Bronwyn Williams: Growing up in Apartheid South Africa, Breaking down Social Citadels, and Mapping The Future
New episode every Wednesday & Saturday
Welcome to Episode 18 of the Ben & Tony Podcast, where the world’s most interesting people tell their stories!
Bronwyn is a futurist, economist and trend analyst.
Her day job as a partner at Flux Trends involves helping business leaders to use foresight to design the future they want to live and work in.
She is also the co-author of the book, The Future Starts Now, which will be released by Bloomsbury UK in April 2021
When she's not talking to brands and businesses about the future, you will probably find her curled up somewhere with a (preferably paperback) book.
Anthony’s Take:
As you listen to Bronwyn talk about her experiences growing up through apartheid in South Africa, you picture a gripping tale of a child coming to terms with the dark realities of the world. The South African zeitgeist has shaped and influenced Bronwyn’s career taking on future technology trends and their impact on the world. Her work as a futurist is incredible and absolutely filled with wisdom, knowledge, and fascinating insight. I could listen to Bronwyn talk about her perspective on the world for hours and you should definitely check out her work.
Ben’s Take:
This conversation was rich in coverage, running across the experience of growing up in apartheid South Africa & the distrust of authority that cultivated, what makes a city healthy, dependency models with parents, and intergenerational conflict. Bronwyn approaches conversation with pace, tying together her experience & wide reading.
What did we talk about?
What it was like to be a child in ZA during apartheid
The development of a racial consciousness in a racially adversarial society
Distrust of authority & disgust at older relatives
Bronwyn’s take on the insulting side of ‘the rainbow nation’
What makes a healthy city: breaking down citadels & integrating
Bronwyn’s changed perspective on dependency & the role of the woman when her dad grew ill
Mapping the future and bending it to your will
When we will be able to live forever
Intergenerational conflict
Society becoming more androgynous
Advice of a futurist to her children
Important macro trends that aren’t being spoken about
Find Bronwyn Here: https://twitter.com/bronwynwilliams
Find Ben Here: https://twitter.com/mrhartben
Find Anthony Here: https://twitter.com/AnthonyMcG2
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We hope you enjoyed this one & look forward to seeing you next time!
Your friends,
Ben & Tony