Summary:

In this episode of Building Thinkers, I sit down with Tom Goulooze to discuss the power of intentional experience design and how it’s reshaping the way we approach meaningful moments at work and beyond.

Tom shares his unique journey from agile coaching to creating his freelance business,Tomfoolery, where he specializes in crafting transformative experiences for teams and organizations. We dive into the need to rethink traditional team-building practices and corporate rituals, and how focusing on human connection can lead to real, lasting change.

Tom challenges the conventional approach to solving problems by encouraging us to look at the root causes rather than relying on quick fixes.

We also explore how "broken soundtracks" and limiting beliefs can hold back innovation, and how shifting mindsets can unlock new potential. This episode is all about reimagining how we create impact in the workplace, whether it’s through a meeting, a team-building event, or even a company ritual.

If you're someone looking to innovate and challenge the status quo in experience design, this conversation will inspire you to rethink how you connect with others and create authentic, impactful moments. Tune in for fresh ideas and practical advice on designing experiences that prioritize people and purpose over outdated methods.

Key Takeaways:

The importance of focusing on feelings before diving into experience design.

Rethinking how traditional team-building activities could be reshaped for deeper connection and purpose.

Recognizing how limiting beliefs might be impacting your team’s growth.

Learn how shifting mindsets could open new doors for team collaboration and innovation.

Small, thoughtful changes could have a big impact, without resorting to one-size-fits-all solutions.

Resources Mentioned:

The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker

The Power of Moments by Dan & Chip Heath

The Book of Symbols by Ami Ronnberg

Connect with Tom:

Website: tomfoolery.co

https://www.kaospilot.dk/product/experience-design-offline-training/

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomgoulooze/

More About Building Thinkers:

I'm your host, Tracy Clark, and this is where potential becomes reality through deliberate curiosity, reflection, practice, and play. The Building Thinkers podcast is based on the realization that there's exponential potential in the things we build.

And so, in my little corner of the internet and podcasting land, I want to take my 12 favorite problems, these are my constant curiosities, and I want to go deeper. I want to build thinkers. This is a community of multi-potentialites who may be disoriented by all the possibilities of success we envision but haven't yet achieved.

If any of that sounds like you, come listen in. Welcome to the Building Thinkers podcast.

In this episode of the Building Thinkers podcast, Tracy is joined by Adis Sophie to discuss how we might bring flow and creativity to work. After a long career in the corporate world, Adis now leads How to Design Your Life workshops in Amsterdam.

They explore finding meaningful work that energizes you, the significance of intuition in making career decisions, and the process of deconstructing beliefs that no longer serve us. The conversation emphasizes the power of connection, personal growth, and the journey of designing one's life.

The conversation emphasizes acceptance and taking small steps towards change, as well as the impact of joy and creativity in the workplace. They also share valuable resources for personal growth and connection, highlighting the importance of gratitude and intentionality in daily life.

Key Takeaways

Finding alignment in one's career is crucial for personal fulfillment.

Deconstructing beliefs helps identify what serves us and what doesn't.

Small efforts can lead to significant growth and change.

The journey of personal development is ongoing and unique to each individual.

Small, deliberate shifts can lead to significant joy.

Adis’s recommendations:

Books:

Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans https://amzn.to/4hFtQoz

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg https://amzn.to/42AHFjW

The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin https://amzn.to/3PUyjYW

Podcasts:

Pause (French podcast) with Alexandre Mars https://open.spotify.com/show/05r8AC9YA77tH68JSoUHIc?si=86d11c0cf0ee4de9

Curiosity Chronicles with Sahil Bloom https://open.spotify.com/show/4VS1y9v0uwWoxZ8BzugigN?si=9446ec2251e3446e

Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett https://open.spotify.com/show/7iQXmUT7XGuZSzAMjoNWlX?si=5821c50f31dd402d

Connect with Adis Sophie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adissophie/

Website: https://designingyourlife.nl/

In this episode of the Building Thinkers podcast, host, Tracy Clark, reflects back on the season of guests and their wisdom. She hones in on the topic of clarity and shares insights on how clarity can be a game-changer for decision-making, goal-setting, and overall life satisfaction. Tracy also discusses how clarity can help both in building momentum and in slowing down to focus on what truly matters.

