What if the only real safety lies in continuous change and standing still is the true danger?

In this episode, Dr. Dani and Designer Peter are joined by Ralph H. Groce III, author of We Have Nothing to Lose: A Dark Optimist’s Call to Action. Drawing on personal stories, leadership insights, and a message forged in adversity, Ralph challenges us to stop waiting for things to "go back to normal" and instead start creating a path forward. In this episode, you will 

• Understand why the world needs dark optimists now more than ever

• Learn how to embrace change with clarity and urgency 

• Discover the high cost of clinging to comfort 

About Our Guest

Ralph H. Groce III is an accomplished entrepreneur, visionary thinker, and dedicated advocate for change.  With a rich tapestry of experiences in entrepreneurship, technology, finance, and philanthropy.

Ralph holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston University Questrom School of Business, a Graduate degree from Boston University Metropolitan College, an MBA from Queens University McColl School of Business, and the honor of receiving an honorary doctorate from Johnson C Smith University.  His academic achievements complement his entrepreneurial prowess.

As a seasoned entrepreneur, Ralph has founded and successfully managed multiple businesses, amassing several patents along the way.  His ventures have been at the forefront of innovation, contributing to economic growth, and creating opportunities.  His experiences have not only shaped his career but have also offered valuable insights into the dynamic world of business and technology.

Ralph's professional journey is a testament to his versatility.  From entrepreneurship to financial services, his contributions have been instrumental in transforming industries, optimizing operations, enhancing security, and enabling growth.  He currently serves as President and Chief Operating Officer for Scroobious Inc.  A startup initiative focused on creating equitable access to investment capital.  Prior to joining Scroobious Ralph served as Chief Information Officer, Global Head of Operations Technology at Wells Fargo, where he successfully combined his entrepreneurial mindset with technology leadership.  Ralph also co-founded and serves as CEO of Knowhere Art Gallery, headquartered on Martha’s Vineyard, MA.  

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Ralph's roots are in a city known for resilience and innovation.  He presently divides his time between Northeast Pennsylvania and New York City.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Ralph is an enthusiast of diverse passions.  He serves on the Board of Trustees at Johnson C. Smith University.  He also serves on the University Advisory Board of Boston University and is the Chairman of the Boston University Metropolitan College Advisory Board.  He is an avid sports enthusiast, a music lover, a published author, an ardent reader of literature, and a passionate traveler.  These interests reflect his belief that a well-rounded life fosters creativity and personal growth.

You can connect with Ralph on 

• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhg3d/

• Website http://www.thedarkoptimist.com/

• Instagram @grossoptimist

Ralph's book We Have Nothing to Lose: A Dark Optimist's Call to Action is available on Amazon and other major retailers. 

Learn more about Arts for Humanity at  www.afhboston.org

Productivity is a hot topic in news headlines, boardrooms, and everyday conversations. In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter unpack the productivity crisis. In this episode, you will

• Understand why productivity isn't just an individual performance problem 

• Learn the contributing factors that stall productivity 

• Discover practical strategies for unlocking productivity 

In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter delve into the concept of 'Dumbify' with guest David Carson. Discover how embracing 'dumb' ideas can lead to breakthrough innovations. Learn about David's journey building successful companies, and how a simple dinner conversation sparked the idea of 'Dumbify.' In this episode, you will: 

• Understand the importance of spending more time with 'dumb' ideas
• Learn practical ways to integrate 'dumb' thinking into your problem-solving process
• Discover how challenging traditional methods can lead to unexpected success

David Carson is an entrepreneur and marketing innovator whose groundbreaking companies and products have impacted millions worldwide. Renowned for his expertise in creative thinking, Carson has collaborated with global giants like American Express, Nike, Coca-Cola, and IKEA, as well as cutting-edge advertising agencies including Mother and Ogilvy. His unconventional approach has not only shaped iconic brands but also challenged traditional notions of problem-solving in business and beyond. Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidcarson2/ and subscribe to his Dumbify newsletter at https://www.david-carson.com/

The inspiration for this podcast came from a question posed by Ian Scott, a longtime listener and friend of the podcast. Ian asked, "What's your view on human-centered systems thinking?" 

