Humanizing Change

Humanizing Change

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Humanizing Change episodes

  • Danny Warshay on humanizing entreprenuership and dealing with ambiguity (podcast episode #13)

    On today’s episode, Ari has a conversation with Danny Warshay, Executive Director of the Nelson Center for Entrepreneurship and Professor of Entrepreneurship at Brown University.

    Ari’s chat with Danny explores the power of entrepreneurial thinking as a structured process for solving real human problems — whether in startups, corporations, the military, or beyond. They discuss the importance of bottom-up research, the myth of abundant resources, and why diverse, inclusive teams lead to better solutions with bigger impact.

    The conversation begins with Danny reflecting on his childhood in Shaker Heights, Ohio — shaped by a social worker mother and a NASA scientist father — and how that early blend of human insight and systems thinking continues to influence his work today.

    Highlights from the conversation:

    • I start with listening. Real change begins by listening deeply to the people impacted — designing with communities, not just for them.
    • I see scarcity as an advantage. When resources are limited, it sharpens focus and fuels creativity — helping uncover real, human problems worth solving.
    • I use a process, not just passion. Entrepreneurship isn’t about winging it — it’s about applying a repeatable framework: see, solve, scale.
    • I build diverse teams on purpose. The best solutions come from a mix of perspectives — but inclusion only works when people feel trusted and heard.
    • I believe in working with meaning. When what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what pays fairly all align — that’s Ikigai, and that’s when real impact happens.

      • Humanizing Change is produced by Ari Abraham and Bill Keaggy, with artwork by Chris Roettger.

      38 min
    • Dr. Anisha Patel on humanizing change through community outreach (podcast episode #12)

      On today’s episode, Ari has a conversation with Dr. Anisha Patel, Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford University.

      Ari’s chat with Anisha covers several topics, including partnering with local organizations in community-engaged research, understanding every step of the process, from assessment to measuring results, and implementing regional AND national change based on community feedback.

      The conversation begins with Anisha sharing her early experiences growing up as the only Indian family in rural North Carolina, feeling welcomed and encouraged by her pediatrician growing up, and how she combined that with an interest in anthropology to help her influence the healthcare system at large for children outside a clinic setting.

      Highlights from the conversation:

      • I start with listening. Real change begins by listening deeply to the people impacted — designing with communities, not just for them.
      • I translate data into human stories. I believe in making complex data meaningful by turning it into clear, relatable narratives that inspire understanding and action.
      • I build trust through transparency. Even when the message is tough, I commit to honest, open communication because trust is earned through consistency and clarity.
      • I center lived experience. I include community voices in the design and decision-making process to ensure the solutions reflect their actual needs.
      • I keep communication simple and consistent. Whether it’s a flyer or a framework, I make sure every message is clear, cohesive, and accessible.

        • Produced by Ari Abraham and Hannah Fales, with artwork by Chris Roettger.

        25 min
      • Dr. Steph Habif on humanizing change around behaviors (podcast episode #11)

        On today’s episode, Ari has a conversation with Dr. Steph Habif, Behavioral Scientist, Health Behavior by Design.

        Ari’s chat with Steph covers several topics, including developing a clear understanding to base change around behaviors, grounding people with sets of specific behavioral terms

        The conversation begins with Steph sharing her early experiences with the diversity of people and culture growing up in the New York City suburbs, the psychological aspects of being a student athlete, and how she combined it all into a leadership style rooted in empathy and curiosity.

        Highlights from the conversation:

        • I design for real life, not ideal behavior. I meet people where they are — not where we wish they were — because change only sticks when it fits into daily routines.
        • I turn behavioral science into strategy. I apply principles from psychology and behavior design to help people and organizations adopt meaningful, lasting habits.
        • I believe simplicity drives action. Complex ideas don’t inspire change — clear, small steps do. I focus on removing friction and making the first step feel easy.
        • I build change around emotion, not just logic. People don’t change because of data alone. I design with empathy, creating emotional resonance that motivates behavior.
        • I test, learn, and iterate. I treat every behavior change effort like an experiment — learning from what works, adapting quickly, and scaling what resonates.

          • Produced by Ari Abraham and Darrick Hays, with artwork by Chris Roettger.

          41 min
        • Blair Mann on humanizing change around data and education policy (podcast episode #10)

          In the tenth episode of Humanizing Change, host Bill Keaggy talks with Blair Mann, Vice President of Communications at the Data Quality Campaign (DQC), about using storytelling and data to drive real change in education policy. Blair shares how her upbringing — shaped by a Special Ed teacher and a TV news director — inspired her passion for connecting people to solutions that work and using narrative to move both people and systems.

          Highlights from the conversation:

          • Turn data into stories: I make complex information relatable by helping people see themselves in the story.
          • Prioritize clarity: I focus on making complex ideas accessible to drive understanding and action.
          • Meet people where they are: I recognize that personal experiences shape reactions to change.
          • Connect systems to humans: I balance understanding structures with seeing the individuals they affect.
          • Inspire through empathy: I use stories to spark emotion, which leads to real, lasting change.

            • If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to Humanizing Change to hear more real, thoughtful stories about how people are navigating change and complexity. New episodes drop regularly — and we’d love to have you along for the journey.

            Produced by Ari Abraham and Darrick Hays, with artwork by Chris Roettger.

            33 min
          • Ahmed Riaz on humanizing change around guidance and exploration (podcast episode #9)

            In the ninth episode of Humanizing Change, host Ari Abraham talks with Ahmed Riaz, Global Head of Design at Logitech, about how visualization, empathy, and choice can help guide people through change without forcing them into rigid paths. Ahmed shares how his creative upbringing in Saudi Arabia and his background in industrial design shaped his belief in blending exploration with gentle guidance.

            Highlights from the conversation:

            • I create space for exploration because people need to feel ownership, not just follow orders, to truly embrace change.
            • I use visualization to make complex ideas tangible — pictures and models help teams see where they’re going together.
            • I believe guidance should be gentle and flexible, allowing people to find their own path rather than forcing a fixed one.
            • I lead with empathy, understanding that different backgrounds and experiences shape how people move through change.
            • I draw on creativity and multidisciplinary thinking to open up new possibilities for collaboration and progress.

              • If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to Humanizing Change to hear more real, thoughtful stories about how people are navigating change and complexity. New episodes drop regularly — and we’d love to have you along for the journey.

              Produced by Ari Abraham and Darrick Hays, with artwork by Chris Roettger.

              30 min
            • Sun Kagami on humanizing change around the inner self (podcast episode #8)

              In the eighth episode of Humanizing Change, host Ari Abraham talks with Sun Kagami, Founder of the Center for Deep Self Design, about connecting to the inner self as a way to meet change with calm, clarity, and openness. Sun shares how her early experiences with nature and her desire to break free from traditional expectations led her to help others rediscover themselves and detach from rigid outcomes.

              Lessons from the episode:

              • Reconnect with the inner self: I ground change by cultivating calm, self-awareness, and presence.
              • Release rigid expectations: I build resilience by meeting life with openness instead of attachment.
              • Draw strength from nature: I use solitude and natural spaces to deepen self-understanding.
              • Break free from singular thinking: I stay flexible by avoiding rigid, one-dimensional mindsets.
              • Calm inner turbulence: I focus on inner peace first to navigate external changes more clearly.

                • If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to Humanizing Change to hear more real, thoughtful stories about how people are navigating change and complexity. New episodes drop regularly — and we’d love to have you along for the journey.

                Produced by Ari Abraham and Darrick Hays, with artwork by Chris Roettger.

                37 min
              • Jeff Lash on humanizing change around understanding the end user (podcast episode #7)

                In the seventh episode of Humanizing Change, host Ari Abraham talks with Jeff Lash, former Senior VP of Global Product Management at Forrester, about why real change starts with truly understanding the end user — whether that’s a customer, a colleague, or an internal stakeholder. Jeff shares how his early experiences with technology and user experience shaped his belief that empathy, research, and people-centered thinking are critical for lasting transformation.

