Futurism with Karena de Souza
How can parents and younger generations better prepare for an uncertain future shaped by technology, education, and climate change?
A personal journey reveals the link between decision-making and courageous parenting.
“I realized that the future that I thought—as a parent, who grew up as somebody else’s child—I was parenting as I was parented, not as my intellect was telling me I should parent.” ~ Karena de Souza (8:23)
This conversation explores the intersection of futurism, parenting, and the challenges of preparing for an unpredictable world. Karena discusses her journey into podcasting and book writing, driven by a desire to engage younger generations and their parents in critical discussions about technology, education, and societal shifts. She emphasizes the importance of equipping children with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in a future dominated by uncertainty and rapid change.
Key themes include the evolving nature of work and the need for parents to adapt their approaches to align with new realities. Karena shares her insights into how decision-making skills can be cultivated and applied, using anecdotes from her life and travels. Climate change is highlighted as a significant focus, with an emphasis on fostering hope and resilience while addressing the challenges it presents to future generations.
Takeaways
Futurism as a mindset — Imagining both positive and negative scenarios to prepare for an uncertain future.
Parenting challenges — Encouraging parents to reconsider traditional advice to better align with technological and societal changes.
Generational shifts — Exploring how Generation Z’s unique position as digital natives influences their approach to work and life.
Decision-making skills — Using real-life examples to illustrate how structured decision-making can improve adaptability.
Climate change and hope — Addressing the intersection of environmental issues and the future of work while fostering optimism.
Effective communication — Tailoring messages for diverse audiences, such as parents and younger generations.
Bookwriting journey — Sharing the creative process of connecting futurist themes with personal experiences.
Resources
Contours of Courageous Parenting — Karena’s book focused on helping parents equip their children with skills to navigate an uncertain future.
Akimbo Podcasting Fellowship — A program that introduces participants to the world of podcasting.
Rules for Radicals — A book by Saul Alinsky mentioned in the discussion for its insights into effecting change.
Generational Z Research — Research on the unique traits and challenges facing Generation Z.
Future of Work Studies — Studies examining how technology and societal changes shape work environments.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
— Hello👋 I’m Craig Constantine.
This is Podtalk. Short conversations with indie podcasters that are not just about podcasting, because I like to take the scenic route.
In each episode, I talk with podcasters about their shows, experiences, what they’ve learned, what motivates them, and… well, pretty much everything related to podcasting from the indie creator’s point of view. I hope these episodes spark ideas and conversations for you, and lead to new ways of looking at this wonderful art of podcasting.
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