Curious & Cuirky

Curious & Cuirky

By Caltech Executive EducationScienceSocial SciencesTechnologyEducationHow To
Download on the App Store

Curious & Cuirky episodes

  • How home remedies inspire products; Confidence is preparation; How companies win without the best product

    ⭐️ Can everyday home remedies inspire breakthrough new products? Time Magazine’s list of “Best Inventions of the Year” would say yes!

    🧭 We covered this topic in our August 21 Curious & Cuirky live webcast. We also explored these topics:

    🔎 Confidence is preparation in disguise.

    💰 Why some companies win without having the best product

    💊 The supply chain behind a beating heart

    🔓 We unpacked innovation, shared fresh insights, and explored thought processes, choices, and implications. All in less than 45 minutes!

    ⭐️ Thought leaders from Caltech Executive Education (Mary Abbazia, Tom Spitale, Tim Boyd, Ginny Ertl, Alan Dunn and Bryan Mattimore) shared their discoveries and expertise on business, culture, current events, science and more—and how these affect you in every area of your life.

    Listen and/or watch to learn things that may inspire and surprise you!

    1 hr 1 min
  • Guest HP Newquist: Challenges for AI Companies; Delta’s pricing model; How Many Goals is Too Many?

    🎤 We also welcomed guest HP Newquist, Artificial Intelligence Speaker, Historian, Thought Leader, Author, to discuss the challenges ahead for AI companies. 

    🔓 We unpacked innovation, shared fresh insights, explored what works and questioned what doesn't.

    ⭐️Thought leaders from Caltech Executive Education (Mary Abbazia, Tom Spitale, Tim Boyd, Ginny Ertl, Alan Dunn and Bryan Mattimore) shared their discoveries and expertise on business, culture, current events, science and more—and how these affect you in every area of your life.

    1 hr
  • Everyone Loves an Underdog; The Space Exploration Engine; ‘To-Do’ Lists Need an ‘I Wonder’ List
    Watch and listen to the replay of Curious & Cuirky, Caltech CTME’s monthly live webcast. This live webcast unites provocative thought leaders from Caltech Executive Education as they unpack innovation and explore fresh takes on how to turn creativity into business growth. This isn't your grandfather's podcast. We poke fun at conventional wisdom while sharing insights on the hottest happenings in business, technology, culture and current events.
    In our June 19, 2026 webcast, we explored these topics:
    🏆 Everyone loves an underdog. Until it's time to pick a winner.
    🚀 The Invisible engine of space exploration. Why supply chains define our cosmic future
    📋 Why your ‘To-Do’ list now needs a creative companion: the ‘I Wonder’ list.
    Listen and watch as Mary Abbazia, Tom Spitale, Tim Boyd, Ginny Ertl, Alan Dunn and Bryan Mattimore shared their discoveries and expertise on marketing, logistics, leadership, business trends, science and more—and how these affect you in every area of your life.
    💡 We're live the third Friday of every month at 8:00 am PDT. Grab a cup of joe, sit back, watch, learn, ask questions—and be intrigued.
    \
    58 min
  • Innovation with the Power of Three; Why People are Talking Less in 2026; What are Private Microgrids?
    Curious & Cuirky, our monthly live webcast, unites provocative thought leaders from Caltech Executive Education. Together they unpack innovation, and explore fresh takes on how to turn creativity into business growth. This isn't your grandfather's podcast. We poke fun at conventional wisdom while sharing insights on the hottest happenings in business, technology, culture and current events.
    In our May 15, 2026 webcast, we explored these topics:
    • Bringing the power of three to innovation
    • Private microgrids… building behind-the-meter power assets to support growth
    • Why are people talking 28% less in 2026 than in 2025?
    Listen and watch as Mary Abbazia, Tom Spitale, Tim Boyd, Ginny Ertl, Alan Dunn and Bryan Mattimore shared their discoveries and expertise on marketing, logistics, leadership, business trends, science and more—and how these affect you in every area of your life.
    And be sure to join us the third Friday of each month at 8:00 am Pacific Time for a new, lively webcast where you can participate and ask questions. Or just sit quietly and enjoy your morning cup of brew.
    1 hr 3 min
  • How do neologisms shape what we notice and influence what we talk about? What is the most epic chip building exercise in history? What can a ridiculous idea teach us about leadership?

    Curious & Cuirky, Caltech CTME’s monthly live webcasts unpacks innovation and shares fresh insights on the most vital trends in technology-driven environments, always getting to the big why—examining thought processes, choices and implications.

    We ask the important questions like:
    🔎 How do neologisms shape what we notice and influence what we talk about?
    💻 What is the most epic chip building exercise in history?
    📋 What can a ridiculous idea teach us about leadership?

    ⚡Thought leaders from Caltech Executive Education (Mary Abbazia, Tom Spitale, Tim Boyd, Ginny Ertl, Alan Dunn and Bryan Mattimore) share their discoveries and expertise on business, culture, current events, science and more—and how these affect you at home, on the road, at work, and maybe even a dinner party.

    Grab a cup of joe, sit back, watch, learn and be delighted.

