In this episode, I sit down with Tara Palmeri, a senior political correspondent for Puck News, who shares her experiences from the campaign trail and insights into the intense world of presidential politics. We discuss the gladiatorial nature of modern politics, the pressures on political journalists, the impact of environmental and public health issues like the Duke Energy nuclear plant, and shifts in political party demographics. Tara highlights the challenges of maintaining ideological neutrality, the role of investigative journalism, and how media dynamics are shifting towards more independent sources. We also delve into the Democratic Party's internal struggles and the potential for structural changes in American politics. 00:00 Welcome  02:16 Environmental Concerns 04:29 NIH Appointment and Vaccine Skepticism 06:22 Political Dynamics and Media Trust 09:52 Balancing Journalism and Personal Beliefs 16:41 Women in Politics and Voting Trends 18:25 Shifts in Political Party Dynamics 21:56 Democratic Party's Challenges 26:35 The Power Broker and New York's Development 29:10 DNC's Search for a Winning Candidate 31:12 Political Capital and Policy Predictions 35:49 Media's Role and Public Perception 41:51 Challenges of Independent Journalism 47:31 Balancing Ideology and Journalism 50:41 Concluding Thoughts

This episode is with Davis Guggenheim, the Oscar-winning director known for 'An Inconvenient Truth' and 'Waiting for Superman.' We dive into Davis's storied career, his insights into Hollywood, the art of storytelling, and the personal and professional challenges he's faced along the way. 02:10 Early Career and Influences 11:43 Navigating Hollywood and Family Connections 21:30 Training Day 32:05 Facing Setbacks and Finding New Paths 44:43 An Inconvenient Truth 01:01:13 The Challenges of 'Waiting for Superman' 01:07:33 Reflections on Filmmaking and Criticism 01:14:14 Access to Powerful Figures 01:21:14 The Future of Filmmaking and AI 01:27:11 Closing Thoughts and Advice

In this episode, I sit down with Chet Pipkin, the visionary founder behind Belkin International, a company that grew from humble beginnings in a garage to become a global, multi-billion dollar brand. Chet shares his extraordinary journey—how he turned a passion for solving connectivity issues in the early days of personal computing into global success story. We delve into the critical decisions that propelled Belkin’s success, including pioneering moves in global manufacturing, and the leadership philosophies that have guided Chet throughout his career. From navigating the challenges of globalization to his commitment to servant leadership and community service, Chet’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and the power of relationships. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a tech enthusiast, or someone curious about the human side of business, this conversation offers a rare glimpse into the mind of a leader who built a multi-billion dollar brand from the ground up.

Ted sits down with world class futurist and microbiologist Andrew Hessel in this episode, to discuss the future of Bioengineering, and programming life from its most fundamental unit, DNA. They discuss the architecture of DNA, its parallels with computer systems, and the potential of writing DNA from scratch. Key topics include synthetic viruses, and the need for global biosecurity measures, the transformative potential of nanotechnology, individualized medicine, and precision treatments in revolutionizing cancer care and combating antibiotic-resistant infections. They also delve into the evolution of bioengineering, digitizing laboratory procedures, and creating synthetic organisms. Future prospects such as biofoundries, space colonization, and enhancing human capabilities through neural engineering are envisioned, emphasizing the importance of ethical frameworks, transparency, and global collaboration to harness these advancements safely. 04:01 Biology as a Molecular Computer 05:49 The Digital Nature of DNA 07:22 Programmable Genetic Code 08:56 The Complexity and Density of DNA 11:29 Synthetic Biology and Genetic Engineering 21:49 The Evolution of DNA Sequencing 25:23 The Rise of Synthetic Biology 33:05 The Future of Synthetic Biology 34:06 Engineering and Modeling Biological Systems 47:51 Synthetic Viruses and Their Applications 58:18 The Need for Transparency in Synthetic Biology 01:03:39 Hacking the President's DNA 01:04:24 Bioweapons and Cancer Biology 01:06:21 Collecting DNA from World Leaders 01:08:00 Raising Awareness About Virus Engineering 01:08:40 COVID-19: A Wake-Up Call 01:15:31 The Future of Biosecurity 01:27:16 Personalized Medicine and Cancer Treatment 01:42:20 Engineering the Environment 01:47:39 Space and Biotechnology 01:58:06 Building Sustainable Space Habitats 01:59:09 Elon Musk's Vision for SpaceX 01:59:34 Life Support Systems for Space 02:00:33 Biosphere 2: A Closed Ecosystem Experiment 02:02:51 Future of Human Evolution and Microbial Adaptation 02:05:09 Gene Editing and Human Cloning 02:07:23 IVF and the Future of Assisted Reproduction 02:30:39 Biohacking and Self-Experimentation 02:33:55 The Future of Bioengineering and AI 02:37:47 Digitizing Biology: The New Frontier 02:52:57 Mosquitoes as Drug Delivery Systems 02:53:58 Creative Energy in Bioengineering 02:57:09 Engineering Memory and Consciousness 03:00:18 Bioengineering and Neural Interfaces 03:05:39 The Human Genome Synthesis Project 03:15:27 Future of Synthetic Biology 03:23:02 Bioengineering for a Sustainable Future

In this episode Ted sits down with Leslie Odom Jr., the world-famous Broadway star known for his role as Aaron Burr in Hamilton. Leslie shares untold stories about his career choices, including walking away from a lucrative TV deal to be part of Hamilton's original cast. The conversation delves into his reflections on fatherhood, the meaning of love, and his recent roles in films like 'The Exorcism' and 'One Night in Miami.' Leslie also discusses how he balances his artistry across different mediums, the importance of loving oneself, and his perspectives on the American Dream and race. Don't miss this thought-provoking and heartfelt discussion with one of the most talented figures in the entertainment industry today.   00:00 Intro 04:18 Fatherhood and Parenting 12:01 The Song 'Loved' and Its Inspiration 23:31 Artistry and Suffering 28:03 Alchemy of Performance 38:41 Race & the American Dream 40:09 The Value of Work and Stability 42:30 Mentorship and Representation 43:57 The Impact of the Pandemic on Art 47:58 The Ephemeral Nature of Theater 53:02 Advice and Personal Growth 58:20 Understanding and Practicing Love 01:08:11 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans

I sat down with Nedjip Tozun, co-founder and CEO of D.light Design, the world's most impactful solar company. They have powered over 170 million people, at the base of the world's economic pyramid, with solar electricity and lighting products. Nedjip and I discuss the trials and tribulations of D.light, we talk about his fascinating views on religion, which underpin the story of d.light, and we talk about the future of sustainable energy / geoengineering.  Ned is a heavy hitter in the world of cleantech and silicon valley. Highly recommend this episode if you are curious about these subjects, about social impact businesses, or about one person's unique journey with religion.  00:00 Intro 04:26 The Miracle Shipment Story 06:26 Navigating Financial Crises 13:45 Mission-Driven Business Decisions 22:05 Capitalism and Social Impact 28:38 Personal Religious Journey 36:08 Rational Arguments for Faith 39:55 Starting D.Light 52:48 Science and Faith Compatibility 58:51 The Fine-Tuning of the Universe 01:03:44 The Possibility of Extraterrestrial Life 01:06:53 Formation of the Moon and Its Impact on Life 01:09:45 The Rarity and Value of Human Life 01:10:43 Exploring Life Beyond Earth 01:11:34 Climate Change and the Future of Energy 01:12:57 The Promise and Challenges of Fusion Energy 01:24:24 Geoengineering and Carbon Capture Innovations 01:33:14 Reflections on Leadership and Future Prospects

This episode was a real treat. Ben Lamm is the founder and CEO of Colossal Biosciences, the world's first de-extinction company. They are legitimately en route to bringing back extinct species, like the wooly mammoth, the thylacine and the dodo. We talk about all of that on this episode, along with broader observations of what these new age synthetic biology tools mean for the future of conservation, and, for the future of human health.  00:00 Introduction  08:08 Ethical Considerations 15:19 The Thylacine Project  27:30 Public Skepticism and Techno-Optimism 29:51 Balancing Technology and Nature 31:37 The Role of Beavers in Carbon Sequestration 33:24 Synthetic Biology vs. AI and Robotics 39:06 Elephants, P53 Protein, and Cancer Research 42:56 Advancements in Medical Therapeutics 49:21 Future Innovations and Ocean Exploration  

Cory Richards, a renowned National Geographic adventure photographer, has lived a life full of highs and lows. He reached the pinnacle of the outdoor industry only to step back after a series of mental health challenges. I consider Cory to be a friend, a mentor, and a guide to healing from trauma in the modern world. This episode aims to share Cory's incredible story, detailed in his new memoir 'The Color of Everything'.

Peter Dering, CEO of Peak Design, shares insights on conscious capitalism, climate neutrality, PFAS, and the future of Peak Design. He discusses innovative employee compensation plans and the power of branding in building a successful and ethical brand.

Legendary adventure photographer Chris Burkard discusses past adventures, faith, psilocybin use, capitalism in relation to Mormonism, navigating social media, advocating for open-net salmon, raising children in a digital age, and relocating to Iceland for personal growth and family.