Chris Schembra: The Wisdom Era

In a special role-reversal episode, host Chris Schembra steps into the hot seat as the interviewee, with award-winning strategist and Culture Changers host Allison Hare leading the conversation. Reflecting on a decade of building human connection, Chris explores why we are entering a new cultural chapter—shifting from the Knowledge Era to the Wisdom Era.

The conversation explores the internal shifts required to lead in a world being reshaped by AI. Chris discusses the transition from maternal energy—focused on empathy and nurturing—to a paternal energy that emphasizes resilience, agility, and the strength to face uncertainty. This episode is a deep dive into the friction of human connection, revealing why presence and intimacy are the most valuable currencies we have in an automated world.

Chris also shares his personal journey with Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), offering a raw look at how behavioral skills can help us “go first” into vulnerability. It is a powerful reminder that while technology can provide answers, only human wisdom can provide meaning.

Explore more: This conversation builds on three prior Culture Changers episodes where Allison Hare interviewed Chris Schembra on Gratitude, Intimacy & Trust (BDSM and the Boardroom), and Therapeutic Healing (Ketamine Therapy).

10 Key Takeaways

The Shift to the Wisdom Era
As AI takes over the Knowledge Economy, human value will be defined by wisdom—the ability to make sense of lived experiences and apply them to future outcomes.

Earned Connection
Real connection isn’t a given; it is earned through the three pillars of Presence, Coherence, and Intimacy.

The Power of “Going First”
Presence is inconvenient and often creates friction. Leadership requires the willingness to be the first to step into vulnerability.

Maternal vs. Paternal Energy
While maternal energy provides comfort, paternal energy provides the resilience and backbone needed to navigate high-stakes uncertainty.

DBT as a Leadership Tool
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy isn’t just for crisis; its skills in distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness are essential for modern leadership.

The Friction of Intimacy
We often avoid deep connection because it is inconvenient. Overcoming this internal resistance is the key to psychological safety.

Moving Beyond the Cult of Trauma
Constant focus on past injustice can weaken our willpower muscle. Growth requires agility and forward motion.

Coherence in Contradiction
Success in the new era demands a both/and mindset—the ability to hold opposing truths at once.

Social Health as a Priority
In an era of isolation, prioritizing human connection is a necessary act of cultural and organizational healing.

The Value of Inconvenience
The most human acts—showing up, listening deeply, being present—don’t scale, and that’s exactly why they matter.

10 Key Quotes

• “The knowledge economy is dying… what human beings need next is the Wisdom Era.”
• “Wisdom is the ability to make sense of things and apply experience to future outcomes.”
• “Presence is inconvenient. It is the friction of the human experience.”
• “We’ve focused so much on empathy that we’ve lost our agility.”
• “Intimacy is the opposite of isolation, but it requires courage.”
• “DBT taught me how to make things go right, not just analyze what went wrong.”
• “Your answer matters less than your presence.”
• “You can’t automate wisdom.”
• “Social health is the great healing opportunity of our time.”
• “Tomorrow can be better than yesterday if you do it the right way.”