Why Lead?

What if knowing less could actually make you more? In this riveting conversation, Ben Owden sits down with Dr. Stuart Firestein, former Chair of Columbia University’s Biological Sciences, neuroscientist extraordinaire, and author of Ignorance: How It Drives Science and Failure: Why Science Is Successful. Far from being gloomy topics, Stuart shows us how ignorance and failure are the secret engines of creativity and innovation, both in the lab and in life.In This Episode, We Explore:Why “Not Knowing” Is Your Greatest Superpower – Stuart argues that curiosity lives between what we know and what we don’t. Learn how “negative capability” (a willingness to tolerate uncertainty) is the birthplace of every major discovery.How Failure Uncovers Hidden Possibilities – From Marie Curie to Richard Feynman, see why a “failed experiment” can be more valuable than hitting a bull’s-eye. (Hint: Nature’s top predators in nature only succeed 25% of the time!)The Art of Asking Better Questions – Forget “hypothesis‐driven” experiments: discover why wandering in the dark sometimes, not just under the lamp post, is where the real magic happens.Living with Revision — Why “Total Truth” Doesn’t Exist – What Newton, Einstein, and Keats taught Stuart about refining knowledge instead of clinging to “one final answer.”Practical Tips for Embracing Ignorance & Failure Today – From “failing better” to scheduling a daily “dark-room” hour, Stuart shares concrete ways to rewire your mindset—whether you’re a scientist, a middle manager, or just someone who wants to do more creative work.Get a copy of Failure: Why Science Is So SuccessfulImportant Links*Join Thrive in the Middle Today!*Book WhyLead to Train Your Teams*Explore Our ServicesSocial Media*Ben Owden's LinkedIn*Ben Owden's Twitter 

Imagine waking up to a world run by hyper-intelligent machines. It sounds like science fiction, but Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer at Google X, bestselling author, and renowned happiness evangelist, says it's coming faster than you think.In this gripping episode, Mo shares a prophetic vision that’s equal parts warning and hope. As we hurtle toward a future where artificial intelligence holds unimaginable power, Mo argues we are at a tipping point: AI will either magnify our flaws or elevate humanity to unprecedented heights. But first, brace yourself for a dystopian phase, driven not by technology itself, but by our own deeply flawed ethics.Mo passionately explains why Africa, especially, must urgently stake its claim in the rapidly emerging "digital soil," warning that delay could lead to decades of digital colonization. Yet, his message isn’t purely cautionary. He shows us a clear, optimistic path to harness AI as a force for true abundance, joy, and human flourishing—provided we take responsibility now.Will we raise AI to be Superman or a supervillain? Mo insists the choice is ours.Watch as Ben Owden hosts a conversation filled with sharp insights, urgent warnings, and an inspiring vision for a world where technology serves our collective happiness, not our undoing.Mo Gawdat's Books: https://www.mogawdat.com/booksWhyLead's Web: https://www.whyleadothers.com/podcastWhyLead's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/whyleadconsultancy/?viewAsMember=trueWhyLead's Twitter: https://twitter.com/whyleadothersBen Owden's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benowden/Ben Owden's Twitter: https://twitter.com/godsrafiki#BenOwden #WhyLead #WhyLeadPodcast #africanleadership  #mogawdat  #ScarySmart #AIRevolution #SlowMoPodcast #futureofai  #ethicalai  #DigitalTransformation #aiforgood  #humancenteredai  #FutureReadySummit

In this conversation, Dr. Sara Mednick, world-renowned scientist, author of the influential book Take a Nap, Change Your Life, and professor directing the Sleep and Cognition Lab at UC Irvine, shares eye-opening insights about the profound link between rest, sleep, longevity, and your overall quality of life.Ever wondered why stress at work drains your energy or why cutting corners on sleep today might sabotage your health decades later? Dr. Mednick breaks down exactly how your daily rest rhythms directly impact everything from emotional resilience and cognitive clarity to your long-term health, immunity, and even susceptibility to Alzheimer’s and dementia.She challenges society’s obsession with constant productivity, explores why "I'll sleep when I'm old" is a dangerous myth, and reveals the surprising consequences of relying on caffeine and alcohol to "take the edge off."Get a copy of The Power of the Downstate by Sara Mednick.Important Links*Join Thrive in the Middle Today!*Book WhyLead to Train Your Teams*Explore Our ServicesSocial Media*Ben Owden's LinkedIn*Ben Owden's Twitter 

