Thinking With Mitch Joel

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  Life Lessons From Google Search With Simon Rogers - TWMJ #1047 02.08.2026 53мин

  Welcome to episode #1047 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Simon Rogers has spent his career turning data into stories that help us better understand the world... and ourselves. A former news editor at The Guardian, where he founded and edited its influential Datablog, Simon is now the Data Editor at Google, working with Google Trends, one of the largest publicly accessible datasets of human curiosity and behaviour ever created. He is also the co-host of The Data Journalism Podcast and a longtime advocate for open data, visualization and making complex information meaningful. His new book, What We Ask Google - A Surprisingly Hopeful History Of Humankind, explores what billions of searches reveal about our private fears, shared vulnerabilities, cultural obsessions and desire to help one another. In this episode, Simon discusses why search offers a uniquely intimate portrait of humanity... not the carefully curated version we present on social media, but the questions we ask when we genuinely need answers. He explains how searches surrounding grief, friendship, parenting, health and crisis reveal that people are often far less alone than they feel, and perhaps more compassionate than our public discourse suggests. We also explore Google Trends as a cultural and predictive signal, the communities formed through shared curiosity, and why being surrounded by data does not necessarily make us more insightful. Simon reflects on how AI is changing the language and complexity of our searches without fundamentally changing what humans want to know. What emerges is a fascinating portrait of search as a collective stream of consciousness... chaotic, vulnerable, curious and surprisingly hopeful. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 53:45. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Simon Rogers. What We Ask Google - A Surprisingly Hopeful History Of Humankind. The Data Journalism Podcast. Datablog. Google Trends. Follow Simon on X. Follow Simon on Bluesky. Follow Simon on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - The Role of a Data Editor. (02:47) - Exploring Optimism Through Data. (05:57) - Understanding Human Connection Through Search. (09:05) - Cultural Reflections in Search Trends. (11:59) - The Intimacy of Search Queries. (15:08) - The Power of Data Visualization. (17:57) - Shifts in Search Behavior During Covid. (21:05) - The Complexity of Community and Connection. (23:57) - Echo Chambers and Misinformation. (27:06) - Predictive Power of Search Data. (28:19) - AI's Impact on Search Behavior. (33:28) - Understanding AI Integration in Search. (36:12) - Data Richness vs. Insightfulness. (39:01) - The Art of Data Storytelling. (41:25) - Search Behavior and Societal Reflections. (44:16) - Loneliness and Connection in Search Data. (45:39) - The Future of AI and Search Engines.
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  Productivity Breakthroughs With Liane Davey - TWMJ #1046 26.07.2026 51мин

  Welcome to episode #1046 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Dr. Liane Davey has spent her career helping leaders and teams perform at their best. As an organizational psychologist, bestselling author,  trusted advisor to companies around the world and dear friend, she has long explored what separates high-performing teams from those that quietly struggle beneath the surface. Her latest book, Thoughtload - Manage The Madness And Free Your Team To Do Great Work, introduces a deceptively simple but powerful idea: the biggest challenge facing today's organizations isn't workload... it's thoughtload. While most leaders focus on reducing tasks and increasing productivity, Liane argues that the real drain on performance comes from the invisible cognitive, emotional, and energetic burden people carry every day. In this conversation, we explore why organizations have become obsessed with measuring outputs instead of outcomes, how constant urgency creates the illusion of productivity while undermining effectiveness, and why many of today's workplace frustrations... from endless meetings to return-to-office debates to AI-generated "work slop"... are symptoms of a much deeper problem. We also discuss what thoughtful leadership looks like in an era of intelligent machines, why collaboration breaks down when people are cognitively overloaded, and how AI might eventually become a tool for reducing thoughtload rather than amplifying it. More than a conversation about burnout or workplace wellness, this is a discussion about attention, focus, judgment, and what it will take to build organizations where people can once again do their very best work. Liane is also the author of You First and The Good Fight and have been a guest of this show countless times. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 51:58. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Dr. Liane Davey. Thoughtload - Manage The Madness And Free Your Team To Do Great Work. The Good Fight. You First. Follow Liane on LinkedIn. Follow Liane on Instagram. Chapters: (00:00) - Understanding Thoughtload. (02:46) - The Productivity Trap. (05:56) - Measuring Outputs vs. Outcomes. (09:00) - The Role of Management in Work Value. (12:02) - Identifying Worthwhile Work. (15:00) - Managing Thought Load Effectively. (17:50) - The Impact of Office Environment on Thoughtload. (21:09) - Navigating the Return to Office. (24:11) - The Future of Work and Thoughtload. (27:10) - Navigating Work Culture and Diversity. (27:57) - Attention Span and Modern Content Consumption. (30:08) - The Illusion of Speed in Work. (32:13) - Thoughtload and Workplace Dynamics. (35:12) - The Impact of AI on Work and Thoughtload. (38:58) - Prioritization in the Age of AI. (43:05) - Collaboration Challenges and Thoughtload. (45:59) - AI as a Tool for Managing Thoughtload. (48:00) - The Cost of Being You and Personal Reflection.
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  Prosperity And Economic Growth With Chris Bradley - TWMJ #1045 19.07.2026 1ч

  Welcome to episode #1045 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Chris Bradley has spent more than twenty-five years helping organizations navigate strategy, growth, and long-term transformation as a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company. He also serves as a Director of the McKinsey Global Institute, the firm's independent research arm, where he explores some of the biggest economic, technological, and societal questions shaping our future. His latest book, A Century of Plenty - A Story of Progress for Generations to Come, challenges one of today's most pervasive narratives: that humanity's best days are behind us. Drawing on years of research, Chris argues that another century of extraordinary progress is not only possible, but achievable... if we choose growth, innovation, and optimism over scarcity and zero-sum thinking. In this conversation, we explore why economic growth remains one of the greatest drivers of prosperity, health, culture, and opportunity, and why so many people nevertheless feel increasingly pessimistic about the future. Chris explains the historical forces that created unprecedented advances over the past century, examines the demographic, energy, and productivity challenges that lie ahead, and shares why he believes AI could become one of the most important catalysts for renewed growth rather than a force to fear. It is a conversation that pushes back against today's prevailing pessimism while offering a thoughtful, data-driven case that progress remains humanity's greatest competitive advantage. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 1:00:36. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Chris Bradley. A Century of Plenty - A Story of Progress for Generations to Come. McKinsey & Company. McKinsey Global Institute. Follow Chris on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Chris Bradley and His Work. (02:59) - The Evolution of Guitar and Modern Musicians. (05:56) - A Century of Plenty: Economic Growth and Its Impact. (12:03) - Reflections on Progress and Generational Optimism. (17:54) - The Dichotomy of Growth: Opportunities vs. Challenges. (23:47) - Imagining a Prosperous Future for All. (30:47) - The Dangers of Zero-Sum Thinking. (36:02) - The Need for Innovation and Productivity. (44:24) - AI: A Double-Edged Sword. (55:21) - Transforming Workplaces with AI.
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  A World Of Intelligent Machines With Steve Brown - TWMJ #1044 12.07.2026 1ч 1мин

