
Trailblazers with Walter Isaacson
We tell the unexpected stories of digital disruption. Listen in as Walter Isaacson, digital revolution expert, explores the unknown drama behind some of the world’s biggest digital disruptions, the daring trailblazers willing to think differently, and the lessons learned along the way. Brought to you by Dell Technologies.
Latest episodes

Aug 26, 2020 • 28min
Podcasts: A Storytelling Breakthrough
Podcasts are everywhere right now and this new mode of storytelling is only getting more popular. In fact, 73 million Americans now listen to podcasts regularly. How did this happen over such a remarkably short period of time?And, more importantly, what comes next?On this episode of Trailblazers, you'll hear from the people who have shaped the past, present and future of podcasting including Derek Vaillant, Dave Winer, Julie Shapiro, Ben Calhoun, Marshall Williams and Jacob Weisberg.For more on the podcast go to delltechnologies.com/trailblazers

Aug 12, 2020 • 30min
Water: A Thirst for Innovation
The planet is covered in water, but only three percent is drinkable. One of the biggest challenges facing all of us is finding an affordable way to move, treat and manage the world's water supply. It's not like a solution to the world's water shortage will just appear out of thin air. Or will it? On this episode of Trailblazers, you'll hear from experts working to solve the global water problems, including Seth Siegel, Takashi Kato, Peter Janicki and Zach Fenster. For more on the podcast go to delltechnologies.com/trailblazers

Jul 29, 2020 • 26min
Archeology: Unearthing the Past
Our history as human beings is buried far beneath the ground, and it's going to take more than picks and shovels to unearth it. That's why modern archaeologists have been enlisting the help of technology like satellites, deep learning and AI. With all these tools at hand, a more complete story about our ancestors begins to emerge. On this episode of Trailblazers, you'll hear from archaeology experts, including Sarah Parcak and Damian Evans, pioneers using satellites and laser scanning in archaeology, and Iris Kramer, founder of ArchEO, a startup using machine learning to process archaeological data. For more on the podcast go to delltechnologies.com/trailblazers

Jul 15, 2020 • 31min
Beer: A Revolution is Brewing
Beer is one of the world's oldest beverages. But for a long time, there was little that could be done to control the brewing process. With the advent of thermometry, however, brewing was standardized. Temperature control helped make beer taste even better. That's where we've seen the most innovation over the past two hundred years.And as you can tell from the sheer volume of different beer on the shelves today, that innovation has continued at a rapid pace.In this episode of Trailblazers, hear from beer historian James Sumner, Mattihas Ebner, the International Brand Ambassador for Bavaria's famous Weihenstephan Brewery, Ken Grossman, the founder of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Sam Calagione, the founder of Dogfish Head Brewery, and IntelligentX's Hew Leith.For more on the podcast go to delltechnologies.com/trailblazers

Jul 1, 2020 • 30min
Hearing Aids: Rediscovering Sound
People have been using hearing aids since the dawn of humanity, but the desire for more fashionable, miniaturized devices and better performance has driven technological advancements in personal communications devices for the last century-and-a-half. Hearables continue to set the pace for major innovation in telecommunications. On this episode of Trailblazers, hear from the president of Starkey Hearing Aids, Brandon Sawalich, about Livio AI — the world's first hearing aid with AI and integrated sensors — as well as Tendekayi Katsiga, the co-founder of Deaftronics, which is providing solar powered hearing aids for those in rural communities throughout Africa.For more on the podcast go to delltechnologies.com/trailblazers

Jun 17, 2020 • 35min
Wellness: Knowing Yourself
What do we mean when we talk about wellness, and why do people want it so badly? In this episode, we dive deep into this sometimes-nebulous field, talking to practitioners who spend their time helping people become well. For more on the podcast go to delltechnologies.com/trailblazers

Apr 8, 2020 • 30min
Fitness: Working Out While Staying In
Exercise is essential to increasing our lifespan, health and mood. With recent technological advancements, there's no need to leave the comfort of your living room to feel the burn. On the latest episode of Trailblazers, we weigh all the different options available to someone looking to take their workout somewhere new. For more on the podcast go to delltechnologies.com/trailblazers

Apr 1, 2020 • 14min
Walter Isaacson Interviews Michael Dell
What will the role of technology and businesses be as we navigate a more digital world? In this special episode, Walter Isaacson and Michael Dell have a one-on-one virtual discussion to find out. For more on the podcast go to delltechnologies.com/trailblazers

Mar 25, 2020 • 29min
Aging: Improving on the Golden Years
Aging is inevitable... or is it? On the latest episode of Trailblazers, we discover what causes our bodies to age and the leaders in scientific fields who are pushing for the advances that can lead to our golden years feeling more golden than ever before. For more on the podcast go to delltechnologies.com/trailblazers

Mar 11, 2020 • 28min
Spying: Hiding in Plain Sight
Spying is an ancient art, going back to at least Sun Tzu 2,500 years ago. It's always been dangerous, but with advanced technology entering the picture in the late 20th century, it has become easier than ever to be compromised as well. Join us as we discover the perils of being a double agent. For more on the podcast go to delltechnologies.com/trailblazers