Welcome to episode #908 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #908. When I think about business books... from writing one to the ideas within them, to how the business of writing book works, I think of Josh Bernoff. His latest book, Build a Better Business Book - How to Plan, Write, and Promote a Book That Matters, highlights his deep understanding of the intricate process of crafting impactful business literature, and how to make it successful. His approach is direct, and uniquely hands-on. He dives deep into the creation phase, assisting authors in rapidly defining their book idea and finding the perfect title and subtitle, delivering a one-page book treatment that sets the foundation for their project. His service extends to creating compelling book proposals, including everyt

Welcome to episode #907 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #907. What is the future of team dynamics at work? Let's delve into the innovative world of leadership and management with David Burkus, an expert in organizational theory and psychology. David, with his unique blend of academic rigor and practical insights, has continually redefined our understanding of what makes teams excel at work. His latest book, Best Team Ever!, is as a testament to his dedication to uncovering the secrets behind highly successful teams. This book isn't just a compendium of theories, it’s a roadmap drawn from extensive research and real-world examples. David peels back the layers of traditional management structures, inviting readers to explore the core principles that emp

Welcome to episode #906 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #906. Meet Anne Morriss, a seasoned leadership coach, prolific writer, and an indisputable authority in company creation. Anne has an acute understanding of the modern business landscape, and has devoted a significant portion of her career to exploring and addressing key issues that contemporary organizations face. An advocate for strategic leadership, she has become widely known for her insightful perspectives on the dynamics of trust, speed, and change within the business world. Anne is the co-author (along with her partner, Frances Frei) of the new book, Move Fast And Fix Things - The Trusted Leader's Guide To Solving Hard Problems. The book (an

Welcome to episode #905 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #905. A seasoned marketing consultant, keynote speaker and blogger, Mark Schaefer brings decades of experience to a discipline often clouded by buzzwords. Mark is all about cutting through the complexity of digital noise to foster real connections for the brand and their customers. His latest book, Belonging To The Brand, explores the concept of community as a cornerstone of customer loyalty. In it, Mark details pragmatic approaches for brands to earn trust and advocacy, suggesting that the key lies in creating a sense of belonging among consumers. This book is a guide rooted in the principle that meaningful engagement trumps transient marketing victories. Complementing this practical ap

Welcome to episode #904 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #904. In the ever-changing and expanding universe of retail, Jason Del Rey stands as a chronicler of commerce, a journalist who's been demystifying the confluence of retail and technology with a critical yet insightful lens. Jason has been the voice behind the curtain, peering through the glittering facades of retail industry giants (namely Walmart and Amazon) and penning the narratives that shape our understanding of modern commerce. His expertise as a business journalist has graced the pages of Recode, where he's dissected the complex ecosystem of e-commerce, scrutinizing the moves of major players and the s

Welcome to episode #903 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #903. In an era bedazzled by emerging marketing platforms and technologies co-mingling with fickle algorithms, Neil Patel stands as a beacon for modern marketers — illuminating not just the untamed frontiers of digital strategy, but also the classic routes that brands should never abandon. Sure, we’re awash with shiny new marketing platforms and tactics (ready for comment marketing?), but Neil reminds us that these are just that: Tools. They are not substitutes for foundational strategies that have stood the test of time — Search Engine Optimization, content marketing, and customer engagement. Sure, digital trends shift, but consumer needs remains constant. Neil's genius lies in his alchemical skills, blending the latest tools with timeless wisdom - all of

Welcome to episode #902 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #902. A seasoned psychotherapist, an eloquent writer, and a captivating speaker, Charlotte Fox Weber wears multiple hats with an effortless grace that captures the zeitgeist of the emotionally complex world we navigate (and how we think about ourselves and our deepest desires). Here's why Charlotte should be on your radar: Her new book, Tell Me What You Want - A Therapist and Her Clients Explore Our 12 Deepest Desires, is a linchpin in understanding the enigmatic art of human connection to ourselves (and to each other). In a generation awash with self-help books and quick-fix therapies, Tell Me What You Want cuts

Welcome to episode #901 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #901. Navigating the ever-shifting landscape of branding is challenging. Few understand this terrain better than Allen Adamson. With extensive experience in both corporate and academic settings, he offers a unique lens through which to understand the challenges and opportunities that today's businesses face. Allen has contributed to the success of global players such as GE, Johnson & Johnson, and FedEx, with a focus on identifying and delivering what truly matters to audiences. His latest book is Seeing The How - Transforming What People Do, Not Buy, To Gain Market Advantage. Allen makes th

Welcome to episode #900 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #900.  Where would I be without Dan Ariely? You will have to listen in to find out. Beyond that, Dan is renowned for his insightful research in behavioral economics, which he simplifies for the everyday reader. His journey into understanding human irrationality began in a profoundly personal way: Recovering from severe burns caused by an explosion. The challenges of his treatments, particularly the agonizing daily baths, led him to question the patterns of irrational behaviors. Post recovery, Dan delved deep into the world of decision-making, keen to figure out how the knowledge from behavioral economics could enhance various facets of life— be it finance, health, habits, or personal relationships. As Dan expanded his understanding, he grew passionate abou

Welcome to episode #899 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #899.  Have you heard the story about the mom who built her own home with her four kids using YouTube videos? That's my friend, Cara Brookins. Cara built software systems for 20 years as a software architect, but when her life crumbled around her, she turned herself into a builder and architect of a different kind… With no construction experience, Cara and her children built a 3,500 square foot house from the ground up by watching YouTube tutorials. Convinced that by building a house, they could rebuild their broken family, she and her kids poured the concrete, framed the walls, and laid the bricks. In the end, they had built a two-story, five-bedroom home. Using real-life examples from her unconventional constr

Welcome to episode #898 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #898.  When it comes to unearthing the real power of coaching and getting the best out of people and the work that they do, few people make it as accessible, engaging and smart as Michael Bungay Stanier. He's both a good friend and a perpetual fountain of wisdom. You might already be familiar with Michael's breakthrough book, The Coaching Habit. It's a tome that's shifted the paradigm for managers and leaders by emphasizing the art of asking the right questions over doling out advice. But that's not where his literary journey ends (and that book has sold well over a million copies). Michael has also authored <a href= "https://www.mbs.works/best-

Welcome to episode #897 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #897. Meet Dr. Marcus Collins, a dynamic brand and marketing figure who has immersed himself in understanding the profound influence of culture on human behavior. Leveraging a rich background that spans roles as a clinical professor at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business and he's the head of strategy at Wieden+Kennedy, New York, Marcus utilizes his deep insights to bridge the gap between theory and practice, helping individuals leverage cultural understanding to induce action. Marcus's acclaim in the advertising and business realms is evident through his multiple recognitions, including a spot in the <a href="https://www.aaf.org

Welcome to episode #896 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #896. Renowned scholar and dynamic force in the business academia and consulting world, Zeynep Ton has dedicated her career to scrutinizing the nuances of operational management through a lens that values not just the customers and investors but the employees who are often regarded as mere cogs in the wheel. With her home base at the MIT Sloan School of Management, she leverages her role as a Professor to delve deep into the symbiotic relationship between employee satisfaction, customer service, and investor returns. Her insightful research has graced the pages of prestigious publications like the Harvard Business Review, <a href= "https://www.jstor.org/

Welcome to episode #895 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #895. When it comes to the digital economy, the law and the media, everyone should be following Dr. Michael Geist. Now, more than ever, his voice may be the only "truth" we are seeing in the media as Canada deals with the massive fallout that is Bill C-18 (Canada's Online News Act). My primer on this ridiculous law is here: Big Tech, Big Media, Big Trouble And Big Lies. With that, the issues (and opportunity) bleed well beyond the borders of Canada and should strike fear into anyone interested in our global digital economy. For a long while, Michael has been reshap

Welcome to episode #894 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #894. When you live in a city like Montreal, you often get introduced to people who have both "done the work" and are eager to stay connected. A long while back, I had the pleasure of meeting Professor Karl Moore. And, over the years, we have become friends who often run into one another on the streets of Montreal. With a distinguished position at McGill University's Desautels Faculty of Management and over 25 years as a Fellow at the University of Oxford, Dr. Karl Moore is no stranger to the leadership pulse of today's world. His interaction with CEOs and the new-gen leaders, the millennials and Gen Zs, is not just cursory — it's ins

Welcome to episode #893 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #893. Founder and Chairman of Acceleration Partners, Robert Glazer, has become a significant figure in the realm of global partner marketing. With a knack for entrepreneurship and a passion for excellence, he led his company to a recognizable position in the industry, establishing best-in-class processes for client acquisition, retention, culture, and service. Under Bob's leadership, Acceleration Partners achieved an annual growth rate of 30% over 10 years, receiving over 25 industry and company culture awards. Bob’s portfolio includes extensive experience in digital monetization, customer acquisition, e-commerce, and direct-to-consumer marketing. He has been instrumental on both the buyer and seller si

Welcome to episode #892 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #892. Friend, author, speaker, thinker and executive coaching powerhouse, Laura Gassner Otting, is not just a catalyst but a virtuoso of ambition. She is someone who traded law school for a spot on a presidential campaign, she’s shaped history, and now, she's sculpting futures (yours and mine). How? By challenging the mediocrity that binds us to our comfort zones. From the White House to her own executive search firm, she’s navigated change like a seasoned captain steering through turbulent seas (and the work world just got much more turbulent). Laura built one of the swiftest-growing search firms, becoming the ally to dreamers and doers across all shades of ambition. Selling her firm was no swan song. It was a crescendo to new heights. These d

Welcome to episode #891 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #891. Journalist, media executive and author, Joanne Lipman, is back with a great new book, Next! - The Power of Reinvention in Life and Work (many know her from her previous effort, That's What She Said). Joanne is revered for her innovative leadership across various high-profile media institutions, including USA Today, USA Today Network, Conde Nast Portfolio, and The Wall Street

Welcome to episode #890 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #890. I often think of Pico Iyer. It could be while I travel... it could be while we were in Covid lockdown. His words truly resonate with me on a very deep level. Pico is an acclaimed wordsmith who began his journey in Oxford, England. With the King’s Scholarship at Eton and a Demyship at Magdalen College, Oxford in his kitty, Pico's academic prowess earned him a Congratulatory Double First and the highest accolades in English Literature. In 1980, he joined the teaching fraternity at Harvard, earning a second Master's degree and an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters. Since 1982, Pico has delved into full-time writing, weaving

Welcome to episode #889 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #889. Let's delve into the kaleidoscopic journey of Kevin Kelly, a titan of technology and innovation, who launched Wired magazine in 1993 (and happens to be one of my favorite writers and Thinkers about "what's next?"). After seven years as Executive Editor, he still holds the fort as Senior Maverick. Twice during his reign, Wired clinched the National Magazine Awards for General Excellence - the magazine industry's equivalent to Oscars. Flashback to 1984-1990, Kevin wore the hats of both publisher and editor of Whole Earth Review, a journal serving unconventional conceptual news.

Welcome to episode #888 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #888. It always exciting to have Adam Alter back on the show. Adam is the scholarly sherpa navigating the neural networks of New York University's Stern School of Business. As an acclaimed Professor of Marketing and Robert Stansky Teaching Excellence Faculty Fellow, he finds his second academic home in NYU's Psychology Department. Adam, however, is not confined to the halls of academia. He’s also a celebrated author whose ink has graced the pages of three bestsellers, exploring the compelling world of behavioral addiction, subconscious influences and how to get unstuck. In his book Irresistible, Adam delves into our mod

Welcome to episode #887 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #887. As Global Growth Evangelist at Salesforce, Tiffani Bova, is truly a visionary (driven by data, getting her hands dirty in client's work, and defining new ways to think about business). Tiffani has an audacious dedication to revolutionizing business perspectives, and she's the cerebral powerhouse behind two important books: Growth IQ and her latest, The Experience Mindset - Changing the Way You Think About Growth. Her track record and the accolades she's attracted speak to her acumen. She's been named to the Thinkers50's roster of top global management th

Welcome to episode #886 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #886. How can we change the way that businesses get funded? Are the best businesses actually getting funded? What about investments that truly have impact? Dr. Freada Kapor Klein and her husband, Mitch Kapor, are a dynamic duo striving to make the tech industry more diverse and inclusive. Both co-founders of Kapor Capital and the Kapor Center, they invest in tech startups that aim to dismantle the barriers of access for low-income communities and communities of color. Freada is the founder of SMASH, an organization that provides rigorous STEM educatio

Welcome to episode #885 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #885. Internationally acclaimed author and Wharton School professor, Jonah Berger, is a distinguished authority in natural language processing, consumer behavior, influence, and change. Renowned for his expertise on what makes trends stick, Berger has penned over 80 scholarly articles, conducted popular online courses, and had his groundbreaking work featured in notable outlets like The New York Times and Harvard Business Review. Jonah's keynotes, delivered at high-profile events like SXSW and Cannes Lions, along with his consultancy for tech giants and non-prof

Welcome to episode #884 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #884. Meet Dr. Kelly Richmond Pope, our guide through the shadowy labyrinth of financial fraud and the newest rockstar in the world of accounting (and yes, those words can go together). Kelly isn't your typical number cruncher - she's a bona fide detective of financial misdeeds, a virtuoso in the symphony of numbers, and a professor of Forensic Accounting at DePaul University. Gaining recognition from the AICPA and the CPA Practice Advisor, she's been listed among the top 25 most powerful women in accounting, and her expertise? Sniffing out the faintest whiff of financial fraud, dissecting corporate culture, and assessing compliance systems designed to tackle internal

Welcome to episode #883 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #883. I could not tell you how many times Seth Godin has been a guest on this show. I don't say this to brag. I state this, because he has (truly) influenced everything from my thinking about work and the future, to how I've built worked on my own professional development and career (more on that here: Dear Seth Godin). As soon as I caught wind that he was publishing a new book, The Song Of Significance, I locked in a time for us to not only discuss this incredible book/manifesto about what it means to be human, to be a part of a team, and to make work that really matters, but to also d

Welcome to episode #882 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #882. What makes for great colloboration? Especially in this new world of business. Many people have mixed feelings about workplace collaboration. On the one hand, they know collaboration is essential to achieve complex goals. On the other hand, they know collaboration is a slog. People pull in different directions. There’s desperately little communication and even less follow through. One person ends up doing all the work. The result? Friction mounts. Projects fizzle. Great employees walk. This at the core of a new book called, Collabor(h)ate - How To Build Increadible Collaborative Relationships At Work. The author is business advisor, professor and executive, Dr. Deb Mashek. She is recognized as one of t

Welcome to episode #881 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #881. Hailing from the Villa Freud district of Buenos Aires, he spent the majority of his professional career in the dynamic city of London, before making his home in Brooklyn. Meet Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, a renowned psychologist, author, and entrepreneur, Tomas has made it his mission to decode human potential. With a flair for bridging the gap between science and business, he's a bit like a Sherlock Holmes of the corporate world, using his keen intellect to solve the mysteries of talent, leadership, and innovation. Currently, he holds the position of Chief Talent Scientist at ManpowerGroup, a role that allows him to explore the realm of talent and po

Welcome to episode #880 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #880. In a world where games are no longer just a source of entertainment, we find ourselves in a precarious situation. Warehouse workers are pitted against each other in virtual dragon races, their jobs hanging in the balance. Exhausted Uber drivers are baited with challenges to keep them on the road. Citizens in China are scored to ensure good behavior, and games with in-app purchases cleverly use achievements to drain your finances. In his lastest book, You’ve Been Played, game designer Adrian Hon exposes the insidious use of games and gamification as tools of exploitation by corporations, schools, and gove

Welcome to episode #879 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #879. Meet Natalie Nixon, also knowns as the "creativity whisperer for the C-Suite." Natalie advises leaders on how to achieve transformative business outcomes by embracing both wonder and rigor. Her area of focus is on creativity, the future of work, and innovation. Recognized as one of Real Leaders' "Top 50 Keynote Speakers in the World for 2022," Natalie's influence extends far and wide. She has graced the pages of Fast Company, and, more recently, published a new book, The Creativity Leap. As the founder o

Welcome to episode #878 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #878. Do you have a work wife/husband? Whether you do or you don't, I doubt it's as strong as the one Colin Coggins has with Garrett Brown. They are business, teaching, writing partner, and keynote speakers... together... always. And, they have made waves in the world of sales with their innovative and entertaining approach that seamlessly blends sales principles with everyday life. This dynamic duo has captivated audiences around the globe and in countless boardrooms and meetings with their unique mindset-first approach to selling. Together, Colin and Garrett teach the popular course, <a href= "https://classes.u

Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #877. Forget everything that you think you know about the future of the economy, finance and money. We are going through a massive disruption (or transition) - and this isn't just about crytocurrency or the crypto winter. When it comes to money, there is a lot of power, politics and lives at play. Emmanuel Daniel is a renowned thought leader in the future of finance. He's an entrepreneur, writer, and model train enthusiast, bringing a wealth of knowledge to the conversation. Emmanuel has been at the helm of his TAB Global research and consulting house since 1996, providing insights through platforms like The Asian Banker and Wealth and Society. In his recently-published book, The Great Transition – the perso

Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #876. Affectionately known as the "Godmother of the Metaverse," Cathy Hackl is the founder and Chief Metaverse Officer at Journey. Picture this: the next Coco Chanel could be a 10-year-old girl currently crafting avatar skins in Roblox. That's the world envisioned by Cathy, who worked with companies like HTC VIVE, Magic Leap, and Amazon Web Services. She is the host of Adweek's Metaverse Marketing podcast. At Journey's Metaverse Studio, Hackl collaborates with brands on metaverse/Web3 strategies, NFTs, gaming, and

Welcome to episode #875 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #875.  My dear friend, Neil Pasricha, is a world-renowned content creator, speaker, and author. He focuses on intentional living, and his work revolves around themes like gratitude, happiness, failure, resilience, connection, and trust. With ten books and journals under his name, Neil has sold over two million copies across dozens of languages, making him a New York Times and #1 international bestseller. His is most known for The Book of Awesome, a rolodex of simple pleasures that came from his award-winning blog. His book, <a href= "https://globalhappiness.org/books/the-happiness-equation-want-nothing-do-nothing-have-every

Welcome to episode #874 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #874. Let's delve into the fascinating career of Mindy Weinstein, PhD, and her passion for the marketing industry from a psychology perspective. As a writer from a young age, it was during college when she discovered marketing and realized the immense power words have in driving action. This revelation led her to establish her own marketing agency, Market MindShift, and secure her position as an expert in the field. Her fascination with persuasion inspired her to explore the intersection of psychology and technology, ultimately earning her a PhD. After five years of research, Mindy encapsulated her knowledge into her insightful new book, The Power of S

Welcome to episode #873 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #873. I have been struggling with my attention and focus. I have noticed the same issues with the younger people in my life. I'm seeing teenagers scroll TikTok (with no volume) like it's a fidget spinner, and adults who can't interact with others without their iPhones being involved. This could be one of the most important conversations about our present (and future) that I have ever had (not exaggerating). Meet Johann Hari, a three-time New York Times best-selling author and Executive Producer of an Oscar-nominated movie and a star-studded TV series. His writing has been praised by icons like Oprah, N

Welcome to episode #872 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #872. Cynthia Covey Haller is a woman who has lived a life of purpose and passion. The eldest daughter of the famous author and motivational speaker, Stephen Covey (The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People, First Things First, Principle-Centered Leadership, etc.), Cynthia has always been deeply interested in personal development and helping others achieve their full potential. In her new book, <a href= "https://www.simonan

Welcome to episode #871 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #871. Meet my friend, Dan Martell. He's an award-winning Canadian entrepreneur, investor, best-selling author, and coach to over 1000+ SaaS founders. It wasn't always success after success for him. Dan had a rocky start to his entrepreneurial journey. At just 15 years old, he was in a high-speed chase with the cops, and things only seemed to go downhill from there. He failed at building a tech company at a young age and then failed again at a hosting company at 19. However, after trying consulting for 3 years, he finally succeeded with his first company, Spheric Technologies, at the age of 24. Although he bootstrapped the company from the ground up and saw significant growth, h

Welcome to episode #870 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #870. Meet Chris Bailey (who was also featured on Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast back in 2018), a writer, productivity expert, and author of the bestselling books, Hyperfocus and The Productivity Project. TED called him, "the most productive man you'd ever hope to meet" and by Fast Company said he's a "productivity mastermind." Chris brings a unique approach to productivity that is very different from the hustle culture that we are a

Welcome to episode #868 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #868. Meet Morag Barrett, the magical unicorn who helps leaders achieve amazing results by tapping into the power of their professional relationships. With her pragmatic approach, she excels at identifying the gaps in an organization's development and helping them move forward by finding unique solutions to problems. Her three books, including Cultivate: The Power of Winning Relationships, The Future-Proof Workplace, and here latest, You, Me, We: Why we all need a friend at work (and how to show up as one!), offer valuable insights into how leaders can become

Welcome to episode #868 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #868. Are you looking for a way to move forward and create a life well-lived? Look no further than Daniel H. Pink and his latest book, The Power of Regret - How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward. As a bestselling author and expert in business, work, creativity, and behavior, Dan's insights on this misunderstood emotion are sure to inspire and empower. Based on unprecedented research, Dan's latest work challenges conventional wisdom about regret and shows how properly handling this emotion can point the way to a fulfilling life. But The Power of Regret is just the latest in a long line of bestselling books (that I truly love!), including: When, <a

Welcome to episode #867 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #867. If you are looking for an insightful and thought-provoking book that challenges the idea of a digital future, then you need check out, The Future Is Analog, by David Sax. David is a freelance writer and author who has lived in several cities across the world, including New York, Buenos Aires, and Rio de Janeiro (now Toronto). In The Future Is Analog, David questions the notion of a completely digital future, arguing that we need to embrace the reality of human experience to create a healthy future. With the Covid pandemic, we have been forced to rethink the way we work, learn, and interact with each other. David believes that the best parts of quarantine were the least digital ones, like baking br

Welcome to episode #866 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #866. Founder of OCG, Dr. Tina Opie, brings over twenty years of expertise in strategic management and organizational behavior. She is an Associate Professor of Management at Babson College, an award-winning researcher and a consultant. As a consultant, she provides organizational guidance to create more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplaces. Her work has been featured in O Magazine, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Harvard Business Review, and more. Tina's research has generated high-i

Welcome to episode #865 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #865. No matter the business, providing exceptional hospitality is a key factor in success. If you don't believe just listen to what Will Guidara has to say. Will was the co-owner of Eleven Madison Park, a two-star brasserie that rose to become the best restaurant in the world. In this conversation, he shares his secret to success: radical reinvention, a true partnership between the kitchen and the dining room, and memorable, over-the-top, bespoke hospitality. Will and his team went above and beyond to provide guests with memorable experiences, from a magical sledding trip to Central Park for a family who had never seen snow, to filling a private dining room with sand, complete with mai-tais and beach

Welcome to episode #864 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #864. Meet Chuck Wisner, a master in the field of organizational strategy, human dynamics, and leadership excellence. With over 25 years of experience as a business and personal consultant, Chuck has been an advisor to leaders in top companies across various industries. His expertise is rooted in cutting-edge research, theoretical development, and practical application of the foundations of conversations. Chuck's background in architecture from the Boston Architectural College and his tenure as a partner at HKT Architects in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has given him a unique perspective on business and leadership. He then transitioned to become a senior affiliated mediator w

Welcome to episode #863 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #863. It's hard to describe the work that Cory Doctorow does. One part author, one part journalist, one part activist, one part media theorist, one part thought leader... how many parts is that? How about we just settle on the term, "Polymath." Cory is as known for his thought-provoking science fiction novels and he is for doing his best to level the playing field for all consumers and businesses. He works and explores the intersection of technology, society, and politics. He was the co-editor of the popular blog Boing Boing, and has written numerous books, including the bestselling Little Brother and <a hr

Welcome to episode #862 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #862. I've known (digitally) Dolly Chugh for some time, and I couldn't be happier that she agreed to this have this conversation with me. Dolly is a social psychologist and management professor at the New York University Stern School of Business where she teaches MBA courses in leadership and management. She was one of six professors chosen from thousands at New York University to receive the Distinguished Teaching Award in 2020 and one of five to receive the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Faculty Award in 2013. Dolly’s research focuses on “bounded ethicality,” which she describes as the “psycho

Welcome to episode #861 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #861. I first met Shawn Kanungo many years back (we share the same speaking bureau). He was also on the speaking circuit and making quite a ruckus (he still is). We became fast-friends. Shaw recently published his first book, The Bold Ones - Innovate And Disrupt To Become Truly Indispensable. While he's known for his thinking on innovation and strategy, Shawn also has incredible video skills. From his virtual presentations (that are next level) to his work on TikTok. Prior to this work, Shaw spent over a decade working at Deloitte. His success at the consultancy paved the way for him to pursue a career in speaking

Welcome to episode #860 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #860. People are at the heart of innovation, and creating an environment that encourages collaboration and open communication is essential for success. Nobody knows this better than Mauro Porcini. Mauro is an influential global design leader and the Senior Vice President and Chief Design Officer of PepsiCo (which includes a ton of brands like Mountain Dew, Gatorade, SodaStream, Doritos and countless others). His journey to the top started from humble beginnings, and prior to PepsiCo, he served as the first-ever Chief Design Officer at <a href="https://

Welcome to episode #859 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #859. How does artificial intelligence affect the structure and dynamics of the global economy? What are the potential benefits and risks associated with artificial intelligence on the future of humanity? Joshua Gans is the co-author of the recently published book, Power and Prediction - The Disruptive Economics of Artificial Intelligence. He is also widely known as the co-author of Prediction Machines and over ten other books at the intersection of technology, disruption and economics. Joshua is a Professor of Strategic Management and holder of the Jeffrey S. Skoll Chair of Technical Innovation and Entrepreneurs

Welcome to episode #858 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #858. What role will Web3 and NFTs play in the future of digital ownership and intellectual property rights? Can the adoption of Web3 and NFTs lead to greater inclusivity and access to opportunities in the digital economy? Joseph Jaffe is widely regarded as one of the top marketing thinkers in the world (Jaffe Juice). He is the author of many excellent books (Life After The 30-Second Spot, Join The Conversation, Flip The Funnel, Z.E.R.O

Welcome to episode #857 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #857. What does it take to truly win at the customer experience? Speed. Sure, there are plenty of other ways to do better, but speed is the main thing these days. That's what Jay Baer has discovered in the 2022 Consumer Patience Study that he conducted titled, The Time To Win. My friend Jay has spent 29 years in digital marketing and customer experience. His last book, Talk Triggers, was the complete guide to creating word of mouth excitement. He's also the author of Hug Your Haters, Youtility and more. Be

