ONE IDEA: AUTHENTICITY

This episode is a bit different.

Rather than the usual interview format, we’re trying something new. These "ONE IDEA" episodes feature recordings of essays I’ve written and published on Disruptive Business Network. Covering topics from authenticity to game theory to how technology is shaping our lives, these essays all center on one fundamental theme: our search for meaning, especially in the work we do.

I hope you enjoy it.

In this first essay: Authenticity

We often think of authenticity as simply “being true to ourselves.” But is that really what it means?

This essay explores a fascinating story of Johnny Cash’s rebirth, guided by the legendary producer Rick Rubin. Rubin didn’t just focus on the “authentic” man behind the music..he amplified the mythical Man in Black, reigniting Cash’s career in the process.

The key insight? Authenticity isn’t about clinging to who you are today; it’s about becoming who you need to be to create impact. In a world that overemphasizes hyper-individualism, this essay challenges that notion, encouraging us to think beyond the ‘I’ and focus on the ‘we.’

Drawing from the wisdom of Aristotle, Nietzsche, and beyond, I explore how true authenticity requires discipline, courage, and connection to others.

So how can we redefine authenticity in our own lives? Let’s dive in.