

From Kill Switch: The Glassholes Are Back
Today, we're sharing an episode of a show that explores the problems that new technology is creating and how we navigate living in the future. It's called Kill Switch, and it's hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Dexter Thomas. The episode you're about to hear is about the latest in wearab…

Building a Self-Driving Tractor to Change the Future of Food
Please take our survey https://tinyurl.com/wyplistenersurvey about the show! Tell us what you want to hear, and what would make it better. Tim Bucher is a farmer, and the founder and CEO of Agtonomy. Tim's problem is this: How do you build an autonomous tractor that can work for specialty crops li…

We’re Going to Need a Better Boat
Mitch Lee is the co-founder and CEO of Arc Boats. Mitch's problem is this: How do you build competitively priced electric boats? On today’s show, Mitch explains why water makes electrification so hard, the techno-economic puzzle of building giant battery packs, and how Arc’s high-end wake sport bo…

The App Where Strangers Lend Each Other Money
Nina Mohanty is the founder and CEO of Bloom Money. Nina’s problem is this: How do you build an app to help immigrants manage their money? On today’s show, Nina talks about bringing a saving and lending practice into the 21st century, navigating regulators who’ve never seen anything like it, and …

Introducing Business History: The Edison Invention People Don't Talk About
What's Your Problem? host Jacob Goldstein has a new show: Business History. How did Hitler’s favorite car become synonymous with hippies? What got Thomas Edison tangled up with the electric chair? Did someone murder the guy who invented the movies? On Business History, Jacob and fellow former Pla…

Using Sound Waves to Destroy Tumors
Mike Blue is the CEO of HistoSonics. The company recently developed a device that uses ultrasound to destroy tumors. On today’s show, Mike talks about how a garage-built prototype became an FDA-approved machine; changing the company’s story after a failed clinical trial; and why he loves being a …

From Desert Robots to Driverless Trucks
Chris Urmson is the co-founder and CEO of Aurora, a company trying to bring autonomous driving to commercial trucking. Chris led a team at the 2004 DARPA challenge that launched the autonomous vehicle industry. Then he held a senior role at Google’s self-driving car project, which later became Way…

Is the Future of Fresh Water Under the Sea?
Michael Porter is the Chief Technology Officer of OceanWell. Michael's problem is this: How can you desalinate water at the bottom of the ocean – and deliver it to land at a cost that’s competitive with other sources of fresh water? On today’s show, Michael explains how he built OceanWell’s proto…

Could Home Batteries Save the Grid?
Justin Lopas is the COO and co-founder of Base Power, a battery and power company based in Texas. Justin’s problem is this: How can you deliver more energy to more people without having to build so much more grid? On today’s show, Justin explains why the grid needs a major upgrade, and how putt…

Building a Better Public Bathroom
Fletcher Wilson is the CEO and co-founder of Throne Labs. Fletcher’s problem is this: How can you create public toilets that people actually want to use? On today’s show, Fletcher explains how his company is trying to make public bathrooms cleaner, safer and more accessible. The conversation als…