Episodes

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore cognitive surrender: what happens when we accept an AI-generated answer without questioning it. They consider why handing over our thinking is not a new problem, and how AI makes it especially tempting to trust a convincing response. From invented sources to the comfort of letting someone else be responsible, Ron and Deb discuss critical thinking, personal choice, and using AI as a challenge partner rather than an authority. The c...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb welcome Jason Tanaka for a conversation about AI, leadership, and the difference between real strategy and what Jason calls “AI theater.” Jason brings a background in software, technology, financial services, and AI advisory work, helping leaders make consequential technology decisions and turn them into reality. Together, they explore a question many leaders are facing right now: how do you know whether an AI solution is actually useful,...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore the idea of social agency: the story that you can choose to talk to anyone. From the person sitting next to you on an airplane to the speaker at a conference to the leader in your organization, every interaction carries the possibility of learning, connection, and transformation. But most people give up their social agency before the conversation ever begins. They decide someone is too busy, too important, too different, or not int...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore the idea of philosophical agency: the ability to notice, choose, and change the stand we take in life. Agency is not just about making decisions. It is about recognizing that many of the beliefs, assumptions, and “truths” we live by are stories we picked up along the way. Some came from family. Some came from culture. Some came from painful experiences. Some came from communities, workplaces, schools, religions, politics, or social...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb continue their conversation on the difference between thinking and imagination – and why that distinction matters more than ever in the age of artificial intelligence. In the previous episode, Ron and Deb explored how children naturally begin life with imagination, curiosity, and creativity, only to enter systems that often reward right answers over new possibilities. Now, they take that conversation one step further. If AI can outthink h...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore the difference between imagination and thinking – and why that distinction matters more than ever for leaders, teams, and organizations. Beginning with a simple observation: young children are naturally imaginative. But somewhere along the way, that imagination begins to fade. Ron and Deb ask a powerful question for anyone invested in leadership development, company culture, and the future of work: What happens when people spend ye...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb sit down with Joey Cardella, a police officer who discovered AI while exploring what could come next beyond law enforcement. Joey describes AI as a tool that amplifies the user, sharing how he has used it to research career transitions, support real estate investing, improve business operations, build training systems, and solve everyday problems. Together, the conversation reveals a lesson every business leader needs to hear: successful A...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore “agency” as a person’s capacity to act independently and make free choices, contrasting living as the author of your life versus being acted on by outside forces. They discuss how people throughout history have been led to believe they have no agency, and connect agency to everyday situations like feeling trapped in a job, unemployment, marriage, or illness, while warning against commiseration and confirmation bias. Instead, they s...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb ask, “What would you tell a room full of graduates entering the workforce at a time when AI seems to be changing everything?” Inspired by recent graduation ceremonies where mentions of AI were met with boos from students concerned about their futures, Ron and Deb imagine the advice they would give to graduates stepping into an uncertain world. The result is a thoughtful conversation about fear, opportunity, career development, and why the ...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore one of the biggest conversations happening in business today: why are so many organizations investing heavily in AI – and still struggling to see results? The conversation moves beyond technology into the heart of leadership development, company culture, and the communication problems organizations face when transformation collides with uncertainty. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore one of the least discussed forces shaping the future of business: the collision between demographic decline and artificial intelligence. As developed nations face shrinking populations and aging workforces, organizations are being forced to rethink everything from labor strategy to company culture, workforce sustainability, and long-term economic growth. At the same time, rapid advances in AI in the workplace are transforming how b...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb are joined by Julian Caldwell, Chief Information Officer at JR & Co., explore how artificial intelligence is transforming even the most traditional industries. Together they discuss how leaders in his company are shaping company culture, accelerating leadership development, and addressing communication problems that often hold organizations back – all by using AI. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, w...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb break down what happens when AI and your human network don’t agree, how communication problems begin to surface inside organizations, and what leadership development really looks like in a world where data and human judgment collide. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into the power of narratives in shaping our lives and the cultures within organizations. Our expert hosts, alongside a ...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb are joined by Jason Beutler, founder and CEO of RoboSource, on why artificial intelligence often sparks both curiosity and apprehension. Together, they explore how to view AI as less of a threat and more as tool to unlock human potential. Jason shared powerful insights not only on AI adoption, but on how leaders must rethink company culture, leadership development, and the way organizations handle communication problems in an AI-driven wor...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore how technological change reshapes not just productivity, but company culture, trust, and the way leaders communicate. In today’s rapidly advancing technological world, adapting to new tools like generative AI is no longer optional – it’s a defining moment for modern leadership development. As AI becomes embedded in the workplace, the real question isn’t just who adopts it first, but how leaders guide their organizations through the...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore the ever-evolving landscape of AI in the workplace, and how recent events have highlighted the impact of taking a stand. They weave together the connection between leadership strategy, organizational culture, and the ripple effects that a leader's decisions have on employees, customers, trust, company culture, and the broader AI industry. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb welcomed Andre Walker, Senior Vice President of Power Operations at Pattern Energy, to discuss AI in the workplace, leadership, and the evolving demands on modern organizations. Together, they explored not only the technological implications of AI, but also how its integration influences company culture, trust, and strategic decision-making. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into the ...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore a timely question: what happens when AI in the workplace collides with human curiosity? As organizations integrate artificial intelligence into everyday operations, leaders are being challenged to rethink company culture, communication, and how curiosity drives innovation. Together they examine curiosity not only as a human trait but as a leadership skill increasingly essential for modern leadership development. Embark on a transf...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore how leadership mindset, company culture, and shared stories determine whether teams merely function – or truly thrive. Together they discuss how teams, organizations, and AI can achieve greater outcomes when stories, purposes, and roles are aligned. The conversation transitions from leadership and followership dynamics to the implications of AI on human interactions, pondering how AI will continue to shape our world. Embark on a t...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore the reasons behind the fear of AI taking over jobs and whether AI is truly coming for your job. They examine the role of employers in choosing AI over human workers and how AI can actually enhance jobs rather than replacing them. They also bring forward philosophical perspectives on the purpose of businesses – whether it's to take care of people or to generate profit – and how this affects the adoption of AI. Embark on a transform...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore of the future of work, leadership, and human connection in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. Inspired by the underlying theme of many of their conversations throughout 2025, they continued to pontificate on how AI is reshaping companies and company culture – and why strong human connection remains central to effective leadership. Their insights offer a grounded look at how leaders can prepare for what's ahead ...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb are joined by guests Thomas and Jason to talk about the significance of lifelong learning. Thomas, a sales leader in the healthcare sector from Orlando, and Jason, a CTO involved in AI tools for financial services in Dallas, share their personal learning journeys, the value of curiosity, and how continuous learning impacts their professional and personal lives. They discuss the importance of experiential learning, the role of a learning ne...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb engage in another thought-provoking conversation with Adry Muñoz, a 20-year-old social media coordinator and senior at Michigan State University. Together they explore today's rapidly changing job market and the challenges faced by Gen Z. In this candid conversation with Adry, highlighting how company culture, leadership development, and communication problems impact both employees and employers in the modern workforce. Embark on a transf...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb sit down with Joel Strom, founder of Chief Value Officers, a business strategist and leadership development expert who helps transform companies from ordinary to extraordinary. Together, they explore what it takes to build a thriving company culture, strengthen leadership, and overcome the communication problems that often hold teams back from long-term success. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, whe...