Podcast
The Human Risk Podcast
Hosted by Human Risk · EN
People are often described as the largest asset in most organisations. They are also the biggest single cause of risk. This podcast explores the topic of 'human risk', or "the risk of people doing things they shouldn't or not doing things they should", and examines how behavioural science can help us mitigate it. It also looks at 'human reward', or "how to get the most out of people". When we manage human risk, we often stifle human reward. Equally, when we unleash human reward, we often inadvertently increase human risk.
To pitch guests please email guest@humanriskpodcast.com
To pitch guests please email guest@humanriskpodcast.com
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Jill Wick on The Human Side of Cybersecurity
1w ago01:03:16Tap to summarizeWhat if the best way to improve cybersecurity — or any other form of human risk — wasn't another policy, training course, or piece of technology, but a board game? That's the kind of question my guest, Jill Wick, loves asking.Episode Summary Jill is a cybersecurity awareness consultant, business psychologist, podcaster, and author. Her work sits at the intersection of psychology, marketing, behavioural science, and cybersecurity, and she is passionate about helping organisations understand that security is fundamentally a human challenge, not simply a technical one. Drawing on her experience in fraud prevention and her academic background in business psychology, Jill explains why traditional approaches to awareness often fail, why experimentation matters, and how a simple Snakes and Ladders-inspired game can create meaningful conversations about risk and decision-making. The discussion ranges far beyond cybersecurity. We explore creativity, curiosity, communication, organisational culture, social media, learning, and the challenge of measuring success when the outcome you're seeking is something that doesn't happen. Key TopicsIn this episode, we discuss:Why cybersecurity is ultimately a human problem rather than a technology problemThe psychology behind phishing, scams, and social engineeringWhy more policies and more training often fail to change behaviourHow unclear policies can create confusion instead of complianceThe role of curiosity, creativity, and experimentation in risk managementHow games can create psychologically safe environments for learningThe importance of conversation and peer learning in awareness programmesWhat compliance, safety, conduct, and operational risk professionals can learn from cybersecurity awarenessWhy awareness professionals should think more like marketersThe value of experimentation, iteration, and A/B testingHow social media can help build communities around important ideasWhy measuring engagement may be just as important as measuring failuresGuest BiographyJill Wick is a cybersecurity awareness consultant, business psychologist, author, and podcast host who specialises in the human side of cybersecurity. Drawing on a background in fraud prevention and behavioural science, she helps organisations build stronger security cultures through creative, engaging approaches that go beyond traditional training and compliance. Known for her innovative use of games, psychology, and marketing techniques, Jill is a passionate advocate for making cybersecurity awareness more human, effective, and enjoyableLinksJill's LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-wick/Jill's website - https://www.jillwick.com/Cyber & Psych, Jill's podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5uteiqHvCTGCVtCsKCzGJ6?si=322ef51fd6a3423c&nd=1&dlsi=c6d8309550784df9Security-Awareness-Tools, Jill's book - https://www.isbn.de/buch/9783658511111/security-awareness-toolsAI-Generated Timestamped Outline00:00 – Introduction02:15 – Jill's background: From fraud prevention and business psychology to cybersecurity awareness.05:30 – Understanding why people fall for scams, phishing attacks, and social engineering.06:00 – Why cybersecurity is fundamentally a human problem, not just a technical one.08:00 – The limitations of rules, policies, and traditional awareness training.12:00 – The origin of Jill's cybersecurity board game and why simplicity matters.14:00 – How games create psychologically safe conversations and improve learning.19:30 – The game as a conversation tool: building culture, peer learning, and engagement.22:00 – Creativity, curiosity, and the courage to experiment with new approaches.26:00 – What cybersecurity awareness can learn from marketing, advertising, and A/B testing.35:30 – Why awareness and technology must work together rather than compete.41:30 – New projects: workshops, events, games, and Jill's forthcoming book Security Awareness Tools.44:00 – Lessons for compliance and risk professionals: attention is a limited resource.51:00 – Measuring success: engagement, participation, reporting, and positive signals.
Transcribe →
Tobias Sturesson: from cult to corporate culture
2w ago01:08:08Tap to summarizeWhat can businesses learn from cults?It might sound like an uncomfortable comparison: one involves strategy meetings, values statements and quarterly targets; the other manipulation, charismatic leaders and extreme behaviour. But perhaps the distinction isn't as clear as we'd like to think. Both create identities and shared beliefs. Both shape how people think and behave. And both can evolve gradually in ways that are hard to recognise from the inside.Unhealthy cultures rarely appear overnight. Small compromises become normal, difficult questions become harder to ask, and behaviours that once felt uncomfortable slowly become accepted.Episode Overview On this episode, I'm joined by Tobias Sturesson, culture advisor and author of You Can Culture, whose understanding of organisational culture comes not from business school, but from a deeply personal experience growing up inside a religious community that gradually evolved into a cult.Drawing on his own story — and his work helping organisations create healthier cultures — Tobias explains why good people can become part of unhealthy systems, why speaking up is often far harder than leaders realise, and why culture is shaped far less by mission statements than by the everyday behaviours people learn to accept.We also explore:How communities and organisations can slowly drift into unhealthy patternsWhy leaving damaging environments is often much harder than outsiders imagineThe role of sunk costs, identity and belonging in keeping people trappedWhy organisations often mistake symptoms for root causesThe difference between “tone from the top” and “example from the top”Why humility may be one of the most underrated leadership traitsThe dangers of leaders creating the appearance of listening without genuinely hearing peopleWhy culture initiatives often fail to create lasting behavioural changeHow everyday leadership habits shape organisational cultureWhy discomfort is often necessary for growthGuest Profile - Tobias SturessonTobias is a culture advisor, speaker and author focused on helping organisations build healthier cultures and develop more responsible leadership practices. His work combines personal experience with research and practical interventions designed to help organisations identify and address the root causes that undermine cultural health. He is the author of You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success.Links Tobias on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobiassturesson/Heart Management - https://www.heartmanagement.org/Tobias' Book: You Can Culture – https://youcanculture.com/AI-Generated Timestamped Summary 00:00 — Introduction: What can cults teach us about culture?03:00 — Tobias's story of growing up inside a community that became a cult08:30 — How unhealthy environments evolve gradually11:00 — Why leaving can be harder than joining13:00 — The importance of people who help without judging16:00 — Turning personal experience into professional purpose19:00 — Why organisations often misunderstand their own problems23:00 — Humility as a leadership strength26:00 — The tension between expertise and curiosity29:00 — Why business systems often reward the wrong behaviours33:00 — The importance of listening and asking better questions38:00 — Why reflection matters in fast-moving environments42:00 — Culture as everyday conversations and habits45:00 — Leadership signals and behavioural norms49:00 — Building healthier cultures through leadership habits53:00 — Why changing culture is difficult but necessary56:00 — Creating a movement for healthier leadership
Transcribe →
Will Tarrant on Service: Closing the gap between brand promise and reality
4w ago01:00:59Tap to summarizeWhat makes great service? It’s one of those things we instantly recognise when we experience it, but struggle to define. And while organisations spend huge amounts of time trying to design seamless customer experiences, the reality is that service doesn’t happen in strategy documents or training manuals. It happens in real time, between real people, in messy and unpredictable situations where eventually the playbook runs out. Episode OverviewIn this episode, Christian is joined by Will Tarrant, CEO of Freeman Group, who focus on helping organisations close the gap between what they promise customers and what actually gets delivered in reality. Drawing on decades of experience across hospitality, aviation, healthcare and destinations, Will explains why compliance-based training can sometimes increase hidden risk, why