Think Forward: Conversations with Futurists, Innovators and Big Thinkers

Welcome fellow futurists and big thinkers to the Think Forward podcast.  My name is Steve and I am a futurist. Welcome to our seventh episode, where we greet our third official guest, Phil Balagtas. Phil is a designer, futurist and author. He was the founder of the Design Futures Initative, current partner at his design firm, HABITAT and a professor at ELISAVA. He is also formerly of McKinsey and Company which is where we met and we co-founded the Futures Practice which is still thriving today.  In this episode, Phil and I cover a range of topics, including his journey to speculative futures, his founding of the Design Futures Initative, his work as a professor and of course, his new book, Making Futures Work.  Phil's site: www.philbalagtas.comPhil's book: www.makingfutureswork.comSteve's site: www.stevenfisher.ioThink Forward Show: www.thinkforwardshow.comThank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.Order your copy of SuperShifts: www.bit.ly/supershifts ORDER SUPERSHIFTS! bit.ly/supershifts 🎧 Listen Now On: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-forward-conversations-with-futurists-innovators-and-big-thinkers/id1736144515 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IOn8PZCMMC04uixlATqoO Web: https://thinkforward.buzzsprout.com/ Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.

Welcome to the Think Forward podcast.  My name is Steve and I am a futurist. Welcome to our sixth episode, where we unpack what it means to think like a futurist. So whether you're a seasoned professional looking to sharpen your foresight skills or just someone curious about what the future might hold, this episode is your ticket to understanding how futurists approach the great unknown.My goal with this podcast is to do a few things: first, to have great conversations with futurists, innovators, and big thinkers shaping tomorrow. I will also dive into the tools, mindset and potential pitfalls we make as futurists. Thank you for joining me on this journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.ORDER SUPERSHIFTS! bit.ly/supershifts 🎧 Listen Now On: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-forward-conversations-with-futurists-innovators-and-big-thinkers/id1736144515 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IOn8PZCMMC04uixlATqoO Web: https://thinkforward.buzzsprout.com/ Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.

Welcome fellow futurists and big thinkers to the Think Forward podcast.  My name is Steve and I am a futurist. Welcome to our fifth episode, where we greet our second official guest, Guillermo Sohnlein. an explorer and entrepreneur with the WayPaver Foundation, Humans2Venus and SpaceBridge Partners to name a few of his "parallel entrepreneurship" endeavors.  In this episode, Guillermo and I cover a range of topics, including the entrepreneurial journey, the differences between serial and parallel entrepreneurship, and lessons learned over 25 years of new venture creation. We dive into his work exploring both our oceans and space which lead us to his work to establish a permanent human presence in the high atmosphere of Venus (where it is earth's gravity and we can use light air-cooled acid-resistant suits with small rebreather masks..  We cover the future of exploration and the space industry. He leaves us with sage advice on how to follow your calling and the legacy you should leave behind. Guillermo's site: www.sohnlein.comSteve's site: www.stevenfisher.ioThink Forward Show: www.thinkforwardshow.comThank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.Order your copy of SuperShifts: www.bit.ly/supershifts ORDER SUPERSHIFTS! bit.ly/supershifts 🎧 Listen Now On: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-forward-conversations-with-futurists-innovators-and-big-thinkers/id1736144515 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IOn8PZCMMC04uixlATqoO Web: https://thinkforward.buzzsprout.com/ Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.

Welcome to the Think Forward podcast, where we explore the trends and technologies shaping our future. I'm your host, Steve Fisher. In Episode 104, we'll explore the concept of weak signals and how they help futurists identify emerging trends in our fast-paced, information-rich world.Today's podcast title is called "Can't Stop the Signals". It comes from the movie "Serenity, " a sequel to the hit TV show Firefly.  More on that inside the episode. We also discuss the Concepts and Characteristics of Weak Signals and Setting up a System to Uncover and Track Weak Signals.Thank you for joining me on this journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.ORDER SUPERSHIFTS! bit.ly/supershifts 🎧 Listen Now On: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-forward-conversations-with-futurists-innovators-and-big-thinkers/id1736144515 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IOn8PZCMMC04uixlATqoO Web: https://thinkforward.buzzsprout.com/ Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.

Welcome fellow futurists and big thinkers to the Think Forward podcast.  My name is Steve and I am a futurist. Welcome to our third episode, where we greet our first official guest, Dr. Ja-Nae Duane. a behavioral scientist at Brown University who researches how organizations can prepare for disruptive events and adapt their systems and behaviors.  In this episode, Dr. Duane dives into the world of digital nudges and their darker counterpart, dark nudges. We cover the future of education, future of work and how to adapt in this emerging era of AI. She leaves us with a bold prediction about humanity's need to radically change our relationship with nature and the possibility of a sooner-than-expected "mass exodus" to Mars. Ja-Nae's site: www.ja-nae.ioSteve's site: www.stevenfisher.ioThink Forward Show: www.thinkforwardshow.comThank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.Order your copy of SuperShifts: www.bit.ly/supershifts ORDER SUPERSHIFTS! bit.ly/supershifts 🎧 Listen Now On: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-forward-conversations-with-futurists-innovators-and-big-thinkers/id1736144515 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IOn8PZCMMC04uixlATqoO Web: https://thinkforward.buzzsprout.com/ Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.

Welcome to the Think Forward podcast.  My name is Steve and I am a futurist. Welcome to our second episode, where I discuss what a futurist is and does in today's world. There is much more I could expand on but consider this a start to frame up what we do as professional futurists and what you can do if you are looking to become one.My goal with this podcast is do a few things, first to have great conversations with futurists, innovators and big thinkers shaping tomorrow. I also will dive into what is shaping our work and explain the tools and methods we in our work as futurist. Thank you for joining me on this journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.ORDER SUPERSHIFTS! bit.ly/supershifts 🎧 Listen Now On: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-forward-conversations-with-futurists-innovators-and-big-thinkers/id1736144515 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IOn8PZCMMC04uixlATqoO Web: https://thinkforward.buzzsprout.com/ Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.

Welcome to the Think Forward podcast.  My name is Steve and I am a futurist. I wanted to start this first episode to explain what this show is about and why I think you should listen. I will also take some time so you can know me a little better and how I come to you today as your host on this journey into the future.So welcome to the Think Forward podcast. My goal with this podcast is do a few things, first to have great conversations with futurists, innovators and big thinkers shaping tomorrow. I also plan to dive deep into the trends, signals and drivers shaping our future. And I will take some episodes to explain the tools and methods used by futurists in our work. There is much to learn about being a futurist. Thank you for joining me on this journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.ORDER SUPERSHIFTS! bit.ly/supershifts 🎧 Listen Now On: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-forward-conversations-with-futurists-innovators-and-big-thinkers/id1736144515 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IOn8PZCMMC04uixlATqoO Web: https://thinkforward.buzzsprout.com/ Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.

We celebrate our milestone 100th episode and the culmination of our Foundations in Foresight series by reflecting on our journey and preparing for what comes next.• Reflecting on the journey of building a comprehensive foundation for understanding and shaping the future• Revisiting key elements including nine super shifts, the Transform Model, and futures-fluent mindset• Transitioning from learning about foresight to leading with it through consistent practice• Identifying your sphere of influence where you can effectively apply futures thinking• Developing a consistent foresight practice through regular scanning, scenario development, and review• Creating collaborative spaces to engage with others around futures thinking• Embracing "practical humility" about the future—not predicting perfectly but preparing better• Overcoming common challenges: resistance to foresight thinking, translating foresight to action, maintaining perspective during crisis• Expanding your impact from personal decisions to team dynamics and organizational culture• Continuing your foresight journey through ongoing learning and community engagementJoin us on the main Think Forward show as we continue exploring emerging trends, interviewing thought leaders, and diving deeper into the application of futures thinking across industries and challenges.ORDER SUPERSHIFTS! bit.ly/supershifts 🎧 Listen Now On: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-forward-conversations-with-futurists-innovators-and-big-thinkers/id1736144515 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IOn8PZCMMC04uixlATqoO Web: https://thinkforward.buzzsprout.com/ Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.

The mindset you bring to uncertainty, change, and possibility is the most powerful element in effective futures thinking, not just the frameworks and methods.• Futures fluency resembles learning a language, where patterns become intuitive and contextual meanings become apparent with practice• Being futures fluent means developing an intuitive understanding of change, system interactions, and strategic positioning• The emotional dimension involves developing "uncertainty comfort" - staying engaged even when facing significant unknowns• Psychologically adaptable people acknowledge emotional responses to uncertainty but still move forward with clear thinking• The cognitive dimension includes systems thinking, temporal agility, divergent-convergent balance, and assumption awareness• Futures fluent thinkers can see interconnections, move between timeframes, explore widely then focus strategically• The strategic dimension translates thinking into action through opportunity sensing, flexibility, options creation, and continuous learning• Cultivate futures fluency by noticing emotional responses to uncertainty, questioning assumptions, and practicing perspective shifts• Organizations with futures fluent cultures adapt faster, innovate more effectively, and navigate disruption with greater resilience• The futures fluent mindset is becoming essential for thriving in a world of accelerating changeJoin us for our final episode where we'll bring everything together, reflecting on the entire journey from foundations to future-ready leadership.ORDER SUPERSHIFTS! bit.ly/supershifts 🎧 Listen Now On: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-forward-conversations-with-futurists-innovators-and-big-thinkers/id1736144515 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IOn8PZCMMC04uixlATqoO Web: https://thinkforward.buzzsprout.com/ Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.

We conduct a comprehensive future readiness assessment to help you measure your capabilities across five key dimensions and create a personal development roadmap for navigating transformation effectively.• Future readiness isn't a single capability but a multidimensional capacity spanning how you think, what you know, how you act, and what systems you've built• The five dimensions of assessment include futures literacy, supershift awareness, foresight methodology, systems integration, and adaptive capacity• Futures literacy measures your ability to engage with multiple futures, temporal intelligence, comfort with uncertainty, awareness of assumptions, and balanced perspective• Supershift awareness evaluates your understanding of nine major transformative forces reshaping our world, from telefusion to eco-awakening• Foresight methodology assesses your practical capability with futures tools like signal scanning, trend analysis, and scenario development• Systems integration examines how well you've embedded futures thinking into ongoing processes and decision-making• Adaptive capacity represents your ability to actually respond effectively to change through learning agility, resource flexibility, and resilience• Creating a comprehensive profile across these dimensions reveals your strengths and development opportunities• For organizational leaders, an additional assessment evaluates collective future readiness across strategic integration, cultural adaptability, and leadership orientation• The goal isn't perfect scores but honest reflection that reveals specific areas for growth and a practical roadmap forwardShare your future readiness assessment with a trusted colleague, friend or mentor and ask for their perspective. Commit to one specific practice from your development plan to implement immediately. Don't wait for the perfect time to start strengthening your future readiness.ORDER SUPERSHIFTS! bit.ly/supershifts 🎧 Listen Now On: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-forward-conversations-with-futurists-innovators-and-big-thinkers/id1736144515 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IOn8PZCMMC04uixlATqoO Web: https://thinkforward.buzzsprout.com/ Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.