Today I’m joined by Al Samuels from the Stanford MBA Class of 1995 and Joel Johnson from the Class of 2025.
Al is an award-winning stage, TV, and film actor, writer, and producer. He co-founded Spark Creative during our time at the GSB, bringing improvisation into business education long before it was a buzzword. His career spans Second City, Edinburgh Fringe, and dozens of corporate stages, all with a comedic twist and deep insight into team dynamics, creativity, and human connection.
Joel is currently completing a dual degree at Stanford: an MBA and a Master of Science in Computer Science. He also earned his undergraduate degree at Stanford with a Bachelor of Science in Symbolic Systems. During this time, he served as Vice President of the Undergraduate Veterans. A former U.S. Marine Arabic linguist, Joel brings a rare mix of technical skill, leadership, and storytelling—now channeling it into a startup that makes it easier for families to capture and preserve oral histories.
Together, we explore the creative tension between comedy and code, business and meaning, AI and ethics. This is a conversation about joy, agency, and improvisation—and why laughter might just be our best leadership skill in the face of a rapidly shifting world.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Reconnecting and Current Endeavors
03:04 The Importance of Oral History
06:12 Improv and Business School
08:52 Psychology Experiments and Authority
11:46 Military Experience and Personal Growth
18:02 Navigating Career Choices and Life Changes
23:59 Creativity in Business and AI Concerns
30:19 Navigating Choices and Joy in Career Paths
35:10 The Agony of Decision-Making
41:34 Understanding Agency and Decision-Making
48:22 The Impact of AI on Creativity and Employment
01:02:28 Reflections on the Future of AI and Humanity
CHAPTERS
Join the Podcast Series
Stanford MBA: From Baby Boomer to Gen Z | Class of ‘95 Meets Class of ‘25
Each of these episodes will feature a different pair of Stanford MBA people -- one from the class of 1995, and one from the class of 2025.
Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected with future episodes!
📺 Also available on YouTube:
Entire series playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSaVisoF0D_GKxVmHmakNxdpAJCb5_VTP
More info: https://www.katharinemclennan.com/
Contact: kath@katharinemclennan.com
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