empowerment without judgment can quickly become chaos, and why the real differentiator in service is rarely the process itself — it’s the human response when something unexpected happens. Along the way, the conversation explores:Why “making people feel a certain way” is the real job in hospitalityThe hidden risks created by over-reliance on scripts and SOPsWhy organisations often confuse solving problems with compensating customersThe psychology of customer perception and expectationHow hotels, airports and even destinations manage emotional experiencesWhy breakfast might be the best indicator of a hotel’s qualityThe tension between automation and human interactionWhy good service recovery is about judgment, not generosityAs Will puts it: “Compliance-based training reduces visible risk, but it increases hidden risk.” Although framed around hospitality and customer service, this episode is really about something much broader: how humans make decisions when the script no longer applies.Guest Profile - Will TarrantWill Tarrant is the CEO of Freeman Group, a consultancy that helps organisations design and deliver service cultures that align operational reality with brand promise. The company works globally across hospitality, aviation, healthcare, retail and tourism destinations. LinksWill on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/willtarrant/Freeman Group website - https://freemangroupsolutions.com/AI-Generated Timestamped Summary00:00 — Introduction: Why service failures create risk02:30 — Closing the gap between promise and reality07:00 — Hospitality is about making people feel something11:30 — The hidden risk of compliance-based training13:00 — What happens when the playbook runs out15:00 — Scripts, authenticity and service style16:00 — Measuring service quality19:00 — Perception is reality20:00 — Why empowerment needs structure22:00 — Seeing service everywhere24:00 — The timeless mechanics of good service26:00 — Automation versus human interaction29:00 — “The customer is always your customer”30:00 — Solving problems versus compensating customers33:00 — Inheriting other people’s problems36:00 — Hiring for judgment, not just experience39:00 — The changing status of hospitality careers43:00 — Humans as the source of unpredictability47:00 — Why hotel breakfast matters50:00 — Choice overload and decision fatigue53:00 — Applying service thinking beyond hospitality55:00 — The gap between marketing and operational reality
Transcribe →
Dr Carissa Véliz on Prophecy
Apr 2501:02:31Tap to summarizeWhat if prediction isn’t about knowing the future, but controlling it? On this episode, I'm joined by a leading thinker on digital ethics, privacy and technology to explore the idea of prophecy.Episode SummaryMy guest is Dr Carissa Véliz and in our discussion, we talk about humanity’s long-standing obsession with predicting what comes next, and why today’s algorithms may be the most powerful (and dangerous) prophets we’ve ever created. From ancient oracles and court astrologers to modern AI systems and tech executives, we explore how prediction has always been less about knowledge and more about power. What becomes clear is that while the tools have changed, the underlying dynamics haven’t. We still crave certainty, we still look for authority, and we’re still willing to trust those who claim to see the future. The difference now is scale: predictive technologies don’t just forecast behaviour; they shape it. And the more accurate they appear, the less likely we are to question them. We then explore responsibility. If prediction influences reality, then our willingness to accept it matters. This episode is a reminder that the future isn’t something that simply happens to us, but something we’re actively participating in, whether we realise it or not.Guest BioDr Carissa Véliz is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the Institute for Ethics in AI and a Fellow at Hertford College at the University of Oxford. She is a leading thinker on digital ethics, privacy, and technology. She is the author of several books including her latest release 'Prophecy: Prediction, Power and the Fight for the Future, from Ancient Oracles to AI' and 'Privacy Is Power: Why and How You Should Take Back Control of Your Data 'Her work explores how data, AI, and predictive systems reshape society—often in ways that are invisible but deeply consequential. Drawing on philosophy, history, and real-world systems, she examines how power operates through technology and what individuals and institutions can do to resist it.AI-Generated TImestamped Summary[00:00:00] Opening: prediction as something