The New Abnormal

This episode of The New Abnormal podcast features Dr Emma Louise Briant, an internationally recognised expert and professor of information warfare & propaganda.She helps policymakers, governments, business leaders, journalists and the public understand and respond to the challenge of contemporary online threats.Her research, testimony and solutions on the rapid evolution of surveillant propaganda and its implications for democracy were central in exposing the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Her work has informed civil society organisations, the UN, US Congress, UK Parliament, Canadian Parliament, New Zealand Parliament, and EU Parliament. Emma's books include the Routledge Handbook of the Influence Industry, Bad News for Refugees, and Propaganda & Counter-Terrorism. She also served as advisor for Emmy-nominated ‘People You May Know’, and as Senior Researcher for Oscar-shortlisted ‘The Great Hack’.She's an absolutely fascinating person, so I really enjoyed listening to Emma's perspectives, and hope you will too!

I’m honoured that the focus of this episode of ‘The New Abnormal’ podcast is Jim Dator, who’s had an extraordinary impact on futures-thinking. Indeed, I believe one would struggle to find someone else who could today be genuinely given the title of “the world’s leading futurist”. Although Jim is far too self-effacing to bestow that title on himself, it’s an accolade he thoroughly deserves.His career has been a lifelong invitation to ‘think differently about tomorrow’, with his intellectual rigor and curiosity expanding what it means to study “The Future.” Professor Emeritus and former Director of the Research Centre for Futures Studies, Dept of Political Science, at the University of Hawaii; he more or less invented futures studies during his time teaching at university in Japan in the 1960’s, before returning to the US and introducing the first course there. He’s also taught at universities in Canada, Yugoslavia, France, and Korea. And he’s the former President of the World Futures Studies Federation. For this podcast, we agreed to mainly focus on his latest book “Living Make-Belief: Thriving in a Dream Society” in which Jim illuminates his ideas about the past, present, and futures of modes of communication and social change. (And he of course mentions Rolf Jensen c/o Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies.) But we naturally also allude to his other books, articles and staggeringly wide array of intellectual viewpoints, in a podcast where, while he supplied the script, as he’s over ninety years old, Jim asked me to voice the episode on his behalf.It was incredibly kind of him to allow me to tell his story (or at least some of it) and I’m delighted that he was so pleased with the results.  And, of course, I hope you enjoy the episode as well. He really is a genius.

Series Five This episode of The New Abnormal podcast features the famous physicist and futurist Dr Joseph Voros, who helps people and organisations think about the future in serious ways through futures-orientated intelligence and strategic foresight capability-building. He’s been a professional futurist for over 25 years, initially as a practitioner of and lecturer in strategic foresight, but increasingly in the Defence and National Security context, including participation in NATO’s Strategic Foresight activities.We therefore discuss his views on issues including the various categories of futurists (with a nod to 'Synoptic Generalists'), linkage between futurists and intelligence analysts ('cousins or twins?'), why futurists are lucky that they don't have to persistently deal with counterintelligence, and a thought-leadership paper he's just presented to a gathering of officers from that sector. Joseph has a strong belief in the need for both rigorous intellectual discipline as well as practical pragmatic utility in ‘real world’ contexts, and this belief lies at the heart of his renowned approach to Futures Studies and strategic foresight. And before you ask, yes we do discuss the “Futures Cone” that he so popularised, regarding a range of ‘nested class’ futures i.e. Potential, Preposterous, Possible, Plausible, Probable, Preferable, Projected, and Predicted. Meanwhile, and indeed as what was satire becomes ever more a lived reality, Joseph stresses that one must never forget Wildcards…So, we cover all of the above, in what I hope you’ll agree is a fascinating interview. 

Series Five In this episode of The New Abnormal podcast, I interview Neil Shearing, the Group Chief Economist at Capital Economics, where he leads a world-class team of economists and oversees the firm’s global research agenda. A trusted voice in international finance, Neil is known for his clear, insightful analysis of the global economy - insights that regularly feature in the Financial Times and other major publications, as well as on TV and radio.Earlier in his career, he served as an Economic Adviser at HM Treasury, working on fiscal policy and global economics.In the interview, we discuss his new book 'The Fractured Age' in which he describes how the tectonic plates of the global order are shifting, creating new pressures that will strain long-standing financial structures. Neil explains where the world's new economic fault lines will emerge, and how disruptive they'll be...

