The Impossible Network

Guest OverviewAn entrepreneur at school and university, an innovator in digital branded content, founder and CEO of Bibblio and an attention economy thought leader is this weeks’ guest, Mads HolmenIn this episode, Danish born, London based Mads discusses his parents contribution, and the impact of the Italian educational philosophy Reggio Emilia on his self-belief, and his curiosity. Also how serendipity directed his entrepreneurial journey.We then dive deep as Mads shares his insights on the challenges we face in our attention economy, the current reality of AI on our digital media behavior, the negative societal impact of attention driving algorithms, and he articulates with clarity how we can counter the duopolistic strangle-hold of Google and Facebook.Mads also explains how his company Bibblio is creating a pathway for publishers to increase audiences and revenues without the use of invasive and irrelevant advertising technology, and the imperative for a code of ethics to govern AI development.We hope you enjoy this thought provoking, distraction free and practical perspective on the attention economy with Mads Holmen.What we discussThe value of his early education under the Italian Reggio Emilia system The impact of his parents on his sense of self-belief and what he considers possibleHis early entrepreneurial endeavors at school and universityWhere serendipity kicked inPath to digital viral content at Go ViralHis corporate experience at AOLMads decision to leap into an entrepreneurial lifeGetting to product market fitHis views on the evolution of the digital media spaceThe realities of the attention economyHis perspectives on publishing’s past, present and futureWe discuss AI and ethicsThe social impact of algorithmsWhere Bibblio is headedHis principlesHis hard choicesWhere he goes to discover new ideasHis influencesWho made him reevaluate herselfWho surprised him the mostHow he stays up to date with TechnologyHis answer to the Impossible questionWho to interview nextSocial Links BibblioLinkedinFacebookTwitter Links in the Show Joe Edelman Tristan Harris Jonathan Harris Neil Postman Quote Carole Cadwalladr TED Talk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest OverviewNew York born, Hollywood stylist, creator of the first expert management agency, a trend spotter and teacher, and co-founder of moms' charity YourMomCares.org, is this week's guest, the irrepressible and inspirational Sharon Feldstein.Leaving her beloved NYC aged 19, Sharon earned an early break as a costume designer on 70’s hit TV sitcom, TAXI. Never looking back Sharon became a Hollywood stylist, known for her trend spotting ability.In the late 90’s she created the global trend of sparkle phone covers, before moving on to create the first expert management agency.Combining her strong sense of justice with her belief in showing up, and her action taking attitude to life, Sharon has used her position as mother of Jonah Hill and Beanie Feldstein, to partner with Patsy Noah (Adam Levine’s Mom) and Terria Joseph (Alicia Keys Mom) to create YourMomCares. Now on a mission to help the most vulnerable children by raising awareness and funding for organizations focused on children’s child mental wellness, Sharon’s next chapter is underway.Buckle up for the fun and relentless ride through the life of Sharon FeldsteinWhat we discussThe impact of her father on Sharon’s sense of self belief and what she considers possibleHer early exposure to the fashion businessHer mother’s impact The matriarchal strength of her grandmotherBeing different and standing outHer respect for Patricia fieldsHer embrace of diversityHer view of life and relationshipsHer early years and education in fashionMoving to LA at 20 years oldHer early break in the sitcom TaxiHer fearlessness and bravadoHer work ethic and willingness to learnHer evolution to stylistHow she became a trend spotterHer development of sparkle phone coversHow she built on her creativity with technical knowledgeHer charitable characterHer mottoTrends and the start of Expert ManagementOn being relentless vs being persistentThe importance of work ethic, respect and teamworkSharonismsImportance of humorHer principlesHer hard choicesWhere she goes to discover new ideasHer influencesWho made her reevaluate herselfWho surprised her the mostHow she stays up to date with TechnologyHer answer to the Impossible questionWho to interview nextSocial Links YourMomCares.org Instagram Twitter Links in the Show Ed Weinberger TaxiMarilu HennerAndy KaufmanBooksmart Movie Beanie FeldsteinElizabeth Strout My name is Lucy Barton Simon Sinek - Start With Why Whoopi Goldberg Adam Levine Alicia Keys Jonah Hill Michael FlutieBrad Jenkins White House Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest OverviewAn expert in the economics of the data on the dark web, an advisor on cyber-crime and security and respected specialist on geopolitical risk, trends and their impact on business and society, welcome to this week's guest, Munish Walther puri.Born in California to Physician parents, we discuss the impact of Munish’s upbringing as part of the Indian diaspora, how the cross-cultural influences conditioned by his school, sports and pastimes prepared him the world he now inhabits.We explore how curiosity, serendipity, and creativity impacted Munish's journey to the intersection the data, the dark web and the cyber risks facing businesses, communities, and society.I hope you enjoy this inspiring but sobering episode serendipity cyber risk and security with Munish Walther Puri. What we discussHis upbringing to physician parentsBeing part of the Indian diasporaThe cross-cultural influences from moving between different communities in the SF Bay Area on his sense of identityThe impact and creativity from being the only boy at his sister’s dance school.How his upbringing helped him forge connections easilyThe experience of being a Hindu being schooled in a Christian school and exposure to multiple religionsHow this instilled curiosityThe diversity and multiplicity of the courses and subjects he studiedHis entry into a professional career in Risk AnalysisHow he began to use data and open source toolsThe intersection of fraud, terrorism and cyberRisk and intelligence frameworks to different scenariosHow he considers riskThe diffusion and proliferation of cyber capabilitiesThe shifting from a unipolar world to a multipolar worldHow he views failureOur quick fire questionsThe people who inspire himWhat’s made him revaluation himselfWhat he’d do with the keys to the White HouseHis principlesHis hard choicesWhere he discovers new ideasWho inspires himHow creativity manifests itself in his workHow he stays up to date with technologyThe impossible questionThe book he recommendsWho we interview next Links to SocialLinkedinTwitter and Twitter Links in showThe First 90 Days The History of Risk Steven Pinker Maslow hierarchy of needsThe Triz Method JC Linklider Man-Machine Symbiosis Philip P Dick  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest OverviewA Pratt Industrial Design Alum and Professor, a former George Nelson senior designer, a career spanning over 60 years, creator of the iconic Dunkin Donuts logo and timeless products that still sell in high-end design stores, this week’s guest is 91-year-old, Lucia DeRespinis.Lucia's life could not be described as easy or predictable. Moving home as a child every two years, her father dying when she was fourteen, being only one of 2 women in an industrial design class of 62 men in 1949, building a career in design in male-dominated 1950's New York, losing her husband at age 40, and bringing up child as a single mother, Lucia's life force should inspire anyone to defy what society defines as possible.At 91-year-old Lucia is still a Professor at Pratt, passing on her wisdom, teaching design thinking to a new generation of talent, and in doing so re-calibrating our perception of age.I hope you enjoy this deep dive into design, abstraction and life lessons with Lucia DeRespinis.What we discuss:Lucia’s early life where change became the normHer father’s influence on her design and building skillsThe impact of her father’s early deathHow chance or serendipity led her to a course on Industrial Design at Pratt Institute in 1949Being one of only two women on the course of 64 menHow she confronted gender stereotypes in her first roleHer path to becoming a senior designer at top design studio George NormanHer experiences at the World Fair in the USSR in 1960The impact of her husband, Lou’s early deathHer answers and insights into Elaine’s design questions on abstraction and 3DPratt’s approach to designHow Dunkin Donuts Logo was bornHer views on AI and the future of designHer perspective on the educational imperativeOur quick fire questionsAnd the Impossible QuestionLinks in showPratt InstituteGeorge Nelson Dunkin Donuts Logo Corey Cambridge Silent Giants Lucia’s DesignsLucia’s longer story Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest OverviewA black belt in Karate by 12, a nationally certified, accomplished celebrity trainer in his 20’s, and a holistic fitness expert in exercise science, biomechanics, and nutrition by 30, just some of the accomplishments of this week’s guest Joshua Holland.Josh has developed personalized techniques and programs to transform the bodies of a host of celebrities including Madonna, Oscar Isaac, Gigi Hadid, and Roger Waters, and is responsible for the health and wellness of many notable people in the worlds of business, fashion, and entertainment.He is currently co-founder of @SystimFit and @432House in the heart of Midtown, Manhattan and is constantly expanding and growing with his wonderful team of like-minded trainers and health coaches.In part 2 of this extensive exploration of holistic health excellence, we ask Josh some fundamental but important questions; Cardio vs strength training; Sleep, Exercise and Nutrition- which order? Meat, vegetables or insects? Breakfast or fast? Cold showers, why? Alcohol - good or bad? Chocolate and chips? Hydrogen peroxide! Ozone ….explain?And we ask Josh his advice for anyone wanting to get started improving their wellbeingThere is a lot more of Josh’s gems to enjoy in this second episode with Joshua J. Holland.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this short bonus episode Josh answers some questions we didn’t ask in last weeks interview. Who’s surprised him and who’s made him reevaluate himself and the differences when training celebrities with time and money and the normal everyday clients he also trains. Please enjoy this short bonus episode. Part Two of Josh Holland and his health insights and nutrition advice drops later this week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest OverviewA black belt in Karate by 12, a nationally certified, accomplished celebrity trainer in his 20’s, and a holistic fitness expert in exercise science, biomechanics, and nutrition by 30, just some of the accomplishments of this week’s guest Joshua Holland.Josh has developed personalized techniques and programs to transform the bodies of a host of celebrities including Madonna, Oscar Isaac, Gigi Hadid and Roger Waters, and is responsible for the health and wellness of many notable people in the worlds of business, fashion and entertainment.He is currently co-founder of @SystimFit and @432House in the heart of Midtown, Manhattan and is constantly expanding and growing with his wonderful team of like-minded trainers and health coaches.In part one, of a two-part series, we cover Josh’s early development, his father and mothers instrumental impact in developing his standards of excellence, his innate curiosity, and how serendipity led him to become the trainer of people like Madonna and Roger Waters of Pink Floyd...accompanying them on world tours and establishing himself as one of the most sought after celebrity trainers and fitness experts.I hope you enjoy this episode of exercise excellence, and entrepreneurial endeavor with Joshua J Holland."If you want to change your body and mind, you must change what it is you do most of the time!"What We Discuss:The combination of discipline and freedom his parents providedThe self-belief he gained from starting martial arts at age fourThe holistic learning impact of his trainingHow his Black Belt at age 12 became a gateway to basketballEarly use of performance analyticsHow he was praised for effort over talentHis unconscious conscious feedback loopHis path of goal setting and goal settingHis ambition to play pro basketballHow he embraced the reality of setbacksHow those setbacks spurred him on to greater successHis journey to New YorkThe sacrifices he made along the wayThe opportunity that opened upThe serendipitous connections that led him to Tracy Anderson and ultimately MadonnaHow his father rigor and discipline prepared him to meet Madonna's exacting standardsHis principlesHis hard choicesHis inspirationsThe book he recommendsHis Impossible adviceConnecting on SocialJoshua J Holland On TwitterOn Instagram On Facebook432 House SystimFitLinks in showRoger WatersMadonna Oscar Issac Tracy Anderson Gigi HadidAwakening Your Inner Genius IkigaiEarthing Bands   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest overviewThis week’s guest is Kenyatta Johnson. Following the murder of his cousin in 1998, he formed Peace Not Guns, a non for profit he formed to end and prevent gun violence through education and programs created to give children an alternative to the streets. His activism led to a successful run for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and in 2012 he became the youngest elected Council member of Philadelphia City Council.Growing up in Point Breeze, South Philadelphia, Kenyatta’s life straddled a fine line between educational opportunity and the environmental pressure to follow the path street crime. However a serendipitous gun charge set him on a committed course of education and advancement, culminating in a degree in criminal justice and a Master’s in government administration and public finance from the U. Penn.He now uses his political power to fervently fight for social injustice, a reduction in economic inequality and improvements in workplace diversity and inclusion.I hope you enjoy the passion and political perspectives of Councilman Kenyatta Johnson.What we discussThe impact of Kenyatta’s upbringing by his mother, stepfather and grandmotherHow his faith prevented him from crossing the line into a life of crimeHow a gun charge at aged sixteen became a serendipitous event that set him on a course for college and universityHow his mentor gave him a roadmap to success in lifeHis reason for entering public life and life of serviceHow local government works with social enterprises and NGO’sHow Kenyatta’s addressing economic inequality and gun crime in PhiladelphiaHis focus on minority diversity and inclusion requirements for new economic developments What he’d do with the keys to White HouseHow he defines a quality educationWhere he goes to discover new ideasHis principlesHis hard choicesHis inspirationsThe books he recommendsHis impossible adviceHis views on the 2020 Election.Connecting on SocialOn TwitterOn FacebookOn LinkedinLinks in showThe Book Kenyatta Recommends - That We Offer - The Autobiography of Malcolm XFrederick Douglass Autobiography President Truman’s Leadership Peace Not Guns Rep Jordan Harris Benjamin BannekerCrispus Attucks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest overviewA world-class ballet dancer, a Ph.D. in Quantum Optics, a participant in the BBC Astronaut training series ' Have You Got What Takes', being featured in the book 'Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls' and listed in Forbes '30 under 30', all by the age of 30; these are some of the not so small accomplishments in the impossible story of Dr. Merritt Moore.LA born, of a Korean mother and American father, Merritt’s upbringing equipped her with the curiosity, problem-solving skills, and the unconventional mindset to defy conventions that dictate the impossibility of being world class in Ballet and Quantum Physics, at the same time.I hope you enjoy this conversational collision of art and science with Dr. Merritt MooreWhat we discussThe impact of Merritt’s upbringing on her ability to perform at a world-class levelHow her parent's combined science and arts to inspire her imaginationThe empowerment strategies they employed that shaped her view of what’s possibleHer father's media exclusion tactics, used to insulate her from 90’s reality influenceHow science and art infused her life from an early ageHow she was bitten by the Ballet bugHow a serendipitous encounter in Italy aged 15 defined her ballet journeyHow she developed her love of quantum physicsHow her father's goal defining challenge set her on a course of excellence over perfectionHer lack of fearlessness and perception of risk and failureHow she applies creativity in science researchHer application of science to improve her balletHer astronaut training experienceThe challenge we set ourselves to connect Merritt with Elon MuskHer views on diversity and inclusion in educationHow historic media reinforces gender stereotypesWhat she’d do with the keys to The White HouseHer principlesHer hard choicesHer inspirationsThe book she recommendsHer impossible adviceConnecting on SocialDr. Merritt Moore On TwitterOn InstagramOn LinkedinLinks in showThe Book She Recommends That We Offer - The Art of Learning Sylvie Guillem Melissa Franklin - Harvard Quantum PhysicsSchrödinger's catNorwegian BalletZurich BalletBBC Astronauts - Do You Have What It TakesWait Not Why - Elon Musk TEDx Dance Your PhDBed-Time Stories For Rebel Girls Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest overviewAnyone that’s ever embarked on a creative task or endeavor, will probably have experienced procrastination. It’s a feeling and behavior that is loaded with guilt and negative emotions. However, I’ve always had a gut feeling that procrastination or delay can result in better creative outcomes or even something serendipitous. That’s why I was looking forward to meeting this week’s guest - the Chicago born, Brooklyn based, award-winning Author, journalist and sometime procrastinator, Andrew Santella.Andrew’s most recent book Soon: An Overdue History of Procrastination, from Leonardo to Darwin to You and Me, is a well-researched, intellectual and witty exploration of the subject of Procrastination. Note from Andrew- this is not self-help or how to cure procrastination book!As a writer for such publications as GQ, Slate, and the Atlantic, Andrew explores everything from the definition and practices of procrastination to the habits and outcomes of famous historic procrastinators such as Da Vinci, Benjamin Franklin, and Darwin. It’s a must-read for any self-confessed procrastinator.Without delay, I hope you enjoy this episode with Andrew Santella.What we discuss In this episode we discuss:The impact of Andrews upbringing on his procrastinationThe feeling of not doing enough and the shame associated with itThe guilt creator of the Crucifix and the ClockThe radical course of selecting to study Englishat universityProcrastination as an affliction or a tacticDarwin’s conflict, ambivalence, anddisciplineDaVinci’s curiosity, distraction, and procrastinationHis focus on understanding how procrastination makes us feel, and whyProcrastination and serendipityThe balance of cranking out work vs delaying due to gut feelThe concept of self-handicapping to protect your self-imageWe even touch on free willWhether we need to embrace and discuss procrastination in educationThe pejorative associations with procrastinationWhat he’d do with the keys to White HouseHis principlesHis hard choicesHis inspirationsThe book he recommendsHis impossible adviceSaint ExpediteThe guilt of getting right with GodAristotle’s Akrasia theoryConnecting on SocialAndrew Santella On TwitterOn InstagramLinks in showSoon: An Overdue History of ProcrastinationEisenhower Matrix Steven Johnson - Make decisions that matterRyder Carroll- Bullet Journal Walker Percy - The Moviegoer. Geoff Dyer Mission of BurmaWireClash Band Straight to hell Graham MacIndoeSaint Expedite New OrleansAkrasia   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.