Niamh Cooper has a way with words. Whether she's helping a global brand craft compelling content or guiding aspiring writers to start their first story, her passion for storytelling runs deep.

00:00 – Introduction: Meet Niamh Cooper

03:40 – Launching “Word Matters”

04:13 – Writing for Humans in an AI World

10:12 – Enter the Stan Challenge

13:00 – Starting a 30-Day Writing Challenge

16:16 – The “Find Your Voice” Retreat

20:04 – What’s Ahead: Word Matters & Beyond

24:11 – Final Thoughts: Reignite Your Voice

Watch or Listen to The Global DiscussionSpotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfzyvca6EVlEJ80I4nWeb ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.com⁠YouTube ► / @theglobaldiscussion Others ► LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook Join the newsletter via the website for updates on new episodes

Jamie Schwartzman, Founder of Flux Branding and a seasoned brand strategist with over three decades of experience in creative direction, psychology, and business transformation, speaks with Host Simon Hodgkins in this episode.

0:00 – Introduction & Welcome

1:07 – What Is Brand Strategy?

3:14 – Brand as a Long-Term Asset

5:25 – How AI Is Changing Branding

9:20 – The IDEA Method Explained

15:22 – The Concept Behind “Brilliant”

20:38 – What's Ahead: AI, Ethics & Embracing Change

25:55 – Final Thoughts: Find Your Radiance

Watch or Listen to The Global Discussion

Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfzyvca6EVlEJ80I4n

Web ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.com⁠

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There's something quietly electric about hearing someone talk when they've truly followed a hunch into uncharted territory and made something real out of it. That was the vibe when Pia Mailhot-Leichter, founder of Kollektiv Studio and author of Welcome to the Creative Club, joined The Global Discussion podcast with Host Simon Hodgkins.

00:00 - Welcome and Introduction

00:51 - Agency Life as a Creative SWAT Team

02:45 - The "Extinction Moment" That Changed Everything

03:47 - A Winding Path from NYC to Copenhagen

08:12 - Creativity Meets Coaching: A New Kind of Work

16:21 - Writing Welcome to the Creative Club

22:38 - What's Next: Audio Projects and Creative Flow

26:34 - A Parting Challenge for the Creatives

Watch or Listen to The Global Discussion

Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfzyvca6EVlEJ80I4n

Web ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.com⁠

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Host Simon Hodgkins catches up with David Carson, a marketing innovator and creative strategist who has turned the idea of "dumb thinking" into a superpower. With a rich background in advertising, entertainment, and brand innovation, David shares his unconventional philosophy that might inspire your next big idea.

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

01:45 - Dumb Ideas as the Secret Sauce

02:19 - What is Demify?

05:25 - Dumb Ideas that Changed the World

10:05 - The Trap of Being Too Smart

15:09 - AI & Generating Dumb Ideas

20:38 - Working with Big Brands

26:07 - Final Thoughts: Let Your Dumb Ideas Fly

Listen to The Global Discussion

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Host Simon Hodgkins welcomed a genuinely inspiring guest: Kim Mackenzie-Doyle, Instigator and CEO of The Big Idea. With a powerful personal story and a passion for reshaping education through creativity and problem-solving, Kim is not just talking about change—she’s building it from the ground up.

00:00 – Welcome & Guest Introduction

00:26 – From Trauma to Firestarter

02:10 – Discovering Design & Defying Expectations

03:40 – The Birth of The Big Idea

06:30 – Education Reform, ADHD, & Mass Collaboration

09:59 – Behind the Scenes: How The Big Idea Works

12:33 – Real Stories, Real Impact

15:05 – What’s Next for The Big Idea & Kim

Listen to The Global Discussion

Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfzyvca6EVlEJ80I4n

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In this episode of The Global Discussion, Matt Lyles—Customer Experience (CX) Consultant, Keynote Speaker, and member of the Board of Directors at CX Accelerator, joins Host Simon Hodgkins for a wide-ranging conversation that unpacked the evolving world of customer and employee experience. With a career rooted in marketing, brand management, and CX leadership at FedEx, Matt now helps businesses worldwide build loyalty through one powerful principle: simplicity.

