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What's Next with Philip Meissner
Natalia Bayona of UN Tourism: How Travel Powers the Global Economy
Tourism isn’t just travel. It’s a $1.7 trillion industry driving jobs, growth, and global influence far beyond what most people realize.
In this episode, Philip Meissner sits down with Natalia Bayona, the Executive Director of UN Tourism, to break down why tourism is one of the most powerful and often underestimated economic forces today.
You’ll learn:
- How tourism impacts over 100 sectors and supports SMEs worldwide
- Why countries like Spain and Albania are using tourism as a long-term growth strategy
- How AI and data are reshaping travel from personalization to destination planning
- Why authenticity and local experiences are becoming the new competitive edge
- Which regions, like Latin America and Africa, are set for explosive growth
If you want a clearer picture of where global growth is coming from, this conversation is worth your time. Watch now.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:47 Why Tourism Drives the Global Economy
02:39 Why Tourism Is Still Underrated
05:23 Countries Winning with Tourism Strategy
08:29 Biggest Opportunities in Tourism Today
10:19 How Tourism Builds Global Influence
13:00 Future Tourism Hotspots
15:33 The Rise of Tourism Startups
17:33 How AI Is Changing Travel
21:31 Why Tourism Investment Is Tricky
24:40 Game-Changing Ideas in Tourism
28:12 Natalia’s Tourism Journey
29:38 Leadership Lessons That Matter
32:20 Why the Future Looks Bright
Connect with Natalia Bayona:
linkedin.com/in/natalia-bayona-b5551a18
What’s Next is a podcast exploring how technology, innovation, and global systems are shaping the future.
Hosted by Philip Meissner, each episode features conversations with global leaders, builders, and thinkers working at the forefront of change.
🔗 Connect with Philip Meissner:
https://www.philipmeissner.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pmeissner/
🎧 Listen on:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KFVD3ozuUQiQozO381J5C?si=e2eb5967f84648e8
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-next-with-philip-meissner/id1793306908
Subscribe for more conversations on AI, emerging technologies, and global leadership.
#TourismIndustry #GlobalEconomy #TravelEconomy #EconomicGrowth #TourismImpact #TravelTrends #BusinessStrategy #GlobalTrends #TourismInnovation #FutureOfTravel #AIinTravel #TravelIndustry #EconomicInsights #SustainableTourism #TravelBusiness
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36. The Biotech Race to Rethink Mental Health Care with Florian Brand
28:51||Season 1, Ep. 36Mental health disorders now affect more than a billion people worldwide, and the numbers keep climbing.In this episode, Philip Meissner speaks with Florian Brand, co-founder of Atai Life Sciences, about why mental health treatment has seen so little progress, how new therapies could reshape the future of care, and what it takes to build a company at the frontier of science.You'll learn:Why depression and anxiety continue to rise globallyWhat's broken in today's mental health treatment modelThe promise of new approachesLessons on resilience, leadership, and navigating uncertaintyThe habits Florian uses to stay mentally strong and avoid burnoutThis is a fascinating conversation about mental health, innovation, and the breakthroughs that could change millions of lives.🎧 Watch now.Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:51 Why Cases Keep Rising05:11 The Personal Story Behind Atai08:16 A New Model for Drug Development12:20 Managing Risk in Biotech15:15 Digital Therapeutics Explained18:16 Lessons in Entrepreneurship20:42 Leading Through Uncertainty22:20 Why Culture Comes First23:19 Avoiding Founder Burnout25:28 Habits for Mental Resilience26:35 Optimism for the FutureConnect with Florian:linkedin.com/in/brand-florian#MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #Depression #Anxiety #MentalWellness #Biotech #Entrepreneurship #FounderLife #MentalHealthTreatment #PTSD #Innovation #Leadership #FutureOfHealthcare What’s Next is a podcast exploring how technology, innovation, and global systems are shaping the future.Hosted by Philip Meissner, each episode features conversations with global leaders, builders, and thinkers working at the forefront of change.🔗 Connect with Philip Meissner:https://www.philipmeissner.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/pmeissner/🎧 Listen on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KFVD3ozuUQiQozO381J5C?si=e2eb5967f84648e8Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-next-with-philip-meissner/id1793306908Subscribe for more conversations on AI, emerging technologies, and global leadership.
Highlights: Aleksandra Pedraszewska on why Poland Is Producing Europe’s Most Ambitious Founders
07:48|We’ve curated a powerful 7-minute segment exploring why Poland is producing a new generation of globally ambitious founders, attracting major investor attention, and rapidly emerging as one of Europe’s most exciting tech ecosystems.Listen to the full episode now!Youtube: https://youtu.be/UVOgm-5zWKcApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aleksandra-pedraszewska-on-why-poland-is-producing/id1793306908?i=1000770688622Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/39RZX0dra9fyWrDelzGAPi?si=vU2KeKPLS-CRTblmsNapvA "What’s Next with Philip Meissner“A journey through our future life and work, and the place to discover your next favorite strategy and innovation. With global perspectives and fresh thinking, brought to you by some of the most exciting thinkers, builders, and leaders across the globe. Philip Meissner hosts fantastic guests and speakers, who share their journeys and knowledge in the most authentic and deep-dive style – to guide you through our world of tomorrow. From economy to science, from tech policy to AI in a fast-changing world. Subscribe right now wherever you get your podcast!Join our mailing list: www.philipmeissner.com/whatsnext to stay updated on the latest trends
35. Aleksandra Pedraszewska on why Poland Is Producing Europe’s Most Ambitious Founders
32:12||Season 1, Ep. 35Poland is no longer just Europe’s outsourcing hub. It’s becoming one of the continent’s most ambitious startup ecosystems, and global investors are starting to notice. In this episode, Philip Meissner sits down with venture capitalist Aleksandra Pedraszewska to explore why Poland is producing a new generation of elite founders, world-class AI talent, and globally ambitious tech companies like 11 Labs. Key insights from the conversation:Why Poland is producing so many top startup foundersHow Eastern Europe is becoming a major tech hotspotWhy global investors are suddenly paying attention to PolandThe biggest mistakes startups make when scaling worldwideHow AI is changing business, software, and investing foreverFrom startup culture and AI to venture capital and global ambition, this conversation reveals why Poland could become one of Europe’s most important tech powers in the next decade.Watch now. Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:10 The Rise of Poland’s Tech Ecosystem02:31 What Makes Poland Different03:40 The Secret Behind Poland’s STEM Talent07:04 Poland’s Competitive Edge in Startups09:47 Moving Beyond IT Outsourcing11:06 The Entrepreneurial Hunger in Eastern Europe13:28 Opportunities for Investors in Poland16:54 What Alexandra Looks For in Founders20:06 Lessons from Scaling 11 Labs22:08 The Future of AI and Venture Capital24:32 Advice for Young Founders25:59 Building Globally Successful Companies27:46 Biohacking, Productivity, and Founder Health30:27 Optimism About the FutureConnect with Aleksandra:linkedin.com/in/apedraszewska What’s Next is a podcast exploring how technology, innovation, and global systems are shaping the future.Hosted by Philip Meissner, each episode features conversations with global leaders, builders, and thinkers working at the forefront of change.🔗 Connect with Philip Meissner:https://www.philipmeissner.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/pmeissner/🎧 Listen on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KFVD3ozuUQiQozO381J5C?si=e2eb5967f84648e8Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-next-with-philip-meissner/id1793306908Subscribe for more conversations on AI, emerging technologies, and global leadership.#PolandStartups #PolandTech #11Labs #EuropeanTech #StartupFounders #VentureCapital #TechInvesting #AIStartups #EasternEurope #FounderMindset #StartupGrowth #GlobalFounders #TechTalent #BusinessPodcast #FutureOfEurope
Highlights: Water bankruptcy: Why most leaders aren’t prepared with Yousef Yousef of LG Sonic
