Thought Sparks Podcast

Insightful ideas, actionable suggestions, strategic thinking, Innovation and more with Rita Gunther McGrath, Columbia Business School Professor, Thinkers50 Top 10, #1 in Strategy. Join Rita and Listen to Thought Sparks!

Rita McGrath Interviews Don Tapscott

Feb 5, 2026

Rita McGrath and Don Tapscott explore blockchain’s transformative potential beyond cryptocurrency, examining how distributed ledger technology enables trust, transparency, and direct peer-to-peer transactions. They discuss applications in supply chains, financial […]

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Rita McGrath interviews Peter Cappelli and Ranya Nehmeh

Jan 29, 2026

Peter Cappelli and Ranya Nehmeh discuss their research-based book challenging remote work assumptions. They explore evidence showing remote workers face lower organizational commitment, worse promotion prospects, and social isolation. The […]

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Rita McGrath interviews Robert Siegel

Jan 20, 2026

Robert Siegel explores systems leadership—the ability to navigate competing organizational pressures simultaneously. Drawing from eight years teaching with Jeff Immelt and studying over 100 leaders, he examines how executives balance […]

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Rita McGrath interviews Cheryl McKissack Daniel

Jan 13, 2026

Cheryl McKissack Daniel chronicles her family’s extraordinary 230-year legacy in architecture and construction, from Moses McKissack’s enslavement to America’s first Black licensed architects to today’s thriving firm. The narrative emphasizes […]

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Rita McGrath interviews Neri Karra Sillaman

Jan 9, 2026

Drawing on immigrant entrepreneurs’ lived experiences, this Thought Spark explores how resilience, identity, community-building, ethical profit, and reframing rejection create enduring businesses. Success emerges from bridging cultures, trusting bold visions, […]

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Get to know Rita McGrath—professor at Columbia Business School, keynote speaker, best-selling author, and thought leader in strategy, innovation, and digital transformation.