Episodes

4d ago

This week, OPM Director Scott Kupor launched the U.S. Tech Force to recruit an elite cohort of engineering talent into the federal government. What will it take to make public service cool again? What can he do to ensure the government hires, fires, and promotes based on performance? And what is he doing on merit and aptitude tests that could be one of the most important reforms of Trump’s entire presidency? We’re joined by Scott for a timely conversation about Tech Force, his role as Director of the Office of Personnel Management, and key civil service reforms. Previously, Scott built one of the leading venture capital firms as Managing Partner of Andreessen Horowitz. He also penned “ Secrets of Sand Hill Road ,” a definitive guide for raising capital and navigating the startup world. We begin our conversation with the importance of Tech Force — a two-year program designed to surge top programmers and designers into Washington, D.C. and create an enduring talent pipeline between the public and private sectors. Next, we explore Scott’s career in Silicon Valley, how he helped build a16z from the ground up, and the lessons he’s bringing to the White House. Then, we dive into his ambitious OPM agenda, starting with addressing rampant performance inflation, improving incentives for top performers, and removing artificial barriers, like years of service or college degrees, so we can get the best talent into the right jobs. Finally, we revisit the Pendleton Act of 1883 and how to bring merit back into civil service. Learn how Scott overturned a consent decree that will allow him to bring aptitude tests back into federal hiring — this could be one of the most consequential achievements of the Trump entire presidency! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Dec 11

For decades, Philip Howard has been sounding the alarm: our government is broken, and tinkering around the edges won’t work. We need a new operating system. How did it break? What do both parties get wrong? And what will it take to revive the American spirit? Philip is the Founder of the Common Good, best-selling author, and one of the leaders in government and legal reform. His book “ The Death of Common Sense ” became a powerful force for bipartisan reforms in the 1990s between President Bill Clinton and Congressional Republicans. I’ve followed his work for many years, and his newest book, “ Saving Can-Do ,” offers important frameworks for injecting accountability and human judgement back into governance. We begin with the genesis of the red tape state, and why Philip believes the collective guilt of the 1960s led to well-intentioned but ill-designed policies that broke the government. He explains how law began to supplant human judgment, politicians stopped making hard decisions, and governance was outsourced to an instruction manual run by the professional class. Case in point: there are now 150 million words of binding federal rules, most added post-1970. The U.S Constitution, by contrast, is 7,500 words. Next, we dive into his new book, beginning with what makes the American “can-do” attitude unique. Then, he offers solutions for reinstating human authority into our institutions. And finally, a new framework for enabling America to build again. Philip makes the compelling case that what our republic needs most of all is a return to accountability over compliance, amateurs over professionals, and liberty over safetyism. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Nov 26

Michael Kratsios is the man of the hour, charged by President Trump to usher in the golden age of AI and American innovation. How is the White House approaching this revolution in technology? What does AI mean for the American worker? How do we stay ahead of China — and also persuade other nations to adopt U.S. tech over Chinese? We hosted this conversation at the 2025 Cicero Institute Courage Awards, where we recognize bold policymakers on both sides of the aisle for standing up to special interests and fighting for liberty. Amid the regulatory battle over AI, we were honored to feature Michael, who currently serves as Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and a Senior Advisor to President Trump. In the first Trump term, he was the nation’s Chief Technology Officer and later acting Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering. He started his career working for Peter Thiel, first at Clarium Capital and later Thiel Capital. We began our conversation with Michael’s journey to the White House, and his role leading the White House’s science and technology policy agenda. He outlined three key areas to winning the AI race: the right regulatory frameworks, the necessary infrastructure, and international engagement. How do we not only stay ahead of China but also persuade other nations to adopt our AI stack? Michael lays out the strategy. He also makes the case for a federal AI standard and explains why a patchwork of laws stifles innovation, hamstringing the upstarts and entrenching the incumbents. Finally, he lays out what AI will mean for the American worker, and as the man in charge of overseeing AI, quantum, space, and more, he reveals what keeps him up at night. We have a generational opportunity with AI to bring down the cost of living and lift up millions of lives; we’re grateful to have leaders like Michael at the helm. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Nov 21

Do great men alter the course of history, or is everything more bottom-up than we realize? Or both? We credit Thomas Edison for the light bulb, but what about the 20 competitors that were right on his heels? What can the evolution of language, biology, and complex systems teach us about entrepreneurship, investing, and the conditions for human progress? Matt Ridley’s writings have influenced how builders, investors, and policymakers understand the world, myself included. A former member of the House of Lords, The Viscount Ridley is a prolific columnist and author whose works range from The Rational Optimist and The Evolution of Everything to The Red Queen: Sex and the Evolution of Human Nature . An intellectual army of one, Matt has taught millions that the free exchange of ideas produces the next great innovation, not top-down policies, no matter how well-intentioned. He’s also been a rare voice of courage in the United Kingdom, fighting against free speech crackdowns, insane energy policies, and corrosive regulations. We begin with Matt’s dire warning about the UK and its rapid descent into economic stagnation and cultural turmoil. Is this great civilization doomed? Learn where Matt sees glimmers of hope, and get a preview of his next book on the future of the West. Then, we dive into lessons from Matt’s great works, from the impact of mating choices in birds and other fascinating scientific research to the evolution of ideas and conditions for innovation. If Steve Jobs didn’t exist, would there have been a pioneer of the personal computer? Matt says yes, and you’ll hear his compelling case. His frameworks have helped shape how some of us think about technological revolutions and strategy. We also cover the AI race with China, including Matt’s perspective on industrial policy and why he believes China is not as strong as many think. Finally, we spar over religion -- Matt’s a longtime atheist -- and whether America can survive as a post-religious society. 00:00 Episode intro 01:45 Is the UK doomed? 11:40 Matt’s next book and why he’s touring the US 16:29 The extraordinary implications of Charles Darwin’s strangest idea 22:00 Industrial policy & tech race with China 27:45 Evolution of everything vs Great Man Theory 35:20 Can a post-religious America survive? 39:20 Reasons for optimism This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Nov 6

In 2023, Memphis earned the distinction of the nation’s most violent and dangerous city. Senator Bill Hagerty had seen enough. Together with President Trump, he helped orchestrate the most important public safety initiative you probably haven’t heard of — until now. Thousands of criminals arrested, dozens of children rescued, and they even figured out how to work around a Soros-backed District Attorney. This is just one of many fronts Sen. Hagerty is leading on since joining the U.S. Senate. A businessman by background, Sen. Hagerty began his career at Boston Consulting Group, growing the business in key markets like Japan, before launching his own private equity firm. In 2011, he stepped up to serve, bringing billions of dollars of investment into Tennessee as the state’s Commissioner of Economic and Community Development. In 2017, he was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Japan and played a critical role in bolstering our alliance and countering China, before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2020. We begin with the Senator’s diagnosis of the government shutdown and whether Republicans should end the filibuster and break the gridlock. Then, we dive into the Memphis Task Force and the Senator’s groundbreaking work to partner with the White House and a Democratic mayor to save a great American city. More than a dozen federal agencies have quietly surged into Memphis; they’ve arrested thousands of criminals, and better yet, are doing it in a way that prevents the Soros-backed DA from releasing them back on the streets. Next, we discuss the Senator’s business career and path to ambassador. One of his great successes: accelerating the delivery of U.S. weapons to Japan — a process that used to take five to seven years! Finally, we cover his leadership on stablecoin legislation — the GENIUS Act — and how he’s approaching regulatory frameworks for crypto, AI, and other emerging technologies. Sen. Hagerty has quickly become a key leader in the U.S. Senate, and you’ll see why. 00:00 Episode intro 01:20 Government shutdown; end the filibuster? 09:05 Memphis Safe Task Force 14:47 xAI in Memphis & new opportunities 20:10 Boston Consulting Group to Ambassador to Japan 25:45 Accelerating Foreign Military Sales to allies 28:46 USAID & how to reform foreign aid 31:14 GENIUS Act; leading on stablecoin legislation and crypto 33:37 How to approach AI regulation 38:55 Optimism for the future This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Oct 17

Joe Liemandt is a legend in the technology world. Starting in the 1990s, he built a multi-billion dollar software empire, before quietly stepping out of the public spotlight for 20 years. Now, he’s back to reveal his next breakthrough: new schools that can 10X learning in two hours a day with AI and the right incentives. What were the discoveries that led him here? Why is he confident he can save American education? And how is he planning to get this to a billion kids worldwide? Join us for a special episode with one of the great entrepreneurs of the digital era. In 1989, Joe Liemandt dropped out of Stanford to found Trilogy, which he describes as “the first AI product to sell a billion dollars.” He also pioneered Trilogy University — the grueling boot camp that Google and Facebook later copied — and famously outcompeted Microsoft for talent, drawing thousands of top engineers to Austin. On top of that, he added a software acquisition firm, ESW Capital, and scaled it to massive success. Today, he’s the principal of Alpha School, a revolutionary new education model that already has its students performing in the top one percent nationwide. We begin with the origins of Trilogy, from building “configurators” and the earliest AI systems to creating its iconic, ultra-competitive culture. Then, we break down the acquisition strategy that turned ESW Capital into a massive success, before turning to Joe’s new mission: saving American education. Before joining Alpha, he went deep into the science of learning, notably backing Harvard economist Roland Fryer’s inner city research. Fryer experimented with paying teachers, parents, and students for good results — the findings shocked the education world and became foundational for much of Joe’s work. Learn how the right incentives combined with the best in AI have Alpha’s third and fourth-graders outperforming the average high-school graduate. Plus, we explore Joe’s ambitious vision for the future and how school choice can help get this model into classrooms nationwide. The U.S. has spent trillions on K-12 with little or nothing to show; meanwhile, China and other advanced economies have raced far ahead in education performance. If Joe succeeds, he will fundamentally transform education, and the future of our republic, and that’s something to get excited about. 00:00 Episode intro 01:53 Stanford dropout/origins of Trilogy 06:05 Trilogy University 09:08 Roland Fryer & paying kids for good grades 12:07 Why Joe is betting $1B on education 16:55 Kids must love school more than vacation 24:45 “The most controversial thing I’ll say today” 31:56 Why Alpha pays kids for top scores 36:52 Will this work for low-income kids? 42:57 Battle over AI & school choice 46:58 How should we teach history? 51:20 Joe’s grand vision for the future This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Oct 9

Universities called for “free speech” after Charlie Kirk’s murder — UATX President Carlos Carvalho says they’re missing the point entirely. Is more speech really the answer? Should universities stay neutral and out of politics? Or do they have a higher duty, especially now?We discuss these questions and more with the new President of the University of Austin : Carlos Carvalho. Born and raised in Brazil, he watched his father — a Navy officer — help fight back against a communist takeover attempt in the 1960s. Carlos came to America and earned his Ph.D. in statistics from Duke University. He taught at the University of Chicago before spending 15 years as a professor at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas, where he also founded the Salem Center for Policy to promote open debate and inquiry on campus. Carlos is an academic, a builder, and believes deeply in the promise of America; he’s uniquely talented and suited to lead the most ambitious new university project in more than a century.We begin our conversation with the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s murder, and the debate over the role of universities. Learn why Carlos believes “free speech is not enough” and why academia has a duty to stand on, and defend, America’s founding principles, while drawing an important distinction between politics and partisanship. Next, we discuss his upbringing and lessons from fighting the communists in Brazil, including his father’s sage advice: “Learn math, learn languages, and always watch out for the communists!” Finally, we hone in on what sets UATX apart and what it looks like to train a new elite equipped with the best of the old world and the new, plus the courage and entrepreneurial energy needed to save our civilization. 00:00 Episode intro 01:50 “Free speech isn’t enough” 06:42 Is “Institutional neutrality” the right approach? 13:50 Fighting the communists in Brazil 21:06 How the far-left captured business schools 26:45 What sets UATX apart? 32:33 Old world meets new; bringing entrepreneurship to higher ed 40:05 Why is UATX tuition free? 44:00 Navy SEAL formula for higher ed This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Oct 3

America’s cities are dangerous and broken, and for too long, governors stood by as city officials failed their citizens. But Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has stepped up to prove that we don’t have to tolerate incompetence or lawlessness. What bold actions did he take? Why were the results shocking? And how can his leadership be a model for other governors? We’re joined this week by businessman-turned-governor Kevin Stitt . In 2000, he launched Gateway Mortgage with just $1,000 and a computer; when he departed, it was one of the largest privately held mortgage companies in the country. He ran for governor having never sought public office before, and since taking the helm, he’s run the state like a business: slashing regulations and restoring fiscal responsibility. During his tenure, Oklahoma has become one of the fastest growing states in the country. We begin our conversation with Operation Safe — the governor’s bold initiative to clean up homeless encampments and criminal activity in Tulsa after city officials let the problems fester for years. Learn about the extensive theft, drugs, and crime they exposed, while cleaning up nearly 2 million pounds of trash! More importantly, the governor restored safety and order for families and businesses, while helping the homeless seek real treatment and get off the streets. Gov. Stitt explains how President Trump’s executive order on crime and disorder paved the way for more state leaders to take action, and now that he’s proven what’s possible, city officials in Tulsa and elsewhere are on notice that their failures will no longer be tolerated. Next, we discuss innovative solutions that can empower citizens to hold their local officials accountable. Imagine an app that gives individuals or businesses a tax rebate if they report illegal activity and the city fails to address it — that’s what the Cicero Institute is working toward, and Gov. Stitt loves the idea! We also discuss how states can use their power to hold NGOs accountable and ensure taxpayer dollars are solving homelessness, not perpetuating it. Finally, we discuss Iryna Zarutska’s murder and the strong, but necessary, steps we need to take to deal with violent, repeat offenders. Gov. Stitt’s leadership gives us real hope that other state leaders, especially in red states, will step up, enforce the law, and prioritize the safety of the American people. 00:00 Episode intro 01:44 Operation Safe - stepping up to save Tulsa 05:48 Needles, theft & 2 million pounds of trash 10:15 Corrupt NGOs & weak politicians 13:40 Citizen apps to hold govt accountable 17:55 Soros influence in our cities 21:20 Iryna Zarutska & violent repeat offenders This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Sep 25

Zachary Levi is best known for starring in the popular TV series Chuck and hit movies like Shazam! , while millions of children, my daughters included, know him as Flynn Rider in Disney’s Tangled . But recently, he did something even more noteworthy in his industry: he endorsed Robert Kennedy Jr. and later President Trump, while openly sharing his Christian faith. Why did he put his career at risk? What’s the story behind his $100 million studio project in Texas? And will AI open new doors for actors and writers, or will it supplant human ingenuity and, ultimately, millions of jobs? Join us for a fascinating look behind the Hollywood curtain with a counter-cultural leader, and a spirited debate over technology’s impact on the human condition. We begin the conversation with Zachary’s courage to speak out ahead of the 2024 elections, and the role of leaders to put principles ahead of self-preservation. Next, we reflect on the legacy of Charlie Kirk, and his ability to engage his opponents with both truth and compassion. In contrast, not a single actor had the temerity to invoke Charlie at the recent Emmy Awards, and Zachary takes us behind the curtain to explain how a quintessential American institution like Hollywood capitulated to woke ideologues. And he’s not just speaking out, he’s also building an alternative: learn about Wyldwood — a $100 million studio project outside Austin aimed at reviving great art and providing a new kind of community for artists. Finally, Zachary discusses AI’s impact on Hollywood, and why he worries it will eventually consume the creative arts. He and I see the AI landscape very differently — his take is more pessimistic, mine more optimistic — but we have a fun debate, and ultimately agree that it’s our job as leaders to build toward solutions that lift up humans and preserve the values that make our civilization great. 00:00 Episode intro 01:40 Speaking out in Hollywood 07:10 Debating politics with truth & compassion 15:23 Charlie Kirk & Hollywood’s demise 20:10 Building a new type of Hollywood 25:51 Technology vs humanity - are we better off now than 1950s? 33:25 The merits of capitalism: Jeff Bezos vs Elon Musk 41:41 Debating AI & technological progress 50:05 Will AI create or replace millions of jobs? 56:45 The role of leaders / optimism for the future This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Sep 15

Max Meyer is the Editor and Publisher of Arena — an American technology magazine that is pro-America and pro-technology! How did legacy media become cynically motivated and ideologically captured? Will "AI slop" only make things worse? And, most importantly, what is the antidote? We discuss these issues and more with the entrepreneur and writer behind one of America's most exciting new media outlets. Before launching Arena, Max studied geophysics at Stanford University and served as editor of the Stanford Review, where he drew national attention for his investigative reporting, including exposing former San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin's ties to Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez. We start with the fall of once-great magazines, like Scientific American, and why Max is going all-in on high-quality, shoe-leather journalism that stands the test of time. Next, we discuss the evolution of journalism from a working-class to elite profession, the implications therein, and why the attack pieces and hit jobs are starting to backfire. We dive into some of Arena's recent work, from the first-ever profile of Anduril CEO Brian Schimpf to covering breakout industries and entrepreneurs routinely overlooked by mainstream newsrooms. Then, we talk about Max's time as editor of the Stanford Review, and carrying on the tradition started by Peter Thiel and other editors, myself included, of challenging campus groupthink and defending Western values. Finally, we address the coming avalanche of "AI slop" and why Max is betting that trustworthy, premium-packaged content will stand apart from the noise. Learn why top builders and leaders are reading Arena -- and subscribe here to get the magazines. You can use code “ JOE30 ” at checkout to get a 30% discount off your first year subscription! NOTE: This episode was recorded before the murder of my friend Charlie Kirk. 00:00 Episode intro 01:38 What is Arena? 06:00 Why is journalism broken? 09:50 How Wired, TechCrunch, etc. went off the rails 15:07 Why Max is betting on premium, high-end media 19:00 Exposing Marxists as Editor of the Stanford Review 21:20 Should we be worried about AI slop? 25:58 What's next for Arena? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Sep 5

Harish Abbott is a serial entrepreneur at the forefront of the logistics revolution. He sold his last company to Shopify in 2022 for over $2 billion, and now he's back in the arena again. What are the new possibilities with AI? How will it impact workers? And what's the business opportunity he sees that no one else does? Harish is the co-founder and CEO of Augment, a new platform building AI teammates for logistics operations. Its first product, Augie, already boasts $25 billion in freight under management. Previously, Harish co-founded Deliverr, an e-commerce fulfilment platform (acquired by Shopify) that provided one and two-day shipping to smaller merchants. He started his career at Amazon Fulfillment, where he helped build industry-leading technologies and transform online shopping as we know it. We begin with Harish's background, why he came to America to build, and what makes our innovation economy unique. We discuss his most important lessons learned at Amazon, from Jeff Bezos obsessing over customer satisfaction to the company's unique writing culture. Next, Harish explains the origins of Deliverr, how he built a delivery network for the non-Amazon and Walmart world, and lessons learned from selling to Shopify. Then, we dive into the inflection point that sparked Augment, and how advances in LLMs can now manage vast asynchronous workflows and transform how information is traded. Learn why Harish sees a trillion dollar global opportunity to reduce waste in logistics, how he plans to capitalize on it, and why he believes AI can elevate brokers and shippers to higher-order thinking — a win for humans and the economy. 00:00 Episode intro 01:38 Merit matters & why build in the U.S. 05:00 Lessons from Amazon & Jeff Bezos 10:29 Deliverr & bringing next-day shipping to non-Amazon world 17:15 AI & the next logistics revolution 23:58 Meet Augie - the AI teammate for logistics 28:35 The trillion dollar opportunity 32:05 The AI talent battle 38:56 Reasons for optimism This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Aug 29

