Thinking With Mitch Joel

Latest Episodes:

SPOS #739 - Dan Heath On Solving Problems Before They Happen Sep 06, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode #739 of Six Pixels of Separation.

Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #738 - Host: Mitch Joel. When asked who my favorite business book authors are, the Heath brothers (Dan and Chip), show up at the top of that list. It's hard to not love brilliant books like, Made To Stick, Switch, Decisive, and The Power of Moments. Combined, they've sold over three million copies worldwide that have been translated into over thirty languages. Over the years, I've spoken at events where Dan was speaking as well. He is always kind, generous and giving of his time (and wisdom). While the brothers are still close, Dan decided to publish his own book recently. It's called, Upstream - The quest to solve problems before they happen, and it's a great read (as expected). Dan is a Senior Fellow at Duke University's CASE center, which supports social entrepreneurs. Previously, Dan worked as a researcher and case writer for Harvard Business School. In the late 1990s, Dan co-founded an innovative publishing company called Thinkwell, which for almost 25 years has been producing a line of online college textbooks that feature video lectures from some of the country's top professors. Dan has a MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from the Plan II Honors Program from the University of Texas at Austin. One proud geeky moment for Dan was his victory in the 2005 New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest, beating out 13,000 other entrants. In this episode, we look at our decision making process and how we can not just solve problems, but prevent them from ever taking place. Enjoy the conversation...

Running time: 1:00:43.
Hello from beautiful Montreal.
Subscribe over at iTunes.
Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
or you can connect on LinkedIn.
...or on Twitter.
Here is my conversation with Dan Heath.
Upstream - The quest to solve problems before they happen.
Made To Stick.
Switch.
Decisive,
The Power of Moments.
This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

SPOS #738 - Matt Ridley On How Innovation Works Aug 30, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode #738 of Six Pixels of Separation.

Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #738 - Host: Mitch Joel. I had hear about Matt Ridley's work (The Rational Optimist), but we had not met until last year. I was invited to speak at a CEO summit for Google and their clients in Amsterdam. We had a short interaction, but after watching him present, I knew he would make a great guest for the show. Matt's accomplishments are long, deep and varied. His books have sold over a million copies and have been translated into over 30 languages. His TED talk, When Ideas Have Sex, has been viewed more than two million times. He writes a weekly column in The Times (London) and writes regularly for the Wall Street Journal. As Viscount Ridley, he was elected to the House of Lords in February 2013. He served on the science and technology select committee 2014-2017. Matt worked for The Economist for nine years as science editor, Washington correspondent and American editor, before becoming a self-employed writer and businessman. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and of the Academy of Medical Sciences, and a foreign honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is honorary president of the International Centre for Life in Newcastle. His latest book is called, How Innovation Works... And Why It Flourishes in Freedom. Enjoy the conversation...

Running time: 49:01.
Hello from beautiful Montreal.
Subscribe over at iTunes.
Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
or you can connect on LinkedIn.
...or on Twitter.
Here is my conversation with Matt Ridley.
How Innovation Works... And Why It Flourishes in Freedom.
The Rational Optimist.
When Ideas Have Sex.
Follow Matt on Twitter.
This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

SPOS #737 - David Burkus On Building Great Teams With Purpose Aug 23, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode #737 of Six Pixels of Separation.

Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #737 - Host: Mitch Joel. One of the world's leading business thinkers (and my friend), David Burkus, is a forward-thinking idea machine focused on helping leaders and teams do their best work ever. He is the best-selling author of five books about business and leadership (including The Myths of Creativity, Under New Management, Friend of a Friend, and more). His books have won multiple awards and have been translated into dozens of languages. Since 2017, David has been ranked as one of the world's top business thought leaders by Thinkers50. As a sought-after international speaker, his TED Talk has been viewed over 2 million times. A former business school professor, David holds a master's degree in organizational psychology from the University of Oklahoma, and a doctorate in strategic leadership from Regent University. His latest project is Pick A Fight - How Great Teams Find A Purpose Worth Rallying Around, and it initially came out as an audiobook project. As we all head back to school and back to work (in a very different world), business leaders are going to need to understand what will make their teams feel motivated, innovative and more successful than ever before. Not easy. David wants every business to pick a fight worth fighting for. Enjoy the conversation...

