Rapid Response

Latest Episodes:

Pioneers of AI: Your next manager could be powered by AI, with Katherine von Jan Apr 25, 2025

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A great manager can make a person feel more satisfied and included at work. But a bad manager can cost a company lots of time and resources — even driving away valuable talent. Katherine von Jan is building a better manager, powered by AI. As CEO and co-founder of Tough Day, von Jan is building AI management tools tailored for the future of work. Tough Day might handle basic questions about PTO, but also step-in around sensitive issues like workplace conflict. In this episode of Pioneers of AI with host Dr. Rana el Kaliouby, hear why AI is poised to redefine middle management, ushering in an era of “un-bossing”.

Learn more about Pioneers of AI: http://pioneersof.ai/

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At the center of AI is people, so we want to hear from you! Share your experiences with AI — or ask us a burning question — by leaving a voicemail at 601-633-2424. Your voice could be featured in a future episode!

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From warzones to boardrooms: José Andrés on leadership learned in the kitchen Apr 22, 2025

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As the founder of World Central Kitchen, renowned chef and humanitarian José Andrés has truly mastered the art of leading through crisis. José returns to Rapid Response to share insights from his new book, Change the Recipe — a candid collection of personal stories that doubles as a playbook for navigating uncertainty, breaking rules, and leading with heart. José also explores how AI is poised to reshape the food industry, the importance of unplugging, and more. In a world seemingly on fire, José shows us how to harness that fire — without getting burned.

Order José’s New Book Today

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Resurrecting dire wolves is just the beginning for Colossal Biosciences’ Ben Lamm Apr 18, 2025

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One recent scientific breakthrough set the internet ablaze: The ‘de-extinction’ of the dire wolf. While many celebrated Colossal Biosciences’ announcement, the experiment also sparked controversy throughout the scientific community — namely the ethics of birthing and rewilding extinct animals, and whether Colossal’s dire wolf puppies are the real thing. Colossal’s co-founder and CEO Ben Lamm joins Rapid Response to take us inside the dire wolf journey, revealing how the start-up attracted a roster of celebrity investors, and what the company’s technology means for not only conservation and biodiversity, but potentially the future of human health.

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Finding opportunity in volatility, with GE Vernova CEO Scott Strazik Apr 15, 2025

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Amid tariff whiplash and the rejuggling of global trade, GE Vernova’s CEO Scott Strazik is finding a way to stay “relentlessly optimistic.” Strazik returns to Rapid Response to share how the company plans to continue its success as one of Wall Street’s top-performing stocks, despite looming supply chain disruption, and an evolving conversation about climate and the energy transition. Strazik also reflects on rising trends in wind and nuclear energy, and why staying agile matters more than ever.

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From Signalgate to wild tariff swings, with The Atlantic CEO Nicholas Thompson Apr 11, 2025

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When government officials accidentally included The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg in a Signal group chat discussing U.S. military plans, all hell broke loose. The Atlantic’s CEO, Nicholas Thompson joins Rapid Response to discuss the scandal now known as “Signalgate”, revealing insider details about how the story came to be and sharing how the publication managed to capitalize on the business opportunities that sprouted. Thompson also breaks down the implications of Trump’s latest tariff turnaround and what Elon Musk’s plan to merge X with his AI company means for the future of your digital life.

Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/

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When powerful law firms don’t defend themselves against Trump, with ex-Skadden associate Rachel Cohen Apr 08, 2025

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Many prominent law firms have recently found themselves in President Trump’s crosshairs. Skadden Arps’ attorney Rachel Cohen encouraged the firm to fight the government’s pressure, only to have her attempts rebuffed and to be effectively forced out from the firm. Cohen joins Rapid Response to share her dramatic story, and fears about how the rule of law is changing in America. Rachel’s experience raises questions about the legal industry’s role in the checks and balances of the US system, and how leaders everywhere navigate the relationship between their business and broader society.

Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/

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Facing a blitz of government attacks, with Planned Parenthood’s Alexis McGill Johnson Apr 04, 2025

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Planned Parenthood is facing a new wave of existential threats, this time targeting its funding as a women’s health provider. Three years after the US Supreme Court removed the federal right to abortion, Planned Parenthood President and CEO Alexis McGill Johnson returns to Rapid Response to talk about why she’s now turned to the same Court to protect her organization from an attack by South Carolina’s governor. Big funding attacks are also underway from Texas and the Trump Administration. McGill Johnson’s approach to conflict, how she motivates herself and her team, provides a telling window into leadership in duress.

Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/

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From data breach scandal to AI darling, with Snowflake’s CEO Sridhar Ramaswamy Apr 01, 2025

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It's been a wild few years for Snowflake, from a record-breaking IPO to a plummeting stock price to a data-breach scandal. Sridhar Ramaswamy took over in the heat of the turmoil and helped steady the ship, in part by betting big on AI. Ramaswamy returns to Rapid Response to share lessons from the company's turnaround, including insights behind high profile partnerships with OpenAI and Anthropic, how Snowflake embraced China's Deepseek early, and why Ramaswamy calls Snowflake the most consequential AI-data company in the world.

Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The new meaning of patriotism in business, with The Honest Company’s Carla Vernón Mar 28, 2025

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More than a decade after Jessica Alba co-founded The Honest Company with a mission to deliver cleaner, healthier products for families, the brand faces new challenges in a shifting consumer landscape. CEO Carla Vernón joins Rapid Response to share how she’s drawing on her experience at General Mills and Amazon to navigate shifting retail headwinds and reignite the brand. Vernón dives into the value of diversity as a business advantage, why patriotism takes on new meaning in today’s landscape, and what it really takes to lead a mission-driven company amid uncertain times.

Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Public radio vs. DOGE: NPR CEO Katherine Maher previews her testimony Mar 25, 2025

Show notes

Tomorrow, NPR’s CEO Katherine Maher goes before a DOGE subcommittee in Congress to defend the public media outlet’s case for federal funding. Maher returns to Rapid Response for the first time since taking on the CEO role to preview her testimony, sharing how funding cuts would impact Americans’ broad access to crucial news and information, particularly in rural areas. Maher also reveals why the company has pivoted its DEI strategy, how the organization can better frame its identity as an outlet for all Americans, and more.

Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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