The Future Is How

Frederik G. Pferdt
  • 5.0 (4)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Welcome to The Future Is How: Explorations on Creating Your Better Tomorrow—a podcast that invites you to actively shape the future with practical insights and inspiration. Hosted by Dr. Frederik G. Pferdt, author of What's Next Is Now and first and former Chief Innovation Evangelist at Google, Frederik shares insights on building a future-ready mindstate, drawing from his experiences training the brightest minds at Google, Stanford, and beyond.

  1. Be the Prompt: How AI Can Power the Future of Ideas | Jeremy Utley

    1D AGO

    Be the Prompt: How AI Can Power the Future of Ideas | Jeremy Utley

    What happens when AI meets human creativity? In this episode, Frederik sits down with Jeremy Utley—adjunct professor at Stanford University, co-author of Ideaflow: The Only Business Metric That Matters, Thinkers50 Top Innovation Leader, host of Paint & Pipette: The Art & Science of Innovation, and co-host of Beyond the Prompt. Jeremy has taught nearly a million students worldwide, advises CEOs and startup founders, and is currently researching how individuals and organizations can accelerate their comfort and confidence in leveraging generative AI. Together, Frederik and Jeremy explore how AI can amplify—not replace—our creative capacities. They discuss why voice matters in AI interactions, how words shape agency, and why humans must take the role of initiator when engaging with AI. The conversation ranges from practical ideation exercises to the deeper implications of AI on identity, creativity, and education—always with the reminder that AI is a collaborator, not a substitute. Creativity is a practice, not magic AI as a collaborative partner Using your voice with AI is a gamechanger Humans as initiators in AI engagement The power of words: shaping agency with language Why generating bad ideas often leads to great onesInviting AI into daily tasks for better collaborationWhere to find Jeremy Utley: Website: jeremyutley.com Book: Ideaflow: The Only Business Metric That Matters Podcast: Beyond the PromptWhere to find Frederik G. Pferdt: Newsletter: NextLetter Book: What’s Next Is Now LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Website (00:00) Intro (02:53) Jeremy’s future bio: prompting AI to ask the right questions (10:14) Use your voice: showing up with your AI’s (14:22) The advent of ChatGPT: a fertile time of exploration (18:50) The Initiator: humans as self-hired agents beyond assignments (24:51) Humans as initiators and executors with AI (26:09) You are the prompt: how words matter (won’t, can’t, have to, want to) (29:43) Bad idea brainstorms, wonder wanders, and ego in ideation with AI (34:31) Mindstate Moment: powerful reflective prompts (42:56) Speed round: what we get wrong with AI, education, habits to adapt, AI and intimate questions (47:47) Closing remarks: Post-its and inviting AI into the moment Original music by Andreas Horchler

    50 min
  2. The Future Sounds Within | Tyler Winick (Tahüm)

    AUG 22

    The Future Sounds Within | Tyler Winick (Tahüm)

    Today on the show: Tyler Winick, is an explorer of self, a facilitator of deep inner work, and the creative force behind Tahüm, where his music guides people into presence and discovery. He’s also the co-creator of Garden of True Self, a framework for reconnecting to our truth and protecting our energy. As an artist and musician, he has just recently, hit his first million streams. In this episode, we explore the profound impact of music as a universal language that transcends borders and cultures. Discover how melodies and rhythms have the power to transform lives, foster connections, and inspire change. Join us as we delve into stories of personal and societal transformation through the universal language of music. Tune in to be moved and inspired by the transformative power of sound. Today, we talk about: Inner Work as a Path to future Freedom The Power of Music and Creativity The Garden of True Self Breathwork and Energy The Role of Intent and Empathy Where to find Tyler Winick: https://www.tylerwinick.com/ https://www.tahum.co/ Where to find Frederik G. Pferdt: NextLetter: ⁠https://www.frederikgpferdt.com/#nextletter⁠ What's NextIs Now The Book: ⁠⁠https://www.whatsnextisnowthebook.com 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/⁠⁠⁠ In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Intro (02:45) Tyler's future bio: A letter to self (07:55) Origins & Inner Work (10:55) Out in the desert: The calling of Burning Man (17:36) Music as Inner Work (23:30) Stage fright and antidodes (27:12) I am enough: The Story of Tahüm (30:30) The garden of True Self (33:33) Energy Ceiling: A Daily Practice (36:08) How we show up: The Future of Inner Work & Sound (38:47) Mindstate Moment — Led by Tyler (Music by Tahüm) (53:50) Quick Questions - Visual Creativity from Scratch (59:14) One Seed to Plant: Get better at Feeling Music: Andreas Horchler & Tahüm

