Ecosystemic Futures

Connie Stacey, CEO and Founder of Grengine Inc., discusses her mission to combat energy poverty through advanced battery storage systems. She highlights the staggering fact that over a billion people still lack basic energy access. The conversation delves into innovative solutions for efficient energy infrastructure in emerging markets, the urgent need for industry standardization, and the role of technology in securely managing renewable energy. Connie also addresses the challenges of transitioning to renewables and the significance of inclusive growth for a sustainable energy future.

In today's episode of the Ecosystemic Futures Podcast, we are thrilled to have Captain Alexandra Hagerty, Fleet Superintendent for The Pasha Group, join us. Captain Hagerty's impressive career includes roles as Master of the Hospital Ship Africa Mercy and the USNS Shughart. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she is a respected writer and panelist on international maritime affairs, a Fellow of the Nautical Institute UK, and the Founder of the charity ‘Captains Without Borders.’ We delve into the dynamic maritime industry, tackling issues like recruitment and retention in a mature industry sector. Captain Hagerty offers insights from her own vantage point and journey, and we explore the unique considerations that must factor into successful maritime ecosystem futures - global reach, distinctive lifestyles, and the critical importance of crew retention within the industry. We also explore autonomous shipping and electrification, hydrogen fuelling, the "upcycling" of vessels, and the economic and environmental advantages of these emerging technologies. Join us as we navigate the challenges and potential futures that offer great promise in reshaping the maritime landscape. Guest: Captain Alexandra Hagerty, Fleet Superintendent for The Pasha Group Co-Hosts: Marco Annunziata, Co-Founder, Annunziata + Desai Partners Vikram Shyam, PhD, Futurist, Convergent Aeronautics Solutions Project, NASA Series Hosts: Vikram Shyam, Lead Futurist, NASA Glenn Research Center Dyan Finkhousen, Founder & CEO, Shoshin Works

In today’s episode, we explore the ecosystemic patterns across industry, society, and policy as Dyan Finkhousen and Marco Annunziata reflect on the intersection of diverse perspectives that have emerged from Seasons 1-4 of the Ecosystemic Futures Podcast.  Dyan and Marco delve into an insightful discussion about the interplay between advanced and general purpose technologies, trust, and governance - unpacking the opportunities and obstacles posed by technological advancements. They chase this back to the evolving work and organizational adaptation landscape, with implications for innovation, resilience, and lifelong learning. Tune in for an enlightening exploration of the dynamic forces shaping our world today and setting the stage for our future. Co-Hosts: Dyan Finkhousen, Founder & CEO, Shoshin Works Marco Annunziata, Co-Founder, Annunziata + Desai Partners 

In this episode, we explore the pivotal role of ecosystemic models across industries, underscoring the importance of inclusive design for resilient futures. Our guest, Krista Pawley, a luminary in impact-driven initiatives, articulates the importance of transparency, community engagement, and contextual awareness in shaping decisions. Through her insights, we navigate the power of collaboration and diverse perspectives in forging impactful solutions. Pawley talks about the importance of trust in the digital realm and in human interactions - and articulates a clear pathway of the practical steps organizations, leaders, and youth can take in order to achieve a culture of trust. In this episode we also unpack the importance of inclusivity, pushing quickly past the vanity metrics to the meaningful value drivers of an inclusive approach to systems design. Guest: Krista Pawley, Founder of Imperative Impact, co-founder of Wavemakers, co-chair of EXCITE & one of the co-founders of SingularityU Canada Co-Hosts: Vikram Shyam, PhD, Futurist, Convergent Aeronautics Solutions Project, NASA Dyan Finkhousen, Founder & CEO, Shoshin Works Series Hosts: Vikram Shyam, Lead Futurist, NASA Glenn Research Center Dyan Finkhousen, Founder & CEO, Shoshin Works

Embark on a journey through the complexities of our global plastic crisis with Impact Entrepreneur, Mimi Wu. She reveals a stark truth: recycling alone is not the solution. We delve into the intricate web of environmental, social, and economic factors driving this issue, and discuss the urgent actions needed to tackle the plastic problem at its core. Guest: Mimi Wu, Founder & CEO of Global Green Solutions and Co-founder & CEO of Myanmar Recycles Co-Hosts: James Villarrubia, White House Presidential Innovation Fellow & Digital Strategist for CAS, NASA Marco Annunziata, Co-Founder, Annunziata + Desai Partners Series Hosts: Vikram Shyam, Lead Futurist, NASA Glenn Research Center Dyan Finkhousen, Founder & CEO, Shoshin Works

