Paul Bulencea (https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulbulencea/ )co-founder and Director College of Extraordinary Experiences + Phillip Jacobius, COO of College of Extraordinary Experiences (https://www.linkedin.com/in/pjacobius/ ) #CoEE #DESIGNtoCHANGE PODcast with Ruud Janssen observing Experience Design, the Wilderness and beyond live onsite at #IMEX America in Las Vegas
00:00 Introduction to Design to Change
00:56 Welcome to IMEX Day Three
01:24 The Importance of Presence in Conversations
03:26 Exploring the Wilderness of IMEX
06:00 The College of Extraordinary Experiences
08:43 Creating Focus and Human Connection
11:08 Rapid Prototyping and Experimentation
14:12 Dreaming Big and Making It Happen
15:38 The Challenge of Generative and Regenerative Design
16:57 Sustainability in Trade Shows
17:47 First Impressions of IMEX
18:59 The Culture of Incremental Innovation
19:57 Rethinking Trade Show Design
21:44 The Business Perspective of IMEX
24:06 Concluding Thoughts and Future Horizons

Paul Bulencea + Phillip Jacobius #CoEE #DESIGNtoCHANGE PODcast with Ruud Janssen

Meet Sofya Abramchuk, Architect and multifaceted designer at the Gaudi World Foundation https://www.linkedin.com/in/sofyaabr/ in conversation with Ruud Janssen on this episode of the #DESIGNtoCHANGE PODcast. 

Sofya Abramchuk, a designer, creative director and founder, and event curator with over a decade of experience leading innovative projects at the intersection of architecture, culture, and transformation. She is the co-founder of the Originate Institute, a visionary spin‑off of the Gaudí World Foundation — where she spent eight years shaping Gaudí’s legacy before transitioning into her current role as advisor and collaborator.
 
Sofya has been deeply involved in curating and delivering international events including three editions of the Gaudí World Congress and a range of immersive challenges, workshops, and exhibitions. She now serves as a collaborator and advisor to the Foundation, and is currently working with AIM Group International on the upcoming Gaudí World Congress in Chile, which will be supporting the construction of the only Gaudí-designed building outside of Spain — the long-awaited Chapel in Rancagua.
 
Today, she’ll be giving a first glimpse into my new initiative: the Back to the Origins Summit, set to take place in Seoul in spring 2026 — the first event of its kind to unite thought leaders, creatives, and institutions around a shared mission: designing a future rooted in timeless wisdom and regenerative innovation.


Sofya Abramchuk #DESIGNtoCHANGE ONStage PODcast Gaudi World Foundation with Ruud Janssen

According to Oscar winning Filmmaker Barnet Bain "we can all become weapons of mass creation". Since meeting at the College of Extraordinary Experiences Barnet and host Ruud Janssen 8 years ago, they have become friends as a result of an epic 3 hour bus ride conversation back to the airport in Berlin. This conversation was not left to chance and hear about his new film project based on the epic novel "Men are from Mars Women are from Venus" and his new book "How to be a friend in an unfriendly world". 

Based on the content of the #DESIGNtoCHANGE book written by Roel Frissen, Ruud Janssen and Dennis Luijer we are guided through a fascinating conversation amongst friends. 
More episodes can de found at https://designtochange.online 

Barnet Bain  #DESIGNtoCHANGE BACKstage PODcast recording with Ruud Janssen

Barnet Bain  #DESIGNtoCHANGE ONstage PODcast recording with Ruud Janssen

Meet Audette Sophia in this new episode of the #DESIGNtoCHANGE PODcast with Ruud Janssen. Audette is the founder of Catalyst Arts, a production company in California that energizes events through creative entertainment & experience design. 
From elaborately costumed performers to interactive installations, they enhance ambiance & delight guests. Audette is also the creator of the X-Factor Method, a strategic design framework for crafting more unique & interactive brand experiences. You can connect to Audette on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/audettes/. 

Based on the content of the #DESIGNtoCHANGE book written by Roel Frissen, Ruud Janssen and Dennis Luijer we are guided through a fascinating conversation. . 
More episodes can de found at https://designtochange.online 


Audette Sophia #DESIGNtoCHANGE ONstage PODcast with Ruud Janssen

Nicola Kastner & David Kliman (https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kliman/) #DESIGNtoCHANGE PODcast episode Year +1 with Ruud Janssen https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruudwjanssen/) . 
Get upto speed on what Ceo Nicola Kastner (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolakastner/ ) of ELX and co-founder of ELX have up their sleeve and how the past year has evolved the landscape for the corporate event executives. More resources for ELX can be found here:  https://www.eventleaders.com 

See the key takeaways, insights and summary courtesy of Snapsight here: https://www.snapsight.com/live-channel/65fae535-382f-4117-90ec-c42a6948c675/e1be71ca-a1cb-4f34-8ecd-1d9e0efd487e/attendee?tab=takeaways

To learn more about the #DESIGNtoCHANGE book by the team at the Event Design Collective see https://designtochange.online

Nicola Kastner & David Kliman #DESIGNtoCHANGE PODcast episode Year +1 with Ruud Janssen

Elizabeth Sage #DESIGNtoCHANGE PODcast Year +1 with Ruud Janssen

Philippe Clarinval https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarinval/ is a seasoned hospitality leader, Board Advisor, and keynote speaker passionate about service excellence, transformational leadership, and creating a positive impact. ​He knows what resonates when it comes to hospitalty as a catalyst of change. 

In this enlightening episode of the Design to Change podcast, host Ruud Janssen engages Philippe Clarinval in a profound exploration of his transformative journey through the hospitality industry.Philippe, whose illustrious career includes roles at the Grand Hotel, Swiss Deluxe Hotels board, Forbes Business Council, and Oxford Leadership, shares insights gained from his recent submission of a 224-page doctorate thesis to the University of Liverpool.
The conversation traverses Philippe's rich experiences, from managing the Omnia Hotel in Zermatt - renowned for its James Bond-esque entrance and #1 TripAdvisor ranking - to pivotal moments in a Kyoto ramen shop. These experiences shaped his understanding of omotenashi (Japanese deep hospitality) and redefined his service philosophy. A poignant anecdote about purchasing a Loop Wheeler garment illustrates the profound care in Japanese customer service, reminiscent of a 400-year-old company's enduring legacy.
Philippe's participation in the Kepler Academy program, with modules in Amsterdam, Kyoto, Freiburg and Basel, proved transformative. He draws fascinating parallels between Japanese hospitality and European design, contrasting Tadao Ando's nature-preserving approach at the Vitra campus with Frank Gehry's bold designs. The carbon-neutral Cartier Vauban area, originally a garrison designed by Napoleon's architect Vauban, exemplifies stakeholder alignment and corporate social responsibility in action.
Reflecting on his educational evolution from the 2005 Cornell program in Ithaca to recent immersive experiences, Philippe emphasizes the importance of being both inspiring and inspirable as a leader. He cautions against the "mount of stupid" in the Dunning-Kruger effect, advocating for an "eyes on, hands off" leadership approach that balances guidance with autonomy.
Personal growth emerges as a recurring theme, with Philippe's fiancée Silke noting when he "got his glow back." He employs a compelling Hermes tie metaphor to describe feeling constrained in his career, contrasting it with his current sense of liberation. This personal "Liberation Day,"  becomes a powerful metaphor for ongoing growth and freedom from constraints.
Throughout the podcast, Philippe touches on various tools and concepts, from the Business Model Canvas for sustainable practices to subtle LinkedIn "Easter eggs" hinting at his experiences. He views pride as his ultimate currency and contemplates life's phases of learning, earning, and returning.
As the conversation concludes at an experience in Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois, where a touching piano player anecdote unfolded, Philippe hints at future aspirations to make a broader impact. His journey from the "mount of stupid" to a place of wisdom, and his transition from earning to returning, offer listeners valuable insights into personal and professional development in the hospitality industry and beyond. This Design to Change episode serves as a masterclass in leadership, personal growth, and the pursuit of excellence in hospitality. 

