Ahmed Best

Join Ahmed Best, an award-winning artist and Afrofuturist scholar, and Lisa Kay Solomon, Futurist in Residence, as they discuss the vital role of feeling in shaping our future. Best shares insights from his career, emphasizing how emotion and storytelling can foster community. They explore vulnerability's importance in building connections, and challenging narratives to ignite change. Together, they envision a hopeful 2050 rooted in trust and collaboration, highlighting the power of shared experiences to create a thriving and inclusive future.

Ahmed Best, the actor behind Jar Jar Binks in Star Wars, shares his journey from a beloved CGI character to one of cinema's most controversial figures. He reflects on the intense fan culture that surrounded the release of The Phantom Menace and discusses the emotional toll of public backlash. Best humorously explores the charm and origins of Jar Jar while addressing crucial issues like online criticism and racial representation in film, shedding light on the evolving legacy of a character that polarized a generation.

Guests include Steven de Souza, Tom Wilson, Lauren Lapkus, Ahmed Best, and Jimmy Pardo. They share interesting anecdotes about the Star Wars trilogy, Back to The Future, and Die Hard. Topics range from beating Michael Jackson for the role of Jar Jar Binks to down to the wire re-shoots for Die Hard. Plus, there's a segment with a guest who auditioned for Star Wars Episode 8.