The Impossible Network

This week, I have the pleasure of revisiting my 2021 interview with the talented filmmaker Sav Rodgers as he unveils his latest documentary, "Chasing Chasing Amy," at the esteemed Tribeca Film Festival. Sav's work is not merely a coming-of-age narrative, but it also offers an introspective journey of his process of reconciling with his identity. He unpacks how the 1990s rom-com "Chasing Amy," directed by Kevin Smith and featuring Ben Affleck, served as a catalyst for Sav to embrace his pansexuality authentically. The film also critically examines the contentious reputation of "Chasing Amy" within the LGBTQ+ community. With compelling interviews including Kevin Smith himself, the documentary stands as a testament to Sav's resilience in the face of prejudice and intolerance, his robust character, and his unwavering spirit of survival. It also showcases how serendipity can unveil promising opportunities.Given that it's Pride Month, the timing for this interview couldn't be more apt.Parents of children who identify as gender fluid, nonbinary, or genderqueer will find Sav’s interview to be of particular importance.Sav is an acclaimed writer and director, who is nearing the end of post-production on his inaugural feature, "Chasing Chasing Amy". This documentary elucidates how "Chasing Amy," with its portrayal of fluid sexuality, empowered Sav to live his life authentically as a pansexual, resonating with the movie's tagline, "It’s Not who you love, but how."Following his impactful TED talk in 2017, where Sav delved into the influence of "Chasing Amy," he tweeted about his experience, catching the attention of Kevin Smith. This interaction blossomed into a collaboration on "Chasing Chasing Amy."During our discussion, Sav and I explored the persisting challenges in media, specifically the limited representation of trans people in shows and films. We reflected on the role media plays in reinforcing LGBTQ+ biases and the pressing need for reformation in the way sexuality is represented in education.Sav's life journey serves as a beacon for creating the life you aspire to live and showcases how chance encounters can lead to tremendous opportunities.Sav has profoundly broadened my understanding of sexuality and has sparked in me a desire to learn more. I hope his infectious optimism and vibrant energy resonate with you as you listen to the inspiring story of Sav Rodgers.Thanks to Yana Buhrer Tavanier for the recommendation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I share a reflection. At JFK, using Descript's AI for an overdub of my voice, I embark on a journey of farewell to my beloved Mother.Her life stretched across 92 cherished years. Although gone, her wisdom resonates within me. Her passing starkly reveals time's relentless march, and how quickly life's sands slip away.Roman philosopher Seneca wisely noted that life is not short, but often wasted. As I mourn, I'll pause, reflecting on my past and considering my future.Tim Urban, in "The Tail End," eloquently highlighted the fleeting time we have with our parents. Now, I must reassess my remaining, unknowable time.Seventeenth-century preacher Jonathan Edwards urged his congregation to spend time wisely, creating meaningful actions. This timeless wisdom, regardless of faith, reminds us to chase purposeful endeavors, because once time has passed, it cannot be regained.Psychologist Philip Zimbardo proposed an Optimal Temporal Mix, combining a positive past view, future-oriented goals, and a joyful present perspective. This mental agility to shift views is crucial to success.Throughout my advertising career, I worked with talented colleagues and clients. However, it lacked social purpose and meaning. Since being let go from McCann NYC 10 years ago, I've aimed to create more value through my work, network, and podcast.These podcast stories comfort me, showcasing individuals embracing their life's moments, upholding their values, and effecting positive change. They are ordinary people leading extraordinary lives. Their impact has prompted me to reassess my time's application and focus more intentionally on the future.As I seek a meaningful life, my mother's words, learnt as a young girl during wartime Britain, ring true, quoting Shakespeare: ‘This above all: to thine own self be true... Thou canst not then be false to any man.’Goodbye, Mum. Rest in peace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week in light of the ongoing debates and discussion over the impact of Generative AI on work, society, and humanity I am publishing a re-edit of an interview from 2019 with John C Havens, the Executive Director of The IEEE Global Initiative on AI Ethics and their Sustainability Practice Lead John is a highly respected thought leader on artificial intelligence and ethics and the author of Heartificial Intelligence and Hacking Happiness. Long before AI entered our mainstream discourse John was working on the big ethical questions around AI. Although recorded in 2019 the issues we discuss are more pertinent today than they were then, including the negative externalities of technology; what we define as metrics of success for AI; the limits of exponential growth and innovation; finding a more human alternative to GDP; prioritizing human and ecological wellbeing; personal data monetization, control, and privacy; changing economic paradigm in the purpose-driven world; and John’s vision for a more sustainable future society.Now over to JohnWhat We Discuss00:00 Intro 01:14 John’s serendipitous journey becoming an expert in AI Ethics06:00 John’s perspective on AI and Robots and metrics of success 08:30 Challenge of exponential growth11:10 Moore’s Law impact on society 16:00 Value of our personal data  18:40 Creating our personal terms and conditions for data exchange 25:00 Ethics and user-centric design for AI 28:00 Ethically Aligned Design 31:40 Discussing societal progress 34:40 Evolving economic priorities and general progress indicators 40:50 John’s principles and quick fire questionsSocial Links Linkedin TwitterLinks in Show Heartificial IntelligenceMartin SeligmanRise of the robots Moore’s LawFabrice Grinda IEEE Standards Working GroupDoc SearlsEthically Aligned Design Council on Extended Intelligence Joi ItoTechnology and the virtues Twain LiuTheory of You    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TL:DR If you're short on time, here are seven minutes of soundbites from Omar Friella - the Bronx-based social entrepreneur, movement builder, and founder of Collective Diaspora, the growing global community of Black cooperatives & Black-led cooperative support organizations. If you do have the time, on a run, cycle, or drive, check out the full episode, it is evident that desire, belief, and action we all have the power of self-determination.If you enjoy the show, please share, follow us, like us on your podcast player, and subscribe on YouTube as it helps us grow our audience. Thanks to Marianna Koval for the connectionABOUT OMAR Omar Freilla is co-founder and steering committee member of Collective Diaspora, a global community of Black cooperatives & Black-led cooperative support organizations. Omar is a serial trailblazer, social entrepreneur, and movement builder dedicated to community self-determination and regenerative economies.Drawing from his experiences growing up in the South Bronx and witnessing struggles for community empowerment, he has dedicated himself to creating just and regenerative economic systems. Omar's time with the NYC Environmental Justice Alliance and Sustainable South Bronx inspired him to utilize cooperatives as a vehicle for transformative economic development.He established Green Worker Cooperatives and launched the first worker cooperative business accelerator in the United States, pioneering innovative approaches to cooperative development. Omar co-founded several local and national cooperative support organizations, including the U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives, the Democracy At Work Institute, and the NYC Network of Worker Cooperatives. This interview opened my eyes to the potential of new worker-led economic models for historically marginalized and economically exploited communities. It also made me re-evaluate the privileges I’ve experienced.Thanks to Marianne KovalWhat We Discuss00:00 Intro 00:36 Early realization of inequity 03:54 The case for a solidarity economy 07:19 Omars goal for 2030 Social Links Linkedin Twitter Collective DiasporaLinks The Bronx Black Panther partyYoung Lords Green Worker CooperativesU.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives,Marcus Garvey Malcolm X Seed Commons  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TL:DR If you're short on time, here are seven minutes of soundbites from Omar Friella - the Bronx-based social entrepreneur, movement builder, and founder of Collective Diaspora, the growing global community of Black cooperatives & Black-led cooperative support organizations. If you do have the time, on a run, cycle, or drive, check out the full episode, it is evident that with desire, belief, and action, we all have the power of self-determination.If you enjoy the show please share, follow us, like us on your podcast player, and subscribe on YouTube, as it helps us grow our audience. Thanks to Marianna Koval for the connectionABOUT OMAR Omar Freilla is co-founder and steering committee member of Collective Diaspora, a global community of Black cooperatives & Black-led cooperative support organizations. Omar is a serial trailblazer, social entrepreneur, and movement builder dedicated to community self-determination and regenerative economies.Drawing from his experiences growing up in the South Bronx and witnessing struggles for community empowerment, he has dedicated himself to creating just and regenerative economic systems. Omar's time with the NYC Environmental Justice Alliance and Sustainable South Bronx inspired him to utilize cooperatives as a vehicle for transformative economic development.He established Green Worker Cooperatives and launched the first worker cooperative business accelerator in the United States, pioneering innovative approaches to cooperative development. Omar co-founded several local and national cooperative support organizations, including the U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives, the Democracy At Work Institute, and the NYC Network of Worker Cooperatives. Omar is also an adjunct lecturer at the City College of New York, serves on the City of New York's Environmental Justice Advisory Board, and is a member of New York State's Just Transition Working Group.This interview opened my eyes to the potential of new worker-led economic models for historically marginalized and economically exploited communities. It also made me re-evaluate the privileges I’ve experienced. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Omar Freilla is co-founder and steering committee member of Collective Diaspora, a global community of Black cooperatives & Black-led cooperative support organizations. Omar is a serial trailblazer, social entrepreneur, and movement builder dedicated to community self-determination and regenerative economies.Drawing from his experiences growing up in the South Bronx and witnessing struggles for community empowerment, he has dedicated himself to creating just and regenerative economic systems.This interview opened my eyes to the potential of new worker-led economic models for historically marginalized and economically exploited communities. It also made me re-evaluate the privileges I’ve experienced.What We DiscussWhat we discuss 00:00 Intro 02:50 Who is Omar?03:50 Who or what made him? 06:50 The impact of Neoliberalism on marginalized Communities 08:50 A defining memory that affected his life direction 17:50 Nature or nurture impact on his development 21:30 Early activism against apartheid25:20 Early ambitions 27:30 Becoming environmentally conscious 30:50 Activism triggered by the Rodney King beating 34:35 Seeking out new economic alternatives in Cooperatives40:50 The lack of Venture funding for cooperatives43:40 Creating new Benchmarks for Return on Investment45:10 What Omar is working to achieve with Collective Diaspora49:45 Forming a Cooperative Business 54:00 Becoming a Fellow of Echoing Green 1:00:30 Imperative for Black and Latin Cooperatives  1:07:54 Omar’s ambitions for 2030 1:10:00 Raising funding 1:16:00 How to become part of the Collective Diaspora 1:18:00 Remaining resolute 1:19:45 Omar’s gifts 1:20:40 What he’s complimented for1:22:00 Omar’s advice for anyone wanting to support Social Links Linkedin Twitter Collective DiasporaLinks The Bronx Black Panther partyYoung Lords Green Worker CooperativesU.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives,Marcus Garvey Malcolm X Seed Commons  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TL:DR If you're short on time and want to be inspired and uplifted, here are seven minutes of soundbites from Camerados founder Maff Potts.  If you do have the time on a run, cycle, or drive, check out the full episode. It refreshingly goodIf you enjoy the show, please share, follow us, like us on your podcast player, and subscribe on YouTube, as it helps us grow our audience.About MaffMaff Potts, is the pioneering force behind Camerados, an ever-expanding global social movement centered around one simple yet powerful concept: Public Living Rooms. Designed to foster a sense of togetherness within our communities, these spaces provide a welcoming environment where people can come together, share a cup of tea or coffee, engage in conversation, and experience the transformative power of human connection - all without any expectations or agenda.Before launching Camerados, Maff served as CEO for various charities, witnessing firsthand how traditional approaches to tackling social issues like homelessness, domestic abuse, and social isolation often fell short by merely addressing the symptoms rather than the root causes. This revelation led him to the realization that the two fundamental needs every individual requires are "friends and purpose."By stepping outside conventional frameworks, Maff has harnessed the potential of Public Living Rooms to alleviate the symptoms of numerous social issues and address their underlying causes. As a genuine difference maker, Maff has successfully established over 170 Public Living Rooms across five countries.If you're feeling disheartened by the current state of our societies and the erosion of social connection in the wake of the pandemic, this episode will inspire and uplift you. To join Maff's mission, become a Camerados, and create your own local Public Living Room, simply follow the link in the show notes What we discuss 00:00 Intro 00:27 Discovering what matters in life?02:02 Issue with existing Charity models03:49 Ingredients for a happy life 05:17 Reality of life05:50 Taxes, Death and Trouble06:26 Why Maslow's Hierarchy is wrong?07:17 How the Public Living Rooms Work Social LinksCameradosMaff on Linkedin Youtube Instagram Links Oscar Peterson Noah and The LonersWinners Take All book Citizens Jon Alexander Cooperation Town London   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's guest, Maff Potts, is the pioneering force behind Camerados, an ever-expanding global social movement centered around one simple yet powerful concept: Public Living Rooms. Designed to foster a sense of togetherness within our communities, these spaces provide a welcoming environment where people can come together, share a cup of tea or coffee, engage in conversation, and experience the transformative power of human connection - all without any expectations or agenda.Before launching Camerados, Maff served as CEO for various charities, witnessing firsthand how traditional approaches to tackling social issues like homelessness, domestic abuse, and social isolation often fell short by merely addressing the symptoms rather than the root causes. This revelation led him to the realization that the two fundamental needs every individual requires are "friends and purpose."By stepping outside conventional frameworks, Maff has harnessed the potential of Public Living Rooms to not only alleviate the symptoms of numerous social issues but also to address their underlying causes. As a genuine difference maker, Maff has successfully established over 170 Public Living Rooms across five countries.If you're feeling disheartened by the current state of our societies and the erosion of social connection in the wake of the pandemic, this episode will inspire and uplift you. To join Maff's mission, become a Camerados, and create your own local Public Living Room, follow the link in the show notes.Now, let's hear from Maff Potts himself.What we discuss 00:00 Intro 03:00 Who is Maff Potts?04:10 What made Maff?06:15 The values instilled in him 09:41 His love of Jazz and music13:30 Seven days that changes his life18:00 What he is working to achieve?22:00 His experiences in running homeless charities25:20 The problem with the charity model30:45 The emergence of Camerados as an idea 36:10 Witnessing death caused by isolation38:30 The value and Impact of Camerados42:50 Mutal Aid as a model 46:00 Maff explains the Public Living Room concept and principles50:00 How it works in practice51:50 My Camerados commitment53:00 Taking Camerados on the road in the UK 57:00 The origins of the name 58:20 Where Maff want to be by 203059:30 Can brands play a role?01:02:00 The actions people can take 01:05:00 Dealing with doubt01:07:25 On failure and emergence01:10:00 His talents Social Linkshttps://camerados.org Cameradoshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/maff-potts-4044b915/ Maff on Linkedin https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGit00ofSez5BndPru0Z5gA YouTube https://www.instagram.com/camerados_org/?hl=en Instagram Linkshttps://oscarpeterson.com/ Oscar Petersonhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2ZuvkS_sALJfTNCpHK3N1g - Noah and The Lonershttps://www.amazon.com/Winners-Take-All-Charade-Changing/dp/0451493249 - Winners Take All book https://www.jonalexander.net/ - Citizens Jon Alexander https://cooperation.town/ - Cooperation Town London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you're short on time and want some hear some of Food Futurologist Dr. Morgaine Gaye’s trend insights, then here are 7 minutes of soundbites.  If you do have the time, on a run, cycle, or drive, check out the full episode. It's a shorter than normal 42 min episode.Morgaine explores food and eating from a social, cultural, economic, branding, and geo-political perspective. She also consults food companies, develops new products and ideas, and writes trend reports for forecasting sites to PR and ad agencies.Morgaine was staying with me during this year's SXSW, where she was presenting Trend to Table, her latest trends presentation, and the title of her upcoming book. Therefore I used the opportunity to have her share some of the trends she’s witnessing..What We Discuss00:00 Intro 00:30 Morgaine discusses her SXSW trends presentation and the subject of her new book.01:30 What it means to be human post-Covid in the AI world?03:00 3D printed food and the use of ‘air protein’ in food.05:02 Nourishment05:30 Why she wrote her book06:00 The Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen from the Environmental Working Group  07:02 Morgaine’s hope for the futureSocial Links Instagram Facebook LinkedinEmail Links Show The Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen from the Environmental Working Group    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's interview is a little bit different from normal as I welcome back a previous guest Food Futurologist and director of Bellwether Food Trends, Dr. Morgaine Gaye.  Morgaine explores food and eating from a social, cultural, economic, branding, and geo-political perspective. She also consults food companies, developing new products and ideas; writing trend reports for forecasting sites to PR and ad agencies. Morgaine was staying with me during this year's SXSW where she was presenting Trend to Table, her latest trends presentation, and the title of her upcoming book. Therefore I used the opportunity to have her share some of the trends she’s witnessing. Besides discussing some of these macro trends we also discuss when we first met back in 2008 when I was running a digital team at McCann London. We reflect on how we developed an edible beauty product and brand prototype which was ahead of its time and how life choices set us on different paths and led us to miss the opportunity to build what would have been a groundbreaking product. This conversation was somewhat cathartic for me and hopefully provides some encouragement to anyone working to bring execute an idea to persist, take action, and test it in-market.What We Discuss00:00 Intro 03:15 Mark asks Morgaine to discuss the raw cacao collaboration from 2009. 05:15 Morgaine explains the health benefits of raw cacao. 07:45 Mark explains how he formed a skunkworks team internally at McCann. 09:00 How the idea of positioning cacao chocolate as an edible beauty product emerged.14:00 Why the idea remained no more than a prototype?17:00 Lessons learned from the project.18:40 Morgaine discusses her SXSW trends presentation and the subject of her new book.20:20 Examples of the big trends include what it means to be human?24:00 The changing role of ‘the table’ at home and the unraveling.27:00 Other changing food trends include the use of ‘air’ in food.30:35 The use of ‘air protein’ in food.34:50 Why she wrote her book35:30 The Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen from the Environmental Working Group  38:00 Permaculture 38:50 Morgaine’s hope for the futureSocial Links Instagram Facebook LinkedinEmail Links Show The Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen from the Environmental Working Group    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.