CREATIVITY is the JOB of the FUTURE

Harper Reed: Identity and Purpose in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore what happens when AI accelerates everything, including our doubts about the future. Harper Reed, entrepreneur and technologist from Chicago, joins us to discuss how AI is fundamentally changing the nature of work, creativity, and identity. From his early days learning to code at five years old to founding companies in the age of large language models, Harper shares his unconventional philosophy on building products, the importance of taste and discernment, and why the real threat to our future isn't AI, it's the lack of social infrastructure. We dig into the "conviction collapse" of rapid AI iteration, the role of creativity in solving existential problems, and what it really means to be human in a world where machines can generate code, art, and even humor. Whether you're worried about AI taking your job or excited about what's possible, this episode challenges you to look inward at what you're really afraid of losing. Topics covered: AI and coding, entrepreneurship, creativity vs. automation, social safety nets, environmental concerns, generational perspectives on the future, and finding joy in uncertain times. More about Harper: Harper's Website: https://harperreed.com/ [https://harperreed.com/]Harper's Blog: https://harper.blog/ [https://harper.blog/]Harper on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harperreed [https://www.linkedin.com/in/harperreed] Harper on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harper_Reed [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harper_Reed] Learn more about the show: https://www.cjfpodcast.com/ [https://www.cjfpodcast.com/] Follow us: Creativity is the Job of the Future on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/creativity-is-the-job-of-the-future/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/creativity-is-the-job-of-the-future/] Doreen Lorenzo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doreenlorenzo/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/doreenlorenzo/] Michael Baker LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlchaelbaker/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlchaelbaker/] Rebecca McInroy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccamcinroy [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccamcinroy]

Season 1 Wrap: Harnessing the Power of Creativity

What connects an international experience designer, competitive ultra-marathoner, NASA storytelling architect, joyful culture change agents, creative recovery coaches, celebrated design educator, nursing innovation researcher, and an Emmy-nominated storyteller? In this Season 1 wrap-up episode, hosts Doreen Lorenzo, Michael Baker, and Executive Producer Rebecca McInroy revisit the most powerful moments from their first season, exploring how creativity serves as an essential tool for solving problems and navigating change. More about our Season 1 guests: Fri Forjindam: Fri on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/friforjindam/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/friforjindam/] Mycotoo: https://mycotoo.com/ [https://mycotoo.com/] Ed Shelton:Ed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edshelton/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/edshelton/] Ed's blog: https://fox-runner.com/ [https://fox-runner.com/]Ed's running stats: https://ultrasignup.com/m_results_participant.aspx?fname=Ed&lname=Shelton [https://ultrasignup.com/m_results_participant.aspx?fname=Ed&lname=Shelton] Paul Propster:Paul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-propster/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-propster/] Luna Malbroux:Luna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luna-malbroux-03062110/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/luna-malbroux-03062110/] Luna's website: https://www.lunaisamerica.com/ [https://www.lunaisamerica.com/] A.J. Haynes:A.J. on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/a-j-haynes/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/a-j-haynes/] A.J. on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a.j.haynes/ [https://www.instagram.com/a.j.haynes/] A.J. and The Seratones: https://www.seratones.com/bio [https://www.seratones.com/bio] Sky Hilton:Skye on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skye-hilton-6240a6bb/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/skye-hilton-6240a6bb/] Troy Whittington:Troy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-whittington-36847b14/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-whittington-36847b14/] Gray Garmon:Gray on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/graygarmon/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/graygarmon/] Marion Leary:Marion on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionleary/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionleary/] Marion's Website: https://marionleary.mystrikingly.com/ [https://marionleary.mystrikingly.com/] Marion on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_Leary [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_Leary] Baratunde Thurston:Baratunde's Website: https://www.baratunde.com/ [https://www.baratunde.com/] Baratunde on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/baratunde/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/baratunde/] Baratunde on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baratunde [https://www.instagram.com/baratunde] Baratunde on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/baratunde [https://www.youtube.com/baratunde] Baratunde on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@baratunde [https://www.tiktok.com/@baratunde] Baratune's Newsletter: https://newsletter.baratunde.com/ [https://newsletter.baratunde.com/] Episode website: Learn more about the show: https://www.cjfpodcast.com/ [https://www.cjfpodcast.com/] Follow us:Creativity is the Job of the Future on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/creativity-is-the-job-of-the-future/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/creativity-is-the-job-of-the-future/] Doreen Lorenzo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doreenlorenzo/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/doreenlorenzo/] Michael Baker LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlchaelbaker/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlchaelbaker/] Rebecca McInroy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccamcinroy [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccamcinroy]

Baratunde Thurston: Creative Connection

In this conversation with hosts Doreen Lorenzo and Michael Baker, Baratunde Thurston, creator of the Life with Machines podcast and host of PBS's America Outdoors, explains why creativity is the antidote to AI's "planet of averageness" and why the real danger isn't that robots will take over, it's that people will become robots through the industrialization of creative thought. More about Baratunde:Baratunde's Website: https://www.baratunde.com/ [https://www.baratunde.com/] Baratunde on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/baratunde/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/baratunde/] Baratunde on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baratunde [https://www.instagram.com/baratunde] Baratunde on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/baratunde [https://www.youtube.com/baratunde] Baratunde on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@baratunde [https://www.tiktok.com/@baratunde] Baratune's Newsletter: https://newsletter.baratunde.com/ [https://newsletter.baratunde.com/] Episode website: Learn more about the show: https://www.cjfpodcast.com/ [https://www.cjfpodcast.com/] Follow us:Creativity is the Job of the Future on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/creativity-is-the-job-of-the-future/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/creativity-is-the-job-of-the-future/] Doreen Lorenzo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doreenlorenzo/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/doreenlorenzo/] Michael Baker LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlchaelbaker/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlchaelbaker/] Rebecca McInroy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccamcinroy [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccamcinroy]

Marion Leary: The Creative Future of Nursing

When Marion Leary had her breakthrough moment at the Philadelphia Science Festival, staring at a virtual reality booth, she realized something that would reshape her entire career: the creative tools from design and technology could revolutionize how we teach people to save lives. In this conversation with Marion explains that what nurses call "workarounds" are actually a creative thinking in disguise, and why bringing human-centered design into nursing education is transforming healthcare from the inside out. More about Marion:Marion on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionleary/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionleary/] Marion's Website: https://marionleary.mystrikingly.com/ [https://marionleary.mystrikingly.com/] Marion on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_Leary [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_Leary] Episode website: https://www.cjfpodcast.com/episodes/marion-leary [https://www.cjfpodcast.com/episodes/marion-leary] Learn more about the show: https://www.cjfpodcast.com/ [https://www.cjfpodcast.com/] Follow us:Doreen Lorenzo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doreenlorenzo/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/doreenlorenzo/] Michael Baker LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlchaelbaker/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlchaelbaker/] Rebecca McInroy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccamcinroy [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccamcinroy]

Gray Garmon: Playing with Creativity

How can a board game teach the fundamentals of design and creativity? Gray Garmon, founding director of UT Austin's Center for Integrated Design joins us to explore how creativity becomes a powerful tool for solving everyday problems, and how his collaborative approach is democratizing design education. More about Gray:Gray on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/graygarmon/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/graygarmon/] TWOxTWO Studio: https://www.twoxtwo.co/ [https://www.twoxtwo.co/] Dream Up Game: https://www.dreamupgame.com/ [https://www.dreamupgame.com/] Episode website: https://www.cjfpodcast.com/episodes/gray-garmon [https://www.cjfpodcast.com/episodes/gray-garmon] Learn more about the show: https://www.cjfpodcast.com/ [https://www.cjfpodcast.com/] Follow us:Doreen Lorenzo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doreenlorenzo/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/doreenlorenzo/] Michael Baker LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlchaelbaker/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlchaelbaker/] Rebecca McInroy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccamcinroy [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccamcinroy]