Future Health

Wiring Resilience: Neuroplasticity, Mental Health and Thriving in Uncertain Times.
As uncertainty becomes a constant feature of modern work, its impact on mental health is increasingly visible across in the workforce. But what if the key to thriving lies in understanding how our brains adapt to change?
In this episode of the Future Health Podcast, we are joined by Dr Hayley North, neuroscientist, Research Fellow at Neuroscience Research Australia, Conjoint Lecturer at UNSW and founder of Understand Your Brain. Hayley offers an accessible, science backed exploration of neuroplasticity - the brain’s natural ability to change - and how it can be harnessed to build resilience in high pressure environments.
You can also watch the podcast at the NSW Health YouTube Channel.
Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify and Apple podcasts so you don’t miss an episode.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this content are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of NSW Health. Any content provided is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as endorsement or approval by the organisation. NSW Health does not endorse any products, services, or companies mentioned in this content.

If you could redesign your organisation from scratch for the future, what would you keep, what would you let go of and what role would leadership play?
In this episode of the Future Health Podcast, we are joined by David Schmidtchen, Professor of Practice in Public Sector Management at UNSW Canberra, to explore the future of organisational culture and leadership in an era of complexity, uncertainty and rapid change.
Drawing on a career spanning the Australian Army, consulting, government and authorship, David reflects on the unseen forces shaping organisations over the next decade. He examines how leaders can balance stability and transformation, navigate the messy reality of change, and retain authenticity in highly visible, media driven environments.
David also explores the role of hope, imagination and dissent in resilient organisations, and how AI, automation and hybrid work models are redefining meaning and connection in public sector work.
You can also watch the podcast at the NSW Health YouTube channel.
Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify and Apple podcasts so you don’t miss an episode.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this content are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of NSW Health. Any content provided is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as endorsement or approval by the organisation. NSW Health does not endorse any products, services, or companies mentioned in this content.

From Space to Plate: Rethinking Nutrition, Sustainability and the Future of Food.
When we think about the future of food, space nutrition and mushrooms are rarely the first things that come to mind. But what if space could teach us how to eat better on Earth?
In this episode of the Future Health Podcast, we are joined by Dr Flávia Fayet Moore, scientist, space nutritionist and entrepreneur to explore science backed visions for adventurous, sustainable and nutrient dense foods of the future.
Flávia unpacks how insights from space nutrition, aero nutrients and bioactives are reshaping our understanding of micronutrients, chronic disease prevention and food as medicine.
The conversation spans childhood obesity, the challenge of nutrition misinformation, food scarcity as a growing megatrend, and what the future of hospital meals could look like across the 27 million meals served annually by NSW Health.
We also explore interdisciplinary workforce approaches to nutrition, the gut brain axis under extreme stress, and what sending fungi to space can teach us about sustainability, ethics and resilience.
You can also watch the podcast at the NSW Health YouTube channel.
Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify and Apple podcasts so you don’t miss an episode.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this content are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of NSW Health. Any content provided is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as endorsement or approval by the organisation. NSW Health does not endorse any products, services, or companies mentioned in this content.

Are you ready for the "decade of disorientation"?  
As technology redefines the boundaries of healthcare, the ability to unlearn the old is becoming as vital as mastering the new. 
In this episode, we are joined by Dr Kai Riemer, Professor of Information Technology and Co-Director of Sydney Executive Plus at the University of Sydney Business School. As a leading voice on the intersection of technology and organisation, Kai breaks down the key findings from the latest Skills Horizon report to help health leaders navigate a rapidly shifting landscape. 
We dive deep into the critical capabilities needed for the next decade – from mastering "complexity thinking" to balancing the four strategic clashes of modern leadership. Kai also warns of the risks of anthropomorphic seduction, exploring how we should realistically integrate digital humans into patient care without losing the human touch.  
Join us for a masterclass in future-proofing your workforce, workflow, and workplace. 
You can also watch the podcast at the NSW Health YouTube Channel.
Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify and Apple podcasts so you don’t miss an episode.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this content are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of NSW Health. Any content provided is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as endorsement or approval by the organisation. NSW Health does not endorse any products, services, or companies mentioned in this content.

What if the greatest barrier to a healthier world isn't a lack of technology, but a potential lack of imagination? 
In this episode of Future Health, we sit down with the remarkable Claire Marshall – Leader of Futures Initiatives, founder of If Labs, and a pioneer in the field of "narrative foresight."  
Claire has spent her career at the intersection of storytelling and systemic change, exploring how the stories we tell ourselves today dictate the health of our communities tomorrow. 
We dive deep into: 
Narrative Foresight: What it is and why your personal "future story" defines your agency. 
Regenerative Futures: Moving beyond "sustainability" to create systems – and buildings – that actually heal and breathe. 
The Economy of Connection: Claire shares insights from her recent SXSW stage on building an economy that values resilience and creativity as much as profit. 
The Museum of Futures: How a paradoxically named exhibition is helping us "curate" better tomorrows through collective imagination.
You can also watch the podcast at the NSW Health YouTube Channel.
Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify and Apple podcasts so you don’t miss an episode.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this content are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of NSW Health. Any content provided is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as endorsement or approval by the organisation. NSW Health does not endorse any products, services, or companies mentioned in this content.