Best Tim Stephenson Podcasts (2025)

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Compliance Is the Floor; Inclusion Is the Strategy with Hilary Stephenson 57:47

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16d ago57:47

57:47

"Accessibility isn’t a niche feature set; it’s the operating system of a fair and profitable digital world." On this week’s episode of The FODcast, James sits down with Hilary Stephenson, Managing Director at Nexer Digital, to unpack how inclusive design drives growth, reduces risk, and builds trust across every customer journey. In our chat, we co…

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Ep. #307A: Might Curiosity Hibernate? 5:31

21d ago5:31

5:31

I’m taking a little break in December. Call it some curiosity R&R — curiosity respite & re-airs. I’ll get a production break, and my radio audiences will continue to enjoy uninterrupted listening, thanks to Pacifica Radio Network, with four great C2BC Classic re-airs. We'll be back with a great lineup starting January 1st.Of course, I don’t want yo…

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When AI Takes the Busywork: How Teams May Evolve in the Age of Agents with Rob Goodwin 48:40

29d ago48:40

48:40

AI is not just changing tools, it is changing teams, skills and how customers find you online. In this week’s episode of The FODcast, host James Hodges sits down with Rob Goodwin, Chief Data Officer at MSQ Partners, to talk about what is moving fast, what is hype, and what leaders should fix now. We cover: AI agents for triage, code generation and …

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Ep. #307: Curiosity & Nature Journaling, with John Muir Laws 28:00

1M ago28:00

28:00

"Slow down to the speed of wonder." ~ John Muir LawsThis is an episode about nature journaling, but Jack would be the first to say: it isn't about the journal, it's about the journey.He's developed interdisciplinary programs that combine art with science and train us to observe the world with rigor and joy -- strengthening our capacity to be intent…

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C2BC-307 Bonus: Analogies (6 min) 6:11

1M ago6:11

6:11

I couldn't fit everything in this week, so here is what Jack Laws and I drew from the Big Jar of Wannabe Analogies. #analogyEpisode webpage: https://lynnborton.com/2025/11/27/curiosity-nature-journaling-with-john-muir-laws/By Lynn Borton

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Ep. #306: Skip the Small Talk, with Ashley Kirsner 28:00

1M ago28:00

28:00

Enough with the polite, front parlor pablum of the past -- and onward toward rich discussion, mindful discourse, self-disclosure, and – dare I say it? – curiosity! Wanting to do something about the epidemic of loneliness among her peers, Ashley Kirsner set out to find a way to help people build their conversational and self-revelatory muscles. Ente…

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From Buzzwords To Bottom Line: Unified Commerce, AI, And The Real Costs Of Replatforming with Kim Samuelsen and Max Rolon 1:05:19

2M ago1:05:19

1:05:19

We’ve got an extra special episode of The FODcast dropping this week - not only do we have both Tim Roedel AND James Hodges side by side in the interviewer’s seat once again, but we’re also joined by two guests from global commerce agency Domaine, Kim Samuelsen and Max Rolon. In this four-way chat, we discuss how Shopify’s native capabilities now h…

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Ep. #305: Curiosity & Creativitry: The Know-How, Practice & Mastery of Creativity, with Stan Lai 28:00

1M ago28:00

28:00

“Creativitry," writes legendary playwright Stan Lai in the preface to his new book of that name, "Doesn’t exist as a word. Just as all creative things do not exist -- until they do. "Rhymes with Artistry, and Chemistry, and Sorcery. "The know-how, practice and mastery of creativity."The overlap, undercurrents and interplay of creativity and curiosi…

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Ep. #304: Curious in Mind & Body, with Qudsiya Naqui 28:00

2M ago28:00

28:00

How might understanding the experiences of disability help us be more curious about our own and others' minds and bodies?And, most importantly, how might any of that help us be kinder and more patient with ourselves and each other?I’m profoundly grateful to legal scholar and disability media-maker Qudsiya Naqui for proposing today’s topic.Qudsiya N…

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Nerds Who Talk: The Tech Behind Big Brand Migrations with Bob Rockland 37:35

2M ago37:35

37:35

What makes a 20-year veteran development team bet everything on Shopify? According to Bob Rockland, Co-Founder of Code (now part of Domaine), the answer lies in both economics and technology. In the latest episode of The FODcast, Bob takes us inside Code’s journey to becoming the world’s largest dedicated Shopify partner - and why no client they’ve…

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Ep. #303: Curiosity & Finding Good, with Brian Fretwell 28:00

2M ago28:00

28:00

Brian Fretwell's work grows out of a rich mix of neuroscience, anthropology, leadership and what you might call self-interested curiosity. Rather than obsessing about where we fell short and consoling ourselves we will learn from our mistakes, he encourages us to learn from our successes instead. The secret, he says, is connection.Brian Fretwell & …

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Ep. #302: Curiosity at PechaKucha Night Knoxville, with Lila Honker & Matthew deBardelaben 28:00

2M ago28:00

28:00

What if there were a mechanism – a format – that kept novelty high, provided some assurance that the information being imparted was important (at least to someone), and that might tap into things we know perhaps a bit about? Wouldn’t that seem like a pretty great curiosity vehicle? I give you PechaKucha!PechaKucha Night Knoxville: https://www.pecha…

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Ep. #301: Birdability & Making Curiosity Accessible, with Cat Fribley 28:00

2M ago28:00

28:00

I've been thinking about being more curious about what accessibility around curiosity really means and entails. I was delighted to sit down with accessibility advocate and Birdablity executive director, Cat Fribley to explore the curiosity lessons to be learned from the organization -- and from Birdability Week, a week full of events dedicated to m…

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Prompts, Products, and Profits: The AI Revolution Nobody Saw Coming with Sander Berlinski 51:58

2M ago51:58

51:58

What’s really driving the AI revolution in digital commerce? According to Sander Berlinski, Director of Innovation at valantic, the answer isn’t chasing futuristic hype, but focusing on what’s working right now. In this FODcast episode, Sander breaks down how AI is already transforming retail, from automating compliance checks to reshaping creative…

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Ep. #300: Curiosity & Listening with the Energy of Fourteen Hearts, with Haru Yamada 28:00

3M ago28:00

28:00

“Kiku” is a Japanese word for listen. It is comprised of smaller characters that together, as my guest Haru Yamada puts it, “generate the secret alchemy of listening: an ear 耳 on the left and fourteen 十四 hearts 心 on the right …conjuring a person listening with the energy of fourteen hearts.” Think for a moment what it means to listen with the energ…

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Ep. #299: A Creative Quester's Guide to Curiosity, with Sam Furness 28:00

3M ago28:00

28:00

Sam Furness says nothing gives him greater joy than being an architect of spaces and moments where people really feel they can express themselves creatively. In that spirit, he founded Creative Quests, a worldwide community and creative playground for people fueled by curiosity.Sam Furness/Creative Quests: https://www.creativequests.world Theme mus…

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Marketplaces, TikTok, and Dad Dancing: Why Not Every Brand Should Follow the Crowd with Rhea Fox 52:42

3M ago52:42

52:42

What’s really shaping the future of digital commerce? According to Rhea Fox, Marketing Director of Gift Experiences at Moonpig Group, the biggest shift isn’t just technology - it’s how distribution and marketplaces are rewriting the rules of retail. In this FODcast episode, Rhea draws on senior roles at eBay, Ted Baker, and Monsoon Accessorize to e…

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Ep. #298: Curiosity Builds Rapport, with Tyler Chisholm 28:00

3M ago28:00

28:00

We all have a curiosity origin story. What’s yours? CEO, author and marketing exec Tyler Chisholm’s happens to involve a pool cue.Enriched by his experience in strategic growth-oriented marketing and as host of not one but two podcasts, Tyler polishes that first little nugget into robust guidance for leaders everywhere in his new book Curious as He…

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The 'Fan Club' Effect: Rethinking Retail Loyalty with Erica Sandelin Ekelund 51:13

3M ago51:13

51:13

What makes a customer truly loyal? According to Voyado CEO Erica Sandelin Ekelund, it’s not just points or discounts – it’s about building genuine connections that turn shoppers into passionate brand advocates. Or, as she calls them, your fan club. In the latest episode of The FODcast, Erica reveals why the most successful retailers double down on …

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Ep. #297: Curiosity Lessons from Solutions Journalism, with Mónica Quesada Cordero 28:00

3M ago28:00

28:00

Mónica Quesada Cordero and her colleagues at el Colectivo 506 have learned a lot in their five years of bringing solutions journalism to Costa Rica. These are curiosity lessons for journalism, and for life itself.el Colectivo 506: https://elcolectivo506.com/?lang=enTheme music by Sean Balick; “A Burst of Light" by Delray, via Blue Dot Sessions.…

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Ep. #296: Curiosity & Successful Aging, with Mary Whatley 28:00

4M ago28:00

28:00

"We think there's a little more of a selective process going on with curiosity." ~ Mary WhatleyNo surprise: curiosity changes over the lifespan.Yes surprise: not in the way you might imagine. There are some advantages to aging...Mary Whatley, PhD, studies motivated memory, aging and curiosity. She joins me to explore trait versus state curiosity; h…

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To become a wild thing: Season Four finale with Joanna Lambert 1:30:29

4M ago1:30:29

1:30:29

I read once that bravery required feeling tangible fear. A Shackleton-style blistering confidence that barrels into harsh landscapes is not, by definition, brave, because it refuses to acknowledge the contextual realities around one's experience. Today's guest, on the other hand, looks with clear eyes at challenging field experiences, the inherent …

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Ep. #295: Cultivating Curiosity: Move, Think, Rest, with Natalie Nixon 28:00

4M ago28:00

28:00

Creativity strategist Natalie Nixon has a fresh take on productivity and our ideas about time.She makes the case for leaning into joyful movement, deep thinking and the pause of a "strategic speed bump" to tap into -- and cultivate -- our creativity and curiosity.Natalie Nixon: https://www.figure8thinking.com Theme music by Sean Balick; “Mind Body …

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The Hidden Challenge of Retail: What Happens Between Clicks and Bricks with Elliot Winskill 45:22

4M ago45:22

45:22

What really drives the future of retail? According to PMC’s Technology & Solutions Director Elliot Winskill, it’s not about choosing between online and in-store, it’s about mastering the space in between. In the latest episode of The FODcast, Elliot unpacks how 12 years in retail technology have given him a front-row seat to the industry’s scars, s…

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Embracing (Family) Feud: Megan Stephenson 30:06

4M ago30:06

30:06

A moment of honesty: This producer shies from conflict. Most often, when someone disagrees, I perceive it as intellectual arm-wrestling—the more clever person winning the day and their opponent (usually me) hunched in a walk of shame away from the table. Imagine our delight when we began to work with today's guest, Megan Stephenson, who not only se…

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Ep. #294: Curiosity & Dating, with Tim Molnar 28:00

4M ago28:00

28:00

Dating coach Tim Molnar blends social science and statistical scholarship with both personal experience and practical suggestions in hopes of transforming how people approach modern dating. How can curiosity help in our dating lives? Tim has thoughts!We explore research's origins in "me-search"; getting curious about what is -- or isn't -- actually…

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Ep. #293: Curiosity Becomes the Engine for Learning, with Matthias Gruber 28:00

4M ago28:00

28:00

This was a wide-ranging and exciting conversation about neuroscientist Matthias Gruber's ongoing efforts to understand curiosity's role in learning and memory. There's a lot here. You may have to listen more than once -- I know I did!Matthias Gruber: https://profiles.cardiff.ac.uk/staff/gruberm Theme music by Sean Balick; “A Little Powder” by Nurse…

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Ep. #292: Seeing & Being Seen, with Humanitarian Photographer Lisa Kristine 28:00

5M ago28:00

28:00

Lisa Kristine is a humanitarian photographer and fine artist. She uses her photography to expose deeply human stories and make pictures that tap our curiosity about the people and lives she has documented."Curiosity calls us to be present." ~ Lisa KristineLisa Kristine: https://lisakristine.comTheme music by Sean Balick; “Sand Reverie” by Desert Or…

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An optimist's guide to biological competition: Ed Chuong 30:59

5M ago30:59

30:59

ANDers, today's episode is a doozy. Today, we sit with Ed Chuong, associate professor of molecular, cellular and developmental biology and researcher at CU Boulder’s BioFrontiers Institute. Ed discusses his research exploring unexpected conflict, even in the womb, and his more recent exploration of the long-overlooked transposons. He also shares hi…

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When AGI Lands, Your Business Model Might Vanish with Daniel Hinderink 1:09:42

