“It is very different than how novelists usually think about their stories set in the future or in an alternative time. Usually, we are thinking of only one kind of story in one kind of direction. Whereas futurists and foresight practitioners think about multiple opportunities that might present themselves going forward. And I find this mental exercise really eye-opening as a science fiction writer.”

In this episode, “Tips for Writing Into The Future: Interview with Foresight Practitioner, Melissa Clark-Reynolds,” host Beth Barany, creativity coach, and science fiction and fantasy novelist, kicks off an exciting podcast mini-series featuring futurist and foresight practitioner, Melissa Clark-Reynolds as they discuss how to solve future problems, including the importance of creating a vision from creating different futures and what is backcasting.

Content Warning - briefly mentions abortion

About Mellissa Clark-Reynolds

Melissa Clark Reynolds ONZM, ChMInstD became a Foresight Practitioner and Professional Director after 30 years experience as a technology entrepreneur and CEO of a number of Technology companies. She sits on the Boards of Atkins Ranch, Alpine Energy Network, Daffodil Enterprises Ltd and the NZ Future Bees Trust.  Melissa was previously Chair of Little Yellow Bird, Deputy Chair of Radio NZ, the first independent Director of Beef & Lamb NZ and a Member of MPI’s Primary Growth Partnership Investment Advisory Panel. Melissa has been part of the Te Hono Primary Sector Bootcamp at Stanford University, twice. She trained as a Foresight Practitioner with The Institute for the Future in Palo Alto and also with Clayton Christiansen in his approach to Disruptive Innovation through Harvard. She has also trained with Futurist Sohail Inayutollah in his approach to corporate narrative and content level analysis.

Melissa works with companies like AsureQuality, Kotahi, Lincoln University, the NZ Screen Sector, and BiosecurityNZ on Strategy and Foresight. Melissa has a particular interest in Platform and Subscription Business Models. She developed and teaches courses in Strategy, Digital Governance and Disruptive Business Models for the NZ Institute of Directors.

Website: https://futurecentre.nz/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HoneyBeeGeek

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissaclarkr/


RESOURCES

How To Write the Future:

http://howtowritethefuture.com/

Free World Building Workbook for Fiction Writers:

https://writersfunzone.com/blog/world-building-resources/

School of International Futures

https://soif.org.uk/

Institute for the Future

https://www.iftf.org

• SHOW PRODUCTION BY Beth Barany
• SHOW NOTES by Kerry-Ann McDade

c. 2023 BETH BARANY

Questions? Comments? Send us a text!

---

CONNECT
Contact Beth
LinkedIn


CREDITS
EDITED WITH DESCRIPT (Affiliate link)
MUSIC: Uppbeat.io
DISTRIBUTED BY BUZZSPROUT: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1994465