Aiming for the Moon
Aiming for the Moon is a podcast where teenagers interview interesting people. Guests include authors, entrepreneurs, scientists, and adventurers. The show explores different careers, ideas, and life experiences from a youthful perspective. Each episode aims to inspire listeners through conversations with accomplished individuals.
Episodes
132. AI Snake Oil and the Skills of the Future: Dr. Arvind Narayanan (Princeton Computer Scientist | Coauthor of "AI Snake Oil")
Send us Fan MailIn the midst of the AI hype bubble, how do we spot real AI capabilities and snake oil marketing? Many AI companies promise that they will help us predict the future. Is this true? Can AI really predict the future? Turns out, in this capacity at least, it might be more snake oil than success. In this episode, I sit down with Arvind Narayanan, a Princeton Computer Scientist and co-au
131. To Think, or Not to Think - The Sad Trajectory of Liberal Arts in Universities and UTulsa's Honors College : Jennifer A. Frey (Former Dean of UTulsa's Honors College)
Send us Fan MailThis interview is a bit different from other episodes. I sit down with Dr. Jennifer A. Frey, the former Dean of the University of Tulsa’s Honors College. If you’ve been following the Lessons for Interesting People podcast on Substack, you will know I wrote an article about Tulsa’s honors college recently. I committed to UTulsa because the university seemed to have accomplished the
130. The Consolation of Philosophy - Boethius on Suffering and Hope: Dr. Thomas M. Ward (Prof. of Philosophy @ University of Texas at Austin | Author of "After Stoicism: Last Words of the Last Roman Philosopher")
Send us Fan MailWhat happens when your world crumbles? When all the things you hold dear are snatched away from you? Most of us would give up and despair. And, yet, though he awaited an unjust execution, Roman senator and philosopher Boethius penned these hopeful words:“The world in constant change maintains a harmony. And elements keep peace whose nature is to war.”Faced with his coming death, Bo
129. AI Needs You: Verity Harding (director of the AI & Geopolitics Project @ the Bennett Institute for Public Policy at the University of Cambridge | Founder of Formation Advisory)
Send us Fan MailWith the development of artificial intelligence on the rise, we are at a crossroads. How will we continue our innovations and regulations of this new technology? But, this is more than a technological question. As my guest, Verity Harding states, “AI needs you.”In this episode, I sit down with Verity Harding to discuss her book, AI Needs You: How We Can Change AI’s Future and Save
128. The Accursed Questions - Fyodor Dostoevsky on Suffering, Freedom, and Love: Prof. Gary S. Morson (Prof. of Russian literature @ Northwestern University | Author of "Wonder Confronts Certainty")
Send us Fan MailWhat's the meaning of life? Why is there pain and suffering? How do you balance justice and love? These "accursed questions" have haunted humanity for centuries. Fyodor Dostoevsky sought to answer these questions through his characters' lives. His answers are prophetic for our time.In this episode, I sit down with Northwestern University professor of Russian lit
127. Connective Labor - What Machines Can't Replace in Our Disconnected World: Prof. Allison Pugh (Author of "The Last Human Job" | Prof. of Sociology @ Johns Hopkins University)
Send us Fan MailAs we enter a world of artificial intelligence, the question of what should be automated looms before us. Models need clear, objective metrics to train on. But, can jobs really be distilled to data points? In her book, The Last Human Job: The Work of Connecting in a Disconnected World, Prof. Allison Pugh asserts many jobs have a relational component that can’t be caught in the met
126. Pen, Page, and People - The History of the Book: Prof. Adam Smyth (Author of "The Book-Makers")
Send us Fan MailWhen we think of history of books, we often neglect the people who created them. We think of history as a figment of facts, connected together by time and advances in technology. But sometimes we overlook the humanity, the souls, the fingerprints in the ink-stained margins of long-forgotten tomes. In this episode, I sit down with Oxford's Prof. Adam Smyth to discuss his The Bo
125. How Cutting-edge Science Returns Us to Ancient Theology: Return of Dr. Spencer Klavan (Associate Editor @ the Claremont Review of Books | Classicist | Podcaster)
Send us Fan MailFor the past few centuries, we have philosophically operated under Newtonian physics where questions of experience and of the soul were seen as subjective, with no connection to the numerical certainty of science. However, then came quantum physics.In his new book, Light of the Mind, Light of the World: Illuminating Science Through Faith, classicist Dr. Spencer Klavan retells the h
124. The Road to Wisdom - On Truth, Science, Faith, and Trust: Dr. Francis S. Collins (Physician, Geneticist, Former Director of NIH)
Send us Fan MailA multifaceted understanding of wisdom is essential for a functioning society. Only with this broad understanding can we humbly dialogue with those who disagree with us and piece by piece build a culture of conversation. In this episode, I sit down with geneticist and physician Dr. Francis Collins to discuss his latest book, The Road to Wisdom. Dr. Collins argues that we must retu
123. In Search of Living Well: Eric Weiner (Bestselling author of "The Socrates Express: In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers")
Send us Fan MailIn his book, The Socrates Express: In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers, award-winning journalist Eric Weiner describes how to live well. He argues that our technologically advanced societies have mistaken knowledge for wisdom. In this episode, we discuss how philosophy affects our every action, whether we recognize it or not. Philosophy allows us to make sense of our l
122. The Origins and Governance of the Internet: Prof. Jonathan Zittrain (Harvard Law and Computer Science Prof. | Director of Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society)
Send us Fan MailThe Internet has become an integral part of our world. It connects all kinds of technologies from sports streaming to stock trading to selfie posting. But, in the grand history of technology, it’s not all that old. How did the Internet become so expansive in so little time? There are two major components in the rise of the Internet. 1) The creation of modular networking that allowe
121. When Civilizations Crumble - Lessons for Today: Dr. Victor Davis Hanson (Renowned Classicist and Military Historian)
Send us Fan MailA rich understanding of history allows us to recognize patterns and the possible trajectory of the present. But sometimes, this analysis provides sobering prophecies. In this episode, renowned classicist and military historian, Dr. Victor Davis Hanson discusses his 2024 book, The End of Everything: How Wars Descend into Annihilation. In it, he outlines the common factors in the dow
120. The Influencer Industry - The Quest for Authenticity on Social Media: Dr. Emily Hund (Author of "The Influencer Industry")
Send us Fan Mail“Authenticity” has become an economic token on social media. And, not in a metaphorical way. This has led to people becoming brands. The so-called “influencer” is an icon of an industry not yet recognized or respected by society at large. This new industry is composed of a digital labor force whose livelihoods are at the whims of all-powerful, ever-changing algorithms. In this epis
119. The Rise of Institutional Mistrust: Prof. Ethan Zuckerman (Author of "Mistrust" and Associate Prof. @ University of Massachusetts at Amherst)
Send us Fan MailThroughout the 21st century, mistrust in our societal institutions has become commonplace. Regardless of your political leanings, we’ve become skeptical and suspicious of the governmental, educational, and religious institutions meant to support and protect us. How did this happen? What should we do about it? Perhaps, this mistrust is the very catalyst for reform? In today's e
118. Utility > Beauty - The Lost Wonder of Mathematics: Dr. Satyan Devadoss (Mathematician and Author of “Mage Merlin’s Unsolved Math Mysteries”)
Send us Fan MailUniversity of San Diego Fletcher Jones professor of applied mathematics, Dr. Satyan Devadoss, questions whether mathematics should be learned merely for the sake of utility and efficiency. Throughout high school, we are taught mathematics because it is useful in STEM fields. It is for the sake of new technologies that you learn about percentages, Pythagoras, and polynomials. But pe
117. Quit - The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away: Dr. Annie Duke (National bestselling author of "Thinking in Bets" and "Quit" | former professional poker player)
Send us Fan MailDr. Annie Duke is a former professional poker player, an author, speaker, and consultant in the decision-making space. She is the author of the national bestseller, Thinking in Bets, and, the topic of today’s interview, 2022’s Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away. “Quitting’s for the weak” reverberates through today’s culture. Of course, quitting just because something is h
116. Anatomy of a Breakthrough: Return of Dr. Adam Alter (Prof. of Marketing @ New York University’s Stern School of Business and NYT Bestselling Author)
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, professor of Marketing at New York University’s Stern School of Business and the Robert Stansky Teaching Excellence Faculty Fellow, Dr. Adam Alter, returns to the podcast. Today, we’ll discuss his new book, Anatomy of a Breakthrough: How to Get Unstuck When It Matters Most. Whether you’ve had a great year, a downright awful year or a lukewarm, we’re-making-it year,
115. Angels of the Resistance: Return of Noelle Salazar (USA Today and International Bestselling Author)
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, USA Today bestselling author, Noelle Salazar, returns to the pod to discuss her second book, Angels of the Resistance. Longtime listeners might recall our previous chat with Ms. Salazar in episode 24 way back in 2020. In today’s conversation, Ms. Salazar recounts the inspiration for her Angels of the Resistance as well as how her writing process has evolved and ma
