Meet the Leader

Matt Damon and Gary White: Why the Global Water Crisis Is Really a Finance Problem

16 mar 2026

 • 32 mins

2.1 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water. Solving this problem will take more than charity - it will take a new approach to scaling partnerships, awareness and funding. In this episode, Water.org’s co-founders Matt Damon and Gary White share the unique approach to mico-loans and investments than have helped to bridge the water gap for 85 million people. They explain why creating an economic flywheel for change can bring truly sustainable solutions. They also share what they’ve learned about scale and from each other in a partnership that has now spanned 17 years. This episode was recorded at the Annual Meeting in Davos in January 2026.

2.1 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water. Solving this problem will take more than charity - it will take a new approach to scaling partnerships, awareness and funding. In this episode, Water.org’s co-founders Matt Damon and Gary White share the unique approach to mico-loans and investments than have helped to bridge the water gap for 85 million people. They explain why creating an economic flywheel for change can bring truly sustainable solutions. They also share what they’ve learned about scale and from each other in a partnership that has now spanned 17 years. This episode was recorded at the Annual Meeting in Davos in January 2026.

Suleika Jaouad: Harnessing Creativity and Curiosity to Lead Through Uncertainty

12 mar 2026

 • 37 mins

For Suleika Jaouad, a best-selling author and 3-time cancer survivor, journaling became a creative outlet during her battles with leukemia as well as a powerful tool for navigating uncertainty. It also became a surprising way to connect with others leading to singular projects that have stuck a chord with hundreds of thousands such as her book, The Book of Alchemy, and her 300,000 member Substack, The Isolation Journals, projects that merge journal prompts and personal essays from the top creative minds of our time. She breaks down practical ways anyone can carve out time for reflection, curiosity and vulnerability and how such a practice can strengthen resilience and connection while sharpening clarity in an age defined by noise and loneliness. And in an era where we write prompts for AI, but question ourselves less and less, she reminds us of the role deeper thought plays in understanding our world and ourselves better. This is a conversation about choosing meaning over motion—and learning to live each day with intention.

For Suleika Jaouad, a best-selling author and 3-time cancer survivor, journaling became a creative outlet during her battles with leukemia as well as a powerful tool for navigating uncertainty. It also became a surprising way to connect with others leading to singular projects that have stuck a chord with hundreds of thousands such as her book, The Book of Alchemy, and her 300,000 member Substack, The Isolation Journals, projects that merge journal prompts and personal essays from the top creative minds of our time. She breaks down practical ways anyone can carve out time for reflection, curiosity and vulnerability and how such a practice can strengthen resilience and connection while sharpening clarity in an age defined by noise and loneliness. And in an era where we write prompts for AI, but question ourselves less and less, she reminds us of the role deeper thought plays in understanding our world and ourselves better. This is a conversation about choosing meaning over motion—and learning to live each day with intention.

Burnout: 4 Leaders share real-world stories and how to cope

5 mar 2026

 • 26 mins

Burnout costs the world an estimated $1 trillion dollars a year in lost working days – and chances are you’ve felt it yourself. In this special compilation episode, recorded over the past year, leaders share their personal stories. They also offer practical, tactical steps for recognizing burnout early, setting boundaries, fostering psychological safety and building teams that are resilient — not just productive. Leaders featured include: -David Ko, CEO of Calm, who reveals the blind spots that leave employees unsupported — and why sharing your own mental health journey may be the most powerful tool leaders have for more resilient teams -Kearney’s Paula Bellostas Muguerza, who shares the frightening health crisis that forced her to face burnout head on and the questions that helped her reset her priorities -Li Li Leung, former CEO of USA Gymnastics, on why it’s key to normalize mental health support for teams and how Simone Biles’ decision to withdraw at the Tokyo Olympics reshaped conversations around self-advocacy and psychological safety -August CEO and social entrepreneur Nadya Okamoto - on hustle culture, “girl boss” burnout, finding joy, and why rest is now central to her success.

