Episodios

  • SPOS #985 – Kathleen deLaski On A Future Where Degrees Won't Matter

    SPOS #985 – Kathleen deLaski On A Future Where Degrees Won't Matter
    May 25 2025

    Welcome to episode #985 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.

    Kathleen deLaski is one of the most important voices rethinking the purpose, structure, and future of higher education. As founder of the Education Design Lab and board chair of Credential Engine, she’s spent the last decade helping over 1,200 colleges, organizations, and regional economies reimagine learning pathways for next-generation students - particularly the new majority learners often left behind by traditional institutions. Her new book, Who Needs College Anymore? is a provocative and optimistic look at how postsecondary education must evolve, drawing on over a decade of field research, human-centered design, and more than 150 interviews with educators, employers, learners, and policymakers. In this conversation, we unpack the diploma divide, the rising cost of education, the friction between what college teaches and what employers expect, and how AI is rewriting the script for entry-level jobs and professional training. Kathleen - whose career spans time as a journalist at ABC News, a Pentagon spokesperson, working at AOL in the early days of the Internet, and a philanthropic force behind education reform - brings not just perspective but practical ideas on how colleges, businesses, and society must adapt. This one challenges what we think college is for, and what meaningful learning might look like in a skills-based future. Enjoy the conversation…

    • Running time: 51:11.
    • 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 - 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 X.
    • Here is my conversation with Kathleen deLaski.
    • Who Needs College Anymore?.
    • Education Design Lab.
    • Follow Kathleen on LinkedIn.

    Chapters:

    (00:00) - The Rise of Human-Centered Design in Education.
    (02:45) - Challenges in Higher Education and the Need for Innovation.
    (06:00) - Cultural Shifts and the Value of College.
    (08:53) - The Diploma Divide and Its Societal Implications.
    (11:54) - Affordability and Access to Education.
    (14:47) - The Disconnect Between Degrees and Job Market.
    (18:06) - The Importance of Experience Over Degrees.
    (21:13) - Networking and Its Role in Career Success.
    (29:38) - The Impact of AI on Job Markets.
    (32:36) - The Future of Entry-Level Jobs.
    (36:05) - Reevaluating Professional Education.
    (41:35) - The Value of Trades in Modern Society.
    (43:06) - Digital Learning and Its Challenges.
    (47:17) - Generational Perspectives on Work Ethic.
    Más Menos
    51 m
  • SPOS #984 – Steve Pratt On Podcasting And Unconventional Marketing

    SPOS #984 – Steve Pratt On Podcasting And Unconventional Marketing
    May 18 2025

    Welcome to episode #984 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.

    Steve Pratt knows how to earn attention - and not in the algorithm-chasing, trend-hopping way most marketers talk about it. As the co-founder of Pacific Content (the first agency dedicated to branded podcasts), Steve helped pioneer a model for long-form brand storytelling that respected the audience as much as it served the client. Before podcasting was a thing brands took seriously, Steve was guiding companies like Slack, Facebook, Shopify, BMW, Adobe, and Charles Schwabinto a new kind of media - one built on trust, consistency, and real creative value. That experience forms the foundation of his new book, Earn It - Unconventional Strategies For Brave Marketers. In this conversation, he unpacks why so many marketers are stuck in short-term thinking, how performance marketing is cannibalizing brand, and what it really takes to build content worth someone’s time. There’s insight here on the difference between being loud and being relevant, on why the future belongs to brave brands with a point of view, and how AI may flood the market with content - but only humans can still make something remarkable. Steve’s career started in TV production, moved through digital innovation at CBC, and has now landed at the intersection of creativity, business strategy, and media design with his newest venture, The Creativity Business. His message is simple: the only brands that win long-term are the ones willing to put in the work, respect the audience, and be consistently great over time. For anyone wrestling with content strategy, podcasting, or how to think like a media company - this one’s a masterclass. Enjoy the conversation...

    • Running time: 1:00:53.
    • 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 - 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 X.
    • Here is my conversation with Steve Pratt.
    • Earn It - Unconventional Strategies For Brave Marketers.
    • The Creativity Business.
    • Follow Steve on Instagram.
    • Follow Steve on LinkedIn.

    Chapters:

    (00:00) - The Journey of Podcasting.
    (02:58) - Consistency vs. Relevance in Content Creation.
    (06:05) - The Landscape of Media Companies vs. Individual Creators.
    (08:58) - Audience Development in the Digital Age.
    (11:49) - The Nature of Podcasts vs. Video Content.
    (15:09) - The Evolution of Podcasting and Video Strategies.
    (17:49) - The Role of Sensationalism in Media.
    (20:52) - Quality vs. Mediocrity in Content Creation.
    (33:37) - The Challenge of Earning Success.
    (34:44) - The Longevity of Podcasting and Audience Engagement.
    (39:01) - Niche Marketing and Brand Media Companies.
    (42:59) - The Pressure of Performance Marketing.
    (50:00) - The Role of AI in Content Creation.
    (01:03:16) - Red Bull: A Case Study in Media Innovation.
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    1 h y 1 m
  • SPOS #983 – Matthew Weinzierl On Space And New Economic Frontiers

    SPOS #983 – Matthew Weinzierl On Space And New Economic Frontiers
    May 11 2025
    Welcome to episode #983 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Matthew Weinzierl is not just thinking about the future of the economy - he’s thinking about the economy of the final frontier. As a professor at Harvard Business School and a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, Matt brings the analytical rigor of economic policy to a space sector that’s shifting from sci-fi to IPO. In our conversation, we unpack the big thesis behind his new book Space To Grow - Unlocking The Final Economic Frontier(co-authored with Mehak Sarang Rousseau), which reframes space as something more than spectacle or science - it’s a place where real economic value is being created right now. This isn’t about day trips to orbit or Mars hotels (not yet). It’s about the role of market forces, national security, broadband access, sustainability, microgravity manufacturing, and the essential debate between centralized control and decentralized innovation. Matt has built a career studying tax policy and the philosophical underpinnings of economic systems, and now he’s applying that lens to a commercial space industry that’s still defining its rules. We talk about SpaceX’s dominance and what it means for competition, the outdated frameworks of international space law, and why economists are uniquely suited to help structure the future of space activity. We also explore the symbolic and practical value of human exploration, and how figures like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos shape the public’s understanding of what's possible (and what might be hype). What makes Matt so compelling is his clarity... he doesn’t get swept up in the cosmic dreams without asking who benefits, who governs, and what kind of economic system we’re building in orbit and beyond. If you’ve been curious about the real forces shaping the space economy - and what it might mean for Earth - this episode is a must-listen. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 58:47.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 - 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 X.Here is my conversation with Matthew Weinzierl.Space To Grow - Unlocking The Final Economic Frontier.Economics Of Space.Mehak Sarang Rousseau.Follow Matt on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Space Economics. (03:05) - The Intersection of Economics and Space. (06:09) - Challenges in the Space Sector. (09:06) - Market Dynamics and Competition in Space. (12:11) - The Role of National Security in Space. (14:48) - The Future of Space Exploration. (18:02) - Arguments For and Against Space Exploration. (29:32) - The Double-Edged Sword of Celebrity in Business. (31:13) - Decentralization: Opportunities and Challenges. (35:26) - Balancing Centralization and Decentralization in Space. (38:32) - The Ethical Implications of Space Exploration. (40:17) - Regulating the New Frontier: Challenges Ahead. (44:54) - The Reality of Mars Missions. (48:53) - Unlocking the Value of Space Resources. (51:37) - The Role of Humans in Space Exploration. (53:46) - Economic Policies and Global Trade Dynamics.
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    59 m
  • SPOS #982 – Ethan Kross On Management For Your Emotions

    SPOS #982 – Ethan Kross On Management For Your Emotions
    May 4 2025

    Welcome to episode #982 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.

