Johnnie Moore’s Podcast

I wandered into the AI uncanny valley and asked Google’s NotebookLM to turn Viv McWater’s and my mini manifesto into a podcast. We wrote it ten years ago, and I think it still stands the test of time. The result is pretty good if a bit cheesy. I think it makes the ideas a bit more… approachable somehow. And it makes a change from me wandering by the river and just talking. This is a public episode...

This video in a few words: Commercial messages constantly undermine us - from optician ads suggesting we're unfashionable to LinkedIn posts implying we lack leadership skills. These thousands of daily messages, multiplied by social media, create a persistent "you're not enough" narrative that promotes scarcity rather than abundance. On many workshops, people don't want more content, yet another mo...

I’m stepping back from social media, particularly LinkedIn, to escape the cycle of performative posting. It feels like everyone is just pushing snowballs of opinions, masking real human connection. AI is accelerating this, producing mediocre but polished content. I’m seeking more genuine interactions, avoiding rigid meeting formats that stifle spontaneity. A recent disrupted meeting reminded me ho...

I’ve been reflecting on facilitation, social media, and attention. I’ve realized how leading, even in facilitative way, can create a misleading sense of engagement. Similarly, social media encourages performance over genuine connection, and many people I know are exhausted by it. I’m stepping back, risking boredom, and exploring stillness—learning to be present rather than constantly seeking impac...

This video is longer and a bit more rambling than usual, just to let you why I’ve been quieter here and on social media. The TLDR is I got a bit tired on the always-on sharing of bright ideas and found myself seeing what it’s like to rein back. To avoid what I call “premature encapsulation.” I found I become more in my body and able to savour my thinking in a way that doesn’t happen when constantl...

Coming-of-age rituals in tribal societies often use confusion to encourage initiates to find their own meaning, reflecting the struggles of adolescence. This approach contrasts with conventional training, which prioritizes efficiency. However, allowing space for bewilderment and struggle can foster deeper understanding, as meaningful growth often arises from navigating challenges. This is a public...

In the game Kerplunk, players remove sticks carefully to avoid releasing a cascade of balls—a metaphor for meetings where teams avoid discussing sensitive issues. People often stick to vague ideas about teamwork and communication, fearing emotional fallout. However, meetings become more productive and energized when someone openly addresses a specific feeling or conflict. This honesty shifts the r...

I've noticed a recurring phenomenon in meetings: when I share an experience, someone often echoes my words while commenting on it. Though they’re nearly repeating me, hearing my own thoughts in their tone and gestures makes me feel them more deeply and understand them better. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit j...

As a regular swimmer, I often find myself navigating a shared pool lane with people who swim differently from me. At first, I feel frustrated when others don’t follow the “rules” I expect. But over time, I’ve learned to adapt, seeing it as a reminder of the value in accepting different styles—a lesson that applies to group dynamics too. Recently, I read research on multiplication learning, showing...

Inspired by Polynesian navigators, I ask what happens when we pay attention to the present rather than getting fixated on the future This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnniem.substack.com

A conversation with a student reminded me of the power of playing with how we converse. With a connection to the musical Spamalot. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnniem.substack.com

There’s a visceral element to creativity that we might miss if we rely on AI. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnniem.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnniem.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnniem.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnniem.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnniem.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnniem.substack.com

I visit my friend Rob in Oxford and unexpectedly admit I’ m bored of bad facilitation and superficial discussions among facilitators. I quote St Exupery on the value of a restless yearning and link this to a focus on creating aliveness in conversations by sensing when disruption is needed, and when to let ideas develop before acting. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with...

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnniem.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnniem.substack.com

the art of when to intervene and when to fade into the background This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnniem.substack.com

Asking for volunteers creates an interesting moment... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnniem.substack.com

The modern world tempts us into talking in announcements, but there's more learning when we try less hard This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnniem.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnniem.substack.com

getting away from the idea that improv is about being fast and funny This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnniem.substack.com