Best Passport To The Unexpected Podcasts (2024)

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Look Up in the Sky: Flying Cars, Planes, and Change 23:54

2h ago23:54

23:54

Send us a text We explore the significant changes coming to aviation, from Dubai's autism-friendly airport to the emergence of urban air taxis and flying car racing. While these innovations promise exciting possibilities—like one-hour flights from Delhi to London on hypersonic jets—they also raise important questions about our future skies. How wil…

1
The Next Pandemic: From Bunkers to Bird Flu 27:45

1d ago27:45

27:45

Send us a text In this episode, we explore three potential pandemic threats through very different lenses. We dive into antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the "silent pandemic" that could rival COVID-19's impact; investigate the booming $11 billion emergency preparedness industry, including luxury bunkers; and track H5N1's concerning spread from birds…

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Dreams, Medical AI, and Ultrasounds: A Signals Mashup 23:37

6d ago23:37

23:37

Send us a text In this special episode, we explore a "Signals Mashup," combining three real-life stories that could shape our future. Though we could pick anything, we all wound up picking signals from healthcare! We discuss an AI tool that predicts patient outcomes, a device enabling communication through lucid dreams, and a groundbreaking ultraso…

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Experiencing Taste in Sound and Space 24:47

13d ago24:47

24:47

Send us a text In our 26th episode, we explore some pretty cool innovations in experiential food. We discuss Barilla's scientifically-composed pasta soundtrack (with a throwback to White Lotus), designed to enhance flavors through sound. We then take our conversation into space, examining how researchers are revolutionizing astronaut cuisine and ev…

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Robots Among Us: From Sci-Fi Dreams to Everyday Reality 25:35

1M ago25:35

25:35

Send us a text In this episode, we explore the rapid evolution of robots and their growing roles in our society. We introduce Moxie, a robot designed to help children develop social skills, and discuss Amazon's massive robot workforce, now 750,000 strong. Our conversation spans from sidewalk to sky as we examine autonomous delivery systems. We cons…

1
Breaking Boundaries and Challenging Assumptions about Aging 21:55

1M ago21:55

21:55

Send us a text A Stanford study revealing rapid aging at 44 and 60 kickstarts our exploration of how aging perceptions are changing. We examine ageism in workplaces and the nuances of intergenerational dynamics, from reverse mentoring to Gen Z bringing parents to interviews. The story of a 70-year-old medical school graduate sparks debate about pur…

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The Unexpected Rise of Psychedelics in Corporate America 19:42

2M ago19:42

19:42

Send us a text In this eye-opening episode, we explore the surprising emergence of psychedelics in mainstream society, particularly in corporate settings. We discuss how companies are offering psychedelic-assisted therapy as part of employee benefits, the growing trend of microdosing among professional women, and the rise of psychedelic leadership …

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Multiple Passports, One Identity? 20:23

2M ago20:23

20:23

Send us a text In this episode, we explore the evolving nature of citizenship in our increasingly interconnected world. We discuss how wealthy individuals are building "passport portfolios" and how DNA testing is reshaping citizenship claims. We examine the concept of digital citizenship and its importance in our online lives. The conversation then…

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The Future of Funerals: Embracing Death in the Digital Age 23:09

2M ago23:09

23:09

Send us a text We explore the evolving landscape of death and remembrance in our increasingly digital world. From the growing death-positive movement to the rise of death doulas, we uncover how society is shifting its approach to mortality. We discuss the emergence of AI-powered grief bots and digital avatars, questioning their impact on the grievi…

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The Spontaneous (Travel!) Story of How Afar Came to Be 1:03:40

2M ago1:03:40

1:03:40

No plan. No luggage. Five weeks in India. Joe Diaz and Greg Sullivan, dreamed up Afar on a beach in Goa more than 15 years ago. In this candid episode from our sister podcast, Unpacked, they reflect on what they’ve learned by helping people travel deeper. From the spontaneous trips that honed the company’s values to how they’ve helped shape the tra…

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The New Landscapes of Fitness 19:59

2M ago19:59

19:59

Send us a text In this episode, originally recorded in February, we explore how technology and environmental changes are reshaping the world of fitness and sports. We learn about groundbreaking AI applications like SwingVision, which transforms smartphones into personal tennis coaches. We discuss the challenges ski resorts face from climate change …

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Beyond Chairs and Keyboards: The Surprising Future of Ergonomics 23:15

2M ago23:15

23:15

Send us a text In this episode, we explore an expansive view of ergonomics. Join us as we uncover the hidden "left-handed tax" and its surprising economic impact. We also consider some mind- (and finger-) bending human augmentation technologies. But it's not all physical–we also discuss emotional ergonomics and how it's reshaping our daily interact…

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Want to Get to the Soul of Switzerland? Jump Into a River. 20:43

2M ago20:43

20:43

Not only can you swim in the rivers of Bern and Basel— but thousands of locals regularly take the plunge. From a morning commute to a relaxing weekend escape, discover how rivers are at the heart of everyday Swiss life. In this episode of Travel Tales by Afar, Bonnie Tsui, author of Why We Swim, follows the currents of Switzerland's alpine rivers i…

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The Art of Signal Scanning: Uncovering Tomorrow's Trends Today 17:15

3M ago17:15

17:15

Send us a text Join us in this special behind-the-scenes episode on how we find signals. We share how to cultivate a mindset that sees the extraordinary in the ordinary, from daily habits to real-world observations. Discover our diverse approaches to signal scanning, including AI tools, historical contexts, and observing local changes. Learn how tr…

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Only 10 People Have Walked Around the World—and One Dog. 48:20

3M ago48:20

48:20

Tom Turcich and his dog, Savannah, completed their world walk in 2022. On this week’s episode of Travel Tales, we hear their story. We first talked with Tom and Savannah back in 2021, when they were in Kyrgyzstan, six years into their journey, which began in 2015. They had been held up by the pandemic, which was only one of many ordeals they faced …

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Mall Metamorphosis: Shopping Spaces Transformed 24:34

3M ago24:34

24:34

Send us a text This week we're exploring the unexpected evolution of shopping malls. We stumbled upon some fascinating signals -- from Asian-American cultural hubs to... well, let's just say an unusual activity involving sticks and imagination. We're seeing parking lots transform into community parks and wondering what "going to the mall" might mea…

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A Cross-Country Road Trip Helped Make the World Safer (and More Fun!) for Queer Travelers 18:34

3M ago18:34

18:34

Road trips are such funny things. They allow more room for whimsy and spontaneity. They can inspire frank conversation, sitting side by side with someone, looking out at endless stretches of highway. And they can be dull (all that endless highway) in a way that somehow opens your mind to other possibilities and maybe even other lives. That’s what h…

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I Do Reimagined: Weddings of the Future 22:14

3M ago22:14

22:14

Send us a text This week we explore the evolving world of weddings and some trends that are reshaping this age-old tradition. We discuss how different generations might view marriage, some signals on unconventional ceremonies, and even the possibility of changing legal marriage ages. Is there a future where platonic friendship weddings are normaliz…

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I Traveled the World With President Obama. Now, I Help Give Young Women the Same Chance. 23:44

3M ago23:44

23:44

Deesha Dyer never thought she’d wind up in the White House. As a kid growing up in Philadelphia, she desperately wanted to travel but it always felt out of reach. Until she landed a coveted internship in the Obama administration, working in the office that arranged all of the president’s travel. Over the next eight years, she would travel around th…

1
Can Comedy Save the World? 21:21

3M ago21:21

21:21

Send us a text This week we're exploring the power of laughter in our rapidly changing world. We uncover signals about comedy's impact on health, mental wellbeing, and even climate change awareness. From scientific studies showing laughter's benefits for heart patients, to mental health patients using humor as a tool, to climate scientists partneri…

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When Zebras Taught Me to Drive in Namibia 34:23

3M ago34:23

34:23

Imagine this: You’re slowly driving through Etosha National Park, Namibia’s renowned conservation area. There are elephants and zebras and antelopes and lions all around you. In fact, you’ve been warned not to exit your car because of those very lions, which are pros at camouflaging themselves in the desert landscape. And then your car stalls—becau…

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Beyond Gold: The Unexpected Side of the Olympics 22:10

4M ago22:10

22:10

Send us a text It’s Olympic season! Join us as we gear up for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics and explore some angles you might not expect. We'll dive into the mind-boggling logistics of feeding thousands of athletes (millions of bananas!), the innovative ways cities are repurposing Olympic venues, and how digital twin technology is revolutionizing …

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Is This Europe’s Most Underrated Food Tradition? 24:16

4M ago24:16

24:16

Some of our favorite travel moments are the ones you’d never in a million years expect. These are where the best travel stories are born. And this week, Afar’s executive editor, Billie Cohen, has a very delicious, very serendipitous story for us. As you’ll hear in the episode, Billie was in Estonia (one of Afar’s picks for where to travel in 2024) …

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The Enduring Power and Liberation of Books 22:16

4M ago22:16

22:16

Send us a text In this episode we explore the future of books, and the innovative ways we might interact with the written word. We learn about a new platform to collaborate and release work together, promoting shared ownership of creative projects. We explore the future of audiobooks, and how we can further the potential of immersive audio experien…

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In Mumbai, Everyone Thought I Was a Local. Here’s How I Became One. 19:27

4M ago19:27

19:27

When Afar editorial director Sarika Bansal was 22, she moved to Mumbai. As you’ll hear in her Travel Tale this week, she grew up in New York and visited India (where her parents were born) frequently. Yet the visits often felt cloistered. But many years later in Mumbai, she didn’t have to worry about meeting family expectations, and she was free to…

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Rediscovering Joy Through Play 23:24

4M ago23:24

23:24

Send us a text In honor of the UN's first International Day of Play, we discuss the importance of play at every stage of life. We explore recent innovations including kid-designed playgrounds and glow-in-the-dark night parks, as well as retail spaces reimagined from storefronts to playfronts. We touch on play's impact on brain health and creativity…

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Caregiving 2.0: Love and Responsibility in a Changing World 22:28

4M ago22:28

22:28

Send us a text This week we discuss a personal and pressing topic: the future of caregiving. As the care crisis deepens, we explore innovative solutions--from wearable sensors revolutionizing at-home care to the evolution of pet benefits in the workplace. We discuss groundbreaking developments in early Alzheimer's detection and what they mean for f…

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The Unexpected Magic of a Turkish Barbershop 20:20

4M ago20:20

20:20

When it comes to relationships, often there’s the planner—and then there’s the go-with-the-flow-er. And today’s episode of Travel Tales by Afar is all about what happens when the planner hesitantly chucks the travel to-do list and lets serendipity lead the way. Beth Santos is the planner in this particular story. She’s the founder of Wanderful, an …

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What Learning Looks Like in the Age of the Customer 21:30

4M ago21:30

21:30

Send us a text As the world rapidly changes, so too must our approaches to education and continuous learning. We discuss innovative approaches like Singapore's Skills-Future Credit program, supporting mid-life learners, and the rise of multidisciplinary majors. We question whether universities are keeping pace with demands for flexibility, affordab…

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From Tourist to Steward: The Journey to Sustainable Travel 22:29

4M ago22:29

22:29

Send us a text As global travel rebounds to pre-pandemic levels with 1.4 billion international arrivals in early 2024, the environmental cost is increasingly apparent. From Mount Fuji swarmed by tourists to over-crowded buses in Barcelona, we discuss over-tourism and measures to address it. Join us as we examine global signals, like Spain's proposa…

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Replay: Comedian Michelle Buteau, "I Got Stood Up in Paris!" 23:28

4M ago23:28

23:28

This week, we’re replaying one of our favorite Travel Tales episodes: Comedian and actress Michelle Buteau—and her best friend—fly to Paris to meet their supposed French boyfriends. Only things don’t exactly go to plan . . . Michelle Buteau is a comedian and actress, known for her roles in Always Be My Maybe, The First Wives Club, Someone Great, Ru…

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A Wake-Up Call on Chocolate 22:45

5M ago22:45

22:45

Send us a text Join us as we delve into the pivotal changes shaping the world of chocolate and cacao. Amid rising cocoa prices and environmental challenges, we explore innovations like cocoa-free alternatives and CRISPR-enhanced cacao crops. From discussions on fair trade's growing impact to how indigenous communities safeguard livelihoods through …

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Navigating the Future of Social Connectivity: A Blend of Real and Virtual Worlds 22:53

5M ago22:53

22:53

Send us a text Discover the evolving landscape of social networks and how technology is reshaping our means of connection. In a lively discussion, we examine the interplay between traditional and digital networking, exploring what it means to form and maintain relationships in a world increasingly dominated by virtual interactions. We wonder: will …

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We Need to Redefine Retirement 21:12

5M ago21:12

21:12

Send us a text Explore the changing landscape of retirement as we confront challenges and reveal hopeful strategies for a future that will inherently differ from the past. We discuss the financial hurdles women face and spotlight the rising financial savvy among younger generations. Challenging traditional life stages, we introduce a 'new map of li…

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Why This Man Biked Across the United States—Without Any Food or Money 35:21

5M ago35:21

35:21

In late 2016, Daniel Troia was struggling with grief. Grief over the loss of his parents and grief over the division he saw unfolding on his TV, night after night. It made him angry, and that made him want to do something to change things, or at least to change his perception of things. So, in 2018, he set out on a cross-country bike ride. His plan…

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From Esports to Therapy: How Gaming is Shaping Our Future 22:54

5M ago22:54

22:54

Send us a text Dive into the expansive world of gaming to see how it's not just shaping entertainment, but also therapy, education, and social interactions globally. The global gaming industry now exceeds $400 billion and is larger than the combined markets for movies and music. We explore the multifaceted impact of gaming, from entertainment and t…

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Dining Redefined: Stories from the Future 17:50

5M ago17:50

17:50

Send us a text Discover how the future of social dining is transforming through innovative spaces and cultural shifts. We share real-world stories that preview what dining out might look like in the coming years. From libraries transforming into communal hubs to innovative drive-in diners with charging stations, we delve into how these spaces might…

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The Next Frontier of Human-Animal Communication 21:26

5M ago21:26

21:26

Send us a text Explore the revolutionary shifts in how we understand and communicate with the animal kingdom. From AI decoding whale conversations to the mainstream acceptance of pet psychics, we delve into innovations that could redefine our relationship with animals. Imagine a world where animals have rights and technology enhances our ability to…

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Language Unleashed: Love, AI, and Breaking Barriers 20:33

5M ago20:33

20:33

Send us a text Uncover the groundbreaking ways AI and new technologies are transforming how we communicate. We explore the future of language, sharing real-world stories from AI tools that bridge language gaps in romance to brain-computer interfaces giving voice to those who cannot speak. We discuss the future of language learning and ponder whethe…

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Passport To The Unexpected Podcasts

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