Christian Mastrodonato - Podcast Details

Shows

Engines of Creation | Podcast on Complexity and Innovation with Christian Mastrodonato #25 | On Bitcoins and Rethinking Value, Money, and Community: An Exploration with Benjamin De WaalIn this captivating episode of Engines of Creation, we are joined by Benjamin De Waal, an eclectic thinker and expert in Bitcoin, who shares his unique journey from software development to exploring the complexities of money and value. Originally from New Zealand, Ben's diverse background includes interests in political systems, linguistics, and even private investigation, which he believes enriches his understanding of the world. We embark on an enlightening discussion about Bitcoin, examining its properties as a form of money and what makes it superior to traditional fiat currencies and precious metals like gold. Ben breaks down the...

2025-10-071h 11

Engines of Creation | Podcast on Complexity and Innovation with Christian Mastrodonato #24 | On Balancing Innovation and Execution in the Age of AI: Insights from Stephen HinchIn this enlightening episode of Engines of Creation, we are joined by Stephen Hinch, a veteran of the high-tech industry with over three decades of experience, including significant roles at Hewlett Packard and Agilent Technologies. Steve shares his insights from his extensive career and discusses his newly published book, "Winning through Innovation," which explores the intricacies of navigating complexity in the realm of innovation. We delve into the complexity paradox, where Steve highlights the importance of balancing the intricate nature of problems with the need for simple, actionable solutions. He shares practical frameworks for prioritizing issues and...

2025-08-2741 min

Engines of Creation | Podcast on Complexity and Innovation with Christian Mastrodonato #23 | On Creative Problem Solving, Overcoming Distraction and Embracing Flow: Strategies from Steven PuriIn this engaging episode of Engines of Creation, we welcome Steven Puri, the founder of Sukha, who brings a unique blend of experience from both the film industry and technology. Steven shares his fascinating journey from being a software engineer to becoming a senior executive in motion picture studios, and now leveraging that interdisciplinary knowledge to develop AI-driven solutions. We dive into the concept of anti-disciplinarity, exploring how crossing boundaries between fields can unlock creativity and innovation, especially in an age dominated by AI. Steven discusses the importance of context and conditions that foster success, emphasizing how...

2025-07-1539 min

Engines of Creation | Podcast on Complexity and Innovation with Christian Mastrodonato #22 | On Design, AI, and the Future of Craft: A Dialogue with Nick CawthonIn this insightful episode of Engines of Creation, we welcome Nick, a seasoned designer and consultant based in San Francisco, as he shares his unique perspective on the intersection of design, technology, and the evolving landscape of AI. With over two decades of experience, Nick reflects on his journey from the early days of the internet to the present, emphasizing the importance of craft in design and the role it plays in navigating complexity. We explore the relevance of traditional design principles in an age dominated by generative AI and automation. Nick discusses the shift...

2025-06-1630 min

Engines of Creation | Podcast on Complexity and Innovation with Christian Mastrodonato #21 | On Navigating the CTO Journey, Leading through Complexity, Adopting Generative AI and Embrace Quantum Computing | Interview with Sergio GagoThese show notes were generated by Headliner AI. If you enjoy them please tell other podcasters by giving a shoutout to https://headliner.app in your episode ✨ --- 💬 Show Notes In this captivating episode of Engines of Creation, we engage with Sergio, a seasoned Chief Technology Officer, as he shares his journey from engineer to technology leader. With a rich background in programming, Sergio reflects on his evolution in the tech landscape, emphasizing the importance of problem-solving and the creative potential of coding. We delve into his recently published book, "CTO Toolbox," where he ou...

2025-05-2047 min

Engines of Creation | Podcast on Complexity and Innovation with Christian Mastrodonato #20 | On Complexity and the Future of AI and Data | Perspectives from Dennis CurryIn this thought-provoking episode of Engines of Creation, we sit down with Denanis Curry, the CTO of Talk Talk, to explore the intricate relationship between technology, data, and the complexities of modern business. With a wealth of experience in the tech industry, Denanis shares his insights on how to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of technology and its impact on organizations. We dive into the challenges of managing complexity within a technology-driven environment, discussing the importance of accepting complexity as a natural part of business operations rather than something to be suppressed. Denanis emphasizes the need to leverage...

