What really changes when economics and geopolitics rewrite the rules?

In this conversation, Michael Kobori and Sandja Brügmann explore how sustainability is evolving amid today’s macroeconomic and geopolitical pressures. Kobori highlights the growing need for sustainability leaders to align their work with core business and financial priorities, the power of collaboration across companies, and the role of innovation in driving systemic change. Drawing on his experience at Starbucks, he also underscores the importance of culture and leadership in embedding sustainability at scale. The discussion closes with a pragmatic yet hopeful outlook, calling for proactive leadership and stronger communities to shape the future of sustainability.

00:00 The Current State of Sustainability

03:49 Navigating Challenges in Sustainability Leadership

08:04 Corporate Responsibility and Systemic Change

11:59 Innovative Solutions and Collaborative Efforts

15:56 Case Studies in Sustainability Initiatives

24:07 The Future of Corporate Sustainability

33:00 Water Initiatives and Corporate Responsibility

35:59 Collaboration for Sustainability

39:07 Leadership and Culture in Sustainability

44:01 Systemic Change and Strategic Design

49:00 Hope and Action in Sustainability

00:00 The Current State of Sustainability

03:54 Navigating Challenges in Sustainability Leadership

07:26 Corporate Responsibility and Systemic Change

10:36 Innovative Solutions and Collaborative Efforts

13:43 Case Studies in Sustainability Initiatives

20:01 The Future of Corporate Sustainability

26:24 Water Initiatives and Corporate Responsibility

28:43 Collaboration for Sustainability

31:08 Leadership and Culture in Sustainability

34:30 Systemic Change and Strategic Design

38:35 Hope and Action

Links

Marc Carney’s full speach at Davos 2026 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btqHDhO4h10

The Culture Code https://danielcoyle.com/the-culture-code/

Michael Kobori on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-kobori-7a04b26/

Sandja Brügmann on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandja/

New Global Mind:Leadership for Systems Transformation

New Global Mind: A video podcast exploring brighter futures through leadership. A new series from The Passion Institute. Each episode explores innovative ideas, wisdom andstrategies with cross-disciplinary experts in systems science, strategic transformation, human behavior, consciousness, sustainability, psychology, economics, spirituality, and technology.

About Host SandjaBrügmann, Founder & CEO of The Passion Institute—astrategic transformation institute—a global visionary in leadership and strategic transformation, engages thought leaders and practitioners to shape our collective future. Named one of the "World's Leadership Gurus" by Lederne and known as 'The Board Whisperer' among leaders, she is renowned forher expertise in systems awareness and strategic sustainable transformation. She and team empower forward-thinking organizations and leaders to cultivate the skills and strategies crucial for the systemic transition.

About Michael Kobori Michael Kobori is a global sustainability leader committed to building a more just and sustainable world. He has held senior roles including Chief Sustainability Officer at Starbucks, Vice President of Sustainability at Levi Strauss & Co., and board director at Bunge Global SA.

He is currently a strategic advisor to Nationswell and an advisor to GaiaStar, a circular economy start-up. Michael is a Trustee of The Asia Foundation and a member of the U.S.–Japan Council, with prior service across leading industry, NGO, and UN initiatives.

A frequent speaker at global forums, Michael has also taught sustainability at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. He holds a Master’s in Public Policy from UC Berkeley and has studied sustainable finance at Oxford University.

In this conversation, Léa and Sandja explore the intricate relationship between parenting, leadership, and artificial intelligence (AI). They discuss how parenting experiences shape leadership qualities and the importance of self-leadership in both domains. The dialogue delves into the challenges andopportunities presented by AI in parenting, emphasizing the need for human connection and community in an increasingly digital world. They also reflect on the biological basis of parenting, the role of technology in shaping humanrelationships, and the importance of agency in both children and leaders. Ultimately, the conversation calls for a reimagining of the future of work and parenting, advocating for a human-centric approach to technology and leadership.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Parenting, Leadership, and AI

02:41 The Intersection of Parenting and Leadership

05:44 AI's Role in Leadership and Parenting

08:14 The Human Experience vs. AI

11:12 Parenting in the Age of AI

14:00 Biological Foundations of Parenting

16:51 The Impact of AI on Human Relationships

19:38 Attunement and Emotional Connection

22:31 The Role of Technology in Parenting

25:28 The Future of Parenting and Leadership

28:13 The Value of Human Connection

30:54 The Care Economy and Human Values

33:52 The Role of AI in Society

36:34 Raising Humanity vs. Raising AI

39:26 Conclusion: The Future of Parenting and AI

45:00 Reimagining AI's Role in Society

47:02 The Human Element in Technology

49:23 Augmented vs. Artificial Intelligence

50:53 The Value of Human Intelligence

52:57 Redefining Education and Parenting

55:34 The Collapse of Community

01:00:33 Building Trust and Relationships

01:04:47 The Impact of Technology on Human Evolution

01:07:46 Creating the Future Together

Links

Connect with Léa Peersman on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lea-peersman/