Sen. Eric Schmitt is a fighter for our country — and knows how to win. In November 2022, as Missouri Attorney General, he sued the Biden administration for colluding with Big Tech to impose mass censorship on the American people. His actions exposed the most chilling government intrusion of our time, and launched a groundswell of opposition, culminating in Elon Musk buying Twitter. What was his strategy? How can it combat further government overreach? And how can we outsmart the far-left when it comes to redistricting, stacking the Supreme Court, and other battlegrounds? We discuss this and more with Senator Schmitt, author of the new book: " The Last Line of Defense: How to Beat the Left in Court ." After serving as Missouri Attorney General, he was elected U.S. Senator, and currently serves on the all-important Judiciary and Armed Services committees. We begin with Sen. Schmitt's working class upbringing and his inspiration for running for office. Then, he reveals how he architected Missouri v Biden to expose the unholy alliance between the Biden White House and Big Tech to censor contrarian views (myself included, as it was later revealed in the Twitter Files). He also details his lawsuit against communist China for covering up COVID, winning $24 billion in damages for the people of Missouri. Next, we jump to his priorities in the Senate, and why he's pushing Republicans to get more aggressive, whether it's protecting the Supreme Court from court packing, defending redistricting, or securing an increase in FBI agents to crackdown on violent crime in St. Louis. Finally, we get his take on AI, and why he's wary of opportunities for censorship, but also bullish on robotics and automation bringing manufacturing back to the heartland. 00:00 Episode intro 05:00 Exposing Biden's mass censorship 09:30 How the FBI covered for Hunter Biden 15:18 Redistricting, packing SCOTUS, and next battlegrounds 21:40 Suing the CCP -- and winning 24:45 What have you learned in the Senate? 28:30 AI & Manufacturing renaissance This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Aug 21

This week, we're honored to be joined by Venezuela's "Iron Lady" — Maria Corina Machado. She's been physically assaulted, forced into hiding, and separated from her children, but that hasn't stopped her from standing up to dictators and fighting for liberty. Right now, she believes the end of Nicolas Maduro's regime is closer than it's ever been, and a bright new future for Venezuela — and the entire region — is in sight. In the early 2000s, Maria set aside her business and career aspirations to lead a recall against Hugo Chavez, quickly earning a reputation as his "most detested adversary." She went on to serve as an elected member of the National Assembly of Venezuela from 2011 to 2014, becoming a key leader in the widespread 2014 protests against Maduro. Leading up to the 2024 presidential election, she won her party's primary elections, but was disqualified and forced out by Maduro and his cronies. Still, her opposition party went on to win overwhelmingly, and Maduro has since rejected the results and refused to relinquish power. We begin with the tragic downfall of Venezuela, from the wealthiest country in South America to poorer than Haiti. Learn how socialism brought one of the world's most energy rich countries to its knees, and instead became the criminal hub of Latin America, flooding the U.S. with drugs and narco terrorism while providing safe harbor to Russia, Iran, Hezbollah, and other enemies. President Trump has taken strong actions in recent months, from placing a $50 million bounty on Maduro to designating cartels as terrorist organizations and directing the U.S. military to go after them — we get Maria's take on the President's policies and what else she hopes to see from our leaders in Washington. Many Americans are rightfully wary of foreign interventions; Maria explains why she doesn't see it as regime change but rather dismantling an international criminal enterprise. Finally, we cover Maria's personal journey and sacrifice, why she continues to fight even with threats against her life, and her ultimate vision for a free and prosperous Venezuela that becomes an energy powerhouse for the Americas. 00:00 Episode intro 02:30 How Venezuela became a criminal hub 09:45 What's the right US policy? Regime change? 16:24 Parallels between Chavez & the far-left in the U.S. 22:17 Maria's personal story & sacrifice 26:36 Maria’s vision for a free Venezuela This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Aug 13

Reusable rockets, new economics, and surging investment are quickly making space one of the most promising areas for growth and innovation. Like other areas of defense, we're in a transition from billion-dollar, exquisite satellites to the proliferation of attritable platforms. What are the new markets and opportunities this creates? How will the Golden Dome impact the space race and competition with China? And what exciting possibilities, like asteroid mining, are in our future? This week we talk all things space with Ian Cinnamon, co-founder and CEO of Apex Space , a satellite platform company. A graduate of MIT and Stanford Business School, Ian first launched a startup incubator, Superlabs, with Mark Pincus before founding Synapse, a computer vision company later acquired by Palantir. There, Ian worked on key initiatives like Project Maven before leaving to build Apex, and bring speed and efficiency to satellite platform manufacturing. We begin with Ian's entrepreneurial journey and how his research at MIT informed the creation of Synapse. A top talent at Palantir, he reveals what it was like working on Project Maven — and the protesters that inspired him — plus the "light bulb moment" that led him to launch Apex. Next, we dive into the space boom and how SpaceX upended the entire way we think about, and build, for space. Learn about the unique challenges of engineering for space, why Apex is moving toward full vertical integration, and how it plans to meet skyrocketing demand for more launches. We also discuss President Trump's ambitious Golden Dome project, new possibilities for space-based interceptors, and China's plans to overtake U.S. supremacy in space. Finally, we conclude with Ian's most exciting innovations beyond Earth, and why asteroid mining isn't as far-fetched as you might think. 00:00 Episode intro 02:09 MIT, cognitive science & building Synapse 06:17 Palantir, Project Maven, and protestors 8:53 Ian's "light bulb moment" for building Apex 15:23 The space boom & new possibilities 21:30 Engineering for space and lessons from SpaceX 27:50 China's ambitious space plans 30:19 Golden Dome & space-based interceptors 36:00 Understanding orbit altitudes for satellites 40:00 Is China trying to steal your IP? 44:13 Asteroid mining and new possibilities beyond Earth This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Aug 6

This week we're talking dental billing! Why? Because large parts of the $5 trillion US services economy, like medical billing, are inefficient and dysfunctional, which holds back growth and increases costs for Americans. How is AI transforming these broken sectors? What's possible now that wasn't just a few years ago? And if AI can revolutionize dental billing, what does that mean for productivity at large?We dive into the AI services wave with DayDream's Shreyas Parab, co-founder & CEO, and Anton Lin, co-founder & CTO. DayDream is applying AI to transform revenue cycle management (RCM) for dentists, and helping them recover the money they are owed faster and more effectively. Chasing down errant claims can take humans years; DayDream is doing it in weeks with AI agents!We begin with the broken state of medical billing -- thousands of rules per company, little written down, and knowledge passed down person-to-person like an ancient religion. Shreyas and Anton explain how LLMs can reason through unstructured processes in ways that previous business logic couldn't. Next, we discuss the lost revenue from missing claims (nearly 20% of all claims!), and how AI agents are becoming so effective that humans can't tell the difference. This raises the obvious question: will agentic solutions result in mass layoffs? Shreyas and Anton say the opposite is true -- AI is enabling billers to operate at higher levels and focus on expanding the business instead of waiting on hold with insurance companies. If top talent plus AI can revamp Byzantine systems like dental billing, there's a tremendous opportunity to reform the entire services economy. This means economic growth, and disinflation that benefits everyone. 00:00 Episode intro 01:35 What’s so important about dental billing? 07:50 Will AI destroy dental billing jobs? 9:50 AI agents are becoming indistinguishable from humans 17:45 Private equity rolling up dental 24:56 Understanding the AI services model This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jul 28

Reid Hoffman is a longtime leader in Silicon Valley and vocal AI optimist; he's also a major Democratic Party donor. What happens when AI runs headfirst into labor unions and key Democratic interests? Why is Reid calling out his party for alienating Silicon Valley? And can a divided country unite around a positive AI future?Join us for an important conversation at the intersection of technology, politics, and policy. An early member of the PayPal mafia, Reid went on to co-found LinkedIn and became a prolific investor as Partner at Greylock and Chairman of Village Global. He's also a Microsoft board member, popular podcast host, and author, most recently of “ Superagency : What Could Possibly Go Right with Our AI Future."We begin with lessons from PayPal and the unique culture that united an iconic cast of characters. Then we dive into Reid's latest book "Superagency" and his case for AI optimism. Reid's enthusiasm collides with Democratic Party strongholds, so I challenged him on how he reconciles these conflicts and whether AI can win out over special interests. Case in point: autonomous trucks. Reid's a key investor in Aurora, which is based in California but launching its first trucks in Texas. Red states are increasingly the laboratories of innovation and growth, which Reid acknowledges and admits is a major challenge that he raises with blue-state governors. Next, we discuss the six levels of the AI investment stack and where Reid is focused, plus his advice for startups amid the scale compute race. We also explore the future of social media and why Reid is creating his own AI clone. Finally, we revisit Silicon Valley's pivot to the right and why Reid is calling out the Democratic Party for prioritizing DEI and identity politics over merit and innovation.We didn't focus the episode on our obvious political disagreements, but rather the areas where we agree: Reid is an optimist and shares that trait with a lot of my PayPal mafia friends even if he doesn't share our worldview. If we're going to accelerate our country into an optimistic AI future and lift up millions of lives -- which I hope to help achieve! -- then we need to have conversations across the aisle aimed at advancing pro-growth, freedom-oriented policies. 00:00 Episode intro 02:00 What made the PayPal Mafia unique? 06:38 The best arguments for AI optimism 10:59 Reid's optimism vs Democratic Party strongholds 14:15 Inflection AI & lessons for AI startups 19:53 Why Reid made an AI clone 22:54 AI tutors vs teachers unions 26:59 How Democrats alienated Silicon Valley 32:56 Pushing back on antisemitism 36:38 Advice for entrepreneurs in the AI age This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jul 22

We're joined this week by a key architect of President Trump's budget and regulatory agenda: Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought. How much does the Big Beautiful Bill actually rein in spending? Will DOGE cuts become permanent? What is the Impoundment Act of 1974 and why will this be a crucial fight in the coming months? We discuss these timely policy issues and more with the "radical constitutionalist" at the helm of Trump's OMB in his first and second terms. From ending critical race theory at all federal agencies to spearheading historic deregulatory actions and making bureaucrats accountable again, Director Vought has been instrumental in some of the most consequential policy battles in Washington D.C. In this episode, we begin with his efforts to reform the administrative state, and why the next major battle will center on the 1974 Impoundment Act and the President's authority over appropriated funds. Learn why Democrats' retaliation against President Nixon tipped the balance of power toward unelected bureaucrats, and how Director Vought seeks to restore proper constitutional balance. Next, we dive into the Big Beautiful Bill and why he believes it's the most consequential mandatory spending reform to ever pass into law. And when it comes to discretionary spending, he reiterates his commitment to make the DOGE cuts permanent and outlines possible strategies, whether through impoundment or a rescissions packages via Congress. Finally, we talk about his role in winding down one of the most egregious examples of government overreach — the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — and why Americans should be optimistic that, for the first time in decades, real fiscal and regulatory restraint is starting to take hold in Washington D.C. 00:00 Episode intro 01:43 Role of OMB Director & lessons from Trump’s first term 04:37 The looming battle over impoundment & Presidential power 07:25 Can we return merit & tests to government? 12:12 Big Beautiful Bill - how much does it actually cut? 19:41 What's the future of DOGE? 22:03 Dismantling the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 25:10 Can Washington DC actually be reined in? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jul 16

Construction is a $2 trillion U.S. industry ($13 trillion globally) that impacts nearly every aspect of our lives. Yet, building has become too expensive and too slow to meet rising demand and aging infrastructure. What if we can apply breakthroughs from self-driving to construction? And what if we can use AI to operate heavy machinery autonomously 24/7? This week, we bring the AI revolution into the physical world with Boris Sofman, co-founder and CEO of Bedrock Robotics . Founded by three former Waymo leaders, Bedrock emerged from stealth this week to bring autonomy to the construction industry. Boris earned his PhD in Robotics at Carnegie Mellon before founding Anki — a consumer robotics company that produced some of the world's most popular toy robots. After Anki was acquired by Google, Boris became Director of Engineering and Head of Trucking at Waymo, where he was instrumental in Waymo's successful deployment into major cities across the country. We begin with his journey from the Soviet Union to the U.S. as a young boy, and how Boris fell in love with engineering. We discuss the consumer robotics wave and his time building Anki, before jumping into the race for self-driving cars. Get a rare look behind the scenes at Waymo and the extreme engineering challenges Boris and his team had to solve. Next, he reveals the recent developments that unlocked autonomy for heavy construction and the immense potential to transform the cost, quality, and speed of building in the U.S. Already, unions and special interests are lining up against these technologies; learn why Boris believes autonomy will unlock a wave of pent-up demand and create even more jobs and opportunities for humans. Bedrock is one the companies and teams I'm most bullish on, and you'll see why! 00:00 Episode intro 02:16 Soviet Union to robotics leader 06:57 Conquering self-driving at Waymo 14:38 Why leave Waymo to start Bedrock? 19:10 How to make heavy machinery autonomous 24:06 AI breakthroughs that make this possible 31:06 Why autonomy will create jobs, not destroy them 37:44 The impact of the robotics revolution This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jul 3

America's global ascendency was tied to its industrial strength. But since the 1960s, our manufacturing might gave way to white-collar services. Now, we've on the verge of a new AI economy. Is this our moment to reindustrialize? What does it mean for trade and immigration? And how do we make sure everyone, particularly rural America, shares in the potential economic growth? These are some of the most important policy questions that will determine the future of our country, and Marc Andreessen is the right person to ask. Several weeks ago I interviewed Marc, co-founder and general partner at Andreessen Horowitz, for the first annual Ronald Reagan Economic Forum, an alternative to the World Economic Forum that offers a more dynamic, pro-growth view of the future of America and the West. We begin with the debate over tariffs, and what Marc has learned from studying President McKinley, a key inspiration for President Trump's trade views. McKinley's protectionist agenda is well known, but Marc explains why he actually shifted to reciprocal tariffs by the end of his term as manufacturers needed new markets. Next, he details America's transformation into a services-based economy, why it benefited the coasts over the heartland, and the intense political and cultural divides that emerged. Learn why Marc believes that AI plus robotics will provide a unique opportunity to capture the manufacturing jobs of the future and help rural areas share in the upside. We also discuss the debate over immigration and what smart policies look like in an AI-driven economy. Finally, we cover the potential bottlenecks to an AI boom, and how our leaders can position America to lead an industrial renaissance. 00:00 Episode intro 02:18 Understanding McKinley & Trump on tariffs 07:20 Manufacturing to services; America's economic shift 11:30 The great clash between cities & rural America 15:50 Deindustrializing wasn’t inevitable; it was a choice 17:40 AI is a fundamental turning point 20:30 Robotics will be biggest industry ever created 23:54 High-skilled immigration + DEI hurts rural kids 29:32 What are bottlenecks to AI boom This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jun 26

Few people have been as influential as Dave Rubin in the new media movement and fight for free speech. He not only helped expose Big Tech's censorship but also built an alternative platform that enabled other contrarian voices to speak out. Where is new media headed next? Why are Tucker Carlson and others attacking Churchill or dabbling in antisemitic conspiracy theories? And how should we respond to a "woke right"? This week we're joined by the comedian-turned political commentator and entrepreneur who has amassed millions of followers. An original member of the intellectual dark web, Dave challenged the limits of "acceptable speech" early on. After Patreon started censoring right-wing voices, he created Locals, where free speech reigned and power was given back to creators (I was a small investor in Locals, which was later acquired by Rumble). Dave's efforts were key in providing oxygen to alternative media voices and pressuring Big Tech to reform. He's still expanding his influence in media with a new production network, and just launched a long-time passion project: his own tequila company — Copal . Check out their first reposado before it sells out. We begin with Dave's recent visit to UATX, how AI is impacting education, and why he's creating an AI version of himself. Next, we dive into the origins of Locals and how Dave responded to censorship by building his own independent, free-speech platform. He also reveals what it was like inside YouTube during the heyday of Big Tech censorship and how the "Twitter Files" changed the world. Then, we take a tour of Dave's new tequila company before discussing the troubling rise of a "woke right," and why figures like Tucker Carlson are attacking Winston Churchill and flirting with antisemitic tropes. How should free speech advocates confront the spread of these bad ideas? We end with Dave's ideas for how to elevate our culture and move our collective dialogue in a positive direction. [NOTE: this episode was recorded before the United States and Israel struck Iran's nuclear facilities.] 00:00 Episode intro 01:57 Intellectual dark web & Dave's impression of UATX 04:37 Why Dave is making AI version of himself 08:45 The origins of Locals & Dave's fight for free speech 12:40 Dave's new tequila company 18:00 Should we trust a changed BigTech? 25:20 Tucker vs Churchill 33:30 The Woke Right? 38:00 Did the Democratic Party get hijacked? 46:00 Can optimism prevail over conspiracy theories? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jun 19

California has been governed by left-wing, one party-rule for 15 years, and the results speak for themselves. How did California turn deep blue? What are the policies needed to reverse course? And can those ideas actually win?This week we talk about the future of California with my longtime friend Steve Hilton. Many people know Steve from his popular Fox News show, "The Next Revolution," but may not know that his parents fled communism in Hungary to start a new life in the UK. The fight for freedom is core to who he is and why he fell in love with America, specifically California. After the success of his television show, he decided he didn't want to just talk about issues but also get in the arena. He launched his policy group, Golden Together, and recently went one step further and jumped into the race for governor.We begin with Steve's upbringing, from working class London to studying at Oxford and later serving as senior advisor to Prime Minister David Cameron. We discuss key lessons learned at the highest levels of UK government, including his DOGE-like research into the UK's crippling bureaucratic growth. Next, we cover his journey to the Golden State, why he decided to stay and fight for its future, and how terrible policies turned California into a paradise for lawyers and government unions, instead of hard-working families and small businesses. Learn why, for example, restaurants budget a million dollars a year just to deal with frivolous lawsuits, plus other insanity Steve has discovered as he travels the state. Despite the dysfunction, he still believes there's reason for optimism and explains why he's confident Republicans can win statewide office — and why they don't need to water down their message or agenda to do it. 00:00 Episode Intro 01:30 Fleeing communism to Prime Minister’s senior advisor 06:05 Brexit, EU, and fighting UK bureaucratic growth 12:44 How Steve fell in love with CA & landed Fox News show 17:20 Why Steve got into politics 20:18 How CA became a paradise for lawyers & frivolous lawsuits 25:44 Is CA more conservative than we think? 29:27 Homeless crisis: follow the money 35:10 How to fix CA's housing nightmare 44:45 How Republicans can actually win in California This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jun 12