2025-04-1539 min

Engines of Creation | Podcast on Complexity and Innovation with Christian Mastrodonato #19 | On Building Better Start-ups | An Interview with Andrea RidiIn this thought-provoking episode of Engines of Creation, we sit down with Andrea Ridi, CEO of ScaleUp Labs, an accomplished entrepreneur and venture capitalist, to explore the intricate world of start-up creation and venture capital. With a background in physics and a wealth of experience in building successful start-ups, Andrea shares his unique perspective on the challenges and complexities of the venture capital landscape. We dive deep into the venture capital model, discussing its inherent flaws and the unrealistic expectations placed on start-ups. Andrea highlights the difficulties in finding the right talent and the overvaluation of companies...

2025-02-2650 min

Engines of Creation | Podcast on Complexity and Innovation with Christian Mastrodonato #18 | On Smart Cities | A Conversation with Gurpreet MuctorIn this engaging episode of Engines of Creation, we welcome Gurpreet Muctor, the Chief Data and Technology Officer at Westminster City Council, to discuss the challenges and opportunities of driving innovation in local government. With a rich history in technology and data transformation across various industries, Gurpreet shares his insights into the unique landscape of public sector innovation. We explore the complexities of implementing smart city initiatives, focusing on how local authorities can leverage technology to address pressing issues such as climate change, housing, and social services. Gurpreet highlights the importance of a people-centric approach to innovation...

2025-01-1437 min

Engines of Creation | Podcast on Complexity and Innovation with Christian Mastrodonato #17 | On Enhancing Humans | A Conversation with Erez TockerIn this enlightening episode of Engines of Creation, we welcome Erez Tocker, the CEO of Trinity College London, to explore the dynamic world of education and innovation. With a rich background spanning law, education, and leadership roles in various organisations, Erez shares his journey from a career in law to leading one of the oldest exam boards in the world. We delve into the challenges and opportunities of fostering innovation within organisations of different sizes, from agile startups to large, established companies. Erez provides a nuanced perspective on how to navigate the complexities of digital transformation and...

2024-11-2552 min

Engines of Creation | Podcast on Complexity and Innovation with Christian Mastrodonato #16 | On Innovating Democracy | Interview with Claudia ChwaliszIn this captivating episode, we delve into the intricacies of democratic innovation with Claudia Chwalisz, founder and CEO of Democracy Next. Claudia's organization is pioneering a global platform aimed at transforming governance by incorporating principles of sortition and deliberation, not just in government, but across various institutions like schools, universities, and workplaces. We discuss the importance of moving away from the oversimplification of complex issues, a prevalent problem in current democratic systems. She explains how creating deliberative spaces, such as citizens' assemblies, allows for a deeper engagement with complexity. One of the key highlights is...

2024-09-2445 min

Engines of Creation | Podcast on Complexity and Innovation with Christian Mastrodonato #15 | On Summertime Reflections | Reading and Listening RecommendationsHello everybody, Welcome to Engines of Creation podcast, I’m your host, Christian Mastrodonato. In this podcast I bring together my knowledge in complex systems. with my experience in leading technology innovation and new product development, to explore how successful products, organizations and ideas emerge. Greetings from the Italian Maritime Alps, apologies if you may hear in the background the sounds of fresh water springs or birds singing, but while working on an incredible line up of interviews that will be available to you over the upcoming months, I thought why don’t share some ideas on what...

2024-08-1210 min

Engines of Creation | Podcast on Complexity and Innovation with Christian Mastrodonato #14 | On Examining Technology | Interview with Aki JärvinenIn this thought-provoking episode, we venture beyond the typical paths of our podcast with Aki Jarvinen, a technologist and designer who brings a unique perspective to the intersection of technology, ethics, philosophy and spirituality. Aki's rich background spans game design, interactive media, and immersive technologies, and he shares his journey from Finland to the UK, weaving in his philosophical musings along the way. Aki introduces his newsletter, "Unexamined Technologies," inspired by Socratic philosophy, and discusses the importance of examining our relationship with technology. He highlights the concept of technological somnambulism, where society sleepwalks through technological advancements without...