that shapes—not reveals—the future[00:01:00] Why prophecy is a lens for understanding modern AI[00:04:00] Kings, prophets, and the risks of getting predictions wrong[00:06:00] Survival strategies of ancient astrologers[00:08:00] Why humans crave certainty—and who exploits it[00:10:00] The danger of mistaking wealth for wisdom[00:12:00] Prediction as a tool of power throughout history[00:14:00] Surveillance as the foundation of modern prediction[00:16:00] How predictions shape behaviour (self-fulfilling dynamics)[00:17:00] Publishing as a case study in manufactured success[00:21:00] The strange economics of pre-orders and attention[00:23:00] Insurance: from solidarity to individualised risk[00:26:00] The hidden systemic risks of personalised prediction[00:30:00] Why citizens need to reclaim agency[00:31:00] Laziness vs values: why we default to algorithms[00:33:00] Tech creating problems it then claims to solve[00:34:00] The role of humour as truth-telling[00:35:00] Why algorithms would have killed Seinfeld[00:40:00] Practical alternatives: preparation over prediction[00:42:00] The importance of serendipity[00:43:00] Rediscovering the analogue world[00:46:00] Algorithms shaping culture and environments[00:48:00] Optimism vs doom in thinking about technology[00:50:00] Writing as exploration, not predictionLinksCarissa's website - https://www.carissaveliz.com/Her new book, Prophecy - https://www.carissaveliz.com/prophecyHer previous book Privacy Is Power - https://www.carissaveliz.com/booksCarissa's faculty page - https://www.oxford-aiethics.ox.ac.uk/dr-carissa-velizCarissa on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carissa-v%C3%A9liz-a5781555/
Transcribe →
Dr C Thi Nguyen on How to stop playing someone else's game
Apr 1201:08:38Tap to summarizeWe like to think we choose what matters. But what if the goals we’re chasing… aren’t actually ours?Episode Summary My guest on this episode is Dr. C. Thi Nguyen, philosopher and author of The Score: How to Stop Playing Somebody Else’s Game, a book about how metrics, scoring systems, and “games” shape our behaviour—often without us realising it. Thi explains how his work on games led him to a deeper question: why do scoring systems make games feel meaningful, but make real life feel distorted? The answer lies in how metrics redefine success—quietly shifting us from what we care about to what we can measure.In a wide-ranging discussion, we explore the idea of “value capture”, why institutions rely on simplified proxies, and how the very features that make metrics useful also make them dangerous. We also discuss expertise, transparency, gamification, and why removing metrics altogether doesn’t solve the problem. This is a conversation about control: who sets the rules, who keeps score, and what happens when we stop questioning the game we’re playing. Guest BioDr. C. Thi Nguyen is a philosopher whose work explores how games, metrics, and social systems shape human behaviour and values. A professor of philosophy at the University of Utah, his research sits at the intersection of ethics, decision-making, and the philosophy of agency, with a particular focus on how the structures around us influence what we care about and how we act.Alongside his academic work, Thi is also a keen gamer, rock climber, and cook; interests that inform his thinking about play, challenge, and the richness of human experience beyond what can be easily measured.AI-Generated Timestamped Summary 00:00 – Introduction: games, metrics, and meaning03:00 – How Thi came to study games and philosophy07:00 – What games are (and why they matter)10:00 – Achievement vs striving play13:00 – Cheating and misunderstanding the point of games16:00 – Games, struggle, and meaningful activity18:00 – Cooking, recipes, and rules22:00 – Metrics as simplified rule systems25:00 – Value capture and how metrics reshape goals29:00 – Why institutions rely on measurement32:00 – Quantification and loss of context36:00 – Rules, algorithms, and expertise40:00 – Standardisation and the cost of consistency43:00 – Transparency, trust, and unintended consequences47:00 – Metrics and the loss of expert judgment50:00 – Ungrading and the limits of removing metrics54:00 – Designing better scoring systems58:00 – Gamification and why it misses the point01:02:00 – Choosing your own game01:06:00 – Final reflections and closingRelevant LinksThi’s personal website – https://objectionable.net/His faculty page - https://profiles.faculty.utah.edu/u6021584The Score: How to Stop Playing Someone Else’s Game - https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/457380/the-score-by-nguyen-c-thi/9780241653975Thi on Bluesky – https://bsky.app/profile/add-hawk.bsky.social