    1h 2m
  3. The Future is HOW – Best Of: HOW to Grow Your Future

    JUL 11

    The Future is HOW – Best Of: HOW to Grow Your Future

    Today in The Future Is How: Frederik's Summer Best-of Special: "Growing Your Future" Welcome to a very special summer edition of The Future is How. Frederik wants to take you on a walk through a different kind of garden. This garden has rich soil made of powerful questions, strong trellises of trust, flowing channels of communication, and restorative greenhouses of rest. But it's also alive with the buzz of cross-pollinating bees, nourished by both sunshine and rain, enriched by compost that transforms challenges into growth, and tended by a community that understands how every element supports the whole. Over this past season of conversations, Frederik had the privilege of speaking with remarkable gardeners of the future - people who've mastered different aspects of this living ecosystem. Today, he shares their wisdom as we explore eleven essential elements in this garden of possibility.   Today, we talk about: Welcome to the Garden - one small thing that could grow into something bigger The Soil of Questions - the richest soil is made up of the questions we ask The Trust Trellis - some plants need support to reach their full potential. In our garden, trust serves as the strongest trellis of all. The Communication Channels - the irrigation system that nourishes everything we're trying to grow. The Storytelling Sunshine - compelling narratives don't just entertain - they transform how we see ourselves and our possibilities. The Rest and Recovery Greenhouse -  sleep and rest aren't empty spaces - they're specialized greenhouses where our most important growth actually happens. The Wellness Ecosystem - A thriving garden (and humans)requires attention to the health of the entire ecosystem. The Compost of Transformation - Personal transformation often requires composting old patterns to create rich soil for new growth. The Cross-Pollination Bees - cross-pollination between future thinking and design creates innovations we never could have imagined. The Connection Root Network - human connections create the invisible networks where our best futures can flourish. The Innovation & Inspiration Blooms – inspiration, an active force that transforms individuals and communities. The Beautiful Purpose That Blooms - beauty as the naturalexpression of purpose lived with intention. In this episode, we cover: Intro (03:14) The Soil of Questions The next big disruption will not be technological, but psychological." - MarcChampagne (06:47) The Trust Trellis "Kids are not luggage — they are human beings. The next generation doesn't need more control, they need more trust." - Esther Wojcicki (10:31) The Communication Channels "It's about connection, not perfection." - Matt Abrahams (14:13) The Storytelling Sunshine "Great storytelling is about making people feel." - Kalle Ryan (17:45) The Rest and Recovery Greenhouse "Quality vs. quantity: What matters most for unlocking better performance." - Dr. Els van der Helm (21:32) The Wellness Ecosystem "Destigmatizing mental health struggles through openness creates safety and trust." - Newton Cheng (25:25) The Compost of Transformation "Home is where I grow." - Angela Pferdt (29:22) The Cross-Pollination Bees "We need to develop a 'futurist' mindset and use our imagination to shape a better world." - Lisa Kay Solomon (32:53) The Connection Root Network "The surprising finding: connection's impact on longevity is stronger than almost any other factor." - Dr. Robert Waldinger (36:30) The Innovation & Inspiration Blooms "Inspiration is more than a feeling. It's an active force that fuels creativity, leadership and change." - Adam Galinsky (40:07) The Beautiful Purpose That Blooms "The future belongs to those who can create beauty in business and meaning in work." - Tim Leberecht (44:58) Your Future is HOW “HOW will you nourish your garden today? HOW will you plant seeds for tomorrow? HOW will you shape the future you want to see?” – Frederik Pferdt   Music: Andreas Horchler

    49 min
  4. The Art of What Could Be | Francesco Ciccolella

    JUN 27

    The Art of What Could Be | Francesco Ciccolella

    Today in The Future Is How: Francesco Ciccolella. His illustrations don’t just decorate the page– they challenge how we see the world. Francesco is a Vienna-based artist, illustrator, and designer whose work has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, The New Yorker, MIT Technology Review, and on the covers of books and ideas that have shaped our thinking. He also brought Frederik's  ideas to life ,  through incredible sketches, including the one-line illustrations in Frederik's  book What’s Next Is Now. Francesco's  illustrations hold up a mirror to our culture–showing us not only what is, but what could be.   Today, we talk about: • The Power of Visual Thinking • Making the complex visually accessible through empathy • The power of reduction • Between the lines-Francesco´s book, a visual philosophy • Everyone Is an Artist (as long as we overcome our fears) •  A well of inspiration—exploring world views and travelling Where to find Francesco Ciccolella: https://www.francescociccolella.com/ Between The Lines The Book: https://www.francescociccolella.com/Between-The-Lines-Artist-s-Book Where to find Frederik G. Pferdt: NextLetter – ⁠https://www.frederikgpferdt.com/#nextletter⁠ What's NextIs Now The Book: ⁠⁠https://www.whatsnextisnowthebook.com 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/⁠⁠⁠ In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Intro (03:13) Francesco's future bio: A space between words and images (05:45) Complexity in one image—empathy and the visual vocabulary (08:07) The viewer's shoes—a repertoire of different angles (09:01) Stripped to the essence—the Zen garden story and finding beauty in reduction (11:59) Creative challenges—quick pace and the flow mode (14:55) Between the lines—Francesco's book on dealing with mental health crises (17:34) Discovering the inner artist—it's about taking away the fear (or: there are no perfect lines) (21:03) A Mindstate Moment with Frederik (25:31) A three word-game-visual creativity from scratch (27:30) Finding inspiration—travelling, exploring world views, new paths (29:09) Provoking emotion—The illustrator's playbook Music: Andreas Horchler

    32 min
  5. How Trust Is The Future | Esther Wojcicki

    JUN 13

    How Trust Is The Future | Esther Wojcicki

    In this episode, we explore how trust shapes the future — in parenting, education, and leadership. Esther Wojcicki is known as "The godmother of Silicon Valley", a legendary educator, journalist, and author of How to Raise Successful People. She has taught thousands of students, raised three remarkable daughters (a CEO, a doctor, and a professor), and sparked a global movement with her TRICK philosophy: Trust, Respect, Independence, Collaboration, and Kindness. “Kids are not luggage — they are human beings,” Esther says. Her message is clear: the next generation doesn’t need more control, they need more trust. Together, we dive into: Why respect and independence are key ingredients for raising changemakers How 20% of time for personal projects (even in school!) unlocks creativity What happens when we stop helicopter parenting — and start trusting How TRICK can transform classrooms, companies, and even family dinners Why children’s ideas might just change the world We also explore how TRICK applies not just to kids — but to how we lead, live, and even treat our parents. Plus: A “Mindstate Moment” to help you reflect and activate your own TRICK. Where to find Esther Wojcicki: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heywoj/?hl=en Where to find Frederik G. Pferdt: NextLetter – ⁠https://www.frederikgpferdt.com/#nextletter⁠ What'sNextIs Now The Book: ⁠⁠https://www.whatsnextisnowthebook.com 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/⁠⁠⁠   In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Intro (02:36) Esther's future bio: A world of respect and trust for children (05:53) A future with TRICK- Trust Respect Independence Collaboration Kindness (11:40) Balancing Structure and Freedom-Raising children today (15:07) Kid's shopping experience-building trust and independence (18:00) Kids are not luggage-what parents get wrong about children (19:51) Frederik on the road-let the kids do the travel planning (20:40) Worries and things we can do to shape our future (24:50) Belts for the homeless-how children's ideas help (26:36) Showing up for children with TRICK-empower education (29:53) A better school-play, take time, explore (33:09) In it together-Having patience, as kids and as parents (35:49) Lost kids-The Helicopter Parenting crisis (40:04) A Mindstate Moment with Frederik (42:47) TRICK for companies and leaders-mistakes and room for creativity (47:45) We are all children-what we can offer our parents through TRICK Music :Andreas Horchler

