In this episode of the Building Thinkers podcast, Tracy speaks to Eli Wood about one of her 12 favorite problems: How might we consistently replace complexity with insight? Eli is the leader of the collective Black Flag Design, a group of creative technologists, designers, and product strategists focused on complex AI applications.

They discuss the importance of embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and developing durable skills in AI for professionals in various fields. They also explore the value of simplicity and the insights that can come from being a generalist or non-expert.

Tracy and Eli discuss the importance of participatory design and the challenges of obtaining user feedback in sensitive data environments. He addresses the intersection of creativity and AI, debunking the notion that AI hinders creativity and instead highlighting its potential to enhance creative processes.

Key takeaways:

• Overcoming the complexity of AI: Eli emphasizes accessible on-ramps to AI skill-building and encourages embracing the technology rather than fearing it. He highlights the evolution of AI as a tool, similar to the transformation of photography.

• The importance of durable skills: Eli discusses the importance of adaptive learning and executive function as crucial skills for the future of work. He introduces the "tennis" analogy as a metaphor for encouraging individual agency and action.

• Creative pragmatism: Eli advocates for a relationship-based approach to problem-solving, prioritizing clarity over jargon. He emphasizes experimentation, mindset, and assumption-busting as key elements in achieving practical outcomes.

• The role of AI in creativity: Eli expresses optimism about the potential for AI to enhance creativity, sharing his personal experience of increased creativity through AI-powered tools.

• The future of human skills: Eli believes that adaptive learning and communication will be critical skills for humans in the evolving landscape of AI.

Eli's Recommendations:

Book Recommendations:

The Creative Pragmatist by Amy Smilovic - https://tibi.com/products/the-creative-pragmatist-navy-green-multi

Testing Business Ideas by David J Bland - https://amzn.to/3XW1joc

Sprint by Jake Knapp - https://amzn.to/3zCgLMc

Building by Mark Ellison - https://amzn.to/3XZtrqM

The Creative Act by Rick Rubin - https://amzn.to/4f0DTEf

Podcast Recommendations:

Lex Fridman: https://lexfridman.com/podcast/

The Daily: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-daily/id1200361736

Connect with Eli:

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

eli@blackflag.design

Pop Tech Conference: https://poptech.org/

In this episode, Tracy speaks with Alma Quiroga about one of her 12 favorite problems, “how might we bring impactful order out of chaos?”

They explore the power of storytelling and narrative in shaping organizational culture and behavior so that business can be a force for good, from the inside out. Alma shares her journey of building people-first organizational cultures and challenging traditional business paradigms. They discuss the need to recognize and understand the stories that drive behavior within organizations and the importance of creating environments where people can thrive. They also highlight the complexity of navigating individual and collective stories within organizations and offer insights for leaders in understanding and shaping organizational narratives.

By recognizing the power of storytelling and creating spaces for collective storytelling, organizations can co-create their culture and navigate transitions more successfully.

Key Takeaways:

Storytelling is deeply ingrained in human nature and is how we relate to each other.

Our brains are wired to make sense of the world through storytelling, and humans naturally order the chaos of the world and their own internal world in a story format.

Understanding how humans make sense through story is essential for effective communication and change management in organizations.

By recognizing the power of storytelling and creating spaces for collective storytelling, organizations can co-create their culture and navigate transitions more successfully.

Alma’s Recommendations:

Book Recommendations:

Whoever Tells the Best Story Wins by Annette Simmons: https://amzn.to/4cqFq56

The Story Factor by Annette Simmons: https://amzn.to/4eGiwrQ

The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human by Jonathan Gotsschall https://amzn.to/3xrXCvT

Organizational Culture and Leadership by Edgar Schein: https://amzn.to/4bE0NPb

Humble Leadership, Second Edition: The Power of Relationships, Openness, and Trust by Edgar Schein: ⁠https://amzn.to/3VMfWb0

Managing Transitions by: William Bridges & Susan Bridges https://amzn.to/3znNPaN

Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used by Peter Block: https://amzn.to/4cCf8MI

Podcast Recommendations:

Beautiful Questions Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TuliandAlma

Work Life Podcast: https://adamgrant.net/podcasts/work-life/

Radio Ambulante: https://radioambulante.org/en

Invisibilia: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510307/invisibilia

Connect with Alma:

• www.almaquiroga.com

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/almaquiroga/
  

In this episode, Tracy talks with Shani Persson about one of her twelve favorite problems: How might “be where your feet are” become our primary way of being?