07:26|We’ve curated a powerful 7-minute segment exploring how AI, smart infrastructure, and predictive water systems could help prevent the next global water crisis before it’s too late.Listen to the full episode now!Youtube: https://youtu.be/k1OrW2adUHU Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/water-bankruptcy-why-most-leaders-arent-prepared-with/id1793306908?i=1000768486895Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3zeIizxGzqjqfPZcN23y84?si=N_6vhCgTRYuZ5ZK_nqVCtA "What’s Next with Philip Meissner“A journey through our future life and work, and the place to discover your next favorite strategy and innovation. With global perspectives and fresh thinking, brought to you by some of the most exciting thinkers, builders, and leaders across the globe. Philip Meissner hosts fantastic guests and speakers, who share their journeys and knowledge in the most authentic and deep-dive style – to guide you through our world of tomorrow. From economy to science, from tech policy to AI in a fast-changing world. Subscribe right now wherever you get your podcast!Join our mailing list: www.philipmeissner.com/whatsnext to stay updated on the latest trends
34. Water bankruptcy: Why most leaders aren’t prepared with Yousef Yousef of LG Sonic
26:30||Season 1, Ep. 34Water is no longer just an environmental issue. It’s becoming a strategic challenge that could reshape economies, industries, and global stability. In this episode, Philip Meissner speaks with Yousef Yousef, founder and CEO of LG Sonic, about why the UN is warning of a global “water bankruptcy” and why many countries are dangerously unprepared for what’s coming next. They discuss:Why water is becoming one of the world’s most critical resourcesHow climate change, contamination, and scarcity are accelerating the crisisWhy water is deeply connected to AI, semiconductors, food, and energyThe hidden infrastructure problems most cities ignoreWhy future conflicts and economic instability could be driven by water Yousef also shares how LG Sonic is using real-time monitoring and chemical-free technologies to help governments and industries manage water more intelligently in an increasingly unstable world. A fascinating conversation about infrastructure, resilience, technology, and the invisible crisis hiding beneath modern society. Watch now. Timestamps:01:17 The World Faces a Water Crisis03:04 Why Leaders Ignore Water Risks04:53 Climate Change and Water04:35 Smarter Water Solutions06:46 Why Water Needs Value07:49 LG Sonic’s Water Tech11:01 Future of Smart Water Systems12:12 Moving Beyond Chemicals13:24 AI and Water Management14:48 Scaling Innovation in Water17:07 Why the Water Crisis Can’t Wait18:49 The Rise of Digital Water Systems21:18 Yousef’s Personal Founder Journey22:47 The Hardest Years of LG Sonic24:27 How To Lead Through Uncertainty25:16 Optimism About the Future Connect with Yousef:linkedin.com/in/yousef-yousefWhat’s Next is a podcast exploring how technology, innovation, and global systems are shaping the future.Hosted by Philip Meissner, each episode features conversations with global leaders, builders, and thinkers working at the forefront of change.🔗 Connect with Philip Meissner:https://www.philipmeissner.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/pmeissner/🎧 Listen on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KFVD3ozuUQiQozO381J5C?si=e2eb5967f84648e8Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-next-with-philip-meissner/id1793306908Subscribe for more conversations on AI, emerging technologies, and global leadership.#WaterCrisis #WaterScarcity #WaterBankruptcy #WaterSecurity #WaterTechnology #AIInfrastructure #SmartWater #ResourceWars #ClimateCrisis #GlobalInfrastructure #Sustainability #WaterManagement #FutureOfWater #EnvironmentalCrisis #Geopolitics
Highlights: Natalia Bayona of UN Tourism: How Travel Powers the Global Economy
07:26|We’ve curated a 7-minute segment packed with insights on how governments use tourism as a coordinated state policy, impacting 100+ sectors, attracting investment, and driving growth through real-world examples like Spain and Albania.Listen to the full episode now!Youtube: https://youtu.be/RJhGscqV6K4Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/natalia-bayona-of-un-tourism-how-travel-powers/id1793306908?i=1000766149648Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0021NarKdB6jEhH0fdGBBL?si=jPGOp9lOTCq5_17YAeBpzw"What’s Next with Philip Meissner“A journey through our future life and work, and the place to discover your next favorite strategy and innovation. With global perspectives and fresh thinking, brought to you by some of the most exciting thinkers, builders, and leaders across the globe. Philip Meissner hosts fantastic guests and speakers, who share their journeys and knowledge in the most authentic and deep-dive style – to guide you through our world of tomorrow. From economy to science, from tech policy to AI in a fast-changing world. Subscribe right now wherever you get your podcast! Join our mailing list: www.philipmeissner.com/whatsnext to stay updated on the latest trends
