The Culturedge Podcast

What do jazz, orchestras and ISO standards have to do with innovation? In this episode, Dennis Böcker –innovation consultant, ISO expert, and contributor to the DIN Innovation Committee– explains the power of an I nnovation Management System . He shares why structure and standards don’t kill creativity; rather they enable creativity. From his work at Bosch to helping teams align around the ISO 560...

Is disruption a threat or an opportunity? In this episode, we sit down with Scott Wolfson , Managing Director at Valize and a leader in innovation, strategy, and digital transformation, to explore how inflection points and imagination machines are shaking the very foundations of business. Scott shares his unconventional career path — from street performer in Amsterdam to co-founding KPMG’s Innovat...

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Rebecca Homkes, a globally renowned strategist, lecturer at London Business School and Duke Corporate Education, and author of Survive, Reset, Thrive: Leading Breakthrough Growth Strategy in Volatile Times . Rebecca shares her unique insights into how organisations can embrace uncertainty, make bold decisions, and thrive in a world of constant change. D...

In this episode of the Culturedge Podcast, we speak with Sharon O’Dea , a leading voice in digital workplace strategy and co-founder of Lithos Partners. Sharon’s journey into digital transformation began in the world of communications, but it has since evolved to guide organisations like global banks, the UK government, and Oxford University toward more adaptive, collaborative digital environments...

For our final episode of Season 1 we’re pleased to welcome Dr Nils Jeners , an innovation consultant from Germany who helps corporates across a range of innovation activities: from strategy, to ideation, from training, to creating an innovation ecosystem. With over ten years of experience in the field of innovation, a PhD in computer science and a background as a startup entrepreneur, Nils also ho...

In this episode we are joined by Dr Aurelia Engelsberger , and we dive straight into the crucial matter of innovation culture and mindset . We talk about her own willingness to pivot and how she advises clients on a range of challenging new attitudes and behaviours — like maintaining an open mindset, developing a tolerance for failure, and empowering their people to innovate. Concretely, Aurelia a...

Adam Forbes joins us this week (from near London, UK). Adam is a Program Director at Startupbootcamp , where he helps early-stage startups find product-market fit, secure funding, and launch successful go-to-market strategies. Adam is also the author of the book Corporate Escapology (to be released later this year) and host of the podcast of the same name. After 20 years in the corporate world, sp...

In this episode we welcome Vrinda Kabra , a business designer and consultant with a fascinating entrepreneurial background, a well as an international and multicultural outlook on the world. Originally from India, Vrinda is currently based in Munich, where she works for the UN’s World Food Programme as an Innovation Venture Consultant - advising global teams across a range of domains where “Busine...

We’re joined this week by Simon Nopp , an entrepreneur and consultant who works with corporates and early-stage tech start-ups — helping them to build, launch, and grow their successful ventures. Simon is based in Innsbruck (Austria) and has helped companies and start-ups all over the world, from Europe to Asia to the USA, to design and evolve breakthrough innovation initiatives. In the last decad...

Jasper Brand joins us this week and straight away, we get stuck into a crucial topic: the emotional investment of innovators. This is an ingredient Jasper believes is crucial for delivering tangible results in an innovation context. Based on his experience of 10 years in banking, and in his current capacity as Partner at The Talent Institute in Amsterdam, Jasper describes the “night and day” contr...

This week we welcome Becky Downing as our expert guest, along with guest co-host David Semmens. Based on her experience as an entrepreneur and Founder/CEO for several years, Becky is well placed to understand the fundamental differences in mindset between running (or investing in) a startup “in the wild”, versus trying to make innovation happen in a corporate context. Located in the UK, Becky is a...

Today we’re joined by expert storyteller Sabyasachi (Saby) Sengupta, along with guest co-host David Semmens. Saby is the author of the book What's Your Plan B , and creator of the venture Method in Madness through which he helps professionals & organisations manage the human side of change & transformation. In this episode, he tells us all about the issue of “feeling stuck” in one’s wo...

Nick Himowicz joins us for this second episode of the Culturedge Podcast, along with guest co-host David Semmens. Nick jumps straight in at the deep end and holds no punches when describing the phenomenon of “bullsh1t jobs” in the corporate world. Our conversation includes deep-rooted problems like cultural resistance inside corporates, in contrast to existential challenges for startups, including...

Katie Ireland shares with us her extensive experience in entrepreneurship, diversity, equity & inclusion (DE&I) and leadership - from both the corporate world and the startup world. Katie Ireland is the former CEO and Co-Founder of Enliven , known for her empathic leadership and for challenging systemic bias for positive change. With almost 20 years of experience in global marketing and ST...

Introducing the Culturedge Podcast - a new show for entrepreneurial minds, change-makers and the leaders who manage them. Join me, Stephen Parkins, along with my exceptional guests, in learning practical lessons on how to apply your unique skills in the corporate world and the startup world. You can also connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenparkins