World Changing Ideas

Why Gen Z men really voted for Trump Nov 14, 2024

Since the 2008 election, Democratic candidates for president have won at least 60% of the under-30 vote. After last week’s election, that number is down to 54%. Joining Yaz and Josh to discuss Donald Trump’s success with young male voters is ‘Fast Company’ contributing writer, a Gen Zer himself, Henry Chandonnet. Then, Yaz sits down with Oura CEO Tom Hale to discuss the state of the wearable health-tech space.

And for more content, subscribe to Fast Company Premium : https://www.fastcompany.com/premium

Why is fast food so expensive now? Oct 17, 2024

There’s a growing shift in consumer sentiment about the fast-food industry. As inflation pushes menu prices steadily upward, more people are asking themselves if that weekly trip to Taco Bell, Wendy’s, or KFC is still worth the cost. ‘Fast Company’ senior editor Christopher Zara breaks down the economics of fast food and discusses what companies are doing to try and lure customers back to the drive-through. Also, ‘Fast Company’ senior staff editor Jeff Beer discusses the most recent advertising fails and successes, from Heinz’s racially tone-deaf imagery to the surprisingly popular combination of Grimace and the New York Mets.

Can Brian Niccol turn Starbucks around? Aug 22, 2024

Last week in a major shakeup, Starbucks announced the appointment of Brian Niccol as its new chairman and CEO. Niccol, then CEO of Chipotle, will succeed Starbucks’s Laxman Narasimhan, who is stepping down immediately from the position he’s held for only 17 months. For a company that has aggressively claimed it does not make fast food, this could signal a shift in how Starbucks views itself . . . and how it attempts to regain the 20% in market cap that it’s lost. ‘Fast Company’ contributing writer Clint Rainey discusses the coffee chain’s past mission and values, and how different leadership has shifted the brand’s focus.

Also, we talk with rapper Saweetie about her successful brand partnerships with Postmates and McDonald’s, and her perspective on growing her own brand and image. And Candace Bushnell, author of ‘Sex and the City’ (the book!), chats about looking back on her writing and TV career and what stories she wants women to see today.

Can the Gap make a comeback? Aug 14, 2024

This week, we’re taking a look at what some top brands are doing in the sports and entertainment space. This is part of our ongoing monthly series, Brands that Matter, with ‘Fast Company’ senior staff editor Jeff Beer who covers advertising and branding.

Then, we chatted with ‘Fast Company’ contributing writer Nicole LaPorte about the Gap new CEO. Back in the ’80s and ’90s, Gap was synonymous with denim and khakis. But the rise of fast-fashion brands such as Zara and H&M, shift from shopping in malls to shopping online, and the pandemic’s ‘house clothes’ trend, all hit the Gap hard. Then, former Mattel president and COO Richard Dickson came in to take over. And if you’re wondering why a successful toy company executive would want to move to a flailing clothing company . . . we got you.

How 23andMe went from a $6 billion valuation to trading for pennies Aug 07, 2024

Cofounder and CEO of 23andMe, Anne Wojcicki, wants to take the public company private. Founded in 2006, the DNA-testing startup was valued at $6 billion in 2021. Now, it’s trading for less than a dollar. So what happened? ‘Fast Company’ senior writer Ainsley Harris breaks down 23andMe’s history, and why the company faces an uncertain future.

Also, actor Edward Norton chats with ‘Fast Company’ staff writer David Salazar about his startup, Zeck. After decades of serving on nonprofit and corporate boards, as well as working with boards as a founder, Norton realized that modern, streamlined tools could vastly improve boardroom communication. His company aims to change the dynamics of boards and company management by reducing repetitive tasks and facilitating better collaboration.

And heads up, our show will be shifting to publish on Thursdays starting August 22!

AI is changing tech, but where's the energy coming from? Jul 17, 2024

Last week, Amazon announced it hit a goal of 100% renewable electricity seven years early. But a report from an Amazon employee group argues that this claim is misleading. They say that only a fifth of the company’s data centers in the U.S actually run on clean power. Meanwhile, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and a host of other companies continue their development of AI—yet another huge energy demand. A recent report by Goldman Sachs says utility companies will need to spend nearly 40% more in the next three years to keep up with the demand from cloud service providers. For example, training an AI model like OpenAI’s GPT-3 required just under 1,300 megawatt hours, which is the amount of power used by 130 U.S. homes in a year. ‘Fast Company’ deputy digital editor Morgan Clendaniel discusses how to interpret Amazon’s claims about renewable power, and how much energy we’ll need to power even more data processing. Also, Jeff Beer, ‘Fast Company’ senior staff editor covering advertising and branding, breaks down some of the recent campaigns and marketing from Etsy and Taco Bell, and what to expect from ads during the 2024 Summer Olympics.

It’s too damn hot, tip Grubhub delivery workers more Jul 10, 2024

Temperatures are hitting all-time highs, with some cities reaching 25 degrees above average. Last week, the Biden Administration announced a proposed rule that would create heat protections for certain workers, including delivery drivers. But with companies like Grubhub and UberEats classifying delivery workers as “independent contractors,” what does that mean for some of the people most vulnerable to extreme heat? ‘Fast Company’ staff writer Jess Bursztynksy gives us the latest on the state of delivery workers’ rights in NYC and beyond. And Dr. Sophia Yen, founder of Pandia Health, talks about changing how people get essential healthcare, using algorithms in telemedicine, and how our political climate impacts women’s healthcare businesses.

Are LinkedIn influencers the worst kind of influencer? Jun 26, 2024

In a recent viral LinkedIn post, Cap X Media’s CEO Matthew Baltzell poses in a backwards baseball cap and details his experience firing an employee for the first time. He talks about the process, what he learned, and asks for feedback from readers. One commenter wrote, “This LinkedIn post is a disgrace,” while another said, “You brought pain into someone’s life and then turned it into a ‘gold star for me’ moment. They’re certainly appalled by this on other (less weird) social platforms.”But plenty of comments sympathized with Baltzell over the uncomfortable situation, even praising him for sharing it. In fact, deranged behavior like this is a daily occurrence on LinkedIn, where business influencers operate very differently from influencers on other social media platforms. ‘Fast Company’ contributing writer Joe Berkowitz discusses his own forays into LinkedIn’s world of ‘corporate positivity.’ And Andrew Lacey, founder and CEO of medical technology company Prenuvo, talks about how the full-body MRI scanning that his company is offering might change our perspective on preventative healthcare—if the high cost can be lowered by other systemic reforms in healthcare.

Inside MrBeast's corporate structure Jun 12, 2024

A nonprofit founded by right-wing billionaire Charles Koch was a "key contributor" to a recent video produced by the popular content creator MrBeast. The video, titled "We Schooled Hundreds of Teachers," was uploaded on April 30th to "Beast Philanthropy," a second channel MrBeast uses to showcase charity work. MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, lists the organization Stand Together as one of the main financial sponsors. Stand Together was founded by Koch in 2003 as The Seminar Network and it describes itself as a "philanthropic community" dedicated to tackling the "country’s biggest problems," which range from education initiatives to what it calls "freedom-minded solutions." But we wanted to focus on how MrBeast’s corporate structure operates, so Fast Company contributing writer Ryan Broderick joined us to chat about it.

Then, Fast Company associate editor David Salazar had a conversation with Vault founder David Greenstein and musician James Blake, who was the first artist on Vault and has been vocal about its potential as a new way for fans to engage with their favorite artists. They chatted about experimenting with new ways to monetize music.

How Dropout competes in a cutthroat, subscription-streaming market Jun 05, 2024

Last September, CollegeHumor rebranded as Dropout. The 25-year old comedy platform made the move after a surge in subscriptions to the company's streaming platform, Dropout TV. After decades of struggling to find profitability, this became the centerpiece of its business model.

“Truthfully, as a high school dropout, I never really connected with the brand name CollegeHumor,” said Dropout CEO Sam Reich. "We promised ourselves we would only do away with the name when we felt that Dropout was popular enough to eclipse it, and we feel that time is now.”

Since purchasing the company for a whopping $0 in 2020, Reich has prioritized producing long-form improv content, keeping costs low and driving brand awareness through vertical videos on social media networks like TikTok. Dropout currently has 11 active series including its two most popular properties Game Changer and Dimension 20, a series where comedians actually play a live game of Dungeons & Dragons. By the end of this year, they are set to have 15 series including a live comedy special series called Dropout Presents that will launch this summer with a stand-up special from YouTuber Hank Green. The company has also ventured into live event programming for Dimension 20 in partnership with Live Nation, starting with a four-show tour of the U.K. this spring and, most impressively, leading up to a show at Madison Square Garden in January of 2025.

Why tech bro podcasts are obsessed with alpha men May 29, 2024

Last week, an article by ‘Fast Company’ senior writer Ainsley Harris riled up a small but very online part of the tech community. Venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, Elon Musk, Anduril Industries founder Palmer Lucky, Y combinator CEO Garry Tan, and even MrBeast, along with many others, were all reacting to her article, ‘Tech bro podcasts are obsessed with alpha men, and it’s dangerous for the rest of us.’

We talked to Ainsley and had her explain why so many ‘techno-optimists’ fell in love with the Great Man Theory, and how that’s problematic.

Then, we spoke to Gamefam founder and CEO Joe Ferencz about the rise of Roblox and Fortnite as brand-engagement platforms and how they use these sandbox games to not only create new virtual worlds, but also to advertise different IPs.

Perplexity CEO slams Google May 22, 2024

By now, we’re used to talking to AI chatbots, and we’re used to googling something to find an answer. Last week, though, Google launched a new feature that combines the two called AI Overviews. The feature—which many users are already trying to turn off—is designed to reduce the number of searches users have to make. But the idea of combining a chatbot, search tool, and encyclopedia has actually been championed and refined by a two-year-old startup called Perplexity. The ambitious startup, which calls itself an Answer Engine, has been funded by the likes of Jeff Bezos and Nvidia. The stakes are high: If Perplexity can pull off its mission, the company could become—according to some—a Google killer. Perplexity’s CEO Aravind Srinivas spoke at our Most Innovative Companies Summit last week, and had some choice words about Google’s new features and the future of his own company. We spoke to executive editor Amy Farley to unpack what he said.

Then, we chatted with ‘Fast Company’ senior staff editor Jeff Beer about brand apology ads and E.l.f beauty’s recent study on how there are too many dicks across U.S corporate boards.

Why is the WNBA so hot right now? May 15, 2024

The WNBA’s 2024 season comes on the heels of a recent groundswell of interest in women’s basketball. Last year was the WNBA’s most-watched regular season in over two decades and the recently wrapped NCAA tournament has brought a new generation of fans to the sport. The women’s March Madness final averaged 18.7 million viewers, while the men’s final averaged just 14.82 million viewers. Basically, the WNBA is a hot commodity and brands are noticing. Fast Company Staff Editor AJ Hess joined us to explain how this happened and why the stakes for the WNBA are so high this season.

Then, in a bit of a role reversal, Josh played the interviewer and asked Yaz about her latest reporting on Oprah. It covered Weight Watchers, diet culture, and our favorite topic on this show, GLP-1s. The impetus for Yaz's article was a Weight Watchers event last week in New York where Oprah was speaking. Yaz explained what happened and what it means for the future of the company.

We're looking at 2024 Summer Trends May 08, 2024

It’s May! We’re enjoying the spring weather and getting ready for this summer. So, we wanted to chat with some Fast Company folks who have their ears to the ground on what’s going to be a hit this summer. Fast Company Associate Editor David Salazar and Senior Staff Writer Liz Segran joined us to share their ideas—and a big shout-out to our interns, Ellie Stevens and Leila Frankina, for their help.

Then, we sat down with Airbnb's Chief Business Officer Dave Stephenson where we chatted about the so-called "Airbnb Effect" happening in certain communities around the country, the company's efforts to advocate for renters, and the its latest Icons offerings.

The unraveling of a unicorn: Why InVision failed May 01, 2024

InVision was once a prominent player in the design software space. But the company that was once valued at $2 billion announced it will be discontinuing its design-collaboration services by the end of this year. The cofounders, Clark Valberg and Ben Nadel, originally designed the software as a prototyping tool for designers but it quickly gained popularity and ultimately achieved unicorn status after raising $100 million in 2017. This was followed by another milestone when it raised $115 million, which effectively doubled its valuation.

So, what happened? How did this unicorn unravel? ‘Fast Company’ contributing writer Nicole Gull McElroy joined us to explain and discuss.

Then we chatted with legendary English fashion designer Paul Smith who has been working in the industry for more than 50 years. Aside from the clothes, he’s also heavily involved in designing the look of his stores around the world. His iconic store on L.A’.s Melrose Avenue has a bright pink wall that’s been around since the early 2000s. But since the 2010s, that wall has become an Instagram hot spot with people lining up to take photos against the hot pink backdrop. Smith explained to us how the wall—which costs about $66,000 a year to maintain—has changed brand awareness, and spoke about his long career as designer-of-choice for such stars as Daniel Day-Lewis, David Bowie, and Jony Ive.

Minimum wage increases for fast food workers and Lyft drivers Apr 24, 2024

Fast food workers in California are seeing an increase in their paychecks. This is because of a recent minimum wage law that went into effect earlier this month. The law requires fast food chains like McDonald’s and Starbucks to pay workers $20 per hour. It will also affect restaurants that have at least 60 other locations nationwide. Opponents of the law say it will lead to layoffs and store closures . . . but for fast food workers who have been fighting for better pay, this could mean being able to get a decent living wage. Fast Company Staff Writer Pavithra Mohan joined us to unpack it all. For more on this, check out Pavithra's reporting.

Then we chatted with Lyft CEO David Risher about taking over the company after cofounders Logan Green and John Zimmer left a year ago, having to lay off more than a quarter of the company’s workforce last April, and focusing on his key strategy: “customer obsession drives profitable growth.” We also discussed the company’s future in Minneapolis, whether self-driving cars will transform the industry, and what Risher learned heading up U.S. retail at Amazon under Jeff Bezos.

Boeing is having a bad year Apr 17, 2024

Boeing has been in the news recently . . . Between a door plug blowing off mid-flight and sudden nose dives causing injuries, the company has been in very hot water. ‘Fast Company’ contributing writer Clint Rainey joined us to explain what’s really going on at Boeing and how it plans to address safety and quality concerns. For more on our Boeing coverage.

Then, we spoke with Ghia founder and CEO Melanie Masarin and Nowadays cofounder and CEO Justin Tidwell to understand what’s behind all the demand for non-alcoholic drinks. Companies like Athletic Brewing are experiencing enormous growth as consumers are embracing Sober October and Dry January and curbing their drinking in general. It’s perhaps not going all that well for all brands. After we recorded this interview on April 9th, Boisson, the largest nonalcoholic retailer in New York, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closed all eight of its brick-and-mortar stores. Still, the nonalcoholic market is forecasted to grow exponentially within the next decade, especially as major breweries such as Anheuser-Busch and Heineken expand their alcohol-free offerings.

NBC's hiring and firing of Ronna McDaniel Apr 10, 2024

Two weeks ago, the former Republican National Committee boss Ronna McDaniel was hired and then fired as an MSNBC contributor. This came about after pushback from staff, including complaints that she had touted Donald Trump’s debunked claims of voting malfeasance in the 2020 election. At the same time, there was backlash from people on the right who chalked up her dismissal as proof of left-wing media bias. Presiding over the chaos was NBCUniversal News chairman Cesar Conde, who has been trying to make the network for all viewpoints. But is that even possible in the Trump era? We talked to Fast Company contributing writer Brian Stelter, who profiled Cesar Conde in our upcoming spring issue.

Then we chatted about one of Fast Company’s recognition programs, Brands That Matter. This is where Fast Company highlights companies that build a connection with their audiences by being culturally relevant, making an impact, and communicating their mission and values clearly. Our advertising and brand correspondent, Jeff Beer, joined us to share his favorite brands at the moment. Kristen Wiig's reprisal of the Target lady, SunChips jumping on the eclipse phenomenon, and . . . Dramamine producing a short documentary about barf bags.

Powering the Future - AI Bootcamp FROM FASTCO WORKS AND SAP Mar 25, 2024

The impact of AI on finance departments will be huge.

The Most Innovative Companies list is out! Mar 20, 2024

Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list is out! We chatted with Fast Company Executive Editor Amy Farley to hear about the top five winners and who her personal faves were. Spoilers:

Nvidia, OpenAI and Microsoft were at the top but some surprises were the National Women's Soccer League, United Auto Workers and ... Chess.com.

Then, Fast Company Senior Staff Editor Jeff Beer sat down with Taco Bell CEO Sean Tresvant and CMO Taylor Montgomery to discuss how the fast-food company is one of the most innovative brands out there.

For more on the MIC list, check it out here. And check out Jeff's Taco Bell feature story!

Fast Company at SXSW and Netflix's 3 Body Problem Mar 13, 2024

This past weekend, Fast Company hosted a three-day event as part of SXSW in Austin. Yaz moderated a bunch of panels, Josh was producing podcasts, and best-friend-of-the-pod Max Ufberg also moderated a number of panels. We met up with Max in person to record the show for the first time! Here's our recap of the weekend at the Fast Company Grill.

Then, Netflix’s new series “3 Body Problem” is based on the first volume of the Chinese science fiction trilogy “Remembrance of Earth’s Past.” The series depicts a fictional past, present, and future when an alien civilization comes to Earth. Yaz chatted with “Game of Thrones” showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, “True Blood” executive producer Alexander Woo, and director Derek Tsang about the process of adapting a popular book series and turning it into a successful television show . . . and whether or not fan reactions factor into it.

Supply Ch(AI)n Strategy Session - AI Bootcamp FROM FASTCO WORKS AND SAP Mar 11, 2024

How artificial intelligence is shaping the product journeys from procurement to end customers.

Oscar Campaigns & TheRealReal Mar 06, 2024

What is an Oscar campaign? How do studios run them? When does Oscar campaigning start?

We spoke with Allie Carieri to learn all about the work (and the money) that go into creating Oscar campaigns. Carieri creates experiences and events around entertainment, awards, film, and television as an independent marketing strategist. She also oversees experiential marketing activations as an accounts director at Civic Entertainment Group. She told us about the history of Oscar campaigns, the budgets behind these efforts, and we list some of the more successful campaigns.

On another story, luxury consignment company The RealReal has struggled to prove to investors that it can be a profitable company. But just last week, the company announced that it had its first profitable quarter. Rati Sahi Levesque, president and COO, explains how the company turned things around.

Time for Growth - AI Bootcamp FROM FASTCO WORKS AND SAP Mar 04, 2024

In this podcast, leaders in HR and AI reveal what it will take for businesses to get their staff on board.

Inside the chaos at the Bored Ape Yacht Club Feb 28, 2024

In 2022, The Bored Ape Yacht Club was kind of inescapable on some parts of the internet. People—including a range of celebrities from Gwyneth Paltrow to Eminem—were spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to acquire some monkey jpegs store on the blockchain as NFTs. The conglomerate overseeing the collection along with other NFT series, such as CryptoPunks, is called Yuga Labs. VCs including A16z flocked to invest in it, valuing the company at $4 billion. Yuga’s stated ambition at the time was to create an interoperable gaming metaverse, where NFT holders could game on a browser.

Lately, though, it seems that things haven’t been going so well for the company. ‘Fast Company’ tech editor Max Ufberg joined us to interview Yaz and ‘Fast Company’ staff editor, Connie Lin, about what happened and whether NFTs are even still . . . a thing.

Then, Bubble Goods founder and CEO Jessica Young wanted to create an online marketplace where you could find the best—and best-for-you—foods right at your fingertips. Bubble Goods carries only packaged goods that are free of preservatives, artificial dyes, and fillers, plus no refined or cane sugar. And everything it sells comes from small, indie makers that Bubble Goods taste-tests first to make sure its worthy of its consumers. We spoke to Jessica about what led her to create this space for food products, the vetting process for items to be on the site, and what are some of her favorites on the platform.

What do the Apple Vision Pro, Humane AI, and the AI Tab necklace say about the future of AI hardware? Feb 21, 2024

January was a big month for AI hardware, and we wanted to go over some of the biggest devices and tech out there. ‘Fast Company’ global design editor Mark Wilson joined us to chat about a couple of devices, including the Humane Pin, the Rabbit r1, and a wearable AI microphone called Tab. For more on these, check out Mark’s reporting, and what he thinks about the Apple Vision Pro.

In 2022, the beauty market—defined as skincare, fragrance, makeup, and haircare—generated approximately $430 billion in revenue. Today, beauty is on an upward trajectory across all categories. It has proven to be resilient amid global economic crises. We wanted to figure out why. So, Yaz sat down with Kara Brothers, president of Starface, which makes star-shaped acne patches so popular with Gen Z on social media; Volition Beauty founder and VC Patricia Santos who also works with influencers to launch products for their audience; and makeup artist and luxury-brand founder Fara Homidi.

Why people are ditching Tinder . . . and falling in love with lab-grown diamonds Feb 14, 2024

We’re about to hit the end of peak dating season with Valentine’s Day this week and what better way to commemorate that than to chat about the state of the dating industry. Fast Company Staff Writer Jess Bursztynsky joined us to chat about what the apps are doing to address dating fatigue and how they're continuing to incorporate AI into their strategies, for example, Tinder is able to use AI to help users pick out which photos in their camera rolls would work best for their profiles.

Then Angara co-founders Aditi and Ankur Daga, and Brilliant Earth CEO Beth Gerstein came on the pod to discuss the lab-grown diamond boom and whether or not you should disclose when you've purchased a lab-grown diamond. Answer: yes. This business is all about trust.

Super Bowl ads and Stanley cups Feb 07, 2024

The Super Bowl is set to kick off this Sunday, and we’re taking a look at some of the ads that are already out there. ‘Fast Company’ senior staff editor Jeff Beer joined us to share what he thinks about this year’s slate of ads. He’s noticed how brands are evolving to use the Super Bowl itself in their teasers and ads, which shows the trajectory of the way brands are going . . . they used to go for funny or emotional but now it’s an ad about being an ad. Using the game itself to help advertise a product is creating a very meta approach.

We also talked about what’s going on with those Stanley cups. ‘Fast Company’ senior staff writer Liz Segran explained how the trendy tumblers do contain lead but more importantly, how this revelation will impact the company’s dominance in the very crowded reusable water bottle market. Also, how sustainable are these containers when they’re being marketed as a fashion accessory?

For more MIC behind the scenes, check out Yaz at @yazzyg on Instagram and Josh @joshuagchris on TikTok!

WWE, Netflix—and the baby-faced rival who wants to body slam them Jan 31, 2024

Yaz wrote a story about an upstart wrestling league called All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and its founder and CEO Tony Khan. ‘Fast Company’ deputy editor David Lidsky joined us to chat about Yaz’s piece on Tony, why he formed AEW in 2019, and how he was a huge wrestling nerd who grew up doing e-wrestling.

And here are some more wrestling updates:

Starting in January 2025, WWE’s flagship series, Raw, will be moving to Netflix
WWE will still have some shows streaming on Peacock and still has pay-per-view offerings
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is joining the board of directors at TKO Group (which consists of UFC and WWE)

Then, our producer Blake Odom sat down with Vuori founder and CEO Joe Kudla. They chatted about the company’s $4 billion valuation, its most prominent investor (SoftBank), and how it jumped into the very crowded athleisure space.

Daily Harvest rolls out Ozempic-designed meals Jan 24, 2024

Daily Harvest is introducing a new collection of meals tailor-made for people on weight-loss medications like Ozempic. Daily Harvest president Ricky Silver explained how Daily Harvest’s January Jumpstart program includes GLP-1-focused meal plans.

Then we chatted with Sharp Entertainment CEO Matt Sharp. Sharp is the guy behind such reality TV hits as ‘90 Day Fiancé,’ ‘Inmate to Roommate,’ and ‘Help! I’m in a Secret Relationship!’ He told us about how many nos he got from networks before finding success.

For more MIC behind the scenes, check out Yaz at @yazzyg on Instagram and Josh @joshuagchris on TikTok!

Big Tech might not be able to use Section 230 for protection anymore Jan 17, 2024

A number of recent court cases are using a new tactic to take on tech platforms, including Snap, Meta, and TikTok. ‘Fast Company’ contributing writer Issie Lapowsky walked us through the complicated legalese behind these cases. Basically, they’re using a novel legal workaround to Section 230 called a ‘product liability claim.’

Rather than faulting these platforms for other people’s posts—the kind of claims Section 230 protects them from—these cases accuse the companies of essentially building faulty products, which is an area of law that Section 230 doesn’t cover.

Also, we sat down with a group of fitness-industry innovators in a fun roundtable discussion about staying fit and nimble during the peak of the pandemic. As a pioneer in the industry, Tracy Anderson created the Tracy Anderson Method more than 20 years ago, as well as offering DVDs, online videos, and exercise studios. Barry's CEO Joey Gonzalez went from client to instructor to eventually become the company’s top executive, and Y7 Studio founder and CEO Sarah Larson Levey created a unique way to practice yoga by candlelight to the beat of a customized soundtrack. We also asked what the trick is to get motivated to work out. Answer: you need to find your own motivation.

For more MIC behind the scenes, check out Yaz at @yazzyg on Instagram and Josh @joshuagchris on TikTok!

Ozempic and Wegovy: How 2 diabetes medications became the most popular weight-loss drugs Dec 20, 2023

In the United States, nearly three-quarters of adults qualify as overweight or obese, 42% of whom are considered obese. The World Obesity Federation predicts that 51% of the global population will be overweight or obese by 2035.

‘Fast Company’ contributing writer Adam Bluestein joined us to break down how Novo Nordisk, the company behind Ozempic and Wegovy, developed and marketed its weight-loss drugs. He also explained why the drugs have become so popular in the U.S., how drug pricing is extremely complicated and . . . how the medications actually work to help people lose weight.

Also, we chatted with Trina Spear about how she founded Figs, a DTC healthcare apparel company.

Fast-fashion giant Shein is thinking of going public Dec 06, 2023

Shein is a giant fast fashion retailer that's looking into filing an IPO. Fast Company Senior Staff Writer Liz Segran helps break down what that might mean for both the company and the fast fashion industry at large.

For more on Shein, check out Liz's article

Serendipitously, Shein’s head of strategic communications Peter Pernot-Day also joined us. He filled us in on how the company's on-demand model is constantly responding to consumers, creating low inventory levels, which leads to virtually no waste. "That means that we can pass on tremendous savings to our customers because we do not have to account for inventory risk in any of the garments we offer. Really, the entire purpose of the site is to give people lots of options to see what they actually want to wear at that present moment and then to produce only what we think they will actually purchase." He also discussed the company's zero tolerance for forced labor, vetting its supply chain and abiding by its environmental standards. "If a large player like us is paying attention to these things, that helps the entire supplier network, the entire supplier ecosystem realize, hey, this is the new way of doing business. This is what it means to participate with a global brand like Shein.

For more MIC behind the scenes, check out Yaz at @yazzyg on Instagram and Josh @joshuagchris on TikTok!

The Moral Valence Of Technology: Josh Wolfe From Lux Capital On Trust, Human Nature And The ‘magical Realism’ Of Science Dec 05, 2023

James Vincent talks with Josh Wolfe, co-founder and managing partner of Lux Capital, about the need for technology to come from companies we trust and the role human nature plays in the application of technology.

Sam Altman is still CEO of Open AI Nov 29, 2023

The long-simmering fault lines within OpenAI over questions of safety with regard to the deployment of large language models like GPT, the engine behind OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Dall-E services, came to a head on November 17 when the organization’s nonprofit board of directors voted to fire CEO Sam Altman. But then he was reinstated on November 22. It’s been a wild ride, but Fast Company senior writers Ainsley Harris and Mark Sullivan joined us to help break down the confusing back and forth at the generative AI company.

For more on the company’s tumultuous activities, check out Ainsley's and Mark's reporting.

“We need to make it a little more snackable, a little bit more bite-size.” USAFacts president Poppy MacDonald explained how she helps make government data more accessible, available, and interactive. Founded and funded by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, the nonpartisan nonprofit ensures government data is available to the general public. But what about operating in a post-truth world? MacDonald explained they don’t get involved in polling or forecasts, and instead they stick with what the facts are as published by the government. They provide the data and then people—whether an individual, business, or elected leader—decide what they want to do about that data. “We’re really hoping for a healthy debate, but we think a healthy debate about how to move our democracy forward starts with facts.”

For more MIC behind the scenes, check out Yaz at @yazzyg on Instagram and Josh @joshuagchris on TikTok!

Creating a 'Third Space' for togetherness: Jason Citron from Discord on AI, safety and the importance of play Nov 21, 2023

James Vincent talks with Jason Citron from Discord about safety, togetherness, and how we can use good AI to battle bad AI.

The SAG-AFTRA strike is over! Nov 15, 2023

After 118 days, the SAG-AFTRA strike finally came to a close. Fast Company deputy digital editor Morgan Clendaniel breaks down what happened this past summer with the strike, as well as the overall state of unions at the moment. As of airing this episode, the union’s national board approved the new contract with major studios and sent it to membership for ratification.

“I’m completely uninterested in building small things.” Emma Grede has started a LOT of businesses. Probably best known for cofounding Good American, Emma is also a founding partner at Skims. For her, when it comes to starting a business, it’s never about who she’s going to partner with but rather what problem are we solving: What are we trying to do, and how do we uniquely align that with the right individual at the time?

As she was starting out, Emma worked with some of the biggest brands in the world, including Dior, Chanel, and Calvin Klein. She said that gave her a kind of unique understanding and perspective, but also a clear insight into what she considers one of the best accelerators: fame. “I was very, very early in influencer marketing, and I think that we’ve seen enough celebrities create brands and fail or create brands and not have success like Good American and Skims and Safely to know that it isn’t talent alone [that’s] going to propel a brand.”

For more MIC behind-the-scenes, check out Yaz at @yazzyg on Instagram and Josh @joshuagchris on TikTok!

If you can’t fight technology, you should lead it: Hovhannes Avoyan from Picsart Nov 07, 2023

James Vincent talks with Hovhannes Avoyan, founder and president of Picsart, about leaning into AI and how the future will favor problem solving

Elon Musk’s X is no Twitter: Is there still any magic left? Nov 01, 2023

A year ago, Elon Musk bought Twitter for a whopping $44 billion. Since then the platform has changed dramatically . . . even its name. Senior staff editor Max Ufberg joins us again to break down what’s been going on at Twitter, er X, over the past year.

Also, “Black women are the fastest-growing segment of entrepreneurs in this country,” says Nyakio Grieco, “yet still receive less than 1% of venture funding.” Grieco, founder of Relevant Skin and cofounder of Thirteen Lune, chats about her experience as a Black female entrepreneur and creating a beauty brand that’s exclusively inclusive. “We all have melanin, so this is a melanin-safe brand for all,” she says. But Grieco’s mission in launching Relevant Skin was to come up with products that wouldn’t be harmful to people with more melanin in their skin, which includes Black people and other people of color, so she did a deep dive along with her chemist. Grieco explained that the more melanin you have, the more prone you are to eczema, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation. . . . “So, we want it to build efficacious products, steeped in history [with] timeless ingredients, as well as be married to the best science to make sure no one feels left out at the shelf.”

For more MIC behind-the-scenes, check out Yaz at @yazzyg on Instagram and Josh @joshuagchris on TikTok!

Nature is an asset class in modern business: Rachel Delacour of Sweep Oct 31, 2023

James Vincent talks with Rachel Delacour, co-founder and CEO of Sweep, about how to make your company resilient, how constraints breed creativity, and how climate impacts business.

FROM FASTCO WORKS AND CAPITAL ONE: Empathy and Innovation: Keeping the Customer at the Center Oct 30, 2023

Companies now have mountains of data to help drive decisions and develop products, but a holistic approach to product development must also prioritize customers’ needs and preferences. In this podcast interview, Stephanie Mehta, CEO of Mansueto Ventures, the parent of Fast Company, sits down with Emily Roberts, Senior Vice President and Head of Enterprise Consumer Product at Capital One to hear how to harness the power of technology and customer feedback loops to innovate products and experiences.

‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ director Emma Tammi talks about horror innovation Oct 25, 2023

Halloween season is here! And actor-director-producer Emma Tammi joined us to chat about her upcoming film, Five Nights at Freddy’s, based on the popular video game franchise. She told us all about adapting a video game to a movie, working with large animatronic puppets, and creating a horror movie that’s aimed at a PG-13 audience. But the scariest part of the movie process, according to Emma? Reading the reviews. . . .Opening Friday, October 27, in theaters and on Peacock, Five Nights at Freddy’s is produced by the spooky creatives at Blumhouse with the murderous mascots from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.

Everyone feels like they have a book in them. Well, Roya Shariat proved it! The Glossier director of social impact and brand partnerships shared her tips on working a full-time job while pursuing her passion project. Spoiler: There’s no such thing as balance. It’s more of a trade-off. “It’s something I continue to struggle with,” says Roya, “and I’d say I’m not the best at dividing my time. It’s using my nights and weekends for that passion project and being a little ruthless sometimes about not going to socialize this month because I’ve got to work on this book proposal . . . It’s just, sometimes, not sleeping and sometimes working seven days a week.” Her cookbook, Maman and Me, is available now in bookstores around the U.S and coming soon to global markets.

For more MIC behind-the-scenes, check out Yaz at @yazzyg on Instagram and Josh @joshuagchris on Tiktok!

How AI Can Tackle Cancer: Thomas Clozel of Owkin on Collective Intelligence and the Da Vinci Model for Innovation Oct 24, 2023

James Vincent talks with Thomas Clozel, co-founder and CEO of Owkin, about innovative approaches to AI, the need to help develop "collective intelligence", and how innovation requires systemic change.

FROM FASTCO WORKS AND SAP - Growth Agents: How Pink Lily went from a side hustle to a multimillion-dollar company Oct 24, 2023

The company’s director of finance explains how her job goes well beyond accounting. Tina Hetzer, director of finance at Pink Lily, is one of the rising financial stars who are helping to bring their businesses to the next level. She built Pink Lily’s finance team from scratch and has helped the company become one of the fastest-growing retailers in the country. In this podcast, part of the SAP-sponsored Growth Agents series, Hetzer discusses the cash-flow challenges unique to fashion retailers and explains how working at a smaller, founder-run company can fuel greater collaboration across the organization.

How Issa Rae secured success: Create what you’re passionate about Oct 18, 2023

Actor, producer, and entrepreneur Issa Rae has several businesses under her belt already, and now she has partnered with Gallo to launch her own prosecco line, Viarae. We chatted about her business ventures, and how she decides which creative projects to pursue. It comes down to backing things that she loves and/or needs. When she wanted to start a coffee business, for example, it was because she wanted a coffee shop in her neighborhood—specifically to have a place where she could write all the time, but there was never one nearby. So, she helped found Hilltop Coffee and Kitchen. She’s also the co-owner of Sienna Naturals because she said she prefers to wear her hair naturally but taking care of it is very hard. Other projects involve making her production company, Hoorae, an all-encompassing ecosystem, and recently teaming up with Adam McKay to adapt the New York Times’ podcast series, Nice White Parents, into an HBO series.

On the WGA and SAG strikes, she says it was tough with the work stoppage and not being able to talk about her creative projects, but she fully supported them. And now, she says, she’ll have to navigate what to create next because everything is going to have to be high concept, and there will be fewer diverse shows. That will result in fewer casting opportunities, too: “While the writers were able to fight for more minimum staffing rooms, that means there’s less stuff to work on because everything is so expensive. In the same way that [the] ’90s to the 2000s had fewer diverse shows on the air, I think that’s for sure going to be a casualty of it all,” she explains.

For more behind-the-scenes looks of our in-studio recording, follow Yaz @yazzyg and Josh @thejoshuachris

The Challenge of Scaling Nature: Tyler Huggins of Meati Oct 17, 2023

James Vincent talks with Tyler Huggins, CEO and co-founder of Meati, about sustainability, how to introduce the new with the familiar, and how startups are looking to nature for the next innovation.

FROM FASTCO WORKS AND SAP - Growth Agents: Duolingo’s CFO on how the company took over the language learning space Oct 17, 2023

Duolingo’s freemium subscription model, beloved brand and strategic investments have allowed it to execute its educational mission and become a cultural touchstone. Matthew Skaruppa, CFO of Duolingo, is one of the rising financial stars who are helping to bring their businesses to the next level. Since he joined the company in 2020, Duolingo has grown its base of monthly active users by more than 80%. Each month, 75 million users hone their language skills on the Duolingo app. In this podcast, part of the SAP-sponsored Growth Agents series, Skaruppa discusses how his analytical background has allowed to him to be a more strategy-oriented CFO. For him, that has meant balancing big aspirations and finite resources, and turning the uncertainties of tomorrow into action today.

Understanding the girlboss era, the sexist backlash, and what's next Oct 11, 2023

Only 10% of Fortune 500 companies have female CEOs, even though women make up 47% of the workforce. And female founders only get 2% of venture capital. When Sophia Amoruso coined the term ‘girlboss’ in her 2014 memoir, #Girlboss, she helped spark a movement for women to step into more leadership roles. But then she and a couple of other girlbosses faced backlash over their management practices, including creating toxic work environments. Compared to some of their problematic male counterparts, though, these women ultimately lost control of the companies they built. Fast Company senior staff writer Liz Segran breaks down why the reign of the girlboss is over and how the next generation of founders shouldn’t feel compelled to follow their playbook.

“I have no intention of raising money and blowing up and trying to take over the world,” Bite founder and CEO Lindsay McCormick says. The sustainable toothpaste company’s goal is to stay small, stay true to the customers that they serve, and continue to be able to trailblaze. She said the company aims to show big brands that there is something to be done about caring for the environment. “And if you do it right, people will get on board.”

And check out Stephanie Clifford’s coverage of the ongoing SBF trial.

FROM FASTCO WORKS AND SAP - Growth Agents: The inside story of Sweetgreen’s rapid rise to the top Oct 10, 2023

Mitch Reback, CFO of Sweetgreen, is one of the rising corporate financial stars who is helping to take their companies to the next level. When he started, Sweetgreen had 25 stores; today, there are more than 220—and Reback says the company is still in its “infancy.” In this podcast, part of the SAP-sponsored Growth Agents series, Reback takes a deep dive into his role as a growth agent. Capital is the engine that drives growth, and Reback says his job is to make sure the company has adequate capital to grow as well as determining how best to allocate it, including investments in stores, marketing, staff, and technology—or, as he puts it, to push innovation forward in a way that’s capital efficient.

Designing AI with Intention: Brian Chesky's Call to Arms for Creative People Oct 10, 2023

James Vincent talks to Brian Chesky, co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, at Fast Company's Innovation Festival this past September in New York City. They discuss the future of AI, the need to design good principles, and Chesky's "call to arms' for creative people.

Why nostalgia is such a powerful force for brand marketing Oct 04, 2023

What do Chanel, Heinz 57, and Coors Light all have in common? They’re all brands that have built a connection with their consumers. On today’s episode, we’re looking at our company’s ‘Brands That Matter’ recognition program with ‘Fast Company’ senior staff editor Jeff Beer. Not only is it about building connections, but also developing culturally relevant messaging, making an impact through social causes, and communicating their mission and values clearly. We also chat about peak marketing nostalgia and, specifically, how Kraft Macaroni & Cheese is re-releasing SpongeBob shapes, which seems like a perfect example of a brand keying into what millennials miss about childhood.

‘Are you ok with being in the shadows?’ Bobby Kim, aka Bobby Hundreds, talks about how he started his streetwear brand, The Hundreds, 20 years ago. Every year, there’s always a debate about what streetwear is—some people say it’s not cool anymore because of elitism and snobbery within subcultures. To get around this, Hundreds says you need young people discovering it for first time, as well as seasoned veterans weighing in, for a brand to have lore and build a legacy. Most streetwear brands are built to be ephemeral, but Hundreds said what helped his company was sticking to its core values: honesty, communication, and being personable. “People never go out of style.”

Check out @bobbyhundreds and The Hundreds’ Substack ‘Monologue’: https://bobbyhundreds.substack.com/p/the-importance-of-diversity-and-representation

For Lego, net zero goals are anything but child’s play Sep 27, 2023

Lego has been pushing its ambitious sustainability efforts for years . . . only to recently do an about-face (sort of) by telling us that it will continue manufacturing its blocks with petroleum-based ABS plastic. Even though the company promised to get rid of petroleum-based materials by 2030.

“Fast Company” senior editor Liz Stinson breaks down Lego’s recent announcement, which was more like “an excuse” or kind of an apology. In its efforts to redesign its bricks by using recycled plastic material, Lego decided that a) this kind of plastic just wasn’t going to be as good as the current ABS plastic used for its iconic bricks, and b) it would be more carbon intensive to have to retool its entire manufacturing process to make that work. So . . .it’s not exactly greenwashing, but it’s also not not greenwashing—and it highlights the interesting tension between what companies promise and what they can (or will?) realistically deliver.

And at the Innovation Festival last week, Yaz chatted with Jason Blum, founder and CEO of Blumhouse; David Gordon Green, director of The Exorcist: Believer; and Emma Tammi, director of Five Nights at Freddy’s. Tammi discussed adapting a popular video game into a successful movie, how to balance her artistic vision with fans’ expectations, and producing a movie that could stand on its own. Blum explained how The Exorcist was the ‘riskiest’ undertaking of his life . . . and how he begrudgingly gave up the perfect release date of Friday, the13th, to Taylor Swift since her Eras Tour film is coming out that day.

And speaking of movie production, we’ve also been following the WGA strike with its recent deal.

World Changing Ideas series roundup! Sep 18, 2023

Who is the ‘most fairly paid’ CEO in America—and what does that even mean? Sep 13, 2023

So many CEOs make waaaay more than their workers. To use just one famous example, Apple CEO Tim Cook made more than $99 million in 2022. That’s 1,117 times the company’s median worker pay of $84,000 a year. ‘Fast Company’ deputy digital editor Morgan Clendaniel explains why CEO pay has increased exponentially over the years and discusses how that plays a significant role in overall income inequality.

Want to find novelty in your desk job? Michelle Khare discusses trying out all kinds of different jobs on her YouTube channel’s ‘Challenge Accepted,’ which just won Show of the Year at this year’s Streamy Awards. Having gone to Butler Academy, clown school, and worked as a runway model, Michelle says she’s learned that challenge and failure can still lead to personal growth. Another takeaway: The best managers are those who have done the job firsthand: Management training is ‘something we collectively need to address across corporate America.’

And check out the music video of ‘Back on 74’ by Jungle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3lX2p_Uy9I

For more info on Fast Company’s CEO Fair Pay Report, check out: https://www.fastcompany.com/90946788/out-of-control-ceo-pay-why-its-a-problem?partner=rss&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss+fastcompany&utm_content=rss

FAST COMPANY INNOVATION IS NEXT WEEK! LAST CHANCE TO BUY TICKETS: https://events.fastcompany.com/innovationfestival23

How ChatGPT is launching tech’s next big wave Sep 06, 2023

OpenAI is reportedly nearing $1 billion in annual sales. There’s an AI arms race among big tech companies. AI is everywhere and on everyone’s mind, so we’re breaking it all down. Fast Company senior writer Mark Sullivan explains who the major players are—from Nvidia to Anthropic—why ChatGPT has had such a strong impact on society, and how Congress will decide to regulate AI.

Eleven Madison Park chef and owner Daniel Humm talks about the difficulties of running a fine-dining restaurant and why he decided to make the menu completely plant-based during the pandemic. The restaurant is celebrating 25 years in the global fine-dining industry with the new book, Eat More Plants, penned by Humm.

And we discuss Walmart’s search for a new CEO with healthcare experience.

Don’t forget to check out our Fast Company Innovation Festival! https://events.fastcompany.com/innovationfestival23

YouTube’s $14 billion bet on NFL Sunday Ticket Aug 30, 2023

YouTube paid $14 billion for the rights to the NFL Sunday Ticket. For the next seven years, NFL viewers will be able to watch live football games from their living rooms—on YouTube.

Fast Company senior writer Ainsley Harris explains the reason behind this purchase: YouTube consumption is heavily fragmented. Everyone is watching YouTube, but very few people are watching together. Sunday Ticket is a cornerstone type of content and NFL games pull in millions of people. This move speaks to the long-term investment that YouTube is making in both live sports and live NFL games.

“We’re in an era of reckoning hypocrisies.” When Seth Rogen got into pottery a few years ago, he started sculpting ashtrays. Few people were putting a lot of thought into the lifestyles of people who smoked weed. But now, people are actually celebrating it. So, Rogen decided to create well-designed accessories, like ashtrays and grinders, to address the pent-up desire from weed smokers to decorate their space with nice things. “Crafting products that speak to your personal tastes and lifestyles is validating.” Say goodbye to your old soda cans.

And then we look into that rumor regarding The New Yorker article about Tiger Global.

