Future Thinking as a Nomad
Nomad Profile
Chris and I met when he interviewed me for his Nomads 50+ podcast in an episode entitled “From Teen Traveler to Global Storyteller: Erin’s Life of Empowerment & Adventure.” And I’m not going to lie, I’m a little bit scarred when, afterward, he said I told the “grossest story ever.” 😳
Moving on, I’m a subscriber of Chris’ Substack Nomads 50+ and he’s an active member of our Nomad Life community, never failing to add a controversial take or two. Just the kind of community member you want to heat up the conversation!
9 Fun Facts
First Name: Chris
Age Range: 60s
Nationality: Greek-American / Canadian
Nomadic Stance: Part-time
Last Corporate Job: Still working remotely
Current Job: IT product management
Favorite Country: Greece
Next Stop: Probably Greece, maybe Ireland, Spain, or Turkey
What do you like best about the nomadic life? Freedom
2 Questions
1) You refer to yourself as a futurist. What does that mean?
Ever since I was a child, I’ve always been interested in the future. When I discovered it was actually a profession, then I realized that I had to be a part of it—mapping and envisioning the future based not only on current emerging trends but also tying together various threads and imagination to see what’s possible.
As a futurist, I look out 10-plus years to try to determine where we are going—as a species, in technology, and culturally and socially.
2) Much of your writing focuses on the value that professionals over the age of 50 offer companies. What is the biggest misnomer that organizations get wrong about folks 50+?
The biggest issue that organizations get wrong about people over 50 is that we are risk-averse. The reality is that when we get to this level of experience, we actually become more fearless about our work.
We take more risks because we know what works and what doesn’t. As someone else said it in a different way, “we give fewer f*cks” about the things that don’t matter, than those younger in their careers who are still thinking about upward mobility (which truly no longer exists).
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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 130+ countries & all 7 continents. She is a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series of curated trips and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.
Curious to read more Nomad Profiles? Get the bonus edition to the guide—Meet 10 More Nomads: Bonus Interviews 11-20.
Chris' notes alone are award-winners.