What happens when one of Silicon Valley's most accomplished engineers decides the system he helped build is broken—and walks away to fix it?

Today my guest is Raffi Krikorian, CTO of Mozilla and one of the most civic-minded technologists I know. We explore why the fight for open-source AI isn't just a technical debate; it is really a fight for who controls our relationship with knowledge itself.

Raffi's career path is uniquely fascinating. He spent his early years scaling massive engineering teams at Twitter and launching Uber’s first self-driving fleet. But then he did something rare. He pivoted to public service, becoming the first-ever CTO of the Democratic National Committee to rebuild their cybersecurity from the ground up. He then went on to drive social-impact technology at Emerson Collective, applying his engineering mind to systemic issues like immigration and climate change.

At Mozilla, he is now on the frontlines of the AI revolution. We talk about what it means to be "technically optimistic" right now—which also happens to be the name of his excellent podcast. For Raffi, optimism isn't about blind faith in algorithms. It’s about demanding that our tools are trustworthy, transparent, and built to serve humanity, rather than exploiting it.

In our conversation, we explore:
→ The Twitter crash that taught him his job was not to be the architect, but to create the conditions for others to do their best work
→ Why he left Uber's self-driving program after discovering their models misclassified people based on skin color
→ How a week of Google Sheets transformed an asylum-seeker nonprofit more than any AI chatbot could
→ His conviction that we need seven billion AGIs—one for each of us—not seven controlled by massive corporations
→ Why patience, not speed, is the leadership skill that actually builds movements

"We have outsourced dreaming to a few people who are building companies and we all need to dream again." — Raffi Krikorian, CTO, Mozilla

If you have ever wondered whether the technology on your phone is truly working for you—or for someone else—this conversation will completely change how you think about what comes next.

🔑 Key Themes: Open-Source AI, Responsible Technology, Purpose-Driven Leadership, Digital Trust, Civic Tech, Cybersecurity, Technical Optimism.

🎧 Related Episodes:

• Kevin Scott — Empowering people with AI:
• Navrina Singh — Building Trust in AI: Leadership, Governance, and Human Values
• Rana el Kaliouby — Human-Centric AI (purpose meets profit in technology)

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, jpcourtois.com

Subscribe now to JP's free monthly newsletter "Positive Leadership and You" on LinkedIn to transform your positive impact today: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/positive-leadership-you-6970390170017669121/

What if the greatest turnaround in modern corporate history wasn’t driven by financial engineering or restructuring, but by an unshakeable belief in science and human talent?

In this powerful episode of the Positive Leadership Podcast, I welcome Pascal Soriot, CEO of AstraZeneca—a visionary leader who transformed a struggling pharmaceutical company into a defining global force in oncology, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory care.

He is also someone I know personally: I had the privilege of serving on the AstraZeneca board between 2008 and 2016, and I was in the boardroom when we appointed him as CEO.

What makes Pascal’s leadership so rare is his non-traditional ascent. He didn't start with an elite corporate playbook; his foundational lessons were grounded in learning the value of loyalty and protecting his people. By beginning his professional life as a practicing veterinarian, he developed a profound sense of empathy—traits that continue to drive his unwavering commitment to putting patients first today.

But Pascal’s story isn’t your typical corporate trajectory. Raised in a humble background where he learned early lessons about loyalty, standing up for his team, and defending his territory, he began his professional life not in business, but as a veterinarian. It was this experience that profoundly shaped his empathy and his "patient-first" approach to leadership.

In our conversation, we explore:

🔬 The Turnaround – How Pascal orchestrated AstraZeneca's massive transformation by instilling a clear, shared purpose and focusing relentlessly on patient outcomes.

🛡️ The Pfizer Takeover – How Pascal defended AstraZeneca against a massive hostile takeover bid from Pfizer by betting everything on the truth of long-term science.

🌍 COVID-19 & Global Access – The leadership lessons learned during the pandemic and the drive to ensure global, equitable access to the vaccine, particularly for countries in the Global South.

🤖 AI and the Future of Discovery – How AI is accelerating the race to cure cancer and redefine medicine.

Pascal’s insight: “People come to work because they believe they can make a difference. First, a shared purpose. Second, clarity about each person’s contribution to that goal.” Whether navigating a corporate crisis, defending core values against short-term pressures, or building a culture of psychological safety and innovation, this conversation is a masterclass in resilient, purpose-driven leadership.

Key Themes: Corporate turnarounds, healthcare innovation, purpose-driven leadership, AI in medicine, empathy, resilience, scientific truth, navigating crises.

