The Curious Advantage Podcast

<div> <p>Unlock the secret to building an authentic, high-quality brand in a saturated market.</p><p>In this episode, we’re joined by<strong> Finn Hall</strong>, CEO of <strong>Headstrong</strong> and former Team GB cyclist, who is redefining the functional mushrooms space through an uncompromising focus on quality, design and curiosity.</p><p>Finn shares his journey from elite sport to entrepreneurship, revealing how a personal discovery sparked a mission to challenge industry standards and create products people can genuinely trust.</p><p>Along the way, we explore how curiosity fuels innovation, why authenticity is the foundation of any standout brand, and what it really takes to build something premium in a crowded market. From the science behind functional mushrooms and extraction quality, to the role of design and storytelling in differentiation, this conversation is packed with insight for anyone building a brand today.</p><p>Finn also shares his bold vision for the future, from psilocybin-based mental health treatments to new product formats designed for modern lifestyles, offering a glimpse into where wellness is heading next.</p><p><strong>Show Links</strong><br>Headstrong<a href="https://headstrongltd.com"> Website </a><br>Headstrong <a href="https://www.instagram.com/headstrong.uk/">Instagram </a><br>Finn Hall <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/finn-h-419bb5133/">LinkedIn<br></a><br><strong>The Curious Advantage</strong> explores curiosity and its growing importance in the digital age. From history, neuroscience, and anthropology to business and culture, it takes the widest possible view of curiosity. At its heart is the ‘Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’ model, a practical framework to help individuals harness curiosity as a power skill for growth and transformation.</p><p><em>The Curious Advantage</em> is available on <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Audible-The-Curious-Advantage/dp/B0B91XJ8Q3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1DI3R57WNU4FU&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1mihr4oogSTDBuz3pyMSlEPkcA5nHO1rDw-jslPJjBU.lIMt9i7zBL8N12Hz3tZysV9BHDI096jki3pKlA-CFzc&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+curious+advantage&amp;qid=1771939300&amp;sprefix=the+curious+advanta%2Caps%2C252&amp;sr=8-1">Amazon</a> and Audiobook <br>Follow us on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/65416363">LinkedIn </a>and I<a href="https://www.instagram.com/curiousadvantage/">nstagram</a><br>Discover more about The Curious Advantage <a href="https://www.curiousadvantage.com/">here<br></a><br>The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing by Danny Cross and video editing by Jessica Wickham. </p></div>

<div> <p>In this episode, Simon Brown and Garrick Jones speak with leadership expert <strong>Shawn Vanderhoven </strong>about how curiosity, and the often overlooked power of pausing, can transform leadership, decision-making, and team performance.</p><p>In a world that rewards speed and constant action, Shawn challenges the assumption that great leaders need to move faster. Instead, he explores how creating space, through better questions, clearer priorities, and intentional pauses, can unlock stronger thinking and more meaningful contributions across teams.</p><p>Drawing on insights from his book <em>Pause: How to Lead Brilliant Work in a Busy World</em>, Shawn shares practical strategies for building an intelligence culture, avoiding common leadership traps, and helping teams focus on what truly matters. The conversation offers a fresh perspective on how leaders can shift from doing more to enabling better work.</p><p><strong>Show Links</strong><br>Shawn's <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnvanderhoven/">LinkedIn</a><br><a href="https://thewisemangroup.com/who-we-are/our-team/shawn-vanderhoven/">Wiseman Group<br></a>Pause: How to Lead Brilliant Work in a Busy World available on <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pause-Lead-Brilliant-Work-World-ebook/dp/B0FPMG5LT1">Amazon</a></p><p><strong>The Curious Advantage</strong> explores curiosity and its growing importance in the digital age. From history, neuroscience, and anthropology to business and culture, it takes the widest possible view of curiosity. At its heart is the ‘Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’ model, a practical framework to help individuals harness curiosity as a power skill for growth and transformation.</p><p><em>The Curious Advantage</em> is available on <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Audible-The-Curious-Advantage/dp/B0B91XJ8Q3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1DI3R57WNU4FU&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1mihr4oogSTDBuz3pyMSlEPkcA5nHO1rDw-jslPJjBU.lIMt9i7zBL8N12Hz3tZysV9BHDI096jki3pKlA-CFzc&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+curious+advantage&amp;qid=1771939300&amp;sprefix=the+curious+advanta%2Caps%2C252&amp;sr=8-1">Amazon</a> and Audiobook <br>Follow us on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/65416363">LinkedIn </a>and I<a href="https://www.instagram.com/curiousadvantage/">nstagram</a><br>Discover more about The Curious Advantage <a href="https://www.curiousadvantage.com/">here<br></a><br>The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing by Danny Cross and video editing by Jessica Wickham. </p></div>

<div> <p>In this episode of <em>The Curious Advantage</em>, former Navy SEAL officer and human performance expert Rich Diviney joins Simon Brown and Garrick Jones to explore what truly drives leadership, performance under pressure, and the neuroscience behind stress and fear. Drawing on two decades in the SEAL Teams, Rich breaks down why attributes and not skills determine success in high-pressure, high-uncertainty environments.</p><p>Rich explains how elite performers build situational awareness, adaptability, and neural agility, and why concepts like dynamic subordination are essential for modern leadership. He dives into the neuroscience of stress management, the role of curiosity in high-stakes decision-making, and how understanding duration, pathway, and outcome can help the brain stay calm under uncertainty.</p><p>Whether you’re leading teams, navigating complexity or curious about the psychology behind human performance, this conversation offers powerful insights into attributes, curiosity, and the mindsets required to thrive in chaotic environments.</p><p><strong>Show Links: </strong><br>Attributes <a href="https://theattributes.com">Website</a><br>Attributes <a href="https://hub.theattributes.com">Hub</a><br>Rich Diviney <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/richdiviney/">LinkedIn</a><br>The Attributes: 25 Hidden Drivers of Optimal Performance book is available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/The-Attributes/dp/075355867X">Amazon</a></p><p><strong>The Curious Advantage</strong> explores curiosity and its growing importance in the digital age. From history, neuroscience, and anthropology to business and culture, it takes the widest possible view of curiosity. At its heart is the ‘Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’ model, a practical framework to help individuals harness curiosity as a power skill for growth and transformation.</p><p><em>The Curious Advantage</em> is available on <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Audible-The-Curious-Advantage/dp/B0B91XJ8Q3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1DI3R57WNU4FU&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1mihr4oogSTDBuz3pyMSlEPkcA5nHO1rDw-jslPJjBU.lIMt9i7zBL8N12Hz3tZysV9BHDI096jki3pKlA-CFzc&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+curious+advantage&amp;qid=1771939300&amp;sprefix=the+curious+advanta%2Caps%2C252&amp;sr=8-1">Amazon</a> and Audiobook <br>Follow us on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/65416363">LinkedIn </a>and I<a href="https://www.instagram.com/curiousadvantage/">nstagram</a><br>Discover more about The Curious Advantage <a href="https://www.curiousadvantage.com">here</a></p><p>The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing by Danny Cross and video editing by Jessica Wickham. </p></div>

<div> <p>Today we are joined by <strong>Salvatore Manzi</strong>, a communication and leadership coach who helps data-driven leaders turn expertise into influence.</p><p>For over 20 years, Salvatore has guided executives and founders through high-stakes moments, from boardrooms and investor meetings to global stages such as SXSW and the United Nations, and even a U.S. presidential campaign. His work focuses on one critical shift. Moving from information delivery to human connection.</p><p>In this episode, he explores why empathy is not a soft skill but a leadership advantage, and introduces his powerful You-Then-Me Principle, starting with acknowledgment, validation, and reflection before sharing your own message. The result is collaboration instead of resistance.</p><p>In his book <em>Clear and Compelling: Communication Strategies for Big Thinkers with Bold Ideas</em>, he distills two decades of experience into practical tools that help leaders transform complex ideas into messages that resonate, inspire, and drive action.</p><p><strong>Show Links </strong><br>Find out more about Salvatore Manzi and his work <a href="https://www.salvatoremanzi.com"><strong>here </strong></a><br>Find Salvatore on LinkedIn <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/salvatorejmanzi/"><strong>here </strong><br></a><br>The Curious Advantage explores curiosity and its growing importance in the digital age. From history, neuroscience, and anthropology to business and culture, it takes the widest possible view of curiosity. At its heart is the ‘Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’ model, a practical framework to help individuals harness curiosity as a power skill for growth and transformation.</p><p><em>The Curious Advantage</em> is available on Amazon and Audible.<br>Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram, and discover more at <a href="https://www.curiousadvantage.com/">curiousadvantage.com</a>.</p><p>The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing by Danny Cross | Video editing by Jessica Wickham. </p></div>

<div> <p>In this episode of <em>The Curious Advantage</em>, <strong>Art Kleiner </strong>— author of <em>The AI Dilemma</em> — joins Simon Brown &amp; Garrick Jones for a conversation about what it really means to build Responsible AI.</p><p>Together, they explore the tensions at the heart of today’s AI landscape: rapid innovation vs accountability, efficiency vs empathy, and the risks of bias, misinformation and unintended consequences. Drawing on the “five fundamental principles” from <em>The AI Dilemma</em>, Art explains why responsible technology requires human judgment, transparency, and a deep understanding of our social systems.</p><p><strong>The discussion dives into:</strong></p></div><ul> <li><p>How AI systems amplify human behaviour — good and bad</p></li> <li><p>The rising challenge of misinformation and synthetic media</p></li> <li><p>Where bias enters the system and how organisations can address it</p></li> <li><p>Why empathy, forgiveness and human values are essential to AI governance</p></li> <li>What leaders must understand as AI becomes embedded in everyday work</li> </ul><div> <p>A thoughtful, human conversation about technology, responsibility and how we navigate the future.</p><p><strong>Lean More about Art Kleiner and his work </strong><a href="https://www.artkleiner.com"><strong>here</strong></a></p><p><strong>About The Curious Advantage</strong><br><em>The Curious Advantage</em> is available on Amazon and Audible.<br>Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram, and discover more at <a href="https://www.curiousadvantage.com/">curiousadvantage.com</a>.</p><p>The Curious Advantage explores curiosity and its growing importance in the digital age. From history, neuroscience, and anthropology to business and culture, it takes the widest possible view of curiosity. At its heart is the ‘Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’ model, a practical framework to help individuals harness curiosity as a power skill for growth and transformation.</p><p>The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing by Danny Cross | Video editing by Jessica Wickham. </p></div>