ELEVATE Podcast

For every leader, there’s an Elevation. What's an elevation? A moment or series of moments of clarity that can be put into action to elevate your life or purpose. We elevate through empathy, respect, inspiration, impact, and maybe most of all, diversity of thought. Why do we do it? Leaders are taught to be so self-reliant, that they often lose themselves. We believe that clarity of purpose is a human necessity and that sharing is the best philosophy for leadership. We turn the challenges we face into conversations and those conversations into clarity. Join us at www.elevationbarn.com

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ELEVATE Podcast

#134. Embodied Futures | Monika Bielskyte

August 15, 2025 • Elevation Barn • Season 12 • Episode 3

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What if our vision of the future wasn’t a prediction… but an invitation?

In this bold and deeply insightful conversation, speculative designer and futurist Monika Bielskyte challenges the narrow, one-size-fits-all narratives that dominate our visions of tomorrow. Known for her work at the intersection of technology, culture, and social justice, Monika designs future worlds that are as inclusive and compassionate as they are innovative—grounded in lived realities rather than short-term hype or techno-solutionism.

With expertise spanning generative AI, spatial computing, immersive media, and interface design, she examines both the promises and perils of emerging technologies—especially as the lines between the digital and physical worlds blur under the pressures of hybrid warfare and systemic inequities. Her vision champions inclusive embodiment, disability and neurodivergence representation, and a rethinking of policy, tech, and urban environments to serve most of humanity, not just a privileged few.

From consulting for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever to advising the World Economic Forum, UNESCO, Microsoft, Nike, and more, Monika’s career bridges Hollywood storytelling and real-world future literacy. She’s spoken at institutions from CERN to the Royal Society, blending science, art, and activism into a compelling call for action.

Whether you’re a policymaker, innovator, creative leader, or simply someone who refuses to accept the status quo, this episode invites you to reimagine not just what’s possible—but what’s worth building.

Listen now and discover how the futures we design can shape the present we live in.

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