The New Abnormal
#TheNewAbnormal podcast (which has over 250,000 downloads) focuses on understanding today and anticipating the future. Discussing these subjects via the viewpoints of my guests has led to some fascinating conversations with activists, creatives, writers, philosophers, strategists, psychologists, lecturers, futurists, etc. Re: my bio, I'm a strategist, author and speaker. My 1st book went to No1 in the business charts, whilst my 2nd was shortlisted for the 'Business Book of the Year' Awards. (The podcast partners with The Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies, a global leader in applying futures studies to solve strategic challenges, helping clients to be #FuturesReady.) So, we hope you enjoy listening to the series - which was set up during the early days of Covid, and is divided into Series One [2020-21] Two [2022] Three [2023] Four [2024] and Five [2025]. All rights reserved. #TheNewAbnormal podcast series © Sean Pillot de Chenecey 2020.
The New Abnormal
Charlie Waterhouse 'Rebel for Life'
Series One
In this episode of #TheNewAbnormal, I interviewed Charlie Waterhouse, Creative Director of This Ain't Rock 'n' Roll (with an ethos based on identity + activism for culture + causes) whose clients include those such as Amnesty International, English Heritage, Médecins Sans Frontières, National Gallery, and UNICEF.
He's also co-founder of the Art Group and Media & Messaging team at Extinction Rebellion ('the most successful start-up in history'), and is a Fellow of the RSA.
His day job is split between This Ain’t Rock’n’Roll (who are currently working with the Unitarians and legal activists Foxglove) and community organisation The Brixton Project.
After hours he’s also a director of the Brixton Pound, and is part of the team re: '81 Acts of Exuberant Defiance' a celebration of 1981’s Brixton Uprising.
So we discuss all of the above, starting with XR's international rebellion against the criminal inaction on the climate and ecological crisis.
Charlie also outlines his viewpoints on issues such as the future of cities, work he's doing with David Graeber’s widow, the modern crisis of spirituality, and how to build a utopian business model.
Finally, we debate an activist manifesto based around a belief that 'when hope dies, action begins'.