Imagine discovering four distinct “personalities” inside your brain—each with its own way of thinking, feeling, and experiencing the world. That’s exactly what Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, a Harvard-trained neuroanatomist, revealed after surviving a major left-hemisphere stroke that erased her ability to walk, talk, and even recall her name. In this transformative conversation, Ben Owden dives into how Dr. Jill’s ordeal led her to a life-changing discovery: we each have four characters in our brains, and learning to embrace them all helps us live as our fullest, most human selves.Drawing on her bestselling books, My Stroke of Insight and Whole Brain Living, Dr. Jill explains how tapping into both the structured, logical power of our left hemisphere AND the creative, interconnected genius of our right hemisphere can spark deeper relationships, fuel business innovation, and help us truly flourish—both at work and in life. She demystifies the science behind the four “characters” in your brain, shows how to notice which one is “driving” your behavior at any moment, and offers practical strategies to shift between them by choice.If you’ve ever felt torn between productivity and play, logic and intuition, or wondered how to heal from past pain without losing your spark, this episode offers real neuroscience to back up your intuition that wholeness is possible.  Get a copy of Whole Brain Living by Dr. Jill.Important Links*Join Thrive in the Middle Today!*Book WhyLead to Train Your Teams*Explore Our ServicesSocial Media*Ben Owden's LinkedIn*Ben Owden's Twitter 

What if you could predict who will buy, who will click—or even who might lie or die? In this episode, Ben Owden sits down with Dr. Eric Siegel founder of Machine Learning Week, a globally recognized expert on demystifying machine learning and author of two landmark books, Predictive Analytics and The AI Playbook, Dr. Siegel.They cut through the hype of “AI” to reveal how predictive analytics (the real engine behind so many “AI” claims) is transforming day-to-day business operations—from fraud detection and targeted marketing to life-saving medical breakthroughs. Dr. Siegel explains why machine learning doesn’t grant magical crystal-ball power, yet still delivers massive value by accurately tipping the odds at scale. Together, they explore how this technology can help build a world that our kids—indeed, all of us—can thrive in, if we apply it ethically and responsibly.Whether you’re a data scientist, a tech-savvy entrepreneur, or just curious about AI’s practical impact, this conversation will recalibrate how you see machine learning. Discover why some projects succeed while others fizzle out, how real machine learning differs from inflated notions of “intelligent machines,” and why the secret lies in collaboration, probabilities, and concrete, operational goals—not grandiose futurism.Get a copy of The AI PlaybookImportant Links*Join Thrive in the Middle Today!*Book WhyLead to Train Your Teams*Explore Our ServicesSocial Media*Ben Owden's LinkedIn*Ben Owden's Twitter 

What if everything you thought you knew about strategy was wrong—or at least incomplete? In this eye-opening episode, Ben Owden sits down with Felix Oberholzer-Gee, Harvard Business School’s Andreas Andersen Professor of Business Administration and the author of Better, Simpler Strategy: A Value-Based Guide to Exceptional Performance. Renowned for his award-winning teaching and cutting-edge research, Felix distills strategy down to its essence: value creation for customers, employees, and partners.Discover why some of the biggest buzzwords in business—from the metaverse to cryptocurrencies—may not be worth your organization’s time. Felix explains how focusing on “willingness to pay” and “willingness to sell” helps you weed out pointless projects and, instead, channel resources into efforts that truly move the needle. Learn how timeless principles of value creation can apply to everything from tech innovations like AI to employee engagement—and even your personal life.This conversation offers a refreshing antidote to today’s obsession with “chasing trends,” underscoring that competitive advantage stems from relentlessly improving what people love about your offering—and how employees experience their work. Tune in to rethink how you pick your projects, price your products, and reward your people.Get a Copy of Dr. Felix's book Better, Simpler StrategyImportant Links*Join Thrive in the Middle Today!*Book WhyLead to Train Your Teams*Explore Our ServicesSocial Media*Ben Owden's LinkedIn*Ben Owden's Twitter 

