The Global Discussion

Amanda Slavin, Founder of The Future Frequency and an engagement strategist working at the intersection of education, technology, and AI, speaks with Host Simon Hodgkins in this episode.Amanda shares insights from her journey across education, hospitality, marketing, and technology, and explains how engagement frameworks can reshape how we learn and interact with information.The conversation explores AI passports, learner data ownership, the future of education, and why human skills like curiosity and reflection may become the most valuable abilities in an AI-driven world.00:00 – Introduction Amanda Slavin01:32 – Amanda’s Journey: Education, Restaurants, and Engagement03:10 – What Is The Future Frequency?05:05 – Personalizing Content Through Engagement Levels06:48 – AI Passports and Personalized Learning Systems09:15 – Data Ownership and Learner Sovereignty13:40 – Human Connection in a Digital Learning World17:20 – Challenges and Breakthroughs in Engagement20:05 – Brands, Influencers, and the Biggest Classrooms21:20 – AI, Jobs, and the Future of Human Skills23:05 – Teaching Humans to Be Human Again24:05 – Where to Connect with Amanda SlavinWatch or Listen to The Global DiscussionSpotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfzyvca6EVlEJ80I4nWeb ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.comYouTube ► / @theglobaldiscussionOthers ► LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and FacebookJoin the newsletter via the website for updates on new episodes.

Simon Hodgkins, Host of The Global Discussion podcast, explores the rapidly evolving FinTech sector in this episode, highlighting the key trends shaping the future of financial services.From the growing role of artificial intelligence to the increasing importance of regulation, compliance, and trust, Simon outlines nine important areas that financial leaders, innovators, and technology professionals should be paying attention to.As FinTech firms evolve from disruptors into core players within the financial ecosystem, responsible AI, regulatory clarity, and strong governance are becoming essential for long-term success.00:00 – Introduction to FinTech Trends01:10 – FinTech’s Evolution from Disruption to Infrastructure02:20 – Why AI Is Central to Financial Innovation03:45 – AI Applications in Financial Services05:10 – Ethical and Risk Considerations in AI07:00 – Regulation and the EU AI Act09:00 – Why Compliance Teams Matter in FinTech11:00 – Scale, Trust, and Competitive Advantage13:10 – The Future of FinTech and Responsible GrowthWatch or Listen to The Global DiscussionSpotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfzyvca6EVlEJ80I4nWeb ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.comYouTube ► / @theglobaldiscussionOthers ► LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and FacebookJoin the newsletter via the website for updates on new episodes.

Simon Hodgkins, Host of The Global Discussion, explores the idea that AI is not simply a tool upgrade but a true work redesign moment, reshaping productivity, leadership, and value creation.00:00 – Introduction: AI as a Work Redesign Moment01:12 – Why Productivity Was Never About Speed03:05 – AI as Exposure: Questioning Performative Work05:48 – Where the Biggest Productivity Gains Are Happening08:32 – From Output to Impact: What Really Matters11:20 – Knowledge Work Is Being Repriced14:10 – Management as the Hidden Bottleneck17:45 – Lower Cognitive Load and the Future of WorkWatch or Listen to The Global DiscussionSpotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfzyvca6EVlEJ80I4nWeb ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.comYouTube ► / @theglobaldiscussionOthers ► LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and FacebookJoin the newsletter via the website for updates on new episodes.

Simon Hodgkins, Host of The Global Discussion, explores “The Great Acceleration” in this solo episode, unpacking the key strategic themes emerging from ARK Invest’s Big Ideas 2026 report. He examines how artificial intelligence, robotics, blockchain, and energy systems are converging to reshape economic structures, compress timelines, and redefine competitive advantage.00:00 – Introduction: The Great Acceleration01:15 – Why ARK’s Big Ideas 2026 Is a Strategic Signal03:20 – AI as a General Purpose Technology05:45 – The AI Consumer Operating System08:30 – Productivity Shifts & Knowledge Work10:55 – Robotics, Energy & The Physical Economy12:40 – Blockchain and Software-Defined Finance14:10 – The Real Risk: Organizational Inertia & Final ThoughtsWatch or Listen to The Global DiscussionSpotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfzyvca6EVlEJ80I4nWeb ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.comYouTube ► / @theglobaldiscussionOthers ► LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and FacebookJoin the newsletter via the website for updates on new episodes.

In this episode of The Global Discussion, Host Simon Hodgkins steps away from the traditional interview format to explore a pivotal shift underway in the world of artificial intelligence.The first act of AI was loud. This second act is potentially far more powerful.Drawing on real-world trends and patterns across technology cycles, Simon makes the case that we have already moved beyond the infrastructure arms race. The spotlight is no longer solely on chips, data centers, and model size. Instead, the focus has shifted to something more consequential: adoption.This episode challenges listeners to think differently about what progress in AI really looks like, and why the most transformative changes rarely make headlines.00:00 – Introduction: A Different Kind of Episode00:40 – The First Act of AI: Chips, Compute & Capital02:01 – Why Adoption Creates Long-Term Value03:14 – Behavior Change vs. Technical Change05:25 – AI in Advertising: Human Judgment Repositioned07:40 – Security & Investigations: Smarter, Faster Decisions08:55 – Enterprise Software & Durable Advantage10:00 – The Cultural Shift & The Hard QuestionsWatch or Listen to The Global DiscussionSpotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfz...Web ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.com⁠YouTube ► / @theglobaldiscussion Others ► LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook Join the newsletter via the website for updates on new episodes.

Simon Hodgkins speaks with Omaid Hiwaizi on this episode of The Global Discussion. Omaid Hiwaizi has been busy navigating the intersection of creativity, technology, and human behavior. His story, which he shared on The Global Discussion podcast, is shaped by migration, curiosity, and a relentless desire to work on ideas that matter. It is also the story of someone who refuses to view innovation as an abstract notion. For Omaid, technology is valuable only when it moves the needle for real people in the real world.00:00 - Introduction to the episode and guest Omaid Hiwaizi00:33 - From Iraq to the UK, immigrant story and early life01:14 - Maths, avant-garde design at i-D, and starting a first agency at 2402:04 - Building HHM and Crayon, then moving into WPP, Sapient, and Blippar03:24 - Working on emerging tech and complex propositions at Future Positive06:36 - Making complexity compelling, L cells, GLP-1, and consumer storytelling12:52 - Lessons from Blippar, Covent Garden AR campaign, and real business KPIs24:44 - AI’s true impact, disappearing junior roles, no-code, and careers of the futureWatch or Listen to The Global DiscussionSpotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfz...Web ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.com⁠YouTube ► / @theglobaldiscussion Others ► LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook Join the newsletter via the website for updates on new episodes.

David Quinn brings a mix of theatre, advertising insight, and cultural curiosity that feels both refreshing and grounded on this episode of The Global Discussion. As founder and Business Director of Bloom, the Dublin-based creative and strategic agency, David has spent decades helping challenger brands punch above their weight. His work with Brady Family Ham is the example most people know, but the thinking behind it is what really sets the tone for his approach.David traced the path that led him from the underground theatre scene in Galway to becoming a respected voice in Irish advertising. The journey is anything but linear, and that is what makes it compelling.00:44 - Bloom Advertising and building Brady Family Ham into a market leader01:15 - Punchbag Theatre, found spaces, and the origins of "Eclipsed."07:23 - Magdalene Laundries, national reaction, and Tommy Tiernan's early days08:41 - Founding Bloom, Bloomsday inspiration, and working with challenger brands17:18 - How theatre and advertising intersect: big ideas, pitching, and performance17:46 - "A Modest Proposal," homelessness, and savage satire in modern Ireland26:32 - From cave paintings to AI: the future of media, IAPI, and advice for young creativesWatch or Listen to The Global DiscussionSpotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfz...Web ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.com⁠YouTube ► / @theglobaldiscussion Others ► LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook Join the newsletter via the website for updates on new episodes.

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Simon Hodgkins catches up with Amanda Wallace on this episode of The Global Discussion. As Director of CDH Consultants Ltd, Amanda brings two decades of executive experience, combining a deep understanding of people with the complex realities of business transformation.00:00 - Introduction to the episode and guest Amanda Wallace02:50 - From “office politics” to stakeholder management05:02 - The speed trap in transformation, resistance, and leadership misalignment08:04 - How Amanda aligns leadership, current state to target state15:14 - Stakeholder mapping, choosing champions, understanding impact and resistance20:33 - Supporting senior leaders, the perfection trap, when to step in or step back25:43 - AI, real data, and the future of leadership and org designWatch or Listen to The Global DiscussionSpotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfz...Web ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.com⁠YouTube ► / @theglobaldiscussion Others ► LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook Join the newsletter via the website for updates on new episodes.

Charlotte Otter, a former journalist turned executive coach and founder of Otter Advisory, is in conversation with Host Simon Hodgkins on this episode of The Global Discussion. The topics include leadership, reputation, and what it really means to build trust in a world that never stops changing!00:33 - Charlotte's journey, journalism to SAP to Otter Advisory, and change leadership MSc04:13 - Why we need new leaders today, the crisis of leadership07:35 - Adaptability over command and control, qualities modern leaders need10:39 - Reputation equity explained, own your story, and create a record of success14:11 - Reputation 360, unlocking executive narratives and a shy CEO case study20:43 - The art of storytelling for leaders, details that create connection26:52 - Final takeaway: build your reputation on LinkedIn.Watch or Listen to The Global DiscussionSpotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfz...Web ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.com⁠YouTube ► / @theglobaldiscussion Others ► LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook Join the newsletter via the website for updates on new episodes