In this episode of Business as UNusual, Aicila explores the unconventional "play to lose" strategy as a powerful tool for overcoming fear of failure in business and creative problem-solving. Drawing inspiration from childhood cribbage games, Aicila s...

This episode of Business as UNusual dives into the real-life challenges women face around risk, expertise, and overcoming imposter syndrome in the modern business world. The conversation focused on why taking action—rather than waiting to feel fully...

This week on Business as UNusual, sustainability expert and author John Pabon returns to discuss his latest book, "Strategic Sustainability: A Pragmatic Blueprint for Responsible Business." We tackle how companies can make real, lasting impact by bre...

Stay Ready to Get ReadyA few years ago I was talking to a new friend, sharing memories, and I realized I had accidentally climbed a mountain. The second highest mountain in Washington state, Mount Adams. After our chat, I looked it up and learned tha...

The Opposite May Also Be TrueI really like being right about things. In some ways it feels like a shield. If I can predict things and know things, then I have value — to my clients, my employers, my own sense of self worth. It’s conditioning from chi...

Playing to LoseI loved playing cards with my grandmother — nothing more than cribbage. I didn’t love that I always lost. Finally, after losing several games in a row, nine-year-old me suggested we “play to lose.” My grandmother asked what I meant and...

Same Week, Different StoryWhen I was in 7th grade, our drama teacher was absent one day and our principal, Stephen Heinz, was our substitute teacher. He asked how we were doing and one of the kids said, Life sucks. Dr. Heinz got curious, what sucks e...

The Compentence CostumeThe mythology we inherit — especially in the US — is almost entirely built around the lone genius. But the story has a shadow side as well: the way it quietly teaches us that needing other people is a liability. What would you...