The Curious Advantage Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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The Curious Advantage Podcast

The Curious Advantage

Business

Technology

Education

Frequency: 1 episode/21d. Total Eps: 111

The Curious Advantage Podcast explores how curiosity drives success in the digital age. Hosted by authors and business leaders Paul Ashcroft, Simon Brown, and Garrick Jones, each episode features conversations with global experts across business, science, and culture.

Paul Ashcroft and Garrick Jones are co-founders of Ludic Group and authors of The Curious Advantage and ALIVE: Digital Humans and Their Organizations. Simon Brown is Global Learning & Development Leader, Partner, Talent at EY, and co-author of The Curious Advantage. Together, they share insights and practical tools to help individuals and organizations unlock their potential through curiosity.

Learn more at curiousadvantage.com.

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107: When Machines Have the Answers, Questions Are the Edge: Sharmla Chetty, Duke CE

Episode 107

Wednesday, September 23, 2026 • Duration 41:10

Most organisations have adopted AI faster than they can govern it. Among the companies Duke CE works with, close to six in ten have embedded AI into their operations, but fewer than one in five have the governance to match.

Sharmla Chetty is chief executive of Duke Corporate Education, which works with leaders in more than 80 countries. She joins Garrick Jones and Simon Brown to argue that AI readiness is not a technology test. It is three tests: capability, trust and governance and organisations keep failing on the last two long before technology becomes the problem.

She makes a claim that sits at the centre of this show's argument: when machines hold all the answers, the human edge moves to the questions. The defining question of a career is no longer what you know, but how fast you can learn what you don't.

In this conversation:

Why leaders now run two workforces, human and digital with no playbook for either
The three tests of genuine AI readiness, and why fewer than one in five organisations pass the governance one
Why AI firms are hiring philosophy graduates over technology graduates
How Sharmla learned to build agents from her 18-year-old nephew, and what he told her about coding
Why curiosity is a leading indicator and performance is a lagging one
Trust as a strategic asset: what riding a 2am bus with miners taught her about a safety problem that turned out to be a trust problem
The bifurcation risk — and why leaving economies behind is a leadership failure, not an inevitability

Find Sharmla on LinkedIn and learn more about Duke Corporate Education

00:00 Introduction
01:14 Curiosity as a way of being
03:05 Leading two workforces
06:21 The skills that matter now
07:59 Learning agents from an 18-year-old
09:13 Who owns the AI conversation
11:05 Why AI firms hire philosophers
14:09 Can education keep pace
17:30 What AI-ready actually means
22:14 The bifurcation risk
25:38 Curiosity as a leading indicator
28:12 Performance intelligence
30:40 Trust as a strategic asset
32:53 Riding the bus with the miners
33:51 What CHROs are worried about
40:57 Sharmla's one takeaway

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106: The Culture of Agentic AI: Why Technology Is Easy and People Are Hard with Dr Michael "House" Housman

Episode 106

Wednesday, September 9, 2026 • Duration 50:32

AI is not just another tool cycle. Dr. Michael Housman says it is the third digital disruption, and most organizations are still underestimating how fast it will reshape work, jobs, and competitive advantage.Simon Brown, Paul Ashcroft, and Garrick Jones sit down with Housman, founder and CEO of AI Accelerator and author of Future Proof: Transform Your Business with AI or Get Left Behind to unpack why curiosity, not just technology, is the real edge in an AI-driven world.Housman shares how a career built on following what was most interesting led him from data science and AI platforms into teaching executives how to adapt. He explains why companies should stop treating AI as a shiny add-on and start thinking in two modes: incremental wins that remove repetitive work, and transformational moves that prepare for AI-native competitors.

You’ll discover:

Why most people are still using AI like a glorified search bar
The “technology is easy, people are hard” problem that blocks adoption
How to build trust with agents by treating them like smart interns
Why leaders must model AI use themselves before expecting teams to change
How a 20% experimentation mindset can unlock real breakthroughs

The conversation goes deeper into the practical reality of future-proofing: data moats, subject-matter expertise, governance, culture, apprenticeships, and why junior talent may need a new path into expertise as AI changes entry-level work. The group also tackles one of the biggest open questions in business today: how much autonomy to give agentic AI, and when humans need to stay firmly in the loop.If you’re a CEO, leader, manager, or ambitious professional trying to make sense of AI without getting lost in the hype, this episode gives you a clear, grounded framework for what to do next. It is especially relevant if you’re responsible for teams, talent, or strategy and want to stay competitive while the rules keep changing.Perfect for anyone who wants to turn AI anxiety into action and curiosity into an advantage.

The Curious Advantage explores curiosity and its growing importance in the digital age. From history, neuroscience, and anthropology to business and culture, it takes the widest possible view of curiosity. At its heart is the ‘Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’ model, a practical framework to help individuals harness curiosity as a power skill for growth and transformation.

105: The Power of Great Questions: Staying Human in the Age of AI with Larry Robertson

Episode 105

Wednesday, August 26, 2026 • Duration 48:44

What makes a great question, and why might asking better ones be one of our most important human skills in the age of AI?

In this episode, Simon Brown and Garrick Jones are joined by award-winning author and innovation advisor Larry Robertson to explore the power of questioning, curiosity and intellectual humility.

They discuss why we are born questioning, how great questions help us navigate uncertainty, what humans need to retain as AI becomes more capable, and why sometimes the simplest way to go deeper is just to say: “Tell me more.”

A conversation about curiosity, AI, uncertainty and why the questions we ask may shape what happens next.

Learn more about iVentiv: https://iventiv.com/curiousadvantage

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104: From Particle Physics to AI: Rewiring How Organisations Work with Markus Bernhardt (Endeavour Intelligence)

Episode 104

Wednesday, August 12, 2026 • Duration 49:52

Paul Ashcroft and Garrick Jones are joined by Markus Bernhardt, founder of Endeavour Intelligence, to explore what is really changing as organisations adopt AI.

Drawing on his background in particle physics and his research into AI strategy and organisational transformation, Markus argues that the biggest shift isn’t simply the arrival of new tools. It is the quieter rewiring of how work gets done, how decisions are made and where accountability sits.

The conversation explores the difference between the visible “surface wave” of AI adoption and the deeper organisational undercurrent; why AI capability should not be confused with autonomy; the shift from AI literacy to AI fluency; and why human judgement may become more valuable, rather than less, as machines take on more execution.

They also discuss agentic AI, governance, the limits of large language models and why organisations may achieve more by redesigning one workflow well than launching another large-scale AI transformation programme.

Ultimately, Markus offers a practical starting point: don’t begin by asking where you can add AI. Look for where AI has already quietly changed the work, and redesign from there.

Find out more about Markus work:
Markus LinkedIn Page
https://endeavorintel.com/
https://endeavorintel.com/diagnostic/

The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing by Danny Cross and video editing by Jessica Wickham.

103: Inside Heathrow: Leading One of the World’s Most Complex Operations with Javier Echave (COO, Heathrow Airport)

Episode 103

Wednesday, July 29, 2026 • Duration 52:28

In this episode of The Curious Advantage Podcast, Paul Ashcroft, Simon Brown and Garrick Jones speak with Javier Echave, Chief Operating Officer of Heathrow Airport, about what it takes to lead one of the world’s most complex operations.

Heathrow is more than an airport. It is a city of 90,000 people, bringing together 400 companies and serving around 85 million passengers every year. Javier explains how curiosity, clear communication and disciplined decision-making help keep this vast interconnected system moving.

Drawing on his experience leading through the pandemic and Heathrow’s 2025 power outage, Javier shares how leaders can make difficult decisions with imperfect information, create psychological safety during a crisis and design organisations for reliability rather than recovery. He also explores why leadership is not about making people great, but reminding them how great they already are.

Find out more about Javiers work:
Javiers LinkedIn
Heathrow Airport Website

The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing by Danny Cross and video editing by Jessica Wickham.

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102: Written Off by School. Recruited by Harvard: Brandon P. Fleming’s Story on Curiosity, Mentorship and Potential

Episode 102

Wednesday, July 1, 2026 • Duration 44:16

In this powerful episode of The Curious Advantage Podcast, Simon Brown and Garrick Jones speak with award-winning educator, author and entrepreneur Brandon Fleming about his extraordinary journey from joining a gang at 12 and selling drugs at 14 to becoming one of the youngest debate coaches recruited by Harvard University.

Brandon shares how a single teacher challenged everything he had been told about himself, recognised his hidden gifts and transformed the direction of his life. Determined to pay that opportunity forward, he created an educational pathway for young people from underserved communities in Atlanta, helping his students become seven-time consecutive champions at the Harvard Debate Council Summer Workshops.

That mission now continues through The Veritas School, where Brandon is reimagining education around connection, belonging, critical thinking and the belief that every young person has potential when given the right environment. He explains why students are often not disinterested but disengaged—and why it is the responsibility of teachers and leaders to create the conditions in which people can thrive.

The conversation explores the powerful relationship between curiosity and exposure, why talent is so often overlooked or mislabelled, and what it takes to turn potential into performance. Brandon also shares why great leaders should never “blame the seed,” how educators can make learning feel personal, and why young people must develop logic and independent thinking before relying on AI.

This is an inspiring conversation about education, leadership, curiosity, human potential and our collective responsibility to use our gifts to improve the lives of others.

Find out more about Brandon's work:
https://bpfleming.com/
The Veritas School
Miseducation: A memoir
LinkedIn

101: Why "Just Be Yourself" Is Terrible Leadership Advice with Dr Laura Sicola (Cognitive Linguist)

Episode 101

Wednesday, June 17, 2026 • Duration 40:15

Most leaders focus on what they say. Dr. Laura Sicola argues that how you say it matters just as much.

In this episode of The Curious Advantage Podcast, executive communication coach, cognitive linguist and author Dr. Laura Sicola explores the concept of the "leadership voice"—the combination of your literal voice and your unique perspective. Together, they shape how your message lands, how others perceive you, and ultimately, how much influence you have.

Laura shares practical insights from her work with leaders at organisations including Amazon, Intel and the US Department of Commerce, revealing how communication can be adapted without sacrificing authenticity.

In this conversation, we explore:

• The difference between influence, persuasion, manipulation and performance
• Why authenticity isn't the same as staying in your comfort zone
• How the "prismatic voice" helps leaders adapt to different audiences and situations
• The role of curiosity, empathy and emotional intelligence in effective communication
• Why video feedback can uncover communication blind spots and accelerate growth
• How leaders can communicate with clarity and confidence in an increasingly complex world

Laura's LinkedIn
Laura Sicolas website
Speaking to Influence website
Free Tool: The Leadership Communication Blind Spot Checklist here
Speaking to Influence: Mastering your Leadership Voice on Amazon

100: 100 Episodes Later: Why Curiosity Has Gone from an Advantage to an Imperative

Episode 100

Wednesday, June 3, 2026 • Duration 28:15

In this milestone 100th episode of The Curious Advantage Podcast, Paul Ashcroft, Simon Brown and Garrick Jones reflect on six years of conversations exploring curiosity, leadership, learning, AI and the future of work.

What began during lockdown has grown into a global platform for ideas spanning neuroscience, psychology, education, business transformation, technology and the arts. In this special episode, the team looks back at the guests, themes and moments that shaped the first 100 episodes and explores why curiosity has moved from being an advantage to becoming an imperative.

They discuss standout conversations with guests including Amy Edmondson, Alexia Cambon and Giles Yeo, while also introducing the thinking behind their upcoming book, The Curious Imperative.

You’ll hear reflections on how curiosity helps us navigate AI, disruption, uncertainty and change and why asking better questions may be one of the most important human skills for the future.

Resources
The Curious Advantage Website
Learn more about The Curious Imperative
Buy The Curious Advantage

The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing by Danny Cross and video editing by Jessica Wickham.

99: Prof. Robert Kegan on Curiosity, Self-Authorship, Adult Development and Why Change Is So Hard (Harvard Graduate School of Education)

Episode 99

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 • Duration 01:05:58

Professor Robert “Bob” Kegan (Harvard Graduate School of Education) joins The Curious Advantage Podcast to explore curiosity, adult development, and why meaningful change is often so difficult.

Bob explains curiosity as a “delight in the knowing gap” and shares how adults grow through different stages of psychological development, from the socialised mind to self-authorship and the self-transforming mind. He also introduces the idea of “immunity to change,” revealing how hidden assumptions and internal defences can prevent us from making the changes we genuinely want to make.

The episode also looks at AI, digital transformation, leadership, feedback, and how curiosity can help us test our assumptions, build self-authorship, and adapt in a rapidly changing world.

Resources mentioned:

Immunity to Change by Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey
In Over Our Heads by Robert Kegan
by Paul Ashcroft, Simon Brown & Garrick Jones

FBF | Vas Narasimhan & Steven Baert: The CEO & The Chief People and Organization Officer Perspective

Friday, May 8, 2026 • Duration 33:46

Vas Narasimhan, the Novartis CEO and Steven Baert, Novartis’ Ex-Chief People and Organization Officer join the authors of The Curious Advantage Simon Brown, Paul Ashcroft and Garrick Jones, to discuss the importance of Curiosity in Business. They talk about how Novartis has worked to ‘unleash the power of their people’ and change the culture driven by an ‘Inspired’, ‘Curious’ and ‘Unbossed’ people strategy. Why is curiosity becoming more important in the digital age? Why is it important to have curious leaders? What does it mean to have a curious mind and how can curiosity impact individuals and organisations? Subscribe to this exclusive podcast today to listen to this fascinating conversation.

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The Curious Advantage Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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The Curious Advantage Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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