We live in a world that’s changing faster than the frameworks we've relied on can keep up with. So, is it time to rethink how we think? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter are joined by John Philpin to explore why the age of reason is over and why we need to embrace the age of experience.

In this episode, you will

• Understand why rigid thinking is no match for today’s complexity and what we need instead.
• Learn how business models built on certainty are being outpaced by change, AI, and rising human expectations.
• Discover how design thinking, critical thinking, and cross-disciplinary collaboration can help us rethink how we think.

Meet Our Guest John Philpin

John has spent two decades inside and around the C-suite, twice as CEO, with a handful of CXO roles, and now as a trusted advisor to boards and executive teams. His through-line? People First. Always. He works at the intersection of technology and business, helping organisations cut through the noise, get clear on what matters, and drive the outcomes that follow. He’s worked across the UK, USA, and New Zealand, from scrappy startups to global giants, with deep expertise in tech, media, sustainability, and organisational design.

John is known for his clarity, candor, and ability to translate complexity into action. He partners with ambitious leaders ready to grow, lead, and connect, because in business, real expansion starts where engagement meets execution - because growth doesn’t come from managing what you have, it comes from engaging with who you haven’t reached. Yet.

John invites you to

• Come be my friend on LinkedIN
• Subscribe to my Substack

Show Notes

Key Themes:

• Reason vs. Experience: John argues we’re moving out of the “Age of Reason,” where everything is boxed, mapped, and standardized, and into the “Age of Experience,” where context, nuance, and emergence matter more.
• Structured Visual Thinking: Drawing from his time with Group Partners, John explains how visual frameworks help teams see the whole picture—but only if they remain flexible and dynamic.
• Why AI Adds Pressure, Not Relief: While AI can improve productivity, John warns of the risk of misusing it to justify job cuts instead of amplifying human capability.
• Organizational Misfits: Dani highlights how most organizational structures are still built like 18th-century factories, even as problems grow more complex.
• From Silos to Systems: True progress requires abandoning single-discipline thinking and embracing diverse perspectives—from sales to science, marketing to engineering.

Practices You Can Apply:

• Listen beyond your lane—explore ideas outside your field.
• Revisit your childhood obsessions—they may hold forgotten clues to how you think.
• Start conversations across departments and disciplines—especially where no one’s currently talking.

Mentioned in the episode:

• Smallcreep’s Day by Peter Currell Brown
• Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey Moore
• Zone to Win by Geoffrey Moore
• Martini Shot podcast by Rob Long
• Substack writing by John Philipps

We did it—50 episodes! In this milestone episode, we pause to reflect on the journey, the lessons, and why celebration isn’t just a “nice-to-have”, it’s a necessary part of doing meaningful work. Whether you're leading a team, tackling tough challenges, or simply trying to keep momentum, this episode will change how you think about celebration.

Spoiler: It's not just about parties or cake (though we’re fans of both).

In this episode, we:

• Learn why celebration builds resilience, reinforces purpose, and fuels forward momentum
• Explore how small moments of acknowledgment—what we call “atomic celebrations”—can drive big impact
• Discover practical ideas to celebrate progress authentically, whether you're leading a team or working solo

What happens when you believe in design thinking but your organization doesn’t? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter, share ways you can start using design thinking in your work, even if no one else is on board yet.

In this episode, you will

• Understand how one person can spark a movement
• Learn why you can be the lone Design Thinker at work
• Discover practical ways to introduce design thinking without asking for permission