Poets & Thinkers

Join João Sevilhano, a psychologist, business consultant, and philosopher, as he dives into the 'bullshit economy' that prioritizes control over genuine human connection. He challenges our obsession with certainty and metrics, arguing it's hurting our mental health. João explores the need for creativity and play in art, and critiques how modern capitalism shapes education and personal development. He advocates for balancing technology with human wisdom to foster true growth and ethical discernment in society.

What if the race toward “superintelligence” is misguided and what does a more humanistic vision for AI adoption actually look like? In this episode of Poets & Thinkers, we dive deep into the intersection of artificial intelligence, culture, and human agency with Prof. Arvind Narayanan, a computer science professor at Princeton University whose work has fundamentally challenged how we think about AI’s role in society. Named on TIME’s inaugural list of 100 most influential people in AI, Arvind brings decades of research experience studying the gap between tech industry promises and real-world impacts.Arvind takes us beyond the hype and fear that dominates AI discourse, as we dive into his book “AI Snake Oil” (co-authored with Sayash Kapoor) and their latest essay titled “AI as Normal Technology” that draws powerful parallels to past general-purpose technologies like electricity and automobiles. He reveals why the term “artificial intelligence” itself creates dangerous confusion, masking critical differences between predictive AI systems that are already affecting the lives of millions of people – determining who gets bail, healthcare coverage, and job opportunities – and generative AI tools like ChatGPT that capture public attention. Through rigorous analysis of adoption patterns, organizational barriers, and historical societal precedent, Arvind demonstrates why superintelligence predictions fundamentally misunderstand both the nature of human intelligence and the complex realities of technological diffusion.In our conversation, Arvind challenges leaders to move beyond automation fantasies toward human-AI augmentation, explains why current AI benchmarks fail catastrophically at predicting real-world performance, and makes the case for why flexible, bottom-up innovation will determine which organizations thrive in the AI era. His perspective bridges computer science rigor with deep humanistic values, showing how thoughtful design and governance frameworks can help us navigate this transformation while keeping human agency at the center.This episode is a provocation to think more precisely about AI’s actual impacts, move beyond techno-optimism and techno-pessimism toward nuanced understanding, and focus on the practical frameworks needed to ensure this technology serves human flourishing.Resources Mentioned“AI Snake Oil” book by by Prof. Arvind Narayanan and Sayash Kapoor“AI is Normal Technology” essay by Prof. Arvind Narayanan and Sayash KapoorAir Canada chatbot legal case as reported by The GuardianEverett Rogers’ work on technology adoptionSend us a textGet in touch: ben@poetsandthinkers.co Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poetsandthinkerspodcast/Subscribe to Poets & Thinkers on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/poets-thinkers/id1799627484Subscribe to Poets & Thinkers on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4N4jnNEJraemvlHIyUZdww?si=2195345fa6d249fd

