Podcast — 12 Geniuses

In this episode, Michael Kanaan joins the show. He is the author of the book T-Minus AI. Recently, Michael completed his role as the Director of Operations for the Department of Air Force/MIT Artificial Intelligence Accelerator and is now the Chief of Staff of the US Air Force Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School.

In this interview, Michael discusses his approach to doing research, including many of the sources he scours on a regular basis. He shares some of the trends that he is following. Those trends include device addiction, the digital divide and how that increases inequality in urban and rural communities, Artificial Intelligence, and the promise of a quantum world. He also talks about how he is inspired by people younger than him. He is filled with optimism by their empathy, ability to coordinate, and desire to be involved in public service.

Futurist Friday with Gerd Leonhard

In this episode, Gerd Leonhard joins the show. Based in Zurich, Switzerland, Gerd is one of the world’s leading futurists and the author of Technology vs Humanity: The Coming Clash Between Man and Machine. With the motto “People, Planet, Purpose, and Prosperity,” Gerd is an outspoken critic of unregulated exponential technologies. He uses his influence and platform to help people “imagine and create a better tomorrow” and was named one of Wired UK’s 100 Most Influential Europeans in 2015.

In this interview, Gerd points out that “the future is already here, we just haven’t paid enough attention to it.” He talks about how technology is making us superhuman, that we are in the biggest shift in history as far as energy and climate are concerned, and that machines and artificial intelligence are starting to emulate humanity. In addition to sharing how he does his research to better understand the future, Gerd suggests that leaders spend an hour a day focusing on the future. He also shares his thoughts on healthcare, longevity, and the convergence of technology and biology.

Futurist Friday with David Houle

In this episode, David Houle joins the show. David is a futurist and the author of This Spaceship Earth, Entering the Shift Age, and a series of books about the 2020s including The 2020s: The Golden Age of Design and Redesign. David is Futurist in Residence and Guest Lecturer at the Ringling College of Art + Design in Sarasota, Florida. He is Honorary President and Futurist of the Future Business School of China. He is a Founding Member and Managing Partner of The Sarasota Institute - A 21st Century Think Tank.

In this interview, David discusses the books that have influenced how he views the future, how he identifies trends through his research, two trends - aging and Technological Intelligence/Artificial Intelligence - that he is following closely and that will influence life through the 21st century, and why the 2020s will be the most disruptive decade in human history. David also raises provocative questions about the future ability of being able to upload consciousness, genetic alterations, and the morality of cloning humans.

Futurist Friday with Trond Undheim

In this episode, Trond Undheim joins the show. Based outside of Boston. Trond is a futurist, podcaster, investor, author, speaker, entrepreneur and the former director of MIT Startup Exchange. He has written six books including Leadership from Below, Disruption Games, Pandemic Aftermath: How Coronavirus Changes Global Society, and the soon-to-be released Augmented Lean.

In this discussion, Trond talks about his research which is focused on industrial technology and how it can contribute to regeneration and a more sustainable planet while creating an environment in which humans can flourish. He shares how he conducts his research and vets his sources. Trond shares his opinions on the limitations of carbon capture storage and he talks about his vision for humanistic technology in industrial settings that requires very little training in order for workers to operate it effectively. Finally, Trond discusses why human ingenuity fills him with optimism and he gives parting advice to leaders who want to be better visionaries for their organizations.

Futurist Friday with Dr. Bertalan Meskó

Over the course of the summer of 2022, we are releasing 12 interviews with futurists and forward thinkers in order to help our global audience of leaders become better visionaries for their organizations and be more prepared for our uncertain future.

In this episode, Dr. Bertalan Meskó joins the show. He is the Director of The Medical Futurist Institute where he and his colleagues analyze how science fiction technologies can become a reality in medicine and healthcare. Dr. Meskó is a physician with a PhD in genomics. He is also an Amazon Top 100 author and a Professor at Semmelweis Medical School in Budapest. He is one of the top voices globally on healthcare technology.

