The Half Has Not Been Told: Work, Pop Culture & Stuff That Matters

In this episode, Mak probes Kenny on insights from his experience at Netflix. They explore its unique culture, leadership principles, and the challenges of maintaining organizational values across different regions. Discover how Netflix's approach to talent, feedback, and culture can inform your own organizational practices.Key  topicsNetflix culture and its originsThe concept of talent density and high-performance teamsOperationalizing culture through language and ritualsChallenges of exporting culture globallyThe role of feedback and candor in organizational healthChapters02:14 Insights from Netflix Culture04:53 The Experiment of Netflix's Culture07:49 Talent Density and Its Implications10:52 Informed Captaincy and Decision-Making13:32 Navigating Hierarchies at Netflix16:27 Chaos vs. Control in Organizational Culture19:04 Explorative vs. Exploitative Cultures21:45 Navigating Layoffs and Company Culture25:07 The Transience of Relationships in Work Environments27:20 Operationalizing Culture: The Keeper Test32:07 The Challenge of Organizational Atrophy35:57 The Brutal Simplicity of Corporate Culture43:11 Navigating Netflix's Culture: A Pragmatic Approach45:28 Cultural Differences in Employee Relations47:57 The Impact of Employee Law on Company Culture49:17 Bridging the Gap: Aspiration vs. Reality in Organizations53:08 Defining Family Values: The Importance of Codification55:16 The Role of Rituals in Culture59:27 The Complexity of Measuring Cultural Values

In this conversation, Kenny and Mak explore themes of identity, the influence of social media, the importance of positive male role models, and the need for meaningful spaces for reflection. They share personal stories, analyze cultural phenomena like the Louis Theroux Manosphere documentary, and discuss how to foster healthier masculinity and community connections. keywordsmasculinity, social media, identity, community, mental health, role models, cultural analysis, personal growthkey topicsThe significance of names and identityImpact of social media on young menThe role of positive male role modelsAnalysis of Louis Theroux's documentary on influencersThe importance of community spaces for reflectionChapters00:00 Introduction and Name Mishap02:59 Identity and Communication Challenges05:55 Entrepreneurial Ventures and Personal Growth08:37 Exploring the Manosphere and Louis Theroux's Documentary10:51 Understanding the Underlying Issues in Masculinity13:33 The Impact of Social Media on Young Men16:06 Fatherhood and Raising Healthy Sons25:21 The Role of Fatherhood in Masculinity26:20 Navigating Life Without a Father Figure27:34 The Impact of Faith and Introspection28:30 The Influence of Social Media on Masculinity30:47 Creating New Paths in Relationships32:29 The Importance of Journaling for Self-Discovery34:15 Fragmentation of Community and Values36:26 The Attraction of Simplistic Masculine Narratives37:16 The Role of Influencers in Shaping Masculinity37:38 The Weight of Life and Shared Experiences

In the first episode together, Kenny and Mak do what they do best — laugh a lot and go deeper than expected.Starting with the stories behind their names, the conversation moves through fitting in between two cultures, why HR teams often undervalue real psychological depth, and what actually drives innovation in startups. Then Marc Andreessen's recent post dismissing introspection sparks a debate — is he right? Has self-reflection become self-indulgent? Or is the tech world's obsession with action over depth exactly what's wrong? Kenny and Mak disagree, agree, and land somewhere unexpected. William Shatner's emotional reaction to seeing Earth from space becomes the perfect counterargument.Two friends. One psychotherapist. One creative. No script. All real.Chapters: 00:00 The stories behind our names 09:30 Fitting in — being mixed race and living between two cultures 15:20 Do HR teams actually value depth? 20:24 Innovation and diversity of thought in startups 30:40 Introspection vs action — a philosophical debate 34:55 What introspection has to do with greatness 40:44 Jeff Bezos, William Shatner, and seeing Earth from spaceReferences: Marc Andreessen — The Techno-Optimist Manifesto William Shatner — space reflection [link] Manfred Kets de Vries [link] Sam Walton — Walmart founder Pan-Africanism movement

Welcome to The Half Has Not Been Told. A podcast about the human side of work and life. For anyone looking for more soul in their lives. I'm Kenny Temowo — musician, writer, ex-Netflix, dad of three, and VP at an AI infrastructure company. I'm a creative operating in the corporate world.Some of you might know Inside the Art of Making. That was Season 1. This is what it's become. Broader. More honest. More me.The name comes from a song I wrote called "It Means More to Be Human." And that's really what this show is about. The stuff that matters but doesn't make it onto LinkedIn. Think work, relationships, fatherhood, faith, creativity, AI — and whatever else is alive that week. All told from the human side of things. I'll be joined regularly by Maktuno Suit — psychotherapist, consultant, and entrepreneur. And occasional visits from my daughters!Expect honesty. Expect laughter. Maybe some tears. But hopefully you'll leave a little different from how you came in.New episodes biweekly. Next up: Maktuno and I talk about the story behind our names, as well as Jeff Bezos, Will Shatner and the role of introspection in our lives. I'm Kenny Temowo. The half has not been told.

In this episode of Inside the Art of Making, I'm joined by my daughters, Ava and Liora, as they reflect on their favorite movies, books, and games from 2025. The conversation flows from excitement about the upcoming year to a fun quiz about Marvel movies, leading into a discussion about their favorite films, including Zombies 4 and Avatar. We also delve into my girl''s love for the Percy Jackson series, sharing insights on what makes it special and how it compares to other works. As always we get into deep conversation including about the purpose of school, the challenges of growing up, and what adults should remember about childhood.The episode wraps up with advice for parents on encouraging their children to read more, and what's in store for 2026. Chapters00:00 Introduction and Excitement for the Podcast05:50 Reflecting on 2025: Movies and TV Shows10:13 Favorite Reads of 2025: Percy Jackson and More16:09 The Endurance of Belief Systems18:13 Exploring Favorite Books21:26 The Importance of Reading26:36 Navigating Age-Appropriate Literature28:44 Game Time: Family Fun and Engagement37:03 Deep Questions About Life and Education37:39 The Purpose of School43:21 Growing Up and Life's Challenges54:07 Understanding Between Generations

François is currently the CDXO for SharkNinja’s design team.He is passionate about creating highly desirable products and memorable user experiences. His work has impacted and influenced companies such as Apple, Google, Amazon, Disney, Microsoft and AT&T. His award-winning design work has been featured in RollingStone, Wired, TIME, the New Yorker and FastCompany. Outside of design, François is an avid classical guitarist and with three albums to his credit.

In this conversation, Dean Rodgers from Secret Cinema discusses the art of creating immersive experiences that bring movies to life. He shares insights on the evolution of live entertainment post-COVID, the importance of connection in experiences, and the journey of a creative director. Dean emphasizes the role of audience interaction, safety considerations, and the impact of AI on the creative industry. He also highlights the significance of collective awe in experiences and offers recommendations for immersive experiences.takeawaysImmersive experiences put audiences at the center of storytelling.The live entertainment sector has rebounded strongly post-COVID.Connection and community are vital in live experiences.Creativity thrives in collaborative environments.The entrance into an immersive world is crucial for audience engagement.Feedback is essential for refining experiences over time.Safety must be a priority in immersive experiences.AI is a powerful tool but poses challenges for creative industries.The future of entertainment lies in live experiences.Collective awe enhances the value of immersive experiences.Chapters00:00 Introduction 00:50 The Impact of COVID-19 on Live Entertainment03:24 Creating Memorable Experiences06:08 The Journey of Dean Rodgers08:52 The Heist Experience and Audience Interaction11:19 Designing Immersive Experiences13:09 The Creative Process Behind Immersive Shows14:52 The Power of Idea Generation17:45 The Role of Feedback in Creative Processes20:16 Lessons from Experience Design23:03 Safety in Immersive Experiences26:00 The Evolution of Immersive Experiences29:54 Design Principles for Immersive Experiences32:08 The Experience Economy: Insights and Trends34:48 The Power of Collective Awe in Live Experiences37:31 The Future of Live Experiences vs. Digital Media41:53 AI and Virtual Reality: Opportunities and Challenges43:50 Secret Cinema: Innovations and Upcoming Projects46:24 Building Successful Partnerships in Experience Design

In this engaging conversation, Kenny Temowo and Nick Shackleton-Jones explore a range of profound topics, from personal updates and reflections on life to the implications of AI and the struggles of corporate life. They discuss the importance of seeking adventure in everyday life, the philosophical underpinnings of technology, and the emotional weight of death. The dialogue also touches on social media engagement and the nuances of entrepreneurship, culminating in a light-hearted quickfire round of questions that reveal personal insights and humor.takeawaysNick discusses the emotional weight of current global issues.AI's rapid development raises concerns about its impact on humanity.The importance of creating meaningful experiences in corporate settings.Reflections on death can provide perspective on life.Nick's background in philosophy informs his views on technology.How social media can be a platform for genuine expression and connection.Life's adventures can be found in both the extraordinary and mundane.Sound Bites"Oi, we thought you were the Uber!""What's on your heart?""I like to be reminded of death.""I hate coat hangers!"00:00Introduction and Personal Updates02:53What's on Your Heart: A Deep Dive05:31Concerns About AI and Global Issues08:15Reflections on Death and Perspective10:35The Role of AI in Creativity and Leadership13:30Nick's Journey: From Philosophy to Corporate Life16:05The Origin Story of AI and Technology's Impact19:06Struggles in Corporate Life and the Leap to Entrepreneurship22:10Navigating the Challenges of Leaving Corporate Life25:02Feedback and Learning from Experiences33:17Navigating Corporate Life and Attention to Detail35:44The Cynicism of Corporate Culture37:57Mastering Social Media Engagement45:13Embracing Life's Adventures47:31Quickfire Questions and Personal Insights

We all know that children have a natural sense of awe, wonder and curiosity. They are great ‘teachers’ of so many things, including going from nothing to something.So I thought who better to have on my next episode than my very own daughters, Ava and Liora.Today I ask them:- If they had £1,000 what would they do it?- what’s their view on the state of the world?- what do they think adults care about?- what’s their advice to adults on being creative?- we have a Marvel quiz and then discuss their favourite movies. (The girls also have advice for TV executives!)And much more!

I talk with an old (but still young!) friend, Lakwena Maciver about her work as an artist. She's well known for murals, installations and brand collaborations (H&M, Mini).We talk about the immediacy of painting, boundaries and how these can be helpful to creative work. A good part of our conversation centres on what it's like being a mum, and doing creative work at the same time, the differences between women and men, and what it means to shape culture as an artist. 

Nigerian-born British jazz guitarist, musical director, producer, and theatre composer, Femi Temowo. We get into his musical and creative journey. From working with Amy Winehouse to composing the score for Death of a Salesman (Arthur Miller) which he toured alongside actor Wendell Pierce (The Wire).

Emily Blunt, Maggie Smith, Michael Caine, Hulk Hogan, these are just some of the names Julio has had the fortune of working with in his career as an Animation exec / producer. In this conversation Julio and I talk about the sheer numbers of people and time it takes to produce an adult animation, as well as what he's learnt from his time as both a producer and a content executive. 

Today I'm joined by Solomon Temowo (Development Director at Remedy Entertainment) and Maxime Rioux (Senior Game Designer at NextGames -- A Netflix Games Studio). Solomon (my elder brother), started out life in the UK, spent a number of years running his own games company in Taiwan, before moving to Helsinki, Finland, to work for Remedy. Maxime, also based in Finalnd, has worked on a bunch of free-to-play mobile games over the years. We worked together at Netflix.I recorded our conversation as part of a trip to Finland at the end of 2024. We talk about psychological safety with creative teams, the importance of knowing your audience, and the need for the games industry to become more sustainable.Note: the views shared are the personal opinions of Solomon and Maxine, and not necessarily those of their respective studios 

I reflect on my last converstion with Natalie Rose (TV Commissioner), and spend a bit of time reflecting on the role of feedback in the creative process. Towards the end, I share 10 practical tips and reflections on handling feedback well. Perfect listen if you've wrestled with giving or receiving feedback. 

Natalie is an award winning Commissioning Editor and Executive Producer based in the UK. At UKTV, she discovered rapper and cook Big Zuu, commissioning Bafta-winning Big Zuu’s Big Eats for Dave. Her credits also include Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, Bangers and Cash and Warbird Workshop. At ITV, as an Entertainment Commissioner, Natalie was responsible for entertainment formats such as The Voice, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, and The Jonathan Ross Show. She also commissioned travelogue series Big Zuu’s 12 Dishes in 12 Hours with guests Will Poulter, Anna Maxwell Martin, Oti Mabuse and more. Before commissioning, Natalie produced some of the UK’s well known brands such as Big Brother, I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!, Gogglebox, The X- Factor, The Only Way Is Essex and many more.

An introduction to Season 1: Inside the Art of Making (IAM) a brand new podcast about the people behind creative work, as well as the business apparatus required to make it all happen.