Best The Decision Intelligence Lab Podcasts (2025)

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#13 Filippo Focacci: Constraint Programming & Decision Optimization 36:41

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22d ago36:41

36:41

In this episode of the Decision Intelligence Laboratory podcast, Dr. Filippo Focacci, co-founder and CEO of DecisionBrain, shares insights into the world of optimization, the evolution of their DB Gene platform, and the impact of generative AI on decision-making processes. The conversation covers Filippo's journey into optimization, the strengths o…

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130: Dr. Zach Mercurio â The Hidden Engine of High-Performing Teams: Mattering, Trust, and Purpose-Driven Leadership 55:10

1d ago55:10

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Apply to work with me 1-1: https://courses.calwalters.me/coaching Join the Intentional Leader Lab waitlist: https://courses.calwalters.me/intentional-leader-lab Learn more about Zach: https://www.zachmercurio.com/ In this conversation, Dr. Zach Mercurio discusses the importance of creating a sense of purpose and mattering within teams. He emphasize…

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The Joy Lab: Empowering Teachers and Students with Connection, Play, and Purpose with Darcy Bakkegard 1:05:27

3d ago1:05:27

1:05:27

Darcy Bakkegard Co-Founder & Change Consultant, The Educators' Lab Quotes of the Podcast: “Think of what you want to be different and start from there.” Priya Parker, The Art of Gathering “While individual curiosity can produce incredible feats, our collective curiosity is the motor behind humanity’s biggest innovations. Conversations feed our imag…

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You shouldn't use old playbooks to place new bets - venture capitalist Roger Spitz 45:04

3d ago45:04

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Today we are joined once again by good friend of the podcast, Roger Spitz. While Roger is known well as a futurist and change agent today, his career started in investment banking and M&A. On this episode we explore the cross-roads of the investment world with emerging future innovation, and how this impacts business strategy. Roger argues the play…

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#69 - Addressing the Bad Habits of Market Research 26:15

8d ago26:15

26:15

In an analysis of recent market research conference agendas, Nick Rich found that only 6% of sessions focus on impact and a fraction of that reaching the C-Suite. That stands in stark contrast to recommendations from the recent Client Sight report. Nick puts forward the case that, as a sector, our focus is in the wrong place - and more attention ne…

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Would you confide in an AI replica of you? - tech entrepreneur Robert LoCascio 44:50

25d ago44:50

44:50

When we talk about “human in the loop” of AI, what we mean is human intervention. But what if the AI was human? Or more accurately, a replica not of a generic repeatable, predictable human-sounding response, but built like you. Tech entrepreneur Robert LoCascio joins us today to explore this future, where humans aren’t just kept in the loop but are…

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Bridging Education Gaps: Personalized Coaching and Research for Today’s Graduate Students 28:32

28d ago28:32

28:32

Marj Atkinson CEO The Research Sage Quotes of the Podcast: Make yourself an example of good works with integrity, dignity and incorruptibility in your teaching. Titus 2:7 CSB What a school thinks about its library is a measure of what it feels about education. -Harold Howe. Introduction of Guest BIO – Marj Atkinson received her Master of Library Sc…

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#12 Jon Petersen: Solving Urban Mobility Problems with Data 35:40

1M ago35:40

35:40

In this episode of the Decision Intelligence Lab podcast, hosts Vijay Mehrotra and Michael Watson interview Jon Petersen, Vice President of Data at Archer, an aerospace company specializing in electric vertical takeoff and landing (EVTOL) aircraft. The conversation explores Archer's mission to revolutionize urban mobility, the critical role of data…

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#68 - Embedding Customer Voices in Strategic Decisions 28:35

1M ago28:35

28:35

In this episode of the MRX Lab podcast, Claire Rainey, Head of Insights at Virgin Media O2, shares how customer insight teams can move beyond data collection to become powerful agents of influence. Drawing on experiences from brand tracking to campaign design, Claire illustrates the importance of keeping the “customer on your shoulder” in every dec…

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Big companies optimize for profit, not the consumer - strategy advisor Peter McDonald 53:20

1M ago53:20

53:20

If strategic planning in the consumer goods sector feels different right now, you’re not imagining it. For the past 15 years, leaders in CPG categories have struggled to build plans that deliver the kinds of predictable, reliable profit of days past. Former General Mills Chief Strategy Officer, and a leading independent voice in long range strategi…

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Building an Informed Democracy: Education, Public Policy, and Information Literacy 27:45

1M ago27:45

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PODCAST Season 5 EPISODE 3 Dr. Cassidy Sugimoto School Chair, Tom and Marie Patton Chair, Professor Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy Georgia Institute of Technology Quote of the Podcast: Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Introduction of Guest BIO – Dr. Cassidy R. Sugimoto…

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117. From Campus to Command: The William & Mary Wargaming Lab with Luke Miller 24:57

1M ago24:57

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[Editor’s Note: Army Mad Scientist and the Georgetown University Wargaming Society co-hosted our Game On! Wargaming & The Operational Environment Conference at Georgetown University, Washington, DC, last November, exploring: Trends in hobbyist wargaming; How wargames can address unconventional and neglected aspects of the Operational Environment; H…

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129: Dr. Ryan Gottfredson â The Groundbreaking Science of Personal Transformation, Mindsets, Emotional Intelligence, and Becoming Better 56:42

2M ago56:42

56:42

Update: Now only 6 spots left in the Intentional Leader Lab! â�¡ï¸� Learn about the Intentional Leader Lab: https://intentionalleaderlab.com Book a call: https://tally.so/r/w8X6dz Apply today: https://tally.so/r/nr40XM Please visit my website to get more information: https://calwalters.me/ In this episode, Dr. Ryan Gottfredson returns to discuss th…

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#11 Carolyn Mooney: DecisionOps, Testing, and Iterative Development 34:50

2M ago34:50

34:50

In this episode of the Decision Intelligence Lab podcast, hosts Vijay Mehrotra and Michael Watson discuss the concept of DecisionOps with Carolyn Mooney, Co-Founder & CEO of Nextmv. They discuss the evolution of decision-making systems, the importance of simulation and testing, and how to build trust within organizations. Carolyn shares insights on…

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128: Accomplish Anything as a Leader with the 3 Levels of Clarity and the Intentional Leader Lab 3:45

2M ago3:45

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â�¡ï¸� Learn about the Intentional Leader Lab: https://intentionalleaderlab.com Book a call: https://tally.so/r/w8X6dz Apply today: https://tally.so/r/nr40XM The Intentional Leader Lab: A Mastermind for Successful Leaders Who Refuse to Plateau Even the best leaders can drift, but this carefully curated leadership community and Cal's Narrow Pathâ�¢ …

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Will Richardson on Why the Status Quo in Education Fails Today’s Learners 31:22

2M ago31:22

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PODCAST Season 5 EPISODE 2 Will Richardson Founder Future Serious School Quote of the Podcast: "The end of the world as we know it is not the end of the world, full stop." ~Dougald Hine Introduction of Guest BIO – Will is a lifelong educator who, after 22 years in the classroom, has worked with educators in over 25 countries to push their thinking …

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116. Do Androids Dream of Electric War: The Reality of Autonomous Weapons with Dr. Mark Bailey 25:00

2M ago25:00

25:00

“I think there’s a moral question that one has to ask in general about whether it’s appropriate for a machine to make a decision as to whether or not a human ought to live or die” [Editor’s Note: As observed in TRADOC Pamphlet 525-92, The Operational Environment 2024-2034: Large-Scale Combat Operations: “The increase in the production, employment, …

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There's no way to fix fast fashion - French designer Justine Leconte 51:27

2M ago51:27

51:27

Fashion is a massive $1.8 Trillion industry. Within that two tales unfold: one of quality, timelessness and individualized expression, and another of wastefulness, shame and pride. On this episode of Looking Outside, we explore how fast fashion competes with slow fashion; where craftsmanship, carefulness and scarcity supersede fleeting trends. For …

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127: Dr. Travis Bradberry â Emotional Intelligence Expert Gives Practical Advice to Increase Your EQ, Increase Your Self-Awareness, and Change Your Thinking 45:14

2M ago45:14

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â�¡ï¸� Apply to the Intentional Leader Lab (only 12 slots available): https://intentionalleaderlab.com/ In this conversation, Cal introduces the Intentional Leader Lab, a coaching program aimed at enhancing leadership skills through emotional intelligence. Dr. Travis Bradberry, an expert in emotional intelligence, discusses its significance in lead…

