Podcast · Business

Fearless Thinkers

Most of us want to lead in a way that matters; to lift others up and build something people want to be part of. But too often, we’re socialized (explicitly or not) to lead a certain way: play it safe, stick to what’s proven, and avoid the questions that really need asking. This podcast is about the

New episodes: Monthly
Typical length: 29 min
Latest: 7 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

7 Oct 2026 · 17 min

The hardest parts of leadership in the age of AI, Part 2

Leading through AI gets hardest in the conversations. What do you say to your team? What do you leave unsaid? How do you set savings goals without turning people into dashboard managers? Nicole Gams and Victor Steeb join host Rick Cheatham to continue the conversation on the hardest parts of leadership in the age of AI, from the words leaders choose to the questions that build trust and speed. Part 2 of 2. Read Nicole and Victor's research on the three human intelligences defining the AI era .

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

17 Aug 2026 · 56 min
Seguridad psicológica: la pieza que falta en la cultura de seguridad organizacional
¿Qué hace que 70,000 personas tomen decisiones seguras todos los días? En este episodio de Fearless Thinkers México, Alejandra Garmilla y Gonzalo Espinal López, Director de Supply Chain LATAM en Coca-Cola FEMSA, hablan de seguridad psicológica, liderazgo y por qué medir solo accidentes ya no es suficiente para construir una cultura de seguridad real.
28 Jul 2026 · 39 min
40 años de BTS: la historia detrás de una consultora que no ha dejado de evolucionar
¿Qué mantiene vigente a una consultora después de 40 años? En este episodio de Fearless Thinkers México, Maider Santos y Philios Andreou, Deputy CEO de BTS Group, repasan la historia de BTS: de un emprendimiento sueco con 4 fundadores a 35 oficinas en el mundo, y las decisiones, algunas difíciles, que explican por qué la firma sigue creciendo sin perder su esencia.
21 May 2026 · 27 min
Fearless Thinkers Mexico: Líderes multiplicadores — ¿cómo crear capacidad en un mundo que exige más con menos y más rápido?
¿Qué distingue a un líder que transforma equipos? En este episodio de Fearless Thinkers México, Bárbara Baptista y Antonella Moyano exploran cómo desarrollar liderazgo multiplicador, potenciar equipos de alto desempeño y crear culturas donde la inteligencia colectiva impulse mejores resultados.
1 May 2026 · 25 min
The hardest parts of leadership in the age of AI, Part 1
The mandate is clear: move fast with AI. But fast toward what—and at what cost? Nicole Gams and Victor Steeb join host Rick Cheatham to tackle the leadership challenges showing up most consistently right now, from building judgment around what to automate vs. keep human, to defining the right risks, to aligning teams at the speed AI makes necessary. Part 1 of 2. Their whitepaper on the three human intelligences defining the next era of leadership is available now at bts.com .
30 Mar 2026 · 51 min
Fearless Thinkers Mexico: AI - Del hype a la acción - los retos de ejecución
‍En este episodio de Fearless Thinkers Mexico exploramos una idea provocadora: el verdadero imperativo no es adoptar IA… es desarrollar juicio en todos los niveles de la organización. ‍Carlos Schulz conversa con Michel Meléndez, Principal Manager de Analytics Transformation en BBVA, sobre cómo las empresas pueden ir más allá del hype y traducir la IA en ejecución real.
27 Mar 2026 · 52 min
The economics of attention in an AI world
In this episode, Peter Mulford sits down with Doug Shapiro to explore the structural forces quietly reshaping every attention driven business, the real threat facing Hollywood from AI, and how the potential of infinite content creation is destroying the economics of the industries that pays for them.
S4 · E13 · 4 Dec 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
The science of great conversations
Why do some conversations feel effortless while others fall flat? Harvard professor and author Alison Wood Brooks joins Fearless Thinkers to unpack the psychology behind meaningful dialogue. Drawing from her research and her book TALK , Alison reveals what makes conversations thrive, from the importance of asking good questions to the power of levity, kindness, and truly listening out loud.
E8 · 24 Nov 2025 · 50 min
Undiscovered Country | Leading with humanity in the age of AI