Transcribe →
Phil Dobson on Cognitive Leadership
Apr 401:09:30Tap to summarizeWe tend to assume that if we’re working hard, we’re working well. But what if that isn’t true?Episode SummaryMy guest on this episode is Phil Dobson, author of The Brain Book and founder of Brain Workshops, about what he calls 'cognitive leadership': using neuroscience and psychology to help people sustain performance, think more clearly, and navigate uncertainty. Phil explains how a broken ankle led him from music and sales into hypnotherapy, neuroscience, and leadership development, and why he believes most of us are never properly taught how our brains actually work.In a wide-ranging discussion, we explore the difference between productivity and effectiveness, why attention may be our most valuable asset, and how modern working life often undermines flow, creativity, and good decision-making. We also discuss stress, workload, digital distraction, the limits of measurement, and what organisations get wrong when they try to manage people as if more time always equals more value.Discover how leaders can create better conditions for thinking, resilience, creativity, and change; and why understanding the human brain matters far beyond the workplace.Episode Summaruywhy most of us are taught far too little about how our brains workPhil’s unusual route from musician to hypnotherapist to neuroscience-based leadership adviserthe difference between being productive and being effectivewhy self-employment sharpened Phil’s focus on impact rather than activityhow experimentation, iteration, and reflection shape better ways of workingthe distinction between fun and fulfilmentflow states and why modern life makes them harder to accessthe growing importance of attention in a world of distractionwhy stress management has to include workload management, not just breathing techniqueshow rest, breaks, and so-called “unproductive” time often drive insight and creativitywhy measuring people too narrowly can damage performancehow understanding the brain helps leaders navigate change and uncertaintywhy improving human decision-making matters not just for performance, but for reducing costly mistakesAI-Generated Timestamped Summary00:00 — Introduction: busyness vs effectiveness02:00 — Phil’s journey into cognitive leadership07:00 — Productivity vs effectiveness (and the 80/20 shift)12:00 — Experimentation, habits, and fulfilment17:00 — Flow, focus, and attention under pressure22:00 — Attention as a critical (and under threat) asset27:00 — Why knowing isn’t the same as doing31:00 — Rethinking productivity: energy, creativity, and insight36:00 — The neuroscience of better thinking (default mode network)40:00 — Measurement, management, and leadership challenges45:00 — Human performance beyond the workplace50:00 — Human error, decision-making, and risk55:00 — Evolving work: shorter weeks and smarter working58:00 — Leading change with a brain-based approach01:03:00 — Final reflections and closingRelevant LinksPhil's website - https://phildobson.com/Brain Workshops - https://brainworkshops.co.uk/Phil on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brainworkshops/The Brain Book - https://www.amazon.com/Brain-Book-Smarter-Concise-Advice/dp/1910649732
Transcribe →
Professor Mark Stoyle on The Western Rising of 1549
Mar 2201:04:34Tap to summarizeWhat lessons does a religious protest that led to an uprising in 1549 have to do with human risk?At first glance, not very much. It’s easy to see it as a distant historical event — something about religion, kings, and a very different world. But as my guest, Professor Mark Stoyle explains, the Western Rising of 1549 is far more than that. It’s a powerful example of what happens when authority imposes change without understanding how people will react. Episode Summary This episode started on a train journey to Exeter, where I was due to give a talk. Looking for a local story to make my presentation more relevant, I stumbled across a battle that had taken place just outside the venue in 1549. The more I read, the clearer it became that this wasn’t just history, it was a case study in compliance, behaviour, and unintended consequences.Guest ProfileMark is a historian and leading expert on what he calls the Western Rising of 1549. In this conversation, we explore how sweeping religious changes imposed by those in power triggered resistance, how small incidents escalated into a major rebellion, and why identity, belief, and emotion played such a critical role. Along the way, we discuss how