The Impossible Network

Guest OverviewThis week’s guest is author, consultant, speaker, mentor and curiosity charged connector, Nicole Yershon.Since starting her career in advertising at aged nineteen, Nicole has been forging the path of change, driving digital disruption inside traditional ad agencies and beyond.Hired to initiate innovation at advertising institution Ogilvy & Mather Group, her lab inspired innovation across brands such as Amex, IBM, BP, Selfridges, Unilever and British Airways.With an Amazon bestseller, Rough Diamond, to her name, Nicole recently launched her innovation consultancy NYC - Nicole Yershon Collective - to help organizations embrace radical digital transformation, through her experience, her ‘why not’ attitude and ability to translate business problems into innovation opportunities and real business value.In this episode Nicole is joined by her collective partner, John Caswell, who’s helping businesses solve their big gnarly problems by thinking visually, using a technique he has designed called Structured Visual ThinkingI hope you enjoy the maverick thinking of Nicole Yershon and John Caswell.What we discuss:Nicole’s East End of London upbringingThe influence and impact of her parents on her thick-skinThe influence of Dave Trott or the ‘School of Trott’Her ‘fixing’ attitudeHer journey to digital transformation at OgilvyHer accountability model (Revenue, Retention, Reputation, Responsibility, Recruitment, and Relationship)Her approach to serendipity and alchemySay principle of ‘we do as we say and do as we say’The end of her advertising careerHow her integrity impacted on her journey to successHer fearless manifestoThe importance of curiosityThe importance of knowing yourselfHer integrityHow John solves business problemsWolfram on teaching computational thinkingThe art of writing business exam questionsHow they forensically mine businesses to find solutionsWhat they’d do with the keys to No 10 Downing Street or the White HouseTheir principlesTheir hard choicesTheir Impossible adviceThe books they recommendConnecting on Social Nicole Yershon On TwitterOn LinkedinJohn Caswell - Group Partners Links in showSir Ronald Cohen Dave Trott Books Roger MartinJustin Dillon Yves Bergquist Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest OverviewThree time Foreign Correspondent of the Year nominee (the UK equivalent of a Pulitzer Prize), a dozen major International Prizes for Reporting including four Amnesty International Awards for Outstanding Human Rights Journalism, a Royal Television Society Award for Documentary-Making and a Martha Gellhorn Prize Nominee for War Reporting, Foreign Press Association of London writer of the Year and One World Journalist of the Year for outstanding Foreign Reporting, these awards are testament to the talent and tenacity of Scottish born journalist Dan McDougallDan was also voted one of the world’s most influential people in the field of ethical trading by the US-based Ethisphere Institute, he is also a visiting lecturer at the University of Cambridge on Business and Human Rights and recently spoke at The UnitedNations in Geneva on the impact of corporate supply chains on the world’s poorest.He’s also an ardent Glasgow Celtic Fan and a all round good guy.I hope you enjoy this stimulating and uncompromising discussion with Dan MacDougallWhat we discuss:The influence of his working class upbringing in Glasgow, ScotlandHow he developed his political sensibilitiesThe impact of Poet Robert BurnsThe teacher that influenced his journeyHis route to tabloid journalism in GlasgowHis reporters lifeThe value of his curiosity and tenacious spirit in uncovering storiesHow serendipity changed his path during the 2005 TsunamiHis deep conviction to uncover corporate supply chain injusticesHis experiences of child labor abusesHis war correspondence experiencesHis views on fake newsDan’s perspective on educationWhat he’d do with the keys to No 10 Downing Street or the White HouseHis views on the importance of creativityHis principlesHis hard choicesTurning class into an advantageHis Impossible adviceThe books he recommendsLinks in ShowDan’s Current Content CompanyDan’s InstagramMiran Instagram Miran YouTubeLinks in showRobert BurnsHerges Adventures of Tin Tin Maya AngelouLetter From America Glasgow Celtic The Daily Record 2004 TsunamiHis Recommended BooksThe Sheltering Sky - Paul Bowels Road to Oxiana - Byron Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest OverviewNew York-based, Virginia-born, podcaster, rapper and songwriter, Corey Cambridge is a creative force of nature and a man on a journey.In his early career as a rapper and songwriter, he opened up acts such as J. Cole, N.E.R.D., and Kid Cudi and along the way garnering over 2 million YouTube views (and growing).In 2017 he launched Giant Umbrella, a content company, and podcast network.His flagship program Silent Giants is a podcast that celebrates the geniuses behind the scenes of pop culture and digs deep to investigate the stories of the creative superstars that have shaped our contemporary landscape.His