"Live Players" with Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg
Turpentine
See the world through the eyes of society's greatest rule-breakers. The "Live Players" podcast charts the key individuals shaping our future from first principles across multiple domains: business, politics, philanthropy, and broadcasting from the digital town square
Join host Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg as they analyze the mindsets of today's most intriguing business leaders, investors, and innovators through the lens of their bold actions and contrarian worldviews. You'll come away with a deeper understanding of the development of technology, business, political power, culture and more.
If you want more than soundbites and sensationalism, this podcast delivers reasoned reflections on the live players who renew and transform civilization, whether we ask them to or not.
Topics frequently covered: Business titans, political players, and philanthropists like Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Peter Thiel, George Soros, Donald Trump, and more with the power to remake industries, policies, borders, or societal norms.
Join host Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg as they analyze the mindsets of today's most intriguing business leaders, investors, and innovators through the lens of their bold actions and contrarian worldviews. You'll come away with a deeper understanding of the development of technology, business, political power, culture and more.
If you want more than soundbites and sensationalism, this podcast delivers reasoned reflections on the live players who renew and transform civilization, whether we ask them to or not.
Topics frequently covered: Business titans, political players, and philanthropists like Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Peter Thiel, George Soros, Donald Trump, and more with the power to remake industries, policies, borders, or societal norms.
Episodes
Mentioned books
14 snips
Jan 3, 2024 • 58min
Decoding Japan's Future: Global Power Landscape and Geopolitics
Japan's multidimensional identity, aging population, and economic challenges. Exploration of Japan's work culture and economic strategies. Declining population and potential solutions. The future of Japan's economy and competition from younger labor. Japan's historical relationship with the US. Japan's role in Asia and potential nuclear arsenal.
20 snips
Dec 27, 2023 • 1h
The Politicization of History
The hosts discuss the Bronze Age collapse and question the perception of the early Middle Ages. They explore the use of napalm by the Byzantine Empire and the complexity of historical narratives. They also examine the dynamics of centralization and decentralization, the geopolitical power dynamics among the United States, China, and Russia, and the geopolitical pressure on the United States. Additionally, they delve into Russian military tactics in the Ukraine conflict and the politicization of history.
63 snips
Dec 20, 2023 • 57min
Why Our Civilization Could Fail and What To Do About It
This podcast explores the concept of long history, challenging traditional views of human civilization. They discuss the excavation of Gobekli Tapet, the cyclical nature of civilizations, patterns of collapse, comparing American and Chinese governance, and the synthesis between feminism and anti-feminism.
27 snips
Dec 13, 2023 • 55min
What We Can Learn From Henry Kissinger
Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg discuss Henry Kissinger's legacy and his unique brand of international relations. They explore his approach to world order and realism, and evaluate his influence on modern diplomacy. The podcast also touches on the role of retired statesmen as unofficial messengers, the application of public choice theory in foreign policy, and Kissinger's impact on US foreign policy.
74 snips
Dec 6, 2023 • 57min
On Nuclear Weapons, e/acc, and Global Energy Supply
Topics covered include the historical role of coal and oil in global conflicts, the inevitability of nuclear weapons and proliferation, challenges of scaling nuclear energy, and the benefits of cheap and abundant nuclear energy.
86 snips
Nov 29, 2023 • 54min
Live Players: Sam Altman, Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, George Soros
"The inaugural episode features Sam Altman, Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, and George Soros as guests. They discuss the concept of 'live players' who challenge societal norms, compare the impacts of Altman, Thiel, and Musk, evaluate philanthropists like Soros, and explore the paradox of Open Society. They emphasize the importance of live players in driving societal transformation and preventing stagnation."
