Preview of Tomorrow

How Buildings Can Breathe, Drink, and Power Themselves

Have you ever looked at a city skyline and wondered—what if our buildings could do more than just stand tall? What if they could actively fight climate change? Every year, our cities emit millions of tons of carbon, contributing to a crisis so urgent that by 2050 we’ll need to remove over six billion tons of CO₂ annually just to stay on track with global climate goals. But what if the solution isn’t just cutting emissions—but designing environments that capture them? Now, imagine a future where skyscrapers don’t just house people—they breathe for the planet. Buildings that clean water, generate energy, and filter air like living ecosystems.In today’s episode of Preview of Tomorrow, Mike Lake, President & CEO of Leading Cities, speaks with David Gory, co-founder and CEO of Airbuild, about how algae-infused architecture is transforming urban infrastructure. This conversation dives into the cutting edge of regenerative design—and how the future of climate action might just be growing on the side of your office building.Support the show

Transforming Supply Chains for a Greener Future

Have you ever tried to make the right choice—only to find out later you didn’t have the full picture? Whether it’s picking a healthy meal or choosing the “eco-friendly” product off the shelf, too often we rely on labels that tell only part of the story. Now imagine being a company trying to choose suppliers—where one misstep could mean reputational damage, regulatory risk, or contributing to climate change. With more than 75% of a company’s emissions buried deep in the supply chain, transparency isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s essential.In today’s episode of Preview of Tomorrow, Mike Lake speaks with Kirsten Lunoe and Charlie Bennel of Green the Chain. Their platform is helping businesses cut through the noise and uncover suppliers who are truly aligned with their sustainability goals—turning supply chains from hidden risks into powerful tools for climate action.Support the show

Real-Time Language Access for Smart Cities

Have you ever had that dream where you’re trying to speak, but no sound comes out? Or maybe you’ve found yourself in a foreign country, needing help but unable to find the right words to use? For 66 million people in the U.S.—from non-English speakers to the Deaf Community—this feeling of voicelessness is a daily reality, especially when it comes to accessing essential services like education, healthcare, and government assistance. But what if there was a way to break through these barriers, enabling seamless, real-time communication with just a few taps?In today’s episode of Preview of Tomorrow, Mike Lake speaks with Jennifer Quigley from TranslateLive. Their solution, the ILA, is transforming how citizens can access language services, helping cities connect with residents who need their voices heard the most.Support the show

Urban Pulse: Tracking the Health of Cities from the Sky

Imagine a city map that doesn’t just display streets and landmarks—but reveals where environmental risks are greatest, from scorching heat islands to flood-prone neighborhoods. This kind of map becomes more than just a planning tool; it’s a survival guide, directing cities on where to plant trees, cool communities, and safeguard vulnerable populations.In this episode of Preview of Tomorrow, host Mike Lake sits down with Imeshi Weerasinghe, CEO and co-founder of WEO, to explore how satellite imagery and AI are transforming the way cities prepare for climate threats. Together, they discuss how data-driven insights are helping communities move beyond outdated information and take targeted, effective action to build greener, safer, and more resilient urban environments.Support the show

How Immersive Digital Twins Are Transforming Urban Innovation

Imagine standing in the middle of a critical decision-making moment—one where the wrong move could cost millions or even put lives at risk. Now imagine that you don’t have the tools or resources to see the full picture, to understand the consequences of your options in real time. This is the reality for countless organizations today. From emergency response to urban planning, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Yet, many teams lack the means to visualize complex data and scenarios quickly enough to make informed choices... But there’s a new way forward. Listen to Mike Lake and Ethan Berg in the newest episode of Preview of Tomorrow to discuss Agora World's approach to digital twins. Support the show