Future Now

Dr. Sunny Cooke and Dr. Wendy Stewart from MiraCosta College discuss future-focused education, including innovative AI and biomanufacturing degrees. They highlight the importance of equity, signal exploration in construction and food sustainability, and building a culture of futures thinking in community colleges.

IFTF executive director Marina Gorbis hosts a conversation with award-winning food journalist Mark Bittman about The Bittman Project, which seeks to create community kitchens serving affordable, sustainable food. Joining the discussion are Kenneth Bailey, co-founder of the Design Studio for Social Intervention; Jerry Davis, a sociologist and the Gilbert and Ruth Whitaker Professor of Business Administration at the University of Michigan; Douglas Rushkoff, writer and media theorist; and IFTF's Rebecca Shamash, a sociologist studying equitable enterprises. Together, they discuss the challenges of operating outside profit-driven systems, the importance of education around food, and the need for economic and political support to transform inequitable food and economic systems, and insights into building more equitable enterprises and food practices.

Natalie Foster, author of 'The Guarantee,' discusses creating a 'guarantee economy' where basic needs are rights. Topics include healthcare, housing, income guarantees, reshaping policies post-pandemic, linking economic security to trust in democracy, advocating for equitable policies and digital technology regulations, addressing wealth disparities, upcoming book release insights, future of work, and IRS free tax filing option.

In this episode, Alissa Quart discusses her latest book, "Bootstrapped: Liberating Ourselves from the American Dream." Quart and host Marina Gorbis take a deep dive into the origins and evolution of the "bootstrapping" myth, revealing the hypocrisies and hidden dependencies that underlie this pervasive narrative. From historical figures like Emerson and Thoreau to modern-day Silicon Valley icons, Quart exposes the cracks in the self-made success story. The conversation also delves into the precarious state of the middle class, the potential of mutualism as an alternative ethos, and the importance of fostering solidarity across diverse occupations in the face of increasing economic insecurity. Join us as we explore the liberating power of debunking toxic myths and envisioning a more interdependent American dream. IFTF: https://iftf.org/podcast Alissa Quart: https://www.alissaquart.com/ Bootstrapped: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/bootstrapped-alissa-quart

Challenging economic myths, declining returns on education, surplus of degree holders in low-wage jobs, and misleading narratives in labor shortages. Exploring the complexities of education, STEM job myths, decline of coding jobs, debunking the skills gap, and the role of organized labor in creating economic equality.

Author and journalist Nick Romeo explores potential economic alternatives and challenges the inevitability of the current economic status quo. Topics include restructuring labor markets, innovative political interventions for city governance, true price accounting, livable wages, employee ownership, and reframing rationality to create impactful businesses and communities.

Renowned economist Daron Acemoglu discusses the intricate relationship between technology, economic growth, and societal well-being. The conversation explores historical technological advancements, the role of labor organizing, implications of AI in various sectors, and the importance of economists in shaping the future through institutions and social responsibility.

Gen Z content creator Jules Terpak discusses how AI will shape work and creativity. Topics include generative AI's creative possibilities and limitations, personalized content generation, NPC trend on TikTok, virtual companion bots, Gen Z's view on traditional work, and human-AI collaboration. Jules is cautiously optimistic about the future with proper governance.

Astra Taylor, author and activist, discusses economic insecurity and building solidarity. They explore the myth of insecurity fostering innovation and how guaranteed assets enable civic participation. They delve into the history of social security, the impact of insecurity on civic engagement, the fight for debt elimination, and the decline of strikes. They reflect on progress and mention the importance of pushing boundaries.

Art Taylor, President and CEO of BBB Wise Giving Alliance, discusses his journey into futures thinking and its transformative power. They explore the importance of integrating futures thinking into nonprofit strategy for resilience and new opportunities. Art emphasizes the need for urgency and optimism in shaping a better future for nonprofits. They also delve into evaluating charities, understanding the differences between tax-exempt organizations, and the impact of futures thinking on decision-making.