Culture Shifts Magazine Podcast

Architecture is more than just buildings – it's a powerful lens through which to understand our world. In this episode of the Culture Shifts Podcast, I'm joined by Beatrice Galilee, curator, writer, and founder of The World Around, a global platform spotlighting the most impactful ideas in architecture and design.We explore how architecture can become a vehicle for social and environmental transformation – from telling deeper stories about the spaces we live in, to fostering real-world solutions through interdisciplinary collaboration. Beatrice shares the mission behind The World Around and the Young Climate Prize, which amplifies the voices of young innovators from the Global South.Together, we discuss the role of storytelling in architecture, the importance of solution-based design, and why architecture belongs at the heart of global conversations and not just on the sidelines.Subscribe to the Culture Shifts Podcast on your favorite platform, and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Substack, or visit cultureshifts.net to stay connected.

Museums are no longer just exhibition spaces – they are evolving into cultural agents that shape contemporary discourse. But how can they break free from tradition and truly engage with society?In this episode of the Culture Shifts Podcast, Bart Van der Heide, Director of Museion in Bolzano, joins me to discuss the evolving role of museums in society. With a background in curating and leadership at institutions like the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam and Kunstverein Munich, Bart has been redefining Museion's mission since 2020 – turning it into a dynamic, forward-thinking institution.We dive into the challenges of translating theory into action, the importance of community engagement, and why museums must embrace their role as political and cultural agents. Bart also shares his thoughts on measuring impact beyond visitor numbers, adopting sustainable practices, and creating a brand that truly reflects institutional values.It's a conversation about innovation, responsibility, and how museums can drive real change in today's world.Subscribe to the Culture Shifts Podcast on your favorite platform, and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Substack, or visit cultureshifts.net to stay connected.

To kick off our Solutions season – where we explore how to address today's most pressing challenges – I'm joined by Alice Rawsthorn, an award-winning design critic, acclaimed author, and co-founder of Design Emergency, an initiative investigating design's role in shaping a better future.In this episode, Alice talks about how design is evolving beyond aesthetics to become a force for systemic change, tackling issues like climate change, inequality, and humanitarian crises. She shares compelling examples of design initiatives that influence policy, social structures, and everyday life, emphasizing the need for collaboration, inclusivity, and empathy in shaping the future.Join us as we discuss how design can move beyond form to function as a driver of meaningful change.Subscribe to the Culture Shifts Podcast on your favorite platform, and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Substack, or visit cultureshifts.net to stay connected.

This season, the Culture Shifts Podcast is dedicated to one key theme: Solutions.In conversations with leading thinkers, visionaries and innovators we explore how to address today's most pressing challenges – thoughtfully, creatively, and with real impact.What makes a solution truly effective in a complex world? How can we move from ideas to real change? What role do collaboration and rethinking existing systems play in shaping the future?Subscribe to the Culture Shifts Podcast on your favorite platform, and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Substack, or visit cultureshifts.net to stay connected.

Our guest today: Matt Klein — a cultural researcher, writer and strategist who's always a step ahead of the cultural curve. From his base in New York City, Matt's work explores the forces shaping our world, helping brands and organizations navigate the future in meaningful ways. As the Head of Global Foresight at Reddit, Matt spends his days diving deep into emerging subcultures, tracking trends, and making sense of the ripple effects these shifts have on everything from AI to digital influencers.In this episode, we'll unpack how Matt's unique approach to trend forecasting helps companies stay culturally relevant and how he engages with communities to find deeper, overlooked insights. Plus, we'll hear about his passion project, ZINE,  the role of culture in shaping the future of brands and organizations and the actual online and offline trends such as BRAT summer or Kidulting. It's a timely conversation that delves into the pulse of today's and tomorrow's marketing, communication, and branding strategies — and highlights just how crucial it is to understand the cultural context. Fore more information please visit cultureshifts.net and follow us on Instagram & LinkedIn.

Today, we're joined by the artist and illustrator Christoph Niemann, whose work blends creativity with technology in ways that constantly push the boundaries of traditional art. In this episode, we dive into Christoph's artistic journey, where the balance between mind, hand, and paper comes alive in his storytelling. From iconic New Yorker covers to experimenting with augmented reality, Christoph shares how he filters through a flood of ideas to create captivating visuals that resonate deeply with his audience.We also explore how digital tools like AR and VR are reshaping illustration, and the delicate interplay between technology and creativity. Plus, Christoph opens up about the evolving role of social media and how artists can maintain authentic connections with their audience in an ever-changing digital landscape.As AI continues to evolve, Christoph offers his thoughts on the irreplaceable value of human imperfections in art and how the future of creativity still lies in genuine, emotional connections. Join us for this inspiring conversation as we uncover how art, technology, and storytelling come together in Christoph Niemann's world.Fore more information please visit cultureshifts.net and follow us on Instagram & LinkedIn.

We are delighted to be joined by Simone Farresin and Andrea Trimarchi, the visionary duo behind the acclaimed design studio Formafantasma, with studios in Milan and Rotterdam. Working with brands such as Prada, Artek and Flos, they have created exhibitions, installations and shows at the Serpentine Galleries in London, the Venice Biennale and the Salone del Mobile in Milan. Simone and Andrea explore the transformative power of design and how it shapes our world. They share insights on the importance of conversation and dialogue in their creative process and highlight the need to respond to the present moment. We explore their diverse work with different clients and cultures, the evolving role of artificial intelligence in design, and their belief that form should follow function.In this episode we also get an insight into their personal design preferences and their vision for contemporary design, objects and interdisciplinary exchange. Fore more information please visit cultureshifts.net and follow us on Instagram & LinkedIn.

In this episode, Ruggero Pietromarchi, the visionary founder of Threes Productions and Terraforma Festival, joins us to discuss his journey in cultural production and the exciting upcoming Terraforma EXO event in Milan.Ruggero delves into the evolution of his company, highlighting the importance of collaboration and sustainability in their projects. He emphasizes that cultural events should go beyond mere entertainment to foster critical thinking and meaningful dialogue.Ruggero also shares the challenges of running a business in the cultural sector, expressing concerns about the industry's current state. Despite these challenges, his optimism and commitment to creating unique and immersive experiences remain unwavering.Tune in as we explore the intersection of art, sustainability, and cultural impact with one of the most innovative figures of Europes creative music and culture scene. Fore more information please visit cultureshifts.net and follow us on Instagram & LinkedIn.

Today we are exploring the fascinating world of business ecosystems with Miruna Turbatu, Director of Brand & Business Ecosystems at TLGG Group. Miruna brings a wealth of experience and insight to our conversation, driving strategic growth and fostering sustainable relationships within TLGG's vibrant brand and business landscapes.In this episode Miruna discusses the concept of ecosystems in the business world. She defines ecosystems at the corporate strategy level, product and market level, and growth level. She emphasizes the importance of building sustainable and resilient relationships within ecosystems, as well as creating and sharing value. She also explores the trends of regionalization and new globalization, as well as the shift towards solid and liquid brands. Miruna shares her strategies for fostering creativity and growth within ecosystems, such as talking to the market first and curating thought-provoking discussions and panels. She highlights the significance of authenticity, curiosity, and courage in building successful ecosystems for sustainable growth. Fore more information please visit cultureshifts.net and follow us on Instagram & LinkedIn.

Art, technology and artificial intelligence working together! For more than a decade at the Serpentine Galleries in London. Join us for a conversation with Hans Ulrich Obrist, the Artistic Director of the Serpentine Galleries in London, curator, writer and sought-after speaker at academic and art institutions worldwide. With a portfolio that includes hundreds of curated exhibitions and countless interviews, Hans Ulrich is arguably the driving force in shaping the contemporary art landscape.In our conversation, we delve into the Serpentine Galleries' innovative approach to embracing technology and AI, and explore how art intersects with these emerging fields. We also explore the symbiotic relationship between artists and the corporate world, discussing the crucial role that creatives play in shaping the vision of businesses and boards. Hans Ulrich emphasises the importance of using technology responsibly and creating new alliances between art institutions, universities, and other sectors. He also talks about the role of artists in subverting the intended use of technology and creating space and agency for people. He highlights the need for togetherness and interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing the challenges of the 21st century. Join us as we embark on a journey of exploration and imagination with Hans Ulrich Obrist, unravelling the opportunities and challenges that connect art, technology and the future.Fore more information please visit cultureshifts.net and follow us on Instagram & LinkedIn.

What's the next big thing? And how to prepare for it? In this episode, cultural strategists & trend forecasters Amy Daroukakis and Chloé de Ruffray provide a fascinating glimpse into their world of cultural strategy and trend forecasting. With over 15 years of experience, Amy's expertise spans many different industries from, collaborating with renowned brands like LVMH and Google. Chloé, armed with a background in social and political sciences, has been a driving force in trend forecasting and cultural ethnography. She  has been working globally with various clients in the beauty, luxury and lifestyle sector. Together, they discuss the nuances of their profession, highlighting the importance of balance and flexibility in navigating cultural shifts and consulting clients. They delve into the role of trend forecasters in shaping business strategies, emphasising the need to be a good and sensitive listener to be able to provide actionable guidelines in an ever-changing professional and cultural landscape.Fore more information please visit cultureshifts.net and follow us on Instagram & LinkedIn.

Imagine a vehicle that adapts to your mood, the weather, or even your outfit. We kick off our "The New Creativity" season and welcome Stella Clark, an innovative Australian engineer thriving at BMW Group's Munich headquarters, who has recently steered her team toward a groundbreaking achievement in automotive technology.  Stella and her crew have been crafting concept cars that shift colours at the touch of a button, utilising advanced E ink technology akin to that found in your favourite e-readers. But there's more to this story than just revolutionary design. Stella delves into the creative process, sharing her insights on fostering inspiration, the significance of maintaining a clear vision, and the challenges of innovation in a rapidly evolving industry. Join us as we explore how Stella's work is not just transforming cars but also reshaping our relationship with technology, creativity, art and the future of design. Fore more information please visit cultureshifts.net and follow us on Instagram & LinkedIn.

We're happy to introduce our third season "The New Creativity". This year in our Culture Shifts Magazine Podcast we will be talking to thought leaders, visionaries and experts to share their insights on redefining creativity in our ever-evolving world.Culture Shifts magazine provides insights into relevant areas of culture, society & business. In our podcasts we speak to figures from different sectors that enable change through new strategies, visions and communication concepts.Moritz Gaudlitz, journalist, consultant and founder of Culture Shifts is your host. Fore more information please visit cultureshifts.net and follow us on Instagram & LinkedIn.

Fast-paced social change calls for new approaches in corporate communication. Brands need to adapt, too: "Cultural Branding" is the buzzword of the hour. But what exactly is it all about - is cultural branding more than just hype? In this edition of our podcast the managing directors of Culture Shifts, Moritz Gaudlitz and Enno Schramm, talk about the opportunities and risks for culture brands. We also touch on topics such as Culture Shifts' past, our core values and our approach to communication, corporate culture & branding.Fore more information please visit cultureshifts.net and follow us on Instagram & LinkedIn.

What experiences will be possible in space? What do space companies contribute to the technological innovations of the future? And what strategies can be used to communicate the industry's objectives in a meaningful way? In our new podcast episode on the topic of space, we turn our attention to the cosmic space that surrounds the Earth. Our guest is Matteo Andreas Lorenzoni, Head of Sales at D-Orbit, a space company from Italy. Matteo is responsible for lead generation, preliminary mission design and customer management for all of D-Orbit's missions. We talk about how space is opening new perspectives for humanity, SpaceX, satellites and private spaceflight - and offer unique insights into Matteo's fascinating career in space technology. Fore more information please visit cultureshifts.net and follow us on Instagram & LinkedIn.

Our next guest is Fabio Cherstich, an Italian theater and opera director, set designer and writer.  He has worked with theaters all over Europe and has a passion for the visual arts, design and contemporary artistic languages, which is reflected in his work. Fabio has successfully collaborated with design companies such as Cassina or Kartell and fashion houses such as Off-White and Hermès. He writes for various publications, including Apartamento, ACNE Paper and L'Uomo Vogue. He also represents The Larry Stanton Estate in NYC since 2020. In this episode we talk about his artistic approaches, his own spaces and how to activate them for individual purposes, and his commissioned work for design and art companies. 

The first guest of our new season is Emma Greer. Emma is an architect & urban designer based in Milan. She was born in the Canadian Midwest and has an Academic background in Architecture and Urban Design at McGill University in Montreal. She worked in the fields of architecture, heritage and urban planning in Canada, US, Italy and the UK. After moving to Italy she worked with Prof. Carlo Ratti on his vision for the future of cities. Since last year she works as a Strategic Design and Research Consultant. In this episode talk about the future of cities – and how senses play a role in this context.

Welcome to a new season of Culture Shifts Magazine Podcast. Culture Shifts magazine provides insights into relevant areas of culture, society & business. In our podcasts we speak to figures from different sectors that enable change through new strategies, visions and communication concepts.In the second season of this podcast we will focus on the impact of spaces on human life and interaction. Also, we explore how we create spaces ourselves, with regard to present and future scenarios. Moritz Gaudlitz, journalist, consultant and founder of Culture Shifts is your host. 

Our guests on this podcast are Malte Bedürftig and Thomas Noppen in Berlin. Both are founders and CEOs of GoVolunteer – Germany's largest volunteering community that facilitates encounters and exchange through social engagement. Besides GoVolunteer, they developed several platforms with a focus on social engagement and entrepreneurship. Malte and Thomas just launched their umbrella organization called “JOIN IMPACT”. In this episode we talk about the chances and challenges of social entrepreneurship, the organizations under the JOIN IMPACT roof and future prospects. August 2021.

Our guest on this podcast is Laura Aalto in Helsinki. Laura is CEO of Helsinki Marketing. Helsinki Marketing is the City of Helsinki’s owned company and is responsible for operative city marketing and business partnerships for Helsinki. In this episode of Culture Shifts Magazine Podcast we speak about happiness, city marketing in times of the pandemic, the cultural mission and projects of Helsinki and how to attract visitors that fit to a modern and sustainable character and the vision of a city. May 2021.

Our guest on this podcast is Laila Binbrek in Dubai. Laila has been the Coordinating Director of the National Pavilion UAE, which presents the United Arab Emirates’ annual exhibition at the Venice Biennale. She has worked to set the Pavilions ongoing strategy and vision and will open the pavilion at this year’s Venice Biennale. In this episode of Culture Shifts Magazine Podcast we speak about Lailas work in the UAE and in Venice, the importance of nature and the way we live and about why telling untold stories is one of the main cultural strategies of the UAE. April 2021. 

In the fourth Culture Shifts Magazine + Various Others podcasts episode we speak to the Munich based gallerists Matthias Kunz and Nir Altman about running a gallery in these times. Matthias is director of Galerie Sabine Knust and the founder and director of the project space KnustxKunz. Nir is founder and director of Nir Altman gallery.

During this year's Corona lockdown we interviewed American media theorist, writer, columnist and academic Douglas Rushkoff. He is known for his connections to early cyberpunk culture and his encouragement of open-source solutions for social problems. In this episode of Culture Shifts Magazine Podcast we speak about Douglas Rushkoff's work and research, how technology is being used during a worldwide crisis and about how human beings can still be the solution for all existing problems. May/October 2020.

In the third episode of Culture Shifts Magazine + Various Others podcasts we speak to Patrizia Dander, chief curator at Museum Brandhorst and Maurin Dietrich, director of the Kunstverein Munich about the cities various cultural movements and influences, the problems and challenges of local public space and the well connected social infrastructure of Munich. September 2020.

The guests of our second Culture Shifts Magazine + Various Others podcast episode are Eva Huttenlauch, Head of Collections and Curator, Art after 1945 at the Lenbachhaus museum Munich and Stefan Fuchs, a munich based artist and one of the founders of the project space Loggia. We speak about different curatorial practices of museums and project-spaces, housing in Munich and visions for a new municipal Kunsthalle. September 2020.

In our first Culture Shifts Magazine + Various Others podcast episode we speak to two of the founders of the Munich initiative for contemporary art. Together with Nina Buchwaldt Warburg and Tim Geissler we talk about Various Others' structure, its program and the cultural variety of Munich. September 2020.

In the third Culture Shifts Podcast, we speak to Chiara Costa. She is an art historian, researcher and the new Head of Programs of Fondazione Prada. We talk about her new position, the structure and program of the foundation and why soon neuroscientists will be influential in working with artists. And why books are still the most relevant medium of our time. February 2020.

In the second Culture Shifts Podcast we speak to curator and writer Attilia Fattori Franchini about her work, the complexity of cultural structures in different cities and the importance of artists and creatives in the 21st century. January 2020.

In the first Culture Shifts Podcast we speak to Dr. Thomas Girst, Head of BMW Group Culture about cultural partnerships at BMW and changes in the international cultural scene. November 2019.