Uncommon Thinkers 2025: Solar spacecraft, sci-fi biology, destroying PFAS, beyond AI chatbots, and better social media

The GeekWire podcast features Todd Bishop interviewing recipients of the "Uncommon Thinkers" award for 2025. The podcast highlights innovators, scientists, technologists, and entrepreneurs who are transforming industries and addressing significant global challenges. Interviewees include Jeff Thornburg, CEO of Portal Space Systems, discussing spacecraft powered by focused sunlight; Anindya Roy, co-founder of Lila Biologics, explaining AI's role in designing proteins to treat cancer; Jay Graber, who runs BlueSky, a decentralized social network; Kiana Ehsani, CEO of Vercept, who is developing AI agents for mundane digital tasks; and Brian Pinkard from AQUAGA, who is using technology to annihilate PFAS. Each segment explores the interviewee's work, its potential impact, and their unique approach to problem-solving, revealing a sense of optimism about the future of technology and its ability to drive positive change.