Episode 0-11

 In this launch episode, host Michael Hanf kicks off the FoS Podcast, unveiling the vision behind Future of Sustainability and why rethinking how we live, work, and create is crucial in today’s changing world. Michael introduces the podcast’s core themes, what listeners can look forward to, and how each episode will challenge ideas, spark meaningful conversations, and connect a community driven to shape a more sustainable future. 

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 In this first episode, host Michael Hanf sits down with Heidi Hautala, former Vice President of the European Parliament, to explore how sustainability, human rights, and business responsibility intersect in shaping Europe’s future. Heidi shares her journey from activist to policymaker, why transparency and integrity are essential for rebuilding trust, and how collaboration across society can drive the just transition we need. 

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 In this episode, host Michael Hanf speaks with Gary A. Bolles, Chair for the Future of Work at Singularity University and author of The Next Rules of Work, about how we can redesign work, learning, and capitalism for a sustainable future. Gary explores why adaptability and purpose are the new superpowers, how AI can enable lifelong learning, and why inclusive, regenerative systems are key to unlocking human potential. 

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 In this episode, host Michael Hanf speaks with Alena (14) and Sophie (10) Saleem, the sister duo behind Glowie.fi — a privacy-first AI chatbot designed to support teens with everyday questions about mental wellness, relationships, and life. They share how a library road trip across Europe sparked their AI journey, why they built “glass-box” technology that puts trust before profit, and what it means to create ethical, human-centered innovation from the ground up. 

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 In this episode, host Michael Hanf speaks with Peppi Stünkel — entrepreneur, activist, and co-creator of the global art exhibition I Was Born a Girl. Peppi shares how art, empathy, and storytelling can drive social change, from transforming workplaces through creativity to bringing human rights to life through portraiture and poetry. A powerful conversation about how feeling leads to caring — and caring to action. 

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 In this episode, host Michael Hanf speaks with Marc de Jong, Head of Business Development at the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), about how one of the world’s most demanding motorsport series is driving a bold sustainability transformation. From introducing 100% sustainable fuel and hybrid technologies to protecting biodiversity and reducing emissions across logistics and broadcasting, WRC is proving that high performance and responsibility can go hand in hand. 

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 In this episode, host Michael Hanf speaks with Paul Rice, founder and former CEO of Fair Trade USA, about how trade—not aid—can build a fairer, more sustainable global economy. From his early work with Nicaraguan coffee farmers to creating one of the world’s leading ethical sourcing movements, Paul shares how conscious capitalism, fair pricing, and consumer choice can turn markets into engines for equity and impact. 

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 In this episode, host Michael Hanf speaks with Aino Försti-Smith, Head of Communications at Bayer Finland and Board Member of UN Women Finland, about why women’s health and reproductive rights are essential to building equitable, resilient societies. Aino shares how Bayer’s goal to provide access to contraception for 100 million women by 2030 connects business with impact—and why empowering girls and women creates ripple effects that strengthen families, communities, and economies. ngines for equity and impact. 

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 In this episode, host Michael Hanf speaks with Graihagh Jackson, Senior Broadcast Journalist at the BBC and host of The Climate Question, about how journalism can cut through noise, combat climate fatigue, and inspire informed action. Graihagh shares how her team makes complex issues human and relatable—telling stories that connect science, society, and emotion while reminding us that climate is not just a topic, but a thread running through everything. 

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 In this episode, host Michael Hanf speaks with Venkata “Serish” Gandikota, co-founder of InnoFrugal and co-lead of the Frugal AI Hub at Cambridge Judge Business School, about how we can rethink innovation for a resource-constrained world. Serish introduces the concept of Frugal AI—a practical, inclusive, and efficient approach that challenges the “bigger is better” mindset and focuses on solutions designed for real-world impact across diverse contexts. 

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In this episode, host Michael Hanf speaks with Ali Russell, Managing Director of Extreme E / Extreme H, the world’s first hydrogen-powered off-road racing series launching in 2025. Building on the legacy of Extreme E and Formula E, Ali shares how motorsport can become a catalyst for clean energy innovation—advancing hydrogen fuel cell technology, infrastructure, and awareness. Extreme H isn’t just about racing—it’s about proving what’s possible in the race toward a sustainable mobility future. 

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 In this special episode, recorded live at the Nordic Business Forum 2025 in Helsinki, host Michael Hanf explores what it means to move forward in the never normal—a world where disruption is constant and stability no longer guaranteed. Featuring insights from Howard Yu, Peter Hinssen, Riina Bhatia, and other leading voices, the episode unpacks how leaders can perform and transform at once, redefine growth beyond GDP, and build organizations ready to bounce forward instead of back. 

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