Humanizing Change

Tremendousness

Join us each episode as we talk with innovators in their respective fields about their unique journeys and how they humanize change in their own work, right here, on Humanizing Change.

  1. Brown University's Danny Warshay on humanizing entrepreneurship and dealing with ambiguity so you can truly connect with customers (podcast episode #13)

    08/25/2025

    Brown University's Danny Warshay on humanizing entrepreneurship and dealing with ambiguity so you can truly connect with customers (podcast episode #13)

    On today’s episode, Ari has a conversation with Danny Warshay, Executive Director of the Nelson Center for Entrepreneurship and Professor of Entrepreneurship at Brown University. Ari’s chat with Danny explores the power of entrepreneurial thinking as a structured process for solving real human problems — whether in startups, corporations, the military, or beyond. They discuss the importance of bottom-up research, the myth of abundant resources, and why diverse, inclusive teams lead to better solutions with bigger impact. The conversation begins with Danny reflecting on his childhood in Shaker Heights, Ohio — shaped by a social worker mother and a NASA scientist father — and how that early blend of human insight and systems thinking continues to influence his work today. Highlights from the conversation: I start with listening. Real change begins by listening deeply to the people impacted — designing with communities, not just for them. I see scarcity as an advantage. When resources are limited, it sharpens focus and fuels creativity — helping uncover real, human problems worth solving. I use a process, not just passion. Entrepreneurship isn’t about winging it — it’s about applying a repeatable framework: see, solve, scale. I build diverse teams on purpose. The best solutions come from a mix of perspectives — but inclusion only works when people feel trusted and heard. I believe in working with meaning. When what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what pays fairly all align — that’s Ikigai, and that’s when real impact happens. Humanizing Change is produced by Ari Abraham and Bill Keaggy, with artwork by Chris Roettger.

    38 min
  2. Dr. Anisha Patel on humanizing change through community outreach (podcast episode #12)

    05/14/2025

    Dr. Anisha Patel on humanizing change through community outreach (podcast episode #12)

    On today’s episode, Ari has a conversation with Dr. Anisha Patel, Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford University. Ari's chat with Anisha covers several topics, including partnering with local organizations in community-engaged research, understanding every step of the process, from assessment to measuring results, and implementing regional AND national change based on community feedback. The conversation begins with Anisha sharing her early experiences growing up as the only Indian family in rural North Carolina, feeling welcomed and encouraged by her pediatrician growing up, and how she combined that with an interest in anthropology to help her influence the healthcare system at large for children outside a clinic setting. Highlights from the conversation: I start with listening. Real change begins by listening deeply to the people impacted — designing with communities, not just for them. I translate data into human stories. I believe in making complex data meaningful by turning it into clear, relatable narratives that inspire understanding and action. I build trust through transparency. Even when the message is tough, I commit to honest, open communication because trust is earned through consistency and clarity. I center lived experience. I include community voices in the design and decision-making process to ensure the solutions reflect their actual needs. I keep communication simple and consistent. Whether it's a flyer or a framework, I make sure every message is clear, cohesive, and accessible. Produced by Ari Abraham and Hannah Fales, with artwork by Chris Roettger. #secondary { display: none!important; }

    25 min
  3. Dr. Steph Habif on humanizing change around behaviors (podcast episode #11)

    04/30/2025

    Dr. Steph Habif on humanizing change around behaviors (podcast episode #11)

    On today’s episode, Ari has a conversation with Dr. Steph Habif, Behavioral Scientist, Health Behavior by Design. Ari's chat with Steph covers several topics, including developing a clear understanding to base change around behaviors, grounding people with sets of specific behavioral terms The conversation begins with Steph sharing her early experiences with the diversity of people and culture growing up in the New York City suburbs, the psychological aspects of being a student athlete, and how she combined it all into a leadership style rooted in empathy and curiosity. Highlights from the conversation: I design for real life, not ideal behavior. I meet people where they are — not where we wish they were — because change only sticks when it fits into daily routines. I turn behavioral science into strategy. I apply principles from psychology and behavior design to help people and organizations adopt meaningful, lasting habits. I believe simplicity drives action. Complex ideas don’t inspire change — clear, small steps do. I focus on removing friction and making the first step feel easy. I build change around emotion, not just logic. People don’t change because of data alone. I design with empathy, creating emotional resonance that motivates behavior. I test, learn, and iterate. I treat every behavior change effort like an experiment — learning from what works, adapting quickly, and scaling what resonates. Produced by Ari Abraham and Darrick Hays, with artwork by Chris Roettger. #secondary { display: none!important; }

    40 min
  4. Jeff Lash on humanizing change around understanding the end user (podcast episode #7)

    02/25/2025

    Jeff Lash on humanizing change around understanding the end user (podcast episode #7)

    In the seventh episode of Humanizing Change, host Ari Abraham talks with Jeff Lash, former Senior VP of Global Product Management at Forrester, about why real change starts with truly understanding the end user — whether that's a customer, a colleague, or an internal stakeholder. Jeff shares how his early experiences with technology and user experience shaped his belief that empathy, research, and people-centered thinking are critical for lasting transformation. Lessons from the episode: Focus on real human needs: I prioritize the experiences of the people affected, not just the process or the system. Empathize internally and externally: I treat employees with the same care and curiosity as I do customers. Use customer research techniques internally: I apply user research methods to improve internal understanding and alignment. Let personal experiences shape leadership: I recognize how early interests and experiences influence how I lead. Respect the human side of every challenge: I know successful change starts with seeing — and valuing — the people involved. If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to Humanizing Change to hear more real, thoughtful stories about how people are navigating change and complexity. New episodes drop regularly — and we’d love to have you along for the journey. Produced by Ari Abraham and Darrick Hays, with artwork by Chris Roettger. #secondary { display: none!important; }

    29 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
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5 Ratings

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Join us each episode as we talk with innovators in their respective fields about their unique journeys and how they humanize change in their own work, right here, on Humanizing Change.