What if the biggest regret we’ll have in 10 years isn’t over-regulating AI, but failing to educate people about it? In this episode of Poets & Thinkers, we explore the intersection of AI policy, national sovereignty, and digital literacy with Jaxson Khan, a unique cross-sector leader who transitioned from startup founder to senior policy advisor for Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. From his home in Toronto, Jaxson shares hard-won insights from the frontlines of AI policy development, where he helped craft Canada’s approach to artificial intelligence across multiple critical areas.Jaxson takes us behind the scenes of government AI strategy, revealing why less than 25% of Canadians have any formal AI education despite the country being home to some of the technology’s foundational researchers. He explains Canada’s Sovereign AI Compute Strategy – a response to the brain drain that sees Canadian talent and capital flow south to Silicon Valley – and makes the case for treating AI infrastructure like a public utility. Through his current work helping nonprofits and corporations adopt AI, Jaxson demonstrates how the same technology reshaping global geopolitics can be leveraged for social good.Throughout our conversation, Jaxson challenges the notion that we need to choose between innovation and regulation, instead advocating for what he calls “meaningful consent” in privacy frameworks and emphasizing the critical importance of cultural sovereignty in AI development. His perspective bridges the technical, political, and deeply human aspects of our AI-powered future, showing how policy decisions made today will determine whether societies remain intact through this transformation.In this discussion, we explore:Why AI literacy should be treated as urgently as national defense in the modern eraHow Canada is building sovereign AI infrastructure without trying to replace Big TechThe three pillars of AI sovereignty: technology IP, data and compute, and cultural preservationWhy privacy laws that predate iPhones are a “travesty” in the AI ageHow the imagination gap is holding back traditional companies from AI adoptionWhy NGOs and government agencies must accelerate AI adoption to stay relevantThis episode is an invitation to think beyond the hype and fear surrounding AI, focusing instead on the practical policy frameworks and educational foundations needed to ensure this powerful technology serves humanity’s highest aspirations.Resources MentionedCanada’s Sovereign AI Compute Strategy “Bridging the Imagination Gap” Royal Bank of Canada white paperOECD data on international AI adoption patterns “AI is Normal Technology” by Prof. Arvind Narayanan and Sayash Kapoor“Genesis” by KissingSend us a textGet in touch: ben@poetsandthinkers.co Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poetsandthinkerspodcast/Subscribe to Poets & Thinkers on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/poets-thinkers/id1799627484Subscribe to Poets & Thinkers on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4N4jnNEJraemvlHIyUZdww?si=2195345fa6d249fd

Danielle McClune, a writer and poet at Microsoft, dives into the human side of AI development. She discusses the absurdity of charging users for basic politeness in AI interactions and challenges the direction of current tech practices. Danielle advocates for AI as a public utility, urging for a balance between technology and humanity. She reflects on the gender dynamics in tech, speculating on how women's leadership might alter AI's evolution. Education is key, as she emphasizes enhancing AI literacy to prepare future generations.

Humans are multisensory beings. What if the tiny sounds you hear from your devices every day are literally vibrating through your body, changing your nervous system, and collectively creating decades of audio pollution? And what do we do about it in an age where generative AI is likely going to add even more noise? In this fascinating episode of Poets & Thinkers, we explore the profound intersection of sound, technology, and human experience with Matthew Bennett, a composer, sound artist, and sensory designer who led sound design at Microsoft for 12 years. From his home studio in Seattle, Matthew reveals how he shaped the sonic experience of billions of people worldwide while pioneering a new paradigm for technology sound design.Matthew takes us on a journey through the science of sound as sensory experience – not just something we hear, but a form of touch that vibrates our entire body and changes our physiology. He shares mind-blowing insights about how Microsoft’s tiny notification sounds, when multiplied across hundreds of millions of users, created decades of sound pollution daily – and how his team cut 10 years off that global audio footprint by shortening sounds by just one second. Through the lens of neuroaesthetics and multisensory design, Matthew illustrates why our digital experiences are always multisensory whether we intend them to be or not.Throughout our conversation, Matthew challenges the current AI music generation hype, revealing how these tools expose the formulaic nature of popular music while lacking the human intention and authenticity that gives art its soul. He advocates for a “do no harm” approach to sound design, emphasizing the importance of designing silence and understanding that unexpected sounds can hijack our brains and trigger fight-or-flight responses. His vision for Musical Sensory Environments and precision therapies offers a glimpse into how sound can heal rather than harm.In this discussion, we explore:Why sound is actually a special form of touch that vibrates through your entire bodyHow tiny notification sounds create decades of global audio pollution dailyThe ethics of multisensory design and the responsibility that comes with scaleWhy AI-generated music reveals the formulaic nature of popular genresHow neuroesthetics can become essential literacy for designers and leadersThe difference between human intention and statistical pattern matching in creativityThis episode is an invitation to understand sound as a powerful force that shapes our digital ecosystems, our physical well-being, and our human connections – and to approach the creation of sensory experiences with the care and intention they deserve.Resources MentionedJaron Lanier’ workWorld Health Organization (WHO) research on noise pollution as global health crisisNeuroaesthetics research and fMRI studies on brain responses to soundMusical Sensory Environments – Matthew’s pioneering approach to immersive audioConnect with Matthew Bennett:Website: https://soundandsensory.com/Send us a textGet in touch: ben@poetsandthinkers.co Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poetsandthinkerspodcast/Subscribe to Poets & Thinkers on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/poets-thinkers/id1799627484Subscribe to Poets & Thinkers on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4N4jnNEJraemvlHIyUZdww?si=2195345fa6d249fd

Pascal Unger, managing partner at Miami’s Focal, offers a fresh perspective on the changing venture capital landscape shaped by AI advancements. He discusses how intelligent software is revolutionizing workflows, leading to unprecedented market opportunities. Pascal emphasizes the need for new skills in founders, like emotional stability and quick execution. He also explores cultural differences between US and European VCs and argues that smaller teams can now achieve more, fundamentally reshaping the VC model.

What if the very technology that promises to make us more efficient is actually creating “soul gaps” – spaces where human understanding and meaning simply cannot be replicated? In this deeply insightful episode of Poets and Thinkers, we explore the future of humanistic leadership with Michael Ventura, founder of SubRosa, author of “Applied Empathy,” and a fascinating polymath who bridges brand strategy, alternative medicine, and human development. From his practice at Esalen Institute to co-founding a pet food company with Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, Michael brings a unique perspective on how empathy serves as the new language of leadership.Michael takes us on a journey through what empathy really means – distinguishing it from sympathy and compassion – and why it's become critical for leaders navigating increasingly diverse, multi-generational workforces. He shares compelling insights about how AI can replicate the technical aspects of creativity but misses the essential human elements, like where to place the divine spark of light in a Renaissance painting. Through examples ranging from political manipulation to Meta’s disturbing targeting of insecure teenagers, Michael reveals both the light and dark sides of applied empathy.Throughout our conversation, Michael challenges us to slow down in a world obsessed with speed, arguing that patience – not just efficiency – should be a core leadership skill. He envisions a future where leaders move from having all the answers to asking all the right questions, creating space for diverse perspectives and collective intelligence. And we’ll even get a little teaser for Michael’s upcoming book on “constellation thinking” which promises to revolutionize how we understand purpose in our complex, multi-faceted modern lives.In this discussion, we explore:Why empathy is not about being nice – it's about understanding without conversionHow AI creates “soul gaps” where human meaning and divine sparks cannot be replicatedThe difference between cognitive empathy used for manipulation versus authentic connectionWhy leaders must transition from answer-givers to question-askersHow patience becomes a revolutionary skill in our hyperconnected worldThe loss of shared cultural moments and emotional commons in our fragmented media landscapeThis episode is an invitation to reclaim the deeply human skills that technology cannot replicate, and to use empathy not as weakness but as a strategic advantage in building more connected, innovative organizations.Resources MentionedApplied Empathy: The New Language of Leadership by Michael Ventura“The Dark Side of Empathy” - Michael’s New York Times op-ed“America's Uncontacted Tribes” article by Michael VenturaCenter for Humane Technology - led by Tristan HarrisKismet – pet food company Michael co-founded with Chrissy Teigen and John Legend Connect with Michael Ventura:Website: Send us a textGet in touch: ben@poetsandthinkers.co Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poetsandthinkerspodcast/Subscribe to Poets & Thinkers on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/poets-thinkers/id1799627484Subscribe to Poets & Thinkers on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4N4jnNEJraemvlHIyUZdww?si=2195345fa6d249fd