114. Escaping the "Perfection Trap": Dr. Thomas Curran (Prof. of Psychology @ London School of Economics and author of "The Perfection Trap")
Send us Fan MailIn our culture, perfectionism is considered a valiant weakness. And, it is worn as a badge of honor. Saying that you are a perfectionist implies that you are constantly working to better yourself and your project. You unrelentingly strive for the best possible result. You work so hard that it might require others to step in and say, “This is good enough.” It’s a valuable vice in th
113. Exploring the Scientific Truths in Ancient Myths: Dr. Adrienne Mayor (Renowned Historian and Folklorist)
Send us Fan MailHave you ever wondered if the ancient tales of legendary creatures might have a hint of scientific truth? Dr. Adrienne Mayor, a renowned historian and folklorist, takes us on a riveting journey to uncover the possible inspirations for these mythical beasts. But the adventure doesn't stop there. We venture further down the rabbit hole, examining how the tales we tell today pred
112. When National Politics and State Governments Collide: Dr. Jacob Grumbach (Author of "Laboratories Against Democracy")
Send us Fan MailWhat if the very structure of American politics is threatening democracy itself? Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Dr. Jacob "Jake" Grumbach, author of "Laboratories Against Democracy", as we uncover the collision between national political parties and state-level governments in the United States. Learn how technology, changes in media, and fundraisin
111. Exploring the Enigma of Knowing - How do we know what we know? : Dr. Esther Lightcap Meek (Philosopher and Author)
Send us Fan MailHow do we truly know what we know? Are we relying on the right sources of knowledge in our lives? Join us in this thought-provoking episode with our special guest, philosopher, and author, Dr. Esther Lightcap Meek, as we tackle these fascinating questions and unravel the complex nature of knowing.Together, we'll explore the concept of subsidiary-focal integration, which propos
110. Exploring Beauty Born from Brokenness with Artist Makoto Fujimura
Send us Fan MailWhat hidden truths can an artist's perspective reveal about our world? And how can beauty often emerge from the depths of brokenness? Join us as we dive into a captivating conversation with renowned artist Makoto Fujimura, delving into the significance of art in capturing the essence of who we are.We also ponder the role of art in providing hope during bleak and uncertain time
109. Rising to the Occasion #3 - Using AI to Fight Medical Monopolization: Tony Wang
Send us Fan MailOn this podcast, we strive to connect fascinating and successful people to the next generation. But today, I’d like to change it up a bit and, in partnership with the Rise initiative, highlight some of the fascinating and successful people of my generation.Throughout the past few weeks, I’ve been talking with winners of the Rise Challenge from various years. For the finale of this
108. Rising to the Occasion #2 - Using Tech to Help Stroke Victims Speak Again: Rishi Ambavanekar
Send us Fan MailOn this podcast, we strive to connect fascinating and successful people to the next generation. But today and throughout March, I’d like to change it up a bit and, in partnership with the Rise initiative, highlight some of the fascinating and successful people of my generation. Throughout this month, I’ll be talking with three of the winners of the Rise Challenge from various years
107. Rising to the Occasion #1 - Creating Sustainable Farming in Kenya: Hawi 'Annette' Odhiambo
Send us Fan MailOn this podcast, we strive to connect fascinating and successful people to the next generation. But today and throughout March, I’d like to change it up a bit and, in partnership with the Rise initiative, highlight some of the fascinating and successful people of my generation. Throughout this month, I’ll be talking with three of the winners of the Rise Challenge from various years
106. The History and Future of the Library: Prof. Andrew Pettegree (Co-author of "The Library: A Fragile History")
Send us Fan MailIn this interview, I’ll be talking with Prof. Andrew Pettegree who co-authored The Library: A Fragile History with Arthur Der Weduwen. What I first thought was a self-explanatory symbol of scholarly righteousness I soon learned was an icon of the individual against the institution, a battleground of the “enlightened” elite and the “plebian” people, and a habitual testament of man’s
105. From Psychologist to Poker Champion - the Art of Decision-making: Dr. Maria Konnikova (NYT Bestselling Author of "The Biggest Bluff")
Send us Fan MailAs a high school student, in the next few years, I’ll make some major life decisions about where I’ll go to college and whether I’ll riddle myself with decades of student debt. How will I make the best decision? My guest today, Dr. Maria Konnikova, had a similar question about her own life. How do you assess a situation and decide the best option for yourself? And, if Fate pulls a
104. Modern Problems, Ancient Solutions - Applying the Wisdom of the Classics to the Cultural Conflicts of Today: Dr. Spencer Klavan (Associate Editor @ the Claremont Review of Books | Classicist)
Send us Fan MailHaving developed the Internet and connected the world to our fingertips, we tend to think of ourselves as enlightened beings very different from our medieval or ancient counterparts and with very separate problems. Are our modern problems really just modern problems? Or, are they just prevailing issues repackaged for our modern sensibilities? And, if so, how can classics help us ad
103. A Teen Author Chronicles her Grandmother's Holocaust Experience: Suzette Sheft (Author of "Running for Shelter")
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I sit down with teenage author, Suzette Sheft (full bio below). We discuss the story behind her debut book, Running for Shelter: A True Story, which is a novelization of her grandmother's survival in a Nazi-conquered Europe. We also cover how her father's passing motivated her to finish her story and catalog her family history as well as her advice to oth
102. The Rise of the Creative Class: Dr. Richard Florida (Author of “The Rise of the Creative Class,” “Who’s Your City?,” “The Urban Crisis,” and others)
Send us Fan MailTwo decades ago, Dr. Richard Florida (full bio below) coined the term "Creative Class" when he identified a unique group of people who used their knowledge and expertise and creativity to generate income (i.e. tech innovators, musicians, bloggers, etc.). His work has shaped the thinking of modern economics and social sciences. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Florida
101. The Future of AI - Data Nutrition and Non-Sentience: Sarah Newman (Director of Art & Education at MetaLAB at Harvard)
Send us Fan MailOne of the most anticipated technologies of the future is AI. What will it be? What will it do? How will we react? But, before we can anticipate sentiency, which we will discuss in this episode, we must train AI to do its jobs. However, that requires properly organized data sets, a new topic in the town square. If AI is to imitate the data it is given, how do we determine what dat
100th Episode Special- Taylor Bledsoe and Sarah Newman
Send us Fan MailIn honor of the 100th episode, I am interviewed by guest host, Sarah Newman (full bio below)! Sarah Newman is Director of Art & Education at metaLAB at Harvard, at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society. Working at the intersection of research and art, her work engages with technology’s role in human experience, and interrelations between complex systems. In additi
99. Human Nature and How to Escape from "The Mindset": Dr. Douglas Rushkoff (Bestselling author of "Survival of the Richest," "Team Human," and many others)
Send us Fan MailFor centuries, we have been stuck in the matrix of "The Mindest," the need for ever-exponential, economic growth. Sucked into the "game" of capitalism, we have toiled for monetary benefits always searching to double, triple, and quadruple the GDP. But, beneath every socio-economic structure is the creator's perception of human nature. For us to understand t
98. The Disciplined Life: Ryan Holiday (NYT bestselling author of "Stillness is the Key", "The Daily Stoic," and many others)
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I talk to NYT bestselling author, Ryan Holiday (full bio below), about the disciplined life. His latest book, Discipline is Destiny, comes out September 27 (2022). Topics:The Three Types of DisciplineThe Purpose of DisciplineWhy should we have self-control?Why to define a Primary FocusHow to structure skill-building around assignmentsPractical habits for a discipl
97. "Hacking" the Legal System: Dr. Bruce Schneier (World-renowned Security Expert and Blogger)
Send us Fan MailEthical hacking is essential in the tech world as it exposes the holes and bugs in systems before bad people can use them. This same mindset can be applied to the legal system in order to “hack” it before "black hat" hackers exploit the problems. In this episode, Dr. Bruce Schneier (full bio below) explains this philosophy and the steps to apply it.Topics:What are public-
96. The Religion of Work: Dr. Carolyn Chen (Author of "Work Pray Code" and Associate Professor of Ethics at University of California, Berkeley)
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I talk with Dr. Carolyn Chen, author of Work Pray Code: When Work Becomes Religion in Silicon Valley and associate professor of ethics at the University of California, Berkeley, (scroll down for full bio), about the “religion of work” in “techtopias.”Topics:Work as religionTech workers as believersThe cult of productivityShould we let this happen?The sacraments and
Announcement: Bi-Weekly Schedule for School Year
Send us Fan MailJust announcing that I'm switching to a bi-weekly release schedule for the school year! Thanks!!
95. China's Great Firewall - Censorship in the Asian Superpower: Dr. Margaret E. Roberts (Professor in the Department of Political Science @ University of California, San Diego, and author of "Censored")
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I talk with Dr. Margaret E. Roberts (scroll down for full bio) about China and the new age of censorship. Topics:Methods of modern censorshipWhy free speech is bad for regimes How much does the average Chinese Citizen know?How censorship creates factions in ChinaShould the West intervene?The global impact of censorshipDemocracies and censorshipCensorship and Covid-
94. Becoming a Free Thinker: Alex Kaschuta (Writer and Host of the "Subversive" Podcast)
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I sit down with Alex Kaschuta, writer and host of the Subversive Podcast. We discussed the importance of subversive ideas, how to become a free thinker as a young person, and how to create a career where you get paid to think. Topics:Why Alex Kaschuta's podcast focuses on subversive ideasShould offensive ideas be censored?How to become a free thinker as a you
93. 21st Century Tyranny: Dr. Sergei Guriev (Prof. of Economics and Director of Graduate Programs in Economics @ Sciences Po, Paris)
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I sit down with Dr. Sergei Guriev (click here for full bio). Dr. Guriev is the professor of economics and director of graduate programs in economics at Sciences Po, Paris as well as the Former Chief Economist and the Member of the Executive Committee of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). He also served as the former Rector of the New Econo
92. The Next Frontier of Social Science - Text as Data: Dr. Justin Grimmer (Co-author of "Text as Data" and Prof. in Stanford's Political Science Department)
Send us Fan MailDr. Justin Grimmer, Professor in Stanford University's Department of Political Science and co-author of Text as Data, and I discuss how and why turning text into data will be the future of the social sciences. Topics:Researching in the social sciences nowHow machine learning turns text into dataPrivacy and dataExamples and impactHow to develop a career in this intersection of
91. The New Breed - AI and the Rest of the World: Dr. Kate Darling (Research Specialist @ the MIT Media Lab and Author of "The New Breed")
Send us Fan MailDr. Kate Darling, a Research Specialist at the MIT Media Lab and author of The New Breed: What Our History with Animals Reveals about Our Future with Robots, and I sit down to discuss the future of robots and the world. Are they replacements or are they a breed of their own? Topics:Thesis of the New BreedWhat is a robot?Do robots think?How does this "new breed" fit into s
90. The Meaning of "Home": Solomon Burchfield (Program Director at New Beginnings NWA)
Send us Fan MailI sit down with Solomon Burchfield, Program Director at New Beginnings NWA. New Beginnings is a rehabilitation community for people with a history of homelessness. For more on their mission and ways to help, visit: https://newbeginningsnwa.org/about/-----------------------------------Connect with New Beginnings:Website: https://newbeginningsnwa.org/about/Instagram: https://www.inst
89. A Twist of Tech and Tradition - Combining traditional Islamic Art with STEM: Zarah Hussain (Internationally Exhibited Artist)
Send us Fan MailZarah Hussain and I sit down to discuss the intersection of tradition and tech in her field of art.Topics:Islamic art v.s. Western artHow geometry was used to represent divinity in Islamic cultureZarah Hussain's art and the intersection of tradition and techGeometry as the rules of natureHow the "rules of nature" point to intelligent designThe books that had an impac
Aiming for the Moon Two-Year Birthday Newsletter Launch
Send us Fan MailI discuss the two-year birthday of AFTM and announce my new, behind-the-scenes substack! Thank you, everyone, for listening!Why join the substack? I discuss how Mattie and I built AFTM up to this point. All of the stories and skills gathered along the way! Some of the topics will include how we set up interviews through elevator-pitch-style emails, network with guests, and prepare
88. Reframing Productivity: Jenny Odell (NYT bestselling author of "How to Do Nothing")
Send us Fan MailJenny Odell, New York Times bestselling author of How to Do Nothing, and I sit down to discuss the importance of unproductive activities for personal growth. Topics:Managing stress and creative pursuits in the midst of busyness The prism of personality How and why to do nothingThe books that had an impact on Jenny OdellJenny Odell's advice for teenagersThe importance of journa
87. Documentaries and Political Corruption: Bryan Fogel (Oscar-winning Director of "Icarus" and "The Dissident")
Send us Fan MailI sit down with Bryan Fogel, Oscar-winning director of Icarus and The Dissident. We discuss the creative processes behind his films as well as the political corruption exposed in them. Topics:The creative processes behind his filmsHow to build trust with film subjectsIs there anything to do about political corruption?The books that had an impact on Bryan FogelBryan Fogel's adv
86. The Sound Mind: Dr. Nina Kraus (Biologist and Author of "Of Sound Mind")
Send us Fan MailI sit down with Dr. Nina Kraus to discuss her book, Of Sound Mind: How our Brain Constructs a Meaningful Sonic World.Topics:The importance of soundWhat is the sound mind?How sound shapes our brainsHow the mind replays sound in our headsHow the mind adapts in musicians The deaf vs hearing brainResources:Of Sound Mind - https://amzn.to/3PD6x1AOn Matter with Things: Our Brains, Our De
85. Creativity Under Pressure: Mason Currey (Author of "Daily Rituals" and "Daily Rituals: Women at Work")
Send us Fan MailAfter a long sabbatical of procrastination, I have returned to finish our trilogy on creativity. In today’s episode, I sit down with Mason Currey, the author of Daily Rituals and Daily Rituals: Women at Work. We tackle one of my leading questions about creativity - how to create when it feels like the world is swallowing you!Topics-Why and how Mason Currey wrote Daily RitualsGettin
84. Curiosity - the Maker of Innovators: Kevin Bethune (Designer and Author of "Reimagining Design: Unlocking Strategic Innovation")
Send us Fan MailLiving a life fueled by your own creativity is my dream as well as many others. The question always is, “How do you do that?” In this episode, I’ll be talking to designer Kevin Bethune about this and his new book, “Reimagining Design: Unlocking Strategic Innovation."Topics - How did you go from nuclear engineering to design?Why should designers be in the room when creating new
83. Math - the Structure of Beauty: Dr. Sarah Hart (Prof. of Mathematics @ Birkbeck College at the London University)
Send us Fan Mail“When am I going to use this in my life?” is probably the most common question in math class right behind “when does class end?” This subject is notorious for being, we can say, less than loved by students. However, today, we’re applying math to an unexpected and interesting area. I'll be talking to mathematician Dr. Sarah Hart on how math is the structure of beauty as well as
82. Why We Can't Focus: Johann Hari (NYT Bestselling author of "Chasing the Scream," "Lost Connections," and "Stolen Focus")
Send us Fan MailJohann Hari and I explore why and how our attention spans are getting systematically destroyed by the modern world as we investigate his new book, "Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention and How to Think Deeply Again." The reasons span from reading time to social media. Topics discussed: How did our attention spans get this bad? How the system is rigged against our foc
81. Regrets and the Good Life: Dan Pink (#1 NYT bestselling author of "Drive" and "The Power of Regret")
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Dan Pink and I dive into the foreboding pool of regrets as we examine his newly released book, "The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward." Surprisingly, having regrets can bring about good. Topics discussed -Why Dan Pink wrote about regretsThe four main regrets found across all culturesThe four ways we deal with regretsHow regrets provid
80. The Perception of Political Polarization and How to Fix It: Dr. Chris Bail (Author of "Breaking the Social Media Prism," Duke Professor, and Director of the Polarization Lab)
Send us Fan MailWe tackle social media's effect on political polarization with Dr. Chris Bail, author of Breaking the Social Media Prism, Duke professor, and director of the Polarization Lab. According to Dr. Bail, most of the population of America isn't actually polarized; social media only gives us that perception. Topics Discussed- The myth of echo chambersHow vocal and extreme, socia
79. One Year Re-Run: How to Write a Good Story: Stuart Gibbs (Bestselling Author of the Children's Series "Spy School," "Moon Base Alpha," "FunJungle," and more)
Send us Fan MailThis week, we are looking back on our conversation with Stuart Gibbs from episode 35!We often wonder what it's like to be a fiction author. How do they come up with their original ideas? What is their daily routine like? Does word count even matter? In this episode, we sit down with Stuart Gibbs, bestselling author of five children's series including "Spy School,&quo
78. Why and How to Balance Productivity and the Present: Oliver Burkeman (NYT Bestselling Author of "4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals")
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we talk to Oliver Burkeman, New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of 4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, about why and how to balance productivity and the present.Topics Discussed-Ancient philosophy's perspective on work and productivity vs nowHow our mindset towards work changedIs living forever bad?The balance between productivity and the
77. Ownership - The Secret Root of Civilization: Prof. James Salzman (Co-author of Bestselling book "Mine!" and Professor of Environmental Law)
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Professor James Salzman explains how ownership is the secret root of civilizations. From the time they can say "Mine!", people bump into ownership arguments. From traffic laws, to grocery store shopping, to whether or not you can lean your chair back on airplanes, ownership design confronts all of us throughout our lives. Here are a few topics Prof. Salzm
76. How Goals Reshape Your Mind: Dr. David Melnikoff (Social Psychologist)
Send us Fan MailWelcome to 2022! For the start of this hopefully amazing year, Dr. David Melnikoff joins us to describe how goals reshape our brains. Whenever you begin a New Year's resolution or another goal, your mind changes its operation in order to align itself best for that new task. Dr. Melnikoff also defines the psychological theory of "flow," a cited creativity and producti
75. Violence, Video Games, and Aggression: Dr. Brad Bushman (Ohio State University Professor of Communication)
