The Podcast

When there is
no map,
make your own

Mushtak Al-Atabi and Robert MacIntosh explore learning, careers, and the future of work in a world being remade by technology, one conversation at a time.

Listen now What is Mapless World?
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About

Why Mapless World?

"In work and in life, we increasingly encounter situations where there is no map to guide our next steps. In a mapless world, remember you have a compass, your sense of purpose. You have a crew. You have stars overhead and swells beneath you. You know how to read them. You always have."

Mapless World is a podcast about learning, careers, and the future of work in a world being fundamentally remade by geopolitical, technological, and environmental shifts. Hosted by two academics who believe we need new maps to navigate a changing territory, it explores what it means to lead with purpose when the path ahead has never been less clear.

Every episode is a conversation, a provocation, and an invitation, to think differently about how we learn, how we lead, and how we find meaning in a world that refuses to sit still.

Episodes

Latest conversations

Your Hosts

The map makers

Prof Robert MacIntosh
Prof Robert MacIntosh
Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of the West of Scotland

Robert is a distinguished academic leader and researcher specialising in strategy and institutional transformation. With extensive experience across international education systems, including the UK, UAE, and Malaysia, his work focuses on building institutional reputation, driving financial sustainability, and fostering deep collaboration between research, teaching, and industry. He brings deep, practical insights into how organisations can successfully pivot and thrive when traditional playbooks no longer apply.

Books Speaking LinkedIn
Prof Mushtak Al-Atabi
Prof Mushtak Al-Atabi
Provost and CEO, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia

Mushtak is a storyteller, transnational education expert, negotiation scholar, chartered engineer, and purpose-driven leader. He developed Purpose-Driven Education, delivered Malaysia's first MOOC, and pioneered the CDIO (Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate) framework in Malaysia. He is the Chairman of the Vice-Chancellors' Council for Private Universities in Malaysia, a Board member at the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce, and one of 10 experts who authored the Malaysian Higher Education Blueprint 2026-2035.

Books Speaking LinkedIn
Books

From the hosts' shelves

The Collaboration Equation cover
The Collaboration Equation
Mushtak Al-Atabi

Unlocking the secrets of working together to create lasting value.

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Driven by Purpose cover
Driven by Purpose
Mushtak Al-Atabi

Your practical guide to discovering individual and team purpose and mobilising it into positive impact.

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Leading with Stories cover
Leading with Stories
Mushtak Al-Atabi

Securing human advantage in the age of artificial intelligence through the power of narrative.

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Think Like an Engineer cover
Think Like an Engineer
Mushtak Al-Atabi

A systematic approach to solving life's toughest challenges using engineering thinking.

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Strategic Management cover
Strategic Management
Robert MacIntosh with …

Strategists at Work: a practitioner-focused guide to strategy in complex, real-world organisations.

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Managing Change cover
Managing Change
Robert MacIntosh with …

Enquiry and action — a practical approach to understanding and leading organisational change.

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Delivering Impact in Management Research cover
Delivering Impact in Management Research
Robert MacIntosh with …

When does it really happen — exploring how management research creates genuine impact in practice.

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Complexity and Organisation cover
Complexity and Organisation
Robert MacIntosh with …

Readings and conversations exploring complexity theory and its implications for organisational life.

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Speaking & Consulting

Bring Mapless World to your organisation

Keynote Speaking

Mushtak and Robert deliver keynote addresses on the future of learning, leadership in uncertainty, technology and the changing world of work. Tailored to your audience, from university graduations to corporate leadership conferences.

Strategic Consulting

Drawing on decades of academic and leadership experience, they work with organisations navigating significant change, rethinking education models, building purposeful cultures, or designing for an uncertain future.

Podcast Partnerships

Looking to sponsor an episode, partner on a series, or bring a custom version of Mapless World to your community? Let's talk about how we can create something that matters to your audience.

Workshops & Masterclasses

Interactive sessions for leadership teams, academic communities, and professional groups, exploring purpose, wayfinding, and the future of careers in practical, engaging formats.

Get in touch