Check out our upcoming Innovation Festival: https://events.fastcompany.com/innovationfestival23

So, thanks to Bidenomics, we’re not in a recession? Aug 23, 2023

Late last year, everyone thought we were headed for a recession. But now we’re doing great. What’s going on? James Surowiecki, author of The Wisdom of Crowds and a Fast Company contributing writer, explains how “Bidenomics” is actually helping boost the economy.

Courtney Tracy calls herself the truth doctor on TikTok. This came about after she’d dealt with a serious life event in 2019 and thought she needed to hide her struggle. She realized that if an up-and-coming licensed therapist was going to hide her mental health problems, what does that say about mental health overall? That we should hide it, be embarrassed about it . . . really? She was struggling, and she thought the world needed a therapist who was significantly struggling. So she called herself the truth doctor and, in fact, told the truth about her struggles to encourage other people to be honest with themselves and tell the truth about their struggles.

And we’re sorry to hear about Britney’s divorce . . .

Don’t forget to check out our upcoming Innovation Festival at: https://events.fastcompany.com/innovationfestival23

And apply for MIC! https://www.fastcompany.com/apply/most-innovative-companies

SKIMS’ CEO on how Kim Kardashian is like Michael Jordan—and Starbucks Aug 16, 2023

The Women’s World Cup is coming to an end this weekend! The international soccer championship is down to its final week in which Spain and England will be facing off in the final match. Fast Company senior editor Amy Farley and staff editor AJ Hess catch us up on the drama and break down what this tournament means for pro women’s sports.

Also, SKIMS cofounder and CEO Jens Grede explains how Kim Kardashian is like the Michael Jordan of the influencer generation and why the pumpkin spice latte is so important.

And Broadway’s back, baby! Our personal fave is Spamalot.

Don’t forget to sign up for our upcoming Innovation Festival on September 18-21: https://events.fastcompany.com/innovationfestival23

Future executives don't want to go back to the office, and why we still don't know how to manage our finances Aug 09, 2023

It’s looking like the future won’t be spent in the office. Based on a recent Deloitte study, 66% of mid- to executive-level financial services professionals do not want to come back to the office full-time. Writer and journalist Shalene Gupta breaks down the numbers and explains the impact that this will have on future pathways toward leadership.

And historically, financial advice has been “male, pale, and stale,” according to Vivian Tu. The popular FinTok influencer explains why she’s passionate about teaching financial literacy. In addition to her proprietary “STRIP” method for achieving financial independence, she recommends setting up a “money date” with a close friend. Find out how much they make and pay for rent, and what their various expenditures are, she suggests. Tu says we need to ask each other these questions so we can set realistic expectations. “That’s real intimacy. Get financially naked with your friends!”

And then we chat about periods, because they’ve been a taboo subject for so long, and . . . mustard Skittles, because that’s a thing.

Fast Company Innovation Festival is coming up! Check it out here: https://events.fastcompany.com/innovationfestival23

Find out more about Vivian Tu’s forthcoming book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735755/rich-af-by-vivian-tu/

What is Spill and could it (finally) kill Twitter? Aug 02, 2023

The new visual platform, Spill, is not trying to become the next Twitter—it’s aiming to create an entirely new social media platform. Spill’s cofounder and CEO Alphonzo “Fonz” Terrell said he wants to create a fun, safer, and more rewarding space for its users, especially black, female, and queer folks. In order to create a safer and more inclusive community, Spill is building its algorithms based on specific data sets that will not just flag certain terms, but also look at who’s saying those terms. This will create a context-based model for content moderation. While the app is in its beta phase, it’s still invite-only; but since they’re moving at the “speed of culture,” Terrell said they’re aiming to scale up as soon as possible. There is already a vibrant kaleidoscope of diverse channels where “Spillionaires” are interacting and engaging with one another.

Then we talk about the resale industry with Charles Gorra, founder and CEO of Rebag. He explains how the market has shifted and consumers have gotten past the “ick” factor of resale. Now it means you’re a smart shopper and you’re contributing to a circular economy: “It’s not consumption anymore, it’s investment.”

And finally, we chatted about 46,000-year-old worms that may give researchers insight into how to “elongate” humans’ lives . . . maybe.

Our show today was produced by Mariam Kiparoidze with help from Avery Miles and Blake Odom. And special thanks to Max Ufberg for stepping in to host this week!

Mix and sound design by Tad Wadhams and our executive producer is Josh Christensen.

AI and Ozempic: The two great disruptive technologies of 2023 Jul 26, 2023

AI is poised to upend the music industry, and Fast Company Associate Editor David Salazar joins us to discuss what AI generative music is and how the music industry is combating it.

Antidiabetic medication Ozempic is all over the news these days, but it's not as new as it seems. Beyond the TikTok trends and celebrity shout-outs, it's been used to treat diabetes for years. But now talk of this medication has reached a fever pitch.

Found CEO Sarah Jones Simmer talks about how her company prioritizes comprehensive weight care management, the ongoing discussion about Ozempic, and the very complicated history of weight in this country. Basically, how do we thread the needle between self-acceptance and positive body image and the existing health challenges, like the skyrocketing rates of diabetes?

Then we discuss Barbenheimer because, well, we have to.

Barbie's global domination: Exactly how Mattel pulled it off Jul 19, 2023

The thing about the Barbie movie is that saying those three words together just seems inherently ridiculous. And one of the best things Mattel has done is really kind of lean into that. Starting with the Technicolor shots of Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling on set to the colorful trailers that really churned up the enthusiasm for the movie, Mattel created the momentum that has led to a laundry list of product tie-ins, including the Xbox console that actually looks like a house or a makeup station. Fast Company Senior Staff Editor Jeff Beer explains how this Blockbuster movie's marketing campaign stands out . . . and that having fun is at the core of the global brand's approach.

Then to something more serious — Human Rights Watch Executive Director Tirana Hassan talks about how the organization is using technology to push back on misinformation and disinformation, and even how AI can benefit the organization in its investigations.

Will Threads disrupt the digital public square? Jul 12, 2023

We have to talk about the new Twitter on the block: Threads. How does it work? And more importantly, how does it compare to Twitter?

Fast Company Senior Staff Editor Max Ufberg is back to explain what Mark Zuckerberg’s newest platform is, the drama between the two companies, and how Threads' algorithms won't promote hard news or political discourse.

And e.l.f CMO Kory Marchisotto talks about the company’s successful media strategy on TikTok . . . and why it decided to make a Chipotle-inspired, guac-themed eye-shadow palette.

Computer Freaks - Chapter Four: The French Connection Jul 06, 2023

Louis Pouzin is a French academic who some experts say really invented the Arpanet. But is that true, and should any one person be given all the credit?

Computer Freaks - Chapter Three: Let's Have a Ball Jun 29, 2023

It’s the 1970s and both the government and academia are doing everything they can to spread the word of the Arpanet. But as the Arpanet gains popularity everywhere after its 1972 coming-out ball in Washington, D.C., through its new phone book, it also faces detractors who don’t want it to be available to all.

Hacking into the wellness industry with Fast Company's 'Future Me' Docuseries Jun 28, 2023

When you have a chronic illness or debilitating condition, you start turning to alternatives for answers. This is what one of our colleagues did. Fast Company Video Producer and host of the new docuseries “Future Me,” Emma Wheylin, takes us through her biohacking journey. She tried out the Peak Brain Institute and the BallancerPro where she learned a lot about lymphatic drainage.

Yaz chatted with Fast Company Senior Staff Writer Liz Segran and Senior Editor Amy Farley about what the direct-to-consumer Daily Harvest’s recall and lawsuits reveal about how unregulated food startups are. They dove into how this resulted in several hospital visits, emergency surgeries, and thousands of dollars in healthcare costs. It came down to a novel ingredient called tara flour.

Also, for more info about Fast Company premium, check out: https://www.fastcompany.com/premium

Computer Freaks - Chapter Two: In the Air Jun 22, 2023

Many historians say the Arpanet (and ultimately the internet) was born on October 29, 1969. But is that really when the Arpanet began, and who should be given credit for this key moment in internet history?

Introducing 'Computer Freaks' - Chapter One: The Dollhouse Jun 15, 2023

After World War II, the U.S. had to change the way it communicated if it was going to keep up with the Soviets in the Cold War, especially once Sputnik was launched. It was the vision of a Missouri boy called Lick that would solve those communication issues and spark the creation of the internet.

Are we all going to start using the new Apple Vision Pro headset? Jun 07, 2023

On today's episode, Yaz chats with Fast Company senior writer Mark Sullivan about what's happening with Apple these days. And we learn about the latest biotech research in menopause with Fast Company senior writer Ainsley Harris.

What are long-shot presidential candidates talking about on podcasts? May 31, 2023

The presidential race is already heating up, and aside from the usual fanfare around frontrunners like Trump and Biden, there are long-shot candidates creating space for themselves on . . . podcasts, of all places. Yaz chatted with ‘Fast Company’ contributing writer Clint Rainey to hear about his journey listening to some of these long-shot candidates on quite an array of podcasts.

Harry’s Razors is arguably one of the first companies to pioneer the direct-to-consumer model. This year, the company is celebrating 10 years. Yaz sat down with Jeff Raider, cofounder and co-CEO, to hear his thoughts on how the industry has evolved since Harry’s first started.

Presenting: The new season of 'Most Innovative Companies' May 24, 2023

Is AI coming for our jobs?? ‘Fast Company’ senior staff editor Max Ufberg explains that it is . . . but that it’s not all bad news.

And Yaz chatted with Loom CEO Joe Thomas—Loom is essentially TikTok for business, which sounds crazier than it is—about how video conferencing is here to stay.

Also, a special thanks to Marfa Public Radio for helping us out with some recording on this episode!

Flashback: Beyond Meat is aiming for perfection May 24, 2023

Back in 2021, Talib sat down with Beyond Meat Founder and CEO Ethan Brown to discuss the company's newest burger and how plant-based meat compares to animal-based meat.

FROM PFIZER AND FASTCO WORKS: The future of marketing medicine May 11, 2023

Bringing trusted science into consumer hands has never been more important. Establishing credibility, sending the right message, and offering relevant information all hinge on a marketing strategy that delivers superior insights, reaches the right audience wherever they are, and makes an impact. As Pfizer's first CMO, Drew Panayiotou leads the company's efforts to modernize its marketing through unparalleled analytics, strategic integrations, and innovative go-to-market models.

In this custom episode of Most Innovative Companies, Fast Company has partnered with Pfizer to offer a

behind-the-scenes look at Drew's vision, approach, and strategy for the future of marketing medicine

- and the future of the company as a modern marketing organization.

Flashback: Rescuing food, feeding the hungry and saving the environment May 03, 2023

Talib chatted with 412 Food Rescue Founder Leah Lizarondo about addressing climate change and preventing hunger.

Flashback: The pregnancy test that won't cause more pollution Apr 19, 2023

Throwback to when we chatted with LIA co-founders Bethany Edwards and Anna Couturier. Lia is the first biodegradable, flushable, and zero-waste pregnancy test.

Flashback: How a pair of shoes can help drop the carbon footprint Apr 12, 2023

Let's rewind to when Talib Visram chatted with Cariuma Co-founders Fernando Porto and David Python about their mission to make the footwear industry more sustainable using materials like sugar cane and bamboo.

Flashback: How we can prevent food waste and change our food system for the better Apr 05, 2023

A look back on a conversation between Talib Visram and Full Harvest Founder and CEO Christine Moseley about her passion for the environment, affordable healthy food, and efficiencies.

Flashback: How the trucking industry can reduce its carbon footprint Mar 29, 2023

We're looking back on our conversation with Convoy's Head of Sustainability Jennifer Wong about the company's efficiency methods and decarbonizing the supply chain.

Flashback: Building 3D homes on the moon Mar 22, 2023

Rewind to our chat with Jason Ballard, CEO and co-founder of ICON, a digital construction company that 3D-prints houses... that might end up on the moon someday.

Flashback: Rethinking our democracy from elections to lotteries Mar 15, 2023

Rewind to Season 1 when we chatted with ofbyfor about an alternative way to structure democracy from elections to lotteries.

Let's stop fighting the water and learn how to live with it Mar 01, 2023

We’ve looked at a whole bunch of amazing ideas this season. We’ve met people tackling global problems, including rising temperatures, water shortages, rainforest destruction, and greenhouse-gas emissions. But one environmental challenge we can’t skip over is rising sea levels. Global warming has caused unprecedented levels of ice and glacier melt over the last few decades. No matter how much we reduce our carbon emissions, sea levels are on course to rise at least a foot by 2050. That’s a scary statistic even before we think about the fact that almost three-quarters of the world’s population live within 50km (or less than 1 mile) of the sea. On this episode, we dive into water homes—how they’re built and when we’ll be able to move into one!

Koen Olthuis is the cofounder and principal architect of Waterstudio
Grant Romundt is the cofounder and CEO of OceanBuilders

The future of the brain is here with a brain-computer-interface implant Feb 22, 2023

This week, we're taking a look at the brain and a world-changing idea that could overhaul how we approach brain surgery.

A company called Synchron is investigating how you restore, treat, and map the electrical activities of the human brain. And they’ve developed the first brain-computer-interface implant in the United States. It’s called a Stentrode, and when the device gets implanted, it can allow severely paralyzed patients to control personal devices without using their hands.

Producer Avery Miles sat down with Peter Yoo, Synchron’s director of Neuroscience, at last year’s Fast Company Innovation Festival to learn more about how this technology works.

How biohacking can build a more inclusive future and help gain agency over our bodies Feb 15, 2023

We spend our whole lives living in human bodies, but even in 2023, there is so much that science doesn’t understand about how our body works, how it’s programmed, how it heals itself . . . or doesn’t. Despite all of our technological innovation, human life expectancy seems to have plateaued. In the U.S alone, it’s actually gone down for the past 2 years.

Biohackers around the world are making it their mission to optimize the body for its longest, healthiest life possible. In today’s episode, we follow one woman’s journey as she finds out how to heal her body using modern technology that borrows from age-old practices. We also found out how one company is bridging the gender health gap, and how tiny robots could help locate tumors and dissolve blood clots before they became fatal.

Emma Wheylin, video producer of Fast Company's "Future Me" biohacking series
Alicia Chong Rodriguez, founder and CEO of Bloomer Tech
Dr. Bradley Nelson, professor of Robotics and Intelligent Systems at ETH Zurich

Collecting water from fog clouds - is it sci fi or a real solution? Feb 08, 2023

Protecting our most important resources is becoming a global problem that affects all of us. The impact of climate change and the demands of urban living are threatening so many of our essential sources of life. Water is one of the most precious commodities available to us. But we'll have to find some innovative approaches to collecting it. That's where fog catching comes into play. We also found out what one group is doing to protect the Amazon rainforest, its biodiversity and indigenous inhabitants.

Jamila Bargach, executive director of Foundation Dar Si Hmad
Tadzio MacGregor, co-founder of the Javari Project

Decarbonization startups are in! Meet three of our favorites Feb 01, 2023

Despite a dip in carbon emissions during the pandemic, the U.S is still the world’s second largest polluter. The country produced 5.6 bn metric tons of CO2 in 2022, and that’s up from last year.

So who’s got some world-changing ideas when it comes to decarbonization? We’ve found three pretty cool characters this week. And each one of them has gone all in on the power of plants.

Adam Taylor, CEO of Brilliant Planet, a company that grows massive amounts of microalgae on coastal deserts in order to store carbon at a grand scale.
Rodrigo Garcia Gonzalez, cofounder and co-CEO of Notpla, which is using seaweed to take plastic out of packaging.
Christian Kroll, founder and CEO of Ecosia, the internet search engine that will plant trees using people's searches.

Can the Metaverse ever compete with social media? Jan 25, 2023

There are lots of different definitions of what the Metaverse is or could be. At the moment, the whole thing is looking quite fragmented. You get all these buzzwords being thrown around like immersive, virtual reality, avatars and headsets, but it’s not really clear yet how this new virtual space will change the way we interact with each other.

On today's episode, we chatted with two people who are tapped into the scene, and they gave us their insights.

Cathy Hackl, founder and Chief Metaverse Officer at Journey
Matt Navarra, podcaster and social media consultant

How will 3 billion people playing video games change the world? Jan 18, 2023

In 2022, roughly 3 billion people, or one in every three people in the world, regularly played computer games, either on their phone, computer, or some kind of gaming console. Analysts predict that the video game market will bring in over $200 billion in 2024. If you think about it, people are wired to play games, it’s actually something that’s helped us evolve as a species.

The Arsht Rockefeller Foundation has put together an initiative to share climate-change-resiliency solutions by 2030. Their goal: to reach one billion people. Video games have shown they not only bring people together, but also help mobilize collective action. But what about the environmental impact? We take a look at what digital games can cost the planet as well as the benefits of designing climate-resilient video games.

Rosemary Mann leads video gaming strategy at the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center.
Chance Glasco is the creative director of Good Dog Studios and a nonresident senior fellow at the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center.
Juni Yeung is a music teacher, author, cultural historian, and interpreter.
Ben Abraham is the founder of the research and consultancy group, AfterClimate, and the author of Digital Games After Climate Change.
Marina Psaros is head of sustainability at Unity Technologies.

Best of WCI: Toilets, poop, and water conservation Jan 11, 2023

We have a recap of one of our favorite episodes from last year and what better way to kick off 2023 than talking about toilets? Enjoy!

The Fast Company podcast team looks back on 2022 Dec 28, 2022

Amelia Hemphill, KC Ifeanyi, and Kate Davis discuss the biggest stories at Fast Company this past year and share their favorite moments from Fast Company podcasts. Amelia explains some of the most innovative approaches to sustainability, including a toilet that incinerates your bowel movement under water. KC reviews some of the biggest trends in the creator economy. Kate highlights The New Way We Work's 4-part miniseries "Ambition Diaries," which examined the effects of the pandemic on women's progress in the workplace. Finally, Kate, KC, and Amelia share their New Year's resolutions.

Subscribe to World Changing Ideas, The New Way We Work, and Creative Control on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Telling stories could be the ultimate climate change solution—meet the activists changing the narrative Dec 21, 2022

Addressing the problems around climate change requires collective action and big ideas. But we also need to learn how to listen and how to change our perspective. This week, we speak to some leading environmental activists about storytelling and how to craft a message that sparks behavioral change.

Kate Tellers - director at The Moth, a storytelling collective and nonprofit in New York City. She’s also the author of How to Tell a Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling From The Moth.
Dr. Nicole Redvers - assistant professor at the University of Western Ontario and the cofounder of the Arctic Indigenous Wellness Foundation.
Winnie Cheche - wildlife conservation activist and Communication Lead at Kenya Environmental Action Network
Finn Harries - designer and filmmaker, cofounder of Earthrise Studio

Check out our Instagram and TikTok at Fast Company for more creative world changing ideas!

Poop Jacuzzis, guard dogs and worm bins - how to produce food with no pesticides Dec 14, 2022

Farming is one of our most ancient practices. We can’t support human life on this planet without the food we grow from the soil. But the soil itself is also a living organism—and a crucial resource that desperately needs our global attention. December 5 is the UN’s annual World Soil Day—to bring awareness of the importance of healthy soil and ecosystems. So, let’s dig in here. . . .

Apricot Lane Farms: John and Molly Chester started out not knowing much about farming but have now created a world-famous case study of soil regeneration and biodynamic farming with Apricot Lane Farms, which spans 234 acres of countryside in Moorpark, California. They’ve also built a thriving business and produced an award-winning documentary called ‘The Biggest Little Farm’ about the couple’s farming journey and the challenges along the way.

Check out our Instagram and TikTok at Fast Company for more creative world changing ideas!

Car-free cities and flying boats: futuristic or present-day solutions? Dec 07, 2022

Reducing emissions was a hot topic at COP27, and a lot of the emissions burden is going to fall on cities and local governments. So what kind of world-changing ideas are we seeing in this space?

Volksentscheid Autofrei is posing the philosophical question of how to optimize our urban spaces and taking it to the streets, literally. The movement wants to significantly reduce Berlin’s car traffic by opening up the inner city to pedestrians. The main goal was to start a forum for a democratic process, so they proposed a law the people of Berlin could vote on.
Candela is aiming to overhaul the maritime industry by creating a flying boat . . . or something close to it. Its carbon fiber and proprietary software are part of a design to create an electric boat that’s both noiseless and emissions-free. The next step? Building an electric water taxi that will connect waterfront cities.

Check out our Instagram and TikTok at Fast Company for more creative world changing ideas!

THE NEW WAY WE WORK: How to plan for the future in an uncertain world - long term career thinking in times of crisis Nov 30, 2022

Kate Davis talks with Dorie Clark about how to future proof your career (as much as possible). Dorie has been a guest on the show before, she’s also a contributor to Fast Company, Harvard Business Review and others and has been named the #1 Communication Coach and one of the Top 50 Business Thinkers in the World. She teaches at both Duke and Columbia Business Schools, and she is the author of several books, including The Long Game: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World.

Completely animal-free meat, eggs, and ice cream! Nov 23, 2022

It’s Thanksgiving tomorrow and what better way to spend it than examining how our food is produced?

While we can’t live without food, we also can’t afford to have the current agricultural industries, which grow and produce our food, continue contributing to climate change at such a rapid pace. The global population is larger than ever before, but in order for industrial agriculture to provide for everyone while not destroying the planet in the process, a lot has to change.

Could bioengineered food be the next world-changing idea? We looked at three companies working on revolutionizing the food landscape:

Meatable is headed by Daan Luining, who was part of the team that created the first cultivated burger. Cultivated meat requires only three months to develop versus the three years it takes for a cow to mature before it’s slaughtered for food. But how will the end product’s taste and texture measure up to traditional animal meat?

Neggst is creating a completely vegan egg made from fava beans, sweet potatoes, and peas. It may fry like a chicken egg, but will it help decrease environmental degradation?

Perfect Day has made an animal-free ice cream that contains the same protein found in milk but it doesn't come from cows. Its taste might be indistinguishable from our beloved cow-derived ice cream, but the verdict is still out on whether this cellular-fermentation process will make a significant dent in greenhouse gas emissions.

Check out our Instagram and TikTok at Fast Company for more creative world changing ideas!

How can data help capture carbon and fight climate change? Nov 16, 2022

In this episode, we're taking a look at how one company and a nonprofit are working together to capture carbon. Their partnership also addresses the question of how we can make climate innovation a successful business strategy.

CLIMATE VAULT

Climate Vault has come up with a new way of addressing how companies can be held accountable for their carbon emissions. The nonprofit uses compliance markets to set up a verifiable and transparent way of measuring carbon offsets. And secondly, it helps invest in strategies and new technologies that remove even more carbon from entering the atmosphere.

GENPACT

Genpact is in the business of digital transformation and this means it’s ripe for helping companies and organizations innovate. To that end, it recently partnered with Climate Vault to build software for the nonprofit to track carbon emissions. As part of its stated mission to create a world that works better for people, Genpact has created a system to help organizations reach their carbon reduction goals.

Conversation highlights:

at its core, climate change is a data challenge
holding companies accountable comes down to trust
it’s critical to keep the carbon removal process as transparent as possible.

A solar farm in the sky, solar power stored in soil and solar-powered cities! Nov 09, 2022

From Queens, New York over to West Africa down to Southwest Florida and up to Europe, we're jumping from soil to sky in our exploration of how solar energy could power our world.

Contributing WCI reporter Blake Odom investigates how you can set up solar power for your home. He looks into the installation costs, the time needed, and the potential savings.

Energicity is hooking up West African countries like Sierra Leone and Liberia with solar power minigrids.

Babcock Ranch is one of the few places in Florida that did not lose power when Hurricane Ian hit in September. And that's because it runs on solar power. It's a living laboratory for how we could power our towns with solar energy.

Dr. Michael Harbottle is developing a way for soil to store solar energy. Bacteria in the soil will help this process by performing electrosynthesis. Wild! Especially considering how current solar batteries require lithium, which is a finite resource.

The Solaris initiative is working on creating a space-based solar power to decrease energy decarbonization on Earth. Over the next decades, it could build a 2 km-long satellite over Europe that harnesses solar power directly from the sun and beams it back down to Earth!

Check out our Instagram and TikTok at Fast Company for more creative world changing ideas!

Is Beyond Meat steaking too much on plant-based meat? Nov 02, 2022

We’ve talked a lot about sustainable and plant-based foods before—and on today’s show, you may get a little deja-vu. You’ll remember last year we did a live taste-test of the Beyond Burger 3.0 with Beyond Meat’s CEO, Ethan Brown. We welcomed Ethan back to chat about the latest iteration—the 4.0 Burger.

Interview Highlights:

Brown discusses the reiteration process and the company's ethos of relentless progress
How the new plant-based steak at Taco Bell made from faba bean protein tastes
Is the company disrupting and revolutionizing anymore? Or is it a legacy player now?

Follow us for more innovative world changing ideas on Instagram and TikTok at Fast Company.

Dealing with our poop: how do we turn human waste into “Midnight Gold”? Oct 26, 2022

Most societies have a complex relationship with human poop. It brings up all kinds of emotions: disgust, fascination, shame, happiness, relief, and even pride. It’s something we can all relate to though. Everyone poops!

Visit Mr. Toilet House in Suwon, South Korea where visitors from all over the world come to learn about the history of human waste.

Dr. Shannon Yee is taking on Thomas Crapper for a place in the Toilets Hall of Fame. He has designed a toilet that takes the water almost completely out of the equation.

Lina Zeldovich is no stranger to talking about poop-back in Russian her grandfather used their waste as compost and now she has literally written the book on poop, it's called The Other Dark Matter.

Lindsay Stradley saw firsthand how combining water with human waste can lead to serious problems. She resolved to improve urban sanitation and started Sanergy, a company that provides container-based facilities and now serves over 150,000 Nairobi residents.

FROM AWS AND FAST CO WORKS: At the Edge of Innovation: A Conversation with AWS’s Jan Hofmeyr Oct 21, 2022

In this special podcast episode, hear the latest on what’s taking place in edge computing and hybrid cloud from a top industry executive at AWS. Also learn how these innovations can ultimately help you transform your business.

WCI Pitch Fest - What can we do to cool down? Oct 19, 2022

Climate change isn’t going away, so we have to find ways to adapt. Last week, we took a look at some of the ways that cities, businesses and NGOs are trying to combat extreme heat and rising temperatures - a growing threat to people and communities all over the world. It’s all very well looking at macro solutions, but what can we as individuals do? This week we rounded up our World Changing Ideas reporters to pitch their favorite heat-reducing ideas. So, which one is your favorite? And can any of them have a real world impact? Take a listen!

How are we going to deal with extreme heat? Oct 12, 2022

Welcome back for Season 2! Here we are in October 2022. The seasons are changing. We’re all getting used to a new kind of normal. For those of us in the northern hemisphere, this past summer was uncomfortably hot…and as the scientists keep telling us: this is just the beginning.

To find out how we can tackle future extreme heat events, we spoke with Global Chief Heat Officer Eleni Myrivili. Then we learned about a new type of eco-friendly AC unit and how solar-reflective paint can help reduce the heat in urban communities.

We're back with a brand new season! Oct 05, 2022

This season we’ll be traveling around the globe to find the best, the boldest and the strangest ideas that could transform life as we know it. From the US, Europe, the Middle East and the global South, we’re going to hear from the dreamers, the experts and the activists who all have one thing in common: a desire to change the world for the better.

Join Amelia Hemphill, a solutions journalist and documentary filmmaker, as she goes on a mission to track down the people who are taking big risks and getting things done.

LIVE! from Fast Company Innovation Festival with Brian Chesky Sep 28, 2022

James Vincent talks with Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky on stage at Fast Company Innovation Festival in New York City

Flashback: How We Can Use AI to Help Improve Medicine Sep 21, 2022

Last year, Talib talked with Brightseed Co-founder and COO Sofia Elizondo to chat about how her company has developed AI technology to find nutrients that can be used as preventative medicine.

Flashback: How We Can Address Food Waste and Hunger with One App Sep 14, 2022

Last year, Talib chatted with Food Rescue Hero CEO and Founder Leah Lizarondo about her app that acts like an Uber or DoorDash for surplus food.

Flashback: What Does the Future of Digital Reading Look Like? Sep 07, 2022

Last year, Talib sat down with award-winning author Alexander Kielland Krag and Gyldendal Executive Vice President Tom Christian Gotschalksen to discuss “This Stays Between Us,” which might be the first long-form story natively written for Instagram Stories.

Flashback: How Can We Create Water from Thin Air? Aug 31, 2022

Last year, Talib talked with Source Global CEO and Founder Cody Friesen about how his company collects water by using hydropanels. They harness the energy of the sun to draw water vapor from the atmosphere. The company also received $7 million from Chamath Palihapitiya, founder of Social Capital, to scatter the hydro panels across California’s Central Valley.

Flashback: How Can We Make Our Furniture More Sustainable? Aug 24, 2022

Last year, Talib sat down with Lonely Whale Executive Director Dune Ives about the NextWave Plastics initiative that comprises a group of multinational companies committed to reducing plastic waste. She’s joined by a couple of representatives from two of those member companies: HP’s Chief Sustainability and Social Impact Officer Ellen Jackowski and Jane Abernethy, the Chief Sustainability Officer at Humanscale.

FROM FRESHWORKS AND FAST CO. WORKS: What is the future of the employee experience? Aug 22, 2022

Every company’s success is tied to its talent - recruiting and retaining the employees needed to deliver high-level customer experiences that support the bottom line. Yet rapid transformation has disrupted many things that organizations used to do to maintain great company cultures. So how can business leaders reimagine their employee experiences to meet the needs of their workforces? How does that translate into better customer experiences? In this thought-provoking podcast episode, FastCo Works will hear from Freshworks CMO Stacey Epstein as she shares some of the latest industry best practices and learnings for companies navigating these work culture shifts.

Flashback: How Can We Make Clothing More Sustainable? Aug 17, 2022

Last year, Talib talked with Vanessa Barboni Hallik, the founder and CEO of Another Tomorrow, an end-to-end sustainable design company to chat about technology-enabled transparency and a circular economy.

Flashback: How Playing Video Games Could Help Feed Hungry Children Aug 10, 2022

Last year, Talib sat down with hive CEO and co-founder Jenifer Willig to discuss her work on creating a video game that helps fight malnutrition. According to UNICEF, severe acute malnutrition threatens an estimated 16 million children worldwide and claims the lives of approximately one million more. One of the most common interventions by the UN is to provide Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food packets.

Flashback: How it's Not Impossible to Fix the Absurdities in the World Aug 03, 2022

Last year, Talib talked with Mick Ebeling, the founder of Not Impossible, a social innovation lab and production company and his Managing Director Adam Dole, who is also the cofounder of Bento, a mobile platform they created to end hunger. They discussed why Not Impossible strives to solve the world's absurdities and how Bento brings dignity to those who experience food insecurity.

Flashback: How this Pregnancy Test Protects Your Privacy and the Environment Jul 27, 2022

Hey everyone, as part of our continuing summer series, we’re looking back on some of our previous episodes. Last year, Talib sat down with Lia Diagnostics co-founders Bethany Edwards and Anna Couturier to discuss how they decided to revolutionize the home pregnancy test.

Flashback: How We Can Borrow from the Greeks and Improve Our Democracy Jul 20, 2022

As part of our continuing summer series, we’re looking back on some of our previous episodes.

Last year, Talib talked with Adam Cronkright about of by for*, a non-partisan, non-profit organization he co-founded, which aims to replace politicians with everyday people.

Flashback: How This Author Turned One Book into a Multimedia Business Jul 13, 2022

We're taking a look back at some of our favorite moments over the past year and a half. This week we're going back to our conversation with Jelani Memory, the founder and CEO of A Kids Company About. Memory first wrote about his own experience with racism for his kids and then turned that into a multimedia business.

Flashback: How Beyond Meat is Putting Plants at the Center of the Plate Jul 06, 2022

We're taking a look back at some of our best moments over the past year and a half. This week we're going back to our conversation with Beyond Meat Founder and CEO Ethan Brown about why he wants to see more people embracing a plant-based diet.

What Are 3 Basic Steps You Can Take to Slow Global Warming? Jun 29, 2022

We're taking a look back at this season's innovations and ideas on climate change. Let us know which ones were your favorites!

Also, don't lose hope! There are a few simple things we can all do on an individual basis to help curb climate change. Dr. Emily Fischer helped found Science Moms, an organization geared toward informing moms about what climate change is and how they can pitch in to help stop it from getting worse. Their advice isn't just for moms though, it can help guide anybody who's feeling lost by the misinformation and disinformation out there. Stay cool this summer and we'll see you again in the fall!

How Can Washing Clothes Help Cut Down Our Impact on the Climate? Jun 22, 2022

We’ve talked about oceans and plastic pollution before but today we’re going to explore an unlikely connection between those two topics, and something that often gets overlooked: laundry. It might seem like a strange link to climate change because, you know, who really cares about laundry? But about 50 percent of the total greenhouse gas emitted over the course of a life of a tee shirt, for example, comes from the laundry room. The vast majority of that is simply heating water to wash in hot. Hanesbrands Chief Sustainability Officer Chris Fox explains how the underwear giant has paired up with Tide to encourage people to wash with cold water. Then Dr. Andrea Huvard of California Lutheran University delves into the impact that laundry has on our sea life, specifically from the microfibers released.

Resources:

https://www.greenmatters.com/p/what-are-microfibers

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/documents/article_2_microfibers.pdf

How Do You Become an Innovator by Accident? Jun 15, 2022

How does one become an organic dairy farmer? Well, sometimes you just happen to stumble into it. Donald De Jong is the CEO of Natural Prairie Dairy and he was more surprised than anyone else when he delved into the world of organic dairy farming.

How You Can Restore an Economy By Saving A Coral Reef Jun 08, 2022

It’s World Oceans Day! And we’re celebrating our blue planet by talking about coral reefs.

Coral bleaching events are like 100-year flood events: ideally they're only supposed to happen once every 100 years but that's not the reality. In 2005, the U.S. lost half of its Caribbean coral reefs in one year due to a major bleaching event and this past March the Great Barrier Reef experienced its sixth mass bleaching event on record. But there is some good news!

We talked with James Robinson, a research fellow at Lancaster University in the U.K, who recently found that bleached corals could actually provide sustenance to local coastal communities. Sam Teicher is the co-founder of Coral Vita, a company that grows corals to restore our world's dying reefs. They are not only restoring coral that's been lost but also helping support local economies that rely on coral reefs.

How Can Hydrogen Help Energize the World in a Clean Way? Jun 01, 2022

Renewable energy comes in many forms: solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, geothermal, and wave energy.

On this episode, we're focusing on solar energy and how more communities can gain access to and benefit from it. Clearloop Co-founder and CEO Laura Zapata talks about how she got involved in cleaning up the electricity grid in the U.S.

Then we learn how solar can help generate a green form of hydrogen. Bill Gross is the founder and CEO of Heliogen, a company that uses computer science and engineering to make renewable energies more of a reality.

How Can We Reduce Waste in the Trucking Industry: A Recap May 25, 2022

As a follow-up to our episode on transportation, we're revisiting a conversation with Jennifer Wong, the head of sustainability at Convoy. The company is working on improving efficiency in the trucking business by saving money for shippers and increasing earnings for truck drivers, while also helping eliminate carbon waste.

How We Can Pave Roads and Electrify Cars to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions May 18, 2022

Global transportation is responsible for 24 percent of direct CO2 emissions from fuel combustion. The transportation sector in the U.S is responsible for roughly 29 percent of greenhouse gas emissions.

First, we look at how Ford is remodeling its most popular vehicle and then learn about a unique way to solve climate change in the transportation industry. Haakon Brunell is the co-founder of Carbon Crusher, a road tech company that builds carbon negative roads.

Can Going Meat-Free Really Help Cut Back on Carbon Emissions? May 11, 2022

A new study shows how quickly reducing animal farming could unlock ‘negative emissions’ by lowering the amount of methane and nitrous oxide from the air and allowing forests to regenerate. Talib and Avery discuss this development through the lens of their own dietary choices.

How Can We Farm Against Climate Change and Grow Crops Sustainably? May 04, 2022

Deforestation is partially a result of traditional agriculture practices so we’re looking into alternative agriculture to find out how it can actually benefit the environment. We're focusing on two farming innovations, one of which doesn’t involve soil to grow plants and another that uses a machine to clean up cow manure.

Stanley Janicki is the vice president of Sedron Technologies and Donald De Jong is the co-owner and CEO of Natural Prairie Dairy. They partnered to roll out the Varcor system, which upcycles cow manure into a better fertilizer while helping to sequester more carbon in the soil. Plus, it produces clean drinking water!

Gotham Greens Co-founder and CEO Viraj Puri developed an urban greenhouse farm that's completely devoid of soil. With the goal to localize supply chains, Puri is opening up more hydroponic farms located in urban settings to cut back on distribution distances.

Resources on regenerative farming and permaculture:

https://www.nrdc.org/stories/regenerative-agriculture-101#whatis

https://www.thespruce.com/permaculture-garden-principles-steps-5199140

How We Can Create Climate Equity using Trees: A Recap Apr 27, 2022

Last year Talib talked with Maisie Hughes from American Forests about tree equity and since it seemed like a good follow-up to our episode on reforestation last week, we’re going to share some highlights from that interview.

Can Planting Trees Really Save the Planet from Global Warming? Apr 20, 2022

Because it’s Earth Day in two days, we thought, what better way to celebrate than by talking about the most iconic symbol of the Earth? Trees are nature’s first line of defense when it comes to fighting climate change, because of their capacity to remove carbon from the atmosphere and store it. In this episode we’ll learn about two ways that will help forests keep doing the work they need to do.

Yee Lee is the VP of Growth at Terraformation, a forest restoration startup that aims to speed up the reforesting process.

Zack Parisa is NCX CEO and co-founder and Dr. Jennifer Jenkins is its Chief Sustainability Officer. NCX is connecting American landowners with carbon buyers using AI data mapping to open up access to the carbon offsets market.

How Much Can We Blame Companies for Causing Climate Change? Apr 13, 2022

We know that corporations have known about their own role in climate change for some time but while they might be accountable, individuals are also responsible for managing their own carbon-producing behavior.

On today's episode, we’re looking at a decades-long blame game and then we'll find out about the recent SEC ruling that could change the way companies operate when it comes to climate change.

How Does Plastic Actually Break Down and Can We Replace it? Apr 06, 2022

Last month, UN members convened at the UN Environment Assembly and passed a historic resolution to end plastic pollution. On this week's episode we're looking at what plastic is, how it can biodegrade, what biodegradable even means and what we can do to start taking plastic out of our everyday life.

Dr. Ting Xu is a professor in the Department of Science Engineering and the Department of Chemistry at the University of California at Berkeley.

Sarah Paiji Yoo is the CEO and co-founder of Blueland, a company that has committed to revolutionizing conventional cleaning and personal care products.

We Traveled to Vermont and Tried Out the New Taiga Electric Snowmobile! Mar 30, 2022

A few weeks ago, we went up to Stowe, Vermont and rode on Taiga's new electric snowmobiles. It was a fun experience testing out its new model, which is much quieter than traditional gas-powered snowmobiles.

How Can We Harness Methane as a Source for Good? Mar 23, 2022

On today's episode, we’re going to look at methane. While we know that a major source of greenhouse gases is carbon dioxide, methane also plays a huge part. It doesn't stay in the atmosphere as long as carbon dioxide but one molecule of methane has more than 80 times the warming power of a molecule of CO2. Lena Hoeglund Isaksson is a senior research scholar at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis and she explains how we can focus our efforts on removing methane. Then Newlight Technologies Co-founder and CEO Mark Herrema discusses how his company developed a unique process that creates a bioplastic material by combining air with methane.

How Removing Carbon Could Actually Encourage Us to Continue Polluting Mar 16, 2022

This episode we're looking at the potential philosophical problem behind implementing carbon removal strategies. Could they inadvertently cause industries to stop trying to curb emissions in the first place? Would this be like a get-out-of-jail-free card for people? American University's Institute for Carbon Removal Law and Policy Co-director Simon Nicholson helps explore this thorny topic, along with Klaus Lackner, the director for the Center of Negative Carbon Emissions at Arizona State University.

What Will It Take to Get 40 Billion Tons of CO2 Out of Our Atmosphere? Mar 09, 2022

When it comes to curbing greenhouse gas emissions, the words decarbonize and carbon negativity get bandied about. To help dissect what those mean, Talib chatted with Simon Nicholson, an associate professor in the School of International Service at American University and the director of the Institute for Carbon Removal Law and Policy.

Gaurab Chakrabarti is the CEO and co-founder of Solugen, a company that uses plant-powered technology to produce molecules more sustainably than traditional chemical companies. It also happens to be completely carbon negative.

How Do We Get More People to Care about Climate Change? Mar 02, 2022

On this episode, we’re talking about something that’s at the heart of the climate crisis - how do we get more people to care about it? Fast Company Senior Staff Editor Jeff Beer joins Talib to discuss it.

What Does Our Future Look Like with Climate Change on the Horizon? Feb 23, 2022

We're kicking off a new season by delving into our world's most challenging issue: climate change. We all know that it's a crisis we need to fix before it's too late. Instead of focusing on the doom and gloom though, we're going to look at the innovative ways entrepreneurs and scientists are tackling it.

Dr. Kim Cobb is a climatologist at Georgia Tech and she lays out the very real goals we need to set for ourselves in the next coming decades. Then, Fast Company Senior Editor Morgan Clendaniel chats about what to expect this season.

Innovation Unrestricted - How Companies can Incorporate Diversity and Inclusion into Product Design Feb 16, 2022

In this episode, host Abigail Bassett is joined by Lenovo’s Calvin Crosslin to talk about how companies can incorporate diversity and inclusion into their product design - plus a conversation with Carnegie Mellon’s Eric Anderson about how ensuring the inclusivity and accessibility of products has become a business imperative.

Innovation Unrestricted - Designing Products and Communities With Sustainability and Innovation in Mind Feb 09, 2022

In this episode, host Abigail Bassett is joined by Lenovo’s Vlad Rozanovich to talk about how the tech company looks at product design through a sustainability lens - plus a conversation with actress and activist, Sophia Bush on a bold new Lenovo-led initiative to help prevent the extinction of endangered species and support a local community on its journey to sustainability.

We're Back and Starting Something New! Feb 02, 2022

We’re kicking off this new season with a special series completely dedicated to climate change. We’ll cover everything from the decarbonization of the chemical industry to how we can take plastic out of our cleaning supplies. We’ll be talking with people who saw a problem and were determined to fix it.

Tune in every Wednesday starting on February 23rd.

How Motorcycles Can Help Save Wildlife Around the World Jan 26, 2022

We cover a lot of creative ideas on the show but they’ve all been tools or innovations that mainly help people. So, today we’re going to take a look at something that will benefit animals. Specifically: endangered species.

Talib talks about his chat with Cake Founder Stefan Ytterborn about how e-bikes are helping anti-poaching efforts in Southern Africa.

For more info, check out: ridecake.com and wildlifecollege.org.za

How Your Favorite Ice Cream or Chocolate Might Be Made Out of Fiber Instead of Sugar Jan 19, 2022

Hey everybody, welcome back and hope you all had a healthy and happy holiday season!

January is a month for reflection and fulfilling resolutions so we thought we'd talk about sugar-or rather-a new sugar substitute. Talib chatted with Supplant's biochemist, Tom Simmons and Per Se Chef Thomas Keller to discuss their partnership of using fiber-based sugar in foods, including Per Se's shortbread recipe.

To find out more, check out Supplant at supplant.com.

And to learn more about their partnership with Per Se: https://www.fastcompany.com/90699806/this-low-calorie-high-fiber-natural-sugar-substitute-is-already-in-thomas-kellers-kitchens

THE YEAR AHEAD: Innovation for All - Connecting Through Caring: How Purpose-Driven Brands are Earning Customer Loyalty Jan 12, 2022

The Year Ahead: Innovation For All is a new mini series from FastCo Works and Capital One. Join host Julianne Pepitone as she explores how companies can focus on their core values and develop more authentic mission statements.

In this episode, Julianne talks with Capital One President of Financial Services Sanjiv Yajnik about why he thinks innovation is not just something applied to high tech tools, but a vital element in forming meaningful customer connections.

THE YEAR AHEAD: Innovation for All - Why Personalized Artificial Intelligence Could Be the Next Big Thing in Tech Jan 05, 2022

Every major successful technology goes through key phases - from early adopter beta testing to 1.0 rollouts to mainstream adoption. Artificial intelligence is no different as it went from research lab demonstrations to business tool to consumer-focused digital assistants and more. AI is now an established technology but one with a lot of untapped potential. And one of the key areas of AI development is around making it more personalized to users, customers and business workers.

On this episode, Robert Pulciani, Capital One executive vice president of AI and machine learning product, talks about what a personalized AI future will look like, what the benefits could be and what guardrails need to be in place.

New Year's Special - Reflecting on 2021 Dec 27, 2021

Today we have a special holiday episode where Talib chatted with Creative Conversation Host KC Ifeayni and The New Way We Work Host Kate Davis to reflect on the past year here at Fast Company and to share some of their New Year's resolutions.

Best of WCI: WaterBear Takes On Climate Change By Streaming Documentaries Dec 22, 2021

We’re taking a look at some of the highlights from the show and since we’re about to jump into a new year, it seemed like a good idea to end on an uplifting note.

Over the summer, Talib chatted with WaterBear Co-founder and CEO Ellen Windemuth about why she wanted to create an on-demand environmental streaming service dedicated to fighting climate change.

Innovator's Inspiration with Maisie Hughes Dec 15, 2021

On “Innovator’s Inspiration,” we go behind the scenes of the world-changing ideas we cover and really dive into what motivated our guests to come up with their ideas.

On this episode, we hear from American Forests Senior Director of Urban Forestry Maisie Hughes about which innovations she finds inspiring.

Innovator's Inspiration with Vanessa Barboni Hallik Dec 08, 2021

On “Innovator’s Inspiration,” we go behind the scenes of the world-changing ideas we cover and really dive into what motivated our guests to come up with their ideas.

On this episode, we hear from Another Tomorrow CEO and Founder Vanessa Barboni Hallik about which innovations she finds inspiring.

How We Can Tackle Climate Equity With the World’s Oldest Tech: Trees Dec 01, 2021

Environmental Justice covers a lot of areas, including cultural, social, and economic elements. On this episode, we wanted to dive into how tree equity can help create more socioeconomic equity in urban landscapes.

Talib chatted with Maisie Hughes, the senior director of urban forestry at American Forests about the wide-ranging benefits of planting and maintaining more trees in cities.

For more information, check out: www.americanforests.org

Best of WCI: Gravity Payments Wants to Change the Minimum Wage Structure Nov 24, 2021

In the holiday spirit of generosity and gratitude, we wanted to bring you one of our favorite interviews from this past year.

In March, Talib chatted with Gravity Payments Founder and CEO Dan Price about his decision to give all of his employees a $70,000 minimum wage.

To learn more about Dan Price and Gravity Payments, check out: https://www.fastcompany.com/90477926/gravity-payments-is-expanding-its-70000-minimum-wage-from-seattle-to-idaho

How This Cashmere Cardigan Wants to Save the Planet One Goat at a Time Nov 17, 2021

Back in May, we learned about the lowest carbon footprint sneaker with Cariuma cofounders David Python and Fernando Porto. Today we’ll be diving into a different type of clothing - luxury fashion.

Talib sat down with Vanessa Barboni Hallik, the founder and CEO of Another Tomorrow, an end-to-end sustainable design company to chat about technology-enabled transparency and a circular economy.

To learn more about Vanessa and Another Tomorrow, check out: anothertomorrow.co

Innovator's Inspiration with Jelani Memory Nov 10, 2021

On this episode of “Innovator’s Inspiration” we're talking with A Kids Company About CEO and Founder Jelani Memory to hear his thoughts on other innovations and find out what he’d be doing if he wasn’t running a new media company.

How Should We Talk to Kids About Racism Nov 03, 2021

Racism is an elusive concept but one that pervades almost every facet of society. It's been the architect of many injustices, and it’s something this country is continuing to face on a daily basis.

Talib chatted with Jelani Memory to hear what his experience was like figuring out how to talk to his own children about racism, and how that experience ultimately led him to create a media company called, A Kids Company About.

For more information on Jelani and his company, check out akidsco.com.

Innovator's Inspiration with Jen Willig Oct 27, 2021

On this episode of “Innovator’s Inspiration,” we're hearing how hive Co-founder and CEO Jenifer Willig was inspired to take on malnutrition through video games.

For more about Jen and Lifepack, check out ahive.com and lifepack.org.

How Playing Video Games Can Help Fight Malnutrition Oct 20, 2021

According to UNICEF, severe acute malnutrition threatens an estimated 16 million children worldwide and claims the lives of approximately one million more. One of the most common interventions by the UN is to provide Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food packets.

Talib sat down with hive CEO and co-founder Jenifer Willig to discuss her work on creating a video game that helps fight malnutrition.

Best of WCI: Mayors for a Guaranteed Income Fight for Financial Equality Oct 13, 2021

Last week, Andrew Yang released a book about his ideas on transforming our political and economic systems. Yang is most well-known for popularizing the idea of a universal basic income but it’s a concept that’s been around for centuries and now it’s having a moment on the local level.

In light of this, we wanted to revisit an episode from earlier this year where we covered a similar topic: guaranteed income.

Guests: Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui of Cambridge, Massachusetts and former Mayor Michael Tubbs of Stockton, California with Mayors for a Guaranteed Income.

How We Can Solve the Water Crisis by Grabbing Water from Thin Air Oct 06, 2021

Over 2 billion people suffer from unsafe drinking water or lack access to a reliable source of drinking water.

Talib talked with Source Global CEO and Founder Cody Friesen about how his company collects water by using hydropanels. They harness the energy of the sun to draw water vapor from the atmosphere.

The company also just received $7 million from Chamath Palihapitiya, founder of Social Capital, to scatter the hydropanels across California’s Central Valley.

Innovator's Inspiration with Cody Friesen Sep 29, 2021

As part of our new initiative to bring you more context on the topics we cover, we’re starting a series we’re calling, “Innovator’s Inspiration.” Since our show is all about innovation, we wanted to really home in on what drives people to develop the ideas that ultimately solve those challenging issues we face.

Here’s a sneak peek at the upcoming interview with Source Global CEO and Founder Cody Friesen.

How Purchasing this Office Chair Could Help Keep Plastic Out of the Ocean Sep 22, 2021

These days plastics contribute to 300 million metric tons of waste in the world. In the early 2000s, our plastic waste rose more in a single decade than it had in 40 years.

But what if there was a way to intercept that plastic before it enters our oceans?

Talib talked with Lonely Whale Executive Director Dune Ives about the NextWave Plastics initiative that comprises a group of multinational companies committed to reducing plastic waste. She’s joined by a couple of representatives from two of those member companies: HP’s Chief Sustainability and Social Impact Officer Ellen Jackowski and Jane Abernethy, the Chief Sustainability Officer at Humanscale.

Best of WCI: ICON Wants to Build Your House on the Moon and Cariuma Wants to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint With Its New Shoe Sep 15, 2021

We’re going to start bringing you bonus episodes to give you more context on the topics we cover and a chance to tune into some highlights from the show.

Today, we’re taking a look back at some moments that stood out this past year. First, Talib talked with ICON co-founder and CEO Jason Ballard about his company’s 3-D printer that builds houses. And then we checked in with Fernando Porto and David Python from the Brazilian shoe company, Cariuma to get a sense of what’s going on with sustainable footwear these days.

This App Wants to Solve Hunger with a Text Sep 08, 2021

Solving hunger is something we’ve talked about on this show before. Back in June, we talked with Leah Lizarondo about the organization she founded to help the food insecure.

Talib sat down with Mick Ebeling, the founder of Not Impossible, a social innovation lab and production company and his Managing Director Adam Dole, who is also the cofounder of Bento, a mobile platform they created to end hunger. They discussed why Not Impossible strives to solve the world's absurdities and how Bento brings dignity to those who experience food insecurity.

Inc. Magazine's Planet Purpose: What Millennials Think About Purpose Aug 25, 2021

Hey World Changing Ideas listeners, we’ve got a special episode for you today. It’s from the folks over at Inc. Magazine’s Planet Purpose podcast, which is hosted by Strawberry Frog CEO and Founder Scott Goodson, Dayo (DAY-oh) Founder and CEO Yolanda White and Strawberry Frog Head of Strategy Chip Walker.

On the show, they discuss how companies can focus on their purpose and transform their brands. They also break down the ways purpose-driven companies could be achieving better outcomes by activating purpose to the people who matter inside the organizations and out.

In this episode, they interviewed Fast Company’s Social Media Producer Christina Royster and Fast Company’s Associate Editor Yasmin Gagne (YAHZ-minn GAAN-yeh) to get the Millennial point of view on how people can put purpose into their work. Christina and Yaz are also hosts of the Fast Company podcast, Hit the Ground Running, which you can check out every Tuesday on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

How This Novel Approach to Book Publishing is Helping Gen Z Read More Aug 11, 2021

While reading may not be our most popular pastime (Americans still spend more than half their spare time watching TV), research shows there was an uptick in reading last year because of the pandemic. Even by Gen Z, the most digitally-oriented people who always seem to have their noses stuck in their phones.

Talib sat down with award-winning author Alexander Kielland Krag and Gyldendal Executive Vice President Tom Christian Gotschalksen to discuss “This Stays Between Us,” which might be the first long-form story natively written for Instagram Stories.

How Streaming Movies Could Help Combat Global Warming Jul 28, 2021

Whether you turn on Disney+, Amazon Prime or Apple TV+, you’re watching content in an entirely new way than you did just a few years ago. With new and original programming, these streaming platforms compete with Hollywood’s legendary studios like Warner Brothers and iconic entertainment brands like HBO.

Talib sits down with WaterBear Founder and CEO Ellen Windemuth to chat about her new on-demand streaming platform that is entirely dedicated to environmental content. Oh, and it's free too.

Guaranteed Income Isn’t Just About Solving Poverty — It’s About Dignity Jul 14, 2021

The idea of a universal basic income has gained more prominence recently-most notably with former New York Mayoral Candidate Andrew Yang pushing for a basic income program that would give $2,000 a year to those living in extreme poverty.

To clarify—guaranteed income is similar, but is targeted to those deemed most in need of supplemental cash. Talib sat down to chat with former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs and Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui of Cambridge, Massachusetts about their own experiences and how they have become involved in addressing economic insecurity in their communities. Tubbs created Mayors for a Guaranteed Income last year and it has 55 mayors signed on to participate.

How this Company is Unlocking the Potential of Plants with AI Jun 30, 2021

The concept of food as medicine isn’t new … we’ve heard about the antioxidants in blueberries, that chamomile tea is a good sleep aid and how a glass of wine can be good for your health because of the resveratrol it contains.

But could we be missing a few things?

Talib sat down with Brightseed Co-founder and COO Sofia Elizondo to chat about how her company has developed AI technology to find nutrients that can be used as preventative medicine.

There’s Nothing Fake about Beyond Meat’s New Plant-Based Burger Jun 16, 2021

Over the course of the pandemic, people started cooking more. It wasn’t just comfort food staples like meatloaf and pancakes - people bought more plant-based products too.

Talib sat down with Beyond Meat Founder and CEO Ethan Brown to discuss the company's newest burger and how plant-based meat compares to animal-based meat.

How This App Works like DoorDash to Help Solve Hunger Jun 02, 2021

We just celebrated Memorial Day and people certainly made up for last year’s cancelled holiday. With more people vaccinated and lockdown restrictions easing up, friends and family all over the country gathered to meet, and eat.

But a lot of Americans are not enjoying plentiful food. Talib chatted with Food Rescue Hero CEO and Founder Leah Lizarondo about her app that acts like an Uber or DoorDash for surplus food.

This Pregnancy Test Came Back Positive for the Environment May 19, 2021

One of the most well-known home healthcare products in the U.S is the at-home pregnancy test. Since the original version came out on the market in 1977, there have been several iterations of it ...

That is, until one group of women decided to flip the old design on its head.

Talib sat down with Lia Diagnostics co-founders Bethany Edwards and Anna Couturier to discuss how they decided to revolutionize the home pregnancy test.

How this New Bamboo Sneaker is Changing the Shoe Industry One Tiny Carbon Footprint at a Time May 05, 2021

We know greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation and food waste. But one carbon contributor that doesn’t always get a lot of airtime is the retail industry. Fashion accounts for nearly 10 percent of carbon emissions and 85 percent of discarded clothes end up in landfills. That becomes nearly 12 million tons every year.

Talib talks with Cariuma co-founders David Python and Fernando Porto about making the world's first sneaker with the smallest carbon footprint.

How Eating Ugly Fruits and Veggies Can Help Save the Planet Apr 21, 2021

We've got a special bonus episode for you this week. Since we're celebrating Earth Month, we wanted to bring you another great innovation on sustainability. Enjoy the show and happy Earth Day tomorrow!

Talib speaks with Christine Moseley, the founder and CEO of Full Harvest. They discuss how her company's B2B approach is helping connect farmers with food companies to end food waste.

Why It's Not Great to See an Empty 18-Wheeler Cruising Beside You Apr 14, 2021

It shouldn’t come as any surprise that the number one carbon “culprit” in the U.S is transportation. It accounts for about 28 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

Talib chats with Jennifer Wong, head of sustainability at Convoy, a trucking software startup that aims to solve the industry's efficiency issues.

How a 3D Printer Could Help End Homelessness Mar 31, 2021

While the pandemic has exposed underlying issues of housing insecurity for many Americans, homelessness in the U.S was already a massive crisis.

Talib Visram talks with Jason Ballard, CEO and co-founder of ICON, a digital construction company that 3D-prints houses. They discuss how this new technology will revolutionize homebuilding — and potentially make it to the moon.

How Can We Make Our Democracy Better? Go Back to Ancient Greece Mar 17, 2021

For many years the U.S has seemed more politically divided than ever before. Only 16 percent of Americans think democracy is working well and almost 80 percent live under one-party rule in their state.

Talib Visram talks with Adam Cronkright about of by for*, a non-partisan, non-profit organization he co-founded, which aims to replace politicians with everyday people.

Fast Company Presents World Changing Ideas Feb 24, 2021

Hey Fast Break listeners, we’ve got a new show for you where we’re going to explore the ways people are striving to change the world for the better. It’s called, World Changing Ideas.

We’ll highlight the solutions that could end pollution and change food production. We'll also investigate how innovation can solve these problems and help kick-start a new future. From rethinking public spaces, to developing a circular economy, to taking on climate change, we’ll show how leaders and creators are building a new way of life.

Join us every other Wednesday, starting on March 3rd, available on Apple podcasts, Spotify and wherever you enjoy your podcasts.

Guests include Dan Price of Galaxy Payments, Jason Ballard of ICON, and Adam Cronkright from of by for*

Uncommon Good - Leveling the Hiring Field Feb 03, 2021

Uncommon Good is a custom series from FastCo works and Facebook. We'll hear from industry leaders who combine purpose with innovative thinking to give back to their local or global community.

In this episode, Chris Denson talks with LinkedIn's Vice President of Global Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Rosanna Durruthy about how diversity, equity and inclusion programs are turning promises into practices.

Uncommon Good - Innovating It Forward Jan 27, 2021

Uncommon Good is a custom series from FastCo works and Facebook. We'll hear from industry leaders who combine purpose with innovative thinking to give back to their local or global community.

In this episode, Chris Denson talks with Facebook's Head of Industry, Technology and Telecom Stephanie Latham to take a look inside the new programs that are supporting communities and small businesses in a time of need. He also chats with Ashley McGowan, Facebook's Business Equality Lead about how the company is working to accelerate actions that lead to a more diverse and inclusive business world.

