In this episode, we dive into a masterclass on the future of strategy, storytelling, and AI with Mike Wittenstein, founder of Storyminers and a pioneer in customer experience design. With decades of experience at companies like IBM, McDonald’s, and iPay, Mike shares how story-driven strategy can align teams, unlock creativity, and humanize AI in the process.

Mike challenges the buzz around "disruption" and argues that the real power of AI lies in human intent, ethical prompting, and shared understanding. From replacing deliverables with immersive stories to integrating AI as a co-creator—not a dictator—this episode will expand how you think about the intersection of business, tech, and humanity

Chapters

• 00:00 – Introduction to Mike Wittenstein and Storyminers
• 01:07 – Early entrepreneurship and the value of cultural experiences
• 03:40 – Career evolution: IBM, digital agencies, and founding Storyminers
• 05:12 – Why visionary leaders need better tools—not just KPIs
• 06:30 – Don’t let AI reshape business—humans must lead the way
• 08:48 – Replacing deliverables with insight, creativity, and co-creation
• 10:33 – Story as strategy: Using “knowledge blocks” to guide organizations
• 12:45 – How immersive storytelling aligns teams and creates buy-in
• 16:16 – Creative + analytical = future-ready decision-making
• 19:03 – Prompting AI with empathy and values changes everything
• 21:15 – From zero-sum to abundance: Reimagining economics with AI
• 24:03 – Stop chasing disruption—start mastering integration
• 27:55 – Mechanical vs. intellectual advantage: Why AI is more than the next internet
• 30:00 – Mike’s personal AI use cases—from therapy to woodworking inspiration
• 32:11 – Embracing discomfort: Why leaders should explore AI in private first

• “AI isn’t artificial. And it’s not intelligent. It’s a reflection of us.”
• “You don’t need another spreadsheet. You need a better story.”
• “Don’t chase disruption. Master integration.”
• “Story is the strategy. When everyone sees themselves in the story, they move.”