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The New Abnormal

The New Abnormal

Sean Pillot de Chenecey 232 Episodes Aug 18, 2026

The New Abnormal is a podcast that explores the themes of 'Now / Next / Why', with guests from around the world including activists, creatives, writers, philosophers, strategists, psychologists, lecturers, and futurists. Host Sean Pillot de Chenecey, a futurist, public speaker, and author, asks these experts to explain their views, leading to fascinating conversations. The series was set up during the early days of Covid and is divided into a separate series per year. It has over 250,000 downloads.

Episodes

Soha Rashed ‘Rethinking Foresight Through an Arab Lens’
Soha Rashed ‘Rethinking Foresight Through an Arab Lens’ Aug 18, 2026 2388 This episode of The New Abnormal podcast features Soha Rashed, founder of the Arab Futures Society and a research fellow at the Carboun Institute.We spoke about the development of futures thinking across the Arab world and why the global foresight community needs to embrace a wider range of cultural perspectives.Soha describes her journey into futures studies, from studying at the Turku School of
Clare Beaton-Wells "Using Foresight to Reimagine Australia’s Tomorrow"
Clare Beaton-Wells "Using Foresight to Reimagine Australia’s Tomorrow" Aug 7, 2026 2731 This episode of The New Abnormal podcast features Clare Beaton-Wells, based in Melbourne, who is a Strategic Policy Advisor and Future Generations Fellowship Lead at Foundations for Tomorrow.As a leader and specialist driving systems change, intergenerational collaboration, and policy innovation, she works across civil society, government & academia to drive impactful policy and projects that
Sabrina Sullivan "Unlocking What's Next"
Sabrina Sullivan "Unlocking What's Next" Jul 23, 2026 2692 This episode of The New Abnormal podcast features the renowned strategist / futurist / facilitator, Sabrina Sullivan.In our conversation, she discusses her unconventional journey into foresight, the importance of imagination, and the leadership capabilities needed to thrive in an increasingly uncertain world. Sabrina traces her career from consulting and sustainability into strategic foresight, de
Marie Stafford 'The Future 100, 2026'
Marie Stafford 'The Future 100, 2026' Jul 18, 2026 3077 This episode of The New Abnormal podcast feature, Marie Stafford, Global Director, Intelligence at VML. In it, she spoke about the latest edition of VML’s Future 100 report and the broader forces shaping consumers, brands and culture. Unlike many annual trend reports, VML’s research is continuously updated, allowing the team to identify meaningful shifts rather than seasonal observations.The discu
Geci Karuri-Sebina ‘The African Foresight Network, Post-Activism, and Interconnected Capacities’
Geci Karuri-Sebina ‘The African Foresight Network, Post-Activism, and Interconnected Capacities’ Jul 17, 2026 2847 This episode of The New Abnormal podcast features the Johannesburg-based ‘thinker, researcher, and sometimes do-er’ Geci Karuri-Sebina, who is an Assoc Professor at the WITS Southern Centre for Inequality Studies, Organiser at the Civic Tech Innovation Network, and Chair / Director of the Southern African Node of the Millennium Project.In what I hope you'll agree is a fascinating conversation
Julian Boulding 'The Cannes Review 2026'
Julian Boulding 'The Cannes Review 2026' Jul 16, 2026 3050 This episode of The New Abnormal podcast features Julian Boulding, Owner of TheNetworkOne.The organisation works with over 1000 agencies in over 100 countries, providing ‘open-source creativity’ and communications services from independent agencies for a growing number of leading international marketing companies. They also help independent agencies develop their own business internationally, thro
Clare Stark 'Futures Literacy: Building Better Decisions for an Uncertain World'
Clare Stark 'Futures Literacy: Building Better Decisions for an Uncertain World' Jul 1, 2026 2701 This episode of The New Abnormal podcast features Clare Stark, Head of Futures Literacy and Foresight at UNESCO - the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.They’re a specialized UN agency dedicated to promoting world peace and security through international collaboration in education, arts, sciences, and culture. Headquartered in Paris, its mission spans 194 member state
Fatima-Zahra Ma-el-ainin 'Foresight, Social Transformation and Systemic Wellbeing'
Fatima-Zahra Ma-el-ainin 'Foresight, Social Transformation and Systemic Wellbeing' Jun 8, 2026 2589 This episode of The New Abnormal podcast features Fatima-Zahra Ma-el-ainin, who is a psychologist, poet, and narrative architect reimagining how societies cultivate wellbeing. Her work sits at the intersection of systems work, knowledge design, and social transformation, informed by more than a decade of experience in systems mapping, programme design, and conversational leadership. Through global
Mark Bloomfield 'Making Sense of AI'
Mark Bloomfield 'Making Sense of AI' May 6, 2026 2408 This episode of The New Abnormal podcast features Dr Mark Bloomfield, who has leveraged AI and advanced technology for over fifteen years to drive innovation, transformation, and measurable impact across an array of businesses.Operating at the intersection of business, technology, and academia, he now works across multiple industries, advising organisations on how to apply AI and emerging technolo
Tommaso Cesano 'The future role of design'
Tommaso Cesano 'The future role of design' Apr 30, 2026 2717 This episode of The New Abnormal podcast features Tommaso Cesano, Founder of Osmo, a Strategy+Design studio focused on creating impactful products and experiences, aiming to build products for clients that can 'change their tomorrow'. Based in Italy, this award-winning studio works with ambitious companies who wish to be innovators in their industries. They believe in 'Curiosity, Ad
Jonas Drechsel ‘Futurist Archetypes and Futures Thinking’
Jonas Drechsel ‘Futurist Archetypes and Futures Thinking’ Apr 20, 2026 2036 This episode of The New Abnormal podcast features the independent futurist Jonas Drechsel, who is also a member and co-initiator of the dynamic collective practice youngK Berlin; which is interdisciplinary, exploratory, and holistic.His mission as a solo freelance futurist is to make desirable futures more likely. As a critical futurist, he thinks about how the status quo works and what doesn&apos
Alice Dimond 'Building Hopeful Futures'
Alice Dimond 'Building Hopeful Futures' Apr 15, 2026 1904 Series SixThis episode of The New Abnormal features Alice Dimond, who leads Mō Āpōpō Future-Makers at Tokona te Raki, a project that equips young people to imagine and create better futures. This includes designing a toolkit grounded in Māori perspectives and stories, empowering young people to use these perspectives to navigate complexity and drive transformative change. In addition, she's a

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