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Karl Schroeder talks about the importance of narratives and long-form fiction in foresight Karl Schroeder is the author of eleven science fiction novels including the award-winners Permanence and Lockstep. His latest book is Stealing Worlds, a near-future thriller about augmented-reality live-action role playing, murder, and talking groceries, among other things. Aside from writing, Karl also consults as a futurist, having attained a Masters in Strategic Foresight and Innovation in 2011. He is currently working on multiple writing and foresight projects. See more about Karl on his new website Narrative Futures See more about Nikolas at www.nikolasbadminton.com

Jake is Director of the Center for Futures Intelligence and Director of Operations/Engagement for National Intelligence University's Intel, Research, Education, and Solutions (IRES) Laboratory. He is also a member of the research faculty. He is an international speaker on global futures and intelligence and founded the US Air Force's Strategic Foresight and Futures Team. Jake's work spans the nexus of disruptive tech, geopolitical risk, and futures intelligence. He leads a team that helps senior leaders in the Intelligence Community and Department of Defense embrace uncertainty and build anticipatory thinking. He holds a Ph.D. in political science and geopolitical futures from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, a Master of Arts in international affairs from the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy at Tufts University, a Master of Philosophy in military strategy from the US Air Force’s School of Advanced Air & Space Studies, a Master of Military Operational Art & Science from the Air Command and Staff College, and a Bachelor of Arts in international studies from Norwich University. His work as a thought leader has been featured internationally in: The National Interest, The Diplomat, Defense News, C4ISR Journal, China-US Focus, Greece's Kathimerini, the Middle East Institute, MIT Political Science News, the Futurist Institute, the Future Today Institute, and the Delphi Economic Forum.  He is a regular speaker and lecturer on strategic foresight, global affairs, and national security. You can connect with Jake on Linkedin See more about Nikolas at www.nikolasbadminton.com

Dr. Schultz is an academically trained futurist with over forty years of global foresight practice. She has designed futures research projects for NGOs, government agencies, and businesses, and recently completed with her colleagues at SAMI Consulting four global scenarios and multiple regional scenarios on the futures of research and innovation in a post-COVID world. Wendy specializes in participatory futures workshops – most recently online for the ILO and the International Institute of Islamic Thought; other examples include face-to-face workshops offering foresight training in Kuala Lumpur and istanbul; at A Temporary Futures Institute at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Antwerp; In Cairo for the ILO; for Africa Knows in Arusha, Tanzania; with the Geneva Centre for Security Policy in Bangkok, New York, and Geneva; and in Budapest for Vodafone. Wendy teaches futures studies in the Masters Program in Strategic Foresight at the University of Houston; is a Fellow of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy; a Senior Fellow of the Center for Post-Normal Policy and Futures Studies; a member of the Association of Professional Futurists; and a Fellow of the World Futures Studies Federation. She is Director of Infinite Futures and Futures Puzzlemaster at Jigsaw Foresight. See more about Wendy at Infinite Futures See more about Nikolas at www.nikolasbadminton.com

Madeline Ashby is a science fiction writer, futurist, speaker, teacher, and immigrant living in Toronto. She is represented by Cooke McDermid, and UTA. Her fiction has appeared in Nature, Tesseracts, Escape Pod, FLURB, the Shine Anthology, and elsewhere. Her essays have appeared at BoingBoing, io9, WorldChanging, and The Atlantic. Her fiction has appeared in Slate, MIT Technology Review, Clarkesworld, and multiple anthologies. Madeline has worked with Intel Labs, the World Health Organization, the Institute for the Future, SciFutures, Nesta, Data & Society, The Atlantic Council, Changeist, and others. She has spoken at SXSW, FutureEverything, MozFest, and other events. I’m currently reading her and Scott Smith’s book ‘How to Future’ and they help people understand how to think and what to do. You can read more about Madeline at - https://madelineashby.com/ See more of Nikolas' writing at www.nikolasbadminton.com

Joseph is a Scanner, Analyst, Researcher, Educator, Facilitator, Consultant. He has been a professional futurist for over two decades, he holds a PhD in theoretical physics and in his early career he spent several years in internet-related companies, including a stint at the legendary Netscape in Silicon Valley, California, in the late-1990s. Joseph has a strong belief in the need for both rigorous intellectual discipline as well as practical pragmatic utility in ‘real world’ contexts, and this belief lies at the heart of his approach to Futures Studies and strategic foresight. See more of Joseph’s thoughts at www.thevoroscope.com See more of Nikolas’ insights at www.nikolasbadminton.com See the Futurist Think Tank at www.futurist.com/think-tank

Brett is an innovation educator, adviser and investor. He has worked with leading global brands to develop innovative new products, brands and communications resulting in over 200 awards and patents. He is a behavioural economist by training with deep experience leading digitization. His recently completed research at INSEAD, the leading global business school, applied a systems psychodynamic perspective to innovation leadership. This distinguished research illuminates the inner world of repeat innovation leaders to understand the feelings, thoughts and behaviours that enable or inhibit progress. His monthly newsletter - Connecting Dots - is a thoughtful and practical exploration of the human side of innovation. Subscribe at https://www.brettmacfarlane.com See Brett’s Innovation Leadership Map (ILM) research - https://www.brettmacfarlane.com/ilm _________ Listen to more episodes on Spotify  See more of Nikolas' thoughts at www.nikolasbadminton.com

TRACEY FOLLOWS is a professional futurist identifying the future trends that will shape our world. Her clients have included Telefonica, Google, Sky, Farfetch, Conde Nast and Virgin. She has spoken at UN HQ in New York, delivered her TedX at the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office and closed at events such as Think With Google. She writes her own contributor column in Forbes and her opinions are regularly sought by national media. Tracey is also a member of the Association of Professional Futurists, World Futures Studies Federation and a Fellow of the RSA.   Her first book, The Future of You: Can Your Identity Survive 21st Century Technology? published by Elliott & Thompson March 2021. Read her book - 'The Future of You'  Follow her on Twitter - @traceyfutures See more of Nikolas’ thinking at www.nikolasbadminton.com

Richard Yonck is a futurist with Intelligent Future Consulting in Seattle, where he is an advisor to businesses and organizations about emerging trends and future developments. He explores developing trends in emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, healthcare, biotechnology and genetics, transportation, robotics, and more. He’s the author of the 2020 book Future Minds explores the nature of intelligence and how our world is rapidly becoming more and differently intelligent. His previous book, Heart of the Machine: Our Future in a World of Artificial Emotional Intelligence (2017) looks at the future of the emerging technologies making it possible for computers and robots to read, interpret, and even influence human emotions. Reach out to Richard at Intelligent Future Consulting See his writing at GeekWire See more of Nikolas’ insights at www.nikolasbadminton.com

Oksana Andreiuk is a biotechnology scientist, biohacker, and futurist. She founded Canadian Biohacker with a mission of bringing health optimization and anti-aging science to the mainstream. She is also a Strategist at Klick Health, one of the top marketing and commercialization agency partners to global life sciences organizations. Oksana has a long-standing interest in the applications of biotechnology to optimizing health and performance and holds an Hons BSc in genetics and biotechnology and a Master of Biotechnology from the University of Toronto. She believes the future of healthcare lies in disease prevention as well as delaying (and even reversing) the aging process, ultimately extending healthspan and lifespan. Follow Oksana on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/canadianbiohacker/ On her Medium channel - https://medium.com/canadianbiohacker  And, on her website - https://canadianbiohacker.com/

Liza is a Retail Strategist and Industry Leader with over 21 years of experience. In her career, Liza has worked with familiar brands including Ralph Lauren Europe and Canada, Club Monaco, Nike, Walmart, and many others. Her experience encompasses brick and mortar, e-commerce and omni-channel in the areas of product creation, merchandising and product development. In shifting to consulting, she played an integral role in Accenture's Retail Strategy group, where she was responsible for consulting with fashion brands and retailers, providing insight on relevant topics such as speed to market and future retail operating models. She is a respected voice on topics such as responsible/sustainable retail, "The Future of Retail" and has led conversations on pertinent issues related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Liza is currently the Principal at Retail Strategy Group; a consulting practice which helps companies in the retail space dramatically improve profitability.

She is a Futures Literacy (FL) Expert, she designs, develops and facilitates so-called Futures Literacy Labs: collective intelligence knowledge creation processes across the globe that challenge and raise fundamental questions on leadership, migration, climate change and technology. In 2018 Loes and her team at Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen (Hanzehogeschool Groningen) got rewarded with a UNESCO Chair on Futures Literacy for their work on researching the impact of FL and the design principles of FL interventions. Read about Futures Literacy at Hanze University - https://www.hanze.nl/eng/research/overviews/FutureLiteracyKnowLabs And, watch a quick overview of Futures Literacy -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBGuWa3MmLE

Ian Burbidge is the Head of Innovation and Change at The RSA. Ian’s role is to develop programmes of research and analysis focused on policy and practice across the public services and communities sector. Ian has a background in public policy and partnership working and joins the RSA from local government. Here his work focused on engaging communities in place-shaping and problem-solving with the statutory sector. Ian is particularly interested in how to cultivate innovation within public services and bring new approaches to old problems. The RSA is www.thersa.org You can download ‘A Stitch in Time’ here. You can connect with @ianburbidge on twitter and his writing can be found at www.ianburbidge.com

Carol Anne Hilton, MBA is the CEO and Founder of The Indigenomics Institute and the Global Center of Indigenomics. Carol Anne is a dynamic national Indigenous business leader  and  senior adviser with an international Masters Degree in Business Management (MBA) from the University of Hertfordshire, England. Carol Anne is of Nuu chah nulth descent from the Hesquiaht Nation on Vancouver Island. Carol Anne served on the BC Emerging Economy the BC Indigenous Business and Investment Council and was the only Indigenous person appointed to the Canadian Economic Growth Council. Carol Anne currently serves as a Director of the McGill University Institute for the Study of Canada, the BC Digital Supercluster.  Carol Anne’s work has been recognized with the BC Achievement Foundation’s Award of Distinction in Indigenous Business, the national Excellence in Aboriginal Relations Award from the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business. Carol Anne has led the establishment of a line of thought called #indigenomics - growing from a single word to an entire movement which focuses on the re-building and strengthening of Indigenous economies. Carol Anne is the author of ‘Indigenomics- Taking A Seat at the Economic Table’ and is an adjunct professor at Royal Roads University School of Business. Pre-order Carol Anne’s book ‘Indigenomics: Taking a Seat at the Economic Table’ Connect with her on Linkedin See more about Nikolas at www.nikolasbadminton.com

Denny Unger is the CEO and Creative Director at Cloudhead Games. Since 2012 they’ve shipped 4 VR titles (Call of the Starseed, Heart of the Emberstone, Valve Aperture Hand Labs, and the blockbusting PistolWhip) Cloudhead Games’ pioneering approach to VR gave rise to two broadly adopted standards; VR Comfort Mode/Snap Turns and Blink Teleportation. Working closely with VR hardware leaders in the space, including Valve, Oculus, HTC, Sony, Cloudhead Games continues to innovate, inform, and entertain. Denny regularly speaks at events, sharing his experience and vision of how VR will impact our daily lives. You were the first guest for this podcast back in March 2016 where we chatted on the potential future for VR and AR. See more about Cloudhead Games - the VR studio behind Pistol Whip, Aperture Hand Labs and the fantasy adventure trilogy The Gallery, which has won over 30 awards and nominations including ‘VR Game of the Year’ See more about Nikolas at www.nikolasbadminton.com

Pia Puolakka has been working for the Criminal Sanctions Agency in Finland since 2012 and started as a prison psychologist and then moved into Central Administration where she worked as a senior specialist responsible for rehabilitative services including programme work, family work, and psychological and spiritual services in prisons. In 2018 she was appointed as the project manager of the Smart Prison Project. Her current post includes developing digital services for rehabilitative purposes and leading the implementation of the smart prison system. She trained as a forensic psychologist and works also as a private psychotherapist and hypnotherapist. She has done further studies in Artificial Intelligence and digitalization for the purposes of the current Smart Prison Project. See more about Nikolas at www.nikolasbadminton.com

Rotem has a Bsc in psychology from the University of Toronto and a MA in social psychology from York University.  He is currently a PhD student in York's clinical psychology program. His main research interest is affect regulation, and the way it interacts with sustained attention, mind wandering, and creativity. Rotem co-founded the Psychedelic Studies Research Program at the University of Toronto and the Canadian Centre for Psychedelic Science, and is a pioneer in the study of microdosing psychedelics using modern rigorous research methods. He feels strongly that the principles of Open Science are necessary in order to do good research, and is currently in the process of starting the first lab study of microdosing in Canada. Contact Rotem at www.psychedelicscience.ca or www.petranker.com Read ‘Psychedelic Research and the Need for Transparency: Polishing Alice’s Looking Glass’  See more about Nikolas at www.nikolasbadminton.com

Chris Dancy is touted as “the Most Connected Man on Earth,” and the world is watching those connections carefully. For 25 years, Chris has served in leadership within the technology and healthcare industries, specializing in the intersection of the two. Chris entered the public dialog concerning digital health as the media started to focus on wearable technology. He earned his moniker by utilizing up to 700 sensors, devices, applications, and services to track, analyze, and optimize his life--from his calorie intake to his spiritual well-being. This quantification enables him to see the connections of otherwise invisible data, resulting in dramatic upgrades to his health, productivity, and quality of life. Chris guides organizations and audiences on a journey -- a disruptive, breathtaking journey -- into the future of computing, when behavior becomes the ultimate interface. See more about Chris on his website Chris speaking at Cyborg Camp MIT in 2014 - link See more about Nikolas at www.nikolasbadminton.com

Peter Nowak is a former staff reporter and editor at The Globe and Mail, National Post, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and New Zealand Herald and has won journalism awards in two countries. His work has appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald, New Scientist, Boston Globe, Toronto Star and many others. His first book, Sex, Bombs and Burgers, was a Macleans bestseller and his second book, Humans 3.0., was published in five countries. In his third non-fiction book - The Rise of Real-Life Superheroes and the Fall of Everything Else - Peter delves into the mysterious world of the thousands of real men and women who don masks and costumes to fight crime and help the helpless while the rest of the world falls apart. Read more about Peter on his website And, go and buy his book ‘The Rise of Real-Life Superheroes: and the Fall of Everything Else’ (or order from your local independent bookstore) See more about Nikolas at www.nikolasbadminton.com

Natalie Nixon, PhD, changes lives through ideas. She is a creativity strategist who happily integrates wonder and rigor into her life and work. And, in her work she emboldens leaders and organizations to apply creativity & foresight for transformative business results. This year she released a new book called ‘The Creativity Leap’ - Creativity is the source of all innovation, but how can we cultivate it? Natalie Nixon defines creativity as our ability to toggle between wonder & rigor to solve problems and produce novel value. She draws on her background in business and the arts to show how we can unlock our innate creativity to produce breakthrough products and services. Here we talk about the role of creativity in the modern business and how creativity hacking and ‘clumsy learning’ is helping drive innovation forward. Learn more about Natalie on her website. And, go and grab her book ‘The Creativity Leap: Unleash Curiosity, Improvisation, and Intuition at Work’ See more about Nikolas at www.nikolasbadminton.com

Melissa is a millennial on the Internet and exclusively thinks and talks about the world wide web. She's curious about the intersection of internet culture and real life and tells stories about what people are consuming online to inspire new, relevant and authentic ways for brands to connect with people. She also works as a Cultural Strategist and has worked on projects for Adidas, Levi's, Twitter, Miller Genuine Draft and most recently, the National Film Board of Canada. Here Nikolas and Melissa get into the good, great, bad, ugly, and terrifying future of social media and what it can be. Creative, empathetic, and a platform to encourage cultural change. Read her essay - ‘We need to talk about WAP’ Watch her DARK FUTURES talk ‘It's 2039, you’re either stressed, depressed or cancelled’ Twitter - @eshaghbeigi Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eshaghbeigi/ See more about Nikolas at www.nikolasbadminton.com