In this episode of the Peak Performance Podcast, host Nisha speaks with Jordan Morrow, internationally recognised data literacy thought leader, five-time author and Founder and CEO of Bodhi Data, about artificial intelligence, human intelligence, critical thinking, curiosity and peak performance.

Jordan explains why investing millions in AI and data doesn't automatically lead to better business decisions. Discover his formula for engineered intelligence: Data + AI + IQ + EQ, and why the future isn't humans versus AI, but humans working alongside technology.

In This Episode

• AI and Human Intelligence: Is AI strengthening or weakening our critical thinking?
• Data Literacy: Why everyone needs to understand and communicate data.
• The Four Cs: Curiosity, creativity, critical thinking and collaboration.
• AI Leadership: Why technology alone cannot transform organisations.
• Trusting AI: How healthy scepticism and human judgement improve decisions.
• Psychological Safety: Why people, culture and change management matter for AI adoption.
• Curiosity and Creativity: Why adults lose their natural curiosity and how to rediscover it.
• Burnout and Peak Performance: Jordan's personal experience and lessons in sustainable ambition.
• Flow State: How deep focus helped Jordan write several chapters of his first book in five days.
• Future Skills: Why emotional intelligence and asking better questions matter more than ever.

Episode Chapters

00:00 – Is AI Making Us Better Thinkers?
01:52 – Jordan Morrow's Journey into Data Literacy
04:17 – Why More Data Doesn't Mean Better Decisions
06:28 – Can We Trust AI-Generated Answers?
09:17 – Human Intelligence and AI: Engineered Intelligence
11:41 – Applying Data, AI, IQ and EQ
14:03 – Is AI Weakening Our Thinking Skills?
16:39 – Live Challenge: Fixing an AI Investment That Isn't Delivering
19:31 – AI, Burnout and Psychological Safety
21:07 – How Data Literacy Bridges the Gap
23:03 – The Four Cs of Data Literacy
24:18 – Why Adults Lose Their Natural Curiosity
26:46 – How We Accidentally Discourage Children's Creativity
29:08 – Parenting, Curiosity and Creativity
33:00 – Ambition, Ultramarathons and Overcoming Burnout
35:44 – Why Consistency Beats Occasional Greatness
38:20 – How to Enter a Flow State
39:19 – The Five-Day Writing Sprint
41:35 – Rapid-Fire Round: AI, Curiosity and Peak Performance
44:17 – The One Skill Every Child Needs in the AI Era

About Jordan Morrow

Jordan Morrow is a data literacy thought leader, five-time author, keynote speaker and Founder and CEO of Bodhi Data. Formerly Global Head of Data Literacy at Qlik, he champions empowering people to use data confidently and make better decisions.

About the Peak Performance Podcast

Hosted by Nisha, the Peak Performance Podcast explores the mindset, habits and strategies behind exceptional performance through conversations with world champions, business leaders, authors and thought leaders.

Join the Conversation

What human skill will become most valuable as AI advances: curiosity, creativity, critical thinking or emotional intelligence? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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#ArtificialIntelligence #DataLiteracy #PeakPerformance #HumanIntelligence #CriticalThinking

In this episode of the Peak Performance Series, Nisha Munavar speaks with Baishakhi Connor, a business strategist and advisor with 25+ years of experience in strategy, finance, acquisitions, transformation and business growth.

Baishakhi worked on SABMiller’s $12 billion acquisition of Foster’s, helped deliver $250M+ in year-one synergies following the AB InBev–SABMiller acquisition, managed a $600M P&L, delivered over $200M in recurring annual savings, and led the strategy that ended a decade of declining volume by backing a small regional beer called Great Northern, which went on to become Australia's first billion-dollar alcohol brand by sales.Her biggest lesson? Learn to see value where others don't.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Finding Hidden Value Others Miss
01:43 What Does It Mean to Find Hidden Value?
06:01 Data vs Intuition
07:13 The LIFT Framework
08:49 Why Listening Comes Before Strategy
09:44 Finding “Bad Revenue”
12:14 Finding $250M+ in Synergies
15:08 The Small Brand That Challenged the Biggest Brands
18:33 Betting on Great Northern
21:08 Makeup, Haircut or Tattoo Decisions
22:14 How to Win a Negotiation
24:34 The Biggest Negotiation Mistake
25:56 Numbers, Leverage or People?
27:30 The $1M Challenge for Startups
28:58 Find One Customer With Urgent Pain
30:40 Sell Before You Build
32:13 Bet on Yourself: You Are the Distribution
34:34 Reaching the Next Million
36:57 Cost, Revenue or New Customers?
38:30 The 90-Day Plan to Reach $1M
42:25 What Drives an Exceptional Performer?
44:39 What Does Peak Performance Feel Like?
46:20 Rapid Fire
48:41 The Hidden Value in Herself
50:30 Becoming Her Own Biggest Believer
51:47 “It’s Now Time to Back Mine”
52:14 Final Reflections

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• How to find hidden business value
• The LIFT framework for business transformation
• How data, experience and intuition work together
• How to identify opportunities others dismiss
• How Great Northern became a billion-dollar brand
• How to make high-stakes strategic decisions
• How to negotiate by solving problems, not trying to win
• Why great negotiators listen more than they talk
• How startups can reach their first $1M faster
• Why founders should sell before they build
• How to identify an ideal customer with urgent pain
• Why founders need to become their own distribution channel
• How established businesses can improve profitability
• A practical 90-day startup strategy
• How to create the conditions for peak performance
• Why professionals should build assets, not just income

A powerful theme is the difference between being successful and reaching your full potential.

After 25 years of helping businesses and leaders discover hidden potential, Baishakhi realised she needed to apply the same standard to herself.

Don’t mistake your current success for your ceiling.

If you're a founder, entrepreneur, business leader, strategist or ambitious professional, this episode explores business strategy, negotiation, leadership, entrepreneurship, business growth and peak performance.

Subscribe to the Peak Performance Series for conversations with exceptional leaders, entrepreneurs, world champions and high performers exploring the mindset, strategies and experiences behind extraordinary achievement.

Business Strategy | Hidden Value | Business Growth | Leadership | Negotiation | Entrepreneurship | Startup Strategy | First Million | Profitability | M&A | Peak Performance

#PeakPerformance #BusinessStrategy #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #Negotiation #StartupStrategy #BusinessGrowth #PeakPerformanceSeries

In this episode of the Peak Performance Series, I sit down with Sashiko Dayani, CEO of Innovates, an AgriTech company using AI, data and computer vision to help farmers detect animal health issues earlier.

Sashiko takes us behind her remarkable journey from a senior career in banking and technology to becoming an entrepreneur working directly with farmers. She shares what she has learned about AI, innovation, entrepreneurship, leadership, resilience and peak performance.

We explore:

• How AI is being used to detect livestock health issues before they become visible
• How technology can help farmers make earlier, better decisions
• Why you should start with the customer's problem, not the technology
• Why not every business problem needs AI
• How to turn an AI concept into a deployable and scalable solution
• The reality of AI hallucinations and why human expertise still matters
• How Sashiko handles uncertainty as a startup CEO
• The importance of focus and resilience when building a company
• How she prioritises when everything seems urgent
• What it feels like to get into the “zone” while building and leading
• How she prepares for high stakes presentations and customer conversations
• The mindset that keeps her moving forward through setbacks

Sashiko also shares a powerful personal lesson from her entrepreneurial journey: when you don't know whether you're on the right path, focus on whether the next step will give you learning or move you closer to your vision.

Her philosophy is simple: understand the problem, create tangible value, stay resilient and keep moving.

If you're interested in Artificial Intelligence, AgriTech, AI entrepreneurship, startup leadership, innovation, peak performance, customer centric product development or the future of AI, this conversation is for you.

Guest: Sashiko Dayani
Role: CEO, Innovates
Focus: AgriTech | AI | Agriculture | Innovation | Entrepreneurship

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
00:19 Building AI solutions for agriculture
00:58 From a farming background to technology
02:15 How AI helps detect livestock health issues
03:29 From corporate boardrooms to working with farmers
05:12 The journey from senior leader to entrepreneur
07:27 How AI is transforming agriculture
10:14 How to turn an AI idea into a real solution
12:42 AI hallucinations and the importance of human judgement
14:39 The mindset of exceptional performers
16:29 Resilience through adversity
18:41 How to keep going when you want to quit
19:18 Dealing with uncertainty as a CEO
21:08 Experiencing flow and getting “in the zone”
23:29 How to prioritise when everything demands attention
25:00 Preparing for high stakes moments
26:12 Rapid Fire
27:21 Sashiko's message to her 20 year old self

Subscribe to the Peak Performance Series for conversations with exceptional leaders, entrepreneurs, world champions and high performers exploring the mindset, strategies and experiences behind extraordinary achievement.

#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #AgriTech #Agriculture #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #StartupLeadership #Leadership #PeakPerformance #Resilience #AIinAgriculture #FutureOfAI

In this powerful episode of the Peak Performance Podcast, I sit down with Shilpa Kulshrestha, a 3-time TEDx speaker, bestselling author, career coach and entrepreneur, to explore how to break out of mediocrity, transform your mindset and create an extraordinary life with intention.

Shilpa openly shares her personal journey — from putting her career on the backseat while prioritising family, to losing her job and confronting the uncomfortable realisation that she had been settling for “good enough.”

That moment became the beginning of her transformation.

She went from being an introvert who struggled to find her voice to becoming a TEDx speaker, bestselling author and coach who works with senior professionals to accelerate their careers and step into their next level.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why highly capable mid-career professionals often play small
• How to identify the invisible “chains” holding your career back
• Why self-belief must come before external recognition
• How to overcome the fear of becoming irrelevant in the age of AI
• Why career growth isn't simply about getting a higher salary
• The mindset shift that can help you move towards leadership and CXO roles
• Why you don't need to be an extrovert to have influence
• How introverts can create massive value in the room
• Why “work-life balance” may not be the answer
• Shilpa's concept of creating intentional “pockets of imbalance”
• How to find your “Big Yes” and focus your energy
• Why allowing yourself the freedom to fail is essential for growth
• How to navigate the fear of taking a career risk
• Why your career is created beyond the 9-to-5
• How to become the person capable of attracting the opportunities you want
• The connection between mindset, career success, relationships and fulfilment
• How Shilpa prepares herself to enter a flow state before speaking on stage
• Why intentional days create intentional weeks, months and years

One of the biggest lessons from our conversation?

You don't have to know exactly where you're going. You first need to decide that where you are is no longer enough.

Then identify the chains.

Break them.

Find your direction.

And start building the next version of yourself.

As Shilpa says:

“An outstanding life begins when you start living a life of intention.”

🎙️ About Shilpa Kulshrestha

Shilpa Kulshrestha is a 3-time TEDx speaker, bestselling author, career coach and entrepreneur who works with professionals to transform their careers, mindset and lives. Her work focuses on helping people break through limiting beliefs, build confidence, increase visibility and create meaningful professional and personal transformation.

🎧 Listen to the Peak Performance Podcast

If you're a mid-career professional, aspiring leader, entrepreneur, executive or someone who knows you're capable of more, this episode is for you.

Subscribe to the Peak Performance Podcast for conversations with exceptional people, leaders, entrepreneurs, world champions and high achievers about the mindset, habits and decisions behind extraordinary performance.

What is one area of your life where you've been settling for “good enough”?

Let me know in the comments.

#PeakPerformance #ShilpaKulshrestha #CareerGrowth #Mindset #Leadership #PersonalGrowth #HighPerformance #CareerTransformation #MidCareer #WomenInLeadership #ExecutiveLeadership #CXO #SuccessMindset #SelfBelief #IntentionalLiving

In this episode of the World Champion Series, I sit down with Ramona J. Smith, 2018 World Champion of Public Speaking, to explore the mindset, confidence and preparation behind extraordinary performance.

Ramona shares her journey from losing at the district level in 2015 to becoming the World Champion of Public Speaking in 2018 and how one of her biggest breakthroughs came from changing her mindset.

We talk about:

• How to believe in yourself before you have evidence
• Why confidence is different from arrogance
• How failure can fuel your comeback
• The importance of preparation, practice and feedback
• How to perform under pressure and stay present on stage
• The role of storytelling and connecting with your audience
• How to enter a flow state during high-stakes moments
• Why your "why" needs to go deeper than a trophy or title
• How motherhood shaped Ramona's drive and ambition
• Why external validation doesn't define a champion
• How to keep going when life knocks you down

Ramona also reveals what was happening in her mind when she stepped onto the World Championship stage, and how preparation allowed her to become completely present in the moment.

One of her most powerful lessons?

You can be a champion before anyone gives you the trophy.

If you're interested in public speaking, confidence, leadership, mindset, peak performance, personal growth, storytelling or flow state, this conversation will give you practical insights from someone who has performed at the highest level.

Guest: Ramona J. Smith
2018 World Champion of Public Speaking
World Champion Series

Subscribe/follow the podcast for more conversations with world champions, exceptional leaders and high performers exploring the mindset behind extraordinary achievement.

#RamonaJSmith #WorldChampion #PublicSpeaking #Mindset #Confidence #PeakPerformance #Leadership #Storytelling #FlowState #SuccessMindset

• Why the audience’s first question is always, “What’s in it for me?”
• How to find the one clear message your speech must deliver
• Why authenticity beats copying past champions
• How to “sprinkle” humor into serious stories without weakening their emotional impact
• The mindset shift behind her simple but liberating principle: “Who cares?”
• Why every speaker should prepare not only to win, but to lose
• How Luisa uses connection and audience energy to get into a high-performance state
• The three things she tells anyone with an enormous dream: start, prepare for failure, and never hurt people on the way up

Luisa also shares the childhood moment that made her fall in love with public speaking, the advice from her 95-year-old mentor that changed her performance forever, and the deeply moving message she received from someone who found the courage to keep living after watching 37 Strangers.Nisha brings thoughtful questions about flow, resilience, preparation, authenticity, and the inner critic, turning this into an essential conversation for speakers, leaders, performers, entrepreneurs, and anyone ready to stop settling for less. Press play for an honest, funny, and deeply human masterclass in public speaking, resilience, and choosing to hit the reset button.

Life will inevitably bring difficult experiences, but we don't have to carry them with us. Learning to process them, let go and move forward gracefully allows us to create the mental space to tune into flow, perform at our best and create our best work.