The Dr. Rod Berger Channel - Stories That Meet The Moment

In HeadRoom with Dr. Rod Berger, the topic of populism is explored with historian and author Dr. Steve Babson.

In the newly released book Forgotten Populists: When Farmers Turned Left to Save Democracy (Mission Point Press: April 25, 2023), author Steve Babson, Ph.D tells the story of how the Populists of the 1890s transformed the nation’s political terrain—and in the quick-read 50-page illustrated book -- shows how that history still resonates today.  

Steve Babson, Ph.D. is a labor educator and union activist living in Detroit with his wife, Nancy Brigham. He received his doctorate in U.S. history from Wayne State University, where he worked as an instructor and extension program coordinator in the Labor Studies Center.

Dr. Rod Berger is a keynote speaker, moderator, producer, author, and expert in strategic storytelling. Berger’s book, The Narrative Edge: Authentic Storytelling That Meets The Moment (Wiley), hits bookstores in late 2025. He draws on more than 4,000 interviews conducted worldwide for Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Fair Observer, including a cover story about former Virgin Entertainment co-founder Jason Felts, for Los Angeles Magazine, as well as various podcasts. He has captured the narratives of investors, CEOs, renowned entrepreneurs, bestselling authors, scholars, and cultural icons such as NBA legends Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley, as well as United Nations officials and Van Halen’s Sammy Hagar, while also exploring the behind-the-scenes world of Formula 1.

Berger has met with the Crown Princess of Sweden, Pope Francis, United Nations officials, and NGO leaders, covering stories of water insecurity with WaterAid, the intergenerational refugee crisis faced by displaced Sudanese in Uganda, and the impacts of child marriage in Western Africa with the Le Korsa Foundation.

Berger served as a guest lecturer at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management for nearly two decades, focusing on the power of storytelling in business.

He has partnered with The Jim Henson Company to create a television show, The Ultimate GOAT, that combines his passion for distant lands and storytelling with culture, sports, and puppetry for family programming.

Berger conducts moderated keynote events that blend storytelling with live, on-stage narratives featuring cultural icons such as Opal Lee, the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and recognized as the “Grandmother” of Juneteenth. In 2023, Berger received the inaugural Pangea International Literacy Prize and delivered his TEDx Talk, “Story is Our Currency.” He lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife and two children.

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Welcome back to HeadRoom, in today's episode, we dive deep into the world of artificial intelligence (AI) with our special guest, Alex Swartsel, the managing director of Insights at Jobs for the Future. Guided by our host, Dr. Rod Berger, the duo unravels the complex narratives surrounding AI and its impact on jobs, skills, and society as a whole. 

From the binary views of AI as either a savior or an extinction-level event, to the need for nuanced understanding and better questions, we explore the evolving role of AI and its broad application in various sectors. Swartsel shares fascinating insights on AI's presence in large language models and unveils recent research conducted by Jobs for the Future on AI and its implications.

But what does AI mean for jobs and skills? Can AI truly replace humans, or is there a world where humans and machines collaborate? We discuss the transformative power of AI on tasks and skills, from automating routine and repetitive tasks to elevating complex cognitive skills and critical thinking.

However, it's not just about technology and jobs. We delve into the ethical aspects of AI, considering the impact on privacy, equity, and the distribution of opportunity. Swartsel emphasizes the importance of making thoughtful choices centered on the human experience while safeguarding against inequalities and ensuring equal educational opportunities.

If you're curious about how AI can make our lives better and how we can harness its power to build a more equitable society, this episode is a must-listen. 

So, grab your headphones and tune in to HeadRoom with Alex Swartsel and Dr. Rod Berger as they take you on a thought-provoking journey into the world of AI, exploring its impact on jobs, skills, and ultimately, our shared future.

Key Moments

01:36 AI's impact and understanding vary widely; concern grows.

05:38 Understanding AI's application in a broad way

07:41 AI innovation accessible to all for free

10:02 Education system key to nourishing economy. AI impact on jobs and skills.

15:14 AI augments tasks, but human judgment remains.

19:16 World's evolution, important question, human vs. machine work.

22:35 Exciting potential risks of AI and education.

25:43 Difficult to enforce; ask important questions.

29:36 Equal opportunity, meaningful work, equitable society, AI accountability.

31:17 Envisioning equity through questioning, persistence, and agency.

Connect with Alex Swartsel
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jobs-for-the-future/ 

Dr. Rod Berger is a keynote speaker, moderator, producer, author, and expert in strategic storytelling. Berger’s book, The Narrative Edge: Authentic Storytelling That Meets The Moment (Wiley), hits bookstores in late 2025. He draws on more than 4,000 interviews conducted worldwide for Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Fair Observer, including a cover story about former Virgin Entertainment co-founder Jason Felts, for Los Angeles Magazine, as well as various podcasts. He has captured the narratives of investors, CEOs, renowned entrepreneurs, bestselling authors, scholars, and cultural icons such as NBA legends Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley, as well as United Nations officials and Van Halen’s Sammy Hagar, while also exploring the behind-the-scenes world of Formula 1.

Berger has met with the Crown Princess of Sweden, Pope Francis, United Nations officials, and NGO leaders, covering stories of water insecurity with WaterAid, the intergenerational refugee crisis faced by displaced Sudanese in Uganda, and the impacts of child marriage in Western Africa with the Le Korsa Foundation.

Berger served as a guest lecturer at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management for nearly two decades, focusing on the power of storytelling in business.

He has partnered with The Jim Henson Company to create a television show, The Ultimate GOAT, that combines his passion for distant lands and storytelling with culture, sports, and puppetry for family programming.

Berger conducts moderated keynote events that blend storytelling with live, on-stage narratives featuring cultural icons such as Opal Lee, the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and recognized as the “Grandmother” of Juneteenth. In 2023, Berger received the inaugural Pangea International Literacy Prize and delivered his TEDx Talk, “Story is Our Currency.” He lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife and two children.

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The Power Within: Cindy Watson's Journey

In today's episode, we have the privilege of talking to the one and only Cindy Watson, founder of Women on Purpose and creator of the groundbreaking book Art of Feminine Negotiation. 

Cindy has an impressive background as an attorney specializing in social justice law for over three decades, is a TEDx and international speaker, a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author, and a negotiation coach and consultant. Her expertise and passion lie in helping people reframe their mindset, value themselves, and negotiate from a place of collaboration and service.

In this thought-provoking conversation, Cindy shares her journey from being a “barracuda” in her early legal career to becoming a renowned author and speaker. She reveals how her own experiences and personal revelations propelled her to develop the principles outlined in her book, "The Art of Feminine Negotiation." While the book focuses on empowering women, Cindy believes its principles can benefit everyone and be applied to various aspects of life.

We delve into the conditioning we receive to exert power and control over others in negotiations and how Cindy advocates for a shift toward collaboration, creation, and authenticity. We also discuss how negotiation goes beyond mere business dealings, touching on mental health, the importance of reducing stigma, and the need for meaningful discussions and actions to address these issues.

Join us as we explore the fascinating world of negotiation with Cindy Watson and discover how reframing conflict and power can improve the world. So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let's dive into another enriching episode of HeadRoom with Dr. Rod Berger.

Key Moments

00:40 Cindy Watson: Expert in negotiation and inspiration.

03:29 The threshold for confident communication in negotiation.

07:59 In business, we underestimate the value of "soft skills" and feminine traits.

11:04 Reevaluating society, prioritizing collaboration, challenging gender norms.

16:09 Girls conditioned to be small, women competing.

18:18 Layering, freedom, negotiation, friendship, differing opinions, risk.

22:34 Painting the revealing moment of book ownership.

27:07 Missed opportunity, adaptability, conflict-driven, negative effects.

28:05 Transition: A small moment with son changed everything.

32:58 Gender roles shifting, pushback as women rise.

37:16 Negotiating with oneself to communicate authenticity needs. Applies to diverse audiences and future skill sets.

39:14 Check out the book Cindy’s book, Art of Feminine Negotiation

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Podcast Produced by Old Soul: https://bit.ly/3KuYfrD

Dr. Rod Berger is a keynote speaker, moderator, producer, author, and expert in strategic storytelling. Berger’s book, The Narrative Edge: Authentic Storytelling That Meets The Moment (Wiley), hits bookstores in late 2025. He draws on more than 4,000 interviews conducted worldwide for Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Fair Observer, including a cover story about former Virgin Entertainment co-founder Jason Felts, for Los Angeles Magazine, as well as various podcasts. He has captured the narratives of investors, CEOs, renowned entrepreneurs, bestselling authors, scholars, and cultural icons such as NBA legends Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley, as well as United Nations officials and Van Halen’s Sammy Hagar, while also exploring the behind-the-scenes world of Formula 1.

Berger has met with the Crown Princess of Sweden, Pope Francis, United Nations officials, and NGO leaders, covering stories of water insecurity with WaterAid, the intergenerational refugee crisis faced by displaced Sudanese in Uganda, and the impacts of child marriage in Western Africa with the Le Korsa Foundation.

Berger served as a guest lecturer at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management for nearly two decades, focusing on the power of storytelling in business.

He has partnered with The Jim Henson Company to create a television show, The Ultimate GOAT, that combines his passion for distant lands and storytelling with culture, sports, and puppetry for family programming.

Berger conducts moderated keynote events that blend storytelling with live, on-stage narratives featuring cultural icons such as Opal Lee, the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and recognized as the “Grandmother” of Juneteenth. In 2023, Berger received the inaugural Pangea International Literacy Prize and delivered his TEDx Talk, “Story is Our Currency.” He lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife and two children.

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Jason Jay is a Senior Lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management and Director of the Sustainability Initiative at MIT Sloan.  

He teaches courses on leadership, strategy, and innovation for sustainable business. Jason engages students and alumni in hands-on projects with leading companies and organizations. These efforts help build a community of innovators for sustainability that includes MIT students and alumni, faculty and researchers, with partners in business, government, NGOs, and hybrid organizations. 

Jason’s research focuses on how people navigate the tensions inherent in the quest for sustainability, as they simultaneously pursue their own self-interest and the flourishing of human and other life. This work includes deep case studies of cross-sectoral collaboration and hybrid organizations that combine social and business goals. These case studies have been published in the Academy of Management Journal and California Management Review. He also contributes to the MIT Sloan Management Review, Stanford Social Innovation Review, and Greenbiz on the topic of sustainability-oriented innovation (SOI). A key finding of his research is that social innovation occurs through authentic conversations that hold the tension between divergent values and perspectives. With Gabriel Grant, he is the author of Breaking Through Gridlock: The Power of Conversation in a Polarized World.

As a facilitator and consultant, Jason has helped advance sustainability strategy with companies like Biogen, Novartis, and Bose. He is a research partner and facilitator for the EDF Climate Corps and its network of companies. He has contributed to the strategy and curriculum of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Social Innovation and Change Initiative as a faculty affiliate.

Prior to MIT,  Jay ran an internet startup, traveled around the world, taught kindergarten in a progressive preschool, and worked as a consultant with Dialogos International, where he consulted on leadership development and organizational change for major international corporations and NGO's including BP and the World Bank. 

Jay holds an AB in psychology and a Master's in education from Harvard University, and a PhD in Organization Studies from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Dr. Rod Berger is a keynote speaker, moderator, producer, author, and expert in strategic storytelling. Berger’s book, The Narrative Edge: Authentic Storytelling That Meets The Moment (Wiley), hits bookstores in late 2025. He draws on more than 4,000 interviews conducted worldwide for Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Fair Observer, including a cover story about former Virgin Entertainment co-founder Jason Felts, for Los Angeles Magazine, as well as various podcasts. He has captured the narratives of investors, CEOs, renowned entrepreneurs, bestselling authors, scholars, and cultural icons such as NBA legends Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley, as well as United Nations officials and Van Halen’s Sammy Hagar, while also exploring the behind-the-scenes world of Formula 1.

Berger has met with the Crown Princess of Sweden, Pope Francis, United Nations officials, and NGO leaders, covering stories of water insecurity with WaterAid, the intergenerational refugee crisis faced by displaced Sudanese in Uganda, and the impacts of child marriage in Western Africa with the Le Korsa Foundation.

Berger served as a guest lecturer at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management for nearly two decades, focusing on the power of storytelling in business.

He has partnered with The Jim Henson Company to create a television show, The Ultimate GOAT, that combines his passion for distant lands and storytelling with culture, sports, and puppetry for family programming.

Berger conducts moderated keynote events that blend storytelling with live, on-stage narratives featuring cultural icons such as Opal Lee, the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and recognized as the “Grandmother” of Juneteenth. In 2023, Berger received the inaugural Pangea International Literacy Prize and delivered his TEDx Talk, “Story is Our Currency.” He lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife and two children.

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Miki Agrawal, the trailblazing Brooklyn-based entrepreneur and thought leader known for founding two $100 million companies that put her on the cover of Entrepreneur magazine - TUSHY and THINX - joins HeadRoom. Check out some of her past coverage and watch her 2019 Mindvalley Talk.
Miki's journey in the world of entrepreneurship saw both great successes and major challenges. Having risen to prominence, she found herself in the center of a media storm tied to allegations of sexual misconduct by a former employee amidst the Harvey Weinstein scandal. Despite the allegations ultimately being dismissed by both the NY Supreme Court and the New York Arbitration Association, the damage to her reputation led to her stepping down from the very company she built from the ground up.
Now, for the first time, Miki is ready to share her side of this story, drawing on the lessons learned and the strength gained from this experience. In addition, Miki has just released her debut album, a soulful music release inspired by her recent divorce. This chapter of her life, she believes, parallels her experience at THINX - both instances spotlighting the multifaceted textures of life and love and the reality that they can exist simultaneously. She views these experiences not as setbacks but as opportunities for growth and transformation.
Miki's journey, being half Japanese and half Indian, growing up in French Montreal Canada, and now living in Austin, Texas, embodies a rich blend of cultural influences. Her resilience and pursuit of truth echo the spirit of her father, who arrived in America from India with only $5 to his name.

Dr. Rod Berger is a keynote speaker, moderator, producer, author, and expert in strategic storytelling. Berger’s book, The Narrative Edge: Authentic Storytelling That Meets The Moment (Wiley), hits bookstores in late 2025. He draws on more than 4,000 interviews conducted worldwide for Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Fair Observer, including a cover story about former Virgin Entertainment co-founder Jason Felts, for Los Angeles Magazine, as well as various podcasts. He has captured the narratives of investors, CEOs, renowned entrepreneurs, bestselling authors, scholars, and cultural icons such as NBA legends Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley, as well as United Nations officials and Van Halen’s Sammy Hagar, while also exploring the behind-the-scenes world of Formula 1.

Berger has met with the Crown Princess of Sweden, Pope Francis, United Nations officials, and NGO leaders, covering stories of water insecurity with WaterAid, the intergenerational refugee crisis faced by displaced Sudanese in Uganda, and the impacts of child marriage in Western Africa with the Le Korsa Foundation.

Berger served as a guest lecturer at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management for nearly two decades, focusing on the power of storytelling in business.

He has partnered with The Jim Henson Company to create a television show, The Ultimate GOAT, that combines his passion for distant lands and storytelling with culture, sports, and puppetry for family programming.

Berger conducts moderated keynote events that blend storytelling with live, on-stage narratives featuring cultural icons such as Opal Lee, the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and recognized as the “Grandmother” of Juneteenth. In 2023, Berger received the inaugural Pangea International Literacy Prize and delivered his TEDx Talk, “Story is Our Currency.” He lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife and two children.

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HeadRoom with Deniz Ozgur

Dr. Rod Berger is joined by Deniz Ozgur, recognized on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list, and operates at the nexus of technology, finance, and fashion. After securing a degree in Economics and Finance in 2020, she moved rapidly into the role of Head of Growth at Techsign, an industry leader in AI-enhanced KYC solutions. In 2021, Deniz co-founded Space Runners, swiftly assembling a 60-person team and raising $12 million in initial funding. The company set a landmark by launching a $10 million digital collectible (NFT) collection in collaboration with NBA champions Kyle Kuzma and Nick Young, which sold out in a record 9 seconds. Partnerships with fashion titans like Balmain, Kickz, and Smiley further bolstered the company’s innovative stance in the fashion arena. Additionally, Space Runners is developing the first-ever AI fashion designer, designed to democratize fashion by allowing anyone to create and market their own items. Deniz has also contributed his expertise as a mentor in Farfetch’s innovation program, reinforcing her commitment to driving innovation in the fashion space.

Coin Desk: 

Forbes: 

The Hype Magazine:

PAUSE: 

Dr. Rod Berger is a keynote speaker, moderator, producer, author, and expert in strategic storytelling. Berger’s book, The Narrative Edge: Authentic Storytelling That Meets The Moment (Wiley), hits bookstores in late 2025. He draws on more than 4,000 interviews conducted worldwide for Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Fair Observer, including a cover story about former Virgin Entertainment co-founder Jason Felts, for Los Angeles Magazine, as well as various podcasts. He has captured the narratives of investors, CEOs, renowned entrepreneurs, bestselling authors, scholars, and cultural icons such as NBA legends Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley, as well as United Nations officials and Van Halen’s Sammy Hagar, while also exploring the behind-the-scenes world of Formula 1.

Berger has met with the Crown Princess of Sweden, Pope Francis, United Nations officials, and NGO leaders, covering stories of water insecurity with WaterAid, the intergenerational refugee crisis faced by displaced Sudanese in Uganda, and the impacts of child marriage in Western Africa with the Le Korsa Foundation.

Berger served as a guest lecturer at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management for nearly two decades, focusing on the power of storytelling in business.

He has partnered with The Jim Henson Company to create a television show, The Ultimate GOAT, that combines his passion for distant lands and storytelling with culture, sports, and puppetry for family programming.

Berger conducts moderated keynote events that blend storytelling with live, on-stage narratives featuring cultural icons such as Opal Lee, the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and recognized as the “Grandmother” of Juneteenth. In 2023, Berger received the inaugural Pangea International Literacy Prize and delivered his TEDx Talk, “Story is Our Currency.” He lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife and two children.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

HeadRoom with Code.org's Hadi Partovi

Hadi Partovi is a tech entrepreneur, investor, and CEO of the education nonprofit Code.org. Partovi discusses AI 101 for Teachers and how the world might change due to the power of technology across the globe.

Born in Tehran, Iran, Hadi grew up during the Iran-Iraq war. His school did not offer computer science classes, so he taught himself to code at home on a Commodore 64. After immigrating to the United States, he spent his summers working as a software engineer to help pay his way through high school and college.

Upon graduating from Harvard University with a Masters degree in computer science, Hadi pursued a career in technology, starting at Microsoft, where he rose into the executive ranks. He founded two startups: Tellme Networks (acquired by Microsoft) and iLike (acquired by Newscorp). Hadi now invests and advises other technology startups.

In 2013 Hadi and his twin brother Ali launched the education nonprofit Code.org, which Hadi continues to lead full-time as CEO. Code.org has established computer science classes reaching 30% of US students, created the most broadly used curriculum platform for K-12 computer science, and launched the global Hour of Code movement that has reached hundreds of millions of students spanning every country in the world.

Hadi has served as an early advisor or investor at many tech startups, including Facebook, Dropbox, airbnb, and Uber. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Axon and MNTN.

Dr. Rod Berger is a keynote speaker, moderator, producer, author, and expert in strategic storytelling. Berger’s book, The Narrative Edge: Authentic Storytelling That Meets The Moment (Wiley), hits bookstores in late 2025. He draws on more than 4,000 interviews conducted worldwide for Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Fair Observer, including a cover story about former Virgin Entertainment co-founder Jason Felts, for Los Angeles Magazine, as well as various podcasts. He has captured the narratives of investors, CEOs, renowned entrepreneurs, bestselling authors, scholars, and cultural icons such as NBA legends Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley, as well as United Nations officials and Van Halen’s Sammy Hagar, while also exploring the behind-the-scenes world of Formula 1.

Berger has met with the Crown Princess of Sweden, Pope Francis, United Nations officials, and NGO leaders, covering stories of water insecurity with WaterAid, the intergenerational refugee crisis faced by displaced Sudanese in Uganda, and the impacts of child marriage in Western Africa with the Le Korsa Foundation.

Berger served as a guest lecturer at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management for nearly two decades, focusing on the power of storytelling in business.

He has partnered with The Jim Henson Company to create a television show, The Ultimate GOAT, that combines his passion for distant lands and storytelling with culture, sports, and puppetry for family programming.

Berger conducts moderated keynote events that blend storytelling with live, on-stage narratives featuring cultural icons such as Opal Lee, the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and recognized as the “Grandmother” of Juneteenth. In 2023, Berger received the inaugural Pangea International Literacy Prize and delivered his TEDx Talk, “Story is Our Currency.” He lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife and two children.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

HeadRoom with Conrad Wolfram

Conrad Wolfram is the younger Wolfram of Wolfram Research—it's the brothers who started Wolfram|Alpha, Demonstrations, and the core underlying technology—Mathematica. Conrad founded the European Wolfram Research in 1991 after his brother Stephen set up the headquarters in the US.
Since 1997 Conrad has also been strategic director of the worldwide group and initiated and directed their business, marketing, design, and a variety of strategic technical projects - everything from the CDF Player concept to webMathematica (which underlies Wolfram|Alpha) to conceptualizing wolfram.com. In doing this, Wolfram has formed new concepts of management, including the early use of website design to define strategy, "strategic bundles," and industry solutions sites as a way to verticalize activities.

Wolfram is interested in how technology and computation can move our lives and economies forward and, in turn, how this affects education. In particular, Wolfram realized that the school subject of maths has become almost totally discrepant from its real-world application, and in 2010 founded computerbasedmath.org to address this worldwide.

In 2020, Wolfram released The Math(s) Fix: An Education Blueprint for the AI Age. It exposes why maths education is in crisis worldwide and how the only fix is a fundamentally new mainstream subject—not only identifying the problem but also proposing a detailed solution and suggesting some of the ways we might get there.

Wolfram has an MA from Cambridge University, UK, where he studied physics and mathematics.s

Dr. Rod Berger is a keynote speaker, moderator, producer, author, and expert in strategic storytelling. Berger’s book, The Narrative Edge: Authentic Storytelling That Meets The Moment (Wiley), hits bookstores in late 2025. He draws on more than 4,000 interviews conducted worldwide for Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Fair Observer, including a cover story about former Virgin Entertainment co-founder Jason Felts, for Los Angeles Magazine, as well as various podcasts. He has captured the narratives of investors, CEOs, renowned entrepreneurs, bestselling authors, scholars, and cultural icons such as NBA legends Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley, as well as United Nations officials and Van Halen’s Sammy Hagar, while also exploring the behind-the-scenes world of Formula 1.

Berger has met with the Crown Princess of Sweden, Pope Francis, United Nations officials, and NGO leaders, covering stories of water insecurity with WaterAid, the intergenerational refugee crisis faced by displaced Sudanese in Uganda, and the impacts of child marriage in Western Africa with the Le Korsa Foundation.

Berger served as a guest lecturer at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management for nearly two decades, focusing on the power of storytelling in business.

He has partnered with The Jim Henson Company to create a television show, The Ultimate GOAT, that combines his passion for distant lands and storytelling with culture, sports, and puppetry for family programming.

Berger conducts moderated keynote events that blend storytelling with live, on-stage narratives featuring cultural icons such as Opal Lee, the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and recognized as the “Grandmother” of Juneteenth. In 2023, Berger received the inaugural Pangea International Literacy Prize and delivered his TEDx Talk, “Story is Our Currency.” He lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife and two children.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

HeadRoom with Chris Brickley - With nearly 60 NBA players as clients and a viral online following, Chris Brickley is one of the most sought-after NBA skills trainers. Based in New York, his off-season workouts attract NBA titans and up-and-comers as well as music icons. Chris shares his training moments with his 1.5 million Instagram followers - blurring the lines between coaching, social media influence, and hoops culture.

After cultivating a strong relationship with stars like Carmelo Anthony while serving as a player development coach for the New York Knicks, Brickley eventually left to pursue his own lane.

Since then, he has carved himself a niche as an influencer at the intersection of fashion, music, and lifestyle. His gym’s All-Star open runs receive millions of impressions. Brand partners include Puma, Wilson, NBA2K, Bose, BODYARMOR, Lids, Google Pixel and Therabody.

Dr. Rod Berger is a keynote speaker, moderator, producer, author, and expert in strategic storytelling. Berger’s book, The Narrative Edge: Authentic Storytelling That Meets The Moment (Wiley), hits bookstores in late 2025. He draws on more than 4,000 interviews conducted worldwide for Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Fair Observer, including a cover story about former Virgin Entertainment co-founder Jason Felts, for Los Angeles Magazine, as well as various podcasts. He has captured the narratives of investors, CEOs, renowned entrepreneurs, bestselling authors, scholars, and cultural icons such as NBA legends Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley, as well as United Nations officials and Van Halen’s Sammy Hagar, while also exploring the behind-the-scenes world of Formula 1.

Berger has met with the Crown Princess of Sweden, Pope Francis, United Nations officials, and NGO leaders, covering stories of water insecurity with WaterAid, the intergenerational refugee crisis faced by displaced Sudanese in Uganda, and the impacts of child marriage in Western Africa with the Le Korsa Foundation.

Berger served as a guest lecturer at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management for nearly two decades, focusing on the power of storytelling in business.

He has partnered with The Jim Henson Company to create a television show, The Ultimate GOAT, that combines his passion for distant lands and storytelling with culture, sports, and puppetry for family programming.

Berger conducts moderated keynote events that blend storytelling with live, on-stage narratives featuring cultural icons such as Opal Lee, the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and recognized as the “Grandmother” of Juneteenth. In 2023, Berger received the inaugural Pangea International Literacy Prize and delivered his TEDx Talk, “Story is Our Currency.” He lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife and two children.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

HeadRoom with Dr. Lee Berger

Paleoanthropology, Research, Human Ancestors

Dr. Berger and Dr. Berger (yeah, that's right) discuss Lee's Netflix documentary about his book, Cave of Bones, and his perspective on life and the big questions still remaining about our species.

Lee Berger is an award-winning paleoanthropologist whose explorations into human origins on the African continent, Asia, and Micronesia for the past three decades have resulted in many new discoveries, including the discovery of two new species of early human relatives – Australopithecus sediba and Homo naledi. These discoveries were recognized by the Smithsonian as among the ten most important scientific discoveries of the decade in 2020. A current National Geographic Explorer in Residence, Berger won the first National Geographic Society Research and Exploration Prize in 1997. He was also named the Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year in 2016 and, two years later, became an Explorer at Large. In 2016 he was named one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. Berger has held positions at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa since 1991, where until recently, he served as the Phillip Tobias Chair in Human Evolution. He has also served in a number of advisory roles, including the Global Young Academy, the Jane Goodall Institute South Africa, and has chaired the Fulbright Commission. As an Explorer in Residence, Berger leads National Geographic’s “Rising Star” project, named for the cave system and fossil site in southern Africa, where he conducts his research. Teams under his leadership have recovered more individual hominid remains in sub-equatorial Africa over the last decade than were recovered in the previous 90 years. The 2015 PBS Nova National Geographic documentary "Dawn of Humanity," about Berger’s discovery of Homo naledi and the Rising Star expedition was nominated for an Emmy. Berger’s curiosity and passion for understanding the roots of humanity powers his work to advance knowledge about the origins of our species.

Dr. Rod Berger is a keynote speaker, moderator, producer, author, and expert in strategic storytelling. Berger’s book, The Narrative Edge: Authentic Storytelling That Meets The Moment (Wiley), hits bookstores in late 2025. He draws on more than 4,000 interviews conducted worldwide for Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Fair Observer, including a cover story about former Virgin Entertainment co-founder Jason Felts, for Los Angeles Magazine, as well as various podcasts. He has captured the narratives of investors, CEOs, renowned entrepreneurs, bestselling authors, scholars, and cultural icons such as NBA legends Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley, as well as United Nations officials and Van Halen’s Sammy Hagar, while also exploring the behind-the-scenes world of Formula 1.

Berger has met with the Crown Princess of Sweden, Pope Francis, United Nations officials, and NGO leaders, covering stories of water insecurity with WaterAid, the intergenerational refugee crisis faced by displaced Sudanese in Uganda, and the impacts of child marriage in Western Africa with the Le Korsa Foundation.

Berger served as a guest lecturer at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management for nearly two decades, focusing on the power of storytelling in business.

He has partnered with The Jim Henson Company to create a television show, The Ultimate GOAT, that combines his passion for distant lands and storytelling with culture, sports, and puppetry for family programming.

Berger conducts moderated keynote events that blend storytelling with live, on-stage narratives featuring cultural icons such as Opal Lee, the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and recognized as the “Grandmother” of Juneteenth. In 2023, Berger received the inaugural Pangea International Literacy Prize and delivered his TEDx Talk, “Story is Our Currency.” He lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife and two children.

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