Reinventing Normal
A futurologist, not to be confused with a futurist, refers to an artist of the 1900s artist movement – Futurism. There are some crossovers. Both adore tech and love speed. Critically, a futurologist writes, speaks, and studies trends to forecast the future. Richard Watson, Futurist-In-Residence at Cambridge University’s Judge Business School Entrepreneurship Centre, says…
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Reinventing Normal
Why the Rebirth of “Local” is Good for Commerce, Community and Common Sense
It goes without saying that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed so much of the world, and the effects of it will continue to be in conversations in the years to come. In an edition of “Reinventing Normal,” host Mark Landini talked with senior features editor for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Barbara Thau, about the…
Architecture & Design
Reinventing Normal: Do Department Stores Have a Future?
Writer, speaker, retail futurist, and founder of consulting agency 22nd&5th Howard Saunders joins Reinventing Normal host Mark Landini to discuss the future of retail stores. Appreciating the long, hallowed history of shopping in the West and how it’s impacted the daily life of a vast cross-section of demographics, they dive into current industry problems and…
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Blue-Collar, High-Voltage, and High-Stakes: Rebuilding the Workforce Pipeline with Skilled Trades Mentorship at TradeMentor
The skilled trades are getting squeezed from both sides: demand is rising—driven by grid upgrades, battery storage buildouts, and the reshoring of manufacturing—while the workforce pipeline keeps narrowing. Across construction, manufacturing, and other skilled trades, employers are facing a demographic cliff: for every five workers who retire, only two replacements enter the workforce. Contractors…
How Business Schools Can Scale Co-op Without Losing the Student Experience
Experiential learning has shifted from a differentiator to an expectation in higher education, especially as employers place more value on job-ready graduates who can adapt quickly to changing workplace demands. At the same time, AI is reshaping entry-level work, making durable skills like judgment, communication, and adaptability more important than routine task execution. In that…
From Firepits to Full Backyard Experiences: How Solo Stove Is Rebuilding Connection Through Product Innovation
As consumer brands navigate a post-pandemic world shaped by digital saturation and rising loneliness, the most successful companies are rediscovering something analog: human connection. A 2025 World Health Organization report found that 1 in 6 people globally are affected by loneliness, highlighting a growing public health challenge tied to weaker social bonds and reduced…
Rethinking Leadership: Why “Doable” Might Be the Most Powerful Strategy in Education Today
At a time when educator burnout is rising and schools across the U.S. are facing ongoing teacher shortages, leaders are being forced to rethink what sustainable success actually looks like. Research shows that teacher attrition is closely tied to working conditions, job-related stress, and workload demands. As districts push for innovation, data-driven instruction, and…