Mapping Power: Navigating Tech and Systems Change

In this episode, Katie talks with Charley Johnson about his leap into independent work through his newsletter, Untangled, and what it takes to build a life and career outside traditional structures. Charley breaks down how power actually moves through technology, why many leaders still misread the systems they operate within, and how imagination—not just strategy—shapes better futures. He shares the blind spots he sees most often in tech and policy, the role community plays in sustaining meaningful change, and how AI fits into the broader landscape of systems transformation. Charley closes with an honest reflection on success—what he’s letting go of, what he’s moving toward, and why metrics alone will never tell the full story.

Takeaways

Independent work can be both disorienting and deeply energizing.

Power in tech often operates invisibly, yet shapes outcomes everywhere.

Building community is essential for meaningful, sustainable change.

Many leaders misinterpret data as neutral rather than value-laden.

Technology must be aligned with a clear, intentional vision of the future.

Cynicism limits possibility; curiosity expands it.

AI is a tool—not an answer to systemic problems.

True success is grounded in fulfillment and relationships, not just scale.

Understanding systems is essential to influencing them.

Imagination is a critical—yet underrated—skill in tech and policy.

Chapters

00:00 Mapping Power and Technology

22:45 The Journey of Independence

27:39 Navigating Content Creation

33:02 Defining Success and AI Perspectives

38:30 Building Businesses with Purpose

39:00 Looking Ahead: Technology and Future Planning