Send us Fan MailFor our last episode of the year, we follow up on our dive into psychology with Dr. Brad Bushman joining us to discuss video games and violence as well as other areas of aggression! Here are a few questions Dr. Bushman answers -Do video games make us more aggressive and violent? How is aggression measured in the lab?Can video games be used as cathartic releases of aggression? What
74. Free Will and the Unconscious Mind: Dr. John Bargh (Yale Prof and Author of “Before You Know It: The Unconscious Reasons We Do What We Do”)
Send us Fan MailMattie and Taylor discuss cognitive science with Dr. John Bargh, Yale professor and author of “Before You Know It: The Unconscious Reasons We Do What We Do” (2017). We discuss free will, the hidden cues that manipulate us, and how to take control of our lives. Our Website: https://www.aimingforthemoon.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aiming4moon/Twitter: https://twitter.com
73. Story Time with Chemistry: Sam Kean (Author of Six NYT Bestsellers including "The Disappearing Spoon," "Icepick Surgeon," and "The Bastard Brigade")
Send us Fan MailIn Sam Kean's bestselling book, "The Disappearing Spoon," he dives deep into the periodic table, but not the way most people would think. In each chapter, he relates stories about each element on the table. Join us as we discuss some of chemistry's impacts on the world as well as how chemistry should be taught in schools. Should we focus on the technical know-ho
72. Creating the Modern-Day Woolly Mammoth: Dr. George Church (Professor at Harvard and MIT, Co-Founder of Colossal)
Send us Fan MailDr. George Church, a leading geneticist and molecular engineer, professor at Harvard and MIT, and the co-founder of Colossal, is taking on an ambitious mission. His goal: to upgrade our current elephants with woolly mammoth genes to make them suitable for the Arctic circle. Sound crazy? Listen in to find out his plan!Our Website: https://www.aimingforthemoon.com/Instagram: https://
71. Veterans' Day Re-run: Through their Eyes: Dr. John McManus (Distinguished Military Professor at Missouri University of Science and Technology)
Send us Fan MailIn honor of Veterans’ day, we decided to release a re-run of our interview from episode six with distinguished military historian, Dr. John McManus. To all of the veterans, thank you for your service. We wouldn’t be able to aim for the moon without your sacrifice. Our Website: https://www.aimingforthemoon.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aiming4moon/Twitter: https://twitter
70. The Cloud Warriors: Keith Muscutt (Researcher and Author of "Warriors of the Clouds: A Lost Civilization in the Upper Amazon of Peru")
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we discuss the ancient Chachapoya civilization, also known as the cloud warriors of Peru.Our Website: https://www.aimingforthemoon.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aiming4moon/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Aiming4MoonYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6-TwYdfPcWV-V1JvjBXk
69. Raise an Innovative Cup to Invention: Dr. Tara Johnson (Pediatric Neurologist and Inventor)
Send us Fan MailDr. Tara Johnson is a pediatric neurologist and inventor who studies and helps identify children with neuro-developmental disabilities. She also helps invent modified daily-use items.Our Website: https://www.aimingforthemoon.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aiming4moon/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Aiming4MoonYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6-TwYdfPcWV-V1JvjBXk
68. Unique Learning Tips: Benedict Carey (Science Journalist and Author of "How We Learn - The aspiring slacker’s guide to learning")
Send us Fan MailToday, "Aiming for the Moon" is collaborating with Joanna from Thumbs Up Concepts (as seen in Ep 56 & 57) to interview Benedict Carey. Carey, long-time science journalist and author of "How We Learn - The aspiring slacker’s guide to learning," shares a taste of the fascinating science of learning!If you like this collaboration and want to see more, message u
67. Freakonomics: Dr. Steven Levitt (Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago and #1 NYT Best-selling Co-author of "Freakonomics")
Send us Fan MailListen in to our conversation with Dr. Steven Levitt, professor of Economics at the University of Chicago. Dr. Levitt is best known for co-authoring the #1 NYT best-seller, "Freakonomics." Our Website: https://www.aimingforthemoon.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aiming4moon/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Aiming4MoonYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6-TwYdf
66. The Reflections of Curious George: George "Curious George" Basch (Founder of the Himalayan Stove Project and Entrepreneurial Businessman)
Send us Fan MailJoin us as we interview George "Curious George" Basch, founder of the Himalayan Stove Project and entrepreneurial businessman. He discusses, among other topics, why traveling matters.As per Mr. Basch's request, here is his email if you are interested in contacting him: george@championsoftheplanet.orgOur Website: https://www.aimingforthemoon.com/Instagram: https://www
65. The Best Job Ever: Jim Clash (Forbes' Extreme Sports Contributor)
Send us Fan MailJim Clash writes about extreme sports and those who do them at Forbes. However, he doesn't just write about them. He does them! Listen in to some of his adventures along with his advice on how to get the best job ever!Our Website: https://www.aimingforthemoon.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aiming4moon/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Aiming4MoonYouTube: https://www.yout
64. Resilience and Rugby: Lucas Caneda (Professional Rugby Player and Director of Uniqorn)
Send us Fan MailToday, Lucas Caneda discusses what rugby taught him about life along with some interesting tips on investing in businesses. Caneda is a professional rugby player and director at Uniquorn. Our Website: https://www.aimingforthemoon.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aiming4moon/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Aiming4MoonYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6-TwYdfPcWV-V1JvjB
63. Saving the Dogs with Biohacking: David Ishee (Dog Breeder and Biohacker)
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we discuss David Ishee's mission to cure the genetic diseases of dogs through biohacking. Impact Books:1. "Dune" series 2. "Fahrenheit 451" Our Website: https://www.aimingforthemoon.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aiming4moon/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Aiming4MoonYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6-TwYdfPcWV-V1JvjBXk
62. The Art of Mountaineering: Vanessa O'Brien (Business Executive turned Record-breaking Mountaineer)
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we interview Vanessa O'Brien, the first woman to both summit Everest and dive to the bottom of the deepest sea on Earth, about the art of mountaineering. Our Website: https://www.aimingforthemoon.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aiming4moon/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Aiming4MoonYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6-TwYdfPcWV-V1JvjBXk
61. The Fighter Pilot Mindset: Colonel Kim "Killer Chick" Campbell (Airforce Veteran and Current Keynote Speaker)
Send us Fan MailToday, "Aiming for the Moon" is collaborating with Joanna from Thumbs Up Concepts (as seen in Ep 56 & 57) to interview Colonel Kim "Killer Chick" Campbell! We discuss what it takes to become a fighter pilot and how the fighter pilot mindset applies to civilian life. If you like this collaboration and want to see more, message us! We love feedback. Also, if y
BONUS! The Interview Dudes Podcast: Jack, Nathan, and Ben (Hosts of the Award-winning Podcast, "The Interview Dudes")
Send us Fan MailTune in to our conversation with the award-winning, kid-hosted podcast, "The Interview Dudes!" With guests such as Ryan Reynolds, Steve Martin, and Jim Gaffigan, their list is quite spectacular.The Interview Dudes: https://soundcloud.com/user-654109302Our Website: https://www.aimingforthemoon.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aiming4moon/Twitter: https://twitter.co
60. Ignorance is Bliss: Prof. Stuart Firestein (Former Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences at Columbia University and Author of "Ignorance: How It Drives Science" and "Failure: Why Science Is So Successful")
Send us Fan MailIgnorance is usually viewed as a bad thing. However, Prof. Stuart Firestein, former chair of the Department of Biological Sciences at Columbia University and author of "Ignorance: How It Drives Science" and "Failure: Why Science Is So Successful," views ignorance as a stepping stone to knowledge. Tune in to learn how tackling ignorance is the next frontier for y
59. Essentialism for Students: Greg Mckeown (NYT Bestselling author of "Essentialism" and "Effortless")
Send us Fan MailEssentialism is more than just a productivity method. It is a way of life. In this episode, the New York Times bestselling author of "Essentialism" and "Effortless," Greg Mckeown, explains how to focus on the essentials while still keeping up with homework and classes. Our Website: https://www.aimingforthemoon.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aiming4moon
58. The Field Guides Podcast: Bill and Steve (Hosts of the "Field Guides" Podcast)
Send us Fan MailListen in to our conversation with Bill and Steve about their podcast, The Field Guides. We discuss their unique method of recording while on hikes and how they started. Stick around for the comedic bobcat story as well! -----------------------The Field Guides: http://www.thefieldguidespodcast.com/new-blog-----------------------Our Website: https://www.aimingforthemoon.com/Instagr
57. Think Again and Thumbs Up Concepts (Part 2): Dr. Adam and Joanna Grant (#1 NYT Bestseller, Organizational Psychologist, and 7x Top Rated Prof. @ Wharton || Creator of Thumbs Up Concepts)
Send us Fan MailWe finished up our conversation with rethinking questions such as "Is a hotdog a sandwich?" and "is cereal soup?" Joanna and Dr. Grant also give their advice to teenagers and list the books that have impacted them. Dr. Adam Grant is an organizational psychologist, TED speaker, and #1 NYT bestselling author who "helps people find meaning and motivation at wo
BONUS! Just Ask Why: Tai Poole (Host of the podcast "Tai Asks Why")
Send us Fan MailIt seems like kids always ask the silliest questions! Why don't humans breathe fire like dragons? Do dinosaurs have jet packs? Parents usually just brush them off and never give the curious kid the answer. However, Tai Poole gathers up all of his questions (no matter how silly) and seeks to find the answers on his teenage-hosted podcast, "Tai Asks Why." His episodes
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