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
76 snips
Dec 24, 2025 • 1h 29min
Is The Era Of AI-Designed Drugs Actually Here? - EP 50 Josh Meier and Jack Dent
Josh Meier, co-founder of Chai Discovery and former AI researcher at Facebook/Meta, teams up with Jack Dent, also a co-founder and software expert, to explore the revolutionary impact of AI in drug discovery. They discuss how Chai's innovative models are drastically reducing the time needed to identify potential treatments from months to days. The duo shares insights on creating novel antibodies, the ethical considerations of AI in biotech, and their optimistic prediction for the arrival of de novo therapies in just a few years, transforming the pharmaceutical landscape.
67 snips
Dec 17, 2025 • 1h 29min
The Next Step Toward Understanding The Nature Of Intelligence - EP 49 Sebastian Seung
Sebastian Seung, a neuroscientist and professor at Princeton, enthralls listeners with his groundbreaking work on brain mapping and intelligence. He unveils his startup, Memazing, aiming to create digital brains modeled on animal connectomes. The discussion veers into AI's role in tracing neurons and the complexities of human brain emulation. Seung also explores the philosophical implications of mind uploading and humanity's quest for transcendence through technology. Join him as he merges cutting-edge science with profound existential questions!
41 snips
Dec 10, 2025 • 1h 24min
Attacking Cancer With Code And Winning - EP 48 Jake Becraft
Jake Becraft, Co-founder and CEO of Strand Therapeutics, dives into the groundbreaking world of programmable mRNA therapies. He discusses how his team's innovative approach targets diseased cells, particularly in melanoma, turning the tide for patients once deemed incurable. Becraft reflects on the evolution of mRNA technology, its potential beyond vaccines, and the implications for future therapies like CAR-T and CRISPR. With insights on recent clinical trials and the surprising efficacy observed, he paints an exciting picture of synthetic biology's role in fighting cancer.
32 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.
302 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.
55 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.
15 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.
46 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.