    55 min
  • The battle among Netflix, Warner Bros and Paramount; What do Lady Gaga, Ben Franklin, Muhammad Ali, Winston Churchill, and Donald Trump have in common and more
    Welcome to Curious & Cuirky, our monthly live webcast hosted by Caltech CTME (Center for Technology and Management Education) where we explore what truly makes moments of inspiration happen.
    In our March 20, 2026 edition, our Caltech CTME Education Experts (Tom Spitale, Bryan Mattimore, Tim Boyd, Ginny Ertl, Alan Dunn) and special guest Kevin Noertker presented emerging ideas on trending business, tech, marketing and cultural topics.
    They discussed:
    ✅ The battle among Netflix, Warner Bros and Paramount: what really happened
    ✅ What an apple and a centuries old library teach can us about innovation and discovery
    ✅ What do Lady Gaga, Ben Franklin, Muhammad Ali, Winston Churchill, and Donald Trump have in common?
    ✅ The next choke point in the global economy sits beneath salt flats.
    Always interesting, always "cuirky" and curious. Enjoy this live replay of our March 2026 webcast. You'll walk away with a unique perspective on how to manage business challenges and stimulate your creativity.
    1 hr 5 min
  • How a hot dog built an empire - Why male birth control might actually work this time - Blockchain + Tuna = A better world -Creative ways to build resilience beyond the usual playbook.
    n these fascinating round-table webinars, our education experts present emerging ideas on compelling business-related topics in talks of 5-10 minutes each. Then in an open discussion, they expand on their topics, inviting questions from attendees.
    This month we explore how small signals turn into big shifts:
    1. 🌭 How a hot dog built an empire: Why Costco’s smallest promise became its strongest strategy.
    2. 💊 Why male birth control might actually work this time.
    3. 🐟 Blockchain + Tuna = A better world
    4. 📘 Creative ways to build resilience beyond the usual playbook.
    Different industries. Unexpected connections. One common thread: strategy lives in the promises we make.
    Always interesting, always "cuirky" and curious.
    58 min
  • National Nothing Day - What Was That Again? - Leading Like You're Five
    Curious & Cuirky, crafted by Caltech CTME, is an engaging monthly live webcast series bringing curious thought leaders from Caltech Executive Education together to share fresh insights on the hottest and most innovative news in business, culture, technology, enterprise, and creative expression.
    In these fascinating round-table webinars, our education experts present emerging ideas on compelling business-related topics in lightning talks of 5-10 minutes each. Then in an open discussion, they expand on their topics, inviting questions from attendees. Always interesting, always "cuirky" and curious. You'll walk away with unique perspectives that stimulate your creativity!
    Here's what we'll be talking about...
    Nothing Day
    National Nothing Day
    In 1972, journalist Harold Pullman Coffin created National Nothing Day, a “non-event” observed every January 16th by “doing nothing.” Turns out, unless you’re contemplating black holes or a Seinfeld episode, thinking about nothing is hard. Let’s consider five somethings for nothing.
    January 2026
    What Was That Again?
    From Ozempic to Cancer-Detecting Dogs: Why Smart Companies Still Get Signals Wrong
    Using examples ranging from Ozempic’s impact on restaurants, to Barnes & Noble’s response to Amazon, we'll show you the difference between strategic success and overreaction.
    Jan 2026
    Leading Like You're Five
    How do curiosity, honesty, and play build better leaders? Instead of demanding answers, curious leaders ask questions; instead of pretending to know, they admit uncertainty; and instead of rigid processes, they encourage playful experimentation, creating an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute, learn, and innovate.
    1 hr
  • Time Mag 2025 Inventions - Netflix Paramount Comcast -DoJ Security Transportation
    Curious & Cuirky, crafted by Caltech CTME, is an engaging monthly live webcast series bringing curious thought leaders from Caltech Executive Education together to share fresh insights on the hottest and most innovative news in business, culture, technology, enterprise, and creative expression.
    In these fascinating round-table webinars, our education experts present emerging ideas on compelling business-related topics in lightning talks of 5-10 minutes each. Then in an open discussion, they expand on their topics, inviting questions from attendees. Always interesting, always "cuirky" and curious. You'll walk away with unique perspectives that stimulate your creativity!
    Here's what we'll be talking about...
    Time Mag 2025 Inventions
    Best Inventions of 2025!
    Time Magazine’s 100 Best Inventions!
    Let's imagine what might have inspired some of 2025's most innovative inventions including: How to help cows burp less, wishing for a pacemaker you can inject into babies that also happens to be smaller than a grain of rice! Curious? Let’s get inventing!
    Netflix Paramount Comcast
    High Stakes 'War Game'
    The unfolding battle among Netflix, Warner Bros., and Paramount is a real-time strategy playing out on the global media stage. We'll break down this ‘War Game’ in action—and what it teaches organizations about navigating disruption and simulating strategic options using AI and War Gaming techniques.
    DoJ Security Transportation
    Transportation of Evidence
    Within the Department of Justice (DoJ) is a specialized logistics niche where security, compliance, and precision take precedence over speed or cost. We'll explore the critical role of chain of custody, tamper-proof packaging, and secure supply chains in preserving evidentiary integrity.
    58 min
  • How to converge ideas with practical approaches.
    Curious & Quirky unpacks innovation and gives you a fresh take on what leaders and teams get right...mostly. Our webcast series unites provocative thought leaders from Caltech Executive Education as they share fresh insights on the hottest happenings in the technology-driven business to get to the big why—examining thought processes, choices, and implications.
    In our November 21 livestream webcast we discuss a wide range of compelling topics in business, culture, current events, science, and technology. See how to converge ideas with practical approaches.
    48 min

About Curious & Cuirky

From the publisher's feed

We believe curious leaders change the world. At Caltech Executive Education we work with CEOs and Leadership teams to build future-centric leadership capabilities at the intersection of business models, technology, and organization.