The Impossible Network

Guest overview Joshua Spodek is the epitome of a renaissance man.A two-time TEDx speaker, #1 bestselling author, host of the award-winning Leadership and the Environment podcast, and professor and coach of entrepreneurship and leadership at NYU and Columbia Business School.He is a regular speaker on environmental leadership at institutions such as Boston Consulting Group, Google, IBM, Harvard, Princeton, West Point, MIT, and Stanford,Oh he also has a PhD in astrophysics and an MBA from Columbia, helped build an X-ray observational satellite with the European Space Agency and NASA.He founded a venture to market his invention— an innovative media productHe’s an artist and has installed public works in New York and Amsterdam. He studied Meisner acting Technique at the William Esper Studio. He has taught art at Parsons and NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program.He’s run seven marathons (3:51 best), rowed one, competed at the world level of Ultimate Frisbee He’s swum across the Hudson River, has done over 140,000 burpees, written over 3,500 blog posts, and has taken over 430 cold showers, He hasn’t flown (by choice) since March 2016, has picked up at least one piece of street trash per day since April 2017, and takes over a year to produce on bag of garbage. What we discuss In part one we cover Josh’s upbringing, the impact his parents divorce, education, dealing with insecurity, his curiosity. discovering his love of math and science, finding joy in discipline and his evolutionary approach to living.We also dive deep into Josh’s commitment to influence and invite the guests he interviews on his podcast and the corporate clients he consults to embrace personal behavioral changes that will impact on the environment. Josh explains the process of taking actions and joy that results from the values he lives by. We also discuss why his approach can be embraced by anyone willing to live more sustainable lives. I hope you enjoy the intellect, inspiration, environmental action and leadership principles of Joshua SpodekSocial Links LinkedinTwitterFacebook Links In Show Fanny and Alexander Champion Mindset Leadership Step By StepLeadership and The Environment Maria Sharapova Book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

First up the Podcast We LovedDr David Perlmutter - On Ultimate Health So much insight on brain health here from Board-Certified Neurologist and Fellow of the American College of Nutrition Dr. David Perlmutter on Ultimate Health podcast as he covers stress and lack of sleep, the impact of the pre-fontal cortex and the amygdala on our wellbeing and what lifestyle choices trigger them to compete, The Western diet and inflammation, how to manage our digital experience using hisT.I.M.E. model, the positive health benefits of being in nature, and his 20 minute a day meditation practiceWe found this online Is It Wrong To Be Hopeful About Climate Change This BBC Futures piece sets out what our everyday actions - yes we can make a difference - are what counts as “hope is profoundly linked with action: both ours and that of others alongside us.”. It means rolling up our sleeves and making lifestyle changes like reducing the packaging we purchase. Recommended to usWhat to Expect By 2030Our friends Faris and Rosie shared Azeem Azhar’s post from his Exponential View blog on the “what we can expect in the next 10 years — from increasingly fragmented geopolitics, to climate change being the dominant narrative, rethinking the purpose of economies, eating less meat, and yeah, unfortunately big tech companies like FB, Google and Amazon working aggressively to hoover up data wherever they can, using their balance sheets to expand into new arenas.” Last Week’s Podcast A few weeks ago I 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 discussion and state that creativity is a state of mind.We 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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest Overview First of all thanks Stephen Hecht for the recommendation. Born in Milwaukee Wisconsin, Arno Michaelis grew up in a caring loving family but the combination of being told he could achieve anything while witnessing his artistic mother’s suffering from dealing with her husband’s alcoholism drove him to bullying and vandalism at school; to by age seventeen, becoming deeply involved in the white power movement and a founding member of what became the largest Neo-Nazi skinhead organization in the world. For years he followed the path of violence until he was confronted at a McDonalds checkout by elderly African American lady with a smile and pointing at his swastika tattoo - “Saying that is not you, you are better than that” That moment started his path to redemption.  This is a two parter. Part One Arno recounts his early years and his descent into violence, and how a mass killing at a Sikh temple in 2012 led him to form a bond with Pardeep Singh Kaleka, whose father was murdered in the temple by a white supremacist gunman in a Milwaukee suburb. The gunman who killed Pardeep’s dad and five others, was a member of the white power group that Arno had founded years earlier. Part Two we cover Arno’s path away from extremism, his recent book with Pardeep Singh Kaleka -The Gift of Our Wounds, the work he is doing to promote the practice of peace, traveling, speaking and working with all kinds of reformed extremists to confront hateful ideologies through storytelling, fearless creativity and compassion.I hope you are inspired by the kindness, gratitude, and compassion of Arno Michaelis  What we discuss?The impact of an elderly African American server in McDonalds defied him with kindness and destroyed his self identity in one comment. How it has made him committed to random acts of kindness. Walking away from the movement to confront extremism. Haram explained. Pradeep's Monster Ted x Talk. How rave music and culture became his gateway to a new life.His personal mission statement of ‘I'm working towards a society where all people are valued and included.’ Why he thinks everyone needs a personal mission statement.The work he is doing now with telling his story at events around the world. Meeting Deeyah Kahn.Confronting polarization through embracing uncertainty.And How curiosity reinforces uncertainty.The power of story and being cognizant of where our story is taking us.The connection between AI, extremism and fear of loss.His support of Andrew Yang.Race Traders.Universal Basic Income. The imperative of changing the education system. Meditation and inner peace and why children need to meditate .Serendipity and his Fox Lane Prison.Gratitude, Kindness, and Compassion as his core principles.‘Bravery Creates Possibility’.Separatism as the biggest problem to solve. Daryl Davis and de-robing KKK.The question we should have asked. Social Feeds?Website Instagram Facebook Youtube Twitter  Links Punk Rock Deeyah Kahn Film Maker Deviate book Occam’s RazorGift of Our Wounds Gift of our Wounds youtube Serve to Unite Sharon Risher For a time such as this Fox Lane Prison Monster Ted x Talk Forgiveness Project HaramSikh Faith Hitler’s application to Art school Daryl Davis The Common party Declaration of Interdependence Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest Overview Arno Michaelis was born in Milwaukee Wisconsin, grew up in a caring loving family but the combination of being told he could achieve anything while witnessing his artistic mother’s suffering from dealing with her husband’s alcoholism drove him to bullying and vandalism at school; to by age seventeen, becoming deeply involved in the white power movement and a founding member of what became the largest Neo-Nazi skinhead organization in the world. For years he followed the path of violence until he was confronted at a McDonalds checkout by elderly African American lady with a smile and pointing at his swastika tattoo - “Saying that is not you, you are better than that”. That moment started his path to redemption.  This is a two parter. Part One Arno Michaelis recounts his early years and his descent into violence, and how a mass killing at a Sikh temple in 2012 led him to form a bond with Pardeep Singh Kaleka, whose father was murdered in the temple by a white supremacist gunman in a Milwaukee suburb. The gunman who killed Pardeep’s dad and five others, was a member of the white power group that Arno had founded years earlier. Part Two we cover Arno’s path away from extremism, his recent book with Pardeep Singh Kaleka -The Gift of Our Wounds, the work he is doing to promote the practice of peace, traveling, speaking and working with all kinds of reformed extremists to confront hateful ideologies through storytelling, fearless creativity and compassion.I hope you are inspired by the kindness, gratitude, and compassion of Arno Michaelis.Thanks Stephen Hecht for the recommendation. What we discuss?The impact of his upbringing. His Norwegian -Prussian heritage.The vision of his artistic mother .Arno’s Insurance salesman father. Growing up with loving parents who left him to run amok.Fueled by the continual praise from parents and teachers combined with him witnessing the suffering his mother, ignited anger in him and a destructive self image, driving his desire to cause pain and suffering to those around him.  The irony of loving hip-hop and being a white kid ahead of the trend before turning his attention to punk rock to help satisfy his desire to his desire to repulse people.The paradox of being popular and able to connect with any group but wishing to cause revulsion.How by starting his first punk band combined with his nihilistic view of the world and a fascination with Greek and Norse mythology and warrior self image became the gateway characteristics that led Anro Michaelis into the white supremacist movement.How Arno Michaelis willingly embraced the white supremacist narrative and how it enabled him to reject what he considered the status quo and growing multicultural trend, all he was really doing was trying to offend and ‘piss people off’.Laziness and blame in ideology.The parallels of the jihadist movement and White supremacy. The commonalities in any violent extremist narrative.How he is now connected to ex-extremists.How the murders by Wade Paige of seven in Wisconsin in 2012 led him to meet Pardeep Singh Kaleka. How they have developed a connection and have written a book together called the Gift in Our Hate.The process of forgiveness and why forgiveness is vengeance. His exhaustion and walking away from hate and using Rave culture as his gateway drug.His parents inability and willful denial of his activity.Haram as a commonality Social FeedsWebsite Instagram Facebook Youtube Twitter Links Punk Rock Deeyah Kahn Film Maker Deviate book Occam’s RazorArno Michaelis Gift of Our Wounds Gift of our Wounds youtube Serve to Unite Sharon Risher For a time such as this Fox Lane Prison Monster Ted x Talk Forgiveness Project HaramSikh Faith Hitler’s application to A... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.