Population Next

We’re living in an age engineered for ease—one-click shopping, predictive feeds, and tools that anticipate our needs before we articulate them. But creator and strategist Eugene Healey argues that this frictionless world is quietly reshaping how we think, create, and participate in culture. What happens when we stop seeking, choosing, or struggling and let algorithms decide for us? 

Eugene explains how the removal of friction encourages passivity, narrows discovery, and weakens our ability to form original perspectives. With AI accelerating that trend, he warns that meaning and creativity now depend on something machines can’t replicate: a practiced, human point of view. 

We explore how these shifts intersect with generational change, economic stagnation, the future of knowledge work, and why older and younger cohorts experience this transformation so differently. Plus, we unpack the cultural cost of efficiency and why reclaiming struggle may be essential for what comes next.

You’ll learn

• Why a frictionless world makes us more passive and less intentional
• How big tech’s design logic reshapes discovery, culture, and behavior
• What AI can’t replicate without human context and perspective
• Why creative advantage now comes from viewpoint—not technical skill
• How generations diverge in defining success amid rising economic pressure
• Why older adult marketing misreads independence and aging
• What multigenerational living reveals about shifting values
• Why cultural “softening” may push society toward safer, narrower experiences

Subscribe to Bradley’s Newsletter:

Join (for free) the only newsletter breaking down global demographic trends into actionable strategies for your business and your community.

Subscribe here → https://populationnext.substack.com/

Order Bradley’s Book:

The Super Age: Decoding Our Demographic Destiny: https://a.co/d/gmG6t2P 

Get in Touch with Eugene Healey:

LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/elkhealey 

Substack: https://eugenehealey.substack.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eugbrandstrat/ 

Get in Touch with Bradley Schurman: 

Website: https://populationnext.substack.com   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bradleyschurman 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigschur/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradleyschurman/ 

Subscribe:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bradleyschurman?sub_confirmation=1

Can we truly live forever? And if we could, would we want to? In this episode, Joshua Herring, CEO of the Longevity Science Foundation, explores the complex realities of longevity science. As advancements in medicine push the boundaries of lifespan, we must ask if simply living longer is enough. 

Joshua raises critical questions about access, equity, and the actual cost of immortality. Is it all about the science, or do we still need to pay attention to the basics of nutrition, exercise, mental health, and sleep? We also discuss why millennials are facing rising cancer rates and the misinformation around longevity products. 

Join the conversation as we explore how to balance lifespan with healthspan, ensuring that our extra years are not marked by chronic illness and suffering, but by vitality and joy.

You’ll learn

• The critical difference between lifespan and healthspan
• Why basic habits like clean water and exercise are still key to longevity
• Why extending life without health is a dealbreaker
• How millennials are facing a rise in cancer rates and what it means for longevity
• The importance of diversification when it comes to your health
• What’s next in personalized medicine for longevity
• How sleep, alcohol reduction, and a healthy social circle are key to longevity

Subscribe to Bradley’s Newsletter:

Join (for free) the only newsletter breaking down global demographic trends into actionable strategies for your business and your community.

Subscribe here → https://populationnext.substack.com/

Order Bradley’s Book:

The Super Age: Decoding Our Demographic Destiny: https://a.co/d/gmG6t2P 

Get in Touch with Joshua Herring:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-herring-2a6099185 

Website: https://longevity.foundation/  

Get in Touch with Bradley Schurman: 

Website: https://populationnext.substack.com   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bradleyschurman 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigschur/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradleyschurman/

Disclaimer:

This episode features a discussion on sensitive topics related to sex, pornography, and the tech industry. The views expressed by our guest are personal and intended to provoke thought and discussion. Listener discretion is advised.

Sex education is broken, and it's time for a change. In an age where internet porn is often the default sex education, the real world of human connection and consent is left in the shadows. 

