This Is What Can Happen If You Keep Going

I still can’t believe what has just happened.
I can’t believe that I’m here.
Sitting on the train on my way home, and my mind can’t be still.

The sun is about to set, and even if I’m tired after the presentation,
my body feels light and joyful.

On the surface, this was just another presentation.
At the core of my being, this was something else entirely.

Let us put it all into perspective.

When I started my company, people asked me all the familiar questions:

• “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?”

• “What is the long-term plan?”

• “Where are you heading?“

• “What is the dream?“

(Yes, entrepreneurs gets those questions too, not just job seekers.)

My answer was always the same:
I will be the next Hans Rosling (you know his guy) with focus on climate and sustainability.

An ambitious goal… or just a crazy expression?

You tell me.

The first milestone

In 2018, I became the climate consultant at Gapminder.

Gapminder is an independent foundation founded by Hans Rosling, Ola Rosling and Anna Rönnlund Rosling. Their mission is to illuminate global misconceptions and promote a more fact-based worldview.

I sent them a long email with zero expectations.
Ola got back to me. One thing led to another, and soon I was working with them as a climate consultant. According to Ola, over the years, I’ve taught him most of what he knows about climate change.

I still remember my first visit to their office.
My soul was smiling the entire time as I sat there, surrounded by books, awards, toys and props from their legendary lectures.

I sadly never got to meet Hans before his passing in 2017. But being able to continue his work of creating a more fact-based world view fills me with a great sense of gratitude.

The second huge milestone

Fast forward to spring of 2025, and the collaboration has taken on a new dimension.

I’m now giving presentations for Gapminder, focused on global misconceptions and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Yes, read that again.

I’m presenting for the very organisation Hans Rosling helped to build.
It’s surreal. My mind is blown, since I can see and feel the path I have been walking all these years.

More presentations are already planned for this autumn. If you would like to upgrade your worldview, keep your eyes open, or book me by sending an email to [email protected].

Why did I say that back then?

Why did I call myself “the next Hans Rosling” all those years ago?

Because I have always believed that everyone deserves to understand.
You shouldn’t need a PhD in astrophysics in order to experience the marvel of our world and the universe we are living in.

You should not be excluded from any discussion about life for not knowing the “fancy words“.

With that said, you should also, always remain humble of how much you don’t know, and this humility will make you more effective in your communication.

My impression is that Hans always focused more on getting the audience to understand, than to brag about how much he knew. That humility, in combination with his sense of humor always inspired me and many others around the globe.

I know that I will never be the next Hans, and that was never the point.
It was a clear direction and a simple image for others to grasp.
Honestly, I’m not sure I even knew what I was reaching for.

With that said… it is impossible to deny that all this is like a dream come true.

Never give up on your dream

Regardless of where you are, I want you do dream.
Regardless of how you feel in this moment, I want you to dream.
Regardless if you are running your own company or thinking about starting one,
I want you to dream!

Do I know how that sounds? Of course I do!

This is one of those things that when you hear it,
you shake your heads and say:
“Yeah, yeah… easy for you to say.” 

It is. Right now it is easier for me to say this.
But I’ve also been in places where I couldn’t hear this message, let alone believe it.

Still the dream moved with me.
Like a deep sea current, shaping the waves on the surface.

I want you to dream and I am not the only one.
A few days ago, I read something in another newsletter that captured it perfectly:

Having a dream adds colour to life.

Reaching it? Well, I won’t spoil the feeling for you.
Go and find it for yourself.

I believe in you.

If you want to get in touch with me
send med a DM on LinkedIn

And again, if you want to book me as a Gapminder Lecturer
send a request at [email protected]

Until next time!
Daniel - The Talking Bridge

Ps. Music Motivation: Getting started by Jason Mraz