How do we create a world where our children—and all of us—can truly thrive? In this episode, Ben Owden sits down with Dr. Monica Sharma, a physician, epidemiologist, and former senior leader at the United Nations, whose groundbreaking work in Radical Transformational Leadership helps people tackle global challenges by harnessing their own inner capacities. Drawing from decades of experience across continents, Dr. Sharma explains how universal values—like dignity, equity, and compassion—can disrupt exploitative systems and foster real, systemic change.She reveals how her Conscious Full-Spectrum Response model simultaneously solves problems, transforms unworkable norms, and taps into our innate human wisdom. If you’re ready to stop applying mere band-aids and start building a society you’d be proud to pass on to your kids, this conversation offers deep insights and actionable steps. Discover why Dr. Sharma believes radical transformation is “easy,” how to align your values with your actions, and what it really takes to spark sustainable, large-scale shifts—right where you are.Get a Copy of Radical Transformational LeadershipImportant Links*Join Thrive in the Middle Today!*Book WhyLead to Train Your Teams*Explore Our ServicesSocial Media*Ben Owden's LinkedIn*Ben Owden's Twitter 

Ever felt your heart sink when someone says, “I have some feedback for you”? You’re not alone. In this insightful episode, I chat with Jason Rosoff, co-founder of Radical Candor, about the gripping fear and anxiety that often hijack feedback and performance conversations.Jason has helped organizations of every size—from scrappy startups to Fortune 100 heavyweights—create honest, human-centered cultures. Drawing on both brain science and real-world success stories. Jason offers practical tips on moving from avoidance and dread to candor and collaboration.We explore:Why feedback sparks so much anxiety—and how to keep conversations future-focusedIntent vs. content: focusing on the relationship outcome, not just the mistakeHow leaders can “lay down their power” and invite genuine, two-way dialogueThe surprising power of small, frequent check-ins over staged, high-pressure reviewsConfronting in-group vs. out-group bias so everyone—from underrepresented employees to introverts—gets the feedback they needLearn More About Jaon and his workImportant Links*Join Thrive in the Middle Today!*Book WhyLead to Train Your Teams*Explore Our ServicesSocial Media*Ben Owden's LinkedIn*Ben Owden's Twitter 

Kick off the new year with a fresh perspective on your business strategy! In this episode, Ben Owden chats with Dr. Peter Fader, Wharton professor and co-founder of a predictive analytics firm acquired by Nike. Peter is also the author of Customer Centricity and The Customer Centricity Playbook, and he’s on a mission to debunk the myth that “all customers are created equal.” Discover why focusing on your best customers—and even paying more to acquire them—can drive sustainable growth, while treating every customer the same can derail your bottom line. Peter explains the power of customer lifetime value (CLV), sheds light on how to measure it without drowning in data, and shows how a “quality over quantity” approach to customer acquisition can transform your organization. Whether you’re planning this year’s strategic initiatives or seeking a deeper understanding of customer behavior, this insightful conversation will help you see why the right customers—not all customers—deserve your full attention.Read Peter's Book on Customer CentricityGet in Intouch with Peter FaderImportant Links*Join Thrive in the Middle Today!*Book WhyLead to Train Your Teams*Explore Our ServicesSocial Media*Ben Owden's LinkedIn*Ben Owden's Twitter 

Ben Owden in a conversation with Dr. Simone Ahuja, best-selling author, keynote speaker, and CEO of Blood Orange, a global innovation strategy firm. Simone talks about Jugaad innovation, a frugal and flexible approach to problem-solving under constraints. She shares how embracing scarcity can actually fuel creativity and drive meaningful innovation from within organizations. Learn about intrapreneurship and practical strategies to overcome organizational resistance, align teams with a Massive Transformative Purpose (MTP), and unlock your team's creative potential. If you're ready to turn limited resources into significant breakthroughs, this episode is a must-listen!Get in touch with Dr. SimoneFollow Dr. Simone on LinkedInImportant Links*Join Thrive in the Middle Today!*Book WhyLead to Train Your Teams*Explore Our ServicesSocial Media*Ben Owden's LinkedIn*Ben Owden's Twitter