Welcome to episode #856 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #856. How can you truly think about your life but in the future? The book, Tomorrowmind - Thriving at Work - Now and in an Uncertain Future (co-authored with famed thinker, Professor Martin Seligman) - has some of the better (and science-backed) answers. The book will be out in January 2023, but here is a taste of the genius via Gabriella Rosen Kellerman. She is an author, entrepreneur, start-up executive, and Harvard-trained physician with expertise in behavioral and organizational, change, digital health, wellbeing, and AI. Gabriella has served as Chief Product Officer and C

Welcome to episode #855 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #855. The recently release book, Hangry, is a humorous, rags-to-riches, cautionary tale about Mike Evans, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, who founded GrubHub in his basement and expanded it into the multi-billion dollar online food delivery colossus. Hungry and tired one night, Mike wanted a pizza, but getting a pizza delivered was a pain in the neck. He didn’t want to call a million restaurants to see what was open. So, as an avid coder, he created GrubHub in his spare bedroom to figure out who delivered to his apartment. Then, armed with a $140 check from his first customer and ignoring his crushing college debt he quit his job. Over the next decade, Mike grew GrubH

Welcome to episode #854 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #854. As a dynamic and engaging speaker, Jeremy Utley translates his research into the history of invention and discovery into transformative learning experiences. He co-leads the d.school’s Executive Education programs, and co-teaches two celebrated courses at Stanford, Leading Disruptive Innovation and LaunchPad, which focus on creating real-world impact with the tools of design and innovation. One of the most prodigious collaborators at the d.school, Jeremy has taught alongside the likes of Lecrae</a

Welcome to episode #853 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #853. If you're studying the current (and future) state of work, there is no doubt that when we talk about "back to office," the main reason to do this is for better collaboration. But what does that mean... and is that true? Well, let's ask the expert on smarter collaboration, Dr. Heidi K. Gardner. Heidi is an advisor, keynote speaker, and facilitator for organizations. Named by Thinkers50 as a Next Generation Business Guru, she is a Distinguished Fellow at Harvard Law School and former professor at Harvard Business School. She is currently the faculty chair and instructor in multiple executive education programs

Welcome to episode #852 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #852. There are few true business thinkers that have impacted my life - at every twist and turn - in the way that Tom Peters has. He is the patron saint of management strategy and business thinking. Full stop. When I think of Tom Peters, there is only one word that comes to mind: Legend. He is that. He is the "oracle of business" to 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 ten years to when I wrote a very public love letter to him (here it is: Dear Tom Peters). From the moment I first r

Welcome to episode #851 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #851. Here is a truism that I live by: Knowing how to write (and speak) well is core to a person’s success in work (and life). When it comes to learning how to write better, one of my favorite people in the whole wide world is Ann Handley. Ann has a constant flow of brilliant thoughts on content and marketing. She is one of the most insightful writers, and an incredible presenter on the concepts of content marketing and storytelling. Along with being a successful businessperson, she is also the author of two bestselling books, Everybody Writes and <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1118232607/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1118232607&linkCode=as2&tag=annarchy-20&li

Welcome to episode #850 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #850. I’ve said it before… I will say it again: Douglas Rushkoff is - without a doubt - one of the smartest humans beings on this earth that I get to call a friend. Douglas is back with another compelling book about technology and how it could impact us (in a very negative way) if we don’t start making serious moves… right away. The new book is called, Survival of the Richest - Escape fantasies of the tech billionaires, and it goes well below the depth of bunkers that these tech billionaires have built to save themselves should everything sideways. In this book, Doug traces the origins of The Mindset in science and technology through its current expr

Welcome to episode #849 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #849. Based in New York, Scott Goodson is the founder and CEO of StrawberryFrog. For the last twenty-five years, he has worked with some of the world’s most iconic companies including Google, Emirates Airlines, Heineken, Coca-Cola, Jim Beam, Mercedes and countless others. He invented the concept of Movement Thinking, an approach that uses the principles of societal movements to solve marketing and leade

Welcome to episode #848 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #848. Enabling people to speak up at work is now an imperative to reduce the risk of wrong-doing as well as access vital knowledge and ideas from employees. Simply asking people to ‘speak up’ and encouraging leaders to ‘engage in conversation’ without thoroughly appreciating the impact that power differences - and prevailing social and cultural norms - have on what can be spoken, and what is heard, is naïve at best. This is the work of Megan Reitz and the main topic of her latest book, Speak Up - Say what needs to be said and hear what needs to be heard (along with co-author, John Higgins). Wor

Welcome to episode #847 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #847. If you're in sales (and who isn't?) you should probably read (if you haven't already) The Challenger Sale by Matthew Dixon. The book was published in 2011, and has become one of the bigger books about sales. Matt is back with a brand new book, The JOLT Effect - How High Performers Overcome Customer Indecision (co-authored with Ted McKenna). The book focuses on a big idea: Customers no longer care about succeeding. What they really care about is not failing... and how, as a sales person, you can use this strategy to open up bigger conversations with prospects and close even bigger sale

Welcome to episode #846 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #846. Candid conversations about diversity, inclusion and equity are never easy. Dr. Ella F. Washington is an organizational psychologist and DEI expert with a wealth of experience through her involvement as the Founder and CEO of Ellavate Solutions, a Professor of Practice at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, the Co-host of Gallup's Center of Black Voices Cultural Competence Podcast, and the author of the amazing book, The N

Welcome to episode #845 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #845. If you ever need to know anything about the state of Podcasting (or where it's going), just ask Tom Webster. Tom has a new role as Partner at Sounds Profitable, dedicated to setting the course for the future of the audio business. He is a 25-year veteran audio researcher and trusted advisor to the biggest companies in podcasting, and has dedicated his career to the advancement of podcasting for networks and individuals alike. He has been the co-author and driver behind some of audio’s most influential studies, from the Infinite Dial series to Share of Ear and the <a href= "https://ww

Welcome to episode #844 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #844. When I think about creativity, motivation, getting the work done, being prolific, and taking my thinking to the next level, I often think about the work of Todd Henry. Positioning himself as an "arms dealer for the creative revolution," Todd teaches leaders and organizations how to establish practices that lead to everyday brilliance. He is the author of multiple bestselling books (The Accidental Creative, Die Empty, Louder Than Words, Herding Tigers, The Motivation Code) which have been t

Welcome to episode #843 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #843. Dr. Susie Wise is a design leader with experience in the education, tech, and the social sectors. She coaches leaders in equity design and innovation practices. She teaches at the d.school at Stanford and coaches with the Mira Fellowship. Previously, she founded and directed the K12 Lab at the d.school and co-created Liberatory Design. Her latest book, Design for Belonging, is part of a Stanford d.school series of designer guides, but is filled with insights for

Welcome to episode #842 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #842. Have you ever met a "differentiation expert"? That's the role of Andrea Belk Olson (who is also a speaker and author). As the CEO at Pragmadik, where her team helps organizations of all sizes better understand customers (their wants, desires and secret needs). She is the author of The Customer Mission, No Disruptions, and more recently published her newest book, What to Ask - How to learn what customers need but don't tell you. A sought-after keynote speaker at conferences and corporate events, Andrea is a visiting lecturer at the University of Iowa’s <a href="ht

Welcome to episode #841 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #841. In his new book, The Upside of Uncertainty - A Guide To Finding Possibility In The Unknown, Nathan Furr (and his co-author/wife, Susannah Harmon Furr) provide a science-backed guide for navigating and thriving through uncertainty — based on interviews and insights from world-renowned leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, artists, and creatives. It's a book for this exact moment in time, and it's a wonderful read. Nathan is an Associate Professor of Strategy at INSEAD, where he teaches innovation and technology strategy. His research focuses on innovation and technology strategy, particularly how new and established fi

Welcome to episode #840 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #840. The power of middlemen has, fundamentally, changed the shape of business and our economy. Kathryn Judge is the author of Direct - The Rise of the Middleman Economy and the Power of Going to the Source. In this book, she explores how powerful middlemen and complex supply chains have transformed our lives and how to reclaim the community, connection, and meaning lost along the way. Kathryn is a law professor, author, financial regulation expert, and mother of two. Kate (as she prefers to be called) joined the faculty at Columbia Law School in 2010 and currently serves as the Harvey J. Goldschmid Professor of Law. Her research shows how we can promote a more resilient and accountable financial system, and h

Welcome to episode #839 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #839- Host: Mitch Joel. Should you always trust the data? Should you always trust your gut? Is there science behind these choices? Seth Stephens-Davidowitz is a former Google data scientist turned writer and journalist. He spends his time investigating all types of data to help us answer big questions and make better decisions at work and in life. He's been called a data revolution “prophet” by Dan Pink, because of Seth's ability to teach us how our instincts lead us astray, but data can help us see the world more accurately, ask better questions, and get happier (according to him). His first book was, Everybody Lies - Big Da

Welcome to episode #838 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #838 - Host: Mitch Joel. It seems like everyone on LinkedIn (which is everyone who works) considers themself an expert in something (or everything). What is expertise? Who should we consider an expert? Is there one definition to rule them all? Ashley Rose Mehlenbacher is not just an associate professor and Canada Research Chair in Science, Health, and Technology Communication at the University of Waterloo, but is also the author of, On Expertise - Cultivating Character, Goodwill, and Practical Wisdom. Much of Ashley's current research focuses on climate change communication, and she is a member of the University of Waterloo's <a h

Welcome to episode #837 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #837 - Host: Mitch Joel. This week, TED released a new talk titled, Why fun is the secret to a healthier life, that was delivered by Catherine Price on the main stage at TED in Vancouver a few months back. It's an event that I have been attending for well over a decade, and Catherine's talk was - without a question - one of the best talks at this year's event. In a strange twist of fate, Catherine wound up joining myself and others for one of the "open night" dinners that I had organized. We became fast friends. This led me down the rabbit hole of the amazing work that she has done. A special thanks to Adam Grant for making the connec

Welcome to episode #836 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #836 - Host: Mitch Joel. Ashish Goel has launched and run design divisions for multiple international companies. He is an entrepreneur, designer, former teaching fellow and a collaborator on the Stanford 2025 project. He is the former head of design at Zomato (India's larger-scale Yelp!). He currently runs Boca, his sparkling water start-up, and advises some of India's top technology companies on design and product management. His new book via the d.school, The Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford, is called <a href= "https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/623449/drawing-on-courage-by-ashish-g

Welcome to episode #835 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #835 - Host: Mitch Joel. I have been hard at work trying to find a way to meet Kim Scott since she first published the book, Radical Candor. A special thanks to Dorie Clark and Alisa Cohn for inviting Kim to a dinner that we hosted during the last TED event in Vancouver. Along with Radical Candor, Kim is also the author of Just Work - How to Root Out Bias, Prejudice, and Bullying to Build a Kick-ass Culture of Inclusivity and co-founder of the companies, Just Work and Radical Candor.

Welcome to episode #834 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #834 - Host: Mitch Joel. Under what conditions will people tell the truth, behave fairly and act with purpose at work? And when will they lie, cheat and be selfish? Based on 15 years of research, Ron Carucci's latest book, To Be Honest, looks at four factors and how they foster the right (or wrong) culture. Ron has a thirty-year track record helping executives tackle challenges of strategy, organization, and leadership — from start-ups to Fortune 10s, non-profits to heads-of-state, turn-arounds to new markets and strategies, overhauling leadership and culture to re-designing for growth. With experience in more than 25 countries on

Welcome to episode #833 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #833 - Host: Mitch Joel. What does it mean to build a community? How powerful are communities? Have communities become to insular lately? Christine Porath is a tenured professor at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. She’s the author of Mastering Civility - A Manifesto for the Workplace and co-author of The Cost of Bad Behavior. Her latest book is called, Mastering Community -

Welcome to episode #832 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #832 - Host: Mitch Joel. To those in the know, John Hagel is a known entity. I've heard him described as the horse-whisperer to many of technology's most respected leaders. John has spent over forty years in Silicon Valley and has experience as a management consultant, entrepreneur, speaker and author. He is driven by a desire to help individuals and institutions around the world to increase their impact in a rapidly changing world. After recently retiring as a partner from Deloitte, John published his newest book, The Journey Beyond Fear, that addresses the psychology of change and he is developing a series of programs to help people navigate through change at many levels. John has founded a new company, Beyond Our Edge, that works with companies and people who are seeking to anticipate the future and achieve much greater impact. While at Deloitte, John was the founder and leader of

Welcome to episode #831 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #831 - Host: Mitch Joel. His book, The Conversation - How Seeking and Speaking the Truth About Racisms Can Radically Transform Individuals and Organization, is widely regarded as one of the best books on the topic of diversity, equity and inclusion. Dr. Robert Livingston is a social psychologist and leading expert on the science underlying bias and racism in organizations. Prior to joining the Harvard Kennedy School in 2015, he held positions as Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Associate Professor at Northwestern University’s Kellogg Scho

Welcome to episode #830 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #830 - Host: Mitch Joel. Dr. Zoe Chance is a writer, teacher, researcher, and climate philanthropist obsessed with the topic of interpersonal influence. She earned her doctorate from Harvard and now teaches the most popular course at Yale School of Management, which is the basis for her international bestseller, Influence Is Your Superpower - The Science of Winning Hearts, Speaking Change and Making Good Things Happen. Her framework for behavior change is the foundation for Google’s global food policy, and before academia, she managed a $200 million segment of the Barbie brand at <a href= "https://abo

Welcome to episode #829 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #829 - Host: Mitch Joel. When you have a curious mind, you might find yourself wondering what it takes to truly change someone's mind... is that even possible? Especially as things get as crazy as they have become? David McRaney had his own mind changed (about many things)… and it surprised him. David is a science journalist, and he's fascinated will all things brains, minds and culture. He created the blog/book/podcast, You Are Not So Smart, to get a better understanding of self-delusion and motivated reasoning. He started the blog in 2009, and the book became a bestseller shortly after (now available in 17 languages). His second book, You Are Now Less Dumb, was released in 2013, and his lates

Welcome to episode #828 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #828 - Host: Mitch Joel. Laura Huang is a professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School. Laura’s research examines interpersonal relationships and implicit bias in entrepreneurship and in the workplace. She is the creator and co-founder of Project EMplify, an initiative dedicated to addressing inequality and disadvantage through personal empowerment. Previously, she held positions in investment banking, consulting, and management, for organizations such as Standard Chartered Bank, IBM Global Services, and Johnson & Johnson. Her first book is entitled, <a href="https://lau

Welcome to episode #827 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #827 - Host: Mitch Joel. Is there an actual science to motivation? Can that science be understood in a world where there are so many hucksters push "motivation" with snake oil-like magnitude? Please meet Ayelet Fishbach, the Jeffrey Breakenridge Keller Professor of Behavioral Science and Marketing and IBM Corporation Faculty Scholar at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Ayelet studies social psychology, management and consumer behavior. She is an expert on motivation and decision making. She has presented her research all over the world. Ayelet has served as an Associate Editor on several journals, including Psychological Science and the <a

Welcome to episode #826 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #826 - Host: Mitch Joel. Don't take my word for it, but Roger Martin is one of the world's top business thinkers in the world. I do think this is true. In 2017, Roger was named the world’s #1 management thinker by Thinkers50, an annual ranking of the most influential global business thinkers. Roger is a trusted strategy advisor to the CEOs of companies worldwide including Procter & Gamble, LEGO and Ford. He is is a Professor Emeritus at the Rotman School of Management at University of Toronto where he served as Dean from 1998-2013. In 2013, he was named global Dean of the Year by the

Welcome to episode #825 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #825 - Host: Mitch Joel. Web3, the creator economy, Discord servers, social tokenization, decentralized technology, Twitch streams… and so much more. When it comes to this new world of content marketing, social media and personal brands slamming into newer platforms and creators, you will meet some of the sketchiest people. Lots of talk with little protein. Joe Pulizzi is the real deal, and since his first Content Marketing World back in 2010, I count him as both a good friend and one of the kindest, smartest minds in the business. Joe has founded five companies including his latest, Creator Economy Expo (the inaugural event takes places next w

Welcome to episode #824 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #824 - Host: Mitch Joel. Do you trust the brands that you buy from? Has your definition of trust in business shifted through this pandemic? Shalene Gupta is a research associate at Harvard Business School and the co-author of The Power of Trust - How Companies Build It, Lose It, Regain It with Harvard Business School professor, Sandra Sucher. The Power of Trust was nominated for a Thinkers50 Breakthrough Idea award. In 2022, Shalene was identified as a thinker to watch out for and made the Thinkers50 Radar list. In the past she was a reporter for Fortune where she wrote about the intersectio

Welcome to episode #823 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #823 - Host: Mitch Joel. When I read Debbie Heiser's bio after her being named to the Thinkers50 list, I knew I wanted to dig into her domain of authority. Debbie is an Applied Developmental Psychologist, a TEDx speaker, consultant, Founder of The Mentor Project, and an Adjunct Professor in the Psychology Department at SUNY Old Westbury. Debbie has additionally authored peer-reviewed articles, is co-editor of Spiritual Assessment and Intervention with Older Adults</a

Welcome to episode #822 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #822 - Host: Mitch Joel. Marcus Buckingham is the author of two of the best-selling business books of all time, has two of Harvard Business Review’s most circulated, industry-changing cover articles, and has been the subject of countless in-depth profiles, including The Oprah Winfrey Show. After spending two decades studying excellence at the Gallup Organization and co-creating the StrengthsFinder tool, he built his own coaching and education firm, The Marcus Buckingham Company. As CEO, he quickly turned it into a human capital management comp

Welcome to episode #821 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #821 - Host: Mitch Joel. Growth is the goal. Helping people develop their potential - enabling them to articulate and become the self they want to be, are capable of being, and that best serves them and others in the short and long term — is what we, as individuals and leaders, strive toward. But how do we grow? This is the question that Whitney Johnson's new book, Smart Growth - How To Grow Your People To Grow Your Company answers. Whitney is CEO of the tech-enabled talent development company Disruption Advisors. Along with being one of the most fascinating people that I know, she is one of the top ten business thinkers in the world as named by <a href="https://thinkers50.com/

Welcome to episode #820 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #820 - Host: Mitch Joel. Time is not money. Time is life force. This is the core of Jenny Blake's powerful new book, Free Time - Lose The Busywork, Love Your Business. Jenny is an author and podcaster (and friend) who loves helping people navigate change and free time to do more of their best work. Jenny is the author of the award-winning book, Pivot - The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One, and co-creator of Google’s acclaimed Career Guru coaching program. Free Time teaches people to move from friction to flow through smarter systems and the three-stage Free Time Framework. Jenny hosts two podcasts with over 1 million downloads combined: <a href= "https://www.pivotmethod.com/freetim

Welcome to episode #819 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation – Episode #819 – Host: Mitch Joel. You can learn how to make creativity work for your business or career. In her new book, How Creativity Rules The World, Maria Brito shows how creativity is merely a series of habits, actions, and attitudes that you can develop — regardless of who you are and what you do. There has never been a more crucial time than now to develop your creativity and your ability to innovate. Coming up with original ideas of value is today’s most precious resource. Contrary to a myth that has been unfairly perpetuated, creativity can be taught and learned. Maria Brito is an award-winning New York-based contemporary art advisor, author, and curator. A Harvard graduate, originally from Venezuela, her first monog

Welcome to episode #817 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #817 - Host: Mitch Joel. Carla Johnson helps organizations that are constrained by an old-school approach when taking on new world problems. They're struggling with unpredictability, frustrations, and a shortfall of results. They might think the problem is the wrong people or strategy or product. But they’re really suffering from an outdated and faulty architecture. Even the hardest work and best intentions fall flat with the wrong conditions for innovation and more broadly – success – in these modern and volatile times. As an Innovation Architect and CEO of RE:Think Labs, Carla helps organizations design and build the ideal architecture to accelerate innovation, engagement, and growth. Having written ten books and studied both innovation and architecture for th

Welcome to episode #813 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #813 - Host: Mitch Joel. When I think of retail and the state of eCommerce, I'm always curious what Sucharita Kodali is thinking. As Vice President and Principal Analyst at Forrester, Sucharita is a leading expert on eCommerce, multichannel retail, consumer behavior, and trends in the online shopping space. In her research (you can get a taste of it right here), Sucharita covers such consumer-oriented topics as eCommerce forecasting and trends, merchandising best practices, conversion optimization, and social computing in the retail world. Prior to Forrester, Sucharita was the director of marketing at Saks Fi

Welcome to episode #811 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #811 - Host: Mitch Joel. Dr. Ruth Gotian is the Chief Learning Officer and Assistant Professor of Education in Anesthesiology and former Assistant Dean of Mentoring and Executive Director of the Mentoring Academy at Weill Cornell Medicine. She has been hailed by the journal Nature and Columbia University as an expert in mentoring and leadership development and is currently a contributor to Forbes and Psychology Today where she writes about optimizing success. She also has a weekly podcast by t

Welcome to episode #810 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #810 - Host: Mitch Joel. Martin Ford is a futurist and the author of four books, including including his latest, Rule of the Robots - How Artificial Intelligence Will Transform Everything, the New York Times Bestselling Rise of the Robots, Architects of Intelligence, and The Lights in the Tunnel. He is also the founder of a Silicon Val

Welcome to episode #809 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #809 - Host: Mitch Joel. One of the great pleasures of my professional career has been getting to know Dorie Clark and watching her ascent in the business world. Dorie has been named one of the Top 50 business thinkers in the world by Thinkers50, and was recognized as the #1 Communication Coach in the world by the Marshall Goldsmith Leading Global Coaches Awards. Dorie, a consultant and keynote speaker, teaches executive education at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and Columbia Business School, and she is the bestselling author of Entrepreneuri

Welcome to episode #808 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #808 - Host: Mitch Joel. I first heard about Len Herstein because he was running an ever-popular live event called, Brand ManageCamp. A few years later we spoke, and he asked me to give one of the keynote presentations (virtual… because… ya know…). From there we exchanged messages from time to time and became quick friends. Len also understands the danger of complacency. He just wishes he had known earlier. Now, as the author of Be Vigilant! Strategies to Stop Complacency, Improve Performance, and Safeguard Success. Your Business and Relationships Depend on It, he’s on a mission to empower organizations and individuals to safeguard the success they’ve worked so hard to achieve. Len has a three d

Welcome to episode #807 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #807 - Host: Mitch Joel. She is on a mission to help people name their gifts, attain their goals and make light. Karen Walrond is an author, a leadership and activism coach, and a Certified Dare to Lead Facilitator, having been trained in Brené Brown's work on vulnerability, courage, shame-resilience and worthiness. Karen also trained in positive psychology coaching from the Wholebeing Institute, using the science of well-being and research-based assessments and interventions to bring about greater satisfaction, purpose and fulfillment in life. She's also a bestselling author, on the subjects of tapping into your superpowers and how t

Welcome to episode #806 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #806 - Host: Mitch Joel. Meet a very animated (and passionate) leader... who demands real results. His business, Your CEO Mentor, creates cut-through content for leaders who want to build their leadership confidence and skills, fast. Co-founded by father/daughter duo Martin Moore and Emma Green, their purpose is to improve the quality of leaders, globally. Together they have distilled Marty's 30+ years of senior leadership experience and turned it into practical, no nonsense content that helps experienced leaders become exceptional leaders. They host the podcast, No Bullsh!t Leadership, and <a href= "https://www.yourceomentor.com/bo

Welcome to episode #805 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #805 - Host: Mitch Joel. I’m really into this book called, You Have More Influence Than You Think - How We Underestimate Our Power Of Persuasion, And Why It Matters by Vanessa Bohns. Vanessa is a social psychologist, an award-winning researcher and teacher, and a professor of organizational behavior at Cornell University. She holds a PhD in psychology from Columbia University and an AB in psychology from Brown University. Vanessa has been a Visiting Scholar at the NYU Stern School of Business and has taught at the U

Welcome to episode #804 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #804 - Host: Mitch Joel. Azeem Azhar is on a mission to explain how our societies and ways of life will change under the force of exponential technologies. He is determined to bring together the two cultures of innovation and tech and of business, society and policy and help us understand the real implications of the changes we are witnessing; which he is able to do from the vantage point of a 25-year career as an entrepreneur, investor and analyst in the tech industry. Azeem's book is called, The Exponential Age - How Accelerating Technology Is Transforming Business, Politics and Society. He brings a unique background to explain the intersection of breakthrough technologies and the economies and societies in which we live. His amazing newsletter, <a h

Welcome to episode #803 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #803 - Host: Mitch Joel. When the book, Escape from Cubicle Nation, came out in 2009, it changed a lot (for many people). The author, Pamela Slim, established herself as a recognized authority in what business could be. She is also a community builder, consultant and former corporate director of training and development at Barclays Global Investors. Over the years, it has been amazing to become friends with her. Pam is also the author of Body of Work and her recently published book, The Widest Net - Unlock Untapped Markets and Discover New Customers Right In Front of You. Pam also partnered with my other friend/au

Welcome to episode #802 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #802 - Host: Mitch Joel. Are you sick about all the Covid talk? Don't let that stop you from listening to what Adam Tooze has to say about it. Adam is the author of the recently published book, Shutdown - How Covid Shook The World's Economy. Adam's perspective is a little different than most. Adam holds the Shelby Cullom Davis chair of History at Columbia University and serves as Director of the European Institute. In 2019, Foreign Policy Magazine named him one of the top Global Thinkers of the decade. Prior to Shutdown, Adam published, Crashed - How a Decade of Financial Crises Changed The Wo

Welcome to episode #801 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #801 - Host: Mitch Joel. One of the best newsletters online is NextDraft. It is a a quick and entertaining look at the day's most fascinating news curated and with commentary by Dave Pell (who has self-appointed himself as Managing Editor of the Internet). Dave has been writing about news, technology, and media since 1999. He's been news obsessed since he was child. He has also been investing in and advising startups since the earliest days of the internet, and has written extensively on the role of technology in our lives. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He sits on the board of 826 Valencia and i

Welcome to episode #800 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #800 - Host: Mitch Joel. I'm not one to celebrate milestones. Still, I found myself wondering who might make for a fascinating conversation if episode number 800 ever happened. I wanted it to be someone that I know, love and respect. At the same time, I wanted it be someone that has yet to be a guest on the show. Someone who knows what it's like to toil in the long conversations over the years. There was only one choice: Debbie Millman. Debbie has been creating her own podcast since 2005. It is the first and longest running podcast about design. I do believe that Six Pixels of Separation is the longest consistently running business podcast, but I could be wrong. Debbie is a national treasure, and if you're not listening to her show, Design Matters, y

Welcome to episode #799 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #799 - Host: Mitch Joel. Best known for his reporting on artificial intelligence, driverless cars, robotics, virtual reality, and other emerging areas, Cade Metz is a reporter with The New York Times. Previously, he was a senior staff writer with Wired magazine, the U.S. editor of The Register, PC Magazine, and other outlets. His first book is called Genius Makers - The Mavericks Who Brought AI to Google, Facebook, and the World. Genius Makers looks are deep questions like: What does it mean to be smart? To be human? What do we really want from