Scott Wu took the technology world by storm when he released a demo of Devin, the first AI software engineer. A year later, Devin has gone global, and his company — Cognition AI — is valued at over $4 billion. What are the next leaps for AI coding agents? Could the total economic impact be in the trillions of dollars? And is Scott worried that Devin may someday replace him? Scott's journey to the epicenter of the AI race started in an unlikely place: growing up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the son of Chinese immigrants. At an early age, he excelled in math and was fast tracked into high school courses [not held back in the name of equity!], culminating in a national Mathcounts championship and three gold medals in competitive programming at the International Olympiad in Informatics. After highschool, he joined Addepar as a top young software engineer before attending Harvard. Scott gathered his smartest friends and many other math, physics and programming champions under one roof to build Cognition, and when they're not architecting new AI breakthroughs, they're quizzing each other with math games. Learn why the top math minds are dominant in AI and what this tells us about the nature of AI progress and where we're headed next. Plus, the first person to solve one of Scott's tough math challenges in this episode gets free swag [leave your answer in the comments or email info@americanoptimist.com ]. Finally, we discuss the future of software engineering and what AI coding agents mean for economic productivity as tasks that once took months to complete now take a weekend with Devin. Is it a trillion dollar opportunity? It's inspiring to see the impact an optimistic, brilliant mind like Scott can have on the world — and he's still a few years shy of his 30th birthday. 0:00 Episode intro 1:38 Math prodigy to AI savant 9:43 Origins of Cognition and Devin 11:25 Why are top math minds dominant in AI? 14:40 The next wave of generative AI 18:45 Jagged intelligence & man-machine symbiosis 25:35 Solve Scott's math challenge 31:05 Scott's argument for AI optimism 35:10 Trillion-dollar opportunity? 39:10 The future of software engineering 42:10 Optimism for the future This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jun 4

JoeBen Bevirt has spent two decades building electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and now he's on the cusp of commercial approval and rollout. Will flying cars be as transformational as the automobile? How will air taxis impact our cities and the way we live? And how did JoeBen achieve this feat of ingenuity? This week we're joined by the Co-Founder and CEO of Joby Aviation , an American aviation company pioneering eVTOL aircraft for air taxi service. All-electric, virtually silent, and traveling up to 200mph with a pilot and four passengers, Joby is opening new possibilities in the skies above — starting at the price of an Uber Black. The implications for productivity and quality of life are massive, saving the average person an hour or two a day sitting in traffic and unlocking new swaths of land for development. I'm proud that 8VC co-led Joby's first investment round about a decade ago, when many others, even flying enthusiasts, thought it was a pipedream. Since then, Joby has single-handedly shaped an entire new industry, from engineering breakthroughs to regulatory pathways, ensuring that American aviation stays ahead of China. Joby expects its first passenger rides in Dubai within a year and is working closely with the Trump administration as it nears the final stages of FAA approval. Inspired by SpaceX, Joby is vertically integrated and plans to aggressively ramp manufacturing here in the U.S., backed by a $500 million investment from Toyota (bringing Toyota's total investment near $900 million). While we await the first passenger flights, Joby is also building out its infrastructure nationwide — and they're looking for real estate and partners! You can contact JoeBen and the team here: info@jobyaviation.com 00:00 Episode Intro 01:38 Flying cars are here 04:00 JoeBen's journey 05:48 Battery progress & hydrogen breakthroughs 08:50 Air taxi for the price of Uber Black 12:35 When will commercial flights start? 20:30 Why Joby is the industry leader 24:20 Why China is copying Joby 28:00 How air taxis will change your life 32:10 How Joby will transform real estate 35:45 Solving intractable problems This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

May 17

After leading the product team at Facebook, Sam Lessin became one of the top seed investors in Silicon Valley, known for cutting the first check into Venmo and seeding Solana (a 2,000X return!) Why does he think crypto is more disruptive than AI? Why does he believe the VC model is fundamentally shifting? And why are we, together, building a new company focused on taking merit to the extreme in corporate America? We discuss this and more with Sam, co-founder and General Partner of Slow Ventures, a leading early stage venture fund. Prior, he was the VP of Product at Facebook during its hyper growth years. Sam is also heavily involved in fixing Harvard, his alma mater, including a recent campaign for the Board of Overseers and building a new alumni network to help return the university to veritas and its founding principles. Sam first met Mark Zuckerberg at Harvard and watched Facebook being built firsthand. But, as he explains, fell prey to conventional status games and spent two years at Bain & Company, before breaking out and going on to play a critical role at Facebook. He then launched Slow Ventures to take big bets on unconventional ideas. Learn why he believes AI is overhyped; where venture capital is headed next; and what we're building at Meritfirst to unlock hidden talent and overhaul how companies source and hire the best and brightest. 00:00 Episode intro 01:50 Harvard & the wrong career choices 05:13 Lessons learned at Facebook 10:15 The challenges of an open internet 14:48 Venmo, Solana & Sam's investment thesis 16:55 Sam's contrarian take on AI 19:15 How venture capital is changing 24:56 How to fix Harvard 34:13 Building Meritfirst together This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Apr 17

From co-founding PayPal and Palantir to writing the first check into Facebook and investing early in SpaceX, AirBnB, and numerous other unicorns, Peter Thiel has shaped the American technology world for over 25 years. Dozens of our most talented leaders have been inspired by Peter, and as a major influence on how we understand the world, he’s also helped to shape the future of the West. Peter likes exploring clever ideas and wisdom, and loves to win. What's next for our civilization? How should talented people decide what to focus on? And where are the best opportunities amid our myriad challenges? There's no one better than Peter at understanding broken systems, recognizing civilizational currents, and charting a contrarian course. We begin with his mental framework for building in dysfunctional areas, and why Palantir proved more difficult than we ever thought. Peter reveals his worst investments of the past few decades and why broken sectors are often impervious to change. He explains the talent, philosophy, and timing necessary to build a truly generational company. We also cover DOGE, President Trump's trade policy, and why Peter is more optimistic about the new administration in Washington than at any point since President Reagan. We discuss whether the vibe shift in Silicon Valley is real, and Peter's theory for how Meta (where he served on the board for 17 years) was captured by the woke mind virus. Lastly, he explains the precursors for cultural revolutions, i.e., the woke backlash, and why he's uncharacteristically bullish on the DOGE movement and new opportunities for lasting political change. 00:00 Episode intro 01:40 UATX vs Harvard 04:45 What should talented people focus on? 07:40 Peter's thesis behind Palantir 11:05 Why Palantir sued the Army 14:30 Optimism vs pessimism 17:10 Peter's worst investment areas 20:30 Peter's perspective on Trump & DOGE 25:45 Trump's trade policy & how to deal with China 30:40 New opportunities in broken areas? 35:10 Los Angeles, Austin, and broken cities 40:25 Is the Silicon Valley vibe shift real? 45:45 Cultural revolutions and why speech codes backfired This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Apr 3

Sen. Tom Cotton is a key leader on Capitol Hill, standing up to cronyism and grift at home and our adversaries abroad. Does he think DOGE can effect lasting change? What can we do about activist judges blocking the new administration? And how do we stop the Chinese Communist Party from infiltrating our government, undermining American innovation, and targeting our kids with synthetic and digital drugs, i.e. fentanyl and TikTok? Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee and member of the Armed Services Committee, Sen. Cotton plays a vital role in shaping our nation's foreign policy. He also knows the impact of policy firsthand, having deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in the U.S. Army after graduating from Harvard and Harvard Law school. His new book sounds the alarm on America's capitulation to the CCP and is appropriately titled "Seven Things You Can't Say About China." As the first elected official to publicly defend the lab leak theory, Sen. Cotton courageously challenged the CCP and our own establishment media, reinforcing his reputation as a bold fighter on issues foreign and domestic. We begin with DOGE and a key legislative mechanism he believes Republicans can use to remove waste, fraud, and abuse in the budget for good. He also explains why the Supreme Court needs to weigh in on activist district judges issuing nationwide injunctions. Next, we dive into his new book and the seven areas of the CCP's malfeasance, including its influence over the Panama Canal, what's going to happen with TikTok, and whether the U.S. is serious about stopping the "reverse opium war" and taking out the Mexican cartels. There are many in Hollywood, academia, corporate America, and even Washington D.C. who downplay or cave to Chinese influence; Sen. Cotton is not one of them! 00:00 Episode Intro 03:05 DOGE & activist judges 08:40 Lab leak theory and exposing lies 11:27 Seven Things You Can't Say About China 15:47 Was Pres. Trump right about China and Panama Canal? 20:06 How China infiltrated Hollywood 25:50 What's going to happen with TikTok? 29:36 The CCP's reverse opium war 38:55 Is there optimism for a free China? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Mar 14

Dr. Mike Israetel is one of the most influential voices in health and fitness. What are the "miracle drugs" he thinks will upend modern medicine? Why is he outspoken on AI and the coming "aesthetic revolution"? And what does he think of Bryan Johnson and living to 200? We discuss some of the most interesting developments in health science with Dr. Mike, co-founder of Renaissance Periodization, his health and strength lab for training athletes and professionals, while sharing his insights with millions online. He earned a PhD in Sport Physiology from East Tennessee State University and later taught at Lehman College, Temple University, and the University of Central Missouri. He also pushes his own body to the limits as a competitive bodybuilder and professional Brazilian Jiu Jitsu grappler. How did Dr. Mike become a leading authority on strength training? By following the science, he says, and debunking common myths and faulty logic. Learn about the most common misconceptions and why he believes nearly all of health and fitness boils down to a few fundamental principles. Next, Dr. Mike outlines the science behind everyday issues — sleep, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, testosterone — before diving deep into GLP-1s, steroids vs peptides, cutting-edge drug discovery, and why living to 200 is not as far-fetched as we think. Finally, he explains his journey into AI and philosophy, and why he believes the coming aesthetic revolution will transform the world for the better starting in the 2030s. Check out Dr. Mike's newest nutritional product, Genius Shot, here . 0:00 Episode Intro 01:32 Debunking fitness myths 04:23 Health Science that will change your life 07:44 Health Impacts: Alcohol, Sleep, Caffeine, and Nicotine 14:44 Testosterone Decline 16:41 Why Dr. Mike Is Obsessed with AI 21:00 AI Misuse, Threats, and Capabilities 24:27 Aesthetic Revolution, Modern Drugs, and Anti-Aging Technologies 32:48 Bryan Johnson and Longevity 37:28 Biggest Potential for Fitness & Nutrition Startups 41:10 Cybernetics, Prosthetics, and the Future of Human Enhancement This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Feb 21

Budweiser was the undisputed king of American beers, until one controversial ad campaign erased $40 billion in market cap and thousands of jobs. How did this happen? Where did top-down frameworks like ESG and DEI originate? And how can we get corporate America back on mission? This week we're joined by Anson Frericks, a former president at Anheuser-Busch and author of the new book: “ Last Call for Bud Light : The Fall and Future of America’s Favorite Beer." He recently founded Athletic Capital and co-founded Strive Asset Management with Vivek Ramaswamy. After graduating from Yale and Harvard Business School, Anson quickly ascended the ranks at AB InBev, which acquired Anheuser-Busch in 2008. But he began to notice the beer brand straying from its all-American roots. The culture shifted dramatically after InBev moved sales and marketing from St. Louis to New York City, and Budweiser became emblematic of a decades-long battle over the purpose of a corporation dating back to Milton Friedman's shareholder primacy theory versus the World Economic Forum's embrace of stakeholder theory. Anson explains how the latter captured boardrooms across Europe, spread to America, and led to the proliferation of ESG and DEI within our largest financial institutions. He details how BlackRock, State Street, and Vanguard wield their outsized influence to force stakeholder theory on corporate America, and explains why, shortly before Bud Light's historic collapse, he left to launch Strive Asset Management as an alternative asset manager focused solely on maximizing returns for shareholders. Anson provides an important case study in what went wrong on Wall Street and in boardrooms across the country, and more importantly, how we can get back on track. 00:00 Episode Intro 1:57 The rise & fall of Bud Light 08:50 What is the purpose of a corporation? 10:48 Milton Friedman vs Klaus Schwab 13:50 How BlackRock manipulates investors & companies 16:15 What went wrong at Bud Light 19:00 Costco doubling down on DEI 23:35 How to fight back 28:10 Why Anson left to start Strive 35:38 How to save corporate America This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Feb 14

My friend Tim Urban is one of the most influential writers and public intellectuals of the past decade. In 2015, his predictions about the coming AI wave shaped how many builders thought about the future. What happens next in the AI revolution? What new possibilities is he excited about and what concerns him the most? And why, despite technological progress, has our culture and politics descended into tribalism? We explore these questions and more with the writer and illustrator of the popular " Wait But Why " blog and author of " What's Our Problem? : A Self-Help Book for Societies." Tim's unique illustrations translate complex, technical topics in ways that are accessible and insightful to everyone from the layperson to our country’s top innovators. After studying government at Harvard, Tim noticed a glaring hole in online discourse: content was everywhere, but quality was lacking. So he began to write in-depth about pressing intellectual questions and debates. What is the nature of intelligence? Why does Mars matter? What does the Fermi Paradox teach us about the universe? His research led him to viral success and carved out his reputation as one of the most forward-thinking writers online, followed by Elon Musk and millions more. After exploring these themes, he noticed a troubling trend: technology was progressing but our culture and politics were not. He then dedicated six years to writing "What's Our Problem?" and developed powerful frameworks for understanding human nature, political dysfunction, and how illiberal movements conquer institutions. And he doesn't just diagnose our collective ailments, but also offers an antidote for how we can all draw from the higher aspects of our mind to transcend tribalism and move society forward. Tim's writings have been instrumental in the country's "vibe shift" and restoring sanity and intelligence to our national discourse. 00:00 Episode Intro 01:35 From Harvard to blogging 04:57 Understanding the Fermi Paradox 09:46 How Tim predicted the AI revolution 13:30 Narrow vs general intelligence 17:30 Should we pause AI research? 26:00 What's Our Problem? 31:00 Higher-rung vs lower-rung thinking 34:20 America vs wrecking balls 41:50 How to conquer a society 51:20 Tim's $10k bet on Mars & optimism for the future This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jan 30

Self-driving is an immensely complex challenge; Tesla, Waymo, and others are locked in a years-long race. But equally challenging, and less known, is the race to develop off-road self-driving. How do you build systems that can navigate unmapped terrain, dodge boulders, and see behind trees — all at high speeds? And how can our military deploy this technology to enhance lethality and save soldiers' lives? We discuss these exciting breakthroughs with Byron Boots, Co-Founder & CEO of Overland AI — one of the most exciting new U.S. defense companies. Byron holds a PhD in machine learning from Carnegie Mellon and also teaches machine learning and robotics at the University of Washington. We begin with Byron's background as a philosopher-builder, and how he created the top ground autonomy research group in partnership with the Department of Defense. We dive into the engineering challenges of off-road self-driving, and Byron reveals what sets Overland apart from the competition. Next, we cover the strategic significance of Overland's work and how it will abstract humans from dangerous ground operations, like breaching, and transform warfare. If Overland is successful, thousands of autonomous vehicles, each with an elite operator controlling his own smart fleet, could replace the traditional ground campaigns of tanks, infantrymen, and heavy casualties — and that's something we can all be optimistic about. 00:00 Episode Intro 01:30 Byron’s Philosopher Builder Background 05:32 DARPA challenge & Overland origin story 08:15 On-road vs off-road self-driving 13:08 How ground autonomy changes warfare 18:59 Engineering challenges in off-road autonomy 23:30 AI-enabled swarming & the future of warfare 29:03 Building with the Pentagon 32:37 Optimism for the future This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jan 23

In 2012, Zac Bookman and I set out to bring efficiency and transparency to state and local governments using the best of Silicon Valley technology. Some said we were naive; others laughed when we tried to raise money from them. Over a decade later, OpenGov is a govtech leader, recently acquired by Cox Enterprises for $1.8 billion. And now, government efficiency, namely DOGE, is all the rage! What does it take to bring government out of the stone ages and into the cloud? And how can DOGE and the new administration seize upon this cultural and political sea change? We discuss this and more with OpenGov co-founder and CEO Zac Bookman. A litigator by training, Zac fought corruption as a Fulbright fellow in Mexico and as an advisor to General McMaster in Afghanistan. As we launched OpenGov, Zac was recruiting candidates on his cell phone from NATO HQ — reflective of his intense work ethic and leadership. We start with Zac's entrepreneurial journey and key lessons from Afghanistan, before diving into the make-or-break moments in building OpenGov. We also discuss his remarkable M&A track record and strategy of buying tiny govtech companies and helping them scale. Next, we explore Zac's advice for DOGE and how to effect meaningful and lasting change within government. Finally, Zac outlines how OpenGov is harnessing AI and the new possibilities for more functional and responsive governments around the country. 00:00 Episode intro 01:45 Zac's story 07:10 Fighting corruption in Afghanistan 11:30 The origins of OpenGov 19:35 Make-or-break moments 26:35 Understanding how local government works 28:10 Zac's unique M&A strategy 32:24 Advice for DOGE 37:35 Pivoting OpenGov to AI first 44:45 Biking across America & optimism This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Dec 14, 2024

AI is transforming our world. Yet many people building these technologies have no grounding in the principles of Western Civilization. With the wrong ideas, we could hurtle toward an authoritarian, dystopian future. But with the right values, AI could unleash freedom and prosperity in ways never imagined. What are the philosophical frameworks needed to harness AI for good? And how do we train a new generation of philosopher builders? We explore these timely issues with Brendan McCord, founder and chair of the Cosmos Institute , a new nonprofit equipping technologists with pro-liberty values. After graduating from MIT and Harvard Business School, Brendan served on Arctic submarine missions for the Department of Defense and later authored its first AI strategy. He went on to build and lead two AI startups that were acquired for $400 million. Now, he's educating our best and brightest minds in the timeless wisdom of Western Civilization and preparing them for the serious ethical questions that AI poses. We begin with the importance of philosophy throughout history in harnessing emerging technologies for freedom or control. Next, Brendan breaks down the four dominant approaches to AI — doomsayers, accelerationists, regulators, and techno-authoritarians — and where each falls short. Alternatively, he offers three principles and their philosophical roots for harnessing AI for human flourishing: reason (John Stuart Mill), decentralization (Alexis de Tocqueville), and human autonomy (Aristotle). We also cover legitimate versus illegitimate concerns with AI and conclude with how the Cosmos Institute is putting these principles into action, from its Fellowship programs to its new AI lab at Oxford University. 00:00 Episode intro 02:04 Submarines to Building AI Companies 06:00 Why Philosopher Builders are needed 13:20 Why AI poses unique challenges 20:50 Doomsayers vs Accelerationists 25:50 Philosophical frameworks for human flourishing 30:10 Regulators & Techno-authoritarians 37:34 AI running for political office? 40:07 LLMs don't know how to reason 42:30 Purpose of the Cosmos Institute This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Dec 6, 2024

