A musical virtuoso who tours with Jon Batiste and serves as the Musical Director of Grace Farms Foundation- our guest this week brings us an episode that is both bold and beautiful. Touching on the role of music in family, culture, and tradition- to the influence and impact of technology on the music industry especially in the 20th century- this is a heartfelt and profound exploration of what music really is, where it intersects with so many other creative disciplines, what it provides us as human beings, and how we can hopefully ensure a beautiful future. | S6 E2 ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- Future of XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.

What other topic would we discuss in our 125th overall episode and kickoff to a new season, with our new presenting sponsor, @ifdesign and now as part of the Sandow SURROUND Podcast Network- than the Future of DESIGN!? Our three guests represent an incredible knowledge base covering cross-disciplinary design from cars & tech, to furniture & sound. Together, we dive deep on industry trends & challenges, and of course, the importance of good design & educating the next generation of designers. This is a launch episode you won't want to miss! | S6 E1 ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- Future of XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts and surroundpodcasts.com, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.

Innovation- it's a huge topic ranging from the invention of the wheel or printing press, to mindset shifts or harnessing the technology that fuels our modern world. This week, we speak with the host of another podcast, Barriers to Entry, who focuses on how emerging technologies are being brought to life to solve problems and create new opportunities especially in the design industry. From hot topics like AI and its real-life human implications to the impact of venture capital- don’t miss this exciting conversation. Episode 9, Season 5. ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented in collaboration with Rhode Island PBS. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz on Instagram, and visit www.future-of.XYZ or www.ripbs.org/XYZ for show links and more.

“We are a species of curiosity and survival; I’m convinced that exploration is embedded in our human DNA.” Chris Rainier is the son of an explorer and an artist who started his career as Ansel Adams’ assistant, going on to become one of this generation’s most well-respected documentary photographers and filmmakers, and a National Geographic Society Explorer. He is fundamentally positive and believes deeply in the need to involve the entire human voice, all 6000 languages and our knowledge bases to move into the future. Episode 8, Season 5. www.chrisrainier.org  ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented in collaboration with Rhode Island PBS. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz on Instagram, and visit www.future-of.XYZ or www.ripbs.org/XYZ for show links and more.

Imagine a hiring process where all you have to do is put your name on a list. Where you can earn a living wage regardless of your education, disability, race, prison time, homelessness, or other traditional barriers to employment. It’s called ‘open hiring’ and Greyston Bakery- provider of brownies to Ben & Jerry’s ice cream- has been implementing it for 42 years. A positive catalyst for lifting traditionally marginalized employees and their communities out of poverty, it also offers significantly positive returns for implementing businesses. The model may sound radical, but it’s anything but. Learn more at https://www.greyston.org/ and in Episode 8, Season 5.  ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented in collaboration with Rhode Island PBS. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz on Instagram, and visit www.future-of.XYZ or www.ripbs.org/XYZ for show links and more.

How can companies ensure long-term mission alignment and drive value beyond just wealth creation for shareholders? Learn about the growing movement towards purpose trusts. An ownership model recently adopted by outerwear giant, Patagonia, this is a way for businesses to protect their values and ensure purposeful commitments endure over time. Episode 6, Season 5.ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented in collaboration with Rhode Island PBS. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz on Instagram, and visit www.future-of.XYZ or www.ripbs.org/XYZ for show links and more.

Happy Leap Year! From cross-disciplinary design and discontinuity, to systems thinking and all that needs to be redesigned in the world – Episode 5, Season 5 dives deep into the topic of complexity. This February 29th, we are encouraged to accept what we cannot yet know and learn tools for adaptation. Tune in as our guest breaks down this fabulously complex topic for us.  ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented in collaboration with Rhode Island PBS. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz on Instagram, and visit www.future-of.XYZ or www.ripbs.org/XYZ for show links and more.

ABOUT: Our guest this week runs an education nonprofit whose vast curriculum helps millions of individuals from ages 12-99+ understand more about how their food is produced, packaged, transported, sold, and ultimately consumed. The conversation addresses positive impacts on personal health, the role of technology, deforestation and ocean acidification, systems-level wellbeing, the power of information, and veggie burgers! Tune in for an educational conversation in Episode 4, Season 5.ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented in collaboration with Rhode Island PBS. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz on Instagram, and visit www.future-of.XYZ or www.ripbs.org/XYZ for show links and more.

This week, we hear from a woman who has spent her illustrious career in the world of money, capital, and investing. As an inaugural member of U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s Advisory Committee on Racial Equity and founder of the first Native American-owned investment bank– we gain a powerful perspective on what it means to create equitable access to growth capital and how to affect positive change for ALL our communities. Don’t miss Episode 3 of Season 5. It’s quite an education.

As we continue into Season 5 and a theme of the new year, we’re exploring Motivation. What it is, how one finds it and keeps it, and how it necessarily evolves in step with our individual and collective futures. Our guest this week is a motivational speaker, author, coach and tech entrepreneur who believes motivation comes from our values, our environment, or a sense of purpose. Tune in to the 2nd Episode of Season 5.ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented in collaboration with Rhode Island PBS.FOR MORE INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz on Instagram, and visit www.future-of.XYZ or www.ripbs.org/XYZ for show links and more.

What topic is better to kick off the new year than ‘future of wellness’?! Tune in for a holistic conversation about how health, science, economics and the environment are interconnected and the impact on individuals, communities and systems. Don’t miss this fascinating 1st Episode of Season 5!ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented in collaboration with Rhode Island PBS. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz on Instagram, and visit www.future-of.XYZ or www.ripbs.org/XYZfor show links and more.

Caregiving is about taking care of others, but unpaid caregiving is a unique crisis in America. This holiday season, as we wrap up the year and end of Season 4, we connect with leadership at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island to explore what the growing lack of access to childcare, limited assistance for mental and physical disability, and outlived resources by the elderly means for individuals and communities- and what insurers and employers can do to help. Don’t miss Episode 24, Season 4. Happiest holiday wishes to you and yours!ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented in collaboration with Rhode Island PBS. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz on Instagram, and visit www.future-of.XYZ or www.ripbs.org/XYZ for show links and more.

From the Author of “Brave Together” and Co-Founder of BraveCore, a leadership + culture consultancy, we hear about bravery- what it is, how it can be learned, and why co-creating is the only way to a better future. With first-hand anecdotes from some of the greatest corporate leaders of the 21st century, including Apple’s Steve Jobs and Pixar’s Ed Catmull- you won’t want to miss Episode 24, Season 4.  ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented in collaboration with Rhode Island PBS. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz on Instagram, and visit www.future-of.XYZ or www.ripbs.org/XYZ for show links and more.

This American Thanksgiving, we’re speaking with two children’s book authors about the value of stories, imagination, creativity, and exposure. From physical books to audio theater – both our guests reflect on having a unique voice that children respond to, whether that be via poetry, rhyming, entertainment, illustrations, and/or interactivity. Don’t miss Episode 23, Season 4. ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented in collaboration with Rhode Island PBS. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz on Instagram, and visit www.future-of.XYZ or www.ripbs.org/XYZ for show links and more.

Back in 2006, world-renowned beatboxer, Doug E. Fresh teamed up with Dr. Olajide Williams, a neurologist at Columbia University to change health outcomes for New York City’s marginalized communities. Using the revolutionary force of hip hop music and culture (which celebrates 50 years this History Month), the organization they founded supports community-focused programs that improve health literacy and bridge inequities in public health and social justice. Episode 22, Season 4. ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented in collaboration with Rhode Island PBS.FOR MORE INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz on Instagram, and visit www.future-of.XYZ or www.ripbs.org/XYZ for show links and more.

WOW. Do not miss this episode! From reverence for the mountain in the local Sherpa and original outdoors community, to the impact of humans continuously “pushing the ‘adventure’ envelope” – this is a powerful and informative conversation with a brilliant and empathetic expert. Episode 21, Season 4.ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented in collaboration with Rhode Island PBS. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz on Instagram, and visit www.future-of.XYZ or www.ripbs.org/XYZ for show links and more.

From ADHD and Autism Spectrum to Cerebral Palsy, Down’s and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, ‘developmental disabilities’ is a large umbrella that includes conditions that typically show up in childhood and last a person’s lifetime. While health professionals today can offer far better interventions, there is still much improvement underway in terms of specific policies, actions and technologies that will deliver wellbeing for these individuals and their families. Episode 20, Season 4.ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented in collaboration with Rhode Island PBS. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz on Instagram, and visit www.future-of.XYZ or www.ripbs.org/XYZ for show links and more.

AI may be the tech term du jour, but the team at IBM has been on the cutting edge of developing AI since the 1950s. Today, two of IBM’s business unit leaders share with us what’s happening in the world of consumer, enterprise and generative AI- including its incredibly fast adoption, nose-to-tail value chain uses, and the imperative for aligned security, governance, and Green IT. Episode 19, Season 4.ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented in collaboration with Rhode Island PBS. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz on Instagram, and visit www.future-of.XYZ or www.ripbs.org/XYZ for show links and more.

As NY Fashion Week kicks off, we speak with one of the industry's top casting directors. She’s worked with Prada, Vuitton and all the biggest brands and influencers and talks with us about the importance of building brand identity and what it takes to be successful as a model today. She also shares why fashion is ripe for disruption and why she thinks the “supermodel” is dead. Episode 18, Season 4. ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented in collaboration with Rhode Island PBS. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz on Instagram, and visit www.future-of.XYZ or www.ripbs.org/XYZ for show links and more.

Social Impact is a term bandied about across nonprofit, corporate, government, and philanthropic communities– but what is it really and how is it evolving in a fast-moving world? In this episode, we speak with a seasoned impact veteran about the importance of taking time to listen and reflect, to co-create programs with the communities they’re intended to serve, to influence policy, and advance the voices of a new generation of changemakers. Episode 17, Season 4.ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented in collaboration with Rhode Island PBS. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz on Instagram, and visit www.future-of.XYZ or www.ripbs.org/XYZ for show links and more.