Pioneers Podcast

A phone in your hand has become the default shape of modern life, but what if the next interface is something you already wear? I’m joined by Robin Solleveld, General Manager at EssilorLuxottica in the Netherlands, to unpack why smart glasses are suddenly hitting the usability and price point that wearables promised for years, and why Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta are turning wearable AI into somet...

AI is already in our lecture halls and our workplaces, but the real question is whether we are using it to learn faster and build better, or just to cut corners more efficiently. I sit down with Professor Dr Vincent Ginis (VUB Brussels, visiting professor at Harvard) to unpack what he is seeing on the ground as universities rethink assessment, companies scramble for “AI strategy”, and everyone tri...

A vending machine, two refillable bottles, and one blunt question: why is “something tasty” still chained to single-use packaging? I’m joined by Colin DeBlonde, co-founder of Brussels-based startup Dripl , to unpack how that moment became a real hardware business that dispenses healthy flavoured drinks from filtered tap water in workplaces. We talk honestly about what it’s like to build hardware w...

Everyone is talking about AI productivity, but the reality inside large organisations is messier, slower and far more human. I sit down with Marion Devine, Principal Researcher in Human Capital at the Conference Board, to get past the hype and into what companies are actually doing with AI and generative AI, what’s working, and what’s quietly breaking.  We dig into why CEOs are making big bets des...

Find out more about the Future of Work -> www.future-of-work.eu

AI is about to make “great customer service” normal and cheap, and that should worry every leader who thinks a chatbot equals customer experience. I’m joined by Steven Van Belleghem, a global authority on customer experience and AI, to explore what happens when large language models become the portal of our lives and customers no longer visit your website, browse your journeys, or even choose your...

Prediction is comforting, but it’s the wrong game. We sit down with futurologist Henry Coutinho-Mason to unpack a bolder approach: stop hunting for certainty and start building the muscle to spot shifts, test ideas, and turn change into advantage. Henry shares why he calls himself a “reluctant futurist,” how stable human needs meet “godlike” technologies, and why the real lever for leaders is rede...

Forget buzzwords - this conversation digs into how AI creates real value only when it’s aligned to people and outcomes. With Thierry Geerts, former Google country director and current CEO of the Brussels Chamber of Commerce, we unpack the moves that matter: training every employee, cleaning your data, starting with low‑risk wins, and anchoring change on customer satisfaction rather than cost cuts....

Workwear should be a tool that helps you do your job safely and comfortably, yet for women across numerous industries, ill-fitting protective equipment remains a daily frustration. In this special episode recorded at the Future of Work event in Brussels, we explore the often-overlooked world of gender-specific workwear with two experts at the forefront of this issue. Lena Bay-Høyland, Product Dire...

Organizational psychologist and BrainMove founder Anton Maes explores how workplace environments impact productivity, wellbeing, and organizational culture, particularly in the shift to hybrid working models. Anton reveals practical strategies to manage change, engage teams, and create productive workplaces that balance business needs with human psychology. • The psychology of resistance to change...

The path to sustainable electronics isn't straightforward, but Trust International's ESG Manager Arjan Steenbergen is navigating it with remarkable dedication. Having spent his entire career at Trust since 1995, Steenbergen's journey from IT to sustainability exemplifies how environmental consciousness can evolve within corporations. Electronics sustainability presents unique challe...

Meet Pep Rosenfeld, co-founder of Boom Chicago, a comedy club in Amsterdam, and champion for incorporating comedy into the workplace. In this conversation, we explore why humor is a powerful tool for business success, discussing practical ways to harness comedy for better team communication, engagement, and handling of difficult situations. • Founding Boom Chicago as "the greatest stoner idea...

What does it take for established companies to reinvent themselves in the digital age? Peter Hinson, bestselling author and innovation expert, believes we're overlooking something powerful in our fascination with disruptive startups. After launching and exiting three successful tech ventures, Peter became captivated by how traditional businesses could transform themselves using technology. Hi...

Lena Bay Højland, Product Director at Fristads, reveals how the Swedish workwear company has evolved over its 100-year history while maintaining a commitment to quality and sustainability. She shares insights into how workwear quality has expanded beyond mere durability to include functionality, comfort, and thoughtful design. • Quality in workwear has evolved from focusing solely on durability to...

Chris Forbes, co-founder of Cheeky Panda, shares the journey of building a sustainable toilet paper brand that uses bamboo instead of trees to create products that are better for the planet and for people. • Bamboo regenerates from its roots unlike trees, preserving ecosystems and biodiversity • Bamboo tissue produces 65% less carbon emissions than tree-based alternatives • Younger generations (un...

Bruce Daisley is a leading in voice in the world of workplace culture, a best selling author and past leader of some of the biggest technology companies. Bruce is one of our keynote speakers in the Future of Work conference in Brussels on June 5th.  Bruce Daisley pulls back the curtain on tech company workplace cultures in this illuminating conversation about what really creates thriving workplace...

In this edition of the Pioneers Podcast, Marc talks to Adeline Barras - entrepreneur, social enterprise founder, restauranteur and start-up mentor. Adeline is the co-founder of Entropy Restaurant - a fine-dining experience founded on the idea of conscious gastronomy. All their profits go to Adeline's other initiative, The Hearth Project . Mentioned in this podcast: https://eclo.farm - Formerl...

In this episode I speak to Rasmus Vincentz, a pioneer in the complex field of helping corporations to embrace the benefits of biodiversity for the health of employees and the environment. In this 40 minute discussion we covered a number of topics in the field of biodiversity including how we can measure biodiversity, who are the leaders and what companies can do.  Rasmus' company - Habitats -...

In this first episode, Marc talks to Axel Kuborn - co-founder of Silversquare co-working spaces, co-founder of Sparks meeting spaces and founder of Marvelous Marvin's English Boxing Gyms. Mentioned in the podcast: http://www.lioneljadot.com - the designer responsible for SilverSquare Delta. https://www.krjststudio.com - The artists who designed Silversquare Baille https://open.spotify.com/epi...