How is AI augmenting software developers? Will it replace or commoditize certain roles? And how should aspiring engineers prepare for the future? This week, we're joined by Dylan Serota, co-founder and CEO of Terminal, to discuss AI's impact on one of the most important aspects of company building: talent. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, Dylan headed to Silicon Valley, where he helped build and scale global teams for Eventbrite. After seeing the flaws in traditional outsourcing firms, he set out to build Terminal — a new model for a global talent platform. Behind the scenes, Terminal is enabling some of the fastest-growing tech companies, like Hims&Hers, Chime, and NextDoor, to hire and manage teams around the world. We start our conversation with global hiring trends and how AI is transforming the competition for talent. Specifically, we discuss how new AI tools are augmenting coding and impacting demand for high-skill versus entry-level developers. We also tackle the challenges in building global teams and why some companies are reverting to face-to-face interviews and tests. Next, we explore the misaligned incentives in traditional outsourcing models and how Terminal differentiates itself. Finally, Dylan offers his advice to young engineers on how they should prepare for the AI age. 00:00 Episode Intro 02:00 The state of global talent 05:00 Why is Nike hiring thousands of engineers? 9:00 Will AI replace coders? 13:30 AI screening vs in-person interviews 18:00 Why is traditional outsourcing broken? 22:20 How Terminal helps startups scale 26:00 Advice for young engineers This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Nov 29, 2024

Raj Bhakta is best known as the founder of Whistlepig Whiskey. But he also served in the Marines, rode an elephant across the Rio Grande while running for Congress, won a spot on The Apprentice with Donald Trump, recently purchased a college, and is reinventing the whiskey game (again). He's a patriot and creator of one-of-a-kind spirits — with a personality to match. The son of immigrants, Raj grew up learning his father's hotel business before setting out on his own. After adventures in investment banking, reality TV, and politics, he saw an opening in high-end American whiskey — and he seized it. WhistlePig quickly became one of the premier craft whiskeys. After exiting in 2019, he secured one of the world's oldest stashes of Armagnac and launched his newest ventures: Hogsworth and Bhakta Spirits . Raj recently acquired the now-defunct Green Mountain College in Vermont, where he plans to build a new university grounded in our Founding values, along with a world-class spirit library. We sample his newest whiskeys, joke about religion and politics, and learn from a great American entrepreneur. 00:00 Episode intro 01:44 Why Raj bought a college 03:32 Riding an elephant across Rio Grande 08:49 Origin story of WhistlePig 11:32 Growing up in America; joining Marines 18:32 Acquiring world's biggest stash of Armagnac 23:20 Building Hogsworth / how to blend whiskey 24:13 Catholicism vs Judaism 29:11 Working with Trump on The Apprentice 32:03 Bhakta Spirits & why drink Armagnac 39:40 Why Raj is building a new college 44:35 Advice for entrepreneurs 51:25 Bullying and adversity This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Nov 22, 2024

In World War II, the U.S. government embraced a radical idea: putting scientists and technologists in charge of building advanced weapons. The rest, as we say, is history. What are the radical ideas we need today? And what can we learn from the history of Silicon Valley? This week, we talk with Steve Blank — serial entrepreneur, Stanford professor, and influential author who created concepts that define today's innovation ecosystem. After serving in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, Steve landed his first job at William Perry's now-famous Electromagnetic Systems Laboratory. He went on to launch several companies, from taking on Intel in microprocessor manufacturing to building early versions of CRM. His book, " Four Steps to the Epiphany ," is credited as the intellectual backbone of the lean startup movement. He has also studied the Pentagon for decades, served on the Defense Business Board, and co-founded Stanford's Gordian Knot Center . We start with Steve's entrepreneurial journey and the evolution of Silicon Valley over the past 50 years, from helping end the Cold War to pioneering the computer and internet age. We also examine the devolution of government and its decline from the engine of technology and research in the 20th century to today's slow, bloated bureaucracy. Steve outlines his bold ideas for reforming the Pentagon and outpacing China in the technology race; he also breaks down the difference between execution and innovation and how the best organizations, like SpaceX, can manage both simultaneously. Finally, we discuss why Steve had called for a pause in AI research and, given his concerns over China, if we can afford to pause. 00:00 Episode Intro 01:40 "Bill Perry was my first boss" 7:43 The Secret History of Silicon Valley 12:14 How US govt fell behind SV 17:05 SpaceX vs NASA 22:00 Radical ideas for Pentagon 26:28 Execution vs Innovation 31:13 Lean startup vs fat startup 40:11 Does industrial policy work? 43:40 Why did Steve call for AI pause? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Nov 15, 2024

What does political courage look like in action? What does it mean to stand up to special interests? And what are the fights we must take on — and win — to keep America free and prosperous? I recently interviewed Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt at the Cicero Institute's 2024 Courage Awards, where we recognized him and other bold leaders from across the country for taking on cronyism and corruption in the face of great opposition. Stitt considers himself a businessman governor: he started Gateway Mortgage with $1,000 and a computer before scaling it into a national company. He never sought public office before running for governor, and since he's taken charge, he's run it like a business: balancing budget shortfalls, streamlining permitting, and slashing regulations. More impressively, he's demonstrated real courage in standing up to powerful special interests, like the homelessness industrial complex, and others you might not expect, like the police union. Learn how he succeeded in getting real help to the homeless and mentally ill, and why he vetoed a pension increase for police officers. Stitt also explains how woke nonsense and cronyism manifest even in a deep red state — and how to fight it; why politics shouldn't be a career profession; and how he succeeded in passing one of the boldest school choice programs in the nation. Oklahoma has become one of the nation's fastest-growing states under his leadership, and you'll see why. 00:00 Episode Intro 01:58 Entrepreneur to governor 05:29 Passing school choice 8:33 Taking on the homeless industrial complex 12:20 Vetoing police pension increase 15:45 Slashing regulations 19:05 Fixing the nursing shortfall / workforce readiness 22:13 Limiting the growth of government This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Nov 2, 2024

For Episode 100, we have a special conversation with Elad Gil, one of Silicon Valley's great thinkers, builders, and investors. Elad has been involved with many of the leading technology companies of the past 20 years — and likely the next 20 years. Learn how he's backed dozens of unicorns, why he thinks AI is underhyped, and where he sees investment opportunities amid this new wave of disruption. An early leader at Google, Elad helped build the initial mobile team, before founding MixerLabs, which was acquired by Twitter in 2009. Elad stayed on as VP of Corporate Strategy and became a key "fixer" during Twitter's hypergrowth phase. Later, he co-founded Color Health, a genetic testing company specializing in cancer detection. Over the past decade, he's backed nearly 40 unicorns, including Airbnb, Coinbase, Figma, Instacart, and Stripe. He's also invested in Harvey, Mistral, Perplexity, Pika, and other leading AI startups. In this episode, Elad takes us behind the scenes of the early days of Google and Twitter, and how Silicon Valley culture has evolved. He explains his three categories of exceptional founders and how he positioned himself to become one of the top angel investors. We also dive deep into AI, from the trajectory of LLMs to frameworks for investing in the AI value stack. Finally, we discuss AI's impact on education and the most exciting possibilities for the decade ahead. 00:00 Episode intro 01:16 Building Google’s mobile team 06:01 Early days at Twitter 11:37 Building Color Health 15:57 How he’s backed dozens of unicorns 21:52 How small clusters of talent change the world 25:20 Where are the young people in government? 27:25 Where are the young startup founders? 30:17 Why AI is underhyped 36:40 Will LLMs get exponentially better? 39:10 Investing in the AI value stack 41:33 AI and the future of education This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Oct 26, 2024

The rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer. The wealthiest among us don't pay their fair share in taxes. The American Dream is disappearing... Are these claims true? What data are they based upon? And does it stand up to scrutiny? This week, we analyze the debate over income inequality and mobility in America with economist and former U.S. Senator Phil Gramm. In his book, " The Myth of American Inequality " (winner of the 2024 Hayek Prize), Gramm lays out the oft-cited data for widening inequality and exposes where it falls short. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the top 20% of earners possess 16.7 times the income of the bottom 20%. However, Gramm reveals that this data excludes nearly all government transfer payments to the poor, like food stamps, and fails to subtract the high taxes paid by top earners. Adjusting for these factors, inequality drops from 16.7X to 4X! Gramm also points out that benefits to the poor have increased from $9,700 per household in 1967 (adjusted for inflation) to nearly $50,000 today. He argues that we suffer, not from extreme inequality, but from welfare-driven equality that encourages huge numbers of low-and-middle income Americans to drop out of the workforce. Senator Phil Gramm served in Washington D.C. for 25 years, first as a Congressman and later as a three-term Senator from Texas. He's an economist by training who taught at Texas A&M before entering public service. His book is a must-read for understanding the inequality debate, the truth about the super-rich, and the state of the American Dream. 00:00 Episode intro 03:32 Is inequality extreme and growing? 10:45 Elon Musk and the super-rich 16:19 Is Warren Buffet cheating the government? 22:55 Industrial Revolution — setting the record straight 29:35 Do billionaires pay their fair share? 33:40 Is the American Dream dying? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Oct 18, 2024

Founded in 1913, the Anti-Defamation League has played an important role in protecting the Jewish community and fighting for civil rights. But in recent years, many believe it has lurched too Left and promoted content that ends up harming Jews. I sat down with its CEO, Jonathan Greenblatt, to discuss what the ADL has gotten right and debate where it's gone wrong. Jonathan started his career in President Clinton's administration before finding success as an entrepreneur and later returning to the Obama White House. We don't align on politics, but we have mutual respect and I visited him at the White House during Obama's tenure to discuss policy issues. Many of the ADL's core activities are noble: report illegal threats against Jews, push back aggressively on anti-Semitism, and provide legal assistance for Jewish students harmed or threatened on college campuses. But recently, many on the Center and Right have taken serious issue with some of the ADL's actions, including its pressure campaigns against social media platforms and embrace of progressive politics that may be making Jews more vulnerable. In our candid discussion, I challenged Greenblatt on ADL's Left-wing stances and its promotion of critical race theory and Ta-Nehisi Coates' earlier work. I was encouraged to hear about the ADL's aggressive actions against Harvard, Penn, and other institutions after October 7; his agreement that oppressor vs oppressed frameworks foment hate against Jews; and his call for regime change in Iran, not appeasement. I’d like to see the ADL stop demonizing many on the Right and promoting woke nonsense on their site, distracting from its core purpose of fighting the actual enemies of Jews. But Jonathan and I agree that the ADL is an organization with a storied history and a valuable role to continue to play, especially given the pressing need to combat antisemitism today. 00:00 Episode Intro 02:15 Jonathan's background 05:14 ADL's History 08:39 Lessons from October 7 15:33 Have things improved on college campuses? 17:20 Iran funding antisemitism in the US 20:20 Has ADL gone hard Left? Does ADL teach CRT? 24:00 Will ADL stop promoting Ta-Nehisi Coates? 28:36 How wokeness causes antisemitism This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Oct 3, 2024

At 19 years old, Jimmy John Liautaud dropped out of college to start his own sandwich shop. He spent 10 years perfecting his first 10 stores, before franchising his model and scaling to nearly 3,000 Jimmy John's locations nationwide. Then the government almost destroyed it. This week, we sit down with the billionaire sandwich king to discuss his remarkable journey, the impact of government policy, and the consequences of elections. We dive into the business model that made Jimmy John's a national success, and how the Department of Labor under President Obama changed the regulations, sued his stores, and eventually caused him to sell the business. He now encourages business leaders to stand up and speak out, and explains why he's backing President Trump in the upcoming election. He shares a wealth of lessons learned, including the qualities he looks for in managers and how he can tell if a restaurant will succeed or fail by looking at the front door. Along with his personal success, he's also created hundreds of millionaires within the company, including many who started as sandwich makers, and he donates millions to wildlife preservation and scholarships for disadvantaged youth. Jimmy loves his country, his family, and his community; he's a true American success story and you'll see why. 00:00 Episode Intro01:40 The first Jimmy John's store05:05 How Jimmy scaled nationwide07:03 How government almost ruined his business13:17 Why every election matters18:39 Want to win? Nail the details21:10 Turning around failing stores23:59 Minimum wage & AI + robots29:49 Final advice for entrepreneurs This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Sep 20, 2024

Roland Fryer is a profile in courage; the Harvard economist follows the data where it leads, no matter the outcome. He studied the impact of paying kids for positive behaviors. He demonstrated how charter school best practices can transform even the worst public schools. And most controversially, he conducted a comprehensive study of police use of force, finding that racial discrimination exists at low levels of force but not in shootings. His colleagues at Harvard pressured him to shelve the study; he received death threats. Learn why he didn't cave and why says he would do it again tomorrow. Roland is not only a leading public intellectual but also a builder. In 2020, he co-founded Sigma Squared, which uses data science and new AI tools to help employers find the best talent for the job, or as he says, supercharge meritocracy. His goal: bring HR into the AI age and take the hiring process from a well-educated guess to a precise science. Roland's accomplishments are even more impressive considering his upbringing: his father went to prison and his mother walked out. Yet, he fell in love with economics and worked his way through college — including stints at McDonald's and Golden Corral — to become the youngest tenured black professor in Harvard's history! Roland personifies American optimism, and you'll see why. Learn more about Roland's research and read his study on charter school best practices here . This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Sep 12, 2024

The U.S. Navy dominated in World War II, not because we had the most advanced ships, but because our industrial capacity was unmatched. When we lost a ship in battle, we could instantly replace it with two or three new ones. Our enemies couldn't keep pace. But today, our shipbuilding is a shell of its former self. In 1943, we built over 18,000 ships. Last year, we built eight (and retired 12). China, on the other hand, is producing hundreds of ships and now boasts 250 times the U.S. shipbuilding capacity! How can the U.S. Navy maintain deterrence? One answer is autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs) and harnessing new possibilities in AI to field and simultaneously coordinate hundreds or thousands of unmanned vessels. That's why Dino Mavrookas and his team are building Saronic Technologies — the leading ASV manufacturer. Saronic is the only company engineering the hardware, software, and AI to create modular platforms that can be produced economically at scale. They currently offer three classes of vehicles that can be fitted with various sensors and weapons (including the possibility of torpedoes!). Dino believes the push into unmanned, attritable systems is our generation's space race. He served 11 years as a Navy SEAL with eight combat tours before working as a private equity technology investor. He partnered with 8VC through its Build program to launch Saronic in 2022, and it has quickly become one of the fastest-growing defense technology companies. Saronic recently closed a $175 million Series B, making it the newest defense unicorn. Its advisors include former admirals and other naval leaders, and did we mention it's being built right here in Austin, Texas! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Aug 30, 2024

Wilbur Ross is one of the great turnaround artists in modern finance. Dubbed the "King of Bankruptcy," he restructured over $400 billion of assets, saving companies — and jobs — in distressed industries like steel, coal, and textiles. In 2016, he went to Washington as U.S. Commerce Secretary to take on a similar mission and defend American companies and workers in high-stakes trade negotiations, particularly with China. We were privileged to host Wilbur for a conversation about his storied career and new book: “ Risks and Returns : Creating Success in Business and Life." We began with his investment philosophy and how he reshaped Wall Street, including his close relationship with Mike Milken and the inception of leveraged buyouts. Wilbur also recalls going head-to-head with Donald Trump during the bankruptcy negotiations for the Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City, and explains how that interaction led him to become one of the first Wall Street leaders to support Trump's candidacy for president. Next, we dive into his tenure as Commerce Secretary and the ongoing debates over U.S. trade policy. He shares his favorite Trump story — an early interaction with Chinese President Xi Jinping — as well as the accomplishments he's most proud of, like regulatory relief, and what he wishes the administration had done differently: act faster and more boldly! Wilbur is a patriot and leader we can all learn from, and hope you'll check out his new book. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Aug 22, 2024

He predicted Vladimir Putin would attack Ukraine months before it happened. Now he believes similar signals foreshadow China invading Taiwan. What similarities does he see? When and how would a Chinese incursion unfold? And what can the U.S. do to deter this conflict?This week, we're joined by Dmitri Alperovitch, co-founder of web security giant CrowdStrike, who departed the firm several years ago to focus on the intersection of technology, national security, and global competition as the Chairman of the Silverado Policy Accelerator. He's the author of an important new book: " World on the Brink : How America Can Beat China in the Race for the Twenty-First Century." We begin with Dmitri's entrepreneurial journey, from building a multi-billion dollar cyber security firm to lessons learned on the front lines of Chinese and Russian cyber attacks. Next, we discuss Dmitri's new book, his Cold War II thesis, and the comparative strengths and weaknesses between China and the U.S. He lays out Putin's rationale for attacking Ukraine and the similarities he sees with Xi Jinping and Taiwan — and even predicts the date China might invade! Finally, he explains the four key technologies where the U.S. must remain ahead of China to prevent a Cold War from turning hot. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Aug 16, 2024

Electronic shields are iconic elements of Star Trek, Star Wars, and other great American sci-fi. Once a fantasy, we are now building versions of these in real life! And they're a vital solution to a new type of threat confounding our legacy defense industry. This real-life force field alternative is called directed high-power microwave (HPM), and it's an answer to drone swarms and the proliferation of autonomous, attritable threats. Founded out of 8VC Build in 2018, Epirus is building the world's most advanced HPM systems, capable of disabling hordes of drones and other electronic devices up to miles away — and it only costs pennies to fire! This week, we talk with Epirus CEO Andy Lowery about the science behind HPM and why the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Space Force are all pursuing Epirus' technology. We begin with the changing nature of warfare and why harnessing — and defending against — autonomous, attributable systems is essential for any future conflict. Next, we dive into HPM technology and its myriad applications, from taking out drones, missiles, boats, and other vehicles to defending satellites in space. We also discuss the rise of "neo-primes" like SpaceX, Palantir, and Anduril and a new model for getting the best technology into the hands of our warfighters as quickly as possible. Finally, we discuss the importance of fusing Silicon Valley's AI and big data expertise with the U.S. defense-industrial base's advanced hardware experience in order to maintain our technological advantages over China and other adversaries. Learn more about Epirus’ approach to electronic warfare, and follow Epirus on Social: YouTube , LinkedIn , X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jul 3, 2024

Ken Langone's father was a plumber and his mother a cafeteria worker — neither made it past 8th grade — yet Ken became a multi-billionaire investor, builder, and philanthropist. And he did so as an outspoken patriot, defender of capitalism, and man of honor, famously taking on one of the most corrupt politicians of our time — and winning! In our conversation, we begin with Ken's investment philosophy, including how he became the largest shareholder in Eli Lilly. Next, we dive into leadership lessons and how he co-founded and grew Home Depot into an American icon valued at over $400 billion. But Ken is most proud of the fact that 3,000 associates who began pushing carts in the parking lot have gone on to become multi-millionaires within the company — a feat only possible under capitalism he says. In the 2000s, Ken had a front-page showdown with then-NY Attorney General Eliot Spitzer. Most of the Wall Street bigwigs in Spitzer's crosshairs cowered and ran, but not Ken. He fought back and won, exposing Spitzer's abuse of power. Ken hilariously recounts his epic battles and demonstrates the importance of fighting for justice and defending the honor of your colleagues, no matter the cost. Finally, we discuss the impact of Ken's prolific philanthropy, such as his recent $200 million donation to help make NYU Medical School tuition-free. For decades, he's also been a leader in education reform, including one of the greatest urban success stories: Harlem Children's Zone. They have proven that kids from the most difficult areas and family backgrounds can succeed, and have revealed the failings of the teachers' unions and education establishment. I'm fortunate to call Ken a friend and mentor. There will never be another quite like him, but we should do our best to follow his lead! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

May 23, 2024

Is greatness a choice? If so, why doesn't everyone choose greatness? And more broadly, what are the prerequisites for a great society? This week, I'm joined by Ethan Penner, author of the new book "Greatness Is a Choice" and one of the most influential figures in modern real estate. In his early 30s, Ethan pioneered the creation of commercial mortgage-backed securities and helped build a new market at a critical moment in history. We discuss his journey from the streets of Yonkers to the heights of Wall Street and what he learned from industry greats like Sam Zell. Ethan is also a student of history, religion, and philosophy who cares deeply about advancing freedom and helping others find purpose in life. His new book argues that most people misunderstand greatness and equate it to the top one percent of society. Rather, he believes that greatness is a daily decision to choose excellence, and by deliberately choosing excellence we can bring newfound meaning and fulfillment to our daily lives. Through concise and pointed chapters, like "The Debilitating Effects of the Victim Mentality" and “Equality Is Not the Point," Ethan diagnoses where our modern culture has gone awry and offers an antidote that can inspire us all to pursue greatness. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

May 16, 2024

At Columbia University's freshman orientation, Coleman Hughes and his classmates were separated into groups by skin color to discuss the effects of racism, with minorities portrayed as victims and white students as beneficiaries. Why have exercises like this become commonplace in elite institutions? How did this neo-racism take hold? And what are the counter-arguments and better approaches to race and diversity? These questions are at the heart of Coleman's new book: " The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America ." A talented, rising public intellectual, Coleman was one of the first courageous voices pushing back against the "anti-racist" pablum popularized by Ibram Kendi and Robin DiAngelo. He's a contributor to The Free Press, analyst at CNN, and host of the popular podcast " Conversations with Coleman ." In this episode, Coleman argues for a return to colorblindness and the ethics of MLK — not that we pretend we can't see race, but that we strive to move beyond it and focus on character, culture, and merit instead. He makes the case that socioeconomic factors, not race, are more accurate proxies for helping the most disadvantaged in society, and our public policy should be oriented as such. He also exposes the lazy thinking and platitudes that permeate conversations about race, along with some of the worst ideas done in the name of diversity, such as rejecting standardized tests. Finally, we discuss a better way to acknowledge America's past sins while moving forward in a way that unites our country. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

May 10, 2024

Dr. Clarence Jones is a giant of the civil rights movement. As the personal attorney and speechwriter for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he risked everything to help save the soul of America, including smuggling scraps of papers in and out of Birmingham prison that would become Dr. King's Letter from Birmingham Jail. In fact, Dr. Jones never thought he'd live to see the age of 50. Today, he's 93 years old, and one of the last living civil rights icons. In this episode, we trace the journey of an American hero — the son of domestic servants who became valedictorian of his high school and studied at Juilliard before becoming a successful entertainment lawyer. That is until Dr. King showed up at his California home asking for legal assistance. After initially turning him away, he went to hear Dr. King preach, and his life — and the direction of our country — changed forever. We discuss the key moments in his fight for justice, the significance of the black-Jewish alliance, and the legacy of Dr. King, including his thoughts on today's debate over DEI, Critical Race Theory, and colorblindness. He also shares his powerful approach to radical non-violence and his advice for young people today: pursue excellence. Dr. Jones has lived an extraordinary life, and his wisdom on issues of race should be heeded over many of the voices in popular culture today. SHOW NOTES: Dr. Jones was recently awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation's highest civilian honor. Last year, Dr. Jones released his memoir , "Last of the Lions." Learn more about Dr. Jones' work through his foundation and as Chair of the Spill the Honey Foundation , which continues the legacy of the Black-Jewish Alliance. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

May 2, 2024

Are government programs and interventions superior to market corrections? According to Dr. Cliff Winston, the evidence to support such a claim doesn’t exist. Many economists obsess over market failures but seldom point the microscope in the direction of government, despite its many failures. And worse, the bureaucracy doesn't hold itself accountable. This week, we examine some of the flaws of modern economic theories with Dr. Winston , a microeconomist and Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, with a B.A. and Ph.D. in economics from UC Berkeley, and Masters from the London School of Economics. He is the author of numerous books and papers, including, most recently, “ Indispensable: Market corrections in a U.S. economy beset by government failures .” From antitrust to welfare programs and tax incentives, most Americans assume government interventions are preferable to allowing the market to correct itself, but as Cliff explains, we don't have scholarly evidence to back that up. He explains why we need government retrospectives and more widespread experiments to test what does or doesn't work. When has government been effective? Ironically, Cliff says, when it gets out of the way: deregulation. We talk about the benefits of airline deregulation, for example, and Cliff makes the case for deregulating the legal profession and other areas that require occupational licensure. Finally, we discuss scenarios where government involvement could be beneficial, such as setting adoption standards for autonomous vehicles. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Apr 25, 2024

STEM (science, technology, engineering & math) education is the backbone of the innovation economy. Yet at many schools, it's become stodgy and irrelevant to solving real-world problems. Not surprisingly, many of the best minds forgo college or drop out. What would it look like to design a STEM program that is inspiring, cutting-edge, and grounded in timeless truths? And how do you educate the next generation of great entrepreneurs who are also citizens of virtue? This week, we discuss a better model for STEM with Dr. David Ruth, Dean of the Center for STEM at the University of Austin (UATX). Dr. Ruth is a retired U.S. Navy Captain who worked on a nuclear attack submarine, an aircraft carrier, and as a war planner in Asia, before teaching advanced mathematics at the U.S. Naval Academy for 13 years. In this episode, Dr. Ruth lays out UATX's approach to 21st-century STEM: a curriculum that balances first principles with practical application and unparalleled industry engagement. (We're already partnering with The Boring Company and other leading companies in Texas!) Many STEM programs bog down students in unnecessary tasks; UATX is taking a different approach with "computation-enabled thinking" that combines what humans do best (abstracting, modeling, and interpreting) with what computers do best (computation). We also discuss how to safeguard science and math from identity politics, and the importance of making STEM exciting and challenging through innovative games and challenges. If you're a student pursuing a STEM education, we hope you'll check out what we're building at UATX. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Apr 18, 2024

In 1979, Crown Prince of Iran Reza Pahlavi was attending fighter pilot school in Lubbock, Texas when the Islamic Revolution overthrew his father's reign. A radical theocracy seized power and began extinguishing freedoms, persecuting minorities, and taking a pro-Western Iran back to the Middle Ages. Since then, the Crown Prince has lived in exile as a leading voice for a secular and democratic Iran. What is his view of the Revolution? Why does he believe regime change is possible today? And how should the U.S. and the West deal with Iran? Given Iran's recent attack on Israel, we get a rare and timely perspective on the power dynamics within Iran and why the current regime is more fragile than we realize. The Crown Prince paints a picture of his homeland pre-and-post Revolution, and explains why many governments misunderstand the fanatical leadership of Iran. He lays out his strategy of "maximum support" and how combining sanctions and external pressure with internal support, such as internet access and financial resources for protestors, could someday topple the regime. And if it does, he details a post-regime strategy to transition the government toward a secular democracy. We also discuss the longstanding history between the Persian and Jewish people, and how, with the right leadership, the region could once again become dynamic and prosperous. [NOTE: this conversation was recorded shortly before Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel.] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Apr 11, 2024

India’s tech ecosystem has hit an indisputable inflection point in recent years. For decades, American corporations outsourced basic services to India, while India outsourced its top talent to Silicon Valley. But today, India’s tech economy boasts homegrown software giants and a flourishing startup scene. This week, we get a front-row look into India’s startup evolution with one of its top talents: Sri Ganesan, Founder and CEO of Rocketlane . His first company, Konotor, was acquired into Freshworks, which went public in 2021 for $10 billion and became one of India's biggest wins. Now, Sri is building Rocketlane into a leading solution for SaaS deployment and professional services automation, with teams in the U.S. and India. By combining American know-how with Indian talent, Rocketlane represents an important dynamic for the future of tech and expanding key partnerships around the world. In this episode, we dive into the lessons learned from Freshworks's success and how it paved the way for greater entrepreneurial risk within India. We also explore Sri's journey in scaling Rocketlane, from finding product-market fit to positioning the company to take advantage of the AI wave. We discuss what India’s rise to become one of the world's most important economies means for the future of tech and global talent distribution, along with the cultural differences between India and the US, and what it's like building on two continents simultaneously. Finally, Sri guides us through the various tech hubs in India, from Mumbai to Bangalore and Chennai, even down to his favorite restaurant and must-visit destinations for anyone heading to India soon. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Apr 5, 2024

Every year, more than 20,000 Americans receive a bone marrow transplant — a Nobel prize-winning procedure that saves many lives but also carries great risk. For leukemia patients, it's a choice of last resort, as nearly 20% die from the transplant. Ivan Dimov, co-founder & CEO of Orca Bio , and his team have created a novel cell therapy alternative that has already saved over 400 lives in clinical trials with virtually zero rejection!This week, we dive into Ivan's journey, the science behind Orca's cancer breakthrough, and the potential of cell therapies to cure a host of other diseases. By discovering new, high-precision methods to manipulate cells, Orca is able to provide leukemia patients with a designer immune system that attacks the cancer while nearly eliminating rejection. By safely rebooting the immune system, Ivan and his team believe Orca also has the potential to cure autoimmune diseases like Crohn’s disease and multiple sclerosis, and impact the lives of millions of Americans.Orca is currently seeking the first-ever FDA approval in this space, and since it's a unique one-time curative therapy, they are also commercializing the drug in-house — a rare move in biopharma. Ivan walks us through the path to bringing Orca's products to market, from collaborating with regulators to negotiating with insurance companies and scaling up its manufacturing. Though many challenges remain, you'll see why we're incredibly bullish on Ivan's leadership and Orca's potential to transform the future of medicine. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Mar 21, 2024

What are the forces behind the scenes that drive financial markets? How do bubbles form — and are we in one now? What do the world's best investors understand and how do they consistently come out ahead? This week we dive into global finance with one of the sharpest minds in macro investing: Whitney Baker, Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Totem Macro . Whitney previously worked at two of the world's leading investment firms, first in global macro & long/short strategies at Soros Fund Management and most recently as the Head of Emerging Markets at Bridgewater Associates. In this episode, Whitney lays out the principles behind macro investing and how credit flows, borrowing cycles, and monetary policy drive global finance. She traces our current-day situation back to the 1970s when President Nixon ditched the gold standard and opened trade with China. She explains how a new age of deficit spending combined with China entering the U.S. bond market paved the way for the dot com bubble, and ultimately where we are today. Whitney makes the case that inflation isn't going away soon and believes the Federal Reserve's actions over the past few decades have exacerbated inequality in America. Yet, despite these headwinds, Whitney believes technological progress can sustain the U.S. through these challenging times, so long as we set the right conditions for our best entrepreneurs to succeed. Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Mar 14, 2024

U.S. e-commerce sales eclipsed $1 trillion last year and are expected to double or triple over the next decade. As online demand increases, how can small businesses compete with retail giants like Amazon and Walmart? What capabilities do they need? And can a new model help level the playing field? This week, we explore the future of logistics and e-commerce with Tyler Scriven, co-founder and CEO of Saltbox . Tyler was a star talent at Palantir for many years (his first job title was "Predictor and Crusher" on account of his ability to eliminate operational challenges) before applying his learnings to help entrepreneurs nationwide. He identified a key gap in the market: small businesses have great software tools, but need help in the physical world with supply chain and logistics to compete against large retailers with scale advantages. With a dozen locations in major metropolitan areas, Saltbox provides a unique co-warehousing model to elevate storage and shipping capabilities. In this episode, we discuss Tyler's most important lessons from Palantir and how to cultivate a mission-driven culture. We cover his entrepreneurial journey from Palantir to acquiring his own small business and discovering the logistical shortcomings that Saltbox is designed to solve. We also talk leadership lessons and Tyler's compelling perspective on "courage for normal people." This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Mar 8, 2024

Leonard Leo is one of the most effective agents of legal and cultural change in America today. What's his playbook? How can we apply it to other broken areas of society? And why should the technology world be especially interested in his work? In the mid-20th century, the U.S. judicial system took a sharp left turn, resulting in hyper-politicized courts, runaway bureaucracies, and many other distortions of our Constitutional system. Through his leadership of the Federalist Society, Leonard has led the charge to repair these broken institutions and, in the process, built arguably the most powerful legal network in the nation. He's been instrumental in the most important judicial elections and nominations of the past few decades. Leonard's wisdom is especially relevant for my friends in the effective accelerationism (e/acc) movement — or anyone who values technological progress. Standing athwart innovation is the ever-expanding administrative state, and Leonard has spent decades fighting to rightsize government and restore the separation of powers. He explains why property rights, limited government, and decentralized power are the bulwark of innovation, and why technologists must also join the effort to rein in the regulatory state and defend these sacred Constitutional principles. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Feb 29, 2024

What are the single most effective policies for helping the world's poor? And what are we doing right now that's ineffective and should be stopped? The answers may surprise you. In his latest book " Best Things First ," Bjorn Lomborg reveals the 12 best solutions to address the most pressing global challenges. He gathered the world's top economists to analyze the policies that would do the most good for the least amount of money. It turns out the United Nations and others are getting it wrong — climate policies didn't make Bjorn's list! In 2015, the UN released its Sustainable Development Goals — a mere 169 promises to achieve by 2030! Yet as Bjorn explains, these are largely virtue signaling or ineffective vows the UN will never make good on. Instead of overpromising or obsessing over climate change, Bjorn says the evidence points to 12 clear and measurable policy solutions: eliminating tuberculosis, investing in education the right way, and establishing clear land rights, to name a few. Bjorn is the Founder and Director of the Copenhagen Consensus think tank and one of the world's most influential writers and thinkers. He's made a career challenging misguided narratives, especially on environmental issues, while fighting to restore sanity and fact-based policymaking. His arguments are a direct challenge to the alarmism and doomerism surrounding us today, which is why YouTube and others try to censor him! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Feb 14, 2024

By the summer of 2012, ride-sharing had arrived: Uber launched its everyman product, UberX, and Lyft debuted hot on its heels. Today, Lyft's market cap hovers around $5 billion while Uber's is north of $140 billion. How did Uber explode to global dominance? What was different about its culture? And how did it take on taxi cartels around the world and win? This week, we go behind the scenes with Emil Michael, one of Silicon Valley's great operators and dealmakers. As the former Chief Business Officer, Emil helped Uber raise a record $15 billion in two years and led its expansion into the most difficult markets, including China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Italy. (Yes, Italy.) Emil recounts his biggest wins and toughest challenges, including how the Italian mafia threatened to kill Uber employees and why to this day ride-sharing is almost nonexistent in Italy. Emil immigrated with his family to the U.S. from Egypt as a young child, and his success and character epitomize the American Dream. He graduated from Harvard, received his J.D. from Stanford Law, and began his entrepreneurial journey at TellMe, an early speech recognition company. He quickly became known for his dealmaking skills, including transforming a $300 million acquisition offer into a $800 million deal with Steve Ballmer and Microsoft. After TellMe, he served as a White House fellow at the Pentagon and spent time in Iraq and Afghanistan, before later joining Uber. We dive into his unique approach to high-stakes negotiations and lessons learned from his distinguished career. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Feb 8, 2024

Can investigative journalism prevail over sensational clickbait? Is it time to give up on San Francisco? Is the First Amendment sufficient to prevent the government from colluding with, or forcing, Big Tech to censor speech? This week, join us for a one-of-a-kind conversation with Mike Solana, Chief Marketing Officer at Founders Fund and Founder of Pirate Wires , one of the fastest-growing and most influential new media companies. Mike is a must-follow on X for his wit and unique insights, but also for the work he's doing to expose corruption and revive investigative reporting. Pirate Wires recently revealed how San Francisco taxpayers are being forced to fund the protests that shut down the Bay Bridge! We begin our discussion with the broken state of media, and why Mike believes a subscription model is the path to building a successful media outlet that isn't beholden to clickbait. Next, we discuss whether SF can be saved from the far Left and why we need better elites who don't blindly fund radical non-profits. We also cover several of Mike's seminal pieces of writing: the future of free speech when the government and Big Tech create a decentralized censorship regime, and how to revive our country's ability to build great, inspiring works . Can we restore competence in government or should we turn our energy and attention elsewhere? We discuss! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jan 31, 2024

What is e/acc ( effective accelerationism ) and why is it going viral among tech's elite? Who are the leaders behind this movement and what are their ambitions? This week, we explore e/acc with one of its pioneers, Guillaume Verdon (aka @BasedBeffJezos ), a theoretical physicist at the cutting edge of quantum computing and AI. Guillaume worked under Sergey Brin as the quantum deep learning lead at Google X before launching a thermal computing startup called Extropic . He started e/acc as a cultural counterforce to the degrowth and doomer movements that sow distrust of technology and seek to undermine the advancement of artificial intelligence and other emerging innovations. Fifty years ago, sci-fi was some of the most inspiring art in America. It's no coincidence that it preceded the birth of the space and digital ages — the stories and narratives we tell ourselves as a society are the ones we tend to work toward. Not surprisingly, as sci-fi took a dystopian turn in recent decades, society's view of technology and progress soured as well. E/acc is the antidote; it aims to inspire a cultural, then technological, renaissance in the West. While e/acc has gained popularity through viral memes on social media, it's also a cohesive framework designed to apply to the modern world. In this episode, we discuss the first principles behind e/acc, steelman the arguments against it, and explore how it's compatible with religion and other ethical frameworks. This is an important movement that resonates with us at American Optimist. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Dec 20, 2023

Who should be in charge of the culture of a company? How do you maintain a spirit of innovation as an organization scales? How can executives be transparent about their shortcomings while also improving as leaders? Scott Cook, the founder and former CEO of Intuit, has navigated these challenges himself while mentoring hundreds of other leaders on how to do the same. Scott is a legend of Silicon Valley. In 1983, he founded Intuit and pioneered consumer finance software, first with Quicken and later TurboTax, Quickbooks, and other products that quickly became household names. During the 8VC Leadership Summit, I sat down with Scott to discuss some of his most important lessons learned and advice to CEOs and founders. He begins with the responsibility of the CEO to set the company culture, and why leadership doesn't get to play by a different set of rules than its employees. He also explains how success can make organizations slow and stupid, and how to fight the forces of inertia. One way is by orienting decision-making around experimentation, not opinion or status, and he illustrates how Intuit learned to adopt this mindset. Finally, he advises CEOs to advertise their failures, not bury them, and seek out accountability and outside scrutiny from coaches and advisors. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Dec 13, 2023