Shani is the co-founder of Wonder, an insight and experience design lab which aims to inspire and support companies, institutions, groups or individuals to help themselves and others thrive through more human experiences.

They discuss the importance of creating contexts that take into account the fact that we are human beings with brains, bodies, and lives. They explore the role of self-inquiry and self-awareness in creating meaningful work experiences. They also delve into the challenge of saying no and the need to listen to ourselves. The conversation emphasizes the practice of being present.

Key Takeaways:

Recognize the importance of being present and enjoying the process, rather than constantly striving for the next thing.

Learn to say no and set boundaries to maintain energy and focus. The facade of control can lead to addictive behaviors and a constant need for dopamine hits.

The awareness of mortality can awaken us to what truly matters in life and help us reevaluate our priorities.

Being present and letting go of urgency can bring more joy and clarity to our lives.

Shani’s Recommendations:

Books:

Essentialism by Greg McKeown https://amzn.to/4bhrk4F

Connect with Shani:

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

Wonder: https://www.justwonder.co/

In this episode of the Building Thinkers Podcast, Tracy speaks with Sara Huang about one of her twelve favorite problems: How might we rewrite broken soundtracks (limiting beliefs)?

Sara is an experienced facilitator and designer specialized in creative conflict resolution, policy work, and collaboration. The discussion centers around identifying and rewriting limiting beliefs or 'broken soundtracks.' Sara introduces concepts such as edge figures and emphasizes the importance of creating transformational spaces for personal and collective growth. The episode explores practical exercises for recognizing and reworking limiting beliefs and touches on the power of creating enriching environments for experimentation and learning.

Key Takeaways:

Unleash Transformation: Create space for self-reflection and connection to rewrite limiting beliefs and build a brighter future.

Reframe Your Reality: Shift limiting beliefs by understanding their energy and using it to propel yourself towards new possibilities. Pay attention to strong emotional reactions, either love or hate, and examine what those reactions may reveal about underlying beliefs.

Resonate, Imitate, Create: Sarah introduces a model for learning and growth: starting with what resonates (sparks interest), moving to imitation (practicing and experimenting), and finally reaching creation (applying and innovating in one's unique context).

Sara’s Recommendations:

Podcasts:

Finding Your Way: https://www.findingourwaypodcast.com/individual-episodes/s2e3

On Being: https://onbeing.org/series/podcast/

Books:

Lessons from Courageous Child by Sara Huang - https://buymeacoffee.com/sarahuang/e/71071

The Power Manual by Cindy Suarez - https://amzn.to/4bSoWC8

Holding Change by Adrienne Maree Brown - https://amzn.to/3R3Mmwk

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield - https://amzn.to/3R8F2j3

Beyond the Wall of Resistance by Rick Maurer - https://amzn.to/3KoJjLh

Other Recommendations:

https://app.7taps.com/av9kFaO3IR

https://www.conflicttransformationsummit.org/www.conflicttransformationsummit.org/stage-2.html

https://communityresourcehub.org/resources/turning-towards-each-other-a-conflict-workbook/

https://ariseembodiment.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/So-youre-ready-to-choose-love-workbook-19.pdf

Connect with Sara:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/huangsara

www.bento.me/sarahuang

www.instagram.com/bureautwist

In this episode of the Building Thinkers podcast, Tracy interviews Paula Amiama about one of her twelve favorite problems: How might we increase flow & and creativity to bring joy to work?

Over the last decade, Paula worked across marketing, the arts, sustainability, innovation, and education. She’s had stops in start-ups, non-profits, and large corporate organizations.

Currently, Paula leads the global Skilling & Learning agenda at DB Schenker, a large logistics company. Paula’s deep and wide expertise from her self-proclaimed non-linear career path, experiences, and clear life-long learning brought such powerful and unique insights in our conversation.

Tracy and Paula discuss the importance of creating flow and autonomy in work, as well as strategies for shifting perspectives to find flow. They emphasize the need to protect time and set clear agendas to prioritize flow and creativity. The conversation highlights the role of leaders in supporting and prioritizing flow for their teams.

Takeaways

• Embrace non-linear career paths: Explore diverse interests to discover what resonates most deeply with you.
• Prioritize reflection and journaling: Gain clarity on your true desires and motivations for greater focus.
• Protect time for deep work: Schedule uninterrupted blocks for focused, creative activities that energize you.
• Leaders: Foster flow through reflection: Find fulfillment in your role and create a positive work environment by prioritizing deep thinking.
• Flow and autonomy boost motivation: Enhance productivity and job satisfaction by creating space for flow and individual choice in work.