In this interview, Dr. Meskó shares how he identifies trends, vets sources, and what trends he is following with a focus on the metaverse and new medical technologies. He also shares what’s filling him with a sense of optimism.

Futurist Friday with Rebecca Ryan

Over the course of the summer of 2022, we are releasing 12 interviews with futurists and forward thinkers in order to help our global audience of leaders become better visionaries for their organizations and be more prepared for our uncertain future.

In this episode, Rebecca Ryan joins the show. Rebecca is a noted top 50 professional futurist, economist, best-selling author and entrepreneur. She is the founder of NEXT Generation Consulting through which she partners with government leaders across the country. Looking a generation ahead, she outlines strategies in urban planning, economic development and workforce development to ensure communities are well equipped for future trends and challenges. Rebecca is a graduate of Drake University with a certificate in Strategic Foresight from University of Houston; she is the Resident Futurist at the Alliance for Innovation and on the Executive Committee of the global Association of Professional Futurists.

Rebecca shares how she identifies trends, vets sources, what trends she is following with a focus on mental health and Artificial Intelligence, and what’s filling her with a sense of optimism.

Futurist Friday with Cecily Sommers

Over the course of the summer of 2022, we are releasing 12 interviews with futurists and forward thinkers in order to help our global audience of leaders become better visionaries for their organizations and be more prepared for our uncertain future.

In this episode, Cecily Sommers joins the show. Cecily is the author of "Think Like A Futurist" and has been named as one of the “Top 50 Female Futurists" by Forbes. She speaks, writes, and consults on the forces of change and the technologies shaping business and society, and how to turn them into catalysts for strategy.

In this discussion, Cecily shares how she identifies trends, vets sources, what trends she is following, and what’s filling her with a sense of optimism.

Servant Leadership with Ken Blanchard & Randy Conley

In this episode, Ken Blanchard and Randy Conley explain what servant leadership is, the benefits of servant leadership, how effective leaders help employees set and achieve goals, and the foundational importance of creating trust within an organization. They also discuss the importance of recognition, how vulnerable leaders are able to more quickly and effectively build trust, and how exceptional organizations have clear missions, visions, and values that are known by all employees.

Being CEO with Evamarie Schoenborn

In this episode, 12 Geniuses host Don MacPherson and guest Evamarie Schoenborn talk about the attributes of great leadership, they discuss how Evamarie honed her listening skills by emulating financial advisors with whom she worked, and she shares how she and her team led Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management through the pandemic. Evamarie describes her approach to talent management, assessment, and succession planning as CEO and she is candid about the challenges of being CEO, including the difficulty of transitioning into that role from another company. Evamarie also talks about creating a sense of belonging across the entire organization, why she spent so much time on developing others, and she leaves us with her thoughts on what she would like her legacy as a leader to be.

Leading in a World of Unpredictable Disruption with Dave Ulrich

In this episode, 12 Geniuses host Don MacPherson and guest Dave Ulrich talk about leading through disruption and crisis. They start off by discussing the attributes of good and great leadership. They talk about how leaders need to be aware of mental health challenges employees face and how those challenges influence the employee experience. They conclude the interview with a discussion about leading in crisis situations and Dave shares a model leaders can use to navigate any disruptive event.

Leadership, Privacy & Cybersecurity with Thom Hartmann

In this episode, host Don MacPherson and author and radio host Thom Hartmann discuss how the removal of privacy has been a tool of autocratic governments to control citizens throughout history. In countries around the world, privacy continues to be taken away from people through new technologies. That threatens innovation, liberty, and democracy. An absence of privacy and the failure to protect sensitive data heightens the vulnerability to cyber attacks at the national level and cyber theft at the corporate level. Thom and Don end their discussion with why leaders in corporate and government positions need to be aware of the challenges that an absence of privacy creates and advice for how to respond in order to restore privacy to everyday employees and citizens.

Leading Through Loss with Maj Lauren Serrano

In this episode, Maj Lauren Serrano shares the tragic story of a Marine who took his own life while under her command. We candidly discuss mental health, how she led the more than 200 other Marines under her command through the loss, and how she managed herself through that difficult period of her life.

Most importantly, Maj Serrano provides advice for other leaders who may have a team member or colleague struggling with mental health challenges. Over the last two years, so many people in leadership positions have had to deal with unexpected loss and mental health concerns among members of their teams.Mental health issues are not to be ignored whether they are our own issues or issues with members of our team. Please seek professional help if you or someone on your team is having suicidal thoughts. In the United States, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 800-273-8255. In the UK, the Samaritans hotline can be reached at: 116 123.

Creating a Leadership Driven Culture with Ray Kelly

In this episode, leadership expert Ray Kelly and 12 Geniuses host Don MacPherson discuss the five-levels of leadership. A level-five leader mobilizes a group of people around a common cause to drive a result consistently and develops other leaders who can do the same. This is the key to creating a leadership driven culture. Ray provides advice for how leaders can ascend from levels one, two, and three to levels four and five. They also talk about the importance of leaders continually developing themselves and others, why creating a sense of belonging is critical to effective team performance, how values enable employee engagement, and why high-potential employees need to constantly be challenged or they will leave for other opportunities.

Five Technologies CEOs Need to Understand with Trond Undheim

Futurist Trond Undheim and 12 Geniuses host Don MacPherson discuss five technologies - Artificial Intelligence, synthetic biology, robotics, blockchain, and 3D printing - and how the combination of these technologies will change every aspect of our lives. Their conversation provides advice for how CEOs, mid-level leaders, and public servants can take advantage of the disruptive nature of these technologies and how leaders can help their people stay relevant by providing continuous education, training, and learning opportunities. The conversation concludes with Trond’s thoughts on brain-machine interfaces, the metaverse, and humanity’s next evolution.

China's Global Leadership with Paul Haenle

In this episode, Paul Haenle and 12 Geniuses host Don MacPherson talk about the rise of China as a global economic and military superpower. They discuss President Xi Jinping’s consolidation of power and future as China’s leader. They also talk about the past, present and future of US/China relations, China’s challenges, and their “no limits” agreement with Russia that was signed days before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

How Leaders Build Exceptional Teams with Dr. Vanessa Druskat

In this episode, Dr. Druskat and 12 Geniuses host Don MacPherson discuss building great work cultures and how leaders can influence the creation of high-performance teams. They talk about the importance of creating and collaborating team norms, how those norms should be governed, the importance of building a sense of belonging, and why hiring the best, most experienced people is not the solution to creating a superior-performing team.

Dealing with Toxic Leadership with Dr. Mitchell Kusy

In this episode, Dr. Mitchell Kusy and 12 Geniuses host Don MacPherson talk about what toxic leadership is, how your organization can avoid hiring a toxic leader, the importance of creating a healthy culture, and what leaders can do to combat the Great Resignation. Join us as we discuss the topic of toxic leadership and how to navigate it.

The Purposeful Leader with Richard Leider

In this episode, best-selling author Richard Leider and 12 Geniuses host Don MacPherson discuss the health and performance benefits of finding your purpose, how leaders can help their people identify their purpose, and how rallying people around a common purpose is a key to a high-performing organization.

The Power of Regret with Daniel Pink

Best-selling author Daniel Pink and host Don MacPherson discuss how people can overcome their own regrets and how it can be used to improve performance. They also talk about how leaders can use regret as a teaching tool and motivator, along with the merits of asking about regret in a job interview.

Climate Change’s Mass Migration with David Houle

In this episode, David Houle joins Don once again to discuss the aspects and implications of climate change in detail, specifically around the idea of strategic retreat.

12 Geniuses Podcast

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