Connect with Dr Holinger today: Molly L. Holinger, Ph.D.
Learn more about Dr Holinger’s Work: Creativity at Buffalo State.

This podcast episode of Accessible Disruption features Dr. Molly Holinger, an Assistant Professor of Creativity and Change Leadership at SUNY Buffalo State. She holds a PhD in educational psychology with an emphasis on giftedness, creativity, and talent development from the University of Connecticut, and a Master of Science in Creative Studies from the Center of Applied Imagination at SUNY Buffalo State. Dr. Holinger’s research and teaching focus on the positive outcomes of creativity, such as engagement, meaning, and positive emotions. She also worked as a consultant for the Creativity and Emotions Lab at the Yale Center of Emotional Intelligence.

Dr. Holinger discusses how creativity and well-being can be applied to handle disruption. She highlights cognitive reappraisal as a tool to reframe challenges, citing the example of being late to a party and instead of focusing on the negative, reframing it as an opportunity to avoid small talk. She connects this concept to a creative problem-solving tool called PPCO (Pluses, Potentials, Concerns, and Overcoming concerns), which encourages phrasing challenges as positive questions. The discussion also covers the relationship between emotions and creativity. Dr. Holinger explains that creativity is generally associated with positive emotions, and that high-activation emotions, both positive (like joy) and negative (like anger), can be important for the creative process. She suggests that understanding one’s mood and matching it to the creative task at hand can be beneficial.

The episode also touches on the connection between neurodiversity and creativity, noting a correlation between ADHD and divergent thinking. Ryan Hill, a co-host and former student of Dr. Holinger, describes how the creativity program was “healing” for him, as it allowed him to lean into his neurodivergent traits rather than suppressing them. Dr. Holinger also discusses post-traumatic growth, explaining that while adversity is not something to be invited, it can serve as a catalyst for change, adaptation, and open-mindedness. She concludes by emphasizing the importance of social connection and purpose in navigating hardship. She also stresses the value of collaboration, whether virtual or in-person, highlighting that the core principles of successful collaboration are the same regardless of modality. Finally, she offers a call to action for listeners to embrace an open mindset about science and to have their practices informed by research.

Connect with Degmo Daar today: https://www.linkedin.com/in/degmodaar/
Learn more about Degmo Daar's Work: https://noord-consulting.com/about/

In episode of the Accessible Disruption podcast, the team from Strategy Table welcomed guest Degmo Daar for a deep dive into the current state of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Daar, a DEI Strategist and social entrepreneur, brings extensive experience in using systems thinking to embed inclusive strategies across various industries. Based just north of Stockholm, Sweden, and of Somali heritage, Daar described her work as centring on rethinking structures and challenging assumptions to embed equity into leadership and strategy. Her passion for DEI is deeply personal, stemming from her own experiences as a Black Muslim woman navigating systems not designed for her.

The discussion explored the significant backlash DEI initiatives are currently facing, which Daar interprets as a sign that DEI is succeeding in its ultimate goal: challenging power. While many global companies are rebranding their DEI efforts or cutting roles out of fear, particularly influenced by trends in the United States, Daar emphasizes that the fight for justice has always existed and simply takes new forms. The conversation also highlighted global differences, noting that while the U.S. has an open dialogue about race, other countries like Sweden do not collect race data, which creates systemic issues around ethnicity despite advancements in gender equality. The podcast participants discussed the importance of addressing both apparent and non-apparent differences, such as neurodiversity, advocating for universal design where workplaces are built for everyone to thrive from the outset, rather than as an afterthought.

Ultimately, the episode framed DEI not as a charitable act, but as a fundamental redesign of unjust systems. Daar advised that changing minds requires education and conversation, not confrontation, by seeking to understand the logic behind resistance. A central theme was the idea of "redistributing power," clarifying that sharing power does not mean losing it. The hosts and guests concluded with a call to action for listeners in positions of influence to use their voices, as silence protects the status quo. They stressed that businesses must be willing to tear down and rebuild broken systems with purpose at their core, because in the end, survival is not mandatory for businesses that refuse to evolve.

Connect with Henry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henry-coutinho-mason-3689572/
Learn more about his work: https://henrycoutinho-mason.com/

This episode of Accessible Disruption features Henry Coutinho-Mason, who describes himself as a "reluctant futurist and a provocative optimist." The conversation delves into the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and its impact on society and business, emphasizing that the future remains unknowable. Henry shares his personal journey from a "terrible accountant" to a futurist, highlighting how unforeseen opportunities and a willingness to explore led him to his current path, underscoring the rapid pace of change in the world.

The discussion explores the prevalent pessimism surrounding AI and the future, contrasting it with the naive optimism that once greeted social media. Henry argues that while some pessimism is justified due to past experiences with technology's unintended consequences, a sole focus on the downsides can hinder progress and prevent businesses from recognizing new possibilities. He champions a more optimistic outlook, particularly by highlighting how other parts of the world, especially developing nations, view AI as a tool for tangible progress and development, unlike the fear of ill-defined AI ethics seen in Western societies.

A core theme of the episode is the transformative power of AI in empowering small, focused teams to achieve disproportionately large impacts. Henry draws parallels between historical technological shifts, like the advent of spreadsheets revolutionizing the finance industry, and the current AI boom. He suggests that AI will enable smaller groups to accomplish tasks that previously required hundreds of people, allowing them to maintain their core purpose and vision without dilution. This perspective offers an exciting vision for the future of business and purpose-driven initiatives, where technology can amplify the capabilities of dedicated teams.