Human Future

Kirill Ignatieff

This is the Human Future podcast where we explore the intersection of technology, human consciousness and spirituality. Together with some of the world’s brightest minds we'll paint a vision of a desirable future and discuss some actionable steps to make that vision a reality. This podcast is for people curious about the evolution of both technology and human consciousness and how that’s going to shape the future of humanity. https://www.instagram.com/HumanFuturePodcast

  1. 6D AGO

    EP 97 Utopia Architect: "Why We'll Leave The Digital World Behind" with Mikhail Krymov

    Are we on the verge of liberation from our screens, or about to get lost forever in the digital domain? In this thought-provoking conversation, serial entrepreneur and architect Mikhail (Misha) Krymov explores the fascinating tension between humanity and the technology we've created. Misha brings a unique perspective shaped by his PhD research on utopian architecture, his MIT fellowship, and his experience building companies like Morpheus XR (used by Google and Adobe) and Sleepbox (modular micro-hotels featured in Forbes and NYT). He argues that we're essentially giving birth to a new species, and like any parent, we must learn to let our creation become its own being. The conversation ventures into unexpected territory: Why have we lost our collective vision of utopia? What makes humans truly different from machines? And why does Misha believe "magic" is the one thing we must reclaim in our relationship with AI? Whether you're excited or anxious about the future, Misha offers a grounded yet imaginative framework for thinking about human-machine symbiosis, one that might just change how you see the screens you're staring at right now. 00:00 Trailer: Utopia Architect: "Why We'll Leave The Digital World Behind" | Mikhail Krymov 06:05 Cities as Layers of Failed Utopian Dreams 14:48 The Human-Machine Relationship Is Transforming 18:09 Giving Birth to a New Species: AI as Our Child 23:15 What Makes Humans Truly Special: The Gift of Magic 29:31 Human-AI Symbiosis: What Each Side Brings 37:23 Liberation from the Black Mirror: Returning to Physical Life 42:50 Virtual Reality, Embodiment, and the Digital Domain 50:47 Final Thoughts: Staying Present in Chaotic Times This show has been brought to you by 22HUMANS Podcast Agency. If you need help with launching or growing your own show, feel free to reach out to us at hello@22humans.com. We would be happy to help! About Mikhail Krymov Website: mkrymov.comInstagram:YouTube: @iamkrymov About the Host: Kirill Ignatieff Links: https://igkirill.com Other Links Instagram: https://humanfutur.com/instagram YouTube: https://humanfutur.com/youtube TikTok: https://humanfutur.com/tiktok Website: https://humanfutur.com Spotify: https://humanfutur.com/spotify Apple Podcast: https://humanfutur.com/applepodcast

    55 min
  2. MAR 20

    Ep 96 Entrepreneur And Healer: The 8 Types Of Awareness Most Leaders Ignore with Mitali Saxena

    What if the key to better business decisions isn't more data, but more awareness? In this episode, I sit down with Mitali Saxena, a serial entrepreneur who scaled an AI-powered fashion tech company to multi-million dollar revenue, only to discover that the missing ingredient in high-performing teams isn't strategy, it's consciousness. Mitali shares her journey from electrical engineer at T-Mobile to founding Fashom, where she pioneered AI that matches clothing to real body types. But when burnout started crushing her 50-person team during their Series A raise, she made an unconventional choice: she brought meditation into the office. Even the UPS delivery guy sat down to join. That experiment led her to develop "Awareness Intelligence", a neuroscience-backed framework that breaks human awareness into eight measurable dimensions, including intuition, emotional regulation, and spiritual grounding. We go deep on each pillar, exploring how intuition actually works (hint: it predates your thinking mind), why emotional regulation is the gateway to better decisions, and whether AI and ancient wisdom can coexist. We also venture into fascinating territory: Are there beings helping us through intuition? Can we engineer enlightenment? And what happens when a third-generation engineer discovers she can channel guided meditations? This conversation is for founders, leaders, and anyone sensing there's more to success than spreadsheets and strategy. 00:00 Trailer: Entrepreneur And Healer: The 8 Types Of Awareness Most Leaders Ignore | Mitali Saxena06:04 Bringing Meditation to the Office During Series A09:24 What is Awareness Intelligence? The Eight Pillars Explained15:24 Mental Clarity: Making Decisions from Presence, Not Reactivity21:33 Physical Awareness: Why Willpower is Actually Physical31:47 Intuition: The Awareness That Comes Before Thought41:42 Angels, Future Selves, and Where Intuitive Signals Come From49:55 The Remaining Pillars: Creative Flow, Emotional Regulation, Relationships, and Purpose59:56 A Desirable Human Future: Waking Up to Our Collective Nature This show has been brought to you by 22HUMANS Podcast Agency. If you need help with launching or growing your own show, feel free to reach out to us at hello@22humans.com. We would be happy to help! About Mitali Saxena Website: mitalisaxena.comInstagram: @mitali_saxenaLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mitalisaxenaFashom: fashom.com About the Host: Kirill Ignatieff Links: https://igkirill.com Other Links Instagram: https://humanfutur.com/instagram YouTube: https://humanfutur.com/youtube TikTok: https://humanfutur.com/tiktok Website: https://humanfutur.com Spotify: https://humanfutur.com/spotify Apple Podcast: https://humanfutur.com/applepodcast

    1h 3m
  3. MAR 12

    Ep 95 Doctor Of Audiology: How I Escaped A Career That Was Killing Me with Dr. Ben Thompson

    What does it take to leave a stable medical career and build a million-dollar business from scratch? In this episode, Dr. Ben Thompson, audiologist turned entrepreneur, shares the vulnerable moment on a bike in Berkeley that changed everything. After years of feeling stuck in a hospital job that "didn't feel quite right," Ben took a terrifying leap: starting a YouTube channel about tinnitus treatment. What began as a $3,000/month side hustle has grown into Treble Health, a telehealth company with 190,000+ YouTube subscribers and millions in revenue. But this isn't just a success story, it's a masterclass in navigating fear, assessing risk logically, and finding the courage to share fragile dreams with others. Ben opens up about the voices of self-doubt, the professors he imagined judging him, and why he made his family promise to support him before revealing his plan. We also explore how AI is reshaping content creation, why human connection may matter more than ever, and the surprising power of physical proximity in an increasingly digital world. Whether you're considering a career pivot or simply seeking more meaning, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical wisdom. 00:00 Trailer: Doctor Of Audiology: How I Escaped A Career That Was Killing Me | Dr. Ben Thompson 02:44 The Bike Ride in Berkeley That Changed Everything 08:49 Overcoming Fear: Sharing Vulnerable Dreams 14:04 The Power of Leveraging Existing Skills 17:25 Hitting the $3,000/Month Goal & Quitting the Job 20:44 Do You Need a Safety Net to Take Risks? 27:24 Increasing Your Risk Tolerance: A Framework 32:12 AI's Impact on Jobs and Content Creation 40:32 The Future of Human vs. AI-Generated Content 47:17 Mindfulness, Presence & Mental Health in the AI Age 55:23 Closing Thoughts: The Power of Community This show has been brought to you by 22HUMANS Podcast Agency. If you need help with launching or growing your own show, feel free to reach out to us at hello@22humans.com. We would be happy to help! About Dr. Ben Thompson Website: https://treblehealth.com/Instagram:YouTube: @Dr. Ben Thompson About the Host: Kirill Ignatieff Links: https://igkirill.com Other Links Instagram: https://humanfutur.com/instagram YouTube: https://humanfutur.com/youtube TikTok: https://humanfutur.com/tiktok Website: https://humanfutur.com Spotify: https://humanfutur.com/spotify Apple Podcast: https://humanfutur.com/applepodcast

    57 min
  4. MAR 5

    EP 94 You Won’t Understand freedom Until You Hear This with Aaron Rosen

    What happens when a Western analyst gets invited inside Russia's state propaganda machine? In this eye-opening episode, Aaron Rosen shares his firsthand experience visiting RT (formerly Russia Today) and reveals the sophisticated psychological tactics authoritarian regimes use to shape public perception. Aaron's unique journey took him from interning with the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee to working inside parliaments across Europe, Australia, and Canada before spending nearly a year in Moscow as part of the prestigious Alpha Fellowship Program. His insider perspective offers rare insights into how propaganda actually functions in practice. The conversation explores "whataboutism," the Cold War-era deflection tactic that has become even more powerful in the digital age, and how "weaponized cynicism" convinces populations that corruption exists everywhere equally, so why bother caring? Aaron explains how limiting access to information does not just restrict knowledge; it literally narrows the vocabulary people have to think and talk about politics. We also discuss the surprising innovations that emerged from Soviet authoritarianism, the difference between innovation for state glory versus human flourishing, and what returning to America taught Aaron about freedoms we often take for granted. Timestamps: 00:00 Trailer: You Won’t Understand freedom Until You Hear This with Aaron Rosen 05:06 The Alpha Fellowship Program in Russia 09:24 Inside RT: State Media vs. Independent Journalism 16:29 Whataboutism as a Propaganda Tool 21:20 Weaponized Cynicism and Modern Propaganda 25:28 How Information Control Shapes Reality 31:07 The Closing Window of Russian Civil Society 36:09 Appreciating Freedom After Living in Authoritarianism 46:56 Innovation for State Glory vs. Human Flourishing 54:09 Could AI Help Maximize Human Flourishing? This show has been brought to you by 22HUMANS Podcast Agency. If you need help with launching or growing your own show, feel free to reach out to us at hello@22humans.com. We would be happy to help! About Aaron Rosen Website:Instagram:YouTube: About the Host: Kirill Ignatieff Links: https://igkirill.com Other Links Instagram: https://humanfutur.com/instagram YouTube: https://humanfutur.com/youtube TikTok: https://humanfutur.com/tiktok Website: https://humanfutur.com Spotify: https://humanfutur.com/spotify Apple Podcast: https://humanfutur.com/applepodcast

    57 min
  5. FEB 19

    EP 93 How This CEO Pays Employees To Replace Their Own Jobs With AI with Luiz Centenaro

    In this episode of the Human Future podcast, we dive into the rapidly shifting landscape of the global job market as we sit down with Luiz Centenaro, an entrepreneur and expert in nearshore recruiting. We explore a provocative reality: if you aren’t integrating AI into your workflow today, you are already "cooked" in the eyes of the modern economy. Luiz shares his unique perspective on why he is obsessed with "replacing himself" through automation to unlock higher-level strategic value and how he encourages his own team to do the same. We discuss the emerging "arms race" between AI-powered job seekers and recruiters, the rise of billion-dollar companies run by tiny teams, and the shifting trends in remote work. Beyond the metrics of displacement and hiring, we delve into the philosophical core of technology, questioning whether the automation of mundane tasks is actually a spiritual invitation to rediscover our true, non-physical nature. Join us as we navigate the challenges and excitement of a post-labor world where human judgment and ingenuity remain our most valuable assets. 00:00:00 Trailer: How This CEO Pays Employees To Replace Their Own Jobs With AI | Luiz Centenaro00:02:38 The Displacement Shift: From Taxi Drivers to Robotaxis00:05:30 Human Judgment vs. AI Creativity: The Pablo Picasso Problem00:10:06 Job Market Signals: Displacement Statistics and Predicted Hires00:15:46 The Era of the Solopreneur and Billion-Dollar Small Teams00:21:23 The Recruitment Arms Race: AI vs. AI in the Hiring Process00:26:17 Survival and Ingenuity: Navigating the Curveballs of a Post-Labor World00:29:45 Real-World Case Study: AI Implementation in Portfolio Companies00:38:55 Future Predictions: The Next 5 Years of Global Remote Work00:44:20 Ethical Implications: Balancing Automation with Human Welfare00:51:10 Final Thoughts: Preparing for a Desirable Human Future This show has been brought to you by 22HUMANS Podcast Agency. If you need help with launching or growing your own show, feel free to reach out to us at hello@22humans.com. We would be happy to help! About Luiz Centenaro Websites: https://latamcent.com http://luizcent.comInstagram: @luizcentYouTube: @LatamCent About the Host: Kirill Ignatieff Links: https://igkirill.com Other Links Instagram: https://humanfutur.com/instagram YouTube: https://humanfutur.com/youtube TikTok: https://humanfutur.com/tiktok Website: https://humanfutur.com Spotify: https://humanfutur.com/spotify Apple Podcast: https://humanfutur.com/applepodcast