This hard-hitting episode exposes the alarming crisis of healthcare-acquired infections in U.S. facilities - and the ecosystemic factors compounding the threat. Our guest, Sarah Beatty of Culturewell, pulls no punches in critiquing the reactive "firefighting" status quo within the healthcare system... a passionately well-intended system, yet increasingly missing the life-saving answers readily available in the meta-data. Beatty shares startling data and argues that the missing link is facility-specific environmental monitoring to precisely identify hygiene gaps and deploy cleaning resources—and data-driven solutions. Join this vital discussion shaping the pathway from a reactive to proactive, data-driven model for infection prevention - one resilient to the intensifying challenges across interconnected environments straining healthcare systems. Beatty makes a powerful case for waging and winning this winnable war. Guest: Sarah Beatty, Founder & CEO, Culturewell Co-Hosts: James Villarrubia, White House Presidential Innovation Fellow & Digital Strategist for CAS, NASA Marco Annunziata, Co-Founder, Annunziata + Desai Partners Series Hosts: Vikram Shyam, Lead Futurist, NASA Glenn Research Center Dyan Finkhousen, Founder & CEO, Shoshin Works

Dive into the power of regenerative agriculture to revitalize our food ecosystems. This episode explores the ways regenerative farming methods can enhance soil health and unlock more nutrient-dense foods - nourishing people and planet. Guest Tina Owens, a leader at the intersection of agriculture, tech and wellness, illuminates the pivotal role emerging technologies play in optimizing and scaling regenerative practices. We discuss the ways AI, molecular mapping, and lifecycle assessments are reshaping food production into ecosystem-reviving force. Don't miss this compelling vision for an ecosystemic future of sustainable nourishment. Guest: Tina Owens, Managing Director @ Nutrient Density Alliance, Strategic Advisor @ Regenerative Food Systems Investment, Non-Profit Board Member of Non-GMO Project and Mad Agriculture & Farmer Co-Hosts: Vikram Shyam, Lead Futurist, NASA Glenn Research Center Dyan Finkhousen, Founder & CEO, Shoshin Works Series Hosts: Vikram Shyam, Lead Futurist, NASA Glenn Research Center Dyan Finkhousen, Founder & CEO, Shoshin Works  

The US Government’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is actively working to establish the framework for a commercial economy on the moon - convening an ecosystemic collaboration to make it happen by 2035. DARPA's program manager for this project, called Luna10, Michael Nayak, call sign Orbit, joins the podcast to discuss the approach of leveraging what we know from Earth economies and commercial industries in order to create a unified, self-sustaining lunar economy. To activate the ecosystem for the lunar economy - Orbit and team are convening 12 commerical entities and a host of value chain enablers to build the framework. Join us for more fascinating discussions regarding the ways that ecosystems are shaping new economic engines. Guest: Michael Nayak, call sign Orbit, Program Manager for DARPA program Luna10 and Logic Co-Hosts: Vikram Shyam, Lead Futurist, NASA Glenn Research Center Dyan Finkhousen, Founder & CEO, Shoshin Works Series Hosts: Vikram Shyam, Lead Futurist, NASA Glenn Research Center Dyan Finkhousen, Founder & CEO, Shoshin Works

The intergenerational transmission of values, norms, and aspirations has always shaped expectations for transcendent belonging. What does it mean to live a good life, to be successful? The integrated ecosystem that supports human flourishing encompasses all aspects of society, industry, and policy. With generative AI anticipated to impact society more than any other technological advancement in recent decades - we now face the first generation, specifically Gen Alpha, that will age entirely with the benefits and opportunities of this advanced technology.   In this episode, Mica Le John - entrepreneur, educator, and writer - joins us to tug at the core threads that bind all people regardless of demographic and explore ways that intergenerational collaboration with advanced technologies can lead to solutions for wicked problems and a more resilient future for humanity.   Guest: Mica Le John, Entrepreneur, Educator & Writer   Co-Hosts: Mark Stephen Meadows, Science Fiction Writer / Researcher for CAS, NASA Edward Powell, PhD, CEO, TensorX, Inc   Series Hosts: Vikram Shyam, Lead Futurist, NASA Glenn Research Center Dyan Finkhousen, Founder & CEO, Shoshin Works

We're often unaware of security vulnerabilities until there's a breach. In today's rush to leverage AI, organizations often overestimate security and underestimate risk, while teams expose unique AI threats to otherwise reasonably safe businesses.   Organizations are also changing the way they use AI - shifting from owning it to renting it. This delivers faster results but less control over important data and access, introducing risks that organizations may not yet fully recognize. Protect AI leaders join us to explain the differences between "safe," "secure," and "governed" in AI and how to safely create an AI-empowered future.   Guests:  Daryan "D" Dehghanpisheh, Co-Founder, Protect AI Marcello Salvati, Senior Engineer & Researcher, Protect AI   Co-Hosts: James Villarrubia, White House Presidential Innovation Fellow & Digital Strategist for CAS, NASA Dyan Finkhousen, Founder & CEO, Shoshin Works    Series Hosts: Vikram Shyam, Lead Futurist, NASA Glenn Research Center Dyan Finkhousen, Founder & CEO, Shoshin Works