How We Future: Stories of Hope, Hype, and Gratitude

por Lisa Kay Solomon

Temporada 3

Assembling Tomorrow: Designing a Thriving Future with Scott Doorley and Carissa Carter

What do you do when the world changes faster than you can make sense of it? The Season 3 finale of How We Future features Stanford educators Scott Doorley and Carissa Carter for a conversation about design, technology, and what it actually means to adapt in a moment of runaway change. Scott and Carissa are the creative and academic leaders behind Stanford’s Hasso Plattner Institute of Design and the co-authors of Assembling Tomorrow, a book that offers language and tools to design a better future. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why if you feel NUTS! Or “Never Up To Speed,” you’re not alone. What “bothness” looks like when technologies can simultaneously help and harm Why speculative fiction and “histories of the future” help us think more clearly about the present How playful practices like mapping your monsters lower fear and open better conversations This finale invites us to slow down just enough to notice the narratives we’ve inherited, question the ones that no longer serve us, and practice designing — not just reacting — inside uncertainty. Links from the episode; Assembling Tomorrow by Carissa Carter and Scott Doorley d.school mission d.school Design Abilities: “Let’s stop talking about The design process” The Secret Language of Maps by Carissa Carter Make Space: How To Set the Stage for Creative Collaboration by Scott Doorley and Scott Witthoft Map the problem space activity Scott’s website Follow How We Future: Lisa Kay Solomon on LinkedIn @lisakaysolomon on Instagram @howwefuture on TikTok howwefuture.substack.com Want to contact us? Email hello@howwefuture.com

T3 · E10

9 jun 2026

49:57

How to Bring Your Human to Work with Workplace Strategist Erica Keswin

“The absence of intentionality is a recipe for resentment.” This episode of How We Future features Erica Keswin, a longtime advocate for human-centered leadership and the author of Bring Your Human to Work, Rituals Roadmap, and The Retention Revolution. Lisa and Erica explore how leaders can intentionally design work environments that honor connection, dignity, and trust in an era defined by AI, hybrid work, and constant change. Erica shares three strategies to improve human connection that, data shows, increases ROI, productivity, and morale. In this episode, you’ll hear: How return to office policies may be working against an organization's best interest How clear protocols can dramatically improve trust and engagement Why connection, empathy, and dignity are measurable business advantages How trust determines whether employees embrace or resist AI and change At a moment when many organizations are defaulting to control, compliance, or exhaustion, this conversation is a reminder that bringing your human to work may be the most future-ready move of all. Links from the episode: Erica’s website Erica’s blog Erica on LinkedIn Bring Your Human to Work Rituals Roadmap The Retention Revolution EXTRA Commercial Thank You For Being Late by Thomas Friedman Follow How We Future: Lisa Kay Solomon on LinkedIn @lisakaysolomon on Instagram @howwefuture on TikTok howwefuture.substack.com Want to contact us? Email hello@howwefuture.com

T3 · E9

2 jun 2026

37:28

How to Stay Human amid Advancing Technology with Psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman & Tech Journalist Chris Shipley

What kind of leadership do we need right now? In this episode of How We Future, Lisa sits down with cognitive scientist and host of The Psychology Podcast Scott Barry Kaufman and longtime technology strategist Chris Shipley to explore what it means to lead with humanity in a world shaped by AI, uncertainty, and nonstop change. The conversation centers on their upcoming book, Leading for Tomorrow, and the question of how we use our most powerful technologies to become more human, not less. Drawing from psychology, history, and decades at the frontier of technological change, Scott and Chris reflect on agency, bravery, and why leadership today is less about control and more about creating the conditions for people to thrive. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why continuous disruption demands a fundamentally different model of leadership How AI can amplify creativity and self-understanding when used with intention What it looks like to shift from efficiency and performance toward learning and becoming Why optimism, humility, and agency are leadership skills we can all practice Let’s try to rethink leadership as a shared, human endeavor where technology supports our best qualities instead of crowding them out, and where the future is something we actively shape together. Links from the episode: Pre-order Leading for Tomorrow: Unlocking Human Potential in the Era of Continuous Change and Endless Possibility If you Pre-order the book, fill out this form to receive special offers! Scott Barry Kaufman’s website Chris Shipley’s website The Psychology Podcast Scott’s theory on Maslow’s sailboat Scott’s course with Oprah on gratitude Follow How We Future: Lisa Kay Solomon on LinkedIn @lisakaysolomon on Instagram @howwefuture on TikTok howwefuture.substack.com Want to contact us? Email hello@howwefuture.com

