Why Lead?

Ben Owden

0.0 (0)
MANAGEMENT
EVERY TWO MONTHS

"Everything rises and falls on leadership," - John MaxwellMy name is Ben Owden and I have weekly conversations with leaders. I hope that these conversations will help you find the clarity and conviction to lead a more meaningful and impactful life. I’ve curated some of the best thinker practitioners from all over the world to help you get to your leadership nirvana.

11 JUN

0087 - The Power of ‘I Don’t Know' | Why Your Brain Loves Being Ignorant (And How That Makes You Smarter) ft Stuart Firestein

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 Successful Important Links *Join Thrive in the Middle Today! *Book WhyLead to Train Your Teams *Explore Our Services Social Media *Ben Owden's LinkedIn *Ben Owden's Twitter

1h 11m
4 JUN

0086 - AI is Humanity’s Savior and Possibly Our Worst Mistake! ft Mo Gawdat

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/books WhyLead's Web: https://www.whyleadothers.com/podcast WhyLead's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/whyleadconsultancy/?viewAsMember=true WhyLead's Twitter: https://twitter.com/whyleadothers Ben 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

27 min
22 MAR

0085 - Sleep Your Way to Better Decisions, How Rest is Becoming the New Hustle ft Sara Mednick

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 Services Social Media *Ben Owden's LinkedIn *Ben Owden's Twitter

1h 20m
18 MAR

0084 - Unleash Your Brain’s Four Superpowers, & Become the CEO of Your Mind ft Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor

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 Services Social Media *Ben Owden's LinkedIn *Ben Owden's Twitter

1h 15m
26 FEB

0083 - The AI Playbook: How to Win with Machine Learning ft Eric Siegel

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 Playbook Important Links *Join Thrive in the Middle Today! *Book WhyLead to Train Your Teams *Explore Our Services Social Media *Ben Owden's LinkedIn *Ben Owden's Twitter

1h 6m
21 FEB

0082 - Why Most Strategy Fails—And How to Fix It ft Dr. Felix Oberholzer-Gee

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 Strategy Important Links *Join Thrive in the Middle Today! *Book WhyLead to Train Your Teams *Explore Our Services Social Media *Ben Owden's LinkedIn *Ben Owden's Twitter

1h 13m
29 JAN

0081 - Stop Fixing—Start Transforming: How to Spark Real Change ft Dr. Monica Sharma

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 Leadership Important Links *Join Thrive in the Middle Today! *Book WhyLead to Train Your Teams *Explore Our Services Social Media *Ben Owden's LinkedIn *Ben Owden's Twitter

1h 11m
15 JAN

0080 - Why ‘I Have Feedback for You’ Feels So Scary—and How to Move Past It ft Jason Rosoff

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 work Important Links *Join Thrive in the Middle Today! *Book WhyLead to Train Your Teams *Explore Our Services Social Media *Ben Owden's LinkedIn *Ben Owden's Twitter

1h 16m

See All (88)

Creator

Ben Owden
Years Active

2020 - 2025
Episodes

88
Rating

Explicit
Show Website

Why Lead?

Why Lead?

Episodes

0087 - The Power of ‘I Don’t Know' | Why Your Brain Loves Being Ignorant (And How That Makes You Smarter) ft Stuart Firestein

0086 - AI is Humanity’s Savior and Possibly Our Worst Mistake! ft Mo Gawdat

0085 - Sleep Your Way to Better Decisions, How Rest is Becoming the New Hustle ft Sara Mednick

0084 - Unleash Your Brain’s Four Superpowers, & Become the CEO of Your Mind ft Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor

0083 - The AI Playbook: How to Win with Machine Learning ft Eric Siegel

0082 - Why Most Strategy Fails—And How to Fix It ft Dr. Felix Oberholzer-Gee

0081 - Stop Fixing—Start Transforming: How to Spark Real Change ft Dr. Monica Sharma

0080 - Why ‘I Have Feedback for You’ Feels So Scary—and How to Move Past It ft Jason Rosoff

About

Information