Joe Lonsdale: American Optimist
Business & Finance
About
Welcome to American Optimist hosted by Joe Lonsdale, entrepreneur, investor, and founder of four multi-billion dollar companies and other mission-driven organizations. American Optimist is an alternative to the fear, cynicism, and zero-sum thinking in mainstream media. Learn from the innovators and leaders who are solving our nation’s most pressing challenges -- and doing it in a way that will lift everyone up. Hope should dominate our discourse, and American Optimist will show you why.
Episodes
- Psychedelic Medicine, Value-Based Care & Why Medical School Is Broken with Sebastian Caliri
Sebastian Caliri, partner at 8VC, joins Joe Lonsdale to discuss issues in US healthcare, including the flaws of fee-for-service models and the potential of value-based care and psychedelic medicine. Caliri, formerly at Palantir, critiques…
- The Secrets to Building Great Products with Tony Fadell, Creator of the iPod, iPhone, & Nest Thermostat
Tony Fadell, known for creating the iPod, iPhone, and Nest, discusses his experiences at General Magic and Philips Electronics. He explains the importance of self-imposed constraints in product development and highlights common mistakes ma…
- Zach Latta: Building Hack Club & Inspiring the Next Generation of Coders
Joe Lonsdale interviews Zach Latta, founder of Hack Club, a global non-profit network of high school coding clubs. Latta shares his journey and discusses the importance of empowering teenagers with coding skills to innovate and improve soc…
- Gene Berdichevsky and Sila’s Game-Changing Battery Technology
Gene Berdichevsky, CEO of Sila, details his company's advancements in battery technology aimed at improving EV efficiency and reducing costs. He also addresses challenges in sustainable battery production and expresses optimism about the f…
- Reprogramming Cells, Decentralizing Pharma, and Understanding the Biotech Revolution.
Francisco Gimenez explains how AI, gene editing, and cell therapies are revolutionizing biology. He anticipates biomanufacturing platforms will reduce drug costs, enabling smaller companies to pursue rare diseases and personalized cures, s…
- The New Age of Nuclear: Oklo’s Amazing Small Reactor That Reuses Nuclear Waste
Jacob DeWitte, CEO of Oklo, explains the development of advanced small nuclear reactors that reuse spent fuel. The episode details the regulatory challenges, including the NRC's denial of Oklo's design application, and discusses plans to a…
- Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper: Why Russia’s Invasion Is Failing & How to Bring More Innovation to the Pentagon
Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper analyzes Russia's military weaknesses and the potential impact of its Ukraine invasion on NATO and China. He also discusses the Pentagon's culture and the need for technological innovation within the Dep…
- Free Housing Won’t Solve Homelessness. Judge Glock Explains What Will.
Judge Glock, Director of Research and Policy at the Cicero Institute, explains that "Housing First" policies do not solve homelessness. He advocates for city-led initiatives that combine bridge shelters with treatment and accountability to…
- How the Renaissance Sparked an Entrepreneurial Explosion with Jeannette zu Fürstenberg
Dr. Jeannette zu Fürstenberg traces entrepreneurship
- How to Take on Big Healthcare & Other Entrenched Interests and Win with Jared Meyer
Jared Meyer explains how Cicero Action combats entrenched interests by using their own playbook to promote innovative reforms in areas like healthcare and homelessness, emphasizing transparency and accountability.
- Unlearning Race and Restoring Liberalism with Thomas Chatterton Williams
Thomas Chatterton Williams discusses the dangers of Critical Race Theory and promotes engaging with ideas over censorship. He suggests solutions like high-quality early education to reduce inequality.
- Hayes Barnard Is Revolutionizing Solar Tech & Green Housing
Hayes Barnard, founder and CEO of GoodLeap, shares his experiences in the renewable energy sector, including his work with Paramount Solar and his non-profit GivePower, which focuses on bringing clean energy and water to Africa.
- Fast Grants, Faster Science, and Reviving a Culture of Innovation with Tyler Cowen
Joe Lonsdale interviews economist Tyler Cowen about the Fast Grants program, which rapidly funded COVID-19 science. Cowen shares insights on accelerating innovation, supporting entrepreneurs, and future technological breakthroughs.
- Building a New World-Class University with University of Austin President Pano Kanelos
Joe Lonsdale interviews Pano Kanelos, President of the University of Austin (UATX), about the challenges in higher education and the founding of UATX. Kanelos explains the university's mission to pursue truth and educate future leaders.
- Former UN Ambassador Kelly Craft: How to Deter Russian Threats to Ukraine & Hold China Accountable
Former UN Ambassador Kelly Craft joins Joe Lonsdale to discuss pressing U.S. foreign policy issues. Topics include deterring Russian threats to Ukraine, holding China accountable, and galvanizing allies to defend shared values.
- Charles Koch Explains How His Love of Philosophy Built One of America’s Most Successful Companies
Charles Koch, CEO of Koch Industries, details how philosophical influences like Maslow and Schumpeter informed his business strategies. He explains how Market-Based Management fosters employee self-actualization and allows companies to con…
- How to Defeat Special Interests & Cronyism with Florida’s Speaker of the House Chris Sprowls
Florida House Speaker Chris Sprowls details his approach to challenging special interests and cronyism, focusing on regulatory reform, healthcare competition, and educational choice expansion. The discussion highlights bipartisan reforms a…
- Are Billionaires Bad? A Friendly Debate Over Income Inequality and Big Tech with Rep. Ro Khanna
Congressman Ro Khanna joins Joe Lonsdale to debate income inequality and Big Tech. They find common ground on regulations, healthcare innovation, and nuclear energy, while also discussing Khanna's book on closing the digital divide.
- The Power of Suffering & Adversity with ”Adventure Capitalist” Dhani Jones
Former NFL player Dhani Jones joins Joe Lonsdale to discuss the importance of suffering and adversity. Jones argues against lowering standards, advocating instead for competition and excellence as means to uplift individuals.
- Forget Free College —This Texas College Is the Future of Higher Ed
Texas State Technical College's funding model, tied to student earnings, has resulted in over 100 percent income growth for graduates. This innovative approach is presented as a potential solution to issues in current educational incentive…
- How to Fix Dysfunctional Government with Esper CEO Maleka Momand | Season 2 | Episode 19
Maleka Momand, CEO of Esper, discusses how her company uses data analytics and AI to modernize government regulatory processes, addressing issues caused by outdated methods like Word and Excel. Esper aims to improve government function and…
- Directed Energy, Force Fields, and the Future of Defense Tech with Epirus Co-Founder Bo Marr | Season 2 | Ep 18
Bo Marr, co-founder and CTO of Epirus, discusses their invention, the Leonidas phased array system, designed to counter drones and electronic threats. This technology aims to modernize U.S. defense capabilities against asymmetric warfare a…
- How to Fix America’s Division with KIND Bar Founder Daniel Lubetzky
Daniel Lubetzky, founder of KIND, shares insights on overcoming America's divisions, inspired by his Holocaust survivor father. He discusses repairing the social fabric through his new venture, Starts With Us, which promotes courage, curio…
- Maureen Hillenmeyer: Discovering New Life-Saving Drugs from the Natural World | Season 1| Ep 16
Maureen Hillenmeyer, CEO of Hexagon Bio, explains how her company uses genomic sequencing and artificial intelligence to discover new drugs and cures from fungi. She also highlights the threat of antibiotic resistance and Hexagon's potenti…
- Whole Foods Founder & CEO John Mackey: Conscious Capitalism and Repairing America‘s Division | Season 1 | Ep 15
John Mackey, co-founder of Whole Foods, shares his journey to 'Conscious Capitalism' and analyzes the cultural divide in America as a clash of three worldviews, suggesting how to bridge these divisions.
- Jake Kloberdanz: Cause-Centric Commerce and the Art of Award-Winning Winemaking | Season 1 | Ep 14
Jake Kloberdanz, CEO of ONEHOPE Wine, discusses his journey building an award-winning winery focused on cause-centric commerce. The company donates proceeds to charities, having given over seven million dollars to date.
- Sal Churi, Keri Findley, and Wesley Chan: Innovators Changing Our World Right Now | Season 1 | Ep 13
This episode of Joe Lonsdale: American Optimist features innovators Sal Churi, Keri Findley, and Wesley Chan. They discuss overcoming regulatory challenges for new technologies like 3D printed houses and nuclear reactors, how technology is…
- Former D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty: Courage, Accountability, Better Schools, and Safer Cities | Season 1 | Ep 12
Former D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty discusses his 'CEO-like' approach to governance, emphasizing accountability, education reform's role in breaking poverty cycles, and his investment focus on innovation and diversity in private equity.
- Niall Ferguson: Why Civilizations Rise & Fall | Season 1 | Ep 11
Niall Ferguson explains why civilizations rise and fall unpredictably, arguing that American decline is not inevitable. He also analyzes the Chinese Communist Party and the importance of U.S. policy and innovation for future dominance.
- Balaji Srinivasan: Bitcoin, China, the "Woke" Mob, and the Future of the Internet | Season 1 | Episode 10
In this episode, Balaji Srinivasan explains how to understand the world through the lenses of the Chinese Communist Party, the "woke" mob, and cryptocurrency maximalists. He also discusses topics ranging from decentralized social media and…
- NFL Legend Ronnie Lott: Grit, Leadership, and What America Means to Him | Season 1 | Episode 9
NFL legend Ronnie Lott shares insights on grit, leadership, and generosity, inspired by his father and exemplified in his work with underserved youth through All Stars Helping Kids. He reflects on the importance of American freedoms, refer…
- Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper: Rejecting Wokeness, Addressing China, and Defending Western Values | Season 1 | Ep 8
Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper discusses his premiership, addressing global challenges like the pandemic aftermath and China, and the importance of defending Western values. He also touches on the Abraham Accords and the thr…
- Sujay Jaswa: Billion Dollar Wins -- and Losses -- and Solving Silicon Valley's #1 Problem | Season 1 | Ep 7
Sujay Jaswa shares insights from his experience at Dropbox, where he helped grow the user base significantly. He also discusses his investment work, lessons learned from ventures like Quibi, and argues that affordable housing is crucial fo…
- Arthur Brooks on Finding Authentic Happiness and Making Poverty Escapable | Season 1 | Ep 6
Arthur Brooks addresses America's happiness crisis, sharing his four keys to authentic happiness that do not involve riches, power, or fame. He also discusses the failures of the War on Poverty and proposes shifting focus from making pover…
- Palmer Luckey on Creating Oculus Rift, Anduril, and Game-Changing Defense Tech | Season 1 Ep 5
Palmer Luckey, creator of the Oculus Rift and founder of the defense company Anduril, discusses his work in virtual reality and advanced defense technologies, including AI and drones.
- Bari Weiss on Defending Western Civ and the New School Movement | Season 1 Ep 4
Bari Weiss discusses the importance of defending Western values and free speech in the face of institutional illiberalism. She further highlights the need to create new media and educational institutions to combat intolerance and groupthin…
- Kimbal Musk on Building Great Companies and Community | Season 1 Ep 3
Kimbal Musk shares his entrepreneurial journey, including co-founding companies with Elon Musk, his roles on the Tesla and SpaceX boards, and how the September 11th attacks inspired his community-focused initiatives like the Million Garden…
- Ashton Kutcher: China, TikTok, and Influencing American Minds | Season 1 Ep 2
Ashton Kutcher joins Joe Lonsdale to discuss the prevalence of online child sex trafficking and the work of his organization, Thorn, in combating it using technology. Kutcher also shares his concerns about TikTok's potential for Chinese pr…
- Dr. Rick Klausner on the Biotech Revolution | Season 1 Ep 1
Dr. Rick Klausner, a prominent scientist and innovator, joins Joe Lonsdale to discuss the ongoing biotech revolution. They explore breakthroughs in cell therapies, potential cures for diseases like cancer, and the future of medicine.