    Ethan Kross is one of the sharpest minds on the planet when it comes to understanding how our emotions shape our thoughts, decisions, and relationships. As a professor of psychology and business at the University of Michigan and the author of the bestselling books Chatter and Shift - Managing Your Emotions - So They Don’t Manage You, Ethan brings together rigorous research and practical insight in ways that are deeply human and immediately useful. In our conversation, we explore what it takes to manage emotions in a world that feels like it’s dialed up to 11 - from doomscrolling and overstimulation to the growing cultural obsession with emotional transparency. Ethan challenges some of our most common assumptions about how emotions work (no, avoidance isn’t always bad; yes, anger has a place) and makes the case for building a “diverse emotional toolkit” - strategies that are flexible, personal, and context-specific. We talk about the influence of technology, how AI might fit into the future of mental wellness, and why dosing your news intake might be as important as getting your steps in. For anyone feeling like their emotions are a little closer to the surface these days, Ethan offers not just understanding - but agency. Enjoy the conversation...

    • Running time: 48:37.
    • 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 - 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 X.
    • Here is my conversation with Ethan Kross.
    • Shift - Managing Your Emotions - So They Don’t Manage You.
    • Chatter.
    • Follow Ethan on Instagram.
    • Follow Ethan on X.
    • Follow Ethan on LinkedIn.

    Chapters:

    (00:00) - Understanding Emotional Turbulence.
    (03:06) - The Toolbox of Emotion Management.
    (06:00) - The Misconception of Emotions.
    (09:00) - Collective Emotional Breakdown?
    (11:51) - The Role of Media in Emotional Perception.
    (14:45) - The Balance of Technology and Emotion.
    (18:06) - Navigating Emotional Overstimulation.
    (27:09) - Dosing the News for Better Wellbeing.
    (30:40) - Navigating Social Media and Emotional Health.
    (31:10) - Understanding Emotions and Meta-Emotions.
    (34:44) - The Shift from Self-Talk to Emotional Regulation.
    (38:00) - AI's Role in Emotional Management.
    (43:06) - Balancing Emotion Management and High Performance.
    (46:38) - Tools for Managing Emotions in Different Situations.
    (49:53) - The Power of Combining Emotional Tools.
    Más Menos
    49 m
  • SPOS #981 – Donald Miller On Building A Story Brand

    SPOS #981 – Donald Miller On Building A Story Brand
    Apr 27 2025
    Welcome to episode #981 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Donald Miller is one of the most influential voices in modern marketing - a bestselling author, business strategist, and the creative force behind StoryBrand (a framework that has reshaped how leaders and organizations communicate). In our conversation, Donald breaks down the timeless power of story and why clarity - not cleverness - is the most underrated competitive advantage in business today. His new book, Building a StoryBrand 2.0 - Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen, expands on his original seven-part storytelling framework with sharper tools and practical applications for the modern marketer. Donald is also the author of several bestselling books, including the spiritual memoir Blue Like Jazz, the personal development reflection Scary Close, and A Million Miles In A Thousand Years (loved that one!), alongside business classics like Marketing Made Simple, Business Made Simple, Coach Builder, How to Grow Your Small Business, which have collectively shaped how individuals and organizations think about story, purpose, and growth. We explore why curiosity is the secret starting point in every great customer journey, how AI is accelerating both efficiency and confusion in marketing, and why simple messages are often the hardest to write. Donald also opens up about the creative process behind writing, how to chase ideas worth finishing, and why businesses fail not from a lack of creativity - but from poor communication. Whether you're leading a brand, launching a product, or refining your personal pitch, this conversation is a masterclass in messaging. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 55:49.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 - 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 X.Here is my conversation with Donald Miller.Building a StoryBrand 2.0 - Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen.StoryBrand.Marketing Made Simple.Business Made Simple.Coach Builder. How to Grow Your Small Business.Blue Like Jazz.Scary Close. A Million Miles In A Thousand Years.Follow Donald on X.Follow Donald on Instagram.Follow Donald on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - The Power of Storytelling in Branding. (12:46) - Understanding Consumer Relationships with Brands. (26:02) - The Art and Science of Effective Marketing. (29:00) - The Ineffectiveness of Modern Advertising. (32:42) - The Importance of Clarity in Messaging. (36:46) - The Role of Creativity in Marketing. (41:15) - The Impact of AI on Marketing. (46:24) - The Future of Marketing and Strategy. (49:45) - The Creative Process and Writing Books.
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    56 m
  • SPOS #980 – Tamara Myles On Making Work Actually Matter

