Future Back Drinking with Dr. Athina Kanioura

Future Back Drinking • Dr. Laurie Santos

On this episode of Future Back Drinking, Dr. Athina Kanioura and Priyanka Aribindi sit down with Dr. Laurie Santos, Yale psychology professor and host of The Happiness Lab, to unpack what truly drives happiness and performance at work. In an age of AI and hybrid teams, Laurie argues that happiness isn’t a “nice-to-have,” but a core driver of productivity when workplaces foster belonging, trust, and meaningful connection. The conversation digs into why leaders should design for work–life harmony instead of balance, how to cut down on “pseudo-productivity,” and ways to build psychological safety around AI while giving people the space to stay curious, creative, and fulfilled in their roles.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Future Back Drinking • Shamina Singh

Dr. Athina Kanioura and co-host Priyanka Aribindi are joined on this episode of Future Back Drinking by Shamina Singh. As President of the Center for Inclusive Growth and Executive Vice President for Sustainability at Mastercard, Shamina oversees efforts to advance inclusive, sustainable economies, grounding her reflections on the changing ties between business, impact, and community. She shares the experiences that have influenced her belief that growth and inclusion must move together, and the group explores what it takes to empower small businesses, build trust across sectors, and prepare people for an AI-driven economy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Future Back Drinking • Vivian Schiller

In this episode of Future Back Drinking, Dr. Athina Kanioura and co-host Priyanka Aribindi speak with Vivian Schiller, Executive Director of Aspen Digital at the Aspen Institute, about how AI and emerging technologies are transforming journalism, media, and trust. Vivian reflects on the challenges of misinformation, deepfakes, and the “liar’s dividend,” while highlighting how organizations can use AI responsibly to strengthen reporting and public understanding. Together, they discuss Aspen Digital’s collaboration with PepsiCo on AI and workforce transformation, and the leadership qualities needed to navigate change without losing purpose: transparency, empathy, and curiosity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Future Back Drinking • Don Norman

Renowned researcher, author, and Nielsen Norman Group co-founder Don Norman joins Dr. Athina Kanioura and co-host Priyanka Aribindi to discuss how design must adapt in the age of AI. Norman shares insights from his journey - starting with coining the term “user experience” at Apple to his current advocacy for humanity-centered design, an approach that reaches beyond products to influence organizations, policy, and the planet. Together, they explore how designers can shift from focusing on aesthetics to embracing systems thinking, why cross-disciplinary collaboration is vital, and how AI can enhance, rather than replace, human creativity and purpose.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Future Back Drinking • Ravi Kumar

In this episode of Future Back Drinking, Dr. Athina Kanioura and co-host Priyanka Aribindi sit down with Ravi Kumar, CEO of Cognizant and one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in AI, to explore how technology is reshaping the very fabric of work. Ravi shares his vision for a future where AI acts not as a replacement but as an equalizer, a tool that amplifies human potential, sparks innovation, and creates new pathways for lifelong learning. Together, they discuss the rise of “agentic capital,” the growing value of non-STEM and interdisciplinary skills, and why agility, curiosity, and continuous learning will define the next generation of leaders.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.