He is presently a Forbes Business Council member and advocate for the power of purpose-driven leadership; Philippe believes luxury is defined by passion, authenticity, and unwavering dedication to core values.​

See the key takeaways, idea cloud and summary courtesy of our AI partner Snapsight here: https://www.snapsight.com/live-channel/5d6c8c86-b5b3-4fdc-82a1-a79d2b0ca181/e1be71ca-a1cb-4f34-8ecd-1d9e0efd487e/attendee?tab=takeaways 

Check out more episodes at https://designtochange.online

Philippe Clarinval #DESIGNtoCHANGE #PODcast with Ruud Janssen Year +1

Connect with Michael Ackerbauer PhD here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelackerbauer/ 
Connect with Ruud Janssen here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruudwjanssen/

And see there Key Takeaways, Idea Cloud and Summary (in 70+ languages) here courtesy by Snapsight : 
https://www.snapsight.com/live-channel/ba005022-bc7b-42b6-bc5b-419c21f3833c/e1be71ca-a1cb-4f34-8ecd-1d9e0efd487e/attendee?tab=takeaways

Summary
In this captivating "Year plus three" episode of the #DESIGNtoCHANGE PODcast, Ruud Janssen engaged Michael Ackerbauer in a rich dialogue about change, technology, and personal growth. Michael, now at the helm of ACK Labs, a third-generation consultancy with roots in forensic chemistry, shared his journey from a 26-year IBM career to his current role as an innovation catalyst.

Ackerbauer's multifaceted background includes facilitating at the Creative Problem Solving Institute (CPSI) conference, teaching as adjunct instructor, and lecturing at Buffalo State University, which is launching a Doctorate of Professional Studies. His expertise in agile coaching and design thinking shaped his approach at IBM's client engineering, where he focused on "retiring quota" and showcasing generative AI like WatsonX.

The conversation delved into the "cone of uncertainty," creative abrasion, and continuous improvement. Michael emphasized the critical importance of trustworthiness and veracity in AI applications, drawing insightful parallels from the early days of "sneaker net" to current applications in insurance claims adjudication. He articulated a nuanced view of AI implementation, stressing the irreplaceable role of human oversight and emotion.

A highlight of the discussion was Michael's innovative rock balancing metaphor for leadership, which he demonstrated at Italy's Crea conference. This powerful analogy illustrates his triad of effectiveness, efficiency, and empowerment in team dynamics, complemented by his framework of capability, capacity, and commitment for assessing team performance.Ackerbauer's approach to change management acknowledges the often-overlooked aspect of grief associated with transitions. He cited the resilience of Blatten village after a natural disaster as an inspiring example of human adaptability in the face of drastic change.

The podcast touched on the evolution from centralized to decentralized computing, the rise of mobile and social computing, and the concept of "augmented humanity" in the AI era. Michael shared fascinating insights from using AI to analyze his own career trajectory and TEDx talk on rock balancing, hinting at exciting future book projects.

As the conversation concluded, both speakers reflected on the power of intentional dialogue in driving change, embodying the core principle of "Design to Change." The podcast's innovative use of AI-generated summaries in 70 languages served as a fitting demonstration of the transformative technologies discussed, bridging theory and practice in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and human interaction.

See the link to the Rock Balancing article mentioned here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/principles-balance-michael-ackerbauer-phd/

Michael Ackerbauer #DESIGNtoCHANGE #PODcast with Ruud Janssen Year +3

Event Design Collective, TTTech Auto, Shashank Gaur PhD, Ruud Janssen PODcast Year +1

New tracks tagged #Event Design