Welcome to episode #798 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #798 - Host: Mitch Joel. Named the Top Startup Coach in the World at the Thinkers50/Marshall Goldsmith Global Coaches Awards in London, Alisa Cohn has been coaching startup founders to grow into world-class CEOs for nearly twenty years. She is the author of just-published book, From Start-Up to Grown-Up. This onetime startup CFO, strategy consultant, and current angel investor and advisor has worked with Venmo, Etsy, DraftKings, The Wirecutter, Tory Burch, and more. Sh

Welcome to episode #797 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #797 - Host: Mitch Joel. David Schonthal is a Clinical Professor of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at the Kellogg School of Management, where he teaches courses in new venture creation, design thinking, business acquisition, healthcare entrepreneurship, corporate innovation and creativity. He also serves as the Faculty Director of Kellogg's Zell Fellows Program, a selective venture accelerator program designed to help student entrepreneurs. Outside of Kellogg David is a Senior Director of Business Design at IDEO, David focuses on helping organizations

Welcome to episode #796 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #796 - Host: Mitch Joel. Internationally recognized as one of Canada's leading engineers, Dr. Indira V. Samarasekera has led an amazing career. Indira has been awarded the E.W.R. Steacie Fellowship, the Peter Lougheed award for leadership in public policy and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. She is an Officer of the Order of Canada and a Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Engineering. A former president and vice-chancellor of the University of Alberta, Indira has honorary degrees from the University of British Columbia, University of Toronto, the <a href= "https

Welcome to episode #795 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #795 - Host: Mitch Joel. The new book is called, You Are What You Click - How Being Selective, Positive, and Creative Can Transform Your Social Media Experience (and, you need to read it). This book is for realists, and it was written by Brian Primack. Brian in Dean of the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas. In this role, he guides over 5000 students, 300 staff members, and 180 faculty members. He also serves as the Chair in Educational Innovations and Professor of Public Health and Medicine. Prior to moving to the University of Arkansas, Dr. Primack was Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics, and Clinical and Translational Science at the University

Welcome to episode #794 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #794 - Host: Mitch Joel. He is one of the kindest humans that I know. Jonathan Fields (aka the Good Life Guy) is all about delivering insights that spark purpose, possibility, and potential. He's been on a decades-long quest to discover what makes people come fully alive. Jonathan is the host of one of the world’s top podcasts, Good Life Project (I was a guest on the Good Life Project back in 2013). He's the author of the bestselling books, How to Live A Good Life and Uncertainty, but we're here to discuss his most recent venture, Spark Endeavors, where

Welcome to episode #793 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #793 - Host: Mitch Joel. With a writing career spanning close to two decades, Ben Mezrich has authored over twenty books, including the wildly successful Bringing Down the House - The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions, which spent sixty-three weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, sold over 2 million copies in fifteen languages, and was adapted into the #1 box office movie, 21. His book, The Accidental Billionaires - The Founding of Facebook, a Tale of Sex, Money, Genius and Betrayal was adapted into the movie, <a href= "https://en.wi

Welcome to episode #792 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #792 - Host: Mitch Joel. She's known as a "tough-love" advisor to Fortune 500 companies. Juliet Funt is a keynote speaker and Founder of the efficiency training firm, Juliet Funt Group. Juliet is also the author of the newly-published book, A Minute to Think - Reclaim Creativity, Conquer Busyness, And Do Your Best Work. She is an evangelist for freeing the potential of companies by unburdening their talent from busywork, and she has brought her powerful concepts to brands like Spotify, National Geographic, Vans, Sephora, and beyond. According to Julie

Welcome to episode #791 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #791 - Host: Mitch Joel. One of the first big companies that I spoke for was Google. It was in the early 2000s. The sales team was small, but growing. Google had just acquired YouTube, and they were holding a summit at their original Silicon Valley campus to engage retailers with Google ads. One of the people who became a personal champion for my work at Google was Jim Lecinski (along with people like John McAteer, Chris O’Neill, Avinash Kaushik, and several others). Jim has spent close to 30 years in the marketing industry,

Welcome to episode #790 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #790 - Host: Mitch Joel. He works with leadership teams to help them set and achieve their strategic growth goals with ease. Dave McKeown is the Founder of Outfield Leadership, author of The Self-Evolved Leader and a keynote speaker, leadership trainer and growth advisor. He also has a podcast called, Lead Like you Give a Damn and writes a column for Inc.. Dave grew up in Belfast and after circumnavigating the globe a couple of times, he traded in the rain for the sunshine of Southern California. If you're looking to design a compelling strategic plan, build, empower and deepen your

Welcome to episode #788 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #788 - Host: Mitch Joel. What are your silver linings from this pandemic? I've had a few (and I know my level of privilege to even be this lucky). One silver lining was taking part in a mastermind (or a virtual meet-up) with just a handful of people that, mostly, took place on an app called, Marco Polo. One of the people in the group was Ron Friedman. I knew his name. I knew him as the author of, The Best Place To Work, but we had never met. Over the course of a few months, we not only got to know each, but become friends. A true silver lining. Ron is an award-winning psychologist who has served on the faculty of many prestigious colleges and has consulted political leaders, nonprofits and global brands.

Welcome to episode #787 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #787 - Host: Mitch Joel. It feels like I have known Tamsen Webster since before she became the "Tamsen Webster" that the world has come to know. Tamsen has spent the last twenty years helping experts drive action from their ideas. Part message strategist, part storyteller, part English-to-English translator, her work focuses on how to find and build the stories partners, investors, clients, and customers will tell themselves—and others. She’s a professional advisor at the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship and a mentor for the Harvard Innovation Labs. She’s also served for over eight years as executive producer and idea strategist for one of the oldest locally organized <a href= "https://www.ted.c

Welcome to episode #786 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #786 - Host: Mitch Joel. My friend, Clint Pulver, is a keynote speaker, author, musician, pilot, and he cares deeply about the workforce. His sweet spot is employee retention. Why do people love their work and the company that they work for? More importantly, what turns them off (and how can your business fix that)? Clint has spent many years helping companies through his work and research as the Undercover Millennial. He has been featured in countless publications and, as a professional drummer, he has appeared in feature films and on America’s Got Talent. In 2020, Clint won an Emmy Award for his short film, Be a Mr. Jensen, which tells the story of how a si

Welcome to episode #785 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #785 - Host: Mitch Joel. Margot Bloomstein spends her time in the content strategy industry. She's the author of Content Strategy at Work and the principal of Appropriate, Inc., a brand and content strategy consultancy based in Boston. For more than twenty years, she has led workshops, keynoted conferences, and advised marketing teams around the world. She developed the popular message architecture-driven approach to content strategy and created BrandSort, a tool embraced by consultancies to help their clients clarify their communication goals. More recently, she published the excellent (and timely) book, Trustwor

Welcome to episode #784 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #784 - Host: Mitch Joel. When it comes to content marketing, social media and personal brands, you will meet some of the sketchiest people. Lots of talk with little protein. Joe Pulizzi is the real deal, and since his first Content Marketing World back in 2010, I count him as both a good friend and one of the kindest, smartest minds in the business. Joe has founded four companies including his latest content creation news site, The Tilt, and the Content Marketing Institute. In 2014, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award by The Content Council. His podcast series, <a href= "https://www.thisoldmarketing.site

Welcome to episode #783 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #783 - Host: Mitch Joel. We call each other "Cuzzz!" (Mostly because we are cousins... way off in the distance and through marriage, so it's our little bit). With that, I've known Leslie Ehm for a long time. She is a former TV host and advertising Creative Director turned training guru that has spent decades traveling the globe with her company Combustion - working with executives and teams. She's turned technologists into creative forces and bankers into storytellers. Leslie now considers herself a Swagger Coach, speaker, and author of her first book, Swagger – Unleash Everything You Are and Become Everything You Want. What is swagger? Do you need more swagger in your life? Enjoy the conversation... <str

Welcome to episode #782 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #782 - Host: Mitch Joel. One of the first "digital" buddies I made through the power of blogging and podcasting going back to 2005(ish) was Jason Falls. Always at the forefront of all things digital, Jason is a digital strategist, author, speaker and thinker in the digital and social media marketing industry. He is an innovator in the conversation research segment of social analytics, having published the first-ever Conversation Report in 2012. He is the author of three books: No Bullshit Social Media - The All-Business, No-Hype Guide to Social Media Marketing (co-authored with Erik Deckers), <a href= "h

Welcome to episode #781 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #781 - Host: Mitch Joel. When it comes to innovation, the thinking (and work) of Tendayi Viki is unparalleled. He is also an author and innovation consultant. Currently, he is an Associate Partner at Strategyzer (home of Alex Osterwalder), where he helps large organizations innovate for the future while managing their core business. Tendayi co-designed Pearson’s Product Lifecycle which is an innovation framework that won the Best Innovation Program 2015 at the Corporate Entrepreneur Awards in New York. He has been shortlist

Welcome to episode #780 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #780 - Host: Mitch Joel. Prior to founding Retail Prophet, Doug Stephens spent over 20 years in the retail industry. He is the author of two groundbreaking books, The Retail Revival - Re-Imagining Business for the New Age of Consumerism and Reengineering Retail - The Future of Selling in a Post-Digital World. Doug is passionate about retail and what the future of shopping should be (just like me). He is a keynote speaker, writer and general thinker about all things retail and shopping. His new book is called, Resurrecting Retail - The Future of B

Welcome to episode #779 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #779 - Host: Mitch Joel. You never know who you are going to meet and become friends with online. Going back to the early days of Amazon’s Alexa, Google Home, Siri and beyond, the idea of apps (or skills, as they are called) for these interactive audio platforms has always interested me (so much so, that I was an investor in a voice skills company, and became interested in running it for a short period of time). At the forefront of this space (and other audio platforms and technologies) is Bret Kinsella. Bret is founder, CEO, and research director of Voi

Welcome to episode #778 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #778 - Host: Mitch Joel. Lost in translation. I fear there is no better phrase to explain what has happened to our ability to better communicate since the pandemic took hold. Zoom meetings, using emojis, and cultural shifts have turned an already complex world of communications into one that is ever-more complex (it’s amazing how badly a message can now be received simply because the speaker’s lighting is off). Thankfully, management thinkers like Erica Dhawan are around. Even better, she's tackled this topic in her latest book, Digital Body Language - How to Build Trust and Connection, No Matter the Distance. Whether it's emails, being ghosted, or trying to understand if that "lol" is really a laugh or sarcasm, Erica has deco

Welcome to episode #777 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #777 - Host: Mitch Joel. He is a teacher of innovation at Harvard University, is the founder of RISE, and the author of the new book, Backable – exploring how to get people to believe in your ideas. The book is rooted in Suneel Gupta’s journey from first-time entrepreneur to being named, “The New Face of Innovation” by the New York Stock Exchange. Suneel’s ideas have been backed by firms like Greylock and Google Ventures, and he served as an Entrepreneur in Residence inside Kleiner Perkins. He has personally backed startups including <a href= "https://impossiblefood

Welcome to episode #776 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #776 - Host: Mitch Joel. His latest book, Shapers - Reinvent The Way You Work And Change The Future, really intrigued me. Jonas Altman is an experienced design strategist and entrepreneur. He is the Managing Partner at Social Fabric, a marketing consultancy, that helps organizations launch new ventures and adopt better ways of communicating. With over twenty years of working in the creative sector, Jonas also launched one of the first accelerator programs in London (dedicated exclusively to the lifestyle industries and has enabled many early stage businesses to secure investment and grow). He is also an advisor to startups, speaker and writer. He's also the co-author of, <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/095749583

Welcome to episode #775 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #775 - Host: Mitch Joel. Here is one of the more fascinating humans that you can connect with. George Dyson fancies himself as someone who makes boats, but he is also a technologist, historian, and one of the true polymaths in our world today. Dyson is the son of the theoretical physicist Freeman Dyson and mathematician Verena Huber-Dyson, the brother of technology analyst Esther Dyson, and the grandson of the British composer Sir George Dyson. Dyson's early life is described in Kennet

Welcome to episode #774 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #774 - Host: Mitch Joel. First off, Happy Mother's Day! This week's guest and I do similar work. Maybe that's what attracted me to this conversation? Nancy Giordano built her career in the marketing agency business at several companies in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. For more than a decade, she has been the Founder of Play Big Inc. (a strategic inspiration company). Her current work dives deeply into the emerging intersection of tech, business and society. More recently, she has helped build the team for an artificial intelligence start-up, produced a conference on the seven most disruptive technologies for enterprise, is a board member for a non-profit trade organization focused on the future of retail, and is working with a leading fintech/martech provider t

Welcome to episode #773 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #773 - Host: Mitch Joel. After a long and successful career at L’Oréal, Minter Dial returned to his entrepreneurial roots to become an author, consultant and speaker. Minter has spent over a decade helping senior management teams and boards to adapt to the new exigencies of the digitally enhanced marketplace. Minter’s focus is on brand strategies, technology integration and digital tools. He is the author of five books, producer of one award-winning documentary film, as well as numerous white papers, eBooks and contributions to countless media outlets. Minter’s newest book is You Lead - How Being Yourself Makes You A Better Leader. In 2016, Minter wrote and pro

Welcome to episode #772 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #772 - Host: Mitch Joel. I was really excited about the opportunity to spend some time with Luvvie Ajayi Jones. She is an author, podcast host, speaker, and someone who has been blogging just a little bit longer than me (there are not many of us left). Luvvie thrives at the intersection of comedy, media, and justice. Her debut book, I'm Judging You - The Do-Better Manual, was released to critical acclaim, and her new book, Professional Troublemaker - The Fear-Fighter Manual is another bestseller. It's hard to fathom, but Luvvie has been blogging for 18 years and covers all things culture with a critical yet humorous lens. That same razor-sharp voice

Welcome to episode #771 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #771 - Host: Mitch Joel. When I first started getting interested in being a professional marketer, the work of Martin Lindstrom was always front and center... and for a good reason. Martin Lindstrom one of the world’s leading brand and culture transformation experts. Time Magazine called him one of the “World’s 100 Most Influential People.” He's also been on the Thinkers50 list for more than few years. Martin continues to be an in-demand public speaker, and has authored seven bestselling books that have been translated into 60 languages (if you have not checked out Brand Sense, Buy-ology<

Welcome to episode #770 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #770 - Host: Mitch Joel. Women and people of color are underfunded and under-index when it comes to entrepreneurship. There are both systemic and societal reasons for this (none of them are fair or reasonable). This needs to change. Charlene Walters is here to help. Charlene is an entrepreneurship coach, branding mentor, author and speaker. She developed a Digital Entrepreneurship MBA program, serves as a mentor to many, and is constantly fighting hard to get more diverse voices to start their own business. Her new book is titled, Launch Your Inner Entrepreneur - 10 Mindset Shifts for Women to Take Action, Unleash Creativity, and Achieve Financial Success. The truth is that the book’s content is valuable for all of us. According to Charlene, "36% of all

Welcome to episode #769 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #769 - Host: Mitch Joel. These past few years have seen many fascinating books in the non-fiction and business book genre. Look no further than the archive of podcasts and conversations that have taken place right here. With that, James Suzman's latest book, Work - A Deep History, from the Stone Age to the Age of Robots, seems to be the one that has me most excited (and the one I tend to recommend when asked). What Yuval Noah Harari did to explain humanity with Sapiens, James has done the same with work. It's a book that still rolls around in my mind like a marble (and it will keep you thinking too). James is a

Welcome to episode #768 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #768 - Host: Mitch Joel. My friend and fellow speaker, Victoria Labalme, is a performing artist, performance coach, documentarian (her film, Muppet Guys Talking, is amazing), and author. She's performed for over two decades in film, TV, Broadway and comedy clubs. From there, she realized that helping people awaken their hidden genius and perform at their highest levels was her jam. Melding her skills gathered from the stage and comedy, she's help many distinguish their brand and find competitive advantage by blending art and business. She is in the Speaker Hall of Fame, creator of the <a href= "

Welcome to episode #767 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #767 - Host: Mitch Joel. The patron saint of management strategy and business thinking is Tom Peters. Full stop. When I think of Tom Peters, there is only one word that comes to mind: Legend. He is that. He is the "oracle of business" to 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 nine 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

Welcome to episode #766 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #766 - Host: Mitch Joel. If you have had to deep dive into presenting via video (who didn't?), odds are that you have heard about Ecamm Live (which is a great software for the Mac that enables anyone to make their livestream, Zoom meeting, virtual presentation really standout). Ecamm has done a phenomenal job of recruiting those in the creator space to be both brand evangelists and help bring these video experts to a much broader audience. That's where I first became captivated by Kevin Kolbe, his livestreams, and his knowledge of what it takes to create compelling video. Kevin sees himself as a video coach and content creator, who has a passion for helping people use video to share

Welcome to episode #765 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #765 - Host: Mitch Joel. Welcome to the our second-ever live podcast recoding from Clubhouse (the new social audio app that is all the rage these days). This conversation was recorded on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021. Our conversation this week is with someone I met many moons back on the speaking circuit, Kat Cole. Kat is a true force of nature. Many know her from her appearance on Undercover Boss, while most in the corporate world know the story of how she went from being a Hooters hostess out high school to becoming one of the executive vice presidents at Hooters of America. This lead her to a spectact

Welcome to episode #764 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #764 - Host: Mitch Joel. Ethan Kross is one of the world’s leading experts on controlling the conscious mind. A professor in the University of Michigan’s Psychology Department and its Ross School of Business, he studies how the conversations people have with themselves impact their health, performance, decisions and relationships. He moved to the University of Michigan in 2008, where he founded the Emotion & Self Control Laboratory. Ethan's new book is Chatter - The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It. The book explores the silent conversations we have with o

Welcome to episode #763 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #763 - Host: Mitch Joel. Welcome to our first-ever live podcast recording from Clubhouse (the new social audio app that is all the rage). This conversation was recorded this past Friday (February 19th, 2021). Our conversation this week is with my old friend, Jeremiah Owyang, to discuss the present and future of social audio, Clubhouse, smart audio, podcasting and beyond. Jeremiah is no stranger to this show. He is an industry analyst based in Silicon Valley who helps his clients solve how new technology connects companies to their customers. He is well recognized by both the tech industry and the media for his grounded approach to deriving insights through rigorous research. From corporate innovation, autonomous technology or modern wellbeing, he views every

Welcome to episode #762 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #762 - Host: Mitch Joel. Judy Samuelson is founder and executive director of the Aspen Institute Business and Society Program and a vice president at the Aspen Institute. Judy led a ten-year campaign to disrupt Milton Friedman's narrative about profit-maximization to successfully challenge conventional thinking in board rooms and classrooms about the purpose of the corporation. She produced the Aspen Principles of Long-Term Value Creation to challenge short-termism in business and ca

Welcome to episode #761 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #761 - Host: Mitch Joel. There are days when I am not feeling at all productive. I usually think to myself, “WWDCD?" Or... "What Would Dave Crenshaw Do?" That's how much Dave has inspired me, since we both met in a mastermind that was formulated during the early days of the pandemic. What I didn't know, when I first met Dave, is that he is more than an author, speaker, and famed online trainer, but he really does know how to help leaders master their productivity. If you don't believe me, look no further than his courses on LinkedIn Learning. The sheer popularity and volume of his teachings are on display (over 35 different courses!). Dave’s courses on LinkedIn Learning - such as Time Man

Welcome to episode #760 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #760 - Host: Mitch Joel. I have this weird obsession with books about book writing. I collect them. I search them out. I devour them. With that, you would think that I would have written more than two of them myself (not there yet). One of my favorite books about writing is The Writer's Process by Anne Janzer. The book came out in 2016. A few years back, I started a private Facebook group for business and non-fiction book authors. Writing and coming up with ideas to write is a solitary (for most) experience, so it's an amazingly powerful space for fellow business and non-fiction book authors to congregate. That's where I first "met" Anne. She's authored other books: <a href= "https://annejanzer.com/bo

Welcome to episode #759 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #759 - Host: Mitch Joel. If we have learned anything during this pandemic, it is this: the brands that are either purely digital or the ones with a strong digital component felt much less pain. Look no further than the value of a company like Amazon or the incredible rise of Shopify. Watching so many entrepreneurs turn their small businesses into something more “digital" is a sight to behold. Scott Devine and his business, Scott's Bass Lessons, is a great case study. We're about to hear my many worlds collide in this episode, so I hope that you will stick with it and enjoy the ride. One of my favorite YouTube channels is <a hre

Welcome to episode #758 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #758 - Host: Mitch Joel. She has an incredible work ethic. That was one (of the many) takeaway from this episode. Lisa McLeod is a strategy consultant, executive coach, and keynote speaker who has worked with some of the coolest companies on the planet. Lisa is the author of five books, including the global bestseller, Selling With Noble Purpose - How to Drive Revenue and Do Work That Makes You Proud, which she just updated and released recently. She wrote the book because her research revealed that salespeople with a purpose bigger than money, who truly want to make a difference to their customers, outsell salespeople focused on targets and quotas. Her other books include, <a href= "https://www.mcleodandmore.com/leading-with-no

Welcome to episode #757 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #757 - Host: Mitch Joel. Erich Joachimsthaler, is a rare combination of consultant, author, entrepreneur, academic, and researcher who sheds light on massive branding, marketing, and digital transformations. A man after my own heart. He has authored several books and hundreds of articles. He is both the founder & CEO of Vivaldi and a visiting professor and lecturer at several universities around the world. His latest book, The Interaction Field, decodes the emergence of a new business model of the same name. Erich predicts that successful companies will shift from transactional business models to an interactional model. This new model goes further than solely extracting value for the benefit of investors o

Welcome to episode #756 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #756 - Host: Mitch Joel. The past is something that we easily forget. Before the pandemic, many looked at the disastrous rise and fall of WeWork. So much so, that journalist, Reeves Wiedeman, decided to use the WeWork story as the topic for his debut book, Billion Dollar Loser - The Epic Rise and Spectacular Fall of Adam Neumann and We Work. It’s a pulsating and page-turning book (much like the incredible book written about Theranos - Bad Blood by John Carreyrou). Now,

Welcome to episode #755 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #755 - Host: Mitch Joel. Some managers work their way into the position after years of working for other leaders. Many managers, these days, are thrust into the position. That was Julie Zhou. Julie loves learning about people. As one of Silicon Valley's top product design executives, she leads the teams behind some of the most popular web and mobile services used by billions of people around the world. Julie writes about technology, great user experiences, and leadership on her popular blog, The Year of the Looking Glass, as well as publications like the New York Times and Fast Company. She lives with her husband and three children in Silicon Valley. She was t

Welcome to episode #754 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #754 - Host: Mitch Joel. There is no doubt that when it comes to writing business books on the creative process and how it flows in business today, Todd Henry is the gold standard. He bills himself as “an arms dealer for the creative revolution,” and that’s just one of his creative ways to describe what he really does. With his latest book, The Motivation Code - Discover the Hidden Forces That Drive Your Best Work, Todd has teamed up with three other co-authors, dug deep into the research, and is presenting a new perspective on what it takes to really get things done (there's an assessment and more, as well). His first book, The Acciden

Welcome to episode #753 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #753 - Host: Mitch Joel. Dr. Stefanie K. Johnson is an author, professor, and speaker who studies the intersection of leadership and diversity. She is focused on how unconscious bias affects the evaluation of leaders, and strategies that leaders can use to mitigate bias. If I've learned anything in the past little while, it's that unconscious bias affects all of us. Her recently-published book, Inclusify - Harnessing the power of uniqueness and belonging to build innovative teams, shares the surprising ways the leaders undermine inclusion and provides actionable ways that leaders can pivot to build more inclusive teams. Stefanie is a member of the MG 100 Coaches and was selected for the 2020 <a href="https://thinkers50.co

Welcome to episode #753 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #753 - Host: Mitch Joel. Dr. Stefanie K. Johnson is an author, professor, and speaker who studies the intersection of leadership and diversity. She is focused on how unconscious bias affects the evaluation of leaders, and strategies that leaders can use to mitigate bias. If I've learned anything in the past little while, it's that unconscious bias affects all of us. Her recently-published book, Inclusify - Harnessing the power of uniqueness and belonging to build innovative teams, shares the surprising ways the leaders undermine inclusion and provides actionable ways that leaders can pivot to build more inclusive teams. Stefanie is a member of the MG 100 Coaches and was selected for the 2020 <a href="https://thinkers50.co

Welcome to episode #752 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #752 - Host: Mitch Joel. First, a mea culpa: I had to record the audio for this episode over Zoom. There was a glitch with my usual software (it kept crashing), so I am hopeful that you will stick with this content, because it’s important… and it matters. Who wrote the book on sales? Jeffrey Gitomer wrote the book on sales. Whether it’s The Sales Bible or The Little Red Book Of Selling, there are few who have transformed the profession of sales like Jeffrey has. Over the years, he’s become a men

Welcome to episode #751 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #751 - Host: Mitch Joel. I have been a fan of Dan Pontefract for many years. We first met when he was working at the national Canadian telecommunications and media company, TELUS, as their Chief Envisioner and Chief Learning Officer. Dan has always been more than that. Now, he's a leadership strategist, keynote speaker, and bestselling author. His books are: Open To Think, The Purpose Effect, Flat Army, and his latest: Lead. Care. Win. Dan's work is focused on making leaders bet

Welcome to episode #750 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #750 - Host: Mitch Joel. With a book titled, Uncharted - How to Map the Future Together, you would think that Dr. Margaret Heffernan is a futurist as well. Margaret produced shows for the BBC for over thirteen years. She then moved to the US, where she spearheaded multimedia productions for Intuit, The Learning Company and Standard & Poors. She was Chief Executive of InfoMation Corporation, ZineZone Corporation and then iCast Corporation. All of this earned her a spot as one of the "Top 100 Media Executives" in <a href= "https://www.hollywo

Welcome to episode #749 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #749 - Host: Mitch Joel. In the early days of blogging and podcasting (2004/2005), I spent a lot of time teaching business professionals about digital marketing and media. One of the more confounding technologies to explain was RSS - the way in which someone would subscribe to a blog/podcast, and how they would be notified when something new was published. RSS stood for Really Simple Syndication, but it was really hard to explain. I came across a video on YouTube that was called, RSS In Plain English, by a company called, Common Craft. They used a whiteboard and paper cutouts to expl

Welcome to episode #748 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #748 - Host: Mitch Joel. I'm a reader. I pride myself on reading. Mostly business and non-fiction books. I can work through 1-2 of them per week... that is until Covid 19 hit. I was in a funk with my reading. Just could not get through a book. No matter what I did. No matter how hard I tried. Then, Seth Godin sent me an advance copy of his latest book, The Practice - Shipping Creative Work. I sat down, cracked the spine, and this book grabbed me by the neck and would not let go. I found myself peeling through the pages, taking notes, smiling, thinking, reflecting, and finding my groove back. That's what Seth Godin does to me. Every. Damn. Time. When people ask me who inspires me? His name is always first. When people ask me what books to read? HIs name is always fi

