Innovation Storytellers

114: Can We Innovate: Can HR Create a Self-Innovating Workplace? Lessons

In this compelling episode of Innovation Storytellers Show, we explore the world of HR and innovation with two extraordinary guests: Ira Wolfe, a pioneer in future-readiness, and Jason Cochran, the 'Chief Connection Officer' at Telos. Both are esteemed co-hosts of Geeks, Geezers, Googlization, an award-winning podcast exploring the future of work. In the face of rapid and relentless change, they encourage us to view the 'Never Normal' as an opportunity to evolve and thrive. Our discussion ...

113: How Do We Innovate Ourselves? Deep Lessons from a Transgender CEO & VC Innovator

In this special episode of Innovation Storytellers, I engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Caroline Farberger, a groundbreaking Transgender CEO and Venture Capital Innovator. Caroline is a partner and chairperson at the venture capital company Wellstreet. Caroline is widely known for her open dialogue about her gender transition, becoming the first senior business leader in the Nordics to do so. Having held various senior management roles in the financial industry for over 25 ye...

112: How ChatGPT Started a Profitable Business and Got $100K in Funding

Today, I'm joined by João Santos, the founder of AIsthetic Apparel, a fashion label driven by ChatGPT. This groundbreaking venture has made headlines globally and has been featured in numerous media outlets, including a recent CBS News story. In this episode, João shares his fascinating entrepreneurial journey that all began from a simple tweet by Jackson Fall. He was inspired to start a company with a $1000 initial investment, guiding its path with the help of AI, specifically ChatGPT. Hi...

111: How Creative Innovation Can Take You From Salesforce and Accenture to Adventures in Nature

Prepare for a deep-dive into the world of innovation on the latest episode of Innovation Storytellers with our distinguished guest, Shubber Ali, CEO of Garden for Wildlife. In this episode, we peel back the layers of innovation as Ali, a veteran in the field, shares his experiences, insights, and the hard truths he's unearthed during his career. From his early days of building startups, through his tenure as the VP of Strategic Innovation for Salesforce and his role as the Global Innovatio...

110: How Gensler is Architecting Innovation Culture

In this episode, we take an unconventional route by conversing with an architecture firm, Gensler, to delve into their unique approach to constructing an innovation culture. My guests, Amanda Ramos, the Innovation Director and Principal at Gensler, and Lis Russo, the Culture Strategy Leader, are indeed the architects of the innovation culture at their firm. Together, we navigate the complexities of our ever-evolving work environments, from the office to the home and everything in-between. ...

109: How to Use Fluid Thinking to Unleash Your Innovation Mind

In this episode, I am going to take you on a fascinating journey into the subconscious realm of our minds, exploring the science of fluid thinking and subconscious success with renowned cognitive scientist, Phillip Campbell.  Phillip is not only an expert in cognitive science and an executive brain coach but also the author of the enlightening book "Brain Habits". He is the CEO of enigmaFIT, a globally recognized brain coaching company, that aids individuals in tapping into their subconsci...

108: Exodigo Uses AI to Map the Underground

107: How Quris is Reducing Animal Testing To Speed Drug Discovery & Save Lives

In today's episode, I invite you to join me on a captivating exploration of the fascinating intersection of AI, genomics, and pharmaceuticals. Our guest today is Dr. Isaac Bentwich, a physician-turned-entrepreneur who has revolutionized various domains, including medicine, genomics, and agriculture.  Isaac shares insights from his journey in creating this startup, Quris, that operates in the innovative hubs of Boston and Tel Aviv. We dive into his previous endeavors, including founding Ros...

106: How Volvo Unites Startups and Partners for Growth

Get ready to rev your engines for innovation as we bring you a fascinating conversation with Freddy Dasa, the Director of Innovation at Volvo Group's Innovation Lab in Silicon Valley. In this episode of Innovation Storytellers, we dive deep into Freddy's innovative world, where he leads an interdisciplinary team of innovators and entrepreneurs, co-creating and launching new services and solutions for Volvo Group. We explore Freddy's extensive engineering background and 20+ years of experie...

105: Experiential Intelligence (XQ) is the New IQ for Innovation Leaders

In this illuminating episode of Innovation Storytellers, I sit down with the Wall Street Journal best-selling author, INK Magazine columnist, and Co-founder of Praxie.com, Soren Kaplan, Ph.D. Recognized as a top management thought leader by Thinkers 50 and Business Insider, Kaplan brings his profound expertise in new business models and disruptive innovation to the table. Kaplan, who previously led the strategy and innovation group at HP, shares invaluable insights into the world of startu...

104: How Ireland is Creating a Universal Standard for Innovation

Charlie Tuxworth, Founder and Director of Celsio, joins me in exploring the fascinating world of innovation. We discuss the challenges, joys, and excitements of creating a universal standard around innovation. Is it possible? Can it be applied to everyone, both inside and outside of corporations? Tune in to learn more. Charlie is an expert in helping companies set a clear direction for innovation and develop the capability and confidence to deliver it. He shares his journey from taking on ...

103: How USC is Teaching Us to Bring Accelerator Models to Corporate Innovation

In this episode, I am joined by Paul Orlando, founder of Startups Unplugged and professor of entrepreneurship at USC. We explore the ins and outs of integrating startups, accelerators, and groundbreaking innovations into the processes of large companies. With a wealth of experience in building startup accelerators around the world and mentoring founders, Paul shares valuable insights on how to navigate the complex world of entrepreneurship and innovation. Listen in as we discuss the role o...

102: How Jacobs and Cosmos Collective Leverage Employees to Test & Disqualify New Ideas Fast

In today's special double-header episode, I sit down with Carrie Chambliss, former VP of Innovation at Jacobs, and Valerie Van den Keybus, Managing Partner at Cosmos Collective, to explore the power of collaboration in driving innovation. Carrie and Valerie share their experiences working together in a 14-week intensive program that combined design thinking, lean experimentation, and agile methodologies to uncover new growth opportunities. They discuss the importance of making assumptions,...

101: How Broadridge is Using Web3 to Innovate CX

In this episode,  I'm embarking on a fascinating journey into the dynamic realm of financial services, compliance, guidance, and governance. As we explore the intersections of Web1, Web2, and Web3, we'll dive into these evolving technologies' impact on our growth strategies and product design. Join me in a conversation with Aviad Stein, Global Head of Innovation and Corporate Strategy at Broadridge. With an impressive background in financial services, e-commerce, and other tech-related ind...

100: How 3M Harnesses the 5 I’s of Storytelling into Breakthrough Innovation

This week, on The Innovation Storytellers Show, I dive into a fascinating and sticky conversation with Jayshree Seth, Corporate Scientist and Chief Science Advocate at 3M. As the creator of everyone's favorite product, the Post-It Note, 3M has left an indelible mark on note-taking and organization.  In this episode, we explore Jayshree's incredible journey from her start in 1993 with a PhD in chemical engineering to holding 77 patents and becoming the first female engineer inducted into th...

99: How Adobe is Creatively Bringing Us All into the Metaverse & Web3

In this week's edition of the Innovation Storytellers podcast, I invite you to join me in an insightful conversation with Chris Duffy, a strategic futurist and leading figure in digital experiences with Adobe. We explore how AI, creativity, and the metaverse collide as we discuss Adobe's groundbreaking work in generative AI and the transformation of work through AI, and the future of design. In this captivating episode, delve into the intricacies of AI in image generation, the evolving lan...

98: Shining the Spotlight on Community Innovation at Duquesne Light

In today's episode, I am thrilled to have Josh Gould, the Director of Innovation at Pittsburgh's Duquesne Light Company, share his unique insights from his dynamic career in energy and innovation. With experience as an entrepreneur, a venture capitalist, and a federal government official, Josh brings a wealth of knowledge to the conversation. We dive into his journey, from founding the Innovation Hub at Con Edison to his current role at Duquesne Light Company. Join us as we discuss the imp...

97: JPMorgan Chase & Co. Wakes Up Early for Rapid Process Improvement & Change

In this episode of Innovation Storytellers, we have the privilege of hearing from Brian Clawson, Executive Director - Global Head of Innovation at JPMorgan Chase & Co. Brian shares his insights on the importance of small innovation and citizen development in our everyday lives. He explains how some of the best inventions come from people who have a problem to solve and how we can all use the tools available to us to create solutions that make a difference.  Brian also discusses the differe...

96: How Social Innovation Starts with Corporate Innovators

In this episode of the Innovation Storytellers Show, Liam Black, Author of How To Lead With Purpose: Lessons in life and work for the gloves-off mentor, talks about the urgency and scale of the challenges facing society and business. He emphasizes the importance of genuine diversity in all its forms, particularly diversity of thought, for innovation and success. Liam challenges senior leadership to become real enablers to the generations coming behind them and to root out hypocrisy hiding aw...

