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Cryosphere Podcast

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May 31, 2025 • 1h 34min

Is Cryonics a Pseudoscience? - Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston

Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston, a research fellow at Monash University and author of *The Future Loves You*, dives into the controversial realm of cryonics. She discusses why she labels cryonics as 'pseudoscience' and explores its societal perceptions. The conversation includes insights on biostasis, memory retention in preserved brains, and complex ideas of identity and consciousness. Ariel also touches on public attitudes towards life extension and the emotional and ethical dilemmas surrounding digital copies of ourselves. It's a thought-provoking discussion on the future of life and death.
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Apr 6, 2025 • 1h 1min

Mark Woodward - A Revolution in Cryoprotectants

In this episode of The Cryosphere Podcast, hosts Max Marty and Rebecca Ziegler sit down with Mark Woodward, founder of Wake Bio, who's applying cutting-edge AI techniques to solve one of cryonics' most fundamental challenges: developing superior cryoprotectants. With a background in AI/ML at Google Brain and Stanford, Mark explains how he's now using machine learning to rapidly explore the chemical landscape in search of compounds that can protect biological tissue during freezing without the toxicity issues that plague current solutions. He's starting with Zebrafish, but his ultimate goal is full body human reanimation. Topics Discussed: -* How AI can accelerate cryoprotectant discovery by helping us navigate chemical combinations* The physics of vitrification and why current cryoprotectants struggle with larger organisms* Wake Bio's methodical approach: starting with zebrafish before progressing to mammals* Why warming tissue needs to happen faster than cooling to prevent ice crystal formation* The debate between biological reanimation versus mind uploading approaches* The practical challenges of transitioning from lab settings to real-world cryopreservation* How Wake Bio's research might eventually revolutionize organ preservation and transplantation* Mark's ambitious five-year goal of successfully preserving adult mice and ten-year vision for human cryopreservationLinks:* Wake Bio's Website: https://wake.bio* Contact: mark [at] wake.bio This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cryospherepress.substack.com
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16 snips
Oct 22, 2024 • 1h 4min

Dan Held - Rethinking the Vision of Cryonics

In this episode of The Cryosphere podcast, hosts Max Marty and Rebecca Ziegler welcome Dan Held—a serial crypto entrepreneur and Bitcoin educator with over 850,000 followers on social media. As a General Partner at Asymmetric and former Head of Marketing at Kraken, Dan brings a wealth of experience in marketing disruptive technologies. He recently spoke at the Global Cryonics Summit in Miami about how cryonics can market itself and become more mainstream.Topics Discussed:•Dan's journey into bitcoin and how the 2008 financial crisis reshaped his worldview.•The role of open-mindedness in embracing new technologies•How Dan applies the concept of “return on stress” to choose his projects•The Japanese philosophy of Ikigai and its influence on his career decisions•Parallels between the early adoption of crypto and the current state of cryonics•Challenges in marketing cryonics and shifting the Overton Window•Strategies for targeting innovators and early adopters in the cryonics space•The potential synergy between the crypto community and cryonics enthusiasts•Philosophical discussions on immortality and the future of human experience•An “Overrated or Underrated” segment covering NFTs, AI existential risk, and university degreesPlus: Max & Becca's reflections on the conversation.Relevant Links:• Dan Held on X: https://x.com/danheld• Dan Held on the web: https://www.danheld.com/•Dan Held at the GCS in Miami 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAmXR9bQ5cwNote: We've recently changed the name of the podcast from The Cryonics Underground to Cryosphere Podcast. We also have a new host, Rebecca Ziegler, joining Daniel Walters and Max Marty. With that, more great episodes to come! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cryospherepress.substack.com
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Jun 26, 2024 • 5min

