Unmissables with Ariba Jahan

<p>Most futures work stops at trend decks that never leave the room. RADAR is doing something different. As a digital cooperative, they turn collective imagination into practice—research cycles, rituals, grants, and cultural artifacts people can actually use.</p><p>I’m joined by <strong>Keely Adler (Head of Practice)</strong> and <strong>Caitlin Keeley (Head of Imagination)</strong> to talk about futures you can live in—not just look at. We get into “mundane futures,” why optimism needs rigor, how love and psychological safety show up as design tools, and crossing the “yearning gap” from longing to action.</p><p><strong>What we explore</strong></p><p>Why “shiny, robotic” futures leave people out—and how to fix it</p><p>Prototyping futures in public (not behind closed decks)</p><p>“Mundane futures” as a design test for what’s livable</p><p>Love and psychological safety as real infrastructure</p><p>Rituals, artifacts, and cooperative ownership</p><p>Crossing the yearning gap with small, repeated actions</p><p></p><p><strong>Follow along</strong></p><p>00:00 — Introduction to RADAR and its evolution</p><p>02:19 — Understanding futures & cultural futurism</p><p>04:25 — The concept of mundane futures</p><p>06:49 — Community & collective ownership at RADAR</p><p>09:22 — Digital cooperatives and shared ownership</p><p>11:58 — Where RADAR meets client/industry work</p><p>18:52 — The creative ecosystem (participants, partners, artifacts)</p><p>24:32 — Multiplayer imagination & experimentation in practice</p><p>31:08 — Embodied futures & love as infrastructure</p><p>34:38 — Yearning for change & the 2025 mission</p><p>44:33 — The power of imagination in shaping the future</p><p>47:20 — Understanding yearning burnout & its impact</p><p>50:18 — The role of small actions in creating change</p><p>53:30 — The future of collaboration & AI</p><p>54:58 — Lessons from multiplayer mode in creative processes</p><p>57:13 — Fostering psychological safety for innovation</p><p>01:02:14 — The importance of community & gathering for change</p><p></p><p>If this resonated, <strong>subscribe, and share</strong> with someone who should be in the future you’re building.</p><p>Takeaways, Signals to Watch & Resources here: <a target="_blank" href="https://unmissables.substack.com/p/designing-futures-multiplayer-mode">https://unmissables.substack.com/p/designing-futures-multiplayer-mode</a></p><p></p><p>Where to find Keely Adler & Caitlin Keeley</p><p>* <strong>Keely Adler</strong> — Head of Practice (<a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/keelyadler/">LinkedIn</a>)</p><p>* <strong>Caitlin Keeley</strong> — Head of Imagination (<a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlinkeeley/">LinkedIn </a>| <a target="_blank" href="https://caitlinkeeley.com/">Site</a>)</p><p>* <strong>RADAR</strong> — <a target="_blank" href="http://radardao.xyz">Website</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://linktr.ee/radar_xyz">Linktree</a></p><p></p><p>Where to find me</p><p>* LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/aribajahan">/aribajahan</a></p><p>* Instagram: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.instagram.com/ariba.jahan">@ariba.jahan</a></p><p>* Newsletter: <a target="_blank" href="https://unmissableswithariba.com">unmissableswithariba.com</a></p><p></p><p><em>Enjoying Unmissables? A quick ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ on </em><a target="_blank" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3ufd57tWYngjUI9LlQGXkD"><em>Spotify</em></a><em> + a review on</em><a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unmissables-with-ariba-jahan/id1707384312"><em> Apple</em></a><em> helps more people find the show. Thank you!</em></p><p></p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Unmissables with Ariba Jahan at <a href="https://unmissables.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">unmissables.substack.com/subscribe</a>

<p>What does it take to design stories people can step into and feel?</p><p>Aditi Rajagopal is the Head of Experience Design, Immersive at Atlantic Studios, where she creates interactive educational and entertainment experiences for platforms like Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest. Her recent project, <a target="_blank" href="https://atlanticstudios.co.uk/work/cosmos-in-focus/"><em>Cosmos in Focus</em></a>—a virtual planetarium featured at SXSW, turns James Webb Space Telescope data into an emotional, interactive experience that makes the universe feel close and personal.</p><p>Her career spans animation, creative strategy, and immersive storytelling roles at Meta across India, Singapore, and the UK. She’s worked with brands like Spotify, Samsung, and Uber, and has been recognized at Cannes, SXSW, and D&AD.</p><p>In this episode, we talk about designing for presence instead of novelty, choreographing focus in 3D space, and building immersive experiences that balance wonder with access. We explore how behavior, empathy, and inclusivity shape immersive media and what it takes to lower the barriers for more diverse creators to enter the space.</p><p>If you care about the future of storytelling, education, or interactive design, this conversation will expand your creative lens.</p><p><strong>What we explore in this episode:</strong></p><p>Defining immersive media beyond hype</p><p>How <em>Cosmos in Focus</em> turns data into emotion</p><p>The “choreography of focus” as a design skill</p><p>Why headset access limits storytelling equity</p><p>Designing for behavior, empathy, and unexpected users</p><p>Entry points for creators using no-code and low-cost tools</p><p>Breaking outdated “rules” in VR and XR design</p><p><strong>Shownotes and transcript:</strong> <a target="_blank" href="https://unmissables.substack.com/p/making-the-invisible-interactive">https://unmissables.substack.com/p/making-the-invisible-interactive</a></p><p><strong>Where to find Aditi Rajagopal</strong></p><p>LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" href="https://atlanticstudios.co.uk/work/cosmos-in-focus/">linkedin.com/in/aditirajagopal</a></p><p><strong>Where to find Ariba Jahan</strong></p><p>LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" href="https://atlanticstudios.co.uk/work/cosmos-in-focus/">linkedin.com/in/aribajahan</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://atlanticstudios.co.uk/work/cosmos-in-focus/">Instagram</a>: @ariba.jahan</p><p>Newsletter: <a target="_blank" href="https://atlanticstudios.co.uk/work/cosmos-in-focus/">unmissableswithariba.com</a></p><p><strong>Follow along:</strong></p><p>00:00 – Welcome + Meet Aditi Rajagopal</p><p>02:49 – Magic and Potential of Spatial Storytelling</p><p>05:13 – Defining Immersive Experiences</p><p>07:35 – Designing for Presence</p><p>10:17 – Creating Emotional Connections</p><p>12:52 – Inside <em>Cosmos in Focus</em></p><p>15:42 – The Choreography of Focus</p><p>18:15 – Lessons from Collaboration</p><p>20:36 – The Future of Immersive Storytelling</p><p>25:43 – The Future of Spatial Computing</p><p>27:34 – Challenges in Spatial Design</p><p>33:03 – Diversity in Storytelling</p><p>34:13 – Barriers for Creators</p><p>35:15 – Getting Started in Immersive Storytelling</p><p>38:20 – Responsibility in Storytelling</p><p>41:17 – Behavioral Shifts in Immersive Experiences</p><p>43:17 – Breaking the Rules of Immersive Storytelling</p><p>45:37 – Encouragement for Aspiring Storytellers</p><p>47:23 – Outro</p><p><strong>Enjoying Unmissables?</strong></p><p>Your review helps others discover the show. Please leave a 5-star rating on Spotify and a review on Apple Podcasts. Thank you!</p><p><strong>I want to hear from you! </strong></p><p>Drop in the comments or reach out to me to share what types of topics and questions you want explored on future episodes.</p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Unmissables with Ariba Jahan at <a href="https://unmissables.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">unmissables.substack.com/subscribe</a>

<p>What does it take to build digital health products that center care, clarity, and trust?</p><p>In this episode, I talk with Ambreen Molitor, a product leader working at the intersection of reproductive health, equity, and digital access. At Planned Parenthood, where she served as National Director of Product Innovation, Ambreen helped launch and redesign award-winning tools like <em>Roo</em>, an AI-powered chatbot for teens, and <em>Spot On</em>, a bilingual birth control and cycle tracker that prioritized user trust before it became a tech talking point. Her work helped Planned Parenthood win Webbys, Effies, and the VIVE Techquity for Health Champion Award, while quietly reshaping how digital care shows up in people’s lives.</p><p>She strives to support users navigating trauma, surveillance, and stigma with empathy and precision. Now as a Principal PM at Zocdoc, she continues to build with a sharp eye on who health tech serves, and how.</p><p>We unpack how her team at Planned Parenthood shifted from building in-house to partnering with pre-seed startups, and what that evolution revealed about urgency, alignment, and power. Ambreen also walks us through a revealing experiment: testing LLMs against their own content to evaluate not just accuracy, but tone and trust. The results opened up deeper questions about emotional safety, care at scale, and what readiness actually means when AI enters the room.</p><p>_____</p><p><strong>What we explore in this episode</strong></p><p>* What people still get wrong about nonprofit innovation</p><p>* Why trust shapes product architecture in digital health</p><p>* How Planned Parenthood designed for tone, clarity, and care</p><p>* The real gap between LLM output and emotionally safe content</p><p>* What vetting a startup partner looks like when values are at stake</p><p>* Why tone isn’t a polish layer, it’s an equity decision</p><p>* Building through legal gray zones, shifting policy, and urgent timelines</p><p>* Why impact is a long game, but direction starts now</p><p>_____</p><p><strong>Shownotes, takeaways & resources:</strong> <a target="_blank" href="https://unmissables.substack.com/p/bbfd4292-fc3f-48db-908e-ecd9a8225d89">https://unmissables.substack.com/p/bbfd4292-fc3f-48db-908e-ecd9a8225d89</a></p><p>_____</p><p><strong>Follow Along</strong></p><p>00:00 – Introduction to show + Guest Introduction</p><p>01:56 – Meet Ambreen Molitor</p><p>03:45 – How Planned Parenthood scaled innovation under constraint</p><p>06:00 – Roo and Spot On: Designing for clarity, care, and context</p><p>09:00 – Partnering with startups (and protecting values)</p><p>12:00 – Testing LLMs against real-world content</p><p>15:00 – Why tone is an equity issue in health tech</p><p>18:00 – Tech’s role in care: assistant, not provider</p><p>20:30 – Policy, urgency, and real-time scenario planning</p><p>23:30 – Closing reflections + unmissable signals</p><p>_____</p><p><strong>Mentioned on this episode</strong></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.plannedparenthooddirect.org/spot-on-period-tracker">Spot On</a> – Planned Parenthood’s bilingual, inclusive birth control & period tracker</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://roo.plannedparenthood.org/">Roo</a> – The AI-powered sex education chatbot launched in 2019</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.autonomy.health/">Autonomy</a> – Startup helping patients get matched to federal/state/local abortion funding</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.viveevent.com/">VIVE Techquity for Health Champion Award</a> – Award recognizing equity-first innovation in healthcare</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://github.com/moinnadeem/StereoSet">StereoSet</a> – A benchmark for measuring bias in language models</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.frost.com/">Frost & Sullivan’s Femtech Market Forecast</a> – Femtech projected to hit $103B by 2030</p><p><em>Update: Since recording the episode, 19 states have some form of abortion bans, 12 have total bans.</em></p><p>_____</p><p><strong>Where to find Ambreen Molitor</strong></p><p>* LinkedIn : <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ambreenmolitor/">/ambreenmolitor</a></p><p><strong>Where to find Ariba Jahan</strong></p><p>* Linkedin: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/aribajahan/">/aribajahan/</a></p><p>* Instagram: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.instagram.com/ariba.jahan">http://www.instagram.com/ariba.jahan</a></p><p>* Youtube: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC61NDFgqsM02-wtE1PrZOsw">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC61NDFgqsM02-wtE1PrZOsw</a></p><p>Enjoying Unmissables? Leave a 5-star review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. It helps us reach the right listeners.</p><p><em>Thanks for tuning in!</em></p><p><em>Would love to hear from you, tell us what this episode made you think about? Is there a health tech app you love using, why?</em></p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Unmissables with Ariba Jahan at <a href="https://unmissables.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">unmissables.substack.com/subscribe</a>

<p>Most companies are stuck toggling between reacting to the moment and chasing the next big thing. Tameka Vasquez helps them pause, zoom out, and build strategy that doesn’t just respond, but reimagines.</p><p>In this episode, we unpack what futures thinking actually looks like in practice: how to build clarity inside complexity, what makes vision operational (not just aspirational), and why tiny shifts—not big bets—are what shape tomorrow.</p><p><strong>Tameka Vasquez </strong>is a futurist, strategist, educator, and the Founder of<a target="_blank" href="https://www.thefuturequo.com"> The Future Quo</a>, an advisory group helping executive teams design new visions with foresight, creativity, and purpose. Her background spans brand strategy, systems design, and academia—including roles as Head of Marketing at Google’s Sidewalk Labs and teaching at Columbia University.</p><p>_______</p><p><strong>What we explore in this episode:</strong></p><p>- Why strategic foresight isn’t about prediction and what it’s actually for</p><p>- How trend-chasing leads to mimicry, not momentum</p><p>- The cost of working without vision, and how it shows up day-to-day</p><p>- Why futures thinking belongs in the room, not in the research deck</p><p>- How to design for possibility when urgency is loud</p><p>- What LEGO got right—and what your team can learn from it</p><p>- The power of narrative as an operating system</p><p>- Why “nonlinear” careers are often the most aligned</p><p>_______</p><p><strong>Shownotes and transcript: </strong><a target="_blank" href="https://unmissableswitharibajahan.substack.com/p/how-futures-thinking-sharpens-strategy">https://unmissables.substack.com/p/how-futures-thinking-sharpens-strategy</a></p><p>_______</p><p><strong>Mentioned on the episode:</strong></p><p>The Future Quo: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.thefuturequo.com">https://www.thefuturequo.com</a></p><p>PwC 2024 Global CEO Survey: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/ceo-survey/2024/download/27th-ceo-survey.pdf">https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/ceo-survey/2024/download/27th-ceo-survey.pdf</a></p><p>Strategic Foresight 101: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/01/strategic-foresight-help-companies-survive-thrive/">https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/01/strategic-foresight-help-companies-survive-thrive/</a></p><p>LEGO Scenario Planning: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.seriousinsights.net/legos-scenario-planning-asia/">https://www.seriousinsights.net/legos-scenario-planning-asia/</a></p><p>_______</p><p><strong>Where to find Tameka Vasquez</strong></p><p>LinkedIn : <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamekavasquez/">/tamekavasquez</a></p><p>The Future Quo: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.thefuturequo.com">https://www.thefuturequo.com</a></p><p><strong>Where to find Ariba Jahan</strong></p><p>Linkedin: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/aribajahan/">/aribajahan/</a></p><p>Substack Newsletter: <a target="_blank" href="http://unmissableswithariba.com">unmissableswithariba.com</a></p><p>Instagram: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.instagram.com/ariba.jahan">http://www.instagram.com/ariba.jahan</a></p><p>_______</p><p>Follow along:</p><p>00:00 – Welcome + Meet Tameka Vasquez</p><p>02:20 – How Tameka Found Her Way to Futures Work</p><p>04:30 – What 'Futures Thinking' Means</p><p>11:20 – Democratizing the Practice of Foresight</p><p>16:00 – Tameka’s Approach: From Trends to Narrative</p><p>23:45 – Vision Gaps in a Reactive World</p><p>24:00 – The LEGO case study: foresight in action</p><p>31:00 – AI, Urgency, and the Risk of Reactive Thinking</p><p>40:45 – Making Futures Thinking Practical</p><p>46:15 – Multiplicity, Reinvention, and Nonlinear Careers</p><p>49:30 – Unmissable Signals + Closing Reflections</p><p>_______</p><p>Your review helps more listeners find us: If you enjoyed listening to this episode, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and a 5-star rating on Spotify. Thank you so much!</p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Unmissables with Ariba Jahan at <a href="https://unmissables.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">unmissables.substack.com/subscribe</a>

<p>Have you ever thought about having a digital twin?</p><p>In this episode of Up Next in Tech, I sit down with Jessica Berger, SVP of Innovation at Publicis Media. Admirably known for her insight and understanding of cutting-edge technology, Jessica shares her expertise on trends like web3, AI, extended reality, and gaming. In this conversation, we focused on 4 emerging trends that Jessica's team highlighted in their recent trends report called, Future Forward. The report included topics like instant content to commerce, immersive digital ecosystems, AI's impact on identity and social life, and the revolutionary implications of gaming's evolution on brands. The episode also sheds light on Jessica's personal definition of innovation and how she nurtures her curiosity, opening up interesting questions around the adoption of virtual try-on technologies and the possibility of using a digital twin.</p><p>So if any of these trends interest you, be sure to check out the episode and let me know what you think about virtual try on technologies or any of the trends we mentioned! </p><p>Also, check <a target="_blank" href="https://www.aribajahan.com/upnextintech/jessica-berger">out the glossary </a>that breaks down a lot of the new words that come up on this episode. It’s a new thing we’re trying, so let us know if you like it.</p><p><strong>Follow along:</strong></p><p>01:39 Jessica’s definition of Innovation </p><p>04:00 Nurturing Curiosity and Innovator's Mindset</p><p>13:58 Personal Use of Generative AI</p><p>19:27 Identifying Trends and Directions</p><p>24:49 Ethical Considerations in the Digital Age</p><p>32:59 The Potential of Virtual Try-Ons</p><p>35:01 The Role of Blockchain in Authenticity and Equity</p><p>42:34 Nurturing Mental Health and Curiosity</p><p><strong>Speaker Bio: </strong></p><p>Jessica Berger leads innovation and strategy at Publicis Media by harnessing the power of emerging technologies and insights. With an industry reputation for her unwavering enthusiasm and profound understanding of cutting-edge tech, such as web3, AI, and AR/VR, Berger has become a sought-after speaker, judge, and host at industry events. Her expertise lies in deciphering the future of media and brand experiences, enabling her clients to capitalize on the potential of breakthrough innovations.</p><p>Moreover, her dedication to mentorship and advocacy for diverse voices in organizations like the Adweek Executive Mentorship program and Girls In Tech exemplifies her commitment to empowering the next generation of marketers and thinkers. Prior to joining Publicis, Berger worked at agency powerhouses Weber Shandwick and Publicis’ MSL where she strategized and implemented campaigns and digital innovation efforts for clients in the luxury goods, CPG and tech sectors. Her over a decade-long experience is informed by working for agencies and companies across Germany, Japan, and North America – giving her a unique global edge valued by many clients and industry peers. </p><p>For the full show notes with transcript, glossary of terms and resources, visit <a target="_blank" href="https://www.aribajahan.com/upnextintech/jessica-berger">https://www.aribajahan.com/upnextintech/jessica-berger</a></p><p>🙏 LEAVE A REVIEW</p><p>If you enjoyed listening to this episode, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and a 5-star rating on Spotify! </p><p>💻SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER</p><p>Get exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and valuable resources delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe here:  <a target="_blank" href="https://upnextwithariba.substack.com/">https://upnextwithariba.substack.com/</a></p><p>🔗 CONNECT WITH JESSICA BERGER </p><p>LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicaberger1/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicaberger1/</a></p><p>🔗 CONNECT WITH ARIBA JAHAN</p><p>Instagram: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.instagram.com/aribajahan">http://www.instagram.com/aribajahan</a></p><p>Linkedin: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/aribajahan/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/aribajahan/</a></p><p>Youtube: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC61NDFgqsM02-wtE1PrZOsw">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC61NDFgqsM02-wtE1PrZOsw</a></p><p>Twitter: <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/aribajahan">http://twitter.com/aribajahan</a></p><p>Post a screenshot and what you loved and tag me on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/ariba.jahan">instagram</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/aribajahan/">linkedin</a>, or <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/aribajahan">twitter</a>. </p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Unmissables with Ariba Jahan at <a href="https://unmissables.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">unmissables.substack.com/subscribe</a>