Joe Lonsdale: American Optimist
Joe Lonsdale
American Optimist, hosted by Joe Lonsdale: entrepreneur, investor, and founder of four multi-billion dollar companies and other mission-driven organizations. American Optimist is an alternative to the fear, cynicism, and zero-sum thinking in mainstream media. Learn from the innovators and leaders who are solving our nation’s most pressing challenges, and doing it in a way that will lift everyone up. Hope should dominate our discourse, and American Optimist will show you why. blog.joelonsdale.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 23, 2024 • 37min
Ep 90: Ethan Penner on Choosing Greatness & Pioneering New Markets on Wall Street
Author Ethan Penner discusses choosing greatness, pioneering new markets on Wall Street, and the misconceptions around achieving excellence in daily life. He emphasizes the importance of personal accountability, resilience, and societal structures in enabling individual greatness. The conversation also delves into historical examples and cultural contrasts to highlight the quest for excellence and optimism in times of transition.
May 16, 2024 • 40min
Ep 89: Coleman Hughes on "The End of Race Politics" & the Worst Ideas Done in the Name of Diversity
Author Coleman Hughes discusses his book 'The End of Race Politics.' He advocates for colorblindness, challenges anti-racist ideas, exposes flaws in diversity initiatives, and argues for focusing on character and merit over race in public policy.
May 10, 2024 • 46min
Ep 88: A Conversation with MLK's Attorney & Speechwriter: Dr. Clarence Jones
Dr. Clarence Jones, MLK's attorney and speechwriter, shares his journey from high school valedictorian to civil rights activist. He discusses the black-Jewish alliance, radical non-violence, DEI, CRT, and colorblindness. Dr. Jones emphasizes pursuing excellence and unity for justice, urging love and understanding in today's divided world.
May 2, 2024 • 35min
Ep 87: Dr. Cliff Winston — Deregulate Lawyers, Deregulate Airlines, and Let Markets Correct Themselves
Dr. Cliff Winston, a microeconomist, discusses the flaws of economic theories, government programs, and the benefits of market corrections. He emphasizes the need for government retrospectives and experiments. The conversation covers topics like airline deregulation, deregulating the legal profession, and the benefits of market self-correction. Overall, the podcast explores the balance between government intervention and market corrections for effective policy implementation.
Apr 25, 2024 • 33min
Ep 86: How to Design a STEM Curriculum for the 21st Century with Dr. David Ruth
Dr. David Ruth, STEM education expert, discusses designing a cutting-edge STEM curriculum at UATX. They focus on computation-enabled thinking, industry collaboration, and balancing foundational concepts with practical applications. The podcast explores the importance of hands-on learning, integrating philosophical concepts, and preparing students for real-world challenges in the innovation economy.
Apr 18, 2024 • 39min
Ep 85: The Path to Regime Change in Iran with Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi
Exiled Crown Prince of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, discusses his vision for a secular and democratic Iran, detailing the oppressive regime's impact post-Revolution. He talks about strategies for regime change, geopolitical complexities, and the need for Western support without taxpayer money. Pahlavi emphasizes empowering Iranian people, fostering internal movements, and planning for a democratic transition post-regime collapse.
Apr 11, 2024 • 30min
Ep 84: Sri Ganesan on Freshworks' Big Win, Building Rocketlane & India's Tech Boom
Sri Ganesan of Rocketlane discusses India's tech boom, Freshworks' success, and building Rocketlane as a global force. They delve into cultural differences, scaling strategies, and the future of tech talent distribution, highlighting the fusion of American expertise with Indian innovation.
Apr 5, 2024 • 32min
Ep 83: A New Cancer Breakthrough with Ivan Dimov of Orca Bio
Ivan Dimov of Orca Bio discusses their groundbreaking cell therapy alternative for leukemia, with virtually zero rejection, potentially curing other diseases. Their journey to FDA approval includes challenges in collaboration, regulation, and insurance, with a unique in-house commercialization approach.
35 snips
Mar 21, 2024 • 41min
Ep 82: Whitney Baker's Masterclass on Macro Investing & the State of the Economy
Delve into macro investing with expert Whitney Baker as she traces economic history from the 1970s to today. Explore the impact of deficit spending, China's entry into the US bond market, and the dot com bubble. Learn how inflation and the Federal Reserve's actions shape the economy, and how technological progress can drive us forward despite challenges.
Mar 14, 2024 • 34min
Ep 81: How Palantir Star Tyler Scriven Is Helping Small Businesses Compete Against Amazon
Tyler Scriven, former Palantir talent, now CEO of Saltbox, discusses the future of small business e-commerce logistics. Learn how Saltbox's co-warehousing model helps small businesses compete with giants like Amazon. Explore Tyler's journey from Palantir to entrepreneurial success, highlighting leadership lessons and the importance of courage in entrepreneurship.
