Thinking With Mitch Joel

Mitch Joel
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Six Pixels of Separation - Mitch Joel's weekly conversation with business leaders, thinkers, innovators and cultural icons. The show is about insights and provocations on brands, consumers, technology, business and how connected we've all become.

  1. Navigating Strategy In The Age Of AI With Roger Martin - TWMJ #1021

    4D AGO

    Navigating Strategy In The Age Of AI With Roger Martin - TWMJ #1021

    Welcome to episode #1021 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). At a time when strategy is often confused with forecasting and certainty is mistaken for rigor, the work of Roger Martininsists on a more demanding discipline: making clear, integrated choices under uncertainty. Named the world's #1 management thinker by Thinkers50 in 2017, Roger is a writer, strategy advisor, and the former Dean at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, where he served for fifteen years and reshaped how management education engages with real-world complexity. Over decades, he has advised CEOs at companies including Procter & Gamble, Lego, Ford, American Express, Verizon, and Steelcase, helping leaders move beyond abstract ambition toward actionable, coherent strategies. His thinking has long been a personal touchstone for navigating difficult, high-stakes business problems, and he remains my go-to guide when confronting complexity that resists easy answers… a familiarity reinforced by his return here after previous appearances. Before academia, he spent thirteen years at Monitor, serving as co-head of the firm and grounding his thinking in the realities of corporate decision-making. His newly updated book, Playing To Win, Expanded With Bonus HBR Articles - How Strategy Really Works co-authored with A.G. Lafley, remains one of the most influential strategy texts of the modern era, distilling strategy into a set of five integrated choices about where to play and how to win, supported by capabilities and systems that reinforce those decisions. Across thirteen books and more than thirty Harvard Business Review articles, Roger has explored integrative thinking, democratic capitalism, governance and the design of business itself, consistently challenging leaders to resist false tradeoffs and simplistic answers. His work confronts contemporary issues head-on: the misuse of AI as an answer machine rather than a thinking partner, the hollowing out of education into ideological extremes, the erosion of institutional trust and the persistent illusion that the future must resemble the past. Through it all, his argument is steady and clear: strategy fundamentals endure, and superior managerial effectiveness begins with disciplined thinking, principled choice, and the courage to commit. If you're not following his free Substack, you reall should. It's always an honor to spend tie with Roger. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 58:39. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Roger Martin. His free Substack. Playing To Win, Expanded With Bonus HBR Articles - How Strategy Really Works. Follow Roger on X.  Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Roger Martin. (02:53) - The Evolution of AI in Strategy. (06:05) - AI as a Thought Partner vs. Answer Provider. (09:02) - The Role of Diversity in Decision Making. (11:49) - The Impact of Education on Polarization. (15:15) - The Misapplication of Science in Society. (18:09) - Navigating Truth in Business. (21:08) - The Experimentation Mindset in Business. (31:55) - The Flaws in Business Education. (34:37) - Philosophical Perspectives on Decision Making. (40:21) - The Impact of Macro Factors on Business. (49:20) - The Shift in Global Economic Power. (55:23) - Skepticism Towards Economic Predictions. (58:01) - Trust in the Health Profession.

    59 min
  2. Boundless Creativity And Design Mastery With David "Shingy" Shing - TWMJ #1020

    JAN 25

    Boundless Creativity And Design Mastery With David "Shingy" Shing - TWMJ #1020

    Welcome to episode #1020 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). At a time when technology listens more closely than people realize and advertising feels less predictive than presumptive, understanding how culture, data and human behavior collide has become essential. David "Shingy" Shing has spent his career at that intersection, shaping how global brands think about creativity, relevance and the emotional consequences of digital systems. Know as the Digital Prophet at AOL (and then Verizon) and a very influential voice in modern branding and innovation, Shingy has advised companies, leaders and creatives on how emerging technologies reshape not just markets, but meaning itself. His work has consistently challenged organizations to move beyond optimization toward empathy, imagination and cultural intelligence. He argues that the most important signals in a data-saturated world are often the quietest ones. That perspective now finds a more personal, reflective outlet in his Substack, Shingy, a newsletter focused on branding, culture, AI and the human side of technology. He explores how conversational data, algorithmic inference and attention-driven business models are altering the relationship between consumers and the systems designed to serve them. Shingy examines why ads increasingly feel intrusive rather than helpful, how conversations themselves have become raw material for targeting and why consumer fatigue is less about frequency than about lost agency. Shingy's work surfaces a growing tension between personalization and privacy, usefulness and surveillance, convenience and control. He argues that as machines become better listeners, brands must become better stewards of restraint, intent and respect... or risk eroding the very relationships they're trying to monetize. Grounded in curiosity and creative provocation, his thinking offers a necessary counterweight to an industry too often obsessed with what can be done instead of what should be done. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 1:02:31. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with David "Shingy" Shing. Shingy's Substack. Follow Shingy on Instagram. Follow Shingy on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - The Evolution of Digital and Consumer Behavior. (05:01) - Generative AI: A New Paradigm. (10:02) - Creativity in the Age of AI. (20:11) - Marketing in a Changing Landscape. (32:10) - The Shift from Influence to Interpretation. (35:03) - The Evolution of Content Creation. (39:00) - Niche Markets and the New Mass. (44:07) - The Complexity of Advertising and Intent. (51:03) - Power Dynamics in the Age of AI. (57:02) - The Future of Creativity and Connection.

    1h 3m
  3. Leadership Unblocked With Muriel Wilkins - TWMJ #1019

    JAN 18

    Leadership Unblocked With Muriel Wilkins - TWMJ #1019

    Welcome to episode #1019 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). At a time when leadership is being tested less by strategy and more by inner capacity, clarity of judgment and emotional steadiness, the work of Muriel Wilkins stands out for its insistence that progress begins from the inside out. Muriel is an executive coach, CEO of Paravis Partners, and a trusted advisor to senior leaders navigating complexity at the highest levels of organizations, drawing on more than two decades of experience working with C-suite executives and high-potential leaders. A Harvard Business School graduate with a background in consulting and corporate leadership, she brings uncommon credibility to the often-abstract world of coaching, pairing business fluency with deep insight into human behavior, adult development and decision-making under pressure. Her book, Leadership Unblocked - Break Through The Beliefs That Limit Your Potential, distills years of coaching practice into a clear-eyed examination of the unconscious beliefs that quietly constrain leaders, revealing how assumptions about control, certainty, identity and responsibility shape  (and often limit) how leaders respond to challenge. Rather than offering tactical fixes or performative confidence, Muriel's work focuses on expanding a leader's capacity to hold complexity, see multiple options and respond with intention rather than reflex. She explores how leaders mature over time, why success can actually stall growth, and how unexamined beliefs turn everyday pressure into unnecessary suffering. Her perspective reframes leadership development as adult development, emphasizing that the ability to lead others sustainably depends on a leader's willingness to do their own internal work. In an era defined by uncertainty, generational shifts and accelerating technology, Muriel's thinking argues for a quieter but more demanding form of leadership... one rooted in self-awareness, discernment and the courage to question one's own mental models before attempting to change anyone else's. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 52:33. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Muriel Wilkins. Leadership Unblocked - Break Through The Beliefs That Limit Your Potential. Paravis Partner. Coaching Real Leaders Podcast. Follow Muriel on Instagram. Follow Muriel on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Executive Coaching. (02:13) - The Journey to Coaching. (05:26) - Common Themes in Leadership. (07:37) - The Evolution of Executive Coaching. (10:50) - Leadership as Coaching. (11:49) - Generational Shifts in Leadership. (15:08) - Adult Development and Leadership. (17:57) - The Illusion of Status. (20:55) - Authenticity in Leadership. (24:42) - Adult Development Theory in Practice. (26:41) - Understanding Adult Development Theory. (30:04) - The Evolution of Coaching Practices. (32:12) - Shifting Perspectives on Leadership. (34:53) - The Role of AI in Leadership. (39:47) - Discernment and Decision-Making in Leadership. (47:44) - Navigating Current Challenges in Leadership.

    53 min
  4. More Humane Work With Joe O'Connor - TWMJ #1018

    JAN 11

    More Humane Work With Joe O'Connor - TWMJ #1018

    Welcome to episode #1018 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). At a moment when burnout is normalized and productivity is still measured by hours rather than impact, the five-day workweek is starting to look less like a foundation of modern life and more like an outdated design choice. Joe O'Connoris the CEO of Work Time Revolution and one of the world's leading architects of the four-day workweek, having designed and led large-scale pilots across multiple countries, industries and organizational types. His work sits at the intersection of labor economics, organizational culture and performance design, helping companies rethink how work actually gets done in a knowledge-based, AI-accelerated economy. Joe has advised governments, nonprofits and private-sector leaders on how to redesign work in ways that improve employee well-being while maintaining (or increasing) organizational performance, challenging deeply held assumptions about time, output and commitment. His new book, Do More In Four - Why It's Time For A Shorter Workweek (with co-author Jared Lindzon), brings together research, real-world case studies and global experimentation to argue that the five-day workweek is neither inevitable nor optimal. Joe shows how reducing work time can sharpen focus, improve equity and force organizations to confront outdated productivity metrics built for an industrial era. He also examines how AI is accelerating the need for new work models, exposing the inefficiencies of activity-based measurement and pushing leaders to define productivity in terms of outcomes, not presence. Grounded in data yet pragmatic about cultural resistance, Joe's perspective positions the four-day workweek not as an employee concession, but as a competitive advantage for organizations willing to rethink the rules of work before the market forces them to. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 55:55. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Joe O'Connor. Do More In Four - Why It's Time For A Shorter Workweek. Work Time Revolution. Jared Lindzon. Follow Joe on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - The Evolution of the Work Week. (02:57) - Rethinking Productivity in the Age of AI. (05:50) - Work-Life Balance: A Modern Dilemma. (09:09) - The Four-Day Work Week: A Societal Aspiration. (12:08) - AI's Impact on Work Structures. (15:03) - Cultural Dynamics in Work Environments. (17:58) - Challenges in Implementing Change. (21:09) - Market Forces and the Future of Work. (29:56) - The Evolution of the Four-Day Work Week. (35:30) - Measuring Productivity in a New Work Model. (42:15) - Cultural Dynamics and Leadership in the Four-Day Work Week. (48:55) - AI's Role in Shaping Future Work Models. (53:22) - Gender Equality and Flexibility in the Workplace.

    56 min
  5. Why We're All Digitally Exhausted With Paul Leonardi - TWMJ #1017

    JAN 4

    Why We're All Digitally Exhausted With Paul Leonardi - TWMJ #1017

    Welcome to episode #1017 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). At a time when technology promises limitless capability yet leaves so many people mentally depleted, the question is no longer whether digital tools are powerful, but whether we know how to live with them. Paul Leonardi is a leading expert on digital transformation, the future of work, and organizational networks, with more than two decades of research and advisory work focused on how technology reshapes collaboration, innovation, and human behavior. A professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he holds the Duca Family Endowed Chair and chairs the Department of Technology Management, Paul has advised Fortune 500 companies, startups, and nonprofits on navigating the people side of technological change. His work has shaped global conversations, translating rigorous research into practical frameworks leaders can actually use. His latest book, Digital Exhaustion - Simple Rules For Reclaiming Your Life, confronts a growing paradox of modern work and life: technologies that make everything possible are also wearing us down. Drawing on years of research and real-world observation, Paul explains why digital exhaustion isn't simply about screen time, but about constant task switching, inference-making in data-saturated environments, and the emotional toll of being perpetually reachable. He examines how capitalist incentives and addictive design amplify fatigue, why generational differences don't offer immunity, and how the collapse of clear boundaries between work, home, and identity has created a new baseline of psychological strain. Rather than advocating withdrawal or digital detoxes, Paul offers a more realistic path rooted in intentionality, clearer norms, and conscious choices about which tools deserve our attention. His work reframes exhaustion not as personal failure, but as a systemic condition that can be managed through better design, better habits, and a more humane relationship with technology. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 1:02:56. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Paul Leonardi. Digital Exhaustion - Simple Rules For Reclaiming Your Life. The Digital Mindset. Follow Paul on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Digital Exhaustion. (02:48) - The Dark Side of Technology. (06:13) - The Role of Capitalism in Digital Overwhelm. (09:00) - Generational Perspectives on Technology. (11:55) - The Search for Baselines in Digital Interaction. (14:54) - The Psychological and Physical Aspects of Exhaustion. (17:46) - Addiction to Technology. (20:55) - Strategies for Managing Digital Tools. (23:52) - The Complexity of Productivity in the Digital Age. (26:51) - The Future of AI and Digital Interaction. (32:37) - The Data Arms Race and Human Representation. (34:58) - The Shift from Attention to Intimacy Economy. (38:02) - Default Urgency and Social Norms in Communication. (42:19) - The Power of Intentional Response. (46:00) - Attention Span: Short vs. Long. (53:02) - The Joy of Missing Out vs. Fear of Missing Out. (56:35) - Parenting in the Age of Social Media.

    1h 3m
  6. AI And The Future Of Marketing With Mark Schaefer - TWMJ #1016

    12/28/2025

    AI And The Future Of Marketing With Mark Schaefer - TWMJ #1016

    Welcome to episode #1016 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). At a moment when artificial intelligence is reshaping not just how markets operate but how people think, feel, decide and connect, understanding the human consequences of that shift has become essential. Mark Schaefer is a keynote speaker, educator, strategist, and a voice in modern marketing, with more than three decades of experience spanning global sales, public relations and brand strategy. He is a faculty member at Rutgers University. Mark's latest book, How AI Changes Your Customers - The Marketing Guide To Humanity's Next Chapter, extends his body of work by examining how AI is quietly rewiring consumer psychology, trust, agency, empathy, and belonging (be sure to check out his other books). Rather than focusing on algorithms or tools, Mark explores how customers are becoming more machine-assisted, less patient, more dependent on automation, and increasingly hungry for meaning and connection in a world optimized for efficiency. He argues that curiosity, art, and human connection are strategic advantages rather than soft ideals. Grounded in research, lived experience, and cultural observation, his work challenges marketers and leaders to rethink relevance, rethink loyalty, and rethink what it means to serve customers whose decisions are increasingly shaped by machines. At its core, Mark's perspective reframes AI not as a threat to humanity, but as a force that exposes what only humans can still do well…if they choose to lean into it. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 1:06:07. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Mark Schaefer. Book Mark for your next meeting on ThinkersOne. How AI Changes Your Customers - The Marketing Guide To Humanity's Next Chapter. Check out his other books. Read Mark's Blog. Follow Mark on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Mark Schaefer and AI's Impact. (03:00) - The Dual Nature of AI: Exciting and Terrifying. (06:09) - Cultural Shifts and AI's Influence on Humanity. (08:53) - Curiosity and Learning in the Age of AI. (12:08) - The Role of AI in Content Creation. (14:57) - Art, Tools, and the Essence of Creativity. (17:54) - The Illusion of Intimacy in AI. (21:05) - Navigating the Attention vs. Intimacy Economy. (23:54) - The Future of AI and Human Connection. (37:13) - Cultural Perspectives on AI and Work. (39:06) - AI Sovereignty and Global Implications. (41:23) - The Human Element in AI and Marketing. (43:42) - The Challenge of Authenticity in AI Content. (45:52) - Navigating Trust in a Digital Age. (49:20) - Generational Differences in Trust and Truth. (53:02) - The Role of Curiosity in the Age of AI. (56:46) - The Future of Trust and AI in Business. (01:01:40) - The Impact of AI on Human Connection. (01:03:59) - Embracing AI for Positive Change.

