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.

Guest Overview Colby Gains, Emmy Nominated producer and Founder of the TV production company, Back Roads Entertainment. His reality-based programming successes include American Restoration, Pawn Stars and the recent 50 Central with 50Cent.Colby’s impossible journey has seen him take an uncharted course from his Texan roots through the back roads NYC and back to Austin Texas. Along the way, serendipity and his instinct for uncovering and telling stories have impacted the world of reality TV and more recently scripted entertainment and comedy.What we discuss In this show, Colby discusses his upbringing in TexasHow he developed his love of storytelling and comedy, how he learned his craft by just making stuff, developing a gut instinct for what works.How he cut his comedy teeth in University at Texas A&M….how he started out in Pre Med, became an Architecture major, but eventually moved into journalism… but always driven by an enduring desire to produce TV programmingColby discusses his comedy inspirations.– How a serendipitous meeting at an acting class with a business major Brett Montgomery, set him on his journey, ultimately leading Colby and Brett forming Leftfield in NYC in 2002.– Colby explains how his early internships in News and unscripted documentary filmmaking prepared him for reality tv production.– How he learned by doing, working his way up by doing many unscripted production jobs, often learning the hard way and earning the trust of people paying you.– The importance of ‘luck’ and the thought process when creating a ‘hit show’– The importance of curiosity and asking questions in creating hits.– The disposable nature of social media – instantaneous edible and forgettable and transactional people don’t want to invest in the conversation– The need to keep digging.– How he switches off and discovers new ideas…– The formula for success in Unscripted– How Happy accidents that led him meeting his wife, and producing 50 Cents 50 Central show– His fearlessness– The hard choices he made– Undaunted by naysayers– The importance of honesty and ethics– The imperative to educate and support the next generation– To always seek out new talent– The impact of technology on talent discovery– The power and importance of A-List talent– Colby’s reasons for relocation to Austin Texas– The changing nature of the business, the impact of industry convergence,– The challenge for new makers and producers– The need to focus on storytelling as well as the commercial backend– The changing opportunity for brands and agencies– Colby’s future predictions 10 years out– The future focus for BackRoads– His advice to a younger generation on what is possible in entertainment….Discover On social – On Instagram @backrodsent– Email: Colbyg@backroadsentertainment.com–Back Roads EntertainmentLinks in showTexas A&MLeftField Pictures50CentralPawn StarsHow to Win Friends and Influence PeopleEnjoy the show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest OverviewTyrique (Rique) Glasgow’s world revolved around the corner of Taney and Tasker Streets, in South Philadelphia. Described as a world he’d been willing to die for, willing to kill for and had gone to war for; Rique has now transformed this corner to a world of hope and opportunity. Running the Young Chances Foundation for the kids of this South Philly community, this is Rique’s story.What we discussIn this Podcast, we learn about how Rique was blessed growing up with his grandmother who ‘covered’ him from the harsh everyday realities of growing up on Front Street, in Philly, a ‘community house’ of up to 40 people of different ages and races. Tyrique credits his grandmother for shielding him from the financial hardship, and the drug, sexual and physical abuse that existed.He discusses how he took the ‘easy way out’ by joining gang culture, that led him to run a unit dealing drugs on Tasker and Tanny Streets. Rique had a bigger picture that ‘going to war’ was not the route to take. His empathy and passion for his community drove him to ensure neighbors kids were protected and cared for. Acknowledging he had taken the wrong path, Tyrique still lived by the mantra ‘it’s not what you but how you do it.” ensuring there were block parties, cleanups and asked for neighborhood feedback. He knew that ‘Doing something better at the wrong thing does not make it right’.Although shot 11 times, he felt covered and believed he survived for a higher purpose.Convicted to Housedale jail – for manufacturing and dealing, his parole was delayed due to a juvenile misdemeanor. That saved him as it allowed him to take classes and focus on not returning to the corner, and the life of dealing and distributing.On being released in 2011, he took a hard choice and decided someone needed to support the youth of his South Philly by showing them another way forward and help understand that they have options beyond falling into crime, selling themselves short, giving them a voice and provide them with hope. Speaking up for the 12-year-old boy’s that had become the men of their households.We discuss how he faced up to a culture of failure that the community accepted, how he asked questions: Why drugs? Why are you here?He focused on delivering the same cover his grandmother gave him …with consistency concentrating on how to solve problems the kids and families face, providing an alternative to kids being drawn into crime and gang culture.He discusses the serendipitous movement that kickstarted his foundation by forming a football team for boys barred from the local Vare community center -calling it The Young Chances – after his grandmother’s name Chance.Rique explains that all the kids wanted was an opportunity to play and be accepted. Soon Tyrique was helping local girls create a dance team and learn to be cheerleaders. At 31 min in, Ryque discusses how he became reacquainted with the local police but in a positive, constructive manner.When he saw over 30 girls turn up to join a dance class – he explains how he was understood issues these girls faced.He set up classes that went beyond dance and also focused on etiquette, learning about hygiene, teen pregnancy and avoiding the negative impact of social media.His help came from unexpected places, as people turned up to give back.The impact – the quality of the community is improving, as old dealers and shooters are forming businesses.Rique talks about the challenges that accompany change and overcoming the fear that incapacitates communities.Expanding and building relationships with city authorities and DA’s office to create opportunities, Rique is focused on working on change; house by house, not just block by block. Small centers of change that can grow to larger centers.We also discuss how Ryque remains positive and energized.What h... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.