Tomorrow’s World Today® Podcast

Early Signals: How Abbott Is Rethinking Cancer Screening

You know the drill - there are certain cancer screenings that you can identify almost immediately: mammograms, colon screenings, Pap tests, and lung cancer screenings for those at high risk of developing the disease. Yet, what about the other various forms of cancer that do not come with routine screening protocols? David Harding, the Senior Vice President of Pipeline Product Management at Abbott, shares how multicancer early detection testing is changing the game with a simple blood draw. Cancerguard®, a prescription-based test, analyzes for up to 50 cancer types and subtypes. The test analyzes for the presence of methylated DNA fragments from tumors and the proteins released by those tumors. These biomarkers return test results and tell the patient whether cancer signals were detected. This further underlines the importance of undergoing routine cancer screenings regardless of the test results. Beyond the science behind the Cancerguard® test, there’s the more emotional component to cancer testing: the fear of the testing, the anxiety of potential cancerous diagnoses, and the role of care navigators in assisting cancer patients in taking the next steps in their treatment journey. Additionally, he discusses the challenges of taking a molecular diagnostic test to market, how the test is currently available, and has not yet received FDA approval, and the long-term efforts to fund research and development of the test. _______________________________________ Early detection can change everything in cancer care. 🧬  David Harding, Senior Vice President of Pipeline Product Management at Abbott, shares how new testing approaches are expanding what’s possible in screening. Collaborate with us! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2351177/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2351177/support] For more information about the innovations that are shaping tomorrow's world, head to https://tomorrowsworldtoday.com/ [https://tomorrowsworldtoday.com] To keep up-to-date with the latest in innovation, technology, sustainability, and more connect with us on social:             YouTube [https://youtube.com/tomorrowsworldtoday]             Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/twtexplore/]             Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/twtexplore/]             Twitter [https://twitter.com/twtexplore/]             LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/twtexplore/]

Beyond the Drive: How Toyota Is Turning EVs into Power Sources

Our car spends most of its life parked.  Why, then, do we treat it like it only matters when it’s moving?  On this episode, we sit down with Norman Lu, Senior Program Manager at Toyota North America, to talk about how to turn EV charging from a source of anxiety into a source of value for car owners. 🚗  Norman joins us to discuss what has changed in battery-electric vehicles over time, why the range is sufficient for most drivers today, and the biggest barriers to EV adoption.  He explains how electric vehicles can act as energy storage systems for the grid and how the battery in a single electric vehicle can provide enough power to keep a home running during an outage.  Additionally, he shares his thoughts on vehicle-to-grid programs and the problems with the electrical grid today. ⚡️  Norman also shares his thoughts on wireless EV charging, vehicle-to-grid programs, solar on vehicles, and the importance of connectivity for the cars of the future.  He also shares with us the challenges of innovation within a giant company like Toyota, and his thoughts on the company’s different approaches to electric vehicles. 📶 _________________________________________________ What does the future of driving look like? Wireless charging, smarter energy use, and more personalized vehicles. 🚗📶 Norman Lu, Senior Program Manager at Toyota North America, gives a look into what’s coming next. Collaborate with us! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2351177/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2351177/support] For more information about the innovations that are shaping tomorrow's world, head to https://tomorrowsworldtoday.com/ [https://tomorrowsworldtoday.com] To keep up-to-date with the latest in innovation, technology, sustainability, and more connect with us on social:             YouTube [https://youtube.com/tomorrowsworldtoday]             Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/twtexplore/]             Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/twtexplore/]             Twitter [https://twitter.com/twtexplore/]             LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/twtexplore/]

Electric Signals: How the University of Arizona Studies the Heart’s Rhythm

What happens when the heart’s electrical system falls out of rhythm? ❤️ Roderick Tung, MD, Chief, Division of Cardiology, and Director, Cardiovascular Clinical Research, at the University of Arizona in Phoenix, shares how electrophysiology is transforming how doctors understand and treat heart rhythm disorders. Collaborate with us! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2351177/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2351177/support] For more information about the innovations that are shaping tomorrow's world, head to https://tomorrowsworldtoday.com/ [https://tomorrowsworldtoday.com] To keep up-to-date with the latest in innovation, technology, sustainability, and more connect with us on social:             YouTube [https://youtube.com/tomorrowsworldtoday]             Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/twtexplore/]             Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/twtexplore/]             Twitter [https://twitter.com/twtexplore/]             LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/twtexplore/]

