By A Modern Remedy
The podcast currently has 21 episodes available.
We're back for the second half of this season of New Ways, and we're picking things up with another massive episode. One that touches on the increasingly important, and controversial, topic of Artificial Intelligence.
This episode is going to be a fun one to look back on.
The AI space has been heating up with every passing month...
In just the last week, we've had Google announce that it is going to completely overhaul the search experience to include AI generated summaries to search queries, which will have a massive impact to both businesses and end users. Scarlett Johanssen has drawn public attention to OpenAI's, apparently unauthorized voice clone it used in one of the company's recent AI chatbot demos. And the European Union has just approved the Artificial Intelligence Act, which aims to set guardrails on AI and ensure regulation against high risk and prohibited AI practices.
So, why talk about AI and the Big Tech companies that are building this disruptive technology?
Well, unless you are living off the grid, these companies, and their services, form a massive and unavoidable part of our everyday digital lives. But how often do we stop to think about what we're using and the true cost of these apps and services?
Many of them present as free, or in the case of AI, promise the world. Yet they, like everything else we consume. deserve a healthy level of scrutiny. The challenge is that tech companies don't always make things easy to understand, which is why we often need regulation to ensure things stay transparent and fair for all of us.
It's important, if not necessary, to understand even at a base level, your rights as a digital consumer. And what we should expect from Big Tech companies that we give our time and money to.
Which brings me to today's guest. In this episode, you'll hear from Tom Kemp, a subject matter expert and technology policy advisor. Tom's contributed to some notable pieces of legislation, including the successful California Privacy Rights Act in 2020, and the California Delete Act in 2023. Plus, at the time of publishing this episode, Tom's latest contribution, the California AI Transparency Act, just passed the State Senate on a 32-to-1 bipartisan basis, a huge sign that governments are paying more attention to artificial intelligence, and how it can impact society.
Beyond his policy work, Tom is also a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and executive, having founded and served as the CEO of Centrify, a leading cybersecurity cloud provider which counted amongst its clients over 60 percent of the top Fortune 50 companies.
All those years of experience and insight led Tom to literally write the book on the titans of the tech industry, entitled Containing Big Tech: How to protect our civil rights, economy, and democracy. Tom also writes about tech policy on his blog, and has been featured in The Guardian, Washington Post, Politico, Fox News, CNBC… and now we can add New Ways to that impressive list!
It's safe to say that Tom knows a thing or two about technology, and the controls needed to ensure it remains a net benefit to society.
So, if you are at all curious about Big Tech, how your personal data is used, want to know more about the future implications of AI, or frankly are just a user of the Internet, then this is an episode you are definitely going to want to hear.
---
Show notes from this episode:
https://amodernremedy.com/tk19
Connect with us:
Tom Kemp:
Credits:
New Ways is a production of A Modern Remedy.
Reducing our collective carbon emissions is an important step toward mitigating the harmful effects of air pollution, environmental degradation and the worsening climate crisis. But is it enough to fully repair our planet?
Or should we shift our aim from Net Zero, to something a bit more planet-positive? After all, how can we regenerate the health of our oceans, lands and forests, if our environmental responsibility targets are focused on getting to the point of, well, simply not making things worse, instead of making things better?
Now, this may sound like a logical shift in mindset, yet like anything, actions speak louder than words. And in order to address the issue of global sustainability, we need buy-in from people, sure, but also industries on a global scale. In this episode you'll hear from a changemaker who is helping to address these challenges, providing innovative solutions and connecting industries and individuals at the intersection of positive impact.
My guest today is Dr Simon Schillebeeckx, an academic, entrepreneur, author, and former sustainability consultant. Simon also co-founded Handprint, an innovative tech company that makes planet-positive actions simple, through the company's "impact platform" and what they call “Regeneration as a Service”. This is actually Simon’s second appearance on the show, and I’m excited to once again be sharing a conversation with the Chief Vision Officer of this dynamic... and highly transformative company.
Way back in episode 4, season 1, Simon and I spoke about engineering behavioural change, the value in transparently communicating ESG goals, and the myriad benefits of shifting from addressing baseline environmental responsibility to adopting a more regenerative model of sustainability. Since then, the company has continued to grow in leaps and bounds, rolling out huge updates to its platform and continuing to effect positive change with key partners, all around the world.
---
Show notes from this episode: https://amodernremedy.com/ss18
Connect with us:
Handprint/Dr Simon Schillebeeckx:
Credits:
New Ways is a production of A Modern Remedy.
Today’s guest is Matteo Volani, co-founder of Not So Creative, a marketing and brand strategy studio with a focus on sustainability and social impact initiatives.
Though a newcomer, the studio packs some seriously experienced talent and has already worked with some huge companies, including Seven Clean Seas, &why, The Canvas, and Zero Waste Palestine, among others.
Chances are, you may have already seen their awesome collaboration with the B Lab Team, helping to share the inspirational impact journeys that other B Corp-certified organisations have taken, and their unified vision of a more inclusive, sustainable and regenerative economic system for people and the planet.
Matteo and I cover a lot of big-picture ideas, including effective marketing and business strategies, sustainable design principles, the unique challenges that arise when collaborating with brands in the sustainability space and much more.
During the course of our interview, several deeply philosophical questions sprang up that led to a cascading line of thought, including, what does it actually mean to be a sustainable company? Where do you draw the line between pollution versus social good, and is it possible for larger companies to have values-driven messaging that fundamentally matches their operations?
This episode is an absolute goldmine for anyone who's looking for inspiration when it comes to examples of businesses and brands that are causing a ruckus, disrupting norms and making some real, positive change in the world. I strongly encourage you to check out our show notes for links to a bunch of resources we mention during our conversation.
I think you're really going to like this one.
---
Show notes from this episode: https://amodernremedy.com/mv17
Connect with us:
Not So Creative/Matteo Volani:
Credits:
New Ways is a production of A Modern Remedy.
On today's show I’m joined by John Vogel, the creative director for Talking Writing, an independent, non-profit digital publication that showcases the impactful stories that exist behind an eclectic chorus of writers, artists, musicians and creators as they navigate this new landscape of digital platforms and rapidly advancing technology.
John is also a talented multimedia artist himself, a solo musician with over twenty years of experience, having contributed to the bands Grandchildren and Rad Racket. With his most recent project, Weird Music, John has been exploring aesthetic communication and the motives behind creativity via interviews that are interwoven with music.
This episode features a wide-ranging discussion, with John and I diving into all manner of subjects, including, of course, how he got his start as an artist, the story behind his Weird Music project, and what led to him becoming the creative director of the Talking Music publication.
But, we also cover plenty of other topics, some familiar to New Ways listeners, including the impact of AI on the creative process, finding purpose through storytelling and why a solution focused approach to media is more impactful when seeking to inspire change.
Then there's some more colourful subjects, like exploring the notion of robot children as parental education devices and what the current age of AI might have in common with movies from the 1990's like Jurassic Park and Gremlins.
Yeah, this episode has a bit of everything.
But, most importantly, we spend a fair amount of time covering the role of art in society, how artists and creators can find meaning in their work, and… what all of this means in the context of our fast-paced and constantly evolving, digital world.
---
Show notes from this episode: https://amodernremedy.com/nw16
Connect with us:
Talking Writing/John Vogel:
Credits:
New Ways is a production of A Modern Remedy.
I’m absolutely delighted to welcome our next guest for a deep dive on the circular economy. But what exactly is the circular economy?
Well… I’m glad you asked. A circular economy is a sustainable approach to consumerism that aims to extend the lifespan of the goods we buy, reducing waste and therefore our impact on the environment.
The fundamentals of this approach include recycling, sure, but also other key practices, like sustainable design, production, distribution, and post-purchase services, like reuse and repair. It’s a fresh take on the more traditional, ‘linear’ economy, which sees us take resources, make things, consume them and then throw them away once no longer needed, only to repeat the process again… and again.
Not ideal.
Today’s guest is one of the sustainability pioneers who is looking to round off that linear model, so to speak. Agnes Weber is the co-founder of MENDED, a startup that is at the forefront of this new-era of circularity, providing an innovative, fun and convenient clothing repair and resale service. It's what the company calls, “a better way to keep clothes in play”.
And, after forging partnerships with several clothing companies, MENDED is also helping to knit together a closer relationship between brands and customers by offering dedicated services for some of Europe’s favourite denim brands, including Kings of Indigo and MUD Jeans.
Beyond her business, Agnes’s commitment to sustainability runs deep. You can find her on social platforms regularly sharing circular content to her some 80 thousand followers, with videos that have been viewed over 21 million times.
