You’re going to see a lot of Brené Brown recommendations in What’s Lit! Her podcasts and her numerous books have influenced my work, how I approach leadership, and most importantly how I live my life.

I’ve been catching up on her podcasts after a few months. I recently listened to an eight-episode series from May 2024 on the Dare to Lead and Unlocking Us podcasts which she called Living Beyond Human Scale, the possibilities, the costs, and the role of community. Her conversations with her guests focused on living in the age of immense and rapid change driven by technology (AI and social media, specifically), and how we are losing our sense of control. She (and her guests) explain that trying to stop or control the change is futile. Instead, we need to equip ourselves with the skills and mindsets to live with constant change. She used the analogy of driving on ice. When your car slips you don’t step on the brakes (trying to stop the car), instead you steer towards the direction you’re moving and brace yourself for what’s to happen next.

Here are my favorite episodes from the 8-part series (listen in this order):

1. Esther Perel on new AI - Artificial Intimacy

2. Futurist Amy Webb on What’s Coming (and What’s Here)

3. Lisa Gevelber on Technology and AI for Good

4. Dr. S. Craig Watkins on Why AI’s Potential to Combat or Scale Systemic Injustice Still Comes Down to Humans

5. Dr. Joy Buolamwini on Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect What Is Human in a World of Machines