In this episode of The Future With Friends, Simon is joined by the incredible Kirsten Peterson — or KP, as everyone knows her — a performance psychologist and coach who has attended seven Olympic Games. Together, they explore the fascinating and deeply human topic of the future of emotional transparency.
KP’s future scenario imagines a world where emotions are openly shared and even measured — a future that challenges how we think about authenticity, vulnerability, and performance. Drawing on her deep experience supporting elite athletes, KP tells the story of Beth, a competitor navigating the emotional highs, lows, and manipulation that come with this new kind of openness. It’s a scenario that doesn’t feel far-fetched — where wearable tech, data, and performance pressures collide to both reveal and influence our inner worlds.
Simon and KP’s conversation goes on to unpack what it really means to be emotionally transparent: the benefits of openness, the vulnerability it demands, and the risks of a world where our inner states are always on display. Their conversation moves seamlessly between the personal and the professional, the athletic arena and everyday life — all anchored by KP’s rare blend of wisdom, warmth, and experience.
At its heart, The Future of Emotional Transparency is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly exposed world — and how, by learning to share our emotions more authentically, we might build deeper trust, connection, and resilience in the years ahead.
In this episode of The Future With Friends, Simon is joined by his vivacious and very lovable friend Amy Scott to explore her ironically chosen topic - the future of silence.
Set in 2045, Amy’s future scenario imagines a world where AI mediation and constant digital noise have made true silence a rare luxury. Drawing on her own experiences, including a transformative silent retreat, Amy and Simon dive into what silence means in an age overflowing with conversation, notifications, and background noise.
They explore the many layers of silence - from its role in mental health and mindfulness to the social and cultural forces that determine who gets to experience it. Together, they question whether silence has become a privilege, and what it might mean to value it not just as the absence of sound, but as the presence of awareness.
And in a delightfully ironic twist, Simon and Amy do their best to honour pauses and moments of quiet throughout the episode - no small feat for two naturally big, talkative personalities.
Their conversation ranges from the healing power of natural soundscapes to the possibility of silence being designed, protected, or even mandated in the future.
At its heart, The Future of Silence is an invitation to pause, to listen more deeply to ourselves, to each other, and to the world around us - and to imagine how stillness might become one of the most valuable resources of the decades ahead.
GUEST:
In this episode of The Future With Friends, Simon is joined by his longtime friend Zoe Routh - leadership expert, podcaster, and acclaimed author of speculative fiction with a techno-thriller edge.
Zoe explores the future of power, a theme that runs deep through both her science fiction writing and her leadership development work. She shares a beautifully written and deeply researched future scenario, drawing on the ideas woven through her five novels. In it, she takes us forward in time to imagine how power might evolve - and how clashes between cultural norms, values, and worldviews could unfold in ways we’re already beginning to glimpse today.
Building on this scenario, Simon and Zoe dive into concepts such as spiral dynamics, the evolution of human consciousness, and the possibilities (and tensions) of new models of power. Their conversation bridges Zoe’s work in leadership with her richly imagined science fiction, creating a dialogue that feels both urgent and inspiring.
At its heart, The Future of Power is an invitation to rethink what power really means - not just as hierarchy or control, but as something that can evolve, adapt, and transform the way we live, lead, and collaborate in the decades ahead.
This episode of The Future With Friends is about what it really takes to build meaningful human connections — and what can happen when we take a risk and open ourselves up to meeting someone new. Simon is joined by his good friend (and fellow high-seas explorer) Michael Schiffner, founder of Collective Intelligence.
Michael shares a future scenario that’s deeply personal and beautifully written, perhaps the most profound one yet. He takes us twenty years into the future, imagining what Burning Man might look like in 2045, and how it could continue to serve as a catalyst for connection, belonging, and shared experience.
Building on this scenario, Simon and Michael explore how friendship, hospitality, and openness to chance encounters can transform our lives. They reflect on the role of risk and vulnerability in building trust, and how collaboration allows us to draw on a collective wisdom greater than any one individual.
At its heart, The Future of Deep Connection is a reminder that genuine connections are not optional extras — they are the essence of our humanity and essential to how we thrive and survive, both now and in the future.
This episode is extra special — for the very first time, The Future With Friends was filmed in front of a live audience at CoCo Place in Mornington! The setting perfectly suits this episode’s theme: ‘The Future of Community’.
This week’s guest is Steph Koster, founder of the co-working space CoCo Place. The energy of being together in the room brings the conversation to life as Simon and Steph explore what it really takes to keep people connected in a rapidly changing world.
They discuss the power of volunteerism, the evolving role of technology, and the emotional bonds that hold communities together. Steph shares a compelling utopian scenario about a small town whose local sports clubs and community life have collapsed after funding is diverted to major city events, and how residents, from elders to teenagers, rebuild connection and purpose.
Steph draws on her experience with Tennis Australia, sharing insights from major marketing campaigns alongside her grassroots work in regional towns. She reflects on how communities are formed through local clubs and what could be lost if they disappear.
Their conversation highlights the wisdom elders pass down, the universal need for belonging, and the importance of collaboration over competition.
At its heart, this episode celebrates the energy of live conversation and the power of stories to strengthen and reimagine community. It’s a reminder that vibrant, resilient communities aren’t built alone — they grow through connection, collaboration, and shared purpose.
In this episode of The Future With Friends, Simon Waller is joined by leadership expert and good friend Anton van der Walt for a heartfelt conversation about immigration, belonging, and the future of cultural integration.
Anton shares a beautifully written and deeply personal scenario set in 2042. It explores the journey of an immigrant family navigating the complexities of settling in a new country - the challenges they face, the strengths they bring, and the emotional resilience required along the way. It’s a story that reminds us that true belonging isn’t achieved through assimilation or automation, but through time, empathy, and mutual understanding.
Simon and Anton’s conversation weaves through themes of identity, community, and the value of shared experience. They reflect on their parallel journeys in podcasting, the role of technology in fostering connection, and the limitations of a hyper-efficient approach to integration.
It’s a thoughtful discussion on the immigrant experience - one that asks us to slow down, listen more deeply, and recognise the cultural richness that emerges when we make space for difference.
At its heart, this episode is about the power of stories - and the kind of understanding that only comes from sitting down and truly hearing one another, friend to friend.
GUEST: Anton van der Walt
In this episode of The Future With Friends, Simon Waller sits down with long-time friend and human connection expert Anneli Blundell to explore the personal and relevant topic: The Future of Meeting Strangers.Anneli shares a future scenario set in the year 2095 — a world where society has been divided into two classes: creators and connectors. In the pursuit of hyper-efficiency and emotional safety, people are funnelled into roles based on whether they’re better at thinking or relating. But in this divided world, something unexpected emerges: an underground movement where creators are learning to connect again — meeting strangers, holding uncomfortable conversations, and rediscovering their humanity.What follows is a rich conversation about what happens when we start opting out of discomfort — and what we risk losing when connecting with others becomes optional. Simon and Anneli reflect on their own experiences of discomfort, the erosion of social skills post-COVID, and how the pendulum of culture might be swinging too far in the direction of avoidance and efficiency.Together, they explore how technology, isolation, and polarisation are reshaping the way we relate — and how we might gently push back. At the heart of the conversation is a call to action: to do the hard thing, embrace discomfort, and find our way back to one another — one stranger at a time.GUEST: Anneli Blundell
In this episode of The Future With Friends, Simon Waller sits down with long-time colleague and leadership expert Leanne Williams to explore a provocative and timely topic: The Future of Doing Risky Things.
Leanne shares a future scenario set in 2049 — a world so consumed by policies, procedures, and the pursuit of safety that risk itself has become taboo. But instead of creating a safer society, this hyper-regulated world gives rise to something unexpected: an underground leadership experiment where people go to remember what it feels like to not be safe.
What follows is a direct and honest conversation about our shifting relationship with risk. Simon and Leanne reflect on their own experiences with discomfort, and how risk has often been the catalyst for growth. They explore how risk aversion is showing up in leadership, workplaces, and culture — and what it might cost us if we keep trying to safety-proof life.
They also examine how technology, insurance, and a culture of compliance are reshaping our sense of what’s acceptable — and where the line sits between smart safeguards and stifling control.
In this episode, Simon Waller sits down with the sweary and sharp-witted Scottish writer Lizzie Davidson to explore the timely and deeply human topic: The Future of Meaningful.
Lizzie shares a bold and hopeful future scenario set in the aftermath of a great global reset — triggered by the trajectory we’re currently on: climate collapse, pandemics, conflict. But rather than dystopia, this is a world where consumerism has been replaced with connection, and the fundamentals of life — housing, food, education, healthcare — are no longer things people have to worry about.
As Simon puts it, this was “easily the most utopian scenario that someone has produced for the show so far.” But the conversation isn’t naive. Together, they unpack the real-world tensions between individualism and community, and the societal work required for such a future to emerge. It’s a vision rooted in deep congruence — a world where people show up the same in their work lives as they do in their personal lives.
They explore the joy in everyday things, the sticky process of imagining a better future, and how we might each become weak signals for the change we want to see — quietly lighting the way toward what’s possible.
This conversation is both deeply uplifting and quietly challenging. Because maybe meaning isn’t something we find. Maybe it’s something we practice.
GUEST:
TAKEAWAYS:
Meaning is intrinsically linked to belonging.
Utopian scenarios can provide insights into potential futures.
Community and collectivism are essential for human well-being.
Individualism may be an evolutionary dead end.
A reset can be a catalyst for meaningful change.
We can influence our future by living authentically today.
Meaningful practices can lead to greater happiness.
Weak signals indicate the potential for societal change.
Addressing intergenerational trauma is crucial for healing.
Finding joy in the mundane is key to a fulfilling life.
In the second half of our two-part special, Simon Waller and Dr Jason Fox continue their exploration of the future of continuity—this time shifting the focus from the machine to life itself.
Set in the same imagined world of 2043, this scenario envisions a future where humans have reclaimed agency, hard work is meaningful, and governance is grounded in decentralised, transparent systems designed in service to all of life. Together, Simon and Jason dive into the value of scenario planning, the role of friction and creativity in shaping resilient futures, and what it means to lead a quest in times of ambiguity.
This is a future shaped not by optimisation—but by agency.
TAKEAWAYS:
- Gamification often oversimplifies complex human behaviours in organisational settings.
- Leadership is better understood as an ongoing quest than a fixed roadmap.
- Embracing uncertainty is essential for navigating the future.
- Blockchain can provide transparent, decentralised systems for governance.
- Trust minimisation enables secure collaboration in anonymous digital environments.
- Friction can create depth, meaning, and connection in our experiences.
- Being in service to life means valuing all living systems, not just human ones.
- Scenarios should spark dialogue, not provide definitive answers.
- Diverse systems—ecological and social—are more resilient than monocultures.
- Privacy should be a societal default, not a privilege.
GUEST:
Dr Jason Fox
https://www.drjasonfox.com/
Welcome to a special ‘double feature’ of The Future With Friends, where we explore a two-part scenario set in the year 2043. In this first instalment, Simon Waller and Dr Jason Fox dive into The Future of Continuity (of The Machine), imagining a world where AI plays a central role in shaping human experiences.
As the machine takes over the stories we tell and the systems we trust, what becomes of creativity, critical thinking, and human connection? This episode unpacks a possible future dominated by optimisation, gamification, and algorithmic control - where megacorporations govern attention, and metrics dictate meaning.
Through the metaphor of the “infinite garden,” Simon and Jason explore the tension between compliance and curiosity, raising urgent questions about what we might lose when everything is engineered to work perfectly.
This is just the beginning. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we explore The Future of Continuity (Of Life).
TAKEAWAYS:
- AI’s growing influence prompts deep questions about the continuity of culture, creativity, and human agency.
- In a world driven by optimisation, compassion and critical thinking are quietly eroding.
- Algorithmic storytelling has the power to shape public consensus—and deepen polarisation.
- Meaningful conversations about the future require vulnerability, not just vision.
- Collaboration with AI can fuel creativity, but only if we remain active participants.
- Navigating the blurred line between personal and professional identity is an ongoing challenge.
- Independent journalism is more essential than ever as a counterbalance to algorithmic control.
- Compliance is easy—but it’s also the path of least resistance.
- The opposite of a hero isn’t a villain—it’s the bystander.
- Metrics might offer short-term gains, but they often distort long-term meaning.
- In our pursuit of efficiency, what essential human qualities are we leaving behind?
- And perhaps the biggest question of all: what does meaningful progress actually look like?
GUEST:
Dr Jason Fox
In this episode, Simon Waller sits down with storytelling expert and actor Megan Davis to explore the uncertain — and deeply human — future of acting.
Megan shares her personal journey back to the craft after a long hiatus, reflecting on the profound impact acting has on personal growth and its role in helping us understand humanity. Together, Simon and Megan unpack the emotional power of performance and how stepping into different roles can help us reconnect with ourselves.
In Megan’s near-future scenario, technology and emotion collide. AI-generated actors and virtual sets challenge our notions of authenticity, empathy, and even art itself!
This opens up a fascinating discussion about our evolving relationships with AI, the importance of emotional depth in human interactions, and the future of acting in a world increasingly shaped by technology — and the cost savings that come with it.
They touch on the rise of automation in the film industry, the battle over digital rights, and the ethical complexity of ultimately owning a face or a feeling. At its core, this episode is a meditation on what makes us human — and whether that can ever truly be rendered.
Because in a world increasingly shaped by machines, acting might just be one of the last places we get to feel something real.
CHAPTERS:
03:49 Introduction to storytelling and friendship
06:25 The future of acting: A personal journey
09:42 The impact of acting on personal growth
14:28 The role of acting in understanding humanity
16:19 Exploring the future of acting
17:31 Megan’s scenario: The future of acting
21:50 Unpacking the scenario and its implications
25:26 The power of live theater
26:40 The emotional arc of acting
29:28 The impact of AI on acting
32:03 The discomfort of acting
33:31 Automation in the film industry
37:27 The role of directors in automation
38:51 Emotional experiences in acting
43:00 Digital rights and AI in acting
47:00 The intersection of acting and emotional needs
48:43 The rise of AI relationships
51:38 Exploring emotional depths
55:40 The future of acting and AI
01 :00:40 The human spirit and expression
TAKEAWAYS:
- Acting fosters deeper self-awareness and empathy.
- Training in acting can be life-changing.
- The desire to perform is rooted in emotional expression and connection.
- Acting classes can help people better navigate emotions and reduce societal harm.
- Live theatre provides continuous, unfiltered emotional experiences.
- Film is an accessible and powerful medium for storytelling.
- Emotional depth is essential for both storytelling and personal growth.
- AI may simulate emotions, but it lacks human nuance and depth.
- Automation is increasingly replacing roles in the film industry.
- Directors and producers are less likely to be automated due to complex decision-making.
- AI raises ethical concerns around actors' digital identities and rights.
- The emotional demands of acting can lead to burnout.
- Younger actors often struggle with emotional discomfort.
- Digital content frequently lacks the emotional resonance of human-driven stories.
- AI may change how acting is done, but it won’t replace the human core of the craft.
- The future of acting will evolve — but human connection will keep it alive.
GUEST:
Megan Davis: https://spendloveandlamb.com/
In this episode of The Future with Friends, Simon Waller and Mykel Dixon explore “The Future of The Past.” Their conversation begins with a reflection on their first meeting and unfolds into a rich discussion on the role of ancient wisdom in navigating modern challenges. They examine how the arts can deepen human connection, how technology might enable cultural renewal, and why a belief in a hopeful future is essential for meaningful change. Grounded in Mykel’s vision, the episode emphasises the need to reconnect with nature, community, and intuition as a pathway to a more inclusive and vibrant world.
CHAPTERS:
03:25 The origins of Mykel’s and Simon’s friendship
05:30 Exploring original wisdom
08:15 Integration of ancient knowledge
13:00 Mykel’s scenario: The future of the past
18:31 The process of writing a scenario
24:49 The path to 2042 and beyond
29:00 Cultural change and timeframes
35:31 A word from our future sponsors
35:47 The role of technology and nature
43:08 Reconnecting with community and nature
54:00 Practical steps towards a vibrant future
TAKEAWAYS:
- Memorable first meetings can shape lasting relationships.
- Original wisdom is a blend of ancient knowledge and modern understanding.
- Integration of past wisdom can enhance future possibilities.
- The future is not about regression but reintegration.
- Creative processes can inspire visions of a better future.
- Believing in a positive future can shape present actions.
- The arts play a crucial role in exploring deeper connections.
- The future may hold astonishing possibilities after a collapse.
- Regenerative practices can transform our relationship with nature.
- Community and relationships are vital for personal and collective growth.
- We should focus on sowing seeds for a new future.
- Living a radical life filled with art and nature is essential.
- Intuition and connection to nature can guide us forward.
- Dreaming of a beautiful future is a responsibility for all.
GUEST:
Mykel Dixon: https://www.mykeldixon.com/
In this week’s episode, Simon Waller is joined by long-time friend and collaborator Col Fink for a rich and deeply meaningful conversation about The Future of How We Live.
Inspired by Col’s own lived experience, the episode explores a future where communal living - like the village life of generations past - becomes not just desirable, but essential to our wellbeing. Together, they question whether our obsession with independence has taken us further from what truly nourishes us: connection, shared responsibility, and collective care.
From multigenerational homes to co-living models that prioritise community over consumption, their discussion considers two possible pathways to the same outcome. While Col explores this way of living through choice and privilege, Simon offers a more sobering perspective - one where housing affordability and urban pressures may force us to rethink how we live together.
This conversation invites us to reimagine what a good life looks like - and reminds us that the future we need may be closer to the one we left behind. More than just imagining a different future, Col is actively living it. And perhaps the best way to show our children what’s possible… is to live it ourselves.
TAKEAWAYS:
- Cole Fink discusses the evolution of his career from go-karting to solopreneurship.
- The concept of solopreneurship offers a third option for making a living.
- Cole's vision for the future emphasises communal living and wellbeing.
- The importance of relationships and community in enhancing happiness.
- Technology should be used to support human connection, not replace it.
- Cultural shifts are necessary for a more communal approach to living.
- The challenges of communal living include managing relationships and housing.
- Governance should support local communities while addressing global issues.
- The future may require a balance between individualism and community.
- Cole's personal experiences shape his vision for a better future.
GUEST:
Col Fink
https://www.colfink.com/
In this episode, Simon Waller sits down with Michelle Newell to explore the important - yet often uncomfortable - topic of Death and Dying. But far from being morbid, this enlightening conversation is thoughtful, moving, and surprisingly uplifting.
Sparked by Michelle’s future scenario imagining her own hyper-personalised death experience in 2062, the discussion weaves through evolving death practices, the power of memorialisation, and the meaning of legacy - including the fascinating practice of transforming loved ones into diamonds.
Together, Simon and Michelle reflect on cultural attitudes toward death, emerging trends in the death-care industry, and why we need to create space for more open, human conversations about mortality.
Ultimately, Simon’s key takeaway from this episode is that by taking the time to thoughtfully consider death, we create the space to more fully appreciate and value life.
CHAPTERS
00:00 – Michelle Newell snippet from the show
00:31 – Introduction to Episode 3 of The Future With Friends
02:21 – Introducing Michelle Newell from The Storytelling Business
08:21 – Michelle’s scenario on death and dying
13:10 – The process of creating scenarios, and why she chose death and dying as a theme
16:49 – Environmental concerns around dying and different types of burial
20:33 – The role of generative AI in storytelling
26:36 – Satire, dark humour, and Simon shares one of his favourite sci-fi authors
28:15 – A note from our “future” sponsors
28:58 – Simon shares a personal story about “the best death ever”
33:03 – How storytelling helps us connect
34:26 – How much is the death industry worth?
36:03 – The people who died before us, and how they become part of the land
37:27 – Incorporating Indigenous customs into body disposal
39:28 – Wildcards: the possible negative effects of natural burial
40:22 – Are we becoming more comfortable talking about death and dying?
42:32 – Composting and the future of human remains
47:16 – Memorialisation: diamonds and legacy
53:23 – Digital afterlife and the future of remembrance
56:26 – Contradictions in death: embracing vs. defying it
1:01:58 – Cultural perspectives on death and dying
In this episode of The Future with Friends podcast, Simon Waller and Dr Adrian Medhurst explore the forever unresolved concept we call work-life balance.
Simon and Adrian delve into the deep complexities of how we might better integrate our life and our work. They discuss the role technology might play in work-life dynamics - exploring its potential to support wellbeing by predicting burnout and overload, acting as safeguard, and enabling people to achieve better ‘balance’.
They also question what might happen if there is an over-reliance on technology and the risks of nefarious manipulation.
The conversation also explores the emerging concept of Job Crafting as a more human-centric approach to work-life integration, emphasising the need for collaboration between individuals and organisations to create fulfilling work environments.
CHAPTERS:00:00 – Welcome to The Future with Friends Podcast01:31 – Introducing Our Guest: Dr Adrian Medhurst03:29 – Exploring Work-Life Balance: Beyond the Traditional View11:03 – Future Scenarios: The Evolving Nature of Work-Life Balance14:15 – Behind the Scenes: Creating the Future Scenario17:50 – Key Insights from Adrian on Work-Life Balance21:00 – Technology’s Role in Optimising Work-Life Integration23:20 – Navigating the Risks and Imbalances of Technology26:23 – Wellbeing vs Performance: Finding the Right Balance28:05 – Data vs Intuition33:51 – A Message from Our ‘Future’ Sponsors35:35 – How Apps Are Shaping Personal Growth38:23 – Workplace Wellbeing and Organisational Challenges40:51 – The Future of Work Design and Employee Experience44:21 – Job Crafting: A More Human-Centric Approach50:24 – Technology as the Missing Piece in Employee WellbeingTAKEAWAYS:
• Work-life balance is more about balancing than achieving a static state.• Work-life agility could be a better way to think about this concept.• Technology can both support and hinder our work-life dynamics.• The future may see a shift towards job crafting as a solution.• Wellbeing should be prioritised over performance in workplace settings.• Organisations must consider the systemic issues affecting employee wellbeing.• The importance of human agency in navigating work-life challenges.• A cautionary tale about the over-reliance on technology and blind belief. • The need for collaboration between individuals and organisations for better work-life outcomes.https://simonwaller.live/the-future-with-friends/episode-2/GUEST: Dr Adrian Medhurst: https://www.dradrianmedhurst.com.au/Benny Button: https://bennybutton.com/
In this pilot episode of The Future with Friends, Simon Waller and fellow futurist Steph Clarke dive into a thought-provoking exploration of what friendship might look like in the near future.
Tasked with crafting a future scenario, Steph envisions a world where social connectedness is quantified - where Oura rings track the health benefits of our relationships, and algorithms determine whether our friendships are truly enriching our lives. But as with anything measured, there’s always the potential to game the system. Could people start changing their behaviour to boost their "friendship score"?
Their conversation delves into the implications of social scoring, the growing crisis of loneliness, and how communities might evolve in response. They explore bold ideas - co-housing arrangements among friends, new models of shared parenting, and the shifting role of digital platforms in shaping human connection.
As the lines between technology and relationships blur, what does it really mean to have a meaningful friendship?
CHAPTERS:
00:00 – Welcome to The Future with Friends Podcast
04:07 – How Simon and Steph first met
06:20 – Introducing Steph’s topic: The future of friendship
08:47 – Steph’s scenario: A glimpse into friendship 5-10 years from now
11:44 – Simon’s key takeaways from the scenario
12:38 – Steph’s experience writing the scenario
17:00 – Signs in the present that point to this future
19:15 – The gamification of relationships
23:00 – The asymmetry of friendships
27:30 – Lessons Steph learned from writing this future
30:00 – How future scenarios create safe spaces for tough conversations
32:00 – Back-casting: What events would lead us here?
33:40 – The commercialisation of friendship
35:00 – The illusion of certainty: How apps create a false sense of security
39:36 – The loneliness epidemic and social constructs
44:43 – The future of parenting and co-parenting with friends
46:08 – The broader impact of future scenarios
47:56 – Steph’s upcoming book
50:30 – Our evolving relationship with data from smart devices
53:40 – Creative ways to strengthen social bonds
59:00 – Wrapping up – final thoughts
TAKEAWAYS:
Friendship is a vital aspect of health that often gets overlooked.
Technology can both enhance and complicate friendships.
The concept of social scores could change how we perceive and maintain friendships.
Friendship dynamics are influenced by societal constructs and individual needs.
The future may see a shift towards co-housing and communal living arrangements among friends.
Loneliness is a growing epidemic that needs to be addressed through meaningful connections.
The importance of initiating creative and engaging activities with friends.
Friendship should be prioritised alongside other aspects of wellbeing.
The balance of giving and receiving in friendships is crucial for their longevity.
https://thefuturewithfriends.com