Future Optimist

Chris Tolles is the CEO of Yardstick, an eco-tech company focused on measuring soil carbon that just raised $12MM in Series A funding. In this episode, we talk about climate challenges, and the potential of addressing climate change through improved agricultural practices. Exploring a niche within a niche, Yardstick aims to create a market by offering a method to measure soil carbon cheaply and effectively, thereby enabling better carbon dioxide removal techniques.  My talk with Chris Tolles covers the importance of accurate measurement in soil health, the financial and environmental incentives for sustainable agriculture, and how Yardstick navigates the complexities of market creation and the voluntary carbon market. Featuring customer success stories and insights into the startup’s journey, this script unfolds the intersection of climate science, agriculture, and entrepreneurship towards a more sustainable future. ➡️ Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mvVrjyMCsx0 ➡️ https://www.useyardstick.com    

Nik Ershov is  the CEO of Waverox, makers of brain-monitoring headphones and headbands that help you de-stress and be more productive. Nik Ershov shares his journey from experiencing severe burnout in the advertising and marketing industry to founding a startup focused on combating stress and increasing productivity through a mind-tracking device and wellness app. He explains how his personal battle with burnout, depression, and anxiety led him to explore neuroscience and develop a technology that utilizes EEG to monitor and improve mental states. We talk about the Waverox device, including tracking brain activity, emotional states, and offering personalized training sessions to enhance stress resilience and productivity. Ourconversation touches on broader topics such as the impact of AI on jobs, the importance of self-care, and philosophical questions about work/life balance. ➡️ https://waverox.com ➡️ Follow me on Instagram: @therosspalmer ➡️ Subscribe on YouTube: @therosspalmer

Dr. Gordon Chiu has 41 patents and recently won Harvard Business School's "Tough Tech" Prize in 2023. He is a graphene pioneer, investor, AI entrepreneur and deep tech expert. In this episode, we discuss various topics including a utopian/dystopian future, the importance of authenticity, the future of technology, and the healing power of music. Join me for a deep philosophical conversation with a man who has raised many millions of dollars in his life for a staggering number of influential projects, including work on the combination of graphene and AI and the possibilities it presents. ➡️ https://phenegra.com ➡️ Follow me on Instagram: @therosspalmer ➡️ Subscribe on YouTube: @therosspalmer

John Hacker is a biomedical engineer and the CEO of NeurGear. His latest innovation is the ZenBud, the market's first ultrasonic vagus nerve stimulator, designed to promote relaxation and combat stress. In this episode, Jon Hacker discusses the underlying technology, its decades of research, and its implications for future wellness applications. He sheds light on the challenges and excitement surrounding new tech developments, emphasizing the blend of existing scientific knowledge with innovative application methods to enhance user experience. Our conversation dips into the broader topic of technological advancements in the medical field, touching upon ethical considerations, potential impacts on pharmaceutical dependencies, and the importance of scientific rigor and regulatory compliance in bringing devices like the ZenBud to market. ➡️ https://zenbud.health ➡️ Follow me on Instagram: @therosspalmer ➡️ Subscribe on YouTube: @therosspalmer

Joining us today is Alan Liu, the co-founder of Persperion Diagnostics, an innovative startup based in San Diego that aims to revolutionize diabetes management with its non-invasive glucose monitoring technology. Founded in 2022 by Alan Liu and Lu Yin, the company leverages cutting-edge touch-based sweat-sensing technology to detect a wide range of biomarkers from a simple fingertip touch. This technology was developed in the nanoengineering lab of UCSD Professor Dr. Joseph Wang, with whom Liu previously worked as a research assistant. After securing a substantial $4 million in venture capital seed funding in June, Persperion is now gearing up for a series of funding rounds to scale up manufacturing and prepare for clinical trials. The company, which has recently expanded to a hybrid lab and office space in Kearny Mesa, aims to start its pilot trial in Q1 of this year and seeks FDA approval later. Liu and Yin, who also co-founded the flexible battery startup Ocella, have been recognized for their pioneering work, making the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the Science category in 2024. As they continue to develop their diagnostic platform, Persperion Diagnostics remains focused on making health monitoring more accessible, affordable, and accurate for millions of people worldwide. ➡️ https://persperiontech.com ➡️ Follow me on Instagram: @therosspalmer ➡️ Subscribe on YouTube: @therosspalmer

Brooke Harris is the founder and CEO of Goodmylk Co., one of the world's leading plant-based dairy companies.  Her awakening to the benefits of a plant-based diet—driven by personal health challenges—unveiled the stark reality of conventional "nutritious" alternatives marred by unhealthy additives. Determined to offer a genuine, healthful option, Brooke's venture into crafting plant-based milks without compromises led to the inception of Goodmylk. We talk about the challenges of building and running an ethical business, making this episode deeply personal and real. ➡️ https://goodmylk.co/ ➡️ Follow me on Instagram: @therosspalmer ➡️ Subscribe on YouTube: @therosspalmer

Massimo Portincaso is the Founder and CEO of Arsenale BioYards. Formerly, he was a managing director at Boston Consulting Group. As the creator of this groundbreaking bio-manufacturing platform (what does that even mean!?!), he’s using crazy tools like yeast to build… Anything! No this isn’t Star Trek… but this is undeniably the kind of future tech that humans have only dreamed about for generations. Beyond Arsenale, Massimo leads Deepwave Ventures, offers his expertise on several advisory boards, and champions the deep tech mission through his work with Hello Tomorrow. His journey from a senior role at BCG to a key player in the bio-economy illustrates a commitment to practical innovation. Arsenale BioYards, recognized for its pioneering approach and backed by its first round of funding, stands as a testament to Massimo's vision of a more efficient and economically viable bio-economy. In short? This man is building the future! ➡️ https://www.arsenale.bio/ ➡️ https://rosspalmer.com/massimo-portincaso ➡️ Follow me on Instagram: @therosspalmer ➡️ Subscribe on YouTube: @therosspalmer

Greg Johnson is the Co-Founder and CEO of AquiPor Technologies. His company offers groundbreaking tech for porous concrete, meaning the sidewalk can collect and capture rain water! AquiPor promotes a new type of material technology intended for urban stormwater management. We will investigate the effectiveness and environmental impact of their products, including their permeable concrete and low-carbon technology claims. The discussion will also cover AquiPor's approach to infrastructure solutions and their real-world applications. Join us as we look beyond the marketing to understand the actual contributions of AquiPor Technologies to urban water systems, and why this crazy tech is so important right now. ➡️ https://aquipor.com/ ➡️ https://rosspalmer.com/greg-johnson ➡️ Follow me on Instagram: @therosspalmer ➡️ Subscribe on YouTube: @therosspalmer

Welcome to Future Optimist! I'm Ross Palmer, founder of aloa.agency, and together we're going to explore the world of the future in all its good and bad glory with the entrepreneurs and visionaries who are building the world of tomorrow. I hope you’ll join me in becoming a Future Optimist! ➡️ Watch these episodes on YouTube ➡️ My agency Aloa®

Wow – 200 interviews in the bag! So what’s next? In this mini-episode I’m going to be telling you three things I’ve learned from the 200 interviews I’ve conducted for the Beat the Often Path podcast. I’m also going to be going into more detail about an exciting change that’s coming up – the name of the podcast is changing to…*drumroll*… Future Optimist! We’re going to explore the world of the future in all its good and bad glory with the entrepreneurs and visionaries who are building the world of tomorrow. I’m excited for this new era of the show, and I hope you’ll join me in becoming a Future Optimist! ➡️ Follow me on Instagram: @therosspalmer ➡️ Subscribe on YouTube: @therosspalmer