Think Forward EP 132 - Disruptive Futures with Roger Spitz
Welcome to episode 132! We sit down with Roger Spitz of the Disruptive Futures Institute.Roger Spitz brings a refreshingly different perspective to the future of business and leadership. As the former global head of Tech M&A who pivoted into professional futures work, Roger's journey represents exactly the kind of transformation he advocates for—bold, purpose-driven, and responsive to a changing world.What sets Roger apart is his holistic approach to disruption. While most futurists focus narrowly on technological innovation, Roger delves into the systemic changes reshaping our entire landscape. His Triple A framework—Anti-fragile, Anticipatory, and Agility—offers a practical operating system for navigating uncertainty that goes beyond standard playbooks.The concept of "meta-eruptions" that Roger introduces challenges conventional thinking about trends and forecasting. As he explains, we're living in a world where "unprecedented" has become the norm, requiring fundamentally different approaches to preparation and response. His global perspective, having lived across nine countries by age 18, combined with his unconventional study of disciplines like improv comedy alongside traditional futures methodology, creates a unique lens for understanding adaptation and resilience.In this fantastic talk, we cover:Developing the Triple A framework: Anti-fragile foundations, Anticipatory thinking, and Agility to reconcile long-term vision with immediate actionUnderstanding "meta-eruptions" as constant, often surprising systemic changes that require a new approach beyond traditional megatrend analysisHow global perspective and varied experiences (including studying improv comedy) enhance futures intelligence and adaptabilityCreating the Disruptive Futures Institute to address the gap between specialized fields and build a new operating system for decision-makingApplying futures thinking to complex challenges like climate action and sustainable market transformationEmphasizing relevance as the ultimate test for individuals and organizations in a rapidly changing worldRecognizing our agency to create virtuous tipping points even amid accelerating disruptionFind Roger Spitz online through LinkedIn, the Disruptive Futures Institute website, or his book "Disrupt with Impact: Achieve Business Success in an Unpredictable World."Order your copy of SuperShifts: www.bit.ly/supershifts Unemployable the Podcast At Unemployable the Podcast, we aim to inspire and Amplify Disabled Entrepreneurs!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifyORDER SUPERSHIFTS! bit.ly/supershifts 🎧 Listen Now On: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-forward-conversations-with-futurists-innovators-and-big-thinkers/id1736144515 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IOn8PZCMMC04uixlATqoO Web: https://thinkforward.buzzsprout.com/ Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.
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Think Forward EP 131 - Future of Flight with Catherine Roy
Catherine Roy, a designer turned strategic futurist at Thales, reveals that flying taxis and advanced air mobility face substantial social acceptance challenges beyond mere technological hurdles. Her research identified 62 criteria for social acceptability of air taxis, demonstrating the complexity of successfully introducing this transportation mode.We touch upon many things in this episode including:How she transformed into a strategic futurist leading global design networksResearch found 62 social acceptability criteria for advanced air mobility versus industry's focus on just 7-8Urban planners view flying vehicles as extending traffic problems into the air rather than solving mobility issuesCapacity limitations make eVTOLs inefficient compared to mass transit (only 0-125 passengers/hour in 2040 projections)Entire infrastructure including vertiports and communication systems would need building from scratchFlying vehicles could increase social stratification between wealthy "skylanders" and ground-dwelling "flatlanders"Future climate priorities may overshadow investments in advanced air mobility infrastructureInnovation requires developing unique perspectives and courage to stand your ground against mainstream thinkingOrder your copy of SuperShifts: www.bit.ly/supershifts Unemployable the Podcast At Unemployable the Podcast, we aim to inspire and Amplify Disabled Entrepreneurs!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifyORDER SUPERSHIFTS! bit.ly/supershifts 🎧 Listen Now On: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-forward-conversations-with-futurists-innovators-and-big-thinkers/id1736144515 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IOn8PZCMMC04uixlATqoO Web: https://thinkforward.buzzsprout.com/ Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.
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Think Forward EP 130: Futures of Democracy with Jake Dunagan
Jake Dunegan, a visionary operating at the intersection of futures thinking and political systems, shares how experiential futures can help us reimagine governance for the 21st century challenges we face.Drawing from his fascinating journey from anthropology to futures studies, Dunegan shares the moment he discovered a manuscript on "Quantum Politics" that proposed revolutionary ideas about constitutional design based on uncertainty rather than mechanistic balance. This epiphany eventually led him to establish the Governance Futures Lab at the Institute for the Future, where he pushes for nothing less than a renaissance in political system design thinking.Background in anthropology exploring fundamental questions about why people do what they doDiscovered futures studies through a manuscript on "Quantum Politics" that proposed redesigning the US ConstitutionCo-created the Reconstitutional Convention in 2013 to bring together diverse thinkers to redesign political systemsDeveloped experiential futures approaches to make possible tomorrows tangible todayLed the Hawaii 2050 project creating immersive experiences of alternative futuresCreated pandemic simulations years before COVID-19 that explored prioritization of vaccinesFounded the Governance Futures Lab at Institute for the Future to support political system designBelieves our current governance structures aren't equipped for 21st-century challengeEmphasizes the importance of emotional connection to future possibilities, not just intellectual understandingAdvocates for embedding futures thinking throughout our systems rather than treating it as a specialized activityAnd we find out where the best tacos and food trucks are in Austin, TexasThe conversation explores Dunegan's groundbreaking work in experiential futures—creating immersive, tangible experiences that help people feel possible futures rather than just intellectually understand them. From the Hawaii 2050 project that created four radically different versions of Hawaii's future to pandemic simulations developed years before COVID-19, Dunegan demonstrates how making futures visceral can change decision-making in profound ways.Find Jake at jakedunegan.com or on BlueSky as dunegan23.Order your copy of SuperShifts: www.bit.ly/supershifts Unemployable the Podcast At Unemployable the Podcast, we aim to inspire and Amplify Disabled Entrepreneurs!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifyORDER SUPERSHIFTS! bit.ly/supershifts 🎧 Listen Now On: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-forward-conversations-with-futurists-innovators-and-big-thinkers/id1736144515 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IOn8PZCMMC04uixlATqoO Web: https://thinkforward.buzzsprout.com/ Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.
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Think Forward EP 129: The Dao of Foresight with Alex Fergnani
Alex Fergnani takes us on a journey from his beginnings as a martial arts student in Asia to becoming a provocative voice in futures thinking with his groundbreaking approach to foresight wisdom. His upcoming book "The Dao of Foresight" with Penguin represents a fresh approach to teaching foresight concepts through an entertaining narrative set in a fictional world.Following a hero's journey structure, the novel follows a young disciple seeking a master to help save his endangered village. Through this adventure, readers learn foresight techniques while engaging with wisdom from Taoism, Zen Buddhism, and Confucianism. Alex shares the comprehensive world-building process behind the book—creating maps, character backgrounds, and plot structures that form a rich universe accessible to audiences from teenagers to seasoned practitioners.Some highlights from our conversation:Entered futures accidentally after pursuing Asian studies and discovering a Future Studies program in TaiwanViews Kung Fu as the primary influence on his approach to foresight—focusing on rigorous fundamentals, discipline, and systematic processesCreated "The Dao of Foresight" as an edutainment novel set in the Land of PanguDeveloped a comprehensive world-building process with maps, character backgrounds, and a hero's journey narrative structureBelieves the foresight field should first distinguish between futurism (speculation) and foresight (systematic approaches)Pivoting his career toward becoming a "communicator of wisdom" rather than a traditional foresight practitionerHis personal revelation that his initial attraction to foresight's ambitious scope was partly compensating for deeper psychological needs offers powerful insight for anyone drawn to futures work. Whether you're curious about alternative approaches to futures thinking or interested in how storytelling can transform complex concepts, this episode offers a thought-provoking blend of Eastern wisdom and foresight practice.Find Alex on LinkedIn and YouTube, and join his mailing list to receive updates about "The Dao of Foresight" and when it is available here for pre-order:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe4LRIMHh5SRz4dcr8aUC1qrGT5CcXsC1CRkC1PgR66tk6h1w/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0Enjoy the show!Order your copy of SuperShifts: www.bit.ly/supershifts Unemployable the Podcast At Unemployable the Podcast, we aim to inspire and Amplify Disabled Entrepreneurs!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifyORDER SUPERSHIFTS! bit.ly/supershifts 🎧 Listen Now On: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-forward-conversations-with-futurists-innovators-and-big-thinkers/id1736144515 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IOn8PZCMMC04uixlATqoO Web: https://thinkforward.buzzsprout.com/ Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.
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Think Forward EP 128 - Foundations in Foresight Series Announcement
We're launching Foundations and Futures, a special series of 100 bite-sized episodes to support our new book and make 1 million people future fluent by 2030. Each 5-7 minute episode delivers one key concept, tool, or practice to build your futures literacy from the ground up.• 100 free episodes starting March 17th to build future fluency• Episodes released in batches of 10 on Mondays and Thursdays• Each episode is 5-7 minutes focused on one key foresight concept• Series supports our book "Super Shifts: Transforming How We Live, Learn and Work in the Age of Intelligence"• Content designed as an essential toolkit for understanding longer Think Forward episodes• Episodes will eventually be backdated to be sequential with the overall show• Regular interview episodes will continue alongside this special seriesThe future isn't something we wait for. It's something we build one insight at a time. If you're enjoying this journey into foresight, be sure to explore the rest of the series and subscribe to get the latest episodes to check out our main Think Forward show for deeper conversations on shaping tomorrow.ORDER SUPERSHIFTS! bit.ly/supershifts 🎧 Listen Now On: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-forward-conversations-with-futurists-innovators-and-big-thinkers/id1736144515 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IOn8PZCMMC04uixlATqoO Web: https://thinkforward.buzzsprout.com/ Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.
About Think Forward: Conversations with Futurists, Innovators and Big Thinkers
Welcome to the Think Forward podcast where we have conversations with futurists, innovators and big thinkers about what lies ahead. We explore emerging trends on the horizon and what it means to be a futurist.
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