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Two explorers from the northern hemisphere set out to be the first to reach the South Pole – Roald Amundsen of Norway and Robert Falconer Scott of England. Their expedition planning, team, equipment and transport selections could not have been more different.

Shawn and Mark discuss the relevance of this story to: corporate culture, knowing your limitations, hand picking your teams and the impact of clear, singular goals on success.

Jeanne Louise Calment lived to 122 years of age (a species record). Who would have thought such an age was achievable? How would you feel, betting against such a long life, and losing on the deal?

Shawn and Mark discuss how a business might use this story to illustrate the unexpected nature of planning, and the danger of ‘the sure thing’.

Don’t compare your work to that of others; focus on yourself. Listen to hear how Christine Ha’s vision impairment helped her win the third American season of Masterchef.

Have a plan B and keep it top of mind. Listen to hear how a desperate cry for help saved a man’s life just last month.

No matter how unlikely an event seems, it pays to prepare. Listen to hear the inspiring but tragic story of Rick Rescorla, whose meticulous planning saved almost 3,000 people on 9/11.

There are many lessons to be learnt from Lewis and Clark’s expedition to the west coast of the USA. Listen to hear how to use the story as an analogy.

It’s one thing to plan for tomorrow, but how about 500 years from now? This episode talks about planning for future generations, rather than ourselves.

Another find from the filing cabinet clean up. This time an anecdote from Stewart Brand’s How Buildings Learn. This story was recorded by Brand from …