RUGGED RANTS

This week on The Big REthink, host Susan Campbell speaks with leadership expert Karen Colligan about how to become a better leader. Colligan is the founder of PeopleThink, a company that trains executives, teams, and individuals in leadership skills. In this episode, she shares some of the key steps to acquiring these skills – and defining a company leadership culture. Along with training, she says, the essentials include gaining clarity about one's own values, as well as – spoiler – communication. Plus: she shares the most essential tool to cultivate, at any stage of one's career. 

Jean-Luc Froeliger was in middle school when he first fell in love with space. He'd become captivated by sci-fi movies and books, which inspired a lifelong passion. Now, he's Senior VP of Space Systems at Intelsat, operator of the world's largest integrated satellite and terrestrial network. On this episode of The Big REthink, he joins host Susan Campbell to discuss how satellite technology works, what the future of satellite tech looks like, and how it will impact everyday life here on Earth.

When Sgt. Frailan Young started with the Mesa, AZ Police Department, he was writing tickets by hand and gathering video evidence in person. Now, 25 years later, he's part of the department's Real Time Crime Center, a division that uses technology like advanced software mapping and GPS to help solve crimes, assist in emergencies, and support officers on the ground in real time. On this episode of The Big REthink, Sgt. Young joins host Susan Campbell to share how the RTCC is not so unlike TV police shows—and what tech is coming next. 

When Lt. Thomas Porto's department chief asked him if he'd want to oversee the police department's technology deployment, he knew it was an opportunity he couldn't pass up. Now, 12 years later, he's transformed the Fort Lee, NJ, police force in countless ways, from internal processes like digital scheduling to public-facing tasks like issuing tickets. On this episode of The Big REthink, Lt. Porto joins host Susan Campbell to discuss some of those tools and how they've improved safety for citizens and police officers alike.

For Captain Matt Bolger, adopting technology is all about working smarter, not harder. In his role in IT with the Michigan State Police Department, he's helped lead an overhaul of how officers do their work, including which technology solutions to use. In-car modems, real-time video uploads to a cloud, and body cameras all help law enforcement spend more time policing, and less time finding a good Wifi connection. On this episode of The Big REthink, Capt. Bolger joins host Susan Campbell to share how that shift has helped officers and citizens alike.

The night before John Verdi's first day at the police academy, his dad—a former officer himself—had some advice: say hi to everyone. That counsel proved to be pivotal to Verdi's career, including a profound experience on 9/11 and a split-second decision that spared a life. Verdi's since retired from the NYPD, but his learnings inspired him to create an app that helps communities and police connect on a human level and, just maybe, save future lives. On this episode of The Big REthink, he joins host Susan Campbell to discuss how his app is bringing people closer together.

When Captain Don Redmond retired from the Chula Vista Police Department in 2022, he had nearly 26 years of experience in everything from SWAT responses to jail command, and was ready to bid law enforcement goodbye. But after joining BRINC, a drone company that specializes in public safety, he became vice president of special projects there, and has been a promoter of using drones as first responders (DFRs) ever since. In this episode of The Big REthink, Redmond joins host Susan Campbell to share some of the ways in which drones are improving safety outcomes and supporting police departments, including de-escalation, accelerated response times, and reducing officers' workload at a time when staffing is a challenge. Finally, he describes the tech-enabled future he envisions (drones are key, and so is a real-time response system) for safer communities.

Scott Harkless, the Chief Innovation Officer for Alcorn McBride, never intended to go into the theme park business. A tinkerer with a degree in electronic engineering, he originally sought out work in museum-related technology. But now, years later, he's an expert in his field. On this episode of The Big REthink, he joins host Susan Campbell to share some of what he loves about his work, the types of technologies that go into making fan-favorite rides, and why relationship-building is essential for innovation. Harkless also explains why show control systems are essential to every ride—and how they're akin to conducting an orchestra.

In Charlotte, NC, law enforcement has been adopting new technologies to help officers boost their productivity, streamline workflows, and keep their community safer. On this episode of The Big REthink, Charlotte's Public Safety Technology Director, Crystal Combs, joins host Susan Campbell to discuss how tools like AI and ML are reshaping how officers do their work now, and what it might look like down the line. From using predictive analytics to deploy officers more efficiently to computer-aided dispatch, she shares how technology is impacting the work of law enforcement and how it might evolve in the future.

On this episode of The Big REthink, host Susan Campbell speaks with Peter Weishar, the Director of Themed Experience at the University of Central Florida. Weishar has created first-of-their-kind academic programs on themed experiences, including a major and a Master of Fine Arts degree at UCF. During the conversation, he shares what drew him to the field, the technology that students use to design those experiences, and what they might be using in the future. Plus, he explains what, exactly, the difference is between a theme park and an amusement park. (Hint: storytelling and narratives are key.) 

From amusement park rides to arena concerts and high school theaters to TV studios, there are countless ways that people, technology, and innovation come together to bring storytelling to life. As president of InterAmerica Stage, a Florida-based entertainment production company and manufacturer, Mark Black leverages all three. On this episode of The Big REthink, Black joins host Susan Campbell to pull the curtain back on some of the training that goes into entertainment production (physics, fine arts, and rope-climbing are all in the mix) and how pioneering pieces of equipment and capabilities (3D modeling, for example) have changed the game. Plus, he shares where he thinks entertainment is going—and why in-person experiences still matter.

At first glance Schenectady, New York, may seem an unlikely place to be on the leading edge of technological innovation. But the leafy, mid-sized city, which sits about 160 miles north of Manhattan, is quickly becoming a smart city: building and adding far-reaching enhancements to its infrastructure and municipal operations that, according to Police Chief Eric Clifford, improve everything from public safety to climate-change resilience. On this episode of The Big REthink, Clifford joins host Susan Campbell to discuss how he and his colleagues are transforming Schenectady, and what other cities can learn.

Each year for two nights in September, downtown Binghamton, NY, transforms from a business district into a wonderland of immersive storytelling, projection mapping, and magic under the stars. The annual LUMA festival kicked off in 2015 and has since become a focal point for the city, attracting thousands of locals and tourists to take in the experience. On this episode of The Big REthink, LUMA founders Tice Lerner and Joshua Bernard Ludzki join host Susan Campbell to discuss what inspired the festival, the hurdles and triumphs of producing a grassroots event, and the power of art and technology to build community.

What, exactly, is web3? What are NFTs again? And how do they relate to marketing, content, and brand-building? On this episode of The Big REthink, host Barry Ross speaks with Jason Keath, co-founder of Social Fresh and Sofresh Labs, about exactly what these technologies are and how innovations in blockchain and infrastructure can inform marketing strategies now and down the line. Plus, he talks about how a luxury brand bounced back from an early NFT misstep to pioneer and showcase new ways of collaborating with and engaging consumers.

Theme park attractions wow visitors with their thrilling, immersive experiences, which meld together lighting, video, sound, and motion. Behind the scenes, big-thinking creative designers and pragmatic engineers have to work together to make it all happen. On this episode of The Big REthink, Brent Pritchett, VP of Systems Integration for 4Wall Entertainment, joins host Susan Campbell to explain how he and his team—who specialize in lighting systems integration for theme park attractions and entertainment facilities—use technology to bring those big creative visions to life. He also reveals two of his own favorite theme park attractions and describes the impressive technologies behind both.

Stuart Duncan is a web developer and the father of an autistic son. When his son faced difficulties interacting with the wildly popular game Minecraft, Duncan responded by creating Autcraft, which he describes as the first Minecraft server dedicated to providing a safe and fun learning environment for children. Today, Autcraft has 16,000 subscribers. On this episode of The Big REthink, and in honor of Autism Acceptance Month, Duncan joins host Brian Rowley to explain how Autcraft meets its users' emotional and social needs, and to discuss the importance of accessibility in technology.

In celebration of March's Women's History Month, host Susan Campbell looks back at three episodes of The Big REthink featuring creative female leaders at the intersection of education, business, technology, and science. Our guests include an Ivy League university dean who's pioneering a new approach to engineering, the CEO of a company that trains individuals for new careers in tech, and a master storyteller who's making waves in the world of AV. 

Whether taking guests on a live-streamed visit to Atlanta's historic Sweet Auburn neighborhood in celebration of Black History Month or a live, virtual tour of Stonewall National Monument in honor of Pride, Unexpected Virtual Tours offers immersive, interactive virtual tours. Today, host Brian Rowley welcomes Akila McConnell, founder and owner, for a conversation about this immersive storytelling platform and team building concept, and why a focus on DEI is critical for companies in all industries.

At Give Kids the World Village, a nonprofit “storybook resort” in Orlando, Florida, critically ill children and their families can escape from shared emotional weight thanks to a number of meaningful, immersive experiences, many of which are technologically driven. On this episode of The Big REthink, Ian Cole, chief innovation officer, joins host Susan Campbell to discuss how technology is used to bring experiential storytelling to life for the Village's guests. He also explains how automation is used to streamline behind-the-scenes operations, allowing resort staff to fully focus on guests.

Today, as climate concerns continue to rise, consumers, employees and investors are looking for a lot more transparency from the companies they buy from, work for and support. On this episode of The Big REthink, Lee Taylor, co-founder and CEO of REsurety Inc.—an analytics company serving clients in the renewable energy industry—talks to host Brian Rowley about the current state of clean energy initiatives, what his own company is doing to make a positive impact, and what the future of clean energy looks like. He also breaks down what it all means for business.

A new experience at LEGOLAND California Resort allows guests to build their own Ferrari (with help from their own personal pit crew), race it on one of three obstacle-filled tracks, and create a custom, digital version of their fancy new car. The experience is an adrenaline rush for kids, and just one more example of how the brand brings experiential learning to life. On this episode of The Big REthink, as part of our audio visual experience series, LEGOLAND director of entertainment, Jeremy Pancoast, joins host Susan Campbell to talk about how LEGOLAND parks embrace technology and immersion to encourage exploration.

"The world's problems are getting more and more complex. They require multiple disciplines to be able to solve,” says Alexis Abramson, who is the dean of the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College and a mechanical engineer by trade. “When we're dealing with a problem like climate change—or, think about building medical devices—we can't solve that problem in isolation.” On this episode of The Big REthink, Abramson joins host Barry Ross to share her take on why a holistic, interdisciplinary approach that she calls human-centered engineering is crucial to solving sustainability issues and combatting climate change.

In 2020, with live sporting events on pause, Quince Imaging undertook the herculean task of bringing the NFL Draft fan engagement experience to life virtually and in real time. Since then, Quince has captured that same exciting, in-person energy for virtual corporate events through its use of 3D projection image mapping, augmented reality and other technological features. On this episode of The Big REthink, as part of our audio visual experience series, Scott Williams, Quince Imaging's co-founder, CEO and CFO, joins host Susan Campbell to explain how the technologies will continue to improve both live and virtual events for audiences across industries.

For the very first time, all three hosts of The Big REthink—Brian Rowley, Susan Campbell and Barry Ross—take the mic at the same time for a look back at the inspiring conversations that unfolded in 2022. They compare notes on the topics that got them most excited, share some of the year's biggest surprises, and reveal their favorite episodes. In this year-end recap, revisit episodes whose topics ranged from high-tech agriculture to a mom's mission to increase accessibility for people who are hard of hearing. As always, thanks for listening.

In an already evolving workplace, change has accelerated even more over the past few years. That's thanks to everything from the increasing popularity of the hybrid work model to an influx of Gen Z employees. With so many variables at play, how can employees and leaders alike succeed in this rapidly changing workforce? On this episode of The Big REthink, Barry Ross revisits conversations that he and fellow hosts Susan Campbell and Brian Rowley have had with experts—including author Dr. Ruth Gotian, body language expert Dr. Carol Kinsey Goman and DEI advocate Cheryl Harris—who share their insights.

What if, during their concerts, rock bands could scrap pre-planned set lists and let real-time data about fans' energy determine a show's direction? What if sensors could detect event attendees' emotions and deliver a highly personalized experience in response? These are just a couple of concepts that could be inching closer to reality. On this episode of The Big REthink, host Susan Campbell welcomes Geoffrey Platt, of 7thSense Design, for a conversation about how technology is transforming the live-experience industry.

Digital license plates. Dynamic window tints. Car interiors that change in appearance to suit a passenger's preference. These are a few technologies and features that could soon transform the driving experience. At the forefront of their development: E Ink, a company known for creating a sustainable, electronic alternative to paper. On this episode of The Big REthink, E Ink's associate vice president of operations, Tim O'Malley, joins host Barry Ross to explain how the company's smart-surface technology has reshaped reading and public communication, and how it stands to change the automotive industry next.

If anyone knows what it takes to create dazzling, immersive in-person experiences on a larger-than-life scale, it's Winston Fisher. Fisher is CEO of AREA15, a Las Vegas hub for interactive art and entertainment. AREA15 features a fully sensorial virtual reality free-roam space and an immersive, psychedelic grocery store-inspired exhibit with doorways to secret worlds—to name just a few of its head-spinning attractions. On this episode of The Big REthink, Fisher joins host Brian Rowley to discuss how technology brings such experiences to life, and how, with in-person events making a long-awaited comeback, it can help organizers take immersion and engagement to all-new levels for their attendees.

For older generations of professionals, pivoting to a new hybrid work model has required shifts in the way they think, work, and communicate. But for many Gen Z'ers—who will make up 30 percent of the workforce by 2030 and who have navigated school, socializing, and beginning their careers amid the Covid-19 pandemic—hybrid has been the norm. As more of Gen Z enters the workforce, what expectations are they bringing with them, and how can their leaders adapt? On this episode of The Big REthink, Liz Eskenazi, a certified professional coach and founder of Mind The Core, joins host Susan Campbell to answer these questions and more.

More and more, customers and employees care not just about the products, services, and benefits that corporate organizations can offer them—they care about how those same organizations give back to the communities and world around them, too. On this episode of The Big REthink, Panasonic's own Alejandra Ceja, Vice President of Social Impact and Inclusion and Executive Director of the Panasonic Foundation, and Eleazar Gutierrez, the company's Senior Communities Affairs Specialist, join host Brian Rowley to explain why social responsibility matters so much, and to discuss in depth Panasonic's own Month of Service, now in its fourth year.

As students go back to school, we're looking forward to what's in store for education in the years to come. On this episode of The Big REthink, host Barry Ross revisits conversations with three education experts. Dr. Michael John McDonough, president of Raritan Valley Community College in New Jersey, explains how technology is helping to improve education accessibility. Georgetown University scholar Bryan Alexander shares how technology can serve as a both a bridge and a divider, top considerations for the upcoming school year and the need for teaching transformation. Then Dr. Sonny Magana, CEO of Magana Education, outlines why we need to update the current academic model as technology's role continues to grow.

In the worlds of music, dance, urban planning and beyond, art and technology are working together to revitalize creativity and inspire connection. On this episode of The Big REthink, host Susan Campbell revisits conversations with three guests who live and work at the intersection of art and tech. Quantum physicist and professional ballet dancer Dr. Merritt Moore describes the mutual benefits of fusing art and analytics. Ryan Haskins, music director and conductor of the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra, explains how technology is expanding the reach of the 200-year-old art form. And Carmen Zella, creative director and principal at Now Art in Los Angeles, talks about the importance of art in creating healthy and liveable public spaces amid the Smart City revolution.

Everywhere we go, from classrooms to churches to concerts, audio visual technology brings immersive experiences and powerful stories to life. On today's episode of The Big REthink, content creator, multimedia journalist, and AV professional Alesia Hendley joins host Brian Rowley to discuss her passion for creating such experiences through AV technology, and her efforts to “tell a story of what our industry does as opposed to selling the tech specs of what our technology actually does.”

Can a cake decorator find success in an e-commerce role? Is there a place in cybersecurity for a forensics technician? According to Jessica Mitsch Homes, co-founder and CEO of the Raleigh-based training company Momentum, the answer is a resounding yes. On this episode of The Big REthink, Homes joins host Susan Campbell to explain how companies like hers are helping individuals train for new careers in tech—often to the tune of jaw-dropping, double-digit salary increases.

For a long time, corporate workers were expected to bring little more than professional skills to their jobs. But these days, says Cheryl Harris, corporate organizations are recognizing the value of employees and executives on a more holistic level, from their passions and emotions to their intellect and sensitivity. What led to this shift, and what difference is this increasing openness and awareness bringing to the workplace? On this episode of The Big REthink, Harris, an author, leadership coach and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advocate, joins host Brian Rowley to discuss.

In the 1980s, rising awareness of energy efficiency in the building industry led to an ironic—and perhaps surprising—side effect in indoor spaces: poorer air quality. On today's episode of The Big REthink, Kevin Smith, general manager of the Life & Device Solutions Division and Visual Systems Department at Panasonic Canada, joins host Susan Campbell for a conversation about why most people assume the air inside their homes is healthy, and what they can do to ensure that it actually is.

For utility companies, keeping power lines clear of fallen trees and overgrown vegetation is a complex task. On this episode of The Big REthink, Anne Beard, director of vegetation management solutions for Geospatial Innovations, Inc., explains to host Susan Campbell how the company's software simplifies the process, and increases efficiency, for workers in the field and the office. Beard also shares the positive ripple effect that technology and vegetation management have on wildlife and the environment when they're used together.

Agriculture is an age-old industry. New technologies, such as self-driving tractors, stand to increase efficiency and profitability and to fill gaps in lacking labor, but some farmers still hesitate to embrace it. Today, Jon Ebert, manager of public and industry relations in North America for John Deere, explains to host Brian Rowley how he's using creative storytelling to illustrate the value advanced technologies bring to the trade.

To educate customers about how they can be more sustainable at home, the Orlando Utilities Commission set up a tiny green home outfitted with engaging, interactive displays centered around water usage, energy consumption, composting, and other areas of focus. On this episode of The Big REthink, Bernadette Boesch, the commission's creative director, joins host Susan Campbell to explain the tiny home's impact, and to share tips for consumers who want to go green at home.

