Episode 3.31: Challenging Assumptions Through Systems Thinking Approaches

In the 31st episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 3, Steve Saideman and co-host Thomas Hughes, Assistant Professor at Mt. Allison University discuss Trump’s rhetorical shift on the 51st state threat on a phone call with PM Carney, the fallout from #Signalgate including for allies and does Canada need to follow Denmark’s lead on rallying European allies? Thomas and Philippe explore the power of transformative games to empower leaders in defence and security through the work of the Archipelago of Design in Today's feature interview. As Co-President of the Archipelago of Design, a not for profit, and Professor at Canadian Forces College, Philippe Beaulieu-Brossard’s purpose is to empower leaders in shifting mindsets in national security organizations to better set conditions for evolution and address complex situations. Philippe fulfills this purpose especially by mobilizing a crowdsourcing approach to designing transformative games captured as the "hop-on hop off model". This approach proved successful, resulting in the critical and popular appraisal of Breakthrough, a strategic mystery investigation game taking place in the Canadian Arctic in 2040, its sequel, Shadows of Byzantium, taking place in Istanbul Turkey in 2040, and Inner Alliance. Just released in 2025 collaboration with Wero Creative, Inner Alliance set conditions for players to adapt to diverse constituencies in disaster relief operations in support of the WPS agenda. Philippe is currently collaborating with the NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence (CCASCOE) to co-design a game to empower the centre and its agenda. Philippe lives in Leslieville, Toronto with his wife, daughter, son, and too many games.