Tracy walks through her Goal Guide, a series of vision planning & strategic reflection activities to begin using the power of discernment, self-awareness, and envisioning to live more on purpose.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of pausing and reflecting at year's end to gain clarity on personal and professional goals

• How clarity provides direction and acts as a filter for decision-making, especially crucial for multi-potentialites who see endless possibilities

• Practical tools for achieving clarity, such as vision boarding and goal-setting exercises

  
  

Tracy’s Recommendations:

2025 Goal Guide - https://courses.buildingthinkers.com/goalguide

Books:

Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman: https://amzn.to/4akxgL0

Good to Great by Jim Collins: https://amzn.to/40zNv3E

In this episode of the Building Thinkers podcast, Tracy is joined by Katie Conley, a luxury travel advisor and hospitality professional. Katie joins Tracy to discuss one of her 12 favorite problems, “how might we activate human potential” through the lens of travel.

Katie shares her journey as a travel advisor and the importance of creating personalized, immersive travel experiences. They discuss the role of human experience in travel, the challenges of information overload, and the positive impacts of travel on neuroplasticity and mental health. The conversation emphasizes the significance of openness to new experiences and how transformative travel can enhance creativity and personal growth.

Tracy and Katie discuss the value of intentional travel planning, the joy of sharing experiences with loved ones, and the significance of understanding the purpose behind each trip. The dialogue highlights how travel can deepen connections and enhance cultural awareness, ultimately leading to a richer, more fulfilling life.

Key Takeaways:

• Travel can activate human potential in many ways.

• Openness to new experiences is crucial for personal growth.

• Travel can improve neuroplasticity and cognitive function.

• Travel doesn't have to be expensive to be meaningful.

• Transformative travel experiences can happen at any age.

• Openness to experiences fosters intellectual curiosity and independence.

• Experiencing new cultures broadens perspectives and enriches lives.

  
  

Katie’s Recommendations:

Books:

Setting the Table by Danny Meyer: https://amzn.to/41la3Ge

Travel TV Shows:

Somebody Feed Phil: https://www.netflix.com/ae-en/title/80146601

Anthony Bourdain: https://www.amazon.com/Anthony-Bourdain-No-Reservations-Season/dp/B09229BZ67

Searching for Italy with Stanley Tucci: https://edition.cnn.com/shows/stanley-tucci-searching-for-italy

Connect with Katie:

Katie Conley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieconley623/

https://culturedconcierge.travel/

https://www.instagram.com/culturedconcierge

k.conley@dreamvacations.com

In this episode of the Building Thinkers podcast, Tracy interviews Dr. Gina Sipley to discuss one of her twelve favorite problems: "How might we create space for mindset shifts in learning experiences?" Dr. Sipley is a community college professor and first-generation college graduate who fosters inclusive spaces where individuals from diverse backgrounds can explore how their relationship with both online and offline texts shapes their identities.

They delve into the concept of lurking in online spaces, examining its impact on learning and participation, and exploring strategies for fostering meaningful engagement in digital environments. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding lurking as a common practice, the benefits and harms associated with it, and strategies for curating diverse perspectives on social media. The conversation also touches on the role of perfectionism in online participation and the need for protective curation.

The episode emphasizes the significance of mindful social media engagement and the value of diverse voices in broadening our worldview.

Key Takeaways:

• Lurking has become the dominant way we interact online

• Curating diverse perspectives on social media is crucial

• Protective curation helps individuals navigate online spaces

• Engagement with social media should be mindful and intentional

  
  

Gina’s Recommendations:

Book Recommendations:

https://amzn.to/48uTXva

Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Bias by Safiya Umoja Noble https://amzn.to/48uy7Ie

Country of the Blind: A Memoir At The End of Sight by Andrew Leland

https://amzn.to/3YLj3Tb

Trolling Ourselves to Death: Democracy in the Age of Social Media by Jason Hannan

https://amzn.to/40uCl0G

Podcast Recommendations:

You’re Wrong About https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/youre-wrong-about/id1380008439

The Measure of Everyday Life https://measureradio.net/

Transforming Society https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/transforming-society-podcast/

Connect with Gina:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsipley/

You can subscribe to my newsletter, Words. by hitting the subscribe link on https://www.ginasipley.com/

I am a great resource for lurking and social media strategy, all things community college and the K-16 pipeline. I particularly love supporting first generation college students.

I am interested in problem solving at scale and I welcome speaking and consulting opportunities.

I would love to connect with other folks who bridge scholarly and creative pursuits for social good.

In this episode of the Building Thinkers podcast, Tracy is joined by Jovonee King to discuss one of her twelve favorite problems, “how might we make thinking visible?”

Jovonee is a Scaled Solutions Engineer at Miro, with a rich background in customer education and a passion for transformative collaboration. Jovonee shares her journey, highlighting her commitment to education, inclusivity, and community building.

In this episode, we delve into the concept of making thinking visible and explore how Miro enhances collaboration by fostering inclusive environments for idea sharing. Jovonne discusses the power of visualization in accelerating learning, overcoming perfectionism, and igniting creativity.

You’ll also get a sneak peek into the future of Miro, including exciting new features aimed at boosting creativity and innovation. Plus, we dive into Jovonne's personal interests in DIY projects and upcycling, showcasing how digital tools can reimagine physical spaces.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of taking risks and learning from different experiences for career growth

• Visualization is crucial for effective collaboration and idea sharing

• Overcoming perfectionism is crucial for creative processes

• Visualization helps create an inclusive canvas that allows all voices to be heard

Jovonee’s Recommendations:

Book Recommendations:

• Design for How People Learn by Julie Dirksen: https://amzn.to/48f3CWv

• Master of Change by Brad Stulberg https://amzn.to/48f3CWv

Other Links:

Try Miro - https://miro.cello.so/Wviex1qZaSS

Canvas ‘24 - https://canvas24.miro.com/

Miro Community - https://miro.com/community/

Connect with Jovonee:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jovonee/

In this episode of the Building Thinkers podcast, Tracy is joined by Dr. Alaina Szlachta to discuss one of her 12 favorite problems, “how might we close the research-practice gap (the knowing-doing gap) across social impact sectors?"

Dr. Alaina Szlachta is a Measurement Architect who's passionate about making data literacy accessible for education professionals. In the discussion, they dive deep into the world of data-driven learning, the importance of bridging the research-practice gap, creating a learning culture, and more.

Alaina’s insights on building a strong learning culture, the power of feedback, and the importance of both quantitative and qualitative data will leave you thinking about how we can better use data across many of our domains and improve performance. They also touched on how personal problem-solving and experimentation play a critical role in developing data literacy, both at work and in everyday life.

If you're looking to elevate the way you or your organization approaches measurement and data-driven decision-making, Alaina's expertise will offer valuable guidance.

Key Takeaways:

• Data-Driven Learning: Organizations should shift away from traditional learning methods and focus on collecting data to identify specific performance gaps and challenges. This data-driven approach allows for more targeted and effective learning initiatives.

• Prioritizing Professional Development: A culture of continuous learning is essential for organizational growth. Companies should invest in opportunities and provide the necessary support to help employees develop their skills and knowledge.

• The Power of Practice: Practical experience is key to developing valuable skills. Engaging in problem-solving and experimentation allows individuals to apply their knowledge in real-world situations and foster a growth mindset.

• Data Literacy: Understanding and utilizing both quantitative and qualitative data is crucial for making informed decisions. Developing data literacy skills can empower individuals to analyze information and drive positive outcomes.

Alaina’s Recommendations:

Book Recommendations:

Measurement and Evaluation on a Shoestring, by Dr. Alaina Szlachta https://amzn.to/4ePySgT

Partner for Performance, by Ingrid Guerra-Lopez https://amzn.to/4eKB6hu

Show the Value of What You Do, by Patricia Pulliam Phillips https://amzn.to/47V1Jye

Podcast Recommendations:

2 Bobs: https://2bobs.com/

Clark Howard: https://clark.com/podcasts/

Creator Science: https://podcast.creatorscience.com/

Connect with Alaina:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drszlachta/

Website: https://dralainaszlachta.com/

Newsletter: https://dralainaszlachta.substack.com/