recently launched OPP – Other Peoples’ Podcasts – a discovery platform that highlights his favorite podcasters and the dope shows they created.I hope you enjoy the entertaining episode with Corey Cambridge.What we discuss: His upbringing and family influences of his mother and grandparents and unclesHis people-centric approach to creativityThe impact of his journalingHis view of luck and probabilityHis views on the changing music scene in NYC and its decline as a creative forceWhy he expanded his artistic focus from Rap to PodcastingThe serendipity of connections he made in NYCHis ‘Just Do It’ attitudeThe importance of service as his core missionCombining his mission and being fearlessManaging his curiosityThe importance of knowing your brandThe value podcasting deliversThe story of Silent GiantsWhy he’s expanded it beyond music to popular cultureThe guests who surprised him and who have inspired himThe source and impact of his innate curiosityTuning out the noise of the negative newsWhat he’d do with keys to the White HouseHis principlesHis hard choicesWhere he discovers new ideasHis influences and inspirationHow to keep us with techHis ‘Impossible’ adviceThe books that impacted him and that we will offerHis view on life and livingThe latest Netflix and prime recommendationsFollow on Social Corey’s Email – coreycambridge86@gmail.comCorey on InstagramCorey on TwitterCorey on YouTubeLinks in showSilent Giants PodcastOPP: Other People’s’ PodcastsThe Alchemist Paulo CoelhoTuesdays with Morrie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest OverviewToday’s guest is Ryder Carroll, the creator of The Bullet Journal® method (or BuJo® for short) and author of the recent Bullet Journal book.Ryder, a digital product designer by trade, was diagnosed with A.D.D., a learning disability, early in life. This forced him to figure out alternate ways to be focused and productive. Through years of trial and error, he developed a methodology that went far beyond the organization. Now he focuses on helping others learn what the Bullet Journal method is truly about: the art of intentional living.In this episode we discuss his serendipitous journey to the Bullet Journal, the method, the practice and the underlying why of Bullet Journaling.I hope you enjoy this existential episode with Ryder CarrollWhat we discussHis initial discovery of having ADD, and coming to terms with itThe differing teachers’ reactionsThe actual ADD experienceHis early experimentation in managing it and how he disguised thisDealing with failure and his focus on ‘better over perfect’His parents’ impact on his self-viewValuable advice for parents with kids with ADDThe process vs the outcome and controlHis journey to journalling and designHow an unexpected disaster turned out to be a serendipitous eventHis worst first jobHis lessons in gratitude and taking responsibilityHow transition into digital design and how his early experience of online distraction reinforced his appreciation of analog space to thinkThe impact of the journal on his ability to remain focusedand productiveThe development of his analog applicationHow he started sharing the methodologyThe what, the how, and why of the Bullet JournalThe Method ( the system and the practice)Thoughtfulness, reflection, and intentionIts impact on mindfulness and declutteringThe link to contentment and the stories we tell ourselvesTurning insights into actions and goalsHis Impossible adviceThe book he recommendsTiny habitsGoal setting, purpose, curiosity, and passionFollow on Social The Bullet Journal Method (book)Ryder Carroll’s site Bullet Journal websiteRyder Carroll InstagramBullet Journal Facebook Bullet Journal InstagramBullet Journal PinterestBullet Journal YouTubeLinks in show“Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional” quoteTara Brach Meditation SiteSam Harris Waking Up AppEssentialism Book – free for the best comments in comment section

Guest OverviewOn Linkedin, Dave Birss describes himself as an Author. Public speaker. Consultant. Film-maker. Chap.I know him as one of the most interesting creative thinkers on idea development, innovation and why organizations and educational institutions must embrace creativity to prepare for our AI-powered future.With an award-winning career as a digital creative director in some of London’s top ad agencies behind him, Dave turned his creative attention to an exploration of the creative mind.Now 3 books to his name and methodology called Right Thinking, Dave is applying his creative thinking framework along with tools and resources to help organizations direct their mental and creative efforts more effectively.What we discuss:His definition of creativityHis perspective on innovation, ‘disruption’, and first to marketHe discusses this in relation to Nike’s Air technologyHis approach to Innovation strategyHe discusses his book and approach to building ‘Iconic Advantage’His new book ‘How to Get to New IdeaDave discusses the methodologyThe ghettoization of creativityHow to get better creative ideasWe discuss this in relation to fear, hierarchy, and