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
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.
28 snips
Oct 8, 2025 • 1h 33min
The State Of Gene Editing - EP 37 Eryney Marrogi
Join Eryney Marrogi, a dedicated scientist and future medical doctor, as he dives deep into the exciting world of gene editing. He shares the remarkable story of Baby KJ, who received rapid, life-saving gene therapy, and discusses the implications for future treatments. Marrogi also explores the challenges of DIY bio, the alarming youth vaping trend, and why gene therapies are still costly. Plus, he reveals his transition from research to medicine, aiming to bring cutting-edge science directly to patient care.
51 snips
Oct 1, 2025 • 1h 24min
We Shall Finally Map The Brain - EP 36 Andrew Payne
Andrew Payne, Co-founder and CEO of E11 Bio, specializes in innovative techniques for brain mapping. He discusses the transformative potential of connectomes—detailed wiring diagrams of brains—revealing their promise for understanding neural circuitry and treating disorders. Payne outlines the technical hurdles in capturing these complex connections and shares E11's groundbreaking methods, including a barcoding system for neurons. He emphasizes the urgency of this work, driven by personal experiences with chronic pain and the hope for future therapeutic applications.
66 snips
Sep 24, 2025 • 1h 29min
China Builds, The US Regulates - EP 35 Dan Wang
Dan Wang, a technology analyst and author of "Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future," dives into China’s unique engineering culture and contrasts it with the U.S.'s regulatory mindset. He discusses how China's governance enables rapid infrastructure development, even in poorer provinces, while the U.S. struggles under regulatory constraints. Wang also highlights the challenges of American manufacturing, the social costs of China’s policies like one-child and zero-COVID, and the implications of AI deployment in a hardware-focused future.
66 snips
Sep 17, 2025 • 1h 43min
Can California Ever Build Again? - EP 34 Jan Sramek
Jan Sramek, the visionary founder of California Forever, shares his ambitious plan to create a new city in Solano County. He invested $1 billion to acquire 68,000 acres for a community of 400,000 people, aiming to address California's housing crisis and revive local manufacturing. Jan reflects on his Czech roots and the cultural shocks he faced, explaining how that inspired his commitment. He reveals the challenges of land assembly and the political hurdles encountered, while championing the need for re-industrialization and onshoring in the state.
