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Disruption rarely looks like disruption when it begins. In his new book Epic Disruptions: 11 Innovations That Shaped Our Modern World, Scott D. Anthony—ranked by Thinkers50 as one of the world’s leading innovation thinkers—uncovers the stories of 11 breakthroughs that reshaped the modern world. From the transistor radio to AI, from McDonald’s business model to cryptocurrency, he shows how innovation unfolds in surprising, nonlinear ways.

In this episode of FUTUREPROOF., Scott explains why disruption often takes far longer than we expect, what leaders can learn from past “failures” like Google Glass, and how incumbents can overcome the barriers that keep them from investing in transformative change.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why disruption usually takes decades, not years—and why patience matters
• How unexpected figures—from Julia Child to McDonald’s—played surprising roles in innovation
• What makes some technologies “sleeping giants” rather than failures
• The recurring patterns that connect historical breakthroughs to today’s AI revolution
• How leaders can balance operational demands with disruptive bets

Links & Resources:

• Scott’s book: Epic Disruptions: 11 Innovations That Shaped Our Modern World (Little, Brown Spark, Sept 2025)
• Learn more about Scott’s work: Scott D. Anthony at Tuck
• Follow Scott on LinkedIn
  
  

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Gaming isn’t just entertainment anymore—it’s the new frontier of consumer engagement. With more than three billion players worldwide and brands from Peloton to Burberry using game mechanics to build loyalty, gaming has become a mainstream business strategy.

In this episode of FUTUREPROOF., Bastian Bergmann, co-founder and COO of Solsten, explains why every company—not just game studios—needs to think like a game designer. He draws from his new book Press Play and his work with Solsten, which helps brands understand audiences on a psychological level to create immersive, resonant experiences.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
🎮 Why gaming is becoming a must-have strategy for every industry
🎮 How luxury brands, fitness companies, and even media outlets are using play to connect with customers
🎮 The psychology of play and why it unlocks deeper loyalty than ads alone
🎮 Practical entry points for companies curious about gaming without overcommitting
🎮 How audience intelligence and psychology fuel better design and better business outcomes

Links & Resources:

• Bastian’s book: Press Play: Why Every Company Needs a Gaming Strategy (Harvard Business Review Press, Sept 9, 2025)
• Solsten: solsten.io
  
  
• Follow Bastian on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bastianbergmann

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Most leaders say they want creativity. Few know how to make it happen. Andrew Robertson, Chairman of BBDO Worldwide, has spent two decades leading one of the most awarded creative networks in the world—and now he’s written the playbook for bringing creativity back to the heart of business.

In his new book, The Creative Shift, Robertson argues that organizations can’t just hope for inspiration—they need to deliberately design for it. He explains how to balance operational discipline with imaginative thinking, why bad ideas are essential for breakthroughs, and how simple changes—like rethinking meeting spaces—can spark better group collaboration.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why most corporate cultures quietly stifle creativity
• The flaws in traditional brainstorming—and how BBDO aims to fix them
• How to manage creative risk and know which ideas to pursue
• Practical ways to spark group creativity and make room for unconventional thinking
• Why operational excellence and visionary thinking aren’t opposites—they’re partners

Links & Resources:

• Andrew’s book: The Creative Shift: How to Power Up Your Organization by Making Space for New Ideas (released Sept 2, 2025)