Burnout costs the world an estimated $1 trillion dollars a year in lost working days – and chances are you’ve felt it yourself. In this special compilation episode, recorded over the past year, leaders share their personal stories. They also offer practical, tactical steps for recognizing burnout early, setting boundaries, fostering psychological safety and building teams that are resilient — not just productive. Leaders featured include: -David Ko, CEO of Calm, who reveals the blind spots that leave employees unsupported — and why sharing your own mental health journey may be the most powerful tool leaders have for more resilient teams -Kearney’s Paula Bellostas Muguerza, who shares the frightening health crisis that forced her to face burnout head on and the questions that helped her reset her priorities -Li Li Leung, former CEO of USA Gymnastics, on why it’s key to normalize mental health support for teams and how Simone Biles’ decision to withdraw at the Tokyo Olympics reshaped conversations around self-advocacy and psychological safety -August CEO and social entrepreneur Nadya Okamoto - on hustle culture, “girl boss” burnout, finding joy, and why rest is now central to her success.

Why one CEO sets ‘non-goals’ - and what ultramarathons taught him about focus and mental toughness

23 feb 2026

 • 44 mins

The Atlantic CEO Nicholas Thompson ran all his life but became an ultramarathoner in his 40s. Recommitting to the sport helped him break records and even get faster as he aged. The discipline he built also helped transform his approach to nearly every aspect of his life. His latest book, The Running Ground, focuses on his own personal journey with running, a sport that helped him cope with a cancer diagnosis in his 30s and later process his relationship with his complicated father. In this special conversation, Nick shares what running can teach leaders about the healthy habits that underpin success, pacing for the long game, and breaking through the mental barriers that derail progress. He details some of the strategies that help this father of 3 make time for what matters most including setting ‘non-goals’ to manage energy and not just time. As the leader driving digital transformation at a 169-year-old publication, he also reflects on navigating historic disruption and what he’s learned from The Most Interesting Thing in Tech, the daily videos he posts exploring the most compelling tech trends of our time.

The Atlantic CEO Nicholas Thompson ran all his life but became an ultramarathoner in his 40s. Recommitting to the sport helped him break records and even get faster as he aged. The discipline he built also helped transform his approach to nearly every aspect of his life. His latest book, The Running Ground, focuses on his own personal journey with running, a sport that helped him cope with a cancer diagnosis in his 30s and later process his relationship with his complicated father. In this special conversation, Nick shares what running can teach leaders about the healthy habits that underpin success, pacing for the long game, and breaking through the mental barriers that derail progress. He details some of the strategies that help this father of 3 make time for what matters most including setting ‘non-goals’ to manage energy and not just time. As the leader driving digital transformation at a 169-year-old publication, he also reflects on navigating historic disruption and what he’s learned from The Most Interesting Thing in Tech, the daily videos he posts exploring the most compelling tech trends of our time.

How to fix the talent pipeline for women in tech and AI

19 feb 2026

 • 26 mins

While prospects for women in tech and AI have improved, women still comprise just a fraction of the tech workforce. Ayumi Moore Aoki is the founder of Women in Tech Global, an organization with a presence in over 60 countries around the world, one designed to empower women in the sector. She shares how a leaky talent pipeline makes opportunity harder to seize, what's needed at each stage of women's careers to bridge gaps and what leaders can do to ensure they make the most of their team's talents. She’ll also explain how women can distinguish themselves in AI and the one topic that will define that technology in the year ahead. Lastly, this serial founder also details how her background has prepared her to run WTG, from her time in South Africa during apartheid to her lessons learned as an entrepreneur. 

While prospects for women in tech and AI have improved, women still comprise just a fraction of the tech workforce. Ayumi Moore Aoki is the founder of Women in Tech Global, an organization with a presence in over 60 countries around the world, one designed to empower women in the sector. She shares how a leaky talent pipeline makes opportunity harder to seize, what's needed at each stage of women's careers to bridge gaps and what leaders can do to ensure they make the most of their team's talents. She’ll also explain how women can distinguish themselves in AI and the one topic that will define that technology in the year ahead. Lastly, this serial founder also details how her background has prepared her to run WTG, from her time in South Africa during apartheid to her lessons learned as an entrepreneur.