Welcome to episode #957 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Brigid Schulte is an award-winning journalist and bestselling author who has spent her career delving into the intricacies of modern life, particularly the challenges of balancing work, love, and play. With nearly 17 years at The Washington Post, where she was part of a team that won The Pulitzer Prize, Brigid has written for a myriad of publications including The Atlantic, The Guardian, Time, and Slate. Her work often focuses on the unsustainable pace of our always-on culture and the societal narratives that shape our perceptions of success and fulfillment. In this conversation, Brigid discusses her latest book, Over Work - Transforming The Daily Grind In The Quest For A Better Life (her first book was, Overwhelmed - Work, Love, And Play When No One Has Time). She explores how, despite advancements meant to make life easier, many of us feel more pressed for time than ever. The pandemic, she notes, has been a catalyst in reshaping our understanding of work and its true value. It has highlighted stark disparities between knowledge workers who can work remotely and low-wage workers who often face systemic barriers to advancement. Brigid challenges the long-held belief that longer hours equate to better work, emphasizing that this narrative is flawed and detrimental. Workers today are increasingly seeking meaningful and dignified work, and leadership plays a crucial role in shaping a culture that supports this. We delve into how technology, while disruptive, also has the potential to create new job opportunities - but only if we rethink how we value different types of work. If you're interested in understanding the complexities of modern work culture and exploring actionable ways to create a more balanced and fulfilling life, Brigid's insights are both enlightening and timely. Enjoy the conversation...

• Running time: 1:01:17.
• Hello from beautiful Montreal.
• Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.
• Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
• Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
• Check out ThinkersOne.
• or you can connect on LinkedIn.
• ...or on Twitter.
• Here is my conversation with Brigid Schulte.
• Over Work - Transforming The Daily Grind In The Quest For A Better Life.
• Overwhelmed - Work, Love, And Play When No One Has Time.
• Follow Brigid on X.
• Follow Brigid on LinkedIn.
• This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction to Overwork and Its Context.
• (03:02) - The Impact of the Pandemic on Work Culture.
• (05:52) - The Reality of Low-Wage Work.
• (08:53) - The Illusion of Job Abundance.
• (12:00) - The Disconnect Between Work and Wages.
• (15:10) - The Role of Technology in Future Work.
• (17:53) - Rethinking Work and Value.
• (23:51) - The Future of Work: Possibilities and Challenges.
• (27:13) - The Importance of Meaningful Work.
• (29:56) - Cultural Perceptions of Work.
• (36:06) - The Role of Leadership in Work Culture.
• (41:58) - The Question of Economic Growth.
• (48:09) - Grassroots Movements for Change.
• (50:51) - The Power of Stories in Work Culture.
• (56:56) - Conclusion and Reflections on Change.

Welcome to episode #956 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Ravin Jesuthasan is a global thought leader, futurist, and bestselling author who has dedicated his career to exploring the future of work, AI, and workforce transformation. As the Senior Partner and Global Leader for Transformation Services at Mercer, he has collaborated with some of the world's most influential organizations to help them navigate the rapidly changing landscape of work. Ravin has led significant research projects for the World Economic Forum, focusing on topics like digital media's impact on society, talent strategies in the fourth industrial revolution, and redefining the value of human capital in the new world of work. In this conversation, Ravin delves into his latest book, The Skills-Powered Organization - The Journey To The Next Generation Enterprise that he co-authord with Tanuj Kapilashrami (check out his other five books). He emphasizes that as AI, climate change, and geopolitical conflicts reshape our world, there's an urgent need for organizations to transition from traditional job-based structures to skills-based models. This shift isn't just a minor adjustment - it requires rethinking how work is organized and how talent connects to it. By focusing on skills as the new currency of work, organizations can become more agile, resilient, and adaptable. Ravin shares compelling examples of how AI is already transforming industries like healthcare and financial services. As AI takes over more technical tasks, transferable skills - like empathy, creativity, and critical thinking become increasingly important. The Skills-Powered Organization serves as a practical guide for leaders looking to navigate this transition. Ravin provides a step-by-step roadmap, discussing critical organizational capabilities, the transformative changes required, and the role of AI in accelerating this journey. He also examines how this shift enables a more seamless talent ecosystem, blending various types of employee and non-employee labor. Whether you're a leader seeking to future-proof your organization or an individual aiming to stay relevant in a rapidly changing job market, Ravin's insights offer valuable guidance on embracing the next generation of work. Enjoy the conversation...

• Running time: 51:59.
• Hello from beautiful Montreal.
• Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.
• Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
• Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
• Check out ThinkersOne.
• or you can connect on LinkedIn.
• ...or on Twitter.
• Here is my conversation with Ravin Jesuthasan.
• The Skills-Powered Organization - The Journey To The Next Generation Enterprise.
• Ravin’s other books.
• Follow Ravin on LinkedIn.
• Follow Ravin on X.
• This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction and Background.
• (02:53) - AI's Impact on Work Processes in Healthcare.
• (06:11) - AI's Impact on Work Processes in Financial Services.
• (10:08) - The Challenges of Rapid Change and Upskilling.
• (15:09) - The Potential Distribution of Value in the Age of AI.
• (18:55) - Identifying and Developing Transferable Skills.
• (27:58) - The Impact of AI and Automation on Work.
• (30:10) - The Importance of Continuous Learning.
• (33:04) - Challenges of Reskilling.
• (39:21) - Creating a Skills-Powered Organization.

