Welcome to episode #1005 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation).

Every major leap in human connection starts as a simple question: what if? For Rouzbeh Yassini-Fard, that question led to the invention of the cable modem and the birth of broadband internet access as we know it. Often called the “father of the cable modem,” Rouzbeh is a visionary engineer and entrepreneur whose work transformed how billions of people access information. His new book, The Accidental Network, traces the improbable journey from an idea nobody believed in (“why would anyone want the internet at home?”) to the global infrastructure that now powers our economy, culture and daily life. In this conversation, he reflects on the messy, human side of innovation: the skeptics who dismissed broadband, the long nights building hardware that few thought possible, and the radical choice to make his breakthrough technology open-standard so the world could share it. Rouzbeh speaks with humility about how chance, persistence and purpose collided to shape the digital age, and how broadband became not just a business revolution but a social one, connecting homes, hospitals, schools and communities. He also wrestles with the moral dimension of progress, calling for a balance between capitalism and conscience as we enter an era defined by AI, environmental strain and “data as the new oil.” From the early chaos of coaxial cables to the moral complexity of modern networks, Rouzbeh’s story is a reminder that technology’s true purpose isn’t speed or profit... it’s improving the quality of life for everyone it touches. Enjoy the conversation…

• Running time: 1:00:46.
• Hello from beautiful Montreal.
• Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.
• Listen and subscribe over at Spotify.
• Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel.
• Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn.
• Check out ThinkersOne.
• Here is my conversation with Rouzbeh Yassini-Fard.
• The Accidental Network.
• Follow Rouzbeh on LinkedIn.

Chapters:

(00:00) - The Accidental Network: Origins and Vision.
(06:00) - The Entrepreneurial Journey: Overcoming Naysayers.
(12:07) - From Business Applications to Consumer Connectivity.
(17:51) - The Open Standard Gamble: A Strategic Choice.
(23:45) - Navigating the Dot Com Boom and Bust.
(30:08) - The Rise of Broadband: Transforming the Cable Industry.
(30:35) - The Journey of an Entrepreneur.
(32:01) - Scaling and Selling the Company.
(33:27) - Contributions to the Cable Industry.
(36:11) - Philosophy of Innovation and Humanity.
(39:11) - Data as a New Resource.
(42:13) - Access as a Human Right.
(43:26) - The Last Mile Challenge.
(46:36) - Future of Connectivity.
(50:02) - Centralized vs. Decentralized Networks.
(54:07) - Environmental Considerations in Technology.
(56:15) - Reflections on a Successful Career.

Welcome to episode #1004 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation).

What does it really mean to lead with values when so much of modern business seems built on quarterly results and surface-level culture? Robert Glazer has spent his career proving that sustainable performance isn’t just about financial results. It’s about the alignment between who you are and what you stand for. As founder and chairman of Acceleration Partners (a marketing agency), Bob built a company repeatedly recognized as one of the best places to work. Beyond the accolades, he is an author of seven books, including Elevate, Elevate Your Team and his latest, The Compass Within: A Little Story About the Values That Guide Us. In this conversation, Bob explores the central role that core values play in authentic leadership, how formative experiences shape decision-making and why self-awareness is the foundation of both personal and organizational growth. He explains how parables and storytelling can make complex business ideas more memorable, why mentorship still matters in a polarized and tech-driven world and how the rise of AI is intersecting with deeply human questions about meaning, integrity and belief. Bob reminds us that values are not slogans for walls or websites but active forces that define culture, guide behavior and ultimately determine whether leaders and organizations thrive or falter. In an era where data can overwhelm judgment and polarization can fracture trust, his work pushes us to examine whether our actions reflect the values we claim to hold, and how to close that gap. Enjoy the conversation…

• Running time: 57:33.
• Hello from beautiful Montreal.
• Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.
• Listen and subscribe over at Spotify.
• Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel.
• Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn.
• Check out ThinkersOne.
• Here is my conversation with Robert Glazer.
• The Compass Within: A Little Story About the Values That Guide Us.
• Elevate.
• Elevate Your Team.
• Get Bob’s newsletter, Friday Forward.
• The Elevate Podcast.
• Follow Robert on Instagram.
• Follow Robert on LinkedIn.

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction to Core Values and Leadership.
(03:00) - The Power of Parables in Business.
(06:01) - Understanding Personal Core Values.
(09:06) - The Intersection of Values and Leadership.
(11:50) - Authenticity and the Authentic Self.
(14:45) - Navigating Values in a Polarized World.
(18:00) - The Role of Values in Business Decisions.
(20:57) - The Challenge of Aligning Personal and Company Values.
(23:50) - Embracing Values in a Complex World.
(31:10) - Authenticity in Business Decisions.
(33:58) - The Cost of Upholding Values.
(35:23) - Core Values and Decision Making.
(39:24) - The Evolution of Relationships.
(41:31) - Character Development in Storytelling.
(44:04) - The Role of Mentorship.
(48:12) - AI as a Thought Partner.
(53:46) - Cognitive Dissonance and Values.

Welcome to episode #1003 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation).

When you look closely at leadership, it often seems like a conversation about others… how to motivate, how to manage, how to inspire. But what if the real work starts somewhere far more intimate… with yourself? Margaret Andrews, a distinguished educator, consultant and leadership expert, has spent years making the case that true leadership begins with self-awareness. It’s the quiet realization that the patterns of your past, your assumptions and your worldview don’t just shape who you are… they shape how you lead. Margaret’s career has taken her from executive roles at institutions like MIT and Harvard to the classroom, where her popular course Managing Yourself And Leading Others has drawn thousands of leaders seeking to better understand their own strengths and blind spots. This journey culminated in her new book, Manage Yourself To Lead Others - Why Great Leadership Begins With Self-Understanding, which distills years of teaching and research into practical frameworks for leaders who want to navigate complexity without losing sight of their humanity. In this conversation, Margaret pushes us to rethink the building blocks of effective leadership: feedback as a gift (even when it stings), authenticity as resilience and adaptability as a modern necessity in a world where AI and technology are rewriting the rules of management. We also explore how success is deeply personal (not a one-size-fits-all construct handed down by society) and something each leader must define for themselves. Margaret’s perspective resonates because it is both pragmatic and deeply human. She doesn’t shy away from the messy truth that leadership is often uncomfortable, but she also insists that discomfort is where growth lives. By weaving together scholarship, personal experience and insights from her work with executives around the globe, Margaret makes a compelling case for leadership as an ongoing journey of self-discovery. For anyone looking to evolve not just as a professional but as a whole person navigating a rapidly changing world, her work is a beacon. Enjoy the conversation...

• Running time: 1:03:08.
• Hello from beautiful Montreal.
• Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.
• Listen and subscribe over at Spotify.
• Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel.
• Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn.
• Check out ThinkersOne.
• Here is my conversation with Margaret Andrews,.
• Manage Yourself To Lead Others - Why Great Leadership Begins With Self-Understanding.
• Her course: Managing Yourself And Leading Others.
• Follow Margaret on LinkedIn.

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction to Leadership and Self-Management.
(05:55) - The Role of Feedback in Leadership.
(12:01) - The Impact of AI on Interpersonal Communication.
(17:55) - The Challenges of Self-Selection in Careers.
(23:54) - The Evolution of Job Tenure and Leadership Dynamics.
(32:35) - Navigating Leadership Challenges in a Public World.
(39:51) - Understanding Leadership Styles and Personal Evolution.
(45:26) - The Changing Perception of Leadership in Society.
(53:13) - Balancing Fast-Moving Environments with Reflective Practices.
(01:02:23) - Parenting Lessons Applied to Leadership.