In this episode, I sit down with David C. Banks, former Chancellor of New York City Public Schools, to unpack what it really takes to lead a large, complex organization. Drawing on his experience leading New York City Public Schools, we explore decision-making under pressure, managing competing priorities, and building culture at scale. This is a candid conversation about leadership when the stakes are high, the spotlight is constant, and every move matters.

In this episode, I sit down with Andy Rotherham, co-founder and senior partner at Bellwether and the longtime voice behind Eduwonk, for a conversation about the uncertainty surrounding artificial intelligence and its potential impact on education. Drawing on a recent essay, Andy compares the current moment with AI to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic when signals of major disruption were emerging, but institutions had not yet fully grasped what was coming. We discuss what leaders in education should be watching for, how to separate meaningful developments from hype, and what lessons from the pandemic might help schools and universities navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

In this episode, I sit down with cybersecurity expert Suresh Sankaran Srinivasan to unpack what today’s organizational leaders need to understand about digital risk. We explore the different levels of the internet (what exists on the surface web, the deep web, and the dark web) and how those layers shape real-world threats. We discuss who should be concerned about cybersecurity breaches, why no organization is too small to be targeted, and the practical steps leaders must take to strengthen oversight, culture, and resilience in an increasingly connected world.

In this episode, Punya Mishra joins me to discuss his chapter, “Beyond Boundaries: Transdisciplinary Creativity with Generative Artificial Intelligence,” from the edited volume Generative Artificial Intelligence and Creativity: Precautions, Perspectives, and Possibilities. We explore what the rise of generative AI means for human creativity, moving beyond simplistic utopian or dystopian narratives. Punya explains how AI can serve as a creative partner while underscoring the essential role of human judgment. Through concrete creative examples, the conversation bridges theory and practice to examine how AI can expand, challenge, and reshape creative work across disciplines.

In this episode, psychologist and researcher Dr. Brett Waggoner joins me to explore his work on legacy motivation. Legacy motivation is defined as the psychological drive to leave a meaningful and lasting impact. We discuss why the desire to be remembered shapes decision-making, purpose, and identity, and how this motivation influences leaders across disciplines. Drawing on his research, Dr. Waggoner offers insights into how understanding legacy can help leaders align their values with long-term impact and build organizations that endure beyond any single individual.

Podcast Description

In this episode, I sit down with acclaimed children’s nonfiction author Tanya Lee Stone to explore the power of telling the truth about history and elevating voices too often left out of the narrative. Known for uncovering little-known stories of extraordinary people, Stone shares how she approaches writing narrative nonfiction that is as gripping as fiction while remaining grounded in rigorous research. We talk about celebrating the uncelebrated, challenging simplified versions of the past, and trusting young readers with complexity. Drawing on her experience as a writer, former editor, and educator, Stone reflects on why honest storytelling matters, how history gets constructed, and what it means to write books that empower the next generation to see themselves and the world more clearly.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Soren Kaplan, bestselling author of Experiential Intelligence and one of today’s leading voices on innovation and leadership. We begin by exploring how life experiences shape a powerful form of intelligence that leaders can use to navigate complexity, strengthen culture, and drive meaningful change. The conversation then shifts to the psychology of influence, where Soren breaks down how leaders can use psychological insight to pitch ideas more effectively, build credibility, and inspire action. Together, we connect the inner work of understanding yourself with the outer work of persuading others and offer a practical and compelling roadmap for modern leadership.

In this episode, Dina Denham Smith, executive coach, leadership advisor, and author of Emotionally Charged, joins me to explore how understanding and harnessing emotion can transform the way we lead. Drawing on her work with leaders at Google, Netflix, and Adobe, Dina shares insights from emotional science that help leaders navigate pressure, build stronger teams, and shape healthier cultures. We discuss how emotions (often dismissed as distractions) are powerful sources of data, energy, and connection when used with awareness and intention.