Future Around & Find Out
Dan Blumberg
You know what would be awesome? If we could build the future we want — before we muck it up.
Future Around & Find Out helps builders think clearly about AI and emerging technologies, grapple with the implications, and decide what to build next.
Independent technologist and former NPR journalist Dan Blumberg speaks with founders, makers, and you to celebrate breakthroughs, call BS on the hype, explore how things might go sideways — and how we can steer the future in the right direction.
The Webby Awards have honored the show (formerly known as CRAFTED.) as a top tech podcast three years in a row!
On Tuesdays, we feature interviews with the builders changing how we work, live, and play.
On FAFO Fridays, futurist Kwaku Aning joins Dan for a playful recap of the week in tech, including the amazing, the scary, and the strange.
You’ll also hear about innovations that too often get overshadowed by AI, including in deep tech, biotech, fintech, quantum computing, robotics, blockchain, and more.
Across it all, you’ll hear sharp takes on what comes next and what builders need to know now.
So let’s Future Around & Find Out together!
https://www.FutureAround.com
Future Around & Find Out helps builders think clearly about AI and emerging technologies, grapple with the implications, and decide what to build next.
Independent technologist and former NPR journalist Dan Blumberg speaks with founders, makers, and you to celebrate breakthroughs, call BS on the hype, explore how things might go sideways — and how we can steer the future in the right direction.
The Webby Awards have honored the show (formerly known as CRAFTED.) as a top tech podcast three years in a row!
On Tuesdays, we feature interviews with the builders changing how we work, live, and play.
On FAFO Fridays, futurist Kwaku Aning joins Dan for a playful recap of the week in tech, including the amazing, the scary, and the strange.
You’ll also hear about innovations that too often get overshadowed by AI, including in deep tech, biotech, fintech, quantum computing, robotics, blockchain, and more.
Across it all, you’ll hear sharp takes on what comes next and what builders need to know now.
So let’s Future Around & Find Out together!
https://www.FutureAround.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 27, 2026 • 43min
To Accede or Not To Accede? That Is The Question | It's FAFO Friday!
They debate Anthropic's refusal to comply with a Pentagon demand and what that means for AI control. They cover dramatic mass layoffs at Block and skepticism over AI as the reason. They unpack the Paramount–Warner consolidation and its implications for media power. Quick riffs include Maduro’s outfit meme, newsroom fallout, and worries about creator survival.
29 snips
Feb 24, 2026 • 39min
"I just want AI to replace me as a scientist" | The co-founder of Diagnostic Robotics predicts the future
Kira Radinsky, CEO of Diagnostic Robotics and co-founder of Mana.bio, is an AI entrepreneur who turns prediction into action. She discusses using ML to automate healthcare admin, build causal systems that predict outbreaks and patient twins, and accelerate drug delivery with closed-loop labs. Conversation covers incentivizing bold algorithms, ROI-aware models, and avoiding bias in healthcare AI.
Feb 20, 2026 • 32min
AI Delivers Mediocre Results—By Design. So How Do You Stand Out? | MetaLab CEO Luke Des Cotes
Luke Des Cotes, CEO of MetaLab and veteran designer behind early Slack and Coinbase interfaces, argues that AI often delivers average results. He discusses why design, proprietary data, and hard real-world work can create moats. Short takes cover model commoditization, faster prototyping with AI, the scarcity of zero-to-one designers, and concerns about kids and always-on tech.
12 snips
Feb 17, 2026 • 39min
Could AI Make Capitalism Better? Henrik Werdelin Is Optimistic
Henrik Werdelin, entrepreneur behind BARK and author of Me, My Customer, and AI, explores optimistic AI futures. He discusses relationship capital—the intensity, community, and durability that AI cannot copy. He shares the 'it sucks that' problem-finding method, a vision of agent-first products, and practical personal AI tools like a vibe-search CRM and a newsletter bot.
Feb 13, 2026 • 19min
"Shut Up, C-3PO!" or Do We Have a Duty To Treat Machines Well? | FAFO Friday
Daniel Hulme, AI researcher and Chief AI Officer known for work on multi-agent systems, joins via interview clip. He discusses how agent collectives spark emergent behavior and why current models likely lack consciousness. The conversation pivots to whether preventing machine suffering matters more than debating status and whether treating machines kindly is a prudent bet.
26 snips
Feb 10, 2026 • 45min
Everyone's “Jumpy” Right Now: Azeem Azhar on When—Or Is It If?—AI Can Be Profitable
Azeem Azhar, founder of Exponential View and tech trends advisor, explains why the next 18 months are make-or-break for AI. He debates what counts as real AI ROI. He explores who can build durable AI moats, infrastructure limits like chips and power, and why distrust and dependence coexist. He also describes pragmatic workflows for augmenting and automating work with AI.
Feb 6, 2026 • 52min
Claude Goes High Brow With Its Super Bowl Ad and "Constitution"; OpenAI Scrambles | It's FAFO Friday!
Kwaku Aning, independent technologist and frequent FAFO Friday co-host, brings futurist perspective and playful recaps. They unpack AI agents building their own social worlds. They react to Anthropic’s spicy Super Bowl ad and Claude’s long “Constitution.” They debate safety trade-offs, OpenAI’s scramble, and what AI agents mean for marketing, dark social, and personal AI rules.
15 snips
Feb 3, 2026 • 43min
Steer the Future or Get Steamrolled: Baratunde Thurston on Our Collective Power
Baratunde Thurston, Emmy-nominated storyteller, comedian, and technologist who hosts Life With Machines, argues for partnership with AI rather than domination or subservience. He discusses building practical goals for AI, community-driven decision making, his AI co‑producer Blair, why models only predict and are not knowledge, and the compromises and funding pressures racing us toward AGI.
Jan 20, 2026 • 2min
Future Around & Find Out (New Name! New Trailer!)
Dive into the optimistic vision of shaping our future with AI and emerging technologies. The discussion highlights the crucial trade-offs in tech development and the importance of building systems for equitable benefits. With playful commentary, they compare chaotic product designs to early 'fart apps.' Expect sharp insights on quirky projects that balance hope with caution. This engaging conversation celebrates innovation while addressing the potential perils of mismanaged tech.
Jan 16, 2026 • 3min
The name of this podcast is about to change! Here's why (very short solo episode)
Get ready for an exciting transformation! The show's name is changing to better reflect its focus on the future rather than the past. Dan shares his journey of owning the podcast and why 'crafted' no longer fits its new direction. Expect discussions that dive into the implications of tech and innovation for builders. Plus, new cover art and a revamped identity are on the horizon. This podcast will continue to serve those looking to shape a better future!