Welcome to episode #955 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Michael Morris is a renowned cultural psychologist at Columbia University, where he teaches in both the Graduate School of Business and the Psychology Department. With previous teaching stints at Stanford University and a rich educational background from the University of Michigan and Brown University, Michael has dedicated his career to exploring how culture shapes the way we think, communicate, and collaborate. His research delves into the idea that while our genetic programming primes us to learn from our communities, the actual content of what we learn is deeply influenced by the cultural environments we're immersed in. In our conversation, Michael discusses his book, Tribal - How The Cultural Instincts That Divide Us Can Bring Us Together. He challenges the often negative connotations associated with tribalism, aiming to reclaim the term by highlighting its positive aspects. Michael explains that tribal psychology is an inherent part of human nature, encompassing instincts for solidarity, imitation, and the perpetuation of traditions. While tribalism can lead to division and conflict, he argues that these same instincts can also foster unity and collective action when harnessed constructively. We delve into real-world examples, including recent tribal conflicts and protests at institutions like Columbia Business School. Michael sheds light on why individuals engage passionately in such issues and how tradition and nostalgia play significant roles in tribal dynamics. He emphasizes that technology and social media aren't solely to blame for societal divisions - rather, these platforms amplify existing human tendencies rooted in our psychology. If you're curious about how our cultural instincts shape our interactions and how we can leverage them to bring people together, Michael's perspective provides a thoughtful and hopeful outlook. Enjoy the conversation...

• Running time: 1:01:13.
• Hello from beautiful Montreal.
• Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.
• Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
• Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
• Check out ThinkersOne.
• or you can connect on LinkedIn.
• ...or on Twitter.
• Here is my conversation with Michael Morris.
• Tribal - How The Cultural Instincts That Divide Us Can Bring Us Together.
• Columbia University.
• Follow Michael on X.
• Follow Michael on LinkedIn.
• This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction and Background.
• (03:38) - Understanding Tribal Psychology.
• (06:01) - The Constructive and Destructive Aspects of Tribalism.
• (08:59) - Reclaiming the Word ‘Tribal'.
• (21:05) - The Role of Technology in Tribalism.
• (27:28) - The Potential for Collective Action and Solutions.
• (30:30) - Tribal Conflicts at Columbia Business School.
• (36:18) - The Role of Tradition and Nostalgia in Tribalism.
• (41:45) - Distinguishing Cults from Religions.
• (52:34) - The Power of Nostalgia and Conformity.
• (58:54) - Harnessing Tribal Psychology for Positive Outcomes.

Welcome to episode #952 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.

We are beyond polarized. Karthik Ramanna has spent his career helping leaders make sense of a world that’s constantly changing. As a Professor of Business & Public Policy at Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government, Karthik's work explores the difficult intersections of business, politics, and society. With a keen eye on trust-building, corporate responsibility, and the complex dynamics between organizations and their stakeholders, Ramanna has earned a reputation as one of today’s foremost thinkers on leadership in challenging times. In his latest book, The Age Of Outrage - How To Lead In A Polarized World, Karthik delves into a growing issue that leaders everywhere are facing: navigating outrage. And it’s not just the occasional outburst we’re talking about. As companies like Disney, United, and Meta have learned, outrage has become an ever-present force — fueled by societal anxieties and a growing expectation for companies to act as agents of social change. Karthik’s take is that outrage - whether justified or not - has shifted from being an occasional PR crisis to a core leadership challenge. Leaders are now expected to handle these emotional, high-stakes situations with the same rigor as strategic planning or financial management. And if you’re a leader in today’s world, you’ve likely felt the pressure. Drawing on years of experience and case studies ranging from the Vatican to Nestlé, Ramanna doesn’t offer quick fixes or hollow calls for “staying neutral.” Instead, The Age of Outrage offers a practical, mission-driven framework for leaders to cool tensions, engage meaningfully with stakeholders, and make decisions that are both effective and consistent with their organization’s core values. If you’re wondering how to navigate an increasingly polarized landscape, Karthik’s book offers more than just insight — it’s a guide for how to emerge stronger from the very challenges that threaten to tear organizations apart. Enjoy the conversation…

• Running time: 58:12.
• Hello from beautiful Montreal.
• Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.
• Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
• Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
• Check out ThinkersOne.
• or you can connect on LinkedIn.
• ...or on Twitter.
• Here is my conversation with Karthik Ramanna.
• The Age Of Outrage - How To Lead In A Polarized World.
• Blavatnik School of Government.
• Follow Karthik on LinkedIn.
• Follow Karthik on Instagram.
• Follow Karthik on YouTube.
• This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction and Background.
• (04:11) - Challenges for Corporations.
• (14:08) - The Importance of Humility and Perspective.
• (27:30) - Navigating the Changing Dynamics of Work and Business.
• (29:52) - The Diversification of Society and the Binary View of Oppressor and Oppressed.
• (34:39) - Getting the Rules of the Game Right for Capitalism.
• (36:46) - The Role of Culture in Managing Outrage.
• (53:02) - The Challenges and Opportunities of AI.