A few weeks ago we interviewed Michael Hanchett Hanson - author and founder and director of the Masters Concentration in Creativity and Cognition program at Columbia University around the theoretical aspects of creativity. In part two of the interview we focused on creativity in practice. Michael explains why constraints are a core component in generating creativity, and expands on the invalidity the out of the box metaphor, discusses big ideas.I use a classic quote from legendary ad man David Ogilvy to frame our discussionWe discuss how as we work creatively we not only produce work, but our point of view develops, our understanding of big questions deepens..Michael draws on references to Monet, John Coltrane, Ian Curtis, Mozart, George Bernard Shaw, Elton John and Picasso as we discuss and dissect the role of passion, empathy, hard work, research, complex systems, forward and backward loops and how creating solutions for the future often requires us to mine the creativity of the past. I hope you are stimulated by this episode of big questions on creativity with Michael Hanchett Hanson. What we discuss Constraints drive creativity Deviation amplifying techniques David’s Ogilvy's philosophy Pat Stokes research on creativity and ratsGeorge Bernard Shaw and The Fabian Society Bill Bernbach Aristotle The importance of passionsThe role of Empathy Affect and EffectThe future as an ideaComplex systems Temporal loops Neophilic version of creativity The role of domain expertiseResearch The role of talentCreativity definedConnecting Linkedin Links in the show Weisberg Edward ClappGeorge Bernard Shaw Fabian Society Ian Curtis PicassoMonetDavid Ogilvy Mozart Bill BernbachAristotle RocketMan Movie Bernie Taupin Bowie John Coltrane Labor Omnia VinciHoward Gruber Creativity and constraints Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Week’s Guest - Hunter Johansson  Hunter Johansson, twin brother of actress Scarlett was born and raised in New York to an American Mother and Danish Architect Father, and a community activist grandmother. Hunter is on a mission to save lives through renewable energy and is in Puerto Rico as we send this dealing with the aftermath of this week's earthquake. (In part one) Hunter shares his experience of growing up in Manhattan, the values passed on to him by family, friends, and mentors, and finding his path and purpose in life. (In part two ) Hunter explains his NGO’s mission to save lives in hurricane-hit regions by installing solar power units in first responder fire and police stations and how he co-founded Solar Responders, with London born Las Vegas-based fire captain Richard Burt. Hunter discusses his mission to help the disadvantaged people of Puerto Rico, still devastated by the 2017 Hurricane and his vision to extend the renewable technology to other regions threatened by the ever-increasing risk of life threaten hurricanes and climate changeFinally, we cover his principles, influences, and advice. Hunter is driven and humble and has an indomitable spirit. Podcast We LovedMasters of Scale with Reid Hoffman - Scott HarrisonYou might not have heard of Scott Harrison but I expect you have heard of Charity: Water. This interview with Scott deconstructs how a great story is a foundation for building a great company. Scott Harrison is a master storyteller, and has built his nonprofit on 3 radical principles: (1) 100% of donations would go to water projects (not overhead) (2) Progress reports would be utterly transparent, sharing victories, defeats and even GPS coordinates of water wells (3) The brand’s storytelling would lead with hope instead of guilt, inspiring joyful participation without sacrificing honesty. Lot’s to learn from this one. Recommended to usRise of the PolymathOur friends Faris and Rosie shared this great BBC article on polymaths, and why in a world of specialism, cross-disciplinary skills maybe what we will need to solve some of the larger societal problems we face. It also covers the characteristics of a polymath and what open-mindedness, curiosity and emotional resilience are common traits. This was our favorite read this week. Series of the week Don't F**k With Cats: Hunting an Internet KillerA compelling story of a twisted criminal's gruesome videos that drive a group of amateur online sleuths to launch a risky manhunt that brings them into a dark underworld. Be prepared for the true story of one of Canada’s most infamous crimesMulling on this           Packaging Free - Update Following a challenge from upcoming guest Joshua Spodek, I have been attempting to avoid buying anything with packaging. It’s hard but what I have witnessed is a change in my consciousness toward what I purchase and how I plan my food and meals. Previously my supermarket visits were simply scripted behavior patterns and repetitive purchases with no thought to the plastic packaging the presents itself in every aisle. There are some items like yogurt I have failed with but generally, I am living more sustainabLY and healthier. MORE TO COMETools we’re using URLListURLList is a handy bookmarklet that allows you to bring a group of URLs together in one place and then share them with a single link. Imagine using this for your Instagram link in your bio and