This week on The Big REthink, host Susan Campbell speaks with leadership expert Karen Colligan about how to become a better leader. Colligan is the founder of PeopleThink, a company that trains executives, teams, and individuals in leadership skills. In this episode, she shares some of the key steps to acquiring these skills – and defining a compan…

Jean-Luc Froeliger was in middle school when he first fell in love with space. He’d become captivated by sci-fi movies and books, which inspired a lifelong passion. Now, he’s Senior VP of Space Systems at Intelsat, operator of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial network. On this episode of The Big REthink, he joins host Susan C…

When Sgt. Frailan Young started with the Mesa, AZ Police Department, he was writing tickets by hand and gathering video evidence in person. Now, 25 years later, he’s part of the department’s Real Time Crime Center, a division that uses technology like advanced software mapping and GPS to help solve crimes, assist in emergencies, and support officer…

When Lt. Thomas Porto’s department chief asked him if he’d want to oversee the police department’s technology deployment, he knew it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. Now, 12 years later, he’s transformed the Fort Lee, NJ, police force in countless ways, from internal processes like digital scheduling to public-facing tasks like issuing ticke…

For Captain Matt Bolger, adopting technology is all about working smarter, not harder. In his role in IT with the Michigan State Police Department, he’s helped lead an overhaul of how officers do their work, including which technology solutions to use. In-car modems, real-time video uploads to a cloud, and body cameras all help law enforcement spen…

The night before John Verdi’s first day at the police academy, his dad—a former officer himself—had some advice: say hi to everyone. That counsel proved to be pivotal to Verdi’s career, including a profound experience on 9/11 and a split-second decision that spared a life. Verdi’s since retired from the NYPD, but his learnings inspired him to creat…

When Captain Don Redmond retired from the Chula Vista Police Department in 2022, he had nearly 26 years of experience in everything from SWAT responses to jail command, and was ready to bid law enforcement goodbye. But after joining BRINC, a drone company that specializes in public safety, he became vice president of special projects there, and has…

Scott Harkless, the Chief Innovation Officer for Alcorn McBride, never intended to go into the theme park business. A tinkerer with a degree in electronic engineering, he originally sought out work in museum-related technology. But now, years later, he’s an expert in his field. On this episode of The Big REthink, he joins host Susan Campbell to sha…

In Charlotte, NC, law enforcement has been adopting new technologies to help officers boost their productivity, streamline workflows, and keep their community safer. On this episode of The Big REthink, Charlotte’s Public Safety Technology Director, Crystal Combs, joins host Susan Campbell to discuss how tools like AI and ML are reshaping how office…

On this episode of The Big REthink, host Susan Campbell speaks with Peter Weishar, the Director of Themed Experience at the University of Central Florida. Weishar has created first-of-their-kind academic programs on themed experiences, including a major and a Master of Fine Arts degree at UCF. During the conversation, he shares what drew him to the…

From amusement park rides to arena concerts and high school theaters to TV studios, there are countless ways that people, technology, and innovation come together to bring storytelling to life. As president of InterAmerica Stage, a Florida-based entertainment production company and manufacturer, Mark Black leverages all three. On this episode of Th…

At first glance Schenectady, New York, may seem an unlikely place to be on the leading edge of technological innovation. But the leafy, mid-sized city, which sits about 160 miles north of Manhattan, is quickly becoming a smart city: building and adding far-reaching enhancements to its infrastructure and municipal operations that, according to Polic…

Each year for two nights in September, downtown Binghamton, NY, transforms from a business district into a wonderland of immersive storytelling, projection mapping, and magic under the stars. The annual LUMA festival kicked off in 2015 and has since become a focal point for the city, attracting thousands of locals and tourists to take in the experi…

What, exactly, is web3? What are NFTs again? And how do they relate to marketing, content, and brand-building? On this episode of The Big REthink, host Barry Ross speaks with Jason Keath, co-founder of Social Fresh and Sofresh Labs, about exactly what these technologies are and how innovations in blockchain and infrastructure can inform marketing s…

Theme park attractions wow visitors with their thrilling, immersive experiences, which meld together lighting, video, sound, and motion. Behind the scenes, big-thinking creative designers and pragmatic engineers have to work together to make it all happen. On this episode of The Big REthink, Brent Pritchett, VP of Systems Integration for 4Wall Ente…

Stuart Duncan is a web developer and the father of an autistic son. When his son faced difficulties interacting with the wildly popular game Minecraft, Duncan responded by creating Autcraft, which he describes as the first Minecraft server dedicated to providing a safe and fun learning environment for children. Today, Autcraft has 16,000 subscriber…

In celebration of March’s Women’s History Month, host Susan Campbell looks back at three episodes of The Big REthink featuring creative female leaders at the intersection of education, business, technology, and science. Our guests include an Ivy League university dean who’s pioneering a new approach to engineering, the CEO of a company that trains …

Whether taking guests on a live-streamed visit to Atlanta’s historic Sweet Auburn neighborhood in celebration of Black History Month or a live, virtual tour of Stonewall National Monument in honor of Pride, Unexpected Virtual Tours offers immersive, interactive virtual tours. Today, host Brian Rowley welcomes Akila McConnell, founder and owner, for…

At Give Kids the World Village, a nonprofit “storybook resort” in Orlando, Florida, critically ill children and their families can escape from shared emotional weight thanks to a number of meaningful, immersive experiences, many of which are technologically driven. On this episode of The Big REthink, Ian Cole, chief innovation officer, joins host S…

Today, as climate concerns continue to rise, consumers, employees and investors are looking for a lot more transparency from the companies they buy from, work for and support. On this episode of The Big REthink, Lee Taylor, co-founder and CEO of REsurety Inc.—an analytics company serving clients in the renewable energy industry—talks to host Brian …

A new experience at LEGOLAND California Resort allows guests to build their own Ferrari (with help from their own personal pit crew), race it on one of three obstacle-filled tracks, and create a custom, digital version of their fancy new car. The experience is an adrenaline rush for kids, and just one more example of how the brand brings experienti…

"The world's problems are getting more and more complex. They require multiple disciplines to be able to solve,” says Alexis Abramson, who is the dean of the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College and a mechanical engineer by trade. “When we're dealing with a problem like climate change—or, think about building medical devices—we can't s…

In 2020, with live sporting events on pause, Quince Imaging undertook the herculean task of bringing the NFL Draft fan engagement experience to life virtually and in real time. Since then, Quince has captured that same exciting, in-person energy for virtual corporate events through its use of 3D projection image mapping, augmented reality and other…

For the very first time, all three hosts of The Big REthink—Brian Rowley, Susan Campbell and Barry Ross—take the mic at the same time for a look back at the inspiring conversations that unfolded in 2022. They compare notes on the topics that got them most excited, share some of the year’s biggest surprises, and reveal their favorite episodes. In th…

In an already evolving workplace, change has accelerated even more over the past few years. That’s thanks to everything from the increasing popularity of the hybrid work model to an influx of Gen Z employees. With so many variables at play, how can employees and leaders alike succeed in this rapidly changing workforce? On this episode of The Big RE…

What if, during their concerts, rock bands could scrap pre-planned set lists and let real-time data about fans’ energy determine a show’s direction? What if sensors could detect event attendees’ emotions and deliver a highly personalized experience in response? These are just a couple of concepts that could be inching closer to reality. On this epi…

Digital license plates. Dynamic window tints. Car interiors that change in appearance to suit a passenger’s preference. These are a few technologies and features that could soon transform the driving experience. At the forefront of their development: E Ink, a company known for creating a sustainable, electronic alternative to paper. On this episode…

If anyone knows what it takes to create dazzling, immersive in-person experiences on a larger-than-life scale, it’s Winston Fisher. Fisher is CEO of AREA15, a Las Vegas hub for interactive art and entertainment. AREA15 features a fully sensorial virtual reality free-roam space and an immersive, psychedelic grocery store-inspired exhibit with doorwa…

For older generations of professionals, pivoting to a new hybrid work model has required shifts in the way they think, work, and communicate. But for many Gen Z’ers—who will make up 30 percent of the workforce by 2030 and who have navigated school, socializing, and beginning their careers amid the Covid-19 pandemic—hybrid has been the norm. As more…

More and more, customers and employees care not just about the products, services, and benefits that corporate organizations can offer them—they care about how those same organizations give back to the communities and world around them, too. On this episode of The Big REthink, Panasonic’s own Alejandra Ceja, Vice President of Social Impact and Incl…

As students go back to school, we’re looking forward to what’s in store for education in the years to come. On this episode of The Big REthink, host Barry Ross revisits conversations with three education experts. Dr. Michael John McDonough, president of Raritan Valley Community College in New Jersey, explains how technology is helping to improve ed…

In the worlds of music, dance, urban planning and beyond, art and technology are working together to revitalize creativity and inspire connection. On this episode of The Big REthink, host Susan Campbell revisits conversations with three guests who live and work at the intersection of art and tech. Quantum physicist and professional ballet dancer Dr…

Everywhere we go, from classrooms to churches to concerts, audio visual technology brings immersive experiences and powerful stories to life. On today’s episode of The Big REthink, content creator, multimedia journalist, and AV professional Alesia Hendley joins host Brian Rowley to discuss her passion for creating such experiences through AV techno…

