Reimagine

Balder Onarheim, a former military officer turned neuroscientist and creativity innovator, discusses the alarming global creativity crisis. He argues that our struggles stem from a lack of imaginative thinking. Balder emphasizes that creativity is essential for social progress and criticizes the educational system for stifling it. He highlights how fostering creativity can enhance business success and urges a cultural shift to value creative thinking. Prepare to rethink how we approach imagination in our personal and professional lives!

Is local the new global? This episode with Helena Norberg-Hodge is the one that challenged me the most and perhaps, it will challenge you as well. Helena asks us to go local instead of supporting the global agenda. Helena argues that globalization has negative effects on communities and the environment, and that localization is necessary for sustainability and resilience. She calls for a shift in perspective from a solely global one to a global/local perspective. Prepare to Reimagine globalism. Guest: Helena Norberg-Hodge is an award-winning author, filmmaker and activist who advocates for localization instead of globalization. Helena saw the negative sides of globalization before most of us even realized the world had gone global. She usually sits at the table with the Dalai Lama and heads of UN. Now she is a guest of Reimagine as well. Learning points:•Many of our current issues are created by a dominant and destructive global system. We need to localize our economy to thriving, meaningful sustainable communities.•Global cooperatives are not evil by nature, but totally detached from the consequences of its action.  •The left v right lens and discourse is becoming increasingly irrelevant. We need to view our issues from a global v local lens.•Solutions such as circular economy, biomimicry can only be effective if used in a local context. Reimagine is a podcast with host Babak Behrad, brought to you by Society Lab.

Matthew Stewart, a former CEO and consultant turned philosopher and author of "The Management Myth," critiques the consulting industry's impact on society. He delves into the clash between rational thought and emotional biases in decision-making, and argues that reliance on management theory often oversimplifies complex issues. Stewart suggests that studying philosophy could lead to more resilient organizations and advocates for a shift from profit-centric models to a focus on sustainable value creation. His insights urge a reimagining of both business education and strategy for greater societal benefit.

Is this the greatest greenest story ever told? One of the most radical sustainable transformations comes from the unlikeliest of places, the lower leagues of British football. The story of Forrest Green Rovers FC is legendary and inspiring. The club is entirely vegan and has implemented green initiatives such as using solar panels and an organic pitch, while also investing in innovative technology to reduce its environmental impact. And yeah, they are experiencing the most successful era in their 130-year-old history. Led by their charismatic owner Dale Vince, many have asked about their journey, but until now, no one asked what business and society can learn from a radical change maker such as Dale Vince. Prepared to reimagine green transformation. Guest: Dale Vince is the owner of Forest Green Rovers. Dale is a businessman with a background in eco-friendly initiatives and a passion for promoting sustainable practices. Dale is a radical change maker and is very clear about his vision and what is needed of leaders when looking to transform their business.  Learning points:•You will hear that Forrest Green Rovers FC became immensely successful by reimagining what a football club can become and how it  creates social value beyond winning games. •How the journey of making Forest Green Rovers, the first carbon neutral club in the world paved the way for their massive on field success. •That grit, courage and the long perspective must be part of your leadership when looking to create radical change. •You will hear from their owner, successful businessman Dale Vince, how the stakeholder and private ownership models are more suited for radical change than the shareholder model. Reimagine is a podcast with host Babak Behrad, brought to you by Society Lab.

In this engaging conversation, Alan Moore, a British designer and entrepreneur, challenges us to rethink the concept of beauty in business. He argues for a shift in Key Performance Indicators to prioritize societal well-being as the main stakeholder. Drawing on examples like the French shoemaker Veja, Moore discusses how sustainable practices can create beautiful businesses. He also critiques modern capitalism and highlights the importance of regenerating societal value. Prepare to be inspired by the potential for ethical innovation in today's world.

We are talking about AI with David Mattin. The fundamental issues: AI and other technologies are evolving at a speed that our societies can’t adapt around. So are we moving at a faster speed that we can handle? What are the consequences of AI in regards to popular culture? Politics? Creative industries and our children? Lastly, what did Karl Marx know about technology that is highly relevant today? Guest: David Mattin is the founder of New World Same Humans, a weekly newsletter on trends, technology, and society. David's business, innovation and trends journalism has appeared everywhere from Fast Company to the Guardian to Google Think Quarterly. As experienced broadcaster, David has also written and presented documentaries for BBC Radio 4. He sits on the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on Consumption. He is author of the book Trend-Driven Innovation, published by Wiley. Learning points:Tech leaders, not politicians will be in the driving seat when it comes to the development of western societies.Used right, AI can be the golden age for creativity.Promt writer is already a profession.If we are not careful, we could be realizing Aldon Huxleys Brave New World. Reimagine is a podcast with host Babak Behrad, brought to you by Society Lab.

Could a catholic priest fix capitalism? ? His name was José María Arizmendiarrieta, and in 1956 he started what is now the world's largest Co-op, the legendary and almost mysterious industrial company the Mondragon. Touted by many as the answer to a fairer and inclusive capitalism. Can this highly profitable business, which is owned by its workers be copied in other places or can it only be applied in the cultural context of the Spanish Basque region where the Mondragon is from? Get ready to reimagine business. Ander Exteberia is Mondragons ``professional explainer”. Mondragon hosts about 3000 visitors every year. These visitors want to learn and experience what makes the Mondragon model work. Therefore, Ander's work is to explain Mondragon to outsiders. Usually, he talks to The New Yorker, CNN, BBC, The New York Times and now even The Reimagine podcast. Learning points: •You will hear about the foundations which the world's largest and most successful co-op; Mondragon, is based on.•How Mondragon became resilient and built thriving communities through fair distribution of wages and democratic decision making. •You will also learn that Mondragon is not about activism but pragmatism. So in order to defend their model, they need to stay highly profitable.  Reimagine is a podcast with host Babak Behrad, brought to you by Society Lab.

Is ugly is the enemy of the circular economy? From depressing urban spaces to ultra-fast fashion, made to wear once! There is a sense of detachment. The problem is how the market is priming us and pushing us towards the disposable. And here lies the challenge for a circular economy: In a world where we create for cheapness, efficiency, and short-term consumption, what then, is worth refurbishing or restoring? This episode takes you through what, why and how of Circular Economy and explains why it needs to be sexy to go mainstream. Prepare to reimagine waste! Guest: Connor Hill. The prophet of circularity. World renowned Circular Economy expert. Besides countless fascinating projects, Connor uses his energy and charisma to spread the word and get people to fall in love with the circular movement. Learning points:•You will hear how we are the only living creatures who are linear whilst the rest of nature is circular and regenerative. •How we need a change in mind shift to go from viewing nature as a financial asset to seeing it as a partner and inspiration for innovation and life. •How we are making products to break down easily when they don’t have to. •You will also hear why and how we should build things that are aesthetically pleasing and circular. Reimagine is a podcast with host Babak Behrad, brought to you by Society Lab.

Does a million years of natural innovation beat a Google sprint? Prepare to have your mind bent.  Biomimicry might be the most interesting subject that you have not heard of. Biomimicry is a design approach that seeks to imitate the strategies and processes found in nature to solve human problems. Learn about concrete examples of how we can tap into nature's wisdom to find innovative, sustainable solutions to human challenges. After this, you will reimagine your relationship with the natural world. Guest: Sarah Juhl Gregerson, an entrepreneur and associate of The Stockholm Resilience Centre. Sarah is a leading expert and practitioner of Biomimicry.Learning points: •By viewing nature as a partner rather than an asset, we can unlock many secrets to innovation which can help us solve human made problems.  •You will get practical examples, like how the Japanese railway system used the connective ability of slime molds, on a miniature map of Japan, to find the most efficient ways to connect thousands of train lines and stations, in a way the human mind could–never imagine. •Or, by understanding how sunlight is evenly distributed into the forest, we could envision new, more efficient economical models as collectively, nature does not lose, nothing goes to waste•You will also hear why it makes sense to bring biologists to the innovation table. Reimagine is a podcast with host Babak Behrad, brought to you by Society Lab.

To shape our future, must we first understand our past? So, how did we end up here? When did we disconnect from nature? When and how did we swap the holistic view for reductionism? How do we get out from the mess we have created? Jeremy Lent, world renowned author and activist takes us on a whirlwind tour, from the days of Sir Francis Bacon and Rene Descartes to the present day and beyond. Jeremy does not mince his words.  He is very clear about the flaws of the current system and the value changes needed so that we can live in thriving, healthy and wealthy societies. Prepare to reimagine our past.  Guest: Jeremy Lent. Former CEO. Now an activist and author of books such as the paternal instinct and The Web of Meaning. Described by The Guardian as one the greatest thinkers of our time. Learnings points:•Many of our struggles today is linked back to 200 year ago when western cultures distance themselves from nature•Why monikers such as “green growth” and “sustainable capitalism” are just smokescreens and will not provide what it promises as constant growth cannot coexist with a sustainable, ecological society.  •Unless we regulate business, sustainable organizations will not be at an advantage as the playing field is not even. •You will also hear why implementing the Triple Bottom Line theory to business is the way forward.Reimagine is a podcast with host Babak Behrad, brought to you by Society Lab.