And, just as her company strives to bring new life to some of your old favourites, Agnes is always seeking to find value in what previously may have been overlooked, to help make circularity, a reality.
We also talked about how her unlikely path to becoming an entrepreneur, the benefit of accessing childlike inquiry and challenging the status quo, why the business adopted playfulness as a core value, emotional connections to clothing and how her company is bringing new life to some of your old favourites.
---
Show notes from this episode: https://amodernremedy.com/nw15
Connect with us:
MENDED/Agnes Weber:
Credits:
New Ways is a production of A Modern Remedy.
Much is said about the negatives of social media these days. Be it the turmoil of platform instability, mental health impacts, safeguarding our youth via age restrictions or concerns about what algorithmically driven content might be doing to undermine democracy. Yet, there are still people out there who are actively using these platforms for good, to promote positive change and inspire others to create an impact.
And my next guest just so happens to be one of those people.
Today I’m joined by John Oberg, a savvy, social media strategist and inspirational influencer who uses digital platforms to help advocate for the fair and just treatment of animals. After witnessing the reach and scale of social platforms firsthand, John transformed his approach to advocacy, incorporating digital platforms as a way to connect with and inspire people across the globe. His powerful messages of empathy and posts encouraging compassion for our fellow sentient beings have been a hit, with over one billion impressions and counting. Several years into this journey, he now also empowers individuals and organisations to master their own messaging through social media training and programs.
We talked at length about how he shifted his approach to activism and embraced digital platforms, what compelled him to use social media for good, and a deep dive on effective storytelling and finding the right demographic.
John and I also spoke about how to make algorithms work for you, why it’s especially important for those consuming content on social platforms to sustain their mental wellbeing, how he avoids burnout and much more.
There’s a lot to learn here for anyone who’s interested in creating positive impact and utilising the power of social media platforms to achieve that goal. I think you’ll find that the core of John’s approach is transferable to just about any cause.
---
Show notes from this episode: https://amodernremedy.com/nw14
Connect with us:
John Oberg:
Credits:
New Ways is a production of A Modern Remedy.
The episode you’re about to hear is all about… giant robots, plastic and the sea. Now, you might be thinking, how on earth are these three things connected? And what do they have to do with innovative solutions?
Fortunately, today’s guest is here to help explain everything. In this episode you’ll hear from Ben Moody, the co-founder of Seven Clean Seas, an organisation that’s on a mission to rid our oceans of plastic waste whilst empowering coastal communities. Ben and the team have been hard at work building scalable solutions to plastic pollution in some of the most affected places on the planet, with several active projects across Thailand and Indonesia.
The natural flow of rivers in these locales makes them especially vulnerable to accumulation of plastic waste, which is why the Seven Clean Seas team have made them a top priority.
The company utilises a suite of best-fit solutions, including plastic collection efforts, recycling and even transforming plastic waste into energy. And in the process, the teams not only clean up the environment, but also foster social impact, through the creation of local jobs and education initiatives.
Ben and I took a deep dive, pardon the pun, into the ways in which Seven Clean Seas actually gets to the business of… well… achieving seven clean seas, including the launch of what the company calls a “super-mega plastic-killer robot.” We probably spent way too much time on that one.
We also talked about how a chance encounter during a random beach cleanup led to the founding of the company, how they are helping local communities, why research alone won’t solve the plastic crisis, how each of us can start making a difference right now, and much more.
Ben’s enthusiasm, authenticity and passion around the topics of environmental and social initiatives is absolutely contagious, in fact it’s one of the first things I noticed during our conversations – you can sense it immediately and can’t help but want to get on board with what the team is trying to achieve.
We actually went into that as well, exploring both the ambitious goal of removing 10 million kilos of plastic from the ocean by 2025, but also why he’s so optimistic and excited, and how that plays into the company’s messaging and communications strategy.
This is a classic episode in every sense – it’s a story of innovation, of shifting your mindset from noticing problems to seeking solutions, and finding New Ways to create positive impact, for people and the planet.
Above all else, I left this conversation with a newfound respect for the awesome power of optimism… and I hope you do as well.
---
Show notes from this episode: https://amodernremedy.com/nw13
Connect with us:
Ben Moody/Seven Clean Seas:
Credits:
New Ways is a production of A Modern Remedy.
