Geeks Geezers And Googlization Podcast

Ready to hack your happiness? In this episode of Geeks, Geezers, and Googlization, neuroscientist Dr. Paul J Zak (aka Dr. Love) sits down with host Ira S Wolfe to shatter the myths of happiness. Forget everything you thought you knew—happiness isn’t just luck or “soft skill” fluff. It’s hardwired biology, measurable in real time, and absolutely essential for thriving at work and life. Whether you’re a leader seeking to boost culture, an innovator obsessed with productivity, or simply a geek (or geezer) wanting less stress and more joy, this episode is a must-listen. Who should listen? Anyone who thinks happiness is an afterthought or side effect of success Leaders, HR pros, & changemakers who want to build high-performing, emotionally fit teams Every individual tired of “good vibes only” advice and ready for scientifically-backed happiness hacks 3 Compelling Takeaways: Happiness Is Chemistry, Not Chance: Discover why Dr. Zak says the happiest people are “wired for it”—and how his SIX app can lit

Forget what you’ve been told about what’s driving division, disengagement, and dysfunction. It’s not woke and DEI. It’s not remote work. It’s not Gen Z or political affiliations. According to Dr. Zach Mercurio, it’s something far more primal: the deep, unmet need to matter. In this gut-punch of an episode, Zach and host Ira S Wolfe rip into why belonging programs fall flat, expose the myth about soft skills, and reveal why making someone feel seen isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s survival. You’ll never look at leadership, work, or human connection the same way again. Perks don't create a vibrant culture. They’re distractions from the fact no one feels like they belong. Ping-pong tables and catered lunches won’t fix your toxic culture. Start with making people feel like they matter.  If you give a damn about your people—this is required listening. Order the book: The Power of Mattering (https://www.zachmercurio.com/the-power-of-mattering/) Download "Mattering" resources: https://www.zachmercurio.com/mattering/ Connec

Yep! Change often feels like swimming upstream against sticky currents. Even if the status quo is a mess, we cling to it like a life raft. Why? Because the familiar feels like less work for our brain, even when it’s failing us. In this episode, guest co-hosts Eli and Casey unravel the complex web of emotions and instincts that make embracing change feel like swimming through sticky peanut butter. Inspired by future of work thought leader Ira Wolfe's insights, this deep dive is your ticket to understanding the messy, human side of transformation. Here's what you’ll uncover: Our Addiction to Certainty: Our brains are wired to see uncertainty as a threat. Some call this status quo bias. Like survival mode, this triggers a primal response in us. Knowing why change feels unsettling is step one in managing it. Loss Before Gain: Change almost always feels like a loss initially, even if it leads to greater benefits later. It's crucial to acknowledge and address this sense of loss to help people move forward. Cu

Step into the whirlwind of change with this episode of Geeks Geezers Googlization: "Adaptive Perception Disorder." Guest co-hosts Eli and Casey take a Deep Dive into the eerily familiar yet subtly dangerous mindset threatening the backbone of businesses today. They delve deep into the intriguing concept of Adaptive Perception Disorder (APD), coined by GGG host and Future of Work Global Thought Leader Ira Wolfe himself. Why is exploring APD important? ADP is endemic in many companies, a mindset that causes them to believe they’re on top of change when they’re actually way behind. It’s calling the hurricane a light breeze.  Adaptive Perception Disorder (APD) might not be the buzzword yet, but it certainly highlights a crippling blind spot in many organizations. Here are top three takeaways: Spot the Symptoms: Organizations often suffer from outdated strategy decks and vague positivity about being "on track." It’s crucial to recognize these signs as they could indicate a dangerous disconnect from reality. Un

Feel like the world’s spinning faster than ever? You’re not wrong—and “just go with the flow” won’t cut it anymore. Join us for another Deep Dive in this provocative episode of Geeks Geezers and Googlization. Guest hosts Casey and Eli dive deep into the Adaptability Deficit, a term coined by Ira S Wolfe, and why it might be the single greatest threat to your personal and professional survival. We unpack why flexibility is reactive, adaptability is proactive, and why your success now hinges more on your AQ (Adaptability Quotient) than your IQ or EQ. You’ll learn: The crucial difference between being flexible and being adaptable Why adaptability is a skill, not a personality trait How to identify your adaptability blind spots The 5 essential steps to build your adaptability muscle—starting now In a world that’s “never normal,” it’s not the smartest or strongest who thrive—it’s the most adaptable. So… are you ready to evolve? Hit play and future-proof your life.

What happens when AI, immigration policy, and economic trends collide? The job market gets weird—fast. In this must-listen episode of Geeks, Geezers, and Googlization, renowned labor market expert Gad Levanon joins Ira Wolfe to dissect the current state and future trajectory of work. Forget boring forecasts—this is a raw, eye-opening exploration of what’s really happening. Here’s what’s on the table: -AI’s Growing Grip on Jobs – From coding to manual labor, AI is transforming tasks faster than anyone expected. What does that mean for your future career? -How Weird Will It Get? – The job market is shifting under our feet, with immigration trends and tech advancements reshaping labor supply and demand. Buckle up. -The Skills Gap is Real – With nearly half of jobs requiring new skills, the question isn’t whether you’ll need to adapt—it’s how fast. -Immigration and Workforce Planning – Gad and Ira cut through the noise to focus on the practical impacts of immigration policy changes on hiring and workforce strateg

“What does it mean to be human in a world where AI can do almost everything we can—and maybe better?” In this electrifying episode of Geeks, Geezers, and Googlization, we dive into the radical future of work, technology, and humanity with Sam Rad, a digital pioneer who’s part futurist, a technology pioneer, part provocateur, and and the author of Radical Next: Reclaiming Your Humanity in a Post-human World. From creating her own digital twin to questioning the purpose of job titles and even organizational structures, Sam isn’t just forecasting the future—she’s dismantling the old playbook and envisioning what comes next.

Welcome to another special episode of The Deep Dive, in which we rip the lid off modern complacency and expose the dangerous mindset creeping into our lives without us even realizing it. It’s called NAIVE Thinking—and no, we’re not talking about innocent optimism. This is an epidemic of Numbness, Apathy, Indifference, Vulnerability, and Entitlement—a toxic cocktail keeping people stuck, disengaged, and dangerously unprepared for the future. We live in a world moving at breakneck speed, but far too many are sleepwalking through it, scrolling mindlessly, expecting success without sweat, and surrendering control without knowing it. Join us as we dissect why NAIVE Thinking is the biggest threat to future success and well-being—and what you can do to break free before it’s too late. Challenge your thinking. Reclaim your agency. Wake up. Listen now—before you get left behind.  Read the full article at https://nevernormalnews.com.

Welcome to a special episode of Deep Dive into The Never Normal, a Geeks, Geezers, and Googlization special no-nonsense series that unpacks the future of work, leadership, and life in an era of relentless disruption. This episode features highlights from cutting-edge insights by future or work thought leaders Josh Drean, who declares that "Employment is Dead," and John Sanei, author of the upcoming book Future Memories, who explores why we must unlearn everything we know to embrace an uncertain future. I also introduce the latest research from McKinsey’s ‘Developing a Resilient, Adaptable Workforce for an Uncertain Future,’ revealing why only 23% of employees feel prepared for what’s next—and why only 16% of organizations are doing something about it! Something needs to change. In the full episodes (links below), you can listen or watch as Josh and Sanei dive into tough questions like this: Are traditional employment models obsolete? How can leaders build psychological safety in a world that never stops chang

The future is here, and it's weirder than you think.  In this episode of Geeks, Geezers, and Googlization, we’re tearing down the illusions of certainty and exposing the brutal reality of exponential change with global futurist and author John Sanei. AI, blockchain, quantum computing—if you have time to catch up, think again. Our obsession with efficiency and outdated thinking is dragging us down, while the future demands adaptability, experimentation, and a whole new way of leading. It’s time to unlearn everything you thought you knew, ditch the fear, and start shaping what’s next—before it shapes you. No fluff. No hand-holding. Just raw, unfiltered insights to help you stay relevant in a world evolving at breakneck speed. Key Insights: - The Challenge of Adapting to Exponential Change "Our educational system over the last 200 years has prioritized efficiency and repetition over any sort of adaptability and experimentation." - The Importance of Unlearning and Cultivating Adaptability: "The only thing that we

Forget quiet quitting – the ENTIRE employment system is on life support!