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#10 Kartik Gada: Technology, Change, and Management 33:48

2M ago33:48

33:48

In this episode of the Decision Intelligence Lab podcast, hosts Vijay Mehrotra and Michael Watson engage with Karthik Gada, a CFO and author, to explore the accelerating rate of change in technology and its implications for businesses, economies, and individuals. Gada discusses how technological advancements are interconnected and how they impact v…

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#67 - Applying Behavioural Science to Market Research 20:28

2M ago20:28

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What drives behaviour, and how can understanding it make research more impactful? How do we bridge the gap between what people say and what they actually do? And what practical steps can researchers take to embed behavioural insights into the heart of market research practice? Those are the questions we put to Chris Harvey, CEO of Activate Research…

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S5 E1 Creating Opportunity for Every Child: Dr. Liggins on Equity and Innovative School Programs 31:17

2M ago31:17

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PODCAST Season 5 EPISODE 1 Dr. Demetrus Liggins Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Quote of the Podcast: "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit" -Aristotle Introduction of Guest BIO – Today’s guest is Dr. Demetrus Liggins, superintendent of Fayette County Public Schools since 2021. A former English and…

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115. 15 Layers Deep: Supporting Soldiers with Geospatial Intelligence 44:05

2M ago44:05

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[Editor’s Note: As observed in TRADOC Pamphlet 525-92, The Operational Environment 2024-2034: Large-Scale Combat Operations: “LSCO will be marked by the democratization and proliferation of advanced technologies and hyperconnected global communications, creating an increasingly transparent battlefield that makes it difficult to hide from the enemy.…

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Media we create and consume is becoming synthetic. Who is this for? - Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies 1:00:44

2M ago1:00:44

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This podcast was not read by synthetic AI generated replicas … although it could be. Live from the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies in Denmark, together with three trained communications professionals, we discuss the future of their field. If there even is one. FARSIGHT podcast host and Head of Publications at the CIFS Casper Skovgaard Pete…

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#9 Borja Menéndez: Making Planners into Super Heroes 37:54

3M ago37:54

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In this episode of the Decision Intelligence Laboratory podcast, Borja Menéndez, Lead Operations Research Engineer at Trucksters who also earned his PhD in OR, joins us to discuss his journey into the field of operations research, the impact of his work at Trucksters, and the importance of integrating data science with traditional optimization meth…

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114. Data to Dominance: AI & Gaming to Create Decision Advantage with Jon Pan 46:12

3M ago46:12

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“Agentic warfare is here, whether we welcome it or not. The era of military planners manually gathering limited data and compiling static crisis response options on briefing slides is over. In the next few years, the defense community will see the emergence of AI agents representing military planners, logisticians, intelligence officers, and operat…

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Economics is a social science that doesn't reflect our current society - economist Hans Stegeman 46:12

3M ago46:12

46:12

Financial stability and economic growth has been a staple of national prosperity and business success. In this search for predictable prosperity, fueled by individual ownership and material attainment, we forget that economic models were built as a fix to a problem within the specific context of a social need. Today, economic models have become the…

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126: Melody Wilding â How to Manage Up and 5 Conversations to Have with Your Boss 56:41

3M ago56:41

56:41

â�¡ï¸� Get my free weekly newsletter (The Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup ð�§ Clarify Your Core Values: https://calwalters.me/course In this conversation, Melody Wilding, an expert in managing up, discusses the essential skills and strategies needed to influence your boss and navigate workplace dynamics effectively. She e…

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#66 - The Value of Market Research Intelligence and Data Quality 27:44

3M ago27:44

27:44

What helps market research cut through the noise to reach the ears of those who truly need to hear it? How do you build the case for the value of research? And how do you transform conversations about data quality into the language of decision makers? Those are the big questions we sit down with MRS CEO Jane Frost to discuss. Drawing on a wide rang…

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#8 Ben Alamar: Business Lessons from Sports Analytics 40:05