Cindy Gallop, the founder of Make Love Not Porn, has spent 17 years fighting to bring transparency, authenticity, and education to a topic that is too often shrouded in shame.

In this episode, Cindy shares her unique mission to dismantle the stigma surrounding sex and promote healthy, real-world sexual education. We dive into the challenges she faces with Silicon Valley’s double standards, her battle for funding, and the profound social impact of educating young people about consent, intimacy, and communication.

Cindy's work is reshaping how we think about sex education, and her new project, Make Love Not Porn Academy, promises to change the narrative for future generations — starting with those most at risk: our children.

You’ll learn

• How the porn industry became the default sex education tool 
• The role of real-world demonstrations in teaching healthy relationships
• Why Silicon Valley's hypocrisy is hindering progress in sex education
• How Make Love Not Porn Academy plans to transform global sex education
• The social implications of AI-driven porn and its impact on young people
• What parents can do today to have sex conversations with their children
• How funding female-led projects could lead to a safer, healthier internet

Subscribe to Bradley’s Newsletter:

Join (for free) the only newsletter breaking down global demographic trends into actionable strategies for your business and your community.

Subscribe here → https://populationnext.substack.com/

Order Bradley’s Book:

The Super Age: Decoding Our Demographic Destiny: https://a.co/d/gmG6t2P 

Get in Touch with Cindy Gallop:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindygallop

Website: https://makelovenotporn.tv/ 

Get in Touch with Bradley Schurman: 

Website: https://populationnext.substack.com   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bradleyschurman 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigschur/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradleyschurman/ 

Subscribe:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bradleyschurman?sub_confirmation=1

South Dakota has more jobs than people. That's not a crisis—it's a design challenge.

With an unemployment rate hovering around 1.8%, South Dakota proves that growth without workers forces innovation. The state is rewriting the playbook on recruitment, retention, and regional resilience—not through subsidies, but through culture.

In this episode, Jesse Fonkert, Director of the South Dakota Trade Council, reveals how a state with a population of less than 1 million competes globally by prioritizing people over policy, freedom over tax breaks, and bold partnerships over bureaucracy.

South Dakota isn't waiting for people to show up. It's building the kind of place they'll choose to stay!

You’ll learn

• Why 1.8% unemployment creates better problems than 8%
• How "concierge programs" turn newcomers into long-term residents
• The childcare-workforce paradox and South Dakota's balancing act
• Why automation isn't killing jobs—it's saving rural economies
• How a bottom-five exporter plans to dominate international trade
• What public-private partnerships look like when government stays lean
• What other states can learn from South Dakota’s approach to growth 

Subscribe to Bradley’s Newsletter:

Join (for free) the only newsletter breaking down global demographic trends into actionable strategies for your business and your community.

Subscribe here → https://populationnext.substack.com/

Order Bradley’s Book:

The Super Age: Decoding Our Demographic Destiny: https://a.co/d/gmG6t2P 

Get in Touch with Jesse Fonkert:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessefonkert 

Get in Touch with Bradley Schurman: 

Website: https://populationnext.substack.com   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bradleyschurman 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigschur/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradleyschurman/ 

Subscribe:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bradleyschurman?sub_confirmation=1

Longevity isn’t a biohack—it’s social by design. Countries like Japan, Singapore, and Spain prove it: make connection the default and people live longer, healthier, and with more purpose.

In this episode, Ken Stern (Healthy to 100) shows how social infrastructure—third places, walkable blocks, and intergenerational programs—adds healthy, productive years at any age.

You’ll learn

• Why social connection can outrank diet and exercise for longevity
• How nations design communities for healthy aging
• The surprising power of intergenerational ties
• How Singapore and Spain create measurable “social health”
• What the U.S. can copy now—and practical steps you can start this week

Viewer challenge: Pick one weekly ritual to add connection (coffee walk, Sunday dinner, volunteering, a class). Comment with your pick—I’ll feature a few next week.

Mentioned in the Episode:

Ken’s  Book, Healthy to 100: How Strong Social Ties Lead to Long Lives: https://www.amazon.com/Healthy-100-Strong-Social-Lives/dp/1541705017 

Subscribe to Bradley’s Newsletter:

Join (for free) the only newsletter breaking down global demographic trends into actionable strategies for your business and your community.

Subscribe here → https://populationnext.substack.com/

Order Bradley’s Book:

The Super Age: Decoding Our Demographic Destiny: https://a.co/d/gmG6t2P 

Get in Touch with Ken Stern:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sternken 

Get in Touch with Bradley Schurman: 

Website: https://populationnext.substack.com   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bradleyschurman 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigschur/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradleyschurman/ 

Subscribe:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bradleyschurman?sub_confirmation=1

Gen X is running out of runway. Pensions are gone, costs are up, and the average nest egg won’t cut it. Here’s the realistic fix—starting now.

Authors Kerry Hannon and Janna Herron (Retirement Bites) break down what’s changed since Gen X started working—and what you can still control. Contribution math at 50+, tax-smart account order, and the caregiving-retirement tradeoffs no one explains.

Correction: When Janna said that Social Security benefits would shrink by 77% if the reserve funds run out, she misspoke and meant to say that people would get 77% of their full Social Security benefits if the reserves run out.

Inside:

• Why many Gen Xers are under-saved (and the 3 levers left to pull)
• Optimize 401(k)/IRA/HSA in a high-inflation world
• Roth conversions in peak earning years—when they make sense
• Caregiving + retirement without burning both ends
• Social Security reality check: COLA, spousal benefits, claiming age

Resource Mentioned in the Episode:

Kerry and Janna’s Book, Retirement Bites: A Gen X Guide to Securing Your Financial Future: https://www.amazon.com/Retirement-Bites-Securing-Financial-Future/dp/154170584X 

Subscribe to Bradley’s Newsletter:

Join (for free) the only newsletter breaking down global demographic trends into actionable strategies for your business and your community.

Subscribe here → https://populationnext.substack.com/

Order Bradley’s Book:

The Super Age: Decoding Our Demographic Destiny: https://a.co/d/gmG6t2P 

Get in Touch with Kerry Hannon:

Website: https://kerryhannon.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerryhannon

Get in Touch with Janna Herron:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janna.herron.77/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janna-herron-40316814 

Get in Touch with Bradley Schurman: 

Website: https://populationnext.substack.com   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bradleyschurman 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigschur/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradleyschurman/ 

Subscribe:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bradleyschurman?sub_confirmation=1

Climate change is often discussed in terms of catastrophic events, but what if the real story lies in the small, everyday impacts we’re already experiencing? I’m hosting Grey Gowder, an expert in resilience and sustainability, to explore the economic and environmental impact of rising sea levels, overbuilding, and disappearing ecosystems. 

Grey shares his insights on the low country’s evolving landscape, where marshes are shrinking, water tables are rising, and local communities are at risk of being erased by the changing tides. He introduces the concept of "adaptive reuse" in architecture, arguing that the most sustainable building is the one already in existence.

So, what can we do to ensure a safer, more resilient future? It starts with asking the right questions at the local level and advocating for better community networks to build a world that’s not just about surviving climate change but adapting and thriving in it.

Join (for free) the only newsletter breaking down global demographic trends into actionable strategies for your business and your community.

Subscribe here → https://populationnext.substack.com/

In This Episode:

- Climate change in the low country

- The impact of overbuilding and urban planning 

- Adaptive reuse of structures and sustainable development 

- Challenges in addressing climate change and future planning 

- Paul Hawken’s concept of Regeneration

- Creating resilience for marginalized communities

- What questions should citizens ask their municipalities?

Resource Mentioned in the Episode:

Paul Hawken’s Book, Regeneration: Ending The Climate Crisis In One Generation: https://www.amazon.com/Regeneration-Ending-Climate-Crisis-Generation/dp/0143136976 

Order Bradley’s Book:

The Super Age: Decoding Our Demographic Destiny: https://a.co/d/gmG6t2P 

About Grey Gowder:

Grey Gowder is a producer, filmmaker, and the founder of Carolina Ocean Alliance, The Hope Summit, and Enduring Curiosity. Grey is deeply engaged in addressing the challenges posed by climate change to coastal communities through storytelling. With a focus on the low country of the American Southeast, Grey emphasizes the importance of integrating natural ecosystems with urban development to foster resilience.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whittaker-grey-gowder 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greygowder/ 

Get in Touch with Bradley Schurman: 

Website: https://populationnext.substack.com   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bradleyschurman 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigschur/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradleyschurman/ 

Subscribe:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bradleyschurman?sub_confirmation=1

Join (for free) the only newsletter breaking down global demographic trends into actionable strategies for your business and your community.

Subscribe here → https://populationnext.substack.com/

Did you know that 42% of hiring managers admit to having a bias against candidates based solely on their age? In today’s episode, we’re tackling one of the most pervasive and quietly damaging biases in the workplace—ageism. Whether you’re too young to be taken seriously or too old to climb the corporate ladder, ageism is impacting workers across the board. 

Maureen Wiley Clough, a fierce advocate for age inclusivity, joins me to share her eye-opening experience of being called a “dinosaur” at just 37, and how it ignited her fight for change. She explains how businesses miss out on the advantages of diverse, intergenerational teams, and why this lack of inclusivity hurts productivity and innovation. 

We must address ageism now, or the consequences will only grow. It’s time for business leaders to open up conversations about age inclusivity and take proactive steps to end age bias. And if you are personally navigating this issue, track your achievements and stay confident in your value as a professional.

In This Episode:

- Maureen’s experience with ageism 

- Industries most affected by ageism

- How ageism affects employees of all ages

- The business case for a multigenerational workforce

- Coded language in job listings that drives ageism

- Positive examples of age inclusivity and future hiring trends

- How individuals can demonstrate their worth and plan for later years 

- Strategies for creating an inclusive workplace

- Listener concerns about ageism and entrepreneurial opportunities

Order Bradley’s Book:

The Super Age: Decoding Our Demographic Destiny: https://a.co/d/gmG6t2P 

About Maureen Wiley Clough:

Maureen Clough is the host of the It Gets Late Early podcast and a leading voice in the fight against ageism. With a focus on promoting multigenerational teams and breaking down age-related biases, she works to create workplaces that value experience and diversity. Maureen is dedicated to challenging the stereotypes that hinder workers of all ages, particularly in industries like tech and advertising.

Listen to Maureen’s Podcast, It Gets Late Early: http://linktr.ee/itgetslateearly

Get in Touch with Maureen Clough:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureenwclough/

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/maureenwclough

Get in Touch with Bradley Schurman: 

Website: https://populationnext.substack.com   

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigschur/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradleyschurman/ 

Subscribe:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bradleyschurman?sub_confirmation=1

Join (for free) the only newsletter breaking down global demographic trends into actionable strategies for your business and your community.

Subscribe here → https://populationnext.substack.com/

Are you aware that infertility is no longer a personal struggle but a growing global crisis? With fertility rates falling globally, what does this mean for the future of family building? Today, I’m joined by Dr. Asima Ahmad, an expert in fertility and reproductive health, who takes us through the staggering statistics and how they’re shaping societal conversations. 

Dr. Ahmad explains why many people are delaying childbearing, how age impacts fertility, and how fertility treatments are becoming more accessible and effective. We also discuss how science is evolving to help individuals facing fertility challenges, even if they’re navigating non-traditional paths to parenthood. 

Family planning isn’t just about preventing pregnancy anymore; it’s about preparing for future possibilities. If you're curious about the options available to you, whether you're in a heterosexual relationship or navigating a non-traditional fertility journey, this conversation is for you.

In This Episode:

- The rising global fertility challenge

- Defining the fertility crisis and WHO statistics

- How fertility treatments extend reproductive years

- Is sperm quality declining?

- Cost-benefit analysis of early egg freezing to preserve fertility

- At-home vs professional fertility assessments

- Dr. Ahmad's PCOS journey and its impact on patients

- The fertility-menopause connection

- Fertility options for LGBTQ+ and single-parent families 

- The pronatalism movement and the universal IVF treatment proposals

- Healthcare inequality in fertility treatment

- How can we reframe family planning in the post-pandemic era?

Order Bradley’s Book:

The Super Age: Decoding Our Demographic Destiny: https://a.co/d/gmG6t2P 

About Dr. Asima Ahmad :

Dr. Asima Ahmad is triple board-certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI), Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Obesity Medicine, with expertise in complex fertility challenges. She strives to make fertility care accessible to patients from diverse backgrounds, ensuring they feel heard and respected.

Dr. Ahmad earned her medical degree from the University of Chicago, completed her OB-GYN residency at Yale, and finished her REI fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. She also holds an MPH from Harvard University. 

Get Fertility Treatment That Suits You!

Book an appointment with Dr. Ahmad: https://www.reproductivemedicineinstitute.com/  

Access the easiest, most secure way to pay for fertility treatment

Learn more and apply at: https://www.get-carrot.com/ 

Get in Touch with Dr. Asima Ahmad:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asima-ahmad-md 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctor_asima/ 

Get in Touch with Bradley Schurman: 

Website: https://populationnext.substack.com   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bradleyschurman 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigschur/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradleyschurman/ 

What if you had access to affordable housing, strong pensions, and rising wages at the start of your career? For baby boomers, this was the reality, and it gave them a significant advantage in building wealth. 

Dr. Eliza Filby joins me to explore how the baby boomer generation set the financial stage for today’s world, acquiring wealth through opportunities that aren’t as accessible to younger generations. But as that wealth begins to transfer, the economic divide is widening, leaving many millennials and Gen Z struggling to catch up. 

Dr. Eliza reveals how this generational wealth transfer is reshaping our economic landscape, with the “Bank of Mum and Dad” stepping in as a significant financial support system. While it benefits many, it also creates a new set of challenges, as those without access to this generational support find it harder to thrive in today’s economy.

Don’t let the wealth gap define your future. Start planning and talking about financial expectations with your family today. Reach out to experts and get ahead of the curve before the next generational transfer happens.

In This Episode:

- Introduction to the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’

- The baby boomer advantage and its financial impact 

- Inheritance culture and how it affects meritocracy

- Family dynamics that fuel financial dependency on parents

- Has the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ affected wages?

- How is financial dependency on parents affecting family dynamics?

- How can younger generations navigate the great wealth transfer?

- Final thoughts on the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’

Order Bradley’s Book:

The Super Age: Decoding Our Demographic Destiny: https://a.co/d/gmG6t2P 

About Dr. Eliza Filby:

Dr. Eliza Filby is an award-winning speaker, bestselling author, and expert on generational change. She provides sharp insights into the trends shaping how we live, work, and consume, with a focus on the future of wealth, family, and opportunity. Eliza has worked with global brands such as Google, PwC, and Adidas, and has a strong presence on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Her book, Inheritocracy, became a Sunday Times bestseller in 2024. Eliza's writing has appeared in The Times, The Guardian, and the Financial Times.

Get in Touch with Dr. Eliza Filby:

Website: https://www.elizafilby.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dr-eliza-filby-b255122a 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_eliza_filby/  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS82Ka2wcPerdEGx6Z1d1eA 

Get in Touch with Bradley Schurman: 

Website: https://populationnext.substack.com   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bradleyschurman 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigschur/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradleyschurman/