In a world where AI is rapidly automating everything from emails to artwork, what does it mean to stay fully human? In this rich and timely conversation, Micah Voraritskul unpacks the themes of his new book Human is the New Vinyl.

From handwritten thank you notes to Blackwing pencils and vinyl records, this episode challenges leaders, creatives, and students to rethink their relationship with innovation, presence, and trust.

Micah shares stories of cooking 300 meals from scratch, writing exclusively in pencil for a year, and resisting the urge to automate our most meaningful work. You’ll hear why creativity needs constraints, how trust is the foundation of leadership, and how to build a future that includes - not replaces - our humanity.

Key Quotes

• “Presence is the price of connection.”
• “AI is a tool. But it cannot have a broken heart.”
• “We lead with trust or we live in suspicion. One builds flourishing. The other builds fear.”

Resources

• Human is the New Vinyl by Micah Voraritskul — Buy on Amazon
• VerifiedHuman.info — Micah’s creative integrity consortium
• Blackwing 602 Pencils on Amazon

Show Outline (Timestamps)

• 00:00 – Welcome + Word association: kitchen tables, pencils, vinyl
• 06:45 – Why Micah wrote Human is the New Vinyl
• 13:00 – What AI gets wrong about creativity
• 19:00 – How AI can be a tool without taking our soul
• 23:10 – Leadership trust and the ethics of creation
• 29:00 – The danger of drifting into dishonest creation
• 35:00 – Why trust should be our filter
• 42:00 – Micah’s dream for this book’s impact on students
• 46:00 – Where to find the book and connect with Micah

Hey friends, it's been a while.

Last spring, our team decided to launch a company podcast, which we launched in June. We're eight episodes in with our ninth scheduled to release soon. Follow along at LeadersRisingNetwork.com/Podcast.

When we launched the podcast, I honestly thought I would shut down the New Generation Leader podcast for a bit. But after the summer, I realized I had more guests I wanted to interview. So this week, we start releasing new episodes.

Season 9 of the New Generation Leader kicks off this week, and I'm excited for you to hear those conversations.

Sit down with Sophie Hudson for an extraordinary exploration of leadership, personal growth, and the power of human connection. Sophie is a "pure delight" - which sets the stage for an inspiring dialogue about leadership, relationships, and finding one's true potential.

Sophie Hudson is an author, podcast host, and former educator, and she shares profound insights into modern leadership, challenging traditional approaches and emphasizing the importance of empathy, understanding, and genuine human connection.

Dive into a rich discussion about leadership styles, generational differences, and how we can create more meaningful professional and personal environments.

We cover:

• Innovative leadership approaches
• Generational workplace dynamics
• Personal growth and self-discovery
• The power of relationships in leadership

Follow Sophie Hudson

• Buy A Fine Sight to See [Amazon]
• Connect on Instagram @BooMama205
• Listen to Big + Boo Podcast

Epispde 76 Transcript

Coming soon!