Former NASA astronaut Charlie Camarda formed the EPIC Education Foundation in response to the drastically dwindling number of students who pursue STEM-related education and careers. On this episode of The Big REthink, Camarda joins host Barry Ross to discuss the foundation's innovative educational model, which promotes collaborative problem-solving and mentorship across age groups and education levels.

In honor of Earth Day, host Barry Ross revisits conversations with innovative executives and individuals who are using technology as a tool to better our planet. Guests include Topher White, founder of Rainforest Connection, an organization dedicated to combating illegal logging and deforestation; Atmosic Technologies founder and CEO David Su, who explains how energy harvesting could reduce electronic waste; and Alaka'i Technologies co-founder Brian Morrison and BMW Group Designworks' Peter Falt, who are pioneering electronic vertical takeoff and landing (EVTOL) aircraft that could reduce carbon emissions and transform the way we travel.

For people who are hard of hearing, a routine visit to the post office, bank or pharmacy can be complicated. On today's episode of The Big REthink, Janice Lintz, founder and CEO of Hearing Access Innovations, joins host Barry Ross to explain how face masks, plexiglass barriers and background noise can pose challenges for people who are hard of hearing, and how she's working to make a particular, problem-solving technology more widely available.

It's Women's History Month! To celebrate, on this episode of The Big REthink, host Susan Campbell shares snippets from conversations with a few of her favorite, forward-thinking female guests of the show. Topics of conversation range from the power of public, outdoor art exhibits to technology's role in making the world more accessible for people with disabilities—and much more.

Body language isn't just a reflection of what we might be thinking or feeling on the inside. It can influence how we're viewed as leaders, too. On this episode of The Big REthink, host Susan Campbell welcomes international keynote speaker and body language expert Dr. Carol Kinsey Goman for a conversation about the link between our body language and our perceived credibility. They also discuss ways to effectively adapt body language for a digital workplace, and how executives can use body language to their advantage.

In modern-day baseball, far more goes into preparing players for competition than just batting practice and outfield drills. On this episode of The Big REthink, Katie Krall—the biomechanist and former Google strategist who recently joined the Boston Red Sox as development coach for its Minor League team, the Portland Sea Dogs—joins host Brian Rowley to discuss how coaches in the sport are using technology, data and analytics to increase players' efficiency, devise on-field strategy and even prevent injury.

Self-doubt, gender bias and physical strain were a few of the obstacles mountaineer Tonya Clement had to overcome when, in 2006, she became the ninth American woman to summit Mount Everest, the world's highest peak. On this episode of The Big REthink, Clement, now the president of Cardinal Peak Technologies, joins host Brian Rowley to discuss the mindset, training regimen and technology that helped her make it to the top.

What do Nobel Prize-winning scientists, Olympic figure skaters and astronauts have in common? They're all extreme high achievers at the top of their respective fields. On this episode of The Big REthink, Dr. Ruth Gotian—The Success Factor author, chief learning officer and assistant professor of education in anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine, and 2021 recipient of Thinkers50's prestigious Radar Award—joins host Brian Rowley to explain what factors set these high achievers apart, and how individuals can learn skills and traits to boost their own success.

For industries that embrace it, cryptocurrency can create efficiencies—both economic and operational. Why do some still resist it, and are they wise to stay away? Ron Shevlin—author, Forbes contributor, and director of research for Cornerstone Advisors—breaks it all down for host Barry Ross on today's episode.

The rapidly changing workplace. Constantly evolving industries. Technology's impact on the arts. We covered a lot of exciting topics on The Big REthink in 2021, and on this final show of the year, host Barry Ross revisits a few of our favorite episodes and guests. As always, thanks for listening. We'll be back with exciting new episodes in 2022!

Despite existing in an increasingly digital world, many brick-and-mortar retailers are significantly more profitable than their e-commerce counterparts. On this episode of The Big REthink, Chris Ressa—host of the Retail Retold podcast and COO of DLC Management Corp.—joins host Brian Rowley to explain why. Ressa also explains how changing work models, such as hybrid and work-from-home, are impacting retailers, why a growing number of digitally native brands are going the brick-and-mortar route, and what 2022 holds for the retail and commercial real estate industries.

Electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft have the potential to alleviate traffic congestion, facilitate disaster-relief efforts and improve the cargo delivery process—all while leaving an exponentially smaller environmental footprint than traditional fixed-wing planes and helicopters. So, how soon might we see them in the skies? On this episode of The Big REthink, host Brian Rowley welcomes Alaka'i Technologies co-founder Brian Morrison and BMW Group Designworks' Peter Falt, two of the minds behind the pioneering eVTOL aircraft Skai, to discuss this and more.