In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter explore the intersection of human-centered design and systems thinking. 

In this episode, you will 

• Understand how these approaches work together to deliver better solutions. 

• Learn how to leverage these holistic approaches in your work 

• Discover practical strategies for integrating these practices 

When Fonterra - a dairy cooperative in Aotearoa New Zealand - faced a critical workforce shortage, the usual ways of working weren't going to deliver the outcomes they needed. Enter the SWAT approach to business transformation - a fit-for-purpose, multi-disciplinary way to tackle critical business challenges. In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter welcome Suzie Lewisham - People and Culture Director for the COO division at Fonterra, for an inside look at their award-winning approach to transforming business at pace. 

In this episode, you will 

• Learn about the SWAT approach to transforming business at pace 

• Understand how creating a fit-for-purpose approach unlocks faster, smarter solutions to critical business challenges 

• Discover how to bring together multi-disciplinary teams to break through silos and accelerate progress 

You can connect with Suzie Lewisham on LinkedIn. Suzie and Dr Dani have captured their learnings and process from this award-winning work in a white paper, which you can access at designthinkerinstitute.com/swatapproach

Has collaboration become a catch-all solution, losing the focus and impact it was meant to deliver?

In this episode, Dr. Dani and Designer Peter unpack why collaboration often feels more like a burden than a boost. They explore how overuse and misuse have turned it into an overrated buzzword and what teams can do to bring intention and effectiveness back to colloboration.

In this episode, you will
• Understand why collaboration fatigue is holding teams back.
• Learn how to identify when collaboration is necessary—and when it’s not.
• Discover actionable strategies to balance solo and group work for better results.

In this episode of the Design Thinker Podcast, Dr Dani and Designer Peter are joined by Dr John Bennett, a leading scholar-practitioner, executive coach, and professor at the McColl School of Business, Queens University of Charlotte. John, author of The Manager’s Guide to Coaching for Change, brings nearly three decades of experience in helping leaders transform their approach to team performance.

In this episode, you will
• Understand what coaching is and what it is not 
• Learn about the skills managers need for coaching 
• Discover the positive impact of a six-minute coaching conversation 

John's new book, The Manager's Guide to Coaching for Change, is now available on Amazon and other major retailers. 

In this episode, Peter steps into the spotlight, recounting how his skydiving experiences shaped his perspective on courage, self-talk, goal-setting, and teamwork. As Peter Peter reflects on this skydiving journey, he draws parallels between skydiving and working in organizations. 

In this episode, you will 
• discover the power of visualization for driving outcomes
• understand the importance of finding your community 
• learn how the ritual of regular debrief can drive productivity and performance 

In this episode, Dr. Dani shares her nontraditional career path from aspiring law student to graphic designer to leading corporate transformations. A two-time university dropout, Dani discovered design while on the path to law school, which led her to attend design school and hone her passion for designing solutions. She explains how the lessons from design school became the foundation for driving impactful results in the corporate world.

In this episode, you will
• discover how design principles can drive business outcomes 
• learn how embracing constraints leads to better problem-solving 
• understand why empathy and curiosity are key to unlocking solutions 

In a world that glorifies busyness, breaks are dismissed as unimportant and a barrier to productivity. However, this isn't actually the case. In this episode, Dr. Dani and Designer Peter discuss the often overlooked but essential practice of pausing. They explore the power of micro, mini, and mighty pauses and discuss how intentional breaks can increase productivity, creativity, and mental clarity. 

In this episode, you will:
• learn about three types of pauses the micro, the mini, and the mighty 
• understand how breaks can increase your brain's capacity to problem-solve 
• discover practical ways to incorporate pauses into your daily routine