The Story of Ewelina Polińska Nadra - Curiosity, Leadership and work life balance
Release Date: 11/28/2024
The Story of Tod Nilson - Community building and the Woolly Mammoth -
Radio Future Skills Academy
The Real Work of Building Community Talking with Todd Nilson reminded us how misunderstood community building still is. We often treat it like marketing: launch a platform, create some content, hope people show up. But the way Todd talks about community is much closer to psychology, art, and human behavior than to funnels or metrics. What stood out most is his idea of the “woolly mammoth factor.” People don’t gather around your product. They gather around something essential to them, identity, purpose, survival, pride, belonging. If the only thing a company offers is “join our...
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The Story of Dara Douglas - Stories, Humanity, and the Courage to Learn
Radio Future Skills Academy
In this episode of Creative Leaders Unplugged, Morgan Duta and Arne van Oosterom speak with Dara Douglas, who leads the Co-Design Lab at PwC in the UK. Dara describes her work as a kind of corporate therapy, helping senior leaders align, make decisions, and connect beyond their roles. Listening to her, it’s clear this comes from somewhere deeper: growing up as one of nine siblings, learning early how to mediate, listen, and bring people together. What stands out most is her view on stories. Dara reminds us that stories are not just how we communicate, they’re how we connect, learn,...
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The Story of Natalie Nixon - Move, Think, Rest
Radio Future Skills Academy
In this episode, we chat with Creativity Strategist about the connections between dance, creativity, and personal growth. She shares transformative insights from her experiences in ballet, modern dance, and open water swimming, emphasizing the importance of embracing vulnerability and imperfection. We discuss her upcoming book, "," which advocates for a cyclical approach to productivity and the value of daydreaming in fostering innovation. Natalie also explores how organizations can cultivate curiosity and well-being, envisioning workplaces as collaborative ecosystems. This conversation...
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Alwin Put on 'The Hook'
Radio Future Skills Academy
This episode centers around the concept of "the hook," a transformative idea that has the potential to enhance participant engagement and foster meaningful connections during workshops and meetings.
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The Story of Leo Chan - Belonging and Redefining Creativity
Radio Future Skills Academy
The Power of Human Creativity in a Time of AI Reflections from a conversation with Leo Chan In a rich and personal conversation on the Radio Future Skills Academy podcast, Leo Chan joined Arne van Oosterom and Morgan Duta to talk about creativity, imposter syndrome, the importance of psychological safety, and the impact of AI. What unfolded was more than a talk about innovation, it became a shared reflection on what it means to be human, and how creativity is a deeply personal, vulnerable, and social act. Leo spoke openly about growing up feeling like he didn’t belong in the world of...
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Annika Madejska on Facilitating Evil
Radio Future Skills Academy
In this episode of The Naked Facilitator, we talk with Annika Madejska about her provocative workshop “Facilitating Evil.” What happens when we flip the script and explore how technology can be misused with good intentions gone wrong? Anika shares how speculative design, worldbuilding, and playful discomfort can trigger deep ethical reflection—and why sometimes, pretending to be “evil” for a day can lead to better choices in the real world.
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The Story of Jesse Poe - Music, Neurodivergence and a new start
Radio Future Skills Academy
Behind the Glass Wall “Sometimes, I feel like I’m behind a glass wall.” described this feeling during our conversation with . She spoke about observing the world, people, conversations, systems, all unfolding just beyond an invisible barrier. You’re present, yet not truly part of it. That image resonated deeply with . It brought to mind the times I’ve felt out of sync with the world around me. When societal structures and expectations don’t align with my way of thinking or being. It’s not about unwillingness; it’s about a fundamental disconnect that leads to...
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The Story of Alwin Put - Why Holding Space is Exhausting (and Beautiful)
Radio Future Skills Academy
The Hidden Life of a Facilitator By Arne van Oosterom Facilitation often looks easy from the outside. A room full of people, energy, sticky notes, good vibes, some structure, and someone calmly guiding the process. But what most people don’t see is the part that happens afterwards. When the room is empty again. When you’re back in the car. Or alone in a hotel room. We recently had Alwin Put on the podcast, a great facilitator and writer. One of the first things he said stuck with me. He described how much he loves working with groups—and then immediately admitted how exhausted he feels...
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COLUMN - by Arne van Oosterom - AI and the Human Experience
Radio Future Skills Academy
Hey everyone, welcome to another episode of Podcast with a Column by : I’m really excited to share something that’s been on my mind for a while. We’ve all heard how technology—and more specifically AI—seems to be creeping into every corner of our lives. I mean, it’s not just about writing blog posts or crunching numbers anymore. AI is creating art, music, film scripts, and sometimes it’s even doing it better or faster than humans can. Which is both amazing and, let’s be honest, a little unsettling. Now, of course, there’s a lot of worry out there: “Are we losing our jobs...
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The Story of Annika Madejska - Ethical Debt, AI and Neurodiversity
Radio Future Skills Academy
Wired Differently: A Conversation with Annika Madejska on AI, Neurodiversity, and Ethical Debt When we spoke with Annika Madejska for our podcast, it was one of those conversations that lingered long after we hit stop on the recording. Thoughtful, sharp, and honest—Annika shared stories and insights that connected the personal and the professional in a way that just made sense. Especially when it comes to living with ADHD, and how that overlaps with creativity, identity, and our evolving relationship with technology and AI. Neuro-spicy and Never Quite Fitting In Annika calls herself...
info_outlineCuriosity and Authenticity: Foundations of Modern Leadership
leaders are increasingly challenged to balance innovation with empathy. Ewelina Polińska Nadra, an innovation manager and mother, exemplifies how curiosity and authenticity can serve as the cornerstones of effective leadership. Her journey offers valuable insights into integrating personal values with professional practices.
Curiosity: The Catalyst for Growth
Ewelina’s life is a testament to the transformative power of curiosity. From exploring the depths of marketing to spontaneously diving into triathlons, her inquisitive nature propels her forward. For leaders, this relentless drive to ask questions, explore new avenues, and embrace the unknown fosters creativity and adaptability—qualities essential in industries undergoing constant change.
Authenticity in Leadership
Equally central to Ewelina’s philosophy is authenticity. She believes in bringing her whole self to work, acknowledging the inseparable link between personal and professional lives. By sharing her vulnerabilities—whether admitting to a bad day or drawing parallels between parenting and management—she creates an environment where others feel safe to be themselves. This approach humanizes leadership and fosters trust and openness among team members.
Lessons from Parenting
Ewelina’s experiences as a mother deeply influence her leadership style. She has learned to adapt her communication, offer tailored support, and respect individual differences—skills directly transferable to managing a diverse team. Her emphasis on creating a “brave space” encourages team members to take risks, voice dissenting opinions, and grow.
The Future of Leadership
As workplaces evolve, leaders must embrace a more holistic approach. Curiosity drives innovation, while authenticity builds connection and trust. Together, they form a powerful combination that enables leaders to navigate complexity while empowering their teams.
Ewelina’s story reminds us that leadership is not about perfection but about presence, curiosity, and a commitment to continuous learning—both about the world and oneself. As she succinctly puts it, “You can’t be authentic if you don’t know yourself.” In a world that demands both innovation and empathy, her insights offer a roadmap for leaders seeking to inspire and lead with integrity.