Lives of Tomorrow

In this episode of Lives of Tomorrow, WGSN's CEO, Carla Buzasi, and Head of Events and Marketing, Cassandra Napoli, discuss the implications of global trade uncertainty on supply chains, consumer behaviour, and business strategies. They explore how tariffs are affecting pricing, the potential for more sustainable practices in the fashion industr,y and the rise of resale markets. From the impact of marketing during economic volatility to balancing globalisation and localism, learn how to understand consumer emotions and adapt business models to navigate complex changes.

Gen AI is nothing new; it's just a natural continuation of the historical practices of cultural mixing and preservation. This is the argument from Martin Puchner, Harvard professor and award-winning author. In this episode, Carla Buzasi, WGSN's CEO, and Martin discuss the evolution of culture in the context of Gen AI and digital advancements.Listen to learn about the emotional responses to Gen AI, the implications for copyright and artistic integrity, and how tech influences access to culture

What can business leaders learn from stepping onto the conductor's podium? In this episode, Carla Buzasi, WGSN's CEO, and Peter Hanke, classical conductor, Oxford University lecturer and coach for executives explore the surprising links between music and the evolving future of leadership.Peter reveals how wielding the conductor's baton teaches leaders to inspire talent, navigate power dynamics, and foster deep connections among younger generations seeking purpose over hierarchy. Tune into this episode to learn how to build a culture that values influence, the art of motivation, and the power of presence in a world that craves meaningful direction.

Want to shop sustainably but your budget is holding you back? In this episode, Carla Buzasi, WGSN's CEO and Petko Tashev, co-founder of The Home of Sustainable Things delve into the ‘Say-Do Gap' where consumers express concern for the environment but act differently due to the cost-of-living crisis.Reframing consumption, they discuss innovative solutions to waste management, the role of creatives in driving sustainable practices and the future of homeware in a circular economy. Hear Petko's insights from working with young designers about providing future generations with pathways to live sustainably.

What makes Gen Zs in APAC unique and what drives them? In this episode, WGSN's CEO, Carla Buzasi, and Asia Futures and Cultural Strategist, Alison Ho, reveal how this market values local and regional cultures, evolves spending habits, and redefines living and working. Amid a rapidly changing economic environment, they discuss how this group cautiously navigates consumption while shifting towards experiential luxury with new modes of spirituality. Join them to discover Western influences on this group such as happiness as a key performance indicator and emerging APAC consumer trends impacting global markets.

What does wellness mean to you? Does how you look matter more than how you feel? In this episode, we'll uncover ways to care for body and mind in today's fast-paced world.Joining WGSN's CEO Carla Buzasi in this episode is Co-founder of Pillar Wellbeing, Harry Jameson. Discover his journey from elite coaching to co-founding a game-changing brand that dives into the future of wellbeing with personalised, holistic health and wellness strategies. If you want to live better, listen in on how to achieve peak performance with balance.

Social media is changing at a rapid pace, and brands need to keep up. In this episode of Lives of Tomorrow, we explore how platforms adapt to new policies and regulations, and what these changes mean for creators, users, and the industry as a whole. We discuss the future of TikTok and Meta's shifting moderation policies on Facebook and Instagram, along with its implications on the social media landscape. WGSN's CEO, Carla Buzasi, and Director of WGSN Insight and social media trend forecaster, Joe McDonnell, delve into evolving social media trends including AI creations, decentralised social media, and going back to IRL experiences.

You've probably already heard how realistic an AI-created podcast can sound, so what else is in store for us when AI makes an even bigger impact in journalism? Our own AI-personalised 9 o'clock news show?Get the inside scoop from Carla Busazi, CEO of WGSN, and David Caswell, founder of StoryFlow, an innovation consultancy focused on AI workflows in news production. Having worked with AI for the BBC and co-authored ‘AI in Journalism Futures' from Open Society Foundations with Shuwei Fang, David shares how AI will shape journalism in the future.

It's 2025, and chrono-normativity, hustle culture, and unhealthy habits are out. Which movements are shaking things up across industries?Ditching societal norms of traditional adult milestones, the Forever Young Adult is trailblazing their own timeline. Consumers are grappling with global challenges by seeking ease and dressing in comfortable Day-jamas, tending to their needs with Therapeutic Laziness. Discover more trends WGSN forecasts for the coming year. Join Carla Buzasi, CEO of WGSN with her colleagues, Lisa White, Director of Strategic Forecasting and Creative Direction, and Cassandra Napoli, Head of Marketing and Events at WGSN Insight.

2024 ended up being the year when WGSN's CEO Carla Buzasi returned to the office, started wearing heels, stopped using her air fryer, and paid for her coffee with the palm of her hand. She's done with the boring life and got out of people's way to watch them do brilliant things.In this special episode, our Lives of Tomorrow podcast producer Akeem Nicol gets Carla to answer instead of asking questions, including those about WGSN's biggest successes and challenges and why she has asked people to return to the office. Tune in to hear how 2024 has been the year of glimmers – small moments of joy and excellent reviews from WGSN's customers.

How do you teach adults to play?Play isn't just for kids. It's proven to ease stress, boost happiness, and inspire creative problem-solving. So, why aren't we doing it more? In this episode of Lives of Tomorrow, we explore what play means to us, and how we can use play to boost work performance, increase wellbeing, and set fire to our imaginations.WGSN CEO Carla Buzasi learns from Emma Worrollo, Founder of the Playful Den, a collective that supports people unleashing the power of play, recently featured in IKEA's Power of Play report 2024. Find out how companies enhance staff productivity by harnessing play.Want to know why it's game on for grown-ups? Vote here for WGSN to speak at SXSW London 2025 about strategic joy bridging brands and consumers

Every day, we rely on data to simplify our lives, from our biometrics to our digital wallets. But how safe are we? What does the future hold for data privacy and ethics?In this episode, WGSN CEO Carla Buzasi discusses digital empowerment with StJohn (Singe) Deakins, founder and CEO of DataSapien, a company revolutionising personal data control with Zero-Shared Data technology. He shares his deep expertise in marketing and loyalty, having led digital transformation in CitizenMe and British Airways. Tune in to learn how companies can build trust and deliver on promises to empower consumers in their choices when sharing their data.

Are we seeking more realistic and complex narratives from the too simplistic storylines of superhero blockbusters? Even as Hollywood's pull remains, the entertainment landscape is evolving with an increased global appetite for non-English content from different regions. Join Natacia Lim, WGSN's Consumer Researcher, and WGSN CEO Carla Buzasi in this episode of Lives of Tomorrow on Southeast Asian film and TV, as well as superhero fatigue and the rise in multistreaming platforms. We look at how current trends are shaping the entertainment industry and why there is a surge in younger people going to the cinema. We reflect on franchise films, box office numbers, and what the future of the franchise is.

Are we going backwards? The Regression Generation is a new label given to Gen Z and Alphas who are coming of age while regressing in society in terms of social and educational skills. Unlike previous generations, they are battling crises of confidence, education, and finances as a result of the pandemic, geopolitical tensions and an increasingly online world.Carla Buzasi, CEO of WGSN discusses with Elizabeth Tan, WGSN's Senior Culture Strategist about the challenges they face, including loneliness, anxiety and social skills in real life, as well as the potential for positive change through community-building. Join us as we explore online and offline strategies to support these generations through emotional and social connections to mature and thrive in our dynamic world.

Design has the power to transform our lives and help us figure out where we come from, where we belong and where we hope to go. That is the message from Creative Director, Liam Maher. Leading the design team at the Danish shoe brand ECCO, Liam has just released his new book ‘Menswhere: A Lost History of the Militant Guild of Rural Tailors' which is a series of interviews with men's designers. In this episode of Lives of Tomorrow, Liam shares with Carla Buzasi, CEO of WGSN his wealth of experience and passion for how design is evolving with masculine identities individually and collectively and where innovation meets tradition.

In this episode of Lives of Tomorrow, we learn about Southeast Asia's top beauty trends from Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. WGSN CEO Carla Buzasi sits with APAC Beauty Strategist Christine Chua to understand behavioural changes towards ageing and skincare in Southeast Asia. Christine delves into the rise in anti-ageing discourse on TikTok and an upsurge among young people valuing skincare over makeup. Carla discovers what's driving the demand for niche perfumes such as milk and rancid flesh. Listen in on the beauty priorities driving Southeast Asian markets.

In this episode, we learn about macro trends impacting how young people live their lives. We hear why Gen Z are spending more time at home, having less sex and focusing on more digital-first connections.WGSN CEO Carla Buzasi speaks to Senior Strategist for WGSN Insight Allyson Rees about her research into this macro trend, what led to this behavioural shift, and what the future holds. Four years after the pandemic, some young consumers still prefer staying home to going out or engaging in nightlife. On TikTok, #BedRotting has become a popular hashtag (300m views) to describe lying in bed for prolonged periods. Retailers must meet Gen Z where they are while still facilitating social outlets and opportunities to indulge. Understanding this cohort's fears and what makes them feel comfortable will secure their loyalty.

Who is modest fashion for? Where is it mainstreaming and how is it changing our fashion landscape? In this episode of Lives of Tomorrow, we debunk the myths associated with modest fashion, tracing its history right through to the latest trends. WGSN CEO Carla Buzasi speaks with Linda Anggrea, CEO of ButtonScarves, a premium Indonesian fashion and lifestyle brand specialising in headscarves and modest wear for modern women. Passionate about style, Linda shares her strategies in mainstreaming expressive modest wear and lets us in on her upcoming collections and ongoing Disney collaboration.

India's middle class is the class of the moment. In this episode, we find out more about how the rising salaries of the middle class in India will impact businesses in the region. Senior Insight Strategist for APAC Rohini Wahi shares her expertise in retail, marketing, and lifestyle based on consumer behaviour in Asia. WGSN CEO Carla Buzasi finds out from Rohini why the income pyramid has inverted and how the middle class in India will be the largest group by 2030.People in India have shifted away from predominantly looking to the West for fashion, food, and home trends. What do the people driving this shift care about then? Rohini sheds light on what this growing economic demographic wants and how brands should appeal to this market. We explore how investment from global tech firms Google and Amazon, the government's ease of business policies, and the digitisation of India is accelerating the rise of the Indian middle class.

With children growing up online and much faster than previous generations, what does this mean and how will it impact our lives of tomorrow? How important are generational markers like ‘Millennials' or ‘Boomers' and do they mean much to you? Accelerated tech and trend cycles are confusing our view of traditional generational groups at an unprecedented rate. In this episode of Lives of Tomorrow, WGSN Insight Senior Strategist Cassandra Napoli reviews future generations with our CEO Carla Buzasi and explores why accelerated digital media age us quicker than ever. From being 13 today to being 13 for a millennial, Cassandra uses social media including Facebook, Tumblr, Instagram, and TikTok as a lens to highlight the digital differences between the generations. They'll be investigating the changing boundaries between childhood and adulthood which are blurring identities. Listen in on how the internet has evolved and how this impacts how we navigate the digital world.

The right music makes the food taste better in a restaurant. And the color of the glass influences how good you think the wine tastes. Our senses, smell, and touch, for example, are key in the evolution of marketing products. In this episode, WGSN CEO Carla Buzasi hears about the future of marketing with Scott King, director of multisensory branding and marketing specialist at Full Fathom.Scott talks about experiences working with companies such as Samsung, Bentley, and Coca-Cola, gives real examples of multisensory marketing, and discusses how he navigates the fear of public speaking.Lives of Tomorrow is a fortnightly podcast about macro societal shifts, exploring what they mean for all of us and how they will affect our Lives of Tomorrow.

Hello and welcome to the fortnightly podcast about macro societal shifts, exploring what they mean for all of us and how they will affect our Lives of Tomorrow.In this episode, WGSN CEO Carla Buzasi teams up with Jon Takao, Content Director of our brand-new product, Sports & Outdoor.This new platform expands on apparel and footwear categories, covered by our Active category, and into more granular forecasts in equipment and gear for bikes, outdoor, snow, water, and fitness.To celebrate the launch, and keep with the theme, Carla and Jon sat in their respective gardens to talk about the future of the outdoors, how fostering community within sports is key, and Jon's lifelong love for the outdoors.

Sinéad Burke, CEO and founder of Tilting The Lens, an accessibility consultancy firm joins WGSN CEO Carla Buzasi to discuss the future of inclusivity in fashion. Sinéad describes herself as a little person, she is 3”5 and has achondroplasia. Since her teens, she's been on a mission to work towards change and inclusivity for disabled people. Sinead is an author and disability activist who entered the fashion industry to promote inclusivity.Carla finds out from Sinead just how inclusive fashion is, what is being done, and how fashion brands can plan for the future with a focus on accessibility and inclusivity.Sinéad talks about the need for accessible design in public spaces and the importance of involving disabled people in creating educational content that can be used throughout the fashion world. We hear examples of assistive technologies and projects aimed at improving accessibility in luxury fashion stores in this discussion.Plus expect to hear the story of Sinéad being featured on the cover of British Vogue and working with Edward Enninful.

Hello and welcome to the fortnightly podcast about macro societal shifts, exploring what they mean for all of us and how they will affect our Lives of Tomorrow.In this episode, we take a deep dive into the Direct-to-Avatar (D2A) economy. At WGSN we define D2A as a new retail model, similar to direct-to-consumer, that allows brands to sidestep supply chains and sell clothes that don't exist IRLWGSN CEO and host Carla Buzasi speaks to Samantha G Wolfe, founder of PitchFWD – a consulting firm that helps navigate the world of new and emerging technologies – about how we will use avatars to do most of our shopping, and how brands will have to find ways to interact with our avatars to capitalise on this opportunity.Imagine buying on-trend outfits, unique accessories, and even exclusive experiences for your virtual avatars, all without stepping into a physical store or dealing with traditional supply chains. We explore this consumer trend and the emerging technology involved.

What are the most important things for brands to consider when looking into the future?In this episode, we share WGNS's insights into all the things you should roll out to ensure your business is future-proof.Cultural Strategist and Foresight Lead at WGSN Martina Rocca tells WGSN CEO Carla Buzasi some of the key ways companies can prepare for unexpected risks and identify growth opportunities before competitors on this episode of Lives of Tomorrow.Martina explains how WGSN works with foresight and how companies can use the information to future-proof themselves.

Hello and welcome to the fortnightly podcast about macro societal shifts, exploring what they mean for all of us and how they will affect our Lives of Tomorrow.What makes you happy? This episode focuses on the huge importance of this emotion for us all, now and in the future. WGSN forecasts a very real need and desire for people to feel joy, particularly when mental health is a rising concern among many demographics. WGSN CEO Carla Buzasi is joined by bestselling author Gretchen Rubin to discuss the future of consumer happiness and how brands can harness the power of joy.Gretchen's work focuses on happiness and human nature, and she's best known for her book The Happiness Project. But why are we looking for brands to make us happy and relax? Is this too much to ask?Carla and Gretchen discuss what we want and expect from brands, and whether they can actually make us happy. Tune in to hear about new concepts such as silent airports, plus the US retailers who are etching out hours in the morning to make the shopping experience more accessible for customers with sensory issues. Happy listening!

Hello and welcome to the fortnightly Lives of Tomorrow podcast about the macro societal shifts, exploring what they mean for all of us and how they will affect our Lives of Tomorrow.In this episode, WGSN CEO Carla Buzasi discusses the future of the creator economy with Mae Karwowski, CEO and founder of Obviously, a technology-led social influencer marketing agency based in New York, with operations in San Francisco and Paris.The creator economy has experienced huge growth in recent years, and it plays a pivotal role in shaping consumer behaviour. Carla finds out about the proprietary technology which Obviously used to work with influencers and world-class brands such as Google, Amazon, and Converse. Mae shares her insights into setting strategy, executing campaigns, and the importance of building authentic partnerships across social platforms. They discuss how Mae's Obviously blog focusing on what social media should be, acted as a springboard to launching her influencer agency in 2014, which last year was acquired by WPP. Tune in to find out about the future of the Creator Economy, hear tips about how brands should collaborate with creators, and how niche content and penetrating sub-communities is an effective way of reaching the most committed audiences.

Hello and welcome to the fortnightly Lives of Tomorrow podcast about the macro societal shifts, exploring what they mean for all of us and how they will affect our Lives of Tomorrow.In this episode, WGSN CEO Carla Buzasi discusses the future of fashion with Jane Shepherdson, the founder of clothing resale and rental company MyWardrobeHQ. Jane is well known for being the former brand director of global retailer TopShop where she pioneered many of the retail trends that remain today, not least the full shopping ‘experience' – the London flagship offered in-store vintage and individual designer concessions, plus hair styling, a piercing salon and a cafe.A sustainability champion, Jane discusses the state of fashion, why we must recognise and appreciate the value of clothes, how she's adopted the Rule of Five and why she set up her rental business MyWardrobe HQ.

Hello and welcome to the fortnightly Lives of Tomorrow podcast about the macro societal shifts, exploring what they mean for all of us and how they will affect our Lives of Tomorrow.In this episode, we discuss the rise of the kidult. At WGSN, ‘kidults' are simply put, adults that shop like children. Adults around the world are escaping the polycrisis and finding comfort in buying toys and rekindling experiences from their childhoods through play.We've been closely tracking this trend and today we hear from Genevieve Cruz, LEGO Group's Head of Product – Senior Director within Adults Global Marketing to find out how the brand is engaging AFOLs (Adult Fans of LEGO) and pioneering and leaning into this trend.Gen explains how LEGO strategises to capitalise on this consumer shift, how playdates are revolutionising the LEGO world, and about the different sub-communities shaping the future of how we play with LEGO.Tune in to hear why more adults are turning to LEGO as a pastime, the future of the kidult trend, and how building blocks are a unifying antidote to doom-scrolling.

Hello and welcome to the fortnightly Lives of Tomorrow podcast about the macro societal shifts, exploring what they mean for all of us and how they will affect our Lives of Tomorrow.We are forecasting Glimmers for 2026. If you don't know what they are, consider them the inspiring, positive antidote to triggers. Glimmers describe micro-moments of joy, and psychotherapist Deb Dana joins WGSN's CEO Carla Buzasi to discuss this emerging customer sentiment, an evolution of awe that we forecast for 2024.Deb Dana defines glimmers as ‘small moments of positivity that can combat negative emotions'. In 2026 we will see glimmers become a prized coping tool. Find out why glimmers coexist with suffering and how opening yourself up to these simple moments of joy can help you move forward and lead you to seek out more. Tune in to hear Carla and Deb discuss polyvagal theory, how glimmers can crop up in the most mundane, everyday places, and how important it is to share the joy.

In this episode we discuss ageing. We are all living longer and this is creating consumer shifts, opportunities and imperatives for age-positive products and services. WGSN's CEO Carla Buzasi welcomes fashion influencer Lyn Slater, aka the accidental icon to talk about life after influencing, the narrative around ageing, the lack of women over 50 represented in advertising and the challenges of being yourself as your body begins to change. This former professor of social work, now retired fashion influencer, writes about this and more in her new book ‘How To Be Old: Lessons in Living Boldly from the Accidental Icon‘. The conversation meanders from reflections on the world of fashion bloggers and influencers to the advantages of multigenerational living and why ageing closer to death, encourages Slater to embrace living life in the moment and to its fullest. Hopeful about the future of ageing, Slater is keen that more older women should be “blowing it up and inviting young women to ask us those hard questions” – tune into this episode to hear just that.At WGSN we've been tracking the rise of age compression since 2015 and are forecasting the dismantling of age-related stereotypes for 2026, as we all embrace a more inter-generational world – you can sign up to read more about this here.

In this episode of Lives of Tomorrow – WGSN's podcast about how we will live our lives in the future – we discuss nocturnal living.Director of Strategic Forecasting at WGSN, Lisa White, joins Carla Buzasi, CEO of WGSN, to talk about why daytime activities in many regions of the world are shifting to happen at night. Scorching temperatures are pushing people in the world's hottest regions to live more of their lives in the cool of darkness, which is impacting when they shop, work, rest, and spend most of their day-to-day routine. OpenTable in the US noted rises of up to 24% in late-night dining in 2023. The shifting schedules of consumers are pushing cities to reimagine their after-dark economies, with shopping, entertainment, leisure, and tourism pushed into nighttime hours.Lisa White shares insight into how brands can tap into this lifestyle shift, plus gives examples of nocturnal living, the data behind this trend, and her predictions for the future – including constellation leggings and thermoregulated pyjamas.

WGSN CEO Carla Buzasi talks about the future of sex, sex tech investment, and how porn is impacting young people with guest Cindy Gallop.Former advertising executive Cindy is the founder of Make Love Not Porn, a user-generated video-sharing platform. A sex-tech pioneer, she aims to build a community to promote positive sexual values through user-generated content, in response to the ubiquity of hardcore porn and the harmful myths it generates.In this episode Carla and Cindy discuss social attitudes towards sex and porn, the future of the adult entertainment industry, and how Cindy plans to utilise AI to help build an algorithm for consent. The two CEOs also talk about why so few female entrepreneurs in the sex tech industry were able to secure Venture Capital funding in 2023 and why this needs to change.

How can luxury brands build a more sustainable future? What does luxury mean in a climate crisis?In this episode of Lives of Tomorrow, WGSN CEO Carla Buzasi discusses the future of luxury exploring ways brands can uphold their social and environmental responsibilities.Joining Carla to explore the evolution of the luxury market is Diana Verde Nieto, co-founder of Positive Luxury, a sustainability organisation that supports luxury brands in adapting and transitioning to a sustainable future.Diana is the author of Reimagining Luxury: Building a Sustainable Future for your Brand. She holds a degree in Global Leadership & Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School and has been trained by former USA Vice President, Al Gore at the Alliance of Climate Protection, and was subsequently honoured by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader. Carla and Diana discuss how luxury is a dance between modernity and heritage, what luxury brands can do to build a better tomorrow, how ‘thinking the unthinkable' can keep a business agile and guarantee success, and how five consumer demographics interact with luxury – from Boomers right down to Alphas – are impacting the industry.

In this episode of Lives of Tomorrow, WGSN CEO Carla Buzasi speaks to Apple Fitness+ Trainer Cory Wharton-Malcolm about running.We've been tracking the boom in outdoor lifestyles since 2015, and in this episode we throw the spotlight on arguably the most accessible form of exercise. We discuss the future of running, the importance of different running communities, plus how Cory motivates people globally to push themselves. Author of new book All You Need Is Rhythm and Grit, Cory works with Nike and Apple Fitness. Head out for a run and tune in to hear the renowned running guru talk about the need for speed, essential running tips and how brands can engage and sustain meaningful relationships with different running groups.

Will the robots take over? How will brands tackle sustainability? And what will become our favourite tipple in 2024? Tune in to get the answers as we discover just some of the trends WGSN is forecasting for the coming year. Join Carla Buzasi, CEO of WGSN and the host of this end-of-the-year episode with her fellow WGSN guests Andrea Bell, VP of Consumer Insights, and Lisa White, Director of Strategic Forecasting and Creative Direction. And if you're listening to this from the comfort of a heated blanket on your chair... find out how we called it in 2022. Happy 2024 to you all!

Normally Carla Buzasi the CEO of WGSN asks the questions in the Lives of Tomorrow podcasts. But in this special end of the year episode we turn things around and put Carla in the hot seat and ask her the questions she normally asks her guests. So listen in and find out what makes her tick, what drives her in her role as CEO of WGSN and what she thinks the future of trend forecasting looks like. The host of this special episode is Akeem Nicol who normally works as Carla's podcast producer.

Let's be honest, trend forecasting is a really unique industry. We've been global leaders in this space for 25 years, and because it's our birthday, we're making some noise about it.We compile and analyse information for brands to use to help them make informed decisions about the future of their business and the products they should create, whatever the industry. Today we talk fashion. WGSN CEO Carla Buzasi unpicks the seams to find out about the fashion industry, and the role that trend forecasting plays. To celebrate 25 years of working with brands across the globe, we speak to Sally Joyce, Trend Design Lead at British multinational retailer Marks & Spencer. Who better to take stock of trend forecasting with us at 25 years than one of our first ever clients who has shared the journey and continues to work with us today.Sally tells Carla what clients will want from WGSN in coming years, why the role of the trend forecaster has to evolve, and the science behind how trends are created. We also hear from Sally what it feels like to set trend directions for a global company. Press play and join the party!

In this episode of Lives of Tomorrow, Dor Skuler, CEO and co-founder of Intuition Robotics, joins WGSN CEO Carla Buzasi to discuss the future of aged care, and how AI can play a part.How much do we think about care for the elderly, and what questions are we asking about how we will care for the elderly in the future? To address this social issue, Dor's company launched award-winning proactive social robot ElliQ. The AI tech robot focuses exclusively on older adults who are living alone, and acts as a companion to offer support and connection.Dor is serial entrepreneur who has co-founded five ventures – the most recent being IntuitionRobotics. The company is driven by his passion to develop AI robotics that can address major social issues of the 21st century, such as loneliness. In addition to discussing the value of AI in aged care, he also discusses the ethics of the technology in this episode.

Do we respond best to managers or leaders, and what is the difference?CEO of WGSN, Carla Buzasi, talks about the future of management with Sarah Moore, UK head of workforce at PwC – one of the Big Four accounting firms. Sarah explains what it means to be a manager, the fine line between leading and managing, plus what the future holds for management.In this episode, Carla and Sarah broach a number of topics, including the approach to hiring managers and different manager styles; for example, micro versus macro. Sarah talks about her work with hybrid employees, creating connections in the workplace, and reflects on some of the challenges and positives of evolving working environments.Carla picks Sarah's brain about placing value on non-management roles and how you can still climb the career ladder without going for managerial positions. Sarah goes into detail about different generations' approaches to management, a shift in attitudes towards career progression, and work-life balance.Plus, find out how Sarah went from am-dram to leading hundreds of colleagues at PwC, one of the leading firms in the country.

In this episode we explore how systems found in nature can futureproof our lives. WGSN Consumer Tech Editor Matt Zara argues that many solutions to modern problems already exist in plants, animals and other living organisms. Matt recently published a forecast, Intelligence: Biomimicry, which looked at the evolution of designs and production methods that are modelled on biological entities and processes, with a particular focus on tech innovation.Discover why biomimicry is important now, what it will do to benefit us all in the future, and how companies can use it to make their operations more efficient. Plus we look at some novel and surprising applications, including the links between eels and eclectic cars; bird migration patterns and hurricane predictions; and how insects have inspired robots and facial recognition.

Martina Rocca, Cultural Strategist and Foresight Lead at WGSN, talks polycrisis, shifting consumer brand relationships and what tomorrow looks like.In this episode, WGSN CEO Carla Buzasi and Martina unpack what a polycrisis is, how it's impacting our lives and what the future holds for consumer brand relationships. Martina's forecasts on this topic highlight a shift in what consumers demand from brands. In this discussion, she breaks down how brands can engage and sustain consumers who increasingly want more than just products and services.Expect to hear details about how brands can evolve with consumers and the specific behaviours that will make them change how they operate. Martina also goes through examples of brand campaigns she feels have effectively pivoted and committed to new consumer needs.

In 1979, The Buggles sang Video Killed the Radio Star. If they were to rewrite that hit today, the new title might well be TikTok Killed the Radio Star. On the one hand TikTok and other social media platforms surface music in very short snippets, so a song that lasts around three minutes stands little chance of a full airing. But on the other hand, TikTok is a fantastic global creator of viral earworms, so you could argue it's an excellent window where artists can show off their work. These are some of the things that Carla Buzasi talks to Kelly Betts about in this episode of Lives of Tomorrow, where we discuss the future of music. Kelly is the Editor of BBC Introducing, BBC Radio's platform supporting unsigned, undiscovered, and under-the-radar UK music talent. It launched in 2007 and has helped support the careers of artists including The 1975, Florence and the Machine and Tom Grennan. Carla and Kelly also consider whether AI can write the perfect pop song, why concerts were the first thing to bounce back after the pandemic, and how music engages us in a way that nothing else can.

In this episode of Lives of Tomorrow, sex and relationship therapist Jordan Dixon joins WGSN CEO Carla Buzasi to talk about AI sex hotels, sexual optimisation and whether there's a future for marriage.Jordan is a psychosexual and relationship psychotherapist who runs a busy private practice in London, and is also an associate at The Thought House Partnership. She sees eroticism as an essential dimension of being human, and says there are no limits to achieving optimal sexuality. She talks to Carla about how she sees relationships evolving in the future, and describes a recent visit to a new AI sex hotel in Berlin which opened her eyes to what the future might bring. Carla and Jordan also discuss how to know when therapy ends (or if it ever does); how watching porn could impact our sex lives; and what relationships will look like in the future.

The climate crisis is an existential threat unlike any we have ever faced, but can its consequences also be its solutions? In this episode of Lives of Tomorrow, award-winning science and environment writer Gaia Vince joins WGSN CEO Carla Buzasi to talk about climate change, and climate solutions.Gaia left a career in journalism to undertake a first-hand investigation of climate change, and in particular its impact on poor and indigenous communities around the world. Her experience has informed a series of books, her latest being Nomad Century: How to Survive the Climate Upheaval, which explores how we can plan for and manage climate migration, and how we can restore the planet to a habitable state. The Financial Times called it “a future atlas of human geography, showing where will be habitable and for how many”.Carla and Gaia discuss how climate-related migration could help solve some of its impacts, and the concept of ‘just transition' – moving to a more sustainable economy in a way that is fair for everyone. Gaia also shares her predictions for the future, and explains why it's critical to act now and have a vision for our future cities, so that infrastructure is in place for our fast-evolving world.

Why is a sexual revolution happening in Asia-Pacific, and how is it impacting global sexual awareness? In this episode of Lives of Tomorrow, WGSN CEO Carla Buzasi is joined by Debbie Yong, WGSN's Senior Strategist for Insight in APAC, to find out why. Beyond sexual awareness, Carla and Debbie talk about shifting attitudes towards marriage in the region, and the rapidly growing adult toy market.Debbie is based in Singapore, and before moving into trend forecasting at WGSN, she worked as a journalist for most of her career, covering retail and consumer news, and spending time in Hong Kong, where she wrote about China and the region for global publications such as BBC Monitoring. One of her most recent forecasts at WGSN looks at the landscape of sexual awareness in APAC, and its global impact.Key takeaways from the forecast include data on the billion dollar adult toy industry in China, an increased desire to explore sexuality in APAC, and why ageing populations and decreasing fertility rates are making authorities in the region rethink their approach to sex.Debbie talks Carla through why there is an increased appetite to explore sexual desire in APAC, and why more people are seeking alternatives to marriage. Plus they explore what this increased consumer base means for brands in the space, and how they can engage and sustain relationships with consumers.Learn more about WGSN forecasts here.

Research by media company The News Movement finds 75% of new information consumed by 18-25 year olds globally is on social media. So, most things this cohort will hear about for the first time in their lives will be on a social platform. Does this idea shock you, or is this the new norm for the long run?In this episode of Lives of Tomorrow, WGSN CEO Carla Buzasi speaks to British journalist Kamal Ahmed about the future of news.Kamal is the Editor In Chief and Co Founder of The News Movement and with a career spanning three decades, in both print and broadcast journalism, he's seen the media landscape evolve. As usual on Lives of Tomorrow, we look forward to discussing forecasts and innovations that impact how we'll live in the future.In this episode, Kamal and Carla debate the future of news, what younger audiences want, ways to engage them and how storytelling is changing. Kamal opesn up about his career pivot leaving behind the BBC, where he was Editorial Director of News, to help create a new media company with the mission of engaging and catering to younger audiences. Carla was founding Editor-in-Chief of The Huffington Post UK and like Kamal has a wealth of experience as a journalist. In this conversation we hear about Carla's journey in journalism and chart how the media landscape has changed over time.Together, Kamal and Carla share insights into ways to engage a younger audience, where to reach them and crucially how to maintain that engagement. A timely conversation, with the Ofcom News Consumption Survey data reflected in this episode. A key finding from the survey highlighted 12-15 year olds in the UK get their news from Tik-Tok. Kamal talks about the audience being front and centre in the thought process when sharing content across multiple platforms, and the science behind this.As well as insights and expertise, we hear about Kamal, what makes him tick, his go to takeaway and why he doesn't binge but consumes TV series that only begin with ‘B'.

As Gen Z is maturing, fast approaching a pivotal time in their lives, starting their careers and occupying key positions in society. Their impact on the future of our communities remains a significant question. How will this generation shape society in the years ahead? Additionally, it's essential to explore the thoughts of Gen Z concerning the future—are they more inclined towards anxiety or hopefulness?In this episode of Lives of Tomorrow, Carla Buzasi, CEO of WGSN, speaks with Ziad Ahmed, a prominent 24-year-old figure from Gen Z. Gen Z are those individuals between the ages of 18 and 26 today. Ziad is an American-Muslim-Bangladeshi entrepreneur with a Yale degree in Political Science. He runs a marketing company that specializes in helping brands and manufacturers comprehend the mindset and behaviours of Gen Z.In this episode Carla gets Ziad's insights into the ways companies can engage, sustain and grow with a Gen Z audience. Drawing on his experience of consulting brands on how best to communicate with this cohort, Ziad explains the most effective ways of attracting a Gen-Z audience.

In this week's episode, Cassandra Napoli, Senior Strategist on our Insight team, joins WGSN CEO Carla Busazi to discuss what is real and what is fake online, and how AI is impacting this.In an age where more and more information is AI-created, how do we gauge its authenticity?This inspired Cassandra Napoli to write a forecast on this topic looking into fake news circulating online, and placing a spotlight on the implications of artificially manipulated content that warps reality.Cassandra explains why it's becoming difficult for reality to surface on social media platforms as AI becomes more sophisticated. Explaining how we are in an era where misinformation, filtered feeds and deep fakes are a reality, we must navigate with caution.Carla and Cassandra also talk about how AI is impacting law and policy. In the US, there are proposals for full disclosure of AI in political adverts ahead of the elections next year. What implications will this have?You can also hear analysis on media literacy, and how equipped we are to deal with the increasing challenges of distinguishing between the false and the fake.Learn more about WGSN forecasts here.

From sustainable funerals to death literacy, the pandemic has forced us to look at how we address death as a society. In this episode of Lives of Tomorrow CEO of trend forecasting and consumer insight company WGSN Carla Buzasi and senior strategist Allyson Rees explore the key issues that will shape the ideas, rituals and economy of death in 2023 and beyond.Allyson has covered death and rituals as part of WGSN's consumer lifestyle coverage since 2017 and has just published a forecast called ‘The Future of Death'.Two factors were key in producing this research, ageing populations and the pandemic. The latter brought the topic of death to the fore and there was an increase in discussion around death and dying on social media. Allyson and colleagues at WGSN followed this shift and were influential in the research into this forecast which spanned over an 18-month period.In this episode Carla and Allyson discuss the future of death, attitudes and discussions on this topic and any shifts noticed as well as traditions and rituals that are emerging. You can also expect to hear conversations around how we talk about death, is it still taboo or are we changing our behaviours and talking about it, planning it and being open with our loved ones. In this episode, we cover:how we address death as a societysustainable funeralsritualseconomy of death in 2023 and beyondAllyson shares the insights acquired through her research.Learn more about her work here.

This episode of the Lives of Tomorrow podcast looks at how we engage with faith, spirituality and religion. What is religion? What does it mean and how do we engage, if at all? How does it impact us and in 5-10 years what will the landscape of religion look like? In this episode we explore the idea that AI has the power to write its own religious book that people can follow.Brielle Saggese is an insight strategist at WGSN and writes forecasts on various topics. In her forecast ‘Remixing Religion' Brielle explores how young people are engaging with faith, purpose and religious ideas in new ways. She studies how their search for meaning will impact in-person experiences, aesthetics and rituals in the US, UK and EMEA markets.In this episode, we cover:Alternative religionsData charting the fastest growing religionsSpirituality of religious public gatheringsImpact social media is having on young people in relation to religionBrielle shares the insights acquired through her research as well as her lived experience with religion from her childhood to now and how she navigates faith with host Carla Buzasi, CEO of trend forecasting and consumer insight company WGSN.Learn more about her work here.