Highlights: Kishore Mahbubani: The Asian Century Begins
06:53|We’ve curated a 7-minute segment packed with sharp insights on why the West is falling behind, how Asia is reshaping global power, and what leaders are still getting dangerously wrong about the world today.Listen to the full episode now!Youtube: https://youtu.be/2hZUbo3sAqgApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kishore-mahbubani-the-asian-century-begins/id1793306908?i=1000762499540Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/065YdCMMdFW61ibBSfZdXc?si=_Y3YHLjqQm6ozcud0M4wwA"What’s Next with Philip Meissner“A journey through our future life and work, and the place to discover your next favorite strategy and innovation. With global perspectives and fresh thinking, brought to you by some of the most exciting thinkers, builders, and leaders across the globe. Philip Meissner hosts fantastic guests and speakers, who share their journeys and knowledge in the most authentic and deep-dive style – to guide you through our world of tomorrow. From economy to science, from tech policy to AI in a fast-changing world. Subscribe right now wherever you get your podcast!Join our mailing list: www.philipmeissner.com/whatsnext to stay updated on the latest trends
32. Kishore Mahbubani: The Asian Century Begins
27:30||Season 1, Ep. 32The world order is shifting and most leaders don’t fully understand what’s coming next.In this episode, Philip Meissner sits down with renowned diplomat and geopolitical thinker Kishore Mahbubani to break down the biggest transformation of our time: the return of Asia and the decline of Western dominance.Here’s what you’ll learn:Why the West is misreading Asia and why that’s a serious riskThe real reason today’s world feels so chaotic and overwhelmingHow billions are entering the middle class and reshaping the global economyThe simple 3-part formula behind Singapore’s extraordinary successThe 5 leadership traits needed to navigate uncertainty and changeIf you want to understand where the world is heading, and how to stay ahead of it, this conversation is essential.Watch now and rethink everything you thought you knew about global power.Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:48 Global confusion & shifting world order02:08 Why leaders feel overwhelmed today03:09 Is the world actually more dangerous05:02 Leadership advice in a changing world06:52 What the West misunderstands about Asia09:10 Global rebalancing explained10:39 Rise of middle powers12:47 Understanding Asia’s diversity14:57 India’s role in a multipolar world16:45 How leaders should rethink Asia17:34 Lessons from the United Nations19:55 From Asian pessimism to optimism21:18 What leaders can learn from Singapore23:11 Leadership lessons from experience24:26 The five qualities of great leaders25:30 Why the future is optimisticConnect with Kishore Mahbubani:linkedin.com/in/kishoremahbubaniWhat’s Next is a podcast exploring how technology, innovation, and global systems are shaping the future.Hosted by Philip Meissner, each episode features conversations with global leaders, builders, and thinkers working at the forefront of change.🔗 Connect with Philip Meissner:https://www.philipmeissner.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/pmeissner/🎧 Listen on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KFVD3ozuUQiQozO381J5C?si=e2eb5967f84648e8Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-next-with-philip-meissner/id1793306908Subscribe for more conversations on AI, emerging technologies, and global leadership.#globalpowershift, #endofwesternpower, #riseofasia, #asiancentury, #multipolarworld, #chinaindia, #geopolitics, #worldorder, #futureofpower, #globalleadership, #economicshift, #internationalrelations, #kishoremahbubani, #globaltrends, #newworldorder