The Innovation Show

In this episode, we explore the strategic brilliance of Taylor Swift with Kevin Evers, author of There's Nothing Like This. From genre-shifting reinventions to billion-dollar tours, Taylor's evolution isn't just musical—it's a masterclass in brand, resilience, and audience engagement.
🎯 We cover:
The pivot from country to global pop dominance
How Taylor handled public backlash & the Kanye/Kardashian controversy
Her savvy response to the streaming revolution
Ownership battles over her masters and how it reshaped the industry
Building the Eras Tour as a pinnacle of fan-first strategy
What businesses can learn from Taylor's "anti-fragile" mindset
Whether you're a fan, a founder, or fascinated by the music business, this is a powerful look at how strategy meets stardom.
🔗 Learn more about Kevin's book: nothinglikethisbook.com
🎧 Subscribe and leave a review to support the show!
https://thethursdaythought.substack.com

In this episode, Aidan McCullen welcomes Kevin Evers, editor at Harvard Business Review Press and author of There's Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift. Together, they explore how Taylor Swift built not just a music career—but a global business empire.
From fearless reinvention and blue ocean strategy to her mastery of fan engagement and brand evolution, Taylor Swift's rise is a masterclass in innovation, leadership, and vision. Learn how her career mirrors the strategic moves of top businesses, and what leaders, entrepreneurs, and creators can take away from her story.
Tune in for:
The psychology and strategy behind Swift's career decisions
How she shaped fan culture and digital engagement
Lessons in brand authenticity, creative growth, and leadership
What businesses can learn from Swift's reinvention and market disruption
Whether you're a Swiftie, strategist, or business leader, this episode offers sharp insights into how to turn art into lasting impact.
Find Kevin: https://www.nothinglikethisbook.com

📘 Guest: Joel Schwartzberg, author of Get to the Point & The Language of Leadership
In this episode, we cut through the noise and get straight to the point—literally. Communication expert and author Joel Schwartzberg returns to discuss the art and science of clarity in communication. Whether you're a leader, innovator, speaker, or simply want to stop rambling and start resonating, this episode is packed with practical, game-changing advice.
We explore:
Why having a clear point is the cornerstone of influence

How to sharpen your message with Joel's "I believe" and "XY" tests

The power of pausing, volume, and emotional contagion in speech

How to handle interruptions with grace and still deliver your message

Real-life analysis of effective speeches (including a powerful moment from Demi Moore)

The role of AI in crafting and questioning your communication

Sticking the landing: how to end your message with lasting impact

💡 If you've ever struggled to communicate a big idea or felt your message wasn't landing—this episode is your ultimate toolkit.
🔗 Show Notes & Resources:
Joel's website: joelschwartzberg.net

Book: Get to the Point (Updated 10-Year Anniversary Edition)

Sponsored by: Kyndryl.com

Innovation Show https://thethursdaythought.substack.com

In this episode, we sit down with Gary Klein, author of Seeing What Others Don't, to explore the fascinating science behind insights and how organizations can foster smarter thinking and innovation. Klein dives deep into over 120 real-world stories he's collected—ranging from Daniel Boone to Napoleon—and explains the two powerful triggers behind most breakthroughs: connections and anomalies.
Discover how organizations often suppress insights, and why a focus on predictability and perfection can kill innovation. Learn about his new concept of Insight Audits and how leaders can shift their environments to better capture the power of spontaneous insight.
00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message
00:27 Guest Introduction: Gary Klein
00:59 Collecting Stories of Success
02:19 The Down Arrow vs. The Up Arrow
04:43 Investigating Insights
05:38 Themes of Insight: Connections and Discrepancies
07:10 Historical Models of Insight
09:16 Organizational Barriers to Insight
11:17 The Perfection and Predictability Traps
15:06 Case Studies: Missed Discoveries
25:14 The Garden Path Phenomenon
32:30 Insight Audits in Organizations
36:48 Ideas That Escape: Case Studies and Suppression
37:27 The Battle of Midway: Intelligence and Strategy
41:38 The 1973 Yom Kippur War: Ignored Warnings
47:23 Napoleon's Tactical Genius at Toulon
50:58 Creative Desperation: The Mann Gulch Fire
58:42 Yellow Fever: The Mosquito Hypothesis
01:06:46 Daniel Boone: Abandoning the Project Plan
01:10:47 Conclusion and Resources
 
Find Gary here: https://www.shadowboxtraining.com/our-team/people/gklein/
 
Find Seeing What Others Don't: The Remarkable Ways We Gain Insights here:
https://amzn.to/4qNlekq
 
Don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review if you enjoy these deep dives into cognitive science, decision-making, and innovation.
 
More at theinnovationshow.io
 
Gary Klein, insight generation, organizational innovation, decision making, cognitive psychology, seeing what others don't, leadership, business strategy, Aidan McCullen, the innovation show

In this timeless episode of The Innovation Show, Aidan McCullen sits down with Scott Galloway, Clinical Professor of Marketing at NYU Stern, for a prescient conversation that remains highly relevant today.
Recorded nearly a decade ago, this episode dives deep into:
The rise of the algorithm-driven economy

How tech giants like Amazon and Facebook dominate using data and intelligence

The decline of traditional media and the shift to subscription-based models

The retail apocalypse and how Amazon continues to reshape consumer behavior

The emerging power of voice technology and screenless interaction

 
Scott also offers strategic insights into the future of media, marketing, and retail, with takeaways that still resonate in today's digital landscape.
This episode is brought to you with thanks to our sponsor, Kyndryl, helping global enterprises harness the power of AI and digital infrastructure for competitive advantage.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction

01:15 Algorithm-Driven Economy

08:46 Subscription Models

12:48 Traditional Media Challenges

24:40 Retail Apocalypse & Amazon

29:02 Rise of Voice Technology

33:01 Conclusion and Sponsor Message

 
Learn more at: https://www.kyndryl.com
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