Joe Lonsdale: American Optimist

Ep 144: Jared Isaacman's Bold Vision for Moon Bases, Nuclear Power in Space, and Returning NASA to Greatness

Ep 143: JD Ross on the New Invention Era & Building with AI in 2026

Ep 142: Understanding the AI Wave with 8VC's Alex Kolicich & Jack Moshkovich

The podcast explores the transformative potential of AI, particularly its impact on productivity and business models. It contrasts the "smart enterprise" thesis of the past decade with the current AI wave, noting AI's potential to move beyond decision support to actually performing tasks. The discussion highlights the ...

Ep 141: AI Hackers Are Here; Cybersecurity Legend Kevin Mandia Is Building the Answer

Ep 140: SEC Chairman Paul Atkins on Making IPOs Great Again, Crypto's Comeback & New Rules for Retail Investors

Ep 139: Make Government Beautiful & Functional Again with America's Chief Design Officer Joe Gebbia

Ep 138: AI, Space-Based Interceptors & the Bleeding Edge of Warfare with Pentagon R&D Chief Emil Michael

The conversation centers on Emil Michael's role as Undersecretary of War for Research and Engineering, focusing on how he's applying Silicon Valley speed to the Pentagon to address critical technology gaps. Michael outlines six critical technology areas—applied AI, contested logistics, biomanufacturing, quantum and bat...

Ep 137: Gov. Chris Sununu on AI vs Harvard, DOGE 2.0, and a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution

Ep 136: OPM Director Scott Kupor on Launching the U.S. Tech Force & Bringing Merit Back to Government

Ep 135: Philip Howard on Saving the American Spirit

Ep 134: Inside the White House and the AI Race with OSTP Director Michael Kratsios

Ep 133: Matt Ridley on the Fight to Save the UK & How Extraordinary Ideas Evolve

Ep 132: Sen. Bill Hagerty on Saving Memphis & Designing Regulatory Frameworks for AI and Crypto

Ep 131: How AI + Incentives Can 10X Learning & Save American Education with Tech Legend Joe Liemandt

Ep 130: "Free speech is not enough" — UATX President Carlos Carvalho on Charlie Kirk, Fighting Communists & the Duty of a University

Ep 129: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt Steps Up to Save Tulsa — and Prove What's Possible

Ep 128: Hollywood Star Zachary Levi on Speaking Out for Trump, AI vs the Arts, and His $100M Texas Studio Project

Ep 127: Max Meyer, Arena Magazine, and the Battle for Truth, Beauty & Progress

Ep 126: Will AI Spark A New Logistics Revolution? Harish Abbott Helped Pioneer Next-Day Shipping — And He’s Betting Yes.

Ep 125: Sen. Eric Schmitt on Exposing Mass Censorship & Outsmarting the Far-Left