Series FiveThis episode of The New Abnormal podcast features Gergely Nemeth, former Head of Strategic Foresight at NATO and now CEO of Hungary’s Defence Innovation Research Institute (VIKI), who reflects on a career ‘impacted by coincidence’ but marked by increasing responsibility in defence planning, policy, and foresight. Beginning as an intelligence analyst, he moved through roles in Hungary’s Ministry of Defence, NATO committees, and finally NATO’s Strategic Foresight team, where he revitalized foresight processes disrupted by COVID. A pivotal assignment in Brussels during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine gave him direct experience in international defence collaboration and NATO’s “art of the deal” diplomacy.At VIKI, Nemeth leads efforts in foresight, innovation, and strategic outreach, supporting projects such as XR-based training systems and advancing the robotization of armed forces, which he views as inevitable due to demographic, technological, and battlefield realities.A key point we discuss is the role of hope in futures thinking: Gergely believes that foresight must not only identify risks but also shape preferable futures through agency and action. Above all, he stresses the importance of intellectual honesty, institutional adaptation, and collaborative innovation as vital for building resilient defence ecosystems...

Series FiveThis episode of The New Abnormal features Lourdes Rodriguez, a Strategic Foresight Consultant with the European Commission and Co Exec Director at Teach the Future. With a background in Psychology, her work has been focused on trends research and foresight for more than 15 years, and she's therefore deeply experienced in discovering new signal of change and seeds of the future in the present.Lourdes is currently also doing a Master’s in Cyber Politics and Government, as she's interested in learning more about the impact of emerging technology in a geopolitical context, how it could affect our governments, our democracies and ultimately, our lives.You'll understand why Forbes magazine describes her as 'one of the best futurists in Spain' as she describes her past career and current activity in our conversation. So...I hope you enjoy the discussion!

Series FiveThis episode of The New Abnormal podcast features Marie Stafford, Global Director (Intelligence) at VML. She's a strategic foresight consultant skilled in creating inspiring future narratives, transforming futures insights and trends into commercial opportunity across a top tier multinational client portfolio. Specialised in foresight at the intersection of consumers, culture and innovation, Marie is also a seasoned speaker and panellist cited in outlets like the FT and New York Times. In this episode, she discusses the latest 'Future 100' from VML (the renowned industry report that examines key trends from around the world, and features interviews with a range of sector experts) along with her take on dynamic issues illuminated at the recent SXSW London. So, if you're interested in listening to the views of an industry-expert across a range of subjects from Sharing to Solitude and from Pets to Architecture...enjoy! 

Series FiveThis episode of The New Abnormal podcast features Peter Cunliffe-Jones, visiting researcher at the University of Westminster and Director of Facts Matter Research, a misinformation research and strategy consultancy, where he advises organisations in effective ways to both counter the harmful consequences of misinformation and protect wider freedom of speech. Peter started his career as a news journalist for the AFP new agency - working for more than 20 years in Europe, Africa and Asia. He reported from Bosnia and Croatia on the last year of war and first 12 months of peace, from Nigeria on the end of decades of military rule, oversaw the agency's coverage of the Asian tsunami, developed its online news services. In 2012, he founded Africa Check, the African continent's first independent fact-checking organisation, which operates in South Africa, Senegal, Nigeria and Kenya.He's also run training courses for fact-checkers in countries from Afghanistan to Myanmar, worked as a strategic adviser to the Arab Fact-Checkers network, which seeks to foster nonpartisan fact-checking in the Arab world, and served on the Safety Advisory Council for TikTok in Africa.His new book is called "Fake News - what's the harm?" and presents four dynamic ideas for fact-checkers, policymakers and platforms on the challenge of information disorder.In our conversation, Peter discusses all of the above and more, in what I hope you’ll agree is a fascinating episode. So – enjoy! 

Faris Yakob, co-founder of Genius Steals, is a creative consultant and strategist who began his career during the dot-com explosion. In their conversation, he discusses the transformative impact of AI on advertising and the importance of philosophical insights from thinkers like Kant and Marx on modern marketing. He emphasizes the need for diverse perspectives in creativity and shares his views on collaboration as a solution to complex industry challenges. Faris also reflects on the evolving dynamics of advertising and the significance of being well-read in the field.

Gareth Kay, a Partner at The Intangibles and a veteran in the creative industry, shares insights on leveraging intangible assets for brand success. He emphasizes problem-finding over problem-solving and the significance of brand behavior over mere storytelling. The conversation highlights the challenges brands face in the age of AI and the importance of crafting positive narratives. Gareth also discusses the macroeconomic forces influencing businesses today and how collaboration can unlock immense value. His extensive experience provides a fresh perspective on modern brand strategy.