Core Memory
Ashlee Vance
Core Memory is a podcast about science and technology hosted by best-selling author and filmmaker Ashlee Vance.
Vance has spent the past two decades chronicling advances in science and tech for publications like The Economist, The New York Times and Bloomberg Businessweek. Along with the stories, he's written best-selling books like Elon Musk’s biography, made an Emmy-nominated tech TV show watched by millions and produced films for HBO and Netflix. The goal has always been to bring the tales of complex technology and compelling people to the public and give them a path into exceptional and unusual worlds they would not normally have a chance to experience. www.corememory.com
Vance has spent the past two decades chronicling advances in science and tech for publications like The Economist, The New York Times and Bloomberg Businessweek. Along with the stories, he's written best-selling books like Elon Musk’s biography, made an Emmy-nominated tech TV show watched by millions and produced films for HBO and Netflix. The goal has always been to bring the tales of complex technology and compelling people to the public and give them a path into exceptional and unusual worlds they would not normally have a chance to experience. www.corememory.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
16 snips
Dec 3, 2025 • 1h 39min
America Has A Steel Start-Up. Yes, Really - EP 47 Laureen Meroueh
Laureen Meroueh, founder and CEO of Hertha Metals, is a mechanical engineer and MIT PhD who is transforming steel production. She discusses her groundbreaking one-step, gas-based steelmaking process that utilizes natural gas and hydrogen, aiming for cheaper and cleaner steel. Laureen highlights the advantages of US natural gas and the scalability of her technology, emphasizing its potential to reshape the US steel industry and support national security. Plus, she shares insights on funding challenges and the significance of domestic high-purity iron for defense supply chains.
257 snips
Dec 1, 2025 • 1h 38min
OpenAI's Research Chief On The Soup Wars, Poker And The Next Models - EP 46 Mark Chen
Mark Chen, Chief Research Officer at OpenAI, discusses the challenges of prioritizing research in a fast-paced AI landscape. He shares insights on the intense recruiting competition with Meta, including Zuckerberg’s unique soup deliveries to attract top talent. The conversation also delves into future AI models, particularly in response to Google's Gemini 3, and highlights Chen's competitive nature honed through coding contests. Additionally, he explains the critical focus on pre-training and how OpenAI aims to democratize scientific discovery.
68 snips
Nov 26, 2025 • 1h 35min
The Famed Hacker Trying To Find The World's Best Inventors - EP 45 Pablos Holman
Pablos Holman, a renowned inventor and hacker with roots in Alaska, shares insights from his colorful career in technology and entrepreneurship. He discusses his transition from computer hacking to deep tech, revealing the underestimated value of inventors over entrepreneurs. Listeners will be intrigued by his early experiences at Blue Origin with Jeff Bezos and his thoughts on advanced nuclear energy. Pablos also highlights the risks of concentrated capital in AI and advocates for a broader focus on deep-tech solutions to tackle major global challenges.
29 snips
Nov 19, 2025 • 1h 27min
The Open Source AI Model For The West - EP 44 Misha Laskin
Misha Laskin, Founder and CEO of Reflection AI and former DeepMind researcher, dives into the world of open-source AI. He highlights how open models can rival the giants like OpenAI and Google, stressing their importance for innovation and safety. Laskin discusses the strategic implications of Chinese AI advancements and the need for the West to respond. He offers insights on reflection’s role in the AI landscape and predicts the future of superintelligence while touching on funding challenges and the benefits of collaboration in AI development.
40 snips
Nov 12, 2025 • 1h 38min
Aliens, AI, and Saving the Planet - EP 43 Will Marshall
Will Marshall, Co-founder and CEO of Planet Labs, has revolutionized the satellite industry, enabling everyday Earth imaging. He discusses three transformative events on the horizon: AGI, extraterrestrial life discovery, and decoding animal communication with AI. Marshall reveals how his satellites aid in environmental protection and highlights their role in the Brazilian Amazon and Ukraine. He also touches on the balance between sustainability and commercial growth, advocating for AI to prioritize planetary health while urging NASA to embrace commercial partnerships.
5 snips
Nov 6, 2025 • 49min
He Bought The First Tesla Roadster 2 In 2013 - EP 42 Konstantin Othmer
Konstantin Othmer, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and early Tesla investor, shares his journey of buying the first Roadster 2 and his experiences with Elon Musk. He recounts pivotal moments, from meeting Tesla's founders to securing signature models. Konstantin discusses the excitement around the Roadster 2 launch, speculating on its unique features, including the possibility of flying. The duo also explores the implications of early reservations, the collector's market, and the challenges of hardware investing.
33 snips
Nov 5, 2025 • 1h 19min
Trump's Cyber Czar on China's Infiltration of America - EP 41 Joshua Steinman
Joshua Steinman, a former deputy assistant to President Trump, shares insights from his work in U.S. cyber policy and his current mission at Galvanick, focused on industrial cybersecurity. He discusses the vulnerabilities of U.S. infrastructure to Chinese cyber threats and defends Trump's tariff strategy as a smart negotiation tactic. Steinman also delves into bridging Silicon Valley and the military, the critical need for reindustrialization, and the unique challenges of protecting operational technology from cyberattacks.
10 snips
Oct 29, 2025 • 1h 30min
She's Here To Make Dogs (And Then Humans) Live Longer - EP 40 Celine Halioua
Celine Halioua, Founder and CEO of Loyal, is revolutionizing pet health with her innovative approach to dog longevity. She shares insights from her groundbreaking clinical trial involving 1,300 dogs aimed at creating a pill that could extend canine lifespans by at least a year. Celine discusses why testing longevity drugs on dogs is advantageous for regulatory approval and the potential to translate findings to humans. With a candid critique of Silicon Valley culture and future aspirations, she brings a pragmatic vision to the longevity biotech landscape.
46 snips
Oct 22, 2025 • 1h 11min
Now We Shall Mine The Oceans - EP 39 Gerard Barron
Gerard Barron, the Founder and CEO of The Metals Company, is spearheading the charge for deep-sea polymetallic nodule mining. He shares insights on the trillion-dollar mineral wealth lying on the ocean floor and the mechanics of collecting these nodules without invasive seabed disruption. The discussion dives into the potential benefits of seabed mining, such as lower environmental impact compared to land mining, and addresses concerns about the unknown ecosystems of the deep sea. Barron also touches on the competitive landscape, including China's advancements in deep-sea technology.
93 snips
Oct 15, 2025 • 1h 13min
He's Building A Space Station For $1 Billion - EP 38 Jed McCaleb
Jed McCaleb, a serial entrepreneur known for founding Mt. Gox and contributing to Ripple and Stellar, is now investing $1 billion in Vast Space to build a commercial space station. He shares insights about his childhood in an off-grid cabin and the evolution of file-sharing technology. McCaleb discusses the operational challenges of Mt. Gox and his pivot to innovative solutions like Ripple. He emphasizes the potential for human life in space and the importance of making space programs commercially viable while also investing in AI and brain-computer interface technologies.
