In this thought-provoking episode, Greg Verdino and Geoff Livingston sit
down with media ecologist, leadership expert, and author Jack Myers for a wide-ranging conversation on the intersection of AI, leadership, creativity, and Taoist philosophy. Drawing on insights from his latest book, The Tao of Leadership, Jack shares why 3,000-year-old Taoist wisdom might be the perfect guide for navigating today’s era of AI and exponential technological change.
The conversation explores how principles like “leading by following” and “fusion flow” can help leaders move more fluidly through uncertainty, disruption, and accelerated innovation. Rather than building slow, rigid bridges to a future that keeps shifting, Jack advocates for fast-moving portals that help teams adapt in real time, led not just by technology but by deeply human values. Jack, Greg and Geoff also unpack the creative implications of AI, arguing that the real power lies not in replacement but in remix: combining machine-generated suggestions with human intuition, emotional nuance, and originality.
Along the way, they touch on education, culture, risk-taking, and what it takes to lead through fear, data deluge, and systemic stagnation. With stories drawn from marketing, media, music, and even (wait for it…) Second Life, this episode offers a human-centered lens on a fast-evolving future and invites listeners to rethink not just how we work but how we imagine what’s possible.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:57 The Relevance of Taoism in Leadership
05:30 AI and Technology: Embracing Change
08:08 Portals vs. Bridges: Navigating Change
10:43 Decisive Leadership in a Rapidly Changing World
16:17 Balancing Data and Humanity in Decision Making
19:04 Creativity and Innovation in the Age of AI
27:36 The State of Creativity in Media
29:13 AI as a Creative Partner
32:33 The Resistance to AI in Creative Fields
35:42 AI's Ubiquity in Everyday Tools
40:35 The Future of AI and Education
43:22 AI Reshaping Organizational Models
About Jack Myers
Jack Myers is a pioneering media ecologist and influential thought leader whose work has put him at the forefront of technological, cultural, and generational change. Known for his visionary insight into emerging trends and deep expertise in organizational dynamics, he has served as a trusted advisor and coach to leaders at many of the world’s most innovative companies, including General Motors, Comcast/NBCUniversal, Microsoft, CBS, TJX Corp, Aegis/Carat, Campbell Soup, Warner Bros. Discovery, Active
International, and The Walt Disney Company. As the founder of The Myers Report and MediaVillage Education Foundation, the media industry’s premier knowledge exchange platform, Jack helps organizations navigate disruption, unlock growth opportunities, and align strategy with the future. He is also a senior lecturer, award-winning author, and recipient of honors including a Peabody Award, International Book Awards, UJA Humanitarian Award, and Oscar and Emmy nominations. A graduate of Syracuse University and NYU Steinhardt, where he studied under media scholar Dr. Neil Postman, Jack brings a rare combination of media literacy, cultural fluency, and strategic foresight to leaders preparing their organizations for the age of AI, machine intelligence, and accelerating change.
For More About Jack, His Work, and The Tao of Leadership
· https://www.jackmyers.com
· https://www.jackmyers.com/themyersreport/
· https://www.mediavillage.com/
· https://www.jackmyers.com/visionary-blueprint-for-thriving-in-the-age-of-ai/
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