Can a 150-year-old New York City institution thrive in the digital age?

Seth Pinsky, CEO of the iconic 92nd Street Y, joins us to reveal how they turned crisis into innovation. Founded to support immigrant communities, the Y evolved into a world-renowned cultural hub. Seth shares how, despite the initial shock of COVID-19 closures, the organization quickly pivoted, transforming itself into a global digital platform overnight.

Discover how they scaled online to reach millions—expanding their audience far beyond Manhattan. Seth explains key lessons learned, including tapping into an international market hungry for quality cultural content. By offering online programming, they attracted world-class talent and students from around the globe, dramatically increasing their impact and revenue streams.

We explore the Y's innovative "Dialogue Project," a fresh approach to civic discourse. In a polarized era, Seth discusses the project's success in fostering respectful, mind-changing conversations. Audiences come away not just entertained, but transformed, underscoring the enduring power of meaningful dialogue.

Finally, Seth highlights the dual identity of the Y as both a prestigious cultural center and a vibrant community hub. He details strategic initiatives that integrate these aspects, creating unique experiences that foster deeper audience engagement. The 92nd Street Y's reinvention shows that even historic institutions can harness change and become stronger than ever.

Join us and learn how flexibility, digital transformation, and courageous programming decisions can turn disruption into lasting opportunity.

Three Key Takeaways:

• Rapid digital transformation can dramatically expand audience reach and create new, sustainable revenue streams for traditionally location-based institutions.

• Structured civic dialogue offers a powerful way to engage polarized audiences, encouraging openness and the potential to shift deeply held perspectives.

• Organizations with dual identities—such as cultural and community centers—can leverage this unique positioning to create highly impactful and engaging experiences for diverse audiences.

If you found value in our discussion on the 92nd Street Y's digital evolution and commitment to community engagement, you'll appreciate episode 305, "Performance of Thought Leadership." with Karen Leland. Discover how embracing a digital-first mindset can amplify your organization's reach and impact in today's rapidly changing landscape. Tune in to gain actionable insights that can help you navigate and lead in the digital era.

What happens when leadership, military service, and motherhood collide with a mission for change?

Dr. Ellen Joan Ford didn’t set out to become a thought leader—she became one by accident, driven by action. A former army officer, academic, and founder of Belonging, Autonomy and Purpose Leadership, Ellen first spoke about the challenges of working parents as a small part of a leadership talk. But that minor moment struck a nerve—and sparked a tidal wave. Strangers reached out. Stories poured in. And suddenly, Ellen was leading a movement.

That movement became #WorkSchoolHours, a principles-based approach to workplace redesign. Through a TEDx talk, a book, and ongoing advocacy, Ellen challenges leaders to reconsider the structure of work—not just for productivity, but for humanity. Her research began informally, collecting real stories from overwhelmed parents, but it soon evolved into a mission grounded in compassion and backed by data.

Ellen’s leadership philosophy is shaped by three defining moments: serving in the military, becoming a parent, and helping evacuate Afghans to safety. Each began with getting "pissed off" enough to act—and that same passion drives her thought leadership today. But she’s not just collecting stories anymore. She’s implementing solutions.

In this episode, we explore how passion becomes platform, how impact is scaled through persistence, and how thought leadership can evolve from lived experience. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn a personal challenge into systemic change, this conversation will show you what’s possible.

Three Key Takeaways:

• Big impact often starts small. Ellen didn’t set out to lead a movement—she simply mentioned the challenges of working parents in a leadership talk. That small moment resonated deeply, leading to thousands of unsolicited stories and the creation of the #WorkSchoolHours platform.

• Thought leadership is fueled by personal experience and action. Ellen’s credibility and influence stem from her lived experiences: leading in the military, becoming a parent, and coordinating a massive humanitarian effort. Her thought leadership emerged not from theory alone, but from taking action when she saw problems that needed solving.

• Change begins when someone gets “pissed off enough to act.” Whether improving military leadership, reshaping workplace norms, or saving lives, Ellen demonstrates that passion, combined with persistence and a clear purpose, can spark real-world impact—even on systems as entrenched as the modern workplace.

If this conversation sparked your interest in how empathy and personal experience can fuel workplace transformation, don’t miss our earlier episode with Scott Shute, former Head of Mindfulness and Compassion Programs at LinkedIn. Like Ellen Joan Ford, Scott turned personal conviction into a platform for change—advocating for compassion as a strategic business imperative. Together, these episodes offer a powerful look at how thought leadership can humanize work and reshape what leadership looks like in today’s world.

What’s the real reason you want to write a book?

If your answer doesn’t connect directly to your business goals, you may be missing the mark. In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Peter sits down with Cathy Fyock, a book strategist who helps authors write the right book—the one that aligns with their business, audience, and long-term strategy.

Cathy shares why writing a book should never be step one. Instead, authors must start with a solid strategy: What do you want the book to do for your business? Who exactly are you writing it for? How will you leverage it to create opportunity, revenue, or credibility?

We explore the importance of aligning your book’s content and audience with your current business model. Cathy also explains why writing for “everyone” is a mistake, and why serving a clearly defined niche can lead to powerful results—even if it feels narrow.

If you’ve ever wrestled with the choice between self-publishing, hybrid, or traditional publishing, Cathy breaks down the pros and cons of each. Her recommendation? Own your IP, own your margins, and stay in control.

You’ll also hear surprising insights about how some authors make more from not selling books—using them as a powerful sales tool to land clients, speaking gigs, and consulting contracts.


Three Key Takeaways:

• Start with strategy, not writing. A successful book begins with clear goals, a defined audience, and alignment with your business model—not just a blank page and good intentions.

• Niche focus drives greater impact. Writing for a well-defined, specific audience builds credibility and creates stronger results than trying to appeal to everyone.

• Books are business tools, not just products. The real ROI often comes not from book sales, but from using the book to generate leads, secure speaking engagements, or land high-value clients.

If you found value in the strategic insights shared in this episode, you won't want to miss our conversation with Becky Robinson: "Writing a Book As an Extension of Your Business." Becky, the founder and CEO of Weaving Influence, delves into how authors can seamlessly integrate their books into their broader business strategies. She shares practical advice on launching a book, building a lasting platform, and ensuring your message reaches the right audience over time. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to amplify their thought leadership and make their book a cornerstone of their business growth.