In today’s episode of The Future is How, questions take center stage. Questions shape our futures much more than we believe in everyday life. Marc Champagne, author of “Personal Socrates” and podcast host of “Behind the Human” is a pioneer in mental fitness, who explores the practices of brilliant thinkers, visionaries, and high-impact performers. He trained thousands of professionals to gain clarity in momentsthat matter. The next big disruption, Marc believes, will not be technological, but psychological.

In our conversation today, we talk about:
• What if the future is more about asking the right questions than having answers
• Navigating the between world of constant anxiousness
• Being present, preparing for the future
• The mental gym: Training your future-muscle
• Career, calling and happiness
• The right questions to ask yourself to shape your own future

Where to find Marc Champagne:
Website: ⁠https://www.mchampagne.com/
Podcast: ⁠https://www.mchampagne.com/⁠
LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-champagne-%F0%9F%A7%A0%F0%9F%92%AA-14767b17/
YouTube:⁠https://www.youtube.com/@behindthehumanpodcast

Where to find Frederik G. Pferdt:
NextLetter – ⁠https://www.frederikgpferdt.com/#nextletter⁠

What's Next Is Now The Book: ⁠⁠https://www.whatsnextisnowthebook.com

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
(04:18) Marc´s future bio: A bridge from ancient wisdom to today´s challenges
(07:15) More ease, more grace, more confidence: Navigating the anxious between-world
(12:42) Being in the present, preparing for the future: What our minds need
(15:29) The mental gym: The 30 second reset
(20:24) Feeling alive: High performance beyond numbers
(25:30) Career and calling: Happiness and meaning
(27:28) The most powerful question: What am I pretending not to know?
(31:55) What if it were possible: replacing doubt with optimism
(34:24) Zen master lesson on ANT´s (Automatic Negative Thoughts): Are you certain?(36:39) A Mindstate Moment with Frederik
(39:22) When you are stuck: What does your mind need most

(41:30) Starting the day on your terms: Breathe

Music: Andreas Horchler

In today’s episode of The Future is How, I explore the power of communication with Matt Abrahams—author, podcast host, communication coach, and lecturer in Strategic Communication at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business.
Matt helps people become more confident and connected communicators, whether they’re on stage, in a meeting, or having a hard conversation with themselves.

In our conversation today, we talk about the following topics:
• Why asking the right questions is the Swiss army knife of communication
• How improvisation can help us speak more authentically and adapt to change
• The power of framing (and reframing) to influence thinking and outcomes
• Why it’s about connection, not perfection
• How rituals, self-talk, and reframing can help reduce public speaking anxiety
• What it means to shape your future through the words you choose

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Where to find Matt Abrahams:
• Website: ⁠https://mattabrahams.com⁠
• Podcast: ⁠https://www.fastersmarter.io/⁠
• Book: ⁠https://mattabrahams.com/books⁠
• LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrahamsmatt/⁠
• YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@ThinkFastTalkSmart

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Where to find Frederik G. Pferdt:
• NextLetter – ⁠https://www.frederikgpferdt.com/#nextletter⁠

• What's Next Is Now The Book: ⁠⁠https://www.whatsnextisnowthebook.com

• 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
(02:12) Matt’s future bio: Contributing to a world of better understanding
(04:54) Engagement is critical in communication
(05:38) Sustained attention: the gold standard
(06:28) Tools to foster engagement: physical, mental, linguistic
(08:18) Why striving to be “right” can block real connection
(09:54) The improvisation mindset
(15:10) “Wrong name”: habits, improv games & communication skills
(20:28) Heuristics and shortcuts—helpful but not enough
(21:52) Why questions are your best communication tool
(25:23) The power of framing and reframing
(31:15) How language shapes the future we create
(32:57) A Mindstate Moment with Frederik
(38:02) Overcoming anxiety in public speaking with rituals and perspective
(44:40) Self-talk and communicating with yourself

—
Music: Andreas Horchler

“Zukunftsgeist”—or Future Spirit—is not only the German title of Frederik’s book What’s Next Is Now. It became a living, breathing movement during his Zukunftsgeist Tour across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

But this wasn’t your typical book tour.

Instead of classical readings, Frederik invited people into a shared experience—to ignite their own future spirit. And it worked. The response was overwhelming: after each event, participants didn’t just ask for a signature—they leaned in, saying things like “I’m starting my future right now.”

“I didn’t expect a book event to move me this deeply. It wasn’t just inspiring—it felt like a wake-up call from my future self.”

“For the first time in a long time, I feel like I have permission to imagine a radically better future—and the tools to start today.”

From intimate conversations to standing ovations, people across three countries wanted more than inspiration—they wanted transformation. And in this special episode of The Future is HOW, Frederik himself steps into the guest seat to share the stories, surprises, and soulful moments from this extraordinary journey.

He’s interviewed by Andreas Horchler, the journalist, music composer behind the podcast theme, and producer of this very show. Recorded live in Frankfurt, they reflect on the power of presence, possibility, and what happens when optimism becomes contagious.

In this episode:

• 3:25 Future Bio: Frederik on leaving a legacy as an ambassador of possibility

• 6:55 How to prepare body, mind, and spirit for a 19-city tour

• 9:00 Voices from Frankfurt: What meeting Frederik meant to guests

• 11:04 From moment to movement: Creating a new mindstate

• 15:22 Charge the car, charge yourself: Finding strength on the road

• 20:35 Staying fresh, curious, and open (yes, even with hotel snacks)

• 21:55 Stories from the road—from 5am meditations to midnight rituals

• 25:25 The Mindstate Moment

• 32:12 Reflections on the first season of The Future is HOW

• 34:27 No turning back—only forward

• NextLetter – your 1:1 with your future

  A bi-weekly newsletter designed to help you meet your future—1 powerful question, 2 new perspectives, and 1 simple experiment to try. A pause. A spark. A next step.

• Radikal Besser – Entfache den Zukunftsgeist, der in dir steckt!

  The German edition of What’s Next Is Now—a guide to activating your future spirit and living radically better.

• What’s Next Is Now – the book

  Your future-ready mindstate to help you create what’s next—with tools, stories, and exercises.

• The Future Is HOW – Podcast

  Explorations with creators, thinkers, and doers on how to shape the future from the inside out.

• Are You Future Ready? Take the Test

  Discover how ready your inner world is to create what’s next.

• Step Into What’s Next for You

  Whether you’re an individual or a team—start shaping your future today with Frederik’s keynotes, workshops, and transformative sessions.