
Future Optimist
Mind-expanding tales of entrepreneurship and people building the world of tomorrow, brought to you by aloa.agency.
Latest episodes

Aug 16, 2024 • 40min
Julie Bliss Mullen: What are PFAS (forever chemicals) and how is Aclarity solving this massive problem? - Ep. 220
Julie Bliss Mullen is cofounder and CEO of Aclarity and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. Her company Aclarity destroys PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and mitigates risk at landfills and centralized waste treatment facility. You might have heard of "forever chemicals"—tiny particulates that are found everywhere, and sadly, in all of our blood streams and even in breast milk. These chemicals may cause cancer and other harm, and they are ubiquitous in our products and even our drinking water. Julie Bliss Mullen is on a mission to make forever chemicals a thing of the past—I can think of no nobler pursuit. ➡️ https://www.aclaritywater.com ➡️ My digital agency, Aloa®.

Aug 9, 2024 • 15min
Lab-Grown Meat: Is This the Future of Food? - Ep. 219
Is lab-grown the future of meat? Even after $1.6B in investment into the sector, is cultivated meat a viable long-term solution? I created a fact-based, humorous video covering the history and future of meat replacements, including plenty of data-driven insights. The short answer is: YES, it’s an incredible necessary thing for humanity. But that doesn’t necessarily mean these products will be flying off the shelves in the short term. What about you? Would you eat/support/invest in lab-grown meat? Watch this as a video.

Jul 26, 2024 • 16min
Dr. Masachs Boungou: How REAL Adversity Leads to Stronger Entrepreneurs - Ep. 218
Dr. Masachs Boungou, an eternal optimist, author, and public speaker, shares his incredible journey from fleeing war-torn Republic of the Congo to finding success in the United States. The type of entrepreneurship practiced in Silicon Valley is often criticized for being homogenous and lacking diversity. That's why Dr. Boungou's is such a fresh perspective. Many privileged entrepreneurs have no idea what real hardship looks like. Dr. Masachs Boungou was able to turn horrific childhood events into a positive outlook, and now? He has authored a paper on how extreme personal tragedy has driven 25 entrepreneurs to later greatness. It's proof that you can overcome anything life throws at you, if you have the right mindset.

Jul 20, 2024 • 40min
$20MM for Futuristic Houseplants That Fight Indoor Air Pollution with Lionel Mora - Ep. 217
Lionel Mora is the co-founder and CEO of NeoPlants, a start-up that's raised $20 million for plants that tackle indoor air pollution. In this inspiring episode, he shares his insights on the potential of nature to address significant issues like climate change and indoor air pollution, using plants as technology. Lionel discusses the innovative approaches NeoPlants is taking, including bioengineered microbiomes and sustainable product design, to create plants that purify air 30 times more efficiently than traditional ones. Learn about the challenges of building a company that merges deep tech with consumer products, the importance of scientific credibility, and the future of synthetic biology. Discover how NeoPlants aims to bring a touch of nature into our modern lives, creating a sustainable and healthier living environment. My agency: https://aloa.agency NeoPlants: https://neoplants.com

Jul 11, 2024 • 20min
Ross & Maru Face the Future: How We Built a 7-Figure Agency - Ep. 216
Bonus! My wife Maru and I talk about our experiences and challenges in building a successful 7-figure digital marketing agency. In this special episode, I reflect on my early skills in technology and programming, transitioning into different careers, and eventually founding their agency in 2016. We discuss the evolution of the business from freelancing to building a team of 14. If you've ever thought of following a similar path, this episode is for you. ➡️ Our agency: https://aloa.agency

Jul 5, 2024 • 38min
Niccolò Ferrari: A Brilliant Business to Handle the Looming EV Battery Crisis - Ep. 215
Niccolò Ferrari is the founder and CEO of Scoutit, a brilliant business concept that will enable the EV battery circular economy. Today? EVs are the minority on the road. But soon? We'll have millions of dead batteries to dispose of, creating a possible ecological nightmare. But Niccolò has taken matters into his own hands, turning Italy's "motor valley" upside down. ➡️ https://scoutitweb.com ➡️ My digital agency: aloa.agency

