Rebirth at 40: A Nonlinear Journey and the Chaos That Became My Turning Point

With Ben, Futurist, Co-founder & Ecosystem Gardener at The Futures Hub

In the Season 1 finale of Bennu Podcast, the conversation becomes deeply personal.

For the first time, our initiator Ben, futurist and co-founder of The Futures Hub, takes the guest seat.

Guided by host Charline Baker-Friesen, Ben reflects on migration, identity, midlife crisis, and the unpredictable transitions that shaped his journey. From starting over in a new country at 40 to rebuilding identity through language and experience, this episode explores how chaos can become a catalyst for reinvention.

Together, they dive into:

• the emotional reality of beginning again

• how weak ties and serendipity changed everything

• the metaphors guiding their ecosystem (Octopus, Zebra, Starlings, Jazz)

• embracing uncertainty as a path to growth

• a vision for a future-ready European ecosystem

A raw and honest story of transformation, belonging, and becoming.

📌 Hosted by: Charline Baker-Friesen, Marketing & Communications Lead at Flux Forward

📍 Subscribe and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and more.

🎧 Listen now: podcast.bennu.community

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Breathing into Connection: The Power of Presence at Work

With Stacya Giverts, Director of Customer Success at Warm Space

In this episode, we sit down with Stacya Giverts, Director of Customer Success at Warm Space — a platform built to help teams create real connection, trust, and psychological safety through simple, powerful daily practices.

Stacya shares her personal journey and the story behind Warm Space, exploring how breathing, listening, and presence can transform not only individuals but entire organizations.

📌 We discuss:

• Why presence and breath are powerful tools for connection and clarity
• How psychological safety can’t be designed — it must be practiced
• Creating spaces where people can show up with their whole selves
• How simple rituals can shift organizational culture from the inside out

🎙 Hosted by Alex — Founder of Ozyntel & Co-founder at Flux Forward

📍 Subscribe and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and more.

🎧 Listen now: podcast.bennu.community

💡 Connect with Stacya Giverts on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacya-giverts-34247621b

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The Power of Progress Over Perfection

with Diana Enache — Mindset Coach for Career Growth & L&D Consultant

What happens when we stop chasing perfection and start celebrating progress?

In this episode of the Bennu Podcast, we explore the mindset shifts that help high achievers move forward in work and life. From reframing imposter syndrome to embracing mistakes as fuel for growth, we dive into the tools and practices that make learning, resilience, and career change possible.

We explore:

• Why perfectionism holds us back — and how to reframe it into progress.
• Practical ways to “learn how to learn” in a fast-changing world.
• The role of rest, curiosity, and self-talk in preventing burnout.
• How small steps and mindset shifts can transform careers and confidence.

✨ A powerful reminder runs through this conversation: growth doesn’t come from being perfect — it comes from moving step by step, learning along the way.

🎙 Hosted by Majid and Ben — Co-founder at The Futures Hub.

📍 Subscribe and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and more.

🎧 Listen now: podcast.bennu.community

💡 Connect with Diana Enache on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/diana-enache-coach

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Who Am I and Where Do I Come From? Intercultural Leadership in Practice

with Irene Taroni

Lecturer & Trainer in Intercultural Communication, Leadership, and Facilitation (Hanze University)

What does it mean to belong everywhere and nowhere at the same time?

In this episode of the Bennu Podcast, Irene Taroni shares her journey as a Third Culture Kid and how it shaped her passion for intercultural communication and leadership. She also reflects on the power of empathy, reflection, and stepping out of your comfort zone.

We explore:

• How identity and belonging influence the way we lead and connect.
• Simple practices like reflective journaling and “conversations that matter.”
• Why intercultural sensitivity is a vital skill for future leaders.
• What it takes to create safe spaces for growth across cultures.

✨ Irene leaves us with a powerful question to carry forward: Who am I, and where do I come from?

🎙 Hosted by Ben — Futurist & Ecosystem Gardener at The Futures Hub.

📍 Subscribe and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and more.

🎧 Listen now: podcast.bennu.community

💡 Connect with Irene Taroni on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irenetaroni

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Human-Centered AI: From Systems Thinking to Real Change

With Liisa-Maija Malinen, Founder of ILO Facilitation Oy | Certified professional facilitator | learning designer

In this episode of the Bennu Community Podcast, we sit down with Liisa-Maija Malinen — founder of ILO Facilitation Oy, certified professional facilitator, and learning designer.