    58 min
  6. FEB 12

    EP 92 The Secret To Unshakable Calm In A Crisis with Maria “Majo” Cortes

    What happens when a former social activist ends up leading sustainability for the largest solar energy producer in Latin America? In this episode of the Human Future podcast, host Kirill sits down with Maria "Majo" Cortes a Mexican-born leader living in Miami who has spent 15 years in the energy sector, and who meditates twice a day to fuel her impact. Majo shares her journey from teaching illiterate adults to read in rural Mexico at age 15, to protesting hydropower plants in college, to eventually working inside the very industry she once opposed. She opens up about a health scare that led her to mindfulness, and the deeper meditation practice that replaced it, described through a vivid metaphor of swimming pools versus oceans. The conversation explores how sustainability and profitability coexist, how her company increased women's participation in renewable energy projects from 2% to over 20%, and what a borderless, compassionate future might look like. Majo also offers grounded advice for leaders struggling with burnout and lost purpose. 00:00 Trailer: “The Secret To Unshakable Calm In A Crisis” 04:06 Teaching Adults to Read: Literacy Campaigns in Rural Mexico 09:13 From Anti-Industry Activist to Energy Sector Leader 11:45 Billion-Dollar Decisions: Assessing Risk and Building for Good 18:33 Navigating Community Politics and Earning Local Trust 25:21 Empowering Women in Renewable Energy: From 2% to 20% 31:24 A Health Scare, Mindfulness, and the Meditation That Changed Everything 36:59 Leading Without Fear: How Inner Work Transforms the Workplace 43:05 Would Universal Inner Peace Make the World Stagnant? 48:04 Humanity as a Super Organism and the True Nature of AI 53:17 Advice for Leaders: Purpose, Burnout, and the Courage to Explore This show has been brought to you by 22HUMANS Podcast Agency. If you need help with launching or growing your own show, feel free to reach out to us at hello@22humans.com. We would be happy to help! About Maria "Majo" Cortes Role: Head of Sustainability & ESG at Atlas Renewable Energy LinkedIn: majocortesl Instagram: majocloreto Company: Atlas Renewable Energy About the Host: Kirill Ignatieff Links: https://igkirill.com Other Links Instagram: https://humanfutur.com/instagram YouTube: https://humanfutur.com/youtube TikTok: https://humanfutur.com/tiktok Website: https://humanfutur.com Spotify: https://humanfutur.com/spotify Apple Podcast: https://humanfutur.com/applepodcast

    57 min
  7. FEB 5

    EP 91 She Taught Math in Prison, Now She Teaches Fortune 500 Companies How to Rise with Rashmi Airan

    What happens when a high-achieving lawyer who did everything "right" finds herself facing federal prison? In this powerful episode of the Human Future podcast, Rashmi Airan (@rashmiairanspeaker) shares her extraordinary journey from being indicted for bank fraud to discovering her true purpose through the most unlikely circumstances. Rashmi opens up about the moment she learned she would be indicted while praying at a Hindu temple, the gut-wrenching process of telling her young children, and how calling nearly 200 people to personally share her story became an unexpected path to healing. She reveals the profound lessons learned during her time in federal prison, including teaching math to inmates and discovering that the "prison of her mind" had been far more confining than any physical cell. Now a sought-after keynote speaker and author of the upcoming book "All Rise: A Lawyer's Evolution from Prison to Purpose," Rashmi shares her RISE Framework for navigating adversity: Reframe, Identify your anchors, Surrender ego and control, and Evolve through gratitude and presence. Her message challenges conventional wisdom about pushing through hardship, arguing instead that true growth comes from going through the pain, not above it. 00:00 Trailer: "She Taught Math in Prison, Now She Teaches Fortune 500 Companies How to Rise 02:05 The Moment Everything Changed: Two Pivotal Stories 06:00 Telling Family and Community: Unexpected Support 11:25 The Journey to Self-Forgiveness 14:22 Surrendering to Prison: The First Night 18:48 Life Inside: Jobs, Friendships, and Daily Routines 29:17 The Hardest Part: Being Away from Her Children 33:31 Coming Home: The Surprise Reunion 45:35 The RISE Framework Explained 51:29 Vision for a Desirable Human Future 58:51 Closing Thoughts and How to Connect This show has been brought to you by 22HUMANS Podcast Agency. If you need help with launching or growing your own show, feel free to reach out to us at hello@22humans.com. We would be happy to help! About Rashmi Airan Website: https://rashmiairan.com/Instagram: @rashmiairanYouTube: @rashmiairanspeaker About the Host: Kirill Ignatieff Links: https://igkirill.com Other Links Instagram: https://humanfutur.com/instagram YouTube: https://humanfutur.com/youtube TikTok: https://humanfutur.com/tiktok Website: https://humanfutur.com Spotify: https://humanfutur.com/spotify Apple Podcast: https://humanfutur.com/applepodcast

    1h 2m
  8. JAN 30

    EP 90 She Left Big Tech to Build an AI That Remembers Your Entire Life with Mariana Krym

    Who really owns your digital memories, and what happens when you want to leave a platform? In this thought-provoking episode of the Human Future podcast, host Kirill sits down with Mariana Krym, a tech veteran who helped shape iconic products at Spotify, Waze, Snapchat, and Twitter before venturing into the wearable technology space. Mariana shares her journey from big tech to founding a startup focused on AI-powered personal companions, revealing why she believes health, particularly mental health, represents one of the most underserved opportunities in technology today. The conversation explores how wearable devices could detect everything from cognitive decline to perimenopause by tracking patterns we simply can't see ourselves. But the discussion takes a critical turn when examining the dark side of our data-driven world: platform lock-in, privacy concerns, and why you're always "the product" when your data doesn't belong to you. Mariana argues passionately for full user ownership and portability of personal data, challenging the current business models that keep us trapped. From the future of AI companions to protecting your identity in an attention-saturated world, this episode offers both cautionary insights and hopeful visions for technology that truly serves humanity. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Trailer: She Built Spotify & Twitter, Now Says Big Tech Is Stealing Your Mind 03:22 AI, Health & Mental Wellness Applications 06:50 Vivo: Building a Life Copilot 09:58 Privacy, Platform Lock-In & Who Owns Your Data 12:18 Reimagining Human Connection Through Data 14:04 Preparing for a 24/7 Recording Future 17:53 The Path to Perfect Memory & Data Portability 22:27 Job Displacement & What AI Can't Replace 26:40 Envisioning a Desirable Human Future 32:30 Final Thoughts: "Be You" This show has been brought to you by 22HUMANS Podcast Agency. If you need help with launching or growing your own show, feel free to reach out to us at hello@22humans.com. We would be happy to help! About Mariana Krym Website:Instagram:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkrym/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Marianakrym About the Host: Kirill Ignatieff Links: https://igkirill.com Other Links Instagram: https://humanfutur.com/instagram YouTube: https://humanfutur.com/youtube TikTok: https://humanfutur.com/tiktok Website: https://humanfutur.com Spotify: https://humanfutur.com/spotify Apple Podcast: https://humanfutur.com/applepodcast

    34 min
5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

This is the Human Future podcast where we explore the intersection of technology, human consciousness and spirituality. Together with some of the world’s brightest minds we'll paint a vision of a desirable future and discuss some actionable steps to make that vision a reality. This podcast is for people curious about the evolution of both technology and human consciousness and how that’s going to shape the future of humanity. https://www.instagram.com/HumanFuturePodcast