Welcome to episode #747 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #747 - Host: Mitch Joel. Another part of this pandemic that can get me down is not meeting my fellow speakers in person. That’s how I first connected and became friends with Brant Menswar. We both share a love of music, the music industry, and then with a slight (or major) zig zag into the speaking business. While I wrote about rock stars, Brant became a rock star. He cut his teeth playing guitar and singing across the United States. Then, due to some personal life incidents, made some bigger changes. Brant also co-hosts (along with Jim Knight) the podcast, Thoughts That Rock, a weekly leadership show that includes a rock star guest and presents two life-changing pieces of advice in 30 minutes. Now, he is an

Welcome to episode #747 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #747 - Host: Mitch Joel. Another part of this pandemic that can get me down is not meeting my fellow speakers in person. That’s how I first connected and became friends with Brant Menswar. We both share a love of music, the music industry, and then with a slight (or major) zig zag into the speaking business. While I wrote about rock stars, Brant became a rock star. He cut his teeth playing guitar and singing across the United States. Then, due to some personal life incidents, made some bigger changes. Brant also co-hosts (along with Jim Knight) the podcast, Thoughts That Rock, a weekly leadership show that includes a rock star guest and presents two life-changing pieces of advice in 30 minutes. Now, he is an

Welcome to episode #746 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #746 - Host: Mitch Joel. Have you ever felt like an outsider? Like you don't belong? Like the things that you like, don't seem to be the things that everybody else likes? Growing up as a Russian immigrant in West Texas, Olga Khazan always felt that there was something different about her. This feeling permeated her life, and as she embarked on a science writing career, she realized there were psychological connections between this feeling of being an outsider and both her struggles and successes later in life. She decided to reach out to other people who were unique in their environments to see if they had experienced similar feelings of alienation, and if so, how they overcame them. This brings us to her new book, Weird - The power of being an outsider in an insider

Welcome to episode #745 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #745 - Host: Mitch Joel. One of the things that I miss most during these Covid times, is my breakfast meetings. Danny Iny is one of the usual suspects that I meet up with. I’ve said it before, and I will say it again: Danny is a kind-hearted, gentle and generous soul. Many others know Danny as the founder of Mirasse. We first met when he was putting his book, Engagement from Scratch! in 2011. Slowly, over time, we became close friends. Now, many thought leaders and businesses are thinking about virtual meetings and learning (more and more). So many of the smartest people are building and launching online courses. That world has changed from shifty

Welcome to episode #744 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #744 - Host: Mitch Joel. When I first read, Keith Ferrazzi's book, Never Eat Alone, something clicked. In a big way. Since then (putting aside the pandemic, which makes this activity near-impossible), I always book breakfast, lunch (and even coffee) meetings with different kinds of people. It has been one (of many) invaluable life (and work) tools that have simply worked for me. I had the pleasure of meeting Keith, in person, on many occasions over the years, and I consider myself lucky to have that opportunity. Keith Ferrazzi is an author, speaker, entrepreneur and thought leader. As Chairman of Ferrazzi Greenlight and its Research Institute, he wor

Welcome to episode #743 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #743 - Host: Mitch Joel. It's hard to imagine a more recognized business thinker than Gary Hamel. He is, without question, one of the world’s most influential and iconoclastic business thinkers. He has worked with leading companies across the globe, and is a dynamic and sought-after management speaker. Hamel has been on the faculty of the London Business School for more than 30 years, and is the director of the Management Lab. He has written 17 articles for the Harvard Business Review, and is the most reprinted author in the Review’s history. His landmark books have been translated into more than 25 languages. His most recent include: The Future of Management and

Welcome to episode #742 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #742 - Host: Mitch Joel. I've been following the Big Think videos since they first started. Always fascinating perspectives, insights and stories from real leaders in business, life, entertainment and beyond. The truth is, that I knew nothing about the Big Think story. Until now. Victoria Montgomery Brown has built and run Big Think for the last 12 years (along with her co-founder, Peter Hopkins). It's become one of the leading digital media knowledge company, making people and companies smarter and faster. The company wasn't a venture-funded tech darling, born and raised in a Silicon Valley incubator. It's a scrappy, creative, labor of love that was born in a New York City bar, and raised in a rented closet

Welcome to episode #741 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #741 - Host: Mitch Joel. Since this pandemic started, I have been grappling with reading books (which, before all of this was never an issue). Alex Kantrowitz's debut, Always Day One - How The Tech Titans Plan To Stay On Top Forever, was one of the few books that got my reading gears going again. Alex is the founder of Big Technology, a newsletter and podcast about Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and the other tec

Welcome to episode #740 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #740 - Host: Mitch Joel. Any day is a happy day when Jonah Berger publishes a new book. And here we are. The bestselling author of Contagious and Invisible Influence is back with The Catalyst - How To Change Anyone's Mind, and I hope you are as happy as I am. Jonah is a marketing professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a world-renowned expert on change, word of mouth, influence, consumer behavior, and how products, ideas, and behaviors catch on. He has published over fifty articles in top‐tier academic journals, teaches Wharton’s highest rated online co

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 rece

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 t

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

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 <a href= "https://www.mariakonnikova.com/books/

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, <a href= "http://terriblemin

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 Jumpstar

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 adopt

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 wha

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

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 movemen

Welcome to episode #729 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #729 - Host: Mitch Joel. At the beginning of the commercialization of technology, Steven Levy was there and reporting on it. He still is. Steven is Wired’s editor at large. The Washington Post has called him “America’s premier technology journalist.” His previous positions include founder of Backchannel and chief technology writer and senior editor for Newsweek. Steven has written seven previous books and his work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Harper’s Magazine, <a href= "https://www.nytimes.com

Welcome to episode #728 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #728 - Host: Mitch Joel. I've been following his work for many years. Books like Business Model Generation, The Team Alignment Map, Value Proposition Design, Testing Business Ideas and more, are not just jam-packed with ideas, but are also visual stunning and hyper-graphical. Alex Osterwalder's passion for both making business better and business model creation is contagious. It's hard not to think differently about business after spending any amount of time with his content. H

Welcome to episode #727 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #727 - Host: Mitch Joel. I didn’t blink. I saw the title of Emily Heyward’s new book, Obsessed - Building a Brand People Love From Day One, and I knew it would be right for me. I wasn’t wrong. During Emily's 12+ years building and running Red Antler (a branding agency for startups and new ventures), Emily has not only witnessed the landscape of business evolve, she has helped shape it. Now with Obsessed, she demonstrates why brands big and small have a hugely significant role to play in driving our culture, through times of great uncertainty and beyond. Since 2007, she’s worked closely with founders to develop purposeful, strategic visions for their companies and has led branding efforts for some of the most disruptiv

Welcome to episode #726 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #726 - Host: Mitch Joel. For over a decade, I have been a fan of everything that Mike Walsh has created. From the genuine and beautiful aesthetic of his brand, style and design, to how his brain thinks so rapidly about our rapidly changing work space. He moves so quickly (and fast) that whenever I was at the airport (remember airports?), I would wonder if I would run into him. Mike used to travel over 300 days a year, researching trends, collecting case studies and presenting on the future of business and leadership. Now, we both sit and wait for the stages, conferences and associations to come back to life. With that change comes opportunity. Mike is the CEO of Tomorrow, a consultancy on designing companies for the 21st century. The Futurist and author recently published, <a href= "https://www.amazon.co

Welcome to episode #724 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #725 - Host: Mitch Joel. It's hard to grow a business. It's hard to build a business. I wrote about the struggles (and the glory) this past week (The Heart of The Entrepreneur). When I speak to those who are starting up, there is always a book. A secret weapon. I can't tell you how many times, I've heard an entrepreneur or small business owner say: "Have you read Profit First?" The author of that book is Mike Michalowicz, and many people consider him the horse whisperer for startups and small businesses. As we all grapple through this pandemic, Mike's work couldn't be more profound. Over half a million people have read Mike's books (other gems inclu

Welcome to episode #724 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #724 - Host: Mitch Joel. This is how Simon Sinek's website begins: "We imagine a world in which the vast majority of people wake up inspired, feel safe wherever they are and end the day fulfilled by the work they do." Simon is an unshakable optimist. He believes in a bright future and our ability to build it together - even during this crisis. Described as “a visionary thinker with a rare intellect,” Simon has devoted his professional life to help advance a vision of the world that does not yet exist. Simon is the author of multiple bestselling books including, Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last, Together is Bet

Welcome to episode #723 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #723 - Host: Mitch Joel. How do we make career choices that make our life (and business) that much more creative? John S. Couch is Vice President, Product Design for Hulu where he led the redesign of the Hulu Experience. Now he is leading the design of the future of next generation storytelling in emerging platforms and formats at Hulu. His first job out of college was curating an art show in London of Beat writer William Burroughs’ Shotgun Paintings (as implied, shotguns and exploding cans of spray paint were involved) and then, in classic young starving artist mode, he ambulated to Paris, Vienna and Tokyo before finally settling in San Francisco. He launched his design career at <a href="https://www.wi

Welcome to episode #722 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #722 - Host: Mitch Joel. I had not heard of Rana Foroohar until I saw her most recent book, Don’t Be Evil - How Big Tech Betrayed Its Founding Principles And All of Us, hit the shelves. Rana is the Global Business Columnist and an Associate Editor at the Financial Times. She is also CNN’s global economic analyst. Her first book, Makers and Takers - The Rise of Finance and the Fall of American Business, was about why the capital markets no longer support business. Prior to joining the FT and CNN, Foroohar spent six years at Time, as an assistant managing editor and economic columnist. Sh

Welcome to episode #721 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #721 - Host: Mitch Joel. I’ve known Henry Mintzberg for as long as I can remember. I went to elementary school with his daughter. You don’t really know (or understand) who or what your friend’s parents are at that age. As I transitioned from post-secondary education into the business world, I was quickly exposed to the writing and thinking of Henry. It didn’t take me long to make the connection back to elementary school, but it did take a while for Henry and I to be connected. We first recorded a podcast about five years ago (Six Pixels of Separation #470 – Henry Mintzberg On Management) and became fast friends. Over the past five years, I’ve had the pleasure of attending events with Henry and meeting with him

Welcome to episode #720 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #720 - Host: Mitch Joel. The official bio of Harley Finkelstein is beyond impressive. In 2009, Harley went from being one of Shopify's first merchants (selling t-shirts) to become their Chief Platform Officer. Now, he is the Chief Operating Officer of Shopify. He is on the board on of the CBC and advisor to Omers Ventures and Felicis Ventures. He is also a Dragon on CBC's Dragon's Den - Next Gen Den. He was inducted into the <a href= "https://jimwatsonottawa.ca/en/mayor-watson-announces-2016-order-of-ottawa-inductees-and-brian-kilrea

Welcome to episode #719 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #719 - Host: Mitch Joel. One of my favorite people in the whole wide world is Ann Handley. Brilliant thoughts on content. One of the most insightful writers. An incredible presenter on the concepts of content marketing and storytelling. Successful businessperson. Author of two bestselling books, Everybody Writes and Content Rules (co-authored with C.C. Chapman). Currently, she runs MarketingProfs, which is a training and education company that has helped millions of professionals. Her p

Welcome to episode #718 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #718 - Host: Mitch Joel. I've known Alex Tapscott's father (famed digital visionary, Don Tapscott) for close to two decades. Together they co-authored the prescient book, Blockchain Revolution (over four years ago - which is hard to imagine). Alex is back his latest book, Financial Services Revolution, where he acts as writer, editor and curator for some of the latest thinking on how the blockchain is changing how we buy, save and spend. Alex is a globally-recognized writer, speaker, investor and advisor. His TEDx talk (<a href= "https://www.youtube.com

Welcome to episode #717 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #717 - Host: Mitch Joel. This is the first conversation that I recorded in our current Covid 19 world. I wanted to discuss the power of communications, and how we can get better, and add much more empathy to the way that we are connected. Especially in a world that is now work from home, remote and more isolated than ever before. I knew that I wanted to have that conversation with my friend, Vinh Giang. For more than 15 years, Vinh has dedicated himself to mastering the art of performance-enhanced communication, helping thousands of professionals worldwide do the same through the power of magic. In his inspiring keynote talks, workshops and presentations, Vinh integrates storytelling and magic to share key business strategies while motivating his audience to embrace change and see the “possible in the imp

Welcome to episode #716 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #716 - Host: Mitch Joel. My buddy Jeremy Gutsche was last on this show about five years ago. He's back. Jeremy is a bestselling author, innovation expert, and one of the most sought-after keynote speakers on the planet. He's also the CEO of Trend Hunter (the world's number one trend website and innovation consultancy). His team specializes in filtering opportunity and making change happen during times of chaos and change (perfect timing these days). In total, his team is relied on by close to 700 brands, billionaires and CEOs to predict and create the future, including Google, Disney, Starbucks, Adidas,

Welcome to episode #715 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #715 - Host: Mitch Joel. Melanie Deziel is the founder of StoryFuel and a keynote speaker on the topics of native advertising and branded content. She's taught professionals around the globe to brainstorm better, think like journalists and tell better brand stories. Melanie was the first editor of branded content at The New York Times, where she wrote the native ads that won the Best Native Advertising Execution OMMA Award in both 2014 and 2015. Prior to founding StoryFuel, Melanie worked full time doing content strategy, business development and branded content creation for The New York Times’s T Brand Studio, helped found <

Welcome to episode #714 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #714 - Host: Mitch Joel. My friend, Michael Bungay Stanier, is at the forefront of shaping how organizations around the world make being coach-like an essential leadership behavior and competency. His book, The Coaching Habit, has sold over 700,000 copies and has over 1,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. In 2019, he was named the #1 thought leader in coaching, and was shortlisted for the coaching prize by Thinkers50. Michael was the first Canadian Coach of the Year and has been named a Global Coaching Guru since 2014. If you

Welcome to episode #713 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #713 - Host: Mitch Joel. Innovation comes from solving hard business challenges. When it comes to thinking like that, there is no-one like Stephen Shapiro. This is the work that he does. Stephen cultivates innovation by showing leaders and their teams how to approach, tackle and solve their business challenges. Applying the knowledge he accrued over decades in the industry, Stephen is able to see what others can’t: opportunities to improve innovation models and the cultures that support them. Stephen spent 15 years at Accenture co-leading their business process reengineering practice and a thriving 20,000+ person process and innovation practice focused on growth and job creation. In 2001, after publishing his first book, <a href= "https://stephenshapiro.com/books/

Welcome to episode #712 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #712 - Host: Mitch Joel. Grant Baldwin is a popular keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and speaking coach. He’s also the creator of the popular podcast, The Speaker Lab (which I've had the pleasure of being a guest on), and the online course Booked and Paid to Speak, through which he has trained thousands of speakers. He just published a new book, The Successful Speaker (along with Jeff Goins), where he has documented the exact system that helped him land over 400 paid speaking gigs across 46 different states over the last decade. Grant has been a good friend for many years, and this business of speaking is something that is

Welcome to episode #711 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #711 - Host: Mitch Joel. There's nothing harder than getting up onstage to speak in front of a room full of CEOs that run the world's largest associations following one of the most successful business people from the luxury goods space. I felt like a bum in my black jeans, pseudo dress jacket and sneakers. Pauline Brown had just finished her long stay as the Chairman of LVMH North America (Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton) working with a portfolio of over 70 brands in five different sectors across 100 markets. I made a joke about my clothes, we all laughed (she was probably being very kind and polite about my sad state of fashion affairs), but I was engaged and hanging on to her every word. Pauline is renowned for acquiring, building, and leading some o

Welcome to episode #710 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #710 - Host: Mitch Joel. I had the opportunity to speak for the largest newspaper and media association a few years back, just as they were repositioning and changing their brand name to the News Media Alliance. The President and CEO of the association was (and still is) David Chavern. We had a great discussion (debate) about the current state of media and journalism side-stage before my keynote. When the opportunity presented itself to record a conversation with David, I jumped at it. Fake news, the distrust of media, Twitter account raging heads of state, printing the news, finding facts over editorializing, the impact of social media on news and distribution, and much more. New

Welcome to episode #709 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #709 - Host: Mitch Joel. Ryan Hawk is a keynote speaker, author, advisor, and the host of The Learning Leader Show, a podcast (like this one), where he goes deep with some of the world's biggest brains on how to optimize business and thinking. A lifelong student of leadership, he rose to roles as a professional quarterback and then went on to a VP of Sales. Currently, as head of Brixey & Meyer’s leadership advisory practice, Ryan speaks regularly for many large organizations, works with teams and players in the NFL, NBA, and NCAA, and facilitates <a href= "https://learningleader.com/leadership-circles/"

Welcome to episode #708 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #708 - Host: Mitch Joel. The bestselling author, David Meerman Scott, wants businesses to focus more on developing fans than customers. He would know. He is a fan of live music, collecting artifacts from space, and so much more. He also happens to be a marketing strategist who has written eight books (all of which have done exceedingly well). He may be best known for The New Rules of Marketing & PR, but his body of work also includes, The New Rules of Sales and Service, Real Time Marketing and PR, <a href= "https://www.davidmeermanscott.com

Welcome to episode #707 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #707 - Host: Mitch Joel. Rishad Tobaccowala is a Senior Adviser to the Publicis Groupe, one of the world’s largest marketing, communications and advertising network with 80,000 employees. Most recently, Rishad served as its Chief Growth Officer and Chief Strategist, where he helped acquire and grow the business through brands like Sapient, Epsilon, Leo Burnett and so many others. Rishad’s key skill is getting people to see, think and feel differently about how to grow themselves, their teams and their company. He does this through distilling forty years of global learning and wisdom and communicating in a way that is provocative

Welcome to episode #706 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #706 - Host: Mitch Joel. He is one of my best friends, which always makes the "formal" conversation a little challenging. Scott Stratten and I (along with Ron Tite) have been texting, supporting and being there for one another on daily basis for years. With that, it doesn't change the fact that Scott is one impressive, caring and giving human being. Some have called him one of the ultimate sales and marketing truth slayer. Scott is a famed (in fact, hall of fame) professional speaker and co-author (with his wife, Alison Stratten). Scott helps organizations see their business through a new lens with his unconventional “unmarketing” views and vanguard approach to building and maintaining real customer relationships. They have aut

Welcome to episode #705 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #705 - Host: Mitch Joel. If you want to better understand how your business might be impacted by trends that are happening today (and growing bigger and bigger), you should pay attention to the work of Rohit Bhargava. Rohit is on a mission to help the world be more open-minded by teaching others how to be non-obvious thinkers. He is the founder of the Non-Obvious Company and an entertaining, original and “non-boring” keynote speaker on innovation and trust. He previously spent 15 years in leadership roles at two renowned ad agencies: Leo Burnett and Ogilvy. Rohit is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of many bestselling books (including <a h

Welcome to episode #704 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #704 - Host: Mitch Joel. When it comes to small businesses thinking big, I always think of John Jantsch. John is a marketing consultant, speaker and best selling author of Duct Tape Marketing, Duct Tape Selling, The Commitment Engine, The Referral Engine, and SEO for Growth. He is the creator of

Welcome to episode #703 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #703 - Host: Mitch Joel. He's an old friend and someone who has experienced a tremendous amount of success in the technology and startup world. While many know his name... most do not. Let's change that. Brett Hurt is the CEO and co-founder of data.world (of which I am an advisor), a Public Benefit Corporation focused on building the modern catalog for data and analysis as well as the world's largest collaborative public data catalog. data.world helps you tap into more of your company’s collective brainpower—everyone from data scientists to nontechnical experts—so you can achieve anything with data, faster. Brett is also the co-owner of Hurt Family Investments (HFI), alongside his wife, D

Welcome to episode #702 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #702 - Host: Mitch Joel. Here's a question that I often think about: Can you learn something really well in a short amount of time? I am not alone. Scott H. Young has also been thinking about what is the best way to learn. Scott believes that learning is the key to living well. This pursuit led him to take on two year-long experiments in learning: The MIT Challenge, where he learned MIT’s 4-year computer science curriculum without taking classes, and The Year Without English, where he went with a friend to learn four languages in one year. Mission accomplished. He did

Welcome to episode #701 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #701 - Host: Mitch Joel. What brands should you pay attention to in the coming year? Denise Lee Yohn is the go-to person when it comes to thinking about branding. Recently, she published her list of Brands To Watch In 2020. In her Forbes article, Denise names one brand per letter of the alphabet. The list includes Amazon and Facebook (of course), as well as non-tech sector newsmakers like Nike and LVMH. Within the article are some unconventional takes on brands in the areas of privacy, mobility, and even

Welcome to episode #700 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #700 - Host: Mitch Joel. I’m not one to mark milestones. It’s just not who I am (and it’s not what I’m about). Birthdays, anniversaries, etc… I don’t like attention or making a big deal out of things. That was my attitude going into this week’s episode. Still, 700 podcasts is a big deal. Beyond Leo Laporte and TWiT, I am not sure if there is a longer running and consistently published podcast in the world of business. Maybe I am wrong? I don’t know. Still, every Sunday since May 22nd, 2006, I have published a podcast here. It was actually a no-brainer when I thought of who (and what) I would like to discuss for this week’s 700th episode. I wanted to discuss podcasting, and I wanted to discuss it with the one and only Seth Godin. I’ve kno

Welcome to episode #699 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #699 - Host: Mitch Joel. These are the hard conversations to have (from a professional standpoint). Ron Tite and I are very close friends. It’s rare that a day goes by without some point of connectivity (a train of texts, a call, etc…). I’ve admired his work, his thinking, his humor and his ideas from the day that we first met. Ron has been an award-winning advertising writer and creative director for some of the world’s most respected brands. He is Founder and CEO of Church+State (originally The Tite Group), a  content marketing agency and publisher of, This is That Travel Guide to Canada – a best-selling, award-winning satirical book from the creators of <a href= "https://www.cbc.ca/ra

Welcome to episode #698 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #698 - Host: Mitch Joel. If you asked me who is one of the smartest people in the world on the topic of disruption, innovation and technology, it would be Charlene Li. For the past two decades, Charlene has been helping people see the future. She’s the bestselling author of six books, including her newest, The Disruption Mindset - Why Some Businesses Transform While Others Fail. With that, many first heard of her when she co-authored the massive book, Groundswell and followed it up with Open Leadership. Charlene founded Altimeter Group, a disruptive industry analyst firm that was acquired by <a

Welcome to episode #697 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #697 - Host: Mitch Joel. I'm a very lucky human being. I get to call Neil Pasricha my friend. Neil is the author of six books. Let's start with, The Book of Awesome, a spinning rolodex of simple pleasures based on his 100-million-hit, award-winning blog, 1000 Awesome Things. Then there’s, The Happiness Equation, originally written as a 300-page love letter to his unborn son on how to live a happy life. After that was, Awesome Is Everywhere, an interactive introduction to guided meditation for children. He then publis

Welcome to episode #696 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #696 - Host: Mitch Joel. Nancy Duarte is a communication expert. Hard stop. That's not hyperbole. She is an expert... maybe even THE expert in how to tell great stories and present them in a compelling way. Her firm, Duarte, is the global leader behind some of the most influential visual messages in business and culture. As a persuasion expert, she cracked the code for effectively incorporating story patterns into business communications. She’s written five best-selling books (including the must-have Slide:ology, Resonate and Illuminate), four of which have won major book awards. Her company is one of the top

Welcome to episode #695 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #695 - Host: Mitch Joel. Long before Marcus Sheridan became one of the most sought-after speakers and trainers in the world, he was just some dude I saw speak on a small stage in front of an unsuspecting audience. Sometimes, you just know it when you see it. That day, I saw it. The "it factor" in Marcus. Speaking, teaching and training audiences to think differently (and better) about their sales and marketing in one of the most captivating ways. Since then, I have watched Marcus' massive ascent. From just another pool salesperson, into what he is now. He is the author of the bestselling book, They Ask, You Answer. As I alluded to, Marcus’ story didn’t begin on the stage. It started with a business created and run out of the back of a beat-up

Welcome to episode #694 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #694 - Host: Mitch Joel. Before it was even a thing, Diane Mulcahy created the first course in the United States on the gig economy and teaches it in the MBA program at Babson College. The course gained immediate traction and was named by Forbes as one of the Top Ten Most Innovate Business School Courses. Out of that course grew a book. Diane is the author of The Gig Economy. She also walks her talk. She works independently, remotely and flexibly in the gig economy as a consultant, advisor, speaker, writer and teacher. Diane has been an investor for the past fifteen years. She is an Advisor to the <a href= "https://www.kauffma

Welcome to episode #693 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #693 - Host: Mitch Joel. He's back! Google's Digital Marketing Evangelist, bestselling author (Web Analytics - An Hour A Day and Web Analytics 2.0), powerful writer (Occam's Razor), friend and business big brain, Avinash Kaushik. His articles may as well be business books, and his insights into what should really count today for business leaders is refreshing. He's got an attitude, he is full of passion, and he has some ideas about what we all need to be thinking about, in this day and age. Avinash has an incredible newsletter titled, The Marketing-Analyti

Welcome to episode #692 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #692 - Host: Mitch Joel. In case you have not noticed, I could not be more bullish on the power of Smart Audio. From smart speakers and Alexa to Google’s voice assistant technology, chatbots and artificial intelligence. This space has been looked at analyzed in the book, Talk To Me - How voice computing will transform the way we live, work and think by James Vlahos. James i

Welcome to episode #691 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #691 - Host: Mitch Joel. There are some books that hit my desk and captivate me. That was my reaction to Paul Skinner's book, Collaborative Advantage - How collaboration beats competition as a strategy for success. This is Paul's antidote to competitive advantage, and a new perspective in how to think about your brand and the future of business. Paul works at Agency of the Future, and is also the founder of the social enterprise, Pimp My Cause. Pimp My Cause brings together marketers and good causes to create transformational pro bono projects for social good. Paul often describes Pimp My Cause as a living laboratory of collaborative advantage in action. <a href= "https://www.gov.uk/governm

Welcome to episode #690 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #690 - Host: Mitch Joel. I’m on mission to add different types of audio content to this show. Last week, I was asked to moderate at session at the InfoPresse event, Platforms (here in Montreal). I had the chance to speak with Blake Sabatinelli about the state of media, the news and his growing organization, Newsy. Blake is CEO of Newsy. Prior to joining the organization, Blake oversaw video strategy at Newsy's parent company, The E.W. Scripps Company. Blake has a long history in both news and digital strategy. A native Texan, he started his career as a digital pro

Welcome to episode #689 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #688 - Host: Mitch Joel. I purchased the book, Because Internet - Understanding the New Rules of Language, because... well... it didn't take much to get me excited beyond the title. It had me at "hello," as they say. Then Karen Wickre (who was on the show to promote her book, Taking The Work Out of Networking, a ways back) made the intro to Gretchen McCulloch (the author of Because Internet). It turns out that Gretchen and I both live in Montreal (small world!). Gretchen McCulloch is an internet linguist: she explores the language of the internet for the people

Welcome to episode #688 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #688 - Host: Mitch Joel. He's one of the more interesting thinkers and authors that I have had the pleasure to get to know over the years. Nir Eyal writes, consults, and teaches about the intersection of psychology, technology, and business. The M.I.T. Technology Review dubbed Nir, “The Prophet of Habit-Forming Technology.” Nir founded two tech companies since 2003 and has taught at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford. He is the author of the bestselling book, Hooked - How to Build Habit-Forming Products and his latest, <a href= "https://www.nirandfar.com/indistra

Welcome to episode #686 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #686 - Host: Mitch Joel. Marga Hoek wants to change the world... for the better. She believes that business for good is good business. As an international strategist on sustainable business and capital, Marga is internationally recognized as a seasoned business leader, professional speaker and writer. She recently published The Trillion Dollar Shift, a business book on the sustainable development goals, which was launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos. It is the first and only business book on The Global Goals, addressing how business and capital can make positive use of these goals, while strengthening their company and busines

Welcome to episode #686 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #686 - Host: Mitch Joel. David Epstein is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Range - Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, and of the bestseller, The Sports Gene. He was previously a science and investigative reporter at ProPublica, and prior to that a senior writer at Sports Illustrated, where he co-authored the story that revealed Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez had used steroids. His writing has been honored by an array of organizations, from the <a

Welcome to episode #685 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #685 - Host: Mitch Joel. Simply put: Roger Dooley is a really nice human being. His latest book is Friction - The Untapped Force That Can Be Your Most Powerful Advantage. Prior to that he authored, Brainfluence - 100 Ways to Persuade and Convince Consumers with Neuromarketing  and The Persuasion Slide. He writes at Neuromarketing, and is columnist for Forbes. Roger is the founder of Dooley Direct and co-founded College Confidential, a leading college-bound website. That business was acqu

Welcome to episode #684 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #684 - Host: Mitch Joel. One could argue that Gary Shapiro has the coolest job in the world. Gary is president and CEO of the Consumer Technology Association, the U.S. trade association representing more than 2,200 consumer technology companies and which owns and produces CES - the massive Consumer Electronic Show that descends on Las Vegas every January, and introduces the world to the future of technology and innovation. Gary has testified before Congress on technology and business issues dozens of times and led the industry through its successful transition to HDTV. As chairman of the Home Recording Rights Coalition, Gary

Welcome to episode #683 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #683 - Host: Mitch Joel. For the past 25 years, Liane Davey has researched and advised teams on how to achieve high performance. Known as the “teamwork doctor,” she’s worked with teams from the frontlines to the boardroom, across a variety of industries, and around the globe from Boston to Bangkok. In working with hundreds of teams, including 26 Global Fortune 500 companies (and counting), she has developed a unique perspective on the challenges that teams face – and how to solve them. Beyond her work in the boardroom, Liane is a New York Times Bestselling author of You First - Inspire Your Team to Grow Up, Get Along, and Get Stuff Do

Welcome to episode #682 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #682 - Host: Mitch Joel. Steve Susi began his career as a creative in the advertising agencies of yesterday. He then discovered the Internet, and started building digital teams back in 1995. From there he took on major creative roles in some of the nascent digital marketing shops, working on the earliest forms of the commercial Internet. After 16 years, Steve Susi joined Amazon Advertising as its NYC creative director in 2012, where his teams would deliver original brand experiences on behalf of hundreds of advertisers and millions of customers worldwide. In 2014 he became its first group creative director and, two years later, first executive creative director, moving to London to lead creative operations across Europe, Asia, and Canada. In 2016, he received the

Welcome to episode #681 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #681 - Host: Mitch Joel. Montreal in the summer is a magical time. From the Festival International De Jazz De Montreal to Montreal ComicCon and Heavy Montreal (coming up this weekend!) to the famed Just For Laughs Comedy Festival (which is happening now). When the line-up was announced for Just For Laughs, I saw that my fellow TEDster, Baratunde Thurston, was going to be coming to town to host (and moderate) a panel called, Political Comedy on Political Change. We had a chance to sit down and record d

Welcome to episode #680 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #680 - Host: Mitch Joel. This past week, Cleveland, Ohio hosted the first-ever Marketing Artificial Intelligence Conference. This event was put on by my good friend, Paul Roetzer, and his Marketing Artificial Intelligence Institute. Paul is also the founder of PR 20/20 and the author of two business books, The Marketing Agency Blueprint and The Marketing Performance Blueprint. The Marketing Artificial Intelligence Conference hosted over 3

Welcome to episode #679 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #679 - Host: Mitch Joel. Over a decade ago, Rob Walker was on this show. It speaks to the longevity of the show, but more importantly, it speaks to value and work that Rob Walker brings into our world. I had been following him long before we first recorded back in 2008 (and I have been following him ever since). Rob Walker is a journalist covering design, technology, business, the arts, and other subjects. He writes the Human Resource column for Lifehacker, and has contributed to publications like The New York Times (where he wro

Welcome to episode #678 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #678 - Host: Mitch Joel. Andrew Tarvin is the world’s first Humor Engineer teaching people how to get better results while having more fun. Through his company, Humor That Works, Drew helps brands to be more productive, less stressed, and happier. Combining his background in business with his experience as an international comedian, his programs are engaging, entertaining, and effective. Prior to starting his company, Drew was a top-rated project manager at Procter & Gamble, managing million dollar projects for a $350 million business. He is also an accomplished comedian, having performed in more than 1,000 shows all around the world. Drew is the best-selling author of Humor That Work

Welcome to episode #677 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #677 - Host: Mitch Joel. I have been following her work for a long time. Whitney Johnson is one of the 50 leading business thinkers in the world (Thinkers50) and an expert on disruptive innovation and personal disruption, a framework codified in her two books, Disrupt Yourself - Putting the Power of Disruptive Innovation to Work, and Build an “A” Team - Play To Their Strengths and Lead Them Up the Learning Curve. Her framework and diagnostics were developed after co-founding the Disruptive Innovation Fund with Harvard Business School</

Welcome to episode #676 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #676 - Host: Mitch Joel. His books are small and square. Don't let the format and design fool you, they are also some of the most satiating books that can (and should) be read over and over again. It's no surprise that millions of people agree. Austin Kleon is The New York Times bestselling author of a trilogy of illustrated books about creativity in the digital age: Steal Like An Artist, Show Your Work!, and the recently published, Keep Going. He’s also the author of Newspaper Blackout, a collection of poems made by redacting the newspaper with a permanent marker. In pr

Welcome to episode #675 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #675 - Host: Mitch Joel. When it comes to performance in business today, you want to take advice from those who truly understand performance when they stakes are high and intense. Well, it doesn't get better than lessons from to the Navy SEALs. Nick Hays served his country proudly as a Navy SEAL for 10 years, where he was awarded the Bronze Star. After the Navy, he worked as a contractor in the Middle East while attending business school at the University of San Diego. After graduating from Harvard Business School Executive Education, Nick became passionate about helping organizations and teams overcome the problems associated with the need for constant innovation.

Welcome to episode #674 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #674 - Host: Mitch Joel. Gretchen Rubin is one of today’s most influential and thought-provoking observers of happiness and human nature. She’s known for her ability to distill and convey complex ideas with humor and clarity, in a way that’s accessible to a wide audience. She’s the author of many books, including the The Four Tendencies, Better Than Before, and The Happiness Project. She recently published her latest, Outer Order, Inner Calm. She has an enormous readership, both in print and online

Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #673 - Host: Mitch Joel. I'm super excited to welcome back to the show my good friend (and sales trainer extraordinaire), Ian Altman. Organizations call Ian Altman for his modern sales approach to grow business with integrity. As a CEO for over two decades, Ian founded and grew his own business-services and technology companies from zero to over $1 billion in value. This business success, backed by years of researching how customers make decisions, established Ian as a leading authority on sale acceleration and business growth. He synthesized his thinking into the bestselling book, Same Side Selling. We're here (again), because Ian just published a newly updated second edition of Same Side Selling (which he co-authored with Jack Quarles). Ian has hugely popular podcast of his own also titled, <a href= "htt

Welcome to episode #672 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #672 - Host: Mitch Joel. Like millions of other people, YouTube is the new TV in my life. I subscribe to channels on YouTube, and every night I watch what I subscribed to. It’s an amazing mess of interests, hobbies, music, news, information and more. I love it. Thousands of YouTube creators who seem to know exactly what I like (from magic and heavy metal to fountain pens and keynote speakers). Brands still want their videos to pop, and they want their content to go viral. The bigger idea is to create and build a sustainable (and impressive) YouTube channel. Too many are focused on a video… and not the channel opportunity. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Carlos Pacheco for many years. Currently, he is the COO at Truly (a m

Welcome to episode #671 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #671 - Host: Mitch Joel. David Burkus is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, and former business school professor. In 2017, he was named as one of the world’s top business thought leaders by Thinkers50. His books are Friend of a Friend, Under New Management and The Myths of Creativity. David is a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review and has been both a personal friend and guest on this show many times over the years. David’s views on leadership have earned him invitations to speak to leaders from a v

Welcome to episode #670 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #670 - Host: Mitch Joel. The book Limitless is now a bestseller. It is time to have Laura Gassner Otting back on the show. Laura inspires people to push past the doubt and indecision that keep great ideas in limbo. She challenges her clients to think bigger and take on greater challenges that reach beyond their limited scope of belief. She delivers strategic thinking, well-honed wisdom, and perspective generated by decades of navigating change across the start-up, nonprofit, political, as well as philanthropic landscapes. Laura dares us all to find our true voice, and generate the confidence needed to tackle larger-than-life opportunities. Laura’s entrepreneurial edge has been well-honed over a 25-year career that started as a Presidential Appoint

Welcome to episode #669 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #669 - Host: Mitch Joel. There are just a handful of formative thinkers that help me shape, think and rethink what I believe to know about digital, culture and the Internet. They are my oracles. I follow their every word, and I am susceptible to being highly influenced by their work. David Weinberger is one of those oracles. He melds philosophy, practical marketing experience, academic research and an unrivaled curiosity about what technology is... and what it's doing to us. There is no one with David's perspective, because no one has had a journey like his: philosophy professor, marketing VP at early Web startups, co-author of the seminal Cluetrain Manifesto, senior researcher at the leadings Harvard Internet center<

Welcome to episode #668 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #668 - Host: Mitch Joel. In short: Todd Herman is a fascinating human being. Over the years, he has helped thousands of people become more resilient, creative, confident and courageous. He has clocked over 15,000 hours in the field, working one-on-one with people from all backgrounds to help them develop an impenetrable mindset. He knows the mental performance game better than anyone. His execution and mindset strategies and systems are used by businesses, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and athletes. He's also lived through some insanely hard stuff, and he understands that the things that drive people are often complex and nuanced. While he's known to be brutally honest and tough on his clients, he's also deeply empathetic and compassionate. His first book, <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Alter-Ego-Effect-Iden

Welcome to episode #667 of Six Pixels of Separation. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #667 - Host: Mitch Joel. After a long and successful career at L’Oréal, Minter Dial returned to his entrepreneurial roots to become an author, consultant and speaker. Minter has spent ten years helping senior management teams and boards to adapt to the new exigencies of the digitally enhanced marketplace. Minter's focus is on brand strategies, technology integration and digital tools. He is the author of three books, producer of one award-winning documentary film, as well as numerous white papers, eBooks and contributions to countless media outlets. Minter’s newest book is Heartificial Empathy - Putting Heart into Business and Artificial Intelligence. Shortlisted for the Business Book Awards 2019,

Welcome to episode #666 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #666 - Host: Mitch Joel. If we're going to always talk business here on this show, I needed something with music in it to celebrate episode #666 (number of the beast, etc…). We're in luck. Clive Thompson is not just a computer geek (like me), or a passionate journalist (like me), he also writes, records, and performs music in the band The Delorean Sisters. Still, most know him for his writing in the science and technology space for the New York Times Magazine, Wired, Smithsonian magazine and many others. He wrote the book <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Sma

Welcome to episode #665 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #665 - Host: Mitch Joel. Cal Newport is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Georgetown University. In addition to researching cutting­ edge technology, he also writes about the impact of these innovations on society. Cal is the author of six books, including the recently published bestseller, Digital Minimalism and (a personal favorite) Deep Work, which argues that focus is the new I.Q. in the modern workplace. Cal’s work has been published in over 20 languages and has been featured in many major publications. He’s also a frequent guest on NP

Welcome to episode #664 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #664 - Host: Mitch Joel. Joseph Jaffe is widely regarded as one of the top marketing thinkers in the world (Jaffe Juice). He is the author of five excellent books (Life After The 30-Second Spot, Join The Conversation, Flip The Funnel, Z.E.R.O.) and his latest, Built To Suck (plus his new company H.M.S. Beagle). A long-time friend (and one of the main inspirations behind the Six Pixels of Separati

Welcome to episode #663 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #663 - Host: Mitch Joel. One of the most prolific and fascinating business professionals in the area of better brand storytelling and marketing is Bernadette Jiwa. She is a veritable force of nature who creates frequent and compelling prose that are sprinkled with optimism and wisdom. Last September she was on the show to discuss her book, Story Driven – You Don’t Need To Compete When You Know Who You Are, and she’s back with a brand new book called, The Right Story - A Brief Guide to Changing The World. I consider her to be a true business philosopher, because Bernad

Welcome to episode #662 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #662 - Host: Mitch Joel. What kind of business do you want to build? What kind of business do you really want to work for? It's true that we live a world where we can choose to do so many interesting and different things... and we can do them from the comfort of our own home (if we so choose). Paul Jarvis is the author of a great book called, Company of One. I was fortunate enough to be asked to blur this book. Paul thinks differently (very differently) about work (and what it means). He's a designer who likes writing (or vice versa) and has worked for himself since the 90s. His courses —Creative Class and Chimp Essentials — have been taken by more than 13,000 paying students. His

Welcome to episode #661 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #661 - Host: Mitch Joel. Where do the concepts of how we run a business come from? Many don't realize that management concepts are rarely created, implemented and perfected by simply fumbling through it. In fact, Henry Mintzberg is responsible for much of the management concepts that are in practice today. A true legend. You can’t use those words lightly when it comes to the business world. Henry Mintzberg is a true legend. He is an internationally renowned academic and author on business and management. He is currently the Cleghorn Professor of Management Studies at the Desautels Faculty of Management of McGill University in Montreal, where he has been teaching since 1968. A published author (<a href="http://www.mintzber

Welcome to episode #660 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #660 - Host: Mitch Joel. It’s always a great day when you get the chance to spend some time with the big brain that is Seth Godin. His latest book, This Is Marketing is a true shot across the bow at how marketers are thinking these days (it’s not all data and artificial intelligence). Seth is a book writing (and publishing) machine. His countless bestsellers (nearly twenty and still going!) continue to inspire business leaders all over the world. Along with the new book, Seth is also neck-deep in his altMBA course (which has had close to 3000 participants), his marketing course (on which the book is based) - The Marketing Seminar, a podcasting course -

Welcome to episode #659 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #659 - Host: Mitch Joel. We have been debating and discussing the power of technology, culture and humans for a long time. Rahaf Harfoush is a Strategist, Digital Anthropologist, and Best-Selling Author who focuses on the intersections between emerging technology, innovation, and digital culture. She teaches Innovation & Emerging Business Models at Sciences Politique’s Masters of Economics and Finance program in Paris. Before that, Rahaf was the Associate Director of the Technology Pioneer Program at the World Economic Forum in Geneva. Her first book, Yes We Did - An Insider’s Look at How Social Media Built the Obama Brand chronicled her experiences as a member of Barack Obama’s

Welcome to episode #658 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #658 - Host: Mitch Joel. He's been running in the digital marketing circle for as long as I can remember. While we have never met in person, we have been connected and following one another's work and perspectives for many years. Shiv Singh now advises Fortune 500 companies and startups on strategy, marketing and how to succeed in the digital era as the Founder of Savvy Matters. Prior to starting his consultancy, Shiv was a senior executive driving marketing, innovation and digital strategies at Visa and PepsiCo. Before that, he was an agency guy (like me) at Razorfish (now PublicisSapient). In 2016, Shiv was inducted into the <a href= "https

Welcome to episode #657 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #657 - Host: Mitch Joel. There's no denying that change is important. One of my favourite quotes of all time is this: "If you don't like change, you're going to like irrelevance even less." - Retired United States General, Eric Shinseki. But (as we all know), change is hard. Very hard. And in happens slowly... over time. What if that were not true? What if change could happen in an instant? That is the argument (and strategy) behind the book, The Holy Sh!t Moment - How Lasting Change Can Happen in an Instant by James Fell. James was in debt, drunk, flunking out, and tipping the scales toward obesity, at one point in his life. Still, there was one single moment that changed his life. It w

Welcome to episode #656 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #656 - Host: Mitch Joel. It’s the most wonderful time of the year when I get to speak media theorist, Douglas Rushkoff. He is - without a doubt - one of the smartest humans beings on this earth that I get to call a friend. Douglas is back with one of his most compelling pieces of work. It’s not (really) about the media… it’s about us. It’s about our need to find “find the others” and figure out how we - as a team - are going to work in this ever-technological world. Humans feel more isolated and repressed than ever before, and it’s going to take teamwork to pull this all together if we don’t want to lose out to automation, robotics and algorithms. That’s his new book, Team Human. Named one of the world’s ten most influential intellectuals by <a href=

Welcome to episode #654 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #654 - Host: Mitch Joel. I love people are not only creative, but understand how to talk about creativity. It's something that deeply motivates me to make stuff. Srinivas Rao is the host and founder of The Unmistakable Creative podcast, where he has conducted over 600 interviews with thought leaders and people from all walks of life (sounds familiar!). He's also the author of three books, including The Art of Being Unmistakable, Unmistakable - Why Only is Better than Best, and his latest, An Audience of One - Reclaiming Creativity for Its Own Sake. His work has been f

Welcome to episode #654 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #654 - Host: Mitch Joel. Ekaterina Walter is not just a friend. She is a business and marketing innovator, speaker, and author of the bestseller, Think Like Zuck, and coauthor of, The Power of Visual Storytelling. She recently published the book, The Laws of Brand Storytelling (with co-author Jessica Gioglio). After working in social media and digital marketing brands like Intel and Accenture, she co-founded a start-up that was acquired by <a href= "http

Welcome to episode #653 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #653 - Host: Mitch Joel. I had the please of hanging out with Alan Stein Jr. at a private meeting for professional speakers over the summer. I was super-impressed with his knowledge, capabilities and insights. Alan is a world-renowned coach, author and keynote speaker. He spent 15-plus years working the highest performing basketball players on the planet, and now coaches businesses on how to utilize the same strategies that elite athletes (like Kevin Durant) use to perform at a world-class level. Alan specializes in improving individual and organizational leadership, performance and accountability. He inspires and empowers everyone he works with to take immediate action and improve mindset, habits and productivity, which is why he recently publish

Welcome to episode #652 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #652 - Host: Mitch Joel. Innovation is a big word. It's a tough word and many businesses claim to be doing it... but few can demonstrate it (well). I was fortunate to be introduced to Tendayi Viki via the good people at Thinkers50 (where Tendayi is writing a crowd-sourced book in partnership with them). Tendayi is an author and innovation consultant. He holds a PhD in Psychology and an MBA. He helps large organizations develop their ecosystems, so that they can innovate for the future while managing their core business. Through his company Benneli Jacobs, he has given keynotes, run workshops and worked as a consultant for several large organizations including <a

Welcome to episode #651 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #651 - Host: Mitch Joel. Two of my close friends from the marketing world are Christopher S. Penn and John Wall. Some know them as the dynamic duo that host the Marketing Over Coffee Podcast (and it’s a glorious one). We’ve been friends for close to 15 years (from the early days of podcasting at the first-ever PodCamp). What some may not know, is that the two of them plus Katie Robbert have a great company called, Trust Insights. The company’s big goal is to help brands light up their dark data. They live to build both predictive insights and push a

Welcome to episode #650 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #650 - Host: Mitch Joel. When I got my first opportunity to speak in front of a large audience, I wasn't sure where to turn for more professional public speaking and presentation skills training. Many names of individuals and organizations were thrown my way, but one name that kept rising to the top was Nick Morgan. I immediately purchased his book, Give Your Speech, Change The World, and it did - in fact - change my world and perception of what a presentation is really all about. Then came Working The Room followed by <a href= "http://publicwords.com/trust-me-four-steps-to-authenticity-and-ch

Welcome to episode #649 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #649 - Host: Mitch Joel. What's the move that you make after you graduate from business school? Many take a job and figure out if that path is for them, or if they need to strike out on their own. Chris Bailey got several job offers, but turned them all down. He had a different plan. For one year, he devoured everything on the subject of productivity. At the end of every day, he would write. This lead to his blog, A Year of Productivity. That was just the beginning. From there, he started to interview productivity experts from around the world, dug into deep academic and scientific research, and has conducted countless experiments on himself. A true guinea pig for productivity, Chris wants to become the most productive as humanly possible. After that

Welcome to episode #648 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #648 - Host: Mitch Joel. This is the type of human being that the world (and business) desperately needs today. Kate O’Neill is helping humanity prepare for an increasingly tech-driven future by teaching business how to be successful with human-centric data and technology. Kate’s expertise comes from more than 20 years of experience and entrepreneurship leading innovations across technology, marketing, and operations. She created the first content management role at Netflix, was founder & CEO of [meta]marketer - a first-of-its-kind analytics and digital strategy agency, led the online optimization work at Magazines.com, developed Toshiba America‘s firs

Welcome to episode #646 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #646 - Host: Mitch Joel. It's a pretty amazing life. Karen Wickre has been involved in the communications space for a very long time. She's based in Silicon Valley, sits on many boards and has even been written about quite a few times (check out Chip Conley's latest book, Wisdom @ Work for more about her abilities to be an executive whisperer and EQ guide). A veteran editor, curator, content strategist and connector of people and ideas, Karen is super-passionate about all forms of communication. She really has done it all from writing one of the very first consumer books about the Web (in 1995!) to working in content strategy for Sapient. With t

Welcome to episode #645 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #645 - Host: Mitch Joel. When I first met Dan Schawbel (many years back), my reaction was, "who is this kid trying to make such a loud noise?” The passion was oozing out of him. Dan had a real fire in his belly. What a wild and successful ride he has been on. He is the bestselling author of Promote Yourself and Me 2.0. He's a Partner and Research Director at Future Workplace, and the Founder of both Millennial Branding and WorkplaceTrends.com. Through his companies, he’s conducted dozens of research studies on the workplace, along with some of the world's biggest brand

Welcome to episode #644 of Six Pixels of Separation.  I'm a big fan of the Thinkers50. It's a list of smart people who are (and have) made a significant difference in how we think about business and the work that we do today. Many of the past guests on Six Pixels of Separation are on the list. Dan Pontefract was kind enough to introduce me to one of the Thinkers50 co-founders, Stuart Crainer. Stuart is the former editor of London Business School’s award-winning magazine Business Strategy Review. His book credits include The Management Century and a biography of the management guru Tom Pe

Welcome to episode #647 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #647 - Host: Mitch Joel. Jay Acunzo is the author of the book, Break the Wheel - Question Best Practices, Hone Your Intuition, and Do Your Best Work. He’s also a show host and executive producer, as well as the founder of Unthinkable Media, which creates documentary shows with brand clients. In his past life, he was a digital media strategist at Google, then held multiple roles at tech startups like HubSpot. He also served as Vice President of Brand at the venture capital firm, NextView. In a world where “storyteller” has become a buzzword, Jay really understands how to tell stories - emotional tales o

Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #643 - Host: Mitch Joel. I'm just a superfan nerd for all things Susan David. I thought that her 2016 book, Emotional Agility, was one of the smartest (and most relevant) books for individuals and leaders. I had the pleasure of connecting with Susan and becoming friends in the past short while. If you didn't know, Susan is an award-winning Psychologist on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, co-founder and co-director of the Institute of Coaching at McLean Hospital, and CEO of Evidence Based Psychology. Emotional Agility is a concept that Harvard Business Review heralded as a Management Idea of the Year (no joke), and has been featured... well... everywhere! An in-deman

Welcome to episode #642 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #642 - Host: Mitch Joel. Chalk this conversation up to the well-worn thought: "how is is that we had never connected before?" I have been a fan of Allen Adamson's work. His books, BrandSimple and BrandDigital were awesome (I still have not read The Edge - 50 Tips from Brands That Lead). Allen is a respected branding expert. He has worked with a broad spectrum of consumer and corporate businesses across a myriad of industries. He is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Metaforce, a marketing and product consultancy. How organizations do – or do not - stay relevant is the subject

Welcome to episode #641 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #641 - Host: Mitch Joel. I’m a moron. I did not put two and two together. My buddy, Scott Stratten, let me know that a new book called, Planet Funny, had recently been published. I’m all-in on any non-fiction book that can bridge comedy, culture and things like that. Too many business professionals discount the value and merits of comedy in business, and how massive of a communications skill that comedy is (in short: study comedy if you want to get better at positioning, storytelling, communications skills, etc…). Plus, let’s face it, funny equals happy… and we can never have enough of that! The author of the book, Planet Funny, has written over a dozen other books like (Brainia

Welcome to episode #640 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #640 - Host: Mitch Joel. About ten years ago, an agency competitor reached out to me about a new product that they were launching to help individuals (and brands) better manage their social media and listening skills. The platform was Hootsuite. The entrepreneur was Ryan Holmes. For over a decade, Ryan has been the founder and CEO, and has helped grow Hootsuite into the world’s most widely used social relationship platform, with 16-million-plus users, including more than 800 of the Fortune 1000 companies. Ryan is an active investor and advisor, whose Maple Syrup Mafia syndicate is dedicated to accelerating Canadian startups. A future enthusiast (with a love of VR) and the inventor of a low-cost standing desk, he’s a hacker at heart - always looking for easier, be

Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #639 - Host: Mitch Joel. I've had the pleasure of knowing Dan Pontefract for some time. I've also been (more than) slightly intimidated by him (and his smarts). Dan has a big, big brain (and he knows how to use it). He's the bestselling author of three book: The Purpose Effect, Flat Army and his recently published, Open To Think. He's the Chief Envisioner of TELUS Transformation Office, where he helps organizations and leaders looking to improve all facets of the "future of work," including employee engagement, leadership development, collaborative behaviours, organizational purpose, digital transformation and corporate culture. He's also an Adjunct Professo

Welcome to episode #638 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #638 - Host: Mitch Joel. My good friend Jay Baer has spent 25 years in digital marketing and customer experience. His current company – Convince & Convert – provides word of mouth, digital marketing, and customer experience advice and counsel. We're here to talk about his amazing new book, Talk Triggers (which he co-authored with Daniel Lemin), which is the complete guide to getting customers to use a brand's differentiator in a way that would compel them towards better word of mouth. In the best companies, the customers do the marketing. Talk Triggers is the instruction manual for making businesses grow through these customer conversations. Prior to Talk Triggers, Jay w

Welcome to episode #637 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #637 - Host: Mitch Joel. I got to finally meet Shep Hyken last year at the massive NAMM music trade show. We wound up hanging out for a few days, and I then got to see Shep in action. He doesn't just talk about great customer service, he gives it... and he lives it. He's a magnet to business people, and he does his best to help companies make every moment with their customers count. What does great customer service and experience look like? Check out his just-published business book, The Convenience Revolution. He is also the author of Moments of Magic, The Loyal Customer, <a href= "http://www.cultofthecust

What do you stand for? What does your brand stand for? Where are you headed? Why are you headed there? Before you build a brand, you better know your story. In her beautiful and brand new book, Story Driven - You Don't Need To Compete When You Know Who You Are, the business philosopher, Bernadette Jiwa, delivers the goods. Bernadette helps companies of all sizes to build a brand to be proud of. Bernadette is also the author of some of the most impacting business books that you will ever read: Hunch, Meaningful, Marketing: A Love Story, Fortune Cookie Principle, <a href= "https://thestoryoftelling.com/bo

Welcome to episode #635 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #635 - Host: Mitch Joel. I've been following the work of Tim Grahl for many years. If you've written a business book, and then had to do the hard work of marketing and selling it, Tim is the person to know. For over ten years, he has helped amazing authors like Daniel H. Pink, Barbara Corcoran, Hugh MacLeod, Chip and Dan Heath, and many more get their books noticed with his company, Book Launch. He even wrote the amazing books, Your First 1000 Copies and

Welcome to episode #634 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #634 - Host: Mitch Joel. He's been called the “man from the future.” Cool! Tom Emrich is widely recognized as one of the top thought leaders and influencers in Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and wearable tech. With over a decade-long track record of running tech teams in emerging technologies for brands like Nestlé, Best Buy and MTV, Tom was the founder of We Are Wearables and is currently the co-producer of AWE - a conference, expo and event company focused on XR (AR, VR and Mix Reality). Tom is also an active investor and partner at Super Ventures, a

Welcome to episode #629 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #629 - Host: Mitch Joel. Everybody is curious about creativity and the creative process. Are some people just more creative than others? Is there a true difference between those who use the left and right parts of their brain? Can creativity be learned and turned into a business process? Allen Gannett is the founder and CEO of TrackMaven, a marketing insights platform whose clients have included Microsoft, Marriott, Saks Fifth Avenue,

Welcome to episode #628 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #628 - Host: Mitch Joel. He's had many exits as a startup founder (over five!). This includes two IPOs, two trade sales and more. He's been in the technology and services space for a long while (and he's seen it all). Maybe you have heard of some of his companies... but maybe you haven't. Rajat Bhargava doesn't care that much, because he likes to build companies (not, necessarily, sexy big brand name companies). It's hard to have a beautiful house without plumbing... the saying goes. This graduate of MIT (with a degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science) isn't just a successful entrepren

Welcome to episode #627 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #627 - Host: Mitch Joel. A strong brand and corporate name is critical to demonstrating your uniqueness in the marketplace. The competitive forces are at play. Many people believe that all of the good names are already taken. The problem, of course, is that even if you can secure a strong and original brand identity, getting the right domain name can be costly, time consuming and extremely frustrating. Thankfully, there are smart people like Bill Sweetman who love the domain game. I've been fortunate to know Bill for over a decade. He's a former digital agency professional (who was in the space almost twenty years ago), before switc

Welcome to episode #626 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #626 - Host: Mitch Joel. It's hard not to be a fan of the work that Daniel Pink does. He is the author of six provocative books (Free Agent Nation, The Adventures of Johnny Bunko, A Whole New Mind, Drive, To Sell Is Human and his newest, When - The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing). His books have won mu

Welcome to episode #625 of Six Pixels of Separation.  Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - Episode #625 - Host: Mitch Joel. I've had the pleasure of having countless coffees and breakfasts with Melissa Agnes. This happened long before she has become know as one of the world's brightest thinkers in crisis management and communications. Melissa is the author of Crisis Ready - Building an Invincible Brand in an Uncertain World. Along with being a leading authority on crisis preparedness, reputation management, and brand protection, Melissa is a coveted speaker, commentator, and advisor to some of today's leading organizations faced with the greatest risks. She has worked with <a href= "https

Welcome to episode #624 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #624 - Host: Mitch Joel. He's one of the nicest and good-hearted people that I have ever met in this industry. Hands down. Salt of the earth. A real human being trying to help businesses connect to consumers in a real way. That's reason enough to follow Nick Westergaard. He is a strategist, speaker, author, and educator. As Chief Brand Strategist at Brand Driven Digital, he helps build better brands at organizations of all sizes. Nick is the author of Get Scrappy - Smarter Digital Marketing for

Welcome to episode #623 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #623 - Host: Mitch Joel. It was the early 2000s and viral marketing was just getting started. That's when Jonah Sachs rose to prominence. He created some of the world's first viral videos. His agency, Free Range Studios, created campaigns, like Amnesty International's awareness-raising video on blood diamonds (which was seen by 20 million people). Later Jonah helped to create The Story of Stuff, which was viewed by over 60 million people and marked a turning point in the fight to educate peo

Welcome to episode #622 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #622 - Host: Mitch Joel. At what cost attention? We all think that we're paying attention to the work that we do, but are we? Really? That's the focus of Neen James. Her latest book is titled, Attention Pays - How to drive profitability, productivity and accountability. She has received numerous awards as a professional speaker. Neen is a partner in the international education company Thought Leaders Global, and is a member of the League of Heroic Public Speakers. Neen delive

Welcome to episode #621 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #621 - Host: Mitch Joel. What is the truth? Is there one truth? Is truth under assault these days? Fake news. Flat earthers. How brands position themselves. How do we build a truth? Are there many truths? Hector Macdonald is an expert in business storytelling. As a strategic communications consultant, he has advised the leaders of some of the world's top corporations in industries as diverse as financial services, telecoms, technology, and healthcare. He is also the bestselling author of four novels. Hector began writing thrillers after completing a zoology degree at <a href= "https://www.zo

Welcome to episode #620 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #620 - Host: Mitch Joel. Peter Sheahan never stops moving. He has a vision for where businesses need to be, and there doesn't seem to be any quit in him. As founder and Group CEO of Karrikins Group, Peter is known internationally for his top-rated keynote presentations, innovative business thinking and thought leadership. With staff in more than 23 cities across seven countries, he knows firsthand the challenges of growing a business in these rapidly-changing times. Peter has advised leaders from companies like <a href= "h

Welcome to episode #619 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #619 - Host: Mitch Joel. In business you have to understand your customers... and your audience. We often talk about the power of getting better at communicating. This is true. Still, one of the largest parts of communications is usually an arena that few business professionals spend any amount of time understanding: body language and unspoken cues. These, usually, are the difference between winning that pitch (and retaining that customer)... or not. Whether it's online, in person or just consuming his content, I always enjoy the time I spend with Mark Bowden. He's perfectly engaging, en

Welcome to episode #618 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #618 - Host: Mitch Joel. I first met Bonnie Siegler abut a decade ago. We were both new to the TED community and would (randomly) run into each other. I knew she was a graphic designer and led a creative studio, but I had no idea just how respected and regarded she was in the design world. Over the years she has become one of the most respected graphic designers in the world. Bonnie is the founder of Eight and a Half. Her impressive clients include The New Yorker, <a href= "https://ww

Welcome to episode #617 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #617 - Host: Mitch Joel. I just love everything that this human being puts out into the world. His latest book, Friend of a Friend, is a fascinating read about how we can get the most out of our networks and relationships (and, no, it's not about social media!). David Burkus is a best-selling author, a sought after speaker, and associate professor of leadership and innovation at Oral Roberts University. He's delivered keynotes to the leaders of Fortune 500 companies and the future leaders of the <a href="https://www.usna.edu/h

Welcome to episode #616 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #616 - Host: Mitch Joel. Soon Yu is an international speaker and bestselling author on innovation and design. His book, Iconic Advantage, challenges brands to refocus their innovation priorities on building greater iconicity, and offers deeper insights on establishing timeless distinction and relevance. Soon most recently served as the Global VP of Innovation and Officer at VF Corporation, parent organization to over 30 global apparel companies, including The North Face, <a href= "https

Welcome to episode #615 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #615 - Host: Mitch Joel. If you're going to write and publish a book called, Brands and Bulls**t - Excel at the Former, Avoid the Latter. A Branding Primer for Millennial Marketers in a Digital Age, it's bound to get my attention. Bernie Schroeder was born in Austria, but is currently the director at the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center where he teaches entrepreneurship courses at San Diego State University. Bernie is a dreamer and a doer. His caree

Welcome to episode #614 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #614 - Host: Mitch Joel. There are so many books on how to generate leads, close the sale, negotiate the sale, market the products and services and on and on. How many books have you read (or seen) about how to not lose the customer once you get them? You might think that once you have a customer, that you have them for life. Not even close. Joey Coleman has a unique ability. He is laser focused on how brands need to think once they have closed the sale. It's not just an ideology, either. It's a system. His latest book, Never Lose A Customer Again - Turn Any Sale Into Li

Welcome to episode #613 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #613 - Host: Mitch Joel. There is only one Tom Peters. He's a legend. Literally. For anyone in business, Tom Peters is the gold standard. From his countless bestsellers (In Search of Excellence, Re-Imagine, and on and on) to his incredible public presentations. He's a personal mentor to me (whether he wants to admit it or not) and I can best define him as a "cranky optimist." Tom is back with a brilliant new book (seriously, drop everything and go out and get it) called, <a href= "http://tompeters.com/wri

Welcome to episode #612 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #612 - Host: Mitch Joel. Have you ever met someone, and you just connect? On everything. From the music you like to how you think about work... and family... and beyond. That's how it has been as Laura Gassner Otting and I have become friends in the past few years. Laura helps innovators, idealists, and iconoclasts get unstuck and achieve their best results. It's not just your standard motivation stuff... far from it. Through her business, Limitless Possibility, Laura collaborates with entrepreneurs and investors to push past the doubt and indeci

Welcome to episode #611 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #611 - Host: Mitch Joel. What a fascinating human being. Michael Veltri is a battle-hardened entrepreneur, bestselling author, and top rated business transformation keynote speaker. Recognizing that success - both organizationally and personally - are the culmination of our daily decisions, Veltri is focused on better decision-making practices. From ancient Japanese warriors to brain science, from business titans to academic research, Michael tapped wide-ranging resources to develop a groundbreaking model for better decision making. Surprisingly simple and eminently effective, his approach has impacted some of

Welcome to episode #610 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #610 - Host: Mitch Joel. I came across Tim Matthews via LinkedIn. He had published an article titled, How to Hire Great Inbound Marketers: Six Key Personality Traits. From there, I discovered a well of fascinating content on how to nurture and hire great marketers and how to think differently about inbound marketing and content marketing that he had written. Tim was born in New York

Welcome to episode #609 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #609 - Host: Mitch Joel. She has become the go-to person when it comes to creating brands that truly work. Denise Lee Yohn is not slowing down. Her latest business book, Fusion - How integrating brand and culture powers the world's greatest companies, was just published, and it follows her work on what it takes to not only stand out, but constantly deliver a great brand experience for customers. When it comes to brands doing things right - constantly and consistently - I always think of the work that Denise Lee Yohn is doing. From her first book, <a hre

Welcome to episode #608 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #608 - Host: Mitch Joel. Even when he takes a pop at me (which he does... and it's probably not all that lovingly), I really enjoy my conversations and debates with Andrew Keen. It used to be a lot easier to call him a contrarian to everything that was happening in Silicon Valley. After all, his bestselling books, The Cult of the Amateur, Digital Vertigo and The Internet Is Not The Answer earned him the dubious title of "the

Welcome to episode #607 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #607 - Host: Mitch Joel. How do real people succeed in the real world of work? That's the question bestselling author Joanna Barsh set out to answer in her latest book, Grow Wherever You Work. How did she find the answer? Not by asking motivational types or the well-established CEOs, but by diving into the trenches with today's boldest, brightest, up-and-coming leaders (some were... millennials!!... gasp!). Distilling the stories of important work challenges from more than 200 rising leaders in 120 companies, her new book can h

Welcome to episode #606 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #606 - Host: Mitch Joel. Everywhere I look, I see the book Superconnector. Online, in bookstores at the airport. What kind of connector would I be without trying to pin down the bestselling book's author, Scott Gerber? Scott Gerber is CEO of The Community Company, an organization that builds and manages community-driven programs for media companies and global brands. He is also the founder of YEC, an invitation-only organization comprised of the world's most successful young entrepreneurs, and t

Welcome to episode #605 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #605 - Host: Mitch Joel. His book is easily one of the best books that I have read in a very long time. The concept of negotiating has been a hot topic for authors and business speakers for a very long time. Still, Chris Voss is truly brilliant and his book, Never Split The Difference - Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It, is just chock full of genius from start to finish. Chris was the lead international kidnapping negotiator for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as

Welcome to episode #604 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #604 - Host: Mitch Joel. Slowly and surely famed commercial photographer, Jeffrey Shaw, is becoming known at the "lingo guy." Who would have thought that a shy teenager hiding behind a camera and in a darkroom would wind up having a 31 year career as the go-to photographer for America's most affluent families? Of course, it then made perfect sense that the instincts and knowledge he gained could be shared with other entrepreneurs around the world as a business coach. That same shy kid is Jeffrey Shaw, who is also the host of the popular Creative Warriors

Welcome to episode #603 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #603 - Host: Mitch Joel. There is no doubt that when it comes to writing business books on the creative process and how it flows in business today, Todd Henry is the gold standard. He bills himself as "an arms dealer for the creative revolution," and that's just one of his creative ways to describe what he really does. Todd writes amazing books, speaks internationally on creativity, leadership, productivity, and passion for work, while helping people and teams generate brilliant ideas. Candidly, I don't know many people as astute as Todd. His first book,

Welcome to episode #602 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #602 - Host: Mitch Joel. Ian has become a good friend over the years. That should come as no surprise, once you listen to this show. Business leaders call on Ian Altman to modernize their sales and marketing. Ian's approach helps companies significantly grow sales by aligning their goals with current and emerging trends in buyer behavior. Seems like marketing chatter, but it's not. Ian brought the idea of Same Side Selling to the world, and now it's a common sales and marketing strategy for some of the best organizations. Ian is a multi-best

Welcome to episode #601 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #601 - Host: Mitch Joel. The Heath Brothers (Chip and Dan) write some of the most compelling business books that that world has ever read. To this day, Made To Stick remains a staple and masterclass in how a brand can (and should) tell a better story. From the massive success of that book to Switch (all about change) and then Decisive (all about how to make better choices)... their books are just so powerful. Most recently, I devoured their latest

Welcome to episode #600 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #600 - Host: Mitch Joel. She has one of the most illustrious and prolific careers as a venture capitalist in Silicon Valley. She's been in that business for close to three decades. She has, literally, seen it all as an entrepreneur, VC and board member. Her investing career started at US Venture Partners. She was the first investor and founding board member at Salesforce and the founder of Broadway Angels, a female group of angel investors. A technology pioneer,

Welcome to episode #599 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #599 - Host: Mitch Joel. There is a real struggle in business today. Regardless of how far brands have travelled, when it comes to advertising, social media and content marketing, the vast majority of businesses today struggle with how to tell a great brand story. I've had the pleasure of knowing Mark Evans for a long while. We go all the way back to the early days of blogging (2003-ish). Back then, Mark held one of the most coveted roles in publishing, as the tech journalist for one of the largest national newspapers. As blogging took hold and social media transformed the media landscape, Mark did not just lie

Welcome to episode #598 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #598 - Host: Mitch Joel. Sometimes you come across an individual (and a book) and it just mystifies you. How is it possible that you had not heard of this person's work before? That was my reaction when I was introduced to the work of David C. Baker. His book, The Business of Expertise is simply brilliant. In a world where self-proclaimed Gurus and Thought Leaders are everywhere (and including these titles on LinkedIn), the work of David could not have come at a bet

Welcome to episode #597 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #597 - Host: Mitch Joel. Have you read the book, The Fred Factor? It's one of those massive business book must-haves (like Who Moved My Cheese? And The Tipping Point). It has sold close to two million copies. The author is Mark Sanborn. I've been a fan of his work for a long time, but never had the chance to have a conversation with him (until now). He's writ

Welcome to episode #596 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #596 - Host: Mitch Joel. Back in early 2002, when I first got started in this agency business, I was networking as much as possible. One of the first major local executives that I met was Minter Dial. A man with an international reputation who was senior leadership at L'Oreal. We became friends, but Minter moved on. I believe that Minter and I bonded so well, because we were both interested in very divergent cultural spaces, while developing very corporate lives at the same time. To give you some context, Minter Dial is an American, with French citizenship, born in Belgium,

Welcome to episode #595 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #595 - Host: Mitch Joel. The number one question that people ask me is: how did you become a professional speaker? I don't believe that my story is replicable. Not because I am special (I am not). I just had many lucky breaks happen together in a short period of time. Here's one thing that I have learned over the years: the best speakers do not just get up on stage and deliver. They are not individuals with birth-given skills. The ability to communicate to an audience (and, that's anyone from the boardroom to the convention centre) is a learnable skill. Grant Baldwin does this for a living. A former Bible

Welcome to episode #594 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #594 - Host: Mitch Joel. Sometimes lightning strikes, and you get lucky. There is no question that this is, exactly, what happened to me over ten years ago when I first met Julian Treasure and we happened to sit next to each other at the first TED conference that I ever attended. To watch him ascend has been a treat. To learn from him has been even better. Julian is a sound and communication expert. He travels the world training people to listen better and create healthier sound. He is author of two books, <a href= "http://www.juliantreasure.com/shop/sound-busin

Welcome to episode #593 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #593 - Host: Mitch Joel. I've known Jeffrey Sass for many years. We've become friends through the digital channels. It started back when I was speaking at an event in South Florida and stumbled into a domain name convention and auction. I watched the domain Jeans.com go for a ridiculous amount of money. Jeffrey Sass didn't buy that domain, but he's been a part of that scene for a long time. Currently, he's the CMO for .CLUB - now a global brand, and one of the top and most used new domain extensions. What I did not know is his history is helping to market B movies. In the ev

Welcome to episode #592 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #592 - Host: Mitch Joel. I was surprisingly taken aback by the book, Exactly What To Say. There are no stories in this book. No case studies. It's a small book. It's a very smart book. In a world where you might assume that anything and everything has already been written about sales, Phil Jones' book packs a lot of wows. Smart and just the facts and tactics. No fat... all protein. It will also help you to frame (and reframe) how you think about everything from introducing yourself to pitching your wares. Phil is a sales machine at heart. He starte

Welcome to episode #591 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #591 - Host: Mitch Joel. There's this incredible feeling that you get from Tom Fishburne's comics about the marketing industry. Of course, they're funny. With that, they can be very biting (almost to the point of feeling that he's been using Alexa's technology to listen in on some of your meetings), and that is coupled with this opposing sense of care, empathy and love for the business. Hard and soft... at the same time. For years, he has been taking shots at just how much technology has impacted brands and con

Welcome to episode #590 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #590 - Host: Mitch Joel. The power of audio is not just something that we are all seeing in the growth of streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. More than ever what we often hear is as important as what we read and see. The impact that audio has on a brand cannot be understated. So much so, that famed marketing thought leader and strategist, David Meerman Scott, has a new co-venture (with Juanito Pascual) called, <a href="https://www.signaturetones.

Welcome to episode #589 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #589 - Host: Mitch Joel. Here's another individual that I have known for many years and - for some silly reason - has never been on this show. When I think about innovation and how to drive change for brands, I think about the work that Stephen Shapiro is doing. Stephen has spent decades showing business leaders and their teams how to approach, tackle and solve their business challenges. His core focus has always been showing brands opportunities to improve innovation models and the cultures that support them. The first innovation opportunity Stephen spotted was the opportunity to innovate within hi

Welcome to episode #588 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #588 - Host: Mitch Joel. If you don't think business and opportunity has changed much since technology and connectivity mind-melded, you have not been paying attention. Being "in business" does not mean what it used to mean. Individuals (people like you and I) can (and are) building multiple streams of income doing the work that matters to them on their own time. The results - for many - have been staggering. No one knows this better than Dorie Clark, and this is the area of focus for her latest book, Entrepreneurial You - Monetize Your Expertise, Create Mul

Welcome to episode #587 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #587 - Host: Mitch Joel. He's one of the most respected thinkers in digital media. It's mostly due to his YouTube rants... and he pulls no punches. It takes many people aback, because Scott Galloway is not your typical YouTuber. Scott is a Clinical Professor at the NYU Stern School of Business where he teaches brand strategy and digital marketing. In 2012, Professor Galloway was named "One of the World's 50 Best Business School Professors" by P

Welcome to episode #586 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #586 - Host: Mitch Joel. A legend in the world of business, leadership and management. A true legend. That is a fact when it comes to Roger Martin. Roger has published over ten bestselling business books, the most recent of which are Creating Great Choices (with Jennifer Riel), <a href= "https://hbr.org/product/getting-beyond-better-how-social-entrepr

Welcome to episode #585 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #585 - Host: Mitch Joel. This conversation should have happened years ago. When I think about content marketing, I think about Robert Rose (and his co-author/business in crime buddy, Joe Pullizi, of course). To state what Robert Rose does is simple: he helps marketers become stellar storytellers. But that's really not even the half of it. For more than 25 years, Robert has been at the forefront of marketing and content marketing. He is currently the Chief Strategy Officer for The Content Advisory, the education and consulti

Welcome to episode #584 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #584 - Host: Mitch Joel. Jeff Rosenblum is a marketing agency co-founder, author, documentary filmmaker and a person who likes to shake things up. Have you seen the documentary, The Naked Brand? If you have not: stop everything and watch it (it is awesome). Jeff was the co-writer and director of that film. More recently, he published his first book, Friction - Passion Brands In The Age of Disruption. It's not only a great read, but it is beautifully designed. If that were not enough, Jeff is also the

Welcome to episode #583 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #583 - Host: Mitch Joel. He considers himself a "professional explainer." I've known Jim Sterne for over a decade. He sold business computers to first-time owners in the 1980s, consulted and keynoted about online marketing in the 1990s, founded a conference and a professional association around digital analytics in the 2000s, and recently published his twelfth book (yes, twelfth!), Artificial Intelligence for Marketing. Jim founded the eMetrics Summit running 80+ conferences in cl

Welcome to episode #582 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #582 - Host: Mitch Joel. He has accomplished what many thought was impossible. Gary Morton was part of the only US Army unit ever to win every simulated battle at the grueling National Training Center, and a company that grew its earnings by 20% every year and every quarter of every year for 28 years. It is an incredible leadership, team building and business story that was waiting to be told. Gary Morton graduated from West Point with honors and had a five-year career as a tank officer, the highlight of which was being part of an extraordi

Welcome to episode #581 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #581 - Host: Mitch Joel. For over 25 years, Nilofer Merchant has been known as the "Jane Bond of Innovation." I met her over a decade ago (thanks for the intro, Tara Hunt), while attending my first TED conference. She was not only a great guide and connector, but has become a dear friend over the years. She has been on this show in the past to talk up her two previous business books (both bestsellers) The New How and <a href="http://nilofermerchant.com/library/so

Welcome to episode #580 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #580 - Host: Mitch Joel. He's back! Google's Digital Marketing Evangelist, bestselling author (Web Analytics - An Hour A Day and Web Analytics 2.0), powerful writer (Occam's Razor), friend and marketi

Welcome to episode #579 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #579 - Host: Mitch Joel. Traditional media is still king. Social media is worthless. Public relations is much better than advertising. This were only three of the crazy statements that arrived in my inbox about Robert Wynne and his book, Straight Talk About Public Relations. The irony of his asking to be on my podcast was not lost on me. In fact, I responded to his request with this: "Why would Robert want to be on my podcast if social media is useless?" So, here we are. A heated debate about marketing, advertising, publi

Welcome to episode #578 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #578 - Host: Mitch Joel. Everyone talks about innovation, and how real success comes from the brands that do innovate. But innovation is like Jello. It's hard to define, and it is even harder for most brands to wrap their hands around. Tiffani Bova is here to help. Tiffani is the Global Customer Growth and Innovation Evangelist for Salesforce, and is focused on helping companies reimagine how they can not only grow bigger, but grow better with innovative business models and technology. She is an influential leader and keynote speaker. She is recognized as a strong inf

Welcome to episode #577 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #577 - Host: Mitch Joel. There is no future of work if all brands don't truly understand how to win the war for talent and what employees want (and expect). It's no longer just about the job, but their workspaces, the tools they will have access to, and how it will, ultimately, help them advance on their professional route. Jacob Morgan was tired of bad jobs and worse bosses, so he set off on his own to learn, research and share how work is evolving. Now, he's become one of the world's leading authorities on the future of work with his company, <a href= "https://thefutureorga

Welcome to episode #576 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #576 - Host: Mitch Joel. If you are responsible for being creative (and, who isn't these days), there are few that are more inspiring than Jeff Goins. He believes that we all have a creative gift worth sharing with the world. And that is our art (and yes, work is art too!). So, whether you are grappling with a business idea, are thinking about writing a book, or there's a project you want to create, Jeff has amazing insights into how to get that work out and into the world. Plus, if you're more of a traditional artists, he believes that you don't have to starve to do it. His latest book is called, <a href= "htt

Welcome to episode #575 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #575 - Host: Mitch Joel. He has quickly become one of the most interesting people that I know. Ryan Holiday is a strategist and writer. To me he is really becoming one of the best writers on the state of business and growth that there is. He seems to lead two lives. In one life, he's an astute marketer that has released bestselling books like Trust Me, I'm Lying and Growth Hacker Marketing. In another life (that he seems to running at the same time) he's taking ancient stoic philosophy and making it cool again with his wi

Welcome to episode #574 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #574 - Host: Mitch Joel. When Seth Godin recommends a guest for your show, one should listen. In the decade-plus that Six Pixels of Separation has been running, Seth has never recommended a guest until now (and I am so grateful and thankful that he did!). I've been a fan and follower of Bernadette Jiwa for some time now. Most recently, Bernadette published her newest book, Hunch - Turn Your Everyday Insights Into The Next Big Thing. She is also the author of five other bestselling books (<a href=

Welcome to episode #573 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #573 - Host: Mitch Joel. I'm not sure that I have ever met someone who has had as many conversations and interviews as I have. I'm not sure that I have ever met someone who has had this many conversations with successful work individuals to figure out what makes them tick. This is the primary project that Corey Poirier is working on. His show, Conversations With Passion! and The Passion Cure features insights from the some of the world's mos

Welcome to episode #572 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #572 - Host: Mitch Joel. He was in the trenches when Facebook was really growing and figuring itself out. After working directly for Andy Grove at Intel and as general manager of the Intel Inside program, Mike Hoefflinger moved to Facebook to serve as Head of Global Business Marketing working with Sh

Welcome to episode #571 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #571 - Host: Mitch Joel. He's a consummate entrepreneur. Not just in starting businesses, but in thinking about how businesses can really (and strategically) acquire customers with a different angle than traditional marketing thinking. Sean Ellis is the founder and CEO of GrowthHackers. And, yes, he is the person who coined the now buzzy term, "growth hacking" back in 2010. Prior to GrowthHackers, Sean was head of marketing at LogMeIn and Uproar, when both companies went fr

Welcome to episode #570 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #570 - Host: Mitch Joel. Charlene Li is a Principal Analyst at Altimeter, a Prophet company. Many people know her best as the co-author of the groundbreaking book on digital marketing and social media, Groundswell (which was named one of the best business books in 2008). She is also the author of the New York Times bestsellers, Open Leadership and <a href="http:/

Welcome to episode #569 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #569 - Host: Mitch Joel. When I think about the future of marketing agencies and what it will take for them to thrive and flourish, I think of Peter Levitan. Peter owned his own agency, he bought and sold three agencies, he worked for one of the largest advertising agencies in the world in New York and London, he's pitched (and won) large accounts all over the world, he's been client-side, and he currently consults and advises agencies of all stripes on how to win new business. If that were not enough, he wrote an incredible book on marketing agency business development (that I love and have re-read on

Welcome to episode #568 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #568 - Host: Mitch Joel. Tom Asacker is one of my favourite voices on the subject of branding and what corporations do to make consumers believe in their products and services. He is the bestselling author of The Business of Belief, Opportunity Screams, A Little Less Conversation and <a href= "http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/097252908X/humanfactorma

Welcome to episode #567 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #567 - Host: Mitch Joel. This young man has lead an fascinating career, and he's just getting started. Jay Acunzo was head of content at HubSpot, a media strategist at Google and ran content marketing for a venture capital firm. If anyone has seen how content marketing has grown along with digital marketing, it's Jay Acunzo. He's an award-winning podcaster, keynote speaker, and a guy bothered by conventional thinking. Jay truly believes that the tried-and-true creates stale work. Now, as he's host of the popular audio docum

Welcome to episode #566 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #566 - Host: Mitch Joel. Terry O'Reilly is a legendary adman and radio broadcaster. In Canada, he is one of the most recognized authorities on great advertising, award-winning copywriting and host of two hit radio series. In 1990, he co-founded Pirate Radio & Television. He was won, literally, hundreds of awards for his writing and directing. He believes in the strength of powerful words, emotion in marketing and how to outsmart the competition without outspending them. He is author of two books, <a href= "https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0031TZAIE/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_

Welcome to episode #565 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #565 - Host: Mitch Joel. Thomas Barta recently co-authored the business book, The 12 Powers Of A Marketing Leader - How to succeed by building customer and company value. Barta is a former McKinsey Partner with over 20 years of marketing experience, and considered is a marketing leadership-pioneer. He speaks, writes, and conducts leadership workshops worldwide, while continuing his research into what works in business, leadership and marketing today. Barta's research-based concept of Marke

Welcome to episode #564 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #564 - Host: Mitch Joel. Piers Fawkes spends - what seems like - an awesome amount of time searching out trends, building data, publishing reports and curating news from around the world. There is a focus and his work does split off into business related verticals like design, travel, retail, advertising and more. Still his daily e-newsletters provide a vast swath of perspective, ideas and demonstrates the true creativity in business of our world today. I have long been a fan of his company, PSFK. And, along with running an incredible conference (check out

Welcome to episode #563 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #563 - Host: Mitch Joel. The future of us humans connecting to technology will not be about the web or mobile. It will all take place in some kind of virtual reality. That future is happening faster than most of us would care to admit. Whether it will be virtual, augmented or mixed reality... that is yet to be defined. We're at that unique moment in time. Remember when we were not sure if the web was going to be called the Internet, the information superhighway, the web, etc...? Two thinkers and doers on this, exact, subject are Shel Israel and Robe

Welcome to episode #562 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #562 - Host: Mitch Joel. When a business and marketing professional asks me which thinker and author they should be paying more attention to, I immediately respond with Adam Alter. His first book, Drunk Tank Pink, was a fascinating journey into the relationship between the forces of our environment and how it shapes the outcomes of our lives. His latest book, Irresistible, looks at how addictive all of our technology is, and why businesses need for it to be this way (and how they keep us hooked).

Welcome to episode #561 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #561 - Host: Mitch Joel. Doug Stephens is one of the world's foremost retail industry futurists. His work and thinking has influenced some of the world's best-known retailers, agencies and brands. Prior to founding Retail Prophet, Doug spent over 20 years as a professional in the retail industry. He is the author of two business books: The Retail Revival - Re-Imagining Business for the New Age of Consumerism and his latest, <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Reengineering-Retail-Future-Selling-Post-Digit

Welcome to episode #560 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #560 - Host: Mitch Joel. Beyond the fact that I enjoy the vast amount of time that I get to personally spend with Tom Webster, he also happens to be one of the smartest (and most sarcastic) brains that I know (and love). He has spent well over two decades telling stories with numbers about consumer behaviour and media as the VP of Strategy at Edison Research (the company that provides all of the exit polling data for the networks during the U.S. elections and primaries). At Edison, he's also one of leads behind their long-standing, <a href= "http://www.edisonresearch.

Welcome to episode #559 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #559 - Host: Mitch Joel. Some might say that Mark Schaefer was late to the game when it comes to social media and personal brand building. Still, in short order, he has built a substantive and valuable personal platform and engaged community. Mark is still an avid blogger (like me). He is a podcaster (check out The Marketing Companion). He is a professor of marketing at Rutgers. He is an active consultant. Mark is a passiona

Welcome to episode #558 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #558 - Host: Mitch Joel. Whether it's online, in person or just consuming his content, I always enjoy the time I spend with Mark Bowden. He's perfectly engaging, entertaining and there's always something to learn. There is this powerful notion that success comes not from what we say, but what we do and how we say it. The power of communications can never be questioned. Especially, when you work in the world of marketing and advertising. Few people truly have the expertise of Mark Bowden. He has developed cutting-edge techniques to stand out, win trust and grow profits through the power of

Welcome to episode #557 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #557 - Host: Mitch Joel. When the state of media, news, broadcasting and digital channels creates more confusion than better solutions, there are few big brains I'd rather sit and discuss this with than Douglas Rushkoff. Simply put: Douglas Rushkoff makes my brain hurt, because he is so smart. His latest book, Throwing Rocks At The Google Bus, is about to come out on paperback, and it will make your head spin too. Not to be a contrarian for contrarian's sake, this Media Theorist also happens to understand the underpinning

Welcome to episode #556 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #556 - Host: Mitch Joel. He has one of the most profoundly powerful stories about how to grow a complex (and regional) business using everything from social media to marketing automation. It has worked so well for him, that he went from selling swimming pools (which he still does) to helping other businesses understand how to leverage this amazing moment in time to grow a business (which he spends the bulk of his work time on). Marcus Sheridan is an incredible human being. Not just because of how he transformed River Pools And Spas into a thriving

Welcome to episode #555 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #555 - Host: Mitch Joel. When it comes to celebrity and athletes winning at social media, many point to Oliver Luckett. Oliver Luckett is a technology entrepreneur and currently CEO of ReviloPark, a global culture accelerator. He has served as Head of Innovation at the Walt Disney Company and co-founder of video sharing platform Revver. As CEO of theAudience, Luckett worked with clients such as <a href="https://barackob

Welcome to episode #554 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #554 - Host: Mitch Joel. Sometimes, in life, you get lucky. You meet someone that you have always admired, and you become fast friends. I've been with my talent bureau for over a decade (hey Speaker's Spotlight). Each year they have a holiday party for staff, speakers and friends. I always have the best of intentions to go, but I've never been. This past December, I finally went. While standing in the darkish and loud office space, Neil Pasricha came over and introduced himself. I've known about Neil for a long while. I knew him as the hugely

Welcome to episode #553 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #553 - Host: Mitch Joel. James Altucher is one of the best non-fiction writers that I know. He writes quality. He writes quantity. He has a lot of material. He is a trader, investor, writer, and entrepreneur. His bio is an impressive one. He was an investor in Buddy Media (which sold to Salesforce for about $800 million) as well as bitly. His latest book is called, <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Reinvent-Yourself-Jam

Welcome to episode #552 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #552 - Host: Mitch Joel. His latest book is called, Utopia Is Creepy And Other Provocations. It could, literally, be translated as "Our World Is Creepy"... and that's the point. Nicholas Carr is one of the brightest thinkers on how technology impacts our lives. His perceptive on how culture and technology come together can best be understood by reading his best-selling books, The Shallows, The Big Switch, <a href="http://www.nicholascarr.c

Welcome to episode #551 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #551 - Host: Mitch Joel. I know Danny Iny as a kind-hearted, gentle and generous soul. Many others know Danny as the founder of Mirasse. We first met when he was putting his book, Engagement from Scratch! in 2011. Slowly, over time, we would meet for coffee and talk about our growing businesses. To watch Danny's business grow has been a true joy. Mirasse helps people build better courses online. Not those shoddy ones... Danny and his team are all about tr

Welcome to episode #550 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #550 - Host: Mitch Joel. How do you operate in teams and groups? Do you feel like an insider or an outsider? Do you like the open-floor concept at the office? Do you have kids? Are people constantly pushing to get them to "come out of their shell"? Like to spend time alone and read? Like private time to do your work on your own? Do you think that collaboration is over-rated? Would you rather spend time alone than out at a networking event? My friend, Susan Cain, built momentum on her incredibly popular book, Quiet - The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't

Welcome to episode #549 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #549 - Host: Mitch Joel. Let's start this new year off right, shall we? He's back! Google's Digital Marketing Evangelist, bestselling author (Web Analytics - An Hour A Day and Web Analytics 2.0), powerful blogger (Occam's Razor), friend and marketing big brain, Avinash Kaushik. His monthly posts may as well be business books, and his insights into what should really count today for marketing is refreshing. He's got an attitude, he is fu

Welcome to episode #548 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #548 - Host: Mitch Joel. What comes after advertising? Is there anything after advertising? How will a $500-plus billion dollar a year industry evolve? This is the question that Catharine Hays (along with her co-author, Jerry Wind) tried to tackle in their book, Beyond Advertising - Creating Value Through All Customer Touchpoints. Catharine is the founding Director of the Future of Advertising Program at the Wharton School. The program is

Welcome to episode #547 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #547 - Host: Mitch Joel. Well, that was a pretty insane 2016, wasn't it? And, not just from a political standpoint (but, yes, that too). In an effort to change mindsets, think differently about 2017 and get some insights that may spark a change in your thinking, Seth Godin agreed to come on the show, and talk about where he sees the world, where the opportunity lies and how to think about this coming year with optimism (or, as he calls it, realism). Seth just published a monster of a book. Yes, big ideas (that's what he does), but this time he packed it into an even bigger format. The book is hef

Welcome to episode #546 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #546 - Host: Mitch Joel. Chris Kutarna's life has been a fascinating and global journey of both personal discovery and of sharing how our world's connectedness is changing everything. He's the co-author of an amazing book called, Age of Discovery - Navigating the Risks and Rewards of Our New Renaissance, that he co-authroed with Ian Goldin. Born Saskatchewan, on the Canadian Prairies, he's lived in places like Australia and New Zealand. He's a fellow of the Oxford Martin School</a

Welcome to episode #545 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #545 - Host: Mitch Joel. Very few business thinkers have influenced me as much as Michael Gerber. His best-selling book, The E-Myth, made me rethink everything (from a business and a motivational perspective). It also came at the perfect time... just as Twist Image (now Mirum) was starting to take shape. Originally published in 1995, and now available in fifteen languages, The E-Myth Revisited has become the indispensable handbook for millions of small business

Welcome to episode #544 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #544 - Host: Mitch Joel. It's not just fake news. The entire media business is in a tailspin now. The last United States Presidential Election called into question what, exactly, is going on with journalism? Facts vs. opinions. Left side vs. right side.  Traditional media vs. the digital marketplace.The entire world of journalism is being called into question. Who is responsible for fake news? Who should pay for journalism? How do we navigate, in a world where our most trusted sources were a huge part of how slanted our perceptions of the world are? So many questions. My professional career started off in journalism (this was prior to becoming both a p

Welcome to episode #543 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #543 - Host: Mitch Joel. My friend, Rohit Bhargava is a "non-obvious" trend curator, founder of the Influential Marketing Group, and an expert in helping brands and leaders be more influential. He is the bestselling author of five business books on topics as wide ranging as the future of business, building a brand with personality, and why leaders never eat cauliflower (check out Likeonomics, Personality Not Included</

Welcome to episode #542 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Our team at Mirum has launched a interesting program for InterContinental Hotels & Resorts. It's a series that takes places across multiple InterContinental properties to tell stories that will get consumers excited about what travel brings into their lives (beyond visiting a different city or country). The first part of this program has been focused on the theme of "fascination." With that, our team connected with famed bestselling author, Julie Klam, at the <a href= "http

Welcome to episode #541 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. You can't turn down the chance to have a chat with legendary advertising professional, Alex Bogusky. Yes, he was on the cover of Fast Company magazine. Yes, he's been called the Steve Jobs of advertising. Alex joined famed ad agency, Crispin and Porter, in 1989. In just five years, the agency was renamed Crispin Porter + Bogusky and grew to more than 1000 employees with billings over one billion dollars. Under Alex's leadership, the agency became the most awarded advertising agency in the world. They are the only agency to have won the <a href="

Welcome to episode #540 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. I have been blown away by Jay Sankey. He's a magician who has managed to do some pretty amazing and impossible things. I'm not just talking about the 700-plus illusions he has invented over his incredible career. I'm not just talking about the fact that David Copperfield, Criss Angel and David Blaine have performed his illusions. He knows so much about business, marketing and storytelling that this could be one of the important things any business professional might listen to this year. (and that's not hyperbole) With close to 200,000 subscribers to his Sankey Magic YouTube channe

Welcome to episode #539 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. I love this guy. What more can I say? Everything he puts out into the world, I feel like I want to connect with more. From the guests on his amazing show, Good Life Project Radio, to his company, Good Life Project. He puts together an amazing summer camp experience for adults (Camp Good Life Project) and just published an incredibly powerful book, How To Live A Good Life. Prior to this book, Jonathan Fields, also wrote the book, Uncertainty, and has published <a href="http://www.jona

Welcome to episode #538 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Alan Moore is a designer, author, thinker and believer. Some may think our work should be our art. Moore believes that we should approach it more like a craft, and think about how design is weaved through everything that we do. I first came across Alan's work when he did a Do Lecture. It was followed up with a book called, Do Design (which is an excellent read). He calls himself a maker and a business innovator. He is someone who is deeply passionate about the current and future state of business. His other two excellent books are Communites Dominate Brands a

Welcome to episode #537 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Seth Godin calls John Jantsch, "the Peter Drucker of small business marketing tactics." John is known to many as the Duct Tape Marketing guy. He's built a pretty powerful empire helping small business owners to grow. Over the years, he's built a booming business called Duct Tape Marketing that includes consulting, training, education and much more. He's a phenomenal speaker and the author of many bestselling business books, including Duct Tape Marketing, The Referral Engine, <a href="http://making

Welcome to episode #536 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Full disclosure: I love this guy. Ron Tite is a dear friend. We text. We chat. We go for dinner. I like him. Not just in Facebook like kind of way... I really, really like him. Man crush! He's also a fellow marketing agency professional. He's been in the trenches as long as I have, and has been through it all. He's currently heading up his own content marketing agency called, The Tite Group. We don't just commiserate when we're together. We celebrate. We both feel extremely fortunate to be doing the work that we're doing. The similarities don't stop there. Ron Tite is a world class speaker on something he calls, The Experience Economy. He's a lover of all things stand-up come

Welcome to episode #535 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Time sometimes forgets the name of those that we should never forget. It may be easy to point to a book or author as a form of inspiration. For me, I happened stumble upon a magical magazine in the early days called, Fast Company. That magazine got my engines going. It helped me to learn, think and imagine a better kind of business world. I still never miss a print issue, and will visit their website daily for more insights. Most know William C. Taylor (known to most as Bill Taylor), as an amazing speaker, journalist and author. Mavericks At Works and Practically Radical were not on

Welcome to episode #534 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Is there a formula to creating a winning brand? I used to think this was a silly notion. Similar to when a client wants to create something that goes viral. Then, back in 2010, I read an amazing book by Sally Hogshead called, Fascinate. To this day, it is one of the most thoughtful and actionable books on how to captivate an audience through the power of persuasion. After this book, Hogshead published another best-selling gem called, How The World Sees You. This book really inspired a new direction in how I create content, because of how it focused so deeply not on what I was trying to accomplish, but rather my perception as others define it. Throug

Welcome to episode #533 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. If ever there was a"brother from another mother" in my life and professional journey, it could well be Jason Miller. By day, he is the author of the Amazon bestseller, Welcome to the Funnel - Proven Tactics to Turn Your Social Media and Content Marketing up to 11. By day, he also leads global content and social initiatives for LinkedIn Marketing Solutions helping marketers understand how to use LinkedIn to achieve their marketing goals and deliver real ROI. Previously he ran social media strategy at Marketo and was respon

Welcome to episode #532 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Jenny Blake had it all. She lived in the Silicon Valley and had an amazing opportunity to work at Google (where she spent five years doing training, coaching and career development). She did that. It wasn't fulfilling enough for her, so she moved to New York and started working as a speaker, business strategist, executive coach... and now, an author for the second time. Her new book is called Pivot (her first book was called, Life After College). She sees her role as helping individuals (at every stage in their career) figure out how to achieve the most impact from the work that they do. She believes that our work can inspire a bigger life, and th

Welcome to episode #531 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Podcasting continues to grow and develop into an important media channel. I've been podcasting every week for over a decade, so it's always interesting to see news like the IAB and Edison Research released this week about podcasting's explosive growth (Podcast Advertising Study 2016). Another podcast that many people love is The Unmistakable Creative. The host is Srinivas Rao and he recently published a book titled, Unmistakable - Why Only Is Better Than B

Welcome to episode #530 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Chuck Martin nearly saved my life. You will have to listen to the show to find out why. It's true. He is also a bestselling author, CEO of Net Future Institute, and I see him every single day in my inbox, because he's also the Editor of MediaPost's amazing IoT Daily, where he writes about how all of our devices will be connected to one another - and the net - and what this means for our homes, businesses and technology. He's really done it all. He is a former Vice President of IBM, an amazing speaker, and as the founding Publisher of Interactive Age, associate publis

Welcome to episode #529 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Some people you just want to become friends with in this industry. I've had the pleasure of meeting thousands of professionals over the years. There are (sadly) a lot of fake folks running around. Nick Westergaard is one of those true friends. He's the real deal. That's who is. He really wants to be friends and help your business do better. There's nothing more endearing than someone who is that passionate. He's also a person who sticks to his words, and wants marketing to make the world a better place. Nick is a strategist, speaker, author and teacher. He runs a boutique firm called, Brand Driven Digital, and recently released a great book, <a hre

Welcome to episode #528 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. This past week was a tough one for me, and owe Jason Keath a huge apology. I was supposed to be one of the main speakers at his incredible Social Fresh conference (which took place over this weekend in Orlando, Florida). I had a sudden and scary medical issue come up that precluded me from travel, and I had to cancel on him (and another event, out in Los Angeles). It's a terrible feeling knowing that you are letting someone down. That is only made worse, when it's someone as kind as Jason. Thankfully, Sally Hogshead came to our rescue (thanks, Sally... you're the best!), but still... it sucks. Jason works hard as the founder and CEO of Social Fresh Conference. He has a

Welcome to episode #527 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Jackie Huba had it all (and still does). She had three bestselling books on marketing and customer loyalty (please tell me that you own Monster Loyatly - her book on Lady Gaga, Citizen Marketers and Creating Customer Evangelists), while becoming one of the more popular public speakers on the subjects. Then, her personal live changed, and she began questioning the work that she was doing. She needed to find another level of confidence. She found that in the drag queen movement. Through research and personal interest, she uncovered something truly fascinating: drag quee

Welcome to episode #526 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. I could not be more excited. When anyone uses the term "Futurist," there is only one name that comes to mind: Kevin Kelly. If you have not read his latest book, The Inevitable - Understanding The 12 Technological Forces That Will Shape Our World, you are truly missing out on the opportunity to read and understand what new businesses are going to thrive (and which ones are going to die). Kevin is the Senior Maverick at Wired magazine. He co-founded the magazine in 1993, and served as its Executive Editor for its first seven years. He is also founding editor of the Cool Tools website, which has been reviewing tools daily since 2003. From 1984-1990 Ke

Welcome to episode #525 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Some know Ryan Holiday as a media strategist, while others know him as a PR machine. Others know him as a speaker, and some know him as a bestselling author. Recently, it seems, Ryan has decided to focus on being a thoughtful non-fiction writer. His efforts have been paying off. His latest book, Ego Is The Enemy, has quickly become a huge bestseller. His last book, The Obstacle Is The Way, exploded as well, as many professional athletes (especially in the NFL) latched on to his modern take on stoicism. It may not seem obvious, but Ryan is looking back on an ancient form of philosophy and mo

Welcome to episode #524 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. These days, you can't throw a business professional down a flight of stairs without the words "digital transformation" tumbling out of their mouths. Every business, in every space (small, medium and large) is faced with how digital is transforming the very landscape of business today. When I think of digital transformation and what it takes, I think about David Rogers. Recently, David published his latest book, The Digital Transformation Playbook. David is a Columbia Business School professor, brand strategist, and the founder of the Center on Global Brand Leadership's acclaimed <a hre

Welcome to episode #523 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. One of the most fascinating writers on the scene these days is Maria Konnikova. She's a regular columnist at The New Yorker who focuses on the intersection of psychology and culture. It's playful, fascinating and deeply relevant to those thinking about consumers and how to grow your business. Recently, she published a book titled, The Confidence Game, in an effort to unpack why we get fooled by others and how we deal with that when it happens. She's also the author of Mastermind - How To Thnk Like Sherlock Holmes (which came out in 2013). It's one thing when somebody w

Welcome to episode #522 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. It used to be that an individual could write a business book and leverage that medium to become an international celebrity. It still happens, just not as much as it used to. The barrier to entry has been lowered (almost anybody can write a book and self-publish it these days). The intrinsic value of writing a business book has changed as well (the entire book publishing industry is still in the midst of massive disruption). With that, many people - each and every day - try to write a bestselling book. Few will achieve what Nicholas Boothman has done with books like How To Make People Like You in 90 Seconds (or less), Convince Them in 90 Seconds (or less)

Welcome to episode #521 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. I won't lie to you, this one of the toughest conversations for this podcast that I have ever had. I'm a middle-aged, white male who lives in North America, and have been fortunate enough to do quite well in the industry that I love. I'm not apologetic about my efforts, but I am well-aware that I hit the genetic lottery. Jack Myers is in a similar boat. He's the founder of Media Village and has written many books (including Virtual Worlds, <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Reconnecting-Customers-Building-Profits-Relationship/dp/188823248X?ie=UTF8&*V

Welcome to episode #520 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. One of the world's foremost thinkers on the subject of better communications and presentations is Nancy Duarte. She has been on the show countless times. If you ever need to really study and deep dive into what makes a truly persuasive presentation, you won't find better business books than Slide:ology, Resonate, HBR Guide To Persuasive Presentations, Slidedocs, and her latest, Illuminate. Illuminate was co-written with <a href= "http://www.duarte.com/team/pat

Welcome to episode #519 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Nothing makes me happier than when people that I deeply admire and respect come out with a new book. I don't know about you, but I love everything about the deep dive that a rich and enjoyable business book has to offer. One of the thinkers that never lets me down is Jonah Berger. Berger is a marketing professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and bestselling author of Contagious - Why Things Catch On and, most recently, Invisible Influence - The Hidden Forces that Shape Behavior. In his new book, Berger looks at the subtle and secret influences that impact our choices. It'

Welcome to episode #518 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. How many of you have experienced a boss who, literally, changed your life? Someone who helped you accomplish more than you could have ever imagined? The stuff of dreams. A dream boss. These are not unicorns. These mortals exist, and they are living among us. The challenge, of course, is that we simply need that much more of them. Super brain, Sydney Finkelstein, has been studying these leaders and he wrote a book about them: Superbosses - How Exceptional Leaders Master the Flow of Talent. Sydney Finkelstein is the Steven Roth Professor of Management, and Associate Dean for Executive Education, at the Tu

Welcome to episode #517 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. If you can just make them laugh. It's powerful. Even for the most serious of businesses. Adding a component of humor can be a very powerful business advantage. This is the work (and world) of David Nihill. His company, Funny Bizz, exists to add an edge of humour to your content and a mission to abolish boring content. Nihill also runs the Funny Bizz Conference and is the author of Do You Talk Funny - 7 Comedy Habits to Become a Better (and Funnier) Public Speaker (a great book about adding comedy to your presentation skills). David knows what it takes to wake up cont

Welcome to episode #516 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. When it comes to innovation, one of the most provocative voices in the field is Michael Schrage. It may seem obvious to us now that innovation is when consumer's accept new products and services, but this wasn't always a commonly-held belief (until Michael brought it forward). Ever hear of rapid-prototyping? What about simulations and modelling to improve ROI on innovation investments? All of this thinking was brought into our world by Michael. A research fellow at the MIT Sloan School's Center for Digital Business, author of books like The Innovator's Hypothesis, <a href= "http

Welcome to episode #515 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. This is where I typically wax poetic about this week's guest. This time, I think Farnam Street's chief, curator and smarty pants, Shane Parrish, can best explain who he is: "My goal is to help you go to bed each night smarter than when you woke up. I'll do this by giving you tools, ideas, and frameworks for thinking. I'm not smart enough to figure all of this out myself. I try to master the best of what other people have already figured out. Sounds simple, doesn't it? The best way to do this is to read a lot. And so I make friends with the eminent dead. Along the way I write about what I'm learning." I could not be a bigger fan of the Farnam

Welcome to episode #514 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. He's got a big brain, and he's always thinking about marketing, advertising and brands. You can hear the excitement in his voice. Martin Lindstrom was made for this business. He has a unique sense of curiosity mixed with academics and layers it all on top with science. He doesn't guess why people make the choices that they make. He dives in deep and cracks the nut open as to why. In a world of big data and analytics, Martin's latest book is, Small Data - The Tiny Clues That Uncover Huge Trends, and it bucks the system with his global perspective and pioneering research. He is a New York Times and The Wall Street Journal</a

