SPOS #1000 – Patrick Tanguay On Paths To Better Thinking
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #1000 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. is a self-described generalist, synthesist and curator whose lifelong curiosity and love of reading have led him across multiple careers, and now shape one of the most thoughtful newsletters in the futures-thinking space. As the creator of , a weekly “futures thinking observatory” (and one of my most favorite reads), Patrick spotlights signals of change across technology, society, and culture. He helps readers trace emergent paths instead of prescribing them. Alongside his writing, he designed and launched...
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SPOS #999 – Noah Giansiracusa On The Algorithms That Run Your Life
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #999 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. is an associate professor of mathematics at and a visiting scholar at who has built a reputation for translating the hidden power of algorithms into plain language that empowers individuals. With a PhD in algebraic geometry from Brown, he’s always bringing a mathematician’s eye to the cultural and social impact of technology. His earlier book, , was praised by Nobel Prize–winning economist as “the best guide to the strategies and stakes of this battle for the future.” In his latest book, , Noah shows...
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SPOS #998 – Annie Wilson On The Growth Dilemma
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #998 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. is a marketing professor at the and co-author, with , of . Her work examines the deep interplay between consumer behavior, culture and brand identity, helping leaders understand why growth often creates as many risks as it does opportunities. In The Growth Dilemma, Annie unpacks how efforts to reach new customer segments can clash with the values of loyal buyers, sometimes threatening the very meaning of a brand. Drawing from real-world examples (from ’s software missteps to ’s unintended association with...
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SPOS #997 – Adam Brotman On Being AI First
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #997 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. What happens when nearly everything a marketer or strategist does today becomes instant, automatic… and nearly free? That’s the premise of , the new book from (my guest this week) and his co-author , which confronts the existential shift that AI is bringing to brand strategy, customer experience and creative work. Adam, the former Chief Digital Officer at and co-founder of the strategic consultancy , brings firsthand experience building digital platforms that changed how global businesses operate. In this...
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SPOS #996 – Christie Smith On Distributed Teams, Generative AI And Global Shifts
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #996 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. is a former senior executive at , and with over three decades of leadership experience across industries including life sciences, consumer goods and finance. She holds a doctorate in Social Work and Organizational Psychology and now leads , a leadership advisory firm focused on redefining the future of work. In her new book, (along with her co-author ), Christie outlines a bold new framework for leaders navigating a post-pandemic, AI-driven, decentralized world. This episode explores the urgent need for...
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SPOS #995 – Nelson Repenning On Delivering Real Results At Work
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #995 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. has built his career at and by asking a simple but haunting question: why do so many smart, capable organizations fail to get the right work done? In his new book, , Nelson (along with his co-author, ) introduces dynamic work design: a practical framework that helps leaders move beyond broken systems and toward better execution. In this conversation, we explore the five principles behind this approach: solving the right problem, structuring for discovery, connecting the human chain, regulating for flow and...
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SPOS #994 – Vicki Tan On Life's Big And Little Decisions
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #994 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. has designed experiences for some of the most influential companies in the world (, , , , ) and her work has always focused on helping people make better choices in complex environments. Her new book, , continues that mission in a radically creative form. This isn’t your typical self-help guide. It’s an interactive journey through the beautiful mess of human decision-making, shaped by the science of cognitive bias, the power of storytelling and the playfulness of visual design. Vicki explores how our mental...
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SPOS #993 – Angela Chee On The Power Of Only
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #993 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. is a keynote speaker, media and communication coach, and author of , a book that challenges us to rethink the spaces we occupy and the voices we often silence… especially our own. In this conversation, Angela explores what it means to truly “own your voice” in an era defined by visibility and vulnerability, noise and nuance. Angela speaks candidly about how being the “only” in the room (whether because of race, gender, background, or perspective) is not a disadvantage but a profound source of power and...
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SPOS #992 – Dave Whorton On Building Companies That Last
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #992 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. has spent his career building, backing and reimagining companies, but not in the way Silicon Valley usually does it. As founder of and author of (which he co-authored with ), Dave champions a different breed of business: evergreen companies. These are organizations designed to last generations, rooted in purpose, resilience and profitability… not just hypergrowth and exit strategies. Before this pivot, Dave had a front-row seat to the “get-big-fast” movement as an associate partner at , and he co-founded...
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SPOS #991 – Bob Goodson On The "Like" Button (And How It Changed The World)
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #991 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. is President and Founder of , an AI-driven company whose models are used by a third of the Fortune 50. Before launching Quid, he was the first employee at , where he witnessed (and helped shape) the birth of the like button. Bob’s academic roots in language theory () and his deep curiosity about patterns of innovation led him to co-author , an illuminating book about how a simple social media feature rewired global communication and commerce. In this episode, we dig into the origin story of the like button and...
info_outlineWelcome to episode #998 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.
Annie Wilson is a marketing professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and co-author, with Ryan Hamilton, of The Growth Dilemma - Managing Your Brand When Different Customers Want Different Things. Her work examines the deep interplay between consumer behavior, culture and brand identity, helping leaders understand why growth often creates as many risks as it does opportunities. In The Growth Dilemma, Annie unpacks how efforts to reach new customer segments can clash with the values of loyal buyers, sometimes threatening the very meaning of a brand. Drawing from real-world examples (from Apple’s software missteps to Gucci’s unintended association with reality TV fame) she reveals how scarcity, exclusivity and cultural perception shape brand power in ways most executives overlook. Beyond brand strategy, Annie’s research and teaching explore the ways marketing has evolved as a discipline, especially in an era of AI, fragmented media and globalization. She highlights how authenticity, community and cultural nuance are becoming non-negotiable for sustainable success, and why short-termism remains one of the most dangerous traps for modern marketers. For those navigating the intersection of consumer connection and cultural influence, Annie offers a critical lens on how to balance growth with integrity, how to adapt without betraying your core identity and how to see branding not just as a commercial practice, but as a cultural one. This conversation is essential listening for anyone grappling with the future of marketing in an age of shifting consumer expectations, technological disruption and global homogenization. Enjoy the conversation...
- Running time: 1:01:53.
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- The Growth Dilemma - Managing Your Brand When Different Customers Want Different Things.
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Chapters:
(00:00) - The Changing Landscape of Marketing.
(02:56) - AI's Role in Marketing Education.
(05:49) - The Evolving Perception of Marketing as a Career.
(09:13) - Advertising in a Fragmented Media World.
(12:07) - Branding in a Personalized Market.
(14:59) - The Growth Dilemma: Balancing Consumerism and Sustainability.
(33:01) - Cultural Influence Over Brand Identity.
(35:53) - The Balance of Growth and Authenticity.
(39:01) - The Evolution of Consumer Connection.
(41:47) - Navigating Brand Growth and Consumer Expectations.
(47:07) - Short-Termism in Marketing Strategies.
(51:58) - Scarcity and Exclusivity in Brand Strategy.
(55:52) - Consumer Perception and Brand Influence.