Jack To The Future

We love words here at Jack To The Future🌍  - language is fun isn’t it !

Jack begins the episode with a riddle game for you and contemplates the future of English following his research on this topic. 

Will the future of the English language be a combination of languages?

Will 'text' speak and acronyms  seep into the spoken word?

Are  emojis words?

Do you know what an emordnilap is?

How about the etymology of spoonerisms or portmanteaus?

Jack and  his guest speaker this week,   Simon Horobin, Professor of English Language and Literature at The University of Oxford,  discuss all of the above,   their favourite words and and all manor of other lexical topics, finishing with Jack  testing Simon's skills and knowledge of modern day slang! Will you dare to have a go?!

A fun-filled episode learning about both the future and history of the English language. 

Mentions/Links

The Future of English -The British Council

The Future of English- Article by Simon Horobin in Babel: The Language Magazine 

Simon Horobin on You Tube : The Future of English

A Very Short Introduction to the English Language | Simon Horobin | Talks at Google

A Very Short Introduction to the English Language: Book by Simon Horobin 

🧮Can maths really predict the future?

😫Do you suffer with maths anxiety?

#️⃣Will we run out of numbers?

👩🏾‍🏫Will maths be taught differently in the future?

Jack poses these questions and many more to his special guest, Professor Chris Budd from @The University of Bath in Episode 15- The Future of Maths 🎉 Chris chats to Jack about what an equation is and how some  can predict the future (to an extent!)

Jack loves hearing about the origins of some mathematical concepts, famous mathematicians and inventors. 🚨You do not have to have studied maths , be an expert or even really like maths to listen to this episode - the duo talk about how maths runs through everyday life, how it can be fun and it really is for everyone!

Don’t miss out on a chance to try your hand at some magic tricks and hear about Chris’s friend who can solve a Rubik's cube while simultaneously juggling! Who knew! 🤹‍♀️

Mentions/links

 Chris Budd - Gresham College- Mathematics and the Making of the Future and Modern World

Matt Parker- Stand-up Maths

 Galois Theory for Kids 

UKMT (UK Mathematics Trust) 

 NRich Maths 

Plus Maths  

E=mc2 for kids

 Hannah Fry - Can Maths Predict The Future 

 Metro- Are We Running out of Numbers?

 Pythagoras for kids

Horrible Science: Evil Inventions

The Science Museum, London: Lovelace, Turing and The Invention of Computers 

The Royal Institution: Christmas Lectures 

Royal Institution Masterclasses

💡When’s the last time you thought, “I wish I’d thought of that!” ?

 Well, in the second part of his Future of Work episodes, Jack shares  a spooky themed👻, jam packed   episode focusing on  The Future of Entrepreneurship, where you’ll “meet” not 1, but 3 super talented entrepreneurial guests who have made businesses out of the things they love !!!!

 First up, Jack talks to Julian Hall, CEO and founder at @UltraEducation about what entrepreneurship  is; how it differs from a regular 9 to 5; what his predictions for the future are and tips for being a successful entrepreneur. 

This is followed by a second interview with Israel, child author @animalfusionsstories who discusses his journey as a kidpreneur , including the highs and challenges he has faced so far and what keeps him motivated. 

In keeping with the date of release for this episode , for Halloween, he also hears from Semra @mamamooncandles , an eclectic witch dispelling (like what we did there 😜) myths about witchcraft and enjoys finding out more  about her unique business whereby she spreads love and cosmic vibes. 🙌We hope it educates and inspires!

 A fascinating episode exploring lots of different people’s perspectives and experiences . What would you do if you were to make a business out of something you love or maybe you’re doing it already?Tell us, we’d love to know…📢 

PARTIAL TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE ON THE JACK TO THE FUTURE BLOG 

 Links/Mentions 

Hertford Organic 

Ultra Education website 

Ultra Education CIC You Tube

 Ask Ultra You Tube Channel for children 

Animal Fusions Stories Instagram

 Semra (Mamamoon Candles) website

 Mamamoon Candles Instagram

 How to be a witch, Cosmopolitan magazine article about Semra

You can now catch up with everything Jack To The Future on his blog.

Listen directly to episodes; see his artwork; hyperlinks to media he has discussed in the episode; see videos posted on social media channels and  for selected episodes, you can also read a transcript to aid listening.

Visit https://jacktothefuture564636210.wordpress.com/ for more details 😀

What do you do to stay mindful? Maybe exercising, meditation, staring at a glitter jar, breathing techniques or practising gratitude? Or you might be thinking, I'm not really sure what that is?... 

Whatever your understanding or current habits , this is the place for you! Following the easing of lockdown in the UK, this week's topic seemed like an apt choice. It's also Mental Health Awareness Day on the 10th October - perhaps this episode may give you some ideas in advance and help you to reflect on what you are doing regularly to boost your own mental wellbeing.  

