Future of XYZ

Presented in collaboration with Rhode Island PBS, Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we want to go. Through quick and candid conversations with innovative leaders and courageous changemakers, we share unique perspectives that provoke new thinking about what’s coming down the pipeline on topics ranging from business and technology, to art, science, and humanity broadly. Listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on ripbs.org/XYZ, and follow @futureofxyz on Instagram. More information available at future-of.XYZ.

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Want to learn about circularity, but not sure what it is? Few people are better poised to talk about maximizing systemic change and collective action than this week’s guest from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Tune in to learn about efforts being undertaken to inspire and empower the world’s designers to create products, services, and systems that address the root cause of global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution- and help regenerate nature’s bounty. | S6 E3

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.

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 is 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.