🎧 Related Episodes You’ll Love:

• Indra Nooyi: Driving performance with purpose
• Sir Ronald Cohen: Reinventing capitalism for impact
• Gianpiero Petriglieri: Leadership, a matter of love
• Fabio Barbosa: Leading with Purpose: Profit, People, and the Planet
  
  

Subscribe now to JP's free monthly newsletter "Positive Leadership and You" on LinkedIn to transform your positive impact today: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/positive-leadership-you-6970390170017669121/

What if the stories you inherited about who you’re supposed to become—from your family, your industry, your own fears—are the very narratives holding you back?

In this powerful episode of the Positive Leadership Podcast, I welcome Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, a visionary media executive who has led transformations at The New Yorker and WIRED, and an extraordinary marathoner who set an American record in the 50K at age 45.

But Nick’s story isn’t just about professional success or athletic achievement. It’s about the conscious choice to rewrite the narrative we inherit.

Nick grew up watching his brilliant father—a Rhodes Scholar and academic star—whose life eventually “cracked up” due to alcoholism and personal struggles. Around Nick’s 40th birthday, his father warned him: “All men’s lives fall apart at this age.” That was the script Nick had inherited. A story of inevitable decline.

But Nick refused to live that story.

In our conversation, we explore:

🏃 The Running Ground – How Nick used running as therapy to honor his father while writing a different ending (achieving a 2:29 marathon at 44)

📰 Truth in the Age of Misinformation – Leading The Atlantic through a crisis of trust, deepfakes, and algorithmic manipulation

🤖 AI as Editorial Tool vs. Existential Threat – Why he says AI is “the best tool we’ve ever had” but could also “completely obliterate us”

👨‍👦 Inherited Patterns – Recognizing generational trauma and consciously choosing a different path

⚖️ ️ The Church-State Separation – Why editorial independence matters more than ever

💪 Defying Aging – Getting faster with age and what it teaches about leadership limits

Nick’s profound insight: “I run because of my father. Running connects me to my father; it reminds me of my father; and it gives me a way to avoid becoming my father.”

That sentence captures everything: honoring where we come from while consciously choosing who we become.

Whether you’re navigating generational patterns, leading through uncertainty, or simply asking yourself what story you want to live—this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

Key Themes: Narrative identity, media leadership, AI ethics, generational healing, resilience, editorial integrity, running as therapy, conscious choice

🎧 Related Episodes You’ll Love: -

• Herminia Ibarra: Growing through personal disruption https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/10210926
• Caroline Leaf: Managing your mind - https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/15018482
• Angela Duckworth: The power of grit - https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/14677055
• Peggy Johnson: Leading a human-centric future of AI - https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/18329548

Subscribe now to JP's free monthly newsletter "Positive Leadership and You" on LinkedIn to transform your positive impact today: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/positive-leadership-you-6970390170017669121/

Dans ce nouvel épisode du Positive Leadership Podcast, j'ai l'honneur d'accueillir Moussa Camara, un entrepreneur visionnaire et un bâtisseur de ponts infatigable qui redessine le visage de l'entrepreneuriat en France.

Fondateur de l'association Les Déterminés, Moussa a consacré sa vie à une conviction simple mais puissante : le talent est partout, même si les opportunités ne le sont pas. Sa mission ? Libérer le potentiel des entrepreneurs issus des quartiers populaires et des zones rurales en les connectant aux réseaux du monde des affaires.

Mais pour comprendre l'homme, il faut revenir au début de son parcours. Tout a commencé à Cergy-Pontoise, dans le quartier "Croix-Petit". Enfant d'une famille nombreuse originaire du Mali, c'est là qu'il a lancé sa toute première "entreprise" : un service de retour de caddies au supermarché local. Une école de l'humilité et du travail.

Dans notre conversation, nous plongeons au cœur de son incroyable résilience. Nous discutons sans filtre de la manière dont il a transformé l'échec de sa première entreprise (logistique et télécoms) en un tremplin pour bâtir quelque chose de plus grand. C'est une véritable masterclass sur le "Grit" (la niaque) — cette combinaison de passion et de persévérance dont j'avais discuté avec Angela Duckworth.

Enfin, nous regardons vers l'avenir. Ensemble, nous explorons comment construire des écosystèmes qui ressemblent enfin à notre société. Moussa partage sa vision ambitieuse avec le lancement de Time4, un fonds d'investissement créé en partenariat avec Daphni, HEC et Live for Good, conçu pour financer ces entrepreneurs trop souvent ignorés qui construisent pourtant l'économie de demain.

Dans cet épisode, nous abordons :

• Les Racines : Son enfance à Cergy et les valeurs de travail ancrées par sa famille et son premier job de caddies.
• Les Tripes de l'Entrepreneur : Comment rebondir après la faillite et transformer la colère en énergie positive.
• Le Mouvement : La création des Déterminés pour faire le pont entre "la rue" et les conseils d'administration.
• L'ADN : Pourquoi "Ne jamais rien lâcher" est une compétence de survie vitale.
• Le Futur (Time4) : Notre ambition commune pour financer l'excellence, d'où qu'elle vienne.

Moussa nous rappelle que le Leadership Positif ne consiste pas seulement à gravir les échelons, mais à construire l'ascenseur pour les autres.

🎧 Si vous avez aimé cette conversation, découvrez aussi :

• Angela Duckworth (Sur le pouvoir du "Grit") : Lien
• Fred Swaniker (La prochaine génération de leaders africains) : Lien
• Pierre Dubuc (L'éducation pour tous avec OpenClassrooms) : Lien

Subscribe now to JP's free monthly newsletter "Positive Leadership and You" on LinkedIn to transform your positive impact today: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/positive-leadership-you-6970390170017669121/

In this new episode of the Positive Leadership Podcast, I’m delighted to welcome Katarina Berg, a leader who has redefined HR and culture for the digital age.

As the long-time CHRO of Spotify and now Chief People Officer at On, Katarina has been at the helm of some of the most intense “hyper-growth” stories in tech history. But her journey started long before boardrooms—growing up sailing the world and being homeschooled on the ocean taught her a vital lesson: You cannot control the waves, you can only adjust your sails.

In our conversation, we dive deep into her philosophy of “Controlled Chaos,” a bold approach that challenges the traditional command-and-control models of corporate leadership.

Together, we explore a fascinating reality: What happens when you trust your employees enough to let them work from anywhere—not just as a perk, but as a business strategy? Katarina reveals how the “Work From Anywhere” policy at Spotify unlocked talent globally, and how she is now applying similar principles of trust and speed at On.

But the real revolution isn't just about policy. It is about connection. We discuss her famous “Walk and Talks”—solving complex business problems on mountain trails rather than in meeting rooms—and how staying close to nature makes us better decision-makers.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Origin Story: How a childhood spent navigating high seas shaped her resilience and adaptability as a leader.
• The Philosophy: Why “Controlled Chaos” is essential for innovation, and why rigidity is the enemy of growth.
• The Strategy: How to implement a “Work From Anywhere” culture that actually works (and isn’t just hybrid theater).
• The Method: The power of the “Walk and Talk” to break down barriers and foster deep human connection.
• The Future: Her advice for the leaders of 2030: “Dare to be bold, lead with your heart, and always lift others as you rise.”

Katarina reminds us that Positive Leadership is not about choosing between high performance and human care. It is about realizing that you cannot have one without the other.

I hope you’ll enjoy this energizing conversation with Katarina Berg.

🎧 If you enjoyed this conversation, you may also like these episodes:

• Hubert Joly: On “The Human Magic” and leading with purpose: https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/fr-liberer-la-magie-humaine-pour-reussir-avec-hubert-joly
• Jesper Brodin: Learning to embrace risk at IKEA: https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/learning-to-embrace-risk-with-jesper-brodin
• Kathleen Hogan: On building a people-first culture at Microsoft: https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/empowering-people-and-organizations-with-kathleen-hogan

Subscribe now to JP's free monthly newsletter "Positive Leadership and You" on LinkedIn to transform your positive impact today: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/positive-leadership-you-6970390170017669121/

In this final episode of our special series dedicated to AI, I’m delighted to welcome MacKenzie Price, a Stanford-trained psychologist turned education revolutionary and co-founder of Alpha School.

We often hear that AI might disrupt education, but MacKenzie is proving that it can actually save it. After her own daughter told her that school was “boring,” MacKenzie didn’t just complain—she built a radical new solution from scratch.

In our conversation, we dive deep into the Alpha School model, a bold approach that challenges the industrial “factory model” of education we’ve accepted for a century.

Together, we explore a fascinating reality: What happens when you use adaptive AI to handle core academic learning? MacKenzie reveals that her students achieve mastery in just two hours a day.

But the real revolution isn't the speed. It is what happens with the rest of the time. We discuss how this efficiency frees up space for what makes us truly human: “Life Skills.” From public speaking and financial literacy to resilience and high-impact collaboration, we explore how to raise children who are not just good test-takers, but changemakers.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Origin Story: How a moment of frustration sparked a movement to rethink K-12 education.
• The Mechanics: How AI tutors allow teachers to stop being "lecturers" and start being "Guides" and mentors.
• The "2-Hour" Paradox: How accelerating academic learning actually creates more room for creativity, connection, and depth.
• Agency & Leadership: How to give children the autonomy to own their learning journey.
• The Future: What the world looks like when we raise a generation of purpose-driven, self-aware leaders.

MacKenzie reminds us that Positive Leadership is about having the courage to rethink systems that no longer serve us. Whether you are a parent, an educator, or a leader interested in the future of human potential, this conversation offers a blueprint for a world where technology amplifies our humanity rather than replacing it.

I hope you’ll enjoy this visionary conversation with MacKenzie Price.

🎧 If you enjoyed this conversation, you may also like these episodes:

• Peggy Johnson: Leading a Human-Centric Future of AI and Robotics https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/peggy-johnson-leading-a-human-centric-future-of-ai-and-robotics
• Human centric AI (with Rana el Kaliouby): https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/human-centric-ai-with-rana-el-kaliouby
• Revolutionizing Education with Sal Khan https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/revolutionizing-education-with-sal-khan

Subscribe now to JP's free monthly newsletter "Positive Leadership and You" on LinkedIn to transform your positive impact today: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/positive-leadership-you-6970390170017669121/

In this episode of the Positive Leadership Podcast, second edit ofthis special series dedicacted to AI, I’m delighted to welcome Navrina Singh, Founder and CEO of Credo AI, and one of the most influential voices shaping the future of responsible artificial intelligence.

Navrina is a technology leader with nearly two decades of experience at Qualcomm and Microsoft, and today she stands at the crossroads of AI, leadership, and public policy. She advises governments and global institutions on AI governance, serves on the U.S. National AI Advisory Committee, works with the United Nations and the OECD, and was recently named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in AI.

In our conversation, Navrina shares her remarkable journey — from growing up in India in a family that instilled resilience and courage, to moving to the United States at 19, and eventually becoming a global advocate for trust, accountability, and human values in AI.

We explore the pivotal moment when she realized that AI systems were making women and other groups “invisible,” and how that awakening shaped her mission. Together, we discuss why the real risks of AI are not about the power of the technology itself, but about the absence of governance, measurement, and responsibility.

Navrina also explains why she founded Credo AI in the middle of a global pandemic, and how her company is helping organizations turn AI ethics into practical, measurable, and auditable systems of trust. We dive into the evolution of global AI governance, the importance of diversity in AI development, and the leadership mindsets required to thrive in an AI-driven world.

Throughout the episode, Navrina reminds us that AI will inevitably reflect the values of those who build it, and that positive leadership — grounded in empathy, accountability, and courage — is essential if we want AI to truly serve humanity.

This conversation is for leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and anyone who believes technology must be guided by purpose, trust, and human-centered values.

I hope you’ll enjoy this deep and inspiring conversation with Navrina Singh.

To extend the conversation, I invite you to revisit three previous episodes of the Positive Leadership Podcast:

• Peggy Johnson: Leading a Human-Centric Future of AI and Robotics https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/peggy-johnson-leading-a-human-centric-future-of-ai-and-robotics
• Human centric AI (with Rana el Kaliouby): https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/human-centric-ai-with-rana-el-kaliouby
• How to fail well (with Amy Edmondson): https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/how-to-fail-well-with-amy-edmondson

Subscribe now to JP's free monthly newsletter "Positive Leadership and You" on LinkedIn to transform your positive impact today: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/positive-leadership-you-6970390170017669121/

In this first episode of our special AI series, I have the pleasure of welcoming Peggy Johnson — a remarkable leader whose career spans mobile innovation, augmented reality, and now humanoid robotics.

What struck me in our conversation is how deeply human her approach to technology has always been.

Peggy grew up as one of fifteen children, in a family where every voice mattered. Later, she became one of the very few women studying engineering in the 1980s. These early experiences shaped her belief that inclusion is not optional — it is the foundation of innovation.

Throughout her journey — from Qualcomm and Microsoft to Magic Leap and now Agility Robotics — Peggy has championed a simple but powerful idea:

👉 Technology must enhance human life, not replace it.

In this episode, we explore:
• how her upbringing and early career forged her inclusive leadership style
• what she learned from AR, mixed reality, and the hype cycles around emerging technology
• why humanoid robotics should serve society by addressing painful labour gaps
• how responsible leaders can build human-centric, safe, and trustworthy technologies
• what it will take to design a positive future for human–machine collaboration

Peggy’s clarity, integrity, and optimism make this a fascinating conversation on the future of tech — grounded in humanity and purpose.

At the end of the day, the question she leaves us with is essential:
Will we lead AI and robotics toward a future that makes life better for everyone?
Or will we let the technology lead us?

I hope this episode inspires you as much as it inspired me.

🎧 If you enjoyed this conversation, you may also like these episodes:

• Kevin Scott — Empowering people with AI: https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/empowering-people-with-ai-with-kevin-scott
• Laurence Tubiana – Le courage du changement
• : https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/fr-le-courage-du-changement-avec-laurence-tubiana
• Dorie Clark — Reinventing yourself: https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/reinventing-yourself-with-dorie-clark

Subscribe now to JP's free monthly newsletter "Positive Leadership and You" on LinkedIn to transform your positive impact today: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/positive-leadership-you-6970390170017669121/