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
Jan 13, 2026 • 18min
Will AI Disrupt — or Entrench — the Travel Industry's Big Players? | Rafat Ali (Founder & CEO, Skift)
Rafat Ali, founder and CEO of Skift, dives deep into the intersection of AI and travel. He discusses how AI could either create new intermediaries or reinforce existing giants. Despite the hype, no consumer AI travel startups have succeeded yet, while B2B automation thrives. Rafat highlights the extractive nature of travel pricing, emphasizing rising fees and transparency issues. He also shares dad hacks for traveling with kids, blending practicality with insights on optimizing travel experiences.
Jan 10, 2026 • 40min
A 2026 Bingo Card for All Things Online Speech | Ctrl-Alt-Speech Cross-post
This discussion revolves around a quirky bingo card for 2026, identifying potential controversies in AI regulation and online speech. Expect debates on the clash between AI deregulation and social media rules, and how politicians court the AI industry. The hosts tackle the challenging reality of content moderation, questioning the feasibility of an automated solution. Legal discussions include the implications of Section 230 and rising age verification laws. Tune in for some surprising predictions and listener contributions as they explore the unpredictable future of online discourse.
8 snips
Jan 2, 2026 • 21min
Five Skills for Navigating the Whitewater World of Work in 2026
In a rapidly changing work landscape, understanding the five key skills of PRISM is crucial for success. Dr. Gabriella Rosen-Kellerman discusses how resilience can transform challenges into growth opportunities. She emphasizes that creativity is innate and vital in today's world. Building rapid rapport fosters effective collaboration in dynamic teams. Mattering ensures shared purpose, which boosts team confidence during transitions. She also explores how coaching and targeted practices can develop resilience, innovation, and prospection.
Dec 26, 2025 • 1h 8min
Would you have wanted Steve Jobs's life? (Famous & Gravy cross-post)
In this engaging discussion, audio producer Leslie Chang, known for her insightful work on Michael Osborne's projects, joins to explore Steve Jobs' complex legacy. They analyze how Jobs transformed a small graphics lab into Pixar and his growth after being ousted from Apple. Leslie highlights Jobs' unique storytelling skills and his 'reality distortion field.' The hosts also delve into his relationships, including his daughter Lisa, and ponder whether they would want Jobs' life, weighing his immense achievements against personal sacrifices.
Dec 19, 2025 • 51min
Whiskey Web and Whatnot: Drinking In the Future of Podcasting | Dan's Guest Spot on WWW
Dan Blumberg, a former WNYC producer turned product leader and podcaster, joins the conversation with hosts Chuck and Robbie. They delve into Dan's journey and the essentials of podcasting, discussing the pros and cons of platforms like Apple and Spotify. Dan shares insights on audience retention and effective gear recommendations. He also touches on his kayaking adventures and explores alternative career paths. Get ready for exciting updates on his show, Crafted, coming soon!
15 snips
Dec 12, 2025 • 1h 6min
Startup Funding Is Weird Right Now: Carta's Head of Insights on AI's Impact | The Startup Podcast (cross-post)
Peter Walker, Head of Insights at Carta, dives into the complex world of startup funding. He reveals how local market benchmarks matter more than Silicon Valley headlines for founders. Peter explains the surge of AI startups and their impact on funding, while exploring why high early valuations can set unrealistic expectations. He also addresses the surprising statistic that 70% of startup employees never exercise their equity. With insights on SAFEs and founder vesting, it's a treasure trove of data-backed funding strategies for aspiring entrepreneurs.
4 snips
Dec 5, 2025 • 34min
How to Grow Your Startup. Featuring “Growth Levers and How to Find Them” Author and Startup Advisor Matt Lerner (Founder & CEO, SYSTM) | Rebroadcast
Matt Lerner, the founder and CEO of SYSTM, shares his expertise on startup growth and his book, 'Growth Levers and How to Find Them.' He dives into the key insight that 90% of growth comes from 10% of efforts, emphasizing the importance of rapid learning and experimentation. Matt discusses the Jobs-to-be-Done approach for understanding customer needs and the significance of reaching the 'aha' moment quickly. He also highlights common pitfalls founders face and provides practical strategies for effective growth sprints.
18 snips
Nov 28, 2025 • 14min
Thanksgiving Special: "What is my actual impact on society?" Legendary technologist Kelsey Hightower on the power we all have
Kelsey Hightower, a legendary technologist and Kubernetes pioneer, shares his journey from sleeping in his car to becoming a distinguished engineer at Google and retiring at 42 to focus on societal impact. He emphasizes the power of small acts of recognition, discussing how simple gestures can restore dignity. Kelsey highlights the importance of speaking engagements to inspire others and the role of open source in leveling the playing field. He advocates for turning technical skills into business impact and balancing awe of AI with a focus on human intelligence.
6 snips
Nov 21, 2025 • 19min
The Roboticist Using AI to Fix How We Pick Startups — Live from Web Summit with Chris Coomes
Join Chris Coomes, founder and CEO of X1 Pipeline and former robotics lead at Google and Amazon, as he dives into the world of AI-powered startup evaluation. He shares his motivation for creating X1 Pipeline and explains how it mimics his personal review process but at lightning speed. Chris critiques the hype around 'agents' in tech, noting many won't survive, and discusses humanoid robots at Web Summit. He insightfuly argues that while AI is powerful, it still needs human creativity for true innovation.
6 snips
Nov 16, 2025 • 29min
AI’s Got It “Good Enough” (and That Ain’t Good) — A Web Summit Debrief, Live from Lisbon!
In this lively discussion, Tom Haworth, founder of D13 AI, explores the dangers of 'good enough' AI, emphasizing the pitfalls of vibe coding and its technical debt. He critiques the superficiality in AI demos at Web Summit, advocating for a deeper understanding of AI capabilities. Tom also discusses how Maria Sharapova's IBM collaboration highlights the challenges of AI deployment. The conversation touches on self-driving cars being the most reliable AI robots today and the underappreciated potential of blockchain technology.
