The Parlor Room
Join host and Harvard Business School Online Creative Director Chris Linnane as he sits down with HBS faculty to discuss business education in a way that’s both entertaining and insightful. The Parlor Room is your key to breaking down academic theory without sacrificing depth—all while gaining practical takeaways for navigating the business world.
Episodes
Compilation Episode (Part 7): Who Is Getting AI Wrong?
In this compilation episode of The Parlor Room Presents: Hello AI, host and Harvard Business School Online Creative Director Chris Linnane explores one of the biggest challenges in artificial intelligence: knowing when—and when not—to trust AI.
Featuring HBS professors Linda Hill, Felix Oberholzer-Gee, and Jake Cook, the conversation examines AI adoption, organizational culture, and the critica
Jake Cook on How to Use AI Effectively at Work
In this episode of The Parlor Room Presents: Hello AI, host and Harvard Business School Online Creative Director Chris Linnane speaks with HBS Professor Jake Cook about how artificial intelligence is changing the way people work. Cook shares practical advice for using AI effectively, explaining why it should be treated like an intern that requires direction, oversight, and critical thinking. He ex
Compilation Episode (Part 6): Where AI Surprises Us
In this compilation episode of The Parlor Room Presents: Hello AI, host and Harvard Business School Online Creative Director Chris Linnane explores one of AI’s most intriguing qualities: its ability to surprise us.
Featuring HBS professors Nien-hê Hsieh, Christina Wallace, and Jake Cook, the conversation examines how AI is changing the way people work, create, and solve problems. From uncovering
Felix Oberholzer-Gee on Winning with AI
In this episode of The Parlor Room Presents: Hello AI, host and Harvard Business School Online Creative Director Chris Linnane speaks with HBS Professor Felix Oberholzer-Gee about AI’s impact on productivity, jobs, and competitive advantage. He explains how organizations can use AI to create lasting value, why human judgment remains essential, and what the future of work may look like in an AI-pow
Compilation Episode (Part 5): Will AI Take My Job?
In this compilation episode of The Parlor Room Presents: Hello AI, host and Harvard Business School Online Creative Director Chris Linnane explores one of the most pressing questions facing professionals today: Will AI take my job?
Featuring HBS Professors Nien-hê Hsieh, Christina Wallace, Joe Fuller, and Iavor Bojinov, the conversation examines how AI is reshaping organizations, changing the nat
Christina Wallace on AI and Entrepreneurship
In this episode of The Parlor Room Presents: Hello AI, host and Harvard Business School Online Creative Director Chris Linnane speaks with HBS Professor Christina Wallace about how AI is transforming entrepreneurship and creativity. Wallace explains how founders are using AI to accelerate customer research, prototyping, branding, and operations—and why judgment, originality, and proprietary insigh
Compilation Episode (Part 4): How Mid-Career Professionals Can Lead and Grow With AI
In this compilation episode of The Parlor Room Presents: Hello AI, host and Harvard Business School Online Creative Director Chris Linnane gathers HBS faculty to share actionable advice for mid-career professionals navigating the AI landscape. Featuring professors Christina Wallace, Jake Cook, Iavor Bojinov, and Joe Fuller, the conversation explores how mid-career professionals can build AI fluenc
Sunil Gupta on Marketing in the Age of AI
In this episode of The Parlor Room Presents: Hello AI, host and Harvard Business School Online Creative Director Chris Linnane speaks with HBS Professor Sunil Gupta about how AI is reshaping marketing. Gupta explains how generative AI is changing content creation, customer targeting, and brand strategy—and why marketers must go beyond efficiency to create meaningful differentiation. He also explor
Compilation Episode (Part 3): Mid-Career Strategies for Thriving in an AI-Driven Workplace
In this compilation episode of The Parlor Room Presents: Hello AI, host and Harvard Business School Online Creative Director Chris Linnane gathers HBS faculty to share actionable advice for mid-career professionals.
Featuring Professors Felix Oberholzer-Gee, Nien-hê Hsieh, Sunil Gupta, and Linda Hill, the conversation explores how to stay relevant in an AI-driven workplace by embracing new tools,
Joe Fuller on AI and Rethinking Work
In this episode of The Parlor Room Presents: Hello AI, host and Harvard Business School Online Creative Director Chris Linnane speaks with HBS Professor Joe Fuller about how AI is transforming the future of work. Fuller explains why organizations must rethink how work gets done—rather than simply adding AI to existing processes—and what it takes to build the skills and structures needed to use it
Compilation Episode (Part 2): Early Career Advice for Building AI and Human Skills
In this compilation episode of The Parlor Room Presents: Hello AI, host and Harvard Business School Online Creative Director Chris Linnane gathers HBS faculty to share actionable advice for early-career professionals. Featuring Professors Nien-hê Hsieh, Christina Wallace, Joe Fuller, and Iavor Bojinov, the conversation explores how to build skills, develop expertise, and create value while working
Linda Hill on Leading Through AI-Driven Change
In this episode of The Parlor Room Presents: Hello AI, host and Harvard Business School Online Creative Director Chris Linnane speaks with HBS Professor Linda Hill about why AI adoption depends on more than technology. Drawing on her research, Hill explains why leaders must rethink the way work gets done, teams collaborate, and organizations build the trust and capabilities to use AI effectively—
Compilation Episode (Part 1): Early Career Advice in the Age of AI
In this compilation episode of The Parlor Room Presents: Hello AI, host and Harvard Business School Online Creative Director Chris Linnane gathers HBS faculty to share actionable advice for early-career professionals. From pairing AI skills with foundational business knowledge to building relationships and making strategic career decisions, faculty share what it takes to grow and succeed in an AI-
Iavor Bojinov on AI Adoption, Trust, and Decision-Making
The Parlor Room returns for season 3 with a special edition: Hello AI—a series exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping the business world. In the premiere episode, host and Harvard Business School Online Creative Director Chris Linnane talks with HBS Professor Iavor Bojinov about why AI adoption hinges on trust, how organizations can scale AI effectively, and what leaders must rethink t
Season 2 Finale: Top 8 Q&As with Harvard Business School Faculty
In The Parlor Room's season two finale, host Chris Linnane shares his favorite questions and answers from his conversations with Harvard Business School faculty, including Christina Wallace, Felix Oberholzer-Gee, Amy Edmondson, Sunil Gupta, V.G. Narayanan, Nancy Koehn, and Anthony Mayo.
Tune in for their insights into marketing, the future of work, psychological safety, and more.
Catch up on Sea
Season 2 Bonus Content (Part 2): Unreleased Insights on Leadership & Strategy
In this second special episode of season two bonus content, host Chris Linnane shares exclusive, never-before-heard clips from his conversations with Harvard Business School faculty members.
Tune in to hear Amy Edmondson, Anthony Mayo, Felix Oberholzer-Gee, and Nancy Koehn discuss leadership, strategy, and resilience.
Amy Edmondson on Building High-Performing Teams: https://hbs.me/ade6yb9d
An
Season 2 Bonus Content (Part 1): AI & Navigating the Future of the Workplace
In this special episode featuring season two bonus content, host Chris Linnane shares exclusive, unaired clips from his conversations with Harvard Business School faculty members on the topic of AI and navigating the future of the workplace.
Tune in to hear from Sunil Gupta on marketing strategies, Anthony Mayo on effective leadership, Christina Wallace on entrepreneurial mindset, Felix Oberholz
V.G. Narayanan on How Accounting Connects the Business World
In this episode of The Parlor Room podcast, host Chris Linnane sits down with Harvard Business School Professor V.G. Narayanan, senior associate dean for HBS Online and Executive Education, an expert in financial accounting, to explore the essential role of financial statements in the business world. They discuss how understanding business dynamics makes you a better accountant, the critical impor
Nancy Koehn on How Crisis Brings Out Extraordinary Leadership
In this episode of The Parlor Room podcast, host Chris Linnane sits down with Harvard Business School Professor Nancy Koehn, an expert in crisis leadership, to discuss how crisis brings out extraordinary leadership, highlighting key characteristics like self-awareness, emotional intelligence, ambition, and courage. They explore how empathy inspires and motivates, emphasizing that great leadership
Felix Oberholzer-Gee on the Frameworks of Business Strategy
In this episode of The Parlor Room podcast, Chris sits down with Harvard Business School Professor Felix Oberholzer-Gee, an expert in strategic management, to explore key frameworks and concepts in business strategy. They discuss disruptive innovation, shifting industry dynamics, and the importance of strategic flexibility. Oberholzer-Gee also shares insightful examples of how today’s leading comp
Christina Wallace on Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset
In this episode of The Parlor Room podcast, Chris sits down with startup advisor, founder, and Harvard Business School Professor Christina Wallace to discuss the critical role of building an entrepreneurial mindset. Wallace breaks down the distinctions between traditional marketing and entrepreneurial marketing, illustrating how mindset plays a pivotal role. She delves into the core principles of
Anthony Mayo on What Makes an Effective Leader
In this episode of The Parlor Room podcast, Chris sits down with Harvard Business School Professor Anthony Mayo, who offers expert insights into leadership skills and organizational change. Mayo discusses how individual leaders and companies can thrive in dynamic environments, emphasizing the qualities that set great leaders apart: emotional intelligence, high standards, empathy, and resilience.
Sunil Gupta on Data-Driven Digital Marketing Strategies
In this episode of The Parlor Room podcast, Chris sits down with renowned
marketing expert and Harvard Business School Professor Sunil Gupta to explore digital
marketing’s transformative power. Gupta delves into data analytics’ critical
role in shaping effective marketing strategies, highlighting how to use
insights to gain a competitive edge. He also breaks down the nuances of high-
and low-invol
Amy Edmondson on Building High-Performing Teams
As mentioned in Poets&Quants, The Parlor Room's second season kicks off with Harvard Business School Professor Amy Edmondson. In this episode, she sits down with host Chris Linnane to delve into the concept of "teaming" and how organizations can foster it successfully through clear communication, psychological safety, and intelligent failure.
GUEST
Amy Edmondson, CLIMB Faculty Chair, Novartis Pro
Bonus Episode: Digital Data Design (D^3) Institute's Jen Stave on Harnessing AI for a Better Tomorrow
In this special bonus episode of The Parlor Room—recorded live at HBS Online's Connext 2024 conference—host Chris Linnane sits down with Jen Stave, launch director of Harvard’s Digital Data Design (D^3) Institute. They discuss artificial intelligence's transformative impact across industries, the need for global regulation, and the importance of making AI technologies accessible and affordable. Th
Introducing "Think Big, Buy Small," a New Harvard Business School Podcast
Today, we’re sharing a special episode of Think Big, Buy Small, a new podcast from our friends at Harvard Business School.
Think Big, Buy Small explores an innovative approach to entrepreneurship: acquisition entrepreneurship, with conversations exploring how to buy your own business, be your own boss, and get the financial benefits of your efforts through the approach of entrepreneurship throug
Season 1 Finale: Top 8 Q&As with Harvard Business School Faculty
In The Parlor Room's season one finale, host Chris Linnane shares his favorite questions and answers from his conversations with Harvard Business School faculty, including Mihir Desai, Mike Wheeler, Jill Avery, Nien-hê Hsieh, Jeff Bussgang, Joshua Margolis, Forest Reinhardt, and Linda Hill.
Tune in for their insights into finance, conflict management, branding, ethics, sustainability, and leadersh
Season 1 Bonus Content (Part 2): Linda Hill, Mihir Desai, Forest Reinhardt, and Joshua Margolis
In our second special episode featuring season one bonus content, host Chris Linnane shares exclusive, unaired clips from his conversations with Harvard Business School faculty members.
