In this MAGICademy episode with Naomi Clare Crellin, we went into a deep meditative state to explore how belonging serves as a fundamental human need with measurable impacts on wellbeing, productivity, and collective success. Through thoughtful research and frameworks like the "Wheel of Belonging," we discuss how intentionally designed experiences within a context/environment/culture can seek ways to foster authentic connection where everyone feels true belonging.

In this episode of the MAGICademy Podcast, we welcomes Genein Letford, a national thought leader and creator of "Lyrics & Leadership." This innovative program combines music, neural somatic leadership concepts, intercultural creativity, and prismatic leadership to help us unlock our creative potential. As America's Creative Coach, Genein explores how Prince's profound lyrics contain powerful leadership lessons, explains the science behind connecting our brain, mind and body to enhance creativity, and discusses how embracing curiosity and childlike wonder can transform personal and professional growth. The conversation delves into how music and movement can unite people across different cultures and perspectives, ultimately highlighting the importance of these creative approaches in an era where adaptability, resilience, and curiosity have become essential rather than optional skills in our rapidly evolving world.

On S5E10 of the @MAGICademy Podcast, we give a warm welcome to Robert Dunham! Bob is an expert in leadership development and founder of the Institute for Generative Leadership (IGL). We had an amazing conversation about generative leadership and what it truly means, how it generates positive things in our lives, and what motivates us and connects us as humans. 

According to Bob, we’re in a constant state of generation, whether they may be positive or negative. In this episode, we discuss how to focus our efforts on generating good for ourselves and others, how to reframe our way of thinking and open up to new possibilities, how to foster confidence in ourselves and our teams, and much more. 

Welcome to S5E8 of the @MAGICademy Podcast! Today we welcome Lorenz Sell as a guest for the show. Lorenz is a notable engineer recognized for his contributions to the electrical and mechanical systems fields, and building spaces and software to advance and help human connections. The developer side of this business is not often looked at, and he drops by the show to talk long and hard about human connections, spaces, and peace. Especially what these concepts mean and how we are supposed to see and live our life experiences to find meaning in them.

In this episode, we discuss the importance of spaces for heartfelt conversations and authentic human connections, the emotional quality of relationships, vulnerability and the importance of feeling seen and felt, the role of new technology in relational spaces, and much more!

Welcome to a new episode of the @MAGICademy podcast! Today on S5E4, our guest is Lisa Cannata, a leadership development expert currently associated with The Blanchard Companies, with over 27 years of diverse experience under her hat in developing new and interesting learning strategies. 

We talk a lot about mindfulness and the relation between a good state of mind and a good skill set to be a well-balanced and empathetic leader. As the work environment continues to evolve, the role of the leader needs to evolve as well, and Lisa shares a lot of valuable insights on this matter.

Currently based in Orlando, Florida, Lisa has focused on visionary learning and talent engagement, leveraging her extensive background in management and healthcare to enhance organizational effectiveness. In this episode, we delve into her pivot to Blanchard, multiculturalism and diversity in the workplace, and how to enter a focused state and concentrate to keep working when we don’t feel like it.

Welcome once again to the @MAGICademy Podcast! On S5E3 we give a warm welcome to Jelena Aleksich to the show. She is a creative entrepreneur, visual storyteller, and founder of The Confetti Project, which began as a photography challenge in her bedroom and now has evolved into a global mental health storytelling platform. We talk about our playfulness and how it’s often something that we ignore but it ends up being vital for us to have a healthy and balanced adult life.

Like many entrepreneurs, Jelena had a completely different background from what she ended up doing, starting as a psychology student and then pivoting to follow a more creative path. In this episode, we explore this pivot and the motivations behind it, the playful mindset and how to cultivate it, mental health and Jelena’s answer to the issue, and much more!

On S5E1 of the @MAGICademy Podcast we’re happy to welcome Stella Lee to the show. She is the Director of Paradox Learning, a consulting firm that specializes in developing innovative learning solutions across various sectors, and she has been working on digital learning strategy, design, and implementation for over 20 years, becoming a known figure in the e-learning and AI fields. We talk about her AI literacy framework, its importance within organizations, and the diverse uses of AI and other tools in education.

One of Stella’s key messages is that while AI can enhance skill development, it still requires significant human oversight to ensure accuracy and relevance, creating a necessity for L&D professionals to continuously evaluate AI-generated outputs. In this episode, we explore the need to improve the assessment part of the framework, the importance of feedback mechanisms, and how different tools can be used to improve the digital learning experience for different organizations.

On S4E9 of the @MAGICademy Podcast, we’re joined by Michael Rucker to talk about something we often forget to prioritize: having fun! Michael is an organizational psychologist, behavioral scientist, and author of “The Fun Habit: How the Pursuit of Joy and Wonder Can Change Your Life”. We talked about fun and happiness in organizations and in our personal lives, the different types of fun and how they have different effects on us, and how we react and process fun internally.

Michael's journey into the realm of fun began after a series of personal challenges in 2016, including the loss of his younger brother. This prompted him to reassess conventional approaches to happiness and led to the realization that chasing happiness often results in feelings of inadequacy. Michael talks about this and also shares some vital insights on fun and mental health while providing some tips on how to improve it by ourselves.

In S4E6, Dr. Keith Keating joins us at the @MAGICademy Podcast. He is an author and a learning advisor who’s passionate about encouraging and empowering people to take control of their futures by truly learning how to learn. We talk about his recent book, “The Trusted Learning Advisor” and his views on formal education, which require a change since they don’t provide the right tools for talents to fully develop their potential and be the figure the business needs them to be.

Dr. Keith shares some insight into business strategy; the pivoting from its business without a clear goal to what the Innovation Lab is now; and some other stories about learning and analyzing the potential and gaps in businesses, which invite reflection on how we, as professionals in the modern business environment, need to properly develop our talents and our company culture.

In S4E4 of the @MAGICademy Podcast, we are joined by Ben Nelson, the founder of Minerva University and a visionary educator and innovator. In this episode, Ben discusses the critical importance of wisdom in learning and its application in real-world contexts, emphasizing that critical wisdom goes beyond rote memorization; it involves applying practical knowledge in novel situations. 

Ben also shares his insights on how traditional learning models often fail to cultivate this essential skill, leading to a generation that is less-than-well-equipped for the complexities of modern life. He advocates for a shift towards nurturing critical wisdom (for both leaders and talents), which he defines as the appropriate application of knowledge in unfamiliar contexts. He highlights the need for lifelong learning as a means to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing world.

In this episode of the MAGICademy Podcast, Brendan, founder of IDEO Play Lab and a fruitable toy inventor discusses how integrating play into learning and work can lead to greater engagement and creativity. IDEO Play Lab is a global design consultancy helping the world’s most audacious dreamers create braver tomorrows. Through his iconic toys like Fisher-Price Jumperoo, Barbie Products, Pictionary Air, and Twister Air Brendan illustrates how maintaining a playful mindset can significantly improve the design process and combat boredom in the workplace.

💕Dive into the world of ADHD with @MAGICademy S3E8, featuring @Rawi Nanakul (He/Him), an experienced ADHD coach and tech industry product management expert. Discover the hidden potentials of ADHD talents and practical strategies for managing its challenges, including optimizing sleep, exercise, and meditation techniques. Whether you're diagnosed with it, suspect you might have it, or lead a neurodiverse team, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable advice toward a collaborative environment with overall well-being. 

💕 #MAGICademy S3E6, we had the great pleasure of meeting @Kouji Miki, founder of @Zen 2.0 to discover how Zenful meditation helps clear mental clutter to foster deep awareness, creativity, and true innovation by encouraging focused non-judgmental thinking. We'll also dive into how revisiting childhood memories helps uncover our innate passions and talents, guiding us toward a more authentic purpose, or Ikigai.

 #MAGICademy S3E3, we had the pleasure to meet @Thomas De Bruyne, an explorer in the emerging space between leadership development, virtual realities, and biometrics. He discusses how virtual reality & biometrics can radically shift and expand perspectives while biometrics measure such transformation through data of heart, mind, and body, enabling us to develop a deep sense of inner connection and resilience. Thomas also emphasizes the importance of psychological safety in creating a supportive and inclusive work environment. Thomas also highlights the role of curiosity and childlike wonder in fostering creativity and innovation.