That collective sigh you heard recently was likely the relief that the risk of recession has passed. Or are we just experiencing The Twilight Before the Storm resulting in a transformational societal makeover? Warning: this episode is a must-listen but not for the faint hearted! Buckle up folks for a mind-bending journey with our latest special series episode “At the Corner of Main St and Wall St.” In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome the mind-boggling and fascinating insights of Victor Shvets, a global strategist known for his forward-thinking analysis and no-nonsense approach to the world's economic and social tides. He’s the author of recently released “The Twilight Before the Storm.” 6 Key Takeaways:  Echoes of 1930s A striking comparison between today's socio-economic climate and the tumultuous 1930s. The Liquidity Tsunami Understand how capital liquidity ratios shifted from 1.5 to potentially 10 times GDP, and why your savings account might be feeling those ripples. Baby Boomers' Influence Discov

On this episode, I'm taking a deep dive into TWO of my most popular episodes with Zach Mercurio, expert on "mattering" at work. Why? Because it turns out, feeling LIKE you matter is as vital as food and shelter... and its ABSENCE is as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes DAILY! Think that's dramatic? Zach breaks down how loneliness isn't just sad, it's SABOTAGE: 82% of workers feel lonely at work (that's an EY study, folks). This isn't about solo offices, it's about feeling INVISIBLE, even in a crowd. This feeling CRUSHES engagement, well-being, and sucks the life out of organizational change ... the very things we need for a company to THRIVE, especially during these Never Normal Times. So, what's the antidote? Leaders, you're not just bosses, you must be ARCHITECTS OF MEANING. It's not enough for a job to HAVE purpose, people need to FEEL that purpose IN their daily work. Like Zach says, if all you offer is a paycheck, guess what? That's all you'll GET. This episode is PACKED with shifts that will rewire h

The message is clear: The future of work will be defined by rapid technological advancement, requiring individuals and organizations to embrace adaptability as a core competency. Leveraging tools like the AQai model and fostering a supportive and agile work environment will be critical to thriving in the age of acceleration. Join me on this just released 15-minute documentary titled Pivot Point, Navigating Work in the Age of Acceleration. Directed by the acclaimed Nick Nanton, a 22-time Emmy Award Winner, this film provides profound insights from industry leaders on how organizations can navigate and thrive amidst technological advancements and AI integration. You can view the documentary here. https://adaptabilitytoolkit.com/pivot-power/ Key Theme include: Accelerating Pace of Change AI Disruption and Opportunity Adaptability as the Essential Skill The Adaptability Quotient (AQ) Key Insights and Facts: Skills Obsolescence: The half-life of skills is shrinking rapidly, with estimates suggesting th

Election crystal ball or magic 8-ball? Join political gurus Wendy Danley Davis and Louis Perron as they unravel "The Pollsters' Dilemma" in the era of Trump on this episode of "At the Corner of Main St and Wall St." Can we still trust polls to predict election outcomes? Or are we better off consulting tea leaves? This podcast that will challenge everything you thought you knew about political forecasting. Get ready to dive into: • The art (or science?) of reading political tea leaves • Why your neighbor's lawn signs might be more accurate than national polls • The secret algorithm: (Likes + Retweets) ÷ Polling Data = Election Results? Don't miss this chance to peek behind the curtain of political predictions. Your vote counts, but does your opinion poll? Find out soon! This episode will:  - Question the reliability of traditional polling methods in the face of a deeply divided electorate. - Investigate the phenomenon of the "hidden Trump voter" and whether polls are underestimating his support. - Discuss

