Today we’re going to get a little political, without the hostility. We’re exploring the bias, misrepresentation and dangers that come with ascribing to the ‘left wing’ and ‘right wing’ political spectrum. Political scientist, professor in political and constitutional studies, and co-author of ‘The Myth of Left and Right’ Verlan Lewis joins us to debunk the essentialist theory behind the left/right concept. While it's still a fairly young idea, Verlan stresses how it is increasingly harmful, by creating a false narrative of division that kills humility and perpetuates self-righteousness. “Don’t talk about politics at the dinner table” (or in business) is what we often hear, but Verlan says we need more, not less, moderate and civil discourse on political issues, without the damaging rhetoric that comes with left/right ideologies. ----------More:Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.comConnect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & XBuy The Myth of Left and Right book via Oxford Press or AmazonFollow Verlan on LinkedIn & XRead more of Verlan's research on Google Scholar Check out Verlan's appearance on the Future Tense podcast appearance----------⭐ Follow & rate the show - it makes a difference!----------Looking Outside is a podcast exploring fresh perspectives of familiar topics. Hosted by its creator, futurist and marketer, Jo Lepore. New episodes every 2 weeks. Never the same topic.All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2025. Theme songs by Azteca X.

Being a marketer today is challenging enough, just imagine what it’s like for the next generation of brand leaders coming in to study marketing. On this episode of Looking Outside we explore the mindset and skills that future brand leaders are considering, with Professor of Practice at SMU Cox School of Business, Radhika Zaveri. With over 20 years experience leading billion dollar brands at some of the world’s leading organizations, Radhika brings a wealth of wisdom to her marketing students. But some of the most critical lessons she is teaching them may be surprising. While Radhika says the foundations of marketing haven’t changed, what is often overlooked is an ability to build relationships, tell your own story to corporate stakeholders and accept the responsibility of always serving the customer. Lessons aren’t just for the classroom, says Radhika. It’s when we become life-long learners that we serendipitously create new pathways to success, well and truly after school is out.----------More:Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.comFollow Jonathon on X & ForbesWatch Jonathon's panel at the 2024 Dubai Future ForumExplore Jonathon's experiments: A Clock in the Forest, Centuries of the Bristlecone, Millennium Camera, Tasting Tomorrow, Alaska River Time.Connect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & X----------⭐ Follow & rate the show - it makes a difference!----------Looking Outside is a podcast exploring fresh perspectives of familiar topics. Hosted by its creator, futurist and marketer, Jo Lepore. New episodes every 2 weeks. Never the same topic.All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2025. Theme songs by Azteca X.

The very best philosophy is equal parts exhilarating and distressing. As one of the most profound pursuits towards greater understanding, through the love of wisdom, philosophy employs logic and demands critical thinking. But at worst it is left in the esoteric world of theory: disconnected from the world we live in. Out of touch. While philosophy is the practice of asking questions, experimental philosopher Jonathon Keats asks questions of it back. On this episode of Looking Outside we explore active, participatory thinking through real world experimentation with philosophical hypotheses and ideas. Jonathon shares how he pursues curiosity by creating tangible artefacts that others can interact with. By "doing" philosophy, Jonathon argues, we can create pathways into rabbit holes and an invitation to deeper exploration. ----------More:Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.comFollow Jonathon on X & ForbesWatch Jonathon's panel at the 2024 Dubai Future ForumExplore Jonathon's experiments: A Clock in the Forest, Centuries of the Bristlecone, Millennium Camera, Tasting Tomorrow, Alaska River Time.Connect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & X----------⭐ Follow, like and rate the show - it makes a difference!----------Looking Outside is a podcast exploring fresh perspectives of familiar topics. Hosted by its creator, futurist and marketer, Jo Lepore. New episodes every 2 weeks. Never the same topic.All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2025. Theme songs by Azteca X.

After 18 topics explored in 2024, it's time to reflect back on the themes covered, the insight gained and the ideas sparked from this year's podcast. ----------More:Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.comConnect with host, Jo LeporeWatch this episode on YouTube ----------⭐ Follow, like and rate the show - it makes a difference!----------Looking Outside is a podcast exploring fresh perspectives of familiar topics. Hosted by its creator, futurist and marketer, Jo Lepore. New episodes every 2 weeks. Never the same topic.All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2024. Theme song by Azteca X.

This is a cross-over podcast episode between Looking Outside and Ree-thinking Sustainability, co-hosted by Ben McCabe and Jo Lepore.This episode was filmed LIVE at the 2024 Dubai Future Forum, the largest gathering of futurists from around the world, which features some of the most prominent activists and climate innovators pushing for environmentally-sustainable futures. Together with Marc Buckley, a leading voice in climate change, ecological economist and ambassador for sustainable commitment, and Dina Baenninger, business strategist and conceptual artist, we explore the human potential for change. Marc and Dina share how re-thinking existing business models can enable exponential growth and a world of abundance, a vision perhaps not often associated with sustainable action. While not everyone agrees on everything in the panel discussion, one thing that’s shared is an optimism in our human ability to create a better life for planet and people, through collection of diverse perspectives and collaboration towards a harmonization of priorities. ----------More:Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.comRee-Thinking Sustainability podcastWatch sessions from the 2024 Dubai Future Forum on YouTubeMarc Buckley marcbuckley.earthDina Baenninger www.charismanova.comALOHAS Regenerative FoundationConnect with host, Jo LeporeConnect with co-host Ben McCabe----------⭐ Follow, like and rate the show - it makes a difference!----------Looking Outside is a podcast exploring fresh perspectives of familiar topics. Hosted by its creator, futurist and marketer, Jo Lepore. New episodes every 2 weeks. Never the same topic.All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2024. Theme song by Azteca X.

On this episode of Looking Outside, we explore emerging risk - those issues seemingly in the further out future that we chose not to prioritize, act on, or perhaps even take seriously. Joining us is trained economist turned futurist, and CEO of futures think thank and advisory, the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies, Daria (Dasha) Krivonos. Having led strategic risk management at Maersk (up until recently, one of the world's biggest shipping companies), Dasha is no stranger to risk mitigation and anticipation, nor to seeing how bias and emotions feed into how risks are handled. Dasha shares how optimism is normal state of the human condition, but that a false sense of optimism for one safe and preferred future, with blinders on to emerging risks in the periphery, can be detriment to a business, even negligent. ----------More:Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.comFollow Dasha on LinkedIn & XCopenhagen Institute for Futures Studies https://cifs.dkCIFS Seminars on YouTube  @CIFSonline Connect with host, Jo Lepore----------⭐ Follow, like and rate the show - it makes a difference!----------Looking Outside is a podcast exploring fresh perspectives of familiar topics. Hosted by its creator, futurist and marketer, Jo Lepore. New episodes every 2 weeks. Never the same topic.All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2024. Theme song by Azteca X.

On this episode of Looking Outside, we’re exploring the role of humor in business. Whether it’s silly doodles, clever cartoons, or gentle jokes, giving and having the permission to laugh at ourselves, at our industry, and at our field of expertise can elevate corporate culture. Sharing how he does this every day, with over 200 corporate clients, is world-leading marketing cartoonist, Marketoonist and author of Your Ad Ignored Here, Tom Fishburne. Tom shares how provoking a laugh, and encouraging people to not take themselves too seriously in business, sets a new tone for corporate culture that elevates how people work together. ----------More:Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.comTomFishburne.com & on LinkedInMarketoonist.comTom's book Your Ad Ignored HereTom's podcast on Uncensored CMO at Cannes 2024Tom's TEDX Talk The Power of Laughing at Ourselves at WorkConnect with host, Jo Lepore----------⭐ Follow, like and rate the show - it makes a difference!----------Looking Outside is a podcast exploring fresh perspectives of familiar topics. Hosted by its creator, futurist and marketer, Jo Lepore. New episodes every 2 weeks. Never the same topic.All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2024. Theme song by Azteca X.

In this episode of Looking Outside, we're exploring the influence and influencers of Food Culture, and the sociological, traditional and modern values that are redefining how we innovative in food. We're joined for this conversation by Jing Gao, Founder & CEO of modern Chinese food brand Fly by Jing. Armed with a desire to help people discover new facets of Asian cuisine, driven by re-discovering her own heritage, Jing shares her organic journey to helping people re-perceive how food culture is shaped, in the process opening up minds to new ways to enjoy familiar flavors. ----------More:Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.comWatch the interview on YouTube @lookingoutsideFly by Jing flybyjing.comJing Gao on LinkedIn & Insta Jing's cookbook The Book of Sichuan Chili CrispConnect with host, Jo Lepore----------⭐ Follow, like and rate the show - it makes a difference!----------Looking Outside is a podcast exploring fresh perspectives of familiar topics. Hosted by its creator, futurist and marketer, Jo Lepore. New episodes every 2 weeks. Never the same topic.All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2024. Theme song by Azteca X.

We’ve covered climate change and environmental causes on Looking Outside, focused on the innovation that’s helping to create new solves for existing problems. On this episode, we’re exploring the topic of environmental action from a human perspective, looking at what sociology and the study of historical patterns of collective human behavior can tell us about how we’re reacting to, and in some cases rebelling against, the issue of climate change today. To do this, we’re joined by social scientist Dr Dana R. Fisher, Director of the Center for Environment, Community, & Equity (CECE) and a Professor in the School of International Service at American University. Dana has studied and written about the combined relationship of social and environmental change for over two decades.----------More:Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.comMore on this episodeWatch the interview on YouTube @lookingoutsideDana R. Fisher https://danarfisher.comGet 20% off Dana's book Saving Ourselves | Buy direct from the publisher and use code "CUP20" Connect with host, Jo Lepore----------⭐ Follow, like and rate the show - it makes a difference!----------Looking Outside is a podcast exploring fresh perspectives of familiar topics. Hosted by its creator, futurist and marketer, Jo Lepore. New episodes every 2 weeks. Never the same topic.All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2024. Theme song by Azteca X.

Investigating for the hidden truth, putting the puzzle pieces together, building a strong case, leading with objectivity … you might be thinking of the responsibility of business leaders. But today, we’re exploring these same familiar elements from the perspective of a field where this holds greater weight. We’re speaking about investigations & interrogations with private investigator and retired LAPD detective, Greg Kading.After 25 years working homicide in Los Angeles, Greg hasn’t taken off his detective hat, even after retiring. Instead turning to the PI world and storytelling, speaking about and writing of the cases he’s worked (and solved). Today, Greg is well known for writing Murder Rap, a recount of the cold case he and his task force took on to solve the Biggie Smalls case. A three year investigation that ultimately led to the discovery of Biggie and Tupac’s murders. It’s a case that’s thrust Greg into the spotlight, a shift from private case work that he’s taken easily, led by the resolution that the truth should be shared, wherever possible.It's also given Greg an opportunity to shine a light on the real life challenges of a detective, past the glamourous portrayal in books, movies and TV. Greg underpins the patience required of a detective: not getting evidence analyzed instantaneously, answers not revealing themselves easily, sometimes needing to start at the beginning and retracing your steps to see what you missed. Police work is naturally full of departmental procedures and red tape, which makes it even more imperative not to rush into short cuts or false conclusions. Maintaining objectivity and removing ego are two critical aspects of doing great police work. Greg stresses that sometimes we become entranced with an idea of what the truth is and lose sight of what the facts are actually telling us. The process for a detective is therefore quite scientific, in forming a hypothesis and working to disprove it. Instead of what most may imagine - working to prove a hunch. “Within reason, all things are possible” - Greg’s says this theory of openness is critical driving out bias in the investigative process.But this all takes time. You don’t become a detective once you get the badge; you get there through experience, learning, and building your natural instincts. While that feels very familiar for those of us in the business world, who are often placed in role without learned experience, it’s also in Greg’s world rife with deception, after all, suspects have motive to lie and misdirect. It requires careful study of human psychology to spot the red flags that may point to that deception, and perhaps surprisingly, it also demands empathy. While technology has advanced and will continue to progress the fields of forensics, profiling and surveillance, in his decades-long experience investigating crimes, Greg has been led by human psychology. He says it's important to marry various human insights and technological resources at your disposal in gathering evidence to form a hypothesis. And of course, then working to disprove it, in the search for the one truth.>>>To look outside, Greg goes back into nature and spends time with the people close to him – without a phone or work on the mind. >>>Greg Kading is an American author and former Los Angeles Police Department detective best known for working on a multi law-enforcement task force that investigated the murders of rappers Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls in the mid-2000s.Read Murder Rap: the untold story of the Biggie Smalls & Tupac Shakur Murder Investigations.Listen to Off Limits podcast episode with Bryan Callen.Check out the New York Magazine and Rolling Stone articles featuring Greg.>>>Looking Outside is a podcast dedicated to exploring fresh perspectives of familiar business topics. The show is hosted by its creator, Joanna Lepore, consumer goods innovator and futurist at McDonald's. Find out more at looking-outside.com.Connect with Jo and join the Looking Outside community on LinkedIn.>>>All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2024. Theme song by Azteca X.