Tobi Lüthke, the CEO and co-founder of Shopify, shares his journey from a German coder to a leading innovator in e-commerce. He discusses the cultural dynamics between Germany and North America, including how outsiders excel in coding. Tobi humorously reflects on his miserable schooling in Germany and the lack of tech giants there. He dives into the future of retail with AI and virtual reality, emphasizing the lessons fantasy novels provide for leadership. Plus, he explores the balance between trust and creativity in the workplace.

Philip Ball, an award-winning science writer with a rich background in chemistry and physics, dives into captivating discussions on the pressures scientists face today and their historical stand against oppression. He explores societal themes like declining fertility rates, the profound significance of Gothic cathedrals, and the evolution of modern myths reflecting today's anxieties. Ball reveals alarming insights about microplastics in human bodies and critiques the current state of transformative scientific discoveries, all while sharing reflections from his diverse writing journey.

Nate Silver, renowned for his expertise in statistics and data analysis, dives into captivating discussions about the interplay between predictions, politics, and poker. He reveals how coin flips help combat bias and shares insights on the historical roots of gambling. The conversation explores the evolution of poker strategy influenced by game theory, the importance of sports analytics, and the complexities of risk-taking behavior. Silver also touches on the impact of AI on forecasting and shares his thoughts on monumental decisions influenced by drugs in politics.

Paul Bloom, a renowned psychologist and writer, dives into the moral psychology of children and the fascinating intricacies of empathy and disgust. He discusses how babies can intuitively judge character and explores the development of morality in young minds. Bloom delves into the ethical dilemmas surrounding the value of lives—human versus animal—and the potential biases of AI influenced by emotions. Throughout the conversation, he reflects on the balance between rationality and emotion in our decisions and the societal implications that arise from these complex dynamics.

Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Alan Taylor and Tyler discuss why Canada didn't join the American revolution, America's obsession with Republic collapse, Texas/Mexico tensions over escaped slaves, US Government considering attacking Canada after Civil War, and much more.

Brian Winter, with 20+ years of Latin America expertise, discusses Brazil's agriculture success, Argentina's startup scene, Bukele's governance in El Salvador, crime in Rio, and Colombia's economic growth. They touch on Uruguay's poverty reduction, Sao Paulo's urban complexity, and more.

Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz discusses his career, including key contributions, debating influence, the importance of taxing land ownership, market dynamics, climate change, legacy of Hugo Chavez, and upcoming book on economics and societal themes.

Geopolitical strategist Velina Tchakarova discusses Balkan Wars impact, China's potential approach to Taiwan, and Putin's aggressive strategies. She analyzes future scenarios, international law dynamics, and her unique approach to geopolitical analysis at FACE.

Michael Nielsen, quantum computing pioneer, discusses beauty in the universe, collaboration, Simone Weil's influence, potential applications of quantum computing, linear algebra's importance, threat of cheap nukes, Mars colonization unknowns, USS Midway visit, and changing views on Emergent Ventures and AI.

Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Benjamin Moser chats about forgotten Dutch masters, productive Rembrandt, special Kunstmuseum, Dutch social tolerance tensions, Clarice Lispector appreciation, Houston's cultural scene, and more in a captivating podcast episode.