3M ago40:05

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In this episode of the Decision Intelligence Lab podcast, hosts Vijay Mehrotra and Michael Watson engage with Ben Alamar, a PhD economist and sports analytics expert. They explore the evolution of sports analytics, the impact of motion tracking technology, and the challenges of integrating data into decision-making processes in sports. Ben shares p…

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#7 Peter Cacioppi: Real-Time Model Deployment 37:25

3M ago37:25

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In this episode, Mike & Vijay sit down with Peter Cacioppi, Principal Operations Research Scientist at Decision Spot to dive into the intersection of model building and production software development. Peter shares insights on the tools he's developed, the role of Python in the Gurobi ecosystem, and the transformative impact of LLMs on software dev…

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The crisis of disbelief is paralyzing decision making - intelligence strategist Jake Sotiriadis 44:00

4M ago44:00

44:00

Your business could benefit from a chief geopolitical officer. Not just because of the large shift in operational complexity accelerated by geopolitical conflicts, but because not looking at these topics in a considered way, through a lens of expertise, could lead to poor decisions, lost opportunities, or worse, paralysis. But, says our Looking Out…

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125: Patrick Lencioni â The One Thing Every Leader Needs and His Top Advice to Leaders at All Stages 59:10

4M ago59:10

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â�¡ï¸� Get my free weekly newsletter (The Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup In this episode of the Intentional Leader podcast, Cal and Patrick Lencioni delve into the core motivations behind leadership, emphasizing the importance of serving others over seeking personal gain. They discuss the impact of fear on leadership effe…

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The Future of Leadership AI: An Ecosystem of Coherent Insights 54:49

4M ago54:49

54:49

Leaders don’t just need AI, they need a leadership AI that creates an ecosystem of coherent insights that makes them smarter and more effective.Join us for this week's Your Brain at Work, featuring NLI’s CEO and Co-Founder, Dr. David Rock, and VP of Solutions, Rachel Cardero, as they discuss how a leadership AI should be designed. The future of lea…

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#6 Zahir Balaporia: The Politics of Data Science 36:49

4M ago36:49

36:49

In this episode of the Decision Intelligence Lab podcast, host Vijay Mehrotra and co-host Michael Watson engage with Zahir Balaporia, an expert in analytics and decision-making. They explore the concepts of the 'last mile' and 'extra mile', and the politics of analytics. Zahir also shares real-world examples of how organizational dynamics can impac…

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How NILES Can Make Leaders Smarter 48:35

4M ago48:35

48:35

Today’s leaders are constantly trying to keep up with the complexity of the organizational landscape, all while making smarter decisions and driving their teams towards innovation. Join us for the next edition of "Your Brain at Work Live," where Dr. Emma Sarro discusses how NILES, the NeuroLeadership Institute's AI leadership coach, is set to revol…

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#65 - Customer Closeness, Research Delivery & Insight Leadership 26:44

4M ago26:44

26:44

When asked about the insight that surprised her most throughout her career, today's guest didn't answer with an unexpected fact about consumers - but instead an observation about how stakeholder response to insight is influenced significantly by its delivery. That's the jumping off point for a wide-ranging discussion with Rosemary Hadden, Head of C…

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113. Beyond Venture Capital: How the Government is Investing in Innovation 37:22

4M ago37:22

37:22

[Editor’s Note: Regular readers of the Mad Scientist Laboratory understand the transformative potential of Large Language Models (LLMs) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have on the character of warfare — for a comprehensive list of previously published blog posts and podcasts exploring the potential application of these technologies across the Oper…

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Change is incredibly slow and exponentially fast - venture capitalist Roger Spitz 23:54

4M ago23:54

23:54

You can’t talk about the future without talking about change. But change can trick you, as guest Roger Spitz says on this latest episode, filmed live at the Rulebreaker Future Congress in Germany. Roger is the founding Chair of the Disruptive Futures Institute and, there, instructs global leaders in operating with agility in uncertain environments.…

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Stop romanticizing analog experiences - tech entrepreneur Lyron Bentovim 20:02

4M ago20:02

20:02

We’ve been living digitally for decades. While many of us think romantically about an analog and physical existence, the future is not taking us back there, but deeper into a digital immersion. So says our guest today, Lyron Bentovim, CEO and President of The Glimpse Group, a company advancing augmented and virtual reality innovation. In this episo…

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From the lab to the market: challenges in cellular technology - biotech scholar Dr Hamid Noori 20:17

4M ago20:17

20:17

Bioengineering is a complex field. In some industries it’s well established, in others still nascent. But one thing is true regardless of where it’s applied – it poses interesting problems. Dr Hamid Noori is one scientist motivated by solving these kinds of big, difficult and (he would say) fun problems. As CEO of bioengineering company, The Cultiv…

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The Real Science of Habits 51:53

4M ago51:53

51:53

In this episode of Your Brain at Work, we unlock the secrets to embedding effective and resilient habits. In today’s environment of accelerating change and overwhelming demands, building strong habits – those that become default under pressure – is more crucial than ever. Organizations need strategies that work quickly and scale easily, and are mor…

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Advancing Public Education in Kentucky: Senator Reggie Thomas Discusses Policy and Progress 34:14

4M ago34:14

34:14

Sen Reggie Thomas KY State Senator Introduction of Guest BIO – Reggie Thomas graduated from Bryan Station High School in 1971. He earned a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College in 1975 and a Juris Doctor from Harvard University in 1978. His career experience includes working as an assistant professor at Kentucky State University. Interview Agent…

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#5. Ganesh Ramakrishna: Navigating the Startup Landscape 34:34

5M ago34:34

34:34

In this episode of the Decision Intelligence Lab podcast, Ganesh Ramakrishna joins our hosts Vijay & Mike to share his journey from co-founding Opex Analytics to launching Lyric. He discusses the challenges of building a software company, the importance of fundraising with scaled ambitions, and the critical role of product-market fit. Ganesh emphas…

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Meet Coach NILES: A Next Generation Approach to Coaching Through AI 57:07

5M ago57:07

57:07

Meet the world’s smartest leadership coach, NILES, NLI’s Neuro Intelligent Leadership Enhancing System. Designed to make leaders smarter, faster.In today's tricky environment, leaders are under pressure to do more with less, juggling multiple responsibilities with limited resources. What leaders need is an AI tailored to meet their specific challen…

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It’s not science fiction: how we’re preserving human life - future scientist Sven Gabor Janszky 33:25

5M ago33:25

33:25

For over two decades, Germany's most demanded futurist, Sven Gabor Janszky, has been gathering business leaders across Europe, exposing them to the 'rulebreaking' ideas that are changing our world. In this 24th edition of this event, Sven sits down with host (and international keynote at the congress) Jo Lepore, to discuss the science behind findin…

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Ayo Jones on Reimagining Education for the Intelligence Age: AI, Inquiry, and the PEACE Framework 37:51

5M ago37:51

37:51

Ayo Jones Educator| Author |Creator Quote of the Podcast: “Forward ever, backward never.” – Kwame Nkrumah Introduction of Guest BIO – Ayo Jones is an educator, instructional designer, and the author of Teaching with AI: The PEACE Framework. She’s all about helping teachers integrate AI into their classrooms to build the critical skills students nee…

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Trends in Leadership Now: How to Keep Inspiring Great Work Amidst Challenges 53:41

5M ago53:41

53:41

Organizations are facing a complex landscape of challenges and potential crises, driven by rapid technological advancements, shifting economic conditions, and evolving global events. Frameworks such as VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) and the more recent BANI (brittle, anxious, nonlinear, and incomprehensible) are used to u…

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124: Geoff Woods â Leverage AI for Elite Thinking and Decision Making (The Ai-Driven Leader) 52:28

5M ago52:28

52:28

â�¡ï¸� Get my Newsletter (Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup Discover Your Core Values: https://calwalters.me/course Geoff Woods is the author of The AI-Driven Leader and the Founder of AI Leadership, where he empowers leaders to harness AI, escape operational overwhelm, and think strategically to accelerate growth. AI Leader…

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#4 Harley Davis: Combining LLMs with OR and Business Rules for Mission Critical Applications 30:18

5M ago30:18

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In this podcast episode, Michael Watson & Vijay Mehrotra interviews Harley Davis, Founder and CEO of Athena Decision Systems. They discuss the rise of generative AI and its integration with business rules, emphasizing the importance of reliable decision-making in mission-critical applications. Harley explains the limitations of LLMs, referring to t…