All Stories Matter - Letting Curiosity lead with Dr. Anezka Viskova-Robertson

Updated 13 days ago

Seeing her "stumbling blocks" not as failures but steppingstones, Anezka is living a life of her own creation. Now, the Global Learning Manager at Western Michigan University, she is also one of the leading researchers in AI. Her open and engaging conversation is an inspiration to anyone considering change.

Chapters

Welcome Back to the Podcast (00:00:15)
The host, Marvin Netta Pen, welcomes listeners back after a hiatus and introduces the podcast's new opening theme.

Marvin Netta Pen greets the audience after a summer break, explaining that the podcast underwent some renovations. He introduces the new opening for 'Your Stories Matter,' a podcast about life's journey filled with personal stories of growth, resilience, and joy.
Introduction to the Podcast's Theme (00:00:41)
The podcast is introduced as a space for sharing stories of growth, resilience, and joy, encouraging listeners to explore their own journey.

Marvin explains that the podcast 'Your Stories Matter' is a joyful exploration of life's journey. Each week, the podcast delves into stories of personal growth and resilience, encouraging listeners to follow their hearts and explore new paths, rather than sticking to a straight line.
Marvin's Joyful Philosophy (00:01:15)
Marvin shares his philosophy on joy and life's journey, emphasizing the importance of following one's heart and embracing adventure.

Marvin discusses how life is not about following a straight line but about following where the heart leads, whether left or right. Ignoring the heart can lead to feeling stuck, like a hamster on a wheel. He encourages finding joy and adventure, which fosters personal growth and resilience.
Building a Joyful Community (00:01:45)
Marvin talks about expanding the podcast community and shares excitement about the new changes and future guests.

Marvin expresses eagerness to grow the Joy on Life's Journey community, fostering joy and resilience among listeners. He reveals excitement about his new podcast introduction and looks forward to engaging with new guests.
Introducing the First Guest - Anka (00:02:00)
Marvin introduces his first guest, Anka, who will talk about artificial intelligence and share her unique story.

Marvin excitedly introduces Anka, his first guest, who comes highly recommended for her knowledge in artificial intelligence and her interesting journey. Anka is connected through a mutual friend and has a fascinating story to share.
Anka's Introduction and Background (00:03:03)
Anka introduces herself and shares a humorous story about her hyphenated name, reflecting on cultural differences.

Anka introduces herself, sharing the story of her Czech-American hyphenated surname and the cultural peculiarities around it. She recounts the amusing bureaucratic challenges she faced with her name and explains her decision to keep her maiden name as a tribute to her family.
Anka's Journey from Czech Republic to the US (00:04:00)
Anka shares how she met her husband in Germany and decided to move to the US, detailing the challenges of cultural adaptation.

Anka recounts meeting her husband in Germany during her studies and the decision to move to the US. She discusses the challenges of adapting to American culture, including the reliance on cars and differences in public interaction, which were initially overwhelming after moving from the Czech Republic.
Challenges of Cultural Differences (00:06:00)
Anka discusses the cultural differences she faced in the US, including communication styles and public interaction.

Anka explains the cultural differences she encountered in the US, such as Americans' reliance on cars and their public interaction style. She shares how these differences made her feel isolated initially and how she had to adapt to a new way of life.
Learning to Navigate American Culture (00:07:00)
Anka describes her experience adjusting to American communication styles and the nuances of workplace interactions.

Anka shares her journey of learning to navigate American culture, especially in professional settings. She talks about the challenges of understanding indirect communication and the importance of reading between the lines in social and professional interactions.
The Turning Point - Anka's Work Experience (00:08:00)
Anka reflects on her first work experience in the US, where cultural misunderstandings led to challenges.

Anka recounts her first work experience in a financial institution in the US, where cultural misunderstandings and a lack of familiarity with American work practices led to her being let go. This experience was a turning point that motivated her to pursue an MBA.
Pursuing an MBA and Building Resilience (00:09:00)
Following her challenging work experience, Anka decided to pursue an MBA to better adapt and thrive in the US.

After facing challenges in her initial job, Anka decided to pursue an MBA to better understand the American professional landscape. This decision was driven by her desire to adapt and succeed, demonstrating her resilience and determination to overcome cultural barriers.
Cultural Insights and Personal Growth (00:10:00)
Anka shares insights into cultural differences and personal growth through her experiences in the US.

Anka reflects on the cultural insights she gained through her experiences in the US, including the importance of understanding communication nuances and adapting to new cultural norms. Her journey highlights personal growth and the value of resilience in navigating cultural transitions.
Anka's Perspective on American Culture (00:11:00)
Anka provides her perspective on American culture, discussing the differences in social interactions and community.

Anka shares her perspective on American culture, focusing on the differences in social interactions and community engagement compared to the Czech Republic. She explains how these cultural differences have influenced her understanding and adaptation to life in the US.
Reflections on Cultural Adaptation (00:12:00)
Anka reflects on her journey of cultural adaptation, emphasizing the importance of understanding and patience.

Anka reflects on her journey of cultural adaptation, discussing the challenges and rewards of understanding a new culture. She emphasizes the importance of patience and openness in navigating cultural differences and building meaningful connections in a new environment.
Women's Standing in America (00:26:48)
A woman discusses her experience as a foreign white woman living in America, feeling she has a stronger standing and more power over how she's treated compared to more traditional countries.

The speaker shares her perspective as a white foreign woman living in America. She feels she has more power over how she is talked to and respected than in more traditional countries. While acknowledging that things are not perfect, she notes that women in America have a stronger position in some ways, especially regarding personal choices and individualism.
Choice and Women's Rights (00:27:26)
The conversation shifts to the importance of choice for women and the ongoing struggle to maintain rights, noting how some rights are being rolled back and the need for women to stay vigilant.

The discussion highlights the importance of choice for women and the struggles they face in maintaining their rights, with some rights currently being rolled back. The speakers emphasize the need for women to remain conscious and vigilant, as there are movements aiming to strip them of their rights. They stress that the fundamental issue is the ability to make personal choices, which is being threatened for many women.
Book Discussion: Lessons in Chemistry (00:28:38)
The speakers discuss the book 'Lessons in Chemistry', which one of them recently read and found deeply engaging, noting its relevance to their conversation about women's rights and vigilance.

One speaker shares her experience with the book 'Lessons in Chemistry', which she recently read and could not put down. The book is relevant to their conversation as it speaks to women's need to remain vigilant and aware of their rights and circumstances. The speaker had no prior knowledge of the book's content or the movie adaptation, but found it incredibly engaging and connected to their ongoing discussion.
Comparative Freedoms and Gratitude (00:29:34)
The discussion moves to comparing freedoms in America to other countries, expressing gratitude for the ability to have open conversations and access to education and collaboration.

The speakers reflect on the comparative freedoms women have in America versus more traditional countries and express gratitude for being able to have open conversations, study in groups, and collaborate without needing permission from male relatives. They acknowledge the modern nature of these freedoms and stress the importance of sharing these stories to empower more women globally.
Academic Journey and Understanding Corporate America (00:31:00)
The speaker shares her academic journey, studying for an MBA in America, and her realization of the differences in corporate culture compared to her upbringing.

One speaker recounts her experience of pursuing an MBA in America, which opened her eyes to the corporate world and its expectations. Coming from a background where her parents were involved in more artistic and academic endeavors, the corporate environment was new and challenging. She describes learning about corporate dynamics, communication, and how businesses strive to operate and be perceived.
Exploration of AI and Organizational Change (00:33:26)
The speaker discusses her transition into studying AI and organizational change leadership, driven by curiosity about how new technologies are integrated and accepted.

The conversation shifts to the speaker's journey into AI and organizational change leadership, sparked by a curiosity about how new technologies are integrated into organizations. After completing her degree and working in a local company, she noticed dysfunctions and became interested in understanding how changes are implemented and why they sometimes fail. This led her to a doctorate program where she explored AI before it became widely popular.
Global Engagement and Education (00:38:44)
The speaker shares her role in the Global Engagement Program, emphasizing global citizenship and the importance of starting local to understand the world.

The speaker describes her involvement in the Global Engagement Program, which aims to instill a sense of global citizenship in students without necessarily leaving their local environment. She highlights the program's goal of making students aware of the global nature of their surroundings and the importance of understanding different cultures and perspectives. The program emphasizes starting where you are and gradually expanding your global view.
AI Concerns and Educational Impact (00:41:32)
The conversation explores concerns about AI's impact on creativity and education, discussing cognitive offloading and the need for a human-centered approach.

The speakers delve into concerns about AI potentially diminishing creativity and curiosity among young people. They discuss the concept of cognitive offloading, where individuals rely on AI for decision-making, and emphasize the need for a human-centered approach to education and technology. The discussion highlights the importance of maintaining curiosity and critical thinking in the face of technological advancements.
Human-Centered Systems and Personal Responsibility (00:51:00)
The discussion focuses on the necessity of human-centered systems in technology and education, emphasizing personal responsibility and community focus.

The speakers stress the importance of human-centered systems in both technology and education, advocating for a balance between job readiness and community focus. They discuss the need for personal responsibility and self-awareness in navigating technology's impact, encouraging individuals to remain curious and engaged. The conversation underscores the idea that solutions to many problems are available, but require a shift in perspective and application.
Human-Centered Skills (00:55:08)
Discussion on integrating productivity and job security with human-centered skills in the workplace.

The conversation begins with a focus on human-centered skills and how they can be integrated into the drive for productivity and job security. The speakers explore the importance of these skills in today's workforce and how they can be balanced with technological advancements.
AI's Impact on Well-being (00:55:20)
Research on how artificial intelligence affects employee well-being and who adapts best to AI in the workplace.

The speaker shares insights from their research on the impact of artificial intelligence on employee well-being. They found that individuals who are curious and willing to experiment have an easier time adapting to AI, particularly generative AI. This highlights the role of curiosity and experimentation in successfully integrating AI into work environments.
Creating Space for Experimentation (00:55:49)
Recommendations for organizations to allow room for experimentation without penalization.

The speaker recommends that organizations should create an environment where employees can experiment and play with new technologies without being penalized. This includes allowing time for curiosity and ensuring employees are not overwhelmed with notifications and tasks, which can stifle innovation.
Challenges of Implementing Curiosity (00:56:23)
Difficulties in encouraging curiosity among overwhelmed employees in a digital workspace.

An employee from Microsoft shares the challenges of fostering curiosity in a workforce overwhelmed by digital notifications and tasks. The discussion emphasizes the need for redesigning systems to support creativity and play, rather than simply allowing it without structural support.
Reimagining Success and Outcomes (00:57:00)
Exploring new definitions of success and ideal outcomes in the workplace.

The speakers delve into the topic of redefining what success and ideal outcomes mean in a modern workplace. They discuss the importance of understanding the desired outcomes and creating environments that nurture and retain the right individuals within an organization.
Personal Fit in Jobs (00:57:28)
Personal experiences of not fitting into jobs and the realization of getting stuck.

The conversation shifts to personal stories about jobs where individuals did not fit and the realization of being stuck without awareness. The importance of recognizing when one is stuck and using tools like AI to help get unstuck is highlighted.
AI as a Tool for Writing (00:58:19)
Using AI responsibly as a tool to enhance writing without replacing human creativity.

The speaker discusses how AI can assist in writing by refining drafts and making them suitable for different audiences. They emphasize the need to balance the use of AI so that it enhances rather than replaces human creativity and critical thinking in writing tasks.
AI in Creative Processes (00:59:46)
Using AI to assist in creative processes like writing and drawing without losing personal touch.

The discussion touches on the role of AI in creative processes, such as writing and drawing. It is seen as a tool that can help streamline tasks while maintaining the individual's creative input and personal touch, ensuring that human skills remain active and engaged.