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/

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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