In this episode of Tales of Abundance, hosts Randy Lorensen and Dr. John Oberg dive deep into the intersecting worlds of AI breakthroughs, medical advances, energy innovation, and how to use the power of habits and goal-setting to create a better 2026.
We kick things off by unpacking OpenAI's jaw-dropping $830 billion valuation and what it signals for the future of artificial intelligence. From there, the conversation travels through cutting-edge medical breakthroughs—like a potential cure for type 1 diabetes, GLP-1’s impact on kidney health, and AI-assisted IVF—before landing on one of the most timely and actionable topics of all: how to form habits that last.
Dr. John and Randy offer practical advice on how to start small, align your habits with your values, and shift from overwhelming New Year’s resolutions to achievable daily systems. They cover everything from VO2 max and fitness goals to journaling, relationship check-ins, and even trash in the Pacific Ocean—and what a 16-year-old did to start solving it.
Whether you're overwhelmed by AI, looking to reclaim your focus, or ready to build meaningful habits in the new year, this episode offers insight, inspiration, and practical tools to take with you into 2026.
00:49 – OpenAI’s $830B valuation and why it matters
02:14 – The AI investment boom: Tesla, Nvidia, and picks & shovels
04:50 – Meta’s new AI video model & the rise of synthetic content
06:58 – Breakthrough in Type 1 diabetes treatment using stem cells
08:35 – Can GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic reverse kidney damage?
09:46 – The end of cervical cancer: AI and HPV vaccine advances
10:26 – Fusion energy, China’s energy dominance & what’s next
15:16 – Dyson swarms and humanity’s long-term energy vision
17:08 – Is AI destroying jobs? Or creating new ones?
18:48 – AI literacy: why it’s the new computer literacy
22:48 – Goal-setting vs. habits: why resolutions fail
24:06 – Dr. John's abandoned Spanish goal & how to course correct
26:51 – How to build habits aligned with your priorities
27:16 – Coaching yourself with AI and setting daily intentions
34:14 – Good vs bad habits and how to build sustainable change
37:34 – Relationship habits that deepen connection
39:56 – Systems for fun, finance, spiritual life, and learning
41:12 – Start, stop, continue: reviewing your habits annually
43:01 – The power of morning routines and daily focus
44:25 – "Feeding the animals vs. building the barn" explained
46:53 – Old sayings, microplastics, and the story of Boyan Slat
52:50 – Final takeaways: simplify, focus, and move in the right direction