  Welcome to episode #1044 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Steve Brown has spent more than twenty-five years helping organizations prepare for the future of technology. A former Senior Director and in-house futurist at Google DeepMind during the launch of AlphaFold, former Chief Evangelist and Futurist at Intel, entrepreneur and advisor, Steve has worked with global brands including Nike, JPMorgan Chase, Samsung, Disney and more to navigate digital transformation and the rapidly evolving AI landscape. His latest book, The AI Ultimatum - Preparing For A World Of Intelligent Machines And Radical Transformation, argues that AI is not another technology deployment but a fundamental organizational transformation that will reshape business over the next decade. In this episode, Steve explains why simply licensing AI tools is only the beginning, outlining the three stages organizations must navigate as they evolve toward becoming truly AI-first. We discuss the growing role of AI agents and digital employees, why leaders must rethink workflows instead of simply automating existing processes, and how organizations can prepare employees for a future where humans and intelligent machines work side by side. Steve also explores the importance of data strategy, change management, and responsible AI governance, while tackling difficult questions about surveillance, workforce anxiety, human creativity, and whether AI represents another technology cycle or something fundamentally different. Throughout the conversation, he makes the case that the real challenge is not adopting AI for efficiency alone, but reimagining how organizations create value in a world where intelligence itself has become programmable. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 1:01:14. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Steve Brown. The AI Ultimatum - Preparing For A World Of Intelligent Machines And Radical Transformation. Steve's Blog. Follow Steve on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Navigating the AI Transformation. (06:06) - The Three Steps of AI Adoption. (08:47) - AI in Journalism: The Human-Machine Collaboration. (12:02) - Consumer Perception of AI-Generated Content. (18:03) - The AI Ultimatum: Embrace or Be Left Behind. (21:10) - The Role of Responsibility in AI Adoption. (24:00) - The Future of Digital Employees. (29:42) - The Future of Remote Work and AI Avatars. (30:05) - Managing Digital Employees: A New Paradigm. (32:35) - Types of AI Agents and Their Impact on Work. (34:34) - Evolving Roles: From Accountants to Financial Advisors. (37:09) - The Burnout Dilemma: Technology vs. Human Capacity. (39:11) - Involving Employees in AI Design Processes. (41:03) - Resistance to AI: Fear of Replacement and Identity. (44:42) - Leadership Perspectives on AI Integration. (46:36) - Creating Super Teams: The New Managerial Role. (48:04) - Case Study: Nvidia's AI Workforce Strategy. (50:10) - Early Successes in AI Deployment. (52:19) - Surveillance vs. Performance Measurement in AI. (56:25) - The Need for a Healthier Work Ecosystem. (58:24) - A Shift in Thinking: The Rise of OpenClaw.
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  A Playbook For Growth With Nicolas Darveau-Garneau - TWMJ #1043 05.07.2026 56мин

  Welcome to episode #1043 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Nicolas Darveau-Garneau has spent his career helping organizations understand where technology creates lasting competitive advantage. A serial entrepreneur, former General Manager of Google in Canada, and then off to the Valley (where he still resides) as Google's former Chief Evangelist, Nicolas has advised more than a thousand executives on digital transformation, AI, marketing, and growth strategy. His latest book, Be A Sequoia, Not A Bonsai - The Seven Growth Secrets of the World's Most Successful Companies, challenges one of business's most common assumptions: that efficiency is the ultimate measure of success. Instead, Nicolas argues that the companies built to last optimize for profitable growth, customer lifetime value, experimentation, and long-term resilience rather than short-term metrics like customer acquisition cost or return on ad spend. In this conversation, Nicolas (an old friend) explores why AI is forcing leaders to rethink not only their technology investments but the very way they measure success. He explains why human change management remains the biggest obstacle to AI adoption, how organizations can redesign incentives to encourage innovation, and why every company should be preparing employees for AI-enabled careers rather than AI replacement. The conversation also examines the future of work, the democratization of expertise across industries like healthcare and law, and the responsibility leaders have to balance profitability with human flourishing. Throughout, Nicolas makes a compelling case that the organizations best positioned for the AI era won't necessarily be the most efficient… they'll be the ones most willing to rethink how value is created in the first place. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 56:45. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Nicolas Darveau-Garneau. Be A Sequoia, Not A Bonsai - The Seven Growth Secrets of the World's Most Successful Companies. Follow Nicolas on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Nicolas Darveau-Garneau. (02:06) - The Journey of Evangelism at Google. (05:54) - Shifting Marketing KPIs for Success. (11:38) - The Role of an Evangelist in Business. (12:47) - The Rise of AI in Marketing. (18:31) - Optimizing Customer Acquisition with AI. (26:50) - Navigating the Future of AI and Employment. (30:21) - Envisioning AI-Enabled Career Paths. (32:13) - The Future of Work and Human Purpose. (34:08) - The Ethical Implications of AI in Warfare. (36:50) - Balancing Profit and Human Values in Business. (38:55) - The Optimistic View on AI Efficiency. (40:39) - The Role of AI in Mental Health Care. (42:52) - The Future of Healthcare and AI. (46:49) - Navigating the AI Landscape: Optimism vs. Skepticism. (52:19) - Preparing for an AI-Driven Future.
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  The Most Powerful Force In Business With Marcus Buckingham - TWMJ #1042 28.06.2026 1ч 5мин

  Welcome to episode #1042 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Marcus Buckingham has spent more than three decades changing how organizations think about people, performance, and leadership. As one of the pioneers of the strengths movement, his research has influenced millions of managers around the world and helped reshape the way companies approach employee engagement and organizational culture. After beginning his career as a researcher at Gallup, Marcus became one of the driving forces behind some of the most influential ideas in modern management. His books include First, Break All the Rules, Now, Discover Your Strengths, Go Put Your Strengths To Work, Love + Work and countless others. He has built a reputation as one of the world's foremost thinkers on human performance. His latest book, Design Love In - How To Unleash The Most Powerful Force In Business, takes that work in a surprising direction. Marcus argues that love isn't simply a personal emotion or an abstract ideal… it's the single most powerful driver of productive human behavior. In this conversation, Marcus explains why so many organizations have become increasingly transactional, why experience design has become one of the defining leadership skills of the AI era, and why he believes "experience intelligence" may soon become as important as financial or operational intelligence. It's a conversation about leadership, organizational design, technology, and perhaps most surprisingly… why one of the least discussed words in business may become one of its greatest competitive advantages. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 1:05:53. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Marcus Buckingham. Design Love In - How To Unleash The Most Powerful Force In Business. First, Break All the Rules. Now, Discover Your Strengths. Go Put Your Strengths To Work. Love + Work. Marcus' other books. Follow Marcus on X. Follow Marcus on Instagram. Follow Marcus on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Love That and Designed Love. (02:59) - The Role of Love in Work and Life. (05:51) - The Business Case for Love. (09:11) - Transactional Nature of Work. (12:09) - Experience Intelligence and Its Importance. (14:59) - Designing Experiences for Love. (17:59) - The Power of Attention in Leadership. (20:54) - The Future of Work and Love. (23:56) - Data, Belief, and the Business of Love. (31:29) - The Love Factor in Business. (34:56) - Surveillance and AI: A Double-Edged Sword. (39:00) - The Importance of Control and Harmony. (47:29) - Experience Making: A Collective Responsibility. (53:41) - The Interplay of Employee and Customer Love. (01:00:20) - AI as a Design Partner: A New Perspective.
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  Winning With AI With Charlene Li - TWMJ #1041 21.06.2026 1ч 1мин

  Welcome to episode #1041 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). At a time when every leadership team is being told that artificial intelligence will change everything, Charlene Li has spent her career helping organizations separate signal from noise. A New York Times bestselling author and trusted advisor to CEOs and boards, Charlene first became widely known for helping leaders understand transformative shifts through books like Groundswell, Open Leadership and The Disruption Mindset. Her latest book, Winning With AI - The 90-Day Blueprint For Success, co-authored with Dr. Katia Walsh, tackles one of the most pressing questions facing business leaders today: not what AI is, but what to do about it. Drawing on research, executive interviews and practical experience, Charlene argues that organizations do not need an AI strategy… they need to rethink how AI serves their existing business strategy. In our conversation, she explores why most organizations are still struggling to move beyond experimentation, why leadership and transformation matter more than technology selection, and why the greatest opportunity may not be efficiency at all, but creating more human-centered organizations. Along the way, Charlene challenges conventional thinking about AI pilots, workforce transformation, organizational design and the future role of leadership in an era where intelligence itself is becoming abundant. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 1:01:50. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Charlene Li. Winning With AI - The 90-Day Blueprint For Success. Dr. Katia Walsh. Groundswell. Open Leadership. The Disruption Mindset. Charlene's other books. Follow Charlene on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to AI and Leadership. (03:02) - Navigating the AI Landscape. (05:57) - Understanding AI's Impact on Organizations. (09:09) - The Human Element in AI. (12:10) - Rethinking Workflows and Decision-Making. (14:45) - Strategic AI Roadmaps. (17:54) - Investment and Governance in AI. (20:52) - Creating Value with AI. (23:53) - Emergent Thinking and AI Adoption. (31:00) - The Role of Leadership in AI Implementation. (34:50) - Ownership and Accountability in AI Strategy. (39:01) - Creating Value Beyond Efficiency with AI. (45:07) - Navigating Workforce Changes and Reskilling. (48:59) - Addressing Employee Concerns About AI. (54:54) - The Case Against AI Pilots. (55:54) - The Importance of Speed in AI Adoption.
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  AI And The Knowledge Economy With Sangeet Paul Choudary 14.06.2026 58мин

  Welcome to episode #1040 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Long before artificial intelligence became the dominant business conversation, Sangeet Paul Choudary was helping leaders understand another profound shift in economic power: the rise of platforms. As the co-author of Platform Revolution, founder of Platform Thinking Labs, advisor to global corporations and governments, and a respected thinkers on digital business models, Sangeet has spent years studying how technology changes the sources of competitive advantage and reshapes entire industries. His latest book, Reshuffle - Who Wins When AI Restacks The Knowledge Economy, extends that work into the age of artificial intelligence, exploring what happens when the expertise, judgment and know-how that once lived inside individuals and organizations increasingly migrates into software systems. In this conversation, Sangeet explains why AI represents far more than a productivity upgrade. He argues that every major technological shift changes what is scarce, and when scarcity changes, value moves with it. Drawing on examples ranging from Kodak and Netflix to cloud computing, software platforms and global supply chains, he explores why some organizations adapt while others become trapped by the assumptions that made them successful in the first place. The discussion also examines the changing nature of economic power, the growing importance of digital sovereignty, the future of knowledge work, and the risks of assuming that today's business models will survive tomorrow's technological realities. Throughout the conversation, Sangeet offers a framework for understanding not just what AI can do, but how leaders can rethink their organizations, industries and careers when the foundations of value creation are being rewritten in real time. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 1:00:47. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Sangeet Paul Choudary. Reshuffle - Who Wins When AI Restacks The Knowledge Economy. Platform Thinking Labs. Platform Revolution. Follow Sangeet on X. Follow Sangeet on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Sangeet Chaudhary and Reshuffle. (02:51) - The Impact of Technological Shifts on Value Creation. (05:51) - Understanding Architectural Constraints in Business. (09:07) - The Role of Supply Chain in Innovation. (12:10) - AI's Influence on Software and Business Models. (14:56) - Navigating Uncertainty in AI Adoption. (18:04) - The Future of Economic Power and Sovereignty. (21:00) - Cultural Shifts in Power Dynamics. (23:53) - The Mechanisms of Change in AI and Business. (26:52) - The Balance of Sovereignty and Dominance. (29:46) - The Future of Work in an AI-Driven Economy. (32:44) - The Broader Implications of AI on Society. (36:40) - Conclusion and Reflections on Reshuffle.
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  Developing A Vital Voice With Carmine Gallo - TWMJ #1039 07.06.2026 1ч

  Welcome to episode #1039 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). I believe that communication has always been one of the most valuable skills in business. But in an era of AI-generated content, algorithmic feeds, podcasts, newsletters, keynote stages, short-form video and endless digital noise, it may be becoming even more important. Few people have spent more time studying what makes ideas resonate than Carmine Gallo. A communication coach, author, and instructor in executive education at Harvard, Carmine is best known for bestselling books including Talk Like TED, The Storyteller's Secret, The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs and many more. His latest project, Viral Voices - From TED Talks To TikTok, Persuasive Communication Skills For The Digital Age, is an audio-original experience that explores what great communicators can teach us about influence, storytelling, and audience engagement in a rapidly changing media landscape. In this conversation, Carmine argues that while the tools of communication have evolved dramatically, the human brain has not. Drawing on research from neuroscience, psychology, evolutionary biology, and his conversations with communicators ranging from business leaders to digital creators, he explains why storytelling remains one of humanity's most powerful technologies. The discussion explores why movement captures attention, why narrative structures continue to dominate modern platforms, and why great communicators are made through deliberate practice rather than born with natural talent. Carmine also shares his AMP framework for communication improvement: Ability, Message, and Practice. Along the way, the conversation examines the opportunities and challenges created by AI, including the growing tension between polished machine-generated content and authentic human expression. At a moment when everyone has access to powerful communication tools, Carmine makes a compelling case that imagination, personal experience, and genuine human insight are becoming the ultimate differentiators. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 1:00:47. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Carmine Gallo. Viral Voices - From TED Talks To TikTok, Persuasive Communication Skills For The Digital Age. Talk Like TED. The Storyteller's Secret. The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs. Carmine's other books. Follow Carmine on X. Follow Carmine on Instagram. Follow Carmine on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Communication and Influence. (03:11) - The Evolution of Communication Tools. (05:56) - The Power of Storytelling. (08:48) - Understanding Audience Engagement. (11:48) - The Role of Movement in Communication. (14:59) - The Hero's Journey in Storytelling. (18:08) - The Nature vs. Nurture Debate in Communication. (21:02) - The AMP Model for Effective Communication. (24:05) - The Impact of AI on Communication. (26:58) - The Challenge of Authenticity in AI-Generated Content. (29:48) - Attention Spans and Content Consumption. (33:05) - The Future of Communication in the Age of AI.
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  Human Agency With Marcus Fontoura - TWMJ #1038 31.05.2026 47мин

  Welcome to episode #1038 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). At a time when technology feels simultaneously more powerful and more opaque than ever, Marcus Fontoura is making a case for something many people feel they've lost: agency. A Technical Fellow and Corporate Vice President at Microsoft, Marcus has spent decades helping build the infrastructure that powers the modern internet, including leadership roles at Microsoft Azure, Google and IBM. His new book, Human Agency In A Digital World, is both a guide to understanding the technologies shaping our lives and a reminder that we are not merely passengers along for the ride. Drawing on his experience building cloud computing platforms and large-scale digital systems, Marcus demystifies everything from search engines and social media to artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure, arguing that technological literacy should be as fundamental as understanding economics or government. In this episode, Marcus explores the growing gap between the people building technology and the people living with its consequences. He discusses social media's impact on mental health, misinformation, polarization, AI's role as a prediction engine rather than an autonomous intelligence, and the importance of regulation in areas where technological progress has outpaced public understanding. At the same time, Marcus offers a deeply optimistic vision of the future. He believes that access to information, computing power and AI tools can empower a new generation of scientists, entrepreneurs and problem-solvers to tackle challenges ranging from healthcare and education to climate change and scientific discovery. Rather than viewing technology as something happening to us, Marcus argues that understanding how these systems work is the first step toward shaping how they evolve. What emerges is a thoughtful conversation about curiosity, responsibility, innovation and the enduring role of human judgment in an increasingly digital world. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 47:25. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Marcus Fontoura. Human Agency In A Digital World. A Platform Mindset. Follow Marcus on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Marcus Fontoura and His Role at Microsoft. (02:54) - Understanding the Cloud and Its Impact on Society. (06:06) - Human Agency in a Digital World. (08:57) - The Complexity of AI and Technology. (12:00) - The Role of Regulation in Technology. (15:07) - The Real-World Applications of AI. (17:59) - The Challenges of Social Media and Mental Health. (20:55) - The Need for Societal Engagement in Technology Regulation. (26:26) - The Challenge of Fake News and Agency. (27:00) - Empowering Future Generations. (31:27) - The Role of Human Agency in Technology. (34:01) - Concerns Over AI and Misinformation. (40:44) - Understanding AI Code Generation. (46:55) - The Pursuit of AGI and Its Implications. (50:08) - Technology's Role in Promoting Equality.
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  The Value Of Uncertainty With Simone Stolzoff - TWMJ #1037 24.05.2026 57мин

  Welcome to episode #1037 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). At a moment when certainty has become both a cultural obsession and a commercial product, Simone Stolzoff is asking a far more uncomfortable question: what if the real skill is learning how to live without it? A journalist whose work has appeared in publications like The Atlantic and author of the bestselling book The Good Enough Job, Simo has built his work around examining the hidden psychological contracts shaping modern life… especially our increasingly tangled relationship with work, ambition and identity. His new book, How to Not Know - The Value of Uncertainty in a World that Demands Answers, pushes that exploration even further, arguing that many of the anxieties defining modern life stem not from uncertainty itself… but from our declining ability to tolerate it. In this conversation, Simo explores why uncertainty has become so psychologically destabilizing in an era where information is infinite, prediction is constant and every question seems one search query away from an answer. He discusses the paradox of modern life: despite unprecedented prosperity, connectivity and opportunity, people feel increasingly fragile, overwhelmed and fearful of ambiguity. Simo explains how uncertainty once served an important evolutionary purpose, but has become maladaptive in a culture obsessed with optimization, certainty and control. The conversation moves through entrepreneurship, identity, politics, AI, climate anxiety, relationships and creativity… all connected by the tension between our desire for certainty and the reality that much of life remains fundamentally unknowable. Simo argues that uncertainty is not a flaw in the system… it is the birthplace of possibility, growth and reinvention. Along the way, we discuss Brian Eno, venture capital, the psychology of risk, the danger of false certainty in modern discourse, and why action itself is often the antidote to anxiety. What emerges is not a conversation about having the answers… but about developing the resilience, humility and imagination to move forward without them. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 57:55. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Simone Stolzoff. How To Not Know - The Value of Uncertainty in a World that Demands Answers. The Good Enough Job. Subscribe to Simo's newsletter. Follow Simo on Instagram. Follow Simo on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Simone Stolzoff. (01:45) - The Intersection of Identity and Career. (03:50) - Embracing Uncertainty in Life and Work. (10:56) - Cultural Perspectives on Risk and Entrepreneurship. (15:50) - The Paradox of Comfort and Growth. (18:49) - Building Tolerance for Uncertainty. (22:33) - Macro Perspectives on Progress and Uncertainty. (27:23) - Navigating Opportunities in an Unstable Job Market. (33:07) - The Role of Geography in Relationships and Opportunities. (36:43) - Age Bias and Risk Aversion. (41:08) - Resilience in the Face of Uncertainty. (50:02) - Closing Thoughts on Rigidity and Acceptance.
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  Unlocking The Best In People With Ashley Herd - TWMJ #1036 17.05.2026 1ч

  Welcome to episode #1036 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Ashley Herd did not set out to become a management expert. Trained as an employment lawyer and later serving in senior HR and leadership roles supporting organizations including McKinsey & Company, Ashley built her career at the intersection of people, performance and workplace culture. What began as practical leadership advice shared through short-form social media videos evolved into a massive online following, with hundreds of thousands of managers turning to her for direct, actionable guidance on how to lead teams without burning people out. Her new book, The Manager Method - A Practical Framework to Lead, Support, and Get Results, distills that experience into a deceptively simple framework built around Pause, Consider, Act… a reminder that leadership is not about reacting faster, but thinking more clearly. In this conversation, Ashley explores why so many organizations continue promoting high performers into management roles without preparing them to lead people, why workplace culture is often shaped more by individual managers than company values, and how the modern workplace has been reshaped by the pandemic, generational shifts and AI. Ashley argues that the biggest failures in leadership are rarely strategic… they are relational. Silence, unclear expectations, lack of feedback and the inability to coach people effectively create cascading organizational problems. At the same time, she remains optimistic that AI can become a meaningful thought partner for managers… not replacing judgment, empathy or coaching, but helping leaders pause long enough to think better about how they communicate and support others. Grounded in practical experience rather than abstract theory, Ashley's work is ultimately about helping managers become more human… and helping organizations remember that people are not line items on a spreadsheet. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 1:00:07. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Ashley Herd. The Manager Method - A Practical Framework to Lead, Support, and Get Results. Follow Ashley on Instagram. Follow Ashley on YouTube. Follow Ashley on LinkedIn. Follow Ashley on TikTok. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Ashley Herd and The Manager Method. (02:57) - The Power of Social Media in Leadership Development. (05:50) - The Journey from Law to Leadership. (09:05) - Understanding Management Challenges and the Peter Principle. (12:08) - The Role of Empathy in Management. (15:09) - Navigating the New World of Management Post-Pandemic. (17:54) - The Importance of Clear Expectations in Leadership. (21:02) - The Impact of Generational Differences on Management. (23:51) - The Role of AI in Modern Management. (27:04) - Coaching vs. Managing: The New Paradigm. (30:12) - Creating a Culture of Feedback and Recognition. (32:54) - The Importance of Pausing and Reflecting in Leadership. (36:02) - Final Thoughts and Resources for Managers.
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  Modern Marketing With MichaelAaron Flicker - TWMJ #1035 10.05.2026 1ч

  Welcome to episode #1035 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). At a time when marketers have more data, more technology and more precision than ever before… consumer trust, attention and loyalty somehow feel more fragile than ever. Few people are exploring that paradox more deeply than MichaelAaron Flicker. An entrepreneur who started his company at just fourteen years old, Michael has spent years studying the intersection of marketing, behavioral science and human decision-making (he runs an agency, vventure capital firm and leads several other businesses). His book, Hacking The Human Mind - The Behavioral Science Secrets Behind 17 Of The World's Best Brands (along with co-author Richard Shotton), examines how brands shape perception, influence behavior and build emotional resonance… often in ways consumers barely recognize. In this conversation, Michael and I explore the growing divide inside modern marketing itself… between performance-driven optimization and the enduring power of emotional storytelling. We unpack how AI, algorithms and recommendation systems are quietly reshaping consumer agency, why the illusion of choice may be more powerful than choice itself, and how platforms increasingly mediate not just what we buy… but how we think. Michael (who also has a great podcast, The Consumer Behavior Lab) argues that while technology has evolved dramatically, human behavior has not. Scarcity, status, social proof, storytelling and emotional connection still shape our decisions… even when we believe we're acting rationally. We also discuss the dangerous temptation for marketers to chase short-term metrics while neglecting the deeper work of building lasting brand value, trust and cultural meaning. Along the way, we get into Amazon's invisible persuasion architecture, why many direct-to-consumer brands plateau, the ethical tension between persuasion and manipulation, and how AI may transform marketing from an art form into an escalating behavioral arms race. What emerges is a fascinating conversation about power, psychology and the increasingly intimate systems shaping modern commerce… and whether brands still truly understand the humans they're trying to reach. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 1:00:58. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with MichaelAaron Flicker. Hacking The Human Mind - The Behavioral Science Secrets Behind 17 Of The World's Best Brands. The Consumer Behavior Lab. Richard Shotton. Xenopsi. Follow MichaelAaron on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Marketing and Behavioral Science. (03:03) - The Paradox of Modern Marketing. (06:02) - The Role of AI in Consumer Decision Making. (09:00) - The Illusion of Choice in E-commerce. (12:05) - The Evolution of Marketing Metrics. (15:07) - The Changing Landscape of Brand Power. (18:12) - Understanding Human Behavior in Marketing. (20:59) - The Symbiotic Relationship Between Brands and Platforms. (24:02) - The Impact of Globalization on Consumer Choices. (33:28) - Brand Value and Consumer Loyalty. (38:16) - The Importance of Services in Marketing. (41:39) - Case Studies and Anomalies in Brand Success. (50:24) - The Role of AI in Marketing and Persuasion. (57:51) - The Shift to the Intimacy Economy.
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  The Business Of Culture And Art With Douglas Woodham - TWMJ #1034 03.05.2026 1ч 4мин

