Second City Works presents "Getting to Yes, And"

Kelly connects with Tony Wagner, senior research fellow at the Learning Policy Institute and former codirector of Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Change Leadership Group. They discuss his latest book – co-written with Ulrik Juul Christensen: “Mastery: Why Deeper Learning is Essential in an Age of Distraction.”  https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7857992/7857992_2025-12-14-232932.64kmono.mp3 “Practice is an essential element of mastery learning.”  “Time is a poor proxy for learning.”  “Our young people know their education is failing them.”  Recent Posts Second City Works presents “Getting to Yes, And” Tony Wagner – ‘How Education is Failing Our Kids’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Getting to Yes, And… | John August – “Scriptnotes”  .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Getting to Yes, And…| Louis Henry Mitchell – “Behind the Scenes at Sesame Street”  .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Ranjay Gulati – ‘The Science of Courage’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Nick Digilio – ‘A Love Letter to Chicago and the Movies’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Click for more

Kelly talks to legendary screenwriter John August (“Big Fish,” “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory,” who co-hosts the “Scriptnotes” podcast with Craig Mazin (“Chernobyl,” “The Last of Us.”). They have a new book: “Scriptnotes: A Book About Screenwriting and Things That Are interesting to Screenwriters.”  https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7857988/7857988_2025-12-14-221728.64kmono.mp3 “Be passionate in agreement. Be dispassionate in disagreement.”  “As writers, we are emotional chemists.”  “Every time you sit down and write a screenplay, you’re world-building.” 

Kelly talks to Creative Director of Character Design at Sesame Workshop, Louis Henry Mitchell who has written the book: “Qreative Evolution: The Intimate Practice of Creative Fulfillment Through Guided Self-Education.”  https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7857985/7857985_2025-12-14-225625.64kmono.mp3  “Creativity is not limited to one type of creation.”  “You don’t decide your purpose in life; you discover it.”  “Confidence can be lost if it isn’t fed through practice.” 

Kelly welcomes Harvard professor Ranjay Gulati back to the podcast to discuss his new book, “How to Be Bold: The Surprising Science of Everyday Courage.”  https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7857976/7857976_2025-12-14-224716.64kmono.mp3  “Courage is a learned behavior, not an innate one.”  “Heroes seldom act alone.”  “Sometimes, frankly, we take confidence too far.”  Recent Posts Second City Works presents “Getting to Yes, And” Tony Wagner – ‘How Education is Failing Our Kids’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Getting to Yes, And… | John August – “Scriptnotes”  .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Getting to Yes, And…| Louis Henry Mitchell – “Behind the Scenes at Sesame Street”  .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Ranjay Gulati – ‘The Science of Courage’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Nick Digilio – ‘A Love Letter to Chicago and the Movies’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Click for more

Kelly connects with longtime film critic Nick Digilio to talk about his new book “40 Years, 40 Films.” They discuss growing up in Chicago, falling in love with movies, and Nick’s start at WGN Radio on the Roy Leonard Show. Then they dig into some of Nick’s favorite movies, such as Albert Brooks’ “Lost in America” and Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Magnolia.” https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7857969/7857969_2025-12-14-211109.64kmono.mp3 “My parents didn’t really enforce rules when it came to media consumption.” “The movies led to reading, which led to more movies.” “My love wasn’t limited to horror. I adored comedies, too.” Recent Posts Second City Works presents “Getting to Yes, And” Tony Wagner – ‘How Education is Failing Our Kids’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Getting to Yes, And… | John August – “Scriptnotes”  .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Getting to Yes, And…| Louis Henry Mitchell – “Behind the Scenes at Sesame Street”  .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Ranjay Gulati – ‘The Science of Courage’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Nick Digilio – ‘A Love Letter to Chicago and the Movies’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Click for more

Goldie Chan, a branding and storytelling expert and founder of Warm Robots, dives deep into the world of introversion and personal branding. She shares practical tips for introverts on networking and small talk, and discusses how historical figures like Cleopatra mastered branding. Goldie encourages embracing one's unique identity while taking smart risks, emphasizing the importance of community for introverts. She also challenges misconceptions about introverts, revealing that many can be dynamic and engaging in the right contexts.

Kelly talks to Venezuelan-born, Chicago-based photographer Daniel Moreno about his new book of photographs of Chicago’s legendary Holiday Train.  https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7852900/7852900_2025-12-11-020100.64kmono.mp3 “To me, the Holiday Train is more than a seasonal spectacle; it’s a train of light.” “I’ve felt the collective joy of strangers momentarily united by a shared sense of awe.”  “In the end, the train doesn’t just bring light to the city, it makes winter feel a little less harsh.” Recent Posts Second City Works presents “Getting to Yes, And” Tony Wagner – ‘How Education is Failing Our Kids’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Getting to Yes, And… | John August – “Scriptnotes”  .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Getting to Yes, And…| Louis Henry Mitchell – “Behind the Scenes at Sesame Street”  .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Ranjay Gulati – ‘The Science of Courage’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Nick Digilio – ‘A Love Letter to Chicago and the Movies’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Click for more

In this conversation, Kelly Leonard interviews Bastion Bergmann, co-founder and COO of Solston, about the significance of play in human experience and its implications for business strategy, particularly in gaming. They discuss how gaming can serve as a powerful tool for engagement and marketing, illustrated by Burberry’s innovative approach to integrating their brand into a video game. The discussion also covers the creative development process in gaming, the importance of understanding the audience, and the cultural impact of gaming in relation to sports. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7849500/7849500_2025-12-09-160600.64kmono.mp3 “Video games are the consumer touchpoint of the twenty-first century.”  “Don’t copy and paste old playbooks.”  “When people play, their masks come off.”  Recent Posts Second City Works presents “Getting to Yes, And” Tony Wagner – ‘How Education is Failing Our Kids’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Getting to Yes, And… | John August – “Scriptnotes”  .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Getting to Yes, And…| Louis Henry Mitchell – “Behind the Scenes at Sesame Street”  .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Ranjay Gulati – ‘The Science of Courage’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Nick Digilio – ‘A Love Letter to Chicago and the Movies’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Click for more

Kelly welcomes Caroline Stokes back to the podcast to discuss her new book “Aftershock to 2030: A CEO’s Guide to Reinvention in the Age of AI, Climate and Societal Collapse.” https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7837879/7837879_2025-12-02-020819.64kmono.mp3 “This book is about reprogramming the nervous system of leadership.”  “Technology offers both promise and paradox.”  “Virtue signaling has become a form of social currency.”  Recent Posts Second City Works presents “Getting to Yes, And” Tony Wagner – ‘How Education is Failing Our Kids’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Getting to Yes, And… | John August – “Scriptnotes”  .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Getting to Yes, And…| Louis Henry Mitchell – “Behind the Scenes at Sesame Street”  .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Ranjay Gulati – ‘The Science of Courage’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Nick Digilio – ‘A Love Letter to Chicago and the Movies’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Click for more

In this episode, Kelly Leonard interviews James Kimmel Jr., a clinical professor and author, about his book ‘The Science of Revenge.’ They explore the neuroscience behind revenge, its addictive nature, and how it manifests in real-life scenarios. Kimmel shares compelling stories, including those of mass violence, and discusses the role of mental illness in revenge-seeking behavior. The conversation also delves into the healing power of forgiveness and the societal implications of revenge in the age of social media. Kimmel emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing revenge as a mental health issue, advocating for forgiveness as a means to break the cycle of violence and promote healing. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7830059/7830059_2025-11-25-043959.64kmono.mp3 “Revenge is a kind of addiction.” “Forgiveness stops pain.” “This can get better and it will.” Recent Posts Second City Works presents “Getting to Yes, And” Tony Wagner – ‘How Education is Failing Our Kids’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Getting to Yes, And… | John August – “Scriptnotes”  .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Getting to Yes, And…| Louis Henry Mitchell – “Behind the Scenes at Sesame Street”  .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Ranjay Gulati – ‘The Science of Courage’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Nick Digilio – ‘A Love Letter to Chicago and the Movies’ .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Click for more