Looking Outside

You can’t talk about the future without talking about change. But change can trick you, as guest Roger Spitz says on this latest episode, filmed live at the Rulebreaker Future Congress in Germany. Roger is the founding Chair of the Disruptive Futures Institute and, there, instructs global leaders in operating with agility in uncertain environments. The thing about change, Roger explains, is that it feels equally incredibly slow and exponentially fast – and both perceptual models can distract us from focusing on the present moment and what needs to be solved for today. On the show, Roger stresses why cognitive agility and informed optimism are critical mindsets in a future that feels uncontrollably volatile.

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More:

• Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.com
• Connect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & X & jolepore.com
• Learn more about Roger Spitz
• Follow Roger on LinkedIn & X & Medium
• Grab a copy of Roger's book Disrupt with Impact
• Follow Techistential on LinkedIn & X
• Follow the Disruptive Futures Institute on LinkedIn & X
• Learn more on the Rulebreaker Future Congress & the Rulebreaker Society

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Looking Outside is a podcast exploring fresh perspectives of familiar topics. Hosted by its creator, futurist and strategist, Jo Lepore. New episodes every 2 weeks. Never the same topic.

All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2025. Theme songs by Azteca X.

We’ve been living digitally for decades. While many of us think romantically about an analog and physical existence, the future is not taking us back there, but deeper into a digital immersion. So says our guest today, Lyron Bentovim, CEO and President of The Glimpse Group, a company advancing augmented and virtual reality innovation. In this episode, filmed live at the Rulebreaker Future Congress in Germany, Lyron paints the possibilities of virtual reality in creating moments of deeper connection, by rethinking digital – not necessarily physical - experiences we are used to today.

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More:

• Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.com
• Connect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & X & jolepore.com
• Learn more about Lyron via his Entrepreneur & WSJ & CEOWorld profiles
• Follow Lyron on LinkedIn and X
• Follow The Glimpse Group on LinkedIn & X
• Learn more on the Rulebreaker Future Congress & the Rulebreaker Society

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⭐ Follow & rate the show - it makes a difference!

----------

Looking Outside is a podcast exploring fresh perspectives of familiar topics. Hosted by its creator, futurist and strategist, Jo Lepore. New episodes every 2 weeks. Never the same topic.

All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2025. Theme songs by Azteca X.

Bioengineering is a complex field. In some industries it’s well established, in others still nascent. But one thing is true regardless of where it’s applied – it poses interesting problems. Dr Hamid Noori is one scientist motivated by solving these kinds of big, difficult and (he would say) fun problems. As CEO of bioengineering company, The Cultivated B, his work takes cellular technologies from the lab to the market. On this episode, filmed live at the Rulebreaker Future Congress in Germany, he shares how a grand purpose in life is not necessary if you have audacious problems that you are focused on solving and an openness to solving them in new ways.

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More:

• Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.com
• Connect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & X & jolepore.com
• Learn more about Hamid Noori & Cultivated B
• Follow Hamid on LinkedIn & his writing on Forbes Technology Council
• Follow Cultivated B on LinkedIn
• Check out Hamid's other ventures n!Biomachines & PreFerIndustries
• Learn more on the Rulebreaker Future Congress & the Rulebreaker Society

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⭐ Follow & rate the show - it makes a difference!

----------

Looking Outside is a podcast exploring fresh perspectives of familiar topics. Hosted by its creator, futurist and strategist, Jo Lepore. New episodes every 2 weeks. Never the same topic.

All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2025. Theme songs by Azteca X.

For over two decades, Germany's most demanded futurist, Sven Gabor Janszky, has been gathering business leaders across Europe, exposing them to the 'rulebreaking' ideas that are changing our world. In this 24th edition of this event, Sven sits down with host (and international keynote at the congress) Jo Lepore, to discuss the science behind finding breakthrough ideas, particularly those in longevity. Through his scientific research, and his venture capital, Sven has seen how breakthroughs in organ preservation, gene engineering and bio-matching are already extending our life span. Now he's also observing with curiosity how things like AI replicas and brain computer interfaces will preserve our humanity even further. Sven says it might sound like science fiction but the signals of this future are already here. There is no way to slow them down, instead it is us who must catch up.

This is a live podcast, filmed at the Rulebreaker Future Congress in Leipzig Germany May 2025. The event, hosted by 2b AHEAD, brings together "people whose ideas change the world".