If you were to design the ultimate product or service, how
I know, shifting the focus from something that benefits the
On today’s show I’m joined by Joe Hollier, an artist, turned designer and now co-founder of Light, a tech startup that produces the Light Phone, a minimalist device designed to foster digital disconnection. And it’s that artistic lens that makes today’s conversation so special.
For those unfamiliar with the Light Phone, it’s about the size of a credit-card and features an e-ink display. But, this isn’t just a smaller, lighter version of an iPhone or Android-device. Sure, it’s a phone that does phone things, like making calls and sending text messages, pairing with Bluetooth, becoming a hotspot when you need it – all that good stuff.
Plus, there’s some fundamental utilities, like a calculator, directions, music and an alarm clock. But it’s actually the purposeful absence of things that is the real story here.
Joe and I spoke at length about the motivation behind creating a product that was designed to be used intentionally, or as he puts it, ‘as little as possible’, and how the most valuable feature of the Light Phone, now on its second generation, was actually not on the device at all.
And that’s a theme that we kept returning to, value, and how
We spoke about the importance of user privacy, the company’s
And we also got into the companies super creative marketing
This is a conversation for anyone who’s interested in re-thinking their relationship with technology, who’s curious about designing
Because, in our hyper connected, always on world, where every app and service is vying for your attention, it can be difficult to set
I hope today’s episode can help you start thinking about
---
Show notes from this episode: https://amodernremedy.com/nw12
Connect with us:
Light:
Credits:
New Ways is a production of A Modern Remedy.
A Modern Remedy may earn a commission from products or services listed on our site.
For our first episode of season 2, I’m super excited to share a very special conversation with Becca Chambers, an award-winning brand and communications executive, a trusted cyber security advisor and seasoned business strategist for tech companies around the world.
When she isn’t spearheading high-functioning teams or skilfully executing key initiatives, you’ll find her contributing to thought leadership pieces featured in publications like Forbes, The New York Post, Fast Company, The Wall Street Journal and many others.
But… that’s just half of the story. At her core, Becca is someone who *thinks different*. In fact, she’s built a stellar reputation on the back of her dynamic and out-of-the-box thinking, leading teams to success with an inclusive and results-orientated approach.
And it’s an approach that delivers, earning Becca and her colleagues the moniker of #TeamGSD – because they Get… Shit... Done.
So, what do I mean by thinking differently? Well, quite literally, I’m talking about Neurodiversity. For those unfamiliar, Neurodiversity is a framework for mental health, a perspective that views variations in the way people think and interact with the world as just that – differences. Think of it like the natural variations that occur between different types of people, like height, eye colour, skin type or other biological characteristics, only, these variations have to do with our brains.
Neuro – meaning mind, and diversity, to diverge or be different from the “norm”.
As you’ll hear in this episode, apart from the obvious social benefits that can come from a more inclusive environment,
We also talk about Becca’s journey and personal experience with neurodiversity, the little adjustments that can help organisations be more neuro-inclusive, strengths and stereotypes, the impact of
---
Show notes from this episode: https://amodernremedy.com/nw11
Connect with us:
Becca Chambers:
Credits:
New Ways is a production of A Modern Remedy.
This week, we say goodbye to season 1, share an update on the future of New Ways, and go looking for a modern remedy.
Sit back and enjoy this special episode that’s packed with insightful highlights from our debut season, where you’ll hear from ten amazing guests: Founders, creators, CEO’s and thought leaders who share their perspective on solutions for the modern age.
We talk about creativity, sustainability, health, technology and much more.
Special thanks to Dr Megan Lee, Paolo Garde, Neva Talladen, Dr Simon Schillebeeckx, Sam Hart, Jack Taylor, Noam Bardin, Bernardo Carreira, Leslee Udwin and Lina Benete.
And of course, all of our wonderful listeners who joined us for this first season. Thank you for your support!
Hopefully this episode left you feeling inspired, optimistic and energised.
Who did you connect with? Which message resonated the most?
Let us know: [email protected]
---
Transcript: https://amodernremedy.com/nwe10
For the latest insights and analysis on health, tech and sustainability, visit https://amodernremedy.com
Connect with us:
Credits:
New Ways is a production of A Modern Remedy.
This episode was produced by Russell Baker, with music by Simon Zinzovski.
See our Privacy Policy at https://amodernremedy.com/privacy-policy
The podcast currently has 21 episodes available.