Founders in Arms

On this episode of the Curiosity Podcast, Immad and Raj explore the challenges facing San Francisco’s local politics with Sachin Agarwal and Steven Buss, co-founders of GrowSF. GrowSF is a nonprofit aiming to influence the local politics of San Francisco by informing and mobilizing voters. The discussion begins with a look back at how San Francisco’s most pervasive issues (homelessness, housing shortages, crime, etc) first arose and the impact they have had on residents. While faced with a difficult battle ahead, Sachin and Steven share their steadfast belief in the people of San Francisco and their hope for the city’s future. Tune in to explore San Francisco’s city governance and GrowSF’s efforts to drive positive change in the community.Timestamps:[00:00:00] Intro[00:02:13] The influence of small groups[00:06:47] Local governance vs. national politics[00:10:33] Challenges facing San Francisco[00:14:39] Local Elections in San Francisco[00:18:10] San Francisco's far left contingent[00:23:39] Unifying Bay Area governments[00:26:37] Creating a “Rule of Law” city[00:29:06] Insufficient public schools[00:34:03] Public safety and traffic concerns[00:37:26] Political factions[00:41:23] Voter behavior analysis[00:44:19] Politics in democratic societies[00:49:00] Fixing voting issues[00:54:21] Crime in San Francisco[00:56:05] High stakes in democracy

In this episode, Immad and Raj discuss the emerging field of zero net carbon fuels with Prometheus Fuels Founder and CEO, Rob McGinnis. Rob shares the process for removing CO2 from the air and converting it into fuels that can power planes, automobiles, and much more. Tune in to learn how this new development may one day change the future of energy and transportation.[00:00:00] Intro[00:04:29] Prometheus and Process[00:07:30] Liquid fuel and energy infrastructure[00:11:13] Electrolyzer and carbon chains[00:13:38] Nanotube membrane filtration[00:18:59] Renewable gasoline and uncertainty[00:19:31] Liquid e-fuels and battery alternatives[00:23:20] Electrochemical stack advancements[00:27:26] Solving energy grid challenges[00:30:22] Underutilized solar and wind resources[00:33:08] The cost of RNG and hydrogen[00:36:09] Scaling up renewables quickly[00:41:18] Energy security and climate change[00:43:26] Taking on ambitious challenges[00:49:13] Burying carbon in the ground[00:54:09] United States senior level conversations[00:57:37] Geopolitical battles in clean energy[01:00:06] Solid-state batteries and electrification[01:04:19] Energy sources and origins[01:06:24] Solving climate change through technology[01:10:13] Capital and future bets[01:14:36] Government involvement in technologies

In this episode, Immad and Raj discuss biotechnology with Hannu Rajaniemi, Founder and CEO of Helix Nanotechnologies. Hannu shares the potential of mRNA as a platform for various applications, including lab-grown meat, cancer treatment, and customized vaccines. Hannu’s broad thinking and ability to tie biotech to social impact make for an engaging conversation that highlights the exciting potential of mRNA technology.Follow the Curiosity Podcast on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiositypod101/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@curiosity_podcast101?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CuriosityPodcast Substack: https://curiositypodcast.substack.com/ Timestamps:00:02:02 Intro00:08:52 Nanorobotics and future possibilities00:11:05 Modeling Biological functions00:16:04 AI design for immunotherapy00:22:02 Protein synthesis process00:26:29 Turning cells into protein factories00:30:00 mRNA modifications and antiviral sensors00:32:24 mRNA manufacturing and IP disputes00:36:26 Liquid biopsies for early cancer detection00:40:24 Using mRNA for cultured meat00:45:09 Protein structure prediction00:49:05 Evolution of SARS-CoV-200:52:19 The deadliness of viruses00:55:55 mRNA wearable and global immune system01:02:26 Storing information through viruses01:04:07 Exponential technology and genetics

Delian Asparouhov, Co-Founder of Varda Space Industries, discusses the potential of space manufacturing, economic incentives for human presence in space, pharmaceutical applications, market potential, and the challenges of atmospheric reentry. The conversation provides insights into the future of space tech entrepreneurship and the innovative opportunities in space manufacturing.

In this episode, Immad and Raj interview Maxwell Brodie, the Co-Founder and CEO of Rain Industries. Maxwell share how Rain and other tech pioneers are leveraging new technology, such as early detection and autonomous vehicles, to curb the increasing threat of wildfires by rapidly reducing response time. With wildfires becoming more severe and widespread, this conversation delves into innovative solutions being developed to combat this issue that affects millions of people living in areas at high risk. Follow the Curiosity Podcast on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiositypod101/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@curiosity_podcast101?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CuriosityPodcast Substack: https://curiositypodcast.substack.com/ Time stamps:00:00:00 Intro00:05:49 Rapid advancement of wildfire technology.00:11:49 Autonomous aircraft for wildfire suppression.00:30:16 Why new technology is critical to fighting wildfires.00:35:03 Wildfires are a global climate issue.00:41:07 Adapting to climate change challenges.00:44:15 Developing multiple solutions.00:49:27 Early detection technology for wildfires.

Join Immad and Rajat for an in-depth discussion at the intersection of science and art as they chat Cristóbal Valenzuela, CEO and Co-Founder at Runway. Runway’s technology is revolutionizing creativity by leveraging AI to create photorealistic motion pictures. In this episode, Cristóbal shares how AI will enable more creativity through augmentation, some of the ethical concerns of AI filmmaking, and how new technology will allow the next generation of filmmakers to share stories we’ve never seen before.Follow the Curiosity Podcast on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiositypod101/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@curiosity_podcast101?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CuriosityPodcast Substack: https://curiositypodcast.substack.com/ Time stamps:00:00:00 Intro00:05:23 Tools for augmenting human imagination00:10:36 Creativity is an exploration process00:14:48 The future of creative tools00:23:40 Creative explosion through AI augmentation.00:26:00 Positives and negatives of Deepfakes00:29:17 Early stages of video generation technology00:34:00 Equipping teams with the right tools00:40:09 Benefits of collaboration00:42:52 Long-term, value-driven bets00:47:38 How technology will revolutionize art

Join Immad and Rajat for a deep dive into the technology being used to combat climate change with Peter Reinhardt, CEO and Co-Founder of Charm Industrial, a company that specializes in carbon removal. In this episode, Peter shares how Charm is leveraging pyrolysis and dry oil wells to remove carbon from the atmosphere, why companies are beginning to favor carbon removal over carbon offsets, and the relationship between government agencies and private companies in combating global warming.Follow the Curiosity Podcast on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiositypod101/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@curiosity_podcast101?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CuriosityPodcast Substack: https://curiositypodcast.substack.com/ Time stamps:00:00:00 Intro00:05:23 Carbon removal process00:14:29 Growth of the carbon removal market00:18:26 Machinery and biomass cost00:24:05 The scale of reversing climate change00:31:42 Carbon removal and reducing emissions.00:32:16 Supply constraints 00:38:30 Governments’ role00:44:05 Advancements in carbon removal technologies00:46:18 Geoengineering risks00:51:16 Working with hardware

Immad and Raj talk to Psychedelics therapy expert Dr. Jeeshan Chowdhury, Founder / CEO of Journey ColabKey topics:The history of psychedelics Role of them in therapeutical settingsWhy psychedelics have been misunderstoodWhat the future holds for this and other drugsFollow the Curiosity Podcast on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiositypod101/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@curiosity_podcast101?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CuriosityPodcast Substack: https://curiositypodcast.substack.com/

Immad and Raj talk to popular macroeconomics writer Noah Smith, formerly of Bloomberg.Key topics:Inflation and the current state of the economy, plus future risksAmerica's relationship with China and how we should play our cardsImmigration and our labor market, and some thoughts for how things will changeRabbits!Follow the Curiosity Podcast on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiositypod101/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@curiosity_podcast101?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CuriosityPodcast Substack: https://curiositypodcast.substack.com/

Immad and Raj talk with the 'Edison of Medicine' Bob Langer - founder of over 40 biotech companies, including Moderna. Key topics:What does the future of drug delivery and tissue engineering look like?How has Bob managed to make a career in academia so entrepreneurial? What can we do to maximize innovation in biotech?Follow the Curiosity Podcast on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiositypod101/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@curiosity_podcast101?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CuriosityPodcast Substack: https://curiositypodcast.substack.com/