In this episode Simon Brown, Paul Ashcroft, and Garrick Jones are joined by futurist Bob Johansen, who brings nearly five decades of experience in forecasting what’s next. Together, they dive into the power of curiosity and "future-back" thinking in navigating today’s uncertain world. From VUCA to BANI, Bob unpacks the frameworks shaping how we understand complexity—and why generative AI is a game-changer for leadership.

Discover the essential skills leaders need for the future, including augmented clarity and bioengaging, and hear how cross-generational collaboration is key to thriving in disruption. With reflections on faith, hope, and decision-making in an age of ambiguity, this conversation offers a hopeful yet grounded roadmap for staying curious in the face of the unknown.

00:00 The Journey of a Futurist

03:11 Understanding the Role of a Futurist

05:51 Engaging with Future Signals

09:00 The VUCA and BANI World

11:53 The Impact of Generative AI

15:05 Curiosity and Future Leadership

24:01 Curiosity and Future-Back Thinking

25:52 Key Skills for Future Leadership

32:10 Practical Augmentation for Leaders

36:21 Faith and Hope in a Changing World

42:01 Cross-Generational Collaboration and Neuroscience

48:05 Optimism in a Frightening Future

Interested in purchasing the book? Contact [email protected] for exclusive group discounts and bulk order offers for The Curious Advantage listeners.

The Curious Advantage is an exploration of the idea of Curiosity and its increasing importance for thriving in the digital age. Taking the widest possible exploration of things Curious – historical, contemporary, neuro-scientific, anthropological, behavioural, semantic and business-focused. At the heart of the book is our model of Curiosity, called ’Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’. This model provides individuals with a practical framework for how to be successfully Curious and use Curiosity as a power skill to unlock their own potential. To find out more visit: curiousadvantage.com

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The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing is expertly by Danny Cross. Video editing by Jessica Wickham and John McGinty.