Corporate Unplugged

Vesna Lucca

Corporate Unplugged puts the light on impact makers in business. In an informal and seriously playful way, Vesna Lucca is talking to people transforming business – entrepreneurs, leaders, activists, and other heroes from the business world, celebrities as well as hidden gems. It is a stripped-down dialogue with people from all over the world who share their dreams, experiences and what they would never give up. Listen, get inspired and share!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

read less

BusinessBusiness

Society & CultureSociety & Culture

Non-ProfitNon-Profit

Start Here

Innovating Children's Futures

Innovating Children's Futures

Thomas Davin is the Global Innovation Director at UNICEF. With over two decades of experience in international development and humanitarian work, in this episode of Corporate Unplugged Thomas shares his insights on leveraging innovation to address global challenges affecting children.He emphasizes the critical role of young people as active contributors to climate innovation and highlights UNICEF's efforts to empower youth through initiatives like climate accelerators, which support young innovators in developing impactful solutions. UNICEF's strategic approach to identifying and scaling innovative solutions has stretched to cover 160 countries. Thomas explains how his team identifies key problems affecting children, such as the learning crisis where a significant percentage of children cannot comprehend texts they read. By vetting and adopting successful solutions from various regions, UNICEF aims to address these challenges effectively.Thomas discusses the importance of building future leaders through programs like Upshift, which equips young people with skills in critical thinking and problem-solving. This initiative has reached over 1.5 million adolescents globally, fostering a generation of adaptable and innovative thinkers poised to shape the future.Throughout the episode, Thomas reflects on the power of collaboration and co-creation in solving complex global problems. He underscores the need for bold thinking and unlearning conventional approaches to drive meaningful change.Thomas powerfully expresses his passion for social justice and his vision for a future where every child has equal opportunities for quality education and health. He advocates for hope and empathy as essential elements in addressing global challenges and building a more equitable world.In this episode: UNICEF's focus on accelerating impact for children globally through innovative solutions.Identifying key problems, vetting solutions, and facilitating adoption and scaling of effective interventions.Importance of storytelling and highlighting successful local examples to inspire replication.UNICEF's "Upshifts" curriculum empowering young entrepreneurs and changemakers.Co-creation and "unlearning" as powerful tools to unlock new perspectives.Thomas's personal commitment to social justice and equal opportunities for all children.Advice to leaders on being bold, daring, and continuously challenging themselves and their teams. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

Innovating Children's Futures

Innovating Children's Futures

Thomas Davin is the Global Innovation Director at UNICEF. With over two decades of experience in international development and humanitarian work, in this episode of Corporate Unplugged Thomas shares his insights on leveraging innovation to address global challenges affecting children.He emphasizes the critical role of young people as active contributors to climate innovation and highlights UNICEF's efforts to empower youth through initiatives like climate accelerators, which support young innovators in developing impactful solutions. UNICEF's strategic approach to identifying and scaling innovative solutions has stretched to cover 160 countries. Thomas explains how his team identifies key problems affecting children, such as the learning crisis where a significant percentage of children cannot comprehend texts they read. By vetting and adopting successful solutions from various regions, UNICEF aims to address these challenges effectively.Thomas discusses the importance of building future leaders through programs like Upshift, which equips young people with skills in critical thinking and problem-solving. This initiative has reached over 1.5 million adolescents globally, fostering a generation of adaptable and innovative thinkers poised to shape the future.Throughout the episode, Thomas reflects on the power of collaboration and co-creation in solving complex global problems. He underscores the need for bold thinking and unlearning conventional approaches to drive meaningful change.Thomas powerfully expresses his passion for social justice and his vision for a future where every child has equal opportunities for quality education and health. He advocates for hope and empathy as essential elements in addressing global challenges and building a more equitable world.In this episode: UNICEF's focus on accelerating impact for children globally through innovative solutions.Identifying key problems, vetting solutions, and facilitating adoption and scaling of effective interventions.Importance of storytelling and highlighting successful local examples to inspire replication.UNICEF's "Upshifts" curriculum empowering young entrepreneurs and changemakers.Co-creation and "unlearning" as powerful tools to unlock new perspectives.Thomas's personal commitment to social justice and equal opportunities for all children.Advice to leaders on being bold, daring, and continuously challenging themselves and their teams. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Alchemy of Vibration and Music

The Alchemy of Vibration and Music

"Everything vibrates. So every cell of your body right now is vibrating and has its own frequency." In this episode of the Corporate Unplugged podcast, Vesna ventures into sound with renowned multi-instrumentalist, and multimedia producer Laura Inserra. Laura shares her personal insights as a ‘Sound Alchemist’ on the vibrational essence of the universe and the profound healing power of music.Laura explains how music can entrain the body's natural frequencies, releasing stagnant energies and emotions. She describes her personal journey of discovering her musical gifts, and the transformative mentors and experiences that have shaped her work, culminating in her immersive ‘Chambers of Awe’ experiences that combine ancient instruments with cutting-edge technology to guide participants on journeys of expanded consciousness.Looking towards the future, she emphasizes the importance of flexible, caring leadership that empowers people's unique talents and contributions.In this podcast:● The vibrational nature of the universe and how it is understood across diverse spiritual and philosophical traditions● Laura’s work creating immersive ‘Chambers of Awe’ experiences● The healing power of music to entrain the body's natural frequencies and release stagnant energies● Laura’s personal journey of discovering her musical talents and the mentors who shaped her work● The importance of leadership that empowers people's unique gifts and fosters a cooperative, nature-inspired model● Laura’s vision for a future where humanity learns from nature's collaborative approach, using technology to augment human abilities Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Moral Imagination for a Life Centric Future

Moral Imagination for a Life Centric Future

Phoebe Tickell is a renegade scientist, systems thinker, and social entrepreneur that sums her work up as an ‘‘imagination activist’. In this episode, Vesna and Phoebe discuss the critical role of creativity and perception in shaping the world around us. We delve into the challenges of fostering imagination and creativity within organizations, highlighting the need for psychological safety, non-hierarchical work environments, and interventions that integrate art and creativity into leadership and decision-making. Phoebe shares her personal journey from the world of science and technology to the realm of moral imagination, driven by a desire to address societal issues at a deeper level.She envisions a future where living on Earth is safe, free, and abundant, with restored ecosystems and a life-centric economy. This important discussion explores the potential for organizations to become instruments of change, prioritizing people's well-being and the planet's health over traditional metrics of success. On this podcast with Phoebe Tickell you will hear about:The power of moral imagination in shaping the world and driving collective action.The importance of acknowledging the full spectrum of emotions, including our shadow sides, to create more textured and life-affirming futures.Strategies for building work environments that nurture creativity and innovation, such as fostering psychological safety and non-hierarchical structures.Phoebe’s personal journey from the world of science to the realm of moral imagination, driven by a desire to address societal issues at a deeper level.The potential for organizations to become instruments of change, prioritizing people's well-being and the planet's health over traditional metrics of success. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Need for Transformational Change for Growth

The Need for Transformational Change for Growth

New Zealand born business philosopher and entrepreneur, Christopher Evatt, was raised with the understanding that we should leave everybody and everything better than when we found it, and we should work for the good of the whole. But the problem is, we humans have been labouring under an illusion of separation, both individually and collectively. We’re all connected, says Christopher, our society, companies, organisations, the planet; we’re all one living system.In this episode of Corporate Unplugged, Christopher discusses our need to evolve and grow, to raise our consciousness and understanding of our interconnectedness, both within individuals and organisations. But more importantly, we need to learn to clear our own energy system, to embrace the power of thought, intention, and beliefs to make wise choices and grow in wisdom.To learn more, download and listen to this episode today. On today’s podcast:● Personal growth, collective dysfunction, and planetary transformation● Consciousness, growth, and personal development● Bridging generations for business success● Businesses need a quantum understanding to thrive● We are all leaders Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How To Become What You Might Have Been

How To Become What You Might Have Been

Don’t stress about where you are in life, says Eda Çarmıklı, a proud utopian and firm believer, that it’s never too late to become what you might have been. You're going to get to where you need to be, or perhaps you’re already there. Just open your eyes and trust that life will bring you the right people, the right communities, and the right collaborations, when you’re ready. Eda’s the co-founder of the global collaborative platform, Joint Idea; lifelong laboratory growth program Life Works Labs; and social tribe, Love Mafia. She’s also a second generation shareholder in Nurol Holding, an industrial conglomerate in Turkey operating in construction, infrastructure, machinery, energy, investment, banking and tourism. In this episode of Corporate Unplugged, Eda talks about the hurdles life presents us so that we can become what we were meant to be. “Just flow and see where life takes you. Don’t force things, don’t try to wear jackets that don’t fit you, just let it go and enjoy life as it is; just trust life that it may not deliver you what you want, but exactly what you need.” On today’s podcast: ● Personal growth, vulnerability, and utopia● Learn to voice your truth● Leadership, growth, and sustainability in a family-owned business● Exponential humanity and learning to listen● Collective intelligence, love, and compassion in business Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Resilience Thinking and Human Impact on the Planet

Resilience Thinking and Human Impact on the Planet

We all depend on Planet Earth for life and yet as a species, our collective actions are having devastating impacts such as a loss of biodiversity and climate change, among other things. It’s literally the definition of insanity, says Lisen Schultz, Associate Professor in Sustainability Science, Deputy Director for the Stockholm Resilience Center, University of Stockholm, Director of Education, and the Programme Director for the center's executive programme in resilience thinking. We humans aren’t evil, our problem is we don’t see what we’re doing as damaging, nor can we see how we could do it differently. Our world is built around a formula of growth, rather than meaningful growth. In this episode of Corporate Unplugged, Lisen discusses the urgency of the climate change challenge, but also the potential opportunities it presents for us individually, as well as for companies, but, in a way that doesn’t create a whole new set of problems. To find out more, download and listen to this fascinating conversation. On today’s podcast:Climate change impact and human warmingSustainable business practices Sustainability transition and its benefits for societyClimate action and hope for the future Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Importance of Understanding Context

The Importance of Understanding Context

There is a real pressure to solve the climate crisis and the myriad other environmental and social issues by breaking them down into their constituent parts, to solve them individually. But, says Nora Bateson, award-winning filmmaker, writer and educator, and President of the International Bateson Institute, this approach is the biggest challenge we need to overcome. We live in a complex, interdependent world, and to find new solutions we need to relearn how we think, feel and navigate, we need to adopt a different mindset. In this episode of Corporate Unplugged, Vesna and Nora discuss the need for a more diverse ecology of knowing; how do we know things? What is our ability to zoom in and study the details? And how can we zoom out and see the context?To find out more, download and listen to this latest episode. On today’s podcast:The perception habits we need to ditchWe have to learn to do things togetherWhat is this warm data stuff?The future Nora wants to see Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Small Acts of Kindness can Change the World

Small Acts of Kindness can Change the World

Right now, says Nipun Mehta, founder of Service Space, an incubator of gift economy projects that inspire people to be the change they wish to see, the world needs a little more kindness. And yes, with so many challenges happening globally, it might feel like such an insignificant act isn’t going to affect anything but says Nipun, that’s how history changes. 25 years ago, in Silicon Valley, Nipun started Service Space as an experiment with friends. Today it’s a global ecosystem with around 1.5 million members. And they've not only delivered millions of dollars in service for free, but they're also regenerating a gift culture. In this incredibly insightful conversation, Vesna and Nipun discuss how small acts of kindness can change the world. To find out more, download and listen to this episode. On today’s podcast:What we can learn from the gratitude economyThe future potential of AIAligning AI with heart intelligenceThe 1,000 km journey to himselfThe long term solution for businessLinks:https://www.servicespace.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Organisations and Individuals can Heal Burnout

How Organisations and Individuals can Heal Burnout

Sometimes a physical ailment isn't physical, says Neha Sangwan, MD and CEO and founder of Intuitive Intelligence. In fact, stress causes or exacerbates more than 80% of illnesses, so rather than simply treating the physical injuries, we need to be asking people what's at the root of their stress. In this episode of Corporate Unplugged, Neha explains why her passion is teaching people how to communicate with themselves, and with each other, to navigate their emotions, manage their energy, to learn how to keep themselves well so that collectively, as humans, we can all rise together now, and in the future. “What I have learned is, self-care is not selfish, it's self-full. It's how I can, over time, be able to serve in the world in a way that comes from a replenished full, energized place, full of vitality and energy, versus a depleted exhausted place.” To find out more, download and listen to this latest episode. On today’s podcast:Why self-care isn’t selfishWhat is burnout?The three phases of burnoutWhy we need human connectionBridge leaders of today, to be leaders of tomorrowLinks:FacebookTwitterLinkedInWebsite Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to Manage Injustice with Moral Clarity

How to Manage Injustice with Moral Clarity

Capitalism has served us well in many ways, says Manish Bhardwaj, CEO and founder of Innovators in Health, but it has also exacerbated injustice and inequality worldwide. So, how can we address the problems at the heart of this? How can we design more just systems? By having moral clarity. In this episode of Corporate Unplugged, Manish explains we first need to understand why there is injustice in the world, before we can find a solution. A lot of our failures today, says Manish, are failures of imagination. We’re really good instrumentalists, we know how to crunch data, what we lack is a fluency in the language of morality. To find out more about cultivating moral clarity, download and listen to this episode today. On today’s podcast:Why we’re all such good instrumentalistsWe aren’t trained to navigate difficult issues morallyMoral clarity and justice requires accompanimentLeaders should rely on moral authority Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Future of Human Intelligence and Transformative Technology

The Future of Human Intelligence and Transformative Technology

A lot of people believe the problems we're facing on a global scale are related to tech, says Nichol Bradford, pioneer, innovator, investor and thought leader at the intersection of technology and human transformation. But the truth is, much of what we’re struggling with just boils down to a lack of belonging. “We craft these visions of the future where people can't see themselves in it, they can't see that they belong to it.”In this episode of Corporate Unplugged, Nichol discusses the future of human intelligence and why there can be no digital transformation without a human transformation, and explains why change needs to come from the top.“Culture eats strategy for breakfast. Culture is a collection of people, and how they show up with each other every day, and how one shows up with other people has everything to do with how you show up with yourself. It starts with you. It always starts with you.”To find out more, download and listen to this latest episode. On today’s podcast:The future of human intelligence Taste and the future of workRedefining what it means to be human The web of lifeWhy the world needs more belongingLinks:TwitterLinkedInWebsite Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Need to Humanise Leadership & Work

The Need to Humanise Leadership & Work

Do you bring your whole self to work? Are you encouraged to bring your authentic self to work? Or do you feel you need to leave parts of you at the door? If you’re a leader, do your followers bring their whole selves to work? Because, says Gianpiero Petriglieri, Professor of Organisational Behaviour at INSEAD, and one of the 50 most influential management thinkers in the world, if we’re not bringing our whole selves into the workplace, we’re absent from the very place where so many of us spend such a significant portion of our time. In this episode of Corporate Unplugged, Gianpiero shares his thoughts on the need to humanise leadership and learning, and how he encourages his students to look at leadership as a kind of love. Then, using this framework, he explores the difference between good leadership and bad leadership. “Good leadership is the one in which there is an element of seduction, but then there has to be something more. There has to be care. There has to be a promise. But there has to be something more; there has to be progress.”To learn more, download and listen to this episode. On today’s podcast:Leadership is a kind of loveThe difference between good and bad leadershipWhy leadership is shaping systemsHow to know when you’re failing as a leaderThe paradox of leadership and supportLinks:TwitterLinkedInWebsite Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why Conscious Leadership is the Name of the Game

Why Conscious Leadership is the Name of the Game

Do you really trust your people? Do your people trust you as a leader? Is your company a trustworthy stakeholder for society and the planet as a whole? And if not, why not? The answer, says Stefan Beiten, Founder and Managing Partner of Argo Ventures, always lies with your people, you need to learn to connect with them.Stefan is an out-of-the-box thinker and serial entrepreneur, investor, company builder, and opportunity finder from Berlin. Best known for producing the global phenomena, Earth, the most successful nature documentary ever produced, on this episode of Corporate Unplugged, Stefan discusses how to empower purposeful leaders to solve real-world problems. To find out more, download and listen to this truly insightful episode. On today’s podcast:Bringing trust and purpose to the worldBe terrified about missing conversations Businesses as instruments of purposeThe potential dilemma of AILinks:Earth - A Venture of Argo Ventures Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to Develop Humanistic Balanced Projects and Places

How to Develop Humanistic Balanced Projects and Places

How often are you moved to tears in a day? How often do you experience things that make you really feel deeply? This is what drives Richard Hsu, as he tirelessly redesigns systems and connects dots, as he develops humanistic balanced projects and places.The world has had a collective awakening. People are fast realising life is too short to waste on dirty, profit making projects. They want purpose, they want good reasons to invest their time in something. Which is why now is a really good time to have a conversation about what kind of society we should develop, what kind of companies we want to build, and how we want to be for the people around us. In this episode of Corporate Unplugged, Richard explains why collaboration and curation are key to change, why leaders need to create on the edge, and why China is leading the way, creating cities of the future, with an open mind and a desire to disrupt.On today’s podcast:How to design humanistic, balanced projects and placesWhy China provides a second life for international brandsInnovating through the D O U X principleHow to bring humanism into your corporationWhy the world needs balanceLinks:Richard HsuFacebookAlternative Thinkers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mindful Business and Leadership

Mindful Business and Leadership

Filippo Dal Fiore is an unconventional social scientist, corporate advisor and university professor of sustainable business. Having moved back and forth from academia to the frontline of highly conscious companies, Filippo has developed a new paradigm vision for the university of the future, where science is done with a heart and a new human-centred civilisation can be built from the ground up. On today’s podcast:Bridging the gap between the academic and business worldWhy academia needs to changeFilippo’s vision for the university of the futureThere is no work/life balance; there is only life workWe need to become less emotionally attached to our companiesLinks:Filippo Dal FioreWebsite: Filippo Dal Fiore Great Place To Work® Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Finance and Economics for a Regenerative Age

Finance and Economics for a Regenerative Age

John Fullerton is an unconventional economist, impact investor, writer and founder of Capital Institute. In this episode of Corporate Unplugged he discusses regenerative economics, and the universal patterns and principles that will shape the new economy. But first, why after a 20 year career on Wall Street where he was the Managing Director of JP Morgan, did he choose to walk away with no plan? On today’s podcast:Why we need to pause before we actThe darkside of the Green RevolutionCompetition isn’t our innate human natureThe problem with tracking ESG metricsWhat the world needs most right nowLinks:8 week course: Introduction to Regenerative Economics – CAPITAL INSTITUTEcapitalinstitute.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Making the Internet a Better Place

Making the Internet a Better Place

If you had an idea for a potentially multi-billion dollar business, would you have the courage to make it free for the entire world to use?Because that’s exactly what Matt Mullenweg, CEO and founder of WordPress did. After many twists and turns, today the company has nearly 2,000 employees and a valuation of $7 billion. And WordPress powers more than 40% of the websites on the internet. So why did Matt decide to go against the status quo and make his platform free for all users? And why, almost two decades ago, did Matt decide that it was so important that the internet was about sharing and freedom and bringing people together to collaborate online?Download and listen to find out more.On today’s podcast:The genesis of WordPressUnderstanding the need for Open SourceThe cycle of generosity in Silicon ValleyMaking investments with Audrey CapitalWhat the world needs most right now Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Making the Intangible Tangible

Making the Intangible Tangible

How can art awaken people's desire for change and support them in creating the future they wish for? Jayce Pei Yu Lee is a graphic facilitator and visual catalyst based in Taipei, Taiwan. Jayce is big at heart, small in size and organic in spirit. She is an artist, a scribe and a maverick storyteller through her whimsical brush marks. She is a core team member of The Value Web and of The Presencing Institute led by MIT professor Otto Scharmer. She also drives the visual practice movement in the Asia Pacific region.On today’s podcast:Realising the power of marksBecoming a graphic recorderHow to work with a graphic recorderMaking the first markWhy we need to be more kindness-centricLinks:Book - Drawn Together through Visual Practice Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Keys to Transformation from Polluter to Protector

The Keys to Transformation from Polluter to Protector

Having abandoned a career in the petroleum industry to pursue a vocation defending the environment and defending future generations, Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Ali Al Nuaimi is affectionately known around the world as the Green Sheikh. So what does it take to transform a nation from polluter to protector, and why, as a member of one of the ruling royal families in the oil rich United Arab Emirates, has he chosen the rather unlikely vocation as environmental campaigner?Find out in this episode!You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3yrSSm6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Actionable Ways to Transform Business, Society & Self

Actionable Ways to Transform Business, Society & Self

Otto Scharmer is a senior lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management and co-founder of the Presencing Institute. In 2015, he co-founded the MITx U.lab, and in 2020, the GAIA journey (Global Activation of Intention and Action). GAIA has activated a vibrant worldwide ecosystem of transformational change involving more than 200,000 users from 185 countries. And if you haven't read his books yet, we recommend The Essentials of Theory U, and also Leading from the Emerging Future: from ecosystems to ecosystem economies.In this podcast:From ego system to ecosystem The knowing/doing gapThe ecological, the social, and the spiritual dimensionsHow can leaders play their part?The need for movementsLinks:https://ottoscharmer.com/https://www.presencing.org/Putin and the Power of Collective Action from Shared Awareness: A 10-Point Meditation on Our Current MomentPutin and the Power of Collective Action from Shared Awareness — Part 2: The Social Grammar of Creation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.