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The Podcast BrowserHannah Ritchie On Climate Honesty, Hope, And The Future. Discussing her book Clearing The Air. Podcast: Ben Yeoh Chats (LS 36 · TOP 2.5% what is this?)Episode: Hannah Ritchie On Climate Honesty, Hope, And The Future. Discussing her book Clearing The Air.Pub date: 2025-10-26Get Podcast Transcript →powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarizationHannah Ritchie — one of the most lucid and data-driven voices in climate and sustainability — returns to talk about her new book Clearing the Air: 50 Questions and Answers about Climate.Ben and Hannah explore why honesty builds trust in climate science, why the 1.5 °C target is likely out of reach (an...
2025-10-301h 15
Ben Yeoh ChatsHannah Ritchie On Climate Honesty, Hope, And The Future. Discussing her book Clearing The Air.Hannah Ritchie — one of the most lucid and data-driven voices in climate and sustainability — returns to talk about her new book Clearing the Air: 50 Questions and Answers about Climate.Ben and Hannah explore why honesty builds trust in climate science, why the 1.5 °C target is likely out of reach (and why that’s not the end of hope), and China’s paradoxical role as both the world’s largest emitter and clean-tech powerhouse.They dig into how abundance, not austerity, could define the next phase of climate progress; how to manage renewable energy variability and mineral deman...
2025-10-261h 15
Ben Yeoh ChatsRobert Beckley: Lessons from 40 Years in Policing, Hillsborough & Civic ServiceRetired police officer Robert Beckley reflects on 40 years of service — from Brixton to Hillsborough and beyond. We discuss crisis response, institutional change, community policing, and why public service and volunteering still matter today.We explore:The misunderstood role of policing: “Policing is about being there in a crisis — when someone needs action, and needs it now.”Rob’s early career in Brixton and how his experiences in Sudan shaped his views on culture and policing.Honest reflections on institutional racism and sexism: “Institutional racism isn’t about bad people — it’s about syst...
2025-09-141h 05
Ben Yeoh ChatsDo We Still Build Beautiful? Samuel Hughes on Architecture & CitiesSamuel Hughes, editor at Works in Progress, joins me to talk architecture, planning, and how we think about beauty in our cities.“Most buildings in Tokyo are ugly, but the streets are beautiful—urban form matters more than facades.”In this episode we explore:Can we still mass-produce beautiful buildings?Japanese urban design and zoning lessonsHow long buildings should last: UK vs JapanRent control and housing history in BerlinRethinking the greenbelt in BritainDresden’s reconstruction and underrated citiesFuture...
2025-08-201h 11
Ben Yeoh ChatsTim Mak: War Reporting in UkraineTim Mak moved to Ukraine in 2022, a day before war broke out. Tim, a former US investigative correspondent, decided to stay and start up his own reporting at Counter Offensive. He now reports from Kyiv. On the podcast, Tim discusses the day-to-day life in war-torn Kyiv, focusing on the chronic stress rather than immediate physical danger residents face. He recounts his critical role in documenting human stories from the war front and shares his personal journey, having moved to Ukraine right as the war began. We touch on the operational challenges and ethical considerations in war...
2025-07-3147 min
Ben Yeoh ChatsFrançoise Girard: Feminism, Activism, and the Power of StorytellingFrançoise Girard is an activist and founder of Feminism Makes Us Smarter. We discuss Francois' journey from studying law in Montreal to becoming a feminist activist in New York. Francois shares experiences from her work with the Open Society Institute and the International Women's Health Coalition, elaborating on the critical role of grassroots feminist movements in effecting societal change. “Taking a feminist, intersectional lens helps us understand the world better. You can see trends before the regular commentators do.”The conversation touches on misconceptions about feminism, the interconnected nature of various justice movements, and the im...
2025-07-1357 min
Ben Yeoh ChatsSumit Paul-Choudhury: Optimism, Navigating Life's Challenges And UncertaintiesSumit discusses how his wife dying reshaped his views on optimism, differentiating between pragmatic optimism and blind faith. He explores how having an optimistic outlook, although seemingly against his scientific training, aligns with good mental health. "Believing in a better tomorrow is not the same as saying that today is great."We touch on the evolutionary logic behind optimism, the impact of agency on perception, and how alternate histories can inform future thinking. Sumit also reflects on the role of optimism during personal grief and provides insights into his writing process and the broader importance of...