being able to promote a list of URLs for different product landing pages or social media sites. We use it. Social Impact Bushfire donations In light of the calamitous destruction caused by the Australian bushfires and the catastrophic loss of wildlife, we are simply posting a link to the WWF’s appeal page That’s all for now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest Overview Hunter Johansson was born and raised in New York to an American Mother and Danish Architect Father, a community activist grandmother, he is twin brother to Scarlet Johansson, and he’s on a mission to save lives through his renewable energy NGO Solar Responders.In part two of this interview how he found his purpose and founded his NGO Solar Responders. He explains his NGO’s mission to save lives in hurricane-hit regions by installing solar power units in first responder fire and police stations and how he co-founded Solar Responders, with London born Las Vegas-based fire captain Richard Burt.Hunter discusses his mission to help the disadvantaged people of Puerto Rico, still devastated by the 2017 Hurricane and his vision to extend the renewable technology to other regions threatened by the ever-increasing risk of life threaten hurricanes and climate changeFinally, we cover his principles, influences, and advice.I hope you enjoy the humble, yet the indomitable spirit of Hunter Johansson.What We Discuss The effect Hurricane Maria had on himMeeting Captain Richard BurtForming Solar RespondersHow Colin Jost and Scarlett Johansson supported his missionThe impact of solar technology on future hurricanesThe challenges of raising funds for the NGOEmpowering the Puerto Ricans localsHis principlesHis hard choicesWho has made him reevaluate himselfWhere he goes to discover new ideasHis impossible question answerWhere and when in historyThe book he recommendsSocial Links InstagramSolar Responders Links in the Show Solar RespondersMarco KrapelsPS 41 Scarlett JohanssonHurricane Sandy Hurricane Maria The Jones Act The Stafford ActScott Stringer Colin Jost from SNL Terry Tempest Williams Erosion Manny and LoNita Baum  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest Overview Born and raised in New York to an American Mother and Danish Architect Father, a community activist grandmother, and twin brother to Scarlet Johansson, he’s on a mission to save lives through renewable energy, is this week’s guest Hunter Johansson. (In part one) Hunter shares his experience of growing up in Manhattan, the values passed on to him by family, friends, and mentors, and finding his path and purpose in life. (In part two ) Hunter explains his NGO’s mission to save lives in hurricane-hit regions by installing solar power units in first responder fire and police stations and how he co-founded Solar Responders, with London born Las Vegas-based fire captain Richard Burt. Hunter discusses his mission to help the disadvantaged people of Puerto Rico, still devastated by the 2017 Hurricane and his vision to extend the renewable technology to other regions threatened by the ever-increasing risk of life threaten hurricanes and climate change  Finally, we cover his principles, influences and advice. I hope you enjoy the humble, yet the indomitable spirit of Hunter Johansson. What We Discuss Hunter’s upbringing in NYCThe importance of familyHis relationship with his twin Scarlett Hunter discusses finding his path to purpose in life His love of the environmentThe Impact of Hurricane SandyThe enduring memory of 9/11His respect for the first responders and fire crews His many work experiences Hunter’s passion for helping peopleThe effect Hurricane Maria had on himMeeting Captain Richard Burt Forming Solar Responders How Colin Jost and Scarlett Johansson supported his missionThe impact of solar technology on future hurricanesThe challenges of raising funds for the NGOEmpowering the Puerto Ricans locals His principles His hard choicesWho has made him reevaluate himselfWhere he goes to discover new ideas His impossible question answerWhere and when in historyThe book he recommendsSocial Links InstagramSolar Responders Links in the Show Solar RespondersMarco KrapelsPS 41 Scarlett JohanssonHurricane Sandy Hurricane Maria The Jones Act The Stafford ActScott Stringer Colin Jost Terry Tempest Williams Erosion Manny and LoNita Baum  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hi everyone.,Aa happy 2020 to one and all. With tragic bushfires in Australia raging and the sudden increase in tensions in the middle east, the first few days of 2020 might not bode well for the year ahead. However we look forward with optimism and will continue to share the content we find interesting and interview our extraordinary guestsFirst up the Podcast We LovedWe are passionate about the big problems in the world that need solving. Tony Fadell (@tfadell), sometimes called "the father of the iPod," is now an active investor and entrepreneur with a 30+ year history of founding companies and designing products that profoundly improve people's lives. Listen to his inspiring interview with Tim Ferris and if you only listen to one part just got to 1hr and 15 min in to hear the work he is going to confront our global plastic usage problem. Tony is now top