What does it take to lead people through impossible circumstances? Dr. Larry Prusak, the legendary knowledge management pioneer from Brooklyn, brings decades of wisdom about leadership, learning, and the power of story to his lunar mission. As we send this "expert's expert" to establish the moon's first knowledge center, his film choices reveal profound truths about practical wisdom in action.

Prusak's carefully curated cinema collection showcases leadership at its finest: the stirring survival epic "Shackleton," where a captain's selfless devotion saves his entire crew from Antarctic disaster; "Invictus," Nelson Mandela's masterful use of rugby to heal a divided nation; and Spielberg's "Lincoln," a portrait of epistemic humility and the art of listening to rivals. Through these films, Ed and Jessica explore how great leaders eat last, forgive first, and understand that knowledge is profoundly social.

From Brooklyn street corners where storytelling meant survival, to boardrooms at IBM and McKinsey where he revolutionized how organizations think about knowledge, Prusak demonstrates why narrative trumps PowerPoint every time. With potato knishes as his comfort food and Shakespeare's complete works as his reading companion, this is a conversation about wisdom, practical leadership, and why the best leaders are often the best storytellers.

A Note from Ed Hoffman and Jessica Fox to Introduce This Week’s Episode

In today’s episode, we’re sharing a replay of an earlier conversation with Larry Prusak — a pioneer in the field of knowledge management and a dear friend to so many in our community.

Larry’s ideas helped define how organisations understand and value knowledge — not as static information, but as lived experience, shared meaning, and collective wisdom.

Originally recorded in August 2023, a short time after this conversation, Larry sadly passed away. This episode is therefore both a revisit of his insights and a tribute to a remarkable man — someone who brought warmth, wit, and deep humanity to every conversation.

As you listen, you’ll hear Larry in his element: reflecting on the nature of knowledge, storytelling, and the ties that bind people together in their work and lives.

We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we treasured having it.