95: How Block is Reinventing America’s Home Renovation Market

In the latest episode of the Innovation Storytellers podcast, I take a deep dive into the renovation industry with Koda Wang, the co-founder of Block Renovation. Koda shares his experience as an immigrant and how his parents' work ethic inspired him to create a platform that simplifies and enhances the renovation process for contractors and homeowners alike. Prior to founding Block Renovation, Koda worked as the Chief Customer Officer at Rent the Runway and the Chief Operating Officer at T...

94: How RealNetworks, the OG of streaming, Is Changing the Field with AI

In this episode, I am joined by Reza Rassool, a leader at RealNetworks, a company known for its contribution to the internet streaming industry. Reza has helped guide Real Networks' technology investments in AI, and as a result the company has pivoted to become a leader in the field. Reza's SAFR® computer-vision program focuses on touchless access control and authentication products. His pioneering developments range from non-linear editing machines to facial recognition.  Reza shares his ...

93: From Uganda to Harvard, How the “Queen of Trash” is Changing the Environment

Join Dr. Judith Tumusiime, federal grants manager at the Cambridge Community Development Department, on the Innovation Storytellers Show, who shares her unique insights into revitalizing urban areas through innovation. She also highlights the importance of involving all players - government, private sector, and the community - in developing sustainable and self-sustaining innovations.  We explore how putting people at the center of innovation can lead to more successful and impactful outco...

92: Do Changemakers Need Community? How the Disruptive Innovators

In this week's episode of the Innovation Storytellers Show, I speak with Ian Wright, the founder, and CEO of the Disruptive Innovators Network. We discuss the power of having a community of change-makers and problem-solvers to support and inspire innovation.  Ian highlights the potential for businesses to perform even better during challenging times as they are forced to be more creative and open to change. We also discuss the importance of effectively communicating complex problems, citing ...

91: How IDEO and Kaiser Permanente Rethink Healthcare

On this week's edition of Innovation Storytellers join us on our journey to re-imagine healthcare with Jennifer Lo, Senior Director of Design at IDEO. Discover how they are revolutionizing healthcare by utilizing lean thinking and human-centered design principles. In addition, get insights into IDEO's unique approach to problem-solving, where they involve patients and break down barriers to create solutions that truly make a difference.  From creating inclusive designs to driving sustainab...

90: Achieving Fearless Innovation with a Focus on Revenue

Join us on this week's edition of Innovation Storytellers as we welcome Alex Goryachev, an award-winning global technology executive and author of Fearless Innovation. With over 20 years of experience in turning disruptive concepts into successful ecosystem-centric business models, Alex has a wealth of knowledge to share. As the former managing director of Cisco's global Co-Innovation Center, he spearheaded programs and initiatives to accelerate innovation.  Tune in as we delve into the to...

89: How to Overcome Stereotype Thinking that Hinders Innovation & Creativity

  In this episode of The Innovation Storytellers Show, we're talking about a topic often overlooked in large companies: stereotypes and how they play a major role in how we interact with one another in the workplace and outside of it.    My guests, Gian Franco and Liz Kim, are the co-founders of The Stereotype Project Foundation. Gian Franco is a Trinidad and Tobago native with a background in media, entertainment, and technology. Liz Kim is a second-generation Korean American with a d...

88: How Jack Daniels innovates the #1 Whiskey Brand in the World

In today's episode of the Innovation Storytellers podcast, we'll delve into the world of one of the most well-known, respected, and beloved brands in the United States and worldwide: Jack Daniels. According to Inner Brands' Best Global Brands 2022 report, Jack Daniels has been a household name for over 155 years. We are excited to have Heather Howell, the Global Director of Trademark and Innovation at Jack Daniels on the show. Heather's leadership in driving innovation has been a crucial f...

87: Redefining Natural Gas at South Jersey Industries

Danielle Young, Director of Innovation and Business Improvement at South Jersey Industries, joins me in a conversation about innovation in a regulated industry. When you hear about natural gas, many will automatically think about fracking. But by the end of this podcast episode, you will learn many more ways in which the natural gas space is being innovated.  Danielle shares her story and how she overcame resistance to change in the industry as long-serving employees perceived that innovat...

86: How Trane Technologies Transforms Manufacturing with People First

Most people listening to the Innovation Storytellers podcast are already phenomenal innovators who leave a lot of the heavy lifting around marketing to their team. In today's episode, I want to explore what innovators can learn from their marketing team around innovative products and breakthrough ideas, so we can begin to understand the process of when you're done with the making; it's the marketing that brings it all to life. Joining me in this conversation is Amy Voltz, who is a visionar...

