Innovation Storytellers

In this episode, I sit down with Shegun Otulana, founder and former CEO of Therapy Brands. His journey from arriving in Birmingham, Alabama at 18 to leading one of the largest software exits in the state's history is nothing short of remarkable. Shegun opens up about his early days, the lessons learned from failure, and the moment his wife encouraged him to finally go all in. He explains how he used consulting work to attract real-world problems and applied a personal framework to choose which one was worth building into a business. We talk about why pricing can be a powerful form of innovation, how Therapy Brands stood out by aligning with what customers actually valued, and why differentiation often beats being the best. Shegun reflects on communication as the greatest innovation of all time and shares his passion for helping build Alabama's innovation ecosystem through his work with Innovate Alabama. This is a conversation about self-awareness, long-term thinking, and what it really takes to build something meaningful.

In this special episode of Nordic Visionaries, I'm joined by Lincoln Bleveans, Senior Sustainability Executive at Stanford University. He is leading one of the most ambitious real-world experiments in climate innovation happening anywhere in the United States. If you've ever wondered what it would take to turn sustainability from a pledge into daily practice, Lincoln has answers grounded in both pragmatism and long-term thinking. From waste to water, buildings to buses, Lincoln and his team treat every aspect of Stanford's infrastructure as a living lab. This isn't a theory. It's applied innovation running at full scale every day. What makes Lincoln's perspective genuinely unique is the significant influence of Nordic inspiration on him. He discusses the concept of climate citizenship, a mindset he sees embedded in Nordic culture, and how it contrasts with the more transactional approach prevalent across much of the US. We also hear about Stanford's shift away from fossil fuels, the development of a self-powered water treatment system, and what it means to run a university as if it were its municipality. Lincoln points out that being part of California helps, but this isn't about waiting for a top-down policy. It is about leading with bottom-up action. Throughout our conversation, one idea kept coming back: visibility. When environmental systems are visible, people start to care. When waste isn't hidden, we deal with it differently. When energy sources are transparent, we think more critically about how we use them. For Lincoln, the next five years are not just about new technology but about shifting our mental habits and making the invisible visible. So, how do we move from a linear mindset to a circular one? Can institutions model the kind of profound change our cities need? And if so, what can the rest of us learn from Stanford's bold approach? Join us for a conversation that might change the way you see the systems around you and your role in shaping them. And if you're working on sustainability at a Nordic campus or institution, Lincoln would love to hear what you're building. Why not reach out and share your story?

In this special Nordic Visionaries edition of the Innovation Storytellers Show, I am joined by one of the most influential architects of our time, Bjarke Ingels, founder of BIG, Bjarke Ingels Group. From reimagining the clean port of Copenhagen to designing the first permanent human habitat on the Moon, Bjarke's work challenges conventional thinking about architecture, sustainability, and innovation. In this expansive conversation, Bjarke reflects on his early passion for graphic novels and how that artistic instinct evolved into a career that shapes skylines and societies alike. He introduces listeners to the Danish concept of form giving, the idea of shaping not just objects but the frameworks of human life. From Bhutan's Galefu mindfulness city to NASA's lunar base, Bjarke reveals how his designs are rooted in ancient culture and future potential. Listeners will hear how nature, not as an ornament but as a collaborator, inspires Bjarke's vision. Whether allowing vines to invade his home office or designing a ski slope atop a waste-to-energy plant, he demonstrates how sustainability and pleasure coexist. He shares his philosophy of "hedonistic sustainability" and makes a compelling case that what's good for the planet can also improve our quality of life. Bjarke also discusses material innovation, from using bacteria to brew carbon-free concrete to printing structures with moon dust. He explains how earthly or extraterrestrial constraints can unlock some of the world's most transformative ideas. This episode is more than a journey through architecture. It invites us to rethink how we design our lives, cities, and shared future.

