People I (Mostly) Admire

Obi Felten, former Head of Getting Moonshots Ready at Google X and founder of Flourish Labs, discusses her shift from groundbreaking tech projects to the critical realm of mental health. She reveals the soul-crushing aspects of her dream job and champions the transformative power of peer support. The conversation highlights the urgent need for accessible mental health care, especially for over 58 million adults in the U.S. Felten emphasizes how shared experiences can foster healing and reshape the therapeutic landscape.

Wendy MacNaughton, an artist and graphic journalist with work featured in the New York Times, shares her poignant insights on art and mortality. She discusses drawing hospice residents and the lessons learned from her time in Rwanda and Guantanamo Bay. Wendy emphasizes the therapeutic power of art in facing grief while encouraging the embrace of imperfection. The conversation also highlights the importance of incorporating fun and creativity into life post-pandemic, revealing how joy can coexist with the heavier themes of life and death.

Sal Khan, the visionary behind Khan Academy and Khan World School, is joined by Chloe Peterson, a student at the innovative online high school. They discuss the school’s unique self-paced learning model that stands apart from traditional education. Chloe shares her transformative experiences, showcasing how personalized learning has positively impacted her, especially in math. Sal also highlights the collaborative environment that champions creativity and mental well-being, all while striving to empower future leaders through accessible education.

David Simon, creator of acclaimed series like "The Wire" and a prominent figure in the Writers Guild strike, discusses the pressing issues surrounding TV writing. He delves into the economic landscape of the industry, emphasizing the need for fair compensation and union solidarity. Simon shares his thoughts on the evolving role of writers amid the rise of AI, highlighting concerns about creativity and job security. He also reflects on the streaming industry's challenges and the necessity for writers to adapt while preserving their narrative power.

Dive into the fascinating world of dinosaur fossils as the podcast explores how a T. rex skeleton fetched nearly $32 million at auction. Discover the intricate balance between fossil hunting on public versus private land and hear the journey of an amateur paleontologist uncovering valuable finds. The discussion addresses the financial challenges fossil hunters face and raises ethical questions about commercialization versus scientific research. Learn about the crucial need to preserve significant fossils in the name of science, not just profit.

Nobel Prize-winning economist Robert Solow, at 98, shares his remarkable insights on economic growth and inequality. He discusses the challenges of reducing wealth disparity in a stationary economy and critiques the traditional GDP metrics. Solow reflects on his experiences during the Great Depression and their impact on his views about economic security. He also touches on the political dynamics influencing economics and shares light-hearted trivia from his life, blending serious topics with his remarkable journey through history.

In this discussion, Talithia Williams, a statistician at Harvey Mudd College and PBS NOVA host, emphasizes the importance of tracking personal health data for better medical decisions. She shares insights on the need for inclusivity in math education and highlights the vital role of mentorship in overcoming barriers in STEM fields. Talithia and Steve Levitt also explore the challenges Black individuals face in mathematics and discuss how real-world applications of data can engage students and transform education.

In this engaging discussion, Kevin Kelly, co-founder of Wired Magazine and celebrated futurist, shares his visionary insights on AI's impact on society. He argues that while AI presents challenges, it also offers extraordinary opportunities, much like electricity did. Emphasizing the need for long-term thinking, he critiques simplistic models and advocates for embracing complexity in decision-making. With anecdotes on timeless wisdom and personal growth, Kelly inspires optimism in navigating the future shaped by technology.

Clementine Jacoby, founder of Recidiviz, transitioned from circus performer to advocate for criminal justice reform using data. She discusses innovative strategies to reduce incarceration rates and improve probation processes. The conversation explores how data-driven decisions helped manage prison populations during the pandemic, emphasizing low recidivism rates. Jacoby also shares personal stories about navigating the complexities of the justice system, blending humor and insight from her unique career path.

Joining the conversation is Sarah Hart, Gresham Professor of Geometry and author known for weaving math into literature. She dives into the beauty of patterns in everyday life and how constraints can spark creativity in storytelling. Sarah discusses the fascinating intersection of math and literature, from haikus to graph theory in narratives. She advocates for engaging teaching methods that blend creativity with math, sharing how innovative approaches can inspire students to embrace the subject with joy and curiosity.