Lakshmi Pratury shares her fascinating journey from gold medalist in applied mathematics to founder and CEO of InkTalks, revealing how embracing curiosity across multiple domains can lead to a more fulfilling life than specializing in just one area.

• Growing up in Hyderabad, India without gender boundaries shaped Lakshmi's independent thinking and courage to challenge norms
• The concept of "horizontality" - being good at many things rather than exceptional at just one - offers an alternative path to success
• Looking at life in 10-year intervals rather than day-to-day provides perspective and resilience through inevitable ups and downs
• Building genuine relationships without transactional intentions is the foundation of trust and community
• Creating meaningful experiences for others makes us "billionaires of moments" - a more fulfilling measure of success than financial wealth
• Asking for what you deserve is essential, despite the discomfort and potential rejection
• Surrounding yourself with the right team members who complement your strengths is crucial for entrepreneurial success
• Putting your "oxygen mask on first" by prioritizing your own wellbeing enables you to better serve others

If you have the capability to make a difference to someone, make it - it's the biggest contribution you can offer to the world.

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For over 20 years, behavioral scientist Dr. Ja-Naé Duane dedicated herself to one mission: Make life better for one billion people. This award-winning innovator and expert on global systems focuses on helping corporations, governments, and universities understand and develop systems of the future using emerging technology such as VR/AR, AI, and blockchain. Ja-Nae guides companies forward, helping them get out of their own way to create exponential innovation and future forecasting. She has had the pleasure of working with companies such as PWC, Saudi Aramco, Yum Brands, Samsonite, Natixis, AIG, and Deloitte. A top-rated speaker within the Singularity University community and the author of the bestseller, “The Startup Equation,” Ja-Nae at helping both startups and multinational firms identify new business models and pathways for global scale. Her next book SuperShifts is due out in April 2025.

To Pre-Order SuperShifts: https://bit.ly/SuperShifts

Connect with Ja-Naé Duane:
Visit the Ja-Naé Duane PODCAST: https://bit.ly/40G1i7G
Visit the Ja-Naé Duane WEBSITE: https://bit.ly/Ja-Nae
Like Ja-Naé Duane on FACEBOOK: https://bit.ly/Ja-NaeFB

Steve Fisher invites us into the fascinating world of futures thinking, sharing how his teenage encounter with Alvin Toffler's "Future Shock" sparked a lifelong passion for anticipating what's next. As he reveals his journey from accidental technologist to respected futurist, Fisher offers a refreshing "protopian" perspective – neither blindly optimistic nor darkly dystopian, but grounded in human resilience and potential.

What makes this conversation particularly valuable is Fisher's practical framework for navigating technological disruption. He distinguishes between technologies worthy of "experiment dollars" versus "production dollars," helping listeners develop discernment amid constant hype cycles. The discussion around AI's impact feels especially timely as Fisher challenges conventional wisdom about job displacement, suggesting instead that professionals focus on leveraging these tools to enhance capabilities and create space for more complex problem-solving.

• Started as a futurist at age 13 after reading Alvin and Heidi Toffler's "Future Shock"
• Developed natural ability to spot trends and weak signals before they become obvious
• Built early career in networking technology that evolved with the commercialization of the internet
• Distinguishes between "experiment dollars" and "production dollars" in technology adoption
• Co-founded McKinsey's Futures Practice just before the COVID pandemic
• Believes this technological revolution differs because changes are happening too quickly for gradual adaptation
• Encourages professionals to learn AI tools to enhance capabilities rather than fear displacement
• Co-authored "Super Shifts" to help people understand systemic changes across various domains
• Describes himself as "protopian" – optimistic about human potential despite challenges
• Recommends resources for developing "futures fluency" including podcasts, books, and courses
• Emphasizes continuous learning, especially about topics outside one's expertise

Never stop learning. The key to being a great futurist is being an autodidact – constantly challenging yourself with new ideas outside your wheelhouse and questioning non-obvious futures.

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YouTube: https://bit.ly/Ja-NaeYT

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For over 20 years, behavioral scientist Dr. Ja-Naé Duane dedicated herself to one mission: Make life better for one billion people. This award-winning innovator and expert on global systems focuses on helping corporations, governments, and universities understand and develop systems of the future using emerging technology such as VR/AR, AI, and blockchain. Ja-Nae guides companies forward, helping them get out of their own way to create exponential innovation and future forecasting. She has had the pleasure of working with companies such as PWC, Saudi Aramco, Yum Brands, Samsonite, Natixis, AIG, and Deloitte. A top-rated speaker within the Singularity University community and the author of the bestseller, “The Startup Equation,” Ja-Nae at helping both startups and multinational firms identify new business models and pathways for global scale. Her next book SuperShifts is due out in April 2025.

To Pre-Order SuperShifts: https://bit.ly/SuperShifts

Connect with Ja-Naé Duane:
Visit the Ja-Naé Duane PODCAST: https://bit.ly/40G1i7G
Visit the Ja-Naé Duane WEBSITE: https://bit.ly/Ja-Nae
Like Ja-Naé Duane on FACEBOOK: https://bit.ly/Ja-NaeFB

What happens when we build technology without addressing our own shadows? In this profound conversation with transformation expert Barry Brown, we explore how the ego-driven culture of Silicon Valley affects everything from product design to workplace dynamics.

Drawing from his background in divinity and leadership development, Barry offers a refreshing perspective on why technology's fixation with "fixing problems" often misses deeper opportunities for genuine healing and transformation. He eloquently explains how the parts of ourselves we hide away—our shadows—actually contain our most untapped creative energies.

We dive into why stillness has become a forgotten practice in our achievement-obsessed world, and how its absence affects the quality of what we build. "Healthy teams make healthy products," Barry notes, explaining how organizations that honor rest and reflection ultimately outperform those running at constant maximum speed.

The conversation takes fascinating turns through topics like mercy as a leadership mindset, the power of curiosity in addressing conflict, and why universities and other institutions might need renewal rather than replacement. Throughout, Barry offers practical wisdom for anyone feeling exhausted by ego-driven workplaces or seeking more wholeness in their approach to innovation.

Whether you're a tech professional, organizational leader, or simply someone interested in living with greater authenticity and impact, this episode offers a blueprint for integrating your full humanity into everything you create. By the end, you'll understand why acknowledging your shadows might be the most powerful step toward becoming the leader—and human—you aspire to be.

SUBSCRIBE HERE:

YouTube: https://bit.ly/Ja-NaeYT

Apple and Spotify

For over 20 years, behavioral scientist Dr. Ja-Naé Duane dedicated herself to one mission: Make life better for one billion people. This award-winning innovator and expert on global systems focuses on helping corporations, governments, and universities understand and develop systems of the future using emerging technology such as VR/AR, AI, and blockchain. Ja-Nae guides companies forward, helping them get out of their own way to create exponential innovation and future forecasting. She has had the pleasure of working with companies such as PWC, Saudi Aramco, Yum Brands, Samsonite, Natixis, AIG, and Deloitte. A top-rated speaker within the Singularity University community and the author of the bestseller, “The Startup Equation,” Ja-Nae at helping both startups and multinational firms identify new business models and pathways for global scale. Her next book SuperShifts is due out in April 2025.

To Pre-Order SuperShifts: https://bit.ly/SuperShifts

Connect with Ja-Naé Duane:
Visit the Ja-Naé Duane PODCAST: https://bit.ly/40G1i7G
Visit the Ja-Naé Duane WEBSITE: https://bit.ly/Ja-Nae
Like Ja-Naé Duane on FACEBOOK: https://bit.ly/Ja-NaeFB