                Lessons from the episode:

                • Focus on real human needs: I prioritize the experiences of the people affected, not just the process or the system.
                • Empathize internally and externally: I treat employees with the same care and curiosity as I do customers.
                • Use customer research techniques internally: I apply user research methods to improve internal understanding and alignment.
                • Let personal experiences shape leadership: I recognize how early interests and experiences influence how I lead.
                • Respect the human side of every challenge: I know successful change starts with seeing — and valuing — the people involved.

                  • If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to Humanizing Change to hear more real, thoughtful stories about how people are navigating change and complexity. New episodes drop regularly — and we’d love to have you along for the journey.

                  Produced by Ari Abraham and Darrick Hays, with artwork by Chris Roettger.

                  29 min
                • Gina Merchant on humanizing change around self-efficacy (podcast episode #6)

                  In the sixth episode of Humanizing Change, host Ari Abraham talks with Gina Merchant, Director of Design Research at Tandem Diabetes Care, about how self-efficacy — not just self-esteem — plays a critical role in helping people adapt to change. Gina shares how her early life experiences shaped her compassionate, research-driven approach to understanding human behavior and creating environments where people can thrive.

                  Lessons from the episode:

                  • Prioritize self-efficacy over self-esteem: I focus on helping people believe they can succeed, not just feel good about themselves.
                  • Support competency, autonomy, and relatedness: I build environments that meet the core drivers of human motivation.
                  • Create spaces for self-determination: I design systems that allow people to make choices and own their growth.
                  • Lead with compassion, not judgment: I approach behavior change by understanding, not criticizing.
                  • Recognize the complexity of identity: I see how global connections — like social media — shape agency and self-perception.

                    • If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to Humanizing Change to hear more real, thoughtful stories about how people are navigating change and complexity. New episodes drop regularly — and we’d love to have you along for the journey.

                    37 min
                  • Crystal Fernando on humanizing change around mindful leadership (podcast episode #5)

                    In the fifth episode of Humanizing Change, host Susanne LeBlanc talks with Crystal Fernando, founder and principal partner at Whatbox Innovation Partners, about how mindful leadership creates agency, empowerment, and meaningful change.

                    Crystal shares how her early experiences connecting with people and nature shaped her approach to leadership — and why small, intentional shifts can have the biggest impact over time.

                    Lessons from the episode:

                    • Create agency through reflection: I empower others by encouraging daily moments of self-awareness.
                    • Shift mindstate, not just mindset: I focus on adjusting how I show up, not just what I think.
                    • Drive change through microshifts: I believe small, consistent actions create the biggest transformations.
                    • Lead with curiosity and mindfulness: I use these tools to help myself and others navigate change with intention.
                    • Build space for learning and growth: I create environments where self-reflection strengthens both individuals and teams.

                      • If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to Humanizing Change to hear more real, thoughtful stories about how people are navigating change and complexity. New episodes drop regularly — and we’d love to have you along for the journey.

                      47 min
                    • Ralph H. Groce III on humanizing change around organizational efficiency (podcast episode #4)

                      In the fourth episode of Humanizing Change, host Ari Abraham talks with Ralph H. Groce III, President and COO of Scroobious (and former CIO of Wells Fargo), about leading critical initiatives and driving organizational efficiency without losing sight of the human element. Ralph shares how high expectations for self-sufficiency shaped his leadership style — and why building trust, aligning teams, and adapting communication are essential for creating real change.

                      Lessons from the episode:

                      • Set clear expectations and build trust: Change succeeds when leaders are clear and empower people to deliver.
                      • Tailor communication to the audience: Different groups need different messages to build true alignment.
                      • Connect personal growth to global change: Inspiring individuals can ripple outward to drive larger transformation.
                      • Empower initiative at every level: Giving people ownership strengthens the organization as a whole.
                      • Focus on purpose, not just speed: Efficiency means creating shared momentum, not just moving faster.

                        • If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to Humanizing Change to hear more real, thoughtful stories about how people are navigating change and complexity. New episodes drop regularly — and we’d love to have you along for the journey.

                        Produced by Ari Abraham and Darrick Hays, with artwork by Chris Roettger.

                        38 min

                      About Humanizing Change

                      From the publisher's feed

                      Join us each episode as we talk with innovators in their respective fields about their unique journeys and how they humanize change in their own work, right here, on Humanizing Change.