2025-05-3049 min
Ben Yeoh ChatsSamir Varma: Free Will, Physics, Traffic, Bees, Emotions, Chaos Theory, Cricket, FinanceSamir Varma is a physicist, investor, and author of the book: The Science of Free Will, How Determinism Affects Everything from the Future of AI to Traffic to God to Bees.' We discuss AI consciousness, the theoretical versus practical aspects of free will, and how determinism informs our understanding of human behaviour, moral philosophy, and even financial markets. “Even though there is no free will in theory, because the laws of physics are deterministic… we don’t know what we’re going to do until we’ve done it.” “The only way to find out how your lif...
2025-04-111h 26
Ben Yeoh ChatsMary-Ann Ochota: Adventure, Resilience, Unveiling Hidden Histories, Archeology And The Ancient WorldMary-Ann Ochota is a broadcaster, anthropologist, and writer known for her work on Time Team and books on archaeology and the British landscape. “Archaeology is ultimately about people – the stories of people in the past and how they lived their lives.”Mary-Ann discusses her visits to Chernobyl, British henges and the Australian Simpson Desert; exploring themes of resilience and environmental recovery. “One of the big misconceptions is that archaeology is just about digging things up.”She shares insights on ancient British sites and the broader implications of sustainable development and access to nature. W...
2025-04-041h 15
Ben Yeoh ChatsRebecca Lowe: Exploring Freedom, Moral Philosophy, Technology And The Best SocietyPolitical philosopher Rebecca Lowe discusses her views on freedom, equality, and the ethical implications of emerging technologies. Currently writing a book titled 'Freedom in Utopia,' Rebecca delves into philosophical debates concerning obligations to extinct animals, the ethics of eating meat, and the future potential of lab-grown meat. On questioning norms and making choices:“Think hard about what the norms are that you follow unthinkingly. There are many ways to live a good life, and it’s for you to work that out for yourself, because you’re the only person who can have an...
2025-02-281h 09
Ben Yeoh ChatsDaisy Christodoulou: Football, VAR Video Assisted Referee, Education, and the Art of LearningDaisy Christodoulou is an acclaimed author in the field of education. Daisy has also written a book on video assisted refereeing (VAR) in football.
We discuss being a football fan, VAR's impact on the sport, and the controversial decision-making processes involved. We speak about how VAR might have improved other sports but has mixed results in football. We suggest what technology should spring to football and sport. We debate on how this potentially reflects the limits of rationality in human endeavours.
"We need to get away from the search for perfection. Whether in...
2025-01-121h 15
Amata World PodcastInteractive Theater for a Sustainable Future with Ben YeohThe next guest on our podcast to welcome the New Year for the Gaming/Metaverse week is Benjamin Yeoh, a theatre maker, podcaster and sustainability investor. Ben started his journey in theatre before moving into investing in sustainable companies. Today, he is combining both his passion for theatre and impact to create immersive games that encourage people to think about pressing climate and societal issues.In this episode, we discuss Ben’s background, his experience going from theatre to investing and now into games, as well as his hopes and predictions for the future of gaming an...
2025-01-0726 min
Ben Yeoh ChatsPeter Gray: Transforming Education, Play, Parenting and Self-Directed LearningPeter Gray is a psychologist and author of Free to Learn. For many years, he has been studying the importance of play.
Gray discusses his perspective on the ideal education system, which he believes should be a bottom-up movement rather than a top-down imposition. He emphasizes the importance of self-directed education where children have the freedom to follow their curiosity and interests. Gray explains how traditional schooling stifles curiosity and playfulness, and traces the historical roots of the current education system. He also highlights the sociopolitical factors that have contributed to the decline of...
2024-11-011h 15
Ben Yeoh ChatsJulia Garayo Willemyns: Policy Ideas, Progress, Growth, AI, Talent, human flourishingJulia Garayo Willemyns is a startup founder and co-director of the think tank UK Day One, which focuses on advancing UK policy for long-term growth and progress. Transcript and links here: https://www.thendobetter.com/investing/2024/10/18/julia-garayo-willemyns-policy-ideas-progress-growth-ai-talent-podcast
Julia shares her thoughts on overlooked policies that could significantly benefit the UK, such as addressing lead poisoning in old housing stocks to improve public health, intelligence, and productivity.
Julia also advocates for prioritizing AI as part of the UK's industrial strategy. She emphasizes the need for strategic investments in AI talent, i...
2024-10-181h 03
Ben Yeoh ChatsJulian Gough: Minecraft End Poem, Evolution Of The Universe, Being Creative, working in public, writing childrens' booksJulian Gough is an award-winning writer and musician. We explore the breadth of his creative journey, from crafting the 'End Poem' in Minecraft to writing children's books and rock band experiences.
