In this episode, David Houle joins Don once again to discuss the aspects and implications of climate change in detail, specifically around the idea of strategic retreat. In David’s words, strategic retreat is “the planned and managed relocation of millions of people triggered by extreme weather, droughts, floods and sea level rise.” David shares just how urgent it is for us to accept this fact and how we can begin planning now.

In Season One of 12 Geniuses, climate change guru Andrew Winston joined Don MacPherson to talk about how businesses are creating opportunities through the green economy. Since that conversation, a lot has transpired.

In this episode, Andrew and Don meet again to discuss the many facets of these changes, including the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, new innovations in the fight against climate change and how having a sustainability plan for companies is a key to attracting talent.

On Sept. 11, 2001, I met with one of my best friends in a restaurant to try to comprehend the incomprehensible events that had unfolded that day. As we watched the news, it became clear that humans did this to other humans. In this bonus episode of 12 Geniuses, 20 years later, I reflect on the day that I lost my faith in humanity. However, I also want to share the best day of my life — and the personal journey to get to the point where I became liberated from hate ... and the faith returned.

John Kriesel, veteran services director for Anoka County in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, reflects back 20 years to the September 11th attacks and the events that brought him to fight for his country. In the latest episode of the 12 Geniuses podcast, he explains how time and becoming a father changed his perspective on the war and why it’s vital future generations remember what happened.

Leadership expert Doug Lennick joined 12 Geniuses back in Season One to discuss the importance of emotional competence at work. In this episode, Don and Doug meet again to discuss the trends shaping the labor market today. They also talk about the importance of understanding and embracing your employees’ values and how to establish strong relationships with employees who are working remotely.

Giadha A. DeCarcer, the founder and executive chair of New Frontier Data, first joined 12 Geniuses back in April 2019. Since the episode aired, the world has seen a greater increase in the potential of cannabis than could have been predicted. Giadha and Don meet again to talk about changes in both cannabis investments and usage, the innovations we’ve seen in how the plant can be grown and the prospects of further legalization in the U.S. and countries around the world. 

In Season One of 12 Geniuses, futurist Rebecca Ryan joined the show to talk about the future of America and how changes in the country can be embraced in positive ways. Today, she and Don reconnect to talk about the future of work after the pandemic significantly disrupted what work looks like. Rebecca discusses the implications and importance of working from home and why she believes there's been a power shift away from employers into the hands of employees. 

Jim Geckler joined 12 Geniuses back in Season One to bravely and candidly share his personal story of addiction and recovery. This week, Jim and Don catch up to discuss how the treatment field has changed over the last three years. In that time, virtual health care has quickly become instrumental in providing treatment services. They also talk about the effect that the pandemic has had on drug and alcohol abuse, and about how you can spot the signs that someone you care about might be suffering from addiction.

In Season One of 12 Geniuses, keynote speaker Ryan Estis joined the show. During that conversation, Ryan talked about how 2019 was poised to be the most successful year of his business. The year after that, the pandemic hit, and in-person events were abruptly canceled. Listen in to hear about the ways that Ryan pivoted his business to include virtual keynotes and workshops, as well as how the pandemic changed his outlook on life and his relationships with loved ones.

In Season One of 12 Geniuses, energy expert Lauren Azar joined the show to discuss trends in energy consumption. Those subjects included the viability of coal, where we can find long-term sources of energy and the impact of emerging technologies. Since that conversation in October 2018, there have been incredible advancements in energy production and storage. This week, Lauren and Don meet again to discuss those advancements, recent catastrophic events such as the 2021 Texas power crisis and what the current presidential administration has in store for the future of energy in the United States and abroad.