Liisa-Maija shares her journey from sustainability and transformational learning into exploring AI as a thinking partner. Together, we unpack how AI can be guided by human values, and why critical thinking, fairness, and systems literacy are essential to shaping technology that serves people and the planet.

📌 We discuss:

• How AI can become a tool for deep learning, reflection, and collaboration
• The importance of embedding ethics, equity, and inclusivity into AI design
• Why imagination and experimentation are vital in building better futures
• What it means to “teach AI like a child” and guide it with our values

This conversation is an invitation to rethink how we engage with AI — not as a replacement for human agency, but as a partner for systemic change and more sustainable futures.

🎧 Tune in and ask yourself: If you could teach AI one value this week, what would it be?

🎙 Hosted by Alex — Founder of Ozyntel & Co-founder at Flux Forward

📍 Subscribe and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and more.

🎧 Listen now: podcast.bennu.community

💡 Connect with Liisa-Maija Malinen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmalinen

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Ecosystems, Urgency, and the Power of Connection

With Yeni Joseph, Head of Ecosystem Strategy at TNW | Board TEDxAmsterdam

What does it really take to build a thriving startup ecosystem?

In this episode of the Bennu Podcast, we sit down with Yeni Joseph — Head of Ecosystem Strategy at TNW and Board Member at TEDxAmsterdam.

Yeni shares her journey across policy, tech, and community building, unpacking why “ecosystem” is more than just a buzzword. We talk about the urgency missing in some startup cultures, the role of governments and investors, and why collaboration across regions and borders is key to Europe’s future.

Whether you’re a founder, investor, or ecosystem builder, this conversation offers fresh insights on connection, resilience, and the future of innovation.

🎙 Hosted by Majid and Ben — Co-founder at The Futures Hub.

📍 Subscribe and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and more.

🎧 Listen now: podcast.bennu.community

💡 Connect with Yeni Joseph on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yenijoseph

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Trust the Process: What Starting Over Really Teaches You

With Varsha Prasad

What does it really mean to start over — in a new country, a new role, and a new identity as a founder?

In this episode, we explore the personal and professional transformation of a product innovation strategist who left the corporate world to build her own path. From navigating cultural transitions and building community from scratch, to the messy realities of starting a business — this conversation is a candid reflection on resilience, creativity, and the inner work of innovation.

We talk about:

• Design thinking beyond the buzzwords
• The power of rituals like journaling and meditation
• Building community as a newcomer
• Why AI is now part of every solopreneur’s toolkit
• Lessons in visibility, self-trust, and letting go of assumptions

Whether you're building a business, exploring new beginnings, or simply trying to stay grounded through change — this one’s for you.

🎙 Hosted by Ben — Futurist & Ecosystem Gardener at The Futures Hub.

📍 Subscribe and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and more.

🎧 Listen now: podcast.bennu.community

💡 Connect with Varsha Prasad on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/varshnm/

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Slowing Down to Speed Up: Rehumanizing Work Through Facilitation

With Tzu-Yao (Jerry) LIN

In a world racing toward optimization and automation, what does it mean to slow down — not as an escape, but as a path to deeper connection, clarity, and meaningful transformation?

In this episode of Bennu Podcast, we sit down with Tzu-Yao (Jerry) Lin, a multilingual organizational anthropologist and facilitator, whose work bridges global corporations, creative education, and community-based innovation. Co-hosted by Alex Baker-Friesen and Ben M. Najafi, this conversation explores:

• Why slowing down is essential to avoid burnout and foster collective intelligence
• How Jerry uses check-in questions and facilitation to humanize organizational dynamics
• The hidden limitations of top-down training in global companies
• How anthropology and futures thinking together unlock new pathways for systems change
• The importance of “hosting ourselves” before hosting others

This is not just a conversation about work — it’s a reflection on how we relate to each other, how we hold space in complexity, and how to navigate change with curiosity and care.

🎙 Hosted by Alex — Founder of Ozyntel & Co-founder at Flux Forward | Host & Ben — Futurist & Ecosystem Architect at The Futures Hub.

📍 Subscribe and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and more.

🎧 Listen now: podcast.bennu.community

💡 Connect with Tzu-Yao (Jerry) LIN on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tzu-yao-lin12

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Dare to Imagine: Futures Literacy, Change, and Courageous Thinking

With Birgitte Velde, Consultant, futurist & Change Agent | Founder at Embli

In this episode of the Bennu Community Podcast, we sit down with Birgitte Velde — a consultant, futurist, Change Agent, and Founder at Embli — to explore what it truly means to dare to imagine.

From her early days on a strawberry farm to her current work helping organizations navigate complexity, Birgitte shares how imagination, systems thinking, and courageous action can unlock new possibilities in life and business.

We talk about:

– What futures literacy looks like in everyday decisions

– Why change is emotional — and how to prepare for it

– How imagination can be a superpower for resilience

– The role of design thinking in defining the right problems

– What it means to be truly future-ready

Whether you're leading a team, rethinking your path, or simply curious about what’s next — this conversation will inspire you to pause, reflect, and dare to imagine.

🎙 Hosted by Ben — Futurist & Ecosystem Architect at The Futures Hub.

📍 Subscribe and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and more.

🎧 Listen now: www.podcast.bennu.community

💡 Connect with Birgitte Velde on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/birgittevelde

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Safe to Speak: How Psychological Safety Fuels Innovation and Trust

With Ania Hajdrowska, Founder of engaged.lab & psychological safety practitioner

In this episode of the Bennu Community Podcast, we sit down with Ania Hajdrowska — Founder of engaged.lab and a certified psychological safety practitioner. Ania shares how psychological safety can transform teams, boost creativity, and build lasting trust — especially in fast-changing and remote work environments.

We explore:

• What psychological safety really means (and why it matters now)
• How leaders can foster open, human-centered cultures
• Simple tools like check-ins that help teams thrive
• Lessons from startups, corporates, and everything in between

Whether you're a founder, team leader, or curious learner — this episode offers practical insights to help you create safer, more innovative spaces for collaboration.

🎙 Hosted by Ben — Futurist & Ecosystem Architect at The Futures Hub.

📍 Subscribe and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and more.

🎧 Listen now: www.podcast.bennu.community

💡 Connect with Ania Hajdrowska on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aniahajdrowska

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Creativity Is Not Art: On Confidence, Change, and the Courage to Do Things Differently

With David Chislett

In this episode of the Bennu Community Podcast, we explore the deeper layers of creativity — beyond art, beyond talent, and into the heart of how we deal with change. Our guest, David Chislett, is a seasoned creativity coach and Foursight Mindset facilitator who has spent decades helping individuals and teams unlock their creative confidence.

We talk about:

• Why creativity is not the same as art
• How fear and shame can block creative expression
• The role of psychological safety in teams
• What gets people stuck — and how to get unstuck
• Daily habits for building creative muscle
• What business, education, and art can learn from each other

Whether you're a team leader, creative thinker, or simply someone trying to do things differently in a fast-changing world — this episode offers fresh insights, practical tools, and a whole lot of encouragement.

Listen in and rediscover creativity as a mindset — not a mystery.

🎙 Hosted by Ben — futurist, facilitator, and founder of The Futures Hub.

📍 Subscribe and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and more.

🎧 Listen now: www.podcast.bennu.community

💡 Connect with David Chislett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidchislettcreativity

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Undoing What We Know

A Systems Approach to Learning, Leading, and Letting Go

With Carla Traini

In this episode of the Bennu Community Podcast, we explore how to think beyond the obvious — and why unlearning is just as important as learning.

Our guest, Carla Traini, is a systemic thinker, cross-functional educator, and mentor with a background spanning design, anthropology, psychology, and education. From leading global creative teams to mentoring emerging talents, she shares how complexity, curiosity, and human behavior intersect to shape the way we learn, lead, and make decisions.

We discuss:

• What it means to “undo” what we know
• Why seeing both the forest and the trees matters
• The role of systemic thinking in education, entrepreneurship, and leadership
• How to navigate uncertainty with awareness, not assumption
• And why following your passion might not always be the best idea

🎙 Hosted by Ben — futurist, facilitator, and founder of The Futures Hub.

📍 Subscribe and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and more.

💬 For comments, reflections, or to join the conversation: www.bennu.club

🎧 Listen now: www.podcast.bennu.community

💡 Connect with Carla Traini on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trainicarla

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Narrative Isn’t About Today: Storytelling as a Future-Building Tool

with Megan Davis, Lead Storyteller of Spendlove and Lamb

What if storytelling wasn’t just about reflecting the past — but about designing the future?

In this episode, we sit down with Megan Davis, a narrative strategist and lead storyteller, to explore how stories can shape culture, drive transformation, and build clarity in moments of change. From co-designing strategic narratives with communities and startups to challenging the limits of traditional storytelling frameworks, Megan invites us to rethink what it really means to tell a meaningful story — one that moves us forward.

Together, we unpack:

• What a strategic narrative really is
• How stories influence culture and innovation
• Why storytelling is a future skill — not just a communication tool
• The power of diverse narrative structures beyond the “hero’s journey”
• How to find and amplify authentic voices in noisy environments

This conversation is a reminder that your story isn’t just about where you’ve been — it’s a compass for where you’re going.

🎧 Listen now:

🔗 www.podcast.bennu.community

💡 Connect with Megan Davis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megandavisstoryteller

🎙️ Hosted by Ben from Bennu Community

🔗 Follow, share, and subscribe to the Bennu Community Podcast for more conversations on growth, purpose, and the future of work.

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Futures Thinking Is a Team Sport: Anticipatory Leadership and the Art of Plasticity

With Erik Korsvik Østergaard

In this episode, we’re joined by Erik Korsvik Østergaard — author, advisor, and futures thinker — to explore how organizations can move from abstract foresight to practical transformation. We talk about anticipatory leadership, the hidden role of plasticity in decision-making, and why futures thinking should never be a solo act.

From grassroots action to top-down strategy, Erik shares powerful insights on bridging assumptions, designing for time horizons, and creating cultures that are ready — not just reactive.

If you’re building communities, shaping teams, or leading change, this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen now:

🔗 www.podcast.bennu.community

💡 Connect with Erik Korsvik Østergaard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikkorsvikoestergaard

🎙️ Hosted by Ben from Bennu Community

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Beyond Buzzwords: Futures Literacy as a Way of Being

With Martin Calnan — UNESCO Chair for Futures Literacy in Finance

In this thought-provoking episode, we explore what it truly means to be futures literate — not as a framework or buzzword, but as a way of being in the world. Martin Calnan shares his personal journey from marketing and consulting to pioneering futures literacy in finance, and invites us to rethink how we define value, power, and leadership.

Together, we dive into deep questions about assumptions, vulnerability, and agency — and how asking “whose voice isn’t being heard?” can shift the way we imagine and act on the future.

Whether you're a leader, entrepreneur, or community builder, this conversation offers powerful reflections on how to navigate complexity with humility, curiosity, and care.

🎧 Listen now:

🔗 www.podcast.bennu.community

💡 Connect with Martin Calnan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-calnan-086125

🎙️ Hosted by Ben from Bennu Community

🔗 Follow, share, and subscribe to the Bennu Community Podcast for more conversations on growth, purpose, and the future of work.

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What Comes After the LMS? Learning in the Flow of Life

With Toby Newman

In this episode, Ben sits down with Toby Newman — Senior L&D Consultant, TEDx speaker, and self-described “Never-ending Learner” — to explore the future of learning in the workplace.

Together, they dive into:

• Why traditional LMS systems are becoming obsolete
• The shift toward personalized, in-the-flow learning
• How AI tools like chatbots and digital coaches are reshaping L&D
• The importance of AI literacy for everyone — not just tech teams
• What small and medium-sized companies can do today to build lighter, smarter learning systems

Toby brings two decades of experience, refreshing honesty, and a human-first approach to this conversation about continuous learning, curiosity, and change.

Whether you're an L&D professional, team leader, startup founder, or simply curious about the future of work — this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now and discover what’s next for learning in the age of AI.

🔗 www.podcast.bennu.community

💡 Connect with Toby Newman on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/theneverendinglearner

🎙️ Hosted by Ben from Bennu Community

🔗 Follow, share, and subscribe to the Bennu Community Podcast for more conversations on growth, purpose, and the future of work.

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New Country, New Questions: Finding Your Voice in the Dutch Job Market

With Yingqing (Qing) Gong

— Career Coach, Trainer, and Founder of Thrive Coaching & Consulting

Moving to a new country can bring big opportunities—but also big questions.