Paula's Recommendations:

Books:

Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

Podcasts:

Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin

We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle

School of Embodied Arts with Jenna Ward

Connect with Paula:

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulaamiama/

Substack: https://paulaamiama.substack.com/

In this episode, Tracy is joined by Lily Higgins, the founder of The Intervention Bureau, a learning experience design consultancy where she partners with agencies and thought-leaders to design signature sessions fueling her crusade against boring, ineffective workshops. They discuss the importance of creating space for mindset shift within learning experiences and the role of facilitation as an act of love. Lily shares insights on the power of play and the concept of life as a game. They also explore her signature “Serendipity Walk” experience. The conversation highlights the transformative potential of experiences and the importance of autonomy and ownership in learning.

Key Takeaways:

• Facilitation is an act of love. Facilitators hold space for groups to tap into their collective wisdom and create something greater than the sum of their parts.

• Autonomy is crucial for mindset shifts. Learners need to feel ownership over their learning journeys to integrate new ideas and make meaningful changes.

• Life is a game, and we can redesign it. Game Thinking helps us see the world as a series of games with rules, roles, goals, time, space, and objects. We can change our behavior and shift systems by tweaking any of these elements. Instead of focusing solely on changing people's mindsets, we can look for ways to redesign the game itself.

Links & Recommendations:

Books:

The Power of Moments by Chip & Dan Heath: https://amzn.to/4cT75MB

The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker: https://amzn.to/3UkmpdM

Free Play: Improvisation in Art & Life by Stephen Nachmanovitch: https://amzn.to/3Jjahn0

How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell: https://amzn.to/49UMvc5

Connect with Lily:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-higgins-980519b8/

The Intervention Bureau: www.theinterventionbureau.com

Book a 90-min experience design consultation with Lily: https://calendly.com/lilyhiggins/experience-design-consultation

In this episode, Tracy and Hannah discuss the importance of being present and intentional in our lives. They explore the impact of conditioned beliefs and the pressure to conform to societal expectations. The conversation highlights the need to be fully present in each moment (be where your feet are) and the consequences of not doing so.

They talk about the practice of mindfulness through meditation and how it can lead to a life of peace and fulfillment and they discuss the obstacles to mindfulness, such as fear and the desire for safety and familiarity. They emphasize the importance of taking aligned actions and finding sustainability in growth and action.

Takeaways

• Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention on purpose in the present moment, non-judgmentally.

• Practicing mindfulness through meditation helps to exercise the mindfulness muscle and live a life of peace and fulfillment.

• Being fully present in the moment amplifies happiness and reduces ruminations about the past and anxiety about the future.

• Taking aligned actions and finding sustainability in growth and action are key to living a fulfilled life.

Hanna’s Recommendations:

Books:

Frequency by Penny Pierce https://amzn.to/4ayHOW8

The Inner Matrix by Joey Klein https://amzn.to/3U1WzLx

The Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer https://amzn.to/3TKhZLU

Podcasts

The Expanded Podcast

Where Should We Begin?

The Michael Singer Podcast

Find Hanna:

Soultrustignite.com

https://www.instagram.com/soultrustignite/

In this episode of Building Thinkers Tracy interviews T. Mark Meyer, author of "The Art of Being Authentic." They dive deep into creating space for powerful mindset shifts that transform your learning and life experiences. They cover the following topics:

• Discovering your purpose: Uncover what truly drives you and learn to express it authentically.
• Confidence vs. self-esteem: Understand the key differences and their impact on your journey.
• Leading with authenticity: Explore how to be a more genuine and impactful leader.
• Redefining success in education: Move beyond traditional measures and create a more meaningful path.
• Staying true to yourself: Learn practical tools to stay aligned with your purpose, even when it's challenging.

This episode is your guide to the ongoing adventure of authenticity. Join the conversation and discover a fresh perspective on connecting with your true self.

For more information, check out the resources T. Mark shared below:

Books

The Art of Being Authentic by T. Mark Meyer https://amzn.to/3PwgPCu

Dare to Lead by Brene Brown https://amzn.to/3Pvze2f

True North by Bill George https://amzn.to/3Pvze2f

Socials

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authentictmarkmeyer/