In this inspiring interview, Dr. Wizdom Powell shares profound insights drawing on subjects as varied as ancestral wisdom and science to explore joy, resilience and purpose in entrepreneurship. From redefining success beyond hustle culture to leveraging creativity and community for healing, she explores the intersection of mental health, technology and innovation.
Innovation
Joy over hustle: fostering innovation in people
A conversation between EIC Sharon Milone and Dr. Wizdom Powell, tech advisor at Headspace
Dr. Wizdom PowellJanuary 7, 2025
We should embrace technology, but we should do so while we're also fostering innovation in humans.Dr. Wizdom Powell
If joy isn't at the center of what I do or purpose or meaning isn't at the center, then to me it's not worth the pursuit.Dr. Wizdom Powell
Interview Summary
00:32
Joy is at the heart of success
Dr. Powell emphasizes that joy and purpose are central to her definition of success. Without joy at the core, she believes pursuits aren't worthwhile and rejects relying on external metrics.
02:26
The pitfalls of hustle culture
Dr. Powell discusses the dangers of hustle culture and working excessively to prove worth, leading to burnout or worse. She also highlights the need to pause and reconnect with oneself.
06:19
From creative arts to health psychology
Sharing her journey, Dr. Powell describes her shift from performing arts to psychology and public health. Influenced by her family's resilience, she aims to understand human flourishing and help men and boys connect heart and mind.
17:17
Finding community
Dr. Powell advises entrepreneurs to protect their peace by finding their tribe and leaning on community. Surrounding oneself with supportive people helps resist forces that diminish self-worth.
Dr. Powell discusses leveraging technology for mental health but cautions against over-reliance on AI without ethical considerations. She advocates for responsible tech use alongside fostering human intelligence.
34:32
Reconnecting with joy through creativity
When facing challenges, she reconnects with joy through her creative passions—music and visual arts—which help her step out of her analytical mind and reconnect with her heart and purpose.
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Dr. Wizdom Powell
Wizdom Powell is the former Chief Purpose Officer at Headspace. In this role, she oversaw the organization’s Social Impact, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB), Legislative Affairs, and Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) portfolios. Formerly, she served as Director of the Health Disparities Institute (HDI) and as a tenured Associate Professor of Psychiatry at The University of Connecticut. In her role as HDI director, she forged academic-private sector-community partnerships to advance HDI’s legislative mandate to increase health equity among Conecticut’s medically underserved.