What happens when AI meets the human mind in the world of thought leadership?

In this special compilation episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, host Bill Sherman brings together four voices at the forefront of AI and innovation: Jen Cohen of Toyota Research Institute, Stephanie Grayson a Content Marketing Leader and Thought Leadership Advisor, Amelia Ross of Primer AI, and Spencer Ante, formerly of Meta. Each offers a powerful, firsthand take on how AI is changing the way we lead, communicate, and make decisions.

Jen Cohen explores how AI can amplify—rather than replace—human potential. At Toyota, she’s seen how automation can unlock joy and confidence, from safe driving to elder care. For Cohen, AI is about purpose, empathy, and enabling people to thrive through their “ikigai.”

Stephanie Grayson shares how AI is becoming an essential research partner in the world of B2B thought leadership. But she also flags real risks—from bias to hallucinations—and warns that without humans in the loop, AI can damage brand trust faster than it can build it.

Amelia Ross breaks down how natural language processing (NLP) can make sense of real-time chaos, like the war in Ukraine. She reveals how AI-driven insights helped governments and companies cut through disinformation and find clarity in crisis—demonstrating the societal power of smart content strategy.

And Spencer Ante takes us to the edge of the AI frontier, where generative tools like ChatGPT are reshaping not just how we work, but how we think. A former investigative journalist, he calls on business leaders to collaborate with AI—not fear it—and to focus on managing truth, training systems, and preserving human creativity and empathy.

From content to ethics, strategy to scalability, this episode is a must-listen for anyone leading in a world shaped by machines—and guided by human insight.


Four Key Takeaways:

• AI should be used to amplify human capability, not replace it. Whether in automated driving or elder care, AI can remove risk and enhance joy—while preserving purpose and human involvement.

• Thought leadership must remain human-led and carefully validated. AI is a powerful research assistant, but without human oversight, it risks spreading misinformation and damaging trust.

• AI-driven NLP can turn unstructured real-time data into actionable insight, helping organizations cut through disinformation and respond quickly to fast-changing global events.

• AI won’t replace human creativity—it will augment intelligence. Leaders must learn to collaborate with AI tools, supervise them, and guide them with empathy and strategy.

Can doing good in the world be quantified like ROI?

Peter Winick sits down with Nick Cooney, founder and managing partner of Lever VC, to explore how a venture capitalist measures moral return alongside financial return. Nick’s not your typical VC—he’s also the author of "What We Don't Do: Inaction in the Face of Suffering and the Drive to Do More", a book that fuses analytical thinking with a deep commitment to reducing suffering.

Nick reveals how dictating thoughts during a long car ride led to a full-fledged book deal with Simon & Schuster. But this isn’t just a passion project—it’s a strategic move. Nick shares how writing the book expands his credibility with mission-driven founders and impact-minded investors.

You’ll hear how he uses the “Brady Rule”—a nod to NFL legend Tom Brady—to challenge philanthropists to pursue giving with the same intensity as professional athletes pursue greatness. And how the overlap between financial rigor and moral responsibility creates a powerful (and rare) kind of leader.

Peter and Nick dive into the strategic value of thought leadership for VCs: from deal flow to LP trust, to long-game positioning. Plus, Nick shares what he’s learned from marketing the book, why the publishing timeline misses the mark, and what feedback surprised him most.

This is a conversation for anyone looking to align meaning with metrics—and use content to drive serious business outcomes.

Three Key Takeaways:

• Thought Leadership Can Power Business Strategy
Nick’s book isn’t just a personal project—it’s a tool to build credibility, drive deal flow, and attract like-minded investors and founders. A well-positioned book can serve as your most powerful business card.

• Impact and Analytics Aren’t Mutually Exclusive
Nick bridges the gap between rigorous financial thinking and doing good. He argues that applying ROI-based decision-making to philanthropy and impact can dramatically increase the effectiveness of our efforts to reduce suffering.

• You Can—and Should—Train for Good Like an Athlete
One standout idea from Nick’s book is the “Brady Rule”—a call for people to approach doing good in the world with the same intensity, discipline, and optimization mindset as elite athletes do their sport.

If Nick Cooney’s episode got you thinking about how doing good can be measured, optimized, and scaled—then you’ll want to dive into our conversation with Dr. Moshe Engelberg. Like Nick, Moshe challenges traditional business thinking by bringing purpose and values into the spotlight. In his episode, we explore how love—yes, love—can be a strategic business advantage, driving both culture and performance. Both Nick and Moshe offer bold frameworks for leaders who want to align their success with meaningful impact. If you’re rethinking ROI to include humanity, ethics, and long-term value, this is the perfect next listen:
Love from Thought Leadership with Moshe Engelberg

What happens when a top-tier academic walks away from the ivory tower and becomes a powerhouse investor?

In this episode, Peter Winick sits down with David Bell—former Wharton professor, founder of Idea Farm Ventures, and investor in some of the biggest direct-to-consumer brands you know: Warby Parker, Bonobos, Harry’s, Diapers.com, and Jet.com.

David shares his journey from academia to entrepreneurship, offering real insight into why some thought leaders are drawn to the business world—and how they can thrive there. It’s not just about having ideas. It’s about turning those ideas into scalable, revenue-generating ventures. Execution isn’t optional. It’s everything.

We dig into the frameworks David uses to evaluate whether a business is built for success—or doomed by bad execution. Why do 90% of ventures fail? Why do smart people struggle to build smart businesses? And how can thought leaders avoid the trap of "great idea, poor implementation"?

You’ll hear how David thinks about reinvention, the crumbling edges of higher education, and why thought leaders need more than charisma—they need operational rigor. This isn’t theory. It’s the playbook for transforming thought leadership into a business engine.

Three Key Takeaways:

• Ideas are easy—execution is everything. Most ventures fail not because of bad ideas, but because of poor execution. Thought leaders need discipline in branding, pricing, and go-to-market strategies.

• Academia is no longer the only path. Experts are increasingly leaving universities to apply their knowledge in startups, tech, and corporate innovation roles—where their insights can drive real-world impact.

• Strong thought leadership needs a solid business model. Concepts must be packaged into tangible, scalable offerings to succeed—whether that’s products, platforms, or frameworks.

If you found the David Bell episode insightful—especially the focus on turning great ideas into scalable businesses—don’t miss our conversation with Michael McFall, co-CEO of Biggby Coffee. Like David, Michael dives deep into the reality that execution—not just inspiration—is what drives success. He shares hard-earned lessons on building systems, staying aligned with your purpose, and scaling a business without losing sight of your values. Both episodes tackle the tough questions around bringing thought leadership to life in the real world. Tune in to hear how strategy meets sweat equity.