Shows
A Life Worth WorkingThe Sh*t Pile Episode with Kwaku AningMichelle & Dana dive into musician-turned-consultant Kwaku Aning’s story of heartbreak, evolution, and redirection. From the residue of his pain and experience, he’s built a new path—proof that nothing is wasted and that our failures shape who we become.2025-06-0505 min
ClickPointEmpathy, Diversity, and Tech: Jake Wood’s Formula for Meaningful Social ImpactIn this episode, Jake reveals how his experiences as a Marine and nonprofit entrepreneur fueled his innovative use of technology to drive social good. He reflects on the early days of Team Rubicon, harnessing social media and digital platforms to mobilize military veterans for disaster response, and traces the evolution of Groundswell, a platform streamlining charitable giving and corporate social responsibility.Along the way, Jake opens up about leading with empathy, creating inclusive teams, and the essential human connections at the heart of effective impact work. Whether you’re passionate about technology, philanthropy, leadership, or just love he...2025-06-0344 min
A Life Worth WorkingUnleashing Curiosity: Kwaku Aning's Journey from Classroom to ConsultingIn this episode of 'A Life Worth Working,' hosts Dana Alan Walsh and Michelle Weise delve into the fascinating journey of Kwaku Aning of Retro-Futurism consulting. Kwaku shares his story of how the traits that once got him in trouble—curiosity and constant chatter—eventually became his greatest assets. Discover how these gifts led him from teaching music at a charter school in Harlem to a versatile career, connecting people and ideas in innovative ways. 2025-06-0328 min
ClickPointBonfire Workshop’s Approach: Technology, Nature, and ConversationIn today’s episode, host Kwaku Aning sits down with Christian Long, founder and guide at Bonfire Workshop, for a conversation that’s anything but ordinary.Christian brings a fresh and thought-provoking perspective, redefining technology not as gadgets or software, but as conversation itself, the fundamental tool that powers curiosity, community, and transformation. From walking meetings to creating genuine spaces for vulnerability and learning, Christian shares how his thirty-year journey across education, design, and leadership has been shaped by prioritizing human relationships and presence above all else.Together, Kwaku and Christian dig into what it mean...2025-05-2158 min
ClickPointGlobal Impact, AI, and the Rising Cost of Education with Kevin MergesOn this episode of ClickPoint, host KwaKu Aning welcomes Kevin Merges, Chief Global Impact Officer at Saddle River Day School, for a deep and dynamic conversation on the future of education at the intersection of technology, innovation, and global trends. Drawing on his four decades of experience, Kevin shares how his journey with technology began with an Apple IIe and has evolved to shaping AI and digital learning in schools today.KwaKu and Kevin explore the accelerating waves of change driven by AI—how it’s transforming classrooms, challenging the traditional role of teachers, and creating new...2025-04-2250 min
ClickPointCuriosity, Connection & What’s in the Box with Betsy CorcoranWelcome to ClickPoint, where we explore the intersection of education, technology, venture capital, and sustainability to uncover transformative possibilities. In this episode, host KwaKu Aning reconnects with Betsy Corcoran, cohost of the Future Fluent podcast. A former journalist and cofounder of Lede Labs, Betsy brings a lifelong relationship with technology—beginning with punch cards and vacuum tubes in her childhood—into today’s conversations about AI, literacy, and innovation.Betsy shares how growing up with a Cold War-era engineer father shaped her understanding of computers, curiosity, and future-thinking. They dive into the evolution of tech, the rol...2025-04-0847 min
CRAFTED.Quantum & Coffee: SXSW 2025 Impressions, With Kwaku AningEducator, innovator, super-connector, and conference champion Kwaku Aning and I have coffee and discuss a few things that struck us at SXSW, including:Why we’re in a “pre-mainframe” moment in quantum computing — and why you should prepare for what comes nextBioengineering: are we headed for a Westworld-style mix of human musculature and AI?Robot choreography, e.g. how to train a self-driving car to drive non-aggressively (but also should they be allowed to speed?) Mind control via inaudible noises and Severance-style brain implantsWhether or not I had enough breakfast tacos in Austin…Where to find Kwaku:LinkedIn...2025-03-2715 min
ClickPointExploring Technology's Role in Connection and Storytelling with Dan BlumbergIn this episode of ClickPoint, our host, KwaKu Aning, delves into a fascinating conversation with Dan Blumberg, the insightful mind behind the podcast Crafted. In this episode, Dan shares his journey from being captivated by the strategic game Railroad Tycoon as a teenager to becoming a prominent figure in the realm of product management and innovation. Learn how his early passion for systems thinking translated into a successful career that spans from radio production to consulting work at major institutions like Citibank and The New York Times.Dan offers a rich perspective on the importance...2025-03-1853 min
