The Wisdom of Not Knowing: Alan Gregerman on Turning Ignorance Into Innovation

Ep. 19 | The Soft Skills You'll Need to Navigate the Future of Work With Wayne Nemeroff

What happens to your career when AI can do the technical work faster and better than you can? In this episode, Amelia sits down with Dr. Wayne Nemeroff to find out. Wayne is an industrial and organizational psychologist and a former professor at the School of Business at SUNY Albany. He's the president and CEO of PsyMax Solutions and the Nemeroff Consulting Group, the creator of the Work Style Matcher assessment, and the author of the new book Shift: 21 Soft Skills to Navigate the Future of Work — built around seven core capabilities and the 21 "people skills" AI can't replicate. In this conversation, they dig into why the soft skills AI can't replicate are becoming the real career differentiator, why about 89% of people who lose a job lose it over those skills rather than technical ones, how to choose work based on tasks and values instead of job titles, the blind spots that quietly derail even strong leaders — and the coaching story of "Joe" that shows what it really takes to change, and what a shorter work week could mean for all of us. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: · [2:00] Why the shift to AI and automation will arrive faster than most people expect · [5:00] Why roughly 89% of people who lose a job lose it over soft skills, not technical ones · [6:00] How Wayne's book Shift turns 21 people skills into real, story-driven lessons · [7:00] The soft skills AI can't replicate — empathy, judgment, and truly understanding people · [8:00] Choosing work based on tasks and values instead of job titles · [17:00] What a shorter three to three-and-a-half-day work week could mean for the future · [21:00] The blind spots that hold even strong leaders back — and how a 360 assessment surfaces them · [26:00] Why recognition is the number one driver of employee engagement · [29:00] The difference between "I can't change" and "I don't want to change" · [36:00] The "great mismatch" and the four quadrants of liking versus being good at your work In this episode: Dr. Wayne Nemeroff is an industrial and organizational psychologist and a former professor at the School of Business at SUNY Albany. He is the president and CEO of PsyMax Solutions (Human Capital Assessments) and the Nemeroff Consulting Group. His new book, Shift: 21 Soft Skills to Navigate the Future of Work, breaks down the seven core capabilities and 21 essential people skills that help workers find meaningful, future-proof careers — each brought to life through the real story of someone who learned to build them. Amelia Forczak is the founder and CEO of Pithy Wordsmithery, a boutique firm that helps executives, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders write and publish their books. A New York Times bestselling ghostwriter, Amelia and her team provide end-to-end support from ghostwriting and developmental editing to cover design, audio, and launch strategy. Resources: · LinkedIn: Wayne Nemeroff [https://www.linkedin.com/in/waynenemeroff] · PsyMax Solutions / Work Style Matcher – workstylematcher.com [https://www.workstylematcher.com] · Shift: 21 Soft Skills to Navigate the Future of Work by Dr. Wayne Nemeroff [https://www.workstylematcher.com/shift-21-soft-skills-to-navigate-the-future-of-work/] · Pithy Wordsmithery – pithywordsmithery.com [https://pithywordsmithery.com/]

Ep. 18 | Where Beauty Meets Science: Real Talk on Aesthetic Dermatology With Dr. Lycia Thornburg

What happens when a board-certified dermatologist decides the system isn't working — and builds something better from the ground up? In this episode, Amelia sits down with Dr. Lycia Thornburg to find out. Dr. Thornburg just opened her own solo dermatology practice — housed in a former bank she gutted and redesigned from scratch. She's a national speaker, the author of Chasing Beauty, and the newly named Allergan Aesthetics flagship provider for her region, winning out of 16 states. She also founded Made for Shade, a skin cancer prevention charity that's been running for 18 years. In this conversation, they dig into the science behind Botox, fillers, and lasers, how to tell if your skincare is truly pharmaceutical-grade (or just expensive marketing), why the aesthetics industry is called the Wild West — and how patients can navigate it safely, what it takes to write a book and how the process transformed Dr. Thornburg's expertise and professional network, and how a last-minute airplane upgrade set the entire journey in motion. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: • [1:00] Leaving a 50-doctor practice to go solo — and what her first week felt like • [3:00] How a former bank became a living room lobby • [7:00] The accountability moment in the book-writing process that changed everything • [9:00] Meeting the chief scientific officer at Allergan and doing the research that shaped the book • [11:00] The Wild West of aesthetics — and how patients can vet their providers • [16:00] Pharmaceutical-grade skincare vs. expensive advertising • [20:00] Lasers explained: what resurfacing actually means and why modern treatments are nothing like the 1990s • [28:00] Winning a national Allergan flagship and building an experiential clinic lobby • [29:00] The origin of Made for Shade and 18 years of community impact • [39:00] Why aesthetic medicine isn't vanity — and how Botox visits save lives In this episode: Dr. Lycia Thornburg is a board-certified dermatologist, author, national speaker, and founder of Lycia Thornburg MD Dermatology in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Her book, Chasing Beauty, was written with the help of Pithy Wordsmithery and explores science-backed aesthetics, patient safety, and the ethics of an industry evolving faster than anyone can regulate. Amelia Forczak is the founder and CEO of Pithy Wordsmithery, a boutique firm that helps executives, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders write and publish their books. A New York Times bestselling ghostwriter, Amelia and her team provide end-to-end support from ghostwriting and developmental editing to cover design, audio, and launch strategy. Resources: • Dr. Lycia Thornburg MD Dermatology – lyciathornburgmd.com [https://www.lyciathornburgmd.com] • Instagram / Linktree: @lyciathornburgmd [https://linktr.ee/lyciathornburgmd] • Instagram: @capturedbeautyaesthetics [https://instagram.com/capturedbeautyaesthetics] • LinkedIn: Lycia Thornburg [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lycia-thornburg-89b610317/] • Chasing Beauty by Dr. Lycia Thornburg [https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Beauty-Science-Business-Aesthetics/dp/B0DW9CH459] • Made for Shade – madeforshadesd.com [https://madeforshadesd.com] • SkinMedica – skinmedica.com [https://skinmedica.com] • Allergan Aesthetics – allerganaesthetics.com [https://allerganaesthetics.com] • Chris Dyer – chrisdyer.com [https://chrisdyer.com] • Pithy Wordsmithery – pithywordsmithery.com [https://pithywordsmithery.com]

Ep. 17 | The Real Authority Is Vulnerability: Aaron Calafato on Authentic Storytelling

What makes someone truly trustworthy as a communicator? According to storytelling expert Aaron Calafato, it's not credentials, authority, or a polished script — it's vulnerability. Aaron is the creator and host of 7 Minute Stories, the leading short-form autobiographical storytelling podcast in the world with over 30 million listeners. He's also a narrative strategist who helps brands like Indeed, Glassdoor, and CyberArk build story channels that create community and fuel growth. In this conversation with Amelia Forczak, Aaron breaks down how he discovered his natural seven-minute storytelling rhythm, why humans are neurologically wired for narrative, and how the simple act of catching stories can transform the way you communicate — whether you're writing a book, giving a keynote, or pitching in a boardroom. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why vulnerability — not authority — is what actually earns trust in storytelling • How to become a story catcher before you try to become a storyteller • The neuroscience behind why humans are already wired for narrative • How big brands can tell authentic stories while still being brand safe • Why public storytelling means careful curation, not oversharing This episode is brought to you by Pithy Wordsmithery, a boutique ghostwriting firm founded by Amelia Forczak. Amelia is a New York Times bestselling ghostwriter who helps executives, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders write and publish their books. Learn more at pithywordsmithery.com [https://pithywordsmithery.com/]. Connect with Aaron Calafato: 7 Minute Stories Podcast: 7minutestoriespod.com [https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/] Website: aaroncalafato.com [https://www.aaroncalafato.com/] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aaroncalafato [https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaroncalafato/] Connect with Amelia Forczak + Pithy Wordsmithery: Website: pithywordsmithery.com [https://pithywordsmithery.com] Subscribe to Sticky: Stories That Stick wherever you listen to podcasts, and leave a review if you love the show!

From Overthinking to Action Building a Business That Sells While You Sleep With Krissy Chin

Krissy Chin is the Owner and Co-founder of K+C Creative, a full-service branding, website design, and copywriting agency that helps coaches and service providers grow and scale their businesses online. She specializes in business strategy, conversion-focused messaging, and building sales funnels that drive revenue and automate growth. As the strategic half of the sister-led company, she combines marketing expertise with practical systems to help clients sell more efficiently. Krissy is also a podcast host and business coach known for helping entrepreneurs create scalable digital offers and sustainable online businesses. In this episode: What if the biggest thing holding your business back isn't strategy, resources, or timing — but your own tendency to overthink? Many entrepreneurs stay stuck waiting for clarity, perfection, or the "right" moment to act. But what if the real path to growth comes from doing before you feel ready? Krissy Chin, a multi-business owner, podcast host, and author, believes that progress comes from action, not perfection. She explains that clarity is a result of taking steps forward, not waiting for all the answers upfront. She highlights how many entrepreneurs fall into analysis paralysis, preventing them from testing ideas, refining their offers, and gaining real-world feedback. By embracing a "done is better than perfect" mindset, business owners can build momentum faster and make smarter, experience-driven decisions. She also emphasizes aligning business models with lifestyle goals and implementing systems that support sustainable growth. In this episode of Sticky: Stories That Stick, Amelia Forczak is joined by Krissy Chin, Owner and Co-founder of K+C Creative, to talk about overcoming overthinking and building a business that sells while you sleep. They discuss taking imperfect action, creating strategic funnels, and simplifying marketing efforts. Krissy also shares advice on delegating effectively and writing a book efficiently.

The Wisdom of Not Knowing: Alan Gregerman on Turning Ignorance Into Innovation

Alan Gregerman is President and Chief Innovation Officer at VENTURE WORKS, a consulting, training, and learning firm that helps organizations drive innovation and develop new products, services, and strategies. He is an internationally recognized expert, bestselling author, and keynote speaker focused on helping companies unlock the genius within their people. With decades of experience advising organizations globally, he is known for his work on curiosity, collaboration, and breakthrough thinking that leads to measurable business results. In this episode: What if the very thing you've been taught to avoid — ignorance — is actually the key to innovation? In a world that rewards expertise and certainty, admitting what you don't know can feel like a weakness. But what if embracing ignorance is exactly what leads to breakthrough ideas? Alan Gregerman, an innovation expert and bestselling author, argues that ignorance can be a strategic advantage because it removes the blind spots created by expertise. He explains that when people rely too heavily on what they know, they limit their ability to see new possibilities. By intentionally stepping into the unknown, asking better questions, and observing the world with fresh eyes, individuals can turn ignorance into a catalyst for innovation. This mindset shift encourages more experimentation, adaptability, and creative problem solving. He also highlights the importance of seeking new experiences to continuously challenge assumptions and expand thinking. In this episode of Sticky: Stories That Stick, Amelia Forczak sits down with Alan Gregerman, President and Chief Innovation Officer at VENTURE WORKS, to talk about how to turn ignorance into innovation. They explore why expertise can limit creativity, how embracing not knowing leads to better ideas, and practical ways to stay curious in a fast changing world. Alan also shares advice on using observation and new experiences to spark breakthrough thinking.