NYU Professor Anna Tavis joins Peter Mulford to explore how AI is reshaping the workplace and what it means for leaders today. Drawing on her book Humans at Work , Tavis explains why organizations must shift from optimizing for efficiency to optimizing for humanity, how AI is driving a redesign of work itself, and what courageous leadership looks like in a time of technological transformation.
6 Oct 2025 · 46 min
Undiscovered Country | From ordinary to unforgettable: the three keys to lasting impact
In this episode of Undiscovered Country , host Peter Mulford sits down with Columbia Business School’s Michel Tuan Pham to explore the psychology behind what makes an experience feel truly special. Drawing on his latest research, Professor Pham reveals three powerful drivers of unforgettable moments— uniqueness , meaningfulness , and authenticity —and how even the smallest touches can have a lasting impact. Together, they unpack how brands and leaders can design emotionally resonant experiences, and why AI may enhance or erode our sense of what’s real.
25 Sep 2025 · 56 min
Undiscovered Country | AI, assumptions, and the art of discovery with Ron Pierantozzi
In this episode of Undiscovered Country, host Peter Mulford talks with Ron Pierantozzi, scientist, inventor, and innovation leader with thirty-two U.S. patents and a career spanning Air Products and Chemicals, Wharton, and Babson. Ron shares how to build a discovery, incubation, and acceleration pipeline, avoid leadership traps that stall learning, and use AI to accelerate innovation without losing discipline. He also reflects on the value of options thinking and offers personal advice on helping the next generation navigate uncertainty with critical thinking. Listen now!
S4 · E11 · 18 Sep 2025 · 31 min
4 things nobody is telling you about the future of work
In this Fearless Thinkers episode, BTS CEO Jessica Skon unpacks the realities and possibilities of AI at work. She shares: The challenges global CEOs say will define the AI era What it will truly take to lead in the future How organizations can harness AI to spark creativity, connection, and joy at work Her take? Simulation culture will be your organization's next superpower.
30 Jul 2025 · 46 min
Undiscovered Country | What AI can’t replace: the human side of leadership
In this episode of Undiscovered Country , host Peter Mulford is joined by Mickey Connolly, founder of Conversant and co-author of The Communication Catalyst , to explore why better conversations—not better tools—are the key to better business results. Mickey shares practical frameworks for aligning teams, building trust, and creating lasting impact in the age of AI and hybrid work . Tune in to learn how thoughtful communication can reduce waste, drive commitment, and elevate leadership. Listen now! For transcript, click here .
S4 · E9 · 30 Jun 2025 · 28 min
The new era of coaching is here
Coaching is no longer just for executives behind closed doors. It’s now a personalized, tech-enabled lever for scaling leadership development across the enterprise. In this episode, Christine Tao, co-founder of Sounding Board, and Katrin Mulford, SVP and Global Head of Coaching at BTS, dive into what’s changed—and what’s possible. From navigating uncertainty to building mindset shifts that stick, they explore how modern coaching is accelerating readiness, driving retention, and evolving through AI.
S4 · E8 · 17 Jun 2025 · 14 min
Are you leaving employees better off or burned out?
How do you lead in a world where roles are changing faster than people can adapt? In this episode, Rick Cheatham talks with Steph Peskett and Abi Scott about the second major trend from their recent research: human sustainability. The conversation covers everything from AI disruption to proactive talent strategies—and why the most forward-looking companies are rethinking how they grow, support, and retain their people.
S4 · E7 · 17 Jun 2025 · 17 min
This is why your best people are quietly disengaging
What happens when employees lose trust in their organizations? In part one of this two-part conversation, Steph Peskett and Abi Scott unpack one of the biggest trends reshaping talent development: the erosion of trust and power. Drawing on original research and real client stories, they discuss how even well-intentioned policies can backfire—and what leaders can do to rebuild confidence, clarity, and connection across the workforce.
S4 · E6 · 17 Jun 2025 · 17 min
Why AI experiments are key to workplace learning
Rebecca Stern, Head of Learning at Udemy, discusses how her team is using AI to build a stronger learning culture . From skills mapping to hands-on experimentation, Rebecca shares how Udemy is helping employees get comfortable with AI, stay curious, and build the skills they need to grow . Listen now! For a transcript, click here .
2 Jun 2025 · 29 min
Built to shift: How great organizations move with the moment
In the debut of our new Quarterly Fearless Thinkers CEO Mini-Series , BTS CEO Jessica Skon brings you inside the conversations she’s having with today's Fortune 500 executives on what it will really take to lead through the seismic shifts ahead. Join host Rick Cheatham for a peer-to-peer conversation you won’t want to miss.
5 May 2025 · 49 min
Undiscovered Country | The insight-driven leader: How analytics unlocks business potential
In this episode of Undiscovered Country , host Peter Mulford is joined by Jenny Dearborn, Chief People Strategy Officer at BTS , to explore how data analytics is transforming leadership. Jenny shares how HR leaders can leverage insights from data to drive business outcomes, develop future-ready talent, and create a culture of agility. Tune in to learn how analytics can unlock untapped business potential and empower leaders. Listen now!
30 Mar 2025 · 20 min
Thriving through change: How HR leaders can build a future-ready workforce
Join host Rick Cheatham in this episode of Fearless Thinkers as he talks with Richard Hargreaves, Managing Director at Corporate Research Forum (CRF) , about how HR leaders can build a future-ready workforce in times of uncertainty . They discuss the importance of focusing on critical roles, prioritizing impact, and staying agile amidst disruption. Tune in to hear practical advice on how HR can prepare organizations for the challenges ahead . Listen now!
11 Mar 2025 · 13 min
Future-back thinking: The roadmap to effective leadership profiles
Join host Rick Cheatham in this episode of Fearless Thinkers as he sits down with Matt Tonken, a leader in BTS's Assessment practice, to explore the power of "future-back thinking" in creating frameworks for leadership success. They explore how organizations can build "success profiles" by imagining future scenarios and preparing leaders with the skills and mindsets necessary for those challenges. Tune in to learn how to create leadership frameworks that stand the test of time. Listen now!
5 Mar 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
Undiscovered Country | Future Focus: A Look Beyond with Peter Mulford and Peter Coffee
Tune into this exclusive repost of the HIKE2 webinar featuring Peter Mulford and Peter Coffee , VP for Strategic Research at Salesforce . In this insightful session, they dive into the game-changing role of AI in transforming industries. From the shift to edge devices and AI’s impact on the future of work , to the rise of quantum computing —discover how these groundbreaking technologies are fueling innovation and reshaping the business landscape . Don’t miss out—listen now!
13 Feb 2025 · 17 min
Transforming the future of work: AI’s impact on leadership and innovation
Join Rick Cheatham in this insightful episode of Fearless Thinkers as he talks with Peter about the transformational power of AI in business. They dive into the three key phases organizations go through when adopting AI—awareness, experimentation, and impact—and how they can successfully navigate each stage. From shifting mindsets to embracing AI as a virtual teammate, Peter shares how organizations can move from experimentation to scaling AI for real impact. Learn about the mindset shifts necessary to navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape and unlock new opportunities for business…
24 Jan 2025 · 43 min
Undiscovered Country | Navigating the future: smart cities and autonomous vehicles with Prof. Alejandro Lozano Robledo
In this episode Peter speaks with Professor Alejandro Lozano Robledo . He is the Director of Future Mobility Design Lab at UC Digital Futures and Mobility Systems Design Professor University of Cincinnati. He’s a proven innovator with a record of successful collaborations, including with Boeing, NASA, the U.S. Department of Transportation, Hyundai, and MIT. During our conversation we discuss the future of cities and mobility, the shift from car ownership to a subscription-based models, the implications of autonomous vehicle technology on various industries, the potential of level 5…
24 Jan 2025 · 16 min
5 mind traps limiting your sales team’s performance
Join host Rick Cheatham in this episode of Fearless Thinkers as he chats with Miguel Sequeira, an expert in sales leadership, about the five key mind traps holding back sales teams. As we kick off the new year, it’s a great time to reflect on how to drive a winning mentality in your teams. From the ‘victim mindset’ to the ‘lone wolf mentality’, Miguel uncovers the common barriers that can prevent high sales performance and how to overcome them. Discover strategies for leaders to recognize and address these traps, empowering their teams to embrace change and drive success. Tune in now! For a…
22 Jan 2025 · 50 min
Undiscovered Country | Preparing for the future now: how to lead your teams to thrive in uncertainty
Undiscovered Country - Preparing for the future now: how to lead your teams to thrive in uncertainty Join host Peter Mulford in this first episode of Undiscovered Country, a podcast about the future, and future back thinking at work. Here he speaks with Professor Rita McGrath, C-Suite advisor, professor at Columbia Business School, best-selling author of The End of Competitive Advantage, Seeing Around Corners: How to Spot Inflection Points in Business Before They Happen, and Discovery Driven Growth, and one of the world’s top experts on leading innovation and growth in times of uncertainty.…
19 Dec 2024 · 14 min
The 5 habits holding leaders back from driving growth
Join host Rick Cheatham in this episode of Fearless Thinkers as he sits down with Zander Ross, a leader in Change and Transformation at BTS. Together, they explore why the biggest challenges leaders face often lie within—the habits, mindsets, and ways of working that no longer serve us. Zander shares five key shifts that leading organizations make to unlock growth, from customer-centric strategies to rethinking incentives and building new capabilities. Discover how small mindset changes can lead to big results and what it takes to align teams, systems, and leadership for the future. Listen…
29 Oct 2024 · 16 min
Revolutionizing sales: How AI coaching is shaping the future
Join host Rick Cheatham in this week's episode of Fearless Thinkers as he welcomes Bowen Moody, CEO of Verity, the latest acquisition by BTS. In this insightful discussion, Bowen sheds light on Verity's innovative AI coaching tool, detailing its current applications among sales professionals and its transformative potential for the future of sales. Discover how AI is reshaping coaching strategies, empowering sales teams, and driving performance like never before. Listen now! For a transcript, click here .
17 Sep 2024 · 17 min
Mastering the art of leadership development: A solution for L&D professionals
In this episode of Fearless Thinkers , host Rick Cheatham sits down with Will Heard, Director at BTS, and Fredrik Schuller, Global Head of Coach at BTS, to explore their groundbreaking work in leadership and development. Learn about the unique, hands-on solution developed by BTS in partnership with the Corporate Research Forum (CRF) to address the persistent challenges L&D professionals face in delivering high-impact leadership development. Tune in to discover how this experience is reshaping the future of leadership development and offering L&D professionals a powerful platform to build…
5 Sep 2024 · 19 min
Lessons from a journey of leadership and learning
In this episode of the Fearless Thinkers podcast, host Rick Cheatham sits down with Jenny Dearborn, Chief People Strategy Officer & Head of Talent Insights, to discuss her journey from teaching to senior leadership. They explore the pivotal career decisions that led her to BTS, the power of aligning with stakeholder goals, and the importance of a strong support system in achieving professional success. Tune in to learn how Jenny’s experiences and insights can guide leaders in navigating their own career growth and making impactful decisions. For a transcript, click here .

About Fearless Thinkers

Fearless Thinkers is a English business podcast from BTS. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: BTS
Language: English
Category: Business
New episodes: Monthly
Typical length: 29 min
Latest episode: 7 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1612326345
Rights: BTS

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