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/⁠⁠

—

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

In this exciting episode of The Future is How, I am joined by Dr. Els van der Helm, a leading sleep neuroscientist and adjunct professor at IE Business School. Dr. Els is a trusted advisor to CEOs and organizations worldwide, helping them unlock better performance through improved sleep and well-being. In our conversation today, we do a deep dive into the science of sleep and its transformative effects on your life and work and discuss the following topics:

• Why skipping sleep won’t boost productivity

• Quality vs. quantity: What matters most

• How aging impacts your sleep

• Two strategies to break the sleep deprivation-stress cycle

• How to use gratitude to fall asleep faster

• Why your late-night brain might mislead you

• Morning routines that set the stage for a good night’s sleep

• Evening wind-down tips

• And much more!

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Where to find Dr. Els van der Helm:

• X: https://x.com/elsonsleep

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

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

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

• Website: https://www.elsvanderhelm.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/⁠

—

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) Intro

(03:40) Els’s next five years

(05:10) Why we aren’t sleeping enough and the importance of quality work over quantity

(10:30) The value of power naps and which areas suffer from inadequate sleep and rest

(15:00) The myth of too much sleep and an explanation of sleep debt

(17:50) How aging impacts sleep and what to do about it

(23:21) How sleep helps us process emotions, and tips for managing stress

(28:04) Why your brain is prone to catastrophizing late at night

(30:15) The power of novelty and how sleep helps you process a problem

(36:37) Practices for beginning and ending the workday

(38:15) Els’s bedtime rituals

(40:38) Tips for starting your day and get the most from your early waking time

(45:04) Adding a social element to waking and sleeping rituals

(47:00) A quick gratitude practice

(51:38) How prioritizing sleep and gratitude helped Els get through a stressful time

(55:27) Conclusion

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Music: Andreas Horchler

Art Design: Stefan Schuster, Dino Hohos, Flo Dietrich

Production: Jordan & Adam Bornstein

How do you envision the future—yours, ours, and the planet’s? Join me, Frederik Pferdt, in the first episode of The Future Is How, as I sit down with Tim Leberecht, the founder of the House of Beautiful Business, to explore how beauty can inspire connection, reimagine the future, and help us live more meaningful lives. Together, we discuss why it’s time to value all life—including AI—and how moving beyond human-centeredness can address some of our biggest challenges.

In our conversation today, we explore the following topics:

• Why you shouldn’t limit yourself to one vision of the future

• Exercises in cultivating intimacy inspired by the artist Marina Abramovic

• Attributes of beauty and how to find it

• Practices for strengthening your imagination muscles

• Why Tim is optimistic about AI’s role in our future

• The cost of human-centeredness and the case for valuing all life

• And so much more!

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Where to find Tim Leberecht:

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

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

• Business website: https://houseofbeautifulbusiness.com/

• Website: http://timleberecht.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/

—

In this episode, we cover:

(0:00) Intro

(02:57) Welcome Tim Leberecht

(03:40) A sneak preview of the future Tim (first version)

(06:24) A sneak preview of the future Tim (second version)

(09:06) Lessons from Marina Abramovic’s art

(14:37) Tim’s practice of “silent dinners”

(20:41) The transcendent power of moments of beauty and awe

(23:15) Attributes of beauty—and why intimacy and attention are key components

(26:25) An exercise in attention and fostering intensity

(27:22) A moment to pause and reconnect

(31:50) Applying the lens of beauty to the future by imagining lives we haven’t lived

(37:15) Getting started with practices to create the future you want

(47:28) How AI might be used for beauty and connection

(48:10) What shifted Tim's perspective on AI, making him more optimistic

(50:22) Human-centeredness vs. life-centeredness

(57:20) A case for beauty as a source of connection and peace

(59:20) How Tim wants to be in the future

(1:03:15) Frederik’s final thoughts

Music: Andreas Horchler

Art Design: Stefan Schuster, Dino Hohos, Flo Dietrich

Production: Jordan & Adam Bornstein