“Instead of judging others, what if we actually get curious about them? Specifically with neurodivergence, embracing who we truly are can help us feel well within our minds and bodies. We can learn so much about different ways of being and what it takes to think beyond just our own way of seeing, hearing, feeling, and touching.” — Monika Bielskyte

In this episode, Monika Bielskyte shares her unique perspectives on designing for a more livable future and the importance of disability and neurodivergence inclusion within innovation processes.

Looking beyond GenAI, Monika and Simon discuss the transformative power of creativity, empathy, and immersive technologies in shaping our future, along with the feedback loop between human values and the tech we design.

Monika is a visionary futurist, speculative designer, founder of @protopiafutures, and partner at @africanlifecentricdesign.

Through Protopia Futures Framework, Monika emphasizes the importance of the leadership of the most impacted in all innovation processes, with major focus on disability and neurodivergence inclusion.

She is recognized for her innovative approach to shaping inclusive, culturally, socially and geopolitically informed future visions that challenge the determinism and escapism of both dystopian and utopian narratives. 

Her work explores the the SciFi impact on the very real future-making and the feedback loop between human values & the tech we design—offering profound insights into how we can craft pathways towards equitable and inspiring futures, based on the principles of life-centric design. 

Monika has been at the forefront of spatial computing & immersive media technology for over a decade, while consistently advocating for empathetic and socially responsible design. 

Her consulting clients include BBC, DreamWorks, Google, Nike, Meta, Microsoft, Huawei, Mckinsey, WEF, and her work in Hollywood includes futurist consultancy for Disney / Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. 

She has lectured in the Royal College of Arts, CERN, Royal Society, Indian Institute Of Technology and the California College Of Arts, to name but a few. 

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Follow Monika:

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/monikabielskyte/

X – https://x.com/monikabielskyte

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/monikabielskyte/

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Follow Protopia Futures:

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/protopiafutures/

X – https://x.com/protopiafutures/

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Read more about the Protopia Futures Framework:

https://medium.com/protopia-futures/protopia-futures-framework-f3c2a5d09a1e

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Connect with me:

https://zaap.bio/simonclowes

“One of the hardest things about being a creative is you have to do so much work, with the idea that no one will care.” — Jeffrey Paradise.

Jeffrey Paradise is a producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from the band Poolside.

From a humble beginning in a Los Angeles pool house, Jeffrey's musical journey led to the creation of Poolside’s signature "Daytime Disco" sound. With its relaxed, breezy melodies and smooth electronic textures, Poolside has become synonymous with the perfect summer soundtrack. 

The band's unique style and infectious rhythms have graced the stages of Coachella, Primavera Sound, and Lollapalooza, to name a few.

In this episode, Jeffrey and Simon explore the theme of imposter syndrome, shedding light on the effects of self-doubt on an artist's journey. They discuss how imposter syndrome affects both creatives and non-creatives alike and delve into the often undiscussed psychological aspects of this phenomenon, comparing strategies for navigating self-doubt and cultivating self-belief.

Jeffrey shares insights on the direct impact of imposter syndrome on his career, the moments of introspection that led to his self-discovery, and the resilience required to embrace authenticity in the music industry.

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Follow Poolside: 

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/poolside/

Website – https://www.poolsidemusic.com/

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Listen to Blame It All On Love:

https://poolside.lnk.to/biaolAI

Poolside Tour Dates:

https://www.poolsidemusic.com/tour

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Connect with me:

https://zaap.bio/simonclowes

"One of the most challenging things we deal with is the feeling that it doesn't actually matter how good the work is. As a minority, this is the most defeated we feel. I'm sure our competitors have felt similar feelings as creative professionals, but when you are a minority, it hits differently, and I think it's important to try to understand those differences." — Kenny Gravillis.

Kenny Gravillis is the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Gravillis Inc., a Black-owned LA-based design company known for creating iconic movie posters such as Spike Lee’s "Blackkklansman," "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Logan," and the original "Avatar."

His career began with a transition from London to New York, where he found his creative passion in the art department at Def Jam Records.

In this episode, Kenny and Simon discuss entrepreneurship while navigating diversity and inclusion within the Key Art Theatrical space.

The conversation delves into the experiences of being a Black creative and co-founder of a minority-owned business, and how Kenny’s company, Gravillis Inc., is focusing on education to provide more access to the industry for underserved communities.

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Connect with Kenny:

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenny-gravillis-96349a15/

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Learn about Gravillis:

Gravillis Website – https://www.gravillisinc.com/

Gravillis Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/gravillisinc/

Gravillis LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/gravillis-inc-

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Learn more about Access: A Netflix x Otis Entertainment Certificate Program – https://www.otis.edu/netflix-entertainment-certificate-program

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Connect with me:

https://zaap.bio/simonclowes

"[On digital asset ownership,] even if all this does for the next two or three years is make us question what it means to own our assets, I’m fine with it." — Michaela "Mika" Lallouz.

Exponential technologies are connecting us in new, unprecedented ways, reshaping how we create, share, and interact with each other.

Michaela "Mika" Lallouz is a creator with a humanitarian spirit whose mission is to help eliminate loneliness on the planet. Her nomadic journey has taken her out of her comfort zone and across the world to meet some of the most influential people in leadership and technology. 

In this episode, Michaela and Simon explore how technology amplifies the transformative power of art and self-expression, the crucial role of online communities in addressing feelings of loneliness and isolation, and how digital ownership has profoundly impacted creatives — a journey so powerful, it saved her life.

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Connect with Mika:

https://linktr.ee/michaelalallouz 

Mika's Market Update:

https://t.me/mikasmarketupdate

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Connect with me:

https://zaap.bio/simonclowes

Object Subject Form is a series of conversations exploring the human side of creativity at the evolving intersection of art, technology, and finance.

As exponential technologies continue to impact how we create, share, and interact, host Simon Clowes discusses with his guests what it takes to consistently perform, grow and adapt amidst the challenges and intricacies of living and operating as a creative.

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Simon is a Creative Director and Graphic Designer.

A graduate of Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and The London College of Printing, Simon has over two decades of leadership experience in film, animation, and visual effects.

His work has earned him an Emmy® Award for Apple TV+’s ‘For All Mankind Season 3 Experience’ along with global recognition from D&AD, Art Directors Club and SXSW to name a few.

Born and raised in London, England, Simon now resides in Los Angeles, where he serves as Creative Director at Apple.

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Connect with me:

https://zaap.bio/simonclowes

Reputation is like a nickname. You can’t give yourself a nickname. It is something that is bestowed upon you because of what others see and recognize in you. — riCardo Crespo.

Given the critical role of reputation in both personal and professional success, why do we often neglect its importance in our quest for achievement?

riCardo Crespo, a brand design executive with decades of executive leadership experience within Fortune 50 companies, has mastered the art of leveraging and exploiting the intersection of branding, marketing, and design. His expertise enables his clients to unlock meaningful connections with their partners and brands.

He currently serves as a branding and marketing strategy advisor to C-suite executives across globally iconic brands such as Nike, Apple, and Beats by Dre. Additionally, he is engaged as a specialist executive creative advisor to the US Soccer Federation.

In this episode, riCardo and Simon discuss the significance of not only building and sustaining reputation equity but also navigating one's ego to continually add value to those around you.

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Chapters:

00:00 The Power of Reputation Equity

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Connect with simon:

https://zaap.bio/simonclowes