Can a cake decorator find success in an e-commerce role? Is there a place in cybersecurity for a forensics technician? According to Jessica Mitsch Homes, co-founder and CEO of the Raleigh-based training company Momentum, the answer is a resounding yes. On this episode of The Big REthink, Homes joins host Susan Campbell to explain how companies like…

For a long time, corporate workers were expected to bring little more than professional skills to their jobs. But these days, says Cheryl Harris, corporate organizations are recognizing the value of employees and executives on a more holistic level, from their passions and emotions to their intellect and sensitivity. What led to this shift, and wha…

In the 1980s, rising awareness of energy efficiency in the building industry led to an ironic—and perhaps surprising—side effect in indoor spaces: poorer air quality. On today’s episode of The Big REthink, Kevin Smith, general manager of the Life & Device Solutions Division and Visual Systems Department at Panasonic Canada, joins host Susan Campbel…

For utility companies, keeping power lines clear of fallen trees and overgrown vegetation is a complex task. On this episode of The Big REthink, Anne Beard, director of vegetation management solutions for Geospatial Innovations, Inc., explains to host Susan Campbell how the company’s software simplifies the process, and increases efficiency, for wo…

Agriculture is an age-old industry. New technologies, such as self-driving tractors, stand to increase efficiency and profitability and to fill gaps in lacking labor, but some farmers still hesitate to embrace it. Today, Jon Ebert, manager of public and industry relations in North America for John Deere, explains to host Brian Rowley how he’s using…

To educate customers about how they can be more sustainable at home, the Orlando Utilities Commission set up a tiny green home outfitted with engaging, interactive displays centered around water usage, energy consumption, composting, and other areas of focus. On this episode of The Big REthink, Bernadette Boesch, the commission’s creative director,…

Former NASA astronaut Charlie Camarda formed the EPIC Education Foundation in response to the drastically dwindling number of students who pursue STEM-related education and careers. On this episode of The Big REthink, Camarda joins host Barry Ross to discuss the foundation’s innovative educational model, which promotes collaborative problem-solving…

In honor of Earth Day, host Barry Ross revisits conversations with innovative executives and individuals who are using technology as a tool to better our planet. Guests include Topher White, founder of Rainforest Connection, an organization dedicated to combating illegal logging and deforestation; Atmosic Technologies founder and CEO David Su, who …

For people who are hard of hearing, a routine visit to the post office, bank or pharmacy can be complicated. On today’s episode of The Big REthink, Janice Lintz, founder and CEO of Hearing Access Innovations, joins host Barry Ross to explain how face masks, plexiglass barriers and background noise can pose challenges for people who are hard of hear…

It’s Women’s History Month! To celebrate, on this episode of The Big REthink, host Susan Campbell shares snippets from conversations with a few of her favorite, forward-thinking female guests of the show. Topics of conversation range from the power of public, outdoor art exhibits to technology’s role in making the world more accessible for people w…

Body language isn’t just a reflection of what we might be thinking or feeling on the inside. It can influence how we’re viewed as leaders, too. On this episode of The Big REthink, host Susan Campbell welcomes international keynote speaker and body language expert Dr. Carol Kinsey Goman for a conversation about the link between our body language and…

In modern-day baseball, far more goes into preparing players for competition than just batting practice and outfield drills. On this episode of The Big REthink, Katie Krall—the biomechanist and former Google strategist who recently joined the Boston Red Sox as development coach for its Minor League team, the Portland Sea Dogs—joins host Brian Rowle…

Self-doubt, gender bias and physical strain were a few of the obstacles mountaineer Tonya Clement had to overcome when, in 2006, she became the ninth American woman to summit Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. On this episode of The Big REthink, Clement, now the president of Cardinal Peak Technologies, joins host Brian Rowley to discuss the m…

What do Nobel Prize-winning scientists, Olympic figure skaters and astronauts have in common? They’re all extreme high achievers at the top of their respective fields. On this episode of The Big REthink, Dr. Ruth Gotian—The Success Factor author, chief learning officer and assistant professor of education in anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine…

For industries that embrace it, cryptocurrency can create efficiencies—both economic and operational. Why do some still resist it, and are they wise to stay away? Ron Shevlin—author, Forbes contributor, and director of research for Cornerstone Advisors—breaks it all down for host Barry Ross on today’s episode.…

The rapidly changing workplace. Constantly evolving industries. Technology’s impact on the arts. We covered a lot of exciting topics on The Big REthink in 2021, and on this final show of the year, host Barry Ross revisits a few of our favorite episodes and guests. As always, thanks for listening. We’ll be back with exciting new episodes in 2022!…

Despite existing in an increasingly digital world, many brick-and-mortar retailers are significantly more profitable than their e-commerce counterparts. On this episode of The Big REthink, Chris Ressa—host of the Retail Retold podcast and COO of DLC Management Corp.—joins host Brian Rowley to explain why. Ressa also explains how changing work model…