Share
What's Next with Philip Meissner
Water bankruptcy: Why most leaders aren’t prepared with Yousef Yousef of LG Sonic
Season 1, Ep. 34
•
Water 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 resources
- How climate change, contamination, and scarcity are accelerating the crisis
- Why water is deeply connected to AI, semiconductors, food, and energy
- The hidden infrastructure problems most cities ignore
- Why 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 Crisis
03:04 Why Leaders Ignore Water Risks
04:53 Climate Change and Water
04:35 Smarter Water Solutions
06:46 Why Water Needs Value
07:49 LG Sonic’s Water Tech
11:01 Future of Smart Water Systems
12:12 Moving Beyond Chemicals
13:24 AI and Water Management
14:48 Scaling Innovation in Water
17:07 Why the Water Crisis Can’t Wait
18:49 The Rise of Digital Water Systems
21:18 Yousef’s Personal Founder Journey
22:47 The Hardest Years of LG Sonic
24:27 How To Lead Through Uncertainty
25:16 Optimism About the Future
Connect with Yousef:
linkedin.com/in/yousef-yousef
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
"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!
Subscribe 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
More episodes
View all episodes
Highlights: Why Silicon Valley Playbooks Fail in Emerging Markets with Ivy Russell
08:44|We’ve curated a 7-minute segment packed with the remarkable story of how one founder used technology, trust, and a deeply personal mission to build a healthcare platform that delivered over 15 million consultations.Listen to the full episode now!Youtube: https://youtu.be/2JgdL2bk6AM Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-silicon-valley-playbooks-fail-in-emerging-markets/id1793306908?i=1000774784524 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0otEoB8AjdM2ajuWcRYR2I?si=JLoU_Z4qRTuw_p4wP86yrQ "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
37. Why Silicon Valley Playbooks Fail in Emerging Markets with Ivy Russell
31:24||Season 1, Ep. 37Where will the next generation of billion-dollar startups come from?In this episode, entrepreneur and investor Ivy Huq Russell shares how she built Maya, a digital health platform that delivered over 15 million consultations, and why she believes South Asia is becoming one of the world's most exciting regions for innovation.You'll learn:Why Bangladesh could be the next major startup hub after IndiaWhat founders get wrong when they copy Silicon Valley modelsHow Maya built trust in one of the most sensitive industries: healthcareWhat investors really look for in early-stage startupsWhy founders should focus on monetization much earlierWhether you're building a company, investing in startups, or curious about emerging markets, this conversation offers practical lessons on creating products that solve real problems and scale.Watch now to discover where the next wave of entrepreneurship is taking shape.Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:55 Why South Asia Is Growing Fast03:04 Why South Asian Founders Stand Out04:38 Markets Investors Should Watch06:42 Biggest Startup Opportunities07:40 How Access to Capital Is Changing10:15 What Ivy Looks For in Founders11:55 Advice for First Time Founders14:29 Why Ivy Started Maya18:40 Building Trust in Digital Healthcare22:16 Why Copying Silicon Valley Fails24:47 What Ivy Would Do Differently27:06 nvesting Through a Founder's Eyes28:53 Why AI Makes Ivy OptimisticConnect with Ivy Russel:linkedin.com/in/ivy-huq-russell-417487What’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/id1793306908"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#SouthAsiaStartups #Entrepreneurship #StartupFounder #VentureCapital #StartupInvesting #BangladeshStartups #IndiaStartups #HealthTech #FinTech #EmergingMarkets #BusinessPodcast #StartupGrowth #Innovation #FounderJourney #AIInnovation
Highlights: The Biotech Race to Rethink Mental Health Care with Florian Brand
12:41|We've curated a fascinating 7-minute segment revealing why mental health is worsening, why psychiatry may be stuck using a decades-old playbook, and how a forgotten class of compounds could change the future of treatment.Listen to the full episode now!Youtube: https://youtu.be/3Gn0bYt-25YApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biotech-race-to-rethink-mental-health-care/id1793306908?i=1000772893387Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7HIeg6riGVut0SrInEUTOx "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
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-florianWhat’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/id1793306908"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!Subscribe for more conversations on AI, emerging technologies, and global leadership.#MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #Depression #Anxiety #MentalWellness #Biotech #Entrepreneurship #FounderLife #MentalHealthTreatment #PTSD #Innovation #Leadership #FutureOfHealthcare
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/id1793306908"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!Subscribe 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
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