Transcript and links here: https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2024/9/20/julian-gough-minecraft-end-poem-evolution-of-the-universe-being-creative-podcast
We discuss his latest project 'The Egg and the Rock,' which investigates the universe's evolutionary complexity, paralleling biological evolution, and its implications on life, consciousness, and AI.
This conversation extends to a critical reflection on current scientific approaches, the importance of interdisciplinary thinking and writing i...
2024-09-201h 15
Ben Yeoh ChatsRuth Chang: How to make Hard Choices, philosophy, agency and commitmentRuth Chang is a prominent philosopher known for her work in decision theory, practical reason, and moral philosophy. She is currently a professor at the University of Oxford, holding the Chair of Jurisprudence. She is well known for her theory of "hard choices," where she argues that many choices are not determined by objective reasons but instead involve values that are incommensurable.
Transcript and links here: www.thendobetter.com/arts/2024/8/2/ruth-chang-making-hard-choices-philosophy-agency-commitment-derek-parfit-podcast
The podcast discussion delves into the inadequacy of the traditional trichotomous framework—better, worse, or equal—in evaluating valu...
2024-08-0254 min
Grace Shah Alam - Sunday Sermons23 June 2024 | Being Missional in Reaching & Giving | Rev Benjamin YeohRev. Benjamin Yeoh is encouraging us with the Word!
Date: 23 June 2024
Speaker: Rev Benjamin Yeoh
Topic: "Being Missional in Reaching & Giving"
Text: Lk. 19:1-10
2024-06-2432 min
Ben Yeoh ChatsHansong Li: China, political economy, intellectual history, Tangut and Hamilton, the MusicalHansong Li is a political theorist and historian of political, economic, and legal thought. We discussed a breadth of topics ranging from the Tangut language, Eastern philosophy, development economics, to modern political ideologies and cultural expressions. Hansong’s insights shed light on historical contexts while drawing connections to contemporary issues.
The conversation delves into broader philosophical and economic themes, comparing past and present political thoughts and examining the effects of international aid on development. Hansong emphasizes the importance of learning from history and cultural interactions for a more nuanced understanding of contemporary global dynamics.
Transcript, vi...
2024-06-141h 14
Ben Yeoh ChatsRasheed Griffith: Progress, Caribbean, Policy, Food, Music, Talent Assessment, CultureRasheed Griffith discusses the factors impeding progress in the Caribbean and shares his optimism for the region. He identifies the decline in public sector quality since the 1960s as a major obstacle. Transcript and links here.
Griffith suggests that reforming the public sector could significantly advance the Caribbean by attracting international talent and improving policy implementation. He also discusses the historical impact of British technocracy in the Caribbean, proposing that adopting a more internationalized public service could be beneficial. Griffith urges a shift towards leveraging global trade for growth.
2024-05-141h 09
Ben Yeoh ChatsRasheed Griffiths: Progress, Caribbean, policy, talent assessment, food, music, culture, creative processesRasheed Griffiths discusses the factors impeding progress in the Caribbean and shares his optimism for the region. He identifies the decline in public sector quality since the 1960s as an obstacle. Transcript and links here.
Griffiths suggests that reforming the public sector could significantly advance the Caribbean by attracting international talent and improving policy implementation. He also discusses the historical impact of British technocracy in the Caribbean, proposing that adopting a more internationalized public service could be beneficial. Furthermore, Griffiths urges a shift towards leveraging global trade for growth.
...
2024-05-141h 09
Ben Yeoh ChatsHenry Oliver: Late Bloomers, Second Act, Hidden Talent, Biography, John Stuart MillA conversation with Henry Oliver, author of 'A Second Act', exploring the concept of late bloomers. Transcript here.
Oliver elaborates on societal pressures, hidden talents, and how these impact individual successes at various life stages, advocating for a broader recognition of potential beyond conventional timelines.
The dialogue includes themes such as the significance of networks, the role of luck, and the historical context of late blooming, challenging prevailing notions of talent and achievement.
Following this, the conversation delves into the philosophical contributions of John Stuart Mill, particularly focusing on his expansion of utilitarianism...
2024-04-191h 21
Ben Yeoh ChatsAlyssa Gilbert: Climate Tech Innovation, Policy, TechnologyAlyssa Gilbert, the director of the Center for Climate Change Innovation at the Grantham Institute, talks about the current gaps in climate technology investments. She discusses her research into areas that are currently underfunded, including transport and energy. She also covers the importance of energy efficiency, especially in relation to the built environment. Alyssa emphasizes the necessity of various models in the fight against climate change, including private sector initiatives, philanthropy, and governmental grants - and highlights the need for a diverse range of solutions. She also speaks about the innovation within the London climate tech ecosystem and shares...
2024-03-0147 min
Ben Yeoh ChatsGarrett Graff: Aliens, Mysteries Of UFOs, Watergate, 9/11, Government TrustGarrett Graff, a writer and historian who specializes in 'near history', discusses his book, 'UFO', about the US government's search for alien life. He touches upon how we often misunderstand UFO sightings, suggesting they could be due to a mix of physical anomalies and governmental or adversary secret flight technologies. Graff also shares his belief in the possibility of alien civilizations, arguing probabilities suggest the existence of life outside Earth. He then relates UFO conspiracies to a societal mistrust in government and institutions, tying it back to events like the Watergate scandal. Graff finally introduces his forthcoming oral history...
2024-02-1454 min
Ben Yeoh ChatsHannah Ritchie: Not the End of the World, sustainability, climate, progressIn this in-depth conversation, data scientist and researcher Hannah Ritchie delves into key insights from her new book 'Not The End of The World', which challenges the pervasive idea that human society is doomed due to environmental degradation. She explores various environmental problems, including climate change and plastic pollution, and emphasizes the potential for progress in tackling these critical issues. Hannah also discusses the essential role of technology and outlines the importance of lifting people out of poverty as a measure against climate change. Her argument centers around the balance of environmental change and human impact in achieving a...
2024-01-261h 07
Ben Yeoh ChatsHana Loftus: Architecture, Regeneration, Planning, Resilience, Design, Jaywick SandsHana Loftus is a co-founder of HAT Projects. HAT are award winning architects, planners and enablers for the built environment. Projects include: London’s Science Museum Smith Centre, transformation of Trinity Works (a disused church), Ely Museum, Jerwood gallery and Jaywick Sands’ Sunspot. As well as practising planning and design, she writes on the subject and plays a great fiddle and violin.
Transcript and Video here: https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2024/1/10/hana-loftus-architecture-regeneration-planning-resilience-design-podcast
The discussion is around the challenges and opportunities in architecture and urban planning. The topics range from finding systemic housing solutions for poverty-stricken comm...
2024-01-101h 28
Ben Yeoh ChatsLucy Easthope: Disaster Recovery, Risk, Hope, Planning, Memoir, When The Dust SettlesLucy Easthope is a professor, lecturer and leading authority on emergency planning and recovering from disaster. Lucy has advised on major disasters over the last decades including the 2004 tsunami, 9/11, the Salisbury poisonings, Grenfell, and the Covid pandemic and most recently the war in Ukraine. She challenges others to think differently about what comes next after tragic events, and how to plan for future ones.
Her book When the Dust Settles is both memoir of her life in disaster recovery and a personal journey through life, love and loss.
I ask Lucy about what she is h...
2023-12-101h 22
Ben Yeoh ChatsNina Gené: Venture Philanthropy, Jasmine Social Investments, Impact InvestingNina Gené is CEO of Jasmine Social Investments. Nina leads Jasmine’s investment strategy and diligence process, guiding the team to identify and support the next generation of great social entrepreneurs. Jasmine funds high-performing social ventures and outstanding social entrepreneurs who are solving a basic need of the very poor.
Ben and Nina discuss what venture philanthropy means and the Jasmine strategy on philanthropy.
We delve into the investment process that Jasmine uses. How Nina identifies opportunities, the type of qualities Nina looks for in a social entrepreneur and an organisation.
We discuss succ...
2023-11-291h 03
Ben Yeoh ChatsPen Vogler: Food History, Culture, Class, Strawberries, Sugar, Industrialisation, Eating HabitsPen Vogler is a food historian. Her latest book is Stuffed: A History of Good Food and Hard Times in Britain. Her previous books include work on food in the life and works of Dickens and Jane Austen - Dinner with Dickens: and Dinner with Mr Darcy.
In the podcast, Ben and Pen discuss various aspects of British culture and history we can learn from the British relationship with food. The discussion delves into several fascinating topics surrounding the transition from hunting-gathering societies to agricultural ones, the phenomenon of the commons and enclosures, the h...
2023-11-031h 23
Growing Up with Delia BurgessEp. 74 - Ben Yeoh: visiting a remote tribe, death, art & investingBenjamin Yeoh is a senior portfolio manager of global equities, he is also an award-winning playwright.
Ben shares ideas on sustainability, investing, autism, arts, theatre and how to live a better life at:
www.thendobetter.com / Ben Yeoh Chats podcast
2023-10-171h 48
Ben Yeoh ChatsJoanne Limburg: Autism, Feminism, Motherhood, Grief, Writing, Jewishness, Letters to my Weird SistersJoanne Limburg is an award-winning British writer known for her poetry, novels, and memoirs. In the podcast, she discusses her latest book Letters to My Weird Sisters: On Autism, Feminism, and Motherhood, in which she feels a kinship with historical female figures and addresses letters to them.