Jun 26, 2024 • 14min
Ross & Maru Face the Future: Are We Optimistic After 200+ Interviews With Successful Entrepreneurs? - Ep. 214
Join us for a rare, reflective conversation about the learnings and insights gained from hosting a podcast, highlighting the inspiring work of diverse and talented individuals, including entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders. My wife and I discuss the emotional and intellectual journey from ignorance to awareness about global challenges such as resource shortages and climate change, and how these issues are being addressed. The main question is: Are we more or less optimistic after talking to all these people?? ➡️ Our agency: https://aloa.agency ➡️ Watch this Episode on YouTube: @therosspalmer

Jun 19, 2024 • 34min
Andriy & Sergiy Lyubchyk: Game-Changing Tech That Generates Energy from Thin (Humid) Air! - Ep. 213
Andriy & Sergiy Lyubchyk are co-founding brothers of CascataChuva a Portuguese eco-tech company that believes it can literally pull energy from thin air. This idea is almost too wild to be true, but apparently we're all just one NDA away from seeing it for ourselves... While running another experiment, these brothers discovered that there were forces they couldn't account for. This discovery led them to develop "a revolutionary technological solution for producing electrical energy through direct conversion of humidity adsorption energy by elaborating a highly innovative 'atmospheric humidity to electricity' converter device. Is it a game-changer in clean energy? Or pseudoscience? Let's find out! ➡️ https://cascatachuva.eu ➡️ My digital marketing agency, Aloa.

Jun 12, 2024 • 38min
Daniel Carcillo: From Stanley Cup Winner to Psychedelic Therapy Pioneer - Ep. 212
Daniel Carcillo was a pro hockey veteran and 2-time Stanley Cup winner. But his life changed when he was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome and traumatic brain injury (TBI) following his 10-year career as an “enforcer” in the NHL. After years of suffering from neurological issues, he found solace in psychedelic medicine – something that traditional pharmaceuticals could not provide. Today, Daniel is an advocate on behalf of TBI survivors and those dealing with mental health challenges, vocal about the inadequacies of America’s healthcare system, which is driving patients to explore novel treatments such as Ketamine, MDMA, & Psilocybin. This is why he co-founded Healing Realty Trust (HRT), a real estate investment trust investing in the clinical infrastructure required to support tomorrow’s medicine. As COO, he hopes to help unlock the industry’s growth and help millions of people access these therapies by providing a real estate network that supports innovative medicine. ➡️ My digital marketing agency, Aloa. ➡️ Watch this Episode on YouTube: @therosspalmer DISCLAIMER: THIS PODCAST DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE The content of this podcast is for entertainment/informational purposes only. No material in this podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen.

Jun 5, 2024 • 49min
Mark Atkeson: ByteDyance, TikTok, and Three Decades of Entrepreneurship in China - Ep. 211
Mark Atkeson is the author of 'Risky Business in Rising China', a book chronicalling three decades of business, tech, and politics in China. TikTok, ByteDance... China seems to be always in the news. Sometimes for good, sometimes for... less than good? Either way, I wanted to explore the real truth of China's rise and its role in shaping the world of today and tomorrow. In this episode, Mark shares his unique experiences and observations from his extensive career, highlighting the significant lift of 800 million people out of poverty, the rise of China's private sector, and the critical economic ties between the U.S. and China. This episode covers a range of compelling topics including the transformation of China's automotive industry, the cultural work ethics of Silicon Valley and China, the great firewall, and the future of U.S.-China relations. ➡️ https://www.markatkeson.com ➡️ Work with my digital agency, Aloa. ➡️ Watch this Episode on YouTube: @therosspalmer