    1h 6m
  7. Navigate Hidden Markets With Judd Kessler - TWMJ #1015

    12/21/2025

    Navigate Hidden Markets With Judd Kessler - TWMJ #1015

    Welcome to episode #1015 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). At a moment when scarcity shapes everything from opportunity to attention, understanding who gets what (and why) has become one of the most consequential questions in modern life. Judd Kessler is the inaugural Howard Marks Endowed Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, an award-winning economist, and one of the leading thinkers in market design, public policy and behavioral economics. His research examines how rules, incentives, and institutional structures shape outcomes in environments where price alone cannot (or should not) decide allocation, from organ donation systems to education, labor markets, and beyond. Recognized early for his impact, Judd was named one of Forbes' "30 Under 30" in Law and Policy for his work on organ allocation and received the Vernon L. Smith Ascending Scholar Prize in 2021. His first (and new) book, Lucky by Design - The Hidden Economics You Need to Get More of What You Want, distills years of research into how "hidden markets" - those governed by rules rather than prices - quietly determine access to jobs, schools, tickets, healthcare, and even relationships. Judd explores the mechanics of scarcity, the strategic role of lotteries, waiting lists, and signaling, and how individuals unknowingly participate in market design every day. He also examines how AI is beginning to reshape allocation systems, why visible markets increasingly contain hidden layers, and how better design can improve both efficiency and equity. Grounded in rigorous scholarship yet deeply practical, Judd's work reframes luck not as randomness, but as something shaped by systems we can understand and sometimes redesign. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 57:59. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Judd Kessler. Lucky by Design - The Hidden Economics You Need to Get More of What You Want. Follow Judd on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Navigating Economic Sentiments. (03:03) - Understanding Hidden Markets. (06:11) - The Dynamics of Scarcity and Value. (08:53) - The Role of Consultants in Hidden Markets. (11:48) - Market Design and Equity. (14:57) - Strategies for Market Participation. (18:11) - The Impact of Social Proof on Demand. (20:54) - Reimagining Market Structures. (31:57) - Creating Scarcity and Demand. (34:28) - Market Design and Allocation Strategies. (36:39) - The Impact of Replicas and Knockoffs. (46:44) - Hidden Markets: Positive or Negative? (49:47) - AI in Market Design. (59:01) - Becoming a Market Designer.

    58 min
  8. Creators And Entrepreneurs With Joe Pulizzi - TWMJ #1014

    12/14/2025

    Creators And Entrepreneurs With Joe Pulizzi - TWMJ #1014

    Welcome to episode #1014 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). At a moment when careers feel increasingly precarious and algorithms quietly dictate how value is created and captured, it's worth learning from someone who has spent more than two decades helping creators and entrepreneurs reclaim ownership of their work and their futures. Joe Pulizzi is the founder of multiple influential startups, including Content Marketing Institute, The Tilt, the Content Entrepreneur Expo and is widely recognized as the person who first coined the term "content marketing" in 2001, long before it became an industry unto itself. A bestselling author of seven books, including Epic Content Marketing and Content Inc., Joe has helped shape how organizations and individuals think about audience building, trust, and long-term value creation, earning the Content Council's Lifetime Achievement Award for his impact on the field. After successfully exiting Content Marketing Institute in 2016, he expanded his creative range by writing the award-winning mystery novel The Will To Die, while continuing to host two long-running podcasts, including This Old Marketing, the longest-running marketing news podcast in the world. His latest book, Burn The Playbook: How Creators And Entrepreneurs Escape The 9–5 And Build Businesses That Last, serves as the catalyst for this conversation and reflects a deeply personal mission inspired by his children: to help people stop renting their futures and start building assets they truly own. In the discussion, Joe explores the evolution of content and audience strategy, the underestimated power of repetition in building trust, the growing importance of individual creators over faceless brands, and why human connection matters more than ever in this AI-accelerated world. He also addresses the role of paid promotion, the practical integration of AI into creative work, and why serving a clearly defined audience remains the most durable path to meaning, freedom, and sustainable wealth. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 59:52. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Joe Pulizzi. Burn The Playbook: How Creators And Entrepreneurs Escape The 9–5 And Build Businesses That Last. This Old Marketing. The Tilt. Content Marketing Institute. Content Entrepreneur Expo. Epic Content Marketing. Content Inc. Follow Joe on LinkedIn. Follow Joe on YouTube. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Joe Pulizzi's Mission. (02:54) - The Evolution of Podcasting and Legacy Content. (05:50) - Building Relationships Through Repetition. (08:59) - Understanding Audience and Business Models. (11:54) - Navigating Career Paths in a Changing Landscape. (15:07) - The Importance of Human Connection. (17:45) - Overcoming Barriers in a Digital World. (20:52) - The Power of Experimentation and New Platforms. (30:11) - Killing What Doesn't Work. (32:49) - The Power of Focused Content Creation. (36:40) - Paid Promotion vs. Organic Reach. (38:45) - Rented vs. Owned Content. (43:48) - The Individual vs. The Brand. (48:54) - AI and the Future of Content Creation. (56:43) - Redefining Success in a Changing World.

    1 hr
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4.3
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About

Six Pixels of Separation - Mitch Joel's weekly conversation with business leaders, thinkers, innovators and cultural icons. The show is about insights and provocations on brands, consumers, technology, business and how connected we've all become.

Information

  • Creator
    Mitch Joel
  • Years Active
    2006 - 2026
  • Episodes
    341
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025
  • Show Website
    Thinking With Mitch Joel

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