Best Andrew Maynard Podcasts (2025)

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Agentic AI in Education & the Art of Becoming with Punya Mishra 1:15:23

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2d ago1:15:23

1:15:23

Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard welcome ASU’s Punya Mishra back to unpack what “agentic AI” could—and shouldn’t—mean in education. After a nostalgic cold open on AOL’s September 30, 2025 dial‑up shutdown and why the show’s intro samples the 56K handshake, they question recent AI “study” and “agent” releases and the industry’s habit of mistaking promp…

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Midlife Reset: How to Let Go and Begin Again, with Erik ten Have 44:06

5d ago44:06

44:06

What happens when the life you’ve built no longer feels like the life you’re meant to live? At 54, Erik walked away from a long marriage, left the country he’d called home for 25 years, rebuilt in Spain, survived a stroke, and is now creating a new business in AI. His story isn’t one of reckless reinvention, but of deliberate choices, awareness, an…

1
AI, Not AI: Riding the Hype Cycle 56:46

9d ago56:46

56:46

Summer-mode serendipity turns into a sharp tour of today’s tech hype and what actually matters. Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard open with the rapid-fire AI news cycle—GPT-5 rumors, Claude 4.1, and OpenAI’s new open‑weight releases (120B/20B under Apache 2.0 license)—and why running local models (think Whisper on M‑series Macs, or other local models) …

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Show Me the Receipts: the Futures of AI Super-intelligence 1:12:27

16d ago1:12:27

1:12:27

In this wide‑ranging summer episode, Sean and Andrew begin with the strange calm of an almost‑empty university campus and ponder how AI‑assisted “digital twins” could let us re‑imagine academic spaces once the students return. A quick shout‑out to Modem Futura’s growing global audience segues into a critical look at the latest AI headlines—especial…

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The Human Touch: Navigating AI in Finance and Beyond 25:02

17d ago25:02

25:02

In this episode, May Lam, Chief Information Officer at Australian Payments Plus, shares her incredible journey from a software engineer tackling Y2K bugs to a leading voice in payments and AI. Drawing on her extensive experience across banking, FinTech, and the public sector, May unpacks the transformative power of AI in the financial industry. She…

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Living Machines: Inside the Future World of Bio‑Hybrid Robotics 1:13:51

23d ago1:13:51

1:13:51

What happens when living organisms become components of our machines—and our machines become partly alive? In fact – how do we tell when or if something is ALIVE? In this episode, hosts Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard sit down with guest Sean Dudley (Associate Vice President, ASU Knowledge Enterprise) to unpack the rapidly emerging field of bio‑hybri…

1
Why Humility is a Superpower for Midlife Men, with Simon Moss 36:41

27d ago36:41

36:41

What if the root of many problems faced by middle-aged men - burnout, broken relationships, anxiety, aggression - stemmed from something hiding in plain sight: entitlement and narcissism? In this fascinating conversation, psychologist and Dean of the University of Wollengong in Australia, Simon Moss explains why our culture's emphasis on status, do…

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Futures of Agentic AI and the 2025 AI Action Plan 1:25:04

1M ago1:25:04

1:25:04

In this episode, Sean  and Andrew dissect the newly released U.S. 2025 AI Action Plan, exploring its three pillars—accelerating innovation, building U.S. AI infrastructure, and leading global AI diplomacy. They probe the plan’s “build‑baby‑build” ethos, the push for deregulation, massive energy demands, and semiconductor incentives, and the geopoli…

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My Midlife Reset: Four Hours That Changed Everything with Tik Maynard 42:18

1M ago42:18

42:18

Tik Maynard is an internationally respected horseman, author, and dad who hit midlife before realising that life is less about striving and external validation and more about understanding who you truly are and how to live from that place with honesty and purpose. Through his journey training wild horses for a high-stakes competition, Tik uncovered…

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Summer School with AI: Rethinking Learning in the Age of GPT 1:23:29

1M ago1:23:29

1:23:29

In this “summer session” of Modem Futura, Sean is joined by the newly minted Dr. Rachna Mathur—artist, engineer, dancer, and Senior STEM Strategist at ASU Preparatory Academy—for a candid, big‑picture conversation about what emerging AI means for schools, work and humanity. Recording from a toasty Arizona studio, the pair trace Mathur’s path from s…

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Summer Movies, liquid media, and alien AI languages 56:57

1M ago56:57

56:57

Episode 40 of Modem Futura is a true summer grab‑bag. Sean and Andrew kick things off a conversation that ricochets from popcorn flicks to philosophical deep dives. First up is a spoiler‑free reaction to the new Superman film—praised for its Dolby Atmos spectacle and nostalgic cameos—followed by Andrew’s unexpected enthusiasm for Megan 2, a techno‑…

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"I'm not Done Yet": Reinventing Life After 50, with Andrew Middleton 38:14

2M ago38:14

38:14

What happens when the big job ends and no one’s lining up to offer another? For Andrew Middleton, that moment sparked an identity crisis, financial panic, and ultimately, a radical reinvention. In this honest and hopeful episode, Andrew shares how it felt to be “airlifted out of relevance” in his 50s, facing ageism, self-doubt, and the loss of stru…

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Summer Vibes & Spatial Rides: Inside Vision Pro, F1 & Jurassic Reboots 54:41

2M ago54:41

54:41

In this laid‑back summer installment, Sean and Andrew sweat it out in the studio to deliver a free‑flowing “potpourri” of future‑focused topics. They compare practical effects vs. CGI through the lens of the original Jurassic Park and the new Jurassic World: Rebirth; share hands‑on insights from months of experimenting with the Apple Vision Pro, sp…

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On the surface, I had everything; inside I was unravelling, with Mike Flynn 32:38

2M ago32:38

32:38

In this powerful and quietly revealing episode, Mike Flynn talks about a mid-life experience that will sound painfully familiar to many men: ticking all the boxes, doing everything “right”, yet feeling completely disconnected inside. Mike describes how success masked an emotional emptiness he didn’t fully understand until it almost broke him. He sp…

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Future Vibes: Sean & Andrew’s 2025 Summer Reading List 54:49

2M ago54:49

54:49

In this laid-back “summer reading list” edition of Modem Futura, Sean and Andrew swap stacks and playlists to prove that great ideas don’t always hide in weighty nonfiction tomes. After comparing the pleasures (and pitfalls) of audiobooks, narrator chemistry, and the lost art of radio drama, they dive into a dozen page-turners that feed futurist im…

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World Economic Forum Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2025 1:31:49

2M ago1:31:49

1:31:49

In this episode of Modem Futura, Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard cover the World Economic Forum’s newly-released “Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2025” report, unpacking what makes each breakthrough matter and how foresight professionals can turn hype into actionable insight. After a quick update on recording in Apple’s Spatial Video, the hosts explo…

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Survival Isn’t Living: Learning to Breathe, with Kenny Mammarella-D-Cruz 45:33

2M ago45:33

45:33

In this extraordinary episode, Kenny Mammarella-D’Cruz - known as The Man Whisperer - opens up about a life that began in chaos and fear: fleeing Idi Amin’s Uganda, growing up in a refugee camp, and becoming the emotional crutch for his family at just seven years old. He shares how these early traumas buried his identity and left him riddled with c…

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It’s Not Over: Finding Strength in Your 40s, 50s & 60s, with Waldemar Franco 42:08

2M ago42:08

42:08

What happens when the body that carried you through life starts to break? For Waldemar, an architect and explorer from Mexico City, who built his identity around physical endurance, the answer wasn’t to stop moving but to start moving differently. In this powerful conversation, Waldemar shares how knee surgeries shattered not just his meniscus, but…

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Osaka Expo 2025 Futures Lab: an inside look with Jamey Wetmore 1:06:24

2M ago1:06:24

1:06:24

Fresh off a 10-day immersion at Osaka’s 2025 World Expo, returning guest Dr. Jamey Wetmore joins Sean and Andrew to unpack the spectacle, surprises, and sociotechnical undercurrents he witnessed alongside 17 ASU students. Jamey explains why today’s expos feel less like gadget bazaars and more like “collaboration theme-parks,” spotlighting national …

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Special: Live from the Databricks Data and AI Summit 2025 from San Francisco 37:56

2M ago37:56

37:56

Highlights from Databricks Data and AI Summit 2025 In this special episode of the AI Australia podcast, Kathryn Collier and Emma Bromet report live from the Databricks Data and AI Summit 2025 in San Francisco. The summit which attracts 22,000 attendees to the city and 65,000 in total making it one of the largest Data and AI conferences globally. Th…

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Murderbot: Futures of AI Superintelligence, Rogue Robots, and Care 58:23

3M ago58:23

58:23

Hosts Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard kick off this episode with a behind-the-scenes reveal: they’re now capturing each conversation in Apple’s easy-to-edit spatial video—and debating what immersive podcasting might become. From there the discussion rockets into the cultural obsession with AI super-intelligence and “rogue” robots, sparked by Apple TV…

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Having It All and Still Asking: Is This It? with Josh Fineman 44:34

3M ago44:34

44:34

In this episode, we're joined by Josh Fineman. Josh had the career, the young family, the success but behind it all was exhaustion, self-doubt, and a relentless voice asking, “Is this it?” In this honest and revealing conversation, Josh shares how growing up as the ‘good boy’ in a high-achieving North London household shaped his adult identity. He …

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Living Circuits and Biofoundries: Ethics and Care of Synthetic Biology with Emma Frow 1:12:29

3M ago1:12:29

1:12:29

What does it really take to engineer life—and should we? In this wide-ranging conversation, Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard sit down with ASU colleague Dr. Emma Frow to unpack the promise and perils of synthetic biology. Emma traces the field’s origins—from the early “DNA-as-code” dream of rational genetic design to today’s reality of brute-force exp…

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Feeding Others, While Falling Apart, with Adam Smith 53:33

3M ago53:33

53:33

Trigger warning: This episode includes honest discussions about suicide attempts, mental illness, domestic violence, and trauma. Adam Smith’s story is unlike anything you’ve heard - and exactly what so many men need to hear. Sectioned at 11. In prison by 21. Found unresponsive in a car after trying to end his life. This could’ve been the end - but …

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How AI is Reshaping Customer Expectations & Driving Business Value with Sandy Iyer 28:54

3M ago28:54

28:54

How AI is Reshaping Customer Expectations & Driving Business Value with Sandy Iyer (General Manager, Data Science at Sportsbet) Join your hosts Emma Bromet and Kathryn Collier as they chat with Sandy Iyer, a leading data and analytics executive, currently General Manager of Data Science at Sportsbet. With a career spanning energy retail, financial …

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Futures of Learning: AI in Education with Punya Mishra 1:25:32

3M ago1:25:32

1:25:32

In this lively round-table, hosts Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard sit down with renowned educational-technology scholar Dr. Punya Mishra to untangle the hype and hope around AI in education. Together they probe why “personalized learning” promises often miss the messy, human heart of learning; explore Sean and Punya’s shared devotion to John Dewey's …

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Symbiotic Futures: Megatrends, foresight, and Futures Thinking 59:16

3M ago59:16

59:16

Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard reunite after Sean’s trip to Lisbon’s Future Days conference to riff on everything from testing an Apple Vision Pro on an 11‑hour flight to the Iberian‑Peninsula blackout that plunged Portugal and Spain into darkness. They use those real‑world anecdotes to explore “symbiotic futures,” the fragility of complex socio‑tec…

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Stand Up to Anorexia Because Comedy Can Save Lives, with Dave Chawner 40:32

3M ago40:32

40:32

Trigger warning: includes frank discussion of eating disorders, body image, and mental health. How do you find laughter in something that nearly kills you? In this episode, comedian and mental health advocate Dave Chawner takes us on a bold, brutally honest - and often hilarious - journey through his experience of living with anorexia. But this isn…

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Severed Minds: Brain Implants, AI, and the Future of Being Human 1:10:49

4M ago1:10:49

1:10:49

In this episode of Modem Futura, Sean L and Andrew M examine Apple TV+’s hit series Severance, using its mind-bending premise of surgically split consciousness to explore real-world questions around emerging science and technology, identity, and ethical responsibility. They unpack the show’s depiction of “innies” and “outies” as a metaphor for how …

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AI on Campus: How Gen Z Is Redefining College with ChatGPT 1:04:56

4M ago1:04:56

1:04:56

In this “student-takeover” episode, hosts Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard sit down with Arizona State University sophomores Caleb Lieberman and Bella Faria to explore what it’s really like to be “AI-native” undergraduates. The conversation ranges from their day-to-day use of tools like ChatGPT Plus (Caleb’s personalized “Arthur Ivan”), Spotify’s DJ, …

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Can I Just Go Back to Bed Forever? - Living with Depressive Illness, with Mark Lawry 46:21

4M ago46:21

46:21

In this episode, we’re joined by Mark Lawry, a former lawyer and long-time stay-at-home dad, who offers a frank and considered account of what it’s like to live with depressive illness across much of adult life. Mark brings a calm, articulate perspective to a subject often misrepresented or oversimplified. He speaks plainly about how symptoms first…

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Dire Wolves and Dinosaurs: The Bioscience of De-Extinction 1:01:21

4M ago1:01:21

1:01:21

In this deep dive of Modem Futura, Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard tackle the sensational claims surrounding the "de-extinction" of the dire wolf by Colossal Biosciences. Using the hype-heavy headlines as a jumping-off point, the hosts explore the real science behind resurrection biology, CRISPR gene editing, and the ethics of engineered evolution. F…

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Demystifying Therapy: Everything You Wanted to Know But Were Too Afraid to Ask, with Matt Hussey 49:48

4M ago49:48

49:48

In this powerful and compassionate conversation, we explore what really happens when life knocks down every support structure you thought you could rely on. We talk to Matt, a qualified therapist and podcaster about his own lived experience of emotional collapse in his twenties, the slow journey into therapy, and how healing unfolds - not through i…

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Beyond the Hero’s Journey: AI, Protopia & the Future of Film with Taryn O'Neill 1:23:53

4M ago1:23:53

1:23:53

In this lively, idea‑packed episode of Modem Futura, Sean and Andrew sit down with Taryn O’Neill—filmmaker, futurist, and impact storyteller—whose work bridges entertainment, emerging technology, and climate action. They trace the (nostalgic) arc from DVD‑by‑mail and the early YouTube web‑series boom to today’s streaming ecosystem, unpacking how re…

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Laughter as a Lifeline: Using Comedy to Craic the Silence on Men’s Mental Health, with John Ryan 36:22

4M ago36:22

36:22

In this episode, we meet the incomparable John Ryan, award-winning comedian, social commentator, and all-around force for good. With a sharp tongue and a massive heart, John has made it his mission to reach people on the topic of mental health where they least expect it: through laughter. We explore how John’s stand-up shows have turned into standi…

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Electronic Vehicles and the Future of Transportation with Jamey Wetmore 1:14:16

5M ago1:14:16

1:14:16

In this episode of Modem Futura, co-hosts Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard sit down with special guest Dr. Jamey Wetmore, Associate Professor at Arizona State University and author of the Substack The Tech Skeptic Goes Electric. They explore the intricacies of owning an electric vehicle, including the joys of quick acceleration, the challenges of char…

1
A Raw Conversation About Suicide and Survival, with Chris Frederick 48:36

5M ago48:36

48:36

This episode of Mid-Life Men includes open and honest discussions about mental health challenges, including suicide. Some listeners may find this content distressing. In this frank and powerful episode, we hear from a man who has walked through unimaginable darkness and emerged not just surviving, but speaking with purpose and compassion. Through h…

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Vibecasting: Studio Ghibli and AI Redefining Creativity and Intellectual Property 1:12:49

5M ago1:12:49

1:12:49

In this episode, Sean and Andrew navigate the complex landscape of generative AI image tools, using the new OpenAI image generator and its Studio Ghibli–style outputs as a springboard for broader ethical questions. They discuss the rapid evolution of AI capabilities, and the complicated relationship between intellectual property and emerging AI too…

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Authentic Masculinity: Rediscovering Who You Were Meant to Be, with Rick Belden 45:48

5M ago45:48

45:48

What happens when a man spends decades surviving, but never truly living? In this powerful and deeply personal episode, poet, coach, and men's trauma specialist Rick Belden joins us to explore how childhood wounds - especially those inflicted by emotionally absent or unsafe parents - can shape and limit a man's entire adult life. Rick shares his jo…

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When AI Takes the Wheel: Rethinking Education for a Post-Scarcity World 1:02:23

5M ago1:02:23

1:02:23

In this episode that features the shortest cold open to date, Sean face-plants the introduction hard with a good laugh. Sean and Andrew quickly shift into a deep dive on the state of AI-innovation by navigating the complexities of AI literacy, cultural responsiveness, and educational reform. Drawing on the launch of OpenAI Academy and insights from…

1
How to Stop Poisoning Your Mind and Body, with Christian Elliot 40:04

5M ago40:04

40:04

Have you ever wondered why you feel physically unwell when you're emotionally stressed, or why even small lifestyle changes can dramatically impact your mental and physical health? In this episode, we dive into the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit with Christian Elliot, holistic mind and body health expert. We explore how unresolved emo…

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Tech Trends 2025: Exploring Futures of Living Intelligence 1:09:44

5M ago1:09:44

1:09:44

Grab your flip flops and beach gear and join is us on this laid-back spring break episode, Sean and Andrew cover Apple’s latest hardware announcements, spotlighting the MacBook Air’s new M4 processor and the powerhouse M3 Ultra chip in the Mac Studio—both of which promise to accelerate AI workloads and offer impressive longevity. Andrew does his be…

1
AI and the Natural Impulses for Learning 59:25

5M ago59:25

59:25

In this episode, Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard explore the impact of technology on everyday life and education. They discuss the rising costs and exaggerated hype surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) subscription services, and reflect thoughtfully on the potential consequences of overpromising on AI capabilities, emphasizing the need to strike …

1
How the 12 Steps Can Change Any Life, with Ian Morgan Cron 40:44

5M ago40:44

40:44

In this episode, my guest is Ian Morgan Cron, bestselling author, psychotherapist, and Enneagram expert. Most people hear “12 Steps” and think of Alcoholics Anonymous. But what if we told you this programme isn’t just for people struggling with alcohol or drugs? What if it could help anyone - including you - break free from unhealthy patterns, dest…

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AI and Technological Change: the Postman Always Delivers 1:07:58

6M ago1:07:58

1:07:58

In this insightful episode, Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard frame ways of thinking and processing the increased speed of technological change, examining the complexities of AI (and other emergent technologies) and its profound implications for society. Drawing historical parallels and reflecting on cultural narratives, the hosts discuss technology's …

1
Losing a Father to Suicide and Learning to Live, with Will Castle 42:44

6M ago42:44

42:44

In this deeply personal episode, Will Castle shares his experience of losing his father to suicide and the years of silence that followed. He reflects on the complexities of his childhood, his father’s struggles, and the moment everything changed. Will speaks openly about the grief, isolation, and self-destructive behaviour he experienced in the af…

1
Computational Photography: AI & Creative Process 1:13:03

6M ago1:13:03

1:13:03

In this episode, Sean and Andrew dig into the intersection of photography and technology, focusing on the evolution of cameras, the impact of smartphones, and the rise of computational photography. The hosts discuss how AI is transforming the creative process and the implications for human expression in photography. In this conversation, the hosts …

1
Even Olympians Struggle with Mental Health, with Jack Green OLY 41:45

6M ago41:45

41:45

In this compelling episode, two-time Olympian Jack Green shares his raw and deeply personal journey through elite sport, mental health struggles, and the pursuit of fulfilment beyond medals. At the peak of his career, Jack was competing on the world’s biggest stage, yet behind the scenes, he was battling depression, anxiety, and bipolar tendencies.…

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The Art of Doing Nothing 1:01:09

6M ago1:01:09

1:01:09

In this episode Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard discuss AI fatigue, the philosophical implications of technology, and the storytelling behind technological progress as they ponder the quote from Oscar Wilde does 'life imitate art, or does art imitate life'? Their conversation covers the allure and nostalgia of new technologies, the way technology bui…

1
How to Release Your Emotional Baggage, with Cedric Bertelli 37:14

6M ago37:14

37:14

In this episode, I'm joined by Cedric Bertelli as we dive deep into the hidden mechanics of emotional pain, trauma, and healing. Our guest shares his insights from years of research on how the brain forms destructive emotional patterns - like anxiety, fear, and self-doubt - and, more importantly, how we can break free from them. Why do we numb our …