What if the future doesn't have to be something that just happens to you?

Recently, a friend asked me how to stay optimistic while still being real about the hard stuff happening in the world. It made me realize we're all trying to figure out how to feel excited about tomorrow instead of just bracing for it.

After more than two decades of helping leaders and learners think more expansively about the future and the skills we need to build those futures, I know we are capable of so much more than reacting to what’s coming our way.

So welcome to How We Future—my new substack and podcast series where we explore the beautiful, messy, and exciting work of actively shaping tomorrow instead of just waiting for it to arrive. I’m eager to elevate people and stories that remind us of the agency we have in creating futures we want to be a part of.

While I’m known to be pretty energetic and optimistic, “How We Future,” is not about toxic positivity or ignoring real problems—it's about finding opportunities within challenges and developing the capacity to move toward what matters most, even when the path forward isn't entirely clear.

My promise is that each edition will offer something you can actually use—an insight that shifts your perspective, a practice that helps you feel more grounded, or an idea that inspires you to try something new. And hopefully the conversations will make you smile a little too, because anyone who knows me knows I believe in doing hard things in joyful ways.

I'm so glad you're here. 

This is meant to be a conversation, not a monologue—your stories and insights might just inspire future editions.

About Me

I've spent over twenty years helping people think differently about the future. I teach at Stanford's d.school, write books, and work with organizations to turn uncertainty into opportunity.

My approach? Combine serious strategic thinking with actual joy—because if we're going to do hard work, we might as well have some fun doing it.

I've co-authored several bestselling books including Moments of Impact: How to Design Strategic Conversations that Accelerate Change and Design A Better Business: New Tools, Skills, and Mindset for Strategy and Innovation, which has been translated into over a dozen languages. I created the popular LinkedIn Learning course "Leader as Futurist," which has reached over 125,000 learners worldwide, and contribute regularly to books and publications on futures thinking and innovation.

I'm passionate about scenario planning, strategic foresight, and making complex future-focused ideas accessible to everyone. Whether I'm teaching design and innovation or helping communities think about their civic futures, I'm always looking for ways to infuse generative and generous possibility into how we approach tomorrow.

Here’s what others say

To be honest, I'm not great at talking about myself, but I'm happy to share what a few colleagues have said about working together over the years.

"Lisa is one of the best interviewers I've seen in 40 years of hosting big ideas with big thinkers." - Elaine Petricelli, Founder and CEO, Book Passages

"Lisa Kay Solomon makes me smarter. Her unique blend of design thinking and future-focused perspective consistently opens new pathways in my mind. Through her books, conversations, and workshops, Lisa illuminates possibilities I hadn't considered—which is why she remains my favorite futurist." - Tim Fish, Founder, Two Chairs Studio and Former Chief Innovation Officer, NAIS

"Lisa Kay Solomon is a consummate communicator, collaborator, and educator. Her approach to teaching is exciting and deeply effective and her work with clients always brought unique, important insights to practice. I wish I could work with her every day." - Nathan Shedroff, Founder, MBA in Design Strategy, California College of the Arts

"Many people have dreams; Lisa Kay Solomon makes dreams—and futures—happen. Lisa created a dynamic dreamscape of instigating new and invigorating narratives to lead to more vibrant democracy and better futures." - Sanda Balaban, Executive Director, Project Pericles and Founder, YVote

"Working with Lisa Kay Solomon is both energizing and grounding. Her contagious optimism, solution-based approach, and ability to turn bold ideas into actionable plans make her an exceptional collaborator and catalyst for impact." - Eric Reveno, Assistant Head Coach, Stanford Men's Basketball Team

"Lisa's mentorship has changed my life. Her unique, thoughtful direction empowered me to uncover my own leadership potential, as it has for so many others." - Elizabeth Ford, Former Captain, University of Pennsylvania Volleyball