The Decision-Making Studio Podcast

Ben Cattaneo
  • 4.4 (13)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE

The Decision-Making Studio Podcast (formerly known as the All Things Risk podcast) uses the lenses of decision-making, uncertainty and risk to better understand ourselves and our world. We feature fascinating guests across many fields from sport, the arts, current affairs and others. We have long-form conversations and our guests share insights, stories, tools and tips.

  1. NOV 16

    Ep. 248: James Geary - On "The World in a Phrase", the Power of Aphorisms

    Today, we explore the world through phrases. Not just any phrases, but aphorisms – those short sentences with the power to stop us in our tracks, cause us to rethink how we see things, and even make better decisions. I'm joined by James Geary, author of the newly re-released book, The World in a Phrase: A Brief History of the Aphorism. James is a lecturer at Harvard's Kennedy School. James is also a self-confessed 'aphorism addict', and he studied the history of what he calls the world's oldest written art form. As you will hear, aphorisms transcend culture and historical periods. And James's work and this conversation refer to the likes of Lao Tzu, the ancient Greeks, through to Mark Twain, and modern figures like Wynton Marsalis and Brian Eno. From a decision-making lens, aphorisms have potency as heuristics. When we think about modern challenges, James explains that they can help us so very much, particularly as AI is taking over the written word and threatening to reduce our cognitive load to zero. Show notes: James' website The World in a Phrase: A Brief History of the Aphorism James on Instagram James on Blue Sky Stanisław Lec Yogi Berra The I Ching G.K Chesteron Cyril Connolly Brian Eno Wynton Marsalis Clet Abraham Steven Wright Brian Wilson Josh Billings Eric Jarosinski Joseph Joubert _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Like what you heard? Check out: The Decision-Making Studio: https://thedecisionmaking.studio/ The Decision-Making Studio Podcast: https://thedecisionmaking.studio/podcast

    1h 17m

  2. SEP 9

    E. 247: Adam Kahane - On Everyday Habits For Transforming Systems

    The world does not seem to be doing particularly well at the moment. Much needs to change. Most conversations focus on what should change and how. This episode asks a different, and more refreshing, question: 👉 What can we do every day to help make change happen? To explore this, I am joined by Adam Kahane, a leading organiser, designer and facilitator of processes that bring business, government and civil society together to address seemingly intractable problems. Adam was formerly Head of Social, Political, Economic and Technological Scenarios at Shell, and later co-founded the social enterprise Reos Partners. His latest book, Everyday Habits for Transforming Systems: The Catalytic Power of Radical Engagement, offers a practical guide to creating meaningful change. In this conversation, we discuss what these habits are, how to practise them, and why they matter. It is a refreshing, empowering and enjoyable discussion about the everyday actions that can transform the systems around us. Show notes: Adam Kahane –  www.adamkahane.com   Everyday Habits For Transforming Systems – The Catalytic Power of Radical Engagement - https://reospartners.com/everyday-habits-for-transforming-systems Reos Partners - https://reospartners.com/ Trevor Manuel - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trevor_Manuel Donella Meadows - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donella_Meadows Dave Snowden - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Snowden Dave Snowden on The Decision-Making Studio Podcast: https://youtu.be/hSMHFeV54iM?si=BR_DRZZX6t0DeQMN Christiana Figueres - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christiana_Figueres Juan Manuel Santos - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Manuel_Santos Dan Davies on The Decision-Making Studio Podcast - https://youtu.be/3pm8_ssLtdQ?si=ZJ5cP3eEqBwDY9pk Robert Capa - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Capa Báyò Akómoláfé - https://www.bayoakomolafe.net/ Leonard Cohen's Anthem ("ring the bells that still can ring, forget your perfect offering): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8-BT6y_wYg _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Like what you heard? Check out: The Decision-Making Studio: https://thedecisionmaking.studio/ The Decision-Making Studio Podcast: https://thedecisionmaking.studio/podcast

    1h 20m

  3. MAY 18

    Ep. 246 - Kevin Evers - On the Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift

    This episode is a fun one – and covers a topic we most certainly have not covered before:  the strategic decision-making of Taylor Swift, the most famous pop singer in the world. Taylor Swift may recognised as a pop star, but as you'll hear, her decision-making is pure punk rock. My guest today is Kevin Evers, who wrote as a senior editor at The Harvard Business Review and the author of There's Nothing Like This - The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift. Kevin breaks down exactly why Taylor has been able to scale her success, why she's been able to reinvent herself time and again, and how she's been able to both manage disruption and be a driving force herself. We'll hear all about that, as well as Taylor's authenticity, her relationship with her fans, and the way in which she makes decisions. Whether or not you're a Swiftie, this one is a fun and fascinating conversation. Show notes: There's Nothing Like This - The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift - https://www.nothinglikethisbook.com/ Kevin on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-evers1/ Taylor Swift's discography Olivia Rodrigo Billie Eilish LeAnn Rimes' impact on Taylor Swift Newton's laws of motion (and 3rd law) Max Martin Nathan Chapman Drake-Kendrick Lamar Feud Scott Borchetta Prince's contractual disputes _ _ _ _ _ _ Learn more about The Decision-Making Studio: https://thedecisionmaking.studio/ All our podcast episodes are here: https://thedecisionmaking.studio/podcast  Our latest newsletter: https://us19.campaign-archive.com/?u=f19fc74942b40b513cf66af32&id=cbd8d34efe Get in touch: https://thedecisionmaking.studio/contact-us

    1h 10m

  4. APR 18

    Ep. 245: Michael Posner: On "Conscience Incorporated"

    Today, we tackle some big-picture questions about the role of business in society when it comes to protecting human rights and democracy. And of course, this is very topical. I am honour to welcome Michael Posner to the show. Michael is the director of the Centre for Business and Human Rights at New York University's Stern School of Business. He is a human rights lawyer, and he was Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour under the Obama administration. He is the author of a new book, Conscience Incorporated: Pursue Profits While Protecting Human Rights, which, given the state of things in the world and the United States, is pretty timely and important. Michael covers a ton of ground here, from the primacy of shareholder capitalism, how to make decisions in a world comprised of competing expectations and trade-offs, the tensions associated with decisions around human rights and environmental concerns, when CEOs should speak up, and his thoughts on the Trump administration and what's happening with regard to the United States' role in the world and to democracy and human rights. Show notes: Michael Posner - https://bhr.stern.nyu.edu/author/michaelposner/ Conscience Incorporated: Pursue Profits While Protecting Human Rights - https://bhr.stern.nyu.edu/publication/conscience-incorporated/ Centre for Business and Human Rights at New York University's Stern School of Business - https://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/about/departments-centers-initiatives/centers-of-research/business-and-human-rights/center-business-and-human-rights Fair Labour Association - https://www.fairlabor.org/ Xinjiang, forced labour, and solar panels - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-57124636 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Learn more about The Decision-Making Studio: https://thedecisionmaking.studio/ All our podcast episodes are here: https://thedecisionmaking.studio/podcast  Our latest newsletter: https://us19.campaign-archive.com/?u=f19fc74942b40b513cf66af32&id=cbd8d34efe Get in touch: https://thedecisionmaking.studio/contact-us

    57 min

  5. APR 6

    Ep. 244: Mark Fabian - On "Beyond Happy"

    Today, we talk about happiness. Is happiness a choice? Is it a skill? Is it a set of practices? Is it all those things? What's the difference between happiness and fulfilment or well-being? I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Mark Fabian to the show. Mark is a professor of public policy at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom. He was previously a Fulbright scholar. He studies well-being from an interdisciplinary lens. Mark is also the author of a fabulous new book called Beyond Happy -  How to Rethink Happiness and Find Fulfilment. So, we talk all about that in this episode, including what happiness is, the foundations of happiness, success and its hidden costs, relationships, happiness and the decisions we make, and something very important today -  happiness and confronting nihilism. Show notes: Mark Fabian Beyond Happy -  How to Rethink Happiness and Find Fulfilment. Theory of Subjective Well-being Hedonic treadmill Introjection Intrinsic motivation Extrinsic motivation Moneyball Sonya Lyobomirsky Epicureanism Laurie Santos Jonathan Haidt Cyber punk _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Learn more about The Decision-Making Studio: https://thedecisionmaking.studio/ All our podcast episodes are here: https://thedecisionmaking.studio/podcast  Our latest newsletter: https://us19.campaign-archive.com/?u=f19fc74942b40b513cf66af32&id=cbd8d34efe Get in touch: https://thedecisionmaking.studio/contact-us

    1h 16m

  6. MAR 21

    Ep. 243: Geoff Marlow - On "Future Fit" Organisational Cultures

    Today, we delve into the world of organizations and what my guest calls a "future-fit" organisational culture. My guest is Geoff Marlow and he has over three decades of experience around the world helping organisations create these future-fit cultures. That term caught my attention because around here, we're interested in the future and uncertainty. For part of his career, Geoff spent time on the leadership team of the Society for Organisational Learning,  which included the legendary Dr. Peter Senge - a renowned or was a renowned management guru and Arie de Geus, a scenario thinker who was the head of Shell's strategic planning group.  Geoff helps leaders understand why organisations fail or succeed. And we tackle all of that in this conversation. We get into Geoff's three aspects of a future-fit culture, which are sense-making, decision-making, and action-taking. We also talk about leadership, change, and so much more. Show notes: Geoff's substack: https://geoffmarlow.substack.com/ Geoff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffreymarlow/ Peter Senge: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Senge The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge Mike Jackson and Critical Systems Thinking The Dance of Change by Peter Senge Geoff's "The Five Fatal Habits" The Big Con by Mariana Mazzucato and Rosie Collington Intentional Revolutions by Nevis, Lancourt and Vassallo Eric Weinstein's DISC – "Distributed Idea Suppression Complex" _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Learn more about The Decision-Making Studio: https://thedecisionmaking.studio/ All our podcast episodes are here: https://thedecisionmaking.studio/podcast  Our latest newsletter: https://us19.campaign-archive.com/?u=f19fc74942b40b513cf66af32&id=cbd8d34efe Get in touch: https://thedecisionmaking.studio/contact-us

    1h 31m

  7. FEB 25

    Ep. 242: Isobel O'Connell - A Sustainability Professional's Perspective on Business and Society

    What can we learn about business and society from a seasoned sustainability practitioner? Plenty! Meet Isobel O'Connell. Isobel has a couple of decades of experience in areas related to the environment, social issues - particularly local community consultation across the globe,  human rights and related areas. She's now an advisor, and a board member, and was named one of the top global 50 women in sustainability. In this episode, she shares several insights and perspectives from her broad career in these areas. We get into a variety of stories, the different landscapes and definitions out there for things like ESG and corporate social responsibility, how these things have evolved, and how people who work in these areas navigate a variety of complexities and trade-offs when it comes to decision-making. This conversation provides a fascinating window into how both business and society interact via a career path you perhaps didn't know existed. Show notes: Isobel on LinkedIn The Juukan Gorge destruction Double materiality assessment UN Global Compact Alison Taylor on The Decision-Making Studio Podcast OECD Guidelines for citizen participation processes _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Learn more about The Decision-Making Studio: https://thedecisionmaking.studio/ All our podcast episodes are here: https://thedecisionmaking.studio/podcast  Our latest newsletter: https://us19.campaign-archive.com/?u=f19fc74942b40b513cf66af32&id=1e2a6c0ea9  Get in touch: https://thedecisionmaking.studio/contact-us

    1h 40m

  8. FEB 7

    Ep. 241: John Morrison - On A Just Climate Transition

    This episode is about thinking differently around climate change, and it will help you think about this topic much more expansively. My guest is John Morrison, who is the CEO of the Institute for Human Rights and Business, which is a global "think and do tank" with consultative status at the United Nations. John serves on a number of boards and advisory councils, and he is the author of a new book called The Just Transition - A Systems Thinking Approach to Climate Action. And John posits that if we try to solve the climate crisis in isolation from tackling other challenges, particularly social challenges around how local communities and workers feel about a transition to a net zero world, we won't solve the climate crisis. Things are interconnected and we need to recognise that. So, we get into that. We talk about systems thinking, navigating the complexity of these topics, trade-offs, technology, accountability, and of course, decision-making. According to John, we need to move beyond narrow, linear and box-ticking type of approaches to these challenges. Otherwise, we are doing ourselves and the planet a huge disservice. Show notes: John Morrison The Just Transition - A Systems Thinking Approach to Climate Action The Institute for Human Rights and Business Herbert Simon Donella Meadows Free, prior and informed consent The EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive The EU Corporate Responsibility Reporting Directive Transition minerals _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Learn more about The Decision-Making Studio: https://thedecisionmaking.studio/ All our podcast episodes are here: https://thedecisionmaking.studio/podcast  Our latest newsletter: https://us19.campaign-archive.com/?u=f19fc74942b40b513cf66af32&id=1e2a6c0ea9

    1h 10m
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4.4
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

The Decision-Making Studio Podcast (formerly known as the All Things Risk podcast) uses the lenses of decision-making, uncertainty and risk to better understand ourselves and our world. We feature fascinating guests across many fields from sport, the arts, current affairs and others. We have long-form conversations and our guests share insights, stories, tools and tips.

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