Best Moonshots Learning From Innovators Podcasts (2025)

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The Quiet Power of the Empathetic Leader with Navy SEAL turned rowing coach Gordon Schmidt 1:10:02

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3d ago1:10:02

1:10:02

When morale problems affect a team, some leaders choose to make a big, rousing speech. But quite often, it’s the quiet leader who leads with empathy that sees a better emotional solution. Gordon Schmidt is a retired Navy SEAL with enough combat experience to understand that empathy is an operational advantage, not a weakness. After 20 years of mili…

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Get 'All In' with Billie Jean King and Unlock the Pioneer Within 46:30

3d ago46:30

46:30

In this enlightening episode of the Moonshots Podcast, hosts Mike and Mark delve into the world of legendary tennis player and trailblazer, Billie Jean King, as they dissect her inspiring book, "All In." The episode is packed with wisdom, motivation, and insights from the remarkable life of Billie Jean King, a true pioneer of her time. Buy The Book…

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Your Unhappy Brain Needs Some Assistance with happiness expert Mo Gawdat 1:32:39

9d ago1:32:39

1:32:39

Happiness is a choice. But it’s not always an easy choice to make. Mo Gawdat had to face an impossible choice. Before he was a bestselling author and podcast host, Mo worked a lucrative career as Chief Business Officer at Google X. He reached the heights of business influence and amassed a fortune by 29. And yet, he was miserable. It was only after…

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We All Get Cancelled One Day with Somebody Feed Phil’s Phil Rosenthal 1:08:17

17d ago1:08:17

1:08:17

🚨 Chomp Alert! 🚨 We saw your comments — loud and crunchy. Turns out not everyone wants front-row seats to mouth sounds. Who knew? Skip to 29:29 to dodge most of the chewing. We promise, after that it’s just a few graceful nibbles of Basque cheesecake. 🧀🍰😅 _____________________________________ We turned the studio into a restaurant for the day—becau…

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Phil Jackson NBA Coach and Eleven Rings 50:46

18d ago50:46

50:46

Join hosts Mike and Mark in this enlightening episode of the Moonshots Podcast as they delve into the world of legendary basketball coach Phil Jackson through his book "Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success." This episode offers a deep dive into Jackson's unique leadership style and journey in the NBA, featuring engaging audio clips and insightful disc…

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World Champion NBA Player & Coach: Steve Kerr 48:28

24d ago48:28

48:28

Join hosts Mike and Mark on a new enlightening episode of the Moonshots Podcast as they delve into the fascinating world of NBA legend Steve Kerr. This episode centers around the insightful biography "Steve Kerr: A Life" by Scott Howard-Cooper. This book captures the essence of Kerr's journey from a childhood influenced by academic pursuits in the …

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The Extraordinary Magic of Ordinary People with author Brad Meltzer 52:40

24d ago52:40

52:40

Magic moments do happen in real life. If you ask Brad Meltzer, magic happens when ordinary people choose to do the extraordinary. Brad is a prolific writer and bestselling author. He’s published over 70 books in nearly every genre you can think of—thriller novels, biographies, children’s books, film and television. He’s written comic books for icon…

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Nvidia CEO and Co-founder - Jensen Huang 50:09

28d ago50:09

50:09

Join hosts Mike and Mark for a riveting new episode of the Moonshots Podcast, where they delve into the extraordinary leadership journey of Jensen Huang, the visionary co-founder and CEO of NVIDIA. Discover how Huang's innovative thinking and resilience have propelled NVIDIA to the forefront of the technology industry, shaping the future of AI, hig…

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Is AI a New Form of Colonialism? | Empire of AI Author Karen Hao (Rebroadcast) 35:21

29d ago35:21

35:21

As AI models grow larger and more powerful, they promise incredible capabilities — but at what cost? Karen Hao is an AI journalist and her new book, Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI, is a New York Times bestseller. We discuss whether the largest AI models are worth their hefty footprint: They consume massive amounts of ele…

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This Is... A Bit of Optimism 1:14

1M ago1:14

1:14

My career is an accident. It started when I set out to rediscover my passion and reignite a spark I’d lost — and that journey led me to the work I do now.If you know me from my books or my speaking, you know I’m fascinated by why people do what they do. What makes someone find joy and meaning in their life, or pursue something far greater than them…

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Ask Yourself "What If?" with Milk Bar Founder Christina Tosi 47:44

1M ago47:44

47:44

What if this podcast turned into a baking show? For Christina Tosi’s third visit to A Bit of Optimism, we decided to find out. So we headed to Milk Bar to make compost cookies from things in my own pantry and my favorite beer bread from scratch! Christina’s not just my best friend—she’s the founder of Milk Bar, host of Bake Squad on Netflix, a cook…

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Revisited: Love Is Not Enough with couples therapist Shawn McBride 47:49

1M ago47:49

47:49

We're taking some time off to bring you even more episodes of A Bit of Optimism that you're going to love! In the meantime, we're revisiting some of our favorite episodes, like this one with couples counselor Shawn McBride. Relationships are hard. No matter how much we like, respect, or love someone, conflict seems inevitable. But even as we fight …

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Do It Today by Darius Foroux: Overcome Procrastination, Improve Productivity & Achieve More Meaningful Things 50:52

1M ago50:52

50:52

In this episode of the Moonshots Podcast, Mike and Mark unpack one of the most direct and actionable productivity books out there: Do It Today by Darius Foroux. Are you constantly planning but rarely executing? Distracted from your goals by a never-ending feed of notifications and interruptions? Then this episode is your wake-up call. Foroux doesn’…

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AI Voice Generation Is Crazy Good! Rapid Prototyping Audio Creative With Wondercraft Co-founder Oskar Serrander 21:54

1M ago21:54

21:54

AI-generated voices aren’t just realistic — they’re changing how brands, creators, and agencies bring ideas to life. In this episode, Wondercraft co-founder Oskar Serrander demonstrates how their “Canva for audio” is unlocking rapid prototyping for high-quality audio ads, content, and storytelling. You’ll learn: How Wondercraft enables you to go fr…

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ChatGPT deep dive: Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI 58:31

1M ago58:31

58:31

Given the Big news today about the partnership between Sam and Johnny Ive we thought we would share this recent episode. In this episode of the Moonshots Podcast, hosts Mike and Mark dive deep into the world of artificial intelligence, focusing on Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI. The discussion features insights from various interviews and talks, inc…

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Revisited: The Secret to Happiness with Harvard professor Robert Waldinger 45:30

1M ago45:30

45:30

We're taking some time off to bring you even more episodes of A Bit of Optimism that you're going to love! In the meantime, we're revisiting some of our favorite episodes, like this one with Harvard professor Robert Waldinger. We all want to live a happy life. But what does the research say about how to achieve it? For more than 86 years, researche…

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10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad. Austin Kleon - Keep Going. 47:23

2M ago47:23

47:23

Join hosts Mike and Mark on the Moonshots Podcast as they explore the transformative insights of Austin Kleon's book Keep Going. In this episode, they explore Kleon's wisdom on sustaining creativity through challenges and fostering consistent growth. INTRO Mike and Mark kick off the episode with a discussion on why Austin Kleon wrote "Keep Going," …

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Where Is Simon Going? with journalist Cal Fussman 50:18

2M ago50:18

50:18

Sometimes in life, we must stop and ask ourselves, “Where am I you going next?” Other times, it’s more fun to do a podcast takeover. No one has ever interviewed me quite like Cal Fussman. Cal has a gift – he pulls things out of you that you didn’t even know were there. A prolific Writer At Large for Esquire, Cal has interviewed legends like Muhamma…

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Building an AI-native Podcast App to Turn Listening Into Learning | Kevin Smith (Co-founder, Snipd) 24:51

2M ago24:51

24:51

Kevin Smith is building a totally new kind of podcast app. Snipd is an AI-native podcast app and building it required a few mindset shifts. First, what even is a podcast? The way Kevin sees it, podcasts are knowledge. So where most podcast players are, as Kevin calls them, "repurposed music players", Snipd is designed to help you learn. As people l…

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The Cure for Nihilism with professor Suzy Welch 34:37

2M ago34:37

34:37

Sometimes in life, we choose the wrong path. When we feel like we're living a lie, it's hard to know what to do next. That’s where Suzy Welch comes in. She’s obsessed with helping people create lives worth living. A professor at NYU’s Stern School of Business, Suzy teaches a popular class called “Becoming You,” where she takes students down a bruta…

