Episode 72: Spotting signals in noise
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Watch the video interview on YouTube:
Looking Outside is for curious people looking for a fresh take on familiar topics, in business and beyond.
Futures Thinking: Spotting Signals in Turbulent Times. LIVE from SXSW 2025, Texas.
In a world of constant flux and uncertainty, the ability to spot signals of change is an essential skill for navigating the future. Volatility has been escalating for over a decade, and the exponential growth of data presents both challenges and opportunities. Understanding how to contextualize signals through futures thinking is becoming increasingly critical. This session will equip you with the tools to identify and interpret key signals, empowering you to manage turbulence with confidence and assert control in an unpredictable world.
Speakers:
Joanna Lepore - Host and foresight strategist
Sarah Owen - Futurist and trend forecaster
This is a recording of a live panel that took place March 8, 2025 at SXSW in Austin, Texas in the 2050 Track. Shared with with permission from SXSW. Edited for clarify.
Learn more about:
Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.com
Jo Lepore www.jolepore.com
Learn about Sarah's ventures - Futures Friends and Astrofutures
Learn about Jo's ventures - Foresight Inside Group (FIG)
Sarah Owen is a trend forecaster, futurist and social scientist with a background in studying digital culture and human values. With 14 years of experience in future trends, consumer research and communication strategy, she specialises in guiding organisations through strategic foresight, scenario planning and trend analysis. Sarah has previously worked in the USA, Australia and Europe analysing emerging trends and behavioural shifts for SOON Future Studies, Studio Andthen, Radar, and WGSN, consulting with Fortune 500 brands and writing for the likes of Kinfolk, The New York Times, WARC and i-D magazine. As an academic, she has studied Strategic Foresight at the University of Houston and has a Masters in Sociology from ISCTE in Portugal. She has presented at global events including Cannes Lions, Pause Fest, FUTR Summit and World Retail Congress, and has been quoted as an expert in The Financial Times, CNN, Vogue, Bloomberg and The Guardian.
Joanna Lepore is a global foresight strategist, extensively involved in the foresight and futures community. Jo is EVP of Foresight and Global Market Expansion Strategy at Dig Insights, Founder of Foresight Inside Group, a network for corporate foresight professionals, and Associated Partner with the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies. A prominent voice in corporate foresight, Jo established and expanded the foresight practice for McDonald's and Mars Wrigley within their global headquarters in the United States. As the ‘in-house futurist’, Jo pushed global leaders to think long term, building on 15 years brand-side experience in marketing and innovation.
All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2025. Theme song by Azteca X.