Music: "Algorithms" by Chad Crouch

Uncommon Good - Generation Innovation Jan 19, 2021

Uncommon Good is a custom series from FastCo works and Facebook. We'll hear from industry leaders who combine purpose with innovative thinking to give back to their local or global community.

In this episode, Chris Denson talks with Senior Director of Corporate Citizenship at Samsung Electronics America Ann Woo about how a public school STEM competition is helping educate the next wave of empathetic innovators.

Music by Yung Kartz, "Flash"

Eve Rodsky Reveals Invisible Work Dec 23, 2020

This week we’re doing an end-of-year recap where we’ll take a look at what changed in 2020-from the theater community, to education, to police reform. Then, we’ll hear how the pandemic has upended the fight for labor equity, by shining a glaring light on the invisible work women do.

GUEST:

Eve Rodsky

LIVE SHOW: The Year That Changed Everything Dec 21, 2020

On December 16, Fast Company Podcast Network went live on Facebook and Youtube. Creative Conversation host, KC Ifeanyi, was joined by Kate Davis--host of Secrets of the Most Productive People--and Talib Visram--host of Fast Break--to talk about 2020.

Dr. Megan Ranney Shares her Lessons from COVID Dec 16, 2020

This week we’re reviewing what we learned about COVID this past year. First we chat with an emergency physician and public health researcher about her experience. Then Secrets of the Most Productive People host Kate Davis delves into how two popular governors responded to the crisis and how the public responded to them.

Jad Abumrad & Karla Murthy Depict Small Town America Dec 09, 2020

This week we’re taking a look at the American image. First, how does a post-industrial town bounce back from devastating decline? And why is the American brand vital for the future?

GUEST:

Jad Abumrad & Karla Murthy

Reginald Dwayne Betts

Dr. Gregory Poland Explains the New COVID-19 Vaccines Dec 02, 2020

This week we learn more about the recent vaccine developments and how they will actually affect our future and then we’ll find out what therapists are doing to treat their patients amid the pandemic.

GUEST

Dr. Gregory Poland

RESEARCH

Pew Research Survey

MUSIC

Scott Holmes "Stomps and Claps"

Intelligence at Work: What Every Company Needs to Know About Returning to Work Nov 25, 2020

Inspired by Ceridian’s brand platform and smarter approach to Human Capital Management, “Intelligence at Work” is a custom podcast from FastCo Works and Ceridian. Join host Abigail Bassett as she explores the modernization of HR and payroll within today’s evolving world of work.

In this episode Abby talks with David Bridal's Chief People Officer, Terri Leitgeb.

MUSIC:

Plain Loafer by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4223-plain-loafer

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Dan Harris Finds Meditation and Gretchen Carlson Fights Arbitration Nov 23, 2020

This week we hear from two journalists who took their work experiences and decided to make some pretty dramatic changes.

We’re changing things up a bit with our future lineup. Check out our next show on December 2, which is a Wednesday, not a Monday. We just wanted to give you a pick-me-up during that midweek lull!

GUESTS:

Dan Harris

Gretchen Carlson

Music:

Scott Holmes "Stomps and Claps"

Paven Malhotra Breaks Down Section 230 Nov 16, 2020

This week we hear how the election results might affect the laws of the internet and then find out what you can do to avoid spam and protect your privacy.

GUEST:

Paven Malhotra

MUSIC:

Scott Holmes "Stomps and Claps"

Intelligence at Work: Financial Wellness Nov 13, 2020

Inspired by Ceridian’s brand platform and smarter approach to Human Capital Management, “Intelligence at Work” is a custom podcast from FastCo Works and Ceridian. Join host Abigail Bassett as she explores the modernization of HR and payroll within today’s evolving world of work.

In this episode Abby talks with Elisabeth Kozack, Managing Director and Co-Head of Consumer Lending at Marcus by Goldman Sachs.

MUSIC:

Loopster by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4991-loopster

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Eve Pilots a New Way of Flying Nov 09, 2020

This week we take a look at some strides in urban air traffic development, and learn how the hospitality industry is preparing for outdoor dining this winter.

GUEST:

Andre Stein of Eve by Embraer X

MUSIC:

Scott Holmes "Stomps and Claps"

Allan Lichtman Predicts Elections Nov 02, 2020

This week we're talking about how to bring some calm back into our lives. We learn how one historian can forecast the future. Then some advice on how to drum up your resume and a couple of ideas for some much-needed self care.

GUEST:

Allan Lichtman

MUSIC:

"Goodbye" by Dee Yan Key

"Together Stronger" by Lobo Loco

Sophia Bush Explains Gender Equity in Hollywood Oct 26, 2020

This week we hear from Sophia Bush on the role gender plays in Hollywood. Then we continue with our election coverage by taking a look at poll watching.

Fair Elections Center

Democracy Demands Action

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

Over Zero

Intelligence at Work: Retiring The 2-Week Pay Period? Oct 23, 2020

Inspired by Ceridian’s brand platform and smarter approach to Human Capital Management, “Intelligence at Work” is a custom podcast from FastCo Works and Ceridian. Join host Abigail Bassett as she explores the modernization of HR and payroll within today’s evolving world of work.

In this episode Abby talks with Ceridian's Chairman and CEO David Ossip about the shift to new ways of paying and getting paid for work.

Paul Barrett Informs Us on Election Misinformation Oct 19, 2020

This week we’ll be jumping on the election train by exploring misinformation issues. We’ll also learn about gender mainstreaming and what that actually is. Then we’ll get some tips on stress management, cause we all might need that right now.

GUESTS:

Paul Barrett

Katica Roy

David S. Cohen Breaks Down Supreme Court Decisions Oct 12, 2020

This week we’ll dive into a case in front of the Supreme Court concerning medication abortion. Then we’ll revisit some moments from the Innovation Festival we didn’t get to cover last week.

GUEST:

David S. Cohen

You can subscribe to Fast Break on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.

If you like this show, please leave us a rating or a review.

Senator Amy Klobuchar and Chip & Joanna Gaines Discuss Leadership Oct 08, 2020

Highlights from the Innovation Festival. We heard from Senator Amy Klobuchar, Investor Steve Case, Chip and Joanna Gaines, and Citi CFO Mark Mason

Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan Discusses the Coronavirus Pandemic Oct 07, 2020

Highlights from the Fast Company Innovation Festival. We hear from Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Tommy Hilfiger Global Martijn Hagman, National Geographic Society CEO Jill Tiefenthaler, NG Board Chair Jean Case, and Corey Jaskolski, a fellow and engineer at National Geographic.

Janelle Monáe and Lena Waithe Discuss Social Good, Activism, and Justice Oct 06, 2020

Highlights from the Fast Company Innovation Festival. We hear from Janelle Monáe, Lena Waithe, Patrisse Cullors, Jamaal Bowman and San Francisco DA Chesa Boudin.

Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey Discuss the Future of Media Oct 05, 2020

Highlights from the Fast Company Innovation Festival. We hear from Robert and Susan Downey, Scooter Braun and Dantley Davis on the future of media.

Katica Roy Moves Toward Gender Equity Sep 28, 2020

This week we’ll learn how we could achieve gender equity sooner than later, get some tips on time management and hear a few recommendations on how to boost your spirits during this neverending quarantine.

You can subscribe to Fast Break on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen.

If you like this show, please leave us a rating or review.

GUEST:

Pipeline Equity

FloWater Taps into Clean Water Sep 21, 2020

This week we’ll learn how a couple of companies are taking sustainability to the next level and get some new tips on staying comfy this coming fall.

You can subscribe to Fast Break on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.

If you like this show, please leave us a rating or a review.

GUEST:

FloWater

Crothall Healthcare Prepares for Flu Season Sep 14, 2020

This week we’ll find out what one healthcare company is doing to prepare for flu season, how some schools are reopening, and get some tips on next level quarantine activities.

You can subscribe to Fast Break on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.

If you like this show, please leave us a rating or a review.

GUEST:

Crothall Healthcare

Makeba Changes Banking Sep 07, 2020

This week we’ll hear from one company that’s using technology to change how people are banking, find out how Pennsylvania plans to help small businesses, and get some insights on how to redesign Zoom for educators.

You can subscribe to Fast Break on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.

If you like this show, please leave us a rating or a review.

GUEST:

https://www.makeba.money/cv-por/index.html#home

Dr. Kolina Koltai Debunks "Plandemic II" Aug 31, 2020

This week we’ll learn how to combat health misinformation, hear about a new way to track wildfires and get some advice on making smart decisions in a turbulent time.

You can subscribe to Fast Break on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.

If you like this show, please leave us a rating or a review.

GUEST:

Dr. Kolina Koltai

Paul Rabil Goes from Professional Athlete to Executive Aug 24, 2020

This week we’ll hear how one professional athlete started his own premier league, learn about the excess waste we’re creating as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and get some safe travel tips.

CITATIONS:

Scientific American

SoulBuffalo

Ocean Plastics Leadership Network

Journal of Environmental Science & Technology

You can subscribe to Fast Break on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.

If you like this show, please leave us a rating or a review.

Dr. David J. Brenner Sheds Light on UV Radiation Aug 17, 2020

This week we’ll learn about UV radiation and its use against the spread of COVID-19. Then we’ll hear why Americans love carbs again after so many years of hating them and get some fun tips on how to spice up your culinary skills.

You can subscribe to Fast Break on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.

If you like this show, please leave us a rating or a review.

GUEST:

Dr. David J. Brenner

Adam Foss Reimagines the Role of Prosecutors Aug 10, 2020

This week we take a look at the criminal justice system.

You can subscribe to Fast Break on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.

If you like this show, please leave us a rating or a review.

GUEST:

Adam Foss

Podcasters Em & Christine Tell Scary Stories Aug 03, 2020

This week we’ll hear some spooky stories from some funny people, learn about the best workplace environments, and get in shape with a few workout tips.

You can subscribe to Fast Break on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.

If you like this show, please leave us a rating or a review.

GUEST:

And That's Why We Drink

MelodyVR Sees the Future of Concerts Jul 27, 2020

This week we’re taking a look at the music scene and learning how virtual reality may be the ticket for future concerts. We’ll also hear some productivity tips and learn how to become your own barista at home.

You can subscribe to Fast Break on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.

If you like this show, please leave us a rating or a review.

GUEST:

MelodyVR

Remedy Recreates Healthcare Jul 20, 2020

This week we’re taking a look at how a couple of startups are improving telehealth and TV streaming. Then we’ll hear about some self-care products that also benefit the environment.

You can subscribe to Fast Break on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.

If you like this show, please leave us a rating or a review.

GUEST:

Remedy

The Public Theater Brings Shakespeare to the Radio Jul 13, 2020

This week we’re checking in on the performing arts scene. We’ll hear how one actor has stayed creative during quarantine and how Shakespeare in the Park is still putting on a play despite the theater being closed to the public.

You can subscribe to Fast Break on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.

If you like this show, please leave us a rating or a review.

GUEST:

https://www.wnyc.org/shows/free-shakespeare-radio-richard-ii

Mind the Gap Offers Alternative Education Jul 06, 2020

This week we’re tackling education amid the pandemic and recession. What it will look like for high school seniors heading off to college and how online tools are changing the way kids learn about sex ed and more.

You can subscribe to Fast Break on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.

If you like this show, please leave us a rating or a review.

Activists Paint Black Lives Matter Jun 29, 2020

We’re diving back into more topical news this week by looking at the role art plays in social movements, how police violence and gun violence are related, and hear a few pop culture recommendations that help celebrate Pride month.

Be sure to check in with us next week for another roundup of helpful tips and creative ideas to stay positive throughout this challenging time.

You can subscribe to Fast Break on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.

Maggie Kiley Looks Through the Lens of a Pandemic Jun 22, 2020

This week we’ll hear from a filmmaker behind some of the most gripping shows on TV right now and take a look at Hollywood’s portrayal of cops through the lens of Sylvester Stallone’s career.

Be sure to check in with us next week for another roundup of helpful tips and creative ideas to stay positive throughout this challenging time.

You can subscribe to Fast Break on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.

Dear Media Takes on Podcasting Jun 15, 2020

This week we’ll take a look at how the advertising business is handling the COVID-19 era, learn about the future of podcasting and hear how Dara Treseder is leading her company, Carbon through this challenging phase.

You can subscribe to Fast Break on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.

If you like this show, please leave us a rating or a review.

Raheem Calls for Police Reform Jun 08, 2020

As the country grapples with the ongoing protests over police brutality, we decided to do a show focused on police reform and some of the changes that different organizations are proposing.

You can subscribe to Fast Break on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.

If you like this show, please leave us a rating or a review.

Also, check out https://raheem.org/protest/ and donate to https://raheem.org

Katy Perry Invests in Food Jun 01, 2020

We’ve got a food-themed show for you this week because what else are you going to do in quarantine but think about food?

First up we’ll hear how invested Katy Perry is in reducing food waste, how restaurants will stay germ free after lockdown ends, and where you can learn to chop every vegetable you can think of and more.

You can subscribe to Fast Break on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.

If you like this show, please leave us a rating or a review.

New Pixar-like Robot Helps Children May 25, 2020

This week we’ll learn about a new toy robot that could help children socialize, a good alternative to Rosé and some handy productivity tips.

Be sure to check in with us next week for another roundup of helpful tips and creative ideas to stay positive throughout this challenging time.

You can subscribe to Fast Break on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.

If you like this show, please leave us a rating or a review.

The CIA Uses Wind of Change ...Maybe May 18, 2020

This week we’ll learn about how one song could have helped end the Cold War, why public bathroom design is more important than you might think, and check in with Lauren Bosworth as she leads her company from home.

You can subscribe to Fast Break on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.

If you like this show, please leave us a rating or a review.

The L.A Clippers Shake Up Basketball May 11, 2020

This week we’ll learn about how some companies are adjusting their advertising game, why the L.A Clippers are helping change the way people watch sports, and some self care tips for working moms.

You can subscribe to Fast Break on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.

If you like this show, please leave us a rating or a review.

Alton Brown Cooks in his Quarantine Quitchen May 04, 2020

This week we learn about the winners of Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas Awards, find out how Rebecca Minkoff has been working from home, and visit Alton Brown in his Quarantine kitchen.

You can subscribe to Fast Break on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.

If you like this show, please leave us a rating or a review.

Marie Kondo Brings Joy to Work Apr 27, 2020

Fast Break is your weekly source of inspiration and motivation in these uncertain times.

This week we learn about how video dating is all the rage, what Marie Kondo is tidying up now and a few pop culture recommendations.

Be sure to check in with us next week for another roundup of helpful tips and creative ideas to stay positive throughout this challenging time.

You can subscribe to Fast Break on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.

Welcome to Fast Break Apr 21, 2020

Living during a pandemic is taking a toll on everyone these days but amid the stressful news cycle, uncertainty and the thousands of emails, Slack, and Zoom calls there are still beacons of positivity.

Each week we’ll bring you tips on how you can stay upbeat during this trying time. We’ll tell you about the people making a positive impact and hear about which shows, games and other podcasts will help make the time at home a bit more bearable.

Join us every Monday, available on Apple podcasts, Spotify and wherever you enjoy your podcasts.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected