UnNatural Selection

Hunting Shadows: Cybersecurity and the Collapse of Trust In this episode of unNatural Selection, we dive into the high-stakes domain of cyber security with Christopher Ahlberg, CEO of Recorded Future and a pioneer in threat intelligence. From state-sponsored attacks to disinformation campaigns, Ahlberg unpacks the rapidly evolving landscape of digital threats and the technologies being deployed to...

Gene Editing Under Pressure: When Time Is the Enemy Dr. Patricia Musolino of Mass General Brigham is pioneering gene editing approaches to treat Multisystem Smooth Muscle Dysfunction Syndrome (MSMDS)—a rare but devastating condition that causes stroke, heart attacks, and severe disability in children. In this episode, we explore how cutting-edge science is rewriting the prognosis for some of the s...

The Brain Health Equation: Can We Prevent 40% of Dementia Cases? What if we could prevent up to 40% of dementia cases, 60% of strokes, and 35% of depression—before they even start? In this episode, Dr. Jonathan Rosand, a neurologist and co-founder of the McCance Center for Brain Health at Mass General Brigham, joins us to discuss the McCance Brain Care Score —a powerful new tool designed to measur...

Signals Over Noise: Cleaning Up Cancer Trial Data Clinical trial reporting is the bedrock of evidence-based oncology, yet it's riddled with inefficiencies, mismatched data, and underreported adverse events. In this episode, Dr. Danielle Bitterman of Mass General Brigham joins unNatural Selection to discuss how her team is using AI to clean up the clinical data pipeline—automating the extraction of...

From Imaging to Intelligence: The Next Leap in Medical Technology Bernd Montag has led Siemens Healthineers through a decade of extraordinary transformation—spanning digitalization, AI, the Varian acquisition, and a global pandemic. Now, with its “New Ambition” strategy in motion, the company is positioning itself not just as a medical technology provider, but as a foundational force in the future...

Engineering Biology: Robert Langer on Impact-Driven Innovation Robert Langer is not just a scientist — he is one of the greatest scientific minds in human history. As the most cited engineer of all time and one of the ten most cited scientists across all fields, his work has shaped the modern landscape of biotechnology and medicine. In this episode, Dr. Langer—one of only nine Institute Professors...

The Science of Imagination In this episode, we dive into the dynamic field of playology , where psychology , interactive design , and advanced technology come together to craft immersive experiences. From the magic of Disney World to the adventure-filled environments of Great Wolf Lodge , play is no longer just about entertainment—it’s a tool for learning, engagement, and emotional connection. Den...

Empowering Health Systems: Microsoft’s Approach to Healthcare Innovation In this episode of unNatural Selection , we sit down with Dr. David Rhew , Global Chief Medical Officer at Microsoft, to explore the cutting-edge innovations shaping the future of healthcare. From leading pandemic response efforts to guiding Microsoft’s transformative healthcare strategy, Dr. Rhew shares insights on how AI, c...

Sole Survivors: The Arms Race Beneath Your Feet The athletic footwear industry is a $100B global battlefield—where innovation isn't optional, it's survival. Trends shift fast, consumer expectations are sky-high, and brands race to outpace each other in performance, design, sustainability, and storytelling. In this episode of unNatural Selection , we explore what it takes to win in one of the most...

Rewriting the Rules for GI Disorders—One Cell at a Time What if you could regenerate the gut’s nervous system with a simple cell therapy? In this episode of unNatural Selection , Dr. Allan Goldstein—Surgeon-in-Chief at Mass General for Children and Chief of Pediatric Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital—discusses his work on neurosphere-based treatments for Hirschsprung disease. This novel ap...

Genetic Arms Race: Winning with Data in the Fight Against Cancer In the high-stakes world of cancer diagnostics, precision is power. This week on UnNatural Selection , we explore the fast-moving frontier of precision oncology with Caris Life Sciences, a company redefining how cancer is diagnosed and treated. Through advanced molecular profiling and AI-driven insights, Caris is helping oncologists...

Training AI to See Like a Pathologist In this episode of unNatural Selection , produced in partnership with Mass General Brigham ahead of the World Medical Innovation Forum , we sit down with Dr. Andy Beck , CEO of PathAI , to explore how machine learning is transforming the world of pathology. From accelerating drug development to improving clinical diagnostics, AI is changing how we understand a...

When AI Listens In: Rethinking the Medical Encounter AI is entering the exam room—not to diagnose, but to listen. In this episode, we explore how ambient AI is transforming clinical documentation, freeing doctors from keyboards and returning their focus to patients. Shiv Rao, CEO of Abridge, joins us to unpack what it means when machines start listening in, and what that could mean for the future...

Can Brainwaves Become Biomarkers? In this special episode of unNatural Selection , produced in partnership with Mass General Brigham ahead of the World Medical Innovation Forum , we explore how AI is transforming EEG from a blunt clinical tool into a precision instrument for neuroscience. We dive into how companies like Beacon Biosignals are decoding brainwaves at scale—advancing drug development,...

Grand Slam Architect: Rick Macci on the Champion’s Mindset What do world champions have in common—and how do you spot them before the world does? In this episode of UnNatural Selection, legendary tennis coach Rick Macci joins us to break down the art and science of identifying raw talent and shaping it into Grand Slam greatness. Coach to Serena and Venus Williams, Jennifer Capriati, and Andy Roddi...

A Genome Unraveled: The Code of American Innovation In this episode of UnNatural Selection , we sit down with Dr. Eric Green, former Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) and a pioneering force in genomics innovation. Dr. Green reflects on his experience helping to lead the Human Genome Project, discussing how competition between research labs and private companies shape...

Designing Delight: Serving Experiences, Not Just Meals In this episode, we sit down with Eric Papachristos, the restaurateur behind some of Boston’s most iconic dining destinations, including La Padrona, Trade, Porto, Saloniki Greek, and The Venetian. Known for blending elevated design with thoughtful hospitality, Eric shares how he builds restaurants that feel both personal and unforgettable. We...

From Concept to Clinic: How MGB Shapes and Adopts Innovation Join us as we explore healthcare innovation with Chris Coburn, Chief Innovation Officer at MassGeneral Brigham, one of the largest and most influential healthcare systems in the US. Based in Boston—a global hub for biomedical innovation—MGB is not just an adopter of new technologies but a co-investor and co-designer, actively shaping sol...

Game On: Innovating the Future of Gaming In this episode of UnNatural Selection , we sit down with Yohan Sengamalay, a leader behind the development of legendary gaming platforms like Xbox and PlayStation . Yohan shares his journey through the evolution of the gaming industry, offering an insider’s perspective on how competition and innovation drive success in entertainment. We’ll explore the stra...

Innovating at the Edge of the Unknown What does it take to lead innovation when the risks are deadly and the stakes are cosmic? In this episode, I speak with Dr. Ed Hoffman, NASA’s first Chief Knowledge Officer, about how one of the world’s most visionary organizations manages knowledge, leadership, and learning when even the smallest misstep can be catastrophic. We explore how NASA pushes the bou...

The Business of Survival: Lessons from the Front Lines of Self-Defense In the rawest form of survival of the fittest , there’s no margin for error—only adapt or be overcome. In this episode, we sit down with Dennis Amato, a world-renowned Krav Maga expert and elite MMA trainer who has spent over 20 years preparing special forces, law enforcement, and civilians for life-or-death situations. From th...

The Big Picture That Kodak Missed In this episode of UnNatural Selection , we hear from Steven Sasson, the inventor of the first handheld digital camera—created at Kodak in 1975. At the time, Kodak was a powerhouse in photography, with over 100,000 employees and a dominant global brand. But rather than embrace Sasson’s invention, Kodak saw it as a threat to its lucrative film and paper business. C...