The Future Of The Future

Today’s guest is Mo Balakrishnan, a software engineering leader working at the intersection of building products, leading teams, and navigating the fast-moving world of AI.In this episode, we’ll talk about how Mo is using AI in his own work, how it’s changing the way teams build software, and what engineers should be excited, or cautious, about as AI becomes part of everyday development. We’ll explore how quickly ideas can now turn into prototypes, whether the AI hype is real or overblown, and how the role of the software engineer is evolving.And of course, we’ll get to know Mo beyond work, what he’s experimenting with and what he enjoys outside of tech.Enjoy!

Today on The Future of the Future, we’re joined by someone who embodies the intersection of creativity, entrepreneurship, and human-centered innovation: Simone Vascotto.Simone is a founder, builder, and global thinker whose work spans branding, marketing, human capital, and now, through his latest venture, HumanaQ, the future of how organizations understand and empower their people.His journey has taken him across industries and across borders, shaping a unique perspective on what it really takes to create companies that are both meaningful and sustainable.In this conversation, we  will dig into the origins of HumanaQ, the milestones that shaped Simone's career, and the lessons he’s learned about balancing passion and skill with financial sustainability.It’s a conversation about culture, vision, discipline, and what it means to build with intention in a world that’s constantly changing.Simone, thank you so much for being here!

If you follow me, you know there is a phrase I like to say over and over.Relationships Matter.The way we get along... with coworkers, clients, etc, matters. We want to have fun and thrive in our own unique ways.Well, today's guest is a living testament of this mantra.Mickeli Bedore is a relationship builder. He is amazing at it!And I want you to hear his story, what he does for a living, and HOW he does it.Enjoy!

Today's episode is about Marketing and AI.My guest is Victoria Olsina, a global marketing strategist, SEO expert, and award-winning stand-up comedian. Victoria has built a truly international career, working across multiple countries and industries, from fintech and Web3 to SaaS and major global brands.In our conversation, we’ll explore her story: how she got started in marketing, how living around the world shaped her perspective, and how she balances creativity and strategy in her work.We’ll also talk about AI and how it’s transforming marketing, how she uses it in her day-to-day, and why many people still aren’t leveraging it to its full potential. And of course, we’ll talk about the future of the industry and her advice for young professionals.Stay tuned, and enjoy the ride.

Today’s guest, Bruce D. Randall, has spent more than 25 years at the front lines of that question — leading teams at Oracle Cloud, AT&T, and multiple startups through waves of digital transformation. As a CEO, COO, and strategist, he’s helped organizations harness AI, cloud, and now quantum computing to drive real innovation.But Bruce also brings something rare to the tech world — a lifelong practice of meditation and energy awareness. As a Reiki Master and author of the upcoming book The AI Human Paradox, he explores how consciousness, intelligence, and technology are converging in ways that could redefine what it means to be human.In this conversation, we’ll dive into the next leap in intelligence — where AI meets quantum computing, where cybersecurity must adapt to an entirely new threat landscape, and where brain–computer interfaces challenge our sense of identity.Bruce shares why awareness may be the most important leadership skill of the 21st century — and how we can stay grounded, ethical, and human in an era of accelerating change.So settle in — this is not just a discussion about technology. It’s a conversation about consciousness, responsibility, and the future we’re all building together.

Today’s guest is a leader who has proven time and again that true success starts in the mind. Des Hague is a globally recognized CEO, author, and leadership strategist who has led multibillion-dollar organizations across industries,  from hospitality and retail to sports and philanthropy. Des is the author of Think Your Way to the Top: Like a Boss!, a year-long leadership journey designed for ambitious entrepreneurs and corporate leaders who want to think clearer, lead stronger, and scale smarter.  He’s also the founder of Thinking Academy, an initiative created to reshape how leaders learn, grow, and, most importantly, think about thinking itself.In today’s conversation, we’ll explore how Des came to see mindset as the true differentiator in leadership success, the pivotal moments that shaped his leadership journey, and how he’s helping the next generation of leaders think better, lead better, and live better.Enjoy!

Jennifer Larson is back in our show to talk about her latest Coffee Shop adventures.I interviewed Jennifer last year to talk about Diversity in the Tech Industry through the lens of her 20+ years of experience in the field (episode 89 if you want to check it out).And then I met her in Minneapolis for Coffee, and she told me she was jumping on a new adventure, owning a Coffee Shop in Wisconsin.This is the story of how and why she decided to do that, and how things are coming along. The lessons she’s learned, what she likes, what she doesn’t like, and what’s next for the Coffee Shop and for her.She recorded the episode at the shop, during the last day of the season.  Enjoy!

When you get to a certain age in life, you start wondering. What are the next decades going to look like? What am I going to do during this time? How can I make the most of it?We reflect more on what success is, what makes us happy.On this podcast, I get to interview a lot of people that I admire. Today's guest, Dan O'Sullivan, is no exception. Dan has an impressive career in Sales. He is a passionate Leader that cares deeply about the growth of his team. He knows his success is directly related to the success of his people.Dan is a surfer. He loves the ocean. Talk to him about waves, and he won't stop smiling. He has surfed all over the world, but he has a special type of connection with the West African Coast region, where he is working with the NGO "Provide the slide" to help young people get into surfing and enjoy all the benefits and new perspectives in life that this sport provides.This is an episode about joy, giving, and surfing. This is the story of Dan O'Sullivan.Enjoy!

Today, we are diving into the critical connection between design and business success. For organizations striving to unlock the full potential of their design capabilities, our guest offers a blueprint for transforming the design function into a powerful strategic asset.Our guest is Dean T. Barker, author of Advance: How to Move Your Business Forward with Design Strategy. The book blends the best of design strategy with actionable insights, providing a robust framework of knowledge, process, and tools for design leadership.Dean’s expertise is extensive: he is one of the rare User Experience (UX) professionals who has been a successful consultant and led a large UX organization in a Fortune 100 company. His career spans over two decades in the design and development of software products.In our conversation, we will explore Dean’s experience and his story in the technology industry, his philosophy and methodology for design strategy and the reasons why this is so close to his heart.Whether you are new to the field or have decades of experience, you will find inspiration and valuable frameworks in this episode that will help make you indispensable to your organization.

What is magic? Is it an art? A performance? A show?How do we feel about it? and why?What is a magician? Maybe most importantly, who is a magician? How does a person become a magician and why?This is the story of Daniel K, a talented Magician from the small and remote country of Uruguay. And The only Uruguayan magician who made it to the historic Hollywood Magic Castle. How do you go from small performances for your family, in a remote 3 million people country, to Hollywood?Stay tuned, and enjoy the ride.