leadershipWhy most CEO’s feel dissatisfied with their companies innovation effortsWe discuss Toyota’s approach to innovationIdeas, fear and the neuroscience of decision makingHis judgment frameworkBudgets, innovation and getting people of doing modeCreativity and the physiology of the brainHis upbringing and its influence on his creative journeyEducation and creativityAnd his impossible advice.Where to find on socialhttps://davebirss.comOn Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/davebirssOn Twitterhttps://twitter.com/davebirssOn Linkedinhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/davebirss/?originalSubdomain=ukOn Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/davebirss/Links in showDave’s BooksHow to Get to Great IdeasIconic Advantage A User Guide to the Creative Mind Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest OverviewThis week’s guest is Dr. Courtney Rennicke, founder of Rennicke Associates, a Manhattan-based Psychotherapy Practice that provides treatments for children, teens, and adults, dealing with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorders, and post-adoption issues.As a Massachusetts born, and Columbia University, trained clinical psychologist, Courtney has a mission to offer adults, children and families personalized, pragmatic and progressive therapies that help them understand their stories, deal with their darkest of moments in order to form stronger connections within themselves and with others.She travels internationally to train and coach mental health professionals, parents, and organizations about how attachment based principles can improve the quality of their lives and the culture of their groups.In this interview Courtney and I discuss:Her parent’s dual impact on her development and journey to psychotherapy as a careerHow serendipity affected the path she followed in professional pursuit of more effective therapies.Her first-hand experience of the psychological effects of the current political and social climate,What we can learn from other countries more balanced representation of race and genderThe neurological impact of neglect or abuse, and the necessity for human connection.The developments occurring in affective neuroscience and evidence-based treatmentsHow creativity manifests itself in her practiceHow she judges success in her practiceHow she fosters a risk-taking environmentHer view on conflict avoidanceHow leadership style and influencesHer perspective on the character ‘Wendy’ from the series BillionsThe mainstream application of attachment therapyHer psychotherapeutic view of journalingThe importance of story for patientsThe brains reaction to rejection and lack of emotional connectionHer patients’ reaction since the change in administration and recent Kavanagh hearingHer views on the state of equitable representation in societyHer principlesThe hard choices she has madeHow she discovers new ideasHer honest ‘ bristling’ reaction to my ‘Impossible’ question Where to find on socialhttps://rennickeassociates.com/And sign up for the newsletter.On Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/Rennicke-Associates-445551615504446/On Twitterhttps://twitter.com/RennickeAssocOn Linkedinhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/5090956/Links in showDr. Stephen Porges – The Polyvagal TheoryDr. Stephen Porges: What is the Polyvagal Theory – YouTube linkDyadic Developmental Psychotherapy https://ddpnetwork.org/Dan Hughes – http://www.danielhughes.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest OverviewOn this week’s episode, we interview Gordon Young –  co-founder of The Drum, Europe’s largest and most awarded marketing website and magazine. Since launching his first print publication as a schoolboy in Glasgow, Scotland, Gordon’s impossible creative journey has taken on a path of increasing media influence, scale and reach.  Driven by the core belief that marketing has the power to change the world Gordons journey is far from over. In this episode, Gordon and I discuss his early journalistic exploits, his mother and father’s’ parental influence and his passion for publishing. He shares his perspective on risk-taking, the role of technology and creativity in western education and the imperative to prepare and protect against the threat of AI and China’s advancing technological progress, and the future role of government in a rapidly changing world. Gordon also discusses marketing’s role in business and society, the sanctity of journalistic free speech, and his view of social justice and activism.Of course, Gordon discusses serendipity, change, risk, failure, partnership, and his “impossible ‘ advice for ambitious people who wish to follow a similar path.  After finishing the episode, we jumped back in to discuss The Drum’s Chip Shop awards – awards that celebrate pure, unadulterated creativity.I hope you enjoy this wide-ranging discussion with Gordon Young. What we discuss:His entrepreneurially influenced upbringing.How disruption and innovation started early for Gordon Skipping formal education to leap into media entrepreneurship straight out of high school His early experience of contract publishing His expansion to launch the Glaswegian His thoughts on University and risk-taking when young His view on the evolution of education and skills His view of AI developments in ChinaThe West’s imperative to focus on education and creativity How we should be thinking about  the future of Government as an institution based on the pace of changeHis idea for a new political party Why marketers have the best skill set to make sense of the new world order How the Drum expects their readers to drive it The channels they are building to debate and understand it The dangers and the opportunity for western democracies The future role for the Drum and its reader-driven empowerment mission His broader definition of marketing organizations How serendipity impacted him How Brexit will impact on the UK His optimism for the UKHis principlesHis hardest choice His impossible adviceAnd the Chip Shop Awards Where to find on socialThe Drumhttps://www.thedrum.comYoutubehttps://www.youtube.com/user/TheDrumReelOn Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thedrummag/Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/thedrumpageOn Twitterhttps://twitter.com/thedrumOn Linkedinhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/thedrum/ Links in showAlibaba Hotel of the Future

Guest OverviewThis week’s guest is Natalie Bridgeman Fields, a fierce advocate, and pioneer in international human rights, environmental law and founder of Accountability Counsel With parents that instilled in her a deep sense of the inequity in the world, her ethical foundation was formed at an early ageHowever, it was in 1998 that her journey and fight for social justice was sparked by a serendipitous siren call to action from witnessing a group of indigenous women in Chile being arrested while peacefully resisting the construction of a dam on their critical water source. Since then Natalie has dedicated her career to hold the companies and institutions behind harmful projects, like mines, agribusiness, and wind farms, accountable for abuse. After spending a decade as an attorney for, and partner to communities around the world, Natalie founded Accountability Counsel in 2009 to empower communities to defend their rights through a unique avenue for justice.In the last ten years, Accountability Counsel has worked with nearly 40 communities around the world – from farmers in northeast Haiti to nomadic herders in the Mongolian South Gobi desert, to fisherfolk in coastal Kenya. In addition to providing direct legal support to communities, Accountability Counsel works to address the systemic problems that perpetuate harmful projects through policy, advocacy, and research. Knowing that they cannot tackle such a complex problem alone, the organization is also a leading voice in the global movement for accountability in international finance. The impact of Accountability Counsel’s unique model has been recognized through awards from Echoing Green and the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation.What we discussIn this interview Natalie and I discuss:The serendipitous events that set her on her social justice journeyParental influence on her awareness of social inequitiesHer human rights litigation training ground How Accountability Counsel and its offices create systemic changeIts three pillars of community programmes; policy initiatives, and researchTheir theory of changeTheir use of technology and data to offer better, systematic information delivery for policymakers, investors and communities. How it allows more effective measurement How it makes institutions more accessible for communitiesProvides better legal services and community advocacy support Their evaluation criteria How they organize disparate communities to address language, literacy and gender barriers to participation in negotiationsTheir network including the 140 member international advocates working group they formed How they are flipping the global elites model of change through a more democratic, grassroots process of change that starts with engaging communities about what they need to improve poverty and address human rights abusesTheir work in the American communities v.s. the rest of the worldNatalie’s leadership approachTheir independent, funding model and how they avoid conflict Their impact investing initiatives How Natalie remains motivated and groundedHer 29029 challengeHow she applies creativity and  accesses ideasNatalie’s expectations for the next 10 years Her parents influence on Natalie’s willpowerHow they deal with Unknown UnknownsAnd of course….... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest Overview This weeks guest is Michael Ventura – Founder of NYC Brand Strategy and Design Practice, Sub Rosa, author of the new book Applied Empathy and alternative medicine healer. At age 10 Michael Ventura told his parents he wanted to be an ideas man. Arguably that was the moment that defined his course and set him on his impossible journey to change brands, organizations, and some day, even society. Through the design led thinking of his Manhattan-based design studio Sub Rosa and the applied empathy platform they have developed, Michael is certainly an ideas man with a problem solving mission. Now shared with the world through the pages of his recently released book, practical guides, card sets, and his many public appearances, Michaels revolutionary applied empathy platform is available to anyone with a desire to improve design solutions, spark innovation, bring new ideas to life and solve tough challenges both in side organisations and across our wider society. In this episode Michael discusses his journey and its serendipitous moments; shares his many insights and offers advice to others who wish to problem solve through empathy. What we discuss In this interview Michael and I discuss: His exploratory and entrepreneurially influenced upbringing.The differing paternal and maternal influences of bravery, stability and dignity.The most defining moment from his childhood.His rationale for his educational choices. How his first job prepared him for entrepreneurship. How his parents supported him.How being part of the ‘bridge’ generation enables him and his agency to operate as organisational translators. How they helped Pantone re-orientate from a product to service business. How empathy helps his agency find and identify a businesses problem and give clients the solutions to course correct. How a debilitating back injury helped him understand how a mindset and behaviour shift could change physicality for people and businesses The importance of trust in intuition when serendipity presents itself.How his studio uses empathy as an evidenced based design thinking tool Their ecosystemic approach to applying empathy The relevance and value of the applied empathy model in driving change in organisations and how that can have a broader  impact in society. How they work with the United Nations on indigenous rights, resources and peoples, by helping them with storytelling.  Their approach to cognitive diversity and inclusion The importance of creativity and empathy as we build AI solutions. Advice to those entering the workforce. And of course….His principles.His hard choices .How approach to tech. Michael’s Impossible advice.The book he wants us to give for the best comments Where to find on socialYou can follow Michael on Instagram @themichaelventuraAnd SubRosa Website and about Applied Empathyhttps://wearesubrosa.com/applied-empathy/On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wearesubrosa/On Twitter https://twitter.com/wearesubrosa Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest Overview Growing up in a small village in the depths of The Amazon Rainforest Ale’s impossible journey has taken her from making and selling perfume in junior school to learning to code in the early 90 at a university in Rio to an become an early pioneer in digital creativity in London’s digital agency scene.In 2007 she was hired by McCann NYC as their first digital creative director.By 2011 Ale’s focus shifted to product and service design, eventually being appointed Executive Creative Director at Frog design. Along the way Ale found time conceive launch and grow She Says …a global community focused on engagement, education, and advancement for women in the creative fields.As you will hear Ales journey is far from over…What we discuss In this interview Ale and I discuss:How growing up in the Amazon jungle prepared for a career in creativity.Her parental impact on her fearlessnessHer early entrepreneurial venturesHow this forged her approach to always doing things ‘differently’Her natural curiosity and love of computers and path to digital creativityHer view of ‘leaning in’The impetus that led her to set up She SaysWhy it remains community led and its growth to 45 countriesThe impact it’s had on women stepping upThe She Says ‘firsts’Why she created BoomHer expectation for the next 10 years and how leadership and work will changeWhy CEO’s need to be more like community managersFrom working stupid to working smartWhy a systemic change is neededThe role serendipity played in her journeyHow her adaptability has and her openness to change prepared her to deal with uncertaintyWhy curiosity is the foundation of creativityThe switch from ‘Power Over’ to ‘Power With’ as a leadership styleThe hard choices she has madeHow she manages technology and socialHer advice on how to achieve your impossibleThe books she recommendsWhere She says will be 10 years from nowWhere to find on socialYou can’t Follow Ale on social as she’s been off it since 2011!You can’t Follow Ale on social as she’s been off it since 2011!Follow on Twitter  in SheSays US  and @shesays UK https://weareshesays.comhttps://shesaysboom.com/ Links in showAtlantic Article on Women Partners – The Queen Bee Effecthttps://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/09/the-queen-bee-in-the-corner-office/534213/John Peel  – British DJ The Marcel Proust Quote – “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.