Some notes on the conversation:
- On Virginia Woolf: Joanne found connections in Woolf's personal writings about feeling like an outsider and struggling to dress appropriately for society. This resonated with Joanne's own experiences. We chatted on how dress and fashion is seen in society.
- On...
2023-09-141h 08
Ben Yeoh ChatsFuchsia Dunlop: Chinese Cuisine, Culture, History, Philosophy, Knife skills, Texture and MouthfeelFuchsia Dunlop is a cook and food writer specialising in Chinese cuisine. She was the first Westerner to train as a chef at the Sichuan Institute of Higher Cuisine, and has spent much of the last two decades exploring China and its food.
In her latest book, Invitation to a Banquet, Fuchsia explores the history, philosophy and techniques of China's rich and ancient culinary culture. Each chapter examines a classic dish, from mapo tofu to Dongpo pork, knife-scraped noodles to braised pomelo pith, to reveal a singular aspect of Chinese gastronomy, whether it's the importance of the...
2023-08-301h 21
Ben Yeoh ChatsFergus Butler-Gallie: priesthood, frocks, scouse, faith, Liverpool, and Mummified HeartsFergus Butler-Gallie is a priest and writer. His latest book, Touching Cloth, is a memoir on his time as a priest in Liverpool.
We cover many topics relating to Fergus's life, work, and perspectives on faith and the Church of England. I also ask him what he would do with the Church of England if he had a magic wand.
Fergus provides insights into life in Liverpool, discussing local culture, diversity, and the famous Liverpool accent. He argues that many stereotypes and assumptions about the city are inaccurate.
We explore how...
2023-07-191h 22
Ben Yeoh ChatsDavid Edmonds: Derek Parfit, future selves, paradox, effective altruism, philosophy, biographyDavid Edmonds is a philosopher, writer, podcaster and presenter. His most recent book is a biography of Derek Parfit. Parfit: A philosopher and his mission to save morality.
“Derek was perhaps the most important philosopher of his era. This scintillating and insightful portrait of him is one of the best intellectual biographies I have read.” -Tyler Cowen
Other books include: The Murder of Professor Schlick, Would You Kill the Fat Man? and (with John Eidinow) the international best-seller Wittgenstein’s Poker. He’s a Distinguished Research Fellow at Oxford University’s Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics. Wit...
2023-07-021h 35
Ben Yeoh ChatsDavid Ruebain: disability, protest movements, law, equality, inclusion, interdependenceDavid Ruebain is one of the most thoughtful thinkers I know on disability, equality and the law. He is currently a Pro-Vice Chancellor at the University of Sussex with strategic responsibility for Culture, Equality and Inclusion including dignity and respect. He is an adviser to the football premier league, the former director of legal policy at the equality and human rights commission and has been in the top 25 most influential disabled people in the UK. (Link to transcript below)
We chat on:
Social change seems to come about in a complex way. But peaceful protests s...
2023-06-051h 04
Ben Yeoh ChatsJennifer Doleac: reducing crime, policing, justice, policyJennifer Doleac studies the economics of crime and discrimination. In July 2023, Jenn will join Arnold Ventures as the Executive Vice President of Criminal Justice. We chat about trends and causes of crime. How guns, drugs and policing interact with crime trends.
…there was this huge increase in violent crime in particular in the late early eighties, early nineties. And suddenly violent crime started falling dramatically in the mid-1990s. We still aren't entirely sure why that is the case, this big mystery in the economics of crime world. But we do know that basically crime has been fa...
2023-05-081h 27
Ben Yeoh ChatsPatrick House: Neuroscience and Understanding ConsciousnessPatrick House is a neuroscientist and writer. His research focused on the neuroscience of free will and in particular how mind-control parasites altered a rat’s behaviour.
We once had a long chat on the rainy streets of Glasgow. This chat – which I may not fully recall – involved speaking on what consciousness is, and touched on his work on mind-control bugs.
He’s written a collection of essays: Nineteen Ways of Looking at Consciousness
“Consider different translations of a poem: Each has something relevant to say, but none can entirely capture the...
2023-03-281h 49
Ben Yeoh ChatsChris Stark: 2023, Climate Policy, NetZero, Adaptation, Heating, Buildings, IncentivesChris Stark is the Chief Executive of the UK’s Climate Change Committee. The committee is an independent statutory body which advises the UK and the devolved governments on emissions targets and preparing for and adapting to the impacts of climate change. I think he is one of the most important and thoughtful