Biomarkers & Beyond: LabConnect’s Role in Oncology Research

Blood is the currency of clinical trials—and getting it from patient to lab within 48 hours can make or break a study. In this episode, LabConnect CEO Wes Wheeler joins us to discuss how a lab-agnostic model, purpose-built software, and disciplined process design are transforming global clinical research.  Wes breaks down why LabConnect chooses not to own labs and how this decision enables speed, scale, and flexibility across seven key regions where trials are conducted and patients reside. He also unpacks the technology powering their connected ecosystem—unified LIMS, ERP, sample tracking, and data integrations that convert scattered specialty testing into submission-ready data. The result: a network that supports roughly 80% of the data used in new drug applications, while preserving audit trails and regulatory integrity for agencies like the FDA and EMA. Looking ahead, Wes explores how AI, machine learning, and digital twins are reshaping clinical development—from modeling preclinical safety to identifying recruitable patient populations and flagging anomalies before they impact results. With cell and gene therapies, antibody-drug conjugates, and radiopharma driving the next wave of precision medicine, he shares how LabConnect’s innovation mindset keep trials moving forward. Along the way, Wes reflects on the mentorship, engineering mindset, and leadership lessons that took him from mechanical engineer to global healthcare executive. Collaborate with us! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2351177/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2351177/support] For more information about the innovations that are shaping tomorrow's world, head to https://tomorrowsworldtoday.com/ [https://tomorrowsworldtoday.com] To keep up-to-date with the latest in innovation, technology, sustainability, and more connect with us on social:             YouTube [https://youtube.com/tomorrowsworldtoday]             Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/twtexplore/]             Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/twtexplore/]             Twitter [https://twitter.com/twtexplore/]             LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/twtexplore/]

Beyond the Shelf: Funko’s Vision for Future Collectibles

What powers a global fandom machine? We sat down with Funko’s Chief Product Officer, Husnal Shah, to trace the line from a week‑one Disney sellout to 900 licenses and a milestone few toy companies reach in decades. We break down the three Cs—Culture, Creativity, Commerce—that decide which figures get made, why certain iconic moments jump off the shelf, and how a recognizable form can still surprise you when it captures the perfect story beat. 🪀 Husnal opens the door to Funko’s incubation lab, where blue‑sky ideas meet real‑time signals from sales, marketing, and social listening. You'll hear how concepts progress from a creative showcase to 3D prints, then to tooling and production—all while the launch story and marketing plan develop in parallel. We get into the rise of Pop Yourself, the personalized experience that turns collectors into characters, and why gifting for birthdays, weddings, and holidays has turned customization into a growth engine. There's also a frank look at resilience, including diversified sourcing across Asia, navigating geopolitical and pandemic difficulties, and reaching new audiences as kids shift earlier to gaming, YouTube, and social platforms. 🎮 Looking forward, we explore how AR and digital layers can elevate discovery and display, including virtual try-ons, interactive unboxings, and community moments that bridge physical and digital shelves. We also talk geo expansion, and why Funko organizes teams by fandom to keep authenticity high in anime, music, film, and gaming. For anyone interested in product strategy, licensing, collectibles, or the business of culture, this conversation maps how a beloved form factory stays fresh and how the next billion could be even more personal. 🧸 If you enjoyed this conversation, follow the show, share it with a friend who collects, or leave a quick review—what topic should we "pop" next? Collaborate with us! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2351177/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2351177/support] For more information about the innovations that are shaping tomorrow's world, head to https://tomorrowsworldtoday.com/ [https://tomorrowsworldtoday.com] To keep up-to-date with the latest in innovation, technology, sustainability, and more connect with us on social:             YouTube [https://youtube.com/tomorrowsworldtoday]             Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/twtexplore/]             Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/twtexplore/]             Twitter [https://twitter.com/twtexplore/]             LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/twtexplore/]