Are our emotions shaped—and even expanded—by technology, or are we just becoming more disconnected and manipulated online?

Dive into this episode as Kate O’Neill and Pamela Pavliscak explore the complicated emotional landscape of the digital world and what it truly means to “stay human.”

Topics Covered

• How technology mediates and shapes emotions
• The evolution from tech optimism to algorithmic influence
• Common myths about screen time and digital well-being
• How emotional metrics differ from traditional digital metrics
• Shame, AI use, and the pressure to behave perfectly online
• New “neo emotions” and expanding emotional vocabularies
• The algorithmic amplification of outrage
• Persuasion vs. manipulation in emotional design
• Emotional externalities and digital ethics
• Future guardrails for emotionally-aware AI
• Human inventiveness in tech-mediated relationships
• Finding hope and vitality in the digital age

Connect with: Pamela Pavliscak
Pamela Pavliscak on LinkedIn
All the Feels: How to Stay Human in the Digital World
Instagram (@pamelapavliscak)
Substack https://feelingdigital.substack.com/

Episode Chapters
00:00 Introduction & Heart of the Conversation
01:40 What is the Future of Feelings in Technology?
02:25 Why Emotions Matter in Design
04:43 A Butterfly Story: Tech & Personal Grief
05:17 Early Tech Optimism vs Today’s Realities
07:39 Debunking Myths About “Screen Time”
10:00 Diaries and Meaningful Online Experiences
12:55 Metrics Beyond Time: How to ‘Measure’ Digital Well-Being
14:46 Shame, AI, and Tech Purity Culture
18:04 Individual Responsibility vs Systemic Change
20:17 Living in a Tech Ecosystem: What Do We Do Now?
20:33 Emotional Life on the Internet vs. Emotional Life with AI
24:17 Navigating Social Norms with Generative AI
28:41 Are Neo Emotions Expanding Our Feelings?
36:37 Why Does Outrage Rule the Internet?
39:09 Persuasion vs. Manipulation in Emotional Interfaces
42:28 Should Tech Be Accountable for Emotional Harm?
45:00 Needed: Guardrails for Emotionally-Aware AI
49:35 Staying Hopeful & Staying Human
51:36 Outro & Where to Find the Book

Topics Covered:

• The connection between music and the human experience
• Defining and democratizing “musicality”
• Listening for versus listening to music
• The impact of corporate consolidation and streaming platforms on music discovery
• The difference between musical genres and industry formats
• How categories shape who gets heard
• Design flaws in music streaming and stunted musical literacy
• Bluegrass as a model for musical ecosystems
• Authenticity, AI, and the challenges of provenance in modern music
• The civic and democratic roles of music
• Practical tips for cultivating a healthy musical life

Connect with Craig Havighurst
Website
Substack – StringTheories

Episode Chapters:
00:04 – Welcome and introduction to Craig Havighurst
01:22 – The relationship between music and being human
04:15 – Craig’s first memorable music experience
07:28 – What is musicality and why does it matter?
11:03 – Listening for vs. listening to music
14:41 – The concept of a healthy musical diet
19:09 – The effect of industry shifts on music access
20:51 – Genres, formats, and who gets heard
25:17 – How streaming platforms affect musical literacy
33:20 – Bluegrass as a healthy musical ecosystem
34:38 – AI, authenticity, and musical provenance
44:13 – Music, empathy, and democracy
48:26 – Practical steps for intentional listening
51:34 – Closing thoughts and where to find Craig Havighurst

Are leaders thinking big enough—and human enough—in the AI era?

Explore how AI and technology shape the human experience with Kate O’Neill and guest Brian Solis, Head of Global Innovation at ServiceNow. Discover the concept of cognitive Darwinism, AI transformation stories, leadership in the AI era, and how to drive growth while staying human-centric.

Topics Covered:
AI augmentation vs. automation
Cognitive Darwinism and self-awareness
Capacity and capability overhang in AI adoption
Transformation as a human story
Purposeful iteration vs. intentional innovation
Return on intelligence vs. return on ignorance
Reskilling and workforce transformation case studies (IKEA & Walmart)
Human-centric leadership and psychological safety
Personal relationship with technology & digital attention
Mind shifts required for future-ready leadership

Connect with Brian Solis

BrianSolis.com
Brian’s latest book: Mindshift
ServiceNow
LinkedIn
Brian Solis, Author at Workflow®

Episode Chapters:
00:04 Introduction & Guest Welcome
01:00 Transformation as a Human Story
02:24 The Human Story Leaders Miss in the AI Era
03:06 AI’s Anti-Human Trajectory & Cognitive Darwinism
04:28 AI Tax and Brain Fry
05:49 AIQ: Artificial vs. Augmented Intelligence Quotient
09:16 Agentic AI & Process Reinvention
11:11 Grand Strategy and Leadership Mindsets
15:55 Mind Shifts and Self-Awareness
17:18 Book Inspiration and Becoming a Leader of the Moment
20:13 Unlearning Disruption Myths in Enterprise
25:16 Innovation: Creating New Value
26:59 Evaluating AI Use: Efficiency vs. Net New Value
31:13 Psychological Safety and Human-Centric Leadership
32:28 IKEA & Walmart: Augmentation and Reskilling Case Studies
38:00 Personal Relationship with Technology & Life Scale
41:48 Closing Thoughts: Questions for Embracing Change
43:05 Episode Wrap-Up and Farewells