Six Pixels of Separation Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome to episode #947 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #947. John Mackey, co-founder of Whole Foods Market and its CEO for 44 years, is no stranger to transforming industries. With his new memoir, The Whole Story, John takes readers on an intimate journey through the rise of an iconic company that didn't just succeed in business but sparked a retail and dietary revolution. Whole Foods Market began as a small, idealistic endeavor in Austin, Texas, and under John’s leadership, it grew into a $22 billion-a-year behemoth that forever changed the way we think about food. But The Whole Story isn’t just about business - it's a candid exploration of John’s personal and spiritual journey, from his early days immersed in counterculture to his evolution into a champion of Conscious Capitalism. In our conversation, John reflects on the pivotal moments that defined his career and the cultural impact of Whole Foods. He shares how the company challenged the norms of the food industry by prioritizing quality, natural, and organic products long before they were mainstream. But he also opens up about the missteps, the near-disasters, and the lessons learned along the way. We discuss the acquisition of Whole Foods by Amazon, a move that John describes as the best solution to the challenges his company faced, and the importance of embracing competition and continuous learning. Throughout, John’s dedication to improving health and advocating for conscious business practices shines through, as does his belief in the power of open-mindedness and adaptability. John offers more than just a behind-the-scenes look at Whole Foods - it’s a thoughtful reflection on his spiritual and philosophical growth, from New Age mysticism to life-changing experiences with psychedelics, and how these influences shaped his approach to business and life. For those who admire Whole Foods and its mission, this show provides a deeper understanding of the man behind the brand and the values that drove its success. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a foodie, or someone interested in the intersection of business and personal growth, John’s story is inspiring and thought-provoking. And it doesn’t end… he is currently deep into his next venture, Love.Life. Enjoy the conversation...

• Running time: 1:00:08.
• Hello from beautiful Montreal.
• Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.
• Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
• Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
• Check out ThinkersOne.
• or you can connect on LinkedIn.
• ...or on Twitter.
• Here is my conversation with John Mackey.
• The Whole Story.
• Love.Life.
• Whole Foods Market.
• Conscious Capitalism.
• Sign up to John’s newsletter, Higher Ground.
• Follow John on Instagram.
• Follow John on X.
• Follow John on LinkedIn.
• This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Introduction: John Mackey and his memoir.
• 02:00 - Reflecting on Whole Foods’ journey.
• 04:42 - The growth of Whole Foods Market.
• 08:40 - Changing the food and supermarket industry.
• 13:20 - Conscious capitalism and creating positive change.
• 25:42 - The energy of entrepreneurship and passing the torch.
• 27:54 - The current state of the world and progress.
• 29:57 - Putting Wealth Inequality and Progress into Context.
• 37:44 - The Acquisition of Whole Foods by Amazon: A Win-Win-Win Solution.
• 53:53 - Competition and Continuous Improvement.
• 59:03 - The Importance of Flexibility and Open-Mindedness.

Welcome to episode #946 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #946. Dr. Frederik Pferdt has spent his career helping some of the most creative minds at Google - and beyond - shape the future. As Google's first Chief Innovation Evangelist, he didn’t just observe the future unfolding; he actively shaped it. Frederik founded Google's Innovation Lab, where he coached tens of thousands of Googlers in the art of innovation, fostering a culture that thrives on curiosity, empathy, and experimentation. His work has resonated far beyond Silicon Valley, with collaborations ranging from NASA to the NBA, and teaching stints at Stanford University that inspired a new generation of thinkers. In his book, What's Next Is Now - How to Live Future Ready, Frederik challenges the notion that the future is something we passively encounter. Instead, he invites us to see it as something we actively create. He distills his philosophy into six principles: optimism, openness, curiosity, experimentation, empathy, and something he calls "Dimension X" - the unique way each of us perceives the world. This isn't just a framework for surviving the future; it's a guide to thriving in it. During our conversation, Frederik dives into how these principles aren't just abstract concepts but actionable strategies that anyone can apply. He emphasizes that the future is crafted by the choices we make today, and by cultivating a "future-ready mindstate," we can turn ambiguity and uncertainty into opportunities. From collecting dots — ideas, experiences, and learnings — to connecting them in innovative ways, Frederik explains how we can stay ahead in a rapidly evolving world. Frederik also touches on the importance of predictive empathy, which helps us understand the potential consequences of emerging technologies, and how embracing uncertainty is crucial for personal growth. He shares insights on how to counter the cynicism that often accompanies aging by intentionally choosing curiosity and optimism. Our discussion explores the transformative power of mindfulness practices like silent meditation retreats and the value of experimentation in cutting through the hype of the present moment. Enjoy the conversation...

• Running time: 57:23.
• Hello from beautiful Montreal.
• Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.
• Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
• Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
• Check out ThinkersOne.
• or you can connect on LinkedIn.
• ...or on Twitter.
• Here is my conversation with Dr. Frederik Pferdt.
• What's Next Is Now - How to Live Future Ready.
• Frederik’s NextLetter.
• Follow Frederik on LinkedIn.
• Follow Frederik on Instagram.
• This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Introduction and Background.
• 02:10 - Creating a Future-Ready Mind State.
• 11:02 - The Power of Collecting Dots.
• 27:22 - Changing Our Relationship with the Future.
• 31:14 - Reflections on the Pace of Change.
• 33:13 - Shaping the Future through Present Choices.
• 35:43 - Embracing Uncertainty and Active Learning.
• 40:18 - Counteracting Cynicism with Qualities of Mind.
• 48:32 - Navigating the Hype and Trends of the Present.
• 57:17 - The Transformative Power of Silent Meditation Retreats.

Welcome to episode #937 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #937. Life is a negotiation... and every one of us should be thinking about how we can get better at it. Scott Walker is a Sunday Times bestselling author and a keynote speaker on negotiation, communications, leadership and resilience. Scott is one of the world’s most experienced kidnap-for-ransom negotiators, offering discreet advice to top corporate, political, and NGO leaders to manage and recover from all sorts of real-life threats. With over three hundred cases resolved worldwide, he now helps clients develop resilient and agile leadership skills to navigate uncertainty and conflict, while consistently delivering top performance. He also trains leaders and teams to master communication, influence, and conflict resolution.In our conversation, Scott dives into negotiation strategies and techniques, pulling from his new book, Order Out Of Chaos - Win Every Negotiation, Thrive In Adversity, And Become A World-Class Communicator. He emphasizes that negotiation is everywhere in life and underscores the critical role of trust, especially in hostage situations. Scott breaks down the challenges of dealing with irrational actors, the importance of saving face in negotiations, and why maintaining long-term relationships matters. We also touch on managing stress and anxiety, emotional self-regulation, and understanding one's own emotions before entering a negotiation. Scott shares stories from his hostage negotiation days, highlighting empathy, trust-building, and assertiveness. We also explore the complexities of kidnapping negotiations and the unique challenges of cyber extortion. His book, Order Out Of Chaos isn’t just about high-stakes negotiations - it's a guide to becoming a top-notch communicator. Scott's book, built on years of experience and research, offers simple, proven strategies to handle high-pressure moments, practice proactive listening, develop emotional intelligence, and manage conflict. Whether you're negotiating a deal at work or navigating everyday situations (like with your kids!), the techniques in this book will help you communicate effectively and get the results you want. Enjoy the conversation...

• Running time: 1:08:246.
• Hello from beautiful Montreal.
• Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.
• Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
• Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
• Check out ThinkersOne.
• or you can connect on LinkedIn.
• ...or on Twitter.
• Here is my conversation with Scott Walker.
• Order Out Of Chaos - Win Every Negotiation, Thrive In Adversity, And Become A World-Class Communicator.
• Follow Scott on LinkedIn.
• Follow Scott on X.
• This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Takeaways

• Negotiation is a part of everyday life, and it is important to recognize and improve our negotiation skills.
• Trust is crucial in hostage negotiations, and third-party intermediaries can play a significant role in building trust.
• Saving face and maintaining pride are important considerations in negotiations, as they can impact the outcome and long-term relationships.
• Time can be a powerful negotiation strategy, allowing for emotional regulation and the exploration of options.
• Managing stress and anxiety is essential in negotiations, as they can impact decision-making and outcomes.
• Emotional self-regulation is crucial in negotiation, and understanding one's own emotions before entering a negotiation is essential.
• Building trust and empathy are key elements in successful negotiations, whether in hostage situations or business deals.
• Kidnapping negotiations involve balancing empathy and assertiveness, managing expectations, and developing a battle rhythm.
• The cyber extortion industry presents unique challenges, and companies must weigh the risks and benefits of negotiation.
• Difficult situations can be opportunities for personal growth and resilience, and reframing the meaning of challenges can lead to a more fulfilling life.

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Introduction and Background
• 00:30 - Negotiation in Everyday Life
• 03:08 - Trust in Hostage Negotiations
• 05:17 - Negotiating with Irrational Actors
• 08:06 - Saving Face and Maintaining Pride
• 09:28 - Negotiating in Geopolitical Conflicts
• 11:33 - Time as a Negotiation Strategy
• 12:49 - Expanding the Pie: Win-Win Negotiations
• 16:25 - Addressing Concerns and Criticisms
• 20:51 - Short-Termism vs. Long-Term Success
• 26:14 - Negotiating with Nefarious Intentions
• 31:08 - Simplifying Negotiations
• 32:03 - Managing Stress and Anxiety in Negotiations
• 32:07 - Emotional Self-Regulation in Negotiation
• 36:15 - The Importance of Negotiating with Yourself
• 37:02 - Lessons from the First Professional Negotiation
• 44:04 - The Complexity of Kidnapping Negotiations
• 49:25 - The Business of Kidnapping for Ransom
• 53:07 - The Aftermath of Hostage Situations
• 55:46 - The Unique Challenges of Cyber Extortion
• 01:02:14 - Finding Resilience and Meaning in Difficult Situations

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 sales. Matt is Chief Product & Research Officer of the Austin-based AI and machine learning venture, Tethr. In this capacity, he has responsibility for product strategy, product management and product marketing. Prior to joining Tethr, Matt was a Senior Partner and Global Head of Sales Force Effectiveness Solutions at Korn Ferry Hay Group and, before that, held numerous global leadership roles in research, product development and management for CEB, now Gartner. A seasoned business researcher, Matt has been involved in dozens of original quantitative and qualitative research studies on topics ranging from customer experience strategy to customer service and sales effectiveness. Matt is also the author of several other books. Enjoy the conversation...

• Running time: 1:03:08.
• Hello from beautiful Montreal.
• Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.
• Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
• Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
• Check out ThinkersOne.
• or you can connect on LinkedIn.
• ...or on Twitter.
• Here is my conversation with Matthew Dixon.
• The JOLT Effect - How High Performers Overcome Customer Indecision.
• Ted McKenna.
• The Challenger Sale.
• Tethr.
• Follow Matthew on LinkedIn.
• Follow Matthew on Twitter.

• This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

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 Necessary Journey - Making Real Progress on Equity and Inclusion. Dr. Washington continues to deepen her research pipeline and thought leadership as a Gallup Senior Scientist studying race, strengths and other DEI workplace topics. Dr. Washington’s global human capital consulting experience has allowed her to impact clients across a myriad of industries including financial services, sports & entertainment, oil and gas, higher education and government. Previously, Dr. Washington led the Diversity and Inclusion function Gallup as a subject matter expert where she provided insight to clients on issues of inclusion, culture, strategic diversity and engagement. Her research and client work focuses on women in the workplace, barriers to inclusion for diverse groups, and working with organizations to build inclusive cultures. She has conducted inclusiveness audits, developed learning workshops, and facilitates strategic planning sessions with executive leadership teams who have goals of intentionally improving diversity and inclusion. These experiences inspired the 2016 founding of Ellavate Solutions, an integrated DEI strategy firm. Enjoy the conversation...

• Running time: 52:57.
• Hello from beautiful Montreal.
• Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.
• Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
• Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
• Check out ThinkersOne.
• or you can connect on LinkedIn.
• ...or on Twitter.
• Here is my conversation with Dr. Ella F. Washington.
• The Necessary Journey - Making Real Progress on Equity and Inclusion.
• Center of Black Voices Cultural Competence Podcast.
• Ellavate Solutions.
• Follow Dr. Ella on Instagram.
• Follow Dr. Ella on LinkedIn.
• Follow Dr. Ella on Twitter.

• This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

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 Podcast Consumer Tracker. Tom has led hundreds of audience research projects on six continents, for some of the most listened-to podcasts and syndicated radio shows in the world. He’s done a card trick for Paula Abdul, shared a martini with Tom Jones, and sold vinyl to Christopher Walken. Tom is known as a results-driven consumer insights visionary, and I am honored to call him a friend. We've both been in the podcasting game longer than most and enjoy the back-and-forth banter about the industry. Enjoy the conversation...

• Running time: 51:39.
• Hello from beautiful Montreal.
• Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.
• Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
• Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
• or you can connect on LinkedIn.
• ...or on Twitter.
• Here is my conversation with Tom Webster.
• Sounds Profitable.
• Follow Tom on LinkedIn.
• Follow Tom on Twitter.

• This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

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 translated into more than a dozen languages, and he speaks and consults across dozens of industries on creativity, leadership, and passion for work. With millions of downloads, his podcast - The Accidental Creative - offers weekly tips for how to stay prolific, brilliant, and healthy. He's got a brand new book out called, Daily Creative - A Practical Guide For Staying Prolific, Brilliant and Healthy. In the book, we're given a daily dose of insight with 365 exercises and insights for busy professionals, creative and beyond. The book was designed to help you gain powerful focus each and every day. Each daily reading can be completed in five minutes and includes a specific theme to break you out of your current mindsets: A challenge to reflect on and apply a new habit-building principles long with a key action as a takeaway to yield lasting results. Enjoy the conversation...

• Running time: 55:30.
• Hello from beautiful Montreal.
• Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.
• Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
• Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
• or you can connect on LinkedIn.
• ...or on Twitter.
• Here is my conversation with Todd Henry.
• Daily Creative - A Practical Guide For Staying Prolific, Brilliant and Healthy.
• The Accidental Creative.
• Die Empty.
• Louder Than Words.
• Herding Tigers.
• The Motivation Code.
• The Accidental Creative Podcast.
• Follow Todd on Twitter.
• Follow Todd on Instagram.
• Follow Todd on LinkedIn.

• This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

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 all business professionals. The book features a pantheon of smart insights to inspire your design for belonging endeavors and tools and exercises for framing your work. It’s also filled with stunning illustrations by DC-based muralist Rose Jaffe. In a world of remote and hybrid work, it’s important that everyone has both a sense of belonging and an understanding how to foster belonging in every organization. Enjoy the conversation…

• Running time: 46:32.
• Hello from beautiful Montreal.
• Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.
• Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
• Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
• or you can connect on LinkedIn.
• ...or on Twitter.
• Here is my conversation with Dr. Susie Wise.
• Design for Belonging.
• d.school.
• Rose Jaffe.
• Follow Susie on LinkedIn.
• Follow Susie on Twitter.

• This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

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 Tippie College of Business and head of their Startup Business Incubator (JPEC Founders Club). She is also a mentor at the University of Iowa Venture School. In What to Ask, Andrea delivers a fresh, cognitive approach for discovering hidden customer needs, converting them quickly into differentiators, and avoiding the pitfalls of traditional research, which ignores the two essential sources of insight: context and behavior. So, if you are faced with discovering what customers really want, this episode is just for you. Enjoy the conversation...

• Running time: 53:33.
• Hello from beautiful Montreal.
• Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.
• Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
• Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
• or you can connect on LinkedIn.
• ...or on Twitter.
• Here is my conversation with Andrea Belk Olson.
• What to Ask.
• The Customer Mission.
• No Disruptions.
• Pragmadik.
• The Customer Mission Podcast.
• Follow Andrea on LinkedIn.
• Follow Andrea on Twitter.

• This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

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 firms adapt to technology change and enter new markets. His research has been published in leading journals, such as Strategic Management Journal, Organization Science, and Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal. He has received various impressive awards and is a recognized expert in innovation, entrepreneurship, and value creation. He also co-authored Innovation Capital, Leading Transformation, The Innovator's Method, and Nail It then Scale It: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Creating and Managing Breakthrough Innovation. Professionally, Nathan has acted as the founder or advisor to corporations and startups in healthcare, clean technology, professional services, the internet, retail and financial services industries. Nathan also sits on the investment board of the Kickstart Seed Fund, an innovative early-stage venture fund, and was the founder of the International Business Model Competition, which attracts thousands of innovative teams from around the world in an international competition. If you're thinking about how to better embrace uncertainty (and, who isn't these days?), this episode is for you. Enjoy the conversation...

• Running time: 57:33.
• Hello from beautiful Montreal.
• Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.
• Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
• Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
• or you can connect on LinkedIn.
• ...or on Twitter.
• Here is my conversation with Nathan Furr.
• The Upside of Uncertainty - A Guide To Finding Possibility In The Unknown.
• Innovation Capital.
• Leading Transformation.
• The Innovator's Method.
• Nail It then Scale It: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Creating and Managing Breakthrough Innovation.
• Susannah Harmon Furr.
• Follow Nathan on LinkedIn.
• Follow Nathan on Twitter.

• This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.