Well folks, we did it. The 200th episode of Experience by Design is here. Adam Gamwell and I started this effort back on November 13, 2016. Seven years later while the lineup has changed the podcast is still going strong-ish. One of my students once asked when did ExD start to get traction. I told him that I would let him know when it happens. The goal of ExD was never to get “traction” per se, although sure that would be nice to have tens of thousands of listeners per episode. At the same time, ExD just cleared a total of 30,000 downloads. Regardless of numbers, the goal always was to have fun conversations with interesting people. And now, I have had over 200 of them, for which I definitely feel enriched and grateful.
This podcast ultimately is just my small way of putting something positive out into the world in the hopes that others will benefit from it. It’s part of a larger effort to go from “do no harm” to “do some good.” Doing no harm sounds great in terms of not making a situation worse. At the same time, doing some good is about improving things in whatever ways we can. When things are bad, and getting worse, doing no harm is not really a viable strategy to rectify a horrible situation. We have to do more, even if it is something small like having a weekly podcast.
For the 200th episode, I welcome Mark Coleman to Experience by Design. Mark has long been interested in all things environmental, including degrees in Environmental Studies and Environmental Management and Policy. Today he uses that knowledge to help companies and organizations develop pragmatic policies regarding the environment, conservation, and sustainability. He also teaches sustainable enterprise courses at Syracuse University.
Mark joins me to talk about his new book “Planet Pragmatism,” as well as his other books. Mark describes the challenges associated with behavioral change, especially regarding consumption patterns. Mark emphasizes that successful communication requires grounding oneself in listening and understanding rather than being divisive, particularly in today's polarized political environment. He stresses the need for practical solutions that balance immediate action with incremental changes for long-term impact. Together we explore topics such as the role of technology, particularly AI, and its ethical use, as well as the importance of interconnectedness and common sense for the common good in driving sustainable progress. Mark also highlights the value of cross-generational learning and the potential for small changes to lead to significant impacts if implemented thoughtfully.
Mark Coleman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markcolemannow/
Mark Coleman Website: https://www.markcolemaninsights.com/
Convergence Mitigation Management (CMM): https://www.cmm-insights.com/
TRC Companies: https://www.trccompanies.com/
“Planet Pragmatism”: https://www.amazon.com/Planet-Pragmatism-New-Path-Prosperity/dp/1958233439