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Show Your Work!: 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered by Austin Kleon 45:52

2M ago45:52

45:52

In this exciting new episode of the Moonshots Podcast, Mike and Mark explore Austin Kleon’s influential book “Show Your Work!” They also discuss how to embrace and share one's creativity with the world. Links: • Buy The Book on Amazon • Become a Moonshot Member on Patreon • Watch this episode on YouTube This episode features insightful clips that h…

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(PART 2) The Climb Out of Pain is Taller Than Everest with National Geographic photographer Cory Richards 39:47

2M ago39:47

39:47

*Please note: At 9:01, Simon and Cory have a discussion about suicide. What happens after we attain success and glory? Where do you go when there's nowhere left to run from yourself? In Part 2 of my conversation with Cory Richards, Cory explains why reaching the summit of Everest marked the beginning of a long, painful fall from grace. After his tu…

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Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative 48:06

2M ago48:06

48:06

Join hosts Mike and Mark on the latest episode of the Moonshots Podcast as they delve into the insightful book “Steal Like an Artist” by Austin Kleon. In this episode, they uncover ten key insights about creativity that nobody told you about. Buy The Book on Amazon https://geni.us/iTKi Get the summary https://www.apolloadvisor.com/summary-steal-lik…

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Inspiring the Next Generation to Build Great Money Habits (Whatever Those Are) | Tim Hong (CPO of MoneyLion) 30:59

2M ago30:59

30:59

What is a good money habit in 2025? And how do you actually help someone build one—without boring them, shaming them, or losing them in the first five seconds? Chief Product Officer Tim Hong shares how MoneyLion designs for emotion and creates content and products that inspire people to take action. MoneyLion is a personal finance platform used by …

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(PART 1) The Climb Out of Pain is Taller Than Everest with National Geographic photographer Cory Richards 47:27

2M ago47:27

47:27

What happens when we reach the top? There’s only one place to go. Cory Richards has scaled the world’s highest peaks and fallen to life’s lowest lows. An acclaimed mountain climber, photographer, and filmmaker, Cory has literally reached the top of the world. He climbed Mount Everest with no supplemental oxygen, became the first American to summit …

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Let Them by Mel Robbins. Break free from fear and self-doubt. 56:22

2M ago56:22

56:22

What if peace of mind could be found in just two words? In this eye-opening episode of the Moonshots Podcast, hosts Mike and Mark explore Mel Robbins's viral wisdom and groundbreaking mindset shift: the Let Them theory. Built on the idea that true growth comes from letting go, this episode is packed with stories, strategies, and Stoic inspiration t…

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3 years in a row! The Webby Awards say we're a top tech podcast! Here are some show highlights... 10:46

3M ago10:46

10:46

Fun news! The Webby Awards have honored CRAFTED. for the third year in a row as a top tech podcast. Thank you — yes, you! — for listening! This episode features the highlight reel we gave the Webbys. It features great moments from 2024 episodes, including (listed in the order mentioned): Powering the World’s Hackathons | Brandon Kessler (Founder & …

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Live from SXSW - How to Leverage Digital Tools to Become an Empowered Patient 59:25

3M ago59:25

59:25

Over the last five years, the healthcare industry has witnessed an explosive surge in digital health services, revolutionizing the way we access medical care. Patients today are taking charge of their health journey by using different digital tools to stay on top of their preventative screenings, implement dietary and lifestyle changes, access ment…

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Live from SXSW - Outdoing Cancer Is A Team Sport 58:18

3M ago58:18

58:18

While cancer deaths in the United States have declined in recent years, some populations are being left behind—facing complicated challenges to accessing the care they need. Intervening at the earliest stages of disease onset is critical to cancer treatment success and to reducing the risk of recurrence. So how do we create a world where all people…

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Live from SXSW - The Future of Scientific Communications Through Podcasting 56:01

3M ago56:01

56:01

Podcasting has become essential for communicating breakthroughs in science, offering an accessible and engaging platform to reach diverse audiences. This evolving medium fosters deeper connections by delivering trusted information in accessible and compelling ways. In this conversation, audio makers from Pfizer, Acast, and TED, discuss what it take…

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Find Your Allies Fast with philanthropist Melinda French Gates 38:35

3M ago38:35

38:35

Change happens to all of us whether we choose it or not. What’s the best way to go through transition, especially when it’s something we didn’t want? Melinda French Gates has seen her fair share of big transitions. A philanthropist, author, and champion for female empowerment, she spent decades building the Gates Foundation into one of the mighties…

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Tal Ben-Shahar: Happier - Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment 58:36

3M ago58:36

58:36

Tal Ben-Shahar is a prominent figure in positive psychology and well-being. His book "The Science of Happiness" explores various transformative themes that can contribute to a happier and more fulfilling life. Buy The Book on Amazon https://geni.us/Happier Get the summary via Blinkist https://blinkist.o6eiov.net/x9Knvy Become a Moonshot Member http…

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We're Still in AI's “Fart App” Era… And Other Deep Thoughts from SXSW, With Rob Kenedi 16:36

3M ago16:36

16:36

On a rooftop at SXSW, fellow startup advisor and podcaster Rob Kenedi joins me as we discuss why: AI models are becoming commodities… AI companies need to differentiate at the application layer, with brand, and by earning trust… B2B creators are all the rage Podcasts are so intimate and how video changes things We’re in the “fart app” era of AI… En…

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Who Are You, Really? with journalist Maria Shriver 41:41

3M ago41:41

41:41

We often define ourselves by what we do or who we are to other people. But at our core, who we are is often something much deeper, and sometimes wildly different, from the version that the world sees -- or projects onto you. Maria Shriver was born into the legendary Kennedy and Shriver families, arriving with a script already written for her—an ide…

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Neil Pasricha: The Happiness Equation 58:31

3M ago58:31

58:31

In this inspiring and practical episode, hosts Mike and Mark explore The Happiness Equation by Neil Pasricha—a powerful guidebook for living a life full of joy, meaning, and intention. Neil starts with profoundly reflecting on the moment that inspired him to write the book, as shared on BT Network. From there, we unpack the book's central ideas thr…

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Why the "Mary Poppins of Computing" Says We Must Change the Way We Teach Tech | Linda Liukas (Author of "Hello Ruby") 29:24

3M ago29:24

29:24

Linda Liukas is a programmer, children’s book author, and the creator of Hello Ruby, a whimsical series that teaches computing concepts through stories and play. She’s also the force behind a one-of-a-kind playground in Helsinki—designed to teach kids how computers work without them ever touching a screen. In this episode, Linda shares why, especia…

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The Search for Self-Love with podcaster Lewis Howes 51:15

3M ago51:15

51:15

Self-love is never as easy as we think. Is it possible to fall in love with ourselves the way we fall for other people? Lewis Howes knows that learning to like yourself, let alone love yourself, can take decades. After surviving a traumatic childhood, Lewis spent years working on himself to try and understand what it takes for human beings to achie…

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High Fives and Happiness: Your Path to Self-Validation with Mel Robbins. 57:32

3M ago57:32

57:32

Introducing "The High 5 Habit" by Mel Robbins. Embrace a life of celebration, self-acceptance, and unstoppable optimism with "The High 5 Habit." It's not just a gesture; it's a powerful journey of self-validation and transformation that starts with YOU. Imagine a world where you cheer for yourself and see and appreciate your worth every day. Becaus…

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Quantum & Coffee: SXSW 2025 Impressions, With Kwaku Aning 15:32

3M ago15:32

15:32

Educator, innovator, super-connector, and conference champion Kwaku Aning and I have coffee and discuss a few things that struck us at SXSW, including: Why we’re in a “pre-mainframe” moment in quantum computing — and why you should prepare for what comes next Bioengineering: are we headed for a Westworld-style mix of human musculature and AI? Robot…

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Revisited: Why Awkward Is Awesome with psychologist Ty Tashiro 31:51

3M ago31:51

31:51

A Bit of Optimism is on hiatus this week, so we’re revisiting one of our favorite conversations! In this episode, Simon talks with psychologist Ty Tashiro about social awkwardness and why being awkward can actually be a superpower. ***** Awkwardness gets a bad rap. But being awkward is often an indicator that someone has extraordinary. Psychologist…

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Breaking Free: Conquer Complacency with Mel Robbins 57:32

3M ago57:32

57:32

"Stop Saying You're Fine" is a self-help book by Mel Robbins, published in 2011. The book empowers readers to take action and make positive life changes. Buy The Book on Amazon https://geni.us/ZjbI Get the summary via Blinkist https://blinkist.o6eiov.net/q4y4rL Become a Moonshot Member https://www.patreon.com/Moonshots Watch this episode on YouTube…

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How Google Built a Moonshot Factory — And How You Can, Too | Astro Teller (Captain of Moonshots at X, The Moonshot Factory) 30:27

4M ago30:27

30:27

How do you build a system for turning wild ideas into world-changing innovations? Astro Teller, Captain of Moonshots at X, The Moonshot Factory, has spent over 15 years leading Google’s audacious innovation lab—the birthplace of Waymo, Google Brain, and other breakthrough projects. In this special episode, recorded live in Austin at SXSW, Astro sha…

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Does Gender Change How We Lead? with Retired Colonel DeDe Halfhill 40:39

4M ago40:39

40:39

Is there such a thing as female leadership? Or is gender not a factor? DeDe Halfhill would say yes and no. A retired Air Force colonel, Dede spent 20 years in the military, where she advised some of the military’s most powerful leaders during the War in Iraq. She was often the only woman in the room for weeks on end. And while DeDe found the princi…

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Chris Guillebeau – The $100 Startup. Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future. 41:58

4M ago41:58

41:58

In this episode of the Moonshots Podcast, hosts Mike Parsons and Mark Pearson Freeland explore the inspiring and practical lessons from Chris Guillebeau’s bestselling book, The $100 Startup. Chris is a renowned entrepreneur, traveler, and author who has built a life around creative self-employment and financial freedom. His book is a blueprint for …

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The Myth of the Perfect Meditator with podcaster Jay Shetty 50:25

4M ago50:25

50:25

We turn to ancient philosophies to help us cope with the stress of modern life. But what if ancient wisdom could use some help from the modern world? Jay Shetty has made it his life’s work to make wisdom, peace, and purpose available to everyone. After living as a monk for 3 years, he left his monastic lifestyle with the hope of spreading what he l…

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Shawn Achor: The Happiness Advantage 58:08

4M ago58:08

58:08

Can happiness be the key to success? In this episode of the Moonshots Podcast, Mike and Mark explore Shawn Achor’s The Happiness Advantage. This groundbreaking book reveals how cultivating happiness first leads to tremendous work, life, and leadership success. Drawing from Achor’s extensive research in positive psychology, this episode unpacks the …

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Big Drones, Big Dreams: Elroy Air’s Quest to Revolutionize Air Delivery (David Merrill, Co-founder) 24:17

4M ago24:17

24:17

What if we could deliver supplies anywhere, no roads or runways needed? Elroy Air has built a really big drone. One that can carry 300 pounds of stuff 300 miles or more. And it takes off like a helicopter, but flies like a plane, meaning it can get in and out of all sorts of hard to reach places. In this episode, we sit down with David Merrill, co-…

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Dalai Lama: The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living 58:28

4M ago58:28

58:28

In this episode of the Moonshots Podcast, Mike and Mark explore the wisdom of the Dalai Lama and his book The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living. This book, co-authored with psychiatrist Howard Cutler, presents a compelling blend of Buddhist philosophy and modern psychology, offering practical strategies for cultivating lasting happiness. The …

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Part 4 – New Frontiers in AI & Drug Discovery 24:25

4M ago24:25

24:25

So far in this season, we’ve explored how innovations throughout history have brought us to where we are now. We talked about how drug discovery changed from a serendipity-based to data-based endeavor. Then, we explored the powerful hardware and smart software required to accommodate big data. Now, the door to the future of AI in drug discovery is …

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When Your 'Flaw' Becomes Your Edge with Comedian Hasan Minhaj 44:43

4M ago44:43

44:43

To recognize your own talent takes time and self-awareness. But to find the courage to pursue it? That often requires a spark of inspiration from someone else. For Hasan Minhaj, that spark came from an unexpected trio—a teacher, a roommate, and Napster. A former correspondent on The Daily Show, Hasan’s natural gift of gab allowed him to build a wid…