T3 · E8

26 may 2026

40:40

Discover New Ways to Learn (and Teach) with Thought-Leader Sanyin Siang

“Curation is putting two pieces in dialogue with each other. And there’s a dynamism to that.” — Sanyin Siang In this episode of How We Future, Lisa is joined by Sanyin Siang, one of today’s most influential voices on human-centered leadership. Drawing on her work as Executive Director of the Coach K Center on Leadership & Ethics at Duke University, Sanyin shares how we can build trust, foster meaningful mentorship, and develop the relational skills we’re rarely taught. Sanyin works at the intersection of theory and practice. She designs leadership labs for undergraduate and graduate students at Duke and helps organizations build high-performing cultures in moments of uncertainty. Her insights are shaped by patterns she sees across business, engineering, sports, public service, and space exploration—and by her deep belief that leadership starts with how we treat people. This conversation explores what it really means to learn from others, why curation and connection are core leadership skills, and how mentorship works best when it’s grounded in curiosity rather than checklists. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to build mentorship relationships without forcing them Why curation, deciding who and what belongs together, is a critical leadership skill in an algorithm-driven world How to be a powerful apprentice, even when no formal mentor is present How to effectively read a bio so you know what questions to ask Whether you’re a student, a manager, or a senior leader, this episode offers practical ways to build stronger relationships, take agency over your learning, and lead with greater intention. Links from the episode: Sanyin’s LinkedIn Sanyin’s Substack: Superpowers with Sanyin Sanyin’s LinkedIn Learning Courses Duke’s Coach K Center on Leadership and Ethics Pre-order Leading for Tomorrow by Scott Barry Kaufman and Chris Shipley The Geography of Genius by Eric Weiner Follow How We Future: Lisa Kay Solomon on LinkedIn @lisakaysolomon on Instagram @howwefuture on TikTok howwefuture.substack.com Want to contact us? Email hello@howwefuture.com

T3 · E7

19 may 2026

37:12

Learn About Futurism with Foresight Specialist Sabrina Sullivan

Why are people inside the same organization planning for completely different futures? In this episode of How We Future, Lisa talks with foresight expert Sabrina Sullivan about what futures work looks like beyond buzzwords and trend decks. Drawing on her experience working with global organizations, like Ford Motor Company and Deloitte, Sabrina explains how shared future scenarios help teams surface assumptions, align decisions, and move forward even in uncertain times. The conversation explores the Foresight Spectrum—a framework that names the many roles foresight practitioners actually play, from explorers and translators to facilitators and connectors. Sabrina emphasizes outcomes: building future literacy, enabling better conversations, and helping turn insight into action. Lisa and Sabrina also dive into the human side of futures work: trust, emotional readiness, and why this work can feel uncomfortable by design. They discuss tools like scenario rehearsal, playful facilitation, and the Leaders for Humanity card deck, all designed to help people practice navigating uncertainty before they’re forced to react to it. The episode closes with Sabrina’s work bringing futures thinking to younger learners and a powerful reminder that asking “What problems do I care about?” may be more important than asking “What job do I want?” In this conversation, you’ll learn: The different roles futurists actually play day to day Why uncertainty can be a source of agency rather than anxiety How practicing the future through play and reflection changes how we lead This episode is a thoughtful look at how we can rehearse what’s ahead, build common language for complexity, and create futures that are more intentional, inclusive, and human. Links from the episode: Sabrina’s Website (by+by) The Foresight Spectrum Leaders for Humanity card game Uncertain by Maggie Jackson Follow How We Future: Lisa Kay Solomon on LinkedIn @lisakaysolomon on Instagram @howwefuture on TikTok howwefuture.substack.com Want to contact us? Email hello@howwefuture.com

T3 · E6

12 may 2026

36:08

Make the Right Stuff Easier and the Wrong Stuff Harder with Friction Project’s Bob Sutton

Is your time being wasted? Or are you wasting others’ time? So often, it seems that calendars fill up, processes multiply, and simple tasks become unnecessarily hard. In this episode, Bob Sutton joins Lisa Kay Solomon to examine how friction shows up at work: the meetings that shouldn’t exist, the processes that are way too complicated, and the small design choices that quietly shape whether people feel respected or drained. Drawing from years of research behind The Friction Project, Bob breaks down why leaders often add instead of subtract, and why that instinct creates hidden costs across teams and organizations. Bob shares why some forms of friction are worth protecting, how savoring plays a role in good design, and why clarity (not certainty) has become a leadership advantage. In this conversation, you’ll learn: Why to treat time as something you’re accountable for, not entitled to spend How “sham participation” quietly erodes trust How leaders unintentionally magnify friction through weak signals When slowing down actually improves performance and experience This episode is for anyone who wants to make work feel more humane without adding another framework, meeting, or tool. Links from the episode: Bob’s website The Friction Project by Bob Sutton & Huggy Rao Bob’s other books Subtract by Leidy Klotz Follow How We Future: Lisa Kay Solomon on LinkedIn @lisakaysolomon on Instagram @howwefuture on TikTok howwefuture.substack.com Want to contact us? Email hello@howwefuture.com

T3 · E5

5 may 2026

49:15

How to Redesign Fixed Systems with Pro Volleyball Player Cassidy Lichtman

What happens when you stop accepting the rules you’ve been handed and start redesigning the game itself? Cassidy Lichtman is a former U.S. National Team volleyball player, gender equity advocate, and the leader of professional volleyball at Athletes Unlimited. In this episode, Cassidy and Lisa explore what it takes to build futures that don’t yet exist, even when the system seems rigid. Cassidy shares the story of reimagining professional women’s sports in the U.S. What if athletes were centered as partners, not commodities? She breaks down how Athletes Unlimited is building leagues differently and why those choices matter far beyond sports. The conversation also dives into moments of decision-making in complicated moments, including how Athletes Unlimited responded when its values were tested, and how constraints, frustration, and “this doesn’t make sense” moments can become catalysts for systemic change. Cassidy models what it looks like to question “used futures” and create something better. In this conversation, you’ll learn: How to spot systems that feel “off” and start redesigning them How values can show up in business models Why women’s sports offer a powerful blueprint for future-facing leadership This episode is a masterclass in agency, imagination, and long-term thinking—and a reminder that if a future doesn’t exist yet, maybe it’s yours to build. Links from the episode: Athletes Unlimited Lisa interviews Cassidy about Athletes Unlimited VIdeo Recap: Look at this Thing We’ve Built The P/ ath Cassidy Lichtman’s TED Talk, “The Power of My Voice” Follow How We Future: Lisa Kay Solomon on LinkedIn @lisakaysolomon on Instagram @howwefuture on TikTok howwefuture.substack.com Want to contact us? Email hello@howwefuture.com

T3 · E4

28 abr 2026

33:15

Use Your Opportunities to Benefit Everyone with Athlete and Entrepreneur Chase Griffin

How can you use your opportunities to benefit everyone? In this episode of How We Future, Lisa talks with Chase Griffin, former quarterback at UCLA, 2x NIL Male Athlete of the Year, and a leading voice in the evolution of college athletics. Chase shares how he learned to navigate moments of change—from NIL to civic engagement—by centering and designing for collective value. Together, they explore how leadership can happen from inside systems you didn’t create, and how athletes (and non-athletes alike) can turn personal opportunity into shared impact. This conversation is a course on turning influence into impact, and “me” into “we.” In this episode, we explore: Lessons from being early in the NIL era—and why preparation mattered more than luck How to structure partnerships that create real community benefit Why athlete voices are often missing from conversations about college sports and Chase is changing that This week, maybe reflect on where in your own life you can redesign success so it benefits more than just you. If this episode resonated with you, leave a comment or review and share it with someone who’s navigating change—or creating it—from the inside. Links from the Episode: The Athletes Bureau (TAB) — Chase's newsletter by athletes, for athletes The Team — the civic engagement organization Chase partnered with during the 2020 election Find Chase on LinkedIn and Instagram Learn about NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) Follow How We Future: Lisa Kay Solomon on LinkedIn @lisakaysolomon on Instagram @howwefuture on TikTok howwefuture.substack.com Want to contact us? Email hello@howwefuture.com

T3 · E3

21 abr 2026

36:56

How to Speak Effectively Under Pressure with Communication Expert Matt Abrahams

Communication anxiety is real. It’s time to start practicing. This episode of How We Future, features Matt Abrahams, Stanford lecturer and host of the Think Fast, Talk Smart podcast. Lisa and Matt explore how effective communication is a learnable skill and why we’re rarely taught how to practice it. Matt shares the frameworks he teaches to every incoming Stanford MBA to help them speak more confidently in spontaneous, high-stakes moments. From managing anxiety to the importance of clarifying your intentions, the episode focuses on practical tools for showing up with clarity, presence, and purpose when the pressure is on. In this conversation, you’ll learn: The mindsets and methods of effective communications Simple ways to practice spontaneous speaking before the stakes are high How to structure answers so people actually remember what you say Why listening and pausing are powerful leadership tools Communication is about connection. It will never be perfect, but like all skills, it gets better with practice. Please rate and leave a comment, we’d really love to hear from you! Links from the episode: Matt’s website Matt’s Podcast: Think Fast, Talk Smart Matt’s Book: Think Faster, Talk Smarter Follow How We Future: Lisa Kay Solomon on LinkedIn @lisakaysolomon on Instagram @howwefuture on TikTok howwefuture.substack.com Want to contact us? Email hello@howwefuture.com

T3 · E2

14 abr 2026

43:57

How to Make Your Own Luck with Neuroscientist Tina Seelig

What if you can learn to be lucky? In our first episode of season 3, Lisa Kay Solomon is joined by author, educator, and neuroscientist Tina Seelig to explore how curiosity, generosity, and small daily choices can dramatically expand what’s possible over time. Drawing from decades of teaching at Stanford and her forthcoming book What I Wish I Knew About Luck, Tina reframes luck as a skill that can be cultivated rather than an accident we stumble into. Tina shares how taking risks, showing appreciation, and staying open to unexpected opportunities can create compounding advantages. She also reflects on what she’s learned from teaching thousands of students, leading the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program, and watching ideas evolve when people are given permission to experiment. In this conversation, you’ll learn: Why luck often shows up at the intersection of preparation and openness The role generosity and curiosity play in long-term success How to design environments that make luck more likely The future is something we shape through the questions we ask, the risks we take, and the people we choose to learn alongside. If you’ve ever wondered how to tilt the odds in your favor, Tina offers practical wisdom and hopeful perspectives on how to get started. Please rate and leave a comment letting us know what classes you wish you had taken! Links from the Episode: Preorder What I Wish I Knew About Luck: A Crash Course on Turning Aspirations into Achievements by Tina Seelig What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20: A Crash Course in Making Your Place in the World by Tina Seelig inGenius: A Crash Course on Creativity by Tina Seelig Creativity Rules: Get Ideas Out of Your Head and into the World by Tina Seelig Tina’s Ted Talk: The Little Risks You Can Take to Increase Your Luck Tina’s Website Follow How We Future: Lisa Kay Solomon on LinkedIn @lisakaysolomon on Instagram @howwefuture on TikTok howwefuture.substack.com Want to contact us? Email hello@howwefuture.com

T3 · E1

7 abr 2026

41:21

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