ClickPointBuilding Meaningful Connections in a Digital Age with Susan McPhersonIn this episode, host Kwaku Aning sits down with Susan McPherson, Founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies. McPherson Strategies is a women-owned and led B Corp-certified boutique communications consultancy focused on social impact and corporate responsibility. Susan, known as a "serial connector," shares invaluable insights on the power of authentic relationship-building in a remote-first world.From her early influences to her strategies for fostering deep and meaningful connections, Susan highlights the role of intentionality, curiosity, and generosity in networking. She also delves into the impact of AI and digital communication on relationships and offers practical advice...2025-03-0441 min
ClickPointLeveraging AI and Tech in Venture Capital with Jessica MillstoneIn this episode of ClickPoint, Kwaku sits down with Jessica Millstone, co-founder and managing director of Copperwire Ventures, an early-stage fund specializing in women-led technology companies, particularly in the education sector. Together, they delve into Jessica's journey from her early connections with technology to her impactful work today. She shares insightful anecdotes about growing up with tech due to her family's business and how these experiences shaped her professional path. Jessica and Kwaku discuss the evolution of digital communication, examining the blurred lines between personal and professional tech use and how generational shifts are influencing these connections. 2025-02-2549 min
ClickPointNavigating Technology and Human Connection with Louka ParryWelcome to the first episode of ClickPoint, where we explore the intersection of education, technology, venture capital, and sustainability to uncover transformative possibilities.In this episode, host Kwaku Aning sits down with Louka Parry, CEO and Founder of The Learning Future, an organization dedicated to helping schools, systems, and companies thrive in an evolving world.Louka shares his insights on leveraging technology to foster meaningful global connections, particularly from the geographically isolated context of Australia. We explore his journey across cultures, the role of digital tools in education and leadership, and how to...2025-02-1150 min
ClickPointIntroducing: The ClickPoint PodcastWelcome to ClickPoint—the podcast where innovation meets human connection.Hosted by Kwaku Aning, we explore how technology, education, venture capital, and social impact intersect to transform lives. Whether you're a seasoned professional or simply curious about the future of innovation, this podcast delivers insights and inspiration to help you make an impact.Join us as we engage with thought leaders shaping the future.ClickPoint—Where Ideas and Innovation Connect2025-02-0500 min
CRAFTED.Live from SXSW! The Impromptu Rooftop EpisodeEnjoy this bonus, happy hour edition of CRAFTED., recorded live during SXSW. It’s a very unCRAFTED. CRAFTED. Featuring four innovators on a rooftop in Austin talking about what struck them at this year’s SXSW. Kick back and unwind with Christie Nicholson (Founder of the Studio for Communicating Complexity), Kwaku Aning (Director, Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Thinking (CIET) at San Diego Jewish Academy and Founder, Retro Futurism Consulting), James Burdine (Founder and Principal at Bishop Linville Consulting), and CRAFTED. host Dan Blumberg.Topics and tangents include: the use of AI in education and government, the...2024-03-2825 min
Getting Smart PodcastKwaku Aning, Aaron Schorn and Mike Yates on Collective Learning, Research and DemonstratingOn this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast Mason is joined by repeat guest Aaron Schorn of Unrulr and two new guests for the Getting Smart Podcast, Kwaku Aning, Director of the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurial Thinking at the San Diego Jewish Academy and Mike Yates, The Reinvention Lab at Teach for America. Links: Kwaku Aning LinkedIn Aaron Schorn LinkedIn Mike Yates LinkedIn San Diego Jewish Academy Reinvention Lab at Teach for America Designing Your Life MSCHF Hallcraft School Studio2024-03-0625 min
PRmoment PodcastMy career in hindsight: Bieneosa Ebite on the PRmoment PodcastWelcome to the PRmoment Podcast. On the show today, I’m chatting with one of my favourite people, the wonderful Bieneosa Ebite. Bieneosa is head of communications and government affairs, inclusion & diversity at GSK.In this regular format of the PRmoment Podcast with Ben Smith, we’ll be catching up with UK public relations leaders - and our guests will share their, in hindsight, secrets that they wish they'd known when they started their careers!Bieneosa Ebite joined GSK 18 months ago. Previously, she was at Centrica for eight years. She ran her...2024-01-1042 min
PRmoment PodcastCelebrating 15 years of the Taylor Bennett Foundation: How the programme helped the careers of Kwaku Aning, Shanice Hoo Mills and Toni AdeolaThis week, we’re celebrating 15 years of the Taylor Bennett Foundation, and to do that, we’re talking to 3 of its alumni about how the programme helped their careers. On the PRmoment Podcast today, we’re talking to Kwaku Aning, Shanice Hoo Mills and Toni AdeolaFor those of you not aware of the Taylor Bennett Foundation - well, I’d suggest you should! It’s an amazing charity that exists to encourage black, Asian and minority ethnic graduates to pursue a career in communications. It does this through its PR training programme, internships and mentoring programmes.Es...2023-11-0742 min