Best FutureX Podcasts (2025)

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Writing Hope into Climate Fiction with Julie Carrick Dalton 35:01

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8d ago35:01

35:01

In this conversation, host Lee Schneider explores the intersection of nature, storytelling, and climate change with Julie Carrick Dalton, author of The Last Beekeeper, and the upcoming novel The Forest Becomes Her. Our discussion digs into how nature functions as a character in her work, the delicate balance between hope and realism when writing ab…

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Falling in Love with Books, featuring Pat Walker of Vroman's Bookstore 41:19

22d ago41:19

41:19

In this conversation with Lee Schneider, Pat Walker discusses the importance of bookstores as community hubs and places of cultural culture. Drawing from his experiences as a bookseller in Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena, CA, Pat believes that the genre of science fiction/fantasy is more popular than it has been in the past. He's also a big fan of t…

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Ban the Boozy Christmas Party! with Tabbin Almond 39:39

25d ago39:39

39:39

Lucinda welcomes Tabbin Almond, author of "Bottling Up Trouble," to discuss the impact of alcohol in the workplace. As the holiday season approaches, they explore the cultural norms surrounding drinking, particularly in corporate settings, and the challenges faced by individuals struggling with alcohol use. Tabbin shares a personal journey to becom…

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The Literary Courage and Writing Community of Richie Billing 48:42

1M ago48:42

48:42

Richie Billing made a bold leap from a legal career to become an acclaimed fantasy writer and teacher. What makes his story inspiring? His unwavering commitment to empowering fellow writers. Richie is the author of Pariah’s Lament. His latest book is Together We Rise. Lee Schneider and Richie discuss the structure of Together We Rise, why the fight…

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Discover Compliance Culture: Our New Spinoff Podcast For Compliance Professionals 5:15

1M ago5:15

5:15

Stop treating compliance and HR as an administrative balancing act and find clarity. Join Lucinda on Compliance Culture as she explores why organisational culture is the key to embedding compliance in practice - moving beyond the just avoiding fines attitude to achieve better outcomes for customers, employees, and organisations. Introducing the lau…

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Protecting Employee Data Building a Culture of Compliance with Sarah Hodgkin-Bates 39:57

1M ago39:57

39:57

Lucinda speaks with data protection expert Sarah Hodgkin-Bates about the critical overlap between HR and compliance, specifically regarding the handling of employee personal data. They examine the importance of setting a company culture of transparency and cooperation by properly managing data protection, and discuss the legal frameworks governing …

1
The First Rule of Climate Club: A Conversation with Carrie Firestone 38:03

1M ago38:03

38:03

As a kid, Carrie Firestone worried about poverty, environmental destruction, and war. But rather than letting that anxiety overwhelm her, she transformed it into something powerful action through teaching, storytelling, and civic engagement. Now, as a writer and community leader in Connecticut, she’s channeling that same energy into inspiring the n…

1
Surfing the Future: Todd Medema discusses how to be hopeful in the age of climate change 27:32

2M ago27:32

27:32

In this conversation, Todd Medema discusses his debut novel HOW TO SURF A HURRICANE, exploring with host Lee Schneider the techniques of writing a solarpunk thriller and the role technology might have in addressing climate change. Todd emphasizes the importance of hope and human resilience in solarpunk narratives, contrasting this approach with the…

1
FutureX Leaders with Kate Fletcher 25:19

2M ago25:19

25:19

Lucinda speaks with Kate Fletcher, founder of FutureX Leaders, about the evolving landscape of leadership and the emotional challenges leaders face today. They discuss the findings of recent research highlighting that a significant number of leaders feel pressured to perform rather than be their authentic selves, leading to emotional exhaustion, an…

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Joey Puente Will Help You Find Your Favorite Book 49:15

2M ago49:15

49:15

Step into the vibrant world of independent bookselling with this captivating episode of Future Lab. Host Lee Schneider sits down with Joey Puente, the passionate sci-fi and fantasy specialist at Diesel bookstore in Los Angeles' Brentwood neighborhood. With an impressive 20-year tenure at Diesel, Joey brings unparalleled expertise in connecting read…

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Eiren Caffell discusses her novel All the Water in the World 32:53

2M ago32:53

32:53

In today’s episode, host Lee Schneider sits down with Eiren Caffall, musician and author of the powerful climate fiction novel All the Water in the World. Set in a flooded future New York City, Caffall’s debut novel tells an intimate family survival story that cuts through the overwhelming scope of climate catastrophe by focusing on how we protect …

1
5x5 Leadership - with Matthew Adam 26:48

2M ago26:48

26:48

Lucinda is joined by special guest Matthew Adam, to look at the concept of systemic psychotherapy, exploring how its principles, rooted in understanding the interconnected nature of relationships within a system, are highly relevant to organisational leadership. Using a 5x5 model framework—which balances five essential team functions against five c…

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Feminist Heists and Climate Justice with Aya De León 54:24

3M ago54:24

54:24

Join host Lee Schneider in this fascinating conversation about writing and activism as Aya De León discusses her unique approach to writing climate fiction, working in the genre of feminist heist novels. She emphasizes the importance of storytelling in addressing social justice issues, including climate change and racism, while also sharing insight…

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Tap Into Your Allyship Power - with Julie Kratz 34:35

3M ago34:35

34:35

Lucinda is joined by allyship expert Julie Kratz, who discusses her research on why people with power often disengage from conversations about diversity and inclusion, feeling either "threatened" or "irrelevant." Together they explore her latest book, which outlines a "use fear as fuel" strategy and introduces a framework for building allyship prog…

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R. E. Kurz on the novel that took 12 years to write 24:47

3M ago24:47

24:47

Join Lee Schneider as he speaks with debut author R.E. Kurz, whose fascinating journey into published paranormal fantasy is as twisty as her plot lines in her debut novel THE FALL OF LINDA WATERS. Discover how studies in biology and medieval studies shaped a story filled with nature spirits, realistic teenage drama, and a romance that doesn't shy a…

1
The Maker's Philosophy with Robin Sloan 44:38

3M ago44:38

44:38

In this conversation, Lee Schneider and Robin Sloan explore the joys of making things, the intersection of technology and creativity, and the evolving landscape of storytelling. They discuss the importance of kindness in fiction, the challenges posed by AI, and the value of offline creativity. Robin shares insights on his writing process, the signi…

1
High Performance HR - Cultural Mapping And Development 27:27

3M ago27:27

27:27

Lucinda looks at the critical role of organisational culture in driving high performance and compliance, emphasising that culture, often defined as "the way we do things around here," significantly influences employee engagement, behaviour, and decision-making. She also discusses practical tools for mapping and diagnosing culture, such as Cameron a…

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Eleanor Keisman Writes About a New Animal 42:26

3M ago42:26

42:26

Eleanor Keisman discusses her journey from writing a short story to creating her novella New Animal, exploring the themes of human-animal interaction and communication, climate change, and how non-human animals see the world we share with them. We talk about the challenges of writing animal protagonists and the long shadow cast by American author J…

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High Performance HR - Talent Development 28:32

4M ago28:32

28:32

Lucinda examines talent retention and development, building on the previous discussion about attracting talent, and emphasising the importance of creating a high-performance culture that not only draws in great people but also keeps them engaged and motivated. Lucinda explores the evolving definition of talent, highlighting the need for inclusivity…

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Recruiting and Onboarding Talent 30:48

5M ago30:48

30:48

Lucinda examines the critical topic of recruiting and onboarding talent as part of the high-performance series, stressing the fact that attracting and retaining the right people is not merely an HR task but a strategic business priority that requires clarity and collaboration KEY TAKEAWAYS Before starting the recruitment process, it's essential to …

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High Performance - Building A Learning Culture 28:58

6M ago28:58

28:58

Lucinda discusses the importance of cultivating a learning culture within organisations, emphasising that learning should be embedded in every aspect of organisational life rather than limited to traditional training courses. Drawing on insights from industry experts, the episode explores the concept of psychological safety and its role in fosterin…

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High Performance - How Non-Financial Rewards Drive Employee Engagement and Performance 33:41

6M ago33:41

33:41

Lucinda studies the topic of "Reward for Performance: What Really Works?" as part of our high-performance series. She explores the multifaceted nature of rewards, emphasising that while monetary compensation is often the first thought, it is not the only—or necessarily the most effective—motivator for high performance. The discussion covers the imp…

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Breaking the Silence: Addressing Mental Health Challenges in HR with Dr. Jo Burrell 32:10

6M ago32:10

32:10

Lucinda welcomes returning guest Dr. Jo Burrell, a clinical psychologist and co-founder of Ultimate Resilience. They delve into the alarming findings of the latest HR Wellbeing Report, which reveals that nearly half of HR professionals are experiencing clinical levels of depression, significantly higher than the general population. With over 1,400 …

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High Performance HR - How To Make Continuous Performance Management A Reality 37:43

7M ago37:43

37:43

Lucinda continues the High Performance HR series by focussing on the critical elements of performance management that drive high performance within organisations. She talks about the importance of clear goals, regular feedback, ongoing development, and a supportive culture in fostering employee engagement and performance. Lucinda also outlines prac…

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Leadership and Management - High Performance HR 29:28

