The New Abnormal

Renowned futurist Tom Lombardo discusses the top futures books in science fiction, ranging from late 19th-century classics to futuristic imagery and comical predictions. He explores the expansive and cosmic futures of Stapleton, dystopian fiction such as 'Brave New World' and '1984', non-Western futuristic visions, and the influence of women in sci-fi. The podcast also delves into the importance of long-term thinking and effective altruism.

Series FourThis episode of The New Abnormal podcast features Chicago-based Keely Adler, cultural futurist at Dentsu and core team at Radar.  A brand strategist by trade, time-traveling futurist at heart and with a nearly decade-long career grounded in creative strategy and qualitative consumer research, Keely has spent her time working across a range of brands and special projects that leverage her cultural expertise and fuel clients’ curiosity about the world and where it’s headed. Today, she’s spearheading a Cultural Futurism practice within the strategy group at dentsu: leveraging foresight to help brands understand — and future-proof — themselves in rapidly shifting contexts. She believes in understanding the present through the lens of the past in order to make sense of the future, and she loves helping makers, creators, and brands do the same. In this episode, we therefore discuss a range of issues that she's currently obsessing over: the future of work & global power dynamics | the makings of a post-deprivation world | the role of fandom and community in a micro-culture first context | exploring new ways into strategic foresight & designing for the future...

This episode of 'The New Abnormal' podcast features NYC-based Suzette Brooks Masters, a serial social entrepreneur with a long track record of creating positive change in society on a range of issues. A thought leader and strategist in the fields of democracy, governance and futures. Suzette uses her extensive philanthropic, non-profit, research, advocacy, program development and legal experience to advise foundations, non-profit organizations, policy makers and corporations on how to usher in better futures for America and to build a truly vibrant and sustainable multiracial democracy. So, I hope you enjoy listening to her dynamic viewpoints!

Series FourThis episode of 'The New Abnormal' podcast features Maarten Leyts, the Founder of Trendwolves and an expert on translating trends into products, strategies campaigns and future brand value. He’s also the author of ‘Generation ZAlpha – Connecting with the Next Micro-Generation’. Maarten believes that generational thinking, when used correctly, provides a solid framework for successful marketing and product innovation. We therefore discuss his research into issues such as the pandemic as a catalyst of change, brain development in the digital age, diversity & inclusion, the Metaverse, and data privacy. It’s not every day that, when discussing marketing, you get to reference individuals such as the French philosopher Auguste Comte, the 19th Century Earl of Shaftesbury, along with those working at the World Federation of Advertisers and for the European Parliament…

This episode of The New Abnormal podcast features the novelist and journalist Victoria Robson, who has more than 20 years experience reporting on business and finance in the UK and Middle East. Her newly-published debut novel 'Sirens Bay' is an 'enemies to lovers' small-town romance set in Maine. She wrote it under the pen name Cassie Bruce, and is now working on the second book in the series. As co-founder of Brighton-based writers' group Real Writers Circle, she believes in the power of stories, understands the value of sharing knowledge, expertise and skills between peers, and loves the joy and support that community brings. In the podcast, we discuss the above, along with her involvement in the dynamic Safehaven Brighton, which was originally set up over a decade ago to support women in Brighton, especially those experiencing homelessness, isolation or abuse. It now welcomes anyone looking for a safe place, the aim being to provide them with dignity, hope and community. 

Series FourThis episode of 'The New Abnormal' podcast features Houston-based Alexandra Whittington, a futurist writer and speaker who explores the future of humanity and society. A former Lecturer in Foresight at the University of Houston, she’s been highlighted as one of the world’s top futurists by Forbes. The co-author and co-editor of several books including 'A Very Human Future', 'Aftershocks and Opportunities' and 'The Future Reinvented', Alex also delivered the popular 'Museum of the Future' TEDx talk. She's passionate about empowering people to imagine and create positive futures for themselves and their communities. So, we discuss the above, and I hope you enjoy listening to her as much as I did! 

Series FourThis episode of 'The New Abnormal' podcast features Ben Holt, Global Lead for Strategic Foresight at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) Solferino Academy, who helps the network explore possible futures and learn the skills needed to make them useful in the present. He's also a Visitor at the Cambridge University Centre for the Study of Existential Risk (CSER) and a committee member at the Humanitarian Innovation Fund. In this episode, Ben discusses his dynamic work, all of which involves 'thinking about the future and making things happen today'. I hope you enjoy listening to him as much as I did!

Series FourIn this episode of #TheNewAbnormal podcast,  I interview Andrew Koppelman, who is the John Paul Stevens Professor of Law, Professor of Political Science, and Philosophy Department Affiliated Faculty at Northwestern University. Andrew's scholarship focuses on issues at the intersection of law and political philosophy. He's been published and quoted across an array of leading newspapers and has appeared on numerous TV channels. He's also written more than 100 scholarly articles and seven books. In this episode, we discuss his latest book 'Burning Down the House' which explains how modern libertarianism began with Hayek’s admirable corrective to the Depression-era vogue for central economic planning. It resisted oppressive state power and showed how capitalism could improve life for everyone. Yet today, it's a toxic blend of anarchism, disdain for the weak, and rationalisation for environmental catastrophe. Andrew’s book therefore traces libertarianism's evolution from moderate pro-market ideas to 'romantic fabulism' and the promotion of climate change denial.  His book is the definitive history of an ideological movement that has reshaped American politics - I found his viewpoints to be fascinating, and hope you do too!

Series ThreeIn this episode of #TheNewAbnormal, I interview the award-winning multimedia journalist Lauren Razavi, who specialises in subjects including the Future of Work, Future Cities, Tech Policy and Ethics. She therefore reports on topics at the intersection of technology, business, policy and human behaviour - and has also spent years delivering talks and appearing on panels about big tech, surveillance, blockchain, internet culture etc, alongside her past work with those inc Google, The Guardian, and Inverse. She's currently writing a book that examines the past two decades of tech innovation and its impact on economics and equality globally, covering issues from the sharing economy and data sovereignty to algorithmic decision-making. Lauren is a deep thinker and vocal commentator on how we can realign technology with the interests of humanity, and so I make every attempt to keep up with her as we discuss her viewpoints - in particular the global 'Digital Nomad' community regarding issues such as individual empowerment, distributed work, community & isolation, place-making, lifestyle stability & mental health, generational trends, environmentalism, and some suggested political / social / economic policy responses. 

Series ThreeThis episode of #TheNewAbnormal podcast features Jacob Ellis, an experienced public affairs and international relations advisor with a demonstrated history of working to improve policy-making in Wales and globally. He's worked with United Nations, World Cities Culture Forum and One Young World, and is committed to ensuring the needs of future generations are central to policy development. We therefore discuss all of these areas, and in particular his work with the Office of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, his activity as a Future Generations Global Ambassador, being a United Nations Foundation 'Next Generation' Fellow, and a range of the dynamic policy initiatives and other issues on which Jacob is involved.