    53 min
  6. Time to Grow | Angela Pferdt

    JUN 2

    Time to Grow | Angela Pferdt

    In today’s episode of The Future is How, it's all about growth, from plants to the inner self. And we have a more than special guest: Angela Pferdt. Coming from a background in finance, today she is a Healing Artist, a Reiki Master, a Master Gardener, and she is Frederik's wife, in Frederik's words: one of his greatest teachers. Frederik and Angela spent decades together, building a home and raising three children. “Home is where I grow”, says Angela. This time The Future is How comes straight from Angela's and Frederik's home in the Santa Cruz Mountains, an exchange of experiences, thoughts, callings, insights, and more than that: their future, like a walk together we all can listen to.    Today, we talk about:• The power of Reiki and how it helps to become more present • Plant based medicine and how psychedelics can help opening up and finding love and answers inside • Long standing myths on psychedelics• How gardening and personal growth are deeply interconnected • Finding patience and presence Where to find Angela Pferdt:⁠https://www.santawoodz.com Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/santa_woodz/⁠⁠⁠ Where to find Frederik G. Pferdt:NextLetter – ⁠https://www.frederikgpferdt.com/#nextletter⁠ What's NextIs Now The Book: ⁠⁠https://www.whatsnextisnowthebook.com LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/fgpferdt/⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/frederikgpferdt⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/frederikgpferdt/⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.frederikgpferdt.com/⁠⁠⁠ In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Intro(02:57) Angela's future bio: Who Angela is becoming how she's building a future around Reiki, energy work and plant medicine, and becoming more present (05:50) Reiki and being present(07:17) How Reiki works(08:29) Angela's journey to Reiki(10:28) Energy & Healing & Well-being: Why people are coming to Angela's Reiki studio(13:05) The journey guide: Plant medicine and digging deeper solving crises (17:45) The integration phase: Life completely different, opening up, the answer inside, and love (20:53) Plant based medicine: Is it for me?(23:00) Time to grow: It begins in the soil (25:11) A Mindstate Moment with Frederik(28:14) Growth and Gardening: Nourishment, minds and communities (29:35) Psychedelic myths: Breaking addictions instead of creating addictions (32:06) It's not exclusively about trauma or seeing colors: Psychedelics can break patterns, accessing the unconscious (33:54) Patience and presence: How her children benefit from Angela's work (36:10) Words of encouragement: if you can imagine it, you can achieve it, if you can dream it, you can become it.   Music: Andreas Horchler

    39 min
  7. How Asking Better Questions Unlocks Your Future | Marc Champagne

    MAY 16

    How Asking Better Questions Unlocks Your Future | Marc Champagne

    In today’s episode of The Future is How, questions take center stage. Questions shape our futures much more than we believe in everyday life. Marc Champagne, author of “Personal Socrates” and podcast host of “Behind the Human” is a pioneer in mental fitness, who explores the practices of brilliant thinkers, visionaries, and high-impact performers. He trained thousands of professionals to gain clarity in momentsthat matter. The next big disruption, Marc believes, will not be technological, but psychological. In our conversation today, we talk about: • What if the future is more about asking the right questions than having answers • Navigating the between world of constant anxiousness • Being present, preparing for the future • The mental gym: Training your future-muscle • Career, calling and happiness • The right questions to ask yourself to shape your own future Where to find Marc Champagne: Website: ⁠https://www.mchampagne.com/ Podcast: ⁠https://www.mchampagne.com/⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-champagne-%F0%9F%A7%A0%F0%9F%92%AA-14767b17/ YouTube:⁠https://www.youtube.com/@behindthehumanpodcast Where to find Frederik G. Pferdt: NextLetter – ⁠https://www.frederikgpferdt.com/#nextletter⁠ What's Next Is Now The Book: ⁠⁠https://www.whatsnextisnowthebook.com 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/⁠⁠⁠ In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Intro (04:18) Marc´s future bio: A bridge from ancient wisdom to today´s challenges (07:15) More ease, more grace, more confidence: Navigating the anxious between-world (12:42) Being in the present, preparing for the future: What our minds need (15:29) The mental gym: The 30 second reset (20:24) Feeling alive: High performance beyond numbers (25:30) Career and calling: Happiness and meaning (27:28) The most powerful question: What am I pretending not to know? (31:55) What if it were possible: replacing doubt with optimism (34:24) Zen master lesson on ANT´s (Automatic Negative Thoughts): Are you certain?(36:39) A Mindstate Moment with Frederik (39:22) When you are stuck: What does your mind need most (41:30) Starting the day on your terms: Breathe Music: Andreas Horchler

    45 min
  8. How Words Whisper Into Our Tomorrow | Matt Abrahams

    MAY 2

    How Words Whisper Into Our Tomorrow | Matt Abrahams

    In today’s episode of The Future is How, I explore the power of communication with Matt Abrahams—author, podcast host, communication coach, and lecturer in Strategic Communication at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. Matt helps people become more confident and connected communicators, whether they’re on stage, in a meeting, or having a hard conversation with themselves. In our conversation today, we talk about the following topics: • Why asking the right questions is the Swiss army knife of communication • How improvisation can help us speak more authentically and adapt to change • The power of framing (and reframing) to influence thinking and outcomes • Why it’s about connection, not perfection • How rituals, self-talk, and reframing can help reduce public speaking anxiety • What it means to shape your future through the words you choose — Where to find Matt Abrahams: • Website: ⁠https://mattabrahams.com⁠ • Podcast: ⁠https://www.fastersmarter.io/⁠ • Book: ⁠https://mattabrahams.com/books⁠ • LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrahamsmatt/⁠ • YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@ThinkFastTalkSmart — Where to find Frederik G. Pferdt: • NextLetter – ⁠https://www.frederikgpferdt.com/#nextletter⁠ • What's Next Is Now The Book: ⁠⁠https://www.whatsnextisnowthebook.com • 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/⁠⁠⁠ — In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Intro (02:12) Matt’s future bio: Contributing to a world of better understanding (04:54) Engagement is critical in communication (05:38) Sustained attention: the gold standard (06:28) Tools to foster engagement: physical, mental, linguistic (08:18) Why striving to be “right” can block real connection (09:54) The improvisation mindset (15:10) “Wrong name”: habits, improv games & communication skills (20:28) Heuristics and shortcuts—helpful but not enough (21:52) Why questions are your best communication tool (25:23) The power of framing and reframing (31:15) How language shapes the future we create (32:57) A Mindstate Moment with Frederik (38:02) Overcoming anxiety in public speaking with rituals and perspective (44:40) Self-talk and communicating with yourself — Music: Andreas Horchler

    49 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Future Is How: Explorations on Creating Your Better Tomorrow—a podcast that invites you to actively shape the future with practical insights and inspiration. Hosted by Dr. Frederik G. Pferdt, author of What's Next Is Now and first and former Chief Innovation Evangelist at Google, Frederik shares insights on building a future-ready mindstate, drawing from his experiences training the brightest minds at Google, Stanford, and beyond.

Information

  • Creator
    Frederik G. Pferdt
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Frederik G. Pferdt
  • Show Website
    The Future Is How

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