In this episode, we sit down with Yingqing (Qing) Gong, an experienced career coach and founder of Thrive Coaching & Consulting, to explore what it really takes to build a meaningful career and community as an international in the Netherlands.

From navigating identity shifts to finding clarity in a foreign job market, Qing shares her personal story of moving from China to the Netherlands, transitioning from law to coaching, and helping others find their voice, network, and direction in a new culture.

We dive into topics like:

🔹Why so many internationals struggle with direction and networking

🔹The power of learning Dutch for both personal and professional growth

🔹Building bridges between cultures and communities

🔹The value of peer support and open-minded curiosity

Whether you're just starting your journey abroad or supporting others in theirs, this conversation is full of insights, warmth, and wisdom.

💡 Connect with Yingqing (Qing) Gong on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yingqing-gong

🎙️ Hosted by Ben from Bennu Community

🔗 Follow, share, and subscribe to the Bennu Community Podcast for more conversations on growth, purpose, and the future of work.

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Flying with Two Wings: Futures Literacy, Imagination & Emergence

With Riel Miller

In this inspiring episode of the Bennu Community Podcast, we sit down with Riel Miller, one of the world’s pioneers in Futures Literacy and former Head of Foresight at UNESCO. With over four decades of experience helping people rethink the future, Riel shares why our ability to imagine what doesn’t yet exist is not just a skill—but a key to navigating uncertainty and unlocking freedom.

We explore powerful metaphors like “flying with two wings”—balancing prediction with emergence—and discuss why not-knowing can actually be a superpower. From education and agency to hierarchies, heterarchies, and the limits of control, this episode invites you to let go of certainty and embrace imagination as a muscle we can all strengthen.

Whether you're a policymaker, educator, entrepreneur, or lifelong learner, this conversation offers fresh insight into how we can become more futures literate—and why doing so matters more than ever.

🔗 Learn more about Riel Miller: www.rielmiller.com

💡 Connect with Riel Miller on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rielmiller

🎙️ Hosted by Ben from Bennu Community

🔗 Follow, share, and subscribe to the Bennu Community Podcast for more conversations on growth, purpose, and the future of work.

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Holding Space for Change: Leadership, Learning, and Futures in Practice

With Miranda Lewis

In episode 22 of the Bennu Community Podcast, we sit down with Miranda Lewis, Director and Partner at m2 real change consultants. Together, we explore what it really means to hold space for change — from leadership and learning to futures thinking and facilitation. Miranda shares her personal journey, insights from her work with purpose-driven organizations, and how we can collectively navigate uncertainty while staying grounded in purpose and power.

🎙️ Topics:

• Futures literacy in social impact
• Collective leadership and facilitation
• Power dynamics and reflective practice
• Navigating change in uncertain times

🔗 Learn more at www.m2consultants.uk

💡 Connect with Miranda Lewis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miranda-lewis-94005a19

🎙️ Hosted by Ben from Bennu Community

🔗 Follow, share, and subscribe to the Bennu Community Podcast for more conversations on growth, purpose, and the future of work.

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From Struggles to Solutions: How Two Students Built FormuLearn to Fix Math Learning

With Nicholas Roy and Jelle Langen

In this episode of the Bennu Community Podcast, we sit down with Nicholas Roy and Jelle Langen, co-founders of FormuLearn — an edtech startup born out of their own struggles with learning math.

Nick and Jelle share how they turned frustration into innovation, building a platform that helps students navigate complex math topics in a smarter, more intuitive way.

💡 We talk about:

✅ How a personal pain point sparked the idea behind FormuLearn

✅ What it’s really like building a company while still in university

✅ The role of AI in shaping the future of learning

✅ Co-founder dynamics, growth mindset, and learning by doing

Whether you're a student, aspiring founder, or just curious about where education is heading, this conversation is full of insights, realness, and inspiration.

🔗 Learn more at formulearn.org

💡 Connect with Nicholas Roy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-roy-mre

💡 Connect with Jelle Langen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jelle-langen-og

🎙️ Hosted by Ben from Bennu Community

🔗 Follow, share, and subscribe to the Bennu Community Podcast for more conversations on growth, purpose, and the future of work.

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