Podcast

SPOS #946 – Frederik Pferdt On How To Live Future Ready

Welcome to episode #946 of Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast – Episode #946. Dr. Frederik Pferdt has spent his career helping some of the most creative minds at Google – and beyond – shape the future. As Google’s first Chief Innovation Evangelist, he didn’t just observe the future unfolding; he actively shaped it. Frederik founded Google’s Innovation Lab, where he coached tens of thousands of Googlers in the art of innovation, fostering a culture that thrives on curiosity, empathy, and experimentation. His work has resonated far beyond Silicon Valley, with collaborations ranging from NASA to the NBA, and teaching stints at Stanford University that inspired a new generation of thinkers. In his book, What’s Next Is Now – How to Live Future Ready, Frederik challenges the notion that the future is something we passively encounter. Instead, he invites us to see it as something we actively create. He distills his philosophy into six principles: optimism, openness, curiosity, experimentation, empathy, and something he calls “Dimension X” – the unique way each of us perceives the world. This isn’t just a framework for surviving the future; it’s a guide to thriving in it. During our conversation, Frederik dives into how these principles aren’t just abstract concepts but actionable strategies that anyone can apply. He emphasizes that the future is crafted by the choices we make today, and by cultivating a “future-ready mindstate,” we can turn ambiguity and uncertainty into opportunities. From collecting dots — ideas, experiences, and learnings — to connecting them in innovative ways, Frederik explains how we can stay ahead in a rapidly evolving world. Frederik also touches on the importance of predictive empathy, which helps us understand the potential consequences of emerging technologies, and how embracing uncertainty is crucial for personal growth. He shares insights on how to counter the cynicism that often accompanies aging by intentionally choosing curiosity and optimism. Our discussion explores the transformative power of mindfulness practices like silent meditation retreats and the value of experimentation in cutting through the hype of the present moment. Enjoy the conversation…

Running time: 57:23.
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Here is my conversation with Dr. Frederik Pferdt.
What’s Next Is Now – How to Live Future Ready.
Frederik’s NextLetter.
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This week’s music: David Usher ‘St. Lawrence River’.

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction and Background.
02:10 – Creating a Future-Ready Mind State.
11:02 – The Power of Collecting Dots.
27:22 – Changing Our Relationship with the Future.
31:14 – Reflections on the Pace of Change.
33:13 – Shaping the Future through Present Choices.
35:43 – Embracing Uncertainty and Active Learning.
40:18 – Counteracting Cynicism with Qualities of Mind.
48:32 – Navigating the Hype and Trends of the Present.
57:17 – The Transformative Power of Silent Meditation Retreats.

Download the Podcast here: Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast – Episode #946.

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Mitch Joel

Mitch Joel lives at the intersection of technology, business transformation and consumer culture. He is the Executive Director of Next Era Institute, a strategic intelligence platform helping leaders understand the forces reshaping business, technology, culture and society. The Institute identifies which shifts matter, explores their wider significance and translates them into strategic direction and momentum. Mitch is also a globally recognized keynote speaker. He has delivered thousands of presentations across both B2B and B2C industries to organizations including Google, Walmart, LEGO, Shopify, Microsoft, Procter & Gamble and Unilever. Strategy Magazine has called him “one of North America’s leading visionaries.” Mitch built his career by working directly inside the waves of change that reshaped modern business. He founded and built a digital marketing agency that worked with some of the world’s largest brands and was later acquired by WPP, where he served as President of a firm operating in 25 countries with almost 3,000 employees. Mitch is the bestselling author of Six Pixels of Separation and CTRL ALT Delete, and the host of Thinking With Mitch Joel, one of the longest-running business podcasts in the world. His writing and commentary appear in outlets including Harvard Business Review, Fast Company and Inc. Magazine. He is a member of Dr. Marshall Goldsmith’s 100 Coaches and was named to the Thinkers50 Radar. Mitch also hosts Groove – The No Treble Podcast, documenting the oral history of electric bass players. Mitch is also Co-Founder of ThinkersOne, a platform that enables companies to bring personalized thought leadership from world-class experts into meetings, events and off-sites in focused 15-minute bursts.