Looking Outside

Financial stability and economic growth has been a staple of national prosperity and business success. In this search for predictable prosperity, fueled by individual ownership and material attainment, we forget that economic models were built as a fix to a problem within the specific context of a social need. Today, economic models have become the convention our society moves within, and the narrative of perpetual growth is familiar. But are these models serving society in the context we now live in, one that requires constraint? To explore these frameworks that rule our lives, we’re joined by economist Hans Stegeman, who, in his double life as Chief Economist at Triodos Bank in the Netherlands by day, and independent thinking columnist by night, shows how provocative questions that help us re-perceive existing systems can influence change from inside the system. ----------More:Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.comConnect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & X & jolepore.comLearn more about Hans StegemanFollow Hans on LinkedIn & subscribe to his newsletter - Tipping PointsSubscribe to Hans' Substack - System Economics----------⭐ 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 strategist, 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.

Your business could benefit from a chief geopolitical officer. Not just because of the large shift in operational complexity accelerated by geopolitical conflicts, but because not looking at these topics in a considered way, through a lens of expertise, could lead to poor decisions, lost opportunities, or worse, paralysis. But, says our Looking Outside guest today, while the crisis is real and large, it’s not anything new – in fact we’re going back to the old ‘normal’. Jake Sotiriadis has seen this first hand, as part of the intelligence unit in the United States Air Force, as strategic foresight lead at the Pentagon, and as senior strategy advisor to the public and private sector. Jake says every decision carries some risk. The biggest risk, however, is not a bad decision, but indecision.----------More:Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.comConnect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & X & jolepore.comLearn more about Jake SotiriadisFollow Jake on LinkedInRead Jake's 2020 report on Geopolitical CompetitionJake's book "THE REVENGE OF IDEOLOGY: The Hidden Forces Reshaping Global Power" is available for pre-order soon----------⭐ 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 strategist, 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.

You can’t talk about the future without talking about change. But change can trick you, as guest Roger Spitz says on this latest episode, filmed live at the Rulebreaker Future Congress in Germany. Roger is the founding Chair of the Disruptive Futures Institute and, there, instructs global leaders in operating with agility in uncertain environments. The thing about change, Roger explains, is that it feels equally incredibly slow and exponentially fast – and both perceptual models can distract us from focusing on the present moment and what needs to be solved for today. On the show, Roger stresses why cognitive agility and informed optimism are critical mindsets in a future that feels uncontrollably volatile. ----------More:Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.comConnect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & X & jolepore.comLearn more about Roger SpitzFollow Roger on LinkedIn & X & MediumGrab a copy of Roger's book Disrupt with ImpactFollow Techistential on LinkedIn & XFollow the Disruptive Futures Institute on LinkedIn & XLearn more on the Rulebreaker Future Congress & the Rulebreaker Society----------⭐ 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 strategist, 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.

We’ve been living digitally for decades. While many of us think romantically about an analog and physical existence, the future is not taking us back there, but deeper into a digital immersion. So says our guest today, Lyron Bentovim, CEO and President of The Glimpse Group, a company advancing augmented and virtual reality innovation. In this episode, filmed live at the Rulebreaker Future Congress in Germany, Lyron paints the possibilities of virtual reality in creating moments of deeper connection, by rethinking digital – not necessarily physical - experiences we are used to today.----------More:Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.comConnect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & X & jolepore.comLearn more about Lyron via his Entrepreneur & WSJ & CEOWorld profilesFollow Lyron on LinkedIn and XFollow The Glimpse Group on LinkedIn & XLearn more on the Rulebreaker Future Congress & the Rulebreaker Society----------⭐ 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 strategist, 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.

Bioengineering is a complex field. In some industries it’s well established, in others still nascent. But one thing is true regardless of where it’s applied – it poses interesting problems. Dr Hamid Noori is one scientist motivated by solving these kinds of big, difficult and (he would say) fun problems. As CEO of bioengineering company, The Cultivated B, his work takes cellular technologies from the lab to the market. On this episode, filmed live at the Rulebreaker Future Congress in Germany, he shares how a grand purpose in life is not necessary if you have audacious problems that you are focused on solving and an openness to solving them in new ways.----------More:Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.comConnect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & X & jolepore.comLearn more about Hamid Noori & Cultivated BFollow Hamid on LinkedIn & his writing on Forbes Technology CouncilFollow Cultivated B on LinkedInCheck out Hamid's other ventures n!Biomachines & PreFerIndustries Learn more on the Rulebreaker Future Congress & the Rulebreaker Society----------⭐ 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 strategist, 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.

For over two decades, Germany's most demanded futurist, Sven Gabor Janszky, has been gathering business leaders across Europe, exposing them to the 'rulebreaking' ideas that are changing our world. In this 24th edition of this event, Sven sits down with host (and international keynote at the congress) Jo Lepore, to discuss the science behind finding breakthrough ideas, particularly those in longevity. Through his scientific research, and his venture capital, Sven has seen how breakthroughs in organ preservation, gene engineering and bio-matching are already extending our life span. Now he's also observing with curiosity how things like AI replicas and brain computer interfaces will preserve our humanity even further. Sven says it might sound like science fiction but the signals of this future are already here. There is no way to slow them down, instead it is us who must catch up.This is a live podcast, filmed at the Rulebreaker Future Congress in Leipzig Germany May 2025. The event, hosted by 2b AHEAD, brings together "people whose ideas change the world". ----------More:Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.comConnect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & X & jolepore.comLearn more about future scientist Sven Gabor Janszky & 2b AHEADFollow Sven on LinkedIn & X & Instagram Learn more on the Rulebreaker Future Congress & the Rulebreaker SocietyRead Sven's research on the future of GenAI 2035 & Strategic Foresight 2035 & Space 2040 & Digital Humans 2035.----------⭐ 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 strategist, 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.

In this insightful discussion, futurist Paul Saffo shares his expertise on scenario planning, emphasizing that we must hold our strong opinions weakly when anticipating the future. He critiques the obsession with accuracy in forecasting and highlights the influence of cultural backgrounds on predictions. Saffo also explores the role of technology and adaptability in society, cautioning against rigid thinking. Lastly, he underscores the importance of storytelling in shaping future narratives, advocating for a balanced view of innovation and intuition.

Art is nice, but it’s not just a nice-to-have. And it’s not relegated to galleries, museums and exclusive circles. Not only is art everywhere in our lives, day in and out, it has a profound impact on our physiology, psychology and our ability to better connect with other people. On this episode of Looking Outside we speak with author of ‘Your Brain on Art’, Susan Magsamen. Having researched the topic of neuroaethethics and neuroarts, Susan leads initiatives within John Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Aspen Institute to spread the rigorous scientific evidence on the benefits of creativity, sensorial immersion, playfulness and awe on our brain. As well as on how we learn, grow and do business.----------More:Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.comConnect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & X & jolepore.comLearn more about Susan MagsamenFollow Susan on LinkedIn & X & Instagram Susan and Ivy's book Your Brain on ArtFollow Your Brain on Art on LinkedIn & InstagramSusan's work at the Art and Mind Lab & the Neuroarts Blueprint----------⭐ 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 strategist, 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.

David Carlin, the founder of DA Carlin& Company and a strategic advisor at prestigious institutions, dives deep into climate finance. He explores how to integrate climate action into financial strategies for sustainable growth. Carlin emphasizes the urgency of intentional funding and systemic changes to align with climate goals. He also discusses the evolving landscape of corporate sustainability, the importance of leadership, and the interconnectedness of consumer trust and eco-friendly practices. It's a thought-provoking conversation on mobilizing change in a challenging environment.

Joining the discussion is Sarah Owen, a renowned futurist and trend forecaster specializing in youth culture and sociological change. She shares insights on navigating uncertainty and the importance of identifying critical signals in data overload. The conversation explores futures thinking and its relevance to career advancement, delves into the differences between megatrends and microtrends, and emphasizes storytelling's role in shaping societal views on well-being. Listeners gain practical strategies to harness these trends for a better understanding of the future.