The Outside Context

In Episode 16 of The Outside Context, Kenneth Kou, Head of Venture Lab at Mercy Corps Ventures shares his journey from mathematics to impact investing, exploring how financial inclusion, blockchain technology, and innovative solutions can build a more inclusive and resilient global economy. Jannah Patchay and Elise Soucie Watts ask Ken all about the challenges of financial exclusion, the potential...

In episode 15 of The Outside Context, co-hosts Jannah Patchay and Elise Soucie Watts welcome Melanie Garson, an Associate Professor in International Security & Conflict Resolution at UCL as well as the Founder of GeopolitIQ, to discuss the intersection of technology and geopolitics. They explore the evolving landscape of tech geopolitics, the challenges of digital sovereignty, and the implicat...

In Episode 14 of The Outside Context Elliot Hentov, chief macro policy strategist at State Street Investment Management, discusses the intersection of AI and macroeconomics. He explores the current state of AI's impact on productivity, investment trends, and the implications for inflation and economic growth. The conversation also shifts into the geopolitical competition surrounding AI domina...

In episode 13 of The Outside Context, Elise and Jannah reflect on their year of podcasting, discussing their experiences and the themes explored in previous episodes. They discuss the TV series 'Alien: Earth', examining it as a social commentary on technology, power and societal structures. The conversation then shifts to the implications of technological advancements, the ethical consid...

In episode 12 of The Outside Context, Haviva Kohl, Senior Program Manager at a Big Tech firm, shares her unique journey from being a sixth-grade teacher to working in tech, through to discussing the implications of AI, disinformation, and the defence of democracy. She emphasises the rapid pace of AI development and its potential impact on jobs and society, while also addressing the challenges of m...

In episode 11 of The Outside Context, Rob Hadick, General Partner at Dragonfly, shares his journey from Wall Street to venture capital, discussing the evolving landscape of investment, particularly in the realms of blockchain and decentralised finance. He highlights the differences between traditional finance and the emerging tech-driven paradigms, emphasising the importance of networks and the ch...

In episode 10 of The Outside Context, Seema Khinda Johnson, Co-Founder and COO of Nuggets, shares her journey in the tech industry and discusses the critical importance of digital identity in today's world. She emphasises the need for self-sovereign identity, the business case for digital identity solutions, and the challenges of inclusivity in identity verification and why "data is the...

In episode 9 of The Outside Context, Leah Winberg aka Winny, Founder of Chipped Social, shares her unique journey from a childhood passion for fashion to the tech world, culminating in the creation of Chipped, a revolutionary product that integrates NFC technology into fashion. The discussion explores the intersections of art, technology, and finance, emphasising the importance of diversity in tec...

In episode 8 of The Outside Context, Carne Ross discusses his journey from being a British diplomat to advocating for self-governance and participatory democracy. He highlights the current challenges facing democracy, including economic inequality and the influence of wealth on political systems. Ross emphasises the importance of technology in enabling democratic participation while also warning o...

In episode 7 of The Outside Context, co-hosts Elise Soucie Watts and Jannah Patchay sit down with Richard Baker, a technologist and futurist with a background in telecommunications and financial services. Richard shares his journey from engineering to finance and discusses the rapid evolution of technology and its impact on society. Together, they explore smart cities, digital identity, the future...

In episode 6 of The Outside Context, our co-hosts Elise Soucie Watts and Jannah Patchay sit down with Per Wimmer—global financier, entrepreneur, adventurer, and astronaut-in-training—to discuss the future of private space travel, space entrepreneurship and humanity’s long-term potential beyond Earth. Per shares his personal journey, from setting a world record by skydiving over Mount Everest to be...

In episode 5 of The Outside Context, we welcome astrophysicist, space ethicist, and author Erika Nesvold to discuss the ethical questions surrounding space exploration and settlement. Inspired by her book Off Earth , this conversation delves into the challenges of governance, labour rights, environmental protection, and the role of private industry in space. Key Topics Discussed Erika’s Journey –...

In episode 4 of The Outside Context, hosts Elise Soucie Watts and Jannah Patchay sit down with Lex Sokolin , co-founder of Generative Ventures, to explore the convergence of crypto, artificial intelligence, and financial technology . Lex shares his journey from early fintech ventures to leading DeFi initiatives at ConsenSys and launching a venture fund focused on the evolving machine economy. The...

In episode 3 of The Outside Context, Jannah and Elise sit down with Daniel Hulme, CEO and Founder of Satalia. As an OG of AI, Daniel shares unpacks what we really mean by 'artificial intelligence', the origins of AI and how it has evolved over the years. Together with the co-hosts they explore the real risks and challenges that AI poses, as well as what the a positive AI future means for...

In episode 2 of The Outside Context, Jannah and Elise speak to Juliana Suess, an associate with the Strategic Threat Analysis and Nuclear Disorder team within the International Security Team at the German Institute for International Security Affairs. Jannah and Elise ask Juliana to explain more about her work on space security and what its implications are for society. They discuss where space sit...

In episode 1 of The Outside Context, Jannah and Elise sit down with Dante Disparte, Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Global Policy at Circle. Dante shares his journey into the digital assets world from Puerto Rico, to Richard Branson's Island, to the new shores of digital money. Together with the co-hosts they do a deep dive into the future of digital money and how its broader economic impa...

A brand new podcast from Jannah Patchay & Elise Soucie Watts on the future of technology & civilisation. Listen to get to know the hosts, find out what inspired The Outside Context, & find out what kind of guests they will be having on the show as well as the topics it will analyse. Message us and tell us what you think of this episode, or share your ideas for future episodes - we’d lo...