Running time: 56:06.
Hello from beautiful Montreal.
Subscribe over at iTunes.
Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
or you can connect on LinkedIn.
...or on Twitter.
Here is my conversation with David Burkus.
Pick A Fight - How Great Teams Find A Purpose Worth Rallying Around.
Friend of a Friend.
Under New Management.
The Myths of Creativity.
Follow David on Instagram.
Follow David on Twitter.
This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

SPOS #736 - Maria Konnikova On Understanding Poker To Win At Life Aug 16, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode #736 of Six Pixels of Separation.

Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #736 - Host: Mitch Joel. When Maria Konnikova first entered the world of poker in 2017, it was tough to predict that, within a year, she would have won a major title, made multiple final tables, and amassed close to $300,000 in live tournament winnings. But that's precisely what happened. Today, in addition to her career as a journalist, Maria plays professionally, traveling the world as she seeks her next poker title in anticipation of her recently published book, The Biggest Bluff. Maria brings a unique background to her poker career: apart from being a bestselling author (her other books include The Confidence Game, and Mastermind) and award-winning journalist, she holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from Columbia University. Her doctoral work was on risky and emotional decision making in uncertain environments—the precise sorts of conditions you encounter at the poker table. Her theoretical findings, alongside her new practical experience, form a powerful combination for insight into the human decision making process in environments far removed from the poker table. Apart from playing and working on her book, over the last year Maria has developed interactive decision making workshops that use poker as a tool to explore your own mind—and help you emerge with a more complete understanding of yourself and a roadmap for improving your thought processes going forward. There is powerful connection between understanding the dynamics of poker in relation to what we need to pay attention to, how to master our thinking, how to see people for who they truly are (and not what they may be pretending to be) and where the "win" in life may actually be. Enjoy the conversation...

Running time: 54:23.
Hello from beautiful Montreal.
Subscribe over at iTunes.
Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
or you can connect on LinkedIn.
...or on Twitter.
Here is my conversation with Maria Konnikova.
The Biggest Bluff.
The Confidence Game.
Mastermind.
Follow Maria on Instagram.
Follow Maria on Twitter.
This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

SPOS #735 - Chuck Wendig On Bestselling Books, Creativity And Brilliant Storytelling Aug 09, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode #735 of Six Pixels of Separation.

Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #735 - Host: Mitch Joel. I believe C.C. Chapman first turned me on to the incredibly powerful, direct, and funny writing of Chuck Wendig. And while Chuck is an established New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Star Wars: Aftermath, as well as the Miriam Black thrillers, the Atlanta Burns books, Zer0es/Invasive, and his latest fiction breakthrough, Wanderers, I love his writing about creativity and writing more. If you have yet to check out The Kick-Ass Writer and Damn Fine Story, you really should. Chuck, like me, is also a comic book culture geek. He's worked in comics, games, film, and television. His blog has been running for a touch longer than mine (so... forever) and it's a never-ending source of great content. It's called Terribleminds, and he rambles and wrestles with topics as varied as writing, parenthood, food, pop culture, and beyond. His writing is always NSFW, and there's this honest and truthful edge that is always there, ready to punch you in the face (or make you crack up from laughter). If you want to tell better stories, write better, or embrace your creativity more, this show is for you. Enjoy the conversation...

Running time: 52:59.
Hello from beautiful Montreal.
Subscribe over at iTunes.
Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
or you can connect on LinkedIn.
...or on Twitter.
Here is my conversation with Chuck Wendig.
Terribleminds
Damn Fine Story.
The Kick-Ass Writer.
Wanderers.
Star Wars: Aftermath.
Mirum Black.
Atlanta Burns.
Zer0es/Invasive.
Follow Chuck on Twitter.
Follow Chuck on Instagram.
This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

SPOS #734 - Marcus Whitney On Creative Entrepreneurship Aug 02, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode #734 of Six Pixels of Separation.

Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #734 - Host: Mitch Joel. Years back, we had unconferences. Gatherings of interesting people who would make up the contents of the conference on the spot. You could speak, contribute, whatever... as you wish. BarCamp Nashville invited me to come and take part back in 2007 (thanks, Dave Delaney). That's where I first met Marcus Whitney, who was one of the organizers. Watching his ascent over the years has not been surprising to me. I could sense his work ethic and desire for success when we first met. Marcus is now CEO of Health:Further (a strategic advisory firm in the healthcare space). He's also a Founding Partner of Jumpstart Health Investors (one of the most active venture capital firms in America focused on innovative, healthcare companies with a portfolio of over 100 companies). Want more? He's also co-founder and minority owner of Major League Soccer team, Nashville Soccer Club. His brand new book, Create and Orchestrate, is about claiming your creative power through entrepreneurship. Marcus is also the producer and host of Marcus Whitney Live, a livestream interview show, and Marcus Whitney's Audio Universe (his podcast). Marcus is a member of the board of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation, Instruction Partners and an Arts Commissioner for the city of Nashville. Not inspired at work these days? Try this episode. Enjoy the conversation...

Running time: 1:05:45.
Hello from beautiful Montreal.
Subscribe over at iTunes.
Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
or you can connect on LinkedIn.
...or on Twitter.
Here is my conversation with Marcus Whitney.
Create and Orchestrate.
Marcus Whitney Live.
Marcus Whitney's Audio Universe.
Health:Further.
Jumpstart Health Investors.
Follow Marcus on Instagram.
Follow Marcus on Twitter.
This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

SPOS #733 - Tom Peters Gives A Masterclass In Business Thinking Jul 26, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode #733 of Six Pixels of Separation.

Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #733 - Host: Mitch Joel. When I think of Tom Peters, there is only one word that comes to mind: Legend. He is that. He is the "man on the mountaintop" for me, personally (and for many others) when it comes to business, business book writing, public speaking, personal branding, and how to show up. If you want to know how much his work and thinking has impacted my life, you can click back about eight years to when I wrote a very public love letter to him (here it is: Dear Tom Peters). From the moment I first read The Project 50 - close to twenty years ago - to every book, program and article that he's put out, I have been a fan. To say that I studied his public speaking style and adopted it for my own would not be a lie. We last connected for a podcast recording about two years ago, as he was publishing his last book, The Excellence Dividend. When I think about the current state of business, my default question is always: WWTPT? (What Would Tom Peters Think?). Now, we get the chance to ask those questions and listen to his reflections on business today… and tomorrow. A bio for Tom Peters? Where to begin? In 1982 he co-authored the seminal business book, In Search Of Excellence, which has been named one of the top three business books of the century by NPR. For my dollar, he's changed almost everything I thought I knew about business through a series of books called The Reinventing Work Series 50 List Books. In 2003, I devoured Re-Imagine! Business Excellence In A Disruptive Age, and it still sits within arm's reach on my desk (one of the only books to do so). In 1987 he wrote the article, The Brand Called You, in Fast Company and it – literally – ushered in the era of individuals as brands (so, don't believe those who think that they created the notion of a personal brand… it was Tom). His list of accolades and awards could fill a book. Enjoy the conversation...

Running time: 1:07:35.
Hello from beautiful Montreal.
Subscribe over at iTunes.
Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
or you can connect on LinkedIn.
...or on Twitter.
Here is my conversation with Tom Peters.
The Excellence Dividend.
In Search Of Excellence.
Re-Imagine! Business Excellence In A Disruptive Age.
The Reinventing Work Series 50 List Books.
The Brand Called You.
Follow Tom on Twitter.
This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

SPOS #732 - Avinash Kaushik On Better Tech And Marketing Jul 19, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode #732 of Six Pixels of Separation.

Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #732 - Host: Mitch Joel. The one person I think of when the state of marketing and technology shifts is Avinash Kaushik. Google's Digital Marketing Evangelist, bestselling author (Web Analytics – An Hour A Day and Web Analytics 2.0), powerful writer (Occam's Razor), dear friend and business big brain is back with more passion, empathy and criticism than you might be ready for. Each article he writes for his amazing newsletter, The Marketing-Analytics Intersect (you better sign up for it), may as well be a business book unto itself. His insights into what should really count today for business leaders is refreshing. He's got attitude, is full of passion, and he does not hold back. What is the role of technology in society? What does the data say about our politics and who we are? How do we fix the tech backlash? And that's just the beginning. Enjoy the conversation…

Running time: 57:00.
Hello from beautiful Montreal.
Subscribe over at iTunes.
Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
or you can connect on LinkedIn.
...or on Twitter.
Here is my conversation with Avinash Kaushik.
The Marketing-Analytics Intersect.
Web Analytics – An Hour A Day.
Web Analytics 2.0.
Occam's Razor.
Follow Avinash on Instagram.
Follow Avinash on Twitter.
This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

SPOS #731 - Steve Dennis On The State of Retail And Shopping Jul 12, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode #731 of Six Pixels of Separation.

Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #731 - Host: Mitch Joel. If you want a glimpse into what this pandemic can do to business, look no further than the state of retail. Some retailers are experiencing great growth, while many are filing for bankruptcy. The winners are digital-first (think Amazon, Shopify, etc...). How do we make sense of consumer's today, how they shop, and what they will want from this day forward? Enter Steve Dennis. Steve has over three decades of experience as a strategic advisor, board member, general manager and C-level executive at two Fortune 500 retailers. He has worked with dozens of retail, luxury, technology and social impact brands to design more profitable growth strategies. Steve's signature "tell is like it is" style and '8 Essentials of Remarkable Retail' framework makes him one of the industry's most in-demand thought leaders. He has delivered keynotes, led management workshops and consulted across six continents, sharing what it takes to win and keep customers in the age of Amazon, Alibaba, and digital disruption. Steve recently published his book, Remarkable Retail - How to win and keep customers in the age of digital disruption. Steve is also one of Seth Godin's oldest friends. Enjoy the conversation...

Running time: 1:01:21.
Hello from beautiful Montreal.
Subscribe over at iTunes.
Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
or you can connect on LinkedIn.
...or on Twitter.
Here is my conversation with Steve Dennis.
Remarkable Retail - How to win and keep customers in the age of digital disruption.
Follow Steve on Instagram.
Follow Steve on Twitter.
This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

SPOS #730 - Pim de Morree On Being A Corporate Rebel Jul 05, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to episode #730 of Six Pixels of Separation.

Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #730 - Host: Mitch Joel. The work of Pim de Morree and his partner (Joost Minnaar) has been on my radar for a few years. It came up more recently, when I saw them on the famed Thinkers50 list and with the publication of their latest book, Corporate Rebels - Make Work More Fun. This may seem like an archaic concept as we all struggle to find our grounding during this pandemic, but it may be a more radical (and much-needed) way to think about our work than ever before. Pim wants workplaces to change for the better. That doesn't change in a work from home world, it gets amplified and becomes more important. Corporate Rebels is really a global movement to make work more fun. Pim and Joost quit their frustrating, corporate jobs and set out to travel the world to visit the world's most inspiring organizations. While checking off their renowned Bucket List they share everything they learn. Their cult blog is read in over 100 countries, and they have been listed among the 'Top 30 Emergent Management Thinkers' and won the 2019 Thinkers50 'Radar Award'. We're all faced with re-thinking work. Here's some additional perspective. Enjoy the conversation...

Running time: 1:00:59.
Hello from beautiful Montreal.
Subscribe over at iTunes.
Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
or you can connect on LinkedIn.
...or on Twitter.
Here is my conversation with Pim de Morree.
Corporate Rebels - Make Work More Fun.
Joost Minnaar.
Follow Pim on Instagram.
Follow Pim on Twitter.
This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected