Welcome to the premiere episode of The Luminary Lens, where heart meets strategy and stories spark transformation. Host Rebecca Kaykas-Wolff—a corporate marketing leader, salon curator, and founder of the Luminary Society—kicks off the series with John Hagel, acclaimed strategist and author of The Journey Beyond Fear.

In this candid and thoughtful conversation, John shares why fear—not flawed strategies—is often the greatest obstacle to growth, and how emotional intelligence, curiosity, and community can unlock new potential in the age of AI. Drawing from decades of experience in Silicon Valley, he outlines what it means to lead with purpose in rapidly evolving environments—and why passion is often missing from the workplace.

Rebecca brings her signature style of intentional conversation to explore the human side of transformation, making space for reflections that reach beyond business as usual.

In this episode:

• Why fear is driving resistance in leadership and organizations
• How to cultivate the “Passion of the Explorer” to sustain impact
• Why innovation demands emotional intelligence and creative risk
• A new model for strategy: Zoom Out to find the vision, Zoom In to make it real
• How leaders can embrace transformation without triggering resistance
• What it means to scale an “edge” and build toward a new core of growth

If you believe business needs more curiosity, courage, and humanity, this conversation is just the beginning.

Join the conversation using #LuminaryLens.