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More:

• Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.com
• Connect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & X & jolepore.com
• Learn more about future scientist Sven Gabor Janszky & 2b AHEAD
• Follow Sven on LinkedIn & X & Instagram
• Learn more on the Rulebreaker Future Congress & the Rulebreaker Society
• Read Sven's research on the future of GenAI 2035 & Strategic Foresight 2035 & Space 2040 & Digital Humans 2035.

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⭐ Follow & rate the show - it makes a difference!

----------

Looking Outside is a podcast exploring fresh perspectives of familiar topics. Hosted by its creator, futurist and strategist, Jo Lepore. New episodes every 2 weeks. Never the same topic.

All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2025. Theme songs by Azteca X.

Arguably, the most important thing we need to do when thinking about the future, is to hold our strong opinions weakly. In the world of business strategy, the process of mapping what may lie ahead is usually tempted by a perfected, tried-and-true, method. So what happens when the forecast is wrong? On this episode of Looking Outside we are exploring the process and purpose of scenario planning, with world leading forecaster, professor and futurist, Paul Saffo. Having helped organizations, governments and future leaders build skills in forecasting for the future for decades, Paul knows better than most how predictions of the future can fail when certainty is the desired outcome. Equally he’s seen how people can become entranced with a specific method and obsessed with the accuracy of their predictions. He says instead, when thinking about the future, we should intentionally second guess assumptions, especially, those of so-called subject matter experts. Sometimes, it comes down simply to having a good compass and learning to read the stars.

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More:

• Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.com
• Connect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & X & jolepore.com
• Learn more about Paul Saffo, futurist with a past
• Follow Paul on LinkedIn & X & Instagram
• Check out more of Paul's work with the Long Now Foundation, Singularity University, The Atlantic Council and the Millennium Project

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⭐ Follow & rate the show - it makes a difference!

----------

Looking Outside is a podcast exploring fresh perspectives of familiar topics. Hosted by its creator, futurist and strategist, Jo Lepore. New episodes every 2 weeks. Never the same topic.

All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2025. Theme songs by Azteca X.

Art is nice, but it’s not just a nice-to-have. And it’s not relegated to galleries, museums and exclusive circles. Not only is art everywhere in our lives, day in and out, it has a profound impact on our physiology, psychology and our ability to better connect with other people. On this episode of Looking Outside we speak with author of ‘Your Brain on Art’, Susan Magsamen. Having researched the topic of neuroaethethics and neuroarts, Susan leads initiatives within John Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Aspen Institute to spread the rigorous scientific evidence on the benefits of creativity, sensorial immersion, playfulness and awe on our brain. As well as on how we learn, grow and do business.

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More:

• Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.com
• Connect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & X & jolepore.com
• Learn more about Susan Magsamen
• Follow Susan on LinkedIn & X & Instagram
• Susan and Ivy's book Your Brain on Art
• Follow Your Brain on Art on LinkedIn & Instagram
• Susan's work at the Art and Mind Lab & the Neuroarts Blueprint

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⭐ Follow & rate the show - it makes a difference!

----------

Looking Outside is a podcast exploring fresh perspectives of familiar topics. Hosted by its creator, futurist and strategist, Jo Lepore. New episodes every 2 weeks. Never the same topic.

All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2025. Theme songs by Azteca X.

After 200 years of rapid growth, we’re seeing the consequences of putting the planet to the limits of habitability. But with future endless growth goals, and finite resources it’s time we get climate action into the P&L. On this episode of Looking Outside, we’re talking about sizing the impact of climate change, with climate and sustainability leader, David Carlin. David shares how climate finance is a fast growing area that captures the downside of climate inaction as well as the upside in climate solutions, in a way that’s mobilizing change across industries and economic ecosystems. But, David warns, the financials are not the problem, nor is accounting the complete solution, and a path forward needs to capture what we can’t size or even know, including our moral imperative to change.

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More:

• Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.com
• Connect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & X & jolepore.com
• David Carlin dacarlin.com
• Follow David on LinkedIn & X
• Subscribe to David's newsletter on Substack
• Read David's articles on Forbes

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⭐ Follow & rate the show - it makes a difference!

----------

Looking Outside is a podcast exploring fresh perspectives of familiar topics. Hosted by its creator, futurist and strategist, Jo Lepore. New episodes every 2 weeks. Never the same topic.

All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2025. Theme songs by Azteca X.

Futures Thinking: Spotting Signals in Turbulent Times

In a world of constant flux and uncertainty, the ability to spot signals of change is an essential skill for navigating the future. Volatility has been escalating for over a decade, and the exponential growth of data presents both challenges and opportunities. Understanding how to contextualize signals through futures thinking is becoming increasingly critical. This session will equip you with the tools to identify and interpret key signals, empowering you to manage turbulence with confidence and assert control in an unpredictable world.

Speakers:

• Joanna Lepore - @lookingoutside Host and foresight strategist
• Sarah Owen - Futurist & trend forecaster

This is a recording of a live panel that took place March 8, 2025 at SXSW in Austin, Texas in the 2050 Track. Shared with with permission from SXSW. Edited for clarify.

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More:

• Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.com
• Connect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & X
• Connect with Sarah Owen on LinkedIn & Instagram
• Jo Lepore www.jolepore.com
• Learn about Sarah's ventures - Futures Friends and Astrofutures
• Learn about Jo's ventures - Foresight Inside Group (FIG)

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⭐ Follow & rate the show - it makes a difference!

----------

Looking Outside is a podcast exploring fresh perspectives of familiar topics. Hosted by its creator, futurist and marketer, Jo Lepore. New episodes every 2 weeks. Never the same topic.

All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2025. Theme songs by Azteca X.

Enough with the “Delving” – Staying Human in the Age of AI.

Is AI making us better or worse at communicating? On one hand, platforms like ChatGPT have unlocked the ability to instantly create and customize vast reams of messaging – emails, social posts, and more. But the telltale fingerprints of AI, from overused words like “innovative” and “delve,” its preference for middle-of-the-road conclusions, and its tendency to yap at length, are also hurting our ability to actually connect with our audience. In this panel, explore how both individuals and brands can be better communicators in the age of AI.

Panel:

• Joanna Lepore - Looking Outside Host and foresight strategist
• Ben Guttmann - Marketing executive and author
• Usama Fayyad - Executive Director of Institute for Experiential AI at Northeastern University
• Moderated by Melina Palmer - Founder & CEO of The Brainy Business

This is a recording of a live panel that took place March 7, 2025 at SXSW in Austin, Texas in the Advertising & Brand Experience Track. Shared with with permission from SXSW. Edited for clarify.

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More:

• Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.com
• Connect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & X
• Ben Guttmann www.benguttmann.com & Linkedin
• Melina Palmer https://thebrainybusiness.com & Linkedin
• Usama Fayyad on Linkedin
• Jo Lepore www.jolepore.com
• Listen to the Looking Outside episode with Usama Fayyad on AI
• Listen to the Looking Outside episode with Melina Palmer on behavioral economics

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⭐ Follow & rate the show - it makes a difference!

----------

Looking Outside is a podcast exploring fresh perspectives of familiar topics. Hosted by its creator, futurist and marketer, Jo Lepore. New episodes every 2 weeks. Never the same topic.

All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2025. Theme songs by Azteca X.

In this episode of Looking Outside we’re going back to the past and into the future - exploring the biggest transformative breakthroughs in science and technology that have and are transforming civilizations and societal values. Historian and futurist Jamie Metzl joins us to step into the world of science innovation, and equally to take a step back to see the bigger picture of human evolution. A leading voice in science and medicine, Jamie shares how our biological limitations are also our greatest strength – we continue to enhance ourselves, and our way of life, through technology, in order to to adapt to future environments. Emerging breakthroughs however, Jamie says, should not be viewed in isolation but in the context of converging factors, considering their negative consequences and their unforeseen upsides, based on the bigger ecosystem of interconnected industries. We no longer live in a ‘natural world’ and there is no going back to the ‘way things were’, so we must accept that change is a part of our human future.

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More:

• Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.com
• Connect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & X
• Jamie Metzl jamiemetzl.com
• Follow Jamie on YouTube & X & LinkedIn
• Grab a copy of Jamie's book Superconvergence
• Check out his other books on Amazon

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⭐ Follow & rate the show - it makes a difference!

----------

Looking Outside is a podcast exploring fresh perspectives of familiar topics. Hosted by its creator, futurist and marketer, Jo Lepore. New episodes every 2 weeks. Never the same topic.

All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2025. Theme songs by Azteca X.