Population Next

The looming retirement crisis is hitting Generation X with a cold reality check. As this generation moves closer to their retirement years, many are finding themselves woefully unprepared for the financial demands ahead. What once seemed like a distant concern is now fast approaching, with startling implications for the future. Today, we revisit a previous conversation with Kerry Hannon and Janna...

The world stands on the precipice of unprecedented geopolitical turmoil. The United States is engaged in an active conflict with Iran, while tensions continue to escalate across Ukraine and Sudan, creating a complex web of instability. The ripple effects of these crises are far-reaching, impacting everything from oil markets to military resource allocations. In this episode, I explore the demograp...

The future of human health isn't being built in a hospital but in places like Richmond, Virginia. In this episode of Population Next, I sit down with Melissa and David, the husband-and-wife founders of METAFITRX, a longevity, weight loss, and performance lab bringing clinical-grade metabolic testing to everyday people. Melissa launched the company in 2020 after 15 years in the fitness industry, de...

Explore the Geography of Prosperity Index : https://geographyofprosperity.com/ Is your city built to last? In a world facing demographic shifts, climate disruptions, and automation, this question is more pressing than ever. Many US cities are thriving now, but will they be equipped to navigate the future? I teamed up with Jaymes Cloninger and his incredible team at Motivf to create the Geography o...

The world is changing, but not in the way we might have expected. We have long been accustomed to a future marked by population growth, economic expansion, and the promise of more. Yet, quietly but profoundly, that era is coming to an end. In this episode, we examine a critical shift that will reshape the way we live, work, and even fight wars. As we move into an era of demographic change, new cha...

The workplace landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by forces such as artificial intelligence, shifting generational dynamics, and evolving business strategies. In this episode, I sit down with Alex Randall Kittredge, an expert in human resources and the future of work, to discuss the broader implications of these transformations. Against the backdrop of anemic hiring and increasing automation acr...

Rural America faces an uncertain future, shaped by a series of interconnected challenges that go beyond the simple ebb and flow of traditional agricultural cycles. As trade policies, weather shifts, and labor shortages converge, the very fabric of U.S. agribusiness is under pressure. David Turner, an expert in agricultural talent acquisition, explains the state of rural labor markets, where popula...

Energy costs are rising, and it’s not just about paying more for groceries. With more extreme weather events and outdated infrastructure, energy demand is up. But long-duration energy storage could be the solution to making energy more affordable and reliable. In today’s episode, I'm talking to Julia Souder, CEO of the Long Duration Energy Storage Association. Julia describes how long-duration sto...

Where you live isn’t just a backdrop to your life. It shapes how long you live, how healthy you are, and what opportunities come your way. Across the United States, life expectancy can vary by decades simply based on zip code, revealing a powerful but often overlooked truth: place matters more than we think. Joining the discussion is Ryan Frederick, author of Right Place, Right Time, who introduce...

For adult children, the responsibility of financially supporting aging parents can feel overwhelming. In today’s episode, author and financial expert Beth Pinsker joins me to talk about the challenges that come with these life-altering transitions in families.  Beth shares her experience caring for her mother and the lessons she learned about abrupt shifts that happen when a loved one’s indep...

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 ex...

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...

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 a...

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 Co...

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 connect...

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. Correc...

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 evolvin...

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...

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 j...

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 younge...

What kind of future awaits a generation that has never known a world without AI? Generation Beta, born between 2025 and 2039, will grow up with artificial intelligence shaping their learning, careers, and even their health. In this episode, we explore the profound impact AI will have on their lives and how it will redefine human experience.  While Gen Beta will benefit from personalized learn...

Are we ready for the inevitable economic shift brought on by changing demographics? With fertility rates plummeting and life expectancy soaring, countries around the world are facing a rapidly evolving workforce, one that will have a profound impact on global prosperity.   In today’s episode, I sit down with Stefano Scarpetta, the head of the OECD's Employment, Labour, and Social Affairs...

What if America’s next great export isn’t goods or tech, but its people? I’m hosting Michele Collu, a Sardinian-born entrepreneur who's helping reverse the population decline in his home region by helping Americans make Sardinia their new home.  With his deep understanding of both U.S. and Italian cultures, Michele sheds light on what makes Sardinia irresistible for people seeking a slower, m...

What if the way we think about aging and retirement is all wrong? In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Michael Clinton about the longevity economy and how it’s reshaping the future. Michael shares insights on why companies are still clinging to outdated ideas about aging, missing out on a huge economic opportunity.  But this conversation isn’t just for businesses—it’s also for individuals. M...

How do we sustain our food supply when people, the very foundation of agriculture, are disappearing? I am hosting Dr. John Newton to unpack how demographic shifts are disrupting American agriculture. From aging rural populations to global population plateaus, we explore what happens when the “grow more, export more” model no longer works.  Dr. John shares how farms are being forced to evolve...