The Wisdom Of... with Simon Bowen

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Lauren Flanagan, CEO and co-founder of Sesame Solar, a company that's redefining emergency response through renewable mobile nanogrids. From her near-death experiences that shaped her mission to building technology that deploys clean power in disaster zones within 15 minutes, Lauren shares profound insights on first-principles thinking, testing breakthrough solutions in existential scenarios, and the wisdom of challenging incumbents through evolution rather than revolution. Discover how thinking systemically about urgent problems creates the foundation for global impact and why sometimes the hardest test cases produce the most scalable solutions.Ready to elevate your strategic thinking? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to think systemically about complex business challenges: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and bold leadership 05:30 From SaaS pioneer to climate innovator - Lauren's journey to Sesame Solar 12:15 The Dominica test case - when Hurricane Maria became an existential business challenge 18:45 First principles thinking - how to make complex technology radically simple 25:20 The urgent need vs early adopter framework for market entry 32:10 Why "test case thinking" beats venture capital in the early stages 38:40 Challenging deeply entrenched incumbents without declaring war 44:25 The philosophy of coexistence vs disruption in breakthrough innovation 50:15 How near-death experiences shape business mission and long-term thinking 52:30 The negotiation Lauren would most want to observe - Ukraine and World War III preventionAbout Lauren FlanaganLauren Flanagan is the co-founder, chair and CEO of Sesame Solar, which manufactures the world's first 100% renewably-powered Mobile Nanogrids. She is also Managing Director of Belle Capital USA, an early stage venture fund that invests in high growth tech companies in underserved capital markets around the US.Lauren has more than 25 years experience in founding and operating technology companies, and has invested in 32 companies in the past 8 years. Before founding Sesame Solar, Lauren co-founded WebWare Corporation, one of the first Software as a Service (SaaS) companies, which was acquired by a publicly traded company in 2003. She has consulted for technology leaders including Apple, IBM, Microsoft, and Xerox.Lauren received Trailblazer Awards in 2000 and 2001 from the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs and was awarded IT Software CEO of the Year for 2002 by Frost and Sullivan. BusinessWeek selected her as one of the Top 25 Angels in Tech in 2010. She was recognized on the 2024 Grist 50 list for driving fresh solutions to our planet's biggest problems.Sesame Solar's customers include the Army Corps of Engineers, US Marine Corps, US Air Force, cities and counties, major telecommunications companies, and NGOs. The company is backed by Morgan Stanley, VSC Ventures, PAX Angels and high-net-worth investors.Connect with Lauren FlanaganLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laflanagan/ Website: https://www.sesame.solar/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sesame.solarAbout Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/ Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/Get Simon Bowen's Personal Newsletter for Leaders, Thinkers, and Entrepreneurs! Sign Up Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/newsletterJoin Simon's Masterclass: Unlock your leadership potential with The Models Method. Learn to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact. Watch it Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass

In this episode of The Wisdom Of ... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Sam Thevanayagam, Founder and CEO of Parts Life, Inc., a defense industry leader who has revolutionized how we think about servant leadership in high-stakes environments. From his journey as an immigrant entrepreneur to building a family of companies serving critical F-35 program components, Sam shares profound insights on faith-driven leadership, systematic human development, and turning adversity into competitive advantage. Discover how cricket lessons from his father became a business philosophy that consistently outperforms traditional command-and-control management.Ready to elevate your leadership thinking? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to think systematically about complex leadership challenges: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00  Introduction and the challenge of integrating faith with business leadership 05:18  Building people through companies versus building companies through people12:36   The First 10 Runs in Singles: why patience beats aggression in competitive markets 18:52   Cricket wisdom applied to defense manufacturing and high-stakes decision making 25:44 Creating environments where people achieve their God-given potential 33:29  The bankruptcy acquisition that became an F-35 program success story 38:22  Servant leadership in practice: moving from head to heart to action 45:36  The infinite loop model of sustainable leadership impact 52:12  Faith as competitive strategy in secular business environments58:30  Legacy wisdom: focus on little things and big things take care of themselvesAbout Sam ThevanayagamSam Thevanayagam is a Sri Lankan-born, American entrepreneur, author, and thought leader in defense and aviation sustainment. As Founder and CEO of Parts Life, Inc. (parent company of DeVal Lifecycle Support and LC Engineers, Inc.), he leads a family of companies specializing in obsolescence management and supply chain solutions for military assets across all five domains: land, sea, undersea, air, and space.Sam brings 30 years of executive leadership experience, specializing in quality assurance, operations management, supplier development, and strategic sourcing. In addition to his bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Sam’s commitment to continuous learning spans certifications and continued education programs in areas such as servant leadership, product and inventory management, supply chain reengineering and AI’s implications on business strategy.Sam is the author of "The First 10 Runs in Singles: Life Lessons from the Game of Cricket," translated across seven languages. His book examines strategies taught by his father and how cricket principles apply to business and life..Connect with Sam ThevanayagamLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samthevanayagam Website: https://www.samtnetwork.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamTNetwork/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samtnetwork/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv0xOLVIPw4P9Abp-6lwGIQ About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/ Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/Get Simon Bowen's Personal Newsletter for Leaders, Thinkers, and Entrepreneurs! Sign Up Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/newsletterJoin Simon's Masterclass: Unlock your leadership potential with The Models Method. Learn to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact. Watch it Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass

Most people spend their lives trying to eliminate struggle. Marine Corps veteran Akshay Nanavati spent four years and $1.1 million preparing to drag a 420-pound sled across Antarctica alone - on what experts call "the world's first attempt at an impossible expedition."His greatest breakthrough didn't happen on the ice. It happened when doctors told him he had PTSD and he responded: "I reject that label." Instead of accepting victim status, he created Fearvana. a philosophy that transforms fear into fuel and suffering into strength.In this conversation, Simon builds a live visual model that captures Akshay's entire transformation methodology: the spiral framework that shows how humans evolve from basic fear/desire programming to the ultimate sacred edge of void and creation.Ready to systematically extract and codify your own breakthrough thinking? Join Simon's Masterclass on The Models Method: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and Akshay's journey from Marine to polar explorer 04:32 The moment he rejected his PTSD diagnosis and created Fearvana 08:47 What Marines learn about performing under pressure that business leaders don't 14:23 Building the sacred edge framework and the spiral model of human development 22:15 The three levels of transformation: fear/desire, suffering/joy, void/creation 28:41 Why choosing your suffering gives you power over your experience 35:18 The Antarctica expedition: four years of preparation for the impossible 42:05 Dragging a 420-pound sled and why getting there was harder than being there 47:29 The inner war philosophy and the path to peace through worthy struggle 53:47 The mantras that carry you through when you want to quit 56:12 Why stillness might be humanity's greatest fear and confronting the void 58:15 Final thoughts on finding your spiral and living with dualitiesAbout Akshay NanavatiAkshay Nanavati is a Marine veteran who has overcome PTSD, depression and addiction that pushed him to the brink of suicide. He’s since built a global business, run ultramarathons, spent 17 days in darkness, survived 100 days alone in the polar regions, and dragged a 420-pound sled for 500 miles, alone in Antarctica for 60 days, on what experts call “the boldest Antarctic expedition in modern times.”Combining lived experience with neuroscience, psychology and spirituality, he wrote the book “Fearvana,” which was endorsed by the Dalai Lama. Akshay is an international speaker who helps leaders and teams break through limits, explore new edges and perform at their peak.Connect with Akshay Nanavati:Website: https://fearvana.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fearvana/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fearvana/About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/ Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/Get Simon Bowen's Personal Newsletter for Leaders, Thinkers, and Entrepreneurs! Sign Up Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/newsletterJoin Simon's Masterclass: Unlock your leadership potential with The Models Method. Learn to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact. Watch it Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Klement Kralj, founder and CEO of Remea, a pioneering company revolutionizing EV charging infrastructure through destination-based solutions. From his engineering background to building a bootstrapped company that challenges industry giants, Klement shares profound insights on innovation, systems thinking, and the realities of disrupting established markets. Discover how thinking differently about fundamental assumptions can create breakthrough opportunities and why sometimes being small becomes your greatest competitive advantage.Ready to elevate your strategic thinking? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to think systemically about complex business challenges: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and the challenge of innovating in established markets 05:18 Early signals and why destination charging made sense when fast charging was slow 12:36 The bootstrap advantage of agility versus resources in competitive markets 18:52 Beyond products and why market education becomes the hardest challenge25:44 Systematic resistance when industry giants try to stop innovation 33:29 The unexpected advantage of regulatory constraints on competitors 38:22 Physics versus AI and when fundamental principles outperform algorithms 45:36 The entrepreneurial reality of building products versus bringing them to market 52:12 AI as competitive advantage for small, agile companiesAbout Klement KraljKlement Kralj is the founder and CEO of Remea, where he drives innovation in smart EV charging solutions for hospitality and destination businesses. With over a decade of experience in systems engineering and business development, Klement brings a unique perspective to the intersection of engineering precision and commercial strategy.Passionate about disrupting the status quo, he leads a dedicated team focused on delivering seamless SaaS offerings that align with industry transformation and sustainability goals. His approach combines deep technical expertise with systems-level thinking to create solutions that don't just compete within existing markets but redefine how entire industries think about their fundamental models.Based in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Klement represents a new generation of European entrepreneurs who are leveraging technological agility and innovative thinking to challenge established global markets.Connect with Klement KraljLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/klementkralj/  Personal Website: https://theklement.com/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/klement.kralj.3  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clementcharged/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@remeacharging About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/ Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/Get Simon Bowen's Personal Newsletter for Leaders, Thinkers, and Entrepreneurs! Sign Up Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/newsletterJoin Simon's Masterclass: Unlock your leadership potential with The Models Method. Learn to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact. Watch it Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass

In this episode of 'The Wisdom Of... Show', host Simon Bowen speaks with Radek Sali, the visionary entrepreneur who transformed Swisse Wellness from a $15 million company into a $2.7 billion empire in under a decade. Now Chairman of Light Warrior Group, Radek shares his insights on conscious capitalism, the value of failure, and how to build businesses that serve both shareholders and humanity. Discover his revolutionary approach to scaling culture-first organizations and his philosophy of creating shared value through investment.Ready to elevate your leadership approach? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Strategic Play Method. Learn how to navigate complex business challenges with clarity and purpose: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and Radek's remarkable journey from Swisse to Light Warrior 05:30 The transformative power of failure: Why setbacks are education, not defeat 12:45 Culture as competitive advantage: Building Australia's "Best Place to Work" 18:20 The billion-dollar mindset: How to scale without sacrificing your soul 25:15 Conscious capitalism in action: The Light Warrior Group philosophy 32:40 Creating shared value: Investment strategies that serve humanity 38:50 The 50% rule: Why half of Radek's time is dedicated to philanthropy 44:10 Environmental consciousness and business: The climate imperative50:25 Future of wellness industry: Trends and opportunities ahead 56:40 Advice for aspiring conscious capitalistsAbout Radek SaliRadek Sali is a visionary entrepreneur and conscious capitalist who revolutionized the health and wellness industry through his leadership of Swisse Wellness. Under his guidance, Swisse grew from a $15 million company with 30 employees to a $2.7 billion enterprise with over 7,000 employees, becoming Australia's largest global wellness company and the number one natural health brand in Australia and China.After selling Swisse for $1.7 billion in 2015—one of Australia's largest private transactions—Radek founded Light Warrior Group with ex-Goldman Sachs banker Adam Gregory. Light Warrior is an investment firm committed to creating shared value by investing in businesses that are socially responsible and environmentally conscious.Radek dedicates 50% of his time to not-for-profit work, serving as Chairman of Igniting Change and Founder of Lightfolk Foundation. He's also a Founding Member of the Climate Leaders Coalition and serves on the boards of multiple organizations focused on positive change.In February 2024, Radek released "How to Build a Billion-Dollar Business," sharing his insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders who want to create companies that matter.Connect with Radek SaliLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/radeksali/ Light Warrior Group: https://lightwarrior.com/ Wanderlust: https://wanderlust.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wanderlustausnz/About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/Get Simon Bowen's Personal Newsletter for Leaders, Thinkers, and Entrepreneurs! 👉 Sign Up Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/newsletterJoin Simon's Masterclass: Unlock your leadership potential with The Models Method. Learn to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact. 👉 Watch it Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass

In this episode of The Wisdom Of… Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Shawn Nelson, founder and CEO of Lovesac, who has revolutionized the furniture industry through modular design and a "Designed for Life" philosophy. From starting in his mother's basement at age 20 to building a billion-dollar public company, Shawn shares profound insights on purposeful innovation, the responsibility of leadership, and creating products that evolve with human needs rather than forcing replacement cycles.Ready to transform your innovation approach? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and Shawn's journey from basement startup to billion-dollar company05:18 The "Designed for Life" philosophy and questioning industry assumptions12:36 Modular thinking: How reconfigurable products reflect business strategy18:52 Winning Richard Branson's "The Rebel Billionaire" and lessons in authentic leadership25:44 Sustainability as business principle, not marketing initiative33:29 The responsibility of innovation and serving deeper human needs38:22 Building products that solve problems customers didn't know they had45:36 Scaling purpose-driven companies without compromising core values52:12 The future of ownership and consumer relationships58:43 Creating lasting impact through evolutionary design thinkingAbout Shawn NelsonShawn Nelson is the founder and CEO of Lovesac, a direct-to-consumer specialty furniture brand that has fundamentally reimagined how furniture serves human lives. Founded in 1998 from his mother's basement, Lovesac has grown into one of the fastest-growing furniture companies in the United States, known for its patented Sactionals modular seating system.Beyond business success, Shawn is recognized for his commitment to sustainability and the "Buy It For Life" movement. In 2005, he won Richard Branson's "The Rebel Billionaire" on Fox, demonstrating the entrepreneurial spirit that continues to drive his leadership approach.With a Master's Degree in Strategic Design and Management, Shawn serves as a graduate-level instructor at Parsons, The New School for Design in New York City. His "Designed for Life" philosophy emphasizes sustainable products built to last a lifetime and designed to evolve with customer needs, providing long-term utility while reducing furniture waste.Connect with Shawn NelsonWebsite: https://shawndnelson.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawndnelson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShawnOfLovesac/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawnoflovesac/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/shawnydlovesacAbout Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/Get Simon Bowen's Personal Newsletter for Leaders, Thinkers, and Entrepreneurs! 👉 Sign Up Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/newsletterJoin Simon's Masterclass: Unlock your leadership potential with The Models Method. Learn to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact. 👉 Watch it Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Oliver Garside, Co-Founder and Director of Rounded App, a beautifully simple accounting and invoicing application built specifically for freelancers and sole traders. Oliver shares the profound insights gained from nearly a decade of serving an underserved market, achieving an extraordinary 99% customer satisfaction rating, and discovering the infinite creativity of the Australian freelance economy. Learn about first principles thinking, customer-centric design philosophy, and the wisdom of building for humans rather than systems.Ready to elevate your leadership approach? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and Oliver's journey from corporate redundancy to co-founding Rounded05:30 The origin story: Meeting technical founders who built beautiful software but needed market strategy12:45 First principles thinking: Building for end users, not their accountants18:20 The philosophy behind "beautifully simple accounting" and challenging industry conventions25:40 Market diversity: From sheep ultrasound specialists to yacht sail makers32:15 Achieving 99% customer satisfaction through customer-centric design38:50 Co-founder dynamics and navigating business tensions with ego aside44:20 The freelance economy wisdom: Diversity of capability and confidence gaps51:10 Mission beyond product: Stewardship of the freelancer community57:30 Scaling challenges: Maintaining core genius while growing the businessAbout Oliver GarsideOliver Garside is the Co-Founder and Director of Rounded, a beautifully simple accounting and invoicing app built specifically for freelancers and sole traders. With a passion for empowering self-employed professionals, Oliver has played a pivotal role in creating a platform that takes the stress out of managing finances, making it easier for creatives, consultants, and contractors to focus on doing what they love.With a background in marketing, customer experience, and startup growth, Oliver brings a user-first approach to everything he does. Under his leadership, Rounded has become one of Australia's most loved tools for solo business owners, achieving an exceptional 99% customer satisfaction rating through its commitment to simplicity, efficiency, and human-centric design.Connect with Oliver Garside: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivergarside/Website: https://rounded.ioInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/roundedapp/ About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/Get Simon Bowen's Personal Newsletter for Leaders, Thinkers, and Entrepreneurs! 👉 Sign Up Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/newsletterJoin Simon's Masterclass: Unlock your leadership potential with The Models Method. Learn to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact. 👉 Watch it Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass

In this episode of The Wisdom Of ... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Dr. Catriona Wallace, a world-renowned AI pioneer, founder of the Responsible Metaverse Alliance, and one of the most influential voices in ethical technology development. With over two decades in AI, long before most people knew it existed, Catriona brings a unique perspective that bridges cutting-edge technology with ancient indigenous wisdom.As Chair of Boab AI, co-author of Checkmate Humanity, and a former Shark on Shark Tank Australia, Catriona has consistently been at the forefront of responsible technology development. But what makes this conversation extraordinary is her integration of plant medicine practices, indigenous community wisdom, and the "Seven Generations Principle" into the most advanced AI discussions of our time.Ready to transform your leadership approach? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass Episode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and Catriona's journey from wanting to be a farmer to becoming an AI pioneer05:45 Why Australia risks becoming an "AI backwater" and the urgent need for responsible AI adoption12:30 The difference between AI ethics and responsible AI and why most leaders get this wrong18:15 The "evolutionary tipping point" toward transhumanism and what it means for business25:20 Plant medicine journeys and their impact on tech leaders' understanding of regenerative economics32:45 The Seven Generations Principle: How indigenous wisdom guides AI decision-making38:30 From extraction to regeneration: Why business models must fundamentally transform44:15 The eight principles of responsible AI and how to implement them in organizations50:30 "Rapid Transformation" and the five-step process for evolving leadership consciousness56:45 The intersection of technology love and nature love in shaping the future of humanityAbout Dr. Catriona WallaceDr. Catriona Wallace has been recognized as a Top Global Power Woman by the Centre of Economic & Leadership Development and as the Most Influential Woman in Business & Entrepreneurship by the Australian Financial Review. In 2023, she was a Shark on the hit TV series Shark Tank Australia.Catriona is the founder of the Responsible Metaverse Alliance and Chair of Boab AI, Artesian Capital's AI Accelerator and VC fund. She was also the founder of Ethical AI Advisory (now part of the Gradient Institute) and co-author of Checkmate Humanity: The How and Why of Responsible AI.As founder of AI company Flamingo AI (which exited in 2020), Catriona led only the second woman-led business ever to list on the Australian Stock Exchange. She's an international keynote speaker, one of the world's most cited experts on AI and the Metaverse, and has been recognized by Onalytica as one of the world's top AI speakers.With a PhD in Organizational Behaviour: Technology Substituting for Human Leaders and an Honorary Doctorate in Business, Dr. Wallace was inducted into the Royal Institution of Australia as one of Australia's most pre-eminent scientists. She is also a human rights activist, mother of five, trained Plant Medicine Guide, and strong advocate of the Psychedelic Renaissance.Connect with Dr. Catriona WallaceLinkedIn: Dr. Catriona Wallace Website: Responsible Metaverse Alliance Personal Website: drcatrionawallace.com Instagram: @catrionawallace Twitter: @catrionawallace About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/Get Simon Bowen's Personal Newsletter for Leaders, Thinkers, and Entrepreneurs! 👉 Sign Up Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/newsletterJoin Simon's Masterclass: Unlock your leadership potential with The Models Method. Learn to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact. 👉 Watch it Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass

In this episode of 'The Wisdom Of...' Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Pam Johnson, a sixth-generation farmer and groundbreaking agricultural leader. As the first female president of the National Corn Growers Association and a founding member of MAIZALL (International Maize Alliance), Pam has led scientific initiatives including the final mapping of the corn genome while successfully transitioning a multi-generational family enterprise. Discover her profound insights on stewardship, character-building through adversity, and the "antenna up" philosophy that guides transformational leadership.Ready to elevate your leadership approach? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and the importance of agricultural leadership wisdom05:18 From registered nurse to sixth-generation farmer: Pam's unique journey12:36 The turning point: Standing up at the bankruptcy hearing18:52 The "antenna up" philosophy: Paying attention to what the world needs25:44 Breaking barriers as the first female National Corn Growers Association president33:29 Leading the corn genome mapping project: Science meets agriculture38:22 Building international alliances through MAIZALL45:36 Succession planning: Transitioning the farm to the next generation52:12 Resilience lessons from the 1980s farming crisis and 1998 hog market collapse58:43 Character under pressure: The farming laboratory for leadership developmentAbout Pam JohnsonPam Johnson is a pioneering agricultural leader whose influence extends far beyond farming. As the first female president of the National Corn Growers Association, she broke significant ground while leading groundbreaking scientific initiatives. As chair of the NCGA Research and Business Development Action Team, she collaborated with the USDA and National Science Foundation to facilitate the final mapping of the corn genome, a breakthrough that transformed agricultural science globally.Johnson's commitment to advancing agriculture extends internationally through her role as a founding member and former president of MAIZALL, the International Maize Alliance, which unites corn grower associations from Argentina, Brazil, and the United States to address global trade barriers and promote agricultural innovation.Before dedicating herself full-time to farming, Johnson worked as a registered nurse, bringing a unique perspective to her agricultural endeavors. Her multifaceted career and unwavering dedication to the farming community have earned her recognition as the 2024 Top Producer Women in Ag award winner.About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/Get Simon Bowen's Personal Newsletter for Leaders, Thinkers, and Entrepreneurs! 👉 Sign Up Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/newsletterJoin Simon's Masterclass: Unlock your leadership potential with The Models Method. Learn to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact. 👉 Watch it Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass

In a world where quick fixes and surface-level strategies dominate business conversations, the leaders who create lasting impact operate from deeper principles. They understand that sustainable success requires not just intelligence or strategy, but the courage to build authentically, persist through inevitable setbacks, and maintain perspective during both triumph and difficulty.This second installment of The Wisdom Of Show's favorite moments compilation continues our exploration of the insights that refuse to leave your mind once encountered. From entrepreneurial founders who've built global brands to spiritual teachers who understand the psychology of resilience, from business transformation experts to researchers who've overturned fundamental assumptions about human potential.These aren't theoretical concepts or motivational platitudes. These are hard-earned insights from leaders who've walked the difficult path of building something meaningful and emerged with wisdom that transforms how we think about courage, authenticity, and the mechanics of sustainable success.Ready to transform your own insights into scalable frameworks? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method to learn how to capture and codify the kind of original thinking that drives lasting impact: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction: The courage required to build something lasting 02:07 Kristina Karlsson - Entrepreneurial insights on building something meaningful 08:45 Matt Purcell - Personal branding and visibility in the modern marketplace 19:47 Janine Allis - Boost Juice founder on entrepreneurial persistence and the power of "don't say no, say how" 26:10 Shi Heng Li - Buddhist wisdom on embracing life's inevitable fluctuations with equanimity 33:40 Alice Barbery - Leadership and workplace transformation insights 42:13 Ben Hamer - Future trends, technology, and human connection in a digital age 50:23 Dr. Dale Bredesen - Alzheimer's researcher on paradigm shifts, proactive approaches, and challenging assumptionsAbout Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/Get Simon Bowen's Personal Newsletter for Leaders, Thinkers, and Entrepreneurs! 👉 Sign Up Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/newsletterJoin Simon's Masterclass: Unlock your leadership potential with The Models Method. Learn to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact. 👉 Watch it Now: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclass