

FUTUREPROOF.
Jeremy Goldman
Welcome to FUTUREPROOF. We're the podcast that delves into the future. From Augmented Reality to Artificial Intelligence to Smart Cities to Internet of Things to Virtual Reality, we speak with some of the sharpest minds to better help you understand what the next few years may look like.Brought to you by author Jeremy Goldman (Going Social, Getting to Like).For booking inquiries: vie@futureproofshow.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 25, 2025 • 24min
Can Journalism Be Fixed by One Email a Day? (ft. Tim Huelskamp, 1440)
Send us a textIn a world where algorithms amplify outrage and newsfeeds reward noise, 1440 Media has quietly built something radical — a daily newsletter that promises “all your news, none of the bias.”This week on FUTUREPROOF., Jeremy Goldman talks with Tim Huelskamp, CEO and cofounder of 1440, about how a 15-person team grew to reach over 4 million subscribers without chasing clicks, outrage, or political extremes.Tim shares what he’s learned about:- How 1440 found “white space” in a crowded media market- Why being unbiased is both a superpower and a branding challenge- How 1440’s ad model bucks media’s obsession with vanity metrics- Why curiosity—not content—is the new currency for growth- And what The Free Press sale reveals about the shifting trust economyIf you’re tired of doomscrolling and looking for what’s next in digital publishing, this conversation offers a blueprint for rebuilding trust, curiosity, and connection—one inbox at a time.

Nov 19, 2025 • 26min
AI Won’t Replace Us. But It Might Reveal Who We Really Are. (ft. Jeff Burningham, author & entrepreneur)
Send us a textAs AI reshapes the world faster than most of us can process, we’re left with an uncomfortable question: What does it really mean to be human now?This week on FUTUREPROOF., Jeremy sits down with Jeff Burningham — tech entrepreneur, investor, and author of The Last Book Written by a Human — to explore how we can cultivate wisdom, purpose, and empathy in an age obsessed with speed, scale, and artificial intelligence.Jeff’s story is as surprising as it is inspiring: from Mormon missionary to real estate mogul, from political candidate to spiritual seeker. After years of building billion-dollar companies, he found himself confronting a deeper question — not how to make more, but how to matter more.In this episode, Jeff and Jeremy discuss: Why becoming wiser, not just smarter, is the next competitive advantage How technology mirrors our consciousness — including our biases and blind spots Why the future of leadership depends on emotional and moral intelligence What it means to design an economy — and a life — centered on meaning, not metrics And how AI’s reflection of us can become humanity’s greatest teacherWhether you’re a founder navigating AI disruption or a curious human trying to stay grounded in a digital age, this conversation will remind you that wisdom — not code — may be the ultimate frontier.

Nov 13, 2025 • 22min
Vaccines, Nationalism, and the Future of Global Health (ft. Dr. Seth Berkley, author & epidemiologist)
Send us a textSeth Berkley, MD has been at the front lines of the world’s biggest battles against infectious disease. As the longtime CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the cofounder of COVAX, and the founder of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Berkley has helped bring lifesaving vaccines to billions of people.In his new book, FAIR DOSES: An Insider’s Story of the Pandemic and the Global Fight for Vaccine Equity, Berkley lays out the hard truths of what went wrong during COVID—and how we can do better next time. From the rise of vaccine nationalism and political roadblocks to the explosion of misinformation, Berkley explains why inequitable vaccine access cost millions of lives and weakened global stability.On this episode of FUTUREPROOF., we discuss:Why the next pandemic is not a question of if, but whenWhat COVID-19 revealed about the politics of global healthHow vaccine nationalism and misinformation threaten our collective safetyLessons from COVAX and how to design faster, fairer systems in the futureWhy global cooperation isn’t just moral—it’s economic and existentialThis is a candid conversation about science, trust, and survival in a world that will inevitably face future pandemics.

Nov 11, 2025 • 27min
The Introvert’s Playbook for Personal Branding (ft. Goldie Chan, author)
Send us a textIn a world obsessed with hustle, noise, and nonstop self-promotion, what if the most powerful way to stand out… is to stay true to your quieter side?This week on FUTUREPROOF., Jeremy talks with Goldie Chan, once dubbed the “Oprah of LinkedIn” and author of Personal Branding for Introverts, about how to build visibility and influence without faking extroversion — or burning out.Goldie is the founder of Warm Robots, a personal branding agency that’s helped executives, creators, and companies sharpen their stories. A LinkedIn Top Voice and keynote speaker, she’s also one of the platform’s earliest viral creators — though she still calls herself an introvert at heart.In this episode, Goldie and Jeremy explore: 💡 Why authenticity beats volume in the new era of personal branding 🧠 How introverts can leverage empathy, observation, and storytelling as their edge 🌐 How to build digital presence without performing online 24/7 🚀 Why quiet consistency often outlasts viral moments ❤️ How to create meaningful visibility that aligns with your valuesWhether you’re a leader who hates self-promotion, or a creator struggling to balance visibility with authenticity, this episode is your guide to building a brand that resonates deeply — not just loudly.

Oct 28, 2025 • 24min
Who Really Gets Ahead? The Hidden Economics of Opportunity (ft. Judd Kessler, author & Wharton professor)
Send us a textWhat if luck isn’t random — but designed?In this episode of FUTUREPROOF., we sit down with Judd Kessler, Wharton economist and author of Lucky by Design, to explore how hidden markets quietly decide who gets what — from job interviews and college spots to concert tickets, dating matches, and even organ transplants.Kessler argues that what looks like “good fortune” is often the result of understanding — and leveraging — the invisible systems that govern access to opportunity. Whether it’s the algorithms behind dating apps, the psychology of lotteries and waitlists, or the structure of modern hiring, he reveals how we can all become more intentional “designers of luck.”We discuss: How hidden markets shape everything from careers to healthcare Why “fairness” isn’t as equal as it looks — and how to spot the trade-offs The economics of lotteries, rankings, and “first come, first served” systems Why second choices sometimes lead to the best outcomes How behavioral design can make opportunity more equitable — or more rigged What it means to be “lucky by design” in an algorithmic worldWhether you’re a leader trying to create fairer systems, or an individual looking to navigate them more wisely, this episode reveals the unseen structures that quietly shape your chances — and how to work with them instead of against them.

Oct 14, 2025 • 25min
Why “Engagement” Is Dead — and Well-Being Is the Future of Work (ft. author Mark C. Crowley)
Send us a textMost companies say they care about engagement — but decades of data show those engagement scores barely move. Meanwhile, burnout has become a global epidemic.In this episode of FUTUREPROOF., we sit down with Mark C. Crowley, bestselling author of Lead from the Heart and the new book The Power of Employee Well-Being, to explore why the billion-dollar engagement industry has failed workers — and what science says actually drives performance.Crowley argues that engagement is a symptom, not a cause — and that well-being, not busyness, is the real engine of productivity. He shares evidence-backed ways leaders can track and improve well-being, hold managers accountable for the human side of leadership, and create workplaces where people genuinely thrive.We discuss:Why engagement surveys don’t work (and what to measure instead)How well-being directly impacts innovation and retentionWhat post-pandemic workforces really want from leadershipThe neuroscience of motivation and connection at workHow to lead with authenticity without losing authorityIf you’ve ever wondered why “perks” don’t fix burnout, or what the next era of human-centered leadership looks like, this episode will make you rethink what it means to truly lead people.

Sep 30, 2025 • 27min
Why Great Stories Outperform Great Strategies (ft. Christina Farr, author/investor)
Send us a textEvery leader has data. Few have a story worth following.In this episode of FUTUREPROOF., we sit down with Christina Farr, journalist-turned-investor and author of The Storyteller’s Advantage. Christina argues that storytelling isn’t a soft skill — it’s a business superpower. Whether you’re pitching investors, recruiting talent, or leading a team through turbulence, the right story can make the difference between momentum and mediocrity.We explore:Why stories outperform facts and figures in memory and persuasionHow startup founders use narrative to raise money before their product is readyThe seven plot structures that show up again and again in successful company loreWhy authenticity and vulnerability make leaders magneticHow to use storytelling not just in PR, but across sales, hiring, and product developmentIf you think storytelling is just marketing fluff, this episode will change your mind.

Sep 25, 2025 • 27min
How Car Culture Is Eroding Cities, Budgets, and Choices (ft. author Arthur Kay)
Send us a textCars have long been sold as the ultimate symbol of freedom. But what if they’ve trapped us instead? In this episode of FUTUREPROOF., we sit down with Arthur Kay, urban designer and coauthor of Roadkill: Unveiling the True Cost of Our Toxic Relationship with Cars.Kay argues that America’s car dependency is more than a climate issue—it’s a system of financial, political, and social control that burdens working and middle-class families, strains local economies, and limits real choice. Together, we explore:Why cars drive hidden costs in housing, taxes, and debtHow car-centric cities hollow out communities and opportunitiesThe global lessons America can learn from more walkable, resilient urban modelsA realistic blueprint for building cities that prioritize people, not vehiclesThis conversation goes far beyond traffic jams and tailpipe emissions—it’s about the future of freedom, equity, and the way we design our lives.

Sep 16, 2025 • 24min
How to Spot the Next Big Innovation Before It Looks Obvious (ft. author Scott D. Anthony)
Scott D. Anthony, a Dartmouth professor and renowned innovation expert, discusses the nonlinear nature of disruption. He highlights how innovations like the transistor radio and cryptocurrency reshape our world in unexpected ways. Scott delves into why disruption often takes decades and the surprising roles figures like Julia Child played in innovation. He also shares insights on how leaders can navigate challenges posed by incumbents and learn from past failures to embrace transformative changes in technology.

Sep 9, 2025 • 30min
The New Rules of Consumer Behavior, Powered by Gaming (ft. author Bastian Bergmann)
Send us a textGaming isn’t just entertainment anymore—it’s the new frontier of consumer engagement. With more than three billion players worldwide and brands from Peloton to Burberry using game mechanics to build loyalty, gaming has become a mainstream business strategy.In this episode of FUTUREPROOF., Bastian Bergmann, co-founder and COO of Solsten, explains why every company—not just game studios—needs to think like a game designer. He draws from his new book Press Play and his work with Solsten, which helps brands understand audiences on a psychological level to create immersive, resonant experiences.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 🎮 Why gaming is becoming a must-have strategy for every industry 🎮 How luxury brands, fitness companies, and even media outlets are using play to connect with customers 🎮 The psychology of play and why it unlocks deeper loyalty than ads alone 🎮 Practical entry points for companies curious about gaming without overcommitting 🎮 How audience intelligence and psychology fuel better design and better business outcomesLinks & Resources:Bastian’s book: Press Play: Why Every Company Needs a Gaming Strategy (Harvard Business Review Press, Sept 9, 2025)Solsten: solsten.ioFollow Bastian on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bastianbergmann


