Progress Reimagined

Anxious about the state of the world? You're not alone. Host Kathleen Chu makes the case that empathy isn't a weakness but a starting point. Drawing on Octavia Butler, adrienne maree brown, and Eckhart Tolle to explore how to stay hopeful and imagine a better future. Three practices that help: quieting the input, turning inward, and turning outward. Books (affiliate links) A New Earth —...

We trusted the people in the spotlight to have all the answers. We handed them our data, our attention, our cities, our public squares — and assumed the market would sort out whatever followed. It didn't. This episode asks what blind faith in technology actually cost us — and what it would take to build something better. From a WeWork launch party in Tokyo to the Rohingya crisis. From an Uber...

In Spirited Away, Chihiro's parents stumble upon an empty town, find fresh steaming food, and just... eat. One comfortable choice at a time. Until it's too late. I think that scene describes something happening in our world right now. This episode explores what we are quietly trading away — our attention, our capacity to think deeply, and our tolerance for anything difficult or slow. Dra...

Season 2 of Progress Reimagined is here. This season features conversations with thinkers reimagining our economy, technology, and planet, plus solo episodes where I sit with a book and an idea worth exploring. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and find me on Substack for written reflections and book recommendations. https://substack.com/@progressreimagined/posts Progress Reimagined What d...

Discover a refreshing digital experience that is free from attention manipulation and platform lock-in while helping you connect with others. In a digital landscape dominated by profit-driven tech giants that monetize attention and exploit user data, Mastodon's Andy Piper presents a liberating alternative. This episode explores how the Fediverse, with Mastodon at its center, is creating a mor...

In a digital world dominated by algorithms designed to maximize engagement rather than serve users, Davide Eynard presents a refreshing alternative. This episode explores how "thinking small" with purpose-built AI can transform our social media experience. Discover BYOTA (Build Your Own Timeline Algorithm), a project that lets you create personalized social media timelines without sharin...

For activists and organizers worldwide, digital tools have become vital infrastructure for creating change. Yet most rely on platforms designed for other purposes, with business models that don't prioritize movement needs. Emil Vincentz, Executive Director at Acter, discusses how their encrypted organizing app is building technology that truly serves social movements rather than extracting va...

From organic waste to fast fashion, tune in to this episode to discover how we can collectively transform trash into resources, curb wasteful production, and decarbonize our planet. Discover how our linear "take-make-dispose" system wastes limited resources and how the circular economy transforms waste to resource opportunities. Join Ian McKee, founder of the Carrot Network, as he reveal...

Learn how to take control of your online privacy - even if you're not tech-savvy. Discover essential digital privacy tips and practical cybersecurity strategies with Pavel Zoneff from The Tor Project. Learn how to protect your online privacy and secure your digital footprint without being a tech expert. From understanding internet security basics to implementing privacy tools, this episode gu...

Discover how Equitech Collective contributes to healthcare equity through innovative technology and social impact. In this inspiring conversation, Chi Ling shares her journey from public service to founding Equitech, a social enterprise dedicated to making healthcare more accessible through digital innovation and AI solutions. Learn how Equitech's initiatives, from AI-powered healthcare tools...

As housing becomes increasingly unaffordable worldwide, architect Clara G reveals how communities are creating sustainable solutions through collective ownership and innovative technology. Drawing on examples from Vienna to Barcelona, she shares practical approaches to make housing both affordable and environmentally conscious in this perspective-shifting episode. Watch to discover: -Why housing s...

As our world faces unprecedented changes, renowned commons researcher and P2P Foundation founder Michel Bauwens reveals how societal chaos is actually birthing a new civilization. Drawing from decades of research in peer-to-peer systems, commons-based solutions, and decentralized networks, he maps out what's emerging and why there's hope. Watch to discover:  • Why current chaos is a nece...

Welcome to Progress Reimagined, a show dedicated to redefining progress with humans and our planet at the center.  Think being too old or non-technical means you've missed the startup boat? Think again. In this candid conversation, Katerina Stroponiati, founder of Brilliant Minds, and Kathleen Chu challenge conventional wisdom about who can succeed in today's tech landscape. They examine...

For decades, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has reigned as the supreme measure of economic success, shaping policies and decisions affecting billions worldwide. But in an era of mounting environmental challenges, rising inequality, and shifting social priorities, this singular focus on GDP may be leading us astray. Join economic policy expert Amanda Janoo, Economics and Policy Lead at Wellbeing Econ...

Progress Reimagined is a podcast that dives into new ideas, economic models, and technologies that promote social equity, environmental sustainability, and our well-being. We feature innovators and changemakers and showcase everything from economic designs that help communities thrive to technologies that protect our privacy and digital rights. Together, we challenge assumptions about progress and...