2024-06-1754 min

Engines of Creation | Podcast on Complexity and Innovation with Christian Mastrodonato #13 | On Doing Innovation | Interview with Karsten LumbyeThis is a special episode, since it is Engines of Creation birthday, one year ago we started this interesting journey and I have to thank all of you for listening and supporting this project. Please don’t forget to like, follow and share our Episodes to help this podcast grow. As you know innovation is a recurrent topic of this podcast, and to celebrate the birthday properly I decided to invite a real Chief Innovation Officer, so today we delve into the innovative mind of Karsten Lambai Lumbye Jensen, a seasoned pioneer in the realm of new bu...

2024-04-0954 min

Engines of Creation | Podcast on Complexity and Innovation with Christian Mastrodonato #12 | On Responsibility in AI and Technology | Interview with Ricardo Baeza-YatesLast time I promised you and Episode in February, and I just about missed the target, but I’m sure this insightful episode is worth the wait, as we delve into the multifaceted world of AI with an extraordinary guest, Ricardo Baeza-Yates, whose extensive background in computer science and research sets the stage for a deep dive into the ethical and practical dimensions of artificial intelligence. Among many things Ricardo has been VP of Research at Yahoo! Labs, he wrote one of the most influential books on Information Retrieval and he is now one of the most influential voices in...

2024-03-0455 min

Engines of Creation | Podcast on Complexity and Innovation with Christian Mastrodonato #11 | On Business Value and Digital Twins | Interview with Bruce SinclairI’m so happy to come back with a great new conversation, in this episode we are going to meet Bruce Sinclair, a seasoned expert in digital transformation, who will unveil a wealth of knowledge and practical wisdom in navigating the complexities of modern business. With a background in IoT and private equity investments, Bruce brings a unique perspective to the discussion, emphasizing the pivotal role of business imagination in driving successful digital transformations. As the founder of several start-ups and writer of 2 books IoT-Inc. and Digital Operating Partner, Bruce has a wealth of experience guiding organizations through the in...

2024-01-2349 min

Engines of Creation | Podcast on Complexity and Innovation with Christian Mastrodonato #10 | On Festive Readings and Listenings | Recommendations for Winter Break LearningsThere are lot of interesting interviews lined up, but life gets in the way, so they will be released in 2024, please subscribe to the channel to get them as soon as they are published. I thought it would be nice to drop some suggestions for reading and listenings during the Festive break. Here some books: Incerto Series by Nassim Nicholas Taleb The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable by Nassim Nicholas Taleb Antifragile: Things that Gain from Disorder by Nassim Nicholas Taleb The (Mis)Behaviour of Markets: A Fractal View of Risk...

2023-12-1213 min

Engines of Creation | Podcast on Complexity and Innovation with Christian Mastrodonato #9 | On Megaprojects | Book UnReview on How Big Things Get DoneAnd now, for something completely different, as Monty Python would say, we are going to experiment with a different kind of episode: a book UnReview. I've been toying with this idea for quite some time. There are some books that have really helped me shape new ideas and better frame and link old ones. Although it would be great to discuss those books with the authors, I'm not always able to get in contact with them and have them on the podcast. On the other hand, simply giving you a simple review of the book would be redundant, as...

2023-11-2712 min

Engines of Creation | Podcast on Complexity and Innovation with Christian Mastrodonato #8 | On Human Complexity | Interview with Luca MinudelIn this episode we are meeting a wonderful guest, Luca Minudel, an expert agile practitioner who works at the forefront of novel methodologies to improve the way we work and create value. Luca worked in very interesting companies, as we’ll soon find out, but more importantly he is also a practitioner of Complexity Thinking and he wrote a very helpful book titled Living complexity, about how to manage and exploit Human complexity. Talking about the definition of complexity and human complexity, Luca shared practical examples of complex problems, like COVID-19, conflicts between stakeholders, limited information/understanding, an...

2023-10-2648 min

Engines of Creation | Podcast on Complexity and Innovation with Christian Mastrodonato #7 | On Systems and Layers | Interview with John V WillshireIn this episode we will delve into the interesting world of System Design, and we’ll do it with an incredible thinker like John Willshire, founder of Smithery and Professor of Innovation and Future Thinking at the Design School IED in Barcelona. Interestingly it seems that to work in System Design, you need to be an anti-disciplinarian, as suggested by Gianni Giacomelli in the last podcast episode, and John is clearly so, since our conversation spans from technology to poetry. We will start talking about how looking at information as light can provide a different pe...

