Grey Matter Title Image: Recent Episodes
Michael Krasny
Award winning broadcaster, author, and professor Michael Krasny shares in-depth interviews with leading newsmakers, scholars, authors and intellectuals.
"Competition between the Morally Unfit and the Mentally Unfit." That was Bret Stephens' take on the U.S. presidential race. We spoke of the race and of immigration, including what Stephens described as "legitimate criticism" of the Biden administration as well as Stephens' own family history and realizing the American dream. He also spoke of the need for control of U.S. borders and a wall and the need to bring people in in a regularized way to apply for visas in a way that does not overwhelm. "We need immigrants," Stephens said and from there we went to reproductive rights which Stephens believes won't have the impact it did in the last election. Our conversation went on to Jews and Zionism and Anti-Zionism as the new Anti-Semitism and parallels of the present to the Second World War and Stephens' views that "Ukraine will change the nature of warfare" and Europe's turn to the Right and the present as "a Dreyfus and Herzl moment." Social media, Stephens said, should be called Anti-Social Media because it allows fanatics to find one another. He made his position clear in condemning students who support Hamas and made clear, too, that he blames the professors even more as well as outside money supporting encampments. Stephens then addressed how democracy allowed technologies to be born and take root in the U.S. Who, he asked, would buy Russian and he stated, "China will never overtake the United States" and he said the biggest threat from China is their decline. We went back to discussing immigration and the need for assimilatory capacity and the presidential race and the need there for a system that produces better candidates. We concluded comparing Mozart and Beethoven and The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
Journalist, entrepreneur and best-selling author Steven Brill joined us to map out why opinions, disinformation and conspiracy theories have become the global death knell for truth. We spoke of why so many people no longer trust facts and Brill's own personal experience with a Russian disinformation operative. He discussed his for-profit business NewsGuard and his vested interest in exposing disinformation. We focused on false narratives from both the Right and the Left and on a young man, an Ohio State graduate, who went down the rabbit hole of the Internet and wound-up part of the violence in D.C. on January 6th. The lack of trust in the health care system and the belief in pedophilia conspiracy theories were highlighted and linked to a need for order. Brill was asked about Court TV, which was his original project, and he spoke of his regret that the trial of former President Trump was not televised. He also spoke of the inevitable worsening of our present circumstances as generative Artificial Intelligence moves forward and he provided a picture of the overall deleterious effects of programmatic advertising. We then moved on to necessary solutions with discussion of Section 230, FTC enforcement and lawsuits based on terms of service, as well as K thru 12 computer literacy education. A timely, highly engaging and illuminating dialogue!
Silicon Valley acclaimed entrepreneur and author Andrew Keen of Keen on and Keen on Substack joined us. We heard his views on the Internet and big tech companies and how new agency and a middle ground are needed rather than regulation or new technology. Andrew discussed the future of work as well as failures of Facebook despite its economic successes; the damage potential of AI; failures of the digital revolution and Israel as a U.S. junior partner. He additionally touched on privacy and surveillance; Google's "Do no Evil" and Google as the first AI company and AI's running the narrative of the 21rst century. We concluded with Andrew defending against shutting down Tik Tok. However, the episode took place the day after former U.S. President Donald Trump was found guilty on thirty-four felony counts and so we began by getting Andrew's reactions and analysis on all of that. Andrew opined that "the extraordinary is ordinary in politics in America" and spoke of January 6th as being more theatre than existential crisis and the Nineties as being more violent and more disturbing. He also spoke of every day seeming to be a crisis in America and his sympathy for protesting students.
Director of The Bezos Family Foundation and author of Mind in the Making, The Six Stages of Parenthood and The Breakthrough Years, Ellen Galinsky joined us for a deep dive interview starting with the role of neuroscience in understanding the teen brain and then branching out to questions related to teen risky behavior, self-control, decision making and autonomy. We talked about the student protestors who she viewed as taking positive risks and went on to helicopter parenting; kids as pals of their parents; birth order; temperaments and the two areas in which she holds some of her strongest convictions -- executive function skills and engagement. A veritable potpourri of important and interrelated topics, including the good and the bad in social media; social efficacy; home schooling; creative and critical thinking and kids who change gender.
Journalist, blogger, columnist, podcaster, and technology writer Mike Elgan joined us live from Venice to talk about being a temporary local and AI. The dialogue began with Mike explaining the life he lives and wrote about in Gastronomad, a life of constant travel and absorbing different cultures while remote work allows for a livable income and stories are gathered. We moved on to talk about nineteenth century historian Thomas Carlyle's notion of the mechanical age and how we are presently in it as well as a hierarchical structure based on machinery use. Mike spoke of the use of avatars and Apple Vision Pros and digital twins, all imminent, and he expressed his concern that society is not ready for the adoptions ahead. He spoke of the two sides of AI -- hope in matters of health and communications and the thousands of other ways it can help us as well as skepticism about sci fi created dangers and tons of problems AI will never solve. Mike urged for AI to be seen as non-human and emphasized the need to realize we will never replace the human mind. He touched on prosthetic memory, artificial knowledge, multimodal AI, Meta Ray-Bans, the video mode in AI and digital influencers as well as dangers of artificial and AI generated people. A unique episode brimming with thoughts and ideas!
Biographer (Bobby Kennedy and Satchel) and award-winning reporter Larry Tye talked to us about his newest book, The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Count Basie Transformed America. All three of these iconic musicians, Tye noted, though from different backgrounds, had to endure Jim Crow and racial bigotry but "opened the eyes, ears and souls" of White men and the women they wooed and "set the table for the civil rights movement." Tye took on this writing task out of a promise he made to Black Pullman porters. His many books have resulted from what he, as a journalist, was drawn to enough to devote three years to. The Jazzmen emerged from looking for what these three musical geniuses did in music and the world and despite Tye describing himself as tone deaf and knowing nothing about music and discovering the moral feet of clay of all three of these men of faith. We discussed the lives and times of each of the three and then talked about women in jazz – mostly singers except for Armstrong's wife, Lillian Hardin, and we touched on the origin of the nickname Satchmo for Armstrong and the different class backgrounds of the three and some of their famous sidemen as well as the links between the three and Jewish managers, bandmates and mobsters and Armstrong's adoption by a Jewish family and the Jewish origins of Superman. We spoke, too, of jazz language, Wynton Marsalis, Jon Batiste, Sonny Rollins, Dave Brubeck and what Bobby Kennedy Senior might have felt about his son and namesake running for president.
Veteran political analyst and Associate Director of The Washington Center Marc Sandalow joined us for a rich and wide ranging conversation about the political landscape -- starting with the ongoing trial of Donald Trump and proceeding to questions about who will and will not turn out to vote in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Marc spoke of his UC Berkeley student's dissatisfaction with both President Biden and former President Trump and citizen perceptions of aging in the two as well as the liability to President Biden of Vice President Kamala Harris being his likely running mate. We also discussed the third party candidacy of Robert F Kennedy Jr and the historic role of third party candidates and touched on the electoral college, the Black vote and the efficacy of polls. The dialogue then pivoted to immigration with Marc expressing the view of illegal/undocumented immigrants being demonized and scapegoated for political purposes as responsible for high incidences of murder, rape and other violent crimes. Terrorists may be entering the U.S. illegally, Marc conceded, but for the present, he declared, more Americans are killed by cows. More illegal/undocumented immigrants, he pointed out, are coming into the U.S. and more fentanyl also is, but crime is continuing to go down and illegals/undocumenteds generally do not illegally vote. Marc spoke of how playing up the fearsome dangers of big cities also plays well politically. He discussed presidential immunity, bipartisanship, today's social media, journalism, rank choice voting, national security and the Chinese and their ownership of TikTok. A master class on civics and politics by a seasoned journalist, political analyst and university teacher!
With a client list that includes Walmart, Microsoft and Apple, Placement IO Founder and CEO Edwin Fu spoke with us about entrepreneurship. He talked about the high which comes from solving problems and building a better mousetrap and the necessity of having the passion of a mad scientist. He emphasized the necessity of craziness for founders based on tenacity and vision and an ability to execute. Money, success, and growth are all, Fu argues, byproducts of drive. He talked, too, of being burned and issues of data and privacy as well as the changing nature of advertising and the importance of being cautious about following advice. He then went on to speak of AI, social media and the U.S. economy. With nine out of ten start-ups failing here is wise and valuable advice.
The architect of the Oslo accords, Ambassador Dennis Ross, who worked in five U.S. presidential administrations trying to broker peace between Israelis and Palestinians, joined us on the heels of the deaths in Gaza, at the hands of the Israelis, of seven humanitarian workers. Ambassador Ross spoke of the present conflict as the worst he has witnessed and he discussed the trauma of both the Palestinian and Israeli sides as well as the differences in the Israel, West Bank and Gaza governments, the security misreadings by the Israeli government, the diversions of humanitarian aid by Hamas and the legacy of October 7th and the hostages taken by Hamas. Ambassador Ross spoke, too, of Israel's fraught political stability and the likely future for Prime Minister Netanyahu and his coalition. He also provided an assessment of Hamas militarily and gauged the effect on the region of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the role of Turkey's Erdogan and Egypt under El-Sisi. He spoke, too, of the perniciousness of Hamas as well as condemning the Israeli occupation and the incorrect use of the word genocide to condemn Israel. We had the opportunity as well to speak with the Ambassador about Iran's role in the region and the prospects of a single versus a two states solution and what to expect after the war is over. A wide-ranging, incisive discussion replete with first-rate insights.
Veteran Journalist, Journalism professor and author Jeff Jarvis joined us to discuss media and its history and future and the future of journalism. We zeroed in on questions of Internet regulation and the effect of AI and Jeff spoke about why he believes TikTok should be defended and not banned and focused on what he called hegemonic and corporate old journalism versus journalism which serves the community. Jeff also talked about Section 230 and its so-called shield and sword role for media at its core as well as click bait, bias and the need to reinvent advertising. A caller spurred Jeff to address the lack of tech knowledge of legislators and the need for them to be educated. He also spoke critically of a recent book by psychologist Jonathan Haidt which blames the mental health crisis of Gen Z on phones and social media. Jeff then talked about red lining in journalism and how AI is a large and cracked mirror of all of us with many practical and positive uses. We wound up talking about Google's former motto of Don't be Evil, what to do about bad actors and the likely long run benefit to libraries of AI.
Former Kaiser Permanente CEO and one of modern healthcare's most influential physician leaders, Dr. Robert Pearl joined us for a deep discussion focusing on his recent book "ChatGPT, MD" and the exponential changes generative AI can bring to American medicine and healthcare. We initially heard a poignant personal story from Dr. Pearl about how he went from studying cardiac surgery to becoming a plastic surgeon as a result of watching surgical repairs of cleft palates in Mexico. From there he went on to his bullish views on the future role of his book's co-author, Chat GPT, though all depends, he made clear, on clinicians taking the lead and the next generation of them being committed to change. Still, he made clear that the present antiquated system can be changed by technology and transformation can and will occur. He addressed concerns such as security, privacy, data breaches and bias, but spoke overall with abundant optimism, despite touching as well on the unsustainability of medical costs. He spoke, also, of achievements of the Kaiser Permanente model and the necessity for humanity to keep pace with technology. An enlightening, inspiring call to action hour.
Astronomer Andrew Fraknoi joined us to dispense his usual passionate and illuminating clarity on the April 8 total solar eclipse and eclipses per se and more. He spoke of best places to view, optimal weather conditions, proper eyeglasses and what not to wear, as well as how to observe with a colander and why we cannot see a total solar eclipse from any other planet in our solar system. We were able to touch, too, on some eclipse myths and include sidebars about a bright sight twelve billion light years away, astrology and what may have been here before the big bang. Andrew spoke of Harvard Professor Avi Loeb's searches for extra terrestrial life and provided answers for educators on how best to deal with the total eclipse and prepare for and experience it, including why to use a snap device in photographing it and what to do if one is visually impaired. A truly fascinating hour with a bevy of good questions from listeners deftly answered by one of America's leading astronomers.
Former UC Berkeley Chancellor and President and CEO of the New York Academy of Sciences Nicholas Dirks joined us to discuss his latest book, City of Intellect. We began with an assessment of the free speech movement and the trajectory to more recent efforts by protestors to shut speakers down. The dialogue proceeded from there to questions about hate speech and so-called safe spaces and trigger warnings as well as broader questions of what a university is for, who it serves and what it can and cannot do. We discussed access and costs and the economics of universities as well as questions of diversity and differences between public and private universities and we then turned to a consideration of leadership and the example of former UC Berkeley President Clark Kerr. Our expansive dialogue took up the importance of a liberal arts education, AI and online education, job training in higher ed and the role of community and junior colleges, which Dirks called "the real workhorses," and the apparent revival of admissions tests. Dirks concluded with wise and thoughtful reflections on how universities need to look toward the future and emphasize the transformation of lives, exposure to the world of possibilities and what it means to be human.
Long-time Apple expert, podcaster and tech savant Rene Ritchie joined us in his role as YouTube liaison to discuss monetizing and revenue sources for aspiring and established YouTube content creators. Rene talked about YouTube as "the most accessible culture endeavor ever seen," and provided useful and practical points for content creators in our work shifting world -- including thinking like a viewer, not relying on algorithms and making use of cliffhangers. Rene spoke of his own personal work history and his role as a leading expert on Apple products, and we explored a range of other issues, including platforms as publishers, AI, personal branding, non-profits and encryption. A range of live listener questions were answered adroitly by Rene. An illuminating tech hour!
We spent an hour with twenty-year CEO of The World Affairs Council and foreign affairs expert Jane Wales discussing the wars in Ukraine, Gaza and the far less media focused civil war in Sudan with illuminating views from her on trends away from liberal democracy and the rise of autocrats. The Information Revolution, which has allowed war to be seen as never before, prompted us to explore questions of sovereignty, rising nationalism and ongoing expansion of Artificial Intelligence. Philanthropy trends also emerged in the conversation as Jane, in her leading roles in philanthropic work, spoke about the phenomenon of more donations by fewer people each year coupled with more volunteer hours with fewer volunteers. We touched, too, on other global hot spots -- China, Pakistan, India, Iran, and Afghanistan, as well as ongoing humanitarian crises and changing outlooks on foreign policy within the Biden administration. A wide ranging, trenchant and enlightening dialogue!
Allbirds co-owner and CEO Joey Zwillinger joined us for a wide-ranging discussion focusing on the ups and downs and successes and challenges of the international shoe company as well as decarbonization and sustainability; entrepreneurship and branding; innovation and capitalism. We talked about the fashion industry and the CEO's role in the public company which makes over 200 million shoes a year. Worker's rights, DEI and factory conditions also emerged in the conversation which concluded with advice from Joey Zwillinger to aspiring entrepreneurs and those who want to make a difference against the existential threat of climate change.
Leading Stanford neurologist and psychiatrist Dr. Nolan Williams joined us for a deeper understanding of current scientific explorations into the growing use of psychedelics in relieving and curing mental health problems. Though not ignoring valid concerns over bad trips and underage usage, Dr. Williams demonstrated how FDA approved research with safeguards can lead to mental health cures. He spoke, too, of the history of the Controlled Substances Act, the brain's plasticity, and sacramental drugs such as Ayahuasca and Ibogaine as well as Psilocybin (magic mushrooms), MDMA (Ecstasy), ketamine, electroconvulsive therapy, EMDR and spaced learning. A renaissance in non-recreational psychedelic uses with some striking results!
We spoke with leading climate scientist Dr. Kristina Dahl about the vital need for systemic solutions to the systemic problem of climate change and the vacillation many of us feel between hope and despair. If fossil fuels remain indispensable to us, what can be done and what, especially, can we as individuals do to curb carbon emissions and stave off extinction? One of TIME magazine's 2023 list of the world's 100 most influential people, Dr. Dahl takes us into depths of greater understanding of what needs to be done to make a difference.
Louis Ferrante, former hijacker and Mafia gangster who turned in prison to research, book writing and Judaism, talks about his life in crime and time in prison and his published history of the American Mafia from his perspective as an insider. He also talks about guilt and religion, Mafia violence, snitching and Omerta, and the Mafia's Sicilian roots, as well as The FBI and who may have killed President John F Kennedy.
New Israel Fund CEO and self-described politically proud progressive Daniel Sokatch joined us to talk about what Emily Dickinson called "the thing with feathers" and discover seeds of hope for the long-term in the midst of the bloody battles between Israel and Hamas and their seemingly irreconcilable narratives. A passionate and incredibly well informed hour!
Happy Cooking are the two words that now are the trademark on recipes of master chef and culinary artist and educator Jacques Pepin. The French born public television star and author joined us to talk about his most recent book – Cooking My Way: Recipes and Techniques for Economical Cooking. We talked of cooking seasonally; using leftovers; the perfect omelet or souffle; and cooking at home; as well as Jacques as painter and illustrator and the Jacques Pepin Foundation. We were also able to delve into important and dramatic highlights of his biography, including the terrible car accident that changed his life; cooking for Charles DeGaulle; turning down JFK and Jackie for Howard Johnson and his friendship with Julia Child. An exquisite and enlightening hour with one of the world's most beloved chefs.
Internationally celebrated scientist Helen Blau focuses in on and elucidates the frontiers of stem cell research and her own singularly important work in her Stanford based lab and the company she co-founded. From longevity and replenishing and replacing stem cells, the conversation ranged on to an exploration of telomeres, CRISPR, and cloning and Dr. Blau's personal history as a woman scientist and historic and ongoing challenges women in science face as well as research of Dr. Blau's on muscle deterioration and muscle loss and ways to maintain muscle strength. Another wide-ranging, rich and expansive conversation with live questions from listeners.
We began our conversation with internationally celebrated photographer Howard Schatz by focusing on the nature of creativity and and the challenges of creating "phenomenal" images when so many images are unoriginal, easy to access and abundant -- though the abundance, Schatz feels, makes it easier to determine what is great. He spoke about his interest in the human form and the mystery of art as well as his recent book, PAIRS, anchored in the idea of the diptych. He spoke, too, of the necessity of knowing what is going on in one's chosen field and why it is singularly important not to previsualize, as well as the backgrounds on his computer screen, photographing flowers and nudes and how practicing medicine helped him to be more human and a better photographer. A rich and deep conversation.
Ken Dychtwald has acquired much wisdom on aging over the years so we began by exploring the upside of aging. He spoke of major historical changes in life expectancy and general attitudes toward aging. From there we discussed the central importance of purpose and the distinction New York Times columnist David Brooks has made between a career resume and a eulogy resume. Ken then followed with thoughts on the uses of free time and the importance of altruism, which can add years to one's life. He then spoke of retirement and his award winning Harvard Business Review article on retiring. He also had a number of significant observations on the American health care system, including ways AI might be used productively. He talked about how and why he became an expert on aging and ways that marketing and ads have changed to include older people, as well as how overall stereotypes tied to aging have morphed. We concluded discussing the X Prize Foundation (Ken is a trustee), and its commitment to finding ways to match health span to life span as well as the importance of humor (Your host even told a joke) and youthful versus useful. Conversations can often turn to the unexpected and this one did -- to Beyonce, Taylor Swift, TikTok and aging tied to Biden and Trump. Overall, a rich, energetic and highly illuminating dialogue!
In this engaging conversation with tech expert Jason Snell, the dialogue covered diverse AI-related topics. From the challenges of regulation to biases in machine learning models, the conversation explored societal impacts, education, and the digital divide. Jason also shared insights on the transformative nature of the Internet and discussed Apple's corporate culture amid regulatory concerns. The discourse highlighted the need to reframe AI discussions positively. Aspiring journalists received advice from Jason stressing passion, consistency, and genuine interest in the subject for success in the evolving industry. The conversation provided a rich exploration of AI's potential and its complex implications. - Title and Summary generated by AI
In this enlightening episode of Gray Matter, Michael Krasny explores the life and work of accomplished entrepreneur and CEO of BioVie, Cuong Do. Starting from his humble beginnings as an immigrant from Vietnam, Cuong details his extensive contributions in the fields of business strategy and bio-medical research, from discovering a potential Alzheimer's treatment to his work in helping autistic individuals. He shares insights from his extensive career on overcoming challenges and how his humanitarian efforts, including teacher training in Cambodia and work with autistic children, are close to his heart. Join us as Cuong offers his perspective on a diverse range of issues including longevity, health, and the American dream.
We recently spoke with Dr. Laura Esserman, a leading internationally recognized surgeon and breast cancer oncologist at the University of California, San Francisco where she serves as director of the UCSF Breast Care Center. We discussed the need to redefine cancer and the need for personalized patient centered care in health care, as well as a range of other issues related to public policy and their impact on the delivery of clinical care. Join us!
Best-selling author and Stanford Professor of Medicine Abraham Verghese joined us to talk about his widely acclaimed and best-selling memoirs and novels, and look at the ways medicine can be practiced as a more patient centered, empathic and caring two way relationship. We discussed, too, the value of bedside medicine and the physical exam. Join us.
Our conversation with Tenshin Reb Anderson, one of the most prominent contemporary Zen Buddhist teachers and scholars, author, dharma leader and former abbot, included a deep dive into the belief and practice of Buddhism, with a focus on the wisdom in it for us all, along with your questions and comments.
Our interview with Larry Smith and Melanie Abrams challenged our assumptions as we explored the many conceptions and misconceptions of cannabis use. Their new book, The Joy of Cannabis, is an attempt to clear up misunderstanding and describe the how and why of safely availing ourselves of the benefits. In the 1930s with the wane of Prohibition the commissioner of the Federal Bureau Narcotics, Harry Anslinger, attempted to retain personal relevance with racist and xenophobic fear mongering and criminalizing marijuana. Now, with no personal financial interests in a dispensary, Smith and Abrams hope to reset perceptions and normalize the discussion by reassessing the merits. They know the research and call for more. They discourage use before the age of 25 to allow full development of our frontal lobes. Not all weed is created equal, so they are pragmatic about finding what's right for you. With much greater safety and effectiveness than alcohol, most importantly they point to how small amounts responsibly administered deliver outsized benefits of pain management, focus, flow, creativity, connection and even orgasm. The tidal wave of legalization is based on reclaiming the virtues. Join us to find out what you might not know.
We met with Lee Child on the eve of his retirement as the author of the Jack Reacher book series. The premier proxy for millions of readers who yearn for revenge in lives where revenge is impractical or out of reach, the character of Jack Reacher is a figure who metes out justice against bullies in a way that ironically is equitable and fair. We reflect on Child's illustrious career, the Reacher movie and TV franchises, the handoff to his younger brother, his "one-draft" writing and research process, his love of guitars and cannabis, and what he thinks he might miss in retirement. Whether you're curious about Jack Reacher's motivations and worries, want to know about the inspiration behind the villains in The Secret, are curious about writing in general, or simply wonder what the future holds for storytelling in a world with AI, this conversation holds something for you. Join us for a thoroughly entertaining hour.
In the wake of Hamas' unprecedented attack across Israel's southern border with Gaza, we met with Amichai Magen, Visiting Fellow in Israeli Studies at Stanford University's Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies to take stock of the humanitarian and geopolitical dynamics in Israel, Gaza, the Middle East, and the globe writ large. As the chess pieces of this conflict continue to move, the central question is whether pragmatic Islamic states can establish stability by resisting the seeds of chaos sewn by the "Axis of Resistance." The irony of jihadist terrorism is that Muslims disproportionately bear the brunt. Tectonic plates are shifting. Will Hatikva (The Hope) prevail? Listen for what phoenix might rise from these ashes. Magen quotes Israel's first prime minister David Ben Guron to say, "If you don't believe in miracles, you're not a realist." Join us.
Why are some of us drawn to scary stories? "Because we want to believe that we are strong enough to survive being scared." In peeking into that dark side, we cultivate empathy. Few have had a bigger role in constructing imaginary worlds than renowned concept artist Iain McCaig. His work is truly the stuff of legend. We found his zest for illustration, telling stories, the creative process and living a creative life to be nothing short of infectious. Accountable only to his own validation, McCaig is an exemplar of living fully and illuminating a path for the rest of us to follow. We spoke of his illustrious career and his esteemed colleagues, as well as his myriad creative projects past, present and future. Unencumbered by a quest for truth, McCaig cannot NOT tell stories that make people smile. Despite, or perhaps because of, being left to live alone at 14 and surviving a heart attack, he is only afraid of being afraid. He left us with an irrepressible urge to draw our own stories - a skill, he insists, that we all possess. Join us to catch that itch.
We met with Norman Solomon, co-founder of RootsAction.org and executive director of the Institute for Public Accuracy, to shed light on what we are NOT told about our military involvement around the globe. One cannot fathom the human toll of 4.5 million lives lost directly and indirectly from US military action since 9/11. Solomon implicates corporate media and Hollywood in obfuscating the real human cost, especially of innocent non-combatants. To illustrate this point, he explains that for every innocent US life lost in the World Trade Center attack, the US killed 100 innocents in Afghanistan. Why do we value one human life more than another? While hopeful of a time when humanity can rise above violent conflict, Solomon principally advocates for more truthful and accurate disclosure in place of the terrifyingly efficient propaganda machine that erases this awareness from the public consciousness. The glorification of war and the absence of rigorous discourse before military action all contribute to this. Decentralized non-corporate journalism may hold a key. Newsrooms themselves have become an endangered species. Can we build movements and sensibilities that say "war first" is unacceptable? To quote Antonio Gramsci, "It is time for pessimism of the intellect, and optimism of the will." Join us.
We talked to Geraldo Rivera about a range of topics, including much that is in the news and on Fox News, where he was for twenty-three years until recently. Leadership there is soon to change from Rupert Murdoch to his son Lachlan. What does Geraldo think about that shift and what are his thoughts on the so-called "fair and balanced" news network? We talked to him about his career and his politics and his long-time friendship with Donald Trump. All of that and more were up for discussion as were his many feuds and controversies. Join us!
In the same week that NASA announced Mark McInerney as its new Director of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) Research - known to the rest of us as UFOs - we met with Harvard Professor of Science Avi Loeb, dubbed one of the 25 most influential people on the topic of Space. We discuss his recent expedition to the ocean near Papua New Guinea where their team collected and analyzed material from an interstellar "package" that could provide physical evidence of intelligent life elsewhere in the Universe. While Loeb points out that the ocean is an "excellent museum" where we can conduct cost-effective research, he is under fire for his engagement of the public and for proposals that some think are outlandish. In his own defense, he is collecting the physical evidence, using the scientific process to validate his claims, and staying true to the spirit of academia. Tenure was designed to encourage researchers and thinkers to deviate from the beaten path in order to achieve breakthroughs. Loeb believes that finding an intergalactic "partner" would give humanity vast inspiration and greater purpose than the common cross-border squabbles that currently consume most of our resources in defense spending. Listen for a glimpse into how we all can contribute to the "Infinite Sum Game" that is the nature of science. Join us.
We met with Sean Walsh, premier political analysts and former advisor to Presidents George H.W. Bush and Ronald Regan, to glean his perspectives on the GOP, its future, pressing political issues, and what is unfolding in the run up to the 2024 elections. A classical conservative and a leading thinker, Walsh shined piercing light on the challenges for both parties and the country as a whole. Geopolitically he views the U.S. as very vulnerable. He sounded a clarion call for taking a sober look in the mirror. We should be preparing for an emboldened China, and tackling the collapse of manufacturing, its workforce, and its supply chains. The American Dream appears to have changed, and seemingly not for the better. Mourning the loss of serious discourse in an age of soundbites and the rise of government and prosecutorial overreach, Walsh sees that we have much catching up to do to become commercially and militarily competitive again. Irrespective of your politics, we think you'll find that our conversation was the "serious discourse" of which we need more. Join us.
We met with tech journalist and commentator Andy Ihnatko for a big picture assessment on technology's influence on society. Ihnatko is riveted by this moment — when the precedents of our society's origins and founding documents failed to envision the questions and ethical quandaries posed by Artificial Intelligence. We must balance the opposing forces. Privacy, accuracy and data usage are challenged in unforeseen ways. We cannot deny that more work will be done better as AI gets layered into the existing tools that we already use to further boost our productivity and creative expression. Regulation too soon can crush new industries, but internal industry researchers who inform voluntary guidelines can be influenced or silenced. Giants like Apple, Google and Microsoft can bring an ever-improving experience to the consumer, but when do they cross the line and hurt the consumer through their market power? Kids can discover a vast world beyond their borders, but tech can also negatively impact their brain development. The Internet brings us more ways to live and work, but the Digital Divide and surveillance makes the powerless even more powerless. Ihnatko echoes a sentiment we often hear on Grey Matter, that we must practice deep interest and care for our fellow humans. Let us remain vigilant that we're using tech to solve a problem or create an opportunity. Join us.
In troubling times, the voice of articulate optimists can lift the spirit and light a way forward. To this end, we met with feminist, movie maker, artist, thinker and founder of the Webby Awards, Tiffany Shlain. As one who made her own documentary film, "The Tribe," on Barbie and Jewish Identity 18 years ago, we began with her reflections on the recently released Barbie movie. We transitioned into several of her creative projects, including Dendrofemonology, a Feminist History Tree Ring that recounts the "herstory" of women who initially enjoyed 10,000 years of power and goddess culture. The intersectionality of her activism seeks rights for all humans because, in the end, Shlain believes in humans and in our ability to find the good in an ever-changing world. Shlain recommends navigating this unfamiliar territory with science, collaboration and grace. Technology is an extension of us, and while it can be used for ill, its powers for good emerge from pushing past our fear and engaging with it. The Webby Awards highlight this positive dimension. Her inspiration comes from ideas that stand the test of time — like a day of rest. Already we find that kids are smarter, and discovering new ways to become themselves. Her next project on neurology will debunk many common metaphors about teenagers, who she sees as "emotionally brilliant." We reassert that children are our legacy. In closing, we remember her father, Leonard Shlain, who encouraged us to think big and be present. Join us.
When we think of reconnecting to ourselves and to our society, the answers may lie in the simplest of things. To that end, we met with food revolutionary and founder of Chez Panisse - Alice Waters, to return to our roots. At the start of her journey, Waters embarked on an improbable quest to reconnect us to ourselves through delicious food and the organic and regenerative husbandry of the earth. Moving from her kitchen table, to the restaurant, to prison gardens, to gardens for the homeless and on to a national network of Edible Schoolyards, Waters found nourishment for our bodies, our spirit, our society and our planet. Listen in to hear how "we are what we eat" might make us the best we can be. Join us.
The migration to eCommerce took a massive leap forward during the COVID pandemic. Few benefited as much as Amazon and Walmart. To get a handle on this phenomenon, we met with Jason Del Rey who chronicled the rise, challenges and impact of these two behemoths on global retail. Drawing from the reporting for his recent book, Winner Sells All: Amazon, Walmart and the Battle for our Wallets, Jason Del Rey is uniquely qualified to comment. Walmart is doing about as well online as Amazon is doing in brick and mortar retail, but these two titans are in pitched, existential competition. On the one hand, the consumer gets greater choice at lower prices. On the other, mom and pops across the country have shuttered and both giants get low marks for their labor practices. How did they get here? What are their struggles and opportunities? What are the implications for us all? Join us.
At the time of our recording, Trump had just received his third indictment for his role in the January 6th insurrection. To give us some greater perspective on the state of politics in our fragile democracy, we turned to Stanford political science professor Bruce Cain who is one of our nation's great political analysts. Cain reflected on Trump's many self-made challenges, the options before the Republican and Democratic parties, the relevance of polling, the vulnerabilities of our democratic system, and ideas to help us get our system of governance back on track. On top of all that impedes our politics, reacting to changes in the climate heightens our need for timely action. We are in a perfect storm. And yet, there is hope. Cain's latest book reflects on how we will likely find ways to decarbonize in the long run, even if we don't move fast enough to avoid the inevitable disruption that climate change will bring in the short run. Cain argues that deniers change their tune when they experience extreme weather effects first hand. He adds that, "...ultimately it is a cultural thing." Our education, our religions and our journalism will be where we find ways to combat the forces that manipulate us. We'll have to find our way back to political compromise, for that is how James Madison envisioned our system must function. Join us.
We met with business magnate and patriotic philanthropist, David Rubenstein, to discuss his new PBS series - Iconic America. This entertaining and informative eight-part series is an exploration of our glorious and inglorious history as symbolized by eight key American icons. For students of history, our conversation illuminates some of the key stories revealed in the series, as well as some of their backstories and a little inside baseball. For fans of David Rubenstein himself, our conversation dipped into his origins, his motivations, his successes and his aspirations. Rubenstein is a believer and a beneficiary of the "American Dream," and his philanthropy supports this country's further perfection of the dream. Convinced that we ignored George Santayana's advice and are making some of the same mistakes of our past, Iconic America is an enticing invitation to dig deeper and learn more. Join us.
We met with social psychologist and business school professor Brian Lowery to explore the foundations of the self - nothing short of what makes us who we are. Lowery argues that our social communities construct us, but that there isn’t a single "genuine self." Rather, we are the composite of all the masks we wear. This paradox reveals a deep tension between the structure we seek because we like to think the world is stable and coherent, and the complete freedom of becoming our more expansive selves through broader relationships. Lowery challenges Maslow to say that meaning is a fundamental human need as critical as basic safety. We want to be seen, and we want to have what is reflected back by others match how we see ourselves. When we talk about the self, are we talking about the physical self of cells, hormones and DNA, or are we actually talking about the meaning attached to those things? If the latter, those exist in our social relationships. Prepare to question your assumptions. Join us.
We met with columnist, journalist, editor and author Pamela Paul for a conversation about her life of words. We spoke of her career at the New York Times, and surveyed the topics of her columns and eight books. At the outset, it seemed that our conversation would focus on writing. Paul has written extensively on numerous thought-provoking and controversial topics, and she is equally eloquent speaking extemporaneously, especially on consumer culture or on a topic from a recent column or a book she happens to be reading. As we delved into her book "How to Raise a Reader," the questions from our audience began to flow in. By the end, we found ourselves in a deep reflection on the writer's creative counterpart - the reader. The hour flew by, and left us with a renewed inspiration to pick up a book. Join us.
We met with photographer and podcaster Frederick Van Johnson to learn about the latest developments in photography and philosophize with him about the outsized role it plays in our evolving world. Van Johnson contends that photos like Jeff Widener's 1989 shot of Tank Man in Tiananmen Square have always had the power to communicate immense meaning in the glance of an eye. A photo can tell a story and can change minds. Advancements in photography are expanding access to the stories that need to be told. And yet, a photo is half the capture of the image, and half the "performance" of modifying the image to tell the stories that want to be seen and heard. Can we assume that any photo today reflects the "truth?" No. But this science fiction future need not be doom and gloom if we are solving for humans and trying to make the world better for humans. AI and technology advancement is not a zero sum game. It is always changing and growing, as are we. The key is to see where things are going and press forward smartly to take advantage of the bigger "wrenches" that are now within reach. We can do more with less, and live more meaningful, human lives. Join us.
We met with psychiatrist, professor emeritus and best selling author, Peter Kramer, to explore depression, antidepressants and his fiction and non-fiction body of work. His most recent novel is Death of the Great Man, a political who-done-it satire about the improbable clinical relationship between a narcissistic despot and his psychotherapist. Our conversation covered equal parts general psychiatry and book discussion. His clinical work has served and shaped Kramer's work as a novelist. As Jennifer Egan described in an earlier Grey Matter episode, Kramer sees literature as a unique vehicle for putting ourselves into other peoples' shoes. This is similar to the task of the psychotherapist, who seeks to assist patients by getting into their minds to spur them to self-examination. Spoiler alert - The Great Man is fashioned after Donald Trump. Among the many dimensions of the book, it wants us to think about standing behind and accepting someone who uses lying as a prime political technique. Other themes are selfishness versus selflessness, intimacy versus autonomy, death, truth, and the perils of giving way to despotism over the long term. Woven throughout the conversation is commentary on the efficacy of antidepressants and their impact on personality, depression as a multi-system disease, "retirement" when still working, psychiatrists giving advice, self-assessment, non-attachment, the Media's portrayal of mental health, psychiatric diagnoses using bots, the fluidity of diagnoses, Freud, sidelining intellectuals, and the difficulty of "out-trumping" Trump. Join us.
We met with one of the preeminent figures of American journalism, James Fallows, to discuss equal parts world affairs and the craft of journalism. Fallows brings the perspective of a lengthy and illustrious career covering a vast array of domestic and international issues, including politics, technology, Asia, aviation and hometown America, to name a few. We touch on all of these to get his perspectives on Trump's presidency and current legal challenges, AI, social media, US/China relations, working as Carter's speech writer, the news industry in general, and much more. A believer that "transparency is the new objectivity," Fallows openly acknowledges upfront the aspects of his political background that are potentially relevant to his views. While today there are so many things happening at a distance that alarm us, Fallows ends by reminding us that he consistently finds great resilience and possibility when he goes local to get a closer look. His observations are informative and sober, but ultimately optimistic. Join us.
We met with expert psychiatrist, Ira Steinman, to explore the little-understood world of schizophrenia. While this may seem like a niche topic, Steinman's insights into the condition reveal valuable lessons for all of us. Recounting cases from his 2009 book, Treating the Untreatable, and from his clinical practice, Steinman describes how he helps his patients discover from where their symptoms arise, and how their symptoms serve them. He has then seen untreatable patients cured, and in many cases, fully freed from reliance on antipsychotic medications. Many of these recoveries are nothing short of miraculous. Steinman explains how victims of schizophrenia suffer from extreme dissociative disorder. We don't need to suffer from the most debilitating symptoms of schizophrenia to appreciate the cautionary emphasis on the importance of bringing the self together, and cultivating a unity and coherence within ourselves. Join us.
We met with renowned Middle East correspondent and journalism lecturer, Janine Zacharia to do a round up on Middle East current events. The scorecard is sobering. We are at an inflection point. While popular attention turns to Russia and China, press freedoms across the region continue to decline. The circulation of deliberately false information is a central cause. This fuels rampant political polarization, which in turn helps autocrats win. Violence and oppression against journalists is on the rise. Our own internal political dysfunction makes coherent foreign policy nearly impossible. As America's standing and influence in the region wanes, China (who requires no standards for human rights or press freedoms) is more than happy to fill in our vacuum. So Zacharia asks an existential question - how might we restore respect for fact-based news? This is the lifeblood of functioning democracy. There are no easy answers, but she helps us see that this one leverage point has implications for the entire globe. Join us.
It seems anxiety and depression surround us, and perhaps plague us personally. To help us understand the domain of the mind, we met with pre-eminent Stanford psychiatrist and hypnosis expert, David Spiegel to explore applications of psychotherapy and self-hypnosis. Our hour of conversation proved to be an invaluable primer for everyone, whether we are currently in care, know someone who is, or might find ourselves facing anxiety and depression in the future within ourselves or within a loved one. Spiegel gave us helpful insights on approaching post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, emotional triggers, pain, chronic or terminal illness, and generally managing our mental states to live better lives. We briefly touched upon how his smartphone-based self-hypnosis app, REVERI, makes this healing modality accessible to anyone. Spiegel gave us cautionary advice for loved ones of a person in treatment for anxiety and depression. We also talked about the broader social aspects of psychology, including guns and mass shootings, the scapegoating of mental illness, AI, admissibility in court of hypnosis-based testimony, and much more. Join us.
ChatGPT took the world, and our imaginations, by storm when it became the first consumer app to reach one million users in five days - the fastest in history. The opportunities and the threats are boundless, but we don't know what we don't know. We invited technology analyst Jeremiah Owyang to help us sift through the reality and the hype. Owyang minces no words when he asserts that AI will be the most consequential technology to debut in our lifetimes. The upheaval and displacement will be great, but it will also enable us to reset our relationship to work towards what is inspirational and enlightening. Will AI help us become more human? How will we protect ourselves from bad actors? How will we confirm what is true? How must society adjust? How close is AGI - Artificial General Intelligence - to becoming on par with human intelligence, and how will we know? Will our behavior change if AGI learns how to treat us by how we treat others? There's no squeezing the genie back into the bottle. Join us for a peek of the brave new world that lies ahead.
It seems that China is in the news every day. To dig in deeper on this issue, we met with Orville Schell - one of the world's foremost experts on China and US/Sino relations - to help us understand the Chinese perspective and to learn more about China's leader, Xi Jinping. We dove deep into China's radical successes, its challenges, its resilience, its leverage, its sense of grievance and victimization, its anti-Western diplomacy, and its troubling aspirations. It has become the strongest member of an autocratic block of nations positioned to resist liberal democracy throughout the world. Despite this worrying preeminence, we know surprisingly little about China's enigmatic party leader, Xi Jinping. Not only is saber-rattling bad for business, actual military conflict could blow the global economy to blazes. Schell leaves us with the understanding that now is the time to conjure "Kissinger-esque" creativity, and summon new approaches to preserve the peace with Asia's Middle Kingdom. Join us to learn more.
When British novelist Robert Graves wrote "I Claudius" about the fourth Roman Emperor, he set the stage for our interview with Justine Ezarik, better known as iJustine, who is to me "The Empress of the Internet." She is a content creator for nearly two decades who has over a billion views on her YouTube channel, and even has young fans who were not yet born when their parents started watching her. We sought to understand the personal and professional trajectory that led to her becoming such an authority on technology and an inspiration to so many. We learned that passion and balance are central themes of her life. Firstly, technology is iJustine's first love. She observes that, "Today's technology is so accessible that we can do really anything we want, if we have the will to do it." This promise lights her up, and powers the fire of her hard-driving work ethic across all her varied interests. Secondly, there is balance - the Tao - the middle way between two extremes. Justine works hard, but also plays hard. She used to be very public about her life, but has now dialed that back to reclaim some of her life for herself. Consequently, she rediscovered authentic fun from what had become "fake fun." There are troubling aspects about social media, but so too there are amazing aspects that grace those who can strike the balance and curate their consumption carefully. The same goes for Artificial Intelligence (AI) - there are negative uses while at the same time there are wondrous uses. She cautions against becoming too alarmist. Seeking to avoid labels, stay positive, channel creativity, champion access and maintain balance, iJustine - The Empress of the Internet - shows the way. Join us to learn how she does it all.
In this episode we journey with one of the pre-eminent film editors of the last half century, Walter Murch, through tales of his career as an editor and sound designer. His film credits are impressive, including an Oscar for Apocalypse Now, and numerous other iconic films including the Godfather franchise and American Graffiti. Murch's reflections shed light on how an editor makes sense of the footage a director shoots and renders a "delicious" product, much like a chef whipping up a scrumptious meal from whatever comes home from the hunt, be it mastodon or mouse. Get the Cliff Notes on his Rule of Six, and hear about the recently released sleeper documentary, Coup 53, that illuminates the CIA-organized coup to install the Shah of Iran and set the stage for today's geopolitics. Film aficionados will relish Murch's recollections and inside baseball on his many movie credits. Film students will glean valuable guidance on the craft of movie making, collaboration with the director, and creativity in general. Everyone will find inspiration from Murch's curious mind and "polymathic" abilities. Lucky for us that he had a knack for sounds, a passion for tape recorders, and a love of story. Had he not, we might have lost him to the ocean floor or quantum mechanics. Join us for a delightful hour of movie history and history in-the-making.
Join us for a globetrotting "memory lane" walk-a-bout through naturalist Michael Ellis's countless national and international adventures. These recounted travels feature spectacular natural highlights, present challenging ethical quandaries, and inspire deep metaphorical reflection on our lives in general. Ellis' favorite international destinations are the Serengeti - birthplace of humanity, the gorillas of Rwanda, Bhutan, Namibia, the South Georgia Islands, the sharks of Palau, the jaguars of the Pantanal and the ecosystem diversity of Brazil's Mato Grosso. Closer to home, The Cedars in Sonoma County, mountain biking through Canyonlands or Santa Rosa, the whales off the California coast, chipmunk biodiversity in the Sierras, the simultaneous macro and micro expansiveness of the Mojave desert, and the sanctum of the redwoods. Contained within are the largest, oldest and most exotic lifeforms imaginable. How do we ethically appreciate these miracles? Ellis points out that we can love these places to death, smothering them with too much tourism or generating excess carbon in our travel. At the same time, tourism provides the strongest economic incentive for local peoples to protect their natural treasures, without which habitat becomes farmland and bushmeat becomes dinner. There are no easy answers. The majesty of the natural world invites us to release our expectations, be here now, and pause to be amazed by the miracle of it all.
We met with Rick Hanson, best-selling author, Senior Fellow of UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center and founder of the Global Compassion Coalition, to review what neuroscience tells us about how to rewire our mental circuitry for greater physical and emotional wellbeing in the face of the inevitable negative in our lives. Hanson's latest book, Making Great Relationships, is the launch point for our discussion, but we meander from the microscopic within to the infinite of the Big Bang Universe in our explorations of human potential. How and what is within range as we start on this journey? Is unconditional lovingness a reasonable destination? Can our brains open our hearts? How do we skillfully counteract our negative bias? How do we stop seeking approval? Can we be loyal to ourselves? How do we repair our relationships? Where does aggression fit into this picture? How does imagination shape reality? How do we contend with impermanence? Can we create a world where millions of people and organizations experience community with each other, work for the common good, and drive systemic change? Hanson is certain to "make his team proud" with the legacy of love that he has helped to build. The energy of our conversation is intimate and magnetic. Spare an hour to be struck by the human potential of all that is within reach, wherever we happen to be standing. Join us.
We met with former White House Climate Advisor to President Obama, Molly Kawahata, to hear her innovative perspectives on how to make a real difference in society and for the planet. She is principally focused on how we mobilize productive human psychology to motivate broad systemic change. Her insights are fascinating, born of her own personal struggles, that society writ large has been brainwashed into paralysis with propaganda from the fossil fuel industry that is designed to rob us of hope. It seems an impossible premise, but she effectively argues her case of how this happened, and what those concerned about the future of the planet can do differently to make concrete progress toward the "zero carbon promised land." While applauding those who make personal choices and sacrifices to help the environment in their own lives, Kawahata eschews climate shaming of all kinds, and sees no averting climate catastrophe without public policy that decarbonizes our industrial, transportation and energy sectors. It is not our fault that we use these sectors. They are the only ones that those without privilege have available to access. Most importantly, she implores us to change the debate away from "saving the polar bears" that those with "boots on their neck" can't afford to care about, to a practical discussion about pollution and equitable access to clean air and water. We can all see the impact from reducing pollution, and we can have hope in our personal ability to make a meaningful impact. What can you do? Deploy hope and get out the vote. Join us for an exhilarating discussion.
We met with one of the foremost novelists of our time and Pulitzer Prize winner, Jennifer Egan, to discuss the medium of fiction, the novel, her process, her works and the role of the novelist in democracy writ large. In an age where AI has begun to encroach on seemingly sacrosanct domains of human endeavor like creative writing, Egan gives us hope that writing from human imagination will forever give us unrivaled access to the mind of another person. In what became a masterclass in Egan's personal writing style, she illuminated how her own improvisation allows her to channel all the forces that exist around her and operate through her. The novel demands that we resist the forces of distraction that dilute us. Fiction delivers compressed knowledge, and preserves our mental agility and our ability to question authority. It is not only entertaining, it is a pillar of a healthy democracy. In her leadership of PEN America, she saw first hand how threatening fiction and the novel can be to autocratic regimes. While indifferent to literary reviews, Egan adores her readers and all they teach her. Most captivating are Egan's methods of tapping into her unconscious and her imagination — the wellspring of her career. Find renewed determination to read deeply by listening deeply to our charming guest, Jennifer Egan. Join us.
We met with one of the premier thinkers and teachers of our time, Jack Kornfield, to discuss how we can reclaim our humanity in isolated times, and find an inner state of well-being in the face of our greatest hardships. His sage perspectives on difficult questions were immediately centering and comforting. We touched on advice for living - cultivating compassion, awe and wonder; distinguishing empathy from compassion; navigating compassion fatigue; and finding it even for those we might not like. We explored how building our ability to be deeply aware of our present moment expands our capacity and health. Down regulating our emotions and centering is a skill that has helped even the most type-A's among us be more effective. We discussed how to respond when we witness injustice without contributing to the atmosphere that created the injustice in the first place. We covered what it means that "pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional," and so much more. Each and every turn in the conversation revealed a new nugget of wisdom for living fully, happily and peacefully. It was an hour beautifully shared. Join us.
Humor is not just fun and games. For Brian Copeland, award-winning actor, comedian, author, playwright and talk show host, it started as his best defense from bullying on the playground growing up as an African American kid in one of the most racially redlined suburbs in America. Brian went on to wield humor in artful ways throughout his career to tackle some of the thorniest topics of our times in his work, and specifically in his popular one-man-show "Not a Genuine Black Man." Join us as we explore the mechanics of humor - the creative process, what makes a joke funny - Copeland's encyclopedic memory of his remarkable journey through the entertainment world, as well as his reflections on the distance we’ve come and have yet to go to collectively acquire genuine understanding and empathy for each other. Join us.
At the time of this writing, the White House just announced its intent to end the COVID-19 pandemic "state-of-emergency" designation in the months ahead. Is this a political move or one informed by science? We met with Pandefense Advisory CEO, Larry Brilliant, to learn the latest of what we do and do not know about the real threats of COVID-19 and related outbreaks. What is the history of vaccines in general? What are the criticisms of the standard narrative about CV19? Did CV19 come from the Wuhan open air market or a bio-weapons laboratory? Is there a third credible possible origin of the pathogen itself? How much do we need to worry about the next pandemic? Do lockdowns make sense? In closing, we learned how an accidental hippy stumbled into eradicating smallpox, befriended Steve Jobs and pioneered social media itself to become, "the luckiest guy on earth." Join us.
We spoke with metabolic neuroendocrinologist Robert Lustig to discuss his views about the obesity crisis in our country. A powerful mind with a keen eye for digging deep into issues to explore their root causes, Lustig lays bare his critique of powerful forces at work that he believes negatively impact human health and longevity. His position is that added sugar is not a food and meets the criteria of an addictive substance like alcohol or narcotics. Addressing the physiology of metabolism, Lustig recommends lifestyle changes that, if practiced, could dramatically enhance our vitality. How did we get to this point in our obesity crisis? He emphasizes that fortunately there are corrective measures within reach, if we can muster the political will to enact them. What other "addictions" in a broad sense afflict our society? We touch on those as well. Join us.
We met with space medicine expert Vienna Tran to learn about the health challenges of manned exploration of space. This may seem like an esoteric subject for those who feel like we have more challenges facing us on earth than we can deal with, but Vienna makes a compelling case that conquering the extremes of off-earth existence equips us to better deal with our terrestrial challenges. "A dollar invested in space is worth more than a dollar invested on earth." Not only is off-world colonization a hedging strategy against an extinction event here on earth, space exploration (including medicine) brings us myriad advancements for terrestrial life. What are the risks? What are the rewards? Join us to gain a glimpse of this brave new frontier.
Buffalo Bills starting safety Damar Hamlin's cardiac arrest from a routine tackle of Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (and strike to the chest) on January 2, 2023 highlights that there is much left to know about cardiac health. To help us climb the learning curve of how we keep our tick-tocker ticking, we met with renown cardiologist Kent Gershengorn to help us decode the latest science. We discussed sudden cardiac death after blunt chest trauma - what we believe struck Damar Hamlin. We also explored the good news on the most advanced current and future treatments and technologies for after a person develops a heart condition. Perhaps most importantly, we covered much of what we can do to prevent or postpone developing any of the various heart conditions in the first place. Join us.
We rang in the New Year with renowned restaurateur Narsai David to discuss food, wine, and recall some of his favorite food memories and explore his latest culinary discoveries and innovations. As one who helped birth the California fresh food revolution, his suggestions and recommendations bring deliciousness within reach. His guidance for a Narsai-kind of fantasy meal is approachable for the novice, inspiring for the expert and easy on the pocketbook. I've interviewed a number of the world's great chefs, but personally, if I want or need advice when it comes to food or wine, I go to Narsai David - a chef, a restaurateur, a winemaker, a food columnist, as well as a longtime food and wine editor for KCBS Radio and a PBS television host of the nationally syndicated "Over Easy." He's a leading gourmet and culinary expert whose knowledge of food is vast, and his knowledge of wines would probably eclipse most wine sommeliers. He's also past president of the Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association, and the author of a book called "Monday Night at Narsai's."
We met with Stanford Graduate School of Business Professor and expert on Power, Jeffrey Pfeffer, to discuss his latest influential work, 7 Rules of Power. While many might malign an ambition to acquire and wield power, Pfeffer lays bare the pragmatic truth that change happens only with the adept identification of the levers of power, and the artful accumulation and use of power to affect the change we seek. He disabused any notion that power in and of itself is negative. Only how it is used can be criticized. As he quickly points out, "If you want power to be used for good, then more good people need to have power." Our discussion is a brief primer of his life's research into his treatise on the mechanics of power, and an invaluable guide for anyone hoping to affect change. Pfeffer's pragmatic straight talk might be thought by some as astringent, but his sober understanding of how the world turns is a wakeup call for anyone who thinks it is sufficient to simply engage in "moral talk." Because so many who are willing to use the strategies and tactics of power are not using it for good, join us to learn how to counteract the negative by becoming equally effective in your own ability to get things done and realize the desirable change we hope to see in the world.
We met with Dr. Louann Brizendine to dive into the under-appreciated "forces within" that drive our behavior, our relationships, and so much of our lives. The founder of the Women's Mood and Hormone Clinic at UCSF, Brizendine wrote several definitive books on the subject, including The Female Brain, The Male Brain, and The Upgrade - How the Female Brain Gets Stronger and Better in Midlife and Beyond, where she reframes the post-menopausal experience as an opportunity to reclaim one's authentic self. Nobel Prize winner Issac Bashevis Singer summarized the paradox we all experience best when asked if he believed in free will by responding, "I have no choice." To what degree are we driven by our hormones? How much do they define our sexuality and our gender? What role does sleep, exercise, nutrition and even pollution play? How do we reclaim the driver's seat while at the same time accepting ourselves and the infinite diversity of those around us? Join us as we uncover real subterranean forces actively at work to varying degrees in all of us.
We met with Angela Glover Blackwell, Founder in Residence at PolicyLink, host of the Radical Imagination Podcast and Professor of Practice at the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley, to reflect on a career dedicated to building a more equitable society. Blackwell believes that authentically rooting oneself in close proximity to the experience of the most vulnerable populations allows one to see how to improve circumstances for everyone. These are unprecedented times with unprecedented threats, but we also see unprecedented engagement and a novel brand of unprecedented "collective leadership" that fuels today's powerful social movements and renewal. Join us to understand her passionate optimism, and hear her four key changes that would lead to meaningful progress towards a better world for all.
We met with Nipun Mehta, the founder of ServiceSpace, to discuss gratitude and generosity. Revealing the how and why of, "giving like a rose that gives away its scent," we were ourselves transformed by the conversation. As a small sampling of the conversation's many gems, we touched on the hierarchy of generosity, and the ability to "throw a better party" when we replace transactions with relationships. Nipun advocated for our own personal experimentation with generosity, knowing that if we listen closely, we may discover wonderful changes happening within ourselves. He explained how gratitude can be regenerative, and reminded us that it emerges from the recognition that we are nestled in so many gifts that we can never reciprocate. This knowledge invites us to pay forward what we can never pay back. Apparently the most valuable resource in navigating this path is to have noble friends who help us find the way through these and many other inspiring insights. We invite you to be our noble friends, and join us on this transformative journey through Thanksgiving and beyond.
Our conversation with celebrated author Isabel Allende in October of 2022 captured what we admire most about how Isabel walks in the world. At eighty years old, Isabel is vibrant and alive, living with purpose and impact. Through the zigs and zags of our conversation, it became clear that she found in her writing a path to self knowledge. From that self knowledge, she cultivated a deep gratitude that serves as the source of her happiness. If you love her work, our conversation provides context and background. If you are not familiar with her work, you'll witness a person of conviction who spent her life peeling back the layers of herself to identify what matters most. Her example is provocative and inspirational. Join us for a conversation through literature, politics, philanthropy, feminism, ritual, marriage, grief, discovery, and story.
We met with Ron Elving, Senior Politics Editor and Correspondent for the Washington Desk at NPR News, on November 11, 2022 to reflect upon the 2022 midterm elections and the state of our democracy. Some of our conversation reflected the specifics of this last week with midterm results still trickling in, but most of what we discussed turned to broader questions of our times: the resilience of democracy, free speech, civic engagement, polling, Russian intervention, disinformation in general, politics discourse, ranked-choice voting, Trump's influence, and the engagement of rising generations of Americans in the political process overall. America faces many challenges. To help us make sense of them, Ron Elving lent us his measured and sober perspectives. He also graced us with his optimistic disposition, and the sense that clearly understanding our challenges enables us to grow stronger.
Michael Connelly's crime novels have sold over 80 million copies. Our conversation delved into his craft and his career to understand how he started writing and to what he attributes his continued success. We revealed how his work pays tribute to the noble work of those who seek justice even though they must venture into the darkness – a darkness that constantly threatens to bring them down and hollow them out. His fiction is a window into this reality, as well as a challenge to our faith in human advancement or even our expectations and beliefs. Join us to learn how he puts this all together to delight and provoke his readers.
Leo Laporte, founder and owner of the TWiT Podcast Network, is an elder statesman of technology and terrestrial radio. In our conversation we wandered down memory lane, reflecting on the influences and turning points of Leo's career, his network and studio, and the industry as a whole. We peek into the future by understanding the past. The day before our recording, Elon Musk closed on the purchase of Twitter, and gave us the opportunity to learn of the checkered history between TWiT and Twitter at Twitter's founding, and now again in Musk's self-nomination as Chief TWiT - a title Laporte has carried since TWiT's founding. We explore the broad evolutions of broadcast TV and radio, social media, podcasting, and advanced technology. We dive into mentors and inspirations, laws versus norms, exciting emergent trends, best practices, using the act of listening to turn interviews into conversations, and more. Join the conversation that leaves us with "Laryngitis in Las Vegas."
Today we find out about the world of cryptocurrency and the crypto economy by speaking with a leading executive from one of the world's fastest crypto exchanges - the first to go public - sometimes described as the Amazon of assets - Coinbase. Emilie Choi is Coinbase President and COO. In our conversation we shed much light onto the rising phenomenon of decentralized finance in the budding era of "Web3," as it has been called - the successor to Web 2.0. We expand our financial literacy of this new and wild world of tokens, blockchain traceability, the merge, regulation, and speculation vs. underlying technological platforms of innovation. Join us.
Our conversation with Susan Jackson - president of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) - was a fascinating dive into a world that few of us know much about - tuna fishing and conservation. While seemingly esoteric, this episode describes the many facets of a system that strives to conserve shared resources - a particularly challenging task when dealing with sovereign nations and independent companies where there is temptation to cheat. ISSF has built a multi-decades-long reputation for bringing competing stakeholders to the table and collaborating for the benefit of the collective good. As Jackson said in her TED talk, "Our method is broader than our niche." Listen to learn more about this advancement in private sector multilateralism, and to get more back story on our seafood and the health of the oceans.
Dr. Barbach is a celebrated and world-renowned psychologist, as well as an author and a pioneer in the research and the study of human sexuality, intimacy and relationships. We'll focus on the serious considerations that impact health and happiness. We discussed the hallowed ground of both physical and emotional intimacy between couples. This episode is relevant for anyone in a relationship or considering entering a relationship. For most, when all is said and done, sex is less important than safety. Understanding the how and why is essential to healthy relationships. We'll cover all this and more. Join us.
Bill McKibben is a life-long environmentalist, activist, journalist, and author who has written extensively on the impact of global warming. In our conversation we review the significance of recent climate legislation, the technological alternatives to fossil fuels, and the ways and means currently at work to reclaim the climate – with special focus given to what the Baby Boomers can do.
We talk with Ken Burns, Lynn Novick and Sarah Botstein about their new film, The U.S. and the Holocaust. The three-part, six-hour documentary series premiered on PBS September on 18-20, 2022, and examines America's response to one of history's greatest humanitarian crises. Ken Burns states "that he won't work on a more important film". As well as discussing their latest and important film, they talk about the magic of their team and working together, their professional callings, the craft of filmmaking, and "the how" of tackling difficult topics.
Sarah Hill, CEO of Healium, believes that biometrically-responsive immersive media experiences served through virtual and augmented reality technology can help millions better cope with the mental stress of our times. Join us for a discussion on how. She has 25 years of experience building unique media franchises. She has five patents for biometrically-powered media. Her company's mental fitness products are clinically validated in five peer-reviewed journals, and her immersive experiences have been viewed more than 7 million times.
Andrew Fraknoi is an award-winning scientist and educator, known for his skill in interpreting astronomical discoveries and ideas in everyday language. He is the lead author of the most frequently used basic astronomy textbook in the country, Astronomy, and a budding author of science fiction stories based on good astronomy. Join us for a conversation in everyday language about our latest discoveries regarding the mysteries and majesty of the cosmos.
John Hamilton McWhorter V is an associate professor of English and comparative literature at Columbia University with a specialty in creole languages, sociolects, and Black English. McWhorter is also a major pundit on social issues, and currently a columnist for the New York Times. Our conversation is as much about the use of the language we use to exchange ideas, as about the ideas themselves.
McWhorter is the author of more than twenty books including Woke Racism, The Power of Babel: A Natural History of Language, Losing the Race: Self Sabotage in Black America and Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue: The Untold History of English. In 2016 he published Words on the Move: Why English Won't - and Can't - Sit Still (Like, Literally). He has written for many publications including The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, The New Republic, The Chicago Tribune, The New Yorker and CNN.
You can find John McWhorter on Twitter: @JohnHMcWhorter
World-renowned innovator and commentator on everything tech, Amber shares her reflections across the board on living in our digital age drawing on her perspectives as a technology spokesperson, a media specialist, a concerned citizen, a woman, and a mother. Chock-full of practical recommendations, Amber's insights span the spectrum of issues related to our living and thriving in this digital age.
Dr. Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations, will share his sober assessments on the clear and present threats in the world today, the greatest of which are domestic. He will draw from his most recent work, The World: A Brief Introduction, current events, and his upcoming book on American democracy, to illuminate the factors we must address as a nation and a globe on the road ahead in order to preserve our collective civil society.
As one of the world's leading spokespersons for democracy, Larry Diamond of the Hoover Institution, Stanford University, the Journal of Democracy and the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI), reflects on the threats to global democracy and his proposals for reinstating and reinforcing the health of our own democracy in the United States.
In 2020-22, Dr. Robert Wachter's tweets on Covid-19 were viewed over 400 million times by 250,000 followers and served as a trusted source of information on the clinical, public health, and policy issues surrounding the pandemic. We will hear his latest assessments on COVID-19 and much more.