What If Instead? Podcast

In this episode of What If Instead?, Michelle Schenandoah, founder of the nonprofit Rematriation, joins Alejandro and Mim for a conversation about Haudenosaunee democracy, Indigenous matrilineal wisdom, and the possibilities for reimagining leadership and governance.

Michelle shares the principles of peace at the heart of Haudenosaunee democracy, a representative-based system that has sustained communities for over 1,000 years. She explores the importance of women's authority and insights within this tradition and how Indigenous knowledge can offer valuable perspectives on the challenges facing democratic systems today.

The conversation invites us to reconsider how power is distributed, whose perspectives shape our institutions, and what we can learn from traditions that place peace, collective well-being, and women's leadership at the center of decision-making.

Listen in to discover how Indigenous matrilineal wisdom can help us imagine more inclusive and balanced systems of leadership, and why looking to enduring traditions may offer new possibilities for the future of democracy.

In this episode, we explore:

• The Haudenosaunee and the history of one of the world’s oldest continuing representative-based democracies
• The principles of peace at the heart of Haudenosaunee democracy
• Michelle Schenandoah’s work as founder of the nonprofit Rematriation
• The role of women’s authority and insights in Haudenosaunee governance
• How Indigenous matrilineal wisdom offers a blueprint for rebalancing power
• What contemporary leaders and organizations can learn from Indigenous approaches to governance
• How collective wisdom, shared responsibility, and peace can shape more inclusive systems
• What it means to rethink democracy by asking whose voices are heard and valued

Connect with the Podcast Co-Hosts:

• Alejandro Juárez Crawford: LinkedIn
• Mim Plavin-Masterman: LinkedIn

Connect with Michelle Schenandoah, Founder, Rematriation:

• Michelle Schenandoah: LinkedIn
• Rematriated Voices: https://www.rematriatedvoices.org/
• Rematriation: https://www.rematriation.org/
• Ms. Magazine article in the Feminist250 series, “Haudenosaunee Governance: The Matrilineal Democracy That Shaped America” - https://msmagazine.com/2026/03/05/haudenosaunee-government-matrilineal-democracy-america-constitution-native-women/
• Cultural Survival article, “We’re Not Feminists, We’re the Law” - https://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/were-not-feminists-were-law

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What if Instead? is produced with generous support from:

The Democratizing Innovation Institute

Ever look around you and ask what if instead things worked differently?

The institute takes what we used to think only innovators and entrepreneurs did, and makes it normal. 

 We're on a mission to provide the tools, the space, and the connections to ask the question in practice—by taking part in an experiment in how things could work.

Social Impact Lab BRACU

Learn More About:

One Size Fits None: Time for an Entrepreneurial Revolution

One Size Fits None: Time for an Entrepreneurial Revolution on Spotify

One Size Fits None: Time for an Entrepreneurial Revolution on Audible

More From What If Instead?  

Diseconomies of Scale | Michael Shuman

Mentorship & Collaboration: The Alignment That Changes The World | Evelina Van Mensel and Martin Nedev

Talking To People Who Think Like Us Has Made Us Stagnant | Trevor Vaughn and Hunter Buffington

A System for Unexpected Connections | David Garrison

Why Building Communities with Fire-Resilient Standards is a Game Changer | Alister Watt

SPECIAL EPISODE: One Size Fits None Time for an Entrepreneurial Revolution is available on Audiobook

Changing the World of Non-Fiction | Ramona Liberoff 

Why an Experimental Mindset Matters in Leadership and Innovation
 

In this episode, Steve Brookstein, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Management of Innovation at the Saunders School of Business at RIT, joins Alejandro and Mim for a conversation about the mindset necessary to lead and innovate in an entrepreneurial environment.  They explain why embracing failure, humility, and an experimentation mindset is critical to your organization's success. 

Steve shares his philosophy that “it takes someone very big to be small,” challenging the idea that entrepreneurs and leaders need to project certainty or have all the answers. Instead, creating the conditions for innovation often means being willing to acknowledge mistakes, listen to others, and learn from failure.

Listen in to explore how a growth mindset can transform the way entrepreneurs and organizations approach innovation, and how some of history’s greatest success stories emerged from failure rather than in spite of it.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why a fear of failure can hold entrepreneurs and organizations back
• Steve Brookstein’s philosophy that “it takes someone very big to be small”
• What a growth mindset looks like in entrepreneurship and innovation
• The principles of bottom-up innovation and why great ideas don’t always come from the top
• How entrepreneurs and visionaries have used failure as fuel for extraordinary success
• Why mistakes can be an essential part of the innovation process
• How organizations can create environments where experimentation and learning are encouraged
• How Steve plans to use One Size Fits None: Time for an Entrepreneurial Revolution in his upcoming class at RIT
• What it means to build a culture where people feel empowered to innovate

Connect with the Podcast Co-Hosts:

• Alejandro Juárez Crawford: LinkedIn
• Mim Plavin-Masterman: LinkedIn

Connect with Steve, Adjunct Professor at Saunders College of Business :

• Steve Brookstein: LinkedIn

___________

What if Instead? is produced with generous support from:

The Democratizing Innovation Institute

Ever look around you and ask what if instead things worked differently?

The institute takes what we used to think only innovators and entrepreneurs did, and makes it normal. 

 We're on a mission to provide the tools, the space, and the connections to ask the question in practice—by taking part in an experiment in how things could work.

Social Impact Lab BRACU

Learn More About:

One Size Fits None: Time for an Entrepreneurial Revolution

One Size Fits None: Time for an Entrepreneurial Revolution on Spotify

One Size Fits None: Time for an Entrepreneurial Revolution on Audible

More From What If Instead?  

Diseconomies of Scale | Michael Shuman

Mentorship & Collaboration: The Alignment That Changes The World | Evelina Van Mensel and Martin Nedev

Talking To People Who Think Like Us Has Made Us Stagnant | Trevor Vaughn and Hunter Buffington

A System for Unexpected Connections | David Garrison

Why Building Communities with Fire-Resilient Standards is a Game Changer | Alister Watt

SPECIAL EPISODE: One Size Fits None Time for an Entrepreneurial Revolution is available on Audiobook

Changing the World of Non-Fiction | Ramona Liberoff 
 

In this episode, our dear friend (and the narrator of the audiobook version of  "One Size Fits None: Time for an Entrepreneurial Revolution") Ramona Liberoff talks about the crisis facing non-fiction and publishing, why traditional approaches to book discovery and summaries are falling short, and how Gist is creating a new kind of bridge back to long-form reading.

Rather than asking people to simply pay attention for longer, Gist is asking a different question: What if technology could help us remember how to pay attention again?

Listen in to learn more about the problem Gist is tackling, why our curiosity still matters, and what it might take to bring people back to books.

In this episode, we explore the growing crisis in nonfiction and the disconnect between our appetite for ideas and our shrinking capacity for long-form attention.

Ramona Liberoff, founder of Gist, discusses:

And what if the way back to long-form reading isn't asking people to put their phones down — but giving them a reason to keep reading?

Connect with the Podcast Co-Hosts:

Connect with Ramona, Founder of Gist:

___________

What if Instead? is produced with generous support from:

The Democratizing Innovation Institute

Ever look around you and ask what if instead things worked differently?

The institute takes what we used to think only innovators and entrepreneurs did, and makes it normal. 

 We're on a mission to provide the tools, the space, and the connections to ask the question in practice—by taking part in an experiment in how things could work.

Social Impact Lab BRACU

Learn More About:

One Size Fits None: Time for an Entrepreneurial Revolution

One Size Fits None: Time for an Entrepreneurial Revolution on Spotify

One Size Fits None: Time for an Entrepreneurial Revolution on Audible

More From What If Instead?  

Diseconomies of Scale | Michael Shuman

Mentorship & Collaboration: The Alignment That Changes The World | Evelina Van Mensel and Martin Nedev

Talking To People Who Think Like Us Has Made Us Stagnant | Trevor Vaughn and Hunter Buffington

A System for Unexpected Connections | David Garrison

Why Building Communities with Fire-Resilient Standards is a Game Changer | Alister Watt

SPECIAL EPISODE: One Size Fits None Time for an Entrepreneurial Revolution is available on Audiobook

*SPECIAL EPISODE* One Size Fits None: Time for an Entrepreneurial Revolution is now available as an audiobook!

In this episode, we give you an exclusive sneak peek into the book that launched experiments all around the world. For the first time ever, you can listen to: 

00:00 - *SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE AUTHORS*

00:30 -  Introduction to One Size Fits None: Time for an Entrepreneurial Revolution

08:24 - Part One: The Real Cost of the Hockey Stick: Chapter One: No Recourse

Connect with the authors:

Connect with the narrator:

Additional Notes: The institutions and infrastructures currently in place are not working. We all feel it. Our world is more expensive, but less responsive to our needs. Why is this happening? And what can we do to fix it? 

Keep listening and find out!

What if Instead? is produced with generous support from:

The Democratizing Innovation Institute

Ever look around you and ask what if instead things worked differently?

The institute takes what we used to think only innovators and entrepreneurs did, and makes it normal. 

 We're on a mission to provide the tools, the space, and the connections to ask the question in practice—by taking part in an experiment in how things could work.

Social Impact Lab BRACU

Learn More About:

One Size Fits None: Time for an Entrepreneurial Revolution

One Size Fits None: Time for an Entrepreneurial Revolution on Spotify

More From What If Instead?  

Diseconomies of Scale | Michael Shuman

Mentorship & Collaboration: The Alignment That Changes The World | Evelina Van Mensel and Martin Nedev

Talking To People Who Think Like Us Has Made Us Stagnant | Trevor Vaughn and Hunter Buffington

A System for Unexpected Connections | David Garrison

Why Building Communities with Fire-Resilient Standards is a Game Changer | Alister Watt

Building Resilience: Wildfire and Storm Mitigation Strategies with Alister Watt

In this episode, we explore how communities and insurers can work together to create wildfire and storm-resilient buildings. Alistair Watt, Chief Product Officer at the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS), shares insights on innovative building standards, community collaboration, and the science-backed strategies to prepare for increasingly severe climate events.Key Topics:

Timestamps:00:00 - The emotional and physical shift before going live in performance or a public speaking event

00:50 - Personal approaches to handling pre-performance nerves: pacing vs. internalizing

01:59 - The importance of audience and peer feedback in performance confidence

02:28 - Out-of-head mindset and flow in storytelling and presentation

02:55 - Building resilience through innovative, standards-based construction for wildfire safety

04:28 - How homeowners and insurers should think about rebuilding after wildfires

05:30 - California wildfire landscape: spacing, materials, and community planning strategies

06:43 - Wildfire preparedness neighborhood programs and mitigation standards

07:57 - The significance of non-combustible zones and fire barriers in urban settings

08:45 - Community-wide wildfire mitigation practices and the role of local zoning laws

09:59 - The science behind wildfire behavior, ember transport, and mitigation measures

11:05 - Examples of older, historic buildings and how they can be adapted for fire safety

12:15 - The role of science and experiments in understanding wildfire vulnerabilities

13:22 - How demonstration projects like KB Home’s wildfire resilient neighborhood are changing perceptions

14:07 - The speed of institutional change and community buy-in to resilient building practices

15:06 - The importance of neighborhood models and external fuels management in wildfire protection

16:05 - How connective fuels and landscaping decisions influence fire spread at community level

17:09 - The KB Home wildfire resilient neighborhood project as a model for broader adoption

18:41 - The demonstration of resilience: building to standards that withstand wildfire

19:40 - The rapid deployment and success of wildfire resilient communities

21:24 - The importance of stakeholder alignment and quick action in mitigation efforts

22:14 - Strategies for replicating resilient building practices in other municipalities

23:52 - The role of regulation, incentives, and community engagement in scaling innovation

25:44 - How to foster a culture of proactive wildfire and storm preparedness

27:21 - The importance of legislation, grants, and insurance recognition in promoting resilient construction

28:54 - The economic and community benefits of initial investments in resilience

29:44 - The concept of wildfire mitigation as a social good, akin to “Bowling Alone” community engagement

30:41 - The impact of worsening climate conditions on risk perception and mitigation adoption

31:22 - Where market innovation and policy can align to accelerate climate resilience solutions

34:11 - Passive vs. active mitigation strategies for hurricanes and severe storms

35:49 - The science behind wind and water damage mitigation and the building standards involved

36:40 - Lessons from earthquake-prone regions like Japan and the importance of enforcement

37:35 - Addressing headwinds: complacency, cost, and institutional inertia in wildfire and storm preparedness

40:17 - Regional variations and the adaptation of mitigation practices in different parts of the U.S.

41:40 - State-level initiatives and legislative efforts to promote wind and wildfire mitigation

43:02 - How public awareness, demonstration projects, and insurance incentives can motivate community action

45:17 - The influence of risk pricing on insurance and building practices

46:44 - The value of international collaboration in wildfire and wind engineering research

48:15 - Final thoughts from Alistair Watt on the future of climate resilience and global knowledge sharingResources & Links:

Connect with Alistair Watt:

Additional Notes: As climate risks mount worldwide, the integration of science, community planning, and innovative building standards emerges as the crucial approach to safeguarding communities. The rapid demonstration and adoption seen through projects like the KB Home neighborhood exemplify how targeted efforts can foster systemic change.

What if Instead? is produced with generous support from:

The Democratizing Innovation Institute

Ever look around you and ask what if instead things worked differently?

The institute takes what we used to think only innovators and entrepreneurs did, and makes it normal. 

 We're on a mission to provide the tools, the space, and the connections to ask the question in practice—by taking part in an experiment in how things could work.

Social Impact Lab BRACU

Learn More About:

One Size Fits None: Time for an Entrepreneurial Revolution

More From What If Instead?  

Diseconomies of Scale | Michael Shuman

Mentorship & Collaboration: The Alignment That Changes The World | Evelina Van Mensel and Martin Nedev

Talking To People Who Think Like Us Has Made Us Stagnant | Trevor Vaughn and Hunter Buffington

A System for Unexpected Connections | David Garrison

What if Instead? is produced with generous support from:

The Democratizing Innovation Institute

Ever look around you and ask what if instead things worked differently?

The institute takes what we used to think only innovators and entrepreneurs did, and makes it normal. 

 We're on a mission to provide the tools, the space, and the connections to ask the question in practice—by taking part in an experiment in how things could work.

Social Impact Lab BRACU

Learn More About:

TEDx: The Problem with Your Cup of Coffee | Antonio Castillo

Finca La Lechuza Coffee Roasters

7 Jaguars Coffee

Ceiba Coffee Solutions

Lead the Change: The Bard MBA in Sustainability

One Size Fits None: Time for an Entrepreneurial Revolution

Key Themes & Insights:

The Invisible Bridge Between Worlds — Making the unseen connection between consumer and farmer visible as the foundation for structural change.

Efficiency at Whose Cost? — Reframing the industry's optimization logic by asking who actually captures the gains and who bears the hidden costs.

Storytelling as an Economic Tool — Treating narrative not as marketing but as a structural lever that shifts bargaining power back to producers.

Courage as a Collective Practice — Showing that courage is built incrementally through community and iteration, not something you start with.

The Value of Artisan Process — Arguing that craft and provenance aren't lifestyle preferences but the architecture of a different kind of economy.

More From What If Instead?  

Diseconomies of Scale | Michael Shuman

Mentorship & Collaboration: The Alignment That Changes The World | Evelina Van Mensel and Martin Nedev

Talking To People Who Think Like Us Has Made Us Stagnant | Trevor Vaughn and Hunter Buffington

A System for Unexpected Connections | David Garrison

Learn More About:

Connect Networks

One Size Fits None: Time for an Entrepreneurial Revolution

Climate & Capital Connect

Climate & Capital Media

Sponsors:

Democratizing Innovation

Social Impact Lab

Key Themes & Insights:

The Power of Intentional Networking: How treating connections as systems — not byproducts — changes the way people, ideas, and opportunities intersect.

Mutual Value Over Transactions: Why thinking long-term and reciprocity-first can create more resilient and unexpected collaborations.

Practical Frameworks for Connection: Actionable ideas for structuring your own Rolodex, calendar, or network flows to support discovery and innovation.

Overcoming Scarcity Mindsets: Reframing the fear of “giving away your contacts” toward seeing shared connections as generative.

More From What If Instead?

Mentorship & Collaboration: The Alignment That Changes The World — Evelina Van Mensel & Martin Nedev

Unlocking Potential Through Experiential Learning — Tomas Mora Selva & Huang Wei-Jou

What If Philanthropy Got It Right? — Robert Osborne 

Key Takeaways/Calls to Action:

• For Individuals: Actively experiment in your career to find genuine fulfillment. Consciously manage your "personal overhead" to maximize your agility and options. Consider how your time, talent, and resources can be directed toward solving pressing global challenges.
• For Innovators & Entrepreneurs: Beyond celebrating disruption, take full accountability for the "second-order effects" and broader societal impacts of your innovations.
• For Society & Policy Leaders: Proactively implement "hospice care" strategies to support individuals and communities affected by systemic transitions. Structure incentives and "bounties" to accelerate vital innovations, outcompeting entrenched, inferior old systems. Critically, understand that the energy transition is an inevitable "when," and global leadership will fall to those who embrace and invest in this future now.

Suggested Resources

• CIBO Technologies – Scaling regenerative incentives
• XPRIZE (for Carbon Removal) – Innovation through competition
• Spark Global – Climate innovation with a systems lens

• https://www.rhythmofregulation.com/polyvagal-theory
• https://leveninstitute.com/who-we-are/

• Dan Lee's Congressional Campaign 
• YURA Health
• Run For Something
• The Arena PAC