From Neuroscience to Hollywood: Lessons in Leadership with Dr. Barry Sandrew

Speak In Flow

In episode 93 of the Speak In Flow podcast, Melinda interviews Dr. Barry Sandrew, a Harvard-trained neuroscientist who has transitioned into a successful entrepreneur and AI innovator in Hollywood. Dr. Sandrew shares his remarkable journey from the field of neuroscience to revolutionizing the entertainment industry through his pioneering work in colorizing black-and-white films and advancing visual effects (VFX) technology.

Dr. Sandrew is a masterclass on pivoting one's career and adopting an entrepreneurial mindset. In this episode, he shares his view on the importance of learning from failures and effectively communicating, as well as how the transformative role of AI in both education and business plays a part in topics that are highly relevant to leadership and growth across all industries today.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The Power of Failing Forward

Discover why failure is a crucial learning tool in innovation and leadership. Dr. Sandrew emphasizes the importance of creating a culture where mistakes drive progress, quoting John Maxwell: "Fail early, fail often, but always fail forward."

Building a Community Around Your Vision

Great leadership in startups involves rallying a diverse group of people around a shared vision. Dr. Sandrew discusses how he transformed high school students into top executives by fostering a risk-taking, experimental culture.

Communicating the Why

Learn how impactful communication can make or break your startup. Dr. Sandrew shares lessons on shifting from technical jargon to conveying the “why” behind products and ideas, a strategy inspired by The Lean Startup.

AI’s Role in Education and Business

Explore Dr. Sandrew’s latest AI patents aimed at authenticating student learning and transforming education. He highlights how AI is leveling the playing field across industries, including filmmaking and corporate training.

Memorable Quotes:

"The key to leadership in startups is building a critical mass of believers who share your vision and embrace uncertainty"

“AI is not something to fear; it’s a tool to make our lives and businesses better. Embrace it or risk being left behind.”

“The best teams are built on trust and a shared commitment to something bigger than any individual.”

Connect with Dr. Barry Sandrew

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandrew/

About the Guest:

Dr. Barry Sandrew is a neuroscientist turned internationally recognized serial entrepreneur, digital imaging expert, and VFX pioneer. With over 37 patents and decades of experience, he has worked on some of Hollywood’s biggest productions, including The Aviator, Alice in Wonderland, and Transformers. Dr. Sandrew's groundbreaking work includes inventing digital colorization in 1987 and revolutionizing 2D to 3D film conversion in the 2000s.

As the Managing Director of the Innovation Hub at Westcliff University, he continues to foster entrepreneurship, helping startups achieve an 80% success rate through his consulting expertise. Currently, he’s focused on applying artificial intelligence to transform education, with his latest patent, The Socratic Metric, poised to change the future of learning.

Fun-facts:

• As a pioneering force in Hollywood, he was responsible for colorizing over 250 films and TV episodes, including The Diner and We’re Back: A Dinosaur Story.
• A frequent lecturer on innovation, he created the IGNITE incubator at Westcliff University to support the next generation of entrepreneurs.
• He enjoys mentoring young minds in tech and helping them turn their entrepreneurial dreams into reality.

About Melinda:

Melinda Lee is a Presentation Skills Expert, Speaking Coach, and nationally renowned Motivational Speaker. She holds an M.A. in Organizational Psychology, is an Insights Practitioner, and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development as well as Certified in Conflict Resolution. For over a decade, Melinda has researched and studied the state of “flow” and used it as a proven technique to help corporate leaders and business owners amplify their voices, access flow, and present their mission in a more powerful way to achieve results.

She has been the TEDx Berkeley Speaker Coach and has worked with hundreds of executives and teams from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Caltrans, Bay Area Rapid Transit System, and more. Currently, she lives in San Francisco, California, and is breaking the ancestral lineage of silence.

Website: https://speakinflow.com/

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/speakinflow

Instagram: https://instagram.com/speakinflow

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpowerall

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