In this episode of The Curious Advantage podcast, hosts Garrick Jones and Paul Ashcroft sit down with organizational psychologist Vyla Rollins to explore how leadership is evolving in today’s digital age.

Together they discuss why the psychological contract between employers and employees is central to engagement and how leadership is shifting from a title to a set of behaviors. Vyla highlights the practices modern leaders need most - resilience, reflection, curiosity, and context and explains how these traits drive sustainable performance.

The conversation also uncovers why feedback should be a dynamic two-way dialogue, how asking open questions fosters trust and alignment, and why focusing on just one or two practices can create meaningful improvement.

Whether you’re leading teams, shaping culture, or navigating complex change, this episode offers practical insights to help you lead with curiosity, build stronger relationships, and thrive in today’s fast-moving organizations.

Recrafting Employees’ Psychological Contract to Boost Engagement – Forbes

Vyla Rollins Career Profile – Rubato Global Consulting

Get your copy of The Curious Advantage on Amazon

The Curious Advantage Audiobook is also available on Audible

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Join the authors of The Curious Advantage in an exploration of how individuals and organizations can harness the power of curiosity to drive success in our new digital reality. In each episode, they engage in enlightening conversations with world-leading experts from a diversity of disciplines to bring to life the latest understanding of curiosity in a way that’s useful to anyone looking to embark on a journey of discovery, navigate challenges, and unlock opportunities.

The Curious Advantage is an exploration of the idea of Curiosity and its increasing importance for thriving in the digital age. Taking the widest possible exploration of things Curious – historical, contemporary, neuro-scientific, anthropological, behavioural, semantic and business-focused. At the heart of the book is our model of Curiosity, called ’Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’. This model provides individuals with a practical framework for how to be successfully Curious and use Curiosity as a power skill to unlock their own potential. To find out more visit: curiousadvantage.com

The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing is done by Danny Cross and video editing by Jessica Wickham

In this episode of The Curious Advantage Podcast, futurist Jamais Cascio introduces the BANI framework—Brittle, Anxious, Non-linear, and Incomprehensible—as a powerful alternative to the outdated VUCA model.

Joined by hosts Simon Brown and Paul Ashcroft, the conversation explores how leaders, organizations, and individuals can thrive in today’s chaotic world. They dive into the shift from VUCA to BANI, the growing impact of anxiety and information overload, and how to lead through non-linear change. Cascio shares insights on the importance of interconnectedness, improvisation, and human adaptability—and how resilience, neuroflexibility, and empathy are critical to navigating uncertainty.

Perfect for anyone in leadership, future foresight, change management, HR, L&D, or organizational strategy, this episode offers a timely and practical guide to future-proofing your approach in an unpredictable world.

Navigating the Age of Chaos: A Sense-Making Guide to a BANI World That Doesnt Make Sense available on Amazon 

Join the authors of The Curious Advantage in an exploration of how individuals and organizations can harness the power of curiosity to drive success in our new digital reality. In each episode, they engage in enlightening conversations with world-leading experts from a diversity of disciplines to bring to life the latest understanding of curiosity in a way that’s useful to anyone looking to embark on a journey of discovery, navigate challenges, and unlock opportunities.

The Curious Advantage is an exploration of the idea of Curiosity and its increasing importance for thriving in the digital age. Taking the widest possible exploration of things Curious – historical, contemporary, neuro-scientific, anthropological, behavioural, semantic and business-focused. At the heart of the book is our model of Curiosity, called ’Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’. This model provides individuals with a practical framework for how to be successfully Curious and use Curiosity as a power skill to unlock their own potential. To find out more visit: curiousadvantage.com

Follow The Curious Advantage on LinkedIn and Instagram

The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing is done by Danny Cross and video editing by Jessica Wickham. 

In this episode of The Curious Advantage Podcast, Simon Brown and Paul Ashcroft speak with Dr. Serena Gonsalves-Fersch, Global Head of Talent at SoftwareOne, to explore the intersection of curiosity, learning, leadership, and the future of work.

Together, they unpack:

Whether you're in leadership, L&D, HR, or talent development, this conversation offers fresh insights into the skills, mindsets, and strategies shaping high-performing, future-focused organisations.

00:00 Introduction to Curiosity and Learning Leadership

02:42 The Evolution of Learning and Development

05:34 Rethinking Leadership Training

08:52 Agility in Learning Functions

11:36 Frameworks for Modern Learning

14:45 Building a Talent Pipeline

17:28 Integrating Learning with Business Needs

20:42 The Future of Learning and Development

27:14 The Connection Between Learning and Talent Management

33:44 Women in Learning Leadership: Bridging the Gap

38:06 AI's Impact on Learning and Development

44:42 Navigating Sensory Overload and Environmental Impact

50:24 The Future of Learning: Curiosity and Organizational Learning

Join the authors of The Curious Advantage in an exploration of how individuals and organizations can harness the power of curiosity to drive success in our new digital reality. In each episode, they engage in enlightening conversations with world-leading experts from a diversity of disciplines to bring to life the latest understanding of curiosity in a way that’s useful to anyone looking to embark on a journey of discovery, navigate challenges, and unlock opportunities.

The Curious Advantage is an exploration of the idea of Curiosity and its increasing importance for thriving in the digital age. Taking the widest possible exploration of things Curious – historical, contemporary, neuro-scientific, anthropological, behavioural, semantic and business-focused. At the heart of the book is our model of Curiosity, called ’Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’. This model provides individuals with a practical framework for how to be successfully Curious and use Curiosity as a power skill to unlock their own potential. To find out more visit: curiousadvantage.com

Follow The Curious Advantage on LinkedIn and Instagram

The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing is done by Danny Cross and video editing by Jessica Wickham. 

In this episode of The Curious Advantage Podcast, Paul Ashcroft, Simon Brown, and Garrick Jones are joined by Dr. Giles Yeo—geneticist, author, and professor at the University of Cambridge to explore the science behind appetite, genetics, and weight loss.

Dr. Giles Yeo explains how our eating behaviours are more biological than we think, shaped by the brain’s role in decision-making and our unique genetic makeup. He unpacks the truth behind obesity and reveals why weight management is far more complex than just calorie counting.

The conversation dives into the impact of ultra-processed foods, food environments, and weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro, along with what happens when people stop taking them. They also explore the idea of a red, amber and green food labelling system to help guide healthier choices.

Together, they examine how curiosity, empathy and a deeper understanding of human biology can challenge diet myths and shape more supportive approaches to wellness.

Why Calories Don't Count: How We Got the Science of Weight Loss Wrong  available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Why-Calories-Dont-Count-Science/dp/B08LZPDT4W/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=Dv6kL&content-id=amzn1.sym.6b6d4bc1-013f-4684-8a3d-174e5cf88d17&pf_rd_p=6b6d4bc1-013f-4684-8a3d-174e5cf88d17&pf_rd_r=262-0311421-9608643&pd_rd_wg=R2KmB&pd_rd_r=4da738c0-df01-4abe-9167-ab9a06df2b89&ref_=aufs_ap_sc_dsk

00:00 Introduction to Genetics and Dr. Giles Yeoh

01:13 Giles Yeoh's Journey in Genetics

04:15 Understanding Eating Behaviors

11:00 The Role of DNA in Eating Responses

14:19 Appetite and the Brain's Influence

18:58 Implications for Weight Management

24:24 The Impact of Ultra-Processed Foods

25:46 Understanding Ultra-Processed Foods

28:42 The Complexity of Calories

30:18 Rethinking Food Quality and Nutrition Labels

33:41 The Role of Dietary Choices

40:38 Weight Loss Medications: Mechanisms and Implications

52:30 The Social Perspective on Obesity

Join the authors of The Curious Advantage in an exploration of how individuals and organizations can harness the power of curiosity to drive success in our new digital reality. In each episode, they engage in enlightening conversations with world-leading experts from a diversity of disciplines to bring to life the latest understanding of curiosity in a way that’s useful to anyone looking to embark on a journey of discovery, navigate challenges, and unlock opportunities.

The Curious Advantage is an exploration of the idea of Curiosity and its increasing importance for thriving in the digital age. Taking the widest possible exploration of things Curious – historical, contemporary, neuro-scientific, anthropological, behavioural, semantic and business-focused. At the heart of the book is our model of Curiosity, called ’Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’. This model provides individuals with a practical framework for how to be successfully Curious and use Curiosity as a power skill to unlock their own potential. To find out more visit: curiousadvantage.com

Follow The Curious Advantage on LinkedIn and Instagram

The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing is done by Danny Cross and video editing by Jessica Wickham. 

In this episode of The Curious Advantage podcast, Simon Brown, Paul Ashcroft, and Garrick Jones are joined by Alexia Cambon, Senior Director of Research at Microsoft, to explore how AI is reshaping the workplace and what it means to be a Frontier Firm.