5M ago1:09:42

1:09:42

AI, trade wars, and data sovereignty are reshaping European tech strategies - and businesses can no longer rely on yesterday’s playbook. In this episode of The FODcast, we’re joined by Daniel Hinderink, Director of Strategy and Growth at TechDivision, to unpack the deep structural shifts happening across the digital landscape. We cover: Why data so…

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Ep. #291: Making Sense: Curiosity & Smell, with Venkatesh Murthy 28:00

5M ago28:00

28:00

Lean into the language of smell with me: we sniff things out, we follow a scent. We’re nosey! Is this not curiosity, enacted? Embodied!? So what do we know about our sense of smell, and might studying it offer insights into the way our brains explore, learn and remember?Venkatesh Murthy: https://vnmurthylab.orgTheme music by Sean Balick; “A Palace …

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Ep. #290: RumorGuard: Curiosity Takes on Misinformation, with Dan Evon 28:00

5M ago28:00

28:00

Much as I champion curiosity, sometimes it can take us down bad paths. Thank goodness there are excellent resources that help us lean into our curiosity, recognize misinformation -- and stop it in its tracks.RumorGuard is an initiative of the News Literacy Project to do just that. It fact-checks viral rumors and offers concrete tips to help us buil…

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The craft of a human moment: Nick Houy 27:50

5M ago27:50

27:50

Okay ANDers, we need a moment to fawn. Today's guest, Nick Houy, is a Hollywood film editing badass with movie credits like Barbie, Little Women, Mid90s and Lady Bird. Full transparency, these are some of our team's faves, and we couldn't believe our luck when Nick agreed to come on our show. When we discovered he is not only brilliant but incredib…

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Ep. #289: Getting to the Heart: Curiosity & Ghost Writing, with Laura Zigman 28:00

5M ago28:00

28:00

How does a ghost writer get to the juiciest heart of their subject? Laura Zigman is the author of six novels and has ghostwritten and/or collaborated on multiple memoirs and non-fiction books. We have fun talking about writing with someone -- not about them -- and getting their voice right; the line between curiosity and nosiness; compassion, empat…

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Beyond the Hype: Shopify’s Real Role in Enterprise Retail with Teemu Tolonen 45:08

5M ago45:08

45:08

In the latest episode of The FODcast, we were delighted to be joined by Teemu Tolonen, CCO at Woolman, to unpack one of the biggest shifts in digital commerce: how Shopify has quietly become a serious contender in enterprise retail. As part of Europe’s largest Shopify Plus agency, Teemu brings first-hand insight into what’s driving this change and …

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Ep. #288: Celebrating Curiosity & Civil Service, with Mikel Herrington 28:00

5M ago28:00

28:00

Mikel Herrington is a veteran of both AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps. We explore curiosity as the underpinning that brings people into civil service, reciprocal curiosity across cultural and experiential divides, humility, humor, how service allows room for listening, and why someone might carry a pecan for years...Theme music by Sean Balick; "Home…

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Beginning with hello: Cleo Washington on student success 27:38

6M ago27:38

27:38

Cleo Washington (DnceBFA'25) is a gifted dance performance artist who deftly performs pieces across styles—from ballet to house, Hip Hop to modern. Hers is a rare talent, but Cleo's journey to graduation from the University of Colorado Boulder was not a simple story of recognizing talent and shaping skill in an academic experience. On today's episo…

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Ep. #287: The dr. T projecT & Things Worth Knowing, with Shawkat Toorawa 28:00

6M ago28:00

28:00

For 15 years, Professor Shawkat Toorawa has offered "three things worth knowing" from literature, music and general knowledge, no strings attached.Each week during the academic year, "Dr. T" delivers a curiosity booster shot for anyone who wants to partake. It's his gesture toward true liberal arts and an ever-expanding appreciation of the rich and…

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Ep. #286: Curiosity, Book Bans & Bad-Ass Librarians, with Diane Kresh 28:00

6M ago28:00

28:00

What happens to intellectual freedom when libraries come under attack? What happens to curiosity?Librarian and director of the Department of Libraries in Arlington, VA, Diane Kresh joins me to explore the long and storied history of bad-ass librarians, book bans and book sanctuaries, the "curiosity paradox" of such bans, what makes libraries a cent…

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ROI or Bust: Commerce in a Cost-Conscious World with Tal Ofer 48:09

6M ago48:09

48:09

Is Replatforming Dead? Why Retailers Are Taking a More Targeted Approach to Tech Investment In the latest episode of The FODcast, we’re joined by Tal Ofer, Senior Partnerships Director at Cloudinary and Co-Founder of the MACH Alliance Community Council, to unpack the reality of tech decision-making in retail right now. With over 15 years shaping gl…

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Ep. #285: Curiosity in Translation & Interpretation, with Silvia Villacampa 28:00

6M ago28:00

28:00

This week’s conversation is about curiosity in translation and interpretation. Not just the literal, “how do you say this thing in that language?”– but how do we use our curiosity to communicate our ideas effectively, to investigate what’s really being said when we're quite literally not speaking one another's language.Luckily, there are people lik…

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Your chosen family: Sarah Looper 38:14

6M ago38:14

38:14

Can we trust what we see on social? In the case of today's guest, the answer is adamantly the affirmative. Sarah Looper is a gifted sommelier and wine educator who has worked in the food and wine world for over twenty-five years. She is also the beloved personality behind Loopersomm, an online presence that democratizes wine with content that rapid…

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Physical Retail's Vital Pulse: Why In-Store Experiences Still Matter with James O'Hare 1:01:51

6M ago1:01:51

1:01:51

The death of the high street? Not quite. In this episode of The FODcast, we’re joined by James O’Hare - Area VP UK at Sitoo – to explore why physical retail isn’t dying, it’s evolving. From in-store gyms and juice bars to immersive tent villages, retailers creating memorable, experience-led spaces are thriving. And behind it all? A shift from disco…

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Music for Leaving: Erika's debut novel 16:45

7M ago16:45

16:45

Erika and Producer Tim discuss Erika's debut novel, Music for Leaving, its origin story, what makes the story grand and how Erika and Tim navigate feeling like imposters, even with a gorgeous book in-hand. Buy Music for Leaving on IngramSpark, our preferred vendor. Music for Leaving is also available, often by request, from your favorite bookstore …

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Ep. #283: In Praise of (Curiosity-Driven) Research, with Anthony Zador 28:00

7M ago28:00

28:00

With science under attack, researcher Anthony Zador joins me to make the case for its value, especially of curiosity-driven basic science.We explore the charms of curiosity as a research motivator, what distinguishes curiosity-driven research from all the rest, federal investment in science -- and recent disruptions thereto and the gutting of Ameri…

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Ep. #284: Curiosity in the Jewish Tradition, with Rabbi Nancy Flam 28:00

7M ago28:00

28:00

In the first of what I hope is a periodic series, Rabbi Nancy Flam joined me to explore curiosity in the Jewish tradition. It's a lovely discussion of everything from Moses' response to the burning bush and the Jewish value sakranut, to creative betrayal and the importance of not getting kicked out for our questions.Theme music by Sean Balick; “Pat…

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Community through imagination: Marcia Douglas 33:08

7M ago33:08

33:08

An encounter with the smallest material can spark nostalgia: the first bite of saltfish and home, the texture of satin and standing onstage, just the right weight of rain. While these unexpected free-falls into memory can be a lovely surprise, today's guest reaches intentionally into her imagination and shapes memories into gorgeous narratives of f…

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Ep. #282: Choose to Be Curious: Lessons Learned 28:00

7M ago28:00

28:00

Here it is: the story of how this whole curiosity enterprise came to be and some of the many insights I’ve picked up along the way -- with a little timely bias for all things peace and conflict-transformation related.For those of you who are new, this is how it all began! For those who have been around a while, here's the origin story, plus some of…

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Navigating AI in B2B Commerce with Aidan McGaughey 52:06

7M ago52:06

52:06

Legacy Systems Meet AI: Can B2B Can Bridge the Gap? The B2B sector is standing at a crossroads. On one side: faxes, spreadsheets, and legacy systems. On the other: AI-powered smart agents and instant order processing. In this episode of The FODcast, Aidan McGaughey – EMEA Country Manager at OroCommerce shares how B2B businesses can navigate this te…

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Ep. #281: Curiosity in Challenging Racism & Celebrating Juneteenth, with Monique Bryant 28:00

7M ago28:00

28:00

How might choosing to be curious help us keep the conversation open, hold onto history that's being erased, and find moments for celebration, even still?Monique "Moe" Bryant was my teacher and guide when I took a course called Challenging Racism back in 2015-2016. I had her on the show twice then, once before and once after I'd taken the eye-openin…