00:00 - Welcome & Introduction to Matt Lyles

00:44 - Matt’s Journey: From FedEx to CX Consultant

04:11 - AI vs. Human Touch: Finding the Right Balance in CX

06:59 - Airline Industry Lessons: Loyalty vs. Cost-Cutting

09:42 - The Power of Community: What is CX Accelerator?

12:50 - The Business Case for Customer Experience and Simplicity

15:33 - The Simple Brand Podcast and the Link Between CX & Employee Experience

Listen to The Global Discussion

• Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfzyvca6EVlEJ80I4n

• Web ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.com⁠

• YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/@theglobaldiscussion/videos

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Follow The Global Discussion on LinkedIn, YouTube, Spotify, and more! Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from Creatives, Leaders, and Thinkers on The Global Discussion.

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In this episode of The Global Discussion, Host Simon Hodgkins speaks with Jamie Mackenzie, a multi-bestselling author, international speaker, and coach. Jamie's journey is one of transformation—shifting from a high-flying corporate career to a mission-driven path focused on growth and storytelling. His passion for the power of stories has not only shaped his own success but is now inspiring businesses, individuals, and even schools.

00:00 Introduction

02:20 The Story Behind 28 Bags of Sprouts

09:34 From Corporate CMO to Bestselling Author

14:49 Who Jamie Works With

19:27 The Role of AI in Storytelling

23:24 Looking Ahead: The Next 12 Months

25:37 Final Thoughts & How to Connect

Listen to The Global Discussion

• Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfzyvca6EVlEJ80I4n

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Mack Garrison, Co-Founder of Dash Studio, a high-end animation and motion design agency, joins Host Simon Hodgkins on this episode of The Global Discussion. Mack's passion for creativity, problem-solving, and community-building shone through as he shared insights on the evolving landscape of motion design, marketing, and the power of authentic storytelling.

00:00 - Introduction

00:26 - How Mack Garrison Got Into Motion Design

03:10 - What Is High-End Animation and Motion Design

05:55 - The Secret to High-End Content & Authenticity

09:10 - The Changing Marketing Landscape & The Digital Shelf

14:11 - The Future of Creative Work & Remote Collaboration

18:37 - AI in Motion Design: Opportunity or Threat?

Listen to The Global Discussion

• Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfzyvca6EVlEJ80I4n

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Jaime Schwarz joined The Global Discussion podcast with Host Simon Hodgkins, offering deep insights into the future of branding, AI-driven brand identity, and the evolving role of businesses in a post-AI world. His journey—from a successful career in advertising to pioneering brand therapy and digital authentication—reveals a visionary approach to brand-building that prioritizes authenticity, adaptability, and technological evolution.

00:00 - Welcome & Introduction

01:00 - From Psychology to Advertising

03:15 - Brand Therapy - Empowering Brands to Listen and Speak

06:30 - How AI is Changing Branding

10:45 - The Power of Team Flow in Business

15:20 - Web3 & The Future of Digital Ownership

18:50 - The Entrepreneurial Mindset: Founders vs. Business Builders

Listen to The Global Discussion

• Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfzyvca6EVlEJ80I4n

• Web ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.com⁠

• YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/@theglobaldiscussion/videos

• Others ► LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook Join the newsletter via the website for updates on new episodes

Billy Samoa Saleebey, Co-Founder and CEO of Podify, joins Host Simon Hodgkins in this episode of The Global Discussion. Billy shared his incredible journey—from making films in Hollywood to revolutionizing onboarding at Tesla and now leading the charge in the podcasting industry.

00:00 - Welcome & Introduction

00:54 - From Hollywood to Solar Energy

03:11 - Working at Tesla & Creating a Global Onboarding Program

04:18 - The Shift to Podcasting & Founding Podify

06:54 - Lessons from Podcasting & First Principles Thinking

10:53 - The Secret to Podcast Growth & What Makes a Show Shareable

22:37 - Why YouTube is Essential for Podcasters

30:31 - Final Thoughts & How to Connect with Billy

Listen to The Global Discussion

• Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfzyvca6EVlEJ80I4n

• Web ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.com⁠

• YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/@theglobaldiscussion/videos

• Others ► LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook Join the newsletter via the website for updates on new episodes