On the Brink with Andi Simon copertina

On the Brink with Andi Simon

On the Brink with Andi Simon

Di: Andi Simon
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 On The Brink is a podcast where the goal is to help you better "see, feel and think" about your business, your job, your personal life and your purpose. There will be great interviews and conversations with people who are deeply involved in change—consultants, change agents, managers transforming their teams, entrepreneurs just starting out and CEOs running well-established companies. Economia Gestione e leadership Leadership Management
Episodi
  • Todd Nilson: Building Community That Actually Works (Online, Offline, and In Between)

    Todd Nilson: Building Community That Actually Works (Online, Offline, and In Between)
    Jan 17 2026
    Humans need connection—not as a luxury, but as a foundation for thriving. Yet, in our hyper-connected world, loneliness persists. On this episode of On the Brink, I sat down with Todd Nilson, a community strategist with 25 years of experience in digital transformation and marketing for brands like Activision, Facebook, and SAP, to unpack what real community means and how to build it with intention. Who is Todd Nilson? Todd's journey began in journalism, driven by an authentic curiosity about people and their stories. That passion evolved into a commitment to "building a bigger family"—creating spaces where trust and belonging are central. He's clear: community isn't a "soft" strategy; it's essential for individual and organizational wellbeing. We explored the difference between networks and communities. Social platforms may connect thousands, but true communities are intimate, purposeful, and safe. As Todd put it, a network is like a busy freeway—you can make friends, but it's not where you belong. Real communities are built in "cozy warrens": discussion forums, private groups, and member spaces that foster trust and meaningful exchange. The technology for online communities is abundant, but Todd warns: tools alone don't build belonging. Trust is foundational. He outlined three layers of safety—trustworthy platforms, credible conveners, and benevolent members—enabling honest sharing and engagement. He shared the example of Truth Initiative, whose online community helps people quit smoking and vaping. There, anonymity and trust turn participation into a true "return on life." Watch Todd Nilson on Youtube Understanding Community in a Time of AI Organizations and associations often struggle to sustain engagement beyond annual events. Todd believes communities should keep people connected to their mission year-round, deepen commitment, and serve as pipelines for volunteers or future staff. However, he cautions against focusing solely on technology while neglecting the ongoing stewardship that makes communities thrive. People—not platforms—build lasting connections. Community success is a program, not a project. You can't just launch a platform and expect results. Todd stresses the importance of having a dedicated human facilitator—more concierge than manager—who welcomes, connects, and guides members. While AI can help with moderation, it can't replace human warmth or judgment. We also discussed the importance of strategic clarity: before asking for proof of ROI, organizations must define their community's purpose. What are the desired outcomes—reduced costs, improved retention, innovation? Community design must align with both organizational goals and member needs, even when those priorities differ. Hybrid models work best. Online and offline communities reinforce each other, extending the sense of belonging and engagement. Tools like the Sense of Community Index 2 can help organizations measure how well their community fosters connection and contribution. Culturally, we're faced with an "always open buffet" of groups, but meaningful community requires intentional participation, not just passive consumption. We must choose where to invest our attention, seeking out spaces that truly feed us personally and professionally. Big Ideas for Fast-Changing Times Todd left us with two takeaways: First, plan for purpose—define who your community is for, why it exists, and the unique value it offers. Second, embrace emergent design—start small, let the community evolve, and focus on trust and gradual growth rather than a massive launch. Ultimately, community is a driver of wellbeing—crucial not only at work but also in life's transitions, such as retirement. Whether you're building community for your organization or your next chapter, remember: networks aren't belonging, and community doesn't happen by accident. Purpose, trust, and stewardship make it real. Thanks for tuning in, and thank you to Todd Nelson for sharing such valuable insights. Want to keep the conversation going? Learn more about Todd Nelson's work in community strategy, and let us know what community means to you. From Observation to Innovation, Andi Simon, PhD CEO | Corporate Anthropologist | Award-winning Author Simonassociates.net andisimon.com Info@simonassociates.net LinkedIn
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    45 min
  • In the Age of AI, Your Name Is Your Most Valuable Asset

    In the Age of AI, Your Name Is Your Most Valuable Asset
    Jan 15 2026
    As artificial intelligence accelerates, many leaders, founders, and professionals are quietly asking the same question: Where do I still matter? If machines can write, analyze, summarize, and even "sound" human, what is left that cannot be automated? In this episode of On the Brink, I sat down with branding strategist and neuroscientist-turned-entrepreneur Carey James, co-founder of Brand Alchemy, to explore why a personal brand—not technology—is becoming the defining asset of the future. What emerged was a powerful reframing of branding—not as self-promotion, but as survival. Branding Isn't About Visibility—It's About Trust Carey's journey began in neuroscience labs and academic research, where brilliant minds often remain invisible. In these labs, the work mattered deeply, yet few people beyond their field ever heard about it. That disconnect led him to a simple realization: impact doesn't scale unless people know who you are. Branding, in Carey's view, is not about being flashy or loud. It is about becoming trustable at scale. Human beings evolved to live in tribes. We trusted the hunter, the healer, the builder—not because of logos or résumés, but because we knew who they were. That same ancient wiring still governs modern decision-making. Whether we are choosing a consultant, an executive hire, a keynote speaker, or a company to invest in, the first question is rarely "Is this organization impressive?" It is almost always: Do I trust this person? Your Name Is the Asset—Not the Logo One of Carey's most important insights is deceptively simple: your personal name is likely the most valuable asset you will ever own. Companies come and go. Products evolve. Roles change. But trust attached to your name transfers from project to project. This is why serial entrepreneurs can fail, pivot, and succeed again—while others disappear after one setback. In the age of AI, this becomes even more critical. You will not always be the smartest voice in the room. Algorithms already out-compute us. What they cannot replicate, however, is your lived experience, judgment, pattern recognition, and imperfections. Those human elements—your way of thinking, questioning, connecting ideas—are what create differentiation. The "Label on the Bottle" Problem Most people struggle to articulate their own brand because they are trapped inside it. Carey calls this the label-on-the-bottle syndrome: when you are inside the bottle, you cannot see the label. The solution is not more introspection—it is perspective. Carey encourages leaders to do what great organizations already do through 360-degree reviews: ask others how they experience you. Patterns emerge quickly. Strengths, quirks, values, and stories surface that feel obvious to everyone else—but invisible to you. This external clarity becomes the foundation of an authentic brand, not a manufactured one. Watch our podcast with Carey James here. Connect with me: Website: www.simonassociates.netEmail: info@simonassociates.netLearn more about our books here: Rethink: Smashing the Myths of Women in Business Women Mean Business: Over 500 Insights from Extraordinary Leaders to Spark Your Success On the Brink: A Fresh Lens to Take Your Business to New Heights Watch for our new book, Rethink Retirement: It's Not The End--It's the Beginning of What's Next. Due out Spring 2026. Listen + Subscribe: Available wherever you get your podcasts—Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube, and more. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and share with someone navigating their own leadership journey. Reach out and contact us if you want to see how a little anthropology can help your business grow. Let's Talk!
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    43 min
  • Oscar Barrera — How Business Anthropology Helped A Sourdough Company Grow

    Oscar Barrera — How Business Anthropology Helped A Sourdough Company Grow
    Jan 5 2026
    What if the fastest route to meaningful growth isn't about launching another ad campaign, hiring more salespeople, or optimizing your funnel? What if the real accelerator is simply listening—really listening—to what's already happening around you? In this episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Oscar Barrera, PhD—a brilliant corporate anthropologist and innovation strategist based in Mexico. Oscar and I share a core conviction: anthropology isn't just something you do; it's a way of seeing the world. It allows leaders to notice subtle patterns—those taking shape in their markets, inside their own companies, and in the everyday lives of their customers—even when the clues are hiding in plain sight. Oscar's work drives home a powerful point: the real obstacles to growth are often hidden. Not because they're imaginary, but because we haven't been trained to spot them. Meet Dr. Oscar Barrera: An Anthropologist Forging His Own Path Oscar's journey is as unconventional as it is inspiring. He earned his doctorate in social and cultural anthropology at the University of Washington, with years of fieldwork in Guatemala's highlands. But like so many academics, he realized that the expected career path—university teaching—wasn't really available. So Oscar got creative. He returned home to Mexico and started his own consulting practice from the ground up. He learned the language of business by reading voraciously, listening intently, and immersing himself in the entrepreneurial world—joining business groups, building relationships, and cultivating a brand that helped business leaders understand how anthropology could transform what they do. Through his firm, Antropologia Corporativa, Oscar helps organizations unlock deep understanding about their customers, employees, and markets—then turn those insights into human-centered strategies for growth and innovation. He also hosts a fantastic podcast called Nuevas Posibilidades ("New Possibilities"), which explores innovation, anthropology, and the future of work. A Real-World Case: Sourdough in a Sweet Bread Nation Oscar shared a wonderful story that brings anthropology to life. A bakery owner in Mexico was crafting sourdough bread: wholesome, preservative-free, and free of additives. But he was up against a market where bread is usually sweet, steeped in tradition, and sold cheaply. Here's the twist: the bakery wasn't struggling with demand. Instead, something unexpected was happening—distributors (mostly women) were approaching the bakery on their own, asking if they could resell the bread in their hometowns. The owner's question wasn't theoretical—it was urgent: Who are these women, and how can I grow this kind of distribution model intentionally? As he put it, he wanted "the formula." Why Anthropology Was Essential Oscar's first instinct was to do what anthropologists do best: ethnography. Go to the site, observe, listen, and understand the full context. But travel simply wasn't possible. So he adapted, because good anthropology is all about flexibility. He used remote interviews—speaking with distributors and customers over the phone and online. And what he learned should be a wake-up call for every leader: People will tell you what matters to them—if you listen with the right kind of attention. Oscar was surprised that sometimes meeting online made people more comfortable. It was safe, structured, and time-limited—there was no lingering vulnerability once the conversation ended. Watch our Podcast on YouTube The Discovery: A Purpose-Driven Sales Network The bakery owner assumed his distributors were motivated by money. Oscar found something far richer. These women were selling bread not just for income, but because they: Had personal or family health concernsWanted to support and uplift their communitiesBelieved deeply in natural, preservative-free foodsHad stories that connected them emotionally to the product They weren't just pushing a product—they were sharing a solution and part of their own identities. They were savvy, too, introducing the bread at workplaces, gyms, and local events. Tasting led to trust—and more sales. This was no "features and benefits" transaction. This bread was an experience—one that resonated with values and stories. Five Key Ingredients for Scalable Growth Oscar translated these insights into actionable steps. He identified five elements that would determine whether the bakery's model could truly scale: Shared values and philosophy: The top distributors believed in a mission: boosting health and helping people, not just selling bread.Time and logistics: Without preservatives and in a hot climate, bread spoiled quickly. Delivery schedules and pickups became hidden bottlenecks.Packaging matters: Flimsy boxes led to crushed loaves—hurting both trust and credibility.Social selling support: Distributors used WhatsApp and Facebook, but needed better tools and ...
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    46 min
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