Slowing Down to Speed Up: Rehumanizing Work Through Facilitation

With Tzu-Yao (Jerry) LIN

In a world racing toward optimization and automation, what does it mean to slow down — not as an escape, but as a path to deeper connection, clarity, and meaningful transformation?

In this episode of Bennu Podcast, we sit down with Tzu-Yao (Jerry) Lin, a multilingual organizational anthropologist and facilitator, whose work bridges global corporations, creative education, and community-based innovation. Co-hosted by Alex Baker-Friesen and Ben M. Najafi, this conversation explores:

• Why slowing down is essential to avoid burnout and foster collective intelligence
• How Jerry uses check-in questions and facilitation to humanize organizational dynamics
• The hidden limitations of top-down training in global companies
• How anthropology and futures thinking together unlock new pathways for systems change
• The importance of “hosting ourselves” before hosting others

This is not just a conversation about work — it’s a reflection on how we relate to each other, how we hold space in complexity, and how to navigate change with curiosity and care.

🎙 Hosted by Alex — Founder of Ozyntel & Co-founder at Flux Forward | Host & Ben — Futurist & Ecosystem Architect at The Futures Hub.

📍 Subscribe and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and more.

🎧 Listen now: podcast.bennu.community

💡 Connect with Tzu-Yao (Jerry) LIN on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tzu-yao-lin12

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Bennu Community

A living archive of nonlinear journeys: migration, identity, work, and belonging.

Part of the Flux Forward ecosystem.

Listen: https://bennu.community

Flux Forward: https://fluxforward.world

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dare to Imagine: Futures Literacy, Change, and Courageous Thinking

With Birgitte Velde, Consultant, futurist & Change Agent | Founder at Embli

In this episode of the Bennu Community Podcast, we sit down with Birgitte Velde — a consultant, futurist, Change Agent, and Founder at Embli — to explore what it truly means to dare to imagine.

From her early days on a strawberry farm to her current work helping organizations navigate complexity, Birgitte shares how imagination, systems thinking, and courageous action can unlock new possibilities in life and business.

We talk about:

– What futures literacy looks like in everyday decisions

– Why change is emotional — and how to prepare for it

– How imagination can be a superpower for resilience

– The role of design thinking in defining the right problems

– What it means to be truly future-ready

Whether you're leading a team, rethinking your path, or simply curious about what’s next — this conversation will inspire you to pause, reflect, and dare to imagine.

🎙 Hosted by Ben — Futurist & Ecosystem Architect at The Futures Hub.

📍 Subscribe and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and more.

🎧 Listen now: podcast.bennu.community

💡 Connect with Birgitte Velde on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/birgittevelde

Don't forget to share your feedback and spread the word!

Bennu Community

A living archive of nonlinear journeys: migration, identity, work, and belonging.

Part of the Flux Forward ecosystem.

Listen: https://bennu.community

Flux Forward: https://fluxforward.world

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Safe to Speak: How Psychological Safety Fuels Innovation and Trust

With Ania Hajdrowska, Founder of engaged.lab & psychological safety practitioner

In this episode of the Bennu Community Podcast, we sit down with Ania Hajdrowska — Founder of engaged.lab and a certified psychological safety practitioner. Ania shares how psychological safety can transform teams, boost creativity, and build lasting trust — especially in fast-changing and remote work environments.

We explore:

• What psychological safety really means (and why it matters now)
• How leaders can foster open, human-centered cultures
• Simple tools like check-ins that help teams thrive
• Lessons from startups, corporates, and everything in between

Whether you're a founder, team leader, or curious learner — this episode offers practical insights to help you create safer, more innovative spaces for collaboration.

🎙 Hosted by Ben — Futurist & Ecosystem Architect at The Futures Hub.

📍 Subscribe and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and more.

🎧 Listen now: podcast.bennu.community

💡 Connect with Ania Hajdrowska on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aniahajdrowska

Don't forget to share your feedback and spread the word!

Bennu Community

A living archive of nonlinear journeys: migration, identity, work, and belonging.

Part of the Flux Forward ecosystem.

Listen: https://bennu.community

Flux Forward: https://fluxforward.world

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Creativity Is Not Art: On Confidence, Change, and the Courage to Do Things Differently

With David Chislett

In this episode of the Bennu Community Podcast, we explore the deeper layers of creativity — beyond art, beyond talent, and into the heart of how we deal with change. Our guest, David Chislett, is a seasoned creativity coach and Foursight Mindset facilitator who has spent decades helping individuals and teams unlock their creative confidence.

We talk about:

• Why creativity is not the same as art
• How fear and shame can block creative expression
• The role of psychological safety in teams
• What gets people stuck — and how to get unstuck
• Daily habits for building creative muscle
• What business, education, and art can learn from each other

Whether you're a team leader, creative thinker, or simply someone trying to do things differently in a fast-changing world — this episode offers fresh insights, practical tools, and a whole lot of encouragement.

Listen in and rediscover creativity as a mindset — not a mystery.

🎙 Hosted by Ben — futurist, facilitator, and founder of The Futures Hub.

📍 Subscribe and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and more.

🎧 Listen now: podcast.bennu.community

💡 Connect with David Chislett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidchislettcreativity

Don't forget to share your feedback and spread the word!

Bennu Community

A living archive of nonlinear journeys: migration, identity, work, and belonging.

Part of the Flux Forward ecosystem.

Listen: https://bennu.community

Flux Forward: https://fluxforward.world

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Systems Approach to Learning, Leading, and Letting Go

With Carla Traini

In this episode of the Bennu Community Podcast, we explore how to think beyond the obvious — and why unlearning is just as important as learning.

Our guest, Carla Traini, is a systemic thinker, cross-functional educator, and mentor with a background spanning design, anthropology, psychology, and education. From leading global creative teams to mentoring emerging talents, she shares how complexity, curiosity, and human behavior intersect to shape the way we learn, lead, and make decisions.

We discuss:

• What it means to “undo” what we know
• Why seeing both the forest and the trees matters
• The role of systemic thinking in education, entrepreneurship, and leadership
• How to navigate uncertainty with awareness, not assumption
• And why following your passion might not always be the best idea

🎙 Hosted by Ben — futurist, facilitator, and founder of The Futures Hub.

📍 Subscribe and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and more.

🎧 Listen now: podcast.bennu.community

💡 Connect with Carla Traini on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trainicarla

Don't forget to share your feedback and spread the word!

Bennu Community

A living archive of nonlinear journeys: migration, identity, work, and belonging.

Part of the Flux Forward ecosystem.

Listen: https://bennu.community

Flux Forward: https://fluxforward.world

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Narrative Isn’t About Today: Storytelling as a Future-Building Tool

with Megan Davis, Lead Storyteller of Spendlove and Lamb

What if storytelling wasn’t just about reflecting the past — but about designing the future?

In this episode, we sit down with Megan Davis, a narrative strategist and lead storyteller, to explore how stories can shape culture, drive transformation, and build clarity in moments of change. From co-designing strategic narratives with communities and startups to challenging the limits of traditional storytelling frameworks, Megan invites us to rethink what it really means to tell a meaningful story — one that moves us forward.

Together, we unpack:

• What a strategic narrative really is
• How stories influence culture and innovation
• Why storytelling is a future skill — not just a communication tool
• The power of diverse narrative structures beyond the “hero’s journey”
• How to find and amplify authentic voices in noisy environments

This conversation is a reminder that your story isn’t just about where you’ve been — it’s a compass for where you’re going.

🎧 Listen now: podcast.bennu.community

💡 Connect with Megan Davis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megandavisstoryteller

🎙️ Hosted by Ben from Bennu Community

🔗 Follow, share, and subscribe to the Bennu Community Podcast for more conversations on growth, purpose, and the future of work.

Don't forget to share your feedback and spread the word!

Bennu Community

A living archive of nonlinear journeys: migration, identity, work, and belonging.

Part of the Flux Forward ecosystem.

Listen: https://bennu.community

Flux Forward: https://fluxforward.world

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Futures Thinking Is a Team Sport: Anticipatory Leadership and the Art of Plasticity

With Erik Korsvik Østergaard

In this episode, we’re joined by Erik Korsvik Østergaard — author, advisor, and futures thinker — to explore how organizations can move from abstract foresight to practical transformation. We talk about anticipatory leadership, the hidden role of plasticity in decision-making, and why futures thinking should never be a solo act.

From grassroots action to top-down strategy, Erik shares powerful insights on bridging assumptions, designing for time horizons, and creating cultures that are ready — not just reactive.

If you’re building communities, shaping teams, or leading change, this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen now: podcast.bennu.community

💡 Connect with Erik Korsvik Østergaard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikkorsvikoestergaard

🎙️ Hosted by Ben from Bennu Community

🔗 Follow, share, and subscribe to the Bennu Community Podcast for more conversations on growth, purpose, and the future of work.

Don't forget to share your feedback and spread the word!

Bennu Community

A living archive of nonlinear journeys: migration, identity, work, and belonging.

Part of the Flux Forward ecosystem.

Listen: https://bennu.community

Flux Forward: https://fluxforward.world

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beyond Buzzwords: Futures Literacy as a Way of Being

With Martin Calnan — UNESCO Chair for Futures Literacy in Finance

In this thought-provoking episode, we explore what it truly means to be futures literate — not as a framework or buzzword, but as a way of being in the world. Martin Calnan shares his personal journey from marketing and consulting to pioneering futures literacy in finance, and invites us to rethink how we define value, power, and leadership.

Together, we dive into deep questions about assumptions, vulnerability, and agency — and how asking “whose voice isn’t being heard?” can shift the way we imagine and act on the future.

Whether you're a leader, entrepreneur, or community builder, this conversation offers powerful reflections on how to navigate complexity with humility, curiosity, and care.

🎧 Listen now: podcast.bennu.community

💡 Connect with Martin Calnan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-calnan-086125

🎙️ Hosted by Ben from Bennu Community

🔗 Follow, share, and subscribe to the Bennu Community Podcast for more conversations on growth, purpose, and the future of work.

Don't forget to share your feedback and spread the word!

Bennu Community

A living archive of nonlinear journeys: migration, identity, work, and belonging.

Part of the Flux Forward ecosystem.

Listen: https://bennu.community

Flux Forward: https://fluxforward.world

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What Comes After the LMS? Learning in the Flow of Life

With Toby Newman

In this episode, Ben sits down with Toby Newman — Senior L&D Consultant, TEDx speaker, and self-described “Never-ending Learner” — to explore the future of learning in the workplace.

Together, they dive into:

• Why traditional LMS systems are becoming obsolete
• The shift toward personalized, in-the-flow learning
• How AI tools like chatbots and digital coaches are reshaping L&D
• The importance of AI literacy for everyone — not just tech teams
• What small and medium-sized companies can do today to build lighter, smarter learning systems

Toby brings two decades of experience, refreshing honesty, and a human-first approach to this conversation about continuous learning, curiosity, and change.

Whether you're an L&D professional, team leader, startup founder, or simply curious about the future of work — this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now: podcast.bennu.community

💡 Connect with Toby Newman on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/theneverendinglearner

🎙️ Hosted by Ben from Bennu Community

🔗 Follow, share, and subscribe to the Bennu Community Podcast for more conversations on growth, purpose, and the future of work.

Don't forget to share your feedback and spread the word!

Bennu Community

A living archive of nonlinear journeys: migration, identity, work, and belonging.

Part of the Flux Forward ecosystem.

Listen: https://bennu.community

Flux Forward: https://fluxforward.world

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New Country, New Questions: Finding Your Voice in the Dutch Job Market

With Yingqing (Qing) Gong

— Career Coach, Trainer, and Founder of Thrive Coaching & Consulting

Moving to a new country can bring big opportunities—but also big questions.

In this episode, we sit down with Yingqing (Qing) Gong, an experienced career coach and founder of Thrive Coaching & Consulting, to explore what it really takes to build a meaningful career and community as an international in the Netherlands.

From navigating identity shifts to finding clarity in a foreign job market, Qing shares her personal story of moving from China to the Netherlands, transitioning from law to coaching, and helping others find their voice, network, and direction in a new culture.

We dive into topics like:

🔹Why so many internationals struggle with direction and networking

🔹The power of learning Dutch for both personal and professional growth

🔹Building bridges between cultures and communities

🔹The value of peer support and open-minded curiosity

Whether you're just starting your journey abroad or supporting others in theirs, this conversation is full of insights, warmth, and wisdom.

💡 Connect with Yingqing (Qing) Gong on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yingqing-gong

🎙️ Hosted by Ben from Bennu Community

🎧 Listen now: podcast.bennu.community

🔗 Follow, share, and subscribe to the Bennu Community Podcast for more conversations on growth, purpose, and the future of work.

Don't forget to share your feedback and spread the word!

Bennu Community

A living archive of nonlinear journeys: migration, identity, work, and belonging.

Part of the Flux Forward ecosystem.

Listen: https://bennu.community

Flux Forward: https://fluxforward.world

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.