Hello again, dear readers!

Usually, new tech is pushed by industry onto consumers, often before they’re ready for it. But in Health & Wellness, the opposite applies. Consumers, according to a major report, are demanding that the Health sector ushers in the next wave of innovation and move to a consumer-directed healthcare, proactive health management, and an AI-enabled future. Read more below. 

Also, what would you do if a major employer had secretly marked you down as "ineligible to rehire”? How would you even know? I explore the shadowy world of corporate block lists, below.

This issue features the usual bunch of AI Insights and recommendations for the week's podcasts, books, shows, charts, and tweets, followed by a final chuckle.

Let’s get going.

Industry Highlights:  Something is about to shift in Health & Wellness

Forerunner’s massive 2025 Annual Consumer Trend Report just dropped, and as usual, it’s packed full of fascinating insights. This year, the focus is on two “tailwinds”: Health & Wellness, personal security, and one enormous technological shift: GenAI. 

At 200 pages in length, there’s too much to unpack here, so I’m going to focus on the Health & Wellness aspect, its intersection with AI, and how this will spur the next cycle of innovation in the sector. 

What’s clear is that Health & Wellness is on the verge of a significant transformation. According to the authors, consumers are ready for a buyer's market, driven by the rapid rise of AI technology. This is happening now, fueled by a growing demand for personalized and preventive care … but despite the emergence of so many exciting tech start-ups, the health system itself has not yet evolved to meet their needs. 

The Demand for Personalized Care

Today’s consumers are more health-conscious than ever, with over 65% of people ranking health and wellness as their top life goal. This shift in mindset is reflected in the booming wellness market, which has reached an astounding $1.8 trillion, primarily through consumer-directed spending.

When you add the $4.9 trillion linked to insurance-directed healthcare, it’s clear that people are willing to invest in their health.

How AI is Shaping Healthcare

The picture painted by this report is a sector wide open for digital disruption because digital penetration has “only scratched the surface” at 4%. Are we soon going to see as much tech-driven change in Health as we’ve seen in, for example, Retail and Financial Services?

Respondents are excited about AI’s potential, with 73% believing it will boost clinical productivity, 62% seeing improvements in patient experiences, and 48% expecting better quality care overall. 

What about automating doctors? People scoffed at online symptom checker WebMD when it first emerged, but AI has changed the game. Around 50% of consumers are open to consulting AI-driven doctors, attracted by the promise of lower costs and 24/7 access to consultations.

It doesn’t stop there. AI is also making waves in mental health therapy, supported by wearables. Just look at Muse's recent launch of Athena, a device that tracks mental fitness. 

The Shift Toward Proactive Health

There’s a noticeable trend toward proactive health measures, like early cancer screenings. Many consumers are now willing to pay out of pocket for preventive health products and services, reflecting a strong commitment to maintaining their well-being over time. This desire for control and personalization is something the current healthcare system hasn’t fully tapped into yet.

What’s Needed for a Buyer’s Market

So, what does it take to create this buyer’s market in healthcare? It’s all about giving consumers the power to make choices that fit their needs and preferences, rather than being stuck with the usual options the system offers. This means we need to focus on making healthcare more transparent, accessible, and personalized. In other words, it’s about making it easier for you to take charge of your health. Here’s what Forerunner believes we need to make that happen… with the help of AI:

1. Consumer-Driven Healthcare: We need a healthcare system that’s decentralized and focused on what consumers really want.

2. Universal Health Passport: Imagine if individuals could own and control their complete medical records. 

3. Freedom of Choice: Patients should be able to choose their providers, treatment options, and wellness strategies without any barriers.

4. AI-Driven Health Assistants: Smart tools will help consumers take a more active role in their healthcare decisions.

5. Transparent Marketplaces: Clear visibility into health options and costs will empower consumers to make informed choices.

6. Pay-as-You-Go Systems: A straightforward payment model that eliminates confusing bills and offers real-time financing options is essential.

7. Hyper-Personalized At-Home Care: Looking at innovative solutions that provide early disease detection, continuous health tracking, and tailored therapeutics based on personal biomarkers.

More companies are emerging in the consumer-directed space

As the combination of consumer readiness and technological advancement is setting the stage for a revolutionary change, the emergence of consumer-directed companies like Ōura, Eight Sleep, Superpower, Hims, Function, and Prenuvo illustrates the growing investment in this space. The technology is there. Investors are willing. The only question is, how long will it take to push the lumbering U.S. Healthcare System into the next cycle of innovation?

The Future of Work: Banned For Life?

Back in the late 1940s and 1950s, Hollywood was rocked by a dark period known as the "blacklist era." The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) was on a mission to root out alleged communist influences in the film industry. As a result, many talented artists, including the likes of Orson Wells and Humphrey Bogart, found themselves blacklisted. The consequences were dire: careers were ruined, and audiences were deprived of some truly great performances. Imagine films without these icons—it's a loss that resonates even today.

Fast forward to our modern workplace, and we see a troubling echo of these blacklists in the form of "block lists." According to Business Insider, companies including Meta have been at the forefront of this practice, maintaining secret lists that prevent former employees from being rehired. Many workers have come forward, sharing stories of being ghosted by recruiters or marked as ineligible for rehire, even when their performance reviews were stellar. 

This raises a serious ethical question: how fair is it to block someone from future opportunities based on past decisions?

Block lists are not unique to Meta. Reports have surfaced from employees at a major chip company who described being blacklisted after layoffs, despite having received promotions and raises just before their departure. One former employee mentioned being told they were "banned for life" without any clear explanation. Additionally, nurses from various hospitals have also reported similar experiences, revealing that many healthcare facilities maintain block lists, leaving former employees struggling to re-enter the workforce.

According to Yahoo Finance, many workers find themselves on block lists for reasons that go beyond the obvious—poor performance, sexual misconduct, bullying, and illegal behavior are understandable grounds for banning someone from rehire. However, more discreet workplace-related tensions often play a significant role. 

For instance, "activist" behavior—such as speaking out against company policies or leadership decisions—can lead to being blacklisted. Employees who challenge toxic leadership or demand better working conditions often find themselves quietly blacklisted, as behaviors that demonstrate leadership and integrity can be perceived as threats in such environments. Ultimately, what puts someone on a block list often depends on the company's culture and leadership, which can shift over time, especially with changes in senior management.

These block lists are often touted as a way for companies to protect themselves from the risks of rehiring former employees who didn't quite fit the mold. But in reality, they can do more harm than good. Talented professionals, who might have left a job for various reasons—be it personal circumstances or workplace dynamics—can find themselves unfairly sidelined. Just like the Hollywood stars who were silenced during the blacklist era, these individuals may never get the chance to showcase their growth and skills in a new role.

The lack of transparency can be incredibly demoralizing, particularly in a hyper-competitive job market. The existence of block lists adds a layer of anxiety for job seekers.

Companies should consider implementing policies that allow for reevaluation of these lists, giving people a shot at returning to the workforce after they've had time to reflect and grow.

AI Insights

1. SMEs vulnerable to scalable AI cyber attacks: Cybersecurity insurance firm CyberCybe has warned that new AI capabilities mean that cybercriminals can target more businesses than previously with phishing and other attacks. This is particularly alarming because SMEs are unlikely to have the cyberdefence capabilities (and teams) of larger enterprises. 

2. Muse launches AI-driven mental fitness tracker: As I mentioned in the main story above, Muse Athena is a wearable, AI-powered “mental fitness platform” that tracks brain activity, stress, and cognitive performance. 

3. Google Gemini launches public AI video generation features:Get set for another wave of AI videos flooding your social media feeds. With the public launch of Google Gemini AI video generation, users can generate, modify, and extend AI video clips to create … well, anything they can imagine.

The Supply Aside

📕 Read - The Art of Uncertainty 

From the UK’s top statistical expert, The Art of Uncertainty by David Spiegelhalter is a fun and insightful guide on how to handle risk and uncertainty in our everyday lives. He dives into how chance, luck, and coincidence shape our experiences by breaking down the principles of probability. Spiegelhalter covers everything from medical advice to pandemics and climate change, revealing that about 40% of football results are just down to luck. This book is all about helping us think more clearly and adjust our views as things change, while also being real about what we don’t know.

What Else I’m Reading

• Has the Decline of Knowledge Work Begun? Unemployment rates are rising among white-collar workers, particularly college graduates. Is this the impact of artificial intelligence on job security and the potential long-term changes in the labor market? This article raises concerns about the future of knowledge work amid economic shifts and automation.

• Turning Round Rolls-Royce: This article explores how Tufan Erginbilgiç took over as CEO of Rolls-Royce in January 2023, initially viewed as an unexpected choice. However, in just two years, he has significantly boosted the company’s profile, with its share price rising eightfold and dividend payments resuming. Recent financial results indicate that Rolls-Royce is on track to meet profit and cash flow targets two years ahead of schedule, marking a remarkable turnaround from its previous struggles with profit warnings and failed restructurings.

• What Happens When The Richest Americans Stop Spending? Economists fear that the stock market slide will put the brakes on wealthy Americans’ spending habits, and harm one of the primary drivers of economic growth. I can’t help remembering other economists, not long ago, blaming high spenders for prolonging America’s long battle with inflation. 

📺 Watch - How The Media Started The Spanish-American War

"Remember the Maine! To hell with Spain!" The aftermath of the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana harbor provides one of history’s greatest examples of “yellow journalism” - sensationalism over facts - or as we’d call it today, “fake news”. William Randolph Hearst’s stringent claims of a Spanish torpedo attack pushed the country into an unwanted war, despite cooler heads at the time insisting that the sinking was most likely an accident. Modern investigations have established the true cause - the Maine sank due to a coal bunker fire. Check out this short doco from American Experience (PBS) to learn more. 

👂 Listen - Empire

How many empires can you name? I bet you know the most common ones—British, Roman, and Napoleonic France. But what about the Mali Empire, known for its wealth and cultural achievements in West Africa, or the Byzantine Empire, which preserved classical knowledge through the Middle Ages? Then there's the Ottoman Empire, influential across three continents, and the Mongol Empire, the largest contiguous land empire in history. Each of these empires left a unique mark on civilization, shaping cultures and societies in significant ways.

I’m listening to the Empire podcast by the historians William Dalrymple and Anita Anand. They’re approaching 250 episodes, but I’m starting from the beginning, with the notorious East India Company. It’s a story of exploitation, colonialism, and the dangers of letting a rapacious company run wild. At the height of its power, the EIC operated as a state within a state, wielding significant political and military power while prioritizing profit.

💡 Think - “Prebunking” is the new debunking

Convincing someone they’re wrong is hard. Convincing them they were about to be wrong? That might work. Enter “prebunking”—a throwback to the 1960s concept of attitudinal inoculation, where you warn people before they encounter disinformation and arm them with examples and strategies to resist it.

 Turns out, this works better than arguing with folks after the fact. Studies show prebunking has real impact, especially when paired with compelling narratives or—no joke—catchy social media music. It short-circuits the brain’s defenses and helps the message stick before the bunk takes root.

 So, there’s got to be a catch, right? Maybe not. Sure, the same tactics can be co-opted by the bad actors. And the only real firewall is critical thinking—a hit-or-miss defense, but still worth trying.

In the end, belief is a choice. We can’t code that out. I’m still an optimist—maybe we can get ahead of the noise before it drowns everything else out.

📕 Be sure to check out my book: Fire the Boss, Keep the Love: 10 Jobs, 10 Exits, 10 Lessons.

Whether you're starting your career or a seasoned pro, this book offers fresh perspectives and actionable advice to help you level up. I delve into my own personal career story and career wisdom from top executives to explore topics including:

• Career transition strategies

• Building lasting professional relationships

• Tips for thriving in diverse corporate cultures

Fire the Boss, Keep the Love is a must-read for anyone ready to take charge of their career journey and forge an authentic path to success. Get your copy on Amazon!

💡 Course: Craft Your Career!

As the world of work continues to evolve rapidly, with a more globalized labor market and many companies reducing headcount, the risk of getting left behind is higher than ever.

Throw in the rapid adoption of AI in the workplace and the rise of remote work, and even the most competent and hardworking leaders and professionals are struggling to keep up.

In Craft Your Career, Aaron Cleavinger and I teach you the skills you need to stay ahead of the curve and craft the career you deserve. Check it out here and enroll:  http://craftyourcareer.com/

Charts of the Week

Quote of the Week

Tweet of the Week

The Final Chuckle

Thanks so much for reading. I’d love to know what you think about this issue and how I can make it more useful to you.

If you have suggestions or topics you want to see me address, email me at [email protected]!

Want more?

If you’d like to read more of my writing on the supply chain, entrepreneurship, or the future of work, check out my website.

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Happy reading this weekend!

-- Naseem