Scott Gottlieb, former FDA commissioner and healthcare expert, and Patrick Boyle, financial commentator and YouTuber, dive into pressing topics. They explore the political implications of vaccine announcements and transparency issues with big pharma, specifically Pfizer. The conversation shifts to the fintech landscape, discussing the risks of debanking practices and regulatory scrutiny. Gottlieb and Boyle also touch on the geopolitical landscape, with insights into the Ukraine conflict and its broader implications for international relations.

There's no question technology played a huge role in the recent/current pandemic, including especially in the plug-and-play engineering and incredibly fast development behind the mRNA vaccines... But is there an even bigger role for the private sector, not just government, to play (and partner) when it comes to key infrastructure for future such emergencies, and even beyond?Especially given how faulty the translation of institutional science to policy and public health measures turned out to be -- for instance, with "6 feet" of social distancing, or with fomite (vs. aerosol) transmission of COVID. And why are we still talking about the same, not specific, vaccine booster for the Delta variant? What can we learn about real-world evidence, other clinical trial approaches, and progressive (vs. binary) EUA approvals when it comes to public health emergencies? Are capabilities like genomic surveillance and mapping strains -- which require layers of technology, real time -- sitting in the right places?In this special book-launch episode of the a16z Podcast, former FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb -- author of the upcoming new book, Uncontrolled Spread: Why COVID-19 Crushed Us, and How We Can Defeat the Next Pandemic -- shares insights on the above, and revealing stories from behind the scenes. Do we need a new entity to manage public health through a national security lens, and is the government capable? Gottlieb debates this and other probing questions from a16z co-founder Marc Andreessen (who famously wrote "It's time to build"); a16z bio general partner Vineeta Agarwala MD, Phd (who has spoken about the trials of clinical trials, practiced medicine during the pandemic, and more); and founding a16z bio general partner Vijay Pande PhD (who, among other things, founded the distributed computing project Folding@Home which pivoted to COVID proteins).One thing's for sure -- with this COVID crisis, we're at an inflection point between old and new technology -- whether it's in how we make vaccines, or how we apply the fields of synthetic biology and genetic epidemiology in public health response. So now's the time to look both backward, and forward, to really change things...

Scott Gottlieb, former FDA commissioner, dives into the alarming rise of flu, RSV, and norovirus this winter, shedding light on why these illnesses are peaking. He discusses the strain on healthcare systems and the crucial role of public health policies. Additionally, the conversation touches on major executive changes at Apple and Disney, probing into how these leadership shifts might shape the future of these giants in 2025. The complexities of healthcare challenges and their implications for society also take center stage.

Joining the discussion is Scott Gottlieb, former FDA commissioner and current CNBC contributor, who shares insights on the shifting landscape of U.S. healthcare, particularly under potential political changes. Gary Vaynerchuk highlights the booming trend of live shopping on TikTok, where influencers are cashing in like never before, echoing the QVC model. The conversation also touches on the FTC's investigation into Microsoft, philanthropy’s effects on the wealthiest Americans, and the rising films that made waves this Thanksgiving.

Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former FDA Commissioner, provides critical insights on public health, highlighting the rising threat of mosquito-borne viruses and the need for improved safety regulations in medical labs. He emphasizes the importance of pandemic preparedness to prevent future outbreaks. The discussion also touches on generational travel trends and tips for fall vacations, advocating for exploring lesser-known destinations. Overall, it's a thought-provoking blend of travel advice and health safety in a changing world.