Question Everything (Except This Podcast!)

What happens when the person sounding the alarm is the one who built the technology? 60 years of building. Then a warning. Dr. Peter Solomon earned his PhD from Columbia, filed 20 patents, and spun three companies out of government-funded research — one sold for $24 million, another turned your smartphone into a radiation detector for the Department of Defense. Now, at 85, he's writing novels...

Everyone wants to believe they'd walk away from power on principle. But could you actually do it? OpenAI was founded to benefit all of humanity. A decade later, would you recognize the company? Chirag and Sunay pick up last episode's question — does the builder matter? — and follow it through corporate principle drift, the Lord of the Rings, and the god complex it takes to turn down a fort...

Who do you trust to build the future, and does their character actually matter? Chirag and Sunay unpack "The Thinking Game," a documentary following Google DeepMind founder Demis Hassabis from chess prodigy to Nobel Prize winner. The film raises a question it doesn't fully answer: when the people building the most powerful technology in history are also deciding how it gets used, what safeguards a...

Before school, kids ask 60 questions an hour. By fifth grade, it drops to 0.5. Anand Sanwal built CB Insights for 14 years, then "fired himself" to become a middle school teacher. From the "Sunday night test" to why grades kill the desire to learn, we explore what it would take to build schools that create problem-solvers, not compliant ladder-climbers.

What does a town of 50 people know about community that a city of 8 million has forgotten? From bartering Crown Royal for a truck to surviving weeks in a rock pit on ramen and spam, geologist Ian Fox-Minnock takes us to the edge of Alaska—and the heart of what holds us together.

What does it take to finally stop wearing masks and start living authentically? Executive coach Ruth Pearce shares her spectacular burnout story—and the philosophy of hope, strength, bravery, and curiosity that emerged from it. From trying on different identities in our 20s and 30s to the unmasking that happens around 40, we explore how we learn who we really are.

Suneet Bhatt—executive coach, Rutgers professor, and former corporate leader—spent 25 years climbing the ladder before realizing he was on the wrong wall. Now he helps everyone from high schoolers to retirees answer the question "Why am I here?" We explore why following the playbook leaves so many unfulfilled, his frameworks for building self-awareness, and what it actually takes to find...

Social media, political tribalism, and clickbait culture are reshaping our democracy—and what we can do about it. From chocolate cake metaphors to deep debates on free speech, capitalism, and civic life, Chirag and Sunay explore why civil discourse feels broken, and how long-form conversations (like this one) might just be the antidote.

Welcome to Rapid Riffs , a recurring mini-series of Question Everything (Except This Podcast!) where Sunay and Chirag swap links, pick the juiciest ones, and riff. This week Sunay and Chirag riff on four hits from their link-exchange: Scott Galloway’s take on friendship and the loneliness crisis among men; the Alpha School in Austin and whether AI can compress learning into two-hour days; Kyla Sca...

In this conversation, Sunay and Chirag discuss insights from the AI4 conference, focusing on the contrasting perspectives of keynotes by Dr. Fei-Fei Li and Dr. Jeffrey Hinton regarding the future of AI. They explore the implications of AI agents in the workforce, the complexities of societal systems, and the need for responsible AI development. The discussion also touches on the nostalgia for anal...

In this episode, we unpack Mountainhead — a sharp satire about tech billionaires, buzzwords, and just how far we’ll justify progress when guardrails disappear. From net worth contests on snowy peaks to AI’s breakneck pace, we ask: can we keep our humanity when the race to build never slows down? With a nod to Reid Hoffman’s Super Agency and a detour through The Lord of the Rings , we wonder if the...

Who is Satoshi Nakamoto, really? In this episode, we dive into the mystery behind the elusive creator of Bitcoin — spurred by HBO’s provocative documentary Money Electric . Chirag and Sunay explore the origins of cryptocurrency, its utopian promise, and its ethical quandaries, while unpacking what decentralization really means and where digital currencies might take us next. Is crypto the future o...

As technology reshapes education, what happens to the human side of learning? In this episode, Rachel Guerrero shares her journey through the quiet challenges of teaching today — and why preserving empathy, connection, and character in the classroom is the true work of education’s future.

Join us with educator and youth coach Jared Posey as we explore the powerful concept: "Don't steal the revelation." In this thought-provoking conversation, we discuss how parents and educators can create environments where kids experience their own moments of discovery rather than receiving pre-packaged wisdom. Jared shares insights on reimagining education beyond its industrial-era...

Is life just one long, repetitive loop? Or do we have the power to break free and change? In this episode of our brand new series, Reel Philosophy , we dive into the time-looping, mind-bending, and surprisingly deep world of Groundhog Day . 🔹 What makes Groundhog Day such a philosophical film? 🔹 Is Phil stuck in fate or shaping his own reality? 🔹 The existential dread of repetition—why does lif...

In this thought-provoking episode, we team up with NYC teacher Lauren Escobar-Phani to tackle one of the most critical questions of our time: What is the true purpose of education in the age of AI? From the challenges of teaching at-risk youth to the profound ways technology is reshaping classrooms, this conversation dives deep into the intersection of education, personalization, and values. Laure...

What happens when societal frustration meets corporate responsibility? In this episode, we explore the tragic assassination of United Health CEO Brian Thompson and its deep implications for healthcare, morality, and the power of political rhetoric. We examine public outrage, corporate ethics, and how social media escalates real-world consequences. Join us as we discuss systemic change, Stoic philo...

In this episode, Chirag and Sunay tackle the complex intersection of healthcare, ethics, and innovation. From the commercialization of medicine to the delicate balance between profit and public good, they question the moral responsibilities of the pharmaceutical industry. With deep insights and healthy debate, they explore whether progress in medicine can coexist with ethical accountability.

In a world seemingly split between extremes, is there still hope for democracy to bring us together? This episode dives into the forces pushing us apart—and the potential for compromise to bring us back to common ground. From the rise of AI and universal basic income to the widening wealth gap, we explore how America's future depends on balancing individual freedoms with social responsibility. Can...

In this episode of Question Everything (Except This Podcast!) , hosts Sunay and Chirag unpack the downsides of our “control culture,” where over-curating life can strip away its spontaneity and joy. They share stories of missed experiences due to over-planning, chat about the beauty of embracing “beta mode,” and launch the #NoSoNovember challenge: a month-long experiment to reduce social media use...

In this conversation, Sunay and Chirag discuss the rapid development of artificial intelligence and the ethical implications surrounding it. They explore the balance between advancing AI technology and ensuring it is developed responsibly, emphasizing the need for a moral framework and international cooperation. The conversation also touches on the importance of human oversight in AI development a...

In this conversation, Sunay and Chirag explore the pervasive issue of loneliness in modern society, discussing its implications and the paradox of increased connectivity through technology. They share personal experiences and insights on building meaningful connections, navigating social anxiety, and the importance of community involvement. The discussion highlights the need for proactive efforts...

In this conversation, Sunay and Chirag explore the complexities of discussing conspiracy theories, particularly in relation to the pharmaceutical industry and media influence. They emphasize the importance of understanding the motivations behind corporate decisions and the role of media in shaping public discourse. The discussion also highlights the need for building relationships to facilitate po...

We dive into the intriguing and controversial ideas presented by actor and self-proclaimed scientific thinker, Terrence Howard, during his appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience #2152.

In this episode, we talk about the rise of TikTok as a news source, what government regulation might mean, and how too much screen time can affect your mental health. We also share some tips for balancing your digital life, like the simple but powerful '8-minutes for a friend' advice to tackle loneliness.