Innovation Storytellers

Susan Lindner
  • 5.0 (18)
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Did you ever wonder how an innovation got to its finish line? How innovators saw the future, made a product, and created change – in our world and in their companies? I did. Innovation Storytellers invites changemakers to describe how they created their innovation and just as important – THE STORIES – that made us fall in love with them. Come learn how great innovations need great stories to make them move around the world and how to become a better storyteller in the process. I'm Susan Lindner, the Innovation Storyteller. But I wasn't always. I've been a wannabe revolutionary, an epidemiologist at the CDC and an AIDS educator in the brothels of Thailand helping to turn former sex workers into entrepreneurs. Trained as an anthropologist and the Founder of Emerging Media, I've spent the last twenty years working with innovators from 60+ countries. Ranging from cutting edge startups to Fortune 100 companies like GE, Corning, Citi, Olayan, and nine foreign governments, helping their leaders to tell their stories and teaching them how to become incredible advocates for their innovations. Great innovation stories make change possible. They let us step into a future we can't see yet. I started this podcast to shine a light on our generation of great innovators, to learn how they brought their innovation to life and the stories they told to bring them to the world.

  1. 4d ago

    Beyond Networking: Why Relationships, Not Contacts, Drive Innovation

    What if the most valuable asset in your career is not your expertise, your technology, or even your latest idea, but the people you already know? In this episode of the Innovation Storytellers Show, I welcome Yaron Flint back to the podcast to discuss his new book, Beyond Networking: Making Connections That Matter, and why many professionals are failing to make the most of one of their greatest business assets. Networking has become easier than ever. LinkedIn gives us access to thousands of people, conferences create endless opportunities to exchange contact details, and AI can research prospects, write outreach messages, and help us manage relationships at scale. Yet having more contacts does not necessarily mean having stronger relationships, greater influence, or better business outcomes. Yaron argues that the problem begins when networking becomes transactional. Too many people reach out only when they need something, collect contacts without maintaining relationships, or rely on generic AI-generated messages that make communication feel impersonal. We discuss why a network should be treated as something active and deliberate, built around genuine human relationships, mutual value, and the ability to help people achieve outcomes they could not accomplish alone. Our conversation also examines the role AI should play in modern networking. Rather than using technology to replace human interaction, Yaron explains how AI can help professionals prepare for meetings, understand the people they want to connect with, identify shared interests, maintain relationships, and arrive at conferences with a clear purpose. For business leaders considering human-AI collaboration narratives and storytelling for AI adoption, his message is a useful reminder that technology should support better human relationships rather than automate them. We also discuss why preparation matters before attending conferences and industry events, how introverts can become highly effective networkers, and why building a large contact list is very different from creating a network that produces meaningful opportunities. The conversation goes further into innovation storytelling and the challenge of winning AI stakeholder buy-in and support for breakthrough ideas. Yaron explains why promising initiatives often fail because innovators communicate from their own perspective rather than understanding what executives, decision-makers, and other stakeholders need to hear. This is where corporate storytelling strategy becomes inseparable from networking, influence, and the ability to turn ideas into business outcomes. Finally, we examine the progression from contacts to networks and from networks to communities. What happens when professionals stop thinking about relationships solely in terms of personal advantage and begin connecting people who could accomplish more together than they ever could alone? If AI can give us greater access to people, information, and opportunities than any previous generation, are we using that technology to build stronger relationships, or are we allowing convenience and automation to make our professional connections increasingly transactional? Listen to the conversation and share your thoughts. You can find Yaron's book here

  2. Jul 7

    How Atlassian Makes Complex Technology Feel Human

    In this episode of the Innovation Storytellers Show, I sit down with Priyank Jain, Enterprise Strategy & Innovation Leader at Atlassian, for a conversation about AI storytelling for business leaders and why the success of any innovation often depends on the story told long before a product is introduced. Priyank shares the personal journey that took him from a childhood ambition of becoming a doctor to building enterprise systems that improve outcomes for millions of people. That perspective has shaped his belief that technology should always begin with people, making this an insightful conversation for anyone asking how to communicate AI transformation inside complex organizations. Drawing on his experience at IBM and Atlassian, Priyank explains why storytelling for AI adoption is becoming one of the most valuable skills for innovation leaders. He argues that employees rarely resist new technology because they dislike innovation. Instead, they resist uncertainty. That distinction changes the entire conversation around AI change management storytelling and offers a practical AI disruption communication strategy that focuses on trust, clarity, and shared outcomes instead of technical specifications. We also discuss storytelling for AI innovation through the lens of healthcare, where Priyank helped introduce new approaches by focusing first on patients, clinicians, and caregivers rather than software features. His examples demonstrate why communicating AI to employees begins with understanding the human impact before discussing the technology itself. Another major theme throughout our conversation is storytelling for C-suite leaders and the importance of building support before launching an initiative. Priyank explains why winning AI stakeholder buy-in starts with listening, conducting thoughtful user interviews, and allowing stakeholders to help shape the future instead of presenting them with a finished solution. His approach provides a practical corporate storytelling strategy that encourages collaboration rather than compliance. As we discuss innovation storytelling in the age of AI, Priyank shares valuable lessons on how to lead AI culture change by balancing evidence with emotion. He explains why data creates awareness, but stories create movement, and why every successful human-AI collaboration narrative begins with understanding what matters most to the people who will ultimately use the technology. Whether you are responsible for storytelling for digital transformation, leading enterprise innovation, or looking for better ways of communicating breakthrough ideas, this conversation is filled with practical insights that can help leaders build confidence, encourage adoption, and create lasting support for new ideas. Priyank also reflects on the greatest innovation in history, the innovation team he would most like to have joined, and why he believes the world's greatest opportunity has nothing to do with technology at all. Instead, he argues that compassion and empathy remain the qualities we need most if innovation is going to improve people's lives.

  3. Jun 30

    Are you W.I.R.E.d for Innovation?

    Have you ever wondered why some people push bold ideas forward while others hesitate, even when they know they're onto something valuable? In this episode, I speak with Dr. Zakia Ghafari, a behavioral scientist, pharmacist, storyteller, and creator of the WIRE Framework. Our conversation explores a topic that every innovator encounters but rarely talks about openly: fear. Not the fear of technology or market competition, but the deeply personal fears that shape how we show up, speak up, and share our ideas with the world. Zakia explains how experiences from childhood, family history, and even generations before us can influence the decisions we make today. Drawing on neuroscience, epigenetics, and identity research, she shares why change can feel uncomfortable, why some leaders struggle to find their voice, and how hidden patterns often influence innovation efforts inside organizations. We also discuss the connection between storytelling and personal growth, the role of self-awareness in leadership, and why small, consistently repeated changes can create remarkable results over time. Zakia shares her own journey from quietly holding back her ideas to stepping onto storytelling stages and helping others do the same. As AI continues to reshape industries and workplaces, Zakia offers a powerful reminder that human connection, empathy, and understanding remain among our greatest strengths. Technology may change how we work, but the human experience continues to shape how we lead, communicate, and innovate. What patterns from your own past might still be influencing the way you approach change today, and what could happen if you challenged just one of them?

  4. Jun 23

    How LG Nova Is Turning Corporate Innovation Into New Companies

    Could a company best known for TVs, appliances, and consumer electronics become a launchpad for entirely new businesses? In this episode of the Innovation Storytellers Show, I sat down with Sokwoo Rhee, Corporate Executive Vice President for Innovation at LG Electronics and Head of LG NOVA, to discuss why some of the world's largest organizations are rethinking how innovation happens and what it takes to build the next generation of companies from within a corporate environment. Sokwoo shares his journey from entrepreneur and government innovator to leading LG NOVA, LG's Silicon Valley-based innovation center focused on creating entirely new ventures in areas such as healthcare, AI, energy, and digital services. We explore why innovation requires a different mindset from traditional business operations and why corporate leaders must be willing to invest in opportunities where the outcome is uncertain but the long-term potential could reshape an organization's future. Our conversation also examines the challenge of balancing quarterly business realities with long-term innovation goals. Sokwoo explains why successful innovation portfolios resemble venture capital strategies, where multiple experiments are necessary because breakthrough ideas rarely arrive with guaranteed outcomes. He offers a candid perspective on risk, leadership, failure, and the importance of creating space inside large organizations for ideas that may eventually define the next decade of growth. We also discuss LG NOVA's approach to building new companies, including its work in mental health technology, where AI is being used to help therapists spend more time supporting patients and less time on administrative tasks. Along the way, Sokwoo reflects on the role of storytelling in innovation, why evidence matters as much as vision, and how innovators can help organizations imagine futures that do not yet exist. If you've ever wondered how corporate innovation can move beyond pilots and PowerPoint presentations to create entirely new businesses, this conversation offers a fascinating look inside one of the world's most ambitious innovation initiatives. What role should large corporations play in building the companies of tomorrow, and how much risk are they willing to take to get there?

  5. Jun 16

    How FM Ignites Innovative Risk Management

    What happens when an insurance company thinks like an engineering lab? And how does a deeper understanding of risk create opportunities for innovation rather than slowing it down? In this episode of the Innovation Storytellers Show, I sit down with Dr. Jaap De Vries, Staff Vice President and Principal Innovation Specialist at FM, to explore how one of the world's leading commercial property insurers approaches innovation, risk management, and emerging technologies. From fire protection robotics and structural digital twins to AI-powered risk analysis, Jaap shares how his team is helping organizations anticipate challenges before they become costly problems. Our conversation moves beyond insurance and into the broader role risk plays in every innovation journey. Jaap explains how FM's engineering-led culture shapes decision-making, why understanding the science of risk builds customer trust, and how large-scale testing helps businesses identify threats they might otherwise miss. We also discuss the importance of storytelling when introducing new ideas and why data alone is rarely enough to drive adoption. Along the way, Jaap reflects on his journey from aerospace engineering and combustion science into innovation leadership. He shares lessons from mentoring entrepreneurs, teaching technology commercialization at Brown University, and helping organizations balance technical expertise with the human side of persuasion. The discussion also touches on AI's impact on work, the changing nature of entrepreneurship, and why future innovators may need to spend less time analyzing and more time building. We explore some bigger questions. What is the greatest innovation of all time? Which innovation team from history would Jaap most like to have joined? And what kind of innovation does the world need most right now? If you've ever wondered how innovation and risk management can work together to create stronger, more resilient businesses, this conversation offers plenty of insights. What role does risk play in your own approach to innovation, and are you paying enough attention to the opportunities hidden inside it?

  6. Jun 9

    How Are You Closing the Empathy Gap in Your AI Strategy?

    What if the biggest challenge with AI isn't the technology itself, but how it makes people feel? Lately, almost every conversation I'm having with clients comes back to AI. Not surprisingly, it's dominating boardroom discussions, strategy sessions, and innovation agendas everywhere. But what fascinates me most isn't the technology. It's the human response to it. In this solo episode, I'm talking about something I believe doesn't get nearly enough attention in the AI conversation: empathy. I recently read that companies like Anthropic are hiring storytellers at salaries approaching half a million dollars a year. That caught my attention. Why would one of the world's leading AI companies place such a premium on storytelling? Because even the most advanced AI still struggles to create the kind of human connection that comes naturally through empathy, understanding, and authentic communication.   As organizations rush to implement AI tools, I'm hearing the same concerns again and again. Employees are being asked to trust systems they don't fully understand. Leaders are under pressure to move faster than ever before.  Customers are interacting with AI-powered experiences that often feel efficient but strangely hollow. That's why I believe empathy isn't a soft skill anymore. It's a business strategy. In this episode, I share why so many AI initiatives struggle with adoption, even when the technology works perfectly and the business case is clear. I talk about the hidden cost of asking people to abandon the systems and expertise they've spent years mastering. More importantly, I explain why resistance to change is rarely about stubbornness and almost always about self-preservation. When we ask people to adopt new AI tools, we're often asking them to give up something deeply valuable: the confidence that comes from mastery. That's a much bigger ask than most leaders realize. I'll also share practical ways to bridge what I call the empathy chasm, helping teams feel supported rather than threatened, involved rather than replaced, and excited rather than overwhelmed.  If there's one thing I've learned from working with innovators around the world, it's that people don't resist technology. They resist feeling disconnected from the reason behind the change. How are you bringing empathy into your AI strategy, and are you doing enough to bring the humans along on the AI journey?

  7. Jun 2

    How the Transatlantic Innovation Hub Connects US + Europe

    What does it really take to turn a promising European startup into a successful US business? In this special fifth-anniversary episode of Innovation Storytellers, I sit down with Simone Tarantino, Managing Director of the Transatlantic Innovation Hub and Managing Partner at HVentures, to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and realities of building bridges between two of the world's most influential innovation ecosystems. From its flagship location on Fifth Avenue in New York City, the Transatlantic Innovation Hub is creating a launchpad for European startups, scaleups, corporates, and innovators looking to expand into the United States. Simone shares how the Hub helps companies move beyond simply securing office space by providing access to investors, advisors, legal experts, business development partners, and the relationships that often determine whether international expansion succeeds or fails. We also explore the cultural differences between European and American innovation ecosystems, why networking remains one of the most valuable business skills, and how founders can avoid common mistakes when entering a new market. Simone reflects on his own journey from entrepreneur in Italy to ecosystem builder in New York, including the lessons learned from starting over and finding his place in one of the world's most competitive business environments. The conversation goes beyond startups and venture capital. We discuss why corporate innovation initiatives often struggle, the importance of translators who can bridge the language gap between startups and large enterprises, and why collaboration frequently delivers better outcomes than competition. Simone also shares his vision for a growing global network of innovation hubs connecting New York, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Whether you're a founder looking to expand internationally, a corporate leader searching for fresh ideas, or someone fascinated by how innovation ecosystems are built, this episode offers valuable lessons on creating connections that help ideas travel further and grow faster. What role could stronger partnerships play in accelerating your own innovation journey?

  8. May 26

    How Peptides are Innovating Longevity Planning

    What happens when elite endurance training, wearable data, artificial intelligence, and peptide therapy collide? In this episode of the Innovation Storytellers Show, I sat down with Tony Medrano, CEO and co-founder of LongevityPlan.AI, to unpack how the future of longevity is being shaped by technology that once felt more science fiction than healthcare strategy. Tony's journey alone feels like a case study in reinvention. A former naval officer, Stanford entrepreneur, AI startup founder, and three-time Ironman triathlete, he has spent decades building companies around emerging technologies long before the market was ready for them. From helping shape the early mobile app ecosystem before smartphones even existed to working with organizations like NASA, the NFL, and Google on AI and molecular diagnostics, Tony has repeatedly found himself at the edge of major technology shifts. But this conversation quickly moved beyond startup stories and venture capital war stories. We explored how peptide therapies are being used to support recovery, performance optimization, injury repair, and preventative health, particularly as people search for ways to extend not just lifespan, but healthspan. Tony explained how LongevityPlan.AI combines wearable technology, biomarker analysis, AI-powered digital twins, and physician-guided peptide programs to create personalized health optimization plans. What made this discussion especially fascinating was the tension between innovation and evidence. Tony openly acknowledged that peptide therapies still sit in a space where anecdotal results, emerging science, and limited large-scale clinical trials coexist. That creates both excitement and skepticism. For some, this represents the future of preventative healthcare and human optimization. For others, it raises questions about regulation, accessibility, affordability, and where the line exists between wellness enhancement and medical intervention. We also discussed how longevity itself is becoming one of the defining themes across industries. Whether it's financial services rebranding retirement planning, manufacturers extending the lifecycle of industrial systems, or healthcare companies focusing on prevention over treatment, the concept of optimizing long-term performance is reshaping the conversation everywhere. Along the way, Tony reflected on surviving the dot-com crash, raising millions before product launch, training for Ironman races while recovering from serious injuries, and why he believes the future of healthcare belongs to people who take a more active role in understanding their own bodies and data. This episode is a conversation about far more than fitness or supplements. It's about the growing convergence of AI, biotechnology, consumer health, performance culture, and human ambition. And perhaps most importantly, it asks a bigger question: if technology can help us live longer, healthier lives, how do we ensure we use it responsibly, ethically, and in ways that genuinely improve the human experience?

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About

Did you ever wonder how an innovation got to its finish line? How innovators saw the future, made a product, and created change – in our world and in their companies? I did. Innovation Storytellers invites changemakers to describe how they created their innovation and just as important – THE STORIES – that made us fall in love with them. Come learn how great innovations need great stories to make them move around the world and how to become a better storyteller in the process. I'm Susan Lindner, the Innovation Storyteller. But I wasn't always. I've been a wannabe revolutionary, an epidemiologist at the CDC and an AIDS educator in the brothels of Thailand helping to turn former sex workers into entrepreneurs. Trained as an anthropologist and the Founder of Emerging Media, I've spent the last twenty years working with innovators from 60+ countries. Ranging from cutting edge startups to Fortune 100 companies like GE, Corning, Citi, Olayan, and nine foreign governments, helping their leaders to tell their stories and teaching them how to become incredible advocates for their innovations. Great innovation stories make change possible. They let us step into a future we can't see yet. I started this podcast to shine a light on our generation of great innovators, to learn how they brought their innovation to life and the stories they told to bring them to the world.

Information

  • Creator
    Susan Lindner
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Susan Lindner 2021
  • Show Website
    Innovation Storytellers