Welcome to episode #513 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Social media is becoming very complicated. From Prince's death to global news moments, brands are being pushed to be ever-more careful when, how and what they post in social media spaces. Famed marketing author and speaker, David Meerman Scott, coined the phrase "newsjacking." It an opportune moment for brands to capture attention from something major that is happening in the media for their own gain. I'm (somewhat) skeptical of it, but I'm a big fan of David's work. So, what

Welcome to episode #512 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. The technology behind Bitcoin is something called Blockchain. Many think of it as a complex new way that technology works and connects information and value to consumers. Legendary digital thinker, Don Tapscott, believes it's going to change our world - much in the same way that he predicted (back in 1994) that we would have a digital economy. For his latest book, Blockchain Revolution, he teamed up with his son, Alex Tapscott. Don wrote books like Wikinomics, Grown Up Dig

Welcome to episode #511 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Tim Sanders spends his career on the cutting edge. He was an early stage member of Mark Cuban and Todd Wagner's broadcast.com, which had the largest opening day IPO in history. After Yahoo acquired the company, Tim was tapped to lead their ValueLab, which enabled sales teams to close hundreds of millions of dollars of new business through rapid collaboration. By 2001, he rose to the position of Chief Solutions Officer and later, the company's Leadership Coach. In 2005, he founded Deeper Media, which provides consulting and

Welcome to episode #510 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #510 - Host: Mitch Joel. Joseph Jaffe is widely regarded as one of the top marketing bloggers (Jaffe Juice) and podcasters (both Jaffe Juice in audio and Jaffe Juice TV in video). He is the author of four excellent books (Life After The 30-Second Spot, Join The Conversation, Flip The Funnel and <a href= "http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1166290269/zero-zero-paid-media-as-the-new-market

Welcome to episode #509 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #509 - Host: Mitch Joel. There's a reason Michael Bungay Stanier's first book, Do More Great Work, has sold close to 100,000 copies. It's small, but do not let the size of it fool you. If you're stuck. If you're not sure if you're focusing on what's important. You need to read that book. I don't even know how many copies of that book I have passed along to friends and colleagues. Then, Michael asked me to be one of the participants in a compilation book called, End Malar

Welcome to episode #508 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #508 - Host: Mitch Joel. I have said it before. I will say it again. Christopher S. Penn is a deadly weapon... and I mean that in the kindest sense of the saying. Yes, he's a practicing Martial Artist, but he's a more dangerous marketing weapon. He's that rare breed of deeply tech savvy professional combined with an understanding of marketing that will make your head spin. His full-time job is as the Vice President of Marketing Technology at SHIFT Communications, but he's also one of the co-founders of <a href= "http://podcamp.pbworks.com/w/page/17

Welcome to episode #507 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #507 - Host: Mitch Joel. It's always a pleasure to welcome Jay Baer back to the show. We don't always agree, but we both do love marketing in this modern age. Jay is back with a brand new book called, Hug Your Haters. The book is being described as a modern day approach to customer service. Jay says that customer service is the new marketing (a point we debate on this episode). Jay's last business book was Youtility. And, as if that weren't enough, he turned his blog, <a href= "http://www.convincean

Welcome to episode #506 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #506 - Host: Mitch Joel. What will near-to-future technologies do to change business as we know it? Better question: how are these technologies already being used in business? These are the questions that journalist, strategist, consultant and author, John C. Havens has been investigating. His latest business book is called, Heartificial Intelligence, and it looks at what our world could look like, if we don't begin figuring out what robots and machine learning-based business landscapes could look like. Marrying technology, economics, psychology an

Welcome to episode #505 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #505 - Host: Mitch Joel. We have learned a lot in the past few years about what works in business. We have companies' valuations explode with massive growth. We've also re-invented the spaces that we work in. So, how has it all worked out? Do open-floor plans really work, or do they make employees miserable? Are there companies which really put their employees' welfare first, and their clients second?  Are annual performance reviews really necessary? These are just some of the questions that Dr. David Burkus has been trying to answer. The culmination is his second book, <a href= "http://davidburkus.com/books

Welcome to episode #504 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #504 - Host: Mitch Joel. Simply put: Douglas Rushkoff makes my brain hurt, because he is so smart. He recently published his latest book, Throwing Rocks At The Google Bus, and it will make your head spin too. All of our assumptions about disruption, the digital economy, unicorns, valuations, and how all of this technological innovation has evolved will be questioned. Not to be a contrarian for contrarian's sake, this Media Scholar also happens to understand the underpinnings of our economy, and it will startle you. The bo

Welcome to episode #503 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #503 - Host: Mitch Joel. He's back! Google's Digital Marketing Evangelist, bestselling author (Web Analytics - An Hour A Day and Web Analytics 2.0), powerful blogger (Occam's Razor), friend and marketing big brain, Avinash Kaushik. His monthly posts may as well be business books, and his insights into what should really count today for marketing is refreshing. He's got an attitude, he is full of passion, and he has some ideas about what

Welcome to episode #502 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #502 - Host: Mitch Joel. Every so often, someone (on Twitter, Facebook or whatever) asks if there are any good books for conducting a meeting? For me, there is only one such book, and it's Al Pittampalli's, Read This Before Our Next Meeting: The Modern Meeting Standard for Successful Organizations. To make it even better, it's a quick and simple read too. I was thrilled to see that Al is back with his second book, <a href= "http://www.alpitt.com/persuadab

Welcome to episode #501 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #501 - Host: Mitch Joel. It's Valentine's Day. Let's show some love. This guy... this Scott Monty guy. Long before he was Global Digital and Multimedia Communications Manager at Ford, he was a buddy. We spent countless years together - in our own corners - trying to figure out just how disruptive technology was going to be for marketing and communications professions. Prior to publishing the 500th episode of Six Pixels of Separation - The Mirum Podcast (last week), I asked on Facebook who might make a great guest, and Scott's

Welcome to episode #500 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #500 - Host: Mitch Joel. It is a total pleasure to welcome Morgan Spurlock to the show. Most people know him for his amazing documentaries (Super Size Me, Where in the World Is Osama bin Laden?, POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope and <a href="http://www.1dthisi

Welcome to episode #499 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #499 - Host: Mitch Joel. I have been blessed. Don't think that I don't recognize it. I do. I'm still insanely driven and hyper-entrepreneurial, so I'm not always satisfied, but I am grateful. I get to spend a lot of time with people that many business leaders would spend fortunes to connect with. Over the years, I've done my best to give back as well. Nothing is more fulfilling than speaking to students who are interested in business, innovation, technology and marketing. I happen to live in the same city as McGill University. Professor Karl Moore is not only an Associ

Welcome to episode #498 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #498 - Host: Mitch Joel. Bob Pearson first came on to my radar when he published his first business book, PreCommerce, in 2011. Bob is known in the digital marketing industry as a true innovator and someone who believes (deeply) in the power of analytics and pragmatism to drive better business results (with a heavy slant towards public relations and communications). With that, he is president of W20 Group, and putting the finishing touches on his

Welcome to episode #497 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Joseph Jaffe is widely regarded as one of the top marketing bloggers (Jaffe Juice) and podcasters (both Jaffe Juice in audio and Jaffe Juice TV in video). He is the author of four excellent books (Life After The 30-Second Spot, Join The Conversation, Flip The Funnel and Z.E.R.O.) and his latest business venture is, Evol8tion. A long-time friend (and one of the main inspirations behind the Si

Welcome to episode #496 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast.  Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast - Episode #496 - Host: Mitch Joel. Famed marketing journalist, Bob Garfield, was waxing poetic about a book called, The Digital Transformation Playbook, by Columbia Business School professor and brand strategist, David Rogers. He is also the founder of the Center on Global Brand Leadership's acclaimed BRITE conference

Welcome to episode #495 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. The book Madison Avenue Manslaughter - An Inside View of Fee-Cutting Clients, Profit-Hungry Owners and Declining Ad Agencies, has been sitting - front and center - on my desk since it was released in June of last year. I've been reading it slowly. Very slowly. Trying to deconstruct and define the path for both my agency, Mirum, and this industry that I love so dearly. There is trouble in the air. Disruption is racing through the marketing industry at a pace that is unprecedented. I'm not sure anyone saw the myriad of ways that the agency model is being pushed, pulled, stretched, consolidated and digitized. The author of Madison Avenue Manslaughter is Michae

Welcome to episode #494 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. The last time that I saw Misha Glouberman was in the mid-eighties. We went to high school together (he was three years older than I was). I had not heard his name until the other week, when our Executive Creative Director at Mirum, Jon Finkelstein, asked me if I ever read the book, The Chairs Are Where the People Go: How to Live, Work, and Play in the City, which was co-authored with Sheila Heti and is a collection of his thoughts. The book was called "a triumph of what might be called conversational philosophy... hilarious and humane" by <a href=

Welcome to episode #493 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Ian Chamandy (along with his business partner, Ken Aber) recently published a business book titled, Why Should I Choose You? The book is based on their strategic planning methodology that helps brands define who they are... in seven words or less (not a typo). Their unique methodology (known as Blueprinting) help businesses put aside the typical jargon-based mission and vision statements that no team member can ever understand (and few implement). Once your brand knows - in seven words or less -who they are (and why they are), they can now use it to guide better decisions within the organization, and take better action. Business has changed and brands need to formulate messaging and strateg

Welcome to episode #492 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Simon Sinek created something much bigger than a splash when his TEDx Talk in 2009, How Great Leaders Inspire Action, garnered over twenty-five million views (and continues to grow). Around this time first business book, Start With Why, took hold and more recently, he published his second book, Leaders Eat Last. He's an optimist. He believes that business leaders can (and should) do more to make our world a better place. This is his mission, and he's working diligently to get all leaders to think about purpose... or their "why."

Welcome to episode #491 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. It takes quite a bit to get my attention when it comes to business and non-fiction books. Make no mistake about it, I'm no book snob, but rather a huge reader (almost two books a week). You get to a point (decades in), when you begin to wonder if you will ever read something new, delicious, fascinating and exciting. Then came along a non-fiction parenting book that summarizes social science research on how media affects kids and also provides parents facts and tools - in a realistic manner - about how to best deal with the onslaught we're facing when it comes to devices and the media that we both consumer and create. The book is called, Media Moms & Digital Dads, and the author is Dr.

Welcome to episode #490 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. It's hard not be impressed with the work and thinking of Josh Bernoff. For over twenty years, Josh was a key player at Forrester Research, where he wrote about, edited papers and studied companies involved in the future of technology. His work there was a key destination to better understand the players, what they were doing, and how this would affect business. His work for hugely important... and continues to be. At Forrester, Josh co-authored the famed business bestseller, Groundswell, with Charlene Li (as well as co-authoring the books, <a href= "http://mobile

Welcome to episode #489 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. How many brands truly deliver extraordinary experiences? Not the kind of rare stories you read about on Mashable, but the ones that do it day in and day out... for all of their customers? When it comes to brands doing things right - constantly and consistently - I think of the work that Denise Lee Yohn has done over the years. From her first book, What Great Brands Do - The Seven Brand-Building Principles That Separate The Best From The Rest to the article she authored for the Harvard Business Review titled, Start-Ups Need a Minimum Viable Brand. The former <a h

Welcome to episode #488 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Strategy. More than any other component in what makes a brand successful, strategy is at the core. What does a good strategist do? How is their work delivered, and then injected into a company? How do companies take that strategy and turn it into a valuable part of their culture. It seems like corporate mysticism. It is not. Great business leaders and thinkers like Peter Klein have the answer. It's not fake. It's a system. It's a way to think about business, the challenges it faces and how to overcome them. He co-authored the book, Think To Win - Unleashing the Power of Strategic Thinking, to show the blueprint. He even brands the book like this: "The entire book is an Executive Summary!" It's an incredible read and Klein'

Welcome to episode #487 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. I was searching for a book to ignite my creativity (or access new areas of thinking). A book that would help me think in a different way. I just wasn't "feeling it." I turned to Seth Godin, and asked him what I should be reading. I think he was disappointed to learn that I had never heard of Lewis Hyde and his book, The Gift (which was published in 1983). It became the proverbial rabbit hole for me. I devoured The Gift, then moved on to Hyde's other books (<a href= "http://www.amazon.com/Trickster-Makes-This-World-Mischief/dp/0374532559/ref=sr_1_3?

Welcome to episode #486 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Joseph Jaffe is widely regarded as one of the top marketing bloggers (Jaffe Juice) and podcasters (both Jaffe Juice in audio and Jaffe Juice TV in video). He is the author of four excellent books (Life After The 30-Second Spot, Join The Conversation, Flip The Funnel and Z.E.R.O.) and his latest business venture is, Evol8tion. A long-time friend (and one of the main inspirations behind the Six

Welcome to episode #485 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Blogging has changed. Blogging is changing. As I experiment and think differently about the value of blogging (see: The End of Blogging), I thought it would be interesting to discuss blog, writing for the digital channels and what people want/think they want when it comes to content with Mark Schaefer. Mark is still an avid blogger (like me). He is a regular guest on this show, insightful marketing professional (and professor) and passionate communicator about how marketing has changed. He's written many successful business books (Return On Influence, The Tao Of Twitter, <a href= "htt

Welcome to episode #484 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Like many people in the marketing industry, I have been paying a ton of attention to the ad blocking world. The growth of this technology, and Apple's recent news, has created a stir of emotions and the recognition for change. Even famed marketing thought-leader, Seth Godin, weighed in on the issue with his blog post, Ad blocking. As I was writing my own perspective to publish here, on this blog, I realized

Welcome to episode #483 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Sometime, you pick up a book that you can't put down, and realize that you've never really heard of the author... and, you're embarrassed. That's the exact feeling I had after reading The Science of Why by Dr. David Forbes. He's a clinical and cognitive psychologist, who was a member of the faculties of Harvard Medical School Department of Psychiatry and the Harvard Laboratory of Human Development before starting his career as a business consultant. For over 20 years, he has been at the helm of Forbes Consulting

Welcome to episode #482 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Passion just isn't enough anymore. Some might argue, that it doesn't even really matter all that much, because you don't have to tell someone to do something that they're passionate about... if they're passionate about something, they would already be doing it. There's no doubt that digital has brought forward a myriad of ways to find, nurture and develop your professional life. Ways in which we can make money, do the work that matters to us, and distribute it on a global scale. Jeff Goins lives and breathes this world. His latest book, The Art of Work, not only helps people to lead the life that they were meant to lead, but also acts as another indicator of how Goins, himself, has grown his business in such a small period

Welcome to episode #481 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Some people come into our lives in the strangest of ways. I first heard of Jeffrey Hayzlett after his appearances on The Celebrity Apprentice. He was the CMO of the fledging Kodak company, and trying to re-invigorate the brand. His approach was larger than life. While the company did file for bankruptcy, he managed to transform that experience into his current brand of being a "celebrity CMO." We would often run into each other on the speaking circuit, but I was profoundly humbled when, in his first business book, The Mirror Test, he named Six Pixels of Separation as one of his

Welcome to episode #480 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. I have read loved and re-read every little book that Marty Neumeier (he's also the Director of Transformation at Liquid Agency) has written. You should too. I use the word "small" in a physical way (it has nothing to do with his content). Marty writes books that you can read in a few hours. They are small and beautifully designed (re: simple). The ideas and depth of the words sink in (re: a wealth of knowledge). Slowly. Over time. He also writes books that you will go back to you. Every year. With joy. With that, I have been spending a lot of time thinking about design thinking. What does it mean to Mirum? What does it means to business? What does it mean to the pe

Welcome to episode #479 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. The challenge with any business (the ones that are digital... and the ones that are not) is getting a consumer to not only pay attention, but to become a customer. Even then, getting someone to buy from you once is not the same as getting them to buy from you frequently. It's a busy world, and the push for a consumer to try something new is everywhere. Gabriel Weinberg is the founder and CEO of DuckDuckGo. If you think you're in a competitive business, DuckDuckGo is a search engine that doesn't track you, but it's hard to compete in a Google world. Before entering the search world, Weinberg was the cofounder of Opobox, which was sold for $10 million. Now, a major book publisher i

Welcome to episode #478 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. "Marketing is about telling great stories. Living a happy and successful life is about the stories we tell ourselves." This is how I started a post back in 2010, after reading Donald Miller's book, A Million Miles In A Thousand Years (at the recommendation of Chris Brogan). I loved the book and, long before it became en vogue to talk about content and storytelling for brands, I was seeking out new types of content to help brands tell better stories. Fast forward to the present moment. I received an email from Danny Iny asking if I had ever heard of Miller, because he had just attended <a href=

Welcome to episode #477 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. It's hard to deny that podcasting is really coming into its own as a media format. Everyone is jumping in. From amateurs to the biggest media companies in the world. I've been creating this podcast - on a weekly basis - since 2006. Almost a decade of shows. But, the first podcast that I ever appeared on, was the one from Donna Papacosta. At the time, I thought the format was a joke, but after spending time with Donna, I quickly felt that this might be the perfect channel for businesses to experiment with audio. Not to be another kind of radio, but to invent a new type of audio programming. Ten years later, and it is still evolving. I'm loving the podcasting value in relation to business. Donna runs a successful communications consultancy called, <a href= "ht

Welcome to episode #476 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. I won't miss a beat when asked what the best book title is when it comes to creativity. Todd Henry called his second book, Die Empty. Brilliant (and the content matches the quality of the title). Die Empty came after his incredible debut, The Accidental Creative (also the name of his very popular podcast). Well, Todd is back with Louder Than Words, and it is a very important read (not just for creatives, but for anyone and everyone who is creating content). It's one thing to choose a platform. It's a

Welcome to episode #475 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Joseph Jaffe is widely regarded as one of the top marketing bloggers (Jaffe Juice) and podcasters (both Jaffe Juice in audio and Jaffe Juice TV in video). He is the author of four excellent books (Life After The 30-Second Spot, Join The Conversation, Flip The Funnel and Z.E.R.O.) and his latest business venture is, Evol8tion. A long-time friend (and one of the main inspirations behind the Six

Welcome to episode #474 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. I came across Mike Masse on YouTube. He was doing an acoustic version of Toto's massive hit Africa. I didn't believe anybody could do this song justice. I was wrong. That one video led me down the YouTube rabbit hole of all things Mike Masse. Now, three years later, this video has over five million views, Masse has quit his day job as a public defender and is a full-time musician. More importantly, he's making money in the music business, and he is focused on digital and social media. It's completely counter-intuitive to everything that we're hearing in the media, but Masse is doing it. YouTube, social media, selling music online and his latest, a

Welcome to episode #473 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Where is the best place to work? It's easy to rattle off some of the hottest companies coming out of Silicon Valley or by just looking at the cover of Fast Company. Don't confuse a great product or service with its work environment. And, we're not just talking about the brands that offer up free food and massages to their employees. In turns out, that there is a ton of research on the subject of what works at work, the problem is that a lot of it is very academic, and has yet to breach the mainstream. Well, social psychologist, Ron Friedman, is here to fix that. His book, The Best Place To Work, looks at the latest science and research around the subject of w

Welcome to episode #472 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Michael Port is often called into organizations to talk about marketing. Sometimes, he's called in to speak about how to increase sales. Other times, he's the guy that big corporations call in to build better lead generation and networking strategies. With that, he's a former professional actor, and bestselling business author of five books (Book Yourself Solid, Beyond Booked Solid, Book Yourself Solid Illustrated, The Contrarian Effect and The Think Big Manifesto<

Welcome to episode #471 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. When I think about what the Internet means to me and to business, I often think of David Weinberger. As one of the co-authors of the seminal book, The Cluetrain Manifesto, his thinking, his words and his presentations have shaped my own ideas about what brands can do to connect in our Internet-driven society. I'm still amazed when I go back and read The Cluetrain Manifesto. I'm amazed by how much of it has come to pass. I'm amazed by how much of it is still happening. I wonder about how much more of it will be revealed in the coming years. Since then, Weinberger has stayed true to pushing his thinking around what the Internet is, and it's full potential. His other books, Small Piec

Welcome to episode #470 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. A true legend. You can't use those words lightly when it comes to the business world. Henry Mintzberg is a true legend. He is an internationally renowned academic and author on business and management. He is currently the Cleghorn Professor of Management Studies at the Desautels Faculty of Management of McGill University in Montreal, where he has been teaching since 1968. A published author (more times than most can count), he has been pushing progressive management theory since the early seventies. Most know him for his 1989 book, Mintzberg On Management. Most recently, he published

Welcome to episode #469 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Joseph Jaffe is widely regarded as one of the top marketing bloggers (Jaffe Juice) and podcasters (both Jaffe Juice in audio and Jaffe Juice TV in video). He is the author of four excellent books (Life After The 30-Second Spot, Join The Conversation, Flip The Funnel and Z.E.R.O.) and his latest business venture is, Evol8tion. A long-time friend (and one of the main inspirations behind the Six

Welcome to episode #468 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. We live in a world with so much content and creativity, that it's hard to remember what's most interesting. Still, every week, I can't wait for that one email with a new cartoon from Tom Fishburne. Every week, he publishes a new Marketoon (as he calls them). They're clever, funny and head-smacking true. With that, the former CPG and Method marketing professional, turned cartoon professional and has built not only a loyaly following, but a thriving agency creating business and marketing-related cartoons for brands. His agency is called, Marketoonist, and Tom is just one of those kind, honest and sincere people that you want t

Welcome to episode #467 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Ben Parr leads an interesting life. He's an award-winning journalist, author, entrepreneur, investor and expert on what it takes to get attention. Parr is the author of Captivology - The Science of Capturing People's Attention. Why do we pay attention to certain people, products, and ideas? Is there a science behind how these people and brands capture and retain somebody's attention? He is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of an early-stage venture capital firm, DominateFund, a columnist for Inc. Magazine and a contributor to CNBC. Parr is widely known as a former Editor-at-Large of <a href= "http://www.

Welcome to episode #466 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. We live in tough times for advertising. Yes, it's still a critical component of our economy and a very effective way to reach, connect and build loyalty. There's just so much of it. We have moved from a scarcity model to an abundance model in a very short time. There are countless options that make the old "three network" television model seem like a dinosaur. Frank Rose believes that the best kind of advertising is about real experiences. The kind of experiences that are so highly immersive for the consumer, that they're as enthralled by it as they are with a great movie or book. How many brands can make that happen? A long

Welcome to episode #465 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Joseph Jaffe is widely regarded as one of the top marketing bloggers (Jaffe Juice) and podcasters (both Jaffe Juice in audio and Jaffe Juice TV in video). He is the author of four excellent books (Life After The 30-Second Spot, Join The Conversation, Flip The Funnel and Z.E.R.O.) and his latest business venture is, Evol8tion. A long-time friend (and one of the main inspirations behind the S

Welcome to episode #464 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. R "Ray" Wang is the Principal Analyst, Founder, and Chairman of Silicon Valley based Constellation Research.  He's also the author of the popular business strategy and technology blog, A Software Insider's Point of View. His blog provides insight into how disruptive technologies and new business models such as digital transformation impact brands, enterprises, and organizations. His new book, Disrupting Digital Business, provides insights on why over fifty percent of the Fortune 500 have been merged, acquired, gone bankrupt, or fallen off the list since 2000. Digital disruption is bigger than most ever expec

Welcome to episode #463 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. If you look at Silicon Valley, there is this notion that advertising is dead, marketing no longer works and everything is about finding these young unicorns who can leverage data and analytics to growth hack a company to success. This shores up into two thoughts: One, build it and they will come (because the product is so great). Two, growth hacking enables a business to not care about the brand, but simply focus on acquiring users. Any marketing professional knows that this is not the case. Brands matter more than ever. Denise Lee Yohn wrote an article for the Harvard Business Review titled, Start-Ups Need a Minimum Viable Brand. She is also the au

Welcome to episode #462 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. I first met Mark Evans close to fifteen years ago. We were both speaking during a three-day conference dedicated to corporate blogging. Yes, it was a long time ago. Long before social media was a channel. Back then, Mark was the technology reporter for a national newspaper and was open (but still, somewhat, skeptical) about just how far blogging could go. Since then, he's become the founder of a well known event called, mesh, and has become a full-time consultant that helps startups to tell better stories. With that, he most recently published a book called, Storytelling For Startups. But don't worry, if you're not a startup, this is all about story-driven marketi

Welcome to episode #461 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Inspiration is everywhere. And, as they say, the future is here... it's just not evenly distributed. So, where do you go to see the future? There are few that I trust when it comes to individuals who are truly able to point to trends that turn into something meaningful. In fact, there are only two. I do love the work being done at PSFK. I also trust Jeremy Gutsche. Jeremy is the CEO of Trend Hunter, the author of two great books (Exploiting Chaos and the recently published Better And Faster). He's also a pretty amazing speaker and overall nic

Welcome to episode #460 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Tim Ferriss just launched a TV show. It's called, The Tim Ferriss Experiment, and - by all accounts - this is the exact line of work that Tim was meant to do: use his body, mind and spirit to help us all learn how to get better and hack our lives towards excellence. Tim is such a fascinating character. While he describes himself as a "human guinea pig," he is so much more. The bestselling author of The 4-Hour Workweek, The 4-Hour Body and The 4-Hour Chef, Tim is also an angel investor and advisor for companies like Facebook, <a href= "https

Welcome to episode #459 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. I can be old and cynical when it comes to building a personal brand. It used to be that digital media allowed all of us to present ourselves in a three-dimensional way. While that statement still stands true, we have a swath of people presenting themselves in really silly and unprofessionals ways online. Figuring out how to make a statement that is both authentic and professional can be a challenge in this Instagram world. Still, when it comes to people who really understand how to decode success, I trust Dorie Clark. Her first book, Reinventing You, was a fantastic read and she's back with Stand Out. In her latest boo

Welcome to episode #458 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. The title "Marketing Technologist" gets tossed around a lot these days. Most brands believe that this is an individual who can understand and implement better marketing automation solutions. I think that's short-sighted. For over a decade, I have watched Stephan Spencer become a true marketing technologist. This is someone who deeply understands how to use technology to make marketing better. Not a little better. Exponentially better. We first met in the early days of speaking at the Search Engine Strategies conferences. From there, Stephan went on to publish three seminal books on digital marketing (The Art of SEO, Googl

Welcome to episode #457 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Joseph Jaffe is widely regarded as one of the top marketing bloggers (Jaffe Juice) and podcasters (both Jaffe Juice in audio and Jaffe Juice TV in video). He is the author of four excellent books (Life After The 30-Second Spot, Join The Conversation, Flip The Funnel and Z.E.R.O.) and his latest business venture is, Evol8tion. A long-time friend (and one of the main inspirations behind the S

Welcome to episode #456 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. Brands are in a very difficult predicament. It's not something that is easy to write, but it's true. Competition is fierce and it's getting more complicated, because the types of channels and messages that a brand can create has become boundless (thanks, digital marketing). With this digitization of everything, consumers continue to become more connected, empowered an