The discussion dives into key trends from Microsoft’s Work Trend Index, including the emergence of Agent Bosses, digital labor, and the idea of Intelligence on Tap, where AI enables instant access to expert insight. Together, they unpack how curiosity drives innovation, the critical role of HR, and how new organizational structures are forming in response to AI adoption.

From collaboration between humans and AI, to rethinking leadership and productivity, this episode explores the changing nature of work—and how forward-thinking organizations are learning, experimenting, and adapting in real time.

00:00 Introduction to the Curious Advantage Podcast

01:02 Curiosity in Research and AI Integration

02:14 Defining the Frontier Firm

04:39 Intelligence on Tap: Redefining Expertise Access

06:29 The Rise of Human-Agent Teams

11:49 The Concept of the Agent Boss

19:32 Empowering Employees in the AI Era

25:32 The Nature of Digital Labor

30:36 AI as a New Workforce

36:08 The Future of Work and AI Integration

44:31 Becoming a Frontier Firm

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/2025-the-year-the-frontier-firm-is-born

Join the authors of The Curious Advantage in an exploration of how individuals and organizations can harness the power of curiosity to drive success in our new digital reality. In each episode, they engage in enlightening conversations with world-leading experts from a diversity of disciplines to bring to life the latest understanding of curiosity in a way that’s useful to anyone looking to embark on a journey of discovery, navigate challenges, and unlock opportunities.

The Curious Advantage is an exploration of the idea of Curiosity and its increasing importance for thriving in the digital age. Taking the widest possible exploration of things Curious – historical, contemporary, neuro-scientific, anthropological, behavioural, semantic and business-focused. At the heart of the book is our model of Curiosity, called ’Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’. This model provides individuals with a practical framework for how to be successfully Curious and use Curiosity as a power skill to unlock their own potential. To find out more visit: curiousadvantage.com

Follow The Curious Advantage on LinkedIn and Instagram

The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing is done by Danny Cross and video editing by Jessica Wickham. 

#AIinWorkplace #WorkTrendsIndex #AIandProductivity #ArtificialIntelligence #FutureOfWork #AIEducation #DataDrivenDecisions #AIandCuriosity #HumanMachineCollaboration #AIBias #CuriousAdvantage #CriticalThinking #PowerOfAI #WorkplaceInnovation #AILeadership #CognitiveSkills

#AI #FrontierFirm #AgentBoss #DigitalLabor #Curiosity #HumanAgentCollaboration

#OrganizationalChange #Microsoft #SmartLab #TheCuriousAdvantage

In this episode of The Curious Advantage podcast, Simon Brown and Paul Ashcroft speak with Ari Popper, Founder & CEO of SciFutures, to explore the intersection of science fiction, innovation, and leadership.

Ari shares his journey from experiencing a midlife crisis to founding SciFutures, where he helps organizations envision and prepare for the future through storytelling and strategic foresight. The conversation delves into the role of narrative in shaping our understanding of emerging technologies, the evolving nature of leadership in an AI-driven world, and the importance of curiosity, adaptability, and ethical awareness.

Together, they explore how science fiction can serve as a powerful tool for sparking innovation, cultivating future-ready mindsets, and navigating the challenges of rapid technological advancement.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to SciFutures and Ari Popper's Journey

03:10 Understanding the Future: Methodologies and Insights

06:01 The Role of Storytelling in Shaping Futures

08:57 Predicting the Future: Successes and Misses

11:57 Emerging Technologies and Their Impacts

15:10 Preparing for the Future: Education and Leadership

17:58 Human Skills in an AI-Driven World

20:59 The Future of Leadership and Organizational Change

26:42 The Art of Time Travel on a Budget

28:04 Mindsets for Future Thinking

29:50 Distilling Challenges in Innovation

30:58 Minding the Gap in Leadership

32:59 Curiosity and Information Synthesis

38:06 Optimism in the Age of AI

40:58 Exploring Emerging Technologies

45:06 The Skill of Future Thinking

Join the authors of The Curious Advantage in an exploration of how individuals and organizations can harness the power of curiosity to drive success in our new digital reality. In each episode, they engage in enlightening conversations with world-leading experts from a diversity of disciplines to bring to life the latest understanding of curiosity in a way that’s useful to anyone looking to embark on a journey of discovery, navigate challenges, and unlock opportunities.

The Curious Advantage is an exploration of the idea of Curiosity and its increasing importance for thriving in the digital age. Taking the widest possible exploration of things Curious – historical, contemporary, neuro-scientific, anthropological, behavioural, semantic and business-focused. At the heart of the book is our model of Curiosity, called ’Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’. This model provides individuals with a practical framework for how to be successfully Curious and use Curiosity as a power skill to unlock their own potential. To find out more visit: curiousadvantage.com

Get your copy of The Curious Advantage on Amazon

The Curious Advantage Audiobook is also available on Audible

Follow The Curious Advantage on LinkedIn and Instagram

The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham, Pasha Adam and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing is expertly by Danny Cross. Video editing is done by Jessica Wickham & Helena Gonzalez. 

In this episode of the Curious Advantage podcast, Alison Coward discusses the concept of workshop culture and its significance in fostering collaboration and creativity within teams. She shares her journey from the creative industries to becoming a facilitator and author, emphasizing the importance of intentional collaboration and the role of curiosity in team dynamics. The conversation explores practical steps for improving meetings, leading through uncertainty, and the impact of AI on workshop culture. Alison also outlines the five pillars of high-performing teams: alignment, cohesion, communication, design, and change, and highlights the need for organizations to create environments that support these elements.

00:00 Introduction to Workshop Culture

03:03 The Journey to Facilitation

06:01 Defining Workshop Culture

08:52 Practical Steps for Effective Collaboration

11:51   Leading Through Uncertainty

15:05 The Role of Online vs In-Person Workshops

17:56 Five Pillars of High Performing Teams

23:59 Curiosity in Team Dynamics

26:47 Balancing Creativity and Productivity

30:07 Leveraging AI in Workshop Culture

33:57 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

Bracket : www.bracketcreative.co.uk

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/alisoncoward

Workshop Culture: A Guide to Building Teams That Thrive (book):www.bracketcreative.co.uk/workshopculture (visit: https://practicalinspiration.com/book/workshop-culture (UK) or https://indiepubs.com/products/workshop-culture-1/ (US) and use code WRKCULT30 for a 30% discount)

Join the authors of The Curious Advantage in an exploration of how individuals and organizations can harness the power of curiosity to drive success in our new digital reality. In each episode, they engage in enlightening conversations with world-leading experts from a diversity of disciplines to bring to life the latest understanding of curiosity in a way that’s useful to anyone looking to embark on a journey of discovery, navigate challenges, and unlock opportunities.

The Curious Advantage is an exploration of the idea of Curiosity and its increasing importance for thriving in the digital age. Taking the widest possible exploration of things Curious – historical, contemporary, neuro-scientific, anthropological, behavioural, semantic and business-focused. At the heart of the book is our model of Curiosity, called ’Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’. This model provides individuals with a practical framework for how to be successfully Curious and use Curiosity as a power skill to unlock their own potential. To find out more visit: curiousadvantage.com

Get your copy of The Curious Advantage on Amazon

The Curious Advantage Audiobook is also available on Audible

Follow The Curious Advantage on LinkedIn and Instagram

The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham, Pasha Adam and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing is expertly by Danny Cross. Video editing is done by Jessica Wickham & Helena Gonzalez. 

In this episode, Paul Ashcroft and Garrick Jones are joined by world-renowned cognitive philosopher Andy Clark to explore the fascinating ideas behind his latest book, The Experience Machine.

Together, they dive into how the brain acts less like a camera and more like a prediction engine, constantly guessing what’s coming next and shaping the way we experience reality. From the link between curiosity and mistakes to the surprising ways our expectations influence pain and mental health, this is a rich conversation about perception, learning, and the stories we tell ourselves.

They also look at how embracing uncertainty drives growth and innovation, and how AI, algorithms, and education are shaping the way we think.

00:00 Introduction to the Curious Advantage Podcast

01:55 The Journey of Andy Clark

02:21 The Brain as a Prediction Machine

06:59 Balancing Predictions and Sensory Input

11:25 Error, Curiosity, and Learning

18:26 Wired to Reduce Uncertainty

21:16 Pain, Expectation, and Mental Health

25:45 Curating Uncertainty for Better Predictions

28:34 The Role of Environment in Shaping Reality

31:07 Art, Literature, and Predictive Systems

32:49 The Impact of Algorithms on Human Experience

34:34 AI and Human Predictive Models

40:23 The Future of AI and Human Collaboration

46:20 Education and Embracing Error

49:15 Practical Applications of Predictive Processing

Join the authors of The Curious Advantage in an exploration of how individuals and organizations can harness the power of curiosity to drive success in our new digital reality. In each episode, they engage in enlightening conversations with world-leading experts from a diversity of disciplines to bring to life the latest understanding of curiosity in a way that’s useful to anyone looking to embark on a journey of discovery, navigate challenges, and unlock opportunities. 

The Curious Advantage is an exploration of the idea of Curiosity and its increasing importance for thriving in the digital age. Taking the widest possible exploration of things Curious – historical, contemporary, neuro-scientific, anthropological, behavioural, semantic and business-focused. At the heart of the book is our model of Curiosity, called ’Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’. This model provides individuals with a practical framework for how to be successfully Curious and use Curiosity as a power skill to unlock their own potential. To find out more visit: curiousadvantage.com

Get your copy of The Curious Advantage on Amazon

The Curious Advantage Audiobook is also available on Audible

Follow The Curious Advantage on LinkedIn and Instagram

The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing is expertly by Danny Cross. Video editing is done by Jessica Wickham. 

In this episode of the Curious Advantage podcast, Simon Brown and Garrick Jones talk with Charles H. Green, a renowned expert on trust. They explore the concept of trust, its importance in personal and professional relationships, and how it can be cultivated.

Charles shares insights on the trust equation, which includes credibility, reliability, intimacy, and self-orientation. The conversation also delves into the implications of trust in sales, the impact of AI on trust, and the importance of personal agency in fostering trust and connection in a rapidly changing world. They also discuss the growing presence of AI-generated scams, deep fakes, and the challenges these pose to building and maintaining trust in the digital age.

00:00 Introduction to Trust and Curiosity

18:13 The Trust Equation Explained

24:30 Trust in Sales: The Meat Sandwich Model

33:40 Trust in the Age of AI

41:58 Personal Agency and Change

Join the authors of The Curious Advantage in an exploration of how individuals and organizations can harness the power of curiosity to drive success in our new digital reality. In each episode, they engage in enlightening conversations with world-leading experts from a diversity of disciplines to bring to life the latest understanding of curiosity in a way that’s useful to anyone looking to embark on a journey of discovery, navigate challenges, and unlock opportunities. 

The Curious Advantage is an exploration of the idea of Curiosity and its increasing importance for thriving in the digital age. Taking the widest possible exploration of things Curious – historical, contemporary, neuro-scientific, anthropological, behavioural, semantic and business-focused. At the heart of the book is our model of Curiosity, called ’Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’. This model provides individuals with a practical framework for how to be successfully Curious and use Curiosity as a power skill to unlock their own potential. To find out more visit: curiousadvantage.com

Follow The Curious Advantage on LinkedIn and Instagram

The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing is expertly by Danny Cross. Video editing by Jessica Wickham and John McGinty. 

In this episode Simon Brown, Paul Ashcroft, and Garrick Jones are joined by futurist Bob Johansen, who brings nearly five decades of experience in forecasting what’s next. Together, they dive into the power of curiosity and "future-back" thinking in navigating today’s uncertain world. From VUCA to BANI, Bob unpacks the frameworks shaping how we understand complexity—and why generative AI is a game-changer for leadership.

Discover the essential skills leaders need for the future, including augmented clarity and bioengaging, and hear how cross-generational collaboration is key to thriving in disruption. With reflections on faith, hope, and decision-making in an age of ambiguity, this conversation offers a hopeful yet grounded roadmap for staying curious in the face of the unknown.

00:00 The Journey of a Futurist

03:11 Understanding the Role of a Futurist

05:51 Engaging with Future Signals

09:00 The VUCA and BANI World

11:53 The Impact of Generative AI

15:05 Curiosity and Future Leadership

24:01 Curiosity and Future-Back Thinking

25:52 Key Skills for Future Leadership

32:10 Practical Augmentation for Leaders

36:21 Faith and Hope in a Changing World

42:01 Cross-Generational Collaboration and Neuroscience

48:05 Optimism in a Frightening Future

Interested in purchasing the book? Contact [email protected] for exclusive group discounts and bulk order offers for The Curious Advantage listeners.

The Curious Advantage is an exploration of the idea of Curiosity and its increasing importance for thriving in the digital age. Taking the widest possible exploration of things Curious – historical, contemporary, neuro-scientific, anthropological, behavioural, semantic and business-focused. At the heart of the book is our model of Curiosity, called ’Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’. This model provides individuals with a practical framework for how to be successfully Curious and use Curiosity as a power skill to unlock their own potential. To find out more visit: curiousadvantage.com

Follow The Curious Advantage on LinkedIn and Instagram

The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing is expertly by Danny Cross. Video editing by Jessica Wickham and John McGinty.