In the wake of October 7, the decadence and rot of our legacy universities have been on full display. We've seen feckless leadership from college presidents, moral cowardice from faculty, and, as a result, shocking displays of anti-Semitism unchallenged on campus. It's time to build anew. That's why we founded the University of Austin — America's first new top university in almost a century. And we are now accepting students for our inaugural class in the fall of 2024! In this episode, three of UATX's founders — myself, UATX President Pano Kanelos, and world-renowned historian Niall Ferguson — discuss this critical moment for UATX, and the nation. We dive into what sets UATX apart: a constitution that safeguards freedom of inquiry and expression; a curriculum that combines the intellectual foundations of Western Civilization with real-world applications; and a faculty and support network made up of the world's leading scholars, writers, entrepreneurs, and builders. As Niall and Pano explain, we're training the Navy SEALs of the mind — the next generation of leaders who can reason, debate, build, and restore our republic to greatness. Right now, we're looking for our first 100 students. If you're a maverick and have what it takes to help us forge a new path in higher education, we encourage you to apply . This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Dec 7, 2023

The U.S. spends $280 billion annually on healthcare billing! It's an irrationally complex and outdated system in which most claims are adjudicated manually, resulting in massive inefficiencies and bogus claim rejections. Why is it so broken? How do we fix it? And what would healthcare look like if it functioned properly? That's what I discuss with Nick Perry and Doug Proctor, co-founder & CEO and COO of Candid Health , respectively. Two talented Palantir alumni, Nick and Doug represent a trend I'm watching closely: leading technologists with a top culture, the right software, and new breakthroughs in machine learning taking on the most broken areas of our economy. In this episode, they explain the origins of Candid and how they first learned the billing process by hand in order to build the information architecture necessary to process myriad types of claims with extremely low denial rates. At scale, Nick & Doug envision Candid as Stripe or Shopify for healthcare: the infrastructure layer that automates revenue cycle management and dramatically lowers the barrier to entry for new healthcare startups. And if we ever want the U.S. to move from its broken fee-for-service model to value-based care, we'll need platforms like Candid to enable that shift — another reason I'm bullish on Candid and the leaders behind it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Nov 30, 2023

Secret police groups, illegal bio labs, and large-scale influence operations — China is engaged in these activities inside the United States today. How should we respond? Is economic divorce the answer? And are we destined for conflict, or is there a path toward peace and mutual prosperity? We discuss these pressing issues with Rep. Mike Gallagher, Congressman for Wisconsin's 8th District and Chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). A distinguished warrior-scholar, Chairman Gallagher served in the Marines and deployed to Iraq, earned two Master's degrees and a Ph.D., and now leads one of the most consequential committees in Congress. In this episode, he details some of the CCP's most nefarious activities within the U.S., and our government’s inadequate responses. We discuss the right strategy for addressing the CCP, including when and where economic decoupling makes sense. Chairman Gallagher also provides an update on new legislative efforts he believes will finally succeed at forcing a sale of TikTok, and he explains why China's economic woes and looming demographic crisis might make Xi Jinping more likely to take aggressive action. If you want to understand the extent of the CCP's malign actions and influence campaigns, follow the bipartisan work of Chairman Gallagher's committee. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Nov 23, 2023

Ten million students attend community college annually, but only 30% ever graduate! It's a massive economic loss to students and society. What if a new model could drastically increase completion rates while maintaining a high-quality education, and leave students with zero debt? That's what Tade Oyerinde is aiming to build with Campus , a new way to conduct community college. His approach is two-pronged: improve quality and increase completion rates. First, Campus is pioneering a gig economy for top adjunct professors. Recognizing that adjuncts at elite universities are often underpaid and drowning in debt, Campus offers them the opportunity to teach part-time online — a win for adjuncts and students alike. Next, they surround students with support designed to reduce attrition: tuition includes a laptop, wifi, and a personal coach, all at a cost less than the annual Pell Grant (currently $7,495). Campus also recently acquired a brick-and-mortar school in Sacramento that offers hands-on skills training for in-demand career tracks, such as medical coding and cosmetology. Instead of taking on large sums of debt to attend mediocre private schools, Tade believes community college is the smarter path for most students, and hopes Campus will be at the forefront of a new era in higher education. But it won't be easy. Learn about his journey to reinvent one of America's most entrenched and misaligned sectors. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Nov 15, 2023

In the last generation, the U.S. technology sector created many of the most valuable companies in the world. Has Silicon Valley figured out a better way to build and scale a business? How did this cohort of outsiders — “geeks” — create cultures that continually redefine the limits of science and technology? And how can others, especially our government, learn from the very best organizations? These are the questions at the heart of best-selling author Andrew McAfee's new book " The Geek Way : The Radical Mindset that Drives Extraordinary Results." A principal research scientist at MIT, Andrew explores the geek mindset — an obsessive maverick, as he defines it — and explains how geeks developed a new management philosophy that permeates Amazon, Apple, SpaceX, Palantir, and other pioneering organizations. He breaks it down into four norms: speed, science, ownership, and openness, and details the principles behind each. He also explains why even the most successful companies are vulnerable to bureaucracy and sclerosis, and that human nature and status-seeking have something to do with it. Instead of fighting it, he describes how geeks have figured out a better way to align these innate tendencies with the mission of the company. I've bought copies of this book for all our CEOs, and hope you'll check it out too! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Nov 8, 2023

We've all seen the images — garbage patches twice the size of Texas accumulating in the Pacific Ocean. Yet nothing was being done, despite billions of dollars a year spent on environmental lawyers and bureaucrats. That is until a young engineer from Holland set out to do what bureaucrats couldn't — clean up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and stem the flow of plastic into the oceans. Boyan Slat is the Founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup , the most effective organization ever built to rid the oceans of pollution. They're already cleaning up an average of 750kg of trash each hour this year, and Boyan estimates their latest technology will eliminate the Great Pacific Garbage Patch within 10 years! Moreover, Boyan and his team have also identified the top polluting rivers in the world and are building interceptors to prevent pollution from reaching the seas in the first place — all for a tiny fraction of other environmental spend. But it hasn't been easy. Boyan explains how they overcame numerous engineering challenges, as well as intense criticism and cynicism from media and activists hoping they would fail. Boyan's inspiring journey reflects the power of an innovation mindset, and the ability of a small group of highly-motivated builders to achieve what an entire class of experts and bureaucrats couldn't. I'm a supporter of Boyan's work and hope you'll consider supporting him as well. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Nov 2, 2023

Will high interest rates and inflation be the norm for the foreseeable future? Are we living through a 1970s redux? How should investors navigate these uncertain times? We discuss the volatile financial markets with Jacob Miller, co-founder of Opto Investments [an 8VC Build company] and head of its Advisory Practice. Jacob studied economics and classics at the University of Chicago and cut his teeth at Bridgewater Capital, the world's largest hedge fund. In this episode, he draws on historical parallels to explain why the U.S. is heading into a long-term debt cycle similar to the late 1970s, and why a prolonged period of readjustment is more likely than a major crash. He discusses the challenges investors face in the coming years, and why it's vital to find differentiated investments that can generate alpha. One area of opportunity is the private markets, but they have been historically difficult to access and navigate. Jacob explains how Opto is equipping wealth managers with a new tech-enabled platform to understand and invest in these markets with confidence. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Oct 25, 2023

Nearly half of all Americans don't have investment accounts. Financial literacy is the exception, not the norm, in most households. Is it no wonder that so many young Americans distrust capitalism and misunderstand wealth creation?‍Brad Gerstner is stepping up with a solution: a legislative program called Invest America that would create an investment account seeded with $1,000 from the Treasury Department for each of the 3.7 million children born every year in the U.S. His aim is to educate the next generation on the merits of free markets and give every child a financial upside in American innovation. With nominal recurring contributions starting at birth, a child turning 30 today would have over $250,000 in an Invest America account!Brad is the Founder and CEO of Altimeter Capital, a firm he grew from less than $3 million in 2008 to billions of dollars in assets under management today. A leading voice in Silicon Valley, Brad is a four-time founder with a knack for identifying major trends early, from Booking.com, Zillow, and Uber to Snowflake and Mongo. In this episode, he provides his macro outlook on the economy and explains why he believes AI is the next big supercycle but also why being early in a cycle isn't always the right play. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Oct 13, 2023

On the morning of October 7, Roni Eshel was stationed at a military base in Nahal Oz, not far from Gaza. The 19-year-old soldier was serving her second year of service in the Israel Defense Forces when Hamas stormed the base and set fire to the compound. Some soldiers escaped, some were killed, but Roni has not been found. Her family is desperately searching for her and fears the worst. Her uncle Elad Levy is speaking out in hopes of locating Roni and bringing awareness to the atrocities committed by Hamas. In recent days, we’ve seen shocking displays of pro-Hamas statements and demonstrations from student groups at "elite" universities, while many in the media cowardly display moral equivalence and fail to speak the truth about Hamas’ unspeakable actions. Elad hopes that out of this darkness comes a new moral clarity that will unite the free world behind Israel and make clear that Hamas will meet the same fate as the Nazis and ISIS: complete destruction. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Aug 18, 2023

Bob McGrew is at the epicenter of the AI revolution. As the VP of Research at OpenAI, he's instrumental in breakthroughs that are reshaping the world, from building GPT models and launching ChatGPT to overseeing the Dall-E project. How was GPT-4 trained and what will GPT-5 look like? Why does ChatGPT respond with certain biases and how do they correct for that? What breakthrough led Bob to believe AGI could be achievable? Bob and I were in Phi Psi together at Stanford and both interned at PayPal in its early days. We hired Bob as the second engineer at Palantir, where he built and shipped the first products for the intelligence community and went on to lead engineering and help run the company. Bob joined OpenAI part-time in 2016 and full-time in 2017, where he's been at the forefront of AI innovation. In this episode, we discuss the early days of Palantir, how he knew AI's moment had arrived, and the most important research projects underway at OpenAI. We also look ahead to what GPT-8 could unlock for humanity and what's needed for Large Language Models to move beyond mimicking humans to higher forms of intelligence and creativity. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jul 18, 2023

What's the best optimistic case for AI? Could AI actually save the world? What do the AI doomsayers get wrong? We dive deep into the AI debate with Marc Andreessen, cofounder and general partner at Andreessen Horowitz, for a special conversation held during the 2023 University of Austin Forbidden Courses . We explore Marc's recent essay and why he believes AI could improve productivity, reduce human drudgery, and allow us to spend more time creating art or music, investing in relationships, and doing things that make us more human. Marc challenges the popular narratives on machine learning — why do we assume superintelligence will turn evil, for example? — and applies lessons from history to make a powerful case for embracing the AI age. However, his optimism is tempered by the realities of politics, and we debate whether it's the fault of the citizenry or special interests for stymieing innovation and progress. We also discuss how philosophical frameworks, like the precautionary principle, have been used to inhibit progress, and why, sometimes, it takes great leaders creating exponentially better products or policies to overcome the status quo. Finally, we field a variety of smart and fun questions from students on AI, politics, and venture capital. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jul 14, 2023

Over the past two decades, Palantir has prevented a large number of terrorist attacks, deployed the most advanced civil liberties data infrastructure throughout Western countries, and changed the course of history. Today, its technology is most evident on the battlefield in Ukraine, where its software has provided the Ukrainians a devastating advantage over Russian forces. And now, Palantir is quickly becoming the leading AI platform in the world for large organizations. How did a small startup overcome overwhelming institutional resistance to become one of the most important software companies in the world? And what can we learn from its CEO, Dr. Alex Karp — How does he attract the very best engineering talent? How did his dyslexia and outsider upbringing impact his views on the world and how Palantir is designed? We cover these questions and more in a special conversation between two of Palantir's co-founders. Dr. Karp holds a B.A. from Haverford College, a J.D. from Stanford Law School, and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany, where he studied under Jürgen Habermas and other leading intellectuals. In this episode, we explore the impact of philosophy on his life and why he ultimately left academia to build. We share some of our favorite stories from Palantir's early days, discuss how to reform the Pentagon to improve its results, and look ahead to how AI is changing the nature of warfare. Dr. Karp is one of the wisest leaders I know, and you'll learn how his iconoclastic views on software, patriotism, talent, and innovation have been proven right over the past years, and what they mean for the future. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jun 22, 2023

Eddie Margain quickly ascended the ranks as a Mexican entrepreneur but fled the country when the cartels threatened his family. How does a nation lose its rule of law and does he see similar trends in America? Why was he inspired to build Austin FC and what did it take to bring the first professional sports team to the capital of Texas? I’m joined by best-selling author Ryan Holiday and we explore these topics and more with Eddie, co-founder of Austin FC and Managing Partner & Founder of Pixiu Investments (current investments include, among others, the historic Scarbrough Building and apparel maker Outdoor Voices). Eddie is a true leader and pillar of the community who serves as President of the Greater Austin Crime Commission and also supports myriad other philanthropic causes. His entrepreneurial journey began in Mexico, first by founding an internet access provider and later building companies to manufacture and distribute mobile phones. In this episode, Eddie explains how his homeland surrendered to narcoterrorism, why he fell in love with Austin, and what motivated him to build the city's first soccer club. Thanks for following Joe Lonsdale! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jun 15, 2023

What are the three most important attributes of a successful salesperson? How do you identify talent capable of withstanding constant rejection? And how do you hire hundreds of salespeople while maintaining mission and culture? Discover how Ben Rubenstein scaled two startups to big exits, and why he believes resumes are largely meaningless for sourcing top sales talent. His first company, Yodle, took on the Yellow Pages by bringing thousands of small businesses online and into the digital age. Ben started as a one-person sales team living with friends, sleeping on an air mattress, and moving every few months until he broke through, eventually building a thousand-person sales team. Next, he founded Opcity, a real estate lead referral service, and once again scaled it into a large salesforce until the company was acquired by Realtor.com. Ben is currently building Setpoint , a software platform that automates asset-based lending and capital markets operations, enabling real-estate, auto, consumer, and other asset-backed borrowers to offer next-generation credit options to consumers. In addition, Setpoint has launched a second debt fund to support Proptech startups. Learn about the most exciting innovations in real estate and why Ben believes AI will upend how we think about careers and areas of expertise. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jun 11, 2023

How did a high school dropout from Argentina build a multi-billion dollar web infrastructure company that supports many of the world's largest companies and brands? This is the story of Guillermo Rauch, CEO of Vercel. At an early age, Guillermo developed a passion for open-source projects and began building websites and products for clients around the world at only 13 years old. He dropped out of high school to program full-time and eventually made his way to the U.S. where he's now leading one of the world's fastest-growing internet infrastructure companies. Walmart, Facebook, Mr. Beast, and many other industry leaders build and deploy products online using Vercel because of its superior reliability, functionality, and speed. If you want to learn more about Vercel, check out this helpful explainer. In this episode, Guillermo details his entrepreneurial journey, the origins of Vercel, and how he cultivates top engineering talent. We also dive into what precipitated Argentina's fall from global power, and why pessimism and political dysfunction may go hand-in-hand. NOTE: This conversation was originally recorded in October 2022. Thanks for following Joe Lonsdale! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jun 1, 2023

Could modernizing one of medicine's oldest practices — the house call — dramatically improve care for disadvantaged populations? What if doctors and nurses could treat an entire family in their home through a value-based care model that aligns incentives for both providers and payers? These are the questions Dr. Rebekah Gee aims to answer with Nest Health , a new health startup that's reinventing in-home care.Dr. Gee is uniquely suited to lead this effort; she's a mother of five and OBGYN who led Louisiana State University's healthcare program from 2020 to 2022 and the state of Louisiana's Department of Health from 2016 to 2020. She made a name for herself by deftly managing a $14 billion budget and negotiating drug pricing to make a costly Hepatitis-C drug available for tens of thousands of Louisianans. Previously, Dr. Gee served as the Medicaid Medical Director for Louisiana Medicaid and also worked on the healthcare transition team for President-elect Barack Obama. She's now applying the learnings from her extensive public service to build Nest, which is focused on improving health outcomes for Louisiana families on Medicaid. Dr. Gee explains the hurdles she overcame to innovate within Medicaid and how Nest's in-home care model could scale throughout the country to transform lives, cut costs, and increase productivity in American healthcare. Thanks for following Joe Lonsdale! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

May 24, 2023

In India, "entrepreneur" was once a dirty word; today it's one of the most desirable career paths for young people. How did this transformation occur? How did the world's largest democracy break out of socialism? What does the remarkable rise of India augur for the 21st century?‍We explore these questions and more with Aditya Berlia, a serial entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist, and the co-founder and pro-chancellor of the Apeejay Stya University (ASU). Adi discusses his pioneering efforts in India's education sector, including building ASU — the country's first industry-focused technology and liberal arts university. He also explains his work around the world in biotech and how the U.S. FDA can more effectively partner with international manufacturers looking to access U.S. markets. Finally, he provides a unique perspective on America's challenges and how the world's two largest democracies can more closely ally and partner in the decades ahead. Thanks for following Joe Lonsdale! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

May 17, 2023

How do we ensure that capital flows more efficiently to the best ideas and creates more value for society? One way is to enable more people to access the best investment opportunities, many of which are in private markets (aka alternative investments) that are notoriously difficult to navigate. It can take a team of lawyers to manage the mountain of paperwork and outdated analog processes — a stark contrast to one-click retail investing in public markets. Eliot Hodges, the CEO of Anduin, and his team are solving this problem. Anduin's software platform is digitizing the private markets and democratizing access — they've already helped more than 25,000 investors onboard at nearly 500 funds and raise over $45 billion in capital. An early employee at Palantir and Blend, Eliot explains his entrepreneurial journey and why Anduin's success is important for the innovation economy. What also makes Anduin unique is that it's a Silicon Valley startup employing top talent in Vietnam. Eliot discusses how he encourages collaboration across different cultures and why the caliber of engineering skills outside the U.S. is reshaping the tech landscape. Thanks for following Joe Lonsdale! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

May 11, 2023

Is the U.S. on the verge of an unprecedented banking crisis? Other than Bitcoin, where is Balaji keeping his money? Could the government try to confiscate assets like FDR's gold seizures in the 1930s? Will red and blue states break into a cold civil war over the fiscal fallout? Learn why Balaji is sounding the alarm and why these scenarios may not be as far-fetched as you might think. We also discuss the roots of the current banking crisis and debate whether America's dysfunctional and broken institutions can be saved, or if it's too late to rescue our republic. Balaji is one of the leading investors, entrepreneurs, and writers of our time. For years, he's been an outspoken advocate for cryptocurrency and the larger decentralized finance movement, while boldly warning of the consequences of our nation's reckless fiscal policy. He was formerly the Chief Technology Officer of Coinbase and General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz. He's also the author of "The Network State: How to Start a New Country" and host of the Network State Podcast. Thanks for following Joe Lonsdale! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

May 3, 2023

Maria Davidson is the Founder and CEO of Kojo. Each year, the U.S. construction industry spends roughly $250 billion on materials, much of which is still managed by pen and paper (Excel is considered cutting-edge). Kojo is a software solution that digitizes the process, à la Amazon for contractors, and vastly improves productivity, efficiency, and safety. Learn why it took an immigrant entrepreneur and industry outsider like Maria to help modernize a giant sector of our economy that is notoriously slow to change. Maria was born in the Soviet Union, raised in Israel, and moved to London at 13. She graduated from Oxford University where she studied philosophy and served as President of the Oxford Union. We discuss the most controversial speakers she invited and why encountering divergent viewpoints is fundamental to the health of a free society. After Oxford, she landed at Goldman Sachs in London before making the leap to Silicon Valley and joining the 8VC team. Applying her philosopher's perspective, Maria sought to understand why it's extremely difficult and expensive to build in America today. That led her, at only 26 years old, to found Kojo, which is now processing over $1 billion in materials orders for thousands of customers nationwide. Thanks for reading Joe Lonsdale! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Apr 27, 2023

Nathan Mintz is the Founder and CEO of Spartan Radar and, previously, the Co-Founder and CEO of Epirus . In his twenties, Nathan sought to reform California's broken government and ran for state assembly twice, albeit unsuccessfully. Yet, his loss became our gain as he's become a leading entrepreneur in directed energy and radar systems. In fact, Nathan has built a reputation for attracting some of the best engineering talent in the country.He began his career at Raytheon and Boeing, designing sensors and electronic warfare systems for the U.S. military. He used that knowledge to launch Epirus, which now boasts the world's most powerful directed energy system (Leonidas). He's currently building Spartan Radar and developing software that can dramatically improve automotive radar and accelerate the path to ubiquitous self-driving vehicles. We discuss his entrepreneurial journey and knack for attracting top talent, as well as the economic and cultural implications of widespread autonomy. He also explains why he's bullish on a new space age and predicts SpaceX will reach Mars in the next several years! (This episode was recorded before SpaceX’s recent Starship launch.) Thanks for reading Joe Lonsdale! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Apr 19, 2023

Peter Attia is a renowned physician, podcast host, and best-selling author of " Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity ." Peter received his M.D. from Stanford University and was awarded "Resident of the Year" in general surgery at Johns Hopkins University, but left medicine before coming back years later with new perspectives and becoming one of the world's most sought-after longevity experts. In this episode (we are also joined by our mutual friend and best-selling author Ryan Holiday), Peter explains the core principles and exercises to maximize and extend quality of life. We also discuss the obesity paradox and why Americans, on average, are becoming increasingly unhealthy — and how we can reverse that troubling trend.Peter is trusted by a lot of amazing people I know, and he continues to innovate and test his theories, diets, and exercises on himself. His wisdom and expertise have improved lives around the world, and will challenge you to rethink your daily habits. Thanks for reading Joe Lonsdale! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Apr 12, 2023

Joe Gebbia is the co-founder of Airbnb, which grew from an experiment in his San Francisco living room into a multi-billion dollar global company that transformed the hospitality industry. And his new startup, Samara, is reimagining how homeowners utilize their backyards by offering state-of-the-art Accessory Dwelling Units. In this episode, Gebbia explains the unlikely genesis of Airbnb, the challenges in unlocking the sharing economy, and how Samara could address many of America's housing issues. We learn about Gebbia's most famous high school prank - and how he channels his creative, entrepreneurial energy into reshaping how people live, travel, and engage with the world around them. We also discuss Gebbia's inspiring philanthropic work, which has touched millions of lives, and hear why he changed his perspective on nuclear energy and now believes it’s one of the most important technologies for the future of the planet. Thanks for reading Joe Lonsdale! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Apr 5, 2023

Yitz Applbaum is a philanthropist, international bon vivant, and accomplished venture capitalist specializing in Israel and the Middle East. He began his career building a banking software company (acquired by Bank of America) before joining Lightspeed Ventures and later founding MizMaa Ventures. In this episode, he discusses how Israel transformed from a nation of impoverished refugees into an innovation powerhouse. Looking ahead, he explains how the Abraham Accords are reshaping the Middle East economically and culturally — Yitz, an orthodox Jew, is currently Chairman of a genome sequencing company in Saudi Arabia!He also expounds on some of the most important recent archeological discoveries in Israel, given his role on the Board of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation. Moreover, Yitz is a prolific collector of whiskey and Kosher wine — we open our favorite bottle of scotch in this episode! Thanks for reading Joe Lonsdale! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Mar 29, 2023

Admiral Bill McRaven is an American hero and former Commander of U.S. Special Forces Command who oversaw the planning and execution of the raid to kill Osama bin Laden. He's a retired Navy SEAL and four-star admiral whose command experience and academic writings helped shape U.S. Special Forces into the finest fighting force in the world. He's also a best-selling author and former Chancellor of the University of Texas System. In this episode, Adm. McRaven shares leadership lessons from his distinguished career, explains how the Bin Laden raid almost went awry, and reflects on why his "Make your bed" commencement address went viral to hundreds of millions of people worldwide. He also weighs in on current events like modernizing the Defense Department, Russia's surprising failures in Ukraine, and how the U.S. should address the rise of China. Thanks for reading Joe Lonsdale! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Mar 22, 2023

Troy Carter is an iconic music manager who helped launch Lady Gaga to stardom and worked with many prominent artists such as Eve, John Legend, and Meghan Trainor. Carter's work ethic and obsession with hip-hop helped him rise from a tough upbringing in Philadelphia, where his mother often had to choose between paying the water or electric bill each month. He ran errands for Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince (Will Smith) before interning for P. Diddy and eventually launching his own management company. He fought through adversity at each stage of his career; he reveals how long it took before a single radio station would even play one of Lady Gaga's songs.He's currently supporting independent artists through his new company Venice Music and his passion for representing the "little guy" also extends to one of the most important policy issues of our time: school choice. Wait until you hear his courageous views on teachers unions and why he's not afraid to stand up for opportunity and accountability in spite of potential backlash. Thanks for reading Joe Lonsdale! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and podcasts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Mar 15, 2023

Eboo Patel is the Founder and President of Interfaith America and author of " We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy ." Why did a Rhodes Scholar like Patel — and so many in academia — become social activists preoccupied with race and oppression? And how did a professor jolt him out of this dogmatic ideology toward embracing pluralism and social entrepreneurship? Learn from Patel's journey and efforts to steer more Americans away from zero-sum thinking toward building better alternatives. He uses powerful vignettes from history, like the Ottoman Empire welcoming Jewish refugees in the 15th century, to remind us that our shared heritage can — and should — transcend identity politics. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Mar 8, 2023

Rahul Gandhi is the CEO and President of Clutter (formerly MakeSpace) – a leader in the self-storage industry. The son of Indian immigrant entrepreneurs, Rahul cut his teeth serving customers at his father’s Arby’s franchise. He saw his family succeed — and almost lose everything — in the highly-competitive restaurant business. He talks candidly about overcoming the fear of failure and making the leap from venture capital to launching MakeSpace. He learned every inch of the business, from driving the trucks to packing boxes, in order to build a software solution that could disrupt the $38 billion industry and dramatically improve the moving and storage experience for consumers. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Mar 1, 2023

John Chambers is the former Chairman and CEO of Cisco Systems, responsible for growing the company from nearly $2 billion in revenue to almost $50 billion during his tenure. John is a legend in Silicon Valley, and a close advisor to leaders around the world including many CEOs and heads of state. Pankaj Patel was Cisco's former Chief Development Officer and led a $38 billion portfolio with over 26,000 engineers. Together, they made Cisco a global leader. Now, they're reinventing enterprise networking with Nile, a new startup that will bring networking into the cloud and apply AI to improve the customer experience and cut tens of billions of annual cost and hassle. Learn lessons from how Chambers and Patel took Cisco to the top, and how they're transforming networking again. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Feb 22, 2023

Sec. Mike Pompeo is a former entrepreneur, congressman, CIA Director, Secretary of State, and author of the new book, "Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love." From his early days running an aerospace company to negotiating with the world's most notorious authoritarian leaders, Pompeo discusses his leadership philosophy and how to project strength in critical moments. He details his efforts to reform Langley and Foggy Bottom, and warns against dysfunctional ideology seeping into our military and intelligence agencies. He also reveals how the Abraham Accords came to fruition, why the Trump Administration failed to ban TikTok, and how close the U.S. came to a deal with North Korea that may have changed the course of history. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Feb 15, 2023

John Mack is the former CEO and Chairman of the Board of Morgan Stanley and author of the new book, “Up Close and All In: Life Lessons from a Wall Street Warrior.” Mack details his unlikely journey from small-town North Carolina to the heights of Wall Street and the leadership lessons that got him there. He explains why personal character and respect are paramount, powerfully illustrated by the unlikely relationships he forged that ended up saving the firm during the 2008 financial crisis. Mack is not only a Wall Street legend, but he and his wife Christy led Morgan Stanley to build New York City's first children's hospital and contribute to many other philanthropic causes. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Feb 8, 2023

Dr. Clay Johnston is the Former Dean of the University of Texas Dell Medical School and Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Harbor Health. Johnston received his MD from Harvard and Ph.D. from UC-Berkeley before leading a distinguished career as an academic neurologist. He then spearheaded the launch of UT's Dell Medical School, pioneering a more innovative curriculum and cutting costs within the system - sometimes as high as 80 percent, while improving patient results! Learn how he's scaling these lessons into our broader health system with Harbor Health - a new startup designed to transform healthcare as we know it and dramatically reduce costs while enhancing patient outcomes. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Feb 1, 2023

Ryan Holiday is a college dropout turned best-selling author and publisher of the world's largest podcast and newsletter focused on Stoic philosophy: the Daily Stoic. Holiday began his career exposing the media manipulation playbook and then used those same tactics for good, educating millions on applying ancient wisdom to modern life. In this episode, he explains Stoicism's impact on America's Founding (did you know the most popular play in 18th-century America focused on a Stoic philosopher?) and why many of our challenges today stem from society's ignorance of Western Civilization's core principles and virtues. He also offers poignant personal advice that will transform how you think about bedtime with your kids and other daily routines. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jan 26, 2023

Kimmy Scotti is Founding Partner of 8VC and the Co-Founder & Chairman at Fig.1. After launching a popular consumer brand as a teenager, Scotti went on to tackle the convoluted and broken PBM industry and built a powerful cost-saving alternative for millions of consumers. She reveals her philosophy for building in complex sectors and how she applies that at 8VC through mentoring founders, identifying talent, and generating alpha. She also explains how she was the first investor in Hill House Home, the popular apparel and lifestyle company, and takes us behind the scenes of building her new company Fig.1 and using cutting-edge science to create superior skin care products. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jan 18, 2023

I've known Iyinoluwa "E" Aboyeji since he was an aspiring, 19-year-old entrepreneur. Today, he's the founder of two African unicorns, Andela and Flutterwave — the latter of which is now the continent's most highly valued tech startup at over $3 billion. We discuss the challenges he overcame, plus those that remain, and why he's bullish on Africa's future. As the general partner and co-founder of Future Africa, "E" now invests in over a hundred African startups. He shares strong opinions on the cultural differences between Nigeria and the U.S. — and the unique positive aspects we can learn from each society. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jan 11, 2023

Andrew Yang is an entrepreneur, former 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, and author of "Forward: Notes on the Future of Our Democracy." A lawyer-turned-entrepreneur, Yang explains how he transformed early startup failures into success and why he's now intent on bridging partisan divides in America. In 2021, Yang became an Independent and launched the Forward Party, which seeks to counter the political polarization in America. He and Joe discuss what policy reforms are needed to change incentives and repair America's political and cultural fabric. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Aug 9, 2022

Sebastian Caliri is Partner at 8VC with a focus on healthcare investing. Previously, Sebastian spent four years at Palantir where he was responsible for growing its commercial healthcare business. In this episode, Sebastian diagnoses the core problems in U.S. healthcare and explains why traditional fee-for-service care misaligns incentives, resulting in rising costs and inferior health outcomes. He makes the case for new models like value-based care and also highlights the potential of psychedelic medicine and other exciting innovation. Sebastian holds a BS and MS in Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry from Yale University and spent a year in Stanford's MD program before pursuing a career in tech and investing. He argues that the conventional path in medicine is broken and often produces a risk-averse, complacent culture; he challenges the next generation of doctors and health care professionals to think boldly and take on the status quo. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

May 20, 2022

Tony Fadell is one of the great engineers, designers, and business leaders of our time, responsible for creating the iPod, iPhone, and Nest Thermostat. He runs the investment firm Future Shape and recently released his memoir titled “Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making." In this episode, he discusses the lessons he learned at General Magic (which was building the iPhone 15 years too early) and Philips Electronics that paved the way for building some of the world's most popular devices at Apple. He explains why self-imposed constraints are essential to creating exceptional products and reveals where engineers and designers often go wrong. His passion for building is inspiring and informative for both business and everyday life. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Apr 27, 2022

Joe Lonsdale sits down with Zach Latta, Founder of Hack Club, a non-profit network of high school coding clubs with over 15,000 members worldwide. At age 15, Zach helped design one of the most popular apps in the world. At 16, he dropped out of high school to become a programmer before founding Hack Club. He then received a Thiel Fellowship and decided to forgo college to build Hack Club full-time. In this episode, he talks about rethinking education and challenges teenagers to look beyond conventional, safe paths and take full advantage of the Internet Age. He paints an inspiring picture of what our world would look like with more coders and builders -- and explains how Hack Club provides teens with the skills to improve society and realize their full potential. [Joe is a proud early supporter of Hack Club.] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Apr 21, 2022

Gene Berdichevsky is the co-founder and CEO of Sila, a next-gen battery technology company. Previously, he was the seventh employee at Tesla, where he served as Principal Engineer on the Roadster battery and led the development of the world’s first mass-produced lithium-ion car battery. In this episode, he explains how Sila's new battery chemistry innovations can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and help electrify the future. He discusses the challenges in mining rare metals, battery recycling, and what's needed to sustainably build batteries at scale. By mid-century, Berdichevsky is optimistic that EVs will become ubiquitous, and we'll be able to fully integrate renewables into the electric grid. [Joe's venture capital firm 8VC is an investor in Sila.] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Apr 18, 2022

Francisco Gimenez is Partner at 8VC and focuses on Bio-IT investments. He received his Ph.D. from Stanford in Biomedical Informatics and B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences from UC Berkeley. In this episode, Francisco explains how breakthroughs in AI, gene editing, and cell therapies converged to jumpstart a new age in biology. He predicts that biomanufacturing platforms, armed with mountains of data and new tools, will bring down the costs of creating and commercializing drugs so smaller companies can treat rarer diseases and deliver more personalized cures. By decentralizing the pharma industry, Francisco is optimistic that the future of medicine will evolve from reactive care to preventative medicine that will help people fully self-actualize and lead their best, healthiest lives. [Joe is a founding partner of 8VC, his venture capital firm.] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Apr 6, 2022

Jacob DeWitte is the Co-Founder and CEO of Oklo, a nuclear energy startup building small advanced reactors that can reuse spent fuel from conventional reactors. In this episode, DeWitte explains how the regulatory state has stymied new reactor designs for decades, and how he's working to break through and bring game-changing nuclear power technology to market. Shortly after the initial conversation was filmed, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) denied Oklo's application for its new small reactor design -- evidence of the persistent regulatory challenges. Stay tuned to the end of the episode where Jake rejoins the show to explain how Oklo plans to address the NRC's findings and continue the process toward final approval. [Joe's venture capital firm 8VC is an investor in Oklo.] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Mar 31, 2022

Dr. Mark Esper served as the U.S. Secretary of Defense from 2019 to 2020 and Secretary of the Army from 2017 to 2019. He's currently the Distinguished Chair of the Modern War Institute at West Point and sits on the Board of Directors of Epirus [a defense startup co-founded by Joe]. His forthcoming memoir is titled "A Sacred Oath: Memoirs of a Secretary of Defense During Extraordinary Times.” In this episode, he dissects Russia's military weaknesses and explains how its invasion of Ukraine may ultimately strengthen NATO and change China's calculations with regard to Taiwan. He and Joe also discuss the risk-averse, top-down management culture at the Pentagon and what needs to change to bring new, better technologies to the Department of Defense. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Mar 23, 2022

Judge Glock is the Director of Research and Policy at the Cicero Institute and an expert on housing and homelessness in the U.S. In this episode, Glock dissects the root causes of America's affordable housing shortage and explains how the right incentives can jumpstart development and bring down home costs for working-class families. He also exposes how policies like “Housing First” encourage the homeless to live and die on the streets while waiting for free and permanent housing, which won’t solve the root of their problems: addiction and mental illness. Instead, Glock explains how cities like San Diego combine bridge shelters with treatment and accountability to reduce homelessness -- a recipe that other state leaders can use to save lives and bring healing to hundreds of thousands of people. [Joe is the founder and Chairman of Cicero's 501c3 and 501c4 organizations.] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Mar 16, 2022

Dr. Jeannette zu Fürstenberg is Co-Founder and General Partner of “La Famiglia”, a Berlin-based Venture Capital fund, and holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy and Entrepreneurship from the Free University of Berlin. She’s also a princess of one of Europe’s oldest royal families by marriage, as well as a thoughtful leader in the innovation and business world. In this episode, she traces the birth of entrepreneurship from the Renaissance and explains how breaking down the silos of guilds led to a creative explosion -- and how we can apply those lessons today. Dr. Fürstenberg specializes in connecting old and new world industries and discusses how to transform the 21st century by moving from incremental to disruptive innovation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Mar 9, 2022

Jared Meyer is the Executive Director of Cicero Action. In this episode, Jared discusses how special interests stifle competition and why Cicero Action is using the special interests' playbook against them to promote innovative, bottom-up reforms. He explains the government affairs strategy that creates real policy changes in states across the country, from expanding telehealth and improving parole and probation reforms, to realigning higher education incentives and fixing homelessness. This conversation shows how transparency, accountability, and competition are possible when political leaders have the tools—and the courage—to stand up to cronyism and entrenched interests. [Joe is the founder and Chairman of Cicero's 501c3 and 501c4 organizations.] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Mar 2, 2022

Thomas Chatterton Williams is a writer, cultural critic, fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, and author of two critically-acclaimed books on race in America, most recently "Self-Portrait in Black and White: Unlearning Race." In this episode, he discusses the dangers of Critical Race Theory and how to move beyond race-first, collectivist mindsets. He also discusses his forthcoming book, "Nothing Was the Same," which traces the recent rise of illiberalism and polarization in the U.S. Even though we may find certain ideas or theories (like CRT) noxious, Williams argues for more engagement and debate, not banning or censoring materials, as the best path toward progress. He also offers positive solutions, such as expanding access to high-quality early education, as a means to reduce inequality. [NOTE: This episode was recorded before Russia's invasion of Ukraine.] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Feb 23, 2022

Hayes Barnard is the Founder and CEO of GoodLeap, one of the fastest-growing and largest financial technology companies in the renewable energy sector. In 2008, Barnard founded Paramount Solar, which was later acquired by SolarCity and then Tesla. Barnard discusses his role on the leading edge of America's solar energy expansion and what he learned working alongside Elon Musk. He also highlights his non-profit GivePower and its innovative work to bring clean water and electricity to Africa via solar water farms. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Feb 16, 2022

Tyler Cowen is a professor, best-selling author, blogger, podcaster, and one of the most influential economists of this generation. In the early days of the pandemic, Cowen launched the Fast Grants program, which funded COVID-related science in less than 48 hours -- a remarkable feat in the medical sector. He discusses his efforts to accelerate innovation, including his work to transform how investors identify and back the next generation of brilliant entrepreneurs. An all-around polymath, Cowen also reveals the technologies and breakthroughs that excite him most for the decades ahead. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Feb 10, 2022

Pano Kanelos is the President of the University of Austin (UATX), the most ambitious new university venture in America in decades. Recognizing the plight of America's higher education system, Pano stepped down as the President of St. John's College to build a new institution rooted in the pursuit of truth, open inquiry, and educating the next generation of American leaders. In this episode, Joe and Pano discuss the failures of modern academia and why it's time to take on the bold task of building a new world-class university. [Joe is a co-founder of UATX and Chairman of the Board of Trustees.] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Feb 2, 2022

Ambassador Kelly Craft is a businesswoman, philanthropist, and former diplomat who served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations from 2019 to 2021 and U.S. ambassador to Canada from 2017 to 2019. She played an integral role in shaping major foreign policy decisions and achievements, such as the landmark Abraham Accords and the USMCA trade agreement. In this episode, she discusses some of the most pressing U.S. challenges abroad, including speaking up for human rights during the Beijing Olympics, developing a comprehensive strategy for China, responding to Russian military threats against Ukraine, and galvanizing U.S. allies to defend our shared values. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jan 26, 2022

Charles Koch, Chairman and CEO of Koch Industries, is one of the great business minds of our time. He grew a small engineering firm from $21 million in revenue to over 10,000 times the revenue. Yet in both his business and philanthropic work, he is first and foremost a philosopher. Koch explains how thinkers such as Abraham Maslow and Joseph Schumpeter shaped his outlook on the conditions for human flourishing, and why it's important to enable every employee to self-actualize. Rejecting centralized top-down systems, Koch developed Market-Based Management -- a philosophy that enables his companies to constantly reinvent themselves through virtuous cycles of mutual benefit that provide value to both employees and customers. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jan 20, 2022

Chris Sprowls is the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. Under his leadership, Florida has set itself apart as one of the most innovative state legislatures in the country, slashing regulations that prop up entrenched interests and injecting true competition into the marketplace. We discuss his strategy for successfully combatting cronyism in healthcare, pioneering the biggest school choice expansion in the country, and other courageous reforms -- many of which passed on a bipartisan basis. Speaker Sprowls's success should embolden other like-minded reformers and leaders across our country. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jan 14, 2022

Congressman Ro Khanna is the Democratic Congressman from California’s 17th District, which covers large swaths of Silicon Valley. A self-described "progressive capitalist," Khanna bucks the current political norms and works to advance meaningful bipartisan legislation. In this episode, we debate income inequality, wealth taxes, and other hot-button issues, but also find common ground on reasonable regulations for Big Tech, introducing more innovation into healthcare, and promoting nuclear energy. His forthcoming book is titled “Dignity in a Digital Age” and focuses on closing the digital divide in rural America. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jan 5, 2022

Dhani Jones spent 11 seasons in the NFL as a middle linebacker, the linchpin of the defensive unit. Since then, he has become a leader in other arenas: hosting TV shows, launching charities, and investing in startups. His passion is bringing out the best in others. In this episode, he pushes back against the notion of lowering standards to minimize disparities. He explains why adversity, competition, and the pursuit of excellence are some of the best ways to lift up others and improve their lives. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Dec 29, 2021

Mike Reeser and Michael Bettersworth are the Chancellor and Chief Innovation Officer, respectively, at Texas State Technical College (TSTC). In 2014, TSTC became the FIRST college in the country to fully align its public funding with its students' future earnings. Since then, graduates have seen their earnings increase over 100 percent! Their success is an antidote to the crisis of bad incentives in education today and should inspire other states to pursue similar reforms. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Dec 22, 2021

Maleka Momand is the co-founder and CEO of Esper, a technology platform that transforms how governments oversee the regulatory process. In recent decades, the size of the administrative state has exploded. Yet, many regulators still operate via Word, Excel, and, in some cases, pen and paper! This has led to a lack of transparency and accountability, not to mention a morass of outdated, disjointed regulations. By applying data analytics and artificial intelligence to augment regulators and regulatory processes, Esper is improving how governments function and interact with the business community. [Joe and his wife Tayler are proud co-founders of Esper.] NOTE: Esper currently has clients in 8 U.S state governments, not 11 as mentioned in the episode. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Dec 16, 2021

Over the past few decades, the U.S. military’s long-held advantages have waned. Today, we are reliant on outdated technologies and in jeopardy of falling behind China. Bo Marr, the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Epirus, is bucking the trend. Marr and his team invented the world’s most powerful phased array, Leonidas, that can disable drones and other electronic systems from great distances. This modern force field fills a vital technological gap for the U.S. military as it prepares for 21st-century warfare and a new era of asymmetric threats. [Joe co-founded Epirus in 2018 with the Build Program of 8VC, the venture capital firm he founded and manages.] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Dec 15, 2021

Daniel Lubetzky is the founder of Peaceworks, the OneVoice Movement, and the multi-billion dollar snack company KIND. The son of a Holocaust survivor, Lubetzky’s upbringing inspired him to use business to bridge cultural and economic divides. In this episode, he explains America’s unique role in the world and why we must work together to repair our social fabric and break out of our tribal instincts. His newest venture, Starts With Us, does just that by instilling greater courage, curiosity, and empathy in our daily lives. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Sep 24, 2021

Maureen Hillenmeyer is the Founder and CEO of Hexagon Bio, a cutting-edge biotech company whose mission is to harvest new drugs and cures from the natural world, beginning with fungi. In 1928, Sir Alexander Fleming’s accidental discovery of penicillin launched a new age of antibiotics derived from fungi. However, the process of discovery was slow and laborious. In this episode, Hillenmeyer explains how Hexagon is using genomic sequencing and artificial intelligence to analyze the millions of types of fungi on earth and uncover new drugs and cures for a host of diseases. She also issues an important warning about the looming crisis of antibiotic resistance and how Hexagon's work could avert a medical disaster. [Joe's venture capital firm is an investor in Hexagon Bio.] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Sep 15, 2021

In 1978, John Mackey co-founded his first natural foods store in Austin, Texas with only $45,000. Two years later, he and his business partners launched the first Whole Foods Market, which quickly became the nation's fastest-growing organic grocery store. In 2017, Amazon acquired the company for over $13 billion. In this episode, the Whole Foods Founder and CEO discusses his journey from democratic socialism to "Conscious Capitalism" -- the title of his book in defense of free markets and how business, conducted properly, can elevate humanity. He also explains the cultural divide in America today as a clash of three worldviews - traditional, modern, and progressive - and describes how we can pull the best wisdom from each to bridge division and continue to move our society forward. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Sep 9, 2021

Jake Kloberdanz is the CEO and Founder of ONEHOPE Wine, an award-winning vineyard located in the heart of Napa Valley. What sets ONEHOPE apart is its unique business model: every bottle of wine sold helps fund a charitable organization. Kloberdanz is a champion of cause-centric commerce, and to date, ONEHOPE has donated over seven million dollars to organizations that help disadvantaged communities break the cycle of poverty. In this episode, he describes his journey from selling wine out of the back of his car to building a world-class winery that also uplifts its community and advances the role of business in society. [Joe is the Chairman of the Board of ONEHOPE.] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Sep 3, 2021

This week's episode features three talented and successful innovators behind many game-changing technologies and companies. First is Sal Churi, a former law professor who is now general partner at Trust Ventures -- an Austin-based venture capital firm. Churi helps founders overcome the collision points of innovation and regulation, and explains how 3D printed houses, small modular nuclear reactors, and other breakthroughs can transform our country if we fix the outdated laws holding them back. Next is Keri Findley, a top innovator in the finance industry who was the first female partner at Third Point, a prominent New York-based hedge fund. She discusses how technology is changing the finance sector in ways that will help working-class Americans better manage and grow their money. Finally, Wesley Chan is an engineer turned venture capitalist who was an early employee at Google. He shares some fascinating insights on the early days at Google, including how Gmail became the world’s number one email service and why it pays to think big. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Aug 25, 2021

Adrian Fenty is currently a founding managing partner at MaC Venture Capital, a former advisor at Andreessen Horowitz, and served as the Mayor of Washington, D.C. from 2007-2011. During his tenure as Mayor, he took on special interests and the teachers' unions, fought for accountability in government and greater opportunities for children while also overseeing a dramatic reduction in violent crime. His courage reshaped the direction of the city and is much needed in our nation today. In this episode, he discusses his bold, CEO-like approach as Mayor, why he fought to bring performance metrics into government, and how education reform can break the cycle of poverty in the United States. He also shares the companies and innovation that excite him the most as an investor and why he's focused on bringing greater diversity to private equity. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Aug 18, 2021

Niall Ferguson is a renowned historian, Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, and prolific author of more than a dozen best-selling works on economics, culture, and politics. His newest book, "Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe,” examines how our leaders and societies have dealt with disasters, including pandemics, and how we must learn from the past to better manage future crises. In this episode, Ferguson explains why the rise and fall of civilizations do not fit into predictable patterns and cycles. He does not see American decline as inevitable and holds out that America’s best days may yet be ahead -- if it can stay on the right path. Ferguson also pulls back the curtain on the Chinese Communist Party, revealing the ways in which the CCP's strengths are exaggerated and why the United States’ support for smart policy and innovation will bolster its dominance in the years ahead. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Aug 11, 2021

Balaji Srinivasan is a bold and forward-thinking writer, investor, and entrepreneur, who was formerly the Chief Technology Officer of Coinbase and general partner at Andreessen Horowitz. Currently, he's launching innovative ventures, such as his 1729 Project, while also advocating for cryptocurrency and the larger decentralized finance movement. In this episode, Srinivasan explains how to understand the world by looking through the lenses of three competing factions: the Chinese Communist Party, the "woke" mob, and cryptocurrency maximalists. He also discusses topics ranging from decentralized social media and startup cities to network states and what makes him optimistic on aspects of American innovation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Aug 3, 2021

Ronnie Lott is an NFL Hall of Famer, four-time Super Bowl champion, and one of the greatest defensive players of all time. But his impact and legacy off the field are equally impressive: He's a successful businessman, philanthropist, and community leader who has mentored and shaped the lives of underserved youth across three decades. In this episode, Lott explains the importance of grit, generosity, leadership, and the other virtues instilled in him by his father, a former U.S. military service member. These values led him to found his charitable organization, All Stars Helping Kids, and start the Lott Impact Trophy, which honors college football's best defensive player for character and performance. Many young people have soured on the American Dream and believe our best days are behind us—or that the U.S. was never great to begin with. But Lott hasn't lost his faith in America. He grew up watching Martin Luther King, Jr. speak in Washington, D.C. and reminds us of the power of his words and sacrifice. He also recounts a visit to Berlin when the wall still divided the city between the free and unfree—a poignant reminder of how fortunate we are as Americans for the freedoms we possess, and why we must be willing to defend them. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jul 27, 2021

From 2006 to 2015, the Right Honorable Stephen Harper served as the 22nd Prime Minister of Canada. His premiership confronted challenges ranging from a global recession to the war against ISIS, but his smart and courageous leadership increased Canadian prosperity and bolstered security. Small businesses surged, while tech hubs from Waterloo to Toronto to Ottawa cemented their place as global centers of talent and investment. In this episode, Harper offers lessons from his tenure as Prime Minister, from how global leaders should address the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic to the challenges of a new multipolar world. Looking ahead, Harper leaves us with clear warnings about the threats posed by China— including a potential invasion of Taiwan. But he notes there are also bright spots in the international landscape, such as the historic Abraham Accords, bringing with them the potential to transform the Middle East for the better. Harper established his legacy by championing the principles that have made the West exceptional. Together, we discuss the importance of defending Western principles and the responsibility of great leaders to fight for our shared values. [PM Harper has been a Senior Advisor to Joe's venture capital firm 8VC for several years.] Note: this episode was recorded before the recent rise in coronavirus cases due to the Delta variant. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jul 22, 2021

How do you transform a startup into a household name? Ask Sujay Jaswa. When he joined Dropbox in 2010, the company had 16 million users. By the time he left in 2015, hundreds of millions of people relied on Dropbox for their daily web storage needs. As head of the business side of Dropbox and later CFO, Jaswa had a leading role in this transformation, building the business team from scratch and raising over a billion dollars. Today, Jaswa serves as Founder and Managing Partner at the investment firm WndrCo and lectures on entrepreneurship at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). In this conversation, he discusses the keys to his success with Dropbox, Aura, and other winning ventures, while also reflecting on lessons learned from WndrCo's role with Quibi, a media venture led by his partner Jeffrey Katzenberg that raised over $1.75 billion but sold its assets after struggling to gain traction. Jaswa also describes how the COVID vaccines are proof of American greatness, how he prefers to work with those with the courage to take intellectual risks, and why he believes affordable housing remains the biggest impediment to keeping Silicon Valley as the global tech hub. He speaks out against the top-down regulations that create artificial scarcity and calls for allowing denser housing to be built wherever possible, including in his own neighborhood. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jul 13, 2021

The United States is the most prosperous and advanced nation in the history of humanity—but it's currently facing a crisis of happiness. What went wrong? Arthur Brooks, Harvard professor, best-selling author, and renowned social scientist, has dedicated himself to tackling America's satisfaction deficit, and in this episode, he reveals his four keys to authentic happiness. (Not on the list: riches, power, or fame). Tempted to make a bucket list to get as much as possible out of life? Brooks shows how this, along with other popular ideas about how to feel more satisfied, can actually produce the opposite effect. One of the biggest drags on happiness in society is poverty. Having spent years seeking the best way to combat this curse as former president of the American Enterprise Institute, Brooks shares insight on why America's War on Poverty has failed. Could the key to transforming lives lie in shifting our approach from making poverty bearable, to making it truly escapable? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jul 6, 2021

Palmer Luckey is as close as it gets to a real-life Iron Man. As a teenager, he worked on virtual reality headsets until he eventually created the Oculus Rift, the most groundbreaking VR headset ever assembled. After single-handedly shaping the field of virtual reality, and selling Oculus to Facebook, he founded Anduril, one of the fastest-growing defense companies in America today. While some American tech companies refuse to work with the U.S. military, Anduril is unabashed in its efforts to develop and deploy artificial intelligence, drone technology, and other advanced systems to defend America and its allies. In this conversation, Palmer discusses Anduril’s latest game-changing technologies, innovative ideas that can change the world, his favorite sci-fi novel — and the Fermi paradox! [Joe's venture capital firm is an investor in Anduril.] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jun 29, 2021

This moment in our culture was made for a writer and thinker like Bari Weiss. What can Americans do to beat back the wave of illiberalism currently sweeping through our institutions? Bari Weiss took her stand last summer, resigning from the New York Times to launch her own Substack newsletter. Her courage has since inspired others to defend free speech, diversity of thought, and other core American values. In this episode, she explains what's at stake today. Left unchecked, "woke" intolerance and groupthink result in real harm to individuals and society—as indicated by many factors, including a recent, worrying rise in anti-Semitic violence. Weiss lays out the case for building new schools, media outlets, and institutions that protect the values that make our republic exceptional. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jun 29, 2021

When Kimbal and Elon Musk immigrated to the U.S. from South Africa to start their first company, they couldn't afford both an apartment and an office—so, unbeknownst to their employees, they slept in the office. The brothers have come a long way from their humble origins. Today, Kimbal is a highly successful entrepreneur and investor who serves on the boards of Tesla and SpaceX — and in this episode he provides exciting updates for each company. But along the way, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 changed his life forever. Kimbal explains how cooking for firefighters at Ground Zero awakened a passion for creating community through food. He now owns and operates restaurants around the country, while his Million Gardens Movement brings home-grown food to inner-city areas. Joe supports Kimbal's nonprofit and encourages others to do the same (link below). Million Gardens Movement: https://give.biggreen.org/campaign/fundraiser-million-gardens-movement/c331055 NOTE: This episode was recorded before many restaurants had fully reopened. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jun 29, 2021

More than 70 percent of child sex trafficking happens online. When Hollywood superstar Ashton Kutcher first heard this statistic, he knew he had to do something to stop it. His efforts took him to Silicon Valley—where, hoping to enlist leading tech entrepreneurs in the fight against online trafficking, he first met Joe. Through their work together, Kutcher's organization, Thorn, has built software and processes that have enabled governments to rescue thousands of children from sexual abuse. [Joe partnered with Ashton in Thorn’s early days to enlist talent, refine strategy, and reach scale, as well as serving on its board.] Ashton is an innovative technology investor, an extraordinary family man, and a philanthropist. In this episode, he discusses the dangers that face children online, and makes the case for why tech companies should do more to help law enforcement protect the vulnerable. He also weighs in on the future of social media and explains how China could use TikTok to influence the minds of Americans in an anti-U.S. propaganda effort. Finally, he details how his upbringing, with its focus on hard work and perseverance, propelled him from modest origins to his career as a world-famous actor and model. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com

Jun 29, 2021

Curing cancer, eliminating diseases, reprogramming cells to help 80-year-olds feel like they're 30 -- could it all be possible in our generation? America is in the midst of a biotech revolution that is transforming modern medicine and will save countless lives. At the forefront is Dr. Rick Klausner, former director of the U.S. National Cancer Institute, co-founder of Juno Therapeutics, GRAIL, and MindStrong Health, renowned scientist, and billionaire innovator. Dr. Klausner has played a pivotal role in this movement on a number of fronts, not least by discovering how to treat previously incurable end-stage cancers -- and then founding companies that do just that, already saving tens of thousands of lives. And he is just getting started. In this wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Klausner explains how these remarkable breakthroughs occurred, giving a rundown on the science of cell therapies and their remarkable potential, alongside other new possibilities. As he charts the future of medicine, he also draws upon his wealth of historical knowledge and hints at how modern science could harness recent Nobel-Prize winning breakthroughs to discover the source of youth that eluded sixteenth-century explorer Juan Ponce de León. [Joe briefly confuses Ponce de León with Vasco de Gama.] NOTE: Joe has invested with Dr. Klausner in multiple companies, most recently in Dr. Klausner's latest venture, Altos Labs. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.joelonsdale.com