Core Memory
Ashlee Vance
Core Memory is a podcast about science and technology hosted by best-selling author and filmmaker Ashlee Vance.
Vance has spent the past two decades chronicling advances in science and tech for publications like The Economist, The New York Times and Bloomberg Businessweek. Along with the stories, he's written best-selling books like Elon Musk’s biography, made an Emmy-nominated tech TV show watched by millions and produced films for HBO and Netflix. The goal has always been to bring the tales of complex technology and compelling people to the public and give them a path into exceptional and unusual worlds they would not normally have a chance to experience. www.corememory.com
Vance has spent the past two decades chronicling advances in science and tech for publications like The Economist, The New York Times and Bloomberg Businessweek. Along with the stories, he's written best-selling books like Elon Musk’s biography, made an Emmy-nominated tech TV show watched by millions and produced films for HBO and Netflix. The goal has always been to bring the tales of complex technology and compelling people to the public and give them a path into exceptional and unusual worlds they would not normally have a chance to experience. www.corememory.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
25 snips
Mar 25, 2026 • 1h 37min
Here Come The Space Lasers - EP 62 Baiju Bhatt
Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of Robinhood and founder of Aetherflux, is building space-based solar arrays that beam power to Earth via infrared lasers. He discusses moving from finance to ambitious space energy, the Aetherflux concept and satellite design, safety and ground links, and early military and AI data-center use cases.
49 snips
Mar 18, 2026 • 56min
The Aussie Man Who Used AI To Create A Cancer Cure For His Dog
Paul Conyngham, an AI and machine learning practitioner who used computational tools to design a personalized mRNA cancer therapy for his dog Rosie. He explains sequencing Rosie’s tumor, using AI to identify targets and design an mRNA vaccine, coordinating lab work and approvals, and the mixed public reaction and regulatory questions this breakthrough stirred up.
64 snips
Mar 11, 2026 • 1h 18min
Inside The Race To Reboot Human Cells - EP 60 Nabiha Saklayen
Nabiha Saklayen, co-founder and CEO of Cellino Bio who builds automated systems for clinical-grade iPSC production. She walks through how iPSCs are reset to become any cell type. They discuss manufacturing automation, optics-based single-cell tools, surgical delivery methods, autologous versus off-the-shelf tradeoffs, costs and scaling targets, and early clinical progress in Parkinson’s and retinal/spinal trials.
73 snips
Mar 4, 2026 • 1h 9min
He Thinks AI Code May Break Everything - EP 59 Will Wilson
Will Wilson, mathematician-turned-founder and CEO of Antithesis, builds tools to make software testing deterministic and reliable. He warns that AI-written code could proliferate inscrutable, buggy systems and erode human programming skill. The conversation covers deterministic simulation, property-based testing, and why stronger verification is needed as AI accelerates code generation.
8 snips
Feb 25, 2026 • 2h 5min
She Survived Being Shot, Bombed And Working At Google - EP 58 Anna Prouse
Anna Prouse, former international delegate who rebuilt health systems in Iraq and later worked in Silicon Valley, shares a jaw-dropping life. She recounts surviving assassination attempts, running field hospitals and convoys in Baghdad, navigating power players from Saddam’s palace to Iran, and shifting into projects at Google like Project Loon. She also talks about recovering from a brain tumor.
57 snips
Feb 19, 2026 • 1h 14min
The Grand Quest To Simulate Life - EP 57 Ed Boyden
Ed Boyden, MIT neuroscientist and bioengineer who co-invented optogenetics and expansion microscopy. He describes turning biology into physics by mapping, imaging, and controlling brains. Short takes cover scaling nanoscale imaging, linking structure to live activity, holographic optogenetics, noninvasive stimulation, and how brain data could inspire new AI architectures.
46 snips
Feb 11, 2026 • 1h 31min
What's Real And What's Fake In Tech - EP 56 Peter Barrett
Peter Barrett, general partner at Playground Global and long-time deep-tech engineer and investor. He explores quantum computing's real progress and commercial uses. He debates AI agents and attention, nuclear and fusion hype, robotics practicality, and why space data centers are unlikely. He paints a near-term picture of reindustrialization, semiconductor leadership, and engineering-driven optimism.
22 snips
Feb 4, 2026 • 60min
The Joy And Doom Of New San Francisco - EP 55 Jayden Clark
Jayden Clark, MOTS podcaster and SF tech culture commentator featured in major outlets, traces his path from Australia to the city’s AI-fueled revival. He dives into themed tech parties, performative coding scenes, timeline-native media playbooks, and the social strains of an emerging permanent underclass. Short, sharp takes on why San Francisco feels both ecstatic and precarious.
30 snips
Jan 28, 2026 • 1h 17min
The Present And Future Of Gene Editing - EP 54 Jennifer Doudna
Jennifer Doudna, Nobel-winning biochemist who helped invent CRISPR, joins to talk about where gene editing stands and where it’s headed. They cover recent clinical wins like sickle cell treatments and rapid rare-disease interventions. Conversation also digs into delivery challenges, IGI’s role in fast responses, agricultural uses, and how AI and startups are shaping the field.
83 snips
Jan 22, 2026 • 1h 17min
He Left OpenAI To Think Bigger - EP 53 Jerry Tworek
Jerry Tworek, an AI researcher and engineer with significant contributions to OpenAI, discusses his bold departure from the company. He shares insights on the evolution of OpenAI and his frustrations with the increasing conservatism in large AI labs. Tworek emphasizes the need for innovation beyond simply scaling models and highlights potential breakthroughs in reinforcement learning. With many labs expressing interest in his next steps, he expresses excitement for pursuing riskier, pioneering research outside corporate constraints.
