterans Health Administration, talks about two key skills required to successfully lead change: resiliency and confidence with humility. Ryan discusses the vital role of resiliency, highlighting its transformative power in fostering evolution and personal growth. He also delves into the intricate balance between confidence and humility, stressing how these seemingly opposing traits are indispensable for Catalysts—confidence fuels initiative, while humility fuels learning and adaptability. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, Ryan's narrative underlines the essential nature of these skills in navigating the complex landscape of catalyzing change. Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Few people in the world have more experience in igniting Catalyst across a global organization than Hemerson Paes, Global Network Catalyst at Roche Pharmaceuticals. In this episode, Hemerson shares his hard-won, invaluable insights. Hemerson delves into the nuances of effective communication, highlighting the unique challenges Catalysts often face. He compares it to explaining the concept of an ocean to people who have only known the desert, a metaphor that underscores the difficulty of painting a vivid picture of an unseen future. Hemerson also underscores the critical skill of fostering trusted relationships to bridge diverse worldviews, emphasizing the significance of these connections for truly catalytic change within organizational structures. Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.