2023-09-2545 min

Engines of Creation | Podcast on Complexity and Innovation with Christian Mastrodonato #6 | On Collective Intelligence | Interview with Gianni GiacomelliIn this new episode we are meeting a great new guest Gianni Giacomelli, Gianni is a fellow member of the Exponential Do community, and he is the Head of Design Innovation at the MIT Centre for Collective Intelligence, and we are going to dive with him in the fascinating field of augmented collective intelligence. When in this podcast we talk about Intelligence, we usually look at it as an emergent phenomenon of complex computational topologies, this is called emergentist explanation and it is the closest to complex system theory, but it is not the only possible way t...

2023-07-1755 min

Engines of Creation | Podcast on Complexity and Innovation with Christian Mastrodonato #5 | On Partnerships | Interview with Aleksander PoniewierskiIn this episode we are meeting Aleksander Poniewierski, Aleksander is partner in EY and he leads the consulting practise for Digital and Emerging technologies, not only he brings a huge breadth of experience in implementing new innovative solutions, but he managed to condense all this knowledge in a very interesting book title Speed No limits in the digital era, which will be the center of our conversation. I’ll leave a link to the book in the podcast description. Our conversation will be greatly focused about partnerships, since I believe this is one of the most under-rated too...

2023-06-2847 min

Engines of Creation | Podcast on Complexity and Innovation with Christian Mastrodonato #4 | On Survival and Adaptation | Interview with Luca DellannaIn this episode we are going to meet Luca Dellanna, an expert in people and operations management, and one of my favourite contemporary authors, who can cover extremely complex topics alway providing clear and practical examples to relate them to our daily experience, as you will soon find out. In this conversation we will mainly discuss about 2 of his books, which cover topics strictly related to the field of complexity. One book is titled Ergodicity, and it explains very clearly how this Statistical Physics and Chaos Theory concept has deep implications in our daily life a...

2023-05-1741 min

Engines of Creation | Podcast on Complexity and Innovation with Christian Mastrodonato #3 | On Openness | Interview with Kevin MarksOn today’s episode we are going to meet a real Web pioneer, Kevin Marks, if you don’t know him I suggest you look at the Wikipedia page dedicated to him, because, yes the guests of this podcast do have their own Wikipedia page :) Kevin is a SW Engineering expert who worked in companies like Apple, Google and Salesforce and have been at the forefront of Digital Innovation from the 90s. He brings a look that spans the whole horizon of how the digital industry has evolved so far and can evolve in the future. Duri...

2023-04-1950 min

Engines of Creation | Podcast on Complexity and Innovation with Christian Mastrodonato #2 | On Feeling Uncomfortable | Interview with Sudha JamtheFor the second episode of the podcast we are going to meet a very special person, Sudha Jamthe, as you will hear from her own introduction, she is a true innovator, and she is an inspiration for me as a true leader who appreciates and embraces complexity, in particular with her passion for communicating complex business and technology topics in engaging and effective ways. We are going to discover with her what are the patterns that enable innovation, and how a data driven approach can unlock the creation of innovative products. Also, we will be di...

2023-03-2248 min

Engines of Creation | Podcast on Complexity and Innovation with Christian Mastrodonato #1 | On Embracing ChangeChange is at the core of everything, that's what I've learnt from the experience of all the people I've interacted with and that managed to become successful. If we really understand it and we can change our beliefs according to this fundamental assumption, the way we work can completely change.

2023-03-2209 min

Engines of Creation | Podcast on Complexity and Innovation with Christian Mastrodonato On Engines of Creation | TrailerThrough Engines of Creation episodes, we will understand the culture, the mindset, and the ways to identify and manage complexity in evolving businesses and organisations. We’ll explain how, by creating the right conditions for the individuals and the teams, innovation and creation emerge naturally and spontaneously.

2023-02-0801 min

Hardcore Baseball Hardcore Baseball: Breaking down the trading deadlineJason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald joins Matt McCarthy to break down the Red Sox approach to the trade deadline, what trading Christian Vazquez means, and what Eric Hosmer can still bring to the table. Plus, what are the futures for Chaim Bloom and Alex Cora?

2022-08-0438 min