    SPOS #980 – Tamara Myles On Making Work Actually Matter
    Apr 20 2025
    Welcome to episode #980 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Tamara Myles is one of the world’s leading experts on meaningful work, with a career that bridges research, leadership consulting, and positive psychology. She’s the author of The Secret To Peak Productivity, a sought-after speaker and advisor to companies like Microsoft and KPMG, and one of the first 600 people in the world to earn a master’s in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. In her new book, Meaningful Work - How To Ignite Passion And Performance In Every Employee (co-authored with Wes Adams), Tamara brings both scientific rigor and real-world empathy to one of the most pressing challenges of our time: how to make work feel like it matters. In this conversation, Tamara shares the results of her multi-year study - the first of its kind - on how leaders influence meaning in the workplace. She introduces the three core drivers of meaningful work: community, contribution, and challenge, and explains why they’re more relevant than ever in a world grappling with burnout, disconnection, and shifting values around work. We also talk about the lasting impact of the pandemic, the rise of employee apathy, and how social media has warped our collective expectations about fulfillment. Tamara, who teaches at both the University of Pennsylvania and Boston College, blends her academic insight with a deeply human perspective - reminding us that meaning is not just a nice-to-have, but a business imperative. Whether you're leading a team or trying to reconnect with your own sense of purpose, this episode offers a much-needed compass. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 58:29.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 - 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 X.Here is my conversation with Tamara Myles.Meaningful Work - How To Ignite Passion And Performance In Every Employee. The Secret To Peak Productivity.Applied Positive Psychology.Follow Tamara on LinkedIn.Follow Tamara on Instagram. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Positive Psychology and Meaningful Work. (02:58) - The Importance of Meaning in Work. (05:57) - The Misconception of Meaningful Work. (09:03) - The Role of Leaders in Creating Meaning. (11:59) - The Impact of the Pandemic on Work Meaning. (14:58) - Transactional Work vs. Meaningful Work. (18:10) - The Dual Responsibility of Leaders and Employees. (21:04) - Hiring for Meaning in Organizations. (24:13) - Common Sense vs. Common Practice in Work Meaning. (26:59) - Expectations and Realities of Work Today. (31:46) - The Impact of Social Media on Expectations. (34:33) - Generational Perspectives on Meaningful Work. (37:47) - Work-Life Balance and Productivity. (39:08) - The Loneliness Epidemic Post-Covid. (43:39) - Creating Meaningful Work Environments. (46:58) - AI's Role in the Future of Work. (50:15) - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace. (52:28) - Overcoming Apathy in the Workplace.
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    58 m
  • SPOS #979 – Kurt Gray On Why Harm Is The Hidden Driver Of Political Outrage

    SPOS #979 – Kurt Gray On Why Harm Is The Hidden Driver Of Political Outrage
    Apr 13 2025

    Welcome to episode #979 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.

    Dr. Kurt Gray is a social psychologist whose work couldn’t be more relevant to our times. As a professor at UNC Chapel Hill, director of the Deepest Beliefs Lab and the Center for the Science of Moral Understanding, and the author of the new book Outraged - Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground, he’s helping reshape how we understand conflict in a divided world. In this conversation, Kurt unpacked why it’s not that we’re wired differently across political lines - it’s that we perceive harm differently. He introduces ideas like the “exhausted majority,” the dangers of elite-driven outrage, and the evolutionary roots of our hypersensitivity to perceived threats. We also explore the surprising role of personal narratives in reducing division, the generational shift in how people approach morality, and how resilience - not avoidance - is what we really need when engaging across differences. His work dismantles the myth that we’re hopelessly divided and instead offers a path forward - one grounded in empathy, humility, and the science of human connection. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the volume of moral outrage around you, this episode just might restore a little hope. Enjoy the conversation...

    • Running time: 55:13.
    • 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 - 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 X.
    • Here is my conversation with Dr. Kurt Gray.
    • Outraged - Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground.
    • Deepest Beliefs Lab.
    • Center for the Science of Moral Understanding.
    • UNC Chapel Hill
    • Follow Kurt on X.
    • Follow Kurt on LinkedIn.

    Chapters:

    (00:00) - Introduction to Outrage and Its Relevance.
    (03:07) - Understanding Political Outrage and Connection.
    (05:55) - The Role of Elites in Political Discourse.
    (09:14) - The Exhausted Majority and Misconceptions.
    (12:05) - Moral Perception and Human Nature.
    (15:04) - The Evolution of Morality and Fear.
    (18:08) - Tribalism and Moral Progress.
    (21:01) - The Impact of Words and Microaggressions.
    (24:03) - Generational Perspectives on Discourse.
    (28:18) - Understanding Generational Perspectives on Misinformation.
    (30:02) - The Challenge of Political Centrism.
    (31:58) - Navigating Independent Ideologies.
    (33:53) - The Impact of Technological Change on Society.
    (35:40) - The Role of Personal Stories in Bridging Divides.
    (39:34) - The Power of Personal Experiences in Conversations.
    (42:19) - The Competing Narratives of Victimhood.
    (46:51) - Moral Ambiguity in Victimhood and Survival.
    (49:18) - The Momentum of Change and Hope.
    (55:27) - Building Resilience in Difficult Conversations.
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    55 m
  • SPOS #978 – Christopher DiCarlo On AI, Ethics, And The Hope We Get It Right

    SPOS #978 – Christopher DiCarlo On AI, Ethics, And The Hope We Get It Right
    Apr 6 2025
    Welcome to episode #978 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Dr. Christopher DiCarlo is a philosopher, educator, author, and ethicist whose work lives at the intersection of human values, science, and emerging technology. Over the years, Christopher has built a reputation as a Socratic nonconformist, equally at home lecturing at Harvard during his postdoctoral years as he is teaching critical thinking in correctional institutions or corporate boardrooms. He’s the author of several important books on logic and rational discourse, including How To Become A Really Good Pain In The Ass - A Critical Thinker’s Guide To Asking The Right Questions and So You Think You Can Think?, as well as the host of the podcast, All Thinks Considered. In this conversation, we dig into his latest book, Building A God - The Ethics Of Artificial Intelligence And The Race To Control It, which takes a sobering yet practical look at the ethical governance of AI as we accelerate toward the possibility of artificial general intelligence. Drawing on years of study in philosophy of science and ethics, Christopher lays out the risks - manipulation, misalignment, lack of transparency - and the urgent need for international cooperation to set safeguards now. We talk about everything from the potential of AI to revolutionize healthcare and sustainability to the darker realities of deepfakes, algorithmic control, and the erosion of democratic processes. His proposal? A kind of AI “Geneva Conventions,” or something akin to the IAEA - but for algorithms. In a world rushing toward techno-utopianism, Christopher is a clear-eyed voice asking: “What kind of Gods are we building… and can we still choose their values?” If you’re thinking about the intersection of ethics and AI (and we should all be focused on this!), this is essential listening. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 58:55.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 - 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 X.Here is my conversation with Dr. Christopher DiCarlo.Building A God - The Ethics Of Artificial Intelligence And The Race To Control It. How To Become A Really Good Pain In The Ass - A Critical Thinker’s Guide To Asking The Right Questions. So You Think You Can Think?.All Thinks Considered.Convergence Analysis.Follow Christopher on LinkedIn.Follow Christopher on X.This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to AI Ethics and Philosophy. (03:14) - The Interconnectedness of Systems. (05:56) - The Race for AGI and Its Implications. (09:04) - Risks of Advanced AI: Misuse and Misalignment. (11:54) - The Need for Ethical Guidelines in AI Development. (15:05) - Global Cooperation and the AI Arms Race. (18:03) - Values and Ethics in AI Alignment. (20:51) - The Role of Government in AI Regulation. (24:14) - The Future of AI: Hope and Concerns. (31:02) - The Dichotomy of Regulation and Innovation. (34:57) - The Drive Behind AI Pioneers. (37:12) - Skepticism and the Tech Bubble Debate. (39:39) - The Potential of AI and Its Risks. (43:20) - Techno-Selection and Control Over AI. (48:53) - The Future of Medicine and AI's Role. (51:42) - Empowering the Public in AI Governance. (54:37) - Building a God: Ethical Considerations in AI.
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    59 m
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