#247: The Technology That Unlocks Human Connection at Scale Built on Thousands of Years of Human Wisdom… w/ Patrick Cowden
What would you do if your company demanded you cut 17% of costs — and the only “approved” way to do it… was to fire your people?
That’s the position Patrick Cowden found himself in during the 2008 financial crisis.
But instead of blindly following orders, he tried something radical:
He brought his entire team together to co-create the solution.
They found a way to save 17% without laying off a single person.
Problem solved, right? Wrong.
When he presented the plan, the company said: “Great. Do both.”
That moment was a turning point — not just for Patrick’s leadership… but for his life.
Because it showed him the system was broken.
And it led him to create a 42-year plan to rehumanize the way we connect, lead, and collaborate.
In today’s episode, you will learn:
- How Patrick gathered 85 people from around the world — monks, therapists, scientists, even someone experiencing homelessness — to uncover the universal principles behind trust, connection, and human flourishing
- Why it took six more years to refine those discoveries into a repeatable workshop — and how that same transformation now happens in just three minutes using his technology
- The technology that lets you see truth emerge from thousands of human perspectives in real time — and how it unlocks a new level of co-creation and clarity in teams
Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!
00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Patrick Cowden
Brandon introduces the episode with a story that encapsulates Patrick's unique leadership approach and sets the stage for a deep dive into his 42-year plan to elevate human consciousness through technology and connection.
00:38 - Patrick explains his concept of "we reality"
Patrick shares a powerful philosophy: that true reality is a collective of all human perspectives. He introduces technology built to ensure every voice is heard, highlighting the need for connected decision-making.
01:55 - Behind-the-scenes of recording in person with Patrick
Brandon recounts spending an entire day with Patrick, from coffee and lunch to walking by the Fox River, emphasizing the deep connection and special setting of their in-person recording.
02:23 - The turning point in 2008 that sparked Patrick’s mission
During the financial crisis, Patrick defied corporate orders to lay off employees, instead co-creating a cost-saving plan with his team that preserved jobs—igniting his 42-year mission to rehumanize leadership.
04:14 - Three key highlights to look out for in the episode
Brandon previews the episode: Patrick’s global gathering to define trust and connection, refining it into a three-minute transformation via tech, and enabling real-time truth emergence through collective human perspectives.
06:52 - Using Warm Space for the International Day of Peace
Patrick describes how his platform, Warm Space, turned a traditional broadcast into an immersive, participatory event—scaling global peace efforts with a simple QR code.
11:22 - Patrick’s multicultural and military-influenced leadership roots
Patrick reflects on his upbringing under a U.S. Army drill sergeant father and his diverse corporate experience across American, German, and Japanese companies that shaped his human-centric leadership model.
16:56 - Defying corporate orders to prioritize people over profit
Patrick recounts refusing to fire 17% of staff at Hitachi during a crisis, instead proposing an alternative that saved money and accelerated growth—highlighting people-first leadership.
22:19 - Creating Beyond Leadership through global collaboration
Patrick explains how 85 diverse contributors—from monks to
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