Buckle up for another riveting episode. Host Ira S Wolfe along with co-hosts Mat Van Alstyne, and John Aidan Byrne plunge into the 2024 Election with Muhlenberg College pollster and political scientist Dr. Chris Borick. Listen as the conversation weaves an intricate dance between Main Street and Wall Street, revealing insights ahead of the 2024 election. Here are just some of the compelling lessons You’ll take away: Favorability Isn't Everything Chris Borick pointed out that likability polls don't always translate to votes. It’s fascinating how perception versus reality plays out at the voting booth. House and Senate Races Matter More Than You Think John Aidan Byrne broke down how slim majorities and competitive districts like the 7th in Pennsylvania could tip the scales significantly in the coming elections. Polling Puzzles and Innacuracies The crew dissected how 2016 and 2020's shocking results threw pollsters into a frenzy, sparking innovations like a blend of cold calling and online surveys to get c

While tech is the fastest-growing sector in the US and the world, it mostly skipped the Midwest. But the shift didn’t just impact jobs but educational attainment and politics too. This episode explores the fascinating junction of Main Street and Wall Street where we bring together insights from Gad Levanon, Chief Economist at Burning Glass Institute, along with our esteemed co-hosts, Ira S Wolfe, Mat Van Alystyne, and John Aidan Byrne. We delve into the perplexing political realignment in the Midwest, the likelihood of a recession, the influence of AI on traditional jobs, concerns about public debt, and even the future of democracy. Episode Highlights: The Midwestern Struggle: The decline in manufacturing has hit the Midwest hardest, undercutting economic stability and leading to a political shift towards the Republican Party. Gad's research highlights a dramatic drop in educational attainment, population, and economic development in the region. This decline has contributed to the shifting voter preferences w

resHave you ever felt like you hit rock bottom and wondered how you'd ever bounce back? Well, just wait until you hear this engaging and heartfelt episode of The Whole You! This is the 2nd and concluding episode with host Joe Serio along with the resilient Kevin and Steph Mason, who share their rollercoaster journey of overcoming life's darkest moments. Their secret: a stupidity sponsor! Oh yeah, focusing on the next step and leaning on faith helped keep their lives in check. Listen in as Joe, Kevin, and Steph dive into the nitty-gritty of battling fears, multiple bouts of cancers,  embracing the messiness of life, and finding hope in the most unexpected places. This episode isn't just about survival—it's about thriving through the tough times and coming out stronger on the other side. **Here are just a few of the takeaways:** 1.  **One Step at a Time**: Learn the importance of focusing on the next step rather than being overwhelmed by the entire journey. 2. **The Power of Positivity**: Hear how keeping a pos

Feel like you’re trying to overcome the impossible? This episode will bring you to tears, laughter, and hope. On Part 1 of this 2-part episode of The Whole You, Kevin and Steph Mason share their incredible journey of resilience and courage. Together they have faced unimaginable challenges, from surviving electrocution and battling multiple cancers to overcoming fears of infertility and birth defects. And yet While their story is nothing short of awe-inspiring and personal, it’s entertaining and at times, downright hilarious.   Here are **3 Key Takeaways** from their story:  **Focus on the Next Step**: Life's adversities can overwhelm us, but Kevin and Steph emphasize breaking down challenges into manageable next steps. This approach helped them navigate through extreme difficulties one step at a time, that would have devastated most people and broken, not strengthened, a marriage.   **Power of Positive Self-Talk**: Negative thoughts can consume us, especially during tough times. The Masons consistently replac

What happens when you mix Main St perception with Wall St economic and policy discussion? You get a rollercoaster episode that's as gripping as it is enlightening! In our latest “At the Corner of Main St and Wall St” episode, I dive deep into the compelling and vexing Shrinking Middle Class Crisis. Alongside recurring guests John Aidan Byrne and Mat Van Alystne and special guest, Jeff Webb, we tackle the perplexing disconnect between a rosy national economic picture and the less positive perceptions of the middle class and lower income Americans. From the challenges faced by working families living paycheck to paycheck to aspiring entrepreneurs attempting to navigate the bureaucracy of business, this episode is packed with insights that you won't want to miss. Here are just a few of the compelling takeaways: **Inflation's Invisible Punch:** Inflation might seem like an abstract concept, but it’s hitting hard. Many Americans find themselves living paycheck to paycheck, a stark contrast to the booming stock mar