What does building a business with climate responsibility at its core look like, not as an add-on but as a starting point? In this episode of Innovation Storytellers Show, we're heading to the Nordics to meet two young leaders who are challenging the status quo around what it means to be a sustainable business. This is part of our special "Nordic Visionaries" series, where we hear directly from the next generation of change-makers reshaping how we think about innovation, impact, and industry. Synne Sauar, CEO and co-founder of Litech, and Anna Bjerre Johansen, climate activist for the Green Youth Movement in Denmark, are joining me in this discussion. Synne is building a cleantech company tackling one of the least glamorous but most critical environmental challenges: fires in waste facilities caused by improperly sorted batteries and hazardous metals. With AI-powered sensors and a fresh take on circularity, her startup finds opportunity in overlooked infrastructure. Anna brings a very different angle. She's part of a youth-led climate movement demanding more from the business world, starting with a clearer definition of what is truly sustainable. Drawing on her book For Future Businesses, she outlines why half-measures won't cut it and why profit must be the tool, not the goal. For Anna, real sustainability isn't about polishing the edges. It's about redesigning the system from the inside out. Together, we unpack what it means to grow like a tree—finding strength, expanding purpose, and building trust over time. We talk about donut economics, rethinking business models, and how transparency and trust are the backbone of Nordic innovation. Synne and Anna also share who inspires them, what they want American listeners to reflect on, and why the next five years are a tipping point for regenerative thinking. If you've ever wondered what it takes to move beyond marketing slogans and put climate into the DNA of your business, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of Innovation Storytellers, part of our Nordic Visionaries Pocket Podcast series, we explore that connection with Ari Jónsson, COO of Identifier Technologies and Director at the NATO Innovation Fund. Ari's journey began with a PhD in AI at Stanford in the early 90s, when artificial intelligence was far from mainstream. What started as a passion for robotics evolved into software agents that supported decision-making in complex environments, including spacecraft operations at NASA. After a decade at NASA, Ari returned to Iceland just as the 2008 financial crash devastated the country's economy. While many saw a crisis, Ari saw an opportunity. Iceland's talent, previously locked into banking, was suddenly available, and a new wave of innovation began. As President of Reykjavik University, Ari helped build a tech-focused academic culture that partnered closely with government and industry. His leadership on Iceland's national policy council for science and technology led to significant reforms and a two-year collaboration with MIT to build a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem. Today, Ari is working on some of the toughest challenges in tech. Identifier Technologies uses AI to track and manage visual content, from stopping the spread of child abuse material to identifying deepfakes and helping brands and newsrooms manage their content more securely. At NATO, he is part of a bold effort to support deep tech with dual-use potential, investing in companies working on everything from space launches to quantum computing and advanced materials. This is a wide-ranging conversation about resilience, collaboration, and how Iceland has consistently punched above its weight in innovation. Ari also reflects on what Americans can learn from Nordic trust-based systems, why we should stop waiting for silver-bullet climate solutions, and how AI and infrastructure can combine to support a sustainable future.

What does it mean to innovate with principle in a world of complexity, volatility, and accelerating change? This week, I spoke with Anu Bradford, Professor of Law, Director of European Legal Studies Center, Columbia Law School. As part of our Nordic Visionaries series, Anu brings a timely and thought-provoking perspective on the intersection of innovation, regulation, and sustainability. Known globally for her work on EU law and digital regulation, and as the author of The Brussels Effect and Digital Empires, Anu offers an insider's view on how the Nordics and Europe are navigating the fast-evolving tech landscape. Together, they explore the mounting pressure on companies to adapt to shifting political and economic forces while staying true to their foundational values. From EU regulation and AI governance to geopolitical realignment and sustainability commitments, the conversation tackles the opportunities and tradeoffs innovators must grapple with today. Anu also highlights the need for disruptive innovation that improves lives, not just profits, and calls attention to the power of Nordic leadership to set global examples through clear values, pragmatism, and social trust. Whether you are a tech founder, policymaker, or corporate leader, this episode challenges you to consider what you build and why you make it. So, how do we define meaningful innovation at this moment? And what kind of future are we shaping when we choose to balance progress with principle? Join the conversation and share your thoughts.

This week I was thrilled to speak with Peder Naerboe, Founder and Owner of Bulk Infrastructure, for my Nordic Visionaries series. I've known about data centers for years, but Peder totally reframed them for me as "power refineries," where Norway's abundant clean energy can be converted into digital form right at the source. By placing data hubs next to renewable power generation like hydropower, Peder sees a future where we cut out the inefficiencies of long-distance energy transport. It's not just an innovative way to go greener; it might actually be more profitable, too. In our conversation, Peder shared how his background in shipping led him toward industrial real estate and eventually into building sustainable infrastructure. He talked about constructing not only traditional logistics centers but also robust fiber networks that connect rural regions with major tech hubs. One story that really caught my attention is how people in Labrador are repurposing heat from data centers and crypto mining rigs to warm local buildings. I never imagined data-driven devices fueling greenhouses in subarctic climates, but that's precisely the kind of out-of-the-box thinking Peder encourages. Beyond the tech details, I loved hearing about the deeper Nordic ethos. According to Peder, a strong sense of responsibility to future generations is woven into daily life in Norway—and all across the Nordic countries. It's not just a marketing slogan; it shapes the decisions people make, from personal routines to national policy. He believes that if more organizations and innovators around the world aligned profitability with sustainability, we'd see a much faster transition to cleaner energy and more efficient systems. If you're curious about how to marry environmental goals with profitable outcomes or if you're just looking to see how data center "refineries" might help reinvent the way we power our digital lives—this episode is a must-listen. Peder's passion and practical insight blew my mind. I hope it inspires you to explore new ways we can all push the boundaries of innovation while protecting our planet for generations to come.

What will it take to move beyond the traditional recycling conversation and into a future where circularity is a business imperative, not just a sustainability slogan? In this episode of Nordic Visionaries, I speak with Tove Andersen, President and CEO of TOMRA, a company founded in Norway that has been working on circular economy solutions for over 50 years. With operations in over 100 countries, TOMRA's mission focuses on resource optimization. From reverse vending machines that reward consumers for returning bottles and cans to advanced sorting technologies that help car manufacturers reclaim high-quality aluminum, TOMRA is helping to build the infrastructure for a closed-loop system that works at scale. Tove shares how her background in physics and her 24-year leadership career in global agriculture positioned her to see sustainability and profitability as deeply intertwined. She also explains how TOMRA is collaborating with governments and manufacturers to make circular systems commercially viable and scalable and why timing, transparency, and incentives matter more than ever. What stands out is the reminder that sustainability isn't just an environmental issue. It is a design challenge, a policy challenge, and above all, an innovation opportunity. From redefining product end-of-life to rethinking local waste infrastructure, Tove offers a compelling vision for turning waste into a resource and circularity into a driver of growth. Is your business truly part of the solution, or are you waiting for regulation to catch up? Let us know what you think. What's the next right step for companies aiming to build a more sustainable future?

What if the key to creating a more sustainable future lies not in reinventing capitalism entirely, but in looking at how it already works elsewhere? In this episode of Nordic Visionaries, a special series inside the Innovation Storytellers Show, we welcome Dr. Robert Strand, Executive Director of the Nordic Center at UC Berkeley and Associate Professor at the Copenhagen Business School. With one foot firmly planted in American academia and the other deeply connected to Nordic thought leadership, Robert offers a compelling comparison between American and Nordic models of capitalism highlighting how the Nordics are approaching profit, climate responsibility, and long-term societal well-being. Drawing on his research, leadership courses, and real-world corporate experience, Robert shares why many of the assumptions embedded in American business culture deserve to be challenged. He explains why sustainable capitalism is desirable and necessary and how it can be built on models already in practice across Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Whether it's universal childcare, patient capital, stakeholder-driven innovation, or strong democratic institutions, Robert walks us through the policies and cultural mindsets that allow Nordic companies to be both competitive and conscientious. We also explore how sustainability can drive innovation and how American business leaders might need to rethink their relationship with speed, growth, and quarterly returns. Robert calls for a shift in leadership priorities, urging executives to act as advocates for society as much as for their bottom line. From planetary boundaries to AI, from corporate structures to childcare, this conversation challenges long-held ideas about what makes capitalism work. Can we borrow from Nordic approaches to shape a more resilient and just economy? And are American businesses ready to reimagine their role in a changing world? Tune in and share your thoughts.

This week I was delighted to sit down with Ann Molin, CEO & Secretary General of Hack for Earth, for an in-depth conversation on how citizen-led innovation can tackle global challenges. Ann, a psychologist by training, first fell in love with hackathons while working on the Swedish Government's Hack for Sweden initiative, where she realized that bringing people together to solve open-data challenges could spark powerful, real-world solutions in record time. During our conversation, Ann explained how the Hack for Earth foundation evolved from this initial passion, scaling up to engage over 25,000 participants across 125 countries in building tools aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. She emphasized that these events aren't just about brainstorming; they're about bolstering projects after the hackathon ends. Ann's key insight was that sustainable innovation demands an ongoing acceleration program—complete with the leadership support and psychological safety needed for meaningful impact. We also discussed the Nordic countries' tremendous success in both innovation and sustainability. Ann pointed out how a strong social framework, combined with a flat organizational culture, empowers individuals to take risks without fear of failure. She described the critical role of storytelling in uniting groups around environmental goals, noting that the most memorable ideas emerge when empathy, narrative, and relationships intertwine. One of my favorite takeaways was Ann's passionate stance on action trumping endless research. While reading and learning have their place, she believes we can't just wait around if we want to drive change. If you're curious about the psychology behind hackathons, the importance of genuine follow-through, or how the Nordic approach to collaboration might help solve today's toughest challenges, you won't want to miss our conversation. Let me know what you think!