Preview of Tomorrow

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

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

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 Together, they discuss how data-driven insights are helping communities move beyond outdated information and take targeted, effective action to build greener, safer, and more resilient urban environments.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

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

Picture this: Plaster, paint, and grout oozing down embankments, forming toxic sludge that drips into waterways, contaminating the water and seeping into the bodies of fish and other wildlife. It sounds like a horror scene, but believe it or not, this is a daily reality at countless construction sites around the world. Did you know that every year, an estimated 60 billion liters of polluted water, filled with chemicals and microplastics, is discharged from construction sites—affecting not just the environment but the food chain itself. In today's episode of Preview of Tomorrow, Mike Lake joins Andrew Crimston of Washbox Global to discuss Washbox's fully mobile tool cleaning system. Support the show

Imagine waking up to a world where water is a luxury—where entire cities are parched, and communities are left to scramble for every drop. Unfortunately, this isn’t a far-off dystopia. By 2050, over half of the global population will be living in water-stressed areas, and saltwater intrusion is projected to contaminate vital groundwater sources, affecting up to 1.5 billion people. As climate disasters intensify, the systems we rely on for water are at risk of total failure. But amidst this crisis, Gravity Water is offering a beacon of hope. Meet the 2024 QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Solution of the Year in today's episode of Preview of Tomorrow. Support the show

In a world where over 40% of urban flash floods strike with little to no warning, modern communities are constantly on edge, facing unpredictable threats that can disrupt lives and devastate economies. The lack of accurate, real-time weather prediction doesn’t just challenge urban areas—it’s a global issue. The agricultural sector, which feeds billions, suffers immensely from this unpredictability, losing an estimated 16% of global crop production each year simply due to unexpected weather events. And the problem is growing. With climate change intensifying weather patterns, the frequency and severity of such events are only set to increase, pushing our already strained systems to the brink. Listen to Mike Lake tackle this issue with Jason Deese of Flash Weather AI, and discover how FLASH is addressing these challenges head-on. Support the show

With Chiara Rinaldi of Sustainaccout Support the show

Water. It’s the essence of life, flowing through every corner of our planet, sustaining all forms of life. However, an alarming 32 billion cubic meters of water are lost every year through leaks and inefficiencies in our water systems. This staggering waste not only translates to billions of dollars in economic losses but also exacerbates the global water crisis, leaving countless communities without access to clean, safe water. The harsh reality is that by 2025, half of the world’s population will be living in water-stressed areas. But this problem isn't just about scarcity; it's about the vast inefficiencies that lead to lost water and missed opportunities for better resource management. Join host Mike Lake as he welcomes Hélio Samora of SmartAcqua to his Preview of Tomorrow. Support the show

On December 5th, 1933, the 21st amendment of The U.S. Constitution was ratified, effectively ending Prohibition in the United States. 90 years later, alcohol has become a well-studied substance with universally accepted quantities for what constitutes a single drink. But recently, there’s been a new player in town. Cannabis. Across the United States, widespread legalization of marijuana has hurtled our country into uncharted territory. In 2018, more than 12 million Americans admitted to driving while under the influence of cannabis. Unlike alcohol, with no “legal limit” or field sobriety test, the dangers of driving while impaired by marijuana become all the more consequential. In fact, it was found that the rate of fatal crashes attributed to impaired driving doubles in states that have recently legalized the drug. All in all, it doesn’t matter if you are for or against cannabis, as my guest today is an advocate for safety. Hello, I am your host Mike Lake and in today’s preview I will be talking with Denise Valenti, CEO of IMMAD, a company that has developed a technology that can measure visual field functions that are essential for safe driving. Support the Show.

In the time it took you to brush your teeth this morning, there were over 900 calls placed to 911 emergency services in the United States alone. But would you believe that out of these 900 calls made, almost 300 of them were either non-emergencies or complete butt dials? Unfortunately, within the past couple years, the coronavirus pandemic has spurred an increase in call volume to emergency services, while simultaneously introducing a myriad of understaffing issues. In fact, 77% of public-safety answering points, such as 911 and emergency dispatch, reported being consistently below authorized staffing levels in 2022. But it’s not just emergency services that have been suffering. The utilities sector experienced the second to highest percentage of worker resignations last year, leaving those still in the field to be completely overburdened with customer calls. Hello, I am your host Mike Lake and in today’s preview I will be talking with Tinna Hung, director of marketing at Daupler, a company that has created a response management system that can be used to help service providers prioritize emergencies and effortlessly match a service to an available provider. Support the Show.

When was the last time you had a meal? Maybe it was a quick granola bar before work, or possibly you’re eating some lunch right now. Whatever the case may be, I bet you didn’t realize that you were consuming a resource that, in about 40 years, will be as precious as gold. It has been estimated that, in order to keep up with the current population growth, humans will need to produce more food in the next 40 years than in the previous 10,000 years combined. But here’s the kicker. If we increased production by clearing out more agricultural space (like we have in the past), it’s estimated that by 2050, this would create about 2 billion more metric tons of CO2 to be emitted into the atmosphere. So, how do we deal with such an imminent crisis if we don’t even have the space or the resources to do so? Where do we go from here? … Well, how about up? Hello, I am your host Mike Lake and in today’s preview I will be talking with Juan Succar, co-founder and CCO of Verde Compacto, a company designing indoor vertical farms allowing fresh food anywhere, anytime with their revolutionary farm-to-table supply chain. Support the Show.

Just a few decades ago, the concept of unmanned aerial vehicles, or, as you may know them: drones, was a reality confined only to science fiction films and comic books. In fact, if you told someone just 30 years ago that there are over 900,000 drones registered in the United States, with over half of them being used for recreational use, they’d probably look at you like you were crazy. But the truth is, unmanned aerial vehicles are quickly becoming a close companion to the concept of smart cities, with the potential to offer cost-efficient services for everything from environmental monitoring to traffic management. Yet, with no established system within cities to rent out drones, the potential to use these flying machines for good is wasted. Drones can deliver packages in under 30 minutes and cut surveying costs by up to 98% - so why shouldn’t we make them accessible to all? Support the Show.

When it comes to our plumbing, we usually take an out-of-sight, out-of-mind approach. Once we don’t see it anymore, we don’t think about it anymore - but for the waste that we put in our drains and plumbing systems, the initial flush is only the beginning of its journey. After flowing through mazes of pipes below our cities, waste ends up at a sewage treatment site, where tanks and aerators process the waste into byproducts. But want to hear a dirty little secret? These byproducts can contain pathogens, heavy metals and excess nitrogen that pollutes our landfills and forests. And any excess byproducts end up being incinerated, putting large amounts of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. So, the question remains: how do we sustainably dispose of our waste’s waste? Support the Show.

Potholes: the modern car driver’s worst enemy. How many times have YOU hit a pothole just a little too hard, eyes darting to the dashboard, hoping and praying that you don’t see that flat tire light blink on? In the U.S alone, there are reportedly 220 million flat tires that happen every year on our roadways, posing a risk to the driver and everyone around them. Flat tires aren’t the only threat: heartbreakingly, traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for both Australians and Americans under the age of 15. Despite this, it takes multiple years to gather enough data from police reports to identify an unsafe road. We need a proactive, not reactive approach to maintaining our city's traffic patterns and roads to effectively prevent further tragedy. Hello, I am your host Mike Lake and in today’s preview I will be talking with Emily Bobis, founder of Compass IoT, a road intelligence company that utilizes connected car data to better identify unsafe road or traffic conditions. Support the Show.

The first ever solar panel cell was created more than eighty years ago: and like many other innovations, it was created by pure accident. Yet since then, those signature rectangular structures can be spotted on the roofs of houses and buildings all over the world. In fact, the number of US solar panel installations is 23 times higher today than in 2014. While this is a clear win for environmental sustainability, it remains near impossible to measure and manage one’s clean energy consumption with solar panels alone. And with more than a third of the world’s population calling apartment buildings home, many consumers lack easy access to clean energy altogether. Support the Show.

A recent study in Texas found that, in local governmental elections, the first name listed on the ballot earns an average of ten percentage points more than the last name on the ballot. This is no coincidence, as it turns out that many voters simply chose a random name if they’re unfamiliar with a particular election. With an average of only 19% of eligible voters casting a vote in their local elections at all, municipal governments rely that much more heavily on those who do vote. It has become clear that voter education is an important yet widely ignored issue that will threaten both local and national governmental structures if we continue how we have in the past. Support the Show.

Is your office building suffering from a cold? As strange as this sounds, Sick Building Syndrome is a serious and legitimate problem that can be found in buildings, like your very own corporate office. The culprit of this sickness? Tiny, invisible, airborne pathogens. These tiny villains cause infections, illnesses, and overall reduced productivity in the office. It’s not just your office that’s in danger though. In the hotel industry, a tiny bacteria called Legionella is commonly detected in AC vents, which can cause guests to feel ill or unrested. Even in hospital buildings, patient illnesses can become significantly worsened if exposed to these toxins, making it even more important to fend off these airborne pathogens. Hello, I am your host Mike Lake and in today’s preview I will be talking with Eugenie Addison, CEO of Senzi.Me, a medical device created to detect common airborne pathogens to reduce hospitalization and death associated with airborne diseases. Support the Show.

With more carbon dioxide in our atmosphere than at any time in human history, and sea levels rising faster than ever before, it is clear our world is facing a global climate crisis. Despite our urgency, did you know that over two thirds of businesses have reported having no plan for sustainability? With small businesses comprising over 99% of all businesses in both the US and UK, their participation is critical in making a significant environmental impact. Corporate social responsibility has proven to be an important issue for consumers as well, as 87% of buyers admit they will make a purchase simply because a company advocated for an issue they care about. Clearly, the time is now for businesses to begin tracking their carbon footprints and goals for sustainability. Enter SDG Assessment, an application that helps small businesses and fast growth companies easily report sustainability, ESG and corporate social responsibility performance. Hello, I am your host Mike Lake and in today’s preview I will be talking with Sian Young, co-founder and COO of this groundbreaking sustainable solution. Support the Show.

Did you know that over 80% of Chinese medicine products suffer from severe quality control issues? with the Hong Kong market for Chinese medicines accounting for over 3.7 billion US dollars, we are in desperate need of a solution to standardize the Chinese pharmaceutical industry Support the Show.