Tune in for insights from Linda Hill on leadership's imperatives and developing contextual intelligence, Mihir Desai on making finance more accessible, Forest Reinhardt on learning through the case method, and Jos
Season 1 Bonus Content (Part 1): Mike Wheeler, Jill Avery, Jeff Bussgang, and Nien-hê Hsieh
In the first of two special episodes featuring season one bonus content, host Chris Linnane shares exclusive, unaired clips from his conversations with Harvard Business School faculty members.
Tune in to hear from Mike Wheeler on negotiation, Jill Avery on branding, Jeff Bussgang on entrepreneurship, and Nien-hê Hsieh on ethics and artificial intelligence.
Catch up on Season 1 of The Parlor Room
Linda Hill on Leading Change and the Paradoxes of Management
Great leadership requires being both a value creator and a game changer. In this episode of The Parlor Room, host Chris Linnane sits down with HBS Professor Linda Hill to explore what that means through the lens of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine development. They also discuss the paradoxes of management and the three roles leaders must play to innovate and meet customers' needs in the digital age.
GUE
Forest Reinhardt on Climate Change and the Tragedy of the Commons
How can businesses navigate the complexities of climate change? Host Chris Linnane and Harvard Business School Professor Forest Reinhardt delve into that question in this episode. They discuss the tragedy of the commons, explore the challenges of creating and selling a carbon-neutral beer, and answer listener questions about what responsibilities companies have to transition to sustainable practic
Joshua Margolis on Elevating Your Leadership Style
Host Chris Linnane welcomes Harvard Business School Professor Joshua Margolis to The Parlor Room for an engaging conversation about organizational leadership. They discuss how to develop yourself as a leader by examining the story of Rakefet Russak-Aminoach, the former CEO of Bank Leumidive. They then dive into how Levi Strauss & Co. CEO Chip Bergh inspired and engaged employees to implement organ
Nien-hê Hsieh on Ethical AI, Decision-Making, and Investing
Harvard Business School Professor Nien-hê Hsieh joins host Chris Linnane in The Parlor Room to discuss preserving work's human element with the proliferation of artificial intelligence and how Theranos' story imparts vital lessons about ethical decision-making and investing.
GUEST
Nien-hê Hsieh, Kim B. Clark Professor of Business Administration
RESOURCES
Professor Hsieh's HBS Online course, Lea
Jeff Bussgang on the Rise of AI & Raising Venture Capital
This week on The Parlor Room, Harvard Business School Senior Lecturer Jeff Bussgang, a former entrepreneur turned venture capitalist, joins host Chris Linnane to discuss the rise of generative AI, why experimentation is vital to finding product-market fit, and how to raise venture capital successfully. He also goes over how to come up with good business ideas and critiques some of Chris's in real
Jill Avery on Building a Winning Brand Portfolio
What can you learn about brand portfolio strategy from Marriott's $13.3 billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts? Harvard Business School Senior Lecturer Jill Avery joins host Chris Linnane in The Parlor Room to answer that question and discuss how Marriott overcame the challenge of managing its robust 30-brand portfolio.
GUEST
Jill Avery, Senior Lecturer of Business Administration, C. Ro
Mike Wheeler on the Jazz of Negotiation
In this episode of The Parlor Room, Harvard Business School Professor Mike Wheeler speaks with host Chris Linnane about how negotiation's improvisational nature makes it much like jazz. He also shares stories about a former president's photo and the acquisition of a television system to illustrate strategies for succeeding at the bargaining table.
GUEST
Mike Wheeler, MBA Class of 1952 Professor o
Mihir Desai on Apple's Powerful Financial Model
In this debut episode of The Parlor Room, host and Harvard Business School Online Creative Director Chris Linnane sits down with HBS Professor Mihir Desai to discuss how Apple's financial model contributes to its success and illustrates a critical lesson about risk management.
GUEST
Mihir Desai, Mizuho Financial Group Professor of Finance, Harvard Business School
RESOURCES
Professor Desai's HBS
Trailer: Introducing The Parlor Room
Harvard Business School Online is excited to introduce The Parlor Room, a new podcast featuring entertaining, insightful conversations with HBS professors that demystify vital business concepts and provide practical takeaways for your career.
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