of our list for guest we must meet this year. We found this online The Mandalorian Jon Favreau and Disney have just what most marketers strive to do everyday - create a meaningful brand that is embraced by all of society, or in this case America. George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars was inspired by science fantasy serials of the ‘30s and ‘40s when he set out the create the perfect Space Western. With the Mandalorian, Favreau has embodied Lucus’s vision of Star Wars perfectly, from the serialized half hour format, to the vast cast of bizarre characters to the “used future” aesthetic. This is modern-day, mass brand building, that has the power to unite a divided nation, engage people regardless of difference and create a story we can all engage with share and delight in. .  Recommended to usYear of Digital ProductsIt feels like we have been in the process of digital transformation for almost two decades. And certainly over the last 14 years I have been in presentations making the case why every company needs to think like a software or technology company. This clear and concise piece from Forrester not only summarizes the state play but makes the case for why by the end of the next decade every successful company will be a software product company or a hybrid software and physical product company. We agree and if you want to talk transformation give us callSeries of the week Tell Me Who I AmTell Me Who I Am is Netflix's latest original documentary offering a story so shocking that you might be left wondering whether it's true. It is. The film introduces twin brothers Alex and Marcus Lewis, now in their 50s, who are each working through trauma.The first act of the documentary is told from Alex's perspective; as he reveals his loss of memory resulting from a motorbike accident when he was 18 years old. As he awoke in hospital with no memory of what had happened, what came before or even recognizing the woman standing by his bedside as his mother, the only person he did know was his twin brother Marcus. And what happens after that is well worth the viewing. Mulling on this           Astrology In the Age of UncertaintyThis New Yorker article is a perplexing exploration as to the Millennials who see no contradiction between using astrology and believing in science and who are fueling a resurgence of the practice. This quote made us wonder about this impact of this trend of faith, purpose and science fact. “It’s about negative capability. To endure doubt is ultimately the only thing you can do in life—to not strive for meaning or answers, and to endure the state you’re in.”Tools we’re using What Emoji should I use for this?Ever found yourself wanting to add an Emoji to a social media update, blog post, or marketing message to add context but left wondering the one you picked would have the right impact?We just discovered this great little tool a browser-based app that helps you search and discover the rig... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this second series of clips, we share more of our guest’s reflections.Over the last twelve months, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing some extraordinary people and have been inspired by their passion, insights, and wisdom. We sat down with Partner at Pentagram Emily Oberman Episode 53 to discuss the importance of cultivating a distinctive character. Enjoy her answerWhen we met Michael Ventura Episode 4, explained his model for Applied Empathy - we can all benefit from this.We asked Dr. Merritt Moore Episode no 14 Word Class Ballet dancer and Quantum Physicist about how she broke through cultural and societal conventions and barriers using a personal mantra.We asked Roberto Rabanne Episode 50, the 60/70’s photographer of rock and roll icons to reflect on the parallels of the world today to the countercultural movement he experienced in the 60’s. Finally, Author of the Bullet Journal Ryder Carroll Episode 9 discussed the importance of understanding passion curiosity and purposeThat’s all for now and all our best wishes for a spectacular 2020.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the last twelve months I’ve had the privilege of interviewing some extraordinary people and have been inspired by their passion, insights, and wisdom.  The following audio clips are just a short selection of our guest’s reflections. We asked John C Haven’s Episode 40 to reflect on the societal changes required in an AI-driven world and the challenge for businesses to look beyond just meeting their numbers.    We then asked Jazz Musician and Mathematician Marcus G Miller Episode 56 what he would do to the education system to improve the opportunities for youth.  Caroline Chubb Calderon Episode No 42 reflected on the challenges of retaining our humanity as we face of identity politics, political polarization and the encroachment of AI in work and life.  And Shantell Martin Episode 25 reflects on serendipity by providing a beautiful metaphor for how hard work Creates opportunity. Finally, I asked Debbie Millman Episode 30 about the serendipity of a seemingly career-ending set of events redefined her future path Enjoy the holidays and we will be back with new guests next week.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Week’s Guest Michael Hanchett Hanson - deconstructing creativityWhat is creativity - It's a big question. I’ve worked in the creative industries all my life, yet I’ve never considered creativity to from a psychological and developmental perspective until I sat down with this weeks guest Michael Hanchett Hanson - author and founder and director of the Masters Concentration in Creativity and Cognition program at Teachers College, Columbia University,In part one of the interview, we cover the impact of Michael's upbringing and the dual influence of his mother and father, his mentors and his early ambitions growing up in Texan Bible belt.Michael deconstructs the social, material and temporal components of creativity. We discuss genius, distinctiveness, and exceptionality.Finally, we cover the serendipity in his journey and how he applies creativity in his life.I hope you find value in this vibrant and vigorous exploration of creativity with Michael Hanchett Hanson.The Podcast we Love Joshua Spodek Leadership and The Environment This is a podcast from one of our upcoming guests. Josh is the ultimate renaissance man with an incredible personal journey. We are sharing Josh’s interview from 2018 with Bea Johnson, TEDx Speaker and a mother living a zero waste lifestyle for over ten years. Listen to Josh’s other podcasts, they are packed with value and insights on leadership and the environment.. We found this online From coal country to solar country When in the midst of a grand transition from fossil fuels to renewables but it still feels we are too reliant on fossil fuel economy. We read this piece in the Atlantic about how in one Colorado county, solar-energy-training classes are helping ease the transition from fossil fuels to renewables and may well fill the economic hole left by the dying coal industry, which sustained the area for more than 120 years. There may be insights and lessons here for other regions and countries working to address what is a global imperative.Recommended to usThe case against contemporary feminism A past guest sent us this exploration of what feminism means in the age of Trump. The New Yorker article sets out two recently published arguments against contemporary feminism that have emerged in near-exact opposition to each other: either feminism has become too strict an ideology or it has softened to the point of uselessness. Both sides make a compelling case. Series of the week College Behind Bars This four-part series streamed on PBS in the US, follows men and women incarcerated in maximum and medium security prisons across New York state over the span of four years, as they attempt to gain college degrees through the Bard Prison Initiative (BPI), one of the most rigorous prison education programs in the U.S.Producer Sarah Botstein states “ We always say we hope the film will raise two really important questions: who in our country should, and does have access to education? And what is prison for? We hope people think about how those two questions intersect with the systemic issues of race and poverty, and what is broken about our country.”This is not just a US issue but a global one. Mulling on thisIs life just a game? Is what we experience just a user interface? Donald Hoffman argues such. Is this a plausible argument? If so, there must be a game maker? But who, what, or where is the game god? I am posting this thought as an early stage consideration that there may be a way to reconcile ancient religious doctrines, teachings and dogmas with emerging scientific insights to create a new point of view or perspective on our existence and reason for being. Watch this space. Tools we’re using Over AppIf you don’t use Sketch or Adobe tools but want to bring your ideas to life and make a visual impact in simple and easy manner then Over is your app. A combination of curated cont... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest OverviewWhat is creativity - It's a big question. I’ve worked in the creative industries all my life, yet I’ve never considered creativity to from a psychological and developmental perspective until I sat down with this weeks guest Michael Hanchett Hanson - author and founder and director of the Masters Concentration in Creativity and Cognition program at Teachers College, Columbia University,In part one of the interview, we cover the impact of Michael's upbringing and the dual influence of his mother and father, his mentors and his early ambitions growing up in Texan Bible belt.Michael deconstructs the social, material and temporal components of creativity. We discuss genius, distinctiveness, and exceptionality.Michael breaks down creativity and explains the impact of education on creativity and the value of deep learning, and explains the domain-general and domain-specific theories of creativity.Michael debunks the notion of out of the box thinking and provides an alternative mode and we discuss the value of constraints in creativity.Finally, we cover the serendipity in his journey and how he applies creativity in his life.I hope you find value in this vibrant and vigorous exploration of creativity with Michael Hanchett Hanson.What we discuss His early upbringing in TexasGrowing up in the Bible beltMichael discusses his father's intellectual influenceHis Mother’s aesthetic influenceMichael describes his mentor Howard GruberPendergast regime and prohibitionThe safety of his upbringingSchool life in TexasThe supportive role of his motherBeing a cognitive voyeurStudying architectureDistributed cognitionGruber's definition of creativityThe social material and temporal distribution of creativitySymbol making animalsGenius - the Latin definitionGenius is in the workGenius is not in the person. The genius is in the work as it coalesces socially, materially, in temporarily.Ken RobinsonClayton ChristensenThe role of education and creativityCreativity - domain-specific or generalistThe role of the depth of understandingDivergent thinkingStructureProcrastinationHis level of creativityCuriosityWhen we need to avoid creativityThe intellectual, philosophical and aesthetic.The network of enterprisePrinciplesTough choicesThe Impossible QuestionThe role of graceEffort and work Connecting Linkedin Links in the showWorldmaking: Psychology and the Ideology of Creativity Howard Gruber Jean Piaget Thomas AquinasBeyond Good and EvilEdward Clapp Project Zero Harvard Robert Lustig The Mud club The Infidel and the ProfessorThe courage to create Creativity and constraints  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Week’s Guest Stephen Hecht, the co-founder of Million Peacemakers, provides inspiration to anyone that doubts their ability to change the world for the better, at scale. Stephen is proof that good intentions, a little creativity, underpinned by clear goals can result in monumental impact, at any age.  Million Peacemakers is a non-profit organization that empowers people to transform conflict into what they call Nonflict. Stephens's inspiration came from his multi-faith work and his own transformation in focussing on the commonality in people over their differences.Over 225,000 people around the world trained in the first 5 years with a focus on youth, families, and businesses, Stephen is changing the world one peacemaker training session at a time.Listen to Stephens story or sign up to be a peacemaker at MillionPeacemakers.org.The Podcast we Love Slate podcasts make really sold shows but it’s Slow Burn series is a wonderful podcast that has told two of the biggest stories of the 20th Century The Watergate scandal and the impeachment of Bill Clinton. In season three Slow Burn tells the story of the murders of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. It’s a fascinating insight into the gang-related, east coast-west coast, BadBoy-Deathrow rivalries that ripped apart the hip hop community.   Listen on SpotifyWe found this online We found this really useful article in HBR. Whether it’s in interviews or negotiations, we are frequently asked questions we would rather not answer. In many instances, an honest answer might weaken our position, compromise our privacy, or disclose sensitive corporate information. A dishonest response might make the situation worse still. This article explores the mechanism and value of using deflection as a strategy and how it can impact both our economic outcome and our relationship with the person asking.Recommended to usEver wondered how the Explicit Lyrics Sticker that we see on albums emerged? The story behind and the battle behind Parental Advisory and Music Censorship is extraordinary. Estelle Caswell from VOX tells the story How heavy metal and Satan gave us this sticker.Movie of the week This week’s recommendation is a series. We just finished The Loudest Voice - the seven-part limited series based on a bestselling book is about Roger Ailes, the founder of Fox News. To understand the events that led to the rise of the modern Republican party, one must understand Ailes. Focusing primarily on the past decade in which Ailes arguably became the party’s de facto leader, the series also touches on defining events in Ailes’ life. If you can access it watch Russell Crowe’s portrayal of Ailes is riveting. Mulling on thisFollowing the outcome of the UK Election where England voters triggered a landslide Conservative win for Boris Johnson’s strategy and Scotland voted in opposition with the nationalists winning the popular vote. This article published before the election Why We Need to Stop Dreaming of England.This might well be the time to abandon the myth of Englishness as Britain collectively must embrace the real challenges of Brexit and the radical upheaval that lies ahead. Tools we’re Using This week we are featuring a new philanthropic app. It’s called Give Momentum - think Venmo for giving - you make automatic donations that transform ordinary moments like buying coffee, seeing Ronaldo score a goal or even when the President Tweets into opportunities for meaningful and positive change. Give anywhere, get some guidance, and track your impact, all in one place. It makes giving fun. Social Impact And finally, someone is turning off the tap on plastic pollution.NextWave Member companies like HP and IKEA working to decrease the volume of plastic and nylon litter and waste before it enters the ocean. Members are committed to demonstrating to other companies the comm... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.