Leadership NOW with Dan Pontefract

Join us in this enlightening episode of Leadership NOW as Dan Pontefract sits down with Pete Bombaci, the founder of The GenWell Project. Pete shares the inspiring story behind the movement and discusses the critical importance of fostering human connections in our increasingly digital world. Discover how loneliness and social isolation impact our health and what practical steps we can take to build stronger, more compassionate communities. From technology’s double-edged sword to the transformative power of workplace relationships, Pete’s insights will inspire you to reconnect with those around you and make meaningful interactions a daily habit. Don’t miss this compelling conversation on how simple acts of connection can lead to a happier, healthier society. More about the GenWell Project at https://genwell.ca/ More about Dan Pontefract at https://www.danpontefract.com/

Join us in this enlightening episode of Leadership NOW as I sit down with Josh Blair, CEO and co-founder of Impro.ai. Blair shares his insights on creating a new category in business innovation: performance technology. Discover how Impro.ai leverages AI and human strategists to enhance employee performance, foster leadership, and drive organizational success. Tune in to learn about real-world applications, success stories, and Blair’s unique leadership philosophy that balances empathy with execution. Impro.ai is a high-tech company that enables corporations to elevate their performance. Through their AI-powered platform, Impro provides daily performance guidance to employees and organizational performance insights to executives. Impro.ai is at the forefront of developing performance technology, a groundbreaking approach that integrates AI and human expertise to transform employee behavior and organizational efficiency. By combining AI-driven data insights with the personalized touch of Impro performance strategists, the platform offers tailored guidance to help employees improve their mindsets, behaviors, and habits. This innovative method not only boosts individual performance but also provides executives with actionable insights to drive strategic decision-making and achieve remarkable business outcomes. More about Josh Blair and Impro at https://www.impro.ai More about Dan Pontefract at https://www.danpontefract.com

Daniel Trabucchi is Senior Assistant Professor of Platform Thinking, and Tommaso Buganza is Full Professor of Leadership & Innovation, both at Politec-nico di Milano. They are Scientific Directors of the Observatory Platform Thinking HUB and co-authors of the book, "Platform Thinking: Read the Past, Write the Future." Tommaso and Daniel join Dan Pontefract on Leadership NOW to discuss all things 'platform thinking.' They do not disappoint. Both Trabucchi and Buganza were recently appointed to the Thinkers 50 Radar Class of 2024. Find out more about their book, "Platform Thinking" at https://platformthinking.eu/ Find out more about Dan Pontefract at www.danpontefract.com

Dana Griffin is the Co-Founder and CEO of Eldera, an innovative platform dedicated to bridging the gap between generations. Dana joins Leadership NOW where Dan delves into her journey, the inspiration behind Eldera, and her vision for a future where the wisdom of elders is recognized as a valuable resource for societal growth and intergenerational solidarity. Dana, originally from the picturesque Transylvania region of Romania, has carved a unique path in the world of tech and social impact. With a rich background as a data and advertising executive, she shifted her focus towards the age-tech industry, driven by a deep-seated belief in the untapped wisdom of older adults. Eldera is a testament to this belief, creating a global intergenerational mentoring program that connects elders with the younger generation, facilitating not just the sharing of knowledge, but also fostering enduring relationships. Dana's work is grounded in her own experiences, having been raised by her grandparents and continually inspired by elder mentors throughout her life. An Encore Gen2Gen Innovator Fellow, Dana is not just a business leader but a thought leader, advocating for the principled use of AI for innovation and social good. She has been recognized as a '40 under 40' change-maker by AdAge and holds multiple trademarks and patents focused on aging and wisdom. Dana's interests extend beyond her professional pursuits, exploring the realms of human consciousness and well-being. Visit www.eldera.ai for more information about Dana and Eldera. Visit www.danpontefract.com for more details about Dan Pontefract and his award-winning books.

Amy Blankson is a happiness expert, the Co-Founder and Chief Evangelist of the Digital Wellness Institute, and the author of several bestselling books, including "The Future of Happiness." Amy joins Dan Pontefract on Leadership NOW for a deep-dive discussion on a host of issues and topics related to digital wellness. Amy is on a mission to help us create a more positive world that prioritizes Digital Flourishing—that sweet spot where productivity, health, and happiness meet. By harnessing a simple, research-backed framework, Amy and her team help reimagine digital well-being so people can thrive. As a member of the UN Global Happiness Council and a fellow of the World Innovation Organization, Amy actively engages in initiatives aimed at promoting happiness as a core value in society. Her work has been featured in prominent media outlets such as PBS, The New York Times, Forbes, and The Huffington Post. Amy is the only person to have ever received a Point of Light Award from two U.S. Presidents and has over 15 years of experience leading teams in how to convert stress into joy. With degrees from Harvard and Yale, Amy is being continually recognized for her pioneering contributions to the study of positive psychology and its application in the digital age. More about Amy and the Digital Wellness Institute at https://www.digitalwellnessinstitute.com/ More about Dan Pontefract at https://www.danpontefract.com/

Ilya Kneppelhout co-founded The Offline Club as a response to our increasingly digital world. In this episode of "Leadership NOW," we explore the club's origins, digital intoxication, loneliness, and how It aims to "inspire people to swap screen time for real-time, today and tomorrow." Located in Amsterdam, The Offline Club offers a space where members can disconnect from their digital devices and reconnect with the real world. The idea is to provide a tech-free sanctuary where individuals can enjoy genuine conversations and immerse themselves in the moment reminiscent of the pre-digital era of the '90s. The club's core principle is mandatory disconnection from online devices, fostering an environment for genuine human interaction. Ilya’s vision extends beyond individual well-being to inspire a global movement towards offline engagement, aiming to facilitate a worldwide "reconnection" with others and oneself. More about Ilya and The Offline Club at their site: https://bento.me/theofflineclub More about Dan Pontefract and "Leadership NOW" here: https://www.danpontefract.com

Alex Brueckmann is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of “The Strategy Legacy,” and “Secrets of Next Level Entrepreneurs.” He is the founder and president of Brueckmann Executive Consulting based in Vancouver, Canada. In this episode of Leadership NOW, Alex and Dan discuss the nine core elements of organizational identity from his book "The Strategy Legacy." Alex has impacted thousands of leaders worldwide. His clients include high-growth start-ups and Fortune 500 executive teams. He holds degrees and certificates in management, leadership, and strategy from EBS University, INSEAD, and Harvard Business School. More about Alex Brueckmann at: https://brueckmann.ca/ More about Dan Pontefract at: https://www.danpontefract.com/

Eddie Turner is an in-demand, Harvard-trained leadership development expert who works with leaders to “Accelerate Performance and Drive Impact!”® He is "Changing the Face of Leadership" and helping to create “Better Workplaces and a Better World”™ as a Principal Consultant and Executive Coach at Linkage, a SHRM company. Eddie joins Dan Pontefract on this episode of “Leadership NOW” to discuss his book “140 Simple Messages to Guide Emerging Leaders” and all things under the leadership sun. Eddie has significant experience driving digital transformation, systems integration, and developing leaders at all organizational levels. This includes major corporations like Pepsi, Deloitte, GE, Dell, Apple, the NFL, and the WNBA, among others. Eddie is one of the Top 25 Thought Leaders in Leadership by Thinkers 360, the Power List of the Top 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership by leadersHum, and one of the Top 25 Mentors on the Globe by the International Federation of Learning and Development. Eddie has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, CNN, Fox News, PBS, NPR, and ABC. Eddie studied leadership and organizational behavior at Northwestern University, earning a Bachelor of Science. He also holds an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School. More about Eddie over here: https://eddieturnerllc.com/why-eddie/ More about Dan Pontefract at: https://www.danpontefract.com/

Tony Martignetti is a trusted advisor, leadership coach, facilitator, best-selling author, podcast host, and speaker. He combines over 25 years of business and leadership experience with extreme curiosity to elevate leaders and equip them with the tools to navigate change and unlock their true potential. In this episode of Leadership NOW with Dan Pontefract, Tony sits down with Dan to discuss his new book, "Campfire Lessons for Leaders: How Uncovering Our Past Can Propel Us Forward.” Before becoming the founder and Chief Inspiration Officer of Inspired Purpose Partners, Tony was a finance and strategy executive with experience working with some of the leading life sciences companies. Along his journey, he also managed small businesses and ran a financial consulting company. Tony hosts The Virtual Campfire podcast and is the author of “Climbing the Right Mountain: Navigating the Journey to An Inspired Life." He has been featured in many publications, including Fast Company, Forbes, Life Science Leader, and CEO Today. Thinkers360 has recognized him as one of the Top Voices in Leadership and by LeadersHum as one of the Biggest Voices in Leadership. Find out more about Tony and his new book at https://www.ipurposepartners.com/book More about Dan Pontefract and his range of services and body of work at https://www.danpontefract.com

Rebecca Kirstein Resch is an award winning serial entrepreneur, an ally to the next generation, and an architect of better workplaces that work for everyone - and powered by humane technology. In this episode of Leadership NOW, Rebecca sits down with Dan to discuss a whitepaper she co-authored with Dana Fulwiler Volk titled "Questions Are The Answer." It's a deep-dive look at improving business impact and employee well-being by democratizing access to knowledge with purposeful tech. She is the founder & CEO of inqli - an AI-powered social knowledge-sharing platform that accelerates employee and enterprise growth by matching every question to trusted knowledge at work. Rebecca has worked alongside world-renowned educators, researchers, and technologists as she’s followed the thread of human growth and development from the classroom to the workplace, and back again in search of transformational systemic change. Her career highlight: sharing the stage with her hero and most-watched TED speaker in history, Sir Ken Robinson. Rebecca envisions a world where everyone has access to opportunities for meaningful work and fulfilling lives. You can read the white paper here: https://www.inqli.com/reports/questions-are-the-answer More about Dan Pontefract at https://www.danpontefract.com/