


July 9, 2025
Why We're Now Building Satellites Like Toyota Cars | ROP #41
What if building a satellite was as simple as ordering a Toyota? Apex Space founder Ian Cinnamon joins us to reveal how this manufacturing revolution is America's key to winning the new space race. Forget bespoke, billion-dollar spacecraft that take a decade to build—the future is a satellite factory in the sky.
July 2, 2025
New Podcast: Palantir’s Madeline Hart
Most people know the name Palantir thanks to its surging stock – up 400% in the last year.
Fewer people know Palantir has achieved this growth by fundamentally transforming America’s defense industry. I talked to Palantir’s Madeline Hart to discuss how that happened and what’s next.
June 16, 2025
New Podcast Episode: Flying Boats and Underwater Drones
I recently spoke with two young founders driving the ocean’s future: Will O'Brien from Ulysses Ecosystem Engineering and David Zagaynov from Poseidon Aerospace. They’re building high-tech flying boats and underwater drones while stewarding the ocean.
June 12, 2025
Neuralink's FIRST Patient: Paralyzed to MIND CONTROL (And It's Actual Sci-Fi) | ROP #37
Meet Noland Arbaugh, the first human to receive a Neuralink implant, who went from being paralyzed and unable to use a computer to controlling one with his mind—a feat he describes as "actual sci-fi."
April 18, 2025
How CRISPR Is Defeating Genetic Disease Faster Than You Think | Rational Optimist #31
Discover why CRISPR technology is defeating genetic diseases faster than you think, restoring sight, hearing, and preventing conditions before birth. We explore the race for supersonic travel (Mach 9 jets?), share our real-world ride in Tesla & Waymo robotaxis, and check out AI drones preventing shark attacks.