12 Geniuses Podcast

In this interview, Don MacPherson is joined by Dr. Matthew Johnson, an expert in psychoactive drug effects, addiction, and risk behavior. They discuss clinical research on psychedelics including psilocybin, ayahuasca, DMT, MDMA, LSD, and more. They also dive into the potential therapeutic applications for psychedelics including treating depression, PTSD, and addiction, and improving individual happiness, creativity, and selflessness.Matthew W. Johnson, Ph.D., Professor at Johns Hopkins, is an expert in psychoactive drug effects, addiction, and risk behavior. He has worked with psychedelics since 2004. He developed and published the first psychedelic treatment of tobacco addiction in 2014. With colleagues, he conducted and published the largest study of psilocybin in cancer distress in 2016. He is Principal Investigator on upcoming psilocybin studies treating opioid addiction and PTSD, and LSD research treating chronic pain.

In this interview, Don MacPherson is joined by Hank Greely, a specialist in the ethical, legal, and social implications of new biomedical technologies. They discuss the roles CRISPR, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), and in vitro fertilization will have on the future of reproduction. They also discuss the ethical questions that will accompany selecting specific characteristics for implanted embryos and the possibility of creating babies with superhuman capabilities.Hank Greely specializes in the ethical, legal, and social implications of new biomedical technologies, particularly those related to neuroscience, genetics, or stem cell research. Hank is a genetics professor at the Stanford School of Medicine, the Director of the Center for Law and the Biosciences, and the Chair of the Steering Committee of the Center for Biomedical Ethics.

Transportation is about to get a whole lot faster. In this episode of 12 Geniuses, Don MacPherson speaks with aerospace engineer, rocket scientist, professor, and pilot, Dr. Anita Sengupta. Together they explore the futuristic forms of transportation that are currently being developed. From Hyperloop technology to interplanetary exploration, Dr. Sengupta explains how travel and transportation will be disrupted in the coming years. Don and Dr. Sengupta also discuss her work at NASA, and her current project at Airspace Experience Technologies (ASX) where they are designing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft as a commuter transport option in urban environments.Dr. Anita Sengupta is an aerospace engineer, rocket scientist, and pilot who for 20 years has developed technologies that have enabled the exploration of Mars, asteroids, and deep space. She is a Research Professor of Astronautics at the University of Southern California where she is conducting research on transportation technologies including electric propulsion for aviation, Hyperloop technology, and in-space propulsion systems.

In this episode of 12 Geniuses, Don MacPherson speaks with writer, founder, and host of On Being, Krista Tippett. Together they dive into the way we practice faith, what it means to be human, and the dichotomy between good and evil. They also discuss how religion will animate the 21st century, including the next religious reformation, the relationship between science and religion, and the rise of the religious "nones."Since the mid-1990s, Krista Tippett has studied the religious, spiritual, and moral aspects of human life. Krista is a Peabody Award-winning broadcaster, a New York Times Bestselling Author, and a National Humanities Medalist. She is also the CEO, Founder, and Host of On Being.

In this interview, biologist and aging expert Dr. Steven Austad joins host Don MacPherson to discuss how and why we age, various ways to extend human life, and ethical questions that accompany a 100-year life expectancy. They also dive into medical treatments that show signs of slowing the aging process, the impossibility of immortality, and the societal changes that will occur if we all live longer.Dr. Austad has dedicated his career to understanding the science of how and why we age. He is a distinguished professor and Chair of the Biology Department at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He has also authored numerous books, academic papers, and articles on aging.

There is something beautiful about selflessness. With a simple gesture, a little kindness, or an act of generosity, we can make the world a better place. This is a four-minute story of someone who exemplified the spirit of giving and never cared that no one was watching.

In this interview, entrepreneurial expert and best-selling author Gino Wickman joins host Don MacPherson to discuss what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur including how to tell if you are a “true entrepreneur,” how to plan for a successful career, and how to make the best decisions for your business. They also discuss common mistakes made by entrepreneurs, the entrepreneur’s identity after they sell their business, and the impact of COVID-19 on entrepreneurship.An entrepreneur since the age of 21, Gino has an obsession for learning what makes businesses thrive. Gino is the founder of Entrepreneurial Leap and EOS Worldwide. He has also authored Traction and Entrepreneurial Leap while continuing to help entrepreneurs-in-the-making thrive and succeed in their endeavors.

The curve is flattening. There is an end in sight to the shelter-in-place orders that have been made across many parts of the world. We may soon be able to experience life outside our homes and the freedom we are used to having. While no one knows exactly what normal will be like this summer or fall, society will certainly be presented with new ideas, companies, and works of art. Countless people have been using this gift of time to their advantage and we will be the beneficiaries.As this four-minute podcast tells us, there is creative greatness amid our duress.

A decade from now when we look back at what we’ve overcome, we will remember the connections who helped us through this moment and the meaning that gave us the will to endure and the power to persevere.

The way we trust our peers, governments, and corporations will evolve dramatically over the next decade. The COVID-19 pandemic, deep fakes, fake news, and social media manipulation are all challenging our ability to trust. In this interview, 12 Geniuses host Don MacPherson speaks with Method’s Álvaro Marquez about the Trust 2030 Project and the three potential societies into which our world could evolve over the next decade.A true global citizen who speaks five languages, Álvaro Marquez is Chief Design Officer at Method, where he led a team of researchers for the Trust 2030 Project in partnership with Hitachi.