Second City Works presents "Getting to Yes, And"

Kelly welcomes Harvard professor Ranjay Gulati back to the podcast to discuss his new book, “How to Be Bold: The Surprising Science of Everyday Courage.” 

 “Courage is a learned behavior, not an innate one.” 

“Heroes seldom act alone.” 

“Sometimes, frankly, we take confidence too far.” 

Kelly connects with longtime film critic Nick Digilio to talk about his new book “40 Years, 40 Films.” They discuss growing up in Chicago, falling in love with movies, and Nick’s start at WGN Radio on the Roy Leonard Show. Then they dig into some of Nick’s favorite movies, such as Albert Brooks’ “Lost in America” and Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Magnolia.”

“My parents didn’t really enforce rules when it came to media consumption.”

“The movies led to reading, which led to more movies.”

“My love wasn’t limited to horror. I adored comedies, too.”

In this engaging conversation, Goldie Chan, a brand and storytelling expert, discusses the nuances of introversion, personal branding, and the dynamics between introverts and extroverts. She shares insights from her new book, ‘Personal Branding for Introverts,’ and emphasizes the importance of networking, small talk, and setting expectations in professional environments. Goldie also draws parallels between historical figures like Cleopatra and modern branding strategies, while encouraging listeners to embrace their unique identities and take risks in their careers.

“Community is essential for introverts.” 

“Introverts often grow up feeling out of place.” 

“Personal branding is not about being someone that you’re not.” 

Kelly talks to Venezuelan-born, Chicago-based photographer Daniel Moreno about his new book of photographs of Chicago’s legendary Holiday Train. 

“To me, the Holiday Train is more than a seasonal spectacle; it’s a train of light.”

“I’ve felt the collective joy of strangers momentarily united by a shared sense of awe.” 

“In the end, the train doesn’t just bring light to the city, it makes winter feel a little less harsh.”

In this conversation, Kelly Leonard interviews Bastion Bergmann, co-founder and COO of Solston, about the significance of play in human experience and its implications for business strategy, particularly in gaming. They discuss how gaming can serve as a powerful tool for engagement and marketing, illustrated by Burberry’s innovative approach to integrating their brand into a video game. The discussion also covers the creative development process in gaming, the importance of understanding the audience, and the cultural impact of gaming in relation to sports.

“Video games are the consumer touchpoint of the twenty-first century.” 

“Don’t copy and paste old playbooks.” 

“When people play, their masks come off.” 

Kelly welcomes Caroline Stokes back to the podcast to discuss her new book “Aftershock to 2030: A CEO’s Guide to Reinvention in the Age of AI, Climate and Societal Collapse.”

“This book is about reprogramming the nervous system of leadership.” 

“Technology offers both promise and paradox.” 

“Virtue signaling has become a form of social currency.” 

In this episode, Kelly Leonard interviews James Kimmel Jr., a clinical professor and author, about his book ‘The Science of Revenge.’ They explore the neuroscience behind revenge, its addictive nature, and how it manifests in real-life scenarios. Kimmel shares compelling stories, including those of mass violence, and discusses the role of mental illness in revenge-seeking behavior. The conversation also delves into the healing power of forgiveness and the societal implications of revenge in the age of social media. Kimmel emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing revenge as a mental health issue, advocating for forgiveness as a means to break the cycle of violence and promote healing.

“Revenge is a kind of addiction.”

“Forgiveness stops pain.”

“This can get better and it will.”

Margaret Andrews leads a popular class at Harvard University that she has turned into the book: “Manage Yourself to Lead Others: Why Great Leadership Begins with Self-Understanding.”

“Leadership is ultimately about relationships.” 

“Each new level of leadership requires a new level of us.” 

“Leadership is, in many ways, a creative act.”

Kelly has a powerful conversation with longtime friend and Second City colleague Tania Richard, whose new book “Black Girl from a White Suburb” looks at race, a life in theatre, loss and finding resilience along the way.

“People think actors are good liars. We aren’t.”

“We believe what we need to get by.” 

“There is no other feeling like holding for applause.” 

Kelly connects with longtime BBDO CEO Andrew Robertson to talk about his new book: “The Creative Shift: How to Power Up Your Organization by Making Space for New Ideas.” 

“Every new idea represents a risk.” 

“Creativity happens in leaps, not steps.” 

“All great ideas sound great – in retrospect.”