Ever been in a meeting where everyone agrees... and somehow the decision is still spectacularly wrong?

This week on People Fuss, Carrie and Doug sit down with Kylie Ingram, CEO and co-founder of Wizer, to unpack why better decisions have less to do with being the loudest person in the room and more to do with having the right people in it. From boardrooms to juries to your next relationship argument, Kylie explains why cognitive diversity isn't just good for DEI, it's good for getting things right.

You'll meet the seven decision archetypes, learn why diverse teams make fewer mistakes (without asking AI to do all the work), and discover how hidden talent is overlooked when everyone thinks the same way. Along the way, we get into NASA, jury deliberations, echo chambers, and why disagreement might actually be your team's secret weapon.

Whether you're leading a company, running a nonprofit, raising a family, or just trying to decide where to eat with friends, this episode will make you rethink how decisions get made and who's missing from the conversation.

Curious about your own decision style? Visit wizer.business to take Wizer's free Decision Profile and see what kind of thinker you bring to the table.

Oh, what a guest! Ever wonder why some people can persuade anyone with ease, while others seem incapable of giving an opinion without blowing their top? Dr. Tartaglione shines a light on where persuasion works and how anyone can use its powers for good. Most of us believe that making a strong argument with beautifully constructed facts is enough to change minds. But expert Dr. Tartaglione blows that myth wide open. He explains that persuasion isn’t a battle of facts or logic, but a delicate art of approach. It's about building trust, creating safety, and understanding human nature as a private property you need to invite into. You'll discover why a calm, respectful demeanor can be far more persuasive than shouting or arguing and how even the toughest conspiracy theorists can be reached when the social “cost” of changing is lowered through AI and empathy. In this episode, we break down:

• The psychology behind why humans resist persuasion reactance, naive realism, and social identity.

• How social media and algorithms amplify divisiveness and what that means for influence today.

• The power of framing messages and shifting perspectives with metaphors and subtle cues instead of just facts.

• The real qualities of highly persuasive people which includes approach, humility, emotional intelligence, and patience.

• Practical strategies to foster trust and influence in everyday life, politics, and online spaces.

Whether you’re trying to bridge political divides, persuade a colleague, or just improve your personal relationships, mastering these principles could transform how you connect with others.This episode is perfect for leaders, negotiators, activists, and anyone frustrated by social division, because the future of influence isn’t about shouting louder, but about creating genuine spaces for change. Tune in and discover how a more persuasive, compassionate world begins with individual conversations.

Dr. JonRobert Tartaglione is a psychologist, behavioral scientist, and founder of Influence 51. His insights, based on work with global brands and his PhD from Cambridge, unravel the real science behind changing minds.

Carrie and Doug bring on Teddy Bloom, the insanely fit (and patriotic) cyclist behind Ride4Rights - a cross-country community cycling adventure that brings democracy, civil rights, and bipartisan unity to the forefront of a mind-numbingly hard challenge for body, spirit, and citizenship. Teddy's stories from the trail, as well as his inspiration for this pursuit and what he learned along the way are not just entertaining.. they are a total blast! (Kinda like his tire in the middle of nowhere during bad weather) Hailing from New Mexico and now working on an educational Youtube video all about immigration rights, Teddy is sure to win hearts and convert some couch potatoes to his cause!

Doug and Carrie had the pleasure of joining Third Space Experiences founder Talia Rosenblum for a delightful dive into the world of facilitating human connection between strangers...without devices! Talia's experience lubricating the social tunnels created by Covid and the screen-heavy habits of modern day living remind us of why the People Fuss mission of connecting with each other and fussing about the fun stuff (in-person!) is ever more important as time goes on. After all, how else will we know how to properly put on our shoes and socks??? (If you know, you know). Listen in and see how Talia's experiences might help you or something you know dip your toes back into the warm light of social connection... whether you remember you missed it or not.

In our first episode back from a very long break... well, the world is now on fire (looks like our previous Iran episode didn't make it to the White House, eh?) And Los Angeles is really goin' through it! War, elections, endless headlines and drama…
So where can we actually make a difference? Carrie & Doug go from global chaos to the hilarity of their local neighborhood council meeting, and why that space might just be the place to get something done. We talk about the “onion” of caring, starting from your personal health and fanning out to your neighborhood, city, state, country and even outer space. In breaking down our neighborhood council meeting, we address the NIMBYs vs. YIMBYs and the reality of housing debates. We get into kids on screens and why it sparked a real-life rant. And then, yes… goat poop in the context of fire prevention. Our take away? Go to a meeting. Say something. Fuss a little.

What if our brains are wired to jump to the wrong conclusion and the internet is making it worse? In this episode, Carrie and Doug sit down with executive coach and former psychiatrist Josh Gibson to unpack the decay of critical thinking, tribal media, AI shortcuts, and how to look where the light isn't. We get into System 1 vs. System 2 thinking (and why lazy brains love certainty), algorithms as our new editors, and if Ai is making us... dumber?! It’s thoughtful, funny, a little nerdy as usual, and Josh's big takeaway is a great one. Listen in!

Carrie and Doug bring on Paul Pape - TEDx speaker, creative problem-solver, and self-described “Santa for Nerds” - to fuss about why creatives struggle with business, why that’s not their fault, and how gamifying money, leadership, and work can change everything.

Topics discussed:

-Creatives aren’t “bad at business” — it’s a translation problem
-Neuro-spicy brains, character sheets, and workplace strengths
-How to price your work without apologizing for it
-Why business needs creativity (and vice versa)
-Wizards, warriors, and not being a non-playable character in your own life

We invite you to grab your sword and join the conversation adventure to see what happens!

Carrie and Doug sit down with cancer scientist, nonprofit founder, and health equity advocate Dr. Eugene Manley Jr. to talk about medical AI, bias, dignity, and trust, without the jargon and without the tech hype. Want to know how bias sneaks into medical AI (even with “good intentions”), or what equity in healthcare even means, or why diversity in STEM actually changes outcomes? How about learning how MAHA, anti-vax culture, and medical skepticism hits Black communities differently? Enjoy an actual expert speaking to issues he knows and cares a lot about, while getting some chuckles in for good measure. Listen in!