GETTING MENTAL
I don't know about you, but my energy has been lower than usual. It isn't always easy to be a cheerleader, but I never want to put down my seagrass pom poms. To combat the Autumnal exhaustion, I'm willing myself to get out into nature, especially with this last burst of sunny days. With Mental Health Day right around the corner, we are shining a light on the incredible efforts being made to support kids in a time of uncertainty and technological overwhelm. See which past NFS presenters are making mental wellness a priority, when are the upcoming community-driven events, and read on to see which Near Futurists are ready for our nightstands and kitchen shelves.
RIGHT BRAIN
Moderated by Orrick's AI legal expert, this year's powerful "Right BrAIn" breakfast conversation highlighted some exciting applications for emerging AI in the creative space. For one, check out Asteria Film Co. (an artist-led generative AI film and animation studio powered by the first clean AI model). But with endless access, guardrails are essential, asserts Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist and best-selling author of The Anxious Generation.
Want to know what else he is tracking and some of his solutions? Jonathan's Substack, After Babel, cuts through the noise with rigorous research & analysis, and shows us how to take action against the strikingly high mental health epidemic plaguing our youth.
24/7 GUIDE FOR RAISING KIDS ONLINE
Speaking of digital health for kids—Dr. Raghu Appasani and co-founder Larissa May just launched the first clinician-backed AI for families with kids ages 6–14. We are excited about Ginko: Helping parents manage screen time, social media, and online safety—with peace of mind. In full transparency, I invested because it is:
HIPAA-compliant
0-day data retention
Built with clinical IP
Trusted by leading experts
Building the future of digital parenting—with families leading the way.
Join today and:
Shape features with your feedback
Access expert-backed strategies that work in real life
Be part of a community reimagining healthy digital childhoods
This is just the beginning. Imagine a world where every family has access to clinical-grade digital parenting support—and you helped build it.
OCT 10: NYC
Project Healthy Minds will host its annual World Mental Health Day Festival at Spring Studios in New York City—the largest World Mental Health Day gathering anywhere. The Festival brings together more than 2,500 people for a transformative day of free programming designed to celebrate and strengthen mental wellness. To register and view the complete lineup, click here.
EVENTS: OCT/NOV
OCT 17: SF
Fighting against childhood trauma and abuse, Safe & Sound connects families to local resources and programs such as counseling and parenting classes.
The Blue Ribbon Celebration commemorates another year of remarkable work. Click here to sponsor or purchase a ticket.
OCT 21-22: SF
TEDAI: Go deep on the impact and power of AI October 21-22. This has quickly become one of the most anticipated events in the Bay Area. Their wonderful team is offering Near Futurists 25% off your ticket.
Use code: TEDAI2025XSFZEM
at registration.
NOV 15: MARIN
Join the 10-year anniversary Cirque du Sanctuary gala benefitting Rancho Compasión on November 15 in West Marin. Your support will ensure the barn residents receive proper care and the children's educational programs remain accessible for all.
READ ALL ABOUT IT: NF BOOK RELEASES
NOT CHILD’S PLAY
What is the secret code to building exceptional teams? What makes an effective leader? In Team Intelligence: How Brilliant Leaders Unlock Collective Genius, author Jon Levy unpacks the myths we've been told about great leadership. Years of research from some of the most prominent leaders in sports, government, and corporate, helped him land on the true answers to building a winning team.
Launching today! Get yours now.
BLUE FOOD TOUR
Upon the release of their highly anticipated The Blue Food Cookbook in partnership with Fed by Blue, Andrew Zimmern and Barton Seaver will be celebrating around the country with a foodie book tour. Many stops taking place in our own home-bases such as Boston, NYC, Austin, and LA. Available October 28, but pre-order your copy now. And check our their book tour dates here.