The Curious Advantage Podcast

"L&D is dead - Long Live Learning" 

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.

Chapters

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

About The Curious Advantage Podcast
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.

About The Curious Advantage Book
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 done by Danny Cross and video editing by Jessica Wickham. 

What really drives the way we eat?

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

About The Curious Advantage Podcast
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.

About The Curious Advantage Book
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 done by Danny Cross and video editing by Jessica Wickham. 

"AI needs humans as much as we need AI" - Alexia Cambon

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.

Topics include:

Chapters

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

Discover Microsoft’s 2025 Work Trend Index: The Year the Frontier Firm Is Born
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/2025-the-year-the-frontier-firm-is-born

About The Curious Advantage Podcast
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.

About The Curious Advantage Book
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 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

About the Curious Advantage Podcast Series
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.

About The Curious Advantage Book
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)

About the Curious Advantage Podcast Series
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.

About The Curious Advantage Book
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. 

What if your brain isn’t just reacting to the world, but actually helping to create it?

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.

Chapters
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

About the Curious Advantage Podcast Series
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. 

About The Curious Advantage Book
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.

Chapters
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

About the Curious Advantage Podcast Series
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. 

About The Curious Advantage Book
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 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.

About The Curious Advantage Book
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 by Jessica Wickham and John McGinty. 

In this episode of The Curious Advantage podcast, Simon Brown and Garrick Jones speak with renowned author and speaker Margaret Heffernan about curiosity, leadership, and organizational culture. She shares insights from her diverse career, exploring the impact of questioning conventional wisdom, the dangers of wilful blindness, and the role of playwriting in research.
Heffernan discusses how curiosity and helpfulness drive productivity and collaboration, warning against excessive competition and the ‘super chicken’ effect—where individual performance overshadows team success. She advocates for rethinking workplace culture to foster learning, connection, and innovation.

About The Curious Advantage Book
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 by Jessica Wickham and John McGinty. 

In this episode of the Curious Advantage podcast, Simon Brown and Garrick Jones engage with Margaret Heffernan, a renowned author and speaker, to explore the themes of curiosity, leadership, and organizational culture. Heffernan shares her diverse career journey and emphasizes the importance of questioning conventional wisdom in fostering innovation and collaboration within organizations.

The conversation delves into the concept of willful blindness, the intersection of playwriting and research, and the challenges leaders face in navigating accountability and certainty. Heffernan advocates for creating environments that promote curiosity and productivity, highlighting the need for organizations to rethink their approaches to work and collaboration. In this engaging conversation, Margaret Heffernan discusses the importance of curiosity and helpfulness in the workplace, emphasizing how these traits can enhance productivity and collaboration. She shares insights from her experiences in various organizations, highlighting the detrimental effects of excessive competition and the benefits of fostering a culture of learning and connection.

The discussion also touches on the concept of 'super chickens' and how a focus on individual performance can undermine overall team success. Heffernan advocates for creating environments that encourage curiosity and collaboration, ultimately leading to more innovative and productive organizations.

Margaret Heffernan website: https://www.mheffernan.com/#modal-close 

The Curious Advantage Podcast series, hosted by the authors of The Curious Advantagebook – Paul Ashcroft (co-founder & partner, Ludic Group), Simon Brown (Global Learning & Development Leader, Partner, EY), and Garrick Jones (co-founder & partner, Ludic Group) – explores how curiosity is a driving force for success in both individual lives and organizations, particularly in our evolving digital landscape. This podcast distills insights from neuroscience, anthropology, history, art and behaviorism to make the concept of curiosity accessible and applicable to everyone.

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.