Update Episode: The Global Cryonics Summit in Miami

*(edit) We are officially sold out, but you can still add your email at the bottom of the website to get updates about future events.  In this quick update episode, Max and Daniel take a break from their usual guest format to update you on the Global Cryonics Summit in Miami this July 20th and 21st. Take a quick listen and then check out the show notes for details.   If you haven't purchased your tickets yet, you can grab them at GlobalCryonicsSummit.com. Show Notes:The event will be taking place at Ampersand Studios. We’ve secured a discounted room rate at the nearby Arlo Wynwood Hotel (you can use this discount link, but it will only work for a limited time so use it fast). If you want to extend your discount link booking to stay over on Sunday night as well, please click on Monday the 22nd as the checkout date even though it's X'd out, as that should make it work properly. That said, Miami is a major travel destination with many wonderful places to stay so feel free to shop around.If you’ve purchased our Patron Pass ticket, you’ll get a separate email with your pass to our Speaker/Sponsor dinner which will be Saturday evening after the day’s events. If you have already purchased a standard ticket but would like to upgrade to a Patron Pass and join us at Saturday’s Speaker and Sponsors Dinner, please reach out to us a globalcryonicssummit@gmail.com.Arlo Wynwood Full Link: https://be.synxis.com/?Hotel=38349&Chain=19470&arrive=2024-07-19&depart=2024-07-21&adult=1&child=0&group=PROTO This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cryospherepress.substack.com
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5 snips
Mar 11, 2024 • 2h 45min

John Smart - Alternative Methods of Brain Preservation

Important Note! Join your hosts Max and Daniel, plus luminaries from across the Cryonics industry, at the upcoming Global Cryonics Summit on July 20-21st in Miami, Florida. Go to globalcryonicssummit.com for early-bird tickets and more information.-----In this episode, Max and Daniel are joined by John Smart, the Vice President and Co-Founder of the Brain Preservation Foundation.  Our wide-ranging conversation delves into some of the lesser know alternatives to traditional cryopreservation.In this episode, we explore:John Smarts many roles as a futurist, foresight consultant and entrepreneur.The Brain Preservation Foundation: Brief History and MissionThe Brain Preservation Prize and its winnersAldehyde Stabilized Cryopreservation  (ASC)The many methods of brain preservation scienceQuestions about the true cost of brain preservationJohns famous article on "The Three Camps of Brain Preservation"Debates about the nature of identity and consciousness And much more! As always, you can find Max and Daniel over at the Cryosphere Cryonics discord server and the Cryonics Subreddit.Click here for the YouTube video version of this episode.You can also find the Cryonics Underground Podcast and host Max Marty on Twitter.Links:The Brain Preservation FoundationAspirational NeuroscienceForesight University This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cryospherepress.substack.com
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Oct 20, 2023 • 6min

Update Episode: Milestones and Upcoming Events

In this brief update episode, Max and Daniel take a break from their usual guest format to share some exciting announcements and milestones.In this update episode, we discuss:Cryosphere's Growth: Celebrating the big achievement of reaching 1,000 members in our community.Upcoming AMA: All about the "Ask Me Anything" session on Saturday, October 28th at 1PM CDT (UTC-5) at the Cryosphere cryonics discord server. Click here to learn about our esteemed panelists and how to participate.r/cryonics Subreddit Revamp: The cryonics subreddit is under new management. Get insights into what's new and what to expect in the future. Cryonics Conference Teaser: A sneak peek into our plans for an industry-wide Cryonics conference slated for next year and how interested parties can get involved. To get in touch with us about sponsorship, email us at cryonicsunderground@gmail.comNext Episode Preview: A hint at our next episode featuring Sayer Johanson, the chief operations officer at Suspended Animation Inc.Click here for the YouTube video version of this episode. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cryospherepress.substack.com
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Aug 11, 2023 • 2h 51min

James Arrowood - New Leadership and New Directions at Alcor

In this episode, Max and Daniel are joined by James Arrowood, Alcor's new CO-CEO.  Our wide-ranging conversation delves into James's approach to leadership, his views on Alcor as a business and several of his upcoming strategic initiatives.In this captivating conversation, we explore:The upcoming strategic meeting taking place in Estes Park, CO on Aug 25th and 26th (see below for tickets and more info).How James views his role alongside Marji Klima as CO-CEO.How James separates his approach from his predecessors. The new in-house DART approach to SST at AlcorAlcor vs the competitionThe for-profit non-profit distinctions in the Cryonics industryManaging legal exposure and legal risk in this industryCommunity questionsAnd more! As always, you can find Max and Daniel over at the Cryosphere Cryonics discord server.Click here for the YouTube video version of this episode.For tickets to the upcoming strategic meeting in Estes Park, CO, check out this eventbrite page here. The event will be taking place at well known the Stanley Hotel, so be sure to call them for a special member discount on a room for the event.You can also find the Cryonics Underground Podcast and host Max Marty on Twitter. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cryospherepress.substack.com
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Jun 14, 2023 • 1h 55min

Michael Benjamin - Intriguing Outcomes of Alcor's Meta-Analysis

In this episode, Max and Daniel sit down with Michael Benjamin to discuss his meta-analysis of Alcor's case history. He is working on a comprehensive meta-analysis of all Alcor patient cases, an endeavor whose goal is to develop, experimentally validate, and refine a quantitative cryopreservation evaluation methodology. Michael brings with him 20 years of experience in physics, engineering and mathematics having worked at places such as NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Brookhaven National Labs and Lockheed Martin.Topics include:Michael's experience in the space industry His unique health challenges and how they could affect his cryopreservationThe inception of Alcor's Meta-Analysis projectS-Mix score and why he values it as a primary metricConcerns and limitations with the S-Mix scoreSome surprising results of the meta-analysis The dangers of unattended death and suicideThe newly established Biostasis Technologies organization and what it means for the industryAnd much more...As always, you can find Max and Daniel over at the Cryosphere Cryonics discord server.Click here to check out our YouTube video version of the episode.Link to Biostasis Technologies and Michael and Aschwin de Wolf's S-Mix Paper This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cryospherepress.substack.com
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9 snips
Apr 12, 2023 • 2h 13min

Aubrey de Grey - Bridging the Gap between Cryonics and Life Extension

In this episode, Max and Daniel sit down with the renowned Aubrey de Grey to discuss the connection between life extension and cryonics. They cover a wide range of topics, diving into the latest breakthroughs and obstacles in both fields.In this captivating conversation, they explore:The current state of rejuvenation technologiesRecent advances in longevity research over the past decadeChallenges still facing life extension sciencePerspectives on achieving longevity escape velocityProgress in robust mouse rejuvenation experimentsAubrey de Grey's journey into the world of cryonicsTanya Jones's new cryonics venture, KeiniceInnovative cryopreservation techniques using helium persufflationThe importance of cryonics vs life extensionThe potential for cryonics to become mainstreamThe search for major donors to support cryonics researchAnd much more! As always, you can find Max and Daniel over at the Cryosphere Cryonics discord server.Click here for the YouTube video version of this episode.Check out the brand new: Longevity Escape Velocity Foundation Follow Aubrey de Grey on Twitter. You can also find the Cryonics Underground Podcast and host Max Marty on Twitter too. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cryospherepress.substack.com
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Mar 1, 2023 • 2h 25min

Rebecca Ziegler - Tomorrow Bio Sets Sail for the New World

In this episode we’re speaking with Rebecca Ziegler - Product Manager at Tomorrow Bio, a member of the Berlin Standby Team, and the newest moderator on the Cryosphere.Why Rebecca chose business over politicsWhat it’s like to work at Tomorrow BioJob opportunities in European CryonicsWhy Tomorrow Bio is expanding to the USProfit vs Nonprofit corporate structures in the Cryonics spaceThe motivations of CryonicistsTomorrow Bio’s new “Brain Only” cryopreservationAlcor’s “Neuro” option vs TB’s “Brain Only” optionHow Tomorrow Bio views marketing cryonics to the publicWhy Tomorrow Biostasis changed their name to Tomorrow BioWhy female cryonicists are less common than male CryonicstsThe migration of the Biostasis Hub to the Cryosphere Discord ServerQuestions from the Cryosphere on R&DRebecca’s experience hosting a Ukrainian refugeeChat GPT and if cryonicists should be worried about runaway AGI?You can also check out our video version on YouTube.As can find Max and Daniel and Rebecca over at the Cryonics Underground Channel in the Cryosphere Cryonics discord server. And you can find out more about Tomorrow Bio at tomorrow.bio This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cryospherepress.substack.com

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