エピソード

  • Why AI Feels Fast But Doesn't Feel Easier

    Why AI Feels Fast But Doesn't Feel Easier
    2026/05/22
    If you've been using AI tools and quietly wondering whether they're actually saving you time, or whether you're just doing the same work in a different order, this conversation is for you. I sat down with Max Kirchoff, a principal technologist and product-focused engineer who writes about the intersection of humans and machines on his Substack, Human of the Loop. What I love about Max is that he's not afraid to say most of us have been getting AI wrong, not because the tools aren't powerful, but because we keep bolting them onto the way we already work instead of pausing to rethink the work itself. We get into the four layers of work and where AI actually pays off, why "building trust with AI" is the wrong frame, and what leaders are missing when they chase efficiency instead of growth. If you've been feeling the dissonance between how fast AI lets you start things and how the work itself doesn't always feel easier, you're going to find a lot here.Key Takeaways:AI doesn’t fail because the tools are weak; it fails when you bolt it onto workflows you haven’t rethought.Most people apply AI at the task level; the real leverage is at the workflow layer and above.You can’t build trust with an LLM the way you build it with a person.The shift that’s making everyone anxious isn’t AI itself.Leaders who chase AI for efficiency miss the bigger opportunity: growth.Adoption follows the leader. If you want your team to learn AI, demonstrate that you’re learning it too.The most underrated skill in the AI era is curiosity.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction01:46 Who is Max Kirchoff?03:00 What “human in the loop” actually means05:15 How to navigate AI tools effectively10:37 Why you can’t trust AI the way you trust a person15:48 The 4 layers of work19:22 How to spot assumptions running your workflow22:40 The evolution of programming languages and abstraction layers28:31 The shift that’s making everyone anxious29:36 What leaders keep getting wrong about AI adoption31:39 Investing in human skills for AI integration33:28 Why “let them fail” is an AI strategy37:36 Curiosity as the self-starter skill41:21 If only people knew…42:35 Where to find MaxResources Mentioned:AI Broke the Rhythm of WorkHigh Output Management by Andrew GroveClaude AI ModelChatGPT by OpenAIPerplexity Search EngineConnect with Max:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxkirchoff/ Human of the Loop Substack: https://www.humanoftheloop.com/Connect with Me:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyannclark08/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildingthinkers/ Building Thinkers Newsletter: https://building-thinkers.kit.com/24cdc43dcf More About Building Thinkers: I'm your host, Tracy Clark, and this is where potential becomes reality through deliberate curiosity, reflection, practice, and play. The Building Thinkers podcast is based on the realization that there's exponential potential in the things we build.And so, in my little corner of the internet and podcasting land, I want to take my 12 favorite problems, these are my constant curiosities, and I want to go deeper. I want to build thinkers. This is a community of multi-potentialites who may be disoriented by all the possibilities of success we envision but haven't yet achieved.If any of that sounds like you, come listen in. Welcome to the Building Thinkers podcast.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    44 分
  • What the World Actually Needs From You

    What the World Actually Needs From You
    2026/05/08

    The world doesn't need more information. It needs more conscious humans, and this conversation with Mentor Dida might be the most important one I've had on this show.


    Mentor is a Kosovo war survivor turned global changemaker who co-founded three nonprofits, led movements at Arizona State University, and now works with Ashoka, the world's pioneer network of social entrepreneurs, to help individuals and communities find the power inside themselves to create real change.


    In this episode, we get into why inner transformation is the foundation of everything, leadership, innovation, community, and society itself, and why developing the "I" matters far more than upgrading your iPhone. You'll hear us talk about what it actually looks like to build meaningful community from the ground up, why our obsession with scaling solutions is getting in the way of starting locally, and what it means to move from back porch to front porch, literally and figuratively.


    If you've ever felt the tension between striving to make a big impact and wondering whether the small, human moments right in front of you are enough, this episode will sit with you. Mentor left me with a question I'm still turning over: what kind of human do you need to become for your future to thrive?


    Key Takeaways:


    Why emotional regulation is the skill no one taught you but everyone needs


    How the labels you wear might be limiting the life you can live


    Why changing your neighborhood might matter more than changing the world


    What most impactful social entrepreneurs know that most leaders don’t


    The simple shift that could make communities actually feel human again


    Timestamps:


    00:00 Introduction

    01:50 Mentor’s journey and background

    05:53 Where to begin if you want to be a change maker

    09:28 Who are you without all the labels?

    13:53 The difference between doing and being the change

    15:18 Lessons from social entrepreneurs

    16:45 How one person’s inner work changes everything

    19:51 Building community connections

    24:46 Interdependence in times of crisis

    31:01 Are we measuring the wrong things in education?

    34:00 Creating spaces for human connection

    40:05 The power of identity and the collective intelligence

    43:08 Outro


    Resources Mentioned:


    Ashoka - https://www.ashoka.org/

    Blueprints for Thought: https://building-thinkers.kit.com/24cdc43dcf


    Connect with Mentor:


    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdida/

    Website: https://mentordida.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentordida/


    More About Building Thinkers:


    I'm your host, Tracy Clark, and this is where potential becomes reality through deliberate curiosity, reflection, practice, and play. The Building Thinkers podcast is based on the realization that there's exponential potential in the things we build.


    And so, in my little corner of the internet and podcasting land, I want to take my 12 favorite problems, these are my constant curiosities, and I want to go deeper. I want to build thinkers. This is a community of multi-potentialites who may be disoriented by all the possibilities of success we envision but haven't yet achieved.


    If any of that sounds like you, come listen in. Welcome to the Building Thinkers podcast.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    45 分
  • Breaking the Cycle of High-Functioning Anxiety

    Breaking the Cycle of High-Functioning Anxiety
    2026/04/24

    If you've ever felt like slowing down is somehow dangerous, this episode is for you.


    I sat down with Tati Garcia, therapist, anxiety specialist, and the voice behind the Coping Calmly with Tati podcast, to talk about something I think a lot of high-achieving women are quietly dealing with but rarely name out loud: high-functioning anxiety. We get into why perfectionism and that constant sense of urgency aren't just personality traits, they're learned patterns with real emotional roots.


    Tati shares her own journey navigating these patterns, and what it actually looks like to build a life where rest isn't a reward, it's part of the work. If you're someone who's always on to the next thing before you've even acknowledged what you just accomplished, this one will hit close to home.


    Key Takeaways:


    High-functioning anxiety often leads to feelings of being behind despite accomplishments.


    Perfectionism can manifest as all-or-nothing thinking, leading to self-criticism.


    Societal expectations can reinforce overworking and perfectionist tendencies.


    Ambition is not inherently negative, but it should be balanced with self-care.


    Setting clear boundaries can alleviate the pressure of urgency.


    Rest is essential for mental health and should not be viewed as unproductive.


    Negative thought patterns can be shifted by recognizing their impact on well-being.


    Timestamps:


    00:00 Introduction

    03:14 Where perfectionism actually comes from

    05:34 The hidden driver behind high-functioning anxiety

    10:37 Why everything feels so urgent

    14:27 When ambition becomes a trap

    18:54 Finding balance without killing your drive

    23:58 Passive vs. active rest: which one works best for you?

    28:48 Decoupling your worth from your output

    32:08 What anxiety regulation actually looks like in real life

    41:42 If only people knew this about high-functioning anxiety

    42:54 Outro


    Resources Mentioned:


    Take Tati’s quiz: https://www.becalmwithtati.com/high-functioning-anxiety-quiz/


    Connect with Tati:


    Website: https://www.becalmwithtati.com/

    Podcast: https://www.becalmwithtati.com/podcast/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tatianaglpc/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CalmlyCoping/featured

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tatianaglpc


    More About Building Thinkers:


    I'm your host, Tracy Clark, and this is where potential becomes reality through deliberate curiosity, reflection, practice, and play. The Building Thinkers podcast is based on the realization that there's exponential potential in the things we build.


    And so, in my little corner of the internet and podcasting land, I want to take my 12 favorite problems, these are my constant curiosities, and I want to go deeper. I want to build thinkers. This is a community of multi-potentialites who may be disoriented by all the possibilities of success we envision but haven't yet achieved.


    If any of that sounds like you, come listen in. Welcome to the Building Thinkers podcast.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    45 分
  • How to Build a Flourishing Life: Insights from Harvard's Human Flourishing Project

    How to Build a Flourishing Life: Insights from Harvard's Human Flourishing Project
    2026/04/10
    What does it mean for humans to flourish? Not just to be happy, not just to check the boxes of a good life, but to genuinely thrive across every dimension of what it means to be a person?That's the question Harvard researchers and their collaborators have been rigorously pursuing, and the early findings are challenging some of our deepest assumptions. When the Global Flourishing Study, a landmark longitudinal project surveying over 220,000 people across 22 countries, released its first wave of data, what emerged wasn't what anyone predicted. The wealthiest, most developed nations weren't leading. Indonesia topped the composite flourishing score. Japan, a major economic power, ranked among the lowest. Young people's well-being globally has compressed from a U-curve into something closer to a J. And one of the strongest predictors of later-life flourishing? Whether a young person attended religious services, across every major religion studied.In this episode, I'm joined by Reece Brown, Associate Director of Impact at the Harvard Human Flourishing Program. Reece came to this work through an unlikely path: from investment analysis to research assistant to Arthur Brooks at the Harvard Kennedy School's Leadership and Happiness Laboratory, and now sits at the intersection of rigorous science and real-world application, working to translate what the research reveals into something that people, institutions, and policymakers can use.We get into what flourishing means across its five (and really six) domains, why the satisfaction dilemma keeps even successful people feeling stuck, how measurement shifts when you move from the individual to the population level, what the Global Flourishing Study is and how it differs from the World Happiness Report, and what the data is showing us about meaning, community, forgiveness, and love.That last one is where Reece takes us, and the research behind it is anything but soft. Across every project at the program, from forgiveness workbooks built on cognitive behavioral therapy to academic flourishing surveys to emerging work on AI and human thriving, the same thread runs through: love, connection, and community are measurable, researched, and far more within reach than most of us assume.Key Takeaways:Flourishing is defined by five domains: happiness, health, meaning, character, and relationships.Measuring flourishing involves psychometric assessments and surveys.Data signals that young people's happiness is declining globally, indicating a need for intervention.Love and connection are essential for human flourishing.The importance of community in fostering individual flourishing.Behavioral change is challenging but necessary for achieving happiness.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction05:22 What does “flourishing” mean?08:42 How to measure human flourishing19:03 Current status of the Human Flourishing Program26:51 Insights from the Global Flourishing Study29:27 The impact of childhood adversity 31:18 Exploring spiritual dimensions in flourishing36:08 Community and connection in flourishing 37:27 The science of forgiveness42:11 Bridging research and practical impact51:57 The power of love in flourishing53:45 OutroResources Mentioned:How Children Succeed by Paul ToughThe Coddling of the American Mind by Jonathan HaidtMan’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. FranklThe Daily Stoic by Ryan HolidayThe Human Flourishing ProgramHarvard’s Global Forgiveness MovementConnect with Reece:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reece-brown/
    続きを読む 一部表示
    55 分
  • A Tough Season Doesn’t Mean You're Failing

    A Tough Season Doesn’t Mean You're Failing
    2026/03/27

    What if the hardest season of your life is actually your launchpad?


    I’m so excited to share today’s episode with you because we’re unpacking what it really means to handle hard better. My guest, Eileen Suarez, is a transformation and mindset coach who works with high-achieving women navigating big life and career transitions. She helps women go from stuck to unstoppable using brain-based strategies that rewire how you think, act, and tell your story.


    We dive into how to reframe rejection, move through fear, and embrace failure as a growth opportunity. Eileen shares actionable ways to harness your strengths, build confidence through action, and use human connection (even in a world dominated by tech) to propel yourself forward.


    If you’ve ever wondered how to take the leap during a career shift, navigate uncertainty, or make big changes without losing yourself, this episode is for you.


    Key Takeaways:


    Failure should be viewed as a growth opportunity, not a setback.


    Embracing hard experiences can lead to personal growth and resilience.


    Networking and human connection are vital in times of change.


    Understanding and utilizing one's strengths can enhance job satisfaction and engagement.


    It's important to prepare for potential career changes in advance.


    Taking small steps can help overcome fear and self-sabotage.


    Community and support are essential for navigating transitions.


    Timestamps:


    00:00 Introduction

    00:57 How to reframe rejection

    03:49 Growth in disguise

    08:33 The role of AI in careers

    11:40 Networking that actually moves you forward

    15:19 Confidence comes from action, not comfort

    17:52 Eileen’s layoff to liftoff story

    20:25 Facing fear without freezing

    23:35 Small steps that lead to big change

    24:22 Discovering what truly drives you

    25:06 Leveraging strengths to make goals reality

    26:12 Intentional moves that create momentum

    28:28 Wrapping up


    Resources Mentioned:


    Take the Gallup CliftonStrengths!

    Intelligent Failure by Amy Edmundson

    Download your Blueprint for Thought


    Connect with Eileen:


    Website: https://peakconfidencegroup.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eileensuarez1/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eileensuarez.coachsulting/


    More About Building Thinkers:


    I'm your host, Tracy Clark, and this is where potential becomes reality through deliberate curiosity, reflection, practice, and play. The Building Thinkers podcast is based on the realization that there's exponential potential in the things we build.


    And so, in my little corner of the internet and podcasting land, I want to take my 12 favorite problems, these are my constant curiosities, and I want to go deeper. I want to build thinkers. This is a community of multi-potentialites who may be disoriented by all the possibilities of success we envision but haven't yet achieved.


    If any of that sounds like you, come listen in. Welcome to the Building Thinkers podcast.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    29 分
  • Why Successful People Still Feel Stressed About Money

    Why Successful People Still Feel Stressed About Money
    2026/03/13

    If money feels heavier than it should, this conversation will change how you carry it.


    I’m sitting down with Priya Malani, founder of Stash Wealth, a financial advisor who works with high-earning millennials and helps them build real systems (not just budgets) that actually support the life they want. She’s seen behind the curtain of how smart, ambitious people handle money… and where they quietly sabotage themselves.


    We’re unpacking the stories you’ve absorbed about money and how those narratives are shaping your financial behavior, whether you realize it or not. If you’ve ever felt financially “behind,” anxious about investing, confused about credit cards, or unsure what wealth even means for you, we go straight at it.


    You’ll walk away understanding why mindset matters just as much as math, how automation creates freedom (not restriction), and why money is a tool, not a moral scorecard. Priya breaks down how to think about credit cards strategically instead of emotionally, and what it actually means to define wealth on your own terms.


    This isn’t about hustling harder or cutting lattes. It’s about building a financial foundation that supports the life you’re designing, intentionally, confidently, and without quiet panic running the show.


    Key Takeaways:


    Automation can simplify financial management and reduce stress.


    Understanding the difference between saving and investing is crucial for wealth building.


    Emergency funds should be viewed as a first line of defense, not the only line.


    Financial planning is not just for the wealthy; it is for everyone.


    Defining what 'rich' means to you is essential for setting financial goals.


    Financial anxiety can be addressed through education and support.


    Timestamps:


    00:00 Introduction

    03:01 The stories we tell ourselves about money

    08:18 Automating your finances for freedom

    09:24 Building systems that actually stick

    11:41 Why credit cards can be your ally

    12:19 The role of emergency funds

    15:30 Budgeting is broken, here’s why

    18:14 Tackling financial anxiety head-on

    20:58 What does wealth really mean?

    21:37 Designing a life that feels rich

    22:17 Financial resources

    23:24 Outro


    Resources Mentioned:


    What Every High-Achieving Woman Should Know About Money

    I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi


    Connect with Priya:


    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itspriyamalani/

    Website: https://www.stashwealth.com/

    The F Word Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5DjMQM98nj8yJobhxCJsmf?si=6f79219f95a249fa


    More About Building Thinkers:


    I'm your host, Tracy Clark, and this is where potential becomes reality through deliberate curiosity, reflection, practice, and play. The Building Thinkers podcast is based on the realization that there's exponential potential in the things we build.


    And so, in my little corner of the internet and podcasting land, I want to take my 12 favorite problems, these are my constant curiosities, and I want to go deeper. I want to build thinkers. This is a community of multi-potentialites who may be disoriented by all the possibilities of success we envision but haven't yet achieved.


    If any of that sounds like you, come listen in. Welcome to the Building Thinkers podcast.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    24 分
  • Who Are You Without the Title?

    Who Are You Without the Title?
    2026/02/27

    What if feeling stuck isn’t a personal failure… but a signal that the system you’re operating in no longer fits who you’re becoming?


    I’m joined by Laura Peterson, a leader who lives at the intersection of strategy, culture, and human behavior. Her work centers on designing systems that actually function in the real world. Not theory. Not buzzwords. Real frameworks that grow leaders, strengthen culture, and drive meaningful outcomes while honoring how people actually develop and make decisions. She moves fluidly between data, design, and dialogue, helping leaders recognize patterns, ask sharper questions, and navigate uncertainty with confidence.


    In our conversation, we explore what it really means to feel stuck, especially when your identity has been built around achievement, performance, or a title. We talk about the fawn response and how it can quietly shape leadership behavior. We dig into self-trust, reinvention, and the deeper questions that surface during seasons of change: What does success mean now? What kind of leader do I want to be? How do I move forward when the future feels unclear?


    Laura brings both systems-level thinking and emotional intelligence to this discussion. She understands that transformation isn’t just personal, it’s structural. Whether you’re building a company of one or leading across continents, the patterns you operate in matter.


    Key Takeaways:


    Recognizing signals of being stuck is crucial for growth.


    Your essence is different from your job title.


    Reconnecting with your essence can lead to clarity.


    Self-trust is essential for personal and professional growth.


    Emotions provide valuable information about our state.


    We should focus on learning and teaching, not just titles.


    Creating a habitat for others to flourish is key to impact.


    Timestamps:


    00:00 Introduction

    04:05 Identifying signals of being stuck

    06:47 Escaping vs. facing your discomfort

    09:52 The importance of essence vs. job title

    11:55 When your job shapes your sense of self

    14:52 Rebuilding trust in yourself, step by step

    17:14 The trust equation: are you self-serving or self-honoring?

    25:45 The Acorn and the Tree: a new perspective on growth

    27:58 Designing a space where others can thrive

    32:10 The emotional journey back to yourself

    35:20 Tapping into intuition and how to go deeper

    36:22 Outro


    Resources Mentioned:


    https://drdianahill.com/

    https://www.rhythmofregulation.com/


    Connect with Laura:


    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurapetersonhr/


    Connect with Me:


    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyannclark08/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildingthinkers/

    Building Thinkers Newsletter: https://building-thinkers.kit.com/24cdc43dcf


    More About Building Thinkers:


    I'm your host, Tracy Clark, and this is where potential becomes reality through deliberate curiosity, reflection, practice, and play. The Building Thinkers podcast is based on the realization that there's exponential potential in the things we build.


    And so, in my little corner of the internet and podcasting land, I want to take my 12 favorite problems, these are my constant curiosities, and I want to go deeper. I want to build thinkers. This is a community of multi-potentialites who may be disoriented by all the possibilities of success we envision but haven't yet achieved.


    If any of that sounds like you, come listen in. Welcome to the Building Thinkers podcast.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    37 分
  • How to Raise Middle Schoolers Without Losing Your Mind

    How to Raise Middle Schoolers Without Losing Your Mind
    2026/02/13
    Middle school doesn’t have to be a war zone, and your kid’s big feelings don’t have to derail your life. Megan Saxelby of Wild Feelings has seen it all. From navigating her own adolescence with learning differences to helping middle schoolers (and their parents) thrive instead of just survive. She shares real stories from her classroom and coaching work that show how small shifts in mindset and language can completely change your connection with your kid.We unpack why so many of us are trapped in the “middle school is impossible” story, how behavior is really a need trying to be met, and what it looks like when you give your child autonomy, belonging, and a sense of purpose. Megan offers practical, digestible steps for parents who want to parent from calm, connection, and clarity, not stress, guilt, or perfectionism. By the end, you’ll see how this phase can be one of the most joyful, relationship-building periods of your family life, and why approaching it strategically can leave everyone feeling capable, seen, and relieved.Key Takeaways:Belonging is crucial for adolescents' emotional well-being.Behavior is often a need trying to be met, not a personal attack.Repairing relationships after conflict is essential for healthy dynamics.Modeling silliness can encourage children to embrace playfulness.Creating a playful environment can help ease tensions at home.Recognizing the developmental needs of adolescents can improve parenting strategies.Resources Mentioned:10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People by David YeagerI Just Want My Kids to Be Happy by Aaron Cooper & Eric KeitelTimestamps:00:00 Introduction04:48 Deconstructing the negative narrative of middle schoolers08:25 How to shift your mindset and embrace the middle school experience13:12 Why your middle schooler acts like a total stranger20:28 When your kid pushes your buttons38:40 How to fix it when things go sideways40:29 Turn your home into a place your kid actually wants to be at48:24 The secret nobody tells you about middle school parenting48:54 How to work with Megan50:09 Parting wisdom for surviving and thrivingConnect with Megan:Substack: https://wildfeelings.substack.com/ Website: https://wildfeelings.co/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildfeelings.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-saxelby-20b1a689/ Email: megan@wildfeelings.co The WILD Compass Workshop: https://buy.stripe.com/bJefZiaYm3Fi9Sz0d4dnW08 More About Building Thinkers: I'm your host, Tracy Clark, and this is where potential becomes reality through deliberate curiosity, reflection, practice, and play. The Building Thinkers podcast is based on the realization that there's exponential potential in the things we build.And so, in my little corner of the internet and podcasting land, I want to take my 12 favorite problems, these are my constant curiosities, and I want to go deeper. I want to build thinkers. This is a community of multi-potentialites who may be disoriented by all the possibilities of success we envision but haven't yet achieved.If any of that sounds like you, come listen in. Welcome to the Building Thinkers podcast.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    51 分