Future of XYZ
Presented in collaboration with Rhode Island PBS, Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we want to go. Through quick and candid conversations with innovative leaders and courageous changemakers, we share unique perspectives that provoke new thinking about what’s coming down the pipeline on topics ranging from business and technology, to art, science, and humanity broadly. Listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on ripbs.org/XYZ, and follow @futureofxyz on Instagram. More information available at future-of.XYZ.
S7 E14: You may never have heard of a Passive House, or the Passive House movement, but building to Passive House standards means meeting specific criteria related to heating and cooling demand, airtightness, and thermal comfort to achieve certification. It’s an approach to building and construction that significantly reduces energy consumption, carbon footprint, and operational costs. Curious yet? This week, we learn all about Passive House- what it is, what it achieves, what it requires, and why not everyone is building or can build to these standards. Joining us is Ken Levenson, an architect himself and Executive Director of The Passive House Network, a non-profit organization specialized in Passive House education that supports the internationally-recognized Passive House Institute, and Luis Medina, a Certified Passive House Designer (CPHD) and Principal at the award-winning Brooklyn firm, STUDIO 397 Architecture. This is a fascinating and informative discussion about climate change, resilience, mitigation, efficiency, affordability, health, wellness, and of course, design. Tune in today.
ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- Future of XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.
The hospitality industry encompasses various sectors including hotels, restaurants, entertainment, and tourism. Our guest this week is Neil Jacobs- a seasoned entrepreneur with a journey through hospitality including running hotels and building them from the ground up, financing venture deals and closing successful sales. He has been CEO of Six Senses since 2012 and oversaw its sales to InterContinental Hotels Group, a multinational hospitality company headquartered in England and listed on both the London and New York Stock Exchanges.
In this transitional moment in Neil’s career, he joins us to reflect on the hospitality industry he’s helped to shape and the future of an idea he still wants to build. “People want to come together and share and learn and have a personal experience with a takeaway that is different to other hotels and also what has been done in the past.” Tune in for this fantastic conversation with a trailblazer in eco-luxury, destination travel, wellness, design, and more. | S7 E13
ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- Future of XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.
S7 E12: Global toymaker Mattel knows a thing or two about Play. Operating in 35 countries with products sold in over 150 countries, the toy giant who employs over 30,000 people across its Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, American Girl®, UNO®, Polly Pocket and other brands – is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year! Tied to the release of a large new study called the “The Shape of Play”, XYZ speaks with Chris Down, Mattel’s Chief Design Officer and iF DESIGN AWARD Juror about the state of play in 2025, the importance of play in combating stress and restoring happiness no matter your age and stage, and what he’s learned over more than three decades creating play in everything from dolls and cars, to board and video games. This is a fun conversation that sparks serious joy.
ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- Future of XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.
Ever wonder how the “mouse” evolved? Or, how the graphical interface that introduced clicks and drags and the hover state changed the human-computer relationship? Learn about the history, evolution, and future of the most famous “pointing device” out there from the very international, cross-disciplinary designer who oversees user experience (UX) design for both physical and digital products at Logitech’s Personal Workspace group (~$1B annual revenue). She’s also an iF DESIGN AWARD 2025 juror. One of the most interesting conversations you didn’t know you needed! | S7 E11
ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- Future of XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.
Neuroaesthetics is all about how human-focused design affects our wellbeing. Our guest is an award-winning architect guided by the philosophy that “form follows feeling”. Integrating neuroscience and architecture, her New York City-based studio creates environments that push the boundaries of architectural tradition to shape a more empathetic, equitable, and enriching built environment that positively influences human experience. | S7 E10
ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- Future of XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.
This May 1st- known in Europe as May Day or International Workers’ Day- we’re exploring the intersection of capitalism, people, and planet. A distinguished leader, academic, and researcher from New York University’s Stern School of Business joins us to explore 10+ years of quantitative research that evidences bottom line benefits for companies who integrate social and environmental sustainability as a core part of business operations. Across sectors- from consumer-packaged goods to energy, automotive, construction, agriculture and retail- businesses that de-risk, optimize loyalty, and take care of their employees, suppliers, customers, and nature outperform their peers across financial metrics. Current policy and politics aside, this Labor Day, let’s look at what value creation really means. | S7 E9
ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- Future of XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.
Of the world’s 8.2 billion population, nearly 6 in 10 people live in urban areas. By 2050, it’s expected to be 7 in 10, and closer to 8 in 10 by 2100. What does this mean for the future of cities, of nature, of climate change, of business, of humanity? And moreover, what is the role of architecture and urban planning in addressing the present and preparing for the future? Hear from an award-winning architect whose New York City firm does work around the world from huge corporate headquarters and large retail flagships, to cultural institutions and hotels about the future of urbanization. | S7 E8
ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- Future of XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.
What is sexier than a beautifully-designed car? From vintage classics to newer EVs and autonomous vehicles, this episode explores the many ways that car design brings value to customers, how brands can harness this, and the complexity of managing across sophisticated technical and emotional requirements. Our guest, Sam Livingstone is a car and mobility design strategist, Principal at Car Design Research in Cambridge, England, and iF DESIGN AWARD Juror. If you love car design or are simply interested in the future of mobility, tune into this week’s episode to learn more. | S7 E7
ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- Future of XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.
Starting in the last mid-century, companies and consumers began moving away from commonly reusable/refillable packaging for goods like milk, eggs, liquor, shampoo, detergent, etc. into buying branded, single-use versions from grocery and drug store shelves. Then at the turn of this century came even greater variety and convenience through globalization, e-commerce, and Amazon. We probably don’t have to convince anyone of the large negative impact of this industrial packaging waste on the planet. But there are solutions, and they’re pretty good. Tune into this week’s episode to learn more. | S7 E6
ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- Future of XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.
Fascinated by the intersection of tech, business, society and our own expanding consciousness- with experience ranging from frozen foods to reinventing the internet– our guest is a bestselling author, sought-after speaker, founder of a consultancy that “helps visionaries play bigger”, and recognized as one of the world’s top female futurists. It’s 2025, and we find ourselves living in a world where everything feels more fragile than ever. In this conversation, we discuss what the 21st century demands of us as stewards and leaders, and where we can find hope amid the challenges. Don’t miss it. | S7 E5
ABOUT THE SERIES: Future of XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- Future of XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.