  Welcome to episode #1034 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). At a time when the lines between culture, commerce and identity feel increasingly blurred, few people understand how value is actually constructed… and reconstructed… better than Douglas Woodham. A former President of the Americas at Christie's and a longtime advisor through his firm Art Fiduciary Advisors, Doug brings a rare dual lens to the conversation… equal parts economist and art obsessive. With a PhD in economics and decades spent inside the machinery of the global art market, he has seen firsthand how artists move from obscurity to icon status… and how markets, narratives and power structures shape that journey . His latest book, Jean-Michel Basquiat - The Making of an Icon, goes far beyond biography to examine how one artist's legacy was not just created… but carefully engineered. In this conversation, Doug explores the intersection of art and economics, unpacking how scarcity, status and human behavior drive the desire to collect… and why ownership has become increasingly performative in a social media age. He challenges the romantic notion that value is purely about the work itself, pointing instead to branding, cultural timing and strategic stewardship… particularly in Basquiat's posthumous rise. We also dig into the broader shifts reshaping the art world… from the declining cultural centrality of fine art to the rise of alternative collectibles, the failure of NFTs to gain traction in traditional markets, and the fragile economics behind fractional ownership models. What emerges is a sharper understanding that art is not just about beauty or expression… it is about markets, narratives and belief systems that determine what is worth owning… and why. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 1:04:35. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Douglas Woodham. Jean-Michel Basquiat - The Making of an Icon. Art Fiduciary Advisors. Art Collecting Today. Follow Doug on Instagram. Follow Doug on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Doug Woodham and His Expertise. (02:42) - The Life and Legacy of Jean-Michel Basquiat. (04:48) - Connecting Art and Economics. (08:45) - Human Behavior and the Desire for Collectibles. (12:10) - The Shift in Art Collecting Trends. (15:42) - NFTs and Their Impact on the Art Market. (20:29) - Artist Compensation and Ownership Rights. (24:28) - Cultural Relevance of Fine Art Today. (27:58) - The Psychology of Collecting and Scarcity. (32:37) - The Business of Scarcity in Consumer Brands. (35:15) - The Importance of Secondary Markets in Collectibles. (40:10) - The Evolution of Basquiat's Brand Posthumously. (54:51) - The Intersection of Art and Commercialization. (59:53) - Fractional Ownership in Art Investments.
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  Revolutionizing Humanity And Tech With Pablos Holman - TWMJ #1033 26.04.2026 1ч 4мин

  Welcome to episode #1033 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). We spent the last twenty-five years calling software "technology," which was convenient, profitable and just a little bit delusional. Apps got smarter. Feeds got stickier. Ads got creepier. Dashboards got dashboards. Meanwhile, the real world kept asking harder questions. How do we produce enough clean energy for eight billion people? How do we build things again? How do we manufacture without waste? How do we use AI for science, not just better chatbots and faster slop? Pablos Holman has spent his career living inside those questions. He is a hacker, inventor, venture capitalist, and founder of Deep Future, an invention capital firm backing the mad scientists, rogue engineers and maverick entrepreneurs trying to build technologies that actually matter. His career has touched everything from cryptocurrency in the 1990s and AI for financial markets to the early days of Blue Origin and the launch of Intellectual Ventures Lab, where the work included mosquito-killing lasers, malaria-diagnosing microscopes, vaccine coolers, advanced antennas and nuclear reactors powered by waste. His book, Deep Future - Creating Technology That Matters, argues that the next wave of innovation will not come from making software marginally more addictive. It will come from solving the physical, messy, expensive, essential problems that humanity depends on: energy, water, food, waste, construction, manufacturing, medicine and infrastructure. In this conversation, Pablos makes the case for optimism with teeth. Not optimism as a mood. Optimism as a discipline. A willingness to stare at massive problems without flinching… and then go build something. We talk about why software can't save the world by itself, why energy may be the root problem behind almost everything, why AI's most meaningful work may happen in science, and why the future belongs to people willing to work on problems big enough to scare everyone else. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 1:04:47. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Pablos Holman. Deep Future - Creating Technology That Matters. Check out Pablos on the Tim Ferriss Podcast: One of The Scariest Hackers I've Ever Met — Pablos Holman. Follow Pablos on LinkedIn. Follow Pablos on X. Follow Pablos on Instagram. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Deep Future and Venture Capital. (02:47) - The Shift from Software to Deep Tech. (06:08) - Revolutionizing Manufacturing with Robotics. (08:49) - The Environmental Impact of Energy Production. (12:13) - Innovative Solutions for Energy Challenges. (15:08) - The Role of AI in Scientific Advancements. (17:53) - Cultural Shifts in Manufacturing and Education. (20:55) - The Future of Energy and Nuclear Solutions. (23:56) - The Importance of Long-Term Thinking. (26:45) - Connecting Work to Meaning and Purpose. (30:13) - The Role of Corporations in Infrastructure Investment. (33:03) - The Future of Jobs in an Automated World. (36:13) - AI's Role in Solving Global Problems. (39:01) - The Need for Optimism in Technology. (41:59) - Final Thoughts and the Future of Humanity.
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  Unlocking Creativity And Productivity With Natalie Nixon - TWMJ #1032 19.04.2026 1ч 2мин

