The Curious Advantage Podcast

"AI needs humans as much as we need AI" - Alexia Cambon In this episode of The Curious Advantage podcast, Simon Brown, Paul Ashcroft, and Garrick Jones are joined by Alexia Cambon, Senior Director of Research at Microsoft, to explore how AI is reshaping the workplace and what it means to be a Frontier Firm. The discussion dives into key trends from Microsoft’s Work Trend Index, including the emergence of Agent Bosses, digital labor, and the idea of Intelligence on Tap, where AI enables instant access to expert insight. Together, they unpack how curiosity drives innovation, the critical role of HR, and how new organizational structures are forming in response to AI adoption. From collaboration between humans and AI, to rethinking leadership and productivity, this episode explores the changing nature of work—and how forward-thinking organizations are learning, experimenting, and adapting in real time. Topics include: What defines a Frontier Firm in today’s AI-powered economy How “Agent Bosses” are changing leadership and team dynamics The role of AI in enhancing human productivity Why curiosity is essential in navigating transformation The future of HR and organizational design in the AI era Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Curious Advantage Podcast 01:02 Curiosity in Research and AI Integration 02:14 Defining the Frontier Firm 04:39 Intelligence on Tap: Redefining Expertise Access 06:29 The Rise of Human-Agent Teams 11:49 The Concept of the Agent Boss 19:32 Empowering Employees in the AI Era 25:32 The Nature of Digital Labor 30:36 AI as a New Workforce 36:08 The Future of Work and AI Integration 44:31 Becoming a Frontier Firm Discover Microsoft’s 2025 Work Trend Index: The Year the Frontier Firm Is Born https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/2025-the-year-the-frontier-firm-is-born About The Curious Advantage Podcast Join the authors of The Curious Advantage in an exploration of how individuals and organizations can harness the power of curiosity to drive success in our new digital reality. In each episode, they engage in enlightening conversations with world-leading experts from a diversity of disciplines to bring to life the latest understanding of curiosity in a way that’s useful to anyone looking to embark on a journey of discovery, navigate challenges, and unlock opportunities. About The Curious Advantage Book The Curious Advantage is an exploration of the idea of Curiosity and its increasing importance for thriving in the digital age. Taking the widest possible exploration of things Curious – historical, contemporary, neuro-scientific, anthropological, behavioural, semantic and business-focused. At the heart of the book is our model of Curiosity, called ’Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’. This model provides individuals with a practical framework for how to be successfully Curious and use Curiosity as a power skill to unlock their own potential. To find out more visit: curiousadvantage.com Get your copy of The Curious Advantage on Amazon The Curious Advantage Audiobook is also available on Audible Follow The Curious Advantage on LinkedIn and Instagram The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing is done by Danny Cross and video editing by Jessica Wickham.  #AIinWorkplace #WorkTrendsIndex #AIandProductivity #ArtificialIntelligence #FutureOfWork #AIEducation #DataDrivenDecisions #AIandCuriosity #HumanMachineCollaboration #AIBias #CuriousAdvantage #CriticalThinking #PowerOfAI #WorkplaceInnovation #AILeadership #CognitiveSkills #AI #FrontierFirm #AgentBoss #DigitalLabor #Curiosity #HumanAgentCollaboration #OrganizationalChange #Microsoft #SmartLab #TheCuriousAdvantage

Ari Popper, Founder & CEO of SciFutures, shares his transformative journey from midlife crisis to innovating for the future through storytelling. He discusses how science fiction can inspire creativity and prepare organizations for change. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of leadership in an AI-driven world and emphasizes the need for curiosity, adaptability, and ethical awareness. Ari also reflects on the challenges of emerging technologies and the importance of integrating emotional intelligence into leadership.

In this episode of the Curious Advantage podcast, Alison Coward discusses the concept of workshop culture and its significance in fostering collaboration and creativity within teams. She shares her journey from the creative industries to becoming a facilitator and author, emphasizing the importance of intentional collaboration and the role of curiosity in team dynamics. The conversation explores practical steps for improving meetings, leading through uncertainty, and the impact of AI on workshop culture. Alison also outlines the five pillars of high-performing teams: alignment, cohesion, communication, design, and change, and highlights the need for organizations to create environments that support these elements. 00:00 Introduction to Workshop Culture 03:03 The Journey to Facilitation 06:01 Defining Workshop Culture 08:52 Practical Steps for Effective Collaboration 11:51   Leading Through Uncertainty 15:05 The Role of Online vs In-Person Workshops 17:56 Five Pillars of High Performing Teams 23:59 Curiosity in Team Dynamics 26:47 Balancing Creativity and Productivity 30:07 Leveraging AI in Workshop Culture 33:57 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways Bracket : www.bracketcreative.co.uk Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/alisoncoward Workshop Culture: A Guide to Building Teams That Thrive (book):www.bracketcreative.co.uk/workshopculture (visit: https://practicalinspiration.com/book/workshop-culture (UK) or https://indiepubs.com/products/workshop-culture-1/ (US) and use code WRKCULT30 for a 30% discount) About the Curious Advantage Podcast Series Join the authors of The Curious Advantage in an exploration of how individuals and organizations can harness the power of curiosity to drive success in our new digital reality. In each episode, they engage in enlightening conversations with world-leading experts from a diversity of disciplines to bring to life the latest understanding of curiosity in a way that’s useful to anyone looking to embark on a journey of discovery, navigate challenges, and unlock opportunities. About The Curious Advantage Book The Curious Advantage is an exploration of the idea of Curiosity and its increasing importance for thriving in the digital age. Taking the widest possible exploration of things Curious – historical, contemporary, neuro-scientific, anthropological, behavioural, semantic and business-focused. At the heart of the book is our model of Curiosity, called ’Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’. This model provides individuals with a practical framework for how to be successfully Curious and use Curiosity as a power skill to unlock their own potential. To find out more visit: curiousadvantage.com Get your copy of The Curious Advantage on Amazon The Curious Advantage Audiobook is also available on Audible Follow The Curious Advantage on LinkedIn and Instagram The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham, Pasha Adam and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing is expertly by Danny Cross. Video editing is done by Jessica Wickham & Helena Gonzalez. 

What if your brain isn’t just reacting to the world, but actually helping to create it? In this episode, Paul Ashcroft and Garrick Jones are joined by world-renowned cognitive philosopher Andy Clark to explore the fascinating ideas behind his latest book, The Experience Machine. Together, they dive into how the brain acts less like a camera and more like a prediction engine, constantly guessing what’s coming next and shaping the way we experience reality. From the link between curiosity and mistakes to the surprising ways our expectations influence pain and mental health, this is a rich conversation about perception, learning, and the stories we tell ourselves. They also look at how embracing uncertainty drives growth and innovation, and how AI, algorithms, and education are shaping the way we think. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Curious Advantage Podcast 01:55 The Journey of Andy Clark 02:21 The Brain as a Prediction Machine 06:59 Balancing Predictions and Sensory Input 11:25 Error, Curiosity, and Learning 18:26 Wired to Reduce Uncertainty 21:16 Pain, Expectation, and Mental Health 25:45 Curating Uncertainty for Better Predictions 28:34 The Role of Environment in Shaping Reality 31:07 Art, Literature, and Predictive Systems 32:49 The Impact of Algorithms on Human Experience 34:34 AI and Human Predictive Models 40:23 The Future of AI and Human Collaboration 46:20 Education and Embracing Error 49:15 Practical Applications of Predictive Processing About the Curious Advantage Podcast Series Join the authors of The Curious Advantage in an exploration of how individuals and organizations can harness the power of curiosity to drive success in our new digital reality. In each episode, they engage in enlightening conversations with world-leading experts from a diversity of disciplines to bring to life the latest understanding of curiosity in a way that’s useful to anyone looking to embark on a journey of discovery, navigate challenges, and unlock opportunities.  About The Curious Advantage Book The Curious Advantage is an exploration of the idea of Curiosity and its increasing importance for thriving in the digital age. Taking the widest possible exploration of things Curious – historical, contemporary, neuro-scientific, anthropological, behavioural, semantic and business-focused. At the heart of the book is our model of Curiosity, called ’Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’. This model provides individuals with a practical framework for how to be successfully Curious and use Curiosity as a power skill to unlock their own potential. To find out more visit: curiousadvantage.com Get your copy of The Curious Advantage on Amazon The Curious Advantage Audiobook is also available on Audible Follow The Curious Advantage on LinkedIn and Instagram The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing is expertly by Danny Cross. Video editing is done by Jessica Wickham. 

In this episode of the Curious Advantage podcast, Simon Brown and Garrick Jones talk with Charles H. Green, a renowned expert on trust. They explore the concept of trust, its importance in personal and professional relationships, and how it can be cultivated. Charles shares insights on the trust equation, which includes credibility, reliability, intimacy, and self-orientation. The conversation also delves into the implications of trust in sales, the impact of AI on trust, and the importance of personal agency in fostering trust and connection in a rapidly changing world. They also discuss the growing presence of AI-generated scams, deep fakes, and the challenges these pose to building and maintaining trust in the digital age. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Trust and Curiosity 18:13 The Trust Equation Explained 24:30 Trust in Sales: The Meat Sandwich Model 33:40 Trust in the Age of AI 41:58 Personal Agency and Change About the Curious Advantage Podcast Series Join the authors of The Curious Advantage in an exploration of how individuals and organizations can harness the power of curiosity to drive success in our new digital reality. In each episode, they engage in enlightening conversations with world-leading experts from a diversity of disciplines to bring to life the latest understanding of curiosity in a way that’s useful to anyone looking to embark on a journey of discovery, navigate challenges, and unlock opportunities.  About The Curious Advantage Book The Curious Advantage is an exploration of the idea of Curiosity and its increasing importance for thriving in the digital age. Taking the widest possible exploration of things Curious – historical, contemporary, neuro-scientific, anthropological, behavioural, semantic and business-focused. At the heart of the book is our model of Curiosity, called ’Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’. This model provides individuals with a practical framework for how to be successfully Curious and use Curiosity as a power skill to unlock their own potential. To find out more visit: curiousadvantage.com Get your copy of The Curious Advantage on Amazon The Curious Advantage Audiobook is also available on Audible Follow The Curious Advantage on LinkedIn and Instagram   The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing is expertly by Danny Cross. Video editing by Jessica Wickham and John McGinty. 

In this episode Simon Brown, Paul Ashcroft, and Garrick Jones are joined by futurist Bob Johansen, who brings nearly five decades of experience in forecasting what’s next. Together, they dive into the power of curiosity and "future-back" thinking in navigating today’s uncertain world. From VUCA to BANI, Bob unpacks the frameworks shaping how we understand complexity—and why generative AI is a game-changer for leadership. Discover the essential skills leaders need for the future, including augmented clarity and bioengaging, and hear how cross-generational collaboration is key to thriving in disruption. With reflections on faith, hope, and decision-making in an age of ambiguity, this conversation offers a hopeful yet grounded roadmap for staying curious in the face of the unknown. 00:00 The Journey of a Futurist 03:11 Understanding the Role of a Futurist 05:51 Engaging with Future Signals 09:00 The VUCA and BANI World 11:53 The Impact of Generative AI 15:05 Curiosity and Future Leadership 24:01 Curiosity and Future-Back Thinking 25:52 Key Skills for Future Leadership 32:10 Practical Augmentation for Leaders 36:21 Faith and Hope in a Changing World 42:01 Cross-Generational Collaboration and Neuroscience 48:05 Optimism in a Frightening Future Interested in purchasing the book? Contact bookorders@bkpub.org for exclusive group discounts and bulk order offers for The Curious Advantage listeners. About The Curious Advantage Book The Curious Advantage is an exploration of the idea of Curiosity and its increasing importance for thriving in the digital age. Taking the widest possible exploration of things Curious – historical, contemporary, neuro-scientific, anthropological, behavioural, semantic and business-focused. At the heart of the book is our model of Curiosity, called ’Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’. This model provides individuals with a practical framework for how to be successfully Curious and use Curiosity as a power skill to unlock their own potential. To find out more visit: curiousadvantage.com Get your copy of The Curious Advantage on Amazon The Curious Advantage Audiobook is also available on Audible Follow The Curious Advantage on LinkedIn and Instagram The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing is expertly by Danny Cross. Video editing by Jessica Wickham and John McGinty. 

In this episode of The Curious Advantage podcast, Simon Brown and Garrick Jones speak with renowned author and speaker Margaret Heffernan about curiosity, leadership, and organizational culture. She shares insights from her diverse career, exploring the impact of questioning conventional wisdom, the dangers of wilful blindness, and the role of playwriting in research. Heffernan discusses how curiosity and helpfulness drive productivity and collaboration, warning against excessive competition and the ‘super chicken’ effect—where individual performance overshadows team success. She advocates for rethinking workplace culture to foster learning, connection, and innovation. About The Curious Advantage Book The Curious Advantage is an exploration of the idea of Curiosity and its increasing importance for thriving in the digital age. Taking the widest possible exploration of things Curious – historical, contemporary, neuro-scientific, anthropological, behavioural, semantic and business-focused. At the heart of the book is our model of Curiosity, called ’Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’. This model provides individuals with a practical framework for how to be successfully Curious and use Curiosity as a power skill to unlock their own potential. To find out more visit: curiousadvantage.com Get your copy of The Curious Advantage on Amazon The Curious Advantage Audiobook is also available on Audible Follow The Curious Advantage on LinkedIn and Instagram The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing is expertly by Danny Cross. Video editing by Jessica Wickham and John McGinty. 

Indy Johar, co-founder of Dark Matter Labs, dives into the democratization of city-making and the urgent need to address systemic global challenges like climate breakdown. He advocates for new business languages and constructs to transform our economy. The discussion emphasizes shifting from command-and-control leadership to coaching and learning. Indy highlights the role of technology, including AI, in navigating complexity and fostering innovation. The conversation concludes with a powerful call for collective action toward a more sustainable and equitable future.

Join Alexia Cambon, Senior Director of Research at Microsoft, as she shares her journey from law to corporate research. Discover how AI is reshaping workplace dynamics and the vital role curiosity plays in leveraging this technology. Alexia highlights the gap between enthusiastic employees and cautious leadership regarding AI adoption. She addresses the implications for critical thinking and decision-making, while emphasizing the importance of preserving essential human skills in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Dive into the transformative power of physical spaces in enhancing collaboration and community. Discover how intentional design fosters creativity through playful rituals and adaptable environments. Learn about the impact of serendipity on innovation and how hybrid spaces can encourage idea exchange and well-being. The discussion emphasizes the importance of leaders listening to their teams to create meaningful work settings. Explore how tailored environments can boost productivity and connection in this ever-evolving landscape of work.