Connect with Sandja Brügmann on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandja/

The Passion Institute www.thepassioninstitute.com

New Global Mind: A video podcast exploring brighter futures through leadership. A new series from The Passion Institute. Each episode explores innovative ideas, wisdom and strategies with cross-disciplinary experts in systems science, strategictransformation, human behavior, consciousness, sustainability, psychology, economics, spirituality, and technology.

Host Sandja Brügmann, Founder & CEO of The Passion Institute—a strategic transformation institute—a global visionary in leadership and strategic transformation, engages thought leaders and practitioners to shape our collective future. Namedone of the "World's Leadership Gurus" by Lederne and known as 'The Board Whisperer' among leaders, she is renowned for her expertise in systems awareness and strategic sustainable transformation. She and team empower forward-thinking organizations and leaders to cultivate the skills and strategies crucial for the transition.

About Léa Peersman is a visionary leader and innovator dedicated to unlocking human potential. With two decades of experience in education, leadership, and tech, she challenges the notion that AI's frontier lies in technology, instead focusing on empowering humans. A neurodiverse expert, Léa explores how parenting, culture, and AI literacy can foster creativity and resilience. She has worked with esteemed organizations and spoken at TEDx and Drucker Forum events, advocating for people-centric solutions in the AI era.

In this conversation, Sandja Brügmann and Tor Nørretranders discuss the Shifting Baseline Syndrome, which highlights how each generation perceives the present as the norm, often overlooking the changes that have occurred over time. They explore the vital role of elders in society, emphasizing their moral obligation to contribute and share their memories and experiences. The discussion also touches on the importance of community, the gift economy, and the need for conflict resolution skills. Tor introduces the concept of Sinnsro, a state of peace and acceptance, and highlights the significance of small interactions, or Chula Hop moments, in building social bonds. Overall, the conversation advocates for recognizing thevalue of elders and fostering meaningful connections within communities.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Shifting Baseline Syndrome

07:24 The Role of Elders in Society

13:30 The Importance of Historical Context

18:35 Sensing Gradual Changes in Society

25:29 Navigating Fear and Embracing Change

28:25 The Concept of Sinnsro and Community Dialogue

32:13 Conflict Resolution and Common Ground

32:53 Personal Responsibility in Experiences

35:57 The Role of Social Connections in Longevity

42:48 Community Dynamics and Shared Purpose

43:32 Market Economy vs. Gift Economy

54:32 The Importance of Interpersonal Skills

56:44 The Renaissance of Elders in Society

01:03:29 Exploring Sindsro: Serenity and Wisdom of Elders

About New Global Mind: A video podcast exploring brighter futures through leadership. A series from The Passion Institute. Each episode explores innovative ideas, wisdom and strategies with cross-disciplinary experts in systems science, strategictransformation, human behavior, consciousness, sustainability, psychology, economics, spirituality, and technology.

About Tor Nørretranders he is an independent author, thinker and speaker based in Denmark, serving an international audience. A leading science communicator of Denmark, Torhas involved himself in numerous activities in the public arena and his lecture tours, gathering tens of thousands of people, have been major events on the Scandinavian scene.. Tor has published 30+ books spanning issues from the worldview of science and the role of science in society to environmental issues and the realm of human experience and consciousness. "Mærk verden" from 1991 (English title: The User Illusion) became an international bestseller, even though it is a500-page treatise on the role of consciousness in human affairs. In 2025 Tor published “Alderdomsoprør” about the potential role of the elderly as spearheads of a new revolt against the monotony of life and nature stemming from modern life. The book advocates for serenity as the value needed for a new age.

About Host Sandja Brügmann, Founder & CEO of The Passion Institute—a strategic transformation institute—a global visionary in leadership and strategic transformation, engages thought leaders and practitioners to shape our collective future. Named one of the "World's Leadership Gurus" byLederne and known as 'The Board Whisperer' among leaders, she is renowned for her expertise in systems awareness and strategic sustainable transformation. She and team empower forward-thinking organizations and leaders to cultivate theskills and strategies crucial for the transition.

Links

Tor's website https://www.tor.dk/

Sandja's company website www.ThePassionInstitute.com