FUTUREPROOF.

Send us a textMost leaders say they want creativity. Few know how to make it happen. Andrew Robertson, Chairman of BBDO Worldwide, has spent two decades leading one of the most awarded creative networks in the world—and now he’s written the playbook for bringing creativity back to the heart of business.In his new book, The Creative Shift, Robertson argues that organizations can’t just hope for inspiration—they need to deliberately design for it. He explains how to balance operational discipline with imaginative thinking, why bad ideas are essential for breakthroughs, and how simple changes—like rethinking meeting spaces—can spark better group collaboration.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why most corporate cultures quietly stifle creativityThe flaws in traditional brainstorming—and how BBDO aims to fix themHow to manage creative risk and know which ideas to pursuePractical ways to spark group creativity and make room for unconventional thinkingWhy operational excellence and visionary thinking aren’t opposites—they’re partnersLinks & Resources:Andrew’s book: The Creative Shift: How to Power Up Your Organization by Making Space for New Ideas (released Sept 2, 2025)

Send us a textGuest: Nick Foster, futures designer, former Head of Design at Google X, and author of Could Should Might Don’tEpisode Summary: Everyone’s talking about the future, but few are thinking about it well. Nick Foster, one of the world’s most influential futures designers and former Head of Design at Google X, argues that our imagination about what’s next is often shallow, clichéd, and dangerously incomplete.In his book Could Should Might Don’t, Foster introduces a powerful framework for rethinking how we approach tomorrow. Instead of relying on sci-fi utopias, doomsday scenarios, or neat statistical projections, he challenges us to combine different lenses—what could, should, might, and don’t happen—to build a more rigorous and useful picture of the future.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why sci-fi optimism and dystopian doom both fail as guides to the futureThe four dominant ways we imagine tomorrow—and how to balance themLessons from inside Google X on how bold organizations explore the unknownWhy overconfidence in forecasts blinds us to hidden possibilitiesHow leaders, policymakers, and innovators can think more responsibly about what’s coming nextLinks & Resources:Nick’s book: Could Should Might Don’t (on shelves today, Aug 26!)

Send us a textSearch isn’t just about Google anymore — and the fastest-growing search engine might already be on your phone. With 55% of consumers now starting their search journey on social platforms, TikTok is leading a massive shift in how people discover, evaluate, and buy.In this episode of FUTUREPROOF., Brian Torpey, TikTok’s Global Head of Search Monetization Product Solutions and Operations, takes us inside how TikTok is redefining the search experience for a new generation. We dig into the platform’s latest search ad products, the surprising ways consumers use TikTok to find answers, and how brands can harness TikTok’s organic and paid tools to stay ahead.We also explore:Why TikTok search is fundamentally different from traditional search enginesHow Omnicom Media Group’s partnership with TikTok is reshaping paid search strategiesWhat TikTok’s search data reveals about real consumer intentThe opportunities (and challenges) for marketers in the “social-first” search eraWhether you’re a marketer looking to future-proof your search strategy or just curious about how TikTok is quietly becoming a search powerhouse, this is one episode you don’t want to miss.

Send us a textThe path to breakthrough ideas starts with… the bad ones.In a world obsessed with perfection, Jason Keath makes a counterintuitive—and surprisingly liberating—case: bad ideas aren’t the enemy, they’re the engine. As the founder of Social Fresh and a longtime advisor to brands seeking creative edge, Jason argues that creativity is a process, not a personality trait—and the faster we get comfortable with failure, the faster we unlock genius.In this episode, Jason and Jeremy talk about:Why we mythologize creativity—and how to make it practicalThe Fast & Ugly method that beats overthinkingHow constraints fuel creativity rather than stifle itWhat teams get wrong in brainstorms—and how to fix itWhy “creative blocks” are often just fear in disguiseThe surprising neuroscience behind idea volume and qualityWhy marketers, leaders, and founders need to stop waiting for inspirationWhether you’re leading a brand, launching a product, or staring down a blank page, this conversation will help you stop polishing and start producing.Links:Jason’s site: jasonkeath.comSocial Fresh: socialfresh.comJason’s book: The Case for More Bad Ideas (Out now!)

Send us a textWhat if the internet as we know it is quietly ruled by one company?Ari Paparo, ad tech insider and author of Yield: How Google Bought, Built, and Bullied Its Way to Advertising Dominance, joins FUTUREPROOF. to expose how Google quietly cornered the online ad market—and what that means for journalism, business, and democracy.We dig into auction rigging, publisher exploitation, antitrust litigation, and whether anyone can really compete with Google in digital advertising. If you care about the business model of the internet, this episode is essential listening.Topics Discussed:How Google consolidated power in digital advertisingThe myth of platform neutralityWhat publishers lost—and what they’re trying to win backKey moments that shaped Google’s ad empireWhy the DOJ’s antitrust case matters more than you thinkHow Google’s dominance affects the future of journalismResources:Yield by Ari Paparo (Amplify, 2025)Follow Ari at marketecture.tv

Send us a textIn a world driven by data, Kevin Perlmutter argues that the most powerful force in marketing isn’t logic—it’s emotion. Kevin is the founder of Limbic Brand Evolution and author of Brand Desire: Spark Customer Interest Using Emotional Insights, a guide to building emotionally intelligent brand strategies that connect, convert, and last.We explore why emotional intelligence is the most underused tool in a marketer’s toolkit, how neuroscience is reshaping brand research, and what leaders must do to future-proof their relevance in a noisy world.Topics Discussed:Why emotional intelligence drives brand relevanceThe Limbic Sparks® method for identifying emotional driversHow brands can differentiate through feeling—not just functionCommon mistakes that kill brand desireThe neuroscience behind consumer behavior and loyaltyHow to evolve your brand without losing your soulLessons from emotionally smart brandsWhy “making people care” is the most future-proof strategy of allResources:Brand Desire by Kevin PerlmutterLearn more about Kevin's work

Send us a text Even the most experienced leaders have one thing in common: they’re not seeing the full picture. In this episode, psychologist, executive coach, and former CEO Martin Dubin joins FUTUREPROOF. to talk about the hidden habits and patterns that quietly derail careers and businesses.Drawing from his new book Blindspotting, Martin reveals the six types of leadership blindspots, why your greatest strength might be your biggest liability, and how to stop projecting old patterns onto new problems. Whether you’re leading a Fortune 500 team or trying to level up personally, this conversation is about developing the awareness you didn’t know you needed.Topics Discussed:The six most common leadership blindspots—and how to identify themWhy high performers often stumble at the topThe danger of “overused strengths” and unchecked habitsHow your identity and internal stories shape your leadership lensWhat leaders can learn from therapists (and vice versa)How to create a feedback loop that doesn’t sugarcoat realityWhat only CEOs can—and should—doPractical tools for improving self-awareness without getting stuck in self-doubtResources:Blindspotting: How to See What’s Holding You Back as a Leader MartinDubin.com

Send us a textIn a time when shouting often drowns out speaking, Emily Kasriel wants us to rediscover a fading superpower: the ability to truly listen. Drawing on her experience as a longtime BBC journalist, mediator, and executive coach, Emily joins FUTUREPROOF. to discuss her new book Deep Listening, a transformative guide for better conversations, stronger relationships, and healthier communities.We explore her eight-step method for listening with intention, how to defuse conflict without giving up your values, and why silence, curiosity, and discomfort are the keys to unlocking connection. Whether you're navigating workplace dynamics, political disagreements, or parenting in the digital age, this episode is a roadmap for showing up—and tuning in—more fully.Topics Discussed:How to listen to someone you fundamentally disagree withWhat deep listening looks like in a leadership or corporate settingThe role of silence and curiosity in difficult conversationsHow deep listening builds trust, reduces burnout, and strengthens teamsTactics for navigating polarized environments with empathyResources:Deep Listening: Transform Your Relationships with Family, Friends and Foes by Emily KasrielLearn more at EmilyKasriel.comFollow Emily  on LinkedIn

Send us a textHow do you build a business that thrives because of AI—not in spite of it?In this episode, we’re joined by Adam Brotman, former Chief Digital Officer at Starbucks, and Andy Sack, serial entrepreneur and longtime advisor to Microsoft, to talk about their new book: AI FIRST. Drawing insights from conversations with leaders like Sam Altman, Reid Hoffman, and Bill Gates, Adam and Andy argue that being “AI-aware” isn’t enough—leaders must put AI at the center of how they operate.They break down their AI First Playbook—from building an AI council to running internal prompt competitions—and offer practical advice for making your team more adaptive, creative, and resilient in the face of rapid change.If you're leading a team, scaling a company, or just trying to keep up with the pace of innovation, this is your cheat code for the AI-powered era.Topics Discussed:Why “AI First” is a mindset, not just a tech stackWhat Sam Altman, Reid Hoffman, and Bill Gates taught them about the future of workOffense vs. defense: how to think about AI strategyThe centaur vs. cyborg model of human-AI collaborationReal-world case studies from Moderna, Suzy, and moreWhy you need an internal AI council—and how to launch oneThe cost of sitting still while your competitors experiment with genAIWhat every C-suite leader should be asking themselves in 2025Resources:AI FIRST: The Playbook for a Future-Proof Business and Brand (Harvard Business Review Press)Forum3 websiteFollow Adam Brotman and Andy Sack on LinkedIn

Send us a textWhat does it mean to lead in a world increasingly shaped by algorithms? In this episode, Jeremy Williams, certified emotional intelligence practitioner and expert on collective intelligence, argues that how we work together is becoming even more critical than what we do. As generative AI automates more functions, Williams says emotional intelligence will define the teams—and leaders—that remain relevant.We dig into the dangers of toxic positivity, the difference between cyborg leadership and “copy-paste” management, and how to operationalize emotional intelligence at scale. Jeremy also unpacks the idea of collective intelligence, why psychological safety is a business imperative, and how to future-proof your team’s humanity.Topics Discussed:What emotional intelligence really means—and why AI can't replicate itThe rise of collective intelligence and its strategic valueHow to spot toxic positivity and why it erodes trustEmotional reasoning vs. rational leadership“Copy-paste” management: the hidden risk in fast-moving orgsHow to scale emotional intelligence without making it performativePreparing teams for ambiguity, volatility, and changeHow EQ is the new “why” in an AI-powered worldResources:Follow Jeremy Williams on LinkedInThe Fluent Executive