85: Finding Catalysts & Fighting Burnout in Innovation

Many innovators have an insatiable thirst for information and are continuously connecting the dots and learning how they can change the world. Shannon Lucas, Co-Founder, and Co-CEO of Catalyst Constellations has not only walked this path, but she has also written a book about it to help others feel better understood, connected, and supported throughout their innovation processes. In this week's episode of The Innovation Storytellers Show, Shannon discusses the importance of not creating an...

84: How Ameren is Recharging a More Equitable Future with Startups

In this week's Innovation Storytellers episode, I welcome Eli Gerson, Manager of Innovation at Ameren. Eli is one of the most prominent innovative thinkers in a regulated utility. He continuously brings brilliant new ideas to what many think is an industry that can be pretty mundane and safe.  Although you might not associate the energy industry as a hub of innovation, I hope to change that today. Listen in as Eli shares his insights and experiences around everything from sustainability to...

83: Clorox's Winning Formula for Open Innovation = DEI + Belonging

Navin Kunde, Head of Open Innovation at the Clorox Company, joins me in a conversation about the roles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in innovation. But most importantly, the importance of belonging. Listen in as he explains that although diversity is essential, leaders must go further by making everyone feel included and giving them a voice. We also discuss how the disconnect between functional groups and business units can create silos that hold back innovation efforts and prevent e...

82: Harnessing Wind Power to Unleash Innovation

In today's episode, I am joined by Kersey Sturdivant, Principal Scientist at INSPIRE Environmental, who discusses how innovation is happening in unseen places. We explore the innovative approaches to problem-solving on the seafloor and how they directly benefit the energy revolution in offshore wind. Kersey shares how they can read the seafloor's history through a combination of optical and acoustic methods. We also explore how an innovative camera that "optically cores" sediments provides...

81: How to get 7.6 Billion People Onboard with Inclusive Innovation

Have you met innovators who, no matter where they go, have this uncanny ability to take a particular talent, skill, and vision with them? Today's guest, Zia Zaman, GM Business Development at Microsoft Asia, does all this and more. He also brings a sense of innovation to the world of inclusivity and brings these two things together beautifully. Listen in as we explore the world of innovation across multiple industries and continents. Zia shares with me about being inspired by the ESG effort...

80: How Web3 Will Change The World

Somi Arian, Founder/Managing Director at InPeak, joins me on the Innovation Storytellers podcast. Listen in as we discuss how this Web3 education platform is helping to prepare companies and individuals to participate in the ownership economy in the next generation of the internet.  On the other side of bringing innovation and disruption into a marketplace is digital hesitation and fear from many businesses. Somi shares how an over-saturated Web2 should encourage everyone to break through ...

79: Getting to Moonshot Innovation

Lisa Wardlaw, Chief Strategy Officer from McKenzie Intelligence Services, joins me on Innovation Storytellers to talk about all things innovation and some things you might not want to hear about the future of innovation. Lisa shares with me the importance of having a strategy to take you beyond mediocrity and basic automation.  We discuss the current corporate obsession with incrementalism instead of going for the moonshots. Lisa passionately shares how many businesses spend so much on aut...

78: How the Metaverse Will Reinvent The Enterprise at KPMG

Cliff Justice and his team develop and incubate the next generation of businesses, technologies, and solutions for KPMG and its clients. They also make minority investments in a network of innovative startups that support KPMG's growth strategy. I invited Cliff to join me on today's episode of the Innovation Storytellers podcast to share his story and insights about their comprehensive and organic approach to innovation—including how they capture innovative ideas, and the discipline they cal...

77: How Equity Creates Innovation at Boston Medical Center

In this week’s episode, Sheila Phicil, Director of Innovation at Boston Medical Center’s Health Equity Accelerator, joins me to discuss how physicians and the entire healthcare ecosystem are embracing innovation in patient care and beyond. Sheila shares with me her mission to be a transformative leader who accelerates change and innovation, and makes a real difference in healthcare. Tune in to this episode to learn how Boston Medical Center is innovating in spaces you wouldn't typically as...

76: New Book Alert! Accelerated: A Guide to Innovating at the Speed of Change

Most of our guests on the Innovation Storytellers podcast are so busy innovating they don't stop to take a breath and tell us how they did it or share their observations after years and years in the field. However, in today's episode, I am honored to sit down and learn some of the things Brian Ardinger has gleaned over years of doing his inspirational work. In his new book, Accelerated: A Guide to Innovating at the Speed of Change, he reflects on the lessons learned innovating with working...

75: How the WWE Innovates Superstar Entertainment

I was recently invited to Madison Square Garden for my first-ever experience watching WWE Raw Live. Surrounded by thousands of screaming fans,I couldn’t help but wonder, “How do you innovate one of the most innovative sports on the planet?” My curiosity led me to this interview with today's guests. Peter Gonzalez, Senior Vice President, Media Technology, WWE, and Serena Ness, Vice President, Innovation Program Management, WWE, join me on Innovation Storytellers to discuss the strategic pro...

74: Recycling Consumer Electronics to Solve the Climate Crisis & Cybercrime

Did you know that only 17% of all the electronics sold and used on the planet are currently being responsibly recycled when they come to their end of life? As a result, the fastest-growing part of the world's waste stream is unwanted or unusable consumer electronics. But, electronic waste is not only an environmental hazard. It's becoming a cyber security problem too.  John Shegerian, co-founder and Chairman/CEO of ERI, joins me on the Innovation Storytellers podcast to share the scale of ...

73: Using the Blockchain to Invest in Real Estate, One Parcl at a Time

Real estate has always been at the cornerstone of the ‘American Dream. However, on the flip side, there is also a history of structural inequity in the housing market. The global pandemic exacerbated this problem with the rise of housing inflation and the supply crisis. So, Trevor Bacon, CEO, and co-founder of Parcl, innovated to create a solution that would empower everyone to participate in real estate (renters, first-time buyers, enthusiasts). Trevor shares with me how Parcl is leveragi...

72: Ingestible Injectable Robots Are Here

This episode explores innovation around tracking and treating different diseases and how this is reshaping the future of healthcare in new ways Dr. Alex Abramson, Assistant Professor at Georgia Institute of Technology, joins me as my guest to share his origin story of how tinkering with technology and a passion for science from a young age led him into the field of biomedical research later on. He also talks about the ingestible, implantable, and wearable robotic therapeutic devices he h...

71: How Fitwel is Building Health for All

Did you know your physical, mental, and social health and life expectancy are impacted by the design and operation of the buildings in which you live and work? Ultimately, your zip code affects your well-being more than your genetic code. Joanna Frank, President & CEO, Center for Active Design, and President & CEO, Active Design Advisors, joins me on the Innovations Storytellers podcast to share her insights on this fascinating topic. I learn more about the Center for Active Design's missi...

From the Archives: How Coty is taking the Beauty industry into AR, VR and the Metaverse

Did you know that some of the most incredible innovations are happening in the beauty and fragrance space? This is just one of the many reasons why I invited Shanna Weinblatt, Senior Director, Innovation & Beauty Tech at Coty, to discuss how they are leveraging AR, AI, VR, and ultra-personalization. But to begin with, I learn more about her path into the world of innovation. Coty is a world leader in beauty and home to an illustrious roster of cosmetic, skincare, and fragrance brands. The ...

From the Archives: Author of Pirates In The Navy and Associate Partner at Strategyzer

Well-established companies are born out of innovation and will continue to thrive with innovation. But why do big companies sometimes struggle to innovate and break new boundaries?  This week on Innovation Storytellers we have Tendayi Viki, Author of Pirates In The Navy and Associate Partner at Strategyzer. In this episode, he shares the factors that make innovation work, what it takes to get people to rally behind an idea and the important role of corporate intrapreneurs in the pursuit of...

From the Archives: Innovation in Electric Aviation at MagniX with Roei Ganzarski

From the Archives: Space Age Innovation with Steve Rader from NASA

During August, I am taking time to reflect on some of my favorite interviews since I launched this podcast. Steve Rader is not only an award-winning speaker, innovator, and thought leader on innovation, but he has also taught most of us more about Open Innovation than any other I know. Over the past eight years, Steve served as the Deputy Director for the Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation at NASA. He has found a way to harness the power of the crowd and their love of outer ...

From the Archives: 169 Years of Innovation at Corning with Marty Curran & Anis Fadul

How do you stay at the cutting edge of innovation as a 169-year-old company? Marty Curran and Anis Fadul have been inventing and reinventing innovation at Corning for 30 years. One of their amazing stories lies in the motto that hangs in the Innovation Center at Corning, “Not In Our House.” In other words, Corning does not intend to be disrupted by anyone other than their own innovation team. In this episode, you’ll hear how the company supports Tesla to become a leader in sustainability ...

65: How Plants Inspire The Newest Robots at Purdue University

Laura Blumenschein, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, appeared on my radar after being selected for MIT Technology Review's Innovators Under 35 list in the category of AI and robots. She was chosen for her work on the Vine robot project, a growing robot inspired by the growth and adaptability of plants. Her contribution to the field of soft robotics expands upon the potential uses for autonomous robotic systems to interact in the human world. Laura joins me on this week's epis...