Thecuriousmanspodcast

Robbie Bach Interview Episode 609

This week I'm joined by Robbie Bach, former Chief Xbox Officer at Microsoft and author of The Wilkes Insurrection and its follow up The Blockchain Syndicate. The Wilkes Insurrection is a high-intensity thriller rooted in real-world technology and geopolitical tension. We discuss how fiction can reveal the current climate in a way that may surprise most. It also should make us ask the tough questions of how we got here and what can we do to prevent events from arising. Lets dive in.

Dr. James Bellingham Interview Episode 608

In this episode, host Matt Crawford sits down with Dr. James Bellingham, leading ocean engineer and Executive Director of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Assured Autonomy, to discuss his groundbreaking new book How Are Marine Robots Shaping Our Future? We explore how robotics and AI are transforming ocean science, climate research, national security, global economics, and even the way humanity understands the 70% of Earth that remains unseen. Dr. Bellingham reveals what underwater machines are capable of today — and what they soon will be — as advancements in autonomy, sensing, machine learning, and endurance take us deeper into the ocean than ever before. From coral reef restoration to autonomous naval fleets, from seafloor discovery to ethical dilemmas, this conversation dives into the future of our oceans — and the robots preparing to explore them.

George Pesansky Interview Episode 607

In this episode, host Matt Crawford sits down with leadership expert, coach, and author George Pesansky to explore his powerful new book Superperformance: 8 Strategies to Reach Your Full Potential for Yourself, Your Team, and Your Organization. Drawing from decades of experience guiding leaders and organizations toward peak effectiveness, George outlines how everyday people can unlock extraordinary potential — not by working harder, but by working more intentionally. He dives into the eight strategies that create "superperformance" and shares how individuals, teams, and organizations can transform themselves through clarity, mindset, trust, and aligned action. This conversation is a roadmap for anyone looking to elevate their leadership, strengthen team culture, build an organization capable of sustained excellence or just to better themselves and their own purpose.

Martha Lawrence Interview Episode 606

In this episode, host Matt Crawford speaks with writer and leadership collaborator Martha C. Lawrence about her insightful book Catch People Doing Things Right: How Ken Blanchard Changed the Way the World Leads. Drawing on decades of insight into the leadership principles of Ken Blanchard — the bestselling author of The One Minute Manager and one of the most influential thinkers in modern leadership — Martha breaks down why his philosophy of positive reinforcement is both timeless and urgently needed. Martha and I explore the stories behind Blanchard's breakthroughs, the real-world application of his principles, and how "catching people doing things right" can transform teams, workplaces, and lives.

Bridget Lyons Interview Episode 605

In this episode, host Matt Crawford welcomes author, ecologist, and essayist Bridget A. Lyons to discuss her beautiful and thought-provoking book, Entwined: Dispatches from the Intersection of Species. Blending science, philosophy, and lyrical storytelling, Lyons invites readers to reconsider what it means to be human in a world alive with other intelligences. Her work explores the profound connections—and responsibilities—that come with being part of Earth's living network. Together, Matt and Bridget explore how empathy, curiosity, and humility can transform our relationships with animals, ecosystems, and each other. From fieldwork encounters to reflections on climate grief and moral imagination, this conversation reveals why understanding our entanglement with other species might be one of the most urgent challenges of our time.