AI and the Art of Being Human: How to Thrive with AI - Episode 52

Thrive with AI—Without Losing Yourself

What if the question isn’t “Will AI replace me?” but “How do I thrive—with AI—as me?” On Modem Futura we explore the intersection of emerging tech, society, and futures thinking—always with an eye to what it means to be human.

In this week’s episode, we launch AI and the Art of Being Human with guest Jeffrey Abbott—venture capitalist and founder of AI Salon—and go deep on a practical playbook for living and working well with AI. Rather than compete with the machine, the book reframes success around relationships, meaning, and personal dharma, then equips readers with 21 simple tools to move from anxiety to agency. Think reflection prompts you can use today, and a “conductor triangle” that balances data, context, and intuition when making decisions.

We also share how the book was built: co‑created with AI (transitioning from ChatGPT to Anthropic’s Claude), guided by a “shared compass” of Curiosity, Clarity, Intentionality, and Care, and coordinated through a living “lore book” that kept global, cinematic vignettes and recurring characters coherent across chapters. It’s a very human process—one that used AI to elevate craft, voice, and speed, not to shortcut thinking.

Another theme we loved: community. Through AI Salon’s 70+ chapters around the world, people are meeting in real life to explore what AI means for their work, families, and futures. That spirit animates the book’s final call: build intentional, protopian futures together—futures we would actually want to live in—by practicing care, not just efficiency.

Listen now, then tell us: Which tool will you try first? If the episode resonates, share it with someone who needs a nudge from “AI overwhelm” to intentional action.

Subscribe and Connect!

Subscribe to Modem Futura on a favorite podcast platform, follow on LinkedIn, and join the conversation by sharing thoughts and questions. The medium may still be the massage, but everyone has a chance to shape how it kneads modern culture—and to decide what kind of global village we ultimately build.

🎧 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/42vrbJj

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/22Uc1SOdpq4Iuza3wFtXkT?si=fRbsJStYSJigIwBv6EpwsA

📺 YouTube: https://youtu.be/b0xROye7BkI

🌐 Website: https://www.modemfutura.com/

Futures Thinking: Foresight You Can Use – Episode 49

We don’t predict the future, but we prepared for the uncertainties the futures will bring

Ever been stuck in traffic and thought, “Where’s my eVTOL button?” We open this episode right there—and quickly flip the fantasy into a lesson on systems: technologies don’t fix congestion (or most complex problems) unless policy, behavior, equity, and infrastructure evolve with them. From that launchpad, Sean Leahy and Dr. Andrew Maynard unpack futures thinking as a mindset—distinct from prediction—that helps people and organizations navigate uncertainty with agency. They walk through the classic triad of possible, probable, and preferable futures, then translate it into practice: horizon scanning (signals, trends, megatrends), scenario building, and backcasting from a desired 10‑year outcome to concrete actions today. Along the way, they surface guardrails like avoiding “used futures” (inherited visions of someone else’s desired future) and stress‑testing for unintended consequences, especially for vulnerable communities and the planet.

The conversation ranges widely—think SimCity lessons and Mars‑city thought experiments as mirrors for Earth’s complexity; protopian (step‑by‑step better) versus utopian/dystopian frames; and why foresight shouldn’t be a bolt‑on consultancy only, but a capacity embedded across teams. Educators will appreciate a practical take on bringing futures thinking into K–12 and higher ed without “one more thing”: weave foresight into existing subjects to build creativity, inquiry, and resilience. Pop culture helps, too—using films (à la The Moviegoer’s Guide to the Future) creates a low‑stakes, high‑insight space to explore tough issues together. And for those tracking AI’s breakneck pace, the episode doubles as an antidote to future shock—a way to slow down, widen perspective, and choose well‑considered next steps.

Why it matters: Futures Thinking is for everyone - all humans poses the qualities needed to engage in thinking about our collective futures. Whether you lead a product team, a classroom, or a community, cultivating a futures mindset helps you spot weak signals earlier, align around preferable outcomes, and take action that nudges the world toward human flourishing.

Join the conversation:

What “used future” have you noticed in your field? If you were backcasting from a 2035 future you’d be proud of, what’s the first move you’d make this quarter? Drop your thoughts—and feel free to borrow this episode in your class, team meeting, or strategy offsite.

🎧 Listen to the full episode to dive deeper into how films shape our futures: https://apple.co/4nrAIci

📺 Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModemFutura

🎬 What film has changed the way you think about the future? Drop a comment — we’d love to hear.

If you’d like to dive deeper, jump into the link and listen to the podcast or watch the YouTube video. Join us as we explore the forces shaping our collective future and the urgent need to keep human values at the heart of innovation.

Subscribe and Connect!

Subscribe to Modem Futura on a favorite podcast platform, follow on LinkedIn, and join the conversation by sharing thoughts and questions. The medium may still be the massage, but everyone has a chance to shape how it kneads modern culture—and to decide what kind of global village we ultimately build.

🎧 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/4nrAIci

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1OmUyc6fYdMIZ8thORheOJ?si=ZTQ-ZI7hQzSjNTy3jhjgfQ

📺 YouTube: https://youtu.be/85cTuht_a8k

🌐 Website: https://www.modemfutura.com/