Future Optimist

What Brian Sheng is doing with Aquaria isn't a pipe dream, it's reality. He's pioneering air-to-water infrastructure, creating a world where homes can get all of their water off the grid. Brian Sheng recently raised over $100 million in Series D for his company, and you can already buy his air-to-drinkable-water products today. It's one of those crazy, science-fiction sounding things that is actua...

I chat with Amir Barsoum of InVitro Capital and Vezeeta, an AI VC firm and a thriving business that has raised over $70 million in capital. We discuss the enormous opportunity in AI investment, the world of tomorrow, and how we can capitalize on this once-in-several-generations moment. I also throw in a healthy dose of skepticism, cuz that's what I do! ➡️ Amir Barsoum ➡️ ⁠ InVitro Capital

Thanks to BJ Birtwell of Electrify Expo for hosting me, Ben Parker of Lightship RV, and the woman whose name I don't know representing the Mia 4 X4! ➡️ Electrify Expo ➡️ Lighship RV ➡️ Mia Dynamics Also thanks to Zachariah Dalton for camera!

James Gerde watched his Instagram go from 2,000 to 800k+ followers in two weeks. His unique brand of human-inspired AI art captivated the world, showing us a marriage of cutting-edge techniques combined with the beauty of what it means to be human. He’s drawn both criticism and love for his unique approach to art, but in the end James Gerde is a consummate artist making use of the next generation...

Today we have Taylor Jacobson joining us, founder of Focusmate, to explore why hyper‑connectivity can actually diminish our accountability and personal growth—and how a simple “body‑doubling” video call can cure loneliness and procrastination. Taylor Jacobson shares the origins of Focusmate, the neuroscience of focus, inspiring user success stories, and practical tips to reclaim your life‑force en...

Tim Huntzinger is the founder of XOTO, one of the most fun means of alternative mobility I've tried. I'm a bike fanatic, and I'll never take a car anywhere if I can help it. I met Tim and he let me try a demo of his new invention, and I was instantly hooked. In a world of options, XOTO represents a really interesting place in the market, and something that will be super useful for many people. ➡️...

Don Weatherbee, CEO of Regenx, discusses the company's innovative approach to regenerating platinum and palladium from used catalytic converters. I love businesses that embrace the circular economy, and this is an angle I hadn't heard of before. With a background in the mining industry, Don Weatherbee highlights the unsustainable nature of current mining practices, and explains the importance of r...

Is neurotech more exciting or terrifying? Is it a vehicle for optimizing our productivity or spying on is an a way humans never imagined? Joining me is Valentin Randon from Muse, a neurotech headset company that claims to have over 500,000 users. We pull no punches, as we go deep into philosophy to discuss the promising and perilous future of neurotechnology. Valentin Randon, the head of product a...

This LIVE interview took place with Eirini Schlosser in Las Vegas at HLTH. Her company Dyania Health is one of the most exciting AI companies in health-tech today, and they just announced $10 million in Series A funding. Watch on YouTube . Eirini Schlosser discusses how Dyania Health uses AI and large language models to revolutionize patient care, specifically for cancer and heart failure patients...

This podcast is a video shot live in Boston. For the full experience, watch on YouTube ! I co-sponsored a beach cleanup with Planet Matters, Neurable, and my agency: Aloa.agency.  I also interviewed Planet Matters on their awesome ocean cleanup success. Felix Krainer is the founder of Planet Matters, a global sensation for sustainability. Join me and volunteers from Harvard, MIT and local startups...

This podcast episode features a compilation of past interviews with innovators and entrepreneurs in the realm of ecotech and sustainability. So it's come to this: an FO clip show. But the reason is clear: innovation isn't something that happens "out there". It's the conscious effort of brilliant, hard-working innovators grinding day in and day out.  I dug into the archives to bring you some gems y...

Nikita Bridan is one of the co-founders of Oilstainlab, a boutique futuristic supercar manufacturer of the future. They've built a monster, and soon it will be all-electric. Video of the interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=catWEb3lSok In this episode, we talk about the meticulous design and inspiring backstory of Oilstainlab with co-founder Nikita. Discover the journey from their Ukrainian...

Suzanne Zamany Andersen is the CEO and founder of Nitrovolt, a brilliant start-up that's raised millions making green or sustainable ammonia. You might not know this, but ammonia is vital for agriculture, and it's a key component of human survival. "Green" ammonia is a cornerstone of sustainability, and it's at the heart of fertilizer production, increased crop yields, soil health, and sustainable...

Julie Bliss Mullen is cofounder and CEO of Aclarity and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. Her company Aclarity destroys PFAS ( Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances ) and mitigates risk at landfills and centralized waste treatment facility. You might have heard of "forever chemicals"—tiny particulates that are found everywhere, and sadly, in all of our blood streams and even in breast milk. These chemic...

Is lab-grown the future of meat? Even after $1.6B in investment into the sector, is cultivated meat a viable long-term solution? I created a fact-based, humorous video covering the history and future of meat replacements, including plenty of data-driven insights.  Produced by Aloa LLC | This episode contains satire and commentary. Views are personal opinions.

Dr. Masachs Boungou, an eternal optimist, author, and public speaker, shares his incredible journey from fleeing war-torn Republic of the Congo to finding success in the United States.  The type of entrepreneurship practiced in Silicon Valley is often criticized for being homogenous and lacking diversity. That's why Dr. Boungou's is such a fresh perspective. Many privileged entrepreneurs have no i...

Lionel Mora is the co-founder and CEO of NeoPlants, a start-up that's raised $20 million for plants that tackle indoor air pollution. In this inspiring episode, he shares his insights on the potential of nature to address significant issues like climate change and indoor air pollution, using  plants as technology. Lionel discusses the innovative approaches NeoPlants is taking, including bioenginee...

Bonus! My wife Maru and I talk about our experiences and challenges in building a successful 7-figure digital marketing agency. In this special episode, I reflect on my early skills in technology and programming, transitioning into different careers, and eventually founding their agency in 2016. We discuss the evolution of the business from freelancing to building a team of 14. If you've ever thou...

Niccolò Ferrari is the founder and CEO of Scoutit, a brilliant business concept that will enable the EV battery circular economy. Today? EVs are the minority on the road. But soon? We'll have millions of dead batteries to dispose of, creating a possible ecological nightmare.  But Niccolò has taken matters into his own hands, turning Italy's "motor valley" upside down. ➡️ https://scoutitweb.com ➡️...

Join us for a rare, reflective conversation about the learnings and insights gained from hosting a podcast, highlighting the inspiring work of diverse and talented individuals, including entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders. My wife and I discuss the emotional and intellectual journey from ignorance to awareness about global challenges such as resource shortages and climate change, and how these is...

Andriy & Sergiy Lyubchyk are co-founding brothers of CascataChuva a Portuguese eco-tech company that believes it can literally pull energy from thin air. This idea is almost too wild to be true, but apparently we're all just one NDA away from seeing it for ourselves... While running another experiment, these brothers discovered that there were forces they couldn't account for. This discovery l...

Daniel Carcillo was a pro hockey veteran and 2-time Stanley Cup winner. But his life changed when he was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome and traumatic brain injury (TBI) following his 10-year career as an “enforcer” in the NHL. After years of suffering from neurological issues, he found solace in psychedelic medicine – something that traditional pharmaceuticals could not provide. Today, Da...

Mark Atkeson is the author of 'Risky Business in Rising China', a book chronicalling three decades of business, tech, and politics in China. TikTok, ByteDance... China seems to be always in the news. Sometimes for good, sometimes for... less than good? Either way, I wanted to explore the real truth of China's rise and its role in shaping the world of today and tomorrow. In this episode, Mark share...

David Wakerley is the co-founder and CTO of Dioxycle—a truly mind-blowing tech company that turns factory emissions back into usable plastic. Dioxycle has raised over $17 million in funding to date, and focuses on repurposing carbon emissions into ethylene, an essential chemical in many products. David teaches me the environmental challenges associated with ethylene production, the carbon-intensiv...

David Brown is the CEO of CounterCraft, deception-powered cybersecurity solutions that go beyond detection and response.  In this talk, David tells me about the challenges and opportunities within the cybersecurity landscape. Although he's optimistic about humanity's capacity to overcome adversity, David also expresses concerns about the potential for global conflict and the increasing sophisticat...