This conversation explores the intersection of creativity, organizational well-being, and human flourishing with Dr. Yagnik, author of "Radioactive Flourishing." He discusses how creativity acts as a buffer against stress and polarization, comparing it to a Phoenix force that can transform individuals and organizations. Dr. Yagnik emphasizes that creativity is innate but often suppressed by standardization, and warns against consultants becoming overly reliant on "hammer" solutions using the same approach for every client. He advocates for incorporating laughter, breaking trends, ensuring adequate sleep, and remembering that work is part of life, not life itself.

In this episode of Orbrick Road, we sit down with Dr. Arpan Yagnik, Program Chair at Penn State University, for a thought-provoking conversation about the intersection of happiness, creativity, and fear in the workplace. Expect deep insights into why businesses should care about employee wellbeing, practical perspectives on organizational culture and systems design, and philosophical reflections on what truly drives human performance. Dr. Yagnik challenges conventional approaches to measuring success and offers refreshing viewpoints on trust, play, and psychological safety in modern organizations.

Karthik Pillai has a long tenure spanning GoldmanSachs, CreditSuisse, UBS, and Osthus where he worked on complex regulatory, data, and technology transformations.a finance and governance professional shares counterintuitive insights on organizational culture and project management. He argues that successful governance stems from aligning teams with a company's North Star rather than pursuing perfect processes, challenges the overemphasis on collaboration, and advocates for hiring adults you can trust instead of micromanaging. His core message: eliminate micromanagement, trust your team's expertise, and let people do the jobs they were hired for.

Naveen Mauwala shares two decades of wisdom on reimagining post-implementation support as a transformation engine rather than just "keeping the lights on." Discover how proactive support initiatives unlock hidden ROI through untapped features, why senior leadership sponsorship matters more after go-live, and how AI Agent Studio is simplifying enterprise AI adoption. Learn from real-world examples of customers who discovered hundreds of unused features that dramatically improved productivity and user experience.

Cybersecurity expert Smit Kotadia debunks common myths about small business immunity, revealing that 43% of attacks target SMEs and threats often come from within organizations. He warns of emerging AI-powered threats like deepfakes and zero-click vulnerabilities, emphasizing that human behavior remains cybersecurity's weakest link. The future will see "AI vs AI" warfare between automated threats and autonomous defense systems.

Join Sajna Samad, Oracle's Digital Transformation Expert with 18+ years of experience, as she reveals why 40% of AI projects fail and how to build AI initiatives that actually deliver business value. Learn the essential 5-question framework for creating your AI North Star, discover why AI is no longer just an IT decision but a boardroom priority, and get practical insights on implementing responsible AI with proper governance. Walk away with a clear roadmap to transform your AI approach from trendy experimentation to strategic advantage.

An insightful conversation with Dr. Prathmesh Madhu, a PhD in AI from Germany with over a decade of experience in production AI systems. The discussion covers his unique journey from computer vision research in art history and archaeology to real-world AI implementations in consulting. Dr. Madhu shares practical advice on identifying good AI use cases, the evolution of reasoning in AI systems, and the changing landscape of AI jobs. He offers uncommon wisdom on continuous learning, collaboration over competition, and the importance of understanding problem spaces before jumping into solutions.

This episode explores the transition from fintech to product development, highlighting the shift in priorities—from speed and process-driven development in fintech to scalability and user experience in product-based companies. The discussion delves into the impact of AI on fraud detection, content moderation, and the evolving role of human oversight.

The conversation also touches on the intersection of art and technology, questioning the value of human-created art in an era of AI-generated content. Additionally, the speakers reflect on AI's role in shaping the future of work, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, critical thinking, and creativity as essential human skills. The episode concludes with insights on navigating the AI revolution and embracing continuous learning in an ever-changing digital landscape.

In this episode, we explore the evolution of Managed Services from system fixes to a strategic enabler driving ROI, efficiency, and innovation. Learn about real-world examples, best practices like problem-solving, proactive engagement, knowledge sharing, and the role of secure processes. Discover why CXOs must focus on measurable outcomes and sustained post-implementation efforts for maximum impact.

This Halloween, Oracle experts Ishan and Mitesh share spine-chilling stories of IT blunders—from overlooked customizations to cloud security gaps and chaotic system integrations. Tune in to learn from their advice on avoiding these haunting tech pitfalls.