FUTURE OF XYZ

Hosted by Lisa Gralnek | iF Design

BusinessInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

175

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

About the show

FUTURE OF XYZ is a bi-weekly interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Through candid conversations with international experts, visionary leaders and courageous changemakers- we provoke new thinking about what's coming down the pipeline on matters related to art & design, science & innovation, culture & creativity. Future of XYZ is presented by iF Design, a respected member of the international design community and host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD since 1953. The show is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network. For more information, visit ifdesign.com/XYZ.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 20, 2026Episode 17433 min

Future of Historic Preservation | Niles Parker | S8 E17

S8 E17: The United States National Park Service says, ”Historic preservation is a conversation with our past about our future”. Historic preservation is an essential part of national and cultural history, urban planning, and the built environment. This week on XYZ, we speak with Niles Parker, Gosnell Executive Director of the Nantucket Historical Association- one of America’s most significant local history institutions. From how "preserving what’s here feeds into the sense of place”, to why “new isn’t always better” and the trend towards reuse and salvageability ecosystems – Niles argues storytelling is at the heart of it all. This is an important conversation for the modern day- relevant from Massachusetts to Morocco, Cambodia to Cote d’Ivoire, Argentina to Arles, and everywhere between. ABOUT THE SERIES: FUTURE OF XYZ is an award-winning interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- FUTURE OF XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network. New episodes every other Thursday. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.

August 6, 2026Episode 17233 min

Future of EV Charging | Tiya Gordon | S8 E16

S8 E16: In the rapidly evolving electric vehicle landscape, the question of how and where to get a charge is imperative. Especially in densely populated urban environments, and even more so in neighborhoods with limited access to public transportation. That's what we’re discussing in this week’s episode of XYZ with designer Tiya Gordon, Co-Founder & COO of it’s electric – a Brooklyn NY-based purveyor of elegant charging stations rolling out across US cities. From the business model to effective grid management, to the importance of aesthetics - this is a great conversation exploring why “no one wants the baby of a gas pump and an iPod on their pretty tree-lined street” and much more! ABOUT THE SERIES: FUTURE OF XYZ is an award-winning interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- FUTURE OF XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network. New episodes every other Thursday. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.

July 23, 2026Episode 17136 min

Future of Ingenuity | Chris Denson | S8 E15

S8 E15: “Calibrating our inner compass as individuals will lead to exponential ingenuity.” So suggests our guest on this week’s equally expansive episode. The Detroit native, now Angelino is a former standup comedian, current TV host, and author of the 2019 #1 bestselling book, 10 Essential Rules for Breaking Essential Rules (2019). He shares creative guidelines and innovation insights from his experience working with the likes of Omnicom, Google, SXSW, Cannes Lions, the Obama Administration, and The United Nations. “Human beings are inventive by nature, we thrive on problem-solving energy.” Tune in today to expand your perspective! ABOUT THE SERIES: FUTURE OF XYZ is an award-winning interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- FUTURE OF XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network. New episodes every other Thursday. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.

July 9, 2026Episode 17025 min

Future of (Not) Fast Furniture | Brad Ascalon | S8 E14

S8 E14: For XYZ’s second ever live recording release, we spoke live from the SURROUND Podcast Network studio at NeoCon with award-winner industrial designer, Brad Ascalon, about the ‘Future of (Not) Fast Furniture’. In this fun and fascinating conversation, Brad talked about how his appreciation for materials traces back a creative childhood, dished on “big vs little d” design, weighed in on longevity as a function of sustainability, and shared his perspective on why the next generation of design leaders deserves so much support! This is the conversation I wasn’t planning to have with a future-minded designer and business owner about where the contract furniture business is, and also, where it needs to go. Thanks too Brad, for being the guinea pig for live audience recording! ABOUT THE SERIES: FUTURE OF XYZ is an award-winning interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- FUTURE OF XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network. New episodes every other Thursday. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.

June 25, 2026Episode 16934 min

Future of Interiors | Cheryl Durst | S8 E13

S8 E13: For XYZ’s first ever live recording release, we spoke live from the SURROUND Podcast Network studio at NeoCon with Chicago native Cheryl Durst Hon. FIIDA, Executive Vice President/CEO at IIDA (International Interior Design Association). Based on her extensive experience in the interiors industry, three years as an iF Design Award Juror, and role as a sought-after board member, keynote speaker, facilitator, and podcaster – we explore the state of the interiors business as she sees it in the midst of this year’s global furniture fair season. From the effect of an interior on human psychology, to the impact of AI on the industry – this is a comprehensive discussion with one of interiors’ foremost gamechangers, presented at the Obama Presidential Library’s opening exhibit and recipient of the Interior Design Hall of Fame’s first ever Leadership Award. ABOUT THE SERIES: FUTURE OF XYZ is an award-winning interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- FUTURE OF XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network. New episodes every other Thursday. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.

June 11, 2026Episode 16844 min

Future of Architects | Carole Wedge | S8 E12

S8 E12: Carole Wedge FAIA NOMA LEED AP is the CEO/EVP of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) - the largest design organization in the world with over 101K members across 200 chapters. An accredited architect herself who for 17 years served as CEO of Shepley Bulfinch- one of the nation’s largest architecture & interior firms founded in 1874, there are few better guests to speak about the profession, role, and nature of Architects. From addressing climate change to encouraging diversity, highlighting the rigorous education and licensing requirements to discussing the transformative technological moment happening right now – this episode explores some of the unique qualities of architects, the cross-disciplinary and systems-based nature of the profession, and the skills needed by the next generation. ABOUT THE SERIES: FUTURE OF XYZ is an award-winning interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- FUTURE OF XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network. New episodes every other Thursday. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.

May 28, 2026Episode 16734 min

Future of Man-Made | Karen Korellis Reuther | S8 E11

S8 E11: Women are 73% more likely to be injured in a car crash than men. Across the trades, 90% of women cannot find properly fitting safety gear. In every public space everywhere, the lines for ladies’ restrooms are multitudes longer than for men. These aren't statistical anomalies — they are the predictable consequences of a world designed primarily by and for men. Karen Korellis Reuther is the author of MAN-MADE, a Design Lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, and a Former Creative Executive at both NIKE & Reebok. A month before the release of her first book, the iF DESIGN AWARD Jury Chairperson and design advocate joins us to surface some uncomfortable design and economic truths that have long been felt but not named, and to present examples of opportunities to make it right so we can all play a part in building a world that fits everyone. ABOUT THE SERIES: FUTURE OF XYZ is an award-winning interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- FUTURE OF XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network. New episodes every other Thursday. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.

May 14, 2026Episode 16633 min

Future of Spatial Strategy | Güray Oskay | S8 E10

S8 E10: When a strategic architecture and experience firm thinks about design in decades-long time horizons and considers culture, community, and climate in their built environment projects – what emerges are deeply human-centered projects that serve all stakeholders well. Spatial Strategy is the architectural equivalent of “thinking before we speak” - the practice of planning designs and builds based on insights, future needs anticipation, and more. Güray Oskay is the Director of Space at ATÖLYE – an award-wining studio and Certified B-Corp based in Dubai and Istanbul. In this truly inspiring episode, Güray shares with us transferable knowledge from his 25-year career working with public and private entities across the Middle East and Europe about the future of Spatial Strategy! Don’t miss. ABOUT THE SERIES: FUTURE OF XYZ is an award-winning interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- FUTURE OF XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network. New episodes every other Thursday. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.

April 30, 2026Episode 16535 min

Future of Foresight | Radha Mistry | S8 E9

S8 E9: Foresight is a practice that predicts or prepares for the future by listening to the “weak signals of possible futures”. Similar to trend tracking and forecasting - it explores how a provocation can blossom into possibility. Tied to the release of the 5th annual iF Design Trend Report (downloadable here: https://ifdesign.com/en/trend-report) – it is a timely moment to explore the future of this practice including how it performs in times of tremendous uncertainty and rapid change. Our guest is Radha Mistry, an expert in foresight who has held senior positions at Autodesk and Steelcase, before joining the global design and engineering consultancy ARUP where she heads up Foresight Thought Leadership. As regular listeners will anticipate, we cover a ton of ground in this episode - from cities to agriculture, media to robots, wellness to global trade, climate change to zero G orbits. Tune in today! ABOUT THE SERIES: FUTURE OF XYZ is an award-winning interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- FUTURE OF XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network. New episodes every other Thursday. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.

April 16, 2026Episode 16436 min

Future of Seating | Todd Bracher | S8 E8

S8 E8: Todd Bracher studied at Pratt, did his Masters in Copenhagen, and spent a decade working across Europe, before returning to New York City where he established his eponymous design studio. Credited with bringing more than 200 products to market and receiving over two dozen patents alongside dozens of accolades and awards – Todd is the first American industrial designer to have Phaidon publish a retrospective of his work. “Observations Research & Design” was released just prior to the recording of this episode. WIth diverse projects undertaken for Herman Miller, Geog Jensen, and now as the Global Creative Director at Humanscale – Todd is also an expert in seating which is what we’re speaking with him about in this tremendously interesting new episode. Tune in today! ABOUT THE SERIES: FUTURE OF XYZ is an award-winning interview series that explores big questions about where we are as a world and where we’re going. Presented by iF Design- host of the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD- FUTURE OF XYZ is also a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network. New episodes every other Thursday. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow @futureofxyz and @ifdesign on Instagram, listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit ifdesign.com/XYZ for show links and more.