8M ago29:28

29:28

Lucinda continues the High Performance HR series by delving into the critical roles of leadership and management in fostering a high-performance culture within organisations. It begins with a clear distinction between leadership and management, emphasising that while both roles are essential, they serve different functions—management focuses on pla…

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Practical Organisational Development 28:59

8M ago28:59

28:59

Lucinda discusses Practical Organisational Development (OD) and its connection to high performance. She focusses upon the definition of OD, emphasising its role in enabling sustained organisational performance through the involvement of people. Lucinda also outlines key topics related to OD, such as organisational structure, talent management, and …

1
Data-driven HR Using The Balanced Scorecard 36:46

9M ago36:46

36:46

In this second part of High Performance HR, Lucinda talks about how to target and measure success within HR functions. She discusses the importance of utilising data to demonstrate HR's impact on business value, emphasising the balanced scorecard framework as a strategic tool for aligning HR activities with organisational goals. Lucinda also talks …

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Maximise Your Impact - High Performance HR 35:09

9M ago35:09

35:09

Lucinda presents the first instalment of the High Performance HR series, focusing on maximising personal impact as HR professionals, emphasising the importance of self-awareness, encouraging listeners to identify their unique strengths, values, and areas for development. Lucinda talks about five key areas: knowing oneself, setting personal career g…

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High Performance HR 18:18

9M ago18:18

18:18

Lucinda introduces an exciting new series titled "High Performance HR," aimed at providing practical insights and tools for HR professionals looking to drive strategic impact within their organisations. She discusses how each episode will be focusing on key aspects of high-performance HR, including individual purpose, strategic alignment, organisat…

1
CPO Career Journeys - Jeannette Crisp - Duke of Edinburgh 31:28

10M ago31:28

31:28

Lucinda welcomes Jeannette Crisp, the Director of People and Culture at the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Jeanette shares her journey into HR, highlighting her diverse experiences in the public sector and the importance of strategic thinking in people management. She discusses the development of the organisation's people strategy, the significance of …

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Ruth Cornish - Amelore - HR Career Journeys 31:15

10M ago31:15

31:15

Lucinda welcomes Ruth Cornish, an independent Chief People Officer with a diverse background in HR across various industries, including financial services, retail, and public sector. Ruth shares her journey from temping at American Express to founding her own HR consultancy, discussing the challenges and successes she encountered along the way, inc…

1
Jen Scherler - Cisco - HR Career journeys 35:52

10M ago35:52

35:52

Lucinda talks to Jen Scherler, the Global Head of Country Consultants at Cisco, to discuss her career journey and the evolution of her role within the organisation. Jen shares insights into managing HR activities across 95 countries, emphasising the importance of compliance and the challenges of navigating different cultural landscapes. She reflect…

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Helen Ketteringham - NCFE - CPO Career Journeys 35:25

10M ago35:25

35:25

Lucinda is joined by Helen Ketteringham, the Chief People Officer at NCFE, an education charity based in the North East of England. Helen shares her journey in HR, detailing her 20 years of experience across various sectors, including retail and financial services, before stepping into her current role. She discusses the importance of navigating un…

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HR Career Journeys - Andrew Webster - Eversheds Sutherland 36:55

11M ago36:55

36:55

Lucinda is joined by Andrew Webster, a Senior People Analytics Manager at Evershed Sutherland, to discuss the evolving field of HR analytics and its significance in modern organisations. Andrew shares insights from his career journey, highlighting his transition from a mathematics teacher to a key player in HR analytics, where he focuses on transfo…

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RSPCA- with Caroline McCague 34:45

11M ago34:45

34:45

Lucinda is joined by Caroline McCague, the Director of People and Culture at the RSPCA, to discuss her inspiring journey and the unique challenges of working within a 200-year-old charity. Caroline shares insights into the RSPCA's broad mission of animal welfare, including their rescue operations, advocacy work, and the importance of governance in …

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CPO Careers - with Kate Hughes 32:08

11M ago32:08

32:08

Lucinda is joined by Kate Hughes, the Chief People Officer at Seven Investment Management (7IM). Kate shares her journey over the past decade at 7IM, detailing the company's significant growth from 170 to over 600 employees and the evolution of its culture. She discusses the importance of establishing a strong organisational culture, engaging with …

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Celebrating 250 Episodes - with Steve Browne 47:58

11M ago47:58

47:58

To mark the very special 250th episode milestone, Lucinda welcomes Steve Browne, Chief People Officer at LaRosa's, who shares his remarkable career journey and the evolution of his role within the organisation. Steve examines the importance of strategic thinking in HR, the value of collaboration, and the need for HR professionals to engage with the…

1
Making Hybrid Working Work with Gary Cookson 30:32

1y ago30:32

30:32

Lucinda welcomes back Gary Cookson from Epic HR to discuss his upcoming book, "Making Hybrid Working Work." They delve into the current landscape of hybrid working, exploring why some organisations are pushing for a return to the office while others successfully embrace hybrid models. Gary also highlights the demographic factors influencing leaders…

1
Mastering Motivation with Rob Lion 34:39

1y ago34:39

34:39

Lucinda is joined by Rob Lion, from Black River Performance Management to discuss the critical elements of fostering intrinsic motivation and performance in the workplace. Rob, a full-time professor and expert in human resource development, emphasises the importance of understanding human behaviour, the psychological factors that influence motivati…

1
Investigations Masterclass with Emma Hogan 39:18

1y ago39:18

39:18

Lucinda is joined by employee relations expert Emma Hogan to explore the intricacies of workplace investigations. Emma shares her extensive background in HR, detailing her journey from retail graduate to running her own consultancy specialising in complex investigations. Together they examine the importance of conducting thorough and empathetic inv…

1
Embracing Energy Ebb and Flow - with Karen Skidmore 50:10

1y ago50:10

50:10

Lucinda is joined by Karen Skidmore, a business growth strategist and embodied business mentor, to discuss the importance of embracing our natural energy cycles for enhanced productivity. Karen shares her personal journey through burnout and the transformative practices she adopted, such as sound healing and embodiment, to reconnect with her body a…

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Teach The Geek - with Neil Thompson 25:17

1y ago25:17

25:17

Lucinda is joined by Neil Thompson, founder of Teach the Geek, to explore how technical experts can enhance their presentation skills. Drawing from his own experiences as a former engineer in the medical device industry, Neil shares insights on the common pitfalls technical professionals face when communicating with non-technical audiences, such as…

1
Do Change Better 19:32

1y ago19:32

19:32

Lucinda discusses the upcoming book series "Six Minute Smarts," set to be published on November 5, 2024, by Practical Inspiration Publishing. The series aims to help individuals coach themselves in various business skills, including effective change management. Drawing from the her previous work, Lucinda outlines a structured approach to understand…

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Addressing Workplace Toxicity - with Anna Eliatamby 25:59

1y ago25:59

25:59

Lucinda is joined by Dr Anna Eliatamby, a clinical psychologist and executive coach with extensive experience in leadership and organisational development. Anna shares her unique journey, which includes working with the UN and developing mental health strategies across 47 countries. Anna and Lucinda talk about the importance of self-care for leader…

1
How To Make e-learning Effective AND Accessible - with Susi Miller 32:30

1y ago32:30

32:30

Lucinda is joined by special guest Susi Miller from eLaHub about the critical topic of accessibility in e-learning. Susi discusses the importance of making digital learning content accessible to individuals with various disabilities and access needs, as well as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and how these standards apply to e-learn…

1
Sue Toth 31:26

1y ago31:26

31:26

Sue Toth is a book editor and coach who specializes in romance, mystery, and thrillers. She keeps writers inspired, helps them work through writers' block, and helps their books be born into the world. I asked Sue about the special challenges of writing climate fiction, and she offered to have a conversation on the show about how her developmental …

1
Harnessing Neurodiverse Talent In The Workplace - with Amanda McEvoy 37:08

1y ago37:08

37:08

Lucinda discusses the important topic of neurodiversity with independent consultant Amanda McEvoy. With over 20 years of experience in the health sector and a personal connection to neurodiversity through her family, Amanda shares her insights on the challenges and strengths associated with conditions like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. The conversati…

1
Managing 'Politics' In The Workplace - with Sara Taylor 39:41

1y ago39:41

39:41

Lucinda welcomes diversity, equity, and inclusion expert Sara Taylor, who shares her extensive experience in the field spanning over 35 years. They discuss the evolution of DEI practices, particularly in the U.S., and how these concepts have been integrated into workplace culture. Sara introduces her recent book, "Thinking at the Speed of Bias," an…

1
How to be Deeply Human - with Kate Jones 43:01

1y ago43:01

43:01

Lucinda talks with Kate Jones, a leadership coach and consultant from Neon, about the evolving landscape of leadership, culture, and well-being in organisations. Kate shares her journey from frontline social work to management consulting and ultimately founding Neon, where she focuses on fostering deeply human leadership capabilities. Together, the…

1
Tory Stephens 45:05

1y ago45:05

45:05

Tory Stephens works at Grist Magazine as their climate fiction creative manager and uses storytelling to champion climate justice, and imagine green, clean, and just futures. He's going to tell us about a climate fiction contest, called Imagine 2200, that he says changed him and challenged him on a personal level. It also inspired thousands of writ…