This episode of 'The New Abnormal' podcast features Tanja Schindler, who has over a decade of international experience and deep expertise in the fields of foresight, innovation, strategy, and leadership.

As a keynote speaker, she inspires companies, organisations, and individuals to see uncertainty as an opportunity, develop a futures-oriented mindset, and take strategic action toward desirable futures. In her former role as Chair of the APF, she made significant contributions to the global community of futurists.

She has held leading roles in multiple European Commission foresight projects, particularly those focused on participatory approaches. She also serves as an expert within the WEF's Global Foresight Network. In her current position as Senior Foresight Strategist at Kaufland, she leverages her expertise to develop innovative, forward-looking strategies that drive long-term transformation.

In our interview, Tanja explains her viewpoints about moving foresight beyond prediction towards participation, imagination and collective agency. She argues that organisations and societies need to become better at imagining desirable futures together, using storytelling, speculative artefacts and immersive experiences to make alternative futures tangible.

Our conversation also explores the European Commission’s “Futures Garden”, the importance of hope alongside risk, why corporate foresight should look at least ten years ahead, and the limitations of trend-led thinking. It concludes by connecting foresight with philosophy, ethics, sustainability, human connection and the urgent need to rebuild trust and constructive dialogue…

So, I hope you enjoy listening to her as much as I did!