  In Jack's 12th episode, another two-parter,  he chats to Jess and Joe from Hertfordshire Mind Network. The charity support all over 18s in Hertfordshire, as well as offering specific support to children and young people over the age of 10. They talk about what the mental health charity do to support children, young people and their parents and carers, as well as professionals working with them. They reflect on how Covid has affected how they run the service and impacted upon service user; discuss some practical tips to help with anxiety; debate the pros and cons of social media for mental health  and,  of course, their ideas for what the future of mental health may look like.🔮 

 Jack was also very excited to speak to Ros from Mindful Magic, Royston which is a mindfulness🧘‍♂️ group aimed at children between 5-10 years old.   Not only does Jack find out about the group,  they share ideas about techniques for children (and adults) to relax, unwind and be in tune to their feelings and why that’s so important. Listen out for the shark breath! Ros takes us through a guided meditation and hopefully, everyone is feeling zen by the end of the episode...🤞 It’s a super line-up, not to be missed! 

Mentions/links 

Hertfordshire Mind Network deliver essential mental health support in Hertfordshire, providing a diverse range of services from their seven Wellbeing Centres and other venues across all ten districts of the county. Funded locally, services are available to all residents in Hertfordshire over the age of 18 and they also provide dedicated services for 10-18 year olds.  

Mindful Magic, Royston 

UK Safer Internet Centre - Social media guides  

Kellie Ahl - creative workshops 

Glitter jars

After a little break over the Summer, Jack To The Future podcast is back!

Talking all things food this time, Jack discusses an article he has read on Crickster.com and delves deeper into the possibilities of food in the future with his guest speaker, Nina Fischer from @NinaFischerNutrition, a nutritional therapist. They talk about a plant based diet- vegetarian and veganism; food waste; growing your own; regenerative farming;  shopping local; a debate about eating insects and much, much more!

Also featuring some research from a fellow podcaster @AtYourLevelPod ❤

Of course science, technology and inventions feature in this episode too!🤣

Mentions/links

At Your Level Podcast

Nina Fischer Nutrition

Kiss The Ground Movie

Hertford Organic

Mudlarks Cafe

Environment, Climate, Hope event at All Saints Church in Hertford

Crickster.com- 12 Fascinating Foods of the Future

Meat The Future - You Tube video 

The Guardian article- If we want to save the planet, the future of food is insects

In this week's episode, Jack talks about the future of music. 🎵

He thinks that maybe musical notations  will look different in the future- more like abstract symbols as per his cover art…What are your thoughts?

He chats to Niamh Clune, founder of the ‘We Are The Voice’ Children’s Environmental Choir 🌍 about her project;  their upcoming events and current songs; their favourite singers; their views on whether singing will be replaced by Artificial Intelligence and predictions for  future themes for music. 

Another interview follows,  where  he talks to  the ‘I Am The Music’ founders, Adam Fearn and Saija Mahon about their community project to help artists break into the music industry.🎸 They talk about how technology may influence music production and performances in the future including AI generated songs, holograms and cartoon popstars ; they debate whether musical instruments will be replaced and discuss what changes we are already seeing in the music industry , as well as their journey  to  become musicians.

Mentions/links

We Are The Voice 

I Am The Music 

Wilkestock Festival

Mi MU gloves

Flow Machines- AI makes pop

Hologram tour

All side of the house album ft. Saya

Jack's been talking to two local businesses for this episode, After Alice Ltd and Master Builders based in Hertford, Hertfordshire.

After Alice is an online toy and gift shop which was developed by the owner, Martine, in response to shops pigeonholing boys' and girls' toys. Jack, Martine and her daughter (aka. Big Alice) talk about their experiences of the unfair gender divide in many toy aisles.

Master Builders run Lego parties and workshops in the local area and Darren, the owner, shares Jack's love for Lego Great Ball Contraptions (much to Jack's delight- someone else to talk about chain reactions with-more on this later!)

They talk about their businesses, different types of play, current trends and predictions for the future of play, including sustainability and innovation. 

There's something for everyone in this episode, whether it be nostalgia by adults of childhood toys that they so adored in years gone by, a celebration of the great classics or an appreciation for how toys have evolved and continue to do so. 

Weblinks/mentions:

After Alice Ltd

Master Builders Parties and Workshops

Ware's The Bricks

Legobot Wars

Iron Man VR mask toy

Rube Goldberg

Learn about the threats facing forests in the UK and what we can do to help as Jack has an informative chat with Henry Bexley, Operations Manager at National Trust's Hatfield Forest in Essex.

They talk about some of the rare and interesting species of plants and animals that can be found here; why it is a site of Specific Scientific Interest; some forest management techniques used, spanning back to Norman times and how these help prolong the life of the trees as well as discussing climate change and the impact on the forest and its sustainability.

Links/mentions

Hatfield Forest