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
25 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.
78 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.
61 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.
20 snips
Sep 10, 2025 • 1h 29min
The Man Who Changed Policing In America - EP 33 Rick Smith
Rick Smith, co-founder and CEO of Axon, revolutionized law enforcement with innovations like the TASER, body cameras, and drones. He shares insights into the challenges of developing non-lethal weapons, particularly the science behind tasers, and their impact on reducing police shootings. The discussion also touches on the scrutiny Axon faces, including controversies over its workplace culture and claims about its founding story. Smith emphasizes the importance of accountability in policing and previews the future of taser-equipped drones in enhancing public safety.
103 snips
Sep 3, 2025 • 1h 17min
She's Ready To Gene Edit Babies - EP 32 Cathy Tie
Cathy Tie, Co-founder and CEO of the Manhattan Project, is at the forefront of gene editing with ambitions that sprawl from modifying embryos to creating unicorns. In a whirlwind year, she discusses her controversial partnerships, including her ties to Dr. He, and her bold vision for disease prevention through gene editing. Tie navigates the ethical complexities of IVF and the regulatory landscape across the US and China, advocating for open dialogue in biotechnology and exploring the societal implications of her groundbreaking work.
56 snips
Aug 27, 2025 • 1h 31min
The History And Future Of Brain Implants - EP 31 Sumner Norman
Sumner Norman, co-founder and CEO of Forest Neurotech and a mechanical engineer specializing in brain-computer interfaces, shares insights on the evolution of brain implants. He discusses groundbreaking ultrasound technology that offers a broader view of brain activity than traditional methods. The podcast reveals the exciting potential to detect 'covert consciousness' in comatose patients, raising ethical questions about awareness. Norman also touches on the economic aspects of neurotechnology and the future implications for treating mental health disorders.
57 snips
Aug 20, 2025 • 1h 13min
Life Beyond Blueprint - EP 30 Bryan Johnson
Bryan Johnson, an entrepreneur and longevity enthusiast, shares his captivating journey from Silicon Valley outsider to a leading figure in health innovation. He discusses his Blueprint project and its challenges, revealing personal struggles with criticism and public identity. Topics like unconventional health practices, 5-MEO-DMT experiences, and the intricacies of influencer networks are explored. Johnson also opens up about navigating the intersection of AI, community, and evolving belief systems, all while maintaining resilience in a fast-paced world.
