David Lidsky's Blog, page 8

The future of higher ed starts outside the classroom

Universities need to look at different models of who educates, who gets educated—and how.

Higher education is in a moment of profound transformation driven not only by advances in technology, but also by growing demands for relevance, flexibility, and real-world impact. And while universities often look inward for solutions, the most promising ideas are increasingly emerging from beyond the traditional academic boundaries.

Roku’s big break: Tracee Ellis Ross on why ‘Solo Traveling’ became a hit—and what that reveals about humanity

At the Fast Company Innovation Festival, the star of the Roku Channel’s record-setting original TV series explores what captivates viewers.

The streaming wars have seen giants of entertainment—Netflix, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery—duke it out for consumers, each with a fast-growing library of original movies and TV shows to keep people coming back. Roku is a bit of a dark horse in this race. But the platform’s recent hit series Solo Traveling With Tracee Ellis Ross suggests the scrappy underdog might just become a real contender.

Paramount Skydance could soon add HBO, CNN, and DC Studios to its empire

Fresh off closing its $8.4B Paramount merger, David Ellison’s Skydance is already plotting another mega-consolidation: a mostly-cash bid for Warner Bros. Discovery.

With the ink barely dry on its deal to buy Paramount, Skydance is reportedly already looking to roll up another major entertainment company.

Why decisive leaders earn respect

Leadership isn’t about being perfect. It’s about having the courage to choose, especially when the path forward is unclear.

Some moments shift your perspective. My moment arrived in an email from my boss with a simple subject line: “You should take a look at this presentation as it will prepare you for your new role.” Attached was a deck titled How to be a creative director without sucking at it by Rodd Chant. It was about how to reshape the approach to leadership.

Is your baby food on the recall list?

Sprout Organics pouches sold last year at Walgreens are being voluntarily recalled due to lead concerns.

Parents who have purchased Sprout Organics baby food products from Walgreens and other stores since last year will want to check to make sure they don’t have a now-recalled Sweet Potato, Apple & Spinach food pouch. It is feared that the recalled product may contain elevated levels of lead, which can be detrimental to a baby’s development. Here’s what you need to know.

The rise of intelligent ecosystems in real estate finance

With connectivity through multiple systems, investors and renters all benefit.

If you’ve ever used an iPhone, you know the magic of an ecosystem. Your phone unlocks your Mac, syncs your photos, connects to your AirPods, and mirrors to your TV—effortlessly. Each device on its own is useful, but together they create a seamless experience that feels greater than the sum of its parts. Once you experience that level of integration, it’s almost impossible to go back to juggling disconnected tools.

How to make decisions you can stand behind regardless of the outcome

Outcomes are often shaped by factors outside of your control. An executive coach provides a framework for sound decision-making.

In April, when Duolingo’s CEO, Luis von Ahn, announced the company was going “AI-first,” he wasn’t just making a strategic decision. He was stepping into a spotlight few leaders envy. The decision was bold. The backlash was immediate and unexpected. 

I’m a climate scientist—extreme heat is ruining my family vacations

What two heatwave-filled trips to Europe taught me about climate change and travel.

As a climate scientist and CEO of a climate technology company, I should be great at choosing vacation destinations with perfect weather. Instead, I’m 0 for 2. My family’s last two trips to Europe—July 2023 and July 2025—both landed squarely in the middle of brutal heatwaves. 

Killing the clipboard may seem small—it’s not

A seamless experience can make healthcare better for everyone.

Healthcare is not one test, one device, one symptom, or one appointment. Yet too often, that is how it is practiced: in silos.

Why the future of food starts with smarter ingredients

Brands can design new products meeting nutritional needs using natural, whole foods.

The way we think about food has evolved dramatically over the last few years. Consumers are no longer satisfied with products that simply avoid artificial ingredients or reduce sugar. They’re asking harder questions such as: Where did these ingredients come from? What is this food doing for me? Is it safe to feed my family? What impact does it have on the environment?