In today’s episode of The Future is How, I sit down with my friend and former colleague, Newton Cheng, the Director of Health and Performance at Google. Newton is passionate about guiding leaders through skillful conversations on mental health—a topic he's deeply familiar with.

After experiencing burnout, Newton took a mental health leave from his role at Google. Upon his return, he openly shared his journey instead of concealing it behind the term "sabbatical."

In our discussion, we explore the significance of embracing vulnerability in the workplace and delve into key topics such as:

• Destigmatizing mental health struggles through openness

• Expressing vulnerability in a way that fosters safety and trust

• Why finding balance in your life isn’t always what feels good

• A mind state moment aimed at improving by 1%

• Newton’s morning routines, including non-judgmental reflection and writing morning pages

• And more!

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Where to find Newton Cheng:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newtoncheng/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/newtoncheng/

• Website: https://www.newtoncheng.com/

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Where to find Frederik Pferdt

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/fgpferdt/⁠⁠

• YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/frederikgpferdt⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/frederikgpferdt/⁠⁠

• Website: ⁠⁠https://www.frederikgpferdt.com/⁠⁠

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In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) Intro

(03:00) Newton’s future bio

(04:46) The importance of vulnerability in leadership

(06:42) How Newton’s mental health leave inspired his vulnerable leadership movement

(10:25) The profound impact of Newton’s mental health leave story on three groups

(15:26) An explanation of Ikigai, how it shaped Newton’s work, and continues to evolve

(21:05) How Newton takes care of his mental health

(25:10) Mind state moment

(29:01) Newton’s morning practices

(33:10) Making vs. managing

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Music: Andreas Horchler

Art Design: Stefan Schuster, Dino Hohos, Flo Dietrich

Production: Jordan & Adam Bornstein

In today’s episode of The Future is How, futurist Lisa Kay Solomon joins me. Lisa is a designer in residence at the Stanford d.school. Lisa focuses on bridging the disciplines of futures and design thinking, creating experiences like “Vote by Design: Presidential Edition” and "The Future’s Happening" to help students learn and practice the skills they don’t yet know they need. At the d.school, she teaches classes such as Inventing the Future, where students imagine, debate, and analyze the 50-year futures of emerging tech.

In our conversation today, Lisa emphasizes the importance of being future-forward and leveraging our imaginations to shape a better world. We explore topics such as:

• The value of developing a ‘futurist’ mindset, and strategies for long-term thinking

• How to expand your perspective by engaging in wider learning and learning from others

• The games, approaches, and activities Lisa uses to help her students visualize the future

• Lisa’s work with Vote By Design and how a futurist approach allows us to build a better world

• Why Lisa leans into curiosity and openness

• A mindfulness practice engaging your imagination to visualize your future in five years

• And more!

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Where to find Lisa Kay Solomon:

• X: https://x.com/lisakaysolomon

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisakaysolomon/

• Website: https://www.lisakaysolomon.com/

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Where to find Frederik G. Pferdt

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/fgpferdt/⁠⁠⁠

• YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/frederikgpferdt⁠⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/frederikgpferdt/⁠⁠⁠

• Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.frederikgpferdt.com/⁠⁠⁠

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In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) Intro

(02:41) Lisa’s future bio

(06:14) The value of adopting a more ‘futurist’ outlook

(09:28) Strategies for developing a long-term perspective in problem-solving

(14:36) Techniques for imagining the future and your future self

(18:30) Using present day anchors to imagine future prototypes

(22:24) Lisa’s new class, View from the Future

(25:35) Lisa’s civic work at Vote by Design

(31:50) The story of how Eric Reveno got election day off for college athletes

(33:34) Lisa’s continued engaging athletes in civics

(35:15) An explanation of The Polak game

(37:10) How Lisa uses The Polak game and rethinking who is a futurist

(39:47) The power of imagination and why we need to value it more

(43:41) An exercise in imagining the future

(48:55) Lisa’s daily practices

(54:55) Closing

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Music: Andreas Horchler

Art Design: Stefan Schuster, Dino Hohos, Flo Dietrich

Production: Jordan & Adam Bornstein

In today’s episode of The Future is How, I explore the topics of relationships and happiness with Dr. Robert Waldinger. He is a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development at Massachusetts General Hospital, and co-founder of the Lifespan Research Foundation.

He is also a Zen priest and co-author of the book, The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness.

In our conversation today, we talk about the following topics:

• The surprising finding from Dr. Waldinger’s research about connection’s impact on longevity

• What social fitness is, and advice on how to practice it

• Why you should try talking to a stranger and tips for getting started

• Dr. Waldinger’s daily practices that promote health and happiness

• Tips for building better relationships and the best way to make new friends

• How to maintain connection and stay positive in our polarized world

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Where to find Robert Waldinger:

• X: https://x.com/robertwaldinger

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-waldinger-90012169/

• Website: https://www.robertwaldinger.com/

• Substack: https://robertwaldinger.substack.com/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertwaldingermd/

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Where to find Frederik Pferdt

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/fgpferdt/⁠⁠

• YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/frederikgpferdt⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/frederikgpferdt/⁠⁠

• Website: ⁠⁠https://www.frederikgpferdt.com/⁠⁠

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In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) Intro

(02:28) Dr. Waldinger’s future bio

(03:47) How our connections keep us healthier and living longer

(04:47) How to keep your relationships strong

(08:55) A case for talking to strangers

(10:52) Tips for connecting with strangers

(13:20) Why you should join a group activity doing something you like

(16:01) Quality vs. quantity in friendship—and the type of relationships you’re better off without

(18:13) How Zen has influenced Dr. Waldinger’s idea of happiness and relationships

(19:55) Dr. Waldinger’s daily practices that help him live his best life

(23:04) Challenges Dr. Waldinger faces

(25:10) The importance of not trying to fix everything about yourself or others

(27:57) How Dr. Waldinger dealt with a colleague who gave painful feedback

(32:04) A moment of presence

(35:32) Ways Dr. Waldinger is sharing his mission of happiness and connection

(36:57) Top ways to nurture our current relationships and happiness

(40:40) Closing

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Music: Andreas Horchler

Art Design: Stefan Schuster, Dino Hohos, Flo Dietrich

Production: Jordan & Adam Bornstein