Future Back Drinking with Dr. Athina Kanioura

For the Season 2 finale of Future Back Drinking, the tables turn as Dr. Athina Kanioura trades the host chair for the guest seat, reflecting on the ideas and conversations that defined the season. From AI and the future of work to leadership, creativity, and human potential, Athina explores how she applies “future back thinking” in her own life and work, why empathy and creativity still matter deeply in an AI-powered world, and why “work-life harmony” may be a more meaningful goal than balance.

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In this episode of Future Back Drinking, Dr. Athina Kanioura sits down with Andrés Mosquera, CEO of Claro Enterprise Solutions, to explore how telecom is expanding into cloud, cybersecurity, and AI-driven services and why the real challenge isn’t the technology, but getting organizations ready for it. They discuss what it means to be “secure by design” and why Latin America’s creativity and entrepreneurial spirit are driving a new wave of innovation. From infrastructure to intelligence, this conversation highlights how connectivity is becoming central to how businesses operate and grow.

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In this episode of Future Back Drinking, Dr. Athina Kanioura speaks with Peggy Johnson, CEO of Agility, about the rise of humanoid robots like Agility's Digit, and their role in the future of work. From warehouses to real-world environments, Peggy explains how robots are being designed to work alongside humans, handling repetitive, physically demanding tasks while opening the door to new kinds of jobs. They also explore the realities behind the hype, including safety, regulation, and what it will take to scale human-robot collaboration responsibly.

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On this episode of Future Back Drinking, Dr. Athina Kanioura and co-host Priyanka Aribindi sit down with Diane Hoskins, Global Co-Chair of Gensler, for a conversation on leadership and the power of design to shape how people do their best work. Diane shares how Gensler’s co-CEO model has fueled the firm’s growth, why diversity of thought drives effective leadership, and how architecture and design can elevate the human experience at scale. Together, they explore what it takes for leaders to invest in innovation while staying grounded in people, culture, and lasting impact.

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On this episode of Future Back Drinking, Dr. Athina Kanioura and Priyanka Aribindi sit down with Dr. Laurie Santos, Yale psychology professor and host of The Happiness Lab, to unpack what truly drives happiness and performance at work. In an age of AI and hybrid teams, Laurie argues that happiness isn’t a “nice-to-have,” but a core driver of productivity when workplaces foster belonging, trust, and meaningful connection. The conversation digs into why leaders should design for work–life harmony instead of balance, how to cut down on “pseudo-productivity,” and ways to build psychological safety around AI while giving people the space to stay curious, creative, and fulfilled in their roles.

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Dr. Athina Kanioura and co-host Priyanka Aribindi are joined on this episode of Future Back Drinking by Shamina Singh. As President of the Center for Inclusive Growth and Executive Vice President for Sustainability at Mastercard, Shamina oversees efforts to advance inclusive, sustainable economies, grounding her reflections on the changing ties between business, impact, and community. She shares the experiences that have influenced her belief that growth and inclusion must move together, and the group explores what it takes to empower small businesses, build trust across sectors, and prepare people for an AI-driven economy.

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In this episode of Future Back Drinking, Dr. Athina Kanioura and co-host Priyanka Aribindi speak with Vivian Schiller, Executive Director of Aspen Digital at the Aspen Institute, about how AI and emerging technologies are transforming journalism, media, and trust. Vivian reflects on the challenges of misinformation, deepfakes, and the “liar’s dividend,” while highlighting how organizations can use AI responsibly to strengthen reporting and public understanding. Together, they discuss Aspen Digital’s collaboration with PepsiCo on AI and workforce transformation, and the leadership qualities needed to navigate change without losing purpose: transparency, empathy, and curiosity.

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Renowned researcher, author, and Nielsen Norman Group co-founder Don Norman joins Dr. Athina Kanioura and co-host Priyanka Aribindi to discuss how design must adapt in the age of AI. Norman shares insights from his journey - starting with coining the term “user experience” at Apple to his current advocacy for humanity-centered design, an approach that reaches beyond products to influence organizations, policy, and the planet. Together, they explore how designers can shift from focusing on aesthetics to embracing systems thinking, why cross-disciplinary collaboration is vital, and how AI can enhance, rather than replace, human creativity and purpose.

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In this episode of Future Back Drinking, Dr. Athina Kanioura and co-host Priyanka Aribindi sit down with Ravi Kumar, CEO of Cognizant and one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in AI, to explore how technology is reshaping the very fabric of work. Ravi shares his vision for a future where AI acts not as a replacement but as an equalizer, a tool that amplifies human potential, sparks innovation, and creates new pathways for lifelong learning. Together, they discuss the rise of “agentic capital,” the growing value of non-STEM and interdisciplinary skills, and why agility, curiosity, and continuous learning will define the next generation of leaders.

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Future Back Drinking is back! For the Season Two premiere, Dr. Athina Kanioura and co-host Priyanka Aribindi are joined by TIME CEO Jessica Sibley for a conversation on strategic leadership and business innovation. Together, they discuss how to transform legacy brands without losing their identity, the role of bold leadership in navigating change, and why embracing AI and new technologies is critical to the future of media and business. This new season will continue to feature thought-provoking conversations with leaders who are redefining how we build, innovate, and lead in a rapidly changing world.

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