This week on Biz-Souls, we dive into the bold new world of human agency and digital autonomy with William (Bill) Welser IV, a man who shares coffee with goats on Thursdays and reshapes the future the rest of the week.

From his early career as a U.S. Air Force officer to building trailblazing teams at the RAND Corporation, to launching Lotic.ai, Bill has always had one mission: equip people with the power to shape their own stories through data, design.

Discover In this episode how your personal data, when owned and directed by you, becomes a tool for power not profit.

Explore the role of storytelling in personalizing technology and rebuilding trust in digital systems, and hear why the next wave of AI innovation must be rooted in ethics, empathy, and equity—and how it can help close socioeconomic gaps, not widen them.

Bill doesn’t just talk about tech, he talks about transformation. Whether he’s mapping ecosystems, future-casting industries, or helping behavioral scientists structure AI with soul, he brings a unique blend of heart, hope, and hardcore innovation to the conversation.

His Lotic Logic: You Deserve Better from Your Data!

Listen in because your future isn’t written by algorithms. It’s co-authored by you—if you take back the pen. Bill Welser IV shows us how.

Tune in now to Biz-Souls – where business meets humanity, and where data, dreams, and destiny converge.

Related Biz-Souls Episodes:

• Episode 126 – Complexity, Chaos, and Coffee: Systems Thinking with Michael Woudenberg

• Episode 132: The Future Is Fractal: Building Resilient Organizations

• Episode 135 – From War Rooms to Whiteboards: What the Military Taught Me About Business

• Episode 137 – Human Beings, Not Human Resources: A Tactical Guide to Empathy in Innovation

• Episode 140 – The Language of Systems: What You Say Changes What You Build

#BizSoulsPodcast #HumanAgency #DataPower #EthicalAI #StoryEconomy #AIWithSoul #DigitalFreedom #TechForGood #LoticAI #FutureCasting #OwnYourData #WilliamWelserIV

Welcome to the 173rd episode of Biz-Souls, where the boardroom meets the ball pit and spreadsheets shake hands with silliness! In this episode, Rona Lewis and Jeffrey Hansler cap off a three-book exploration into the weird and wonderful world of better business thinking — and guess what? This time, Rona wrote the book. Literally.

Presenting: ‘Play and Profit – How Play Enhances Organizational Success’ by Rona Lewis!

That’s right, after analyzing the deep dives of ‘Superforecasting: The Art and Science of Prediction’ by Philip Tetlock and Dan Gardner (aka “crystal balling for data nerds”), and ‘Positive Intelligence’ by Shirzad Chamine (hello, inner Sage!), the Biz-Souls duo hits the trampoline of transformation with Rona’s brand-new guide to purposeful play.

Play and Profit isn’t just about blowing bubbles in the breakroom — it’s a science-backed, fun-forward strategy that helps organizations innovate, embrace failure (without throwing staplers), and make smarter decisions with a smile.

Jeffrey, naturally skeptical of anything involving finger painting outside kindergarten, challenges Rona on everything from the definition of “fun” to whether workplace dodgeball is tax-deductible. Rona, certified play professional and proud possessor of more bounce than a yoga ball, holds her own — even if she occasionally has to toss a metaphorical Nerf dart to get Jeffrey back on track.

‘Superforecasting’ taught us to expect the unexpected and Play and Profit helps us enjoy the unexpected. ‘Positive Intelligence’ helps us quiet the “Saboteur” in our minds and play helps us amplify our inner genius (and maybe our karaoke skills).

Her book shares pathways to building psychologically safe environments… where it’s safe to fail, safe to laugh, and totally acceptable to have a LEGO sculpture on your desk.

Rona introduces her P.L.A.Y! framework, a five-stage process designed to foster psychological safety, active listening, attunement, and yielding to creative processes. This approach encourages teams to embrace challenges as opportunities, leading to increased innovation and productivity.

In this podcast you’ll discover how this discussion builds upon concepts from the previously covered books ‘Superforecasting’ and ‘Positive Intelligence’, illustrating how play complements strategic thinking and mental resilience in organizations.

Special shout out to Jessica Brustad (Rona's original partner at Playful Mind Project), Cathy Arkle who designed the cover of Rona's new book, and James Franklin, who took amazing photos of Rona for the book.

Tune in to discover how a playful mindset can revolutionize your organization's approach to success and take your team from burnout to bounce-back?

Hit play, toss your tie in the air, and discover why business is better when you play it forward.

#BizSouls #PlayAndProfit #WorkShouldBeFun #RonaRules #JeffreyJabsBack #PurposefulPlay #CorporateCultureShift #InnovationThroughPlay #Superforecasting #PositiveIntelligence #WorkplaceInnovation #TeamEngagement #LeadershipDevelopment #CorporateCulture

Episode 172: Saboteurs vs. Sages -The Mental Fitness Showdown

Get ready for a high-energy, thought-provoking episode of Biz-Souls! This week, Rona Lewis and Jeffrey Hansler dive into the transformative world of Positive Intelligence by Shirzad Chamine—a groundbreaking guide to mastering your mind and unlocking your full potential.

Discover how Dr. Chamine suggests you boost your Positive Intelligence Quotient (PQ) to enhance performance and happiness. Learn about the ten internal saboteurs, including the universal "Judge," that hinder your success. Then explore the five sage powers that help you navigate life's challenges with clarity and resilience.

Rona and Jeffrey share their use of these concepts to improve decision-making, manage stress, and enhance relationships. Note: Rona’s a little ahead on this subject because she’s currently enrolled in Dr. Chamine’s coaching program.

Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your personal development journey, this episode offers valuable insights into achieving mental fitness and personal growth.

About the Author:

Shirzad Chamine is the author of the New York Times bestseller Positive Intelligence. He lectured on Positive Intelligence at Stanford University and has trained faculty at Stanford and Yale business schools. Shirzad has been the CEO of the largest coach training organization in the world and has coached hundreds of CEOs and their executive teams. His background includes a BA in psychology, an MS in electrical engineering, and an MBA from Stanford.

About the Book:

Positive Intelligence by Shirzad Chamine reveals how your mind can be your best friend or worst enemy. By identifying and weakening your internal saboteurs and strengthening your sage powers, you can improve performance, relationships, and overall well-being. Chamine's research shows that higher PQ leads to better outcomes in various aspects of life.

#BizSouls172 #PositiveIntelligence #MentalFitness #SaboteursVsSages #PersonalGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment