The Futurist Society Podcast

What if airport “random checks” relied less on hunches and more on measurable behavior? CEO Galvin Widjaja of Lauretta AI explains how ambient intelligence can contextualize actions in physical spaces to reduce bias and improve safety without using facial recognition or permanent IDs. He shares the design choices behind “privacy by design,” why removing priors matters, and how behavior-first data...

What if 80% of capable autistic adults are unemployed or underemployed while companies still struggle to hire for quality and speed? CEO Tara May shares how a Chicago‑born team built a high‑performing, neurodivergent workforce delivering user testing, accessibility, and cybersecurity - and why excellence, not just mission, keeps clients returning. You’ll hear practical tactics for matching strengt...

Can a 21‑minute workout twice a week rival seven hours at the gym? PJ Glassy, founder of XGym, explains the science and systems behind ultra‑efficient “time under tension” training, how nerve training boosts coordination and results, and why chasing complete muscle fatigue matters more than gadgets. You’ll hear how XGym blends controlled reps, method cycling, and smart equipment like load‑cell win...

What if tracking ovulation isn’t the key to getting pregnant - fixing the reasons for late ovulation is? Dr. Awesome talks with Conceivable CEO Kirsten Karchmer about a practical, personalized approach to fertility that focuses on behavior change, heart rate variability, and addressing subclinical factors that derail conception. They unpack why period length, ovulation timing, hydration, sleep, an...

What if a 10-person team could personally reach 21,000 customers by Monday — and turn that outreach into six figures in weekend sales? Dr. Awesome talks with John Long, CEO of THYNK AI, about how small and midsize businesses are using communication agents to answer phones, qualify leads, schedule appointments, and follow up across calls, text, and email. The conversation cuts through the hype to s...

What if the most valuable data about you isn’t labs, steps, or purchases - but your own spoken story? Bill Welser, CEO and cofounder of Lotic AI, explains how narrative disclosures can power practical, private, and personalized artificial intelligence. We dig into why “unknown unknowns” are hard to surface with prompt-only tools, how a relational AI can proactively ask better questions, and what i...

$2 trillion flowed into clean energy globally in 2024—more than fossil fuels have ever received in a single year. While political debates rage on, practical climate solutions are already transforming communities across America. Josh Dorfman, CEO and founder of Supercool, reveals how companies like Zum are revolutionizing school transportation by optimizing bus routes with technology and replacing...

Did you know that asthma attacks actually build up over weeks, not minutes? Most of us envision asthma attacks as sudden emergencies, but the truth is far more complex - and understanding this could save lives. Dr. Awesome sits down with Sharon Samjitsingh , CEO of Health Care Originals , to discuss their groundbreaking wearable technology that listens to deep organ sounds in real-time. This innov...

What if aging was just another curable disease? What if we could explore Mars while controlling drones from our living rooms? These aren't just science fiction scenarios - they're potential realities that shape the vision of our guest, Sage, a roboticist and galactic colonist enthusiast. Sage shares insights on breakthrough technologies that are democratizing innovation and reshaping our future. F...

Did you know that therapy and companionship have become the top use cases for AI in 2025? The technology that many feared would make us less human is actually helping us become more human. AI Dean Ben Tasker shares practical insights on how to navigate the current AI transition period, whether you're facing career changes or seeking to enhance your current role. Learn about the most effective ways...

As AI continues to reshape how we consume information, one critical question emerges: how do we maintain accuracy and trust in an AI-powered world? Brooke Hartley Moy, CEO of Infactory, tackles this challenge head-on by working with major publishers and enterprises to build AI solutions that prioritize reliability and truthfulness. Discover how AI is transforming journalism, clinical research, and...

Boston's iconic Seaport District, built at sea level on landfill, represents billions in real estate investment. Yet this gleaming innovation hub faces an existential threat from rising seas. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Abel breaks down the environmental challenges reshaping Boston's future and what it means for residents. Abel shares insights from his decades covering New England's ch...

Can optimistic Sci-Fi shape our future? While dystopian stories dominate today's media landscape, André Bormanis, former science consultant for Star Trek and writer for The Orville, believes in the power of positive visions of tomorrow. Bormanis shares his unique journey from NASA fellowship to Hollywood writer, exploring how technological breakthroughs could lead us toward a post-scarcity society...

Can education and technology create a more optimistic future for humanity? Rod Roddenberry, CEO of Roddenberry Entertainment and son of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, shares his vision for moving humanity forward through innovative education, biomedical breakthroughs, and the enduring philosophy of infinite diversity from infinite combinations (IDIC). Rod discusses the Roddenberry Foundation'...

70% of people find their next job through introductions, not through sending out resumes. Former academic and AI expert Joan Palmiter Bajorek shares practical insights on building career resilience in an AI-driven world. Joan brings her experience from building infrastructure for Alexa and Siri, surviving two major tech layoffs, and successfully pivoting to run her own AI consultancy. She discusse...

The journey from scientific discovery to commercial success takes more than just a breakthrough - it requires strategic biotech leadership and vision. Steve Swan, a seasoned executive recruiter with 26 years in the biotech industry, reveals how companies navigate the complex path from laboratory research to market success. Swan shares insights on what makes biotech leaders effective, from securing...

How does architecture shape our daily lives beyond just aesthetics? Nader Tehrani , principal at NADAAA and former Cooper Union Dean, reveals the hidden systems behind modern buildings and cities that most of us never consider. Tehrani challenges conventional architectural thinking by prioritizing construction techniques before design concepts - a complete reversal of traditional methods. He expla...

Can technology make a city more livable? Boston's Office of Emerging Technologies is tackling this challenge head-on through innovative solutions in climate monitoring, traffic management, and urban planning. Michael Lawrence Evans and Abigail Menendez share how Boston is using AI-powered traffic signals to reduce congestion, deploying environmental sensors to monitor air quality in real-time, and...

Modern parenting faces unique challenges as families become more isolated and traditional support systems fade away. Ami Meoded, co-founder of littleone.care, introduces Elora - a revolutionary baby wellness monitor that goes beyond basic sleep tracking to provide 24/7 insights into infant development. Meoded explains how Elora's wearable technology analyzes baby movements and sounds to track key...

Will robots eventually take our jobs? The reality is more nuanced. Robotics expert Matthias Scheutz explains how robots are meant to augment human capabilities rather than replace us entirely. From automated warehouses to healthcare assistance, discover how the next generation of robots will transform our workplaces and homes. Learn why creating robots that can function in unpredictable environmen...

⁠​Did you know that healthcare and biotech facilities produce more emissions than the airline industry? While medical innovation saves lives, it comes with an environmental cost. Meet Sam White, an innovator tackling this challenge by revolutionizing how biotech waste is recycled and transformed into new products. This conversation explores: How a simple recycling solution is turning biotech waste...

Thank you all for your amazing support. We want to wish you a wonderful holiday season. We are taking a short break but will be back on January 20th, 2025. We're working on lots of exciting new episodes and some fun surprises. Looking forward to talking with you all again in the near future - 2025 is going to be awesome! Enjoy the show? Have some suggestions? We'd love to hear from you at thefutur...

In this thought-provoking episode of The Futurist Society, Dr. Awesome welcomes Nobel Prize-winning economist Simon Johnson to explore the future of economics and its impact on society. Professor Johnson, from MIT's Sloan School of Management, shares insights from his recent work on technological progress and economic disparities. The conversation delves into the challenges of job market polarizat...

In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of machine translation with Dr. Philipp Koehn, a professor at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Koehn discusses the current state of machine translation technology, its challenges, and the potential future where universal translation could become a reality. He shares insights on the impact of deep learning, the integration of speech and text processing...

“We want people to wear the robots” Discover the cutting-edge world of soft robotics and wearable technology, as Dr Awesome discusses their potential to revolutionize healthcare, human performance, and daily life with Kris Dorsey, Associate Professor in the Center for Experiential Robotics at Northeastern University.  Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://thefuturistsociet...