
What's Your Problem?
Every week on What's Your Problem?, former Planet Money host Jacob Goldstein talks with entrepreneurs and engineers tackling the biggest challenges at the forefront of technology. How do you make a trip to space as routine as a plane flight? How do you turn solar energy into clean fuel? How do you use AI to stop deadly infections before they spread? We hear a lot these days about how the world is getting worse. What's Your Problem? learns from the thinkers and doers trying to make our future better.
iHeartMedia is the exclusive podcast partner of Pushkin Industries.
Latest episodes

10 snips
Dec 12, 2024 • 43min
RoboPod and the Perpetual Money Machine – Cautionary Questions 2… from Cautionary Tales
Delve into the factors behind the 2008 financial crash and the enigmatic concept of shadow banking. Discover the surprising links between NIMBYs and BANANAs in housing debates. Explore how AI is reshaping creativity and employment, coupled with discussions on climate change's financial implications. The conversation also uncovers the limitations of insurance in a changing environment and critiques monopolistic payment systems, all while advocating for housing reform to benefit the younger generation.

14 snips
Dec 2, 2024 • 51min
Turning Solar Energy Into Fuel (The Solar Era, Part 3)
Join Raffi Garabedian, co-founder and CEO of Electric Hydrogen, as he tackles the challenge of transforming solar and wind energy into affordable clean hydrogen fuel. They dive into the hurdles faced in creating effective hydrogen infrastructure and discuss the crucial role of political support in clean tech investments. Learn about the global perspectives on renewable energy policies, innovations in hydrogen production, and the exciting potential for hydrogen across industries. Plus, enjoy a lighthearted chat about tools and music!

Dec 2, 2024 • 51min
Get Happier, Help Others: Some Good Ideas About Giving
Join Dr. Laurie Santos, a Yale psychologist and host of The Happiness Lab, and Elie Hassenfeld, co-founder and CEO of GiveWell, as they delve into the surprising joy of giving. Discover how spending on others boosts your happiness more than spending on yourself. Learn about impactful charities and the effectiveness of small donations. The conversation also highlights the psychology of generosity, challenges in effective philanthropy, and the unique contributions from the poker community to charitable causes. Tune in for insights that could transform your approach to giving!

8 snips
Nov 28, 2024 • 31min
Can Hot Bricks Save the World? (The Solar Era, Part 2)
Join John O'Donnell, co-founder of Rondo Energy, as he unveils the potential of hot bricks in transforming how industries harness renewable energy. He discusses innovative ways to produce intense industrial heat using affordable solar and wind energy. O'Donnell highlights challenges in scaling operations and regulatory hurdles while emphasizing the importance of cost-effectiveness. Learn how these heated bricks could revolutionize manufacturing practices and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, paving the way for a sustainable industrial future.

14 snips
Nov 21, 2024 • 44min
How the Sun Won (The Solar Era, Part 1)
Jenny Chase, a leading solar analyst at Bloomberg NEF, discusses the staggering 97% drop in solar panel prices over the last two decades. She highlights how Germany's 2004 feed-in tariff propelled solar's growth and the rise of Chinese manufacturing. The conversation explores the transformative potential of free solar energy during peak sunlight and the economic implications for consumer behavior. Chase also addresses the challenges of grid infrastructure and regulatory hurdles while emphasizing solar's surprising growth in Texas and ambitious projects like energy transmission from Australia to Singapore.

Nov 14, 2024 • 32min
Drugs in Space
Paul Reichert, a research scientist at Merck, tackles the intriguing question of conducting drug research in space to enhance treatments on Earth. He dives into the advantages of crystallization in microgravity, highlighting breakthroughs that could revolutionize oncology drugs. The conversation also touches on the essential qualities of astronauts that contribute to successful experiments. Paul shares humorous anecdotes from recovery operations of space crystals, emphasizing their potential to advance biomedical applications and the innovative technologies shaping the future of space research.

Nov 7, 2024 • 45min
The World Is Getting Better (Really)
Hannah Ritchie, a data scientist and deputy editor of Our World in Data, addresses how we can escape the doomsday narrative around global challenges. She highlights significant advancements in agriculture and health while tackling misconceptions about progress in global hunger. The discussion dives into sustainable meat consumption and the impact of livestock on emissions. Ritchie also emphasizes the importance of renewable energy and data visualization in creating a sustainable future. Her insights challenge the negativity often found in mainstream narratives.

Oct 31, 2024 • 29min
Rabies: When Monsters are Real…from Incubation
Join veterinarian Monica Murphy, co-author of "Rabid," as she dives into the chilling cultural history of rabies, revealing its connections to folklore like vampires and werewolves. Wildlife biologist Kathy Nelson shares her thrilling experiences in managing rabies in raccoons by distributing vaccines from the sky. Discover how the rabies vaccine transformed our bond with pets and learn about innovative strategies in wildlife management. This engaging discussion sheds light on the science and stories behind a disease that has haunted us for centuries.

Oct 17, 2024 • 36min
Using Gene Therapy to Help the Blind See
In this engaging discussion, Shannon Boye, a leading professor and co-founder of Atsena Therapeutics, dives into the transformative world of gene therapy for blindness. She shares fascinating insights about using viruses to deliver therapeutic genes and highlights breakthroughs, such as the trial for Leber Congenital Amaurosis type 1. Shannon also explores the brain's adaptability in processing vision after treatment and the balance between academic passion and the challenges of entrepreneurship in this groundbreaking field.

Oct 10, 2024 • 40min
Bringing Back Mammoths and Dodos*
Beth Shapiro, Chief Scientific Officer at Colossal Biosciences and author of How to Clone a Mammoth, dives into the thrilling world of de-extinction. She discusses the quest to resurrect iconic species like the woolly mammoth and dodo through genetic engineering and ancient DNA analysis. The ethical implications and scientific hurdles of this ambitious endeavor are explored, along with the innovative technologies fueling the revival. Plus, Beth shares humorous tales about collecting ancient DNA, showcasing the adventurous side of cutting-edge science.