May Webinar: Upstream Thinking

In our May webinar, Hal hosts Richard Davies, a solutions journalist and “How Do We Fix It?” podcast creator, to talk about upstream thinking and a problem-solving mindset.

A few years ago, Kim and I met Richard Davies at a big podcasting conference. We kept finding excuses to hang out with him. He had an easy laugh, a sharp and wide-open mind, and the kind of tactful, sincere curiosity that has you telling him your life story, unabashed. He also had an impressive AF resume: as a radio correspondent for ABC, BBC, and other global outlets, he reported from more than 20 countries. For 29 years, he was a firsthand eyewitness to history unfolding, from the fall of the Berlin Wall to the 9/11 attacks.

After decades of covering conflicts and crises, Richard realized he wanted to play a role in solving them instead. “Journalists cover what’s wrong with society, and they often do it really well,” he says in a podcast episode. “But what they don’t ask is, how do we fix it?”

From that idea, his podcast was born. Since we met him, he’s produced and co-hosted more than 300 episodes of “How Do We Fix It?“, a podcast that invites independent-minded, creative thinkers from a wide range of disciplines to discuss constructive ideas for making the world better. He’s hosted Neil DeGrasse Tyson to talk about scientific breakthroughs and TV personality Mike Rowe (of “Dirty Jobs”) to advocate for changing stereotypes about blue-collar work and skilled trades.

The podcast is a lot like Richard: smart and funny, upbeat and informal, and refreshingly free of scorn and cynicism. “I believe the marketplace for snarky, rigid, and negative rhetoric has reached a low water mark,” he wrote in a 2015 blogpost to announce the podcast launch. “It’s time to listen with respect to those who make us uncomfortable.”

On Thursday, May 27 (11:30am CDT), we turn the mic around and point it toward Richard. We’ll ask him to share what he’s learned about innovation, upstream thinking, and a non-partisan, “fixes over fear” mindset from hundreds of interviews with experts and trailblazers. By then, you’ll have listened to a ton of “How Do We Fix It?” episodes, we’re sure – find them on Spotify, Apple, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, or visit his site to learn more. Then join us Thursday as we solve the world’s problems. It’s 100% snark-free! —Hal


Not sure where to start? We recommend: Episode #300: Six Years. Six Guests. 300 Episodes.


Click below to join the live stream on 5/27 at 11:30am CT, or go set a reminder for the webinar in advance.