• My Story Vault: Exploring the “Voice Work” of Marshall Davis Jones, w/ Dr. Dennis Rebelo
    Jan 5 2025

    Marshall Davis Jones takes us on a journey through key moments of his life, weaving together personal stories and insights. From his viral Touchscreen poetry slam performance that critiques technology, to the lessons he learned in the slam poetry world about the power of his voice, Marshall offers a compelling look at his creative and personal evolution.

    He revisits vital childhood memories, like car rides with his grandfather, who introduced him to a "listen-to-the-music" game. This game honed Marshall’s ability to discern individual instruments and deepened his appreciation for sound, shaping his capacity to hear the world with precision.

    Through animated storytelling, Marshall reflects on the profound influence of his church, which shaped his sense of what is good and what calls for change. With humor and candor, he shares entertaining recollections of life in the City, where he navigated the impulsiveness of youth and discovered the importance of making intentional choices.

    Links:

    Berkshire Innovation Center Accelerator Program

    https://www.berkshireinnovationcenter.com/accelerator-program

    Marshall Davis Jones

    https://www.tonalinfluence.com/

    Narrative Research Group

    https://narrativeresearchgroup.org/

    For more information or to share a question or insight, please email Shannon [at] narrativeresearchgroup [dot] org

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    1 hr and 39 mins
  • My Story Vault: Through the eyes of CEO Liseth Velez, Becoming an Organizational Architect with Dr. Dennis Rebelo
    Jan 16 2025

    Liseth reflects on her journey from Colombia to Massachusetts and revisits her motivation to forge a purposeful path which set the stage for her service in both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force. Through this spirited exchange, Liseth shares her personal mental model for effective living and her efforts to elevate a young organization within the intricate world of construction management in the Boston area.

    Her vision reimagines organizations not merely as firms but as dynamic environments for learning and growth. With a commitment to transferring her military-honed skills—along with the talents of fellow U.S. military veterans—Liseth exemplifies what it means to be a modern organizational architect, building not just a management firm but a thriving, adaptive ecosystem.

    Liseth recently became an MBA student at the MIT Sloan School of Management. There, she aspires to amplify her impact by leveraging technology with an eye on sustainability to streamline business operations and transform construction processes to optimize team collaboration.

    Links:

    Berkshire Innovation Center Accelerator Program

    https://www.berkshireinnovationcenter.com/accelerator-program

    LJV Development

    https://ljvdevelopment.com/

    Narrative Research Group

    www.narrativeresearchgroup.org

    For more information or to share a question or insight, please email Shannon [at] narrativeresearchgroup [dot] org

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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • My Story Vault: Meet Berkshire CEO Bill Newsome and Discover His Journey to Leading a Global Biotech Firm
    Jan 23 2025

    This episode reflects on Bill's journey, starting with his move to the Berkshires, where his love for nature, outdoor recreation, and gardening took root. He shares his humble beginnings, shaped by his creative mother, and how internships and international travel helped him discover himself. Central to his growth was embracing the complexities of life sciences to fulfill his desire to improve the human condition. From studying at Berkshire Community College to working at Pfizer, pursuing graduate studies at Brown University, and fostering international relationships, Bill’s path to becoming a CEO is as much about personal growth as it is about leadership development.

    Links:

    Berkshire Innovation Center Accelerator Program

    https://www.berkshireinnovationcenter.com/accelerator-program

    Fibrocor Therapeutics

    https://www.fibrocortherapeutics.com/

    Narrative Research Group

    https://narrativeresearchgroup.org/

    For more information or to share a question or insight, please email Shannon [at] narrativeresearchgroup [dot] org

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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • My Story Vault: Inside the Mind of 3rd Space Creator Chris Ryan
    Jan 30 2025

    Chris' view of the-world-of-work began with a spark of inspiration from a drawing desk at a family friend’s home. In Colorado, he learned the value of prioritizing purpose-driven design over aesthetics. From Colorado studio classes to designing rock walls, Chris’s path eventually led to Harvard's Graduate School of Design, followed by an executive leadership role and then position as a professor. Today, he is dedicated to creating "Venues for Life," leveraging his awareness of social phenomena, trends and deep understanding of systems thinking to help others craft modern third spaces. Focused on expanding access to transformative environments like rock gyms and multipurpose venues, Chris strives to foster access, meaning and connection in everyday life.

    Links:

    Berkshire Innovation Center Accelerator Program

    https://www.berkshireinnovationcenter.com/accelerator-program

    Chris Ryan Studio

    https://www.chrisryanstudio.com/

    Narrative Research Group

    https://narrativeresearchgroup.org/

    For more information or to share a question or insight, please email Shannon [at] narrativeresearchgroup [dot] org

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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • My Story Vault: Built for Collaboration with Ben Sosne
    Feb 6 2025

    Ben's family's business revealed the connection between community and progress. From boycotting a new mall to studying at Columbia University, working at MLB Media, his journey focuses on collaboration. As a lawyer writing for the NY Appellate Court Ben honed his ability to synthesize ideas across 22 judges—skills he now leverages to bridge the public and private sectors.

    Links:

    Berkshire Innovation Center Accelerator Program

    https://www.berkshireinnovationcenter.com/accelerator-program

    Berkshire Innovation Center

    https://www.berkshireinnovationcenter.com/

    Narrative Research Group

    https://narrativeresearchgroup.org/

    For more information or to share a question or insight, please email Shannon [at] narrativeresearchgroup [dot] org

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    1 hr and 8 mins