history is written (and biased), why changing language can provoke outrage rather than acceptance, and what this story reveals about leadership, risk, and human behaviour today.AI-Generated Timestamped Summary 00:00 – Introduction: a compliance failure in 154901:00 – The train journey to Exeter02:00 – Discovering the rebellion04:00 – Why this is a human risk story05:15 – Introducing Professor Mark Stoyle07:30 – Setting the historical context10:00 – Power, authority, and instability13:30 – What triggered the rising17:00 – Why language change caused outrage22:00 – Early resistance and local incidents25:00 – The tipping point: violence begins29:00 – How the rebellion spreads33:00 – The siege of Exeter37:00 – How history is written by the victors41:00 – Crushing the rebellion45:00 – Cultural consequences and language loss48:00 – Lessons for today52:00 – Polarisation and modern parallels57:00 – Final reflections In this episode we discussKey Topics Why imposed change can trigger resistanceHow small incidents escalate into major crisesThe role of identity, belief, and emotion in decision-makingWhy language and culture matter in complianceHow authority can misjudge human behaviourThe dangers of polarisation and “us vs them” thinkingWhy compromise becomes impossible in extreme positionsHow history is shaped by those who winThe unintended consequences of leadership decisionsWhat a 16th-century rebellion teaches us about modern riskGuest ProfileMark Stoyle is Professor of History at the University of Southampton. He specialises in Tudor rebellions, the English Civil War, and the history of witchcraft. Originally from Devon, his work on the Western Rising of 1549 draws on decades of research and a deep personal connection to the region where these events took place.Links The Western Rising of 1549, Mark's book - https://yalebooks.co.uk/book/9780300276886/the-western-rising-of-1549/Mark's University of Southampton profile page - https://www.southampton.ac.uk/people/5wyxqy/professor-mark-stoyleMark's publisher profile: - https://www.worldturnedupsidedown.co.uk/team/mark-stoyle/
Transcribe →
Jeffrey Ludlow on What A Sign Is...
Mar 1401:04:52Tap to summarizeWhat exactly is a sign? At first glance, that might sound like a strange question. Signs are everywhere: telling us where to go, what to do, what not to do, and sometimes what might happen if we ignore instructions. But as my guest, Jeffrey Ludlow Saentz explains, signs are much more than bits of information on walls or beside roads.Episode Summary Jeffrey is a signage designer who works on complex buildings and environments around the world — airports, offices, museums, and other places where helping people find their way really matters. He’s also the author of A Sign Is..., a fascinating book exploring the history, meaning, and cultural significance of the signs that shape our everyday behaviour.In this conversation, we explore why good signage is often invisible, how buildings “speak” to us through wayfinding systems, and what signs reveal about power, trust, and human behaviour. Along the way we discuss hacked traffic signs, casino design, airport navigation, and why something as simple as an arrow carries centuries of history.AI-Generated Timestamped Summary 00:00 – Introduction: why signs are more interesting than they first appear03:00 – How Jeffrey became a signage designer04:00 – The challenge of helping people navigate complex buildings07:00 – What actually is a sign?09:00 – Why “everything can be a sign”11:00 – The power dynamics behind signage and authority13:00 – How designers observe signage in the real world14:30 – Cultural differences in wayfinding and navigation19:30 – Why Jeffrey wrote A Sign Is..22:00 – The fascinating history of fire safety signage24:00 – Curiosity and the stories hidden behind everyday signs27:00 – Hacked construction signs and unexpected messages31:00 – Trust, authority, and information on signs35:00 – Advertising, nudging, and attention36:00 – Information overload and competing signals39:00 – The learned language of signs and symbols41:00 – Why good signage is “invisible” when it works43:00 – Airports, trust, and wayfinding design46:00 – How people become signage designers47:30 – How casinos, airports, and museums use signs differently50:00 – The psychology of navigation54:00 – Why signage can’t work perfectly for everyone57:00 – Why wayfinding is an art rather than a science01:02:00 – Jeffrey’s book A Sign Is and where to find it01:04:00 – What signs might look like in the future In this episode we discussKey TopicsWhy signage is a form of behavioural communicationHow buildings “talk” to people through wayfinding systemsThe psychology of navigation and spatial awarenessWhy good signage is invisibleHow casinos deliberately make navigation harderWhy museums minimise signs while airports maximise themThe cultural differences in how places are navigatedWhat hacked traffic signs reveal about trust in authorityWhy signs act as nudges that shape behaviourThe limits of signage when designing for large groupsHow digital navigation may change our relationship with physical signsAbout JeffreyJeffrey Ludlow is a signage and wayfinding designer and founder of Point of Reference Studio, a design practice specialising in signage systems, environmental graphics, and branding for public environments. Trained as an architect, Jeffrey’s work sits at the intersection of architecture, graphic design, and behavioural psychology — helping people navigate complex spaces more intuitively. He is the author of A Sign Is, a book exploring the cultural, historical, and behavioural significance of the signs that surround us. Links Jeffrey's book 'A Sign Is...' - https://oroeditions.com/product/a-sign-isPoint of Reference, the Madrid-based studio Jeffrey founded - https://pointofreference.studio/
Transcribe →
Marc Ross on The Art of The Negroni
Mar 700:45:44Tap to summarizeWhat Can a Cocktail Teach Us About Curiosity and Creativity? At first glance, documenting Negronis around the world might sound like a frivolous hobby. But could a simple cocktail become a vehicle for curiosity, experimentation and creative thinking? On this episode, I speaks with geopolitical strategist Marc A Ross about an unusual passion project: ordering and documenting Negronis wherever he travels. What began as a casual habit has evolved into a magazine-style project called 50 Negronis, capturing cocktails from elegant bars to chaotic airport lounges. Along the way, the project has revealed something deeper about travel, culture and the value of experimentation. But as the conversation unfolds, it becomes clear this episode isn’t really about cocktails. Instead it’s about how curiosity leads to discovery, why creative side projects matter, and how experimentation can enrich both our professional and personal lives. Curiosity Starts With Small ExperimentsMarc’s Negroni project began almost accidentally. While travelling frequently for his work as a geopolitical strategist, he started ordering Negronis and photographing them. What made the idea interesting wasn’t a search for the perfect drink.Instead, Marc documented the entire experience — the great cocktails, the mediocre ones, and the truly terrible ones. That curiosity created a lens through which to experience the world differently. Bars became places for conversation, experimentation and discovery, and the project grew into a collection of stories from cities across the globe. Creativity Through PlayA key theme of the conversation is the importance of playfulness. Marc deliberately avoids treating the project too seriously. The photos are simple smartphone snapshots, the documentation is intentionally loose, and the goal isn’t perfection.That approach mirrors how many creative projects evolve; by removing the pressure to produce something “definitive,” the project becomes an experiment. And in the process, it becomes easier to create, learn and iterate. Authenticity, Communication and Personality We also explore how side projects can sharpen professional skills. Marc argues that communicators, leaders and even politicians should experiment creatively and share aspects of their personality. Authenticity matters. Whether it’s documenting cocktails, running unconventional events, or experimenting with new formats, people connect more with ideas that feel genuine. Sometimes the most powerful way to communicate is simply to follow an idea that genuinely interests you.AI-Generated Timestamped Summary00:00 – A cocktail as a conversation starterIntroduction; why Negronis might seem like an unusual topic for a podcast about human behaviour and yet… 02:00 – Recording in Sundance, UtahMarc describes the Brigadoon gathering and its focus on conversation rather than traditional conference formats. 04:00 – The origins of the NegroniMarc explains the history of the cocktail and why it remains a classic drink. 07:00 – The “50 Negronis” projectA disappointing airport Negroni sparks the idea of documenting the drinks Marc encounters while travelling. 10:00 – Capturing cocktails around the worldMarc explains how he photographs the drinks and records the ingredients when possible. 13:00 – Cocktail culture and experimentationThey discuss how bartenders experiment with ingredients and create new variations. 18:00 – Why the details don’t matterThe project becomes less about recipes and more about stories, places and experiences. 22:00 – Learning through experimentationChristian reflects on how creative side projects can help people learn and explore new ideas. 30:00 – Lessons for communicators and politiciansMarc explains why authenticity and personality matter in leadership. 37:00 – Staying curious and having funThe conversation turns to persistence, creativity and the value of pursuing ideas simply because they’re interesting. 42:00 – Where to follow Marc’s workMarc shares details about Brigadoon events and his geopolitical newsletter. Links Caracal Global, Marc’s consultancy and advisory firm - https://www.caracal.global/Brigadoon, Marc’s series of lovingly curated events - https://www.brigadoon.live/ Marc on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcaross/ Marc’s previous appearance on the show - https://www.humanriskpodcast.com/marc-ross-on-communication-strategy/ Sundance Mountain Resort - https://www.sundanceresort.com/
Transcribe →
Tom & Sue Hardin On Wired On Wall Street
Feb 2801:15:14Tap to summarizeWhat’s the difference between a mistake… and a bad decision? My guest knows this only too well. Tom Hardin has been on the show several times before. As Tipper X, he wore a wire for the FBI and helped build the largest insider trading investigation in US history. Since then, he has spent nearly a decade speaking to organisations around the world about slippery slopes, rationalisation, and how good people drift into serious trouble. In this episode, he returns to discuss his new book, Wired on Wall Street. The book goes beyond the insider trading case many listeners already know. It explores the ambition, insecurity and desire for status that shaped his early career, and the patterns he only recognised years later when writing it down. For the first time on a podcast, Tom is also joined by his wife, Sue. She played no role in the trades that changed his life, but her life was dramatically altered by them. She reflects on discovering the truth, keeping a secret that wasn’t hers, facing sentencing uncertainty, and what it means to rebuild together. This conversation isn’t really about insider trading; it’s about character.Key ThemesWhy calling something a “mistake” can soften accountabilityThe psychology of slippery slopes and rationalisationStatus anxiety and the need to belongResume virtues vs eulogy virtuesShame versus guilt — and why the distinction mattersThe hidden impact of ethical failure on spouses and familiesWhat writing a book can reveal that telling a story on stage cannotThe freedom that comes from having nothing left to hideTom’s story is unusual; the human dynamics behind it are not.AI-Generated Timestamped Summary00:00 – More than insider tradingWhy this conversation is about character — guilt vs shame, mistakes vs bad decisions, and the cost of ethical drift. 02:30 – The story in briefTom recaps becoming “Tipper X” and helping build the largest insider trading investigation in US history. 03:15 – Why write the book now?After a decade of speaking, Tom explains what finally pushed him to put the full story — childhood, ambition, insecurity — on paper. 08:00 – The deeper patternFrom Georgia to the Ivy League to hedge funds: the outsider mindset, status anxiety, and the slippery slope. 16:00 – Small decisions, big consequencesEarly corner-cutting, rationalisation, and the fraud triangle in action. 26:00 – Resume virtues vs eulogy virtuesHow Tom’s definition of success changed — and the difference between shame and guilt. 31:00 – A simple test for integrityOne question that could replace most Codes of Conduct:Are you willing to be held accountable for this decision? Sue’s Perspective 40:30 – The night she found outShock, disbelief, and the future collapsing in an instant. 44:00 – Keeping a secret that wasn’t hersWhite lies, reputational fear, and the strain of silence. 49:00 – Sentencing dayWhy she insisted on being there — no matter the outcome. 52:30 – Reinvention and resilienceStay-at-home dad years, ultramarathons, and rebuilding a life together.LinksWired on Wall Street: www.tipperx.com/bookTipper X Website: www.tipperx.comTom's previous appearances on the show:Tom's experience as FBI Informant Tipper X - https://www.humanriskpodcast.com/tom-hardin-on-his-experience/Turning Crime Into A Calling - https://www.humanriskpodcast.com/tom-hardin-on-turning-a-crime-into-a-calling/Tom's Substack: https://substack.com/@tipperxTom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tipperx/
Transcribe →