  Welcome to episode #1032 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). At a time when productivity is still measured in speed, output and constant motion, few voices are pushing for a more human… and ultimately more effective… way of working than Natalie Nixon. A creativity strategist, keynote speaker and founder of Figure 8 Thinking, Natalie has built her career helping leaders unlock the business value of imagination… not as a soft skill, but as a strategic capability. Her work sits at the intersection of design thinking, anthropology and business innovation, and her previous book, The Creativity Leap, positioned curiosity, empathy and intuition as essential leadership muscles. In her latest work, Move. Think. Rest. - Redefining Productivity & Our Relationship With Time, Natalie challenges the deeply embedded belief that more effort equals better results… arguing instead that we're not in a tech revolution, but a human one. She introduces the MTR framework (movement, thought and rest) as a way to rebalance how we work and live, emphasizing that creativity doesn't happen despite pauses… it depends on them. In this conversation, Natalie explores how burnout and busyness have become normalized, why organizations must move beyond outdated productivity metrics, and how leaders can cultivate environments where creativity and trust can thrive. She makes a compelling case that AI, while powerful, is not the story… it's the backdrop. The real opportunity lies in how humans choose to engage with it… whether we double down on efficiency or expand into imagination, play and connection. From rethinking workplace culture to redefining growth as a non-linear, deeply human process, this conversation is a call to redesign not just how we work… but why we work at all. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 1:02:21. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Natalie Nixon. Move. Think. Rest. - Redefining Productivity & Our Relationship With Time. The Creativity Leap. Figure 8 Thinking. Sign up for Natalie's newsletter. Follow Natalie on Instagram. Follow Natalie on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Creativity and Productivity. (04:01) - The Crisis of Creativity and Busyness. (08:06) - Redefining Creativity in Various Professions. (11:57) - The Role of AI in Creativity. (15:52) - Human Connection in the Age of Technology. (19:51) - The Infinite Nature of Creativity. (24:14) - The Importance of Play in Work Culture. (32:35) - Cultivation 2.0: Rethinking Productivity. (34:01) - Proofs of Concept: Companies Leading the Way. (39:03) - Culture and Productivity: An Inextricable Link. (40:51) - Redesigning Work: The Need for Systemic Change. (45:51) - Navigating Liminal Spaces: Embracing Uncertainty. (50:47) - The Human Revolution: Beyond Technology. (56:07) - Rest as a Productivity Tool: A Paradigm Shift.
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  New Business Transformations With Joseph Pine - TWMJ #1031 12.04.2026 58мин

  Welcome to episode #1031 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). At a time when businesses are still trying to wrap their heads around "customer experience," few thinkers have shaped that conversation… and pushed it forward… as much as B. Joseph Pine II. As cofounder of Strategic Horizons, Joe has spent decades helping organizations understand how economic value evolves… from commodities to goods, to services, to experiences… and now, to something far more ambitious. Best known for The Experience Economy: Work Is Theatre And Every Business A Stage, Joe didn't just introduce a concept… he gave leaders a new language to describe how businesses compete for time, attention and meaning. In this conversation, Joe extends that thinking through his latest work, The Transformation Economy: Guiding Customers To Achieve Their Aspirations, where the goal is no longer just to stage memorable moments… but to help customers become something more. He argues that the highest form of economic value isn't what a company delivers… but what a customer becomes as a result. That shift reframes everything: experiences are no longer the end game… they are the raw material for change. Drawing on decades of research and real-world examples, Joe makes the case that businesses must move beyond efficiency and even beyond engagement… toward fostering human flourishing across dimensions like health, wealth, wisdom and purpose. It's a bold elevation of the role of business… one that demands a long-term mindset, ethical use of data, and a deeper understanding of individual customers as people, not segments. And while technologies like AI can accelerate customization and coaching, Joe is clear that tools alone won't get us there… mindset will. In a world obsessed with speed, optimization and short-term gains, this conversation is a powerful reminder that the real opportunity lies in helping people grow… not just transact. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 58:44. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with B. Joseph Pine II. Transformation Economy: Guiding Customers To Achieve Their Aspirations. The Experience Economy: Work Is Theatre And Every Business A Stage. Strategic Horizons. Follow Joe on Substack. Follow Joe on X. Follow Joe on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - The Experience Economy: A Game Changer. (03:07) - Understanding Experiences vs. Services. (06:01) - The Challenge of Attention in the Experience Economy. (09:05) - The Progression of Economic Value. (11:50) - Transformation: The Next Level of Value. (14:56) - The Role of Self-Service in Experiences. (18:07) - Empathy and Customer-Centric Business. (20:53) - Long-Term Thinking in Business Strategy. (31:32) - Long-Term Investment Strategies for Companies. (34:51) - The Importance of Meaningful Purpose in Business. (37:48) - Data, Analytics, and the Customization Revolution. (39:40) - Balancing Data Use and Customer Privacy. (46:51) - The Concept of Flourishing in Business. (52:15) - Experiences vs. Anti-Consumerism. (53:35) - AI: The Future of Customization and Transformation.
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  Thinking At The Edge Of What's Possible With Avinash Kaushik - TWMJ #1030 05.04.2026 1ч 16мин

  Welcome to episode #1030 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). At a time when marketing (and AI) feels both hyper-measurable and strangely uncertain, few voices bring as much clarity… and lived perspective… as Avinash Kaushik. A longtime friend (and he's also available for your next meeting at ThinkersOne) of the show and one of the most influential thinkers in marketing and technology, Avinash first rose to prominence as the analytics evangelist at Google, where he helped bring web analytics into the mainstream and reshape how businesses think about measurement and decision-making. He is also the bestselling author of Web Analytics 2.0 and Web Analytics: An Hour A Day— thinking that has become foundational texts for marketers navigating data-driven environments. Today, he serves as Chief Strategy Officer at Human Made Machine and as a strategic advisor at Tapestry, working across brands like Coach and Kate Spade to drive transformation at scale. Beyond his corporate roles, Avinash continues to publish his widely read newsletter, The Marketing Analytics Intersect, where he explores the evolving intersection of data, technology, and business strategy while donating all proceeds to charity. In our conversation, Avinash unpacks how the industry over-indexed on performance metrics at the expense of brand, and why that imbalance is now being corrected… not by marketers, but by AI. He argues that while AI will automate much of what we once considered core marketing work, it simultaneously elevates the importance of judgment, creativity, and asking better questions. Drawing from real-world examples, Avinash makes a compelling case that the future belongs to those who don't just adopt AI tools, but rethink their role entirely. The opportunity isn't to do the same work faster… it's to redefine what work is worth doing in the first place. And while the hype cycle around AI is loud, Avinash offers a more grounded perspective: imperfect systems, messy organizations and human dynamics will always shape outcomes. The real risk isn't that AI replaces us… it's that we fail to evolve alongside it. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 1:16:13. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Avinash Kaushik. The Marketing Analytics Intersect. Web Analytics 2.0. Web Analytics: An Hour A Day. Human Made Machine. Tapestry. Book Avinash on ThinkersOne for your next meeting. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Avinash and His Journey. (02:50) - Transitioning from Google to Agency Life. (06:01) - Reflections on Marketing Roles. (09:13) - The Challenges of Agency Management. (11:54) - The Evolution of Marketing and Data. (15:05) - Identifying Patterns in Marketing Success. (17:52) - The Importance of Brand Marketing. (21:13) - The Balance of Performance and Brand Marketing. (24:05) - The Role of AI in Marketing. (26:52) - The Future of Brands in an AI-Driven World. (29:49) - Optimism and the Impact of AI. (39:50) - Harnessing AI for Data Analysis. (42:01) - Practical Applications of AI in Business. (46:30) - Organizational Adaptation to AI. (48:01) - Cultural Shifts in Embracing AI. (55:06) - The Future of Work and AI. (01:00:57) - Skepticism Towards AI Hype. (01:06:03) - Preparing the Next Generation for AI. (01:13:56) - Cultural Insights and User Experience.
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  Navigating The Near Future With David Armano - TWMJ #1029 29.03.2026 1ч

  Welcome to episode #1029 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). These days, technology feels both familiar… and completely unrecognizable. Few voices bring the kind of clarity and grounded perspective that David Armano does. A longtime digital strategist, advisor, self-proclaimed futurist and friend, David has spent decades at the front lines of transformation… helping organizations navigate everything from the rise of social media to the mobile-first revolution, and now the seismic shift of artificial intelligence. In his current role at Launch by NTT Data, he works directly with enterprises trying to make sense of AI not as a tool, but as a system-wide change that touches people, process and culture. Alongside this, his widely read Substack, David by Design has become a space where he explores what he calls "intelligent experiences, "and the broader societal implications of living in a world shaped by AI. In this conversation, David frames AI as both a continuation of past technological waves and something entirely new, with a cognitive reach that extends far beyond previous disruptions. He reflects on how organizations are grappling with adoption - often caught between experimentation and transformation - while individuals face a more personal tension: the realization that the very tools augmenting their work may also replace it. At the same time, David pushes beyond the typical optimism-versus-doom narrative, offering a more nuanced lens rooted in what he calls "adapting intelligently"… a form of realism that acknowledges both the extraordinary upside and the very real societal risks. From the emergence of an "intelligence wealth gap" to the psychological impact of algorithmic systems, we explore how AI may amplify both opportunity and inequality… rewarding those who learn to direct it while leaving others increasingly dependent on it. Grounded in both professional experience and personal reflection, this is a conversation about change at every level… not just technological, but human.  Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 1:00:57 Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with David Armano. David by Design. Launch by NTT Data. Follow David on X. Follow David on LikedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to David Armano. (02:17) - The Evolution of Digital Transformation. (06:46) - AI as a Force Multiplier. (10:07) - Real-World Applications of AI. (13:34) - Enterprise Perspectives on AI. (18:32) - The Human Element in AI Adoption. (22:46) - The Future of AI and Society. (30:53) - Geopolitical Implications of AI. (32:04) - The Evolving Global Landscape. (35:54) - The Intelligence Wealth Gap. (39:08) - Navigating the Creator Economy. (44:34) - AI Slop vs. Vibe Content. (51:00) - The Future of Work and Knowledge Workers.
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  Belief, Potential And Breakthroughs With Nir Eyal - TWMJ #1028 22.03.2026 54мин

  Welcome to episode #1028 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). In a world increasingly defined by information overload and ideological certainty, the ability to change one's mind may be the most undervalued skill of all… and few thinkers have explored that terrain as deeply as my friend, Nir Eyal. A bestselling author, behavioral design expert and former Stanford lecturer, Nir has built a career examining how habits are formed, how attention is controlled and how human behavior can be shaped both externally and from within. His previous works, Hooked - How To Build Habit-Forming Products and Indistractable - How To Control Your Attention And Choose Your Life, established him as a leading voice on the psychology of technology and focus. In his latest book, Beyond Belief - Change Your Mind, Change Your Life, Nir shifts inward, exploring the often invisible force that determines whether knowledge translates into action: belief itself. Drawing on behavioral science, psychology and lived experience, he introduces what he calls the "motivation triangle" - behavior, benefit and belief - and argues that without belief, even the best strategies and intentions collapse. At the core of his work is a provocative idea: beliefs are not truths… they are tools (flexible, revisable constructs that shape what we see, feel and do). He explores how limiting beliefs persist even when we know better, why we often fail to act on advice we actively seek, and how techniques like "turnarounds" can help reframe our assumptions to unlock agency and change. At the same time, Nir wrestles with the broader implications of belief in a polarized, AI-driven world… where narratives are reinforced, critical thinking is uneven, and certainty is often mistaken for truth. Grounded in both rigorous research and personal reflection, his work reframes belief not as something to defend, but as something to consciously design and refine. Nir is also available to join your meetings or gatherings on ThinkersOne. I have had him on the show countless times and he is always inspiring and insightful. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 54:58. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Nir Eyal. Book Nir for your next meeting on ThinkersOne. Follow Nir on Instagram. Follow Nir on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Nir Eyal and His Journey. (05:50) - Understanding Belief: Tools, Not Truths. (11:56) - The Power of Prayer and Its Impact. (17:59) - Liberating vs. Limiting Beliefs. (23:59) - Beliefs as Tools for Action. (32:54) - Beliefs as Tools, Not Truths. (43:01) - The Power of Optimism and Self-Reflection. (51:34) - Embracing Change and Open-Mindedness.