It's Launched! The Story Behind the Transformation Economy Book
The Experience Strategy Podcast
Release Date: 02/05/2026
It's Launched! The Story Behind the Transformation Economy Book
The Experience Strategy Podcast
In this special episode of the Experience Strategy Podcast, Joe Pine shares with Dave and Aransas background about the book! To celebrate the release of his new book, The Transformation Economy. The conversation traces the book's origins from the final two chapters of The Experience Economy, explores why the world is finally ready for this idea, and unpacks key frameworks — including encapsulation (preparation, reflection, and integration) — that make experiences truly transformative. The trio also discusses the role of AI in enabling transformation, why businesses must foster human...
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The Big, Transformational, Business of Longevity
The Experience Strategy Podcast
Summary In this episode of the Experience Strategy Podcast, hosts Aransas Savas, Joe Pine, and Dave Norton discuss the burgeoning field of longevity and transformation. They explore the aspirations of individuals seeking to live longer and healthier lives, the shift in healthcare from a reactive to a proactive approach, and the role of social proof in driving transformation. The conversation also touches on the evolution of trust in the age of social media, the changing narrative around aging, and the future accessibility of longevity solutions. Takeaways People aspire to live longer and...
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What Sam Altman's Code Red Says About The Future of AI
The Experience Strategy Podcast
In this episode of the Experience Strategy podcast, hosts Aransas Savas, Joe Pine, and Dave Norton discuss the recent developments in AI leadership, particularly focusing on Sam Altman's 'code red' declaration regarding OpenAI's competition with Google. They explore the importance of experience in AI development, the frameworks that should guide AI companies, and the evolving expectations of users. The conversation delves into the distinctions between 'stupid', 'dumb', 'smart', and 'genius' AI, emphasizing the need for contextual understanding and anticipation in AI solutions. The episode...
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The Ultra-Rich No Longer Want Luxury Goods, They Want Purpose
The Experience Strategy Podcast
The conversation explores the evolving perception of wealth and meaning, highlighting a shift towards purpose-driven initiatives among wealthy individuals like Musk and Gates. Taken from the article in the Economist, , it discusses how traditional symbols of wealth are losing significance as people seek deeper meaning in their financial pursuits. Takeaways People are starting to think differently about what is meaningful. Owning luxury items does not equate to personal meaning anymore. Wealthy individuals are focusing on greater purposes for their money. Musk and Gates exemplify this shift...
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Remaking the Premium Movie Experience
The Experience Strategy Podcast
Two articles caught our attention. The first was in The about a new movie theater concepts with private rooms and high end food in New York. The second was a story about the power of IMAX in the movie industry, per the In this episode, Joe Pine, Aransas Savas, and Dave Norton discuss the evolving landscape of the movie theater experience, particularly in light of the pandemic's impact. They explore new concepts in Hollywood, such as premium movie theaters and IMAX, and how these innovations cater to changing consumer preferences. The conversation emphasizes the importance of...
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The Amusement Episode: Can Travis Kelce Save Six Flags?
The Experience Strategy Podcast
In a recent WSJ article entitled "", the author notes that all theme parks are down, and Six Flags needs a rescue. So, we decided to unpack the why, the how, and the what to do to reenergize theme parks. The conversation goes from Travis' desire for more thrilling roller coasters to proposing new ideas for amusing people. The conversation highlights the need for themed environments to be well-maintained and the significance of pricing strategies in shaping customer perceptions. The hosts also emphasize the necessity for amusement parks to rethink their offerings to attract a broader...
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High Point University, The Transformational Education Example for Schools of the Future
The Experience Strategy Podcast
In this episode of the Experience Strategy Podcast, hosts Aransas Savas, Joe Pine, and Dave Norton discuss an article from the , which has become a magnet for wealthy students. They explore how the university's focus on creating transformational experiences and life skills prepares students for their future careers. The conversation also touches on the role of parents in educational choices, the future of higher education, and the need for universities to have a strong point of view on their purpose and offerings. Oh and listen to Aransas' assessement of . Takeaways High Point...
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Is PWC Redefining Customer Experience/CX ? We Hope So
The Experience Strategy Podcast
In this episode of the Experience Strategy Podcast, hosts Joe Pine, Dave Norton, and Aransas Savas discuss . They explore the evolving definitions of customer experience, emphasizing the importance of trust and meaningful interactions. The conversation delves into PwC's four dimensions of exceptional experiences: coherence, personalization, engagement, and distinctiveness. The hosts critique traditional measurement methods in customer experience, advocating for a focus on meaningful experiences rather than mere service delivery. They also discuss the significance of managing moments of...
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What's Your Point of View: Insights from Arival 25 and The Collaboratives
The Experience Strategy Podcast
In this episode of the Experience Strategy Podcast, hosts Joe Pine, Dave Norton, and Aransas Savas discuss their recent experiences at the and , focusing on the evolving landscape of travel experiences and the impact of AI on search and social proof. They emphasize the importance of human connection in the age of AI, the significance of time well spent, and the necessity for companies to have a distinct point of view to thrive in a competitive market. Takeaways AI searches are five times longer than traditional searches. Web crawlers for AI tools are limited and slow. Search can be...
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Lessons About Customers and Experiences from Uber's New Advertising Campaign
The Experience Strategy Podcast
just did a write up on Uber's new ad campaign and we found reasons to concur with the article and take what Uber is doing farther. In this episode of the Experience Strategy Podcast, hosts Aranzas Savas, Joe Pine, and Dave Norton discuss Uber's new advertising campaign, focusing on its storytelling approach and the importance of experiences in marketing. They explore how Uber positions itself as a service that enables meaningful experiences, the emotional, social, and systemic jobs it could fulfill, and the broader implications for brands in commoditized industries. The conversation also...
info_outlineIn this special episode of the Experience Strategy Podcast, Joe Pine shares with Dave and Aransas background about the book! To celebrate the release of his new book, The Transformation Economy. The conversation traces the book's origins from the final two chapters of The Experience Economy, explores why the world is finally ready for this idea, and unpacks key frameworks — including encapsulation (preparation, reflection, and integration) — that make experiences truly transformative. The trio also discusses the role of AI in enabling transformation, why businesses must foster human flourishing, and who stands to benefit most from reading the book.
Key Topics
Why now for The Transformation Economy? Joe waited over 25 years because "the world wasn't ready" and he "didn't know enough." Research through Stone Mantle's collaboratives, the World Experience Organization, and post-COVID shifts toward meaningful experiences signaled the time had come.
Catalysts for transformation. The most prevalent catalyst is trauma — illness, loss, job changes, retirement. These disruptions create the conditions where people seek to see, do, and be differently.
The four spheres of human flourishing:
- Health & well-being
- Wealth & prosperity
- Knowledge & wisdom
- Purpose & meaning
Encapsulation — the essential framework (Chapter 4): To turn a memorable experience into a transformative one, you need three layers around the core experience: preparation (priming beforehand), reflection (making meaning afterward — which retroactively increases the value of the experience), and integration (sustaining change over time).
The business model problem. Most companies get paid for the event, not the outcome. Shifting to outcome-based pricing — as McKinsey is doing with AI projects — aligns incentives with lasting transformation.
AI as a transformation enabler. AI makes the hardest parts of delivering transformation (especially ongoing integration and support) dramatically more accessible and affordable.
Who Should Read This Book?
- Companies in education, finance, health, and well-being
- Any business focused on improving the lives of families and individuals
- The creator economy — creators already doing transformation work who need frameworks to do it well and realize its full value
Notable Quotes
- "The entire raison d'être of business is to foster human flourishing." — Joe Pine
- "Reflection retroactively increases the value of the experience." — Joe Pine
- "If you don't do it, it's just lazy." — Aransas Savas, on using available technology to encapsulate experiences
Mentioned in This Episode
- The Transformation Economy by Joe Pine
- The Experience Economy by Joe Pine & Jim Gilmore
- Stone Mantel's Experience Strategy Collaboratives
- The World Experience Organization (founded by James Wallman)
- Arrival 360 Conference
- Daniel Kahneman's experiencing self vs. remembering self
- McKinsey's outcome-based AI pricing model
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