What if the discomfort leaders feel right now, at the beginning of the AI age, isn’t a problem to solve, but the exact place where transformation happens? In this episode of Poets & Thinkers, we explore the future of organizational leadership and human potential with Meg Bear, a seasoned tech executive turned “future inventor” who brings a unique perspective as a fifth-generation Bay Area native and first-generation college graduate. From her advisory work with CEOs and boards to her mission of creating abundant futures that value our shared humanity, Meg offers a compelling vision for navigating unprecedented change.Meg takes us on a journey through her unconventional life and career path – from engineering leadership at Oracle and president of SAP’s HCM (Human Capital Management) business to her current work helping organizations harness human ingenuity. She reveals why the traditional business leadership playbook – built on certainty and past experience – is not only obsolete but counterproductive in our current moment. Drawing from her background as a cultural outsider who learned to navigate different worlds, Meg explains how the skills of adaptation and cross-cultural communication that immigrants develop are exactly what all leaders need now.Throughout our conversation, Meg challenges the narrative that change is simply happening to us, instead advocating for agency in shaping the future we want to live in. She argues that we’re at a unique moment where discomfort is hitting “all layers of the stack” – from the board room and the c-suite to the ICs – and that this discomfort is not only natural but necessary for growth. Her vision for leadership emphasizes curiosity over certainty, collective intelligence over individual expertise, and the courage to embrace vulnerability as a pathway to learning.In this transformative discussion, we explore:Why the space between what you can’t control and what you can impact is bigger than you thinkHow traditional business leadership models based on certainty are failing in uncertain timesWhy emotions are data that reveal deeper fears about changing definitions of competenceThe need for psychologically safe spaces where experienced leaders can express confusionHow untapped human ingenuity could be unlocked through more inclusive value creation in organizations of the futureWhy our “messy bits” are actually our greatest sources of strength and adaptabilityThis episode is an invitation for leaders to move beyond fear-based reactions to inevitable change, and instead embrace the agency we have to invent futures that serve our shared humanity.Resources MentionedReid Hoffman on GenAI as the cognitive industrial revolution: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/mckinsey-digital/our-insights/gen-ai-a-cognitive-industrial-revolutionThe myth of exponential hypergrowth: https://longform.asmartbear.com/exponential-growth/Inventing the future: https://www.megbear.com/post/inventing-the-futureMeg’s 2025 word of the year: https://www.megbear.com/posSend us a textGet in touch: ben@poetsandthinkers.co Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poetsandthinkerspodcast/Subscribe to Poets & Thinkers on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/poets-thinkers/id1799627484Subscribe to Poets & Thinkers on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4N4jnNEJraemvlHIyUZdww?si=2195345fa6d249fd

What if the struggle and friction in the creative process is actually what makes art meaningful – and what we’re at risk of losing in our rush toward AI efficiency? In this deeply reflective episode of Poets & Thinkers, we explore the intersection of human creativity and artificial intelligence with Nando Costa, a renowned designer and artist who has been at the very forefront of Generative AI (GenAI) and whose work has shaped the visual identity of major tech companies including Microsoft, Google, and ServiceNow. From his home studio on Bainbridge Island, Nando shares his journey from early GenAI experimentation to a deeper understanding of what makes creativity authentically human.Nando takes us through his extensive exploration of generative AI, having created over 25,000 pieces using these tools, only to discover their addictive, slot-machine-like qualities and ultimate lack of artistic depth. He reveals how this experience led him to champion “slow photography,” deliberate creative processes, and the irreplaceable value of human intention in artistic work. Through compelling examples – from photographers camping for days to capture the perfect shot to his daughter’s (who’s also an artist) immediate rejection of AI-generated art – Nando illustrates why the time, energy, and personal investment we put into creating something directly correlates to its impact on others.Throughout our conversation, Nando challenges the dominant narrative that speed and optimization should drive creative work, instead advocating for depth over speed and originality over optimization. His insights on brand work, creative leadership, and the future of design offer a compelling counter-narrative to the “AI will replace everything” mentality, showing how human creativity becomes more precious – not less – in an automated world.In this thought-provoking discussion, we explore:Why generative AI feels addictive but ultimately lacks the depth of human-created artHow the time and energy invested in creation directly impacts the meaning of the workWhy Gen Z is gravitating toward analog processes like film photography and vinyl recordsThe importance of “slow” and deliberate creative processes in maintaining authenticityHow friction in the creative act isn’t a bug to be fixed, but a feature to be embracedWhat the future of brand work looks like when anyone can generate content instantlyThis episode is an invitation to reconsider our relationship with creative tools and the creative act itself, to value the human struggle that gives art its meaning, and to champion depth and originality in an age of optimization.Resources MentionedBook: Slow ProductivityTheo Jansen’s wind-powered beach sculpturesSomeForm Studio example of curated AI automation in designSend us a textGet in touch: ben@poetsandthinkers.co Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poetsandthinkerspodcast/Subscribe to Poets & Thinkers on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/poets-thinkers/id1799627484Subscribe to Poets & Thinkers on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4N4jnNEJraemvlHIyUZdww?si=2195345fa6d249fd

Digitalization promised us a brave “new work” world. But instead we ended up with more meetings and “fake work”. What’s next and how do we transform our obsession with productivity tools and endless meetings into meaningful work and real innovation? In this episode of Poets & Thinkers, we explore the future of work with Markus Albers, a Berlin-based journalist, author, and entrepreneur whose insights have consistently anticipated major shifts in how we work. From his prescient 2008 book predicting remote work to his latest exploration of “the optimization lie,” Markus reveals how our relationship with work has evolved – and why the promised freedom of digital tools has instead chained us to our screens.Markus takes us on a journey through the changing landscape of work, explaining how the initial promise of technology to free us from our desks has instead created an “always on” culture where work seeps into every aspect of our lives. He shares alarming research showing knowledge workers now spend 60% of their time in meetings and collaboration rather than doing creative work – and how this leads to widespread dissatisfaction and disengagement. And the effects on innovation in businesses around the world are fatal. Yet through his research with companies like Bayer, he also uncovers promising models for a more fluid, fulfilling future of work powered by AI and skill-based platforms.Throughout our conversation, Markus challenges conventional management approaches that prioritize control over creation, arguing that leaders need to rediscover their own creative capacities and build organizations where people can actually finish their days feeling they’ve accomplished something meaningful. His vision for the future of work emphasizes fluidity, cross-organizational collaboration, and technology that serves human needs rather than extracting maximum productivity.In this inspiring discussion, we explore:Why the initial promise of technology to make us more productive and happier hasn’t materializedHow managers’ fear of losing control has led to calendar overload and measurement obsessionThe identity crisis facing managers as AI threatens to replace routine workWhat organizations like Bayer are doing to create more fluid, skill-based work modelsHow leaders can fight for freedom from constant work in an AI-powered futureThis episode is an invitation to reimagine our relationship with work—to move beyond optimization for its own sake and create environments where people can truly create, ship, and find fulfillment.Topics02:30 - Markus’s journey from journalist to author and entrepreneur 04:00 - The Meconomy book and its early vision of the digital revolution 07:30 - The evolution of the "future of work" from liberation to digital exhaustion 09:10 - How we freed ourselves from desk chains but chained ourselves to screens instead 11:30 - Leaders’ fear of losing control in hybrid work environments 12:30 - The need to rediscover our capacity to create and ship meaningful work 14:30 - Microsoft research showing knowledge workers spend 60% of time on collaboration 16:00 - The leadership challenge of reconfiguring how work is done 17:00 - The importance of asynchronous communication skills for leaders 18:40 - The growing debate about “bullshit jobs” and management bureaucracySend us a textGet in touch: ben@poetsandthinkers.co Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poetsandthinkerspodcast/Subscribe to Poets & Thinkers on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/poets-thinkers/id1799627484Subscribe to Poets & Thinkers on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4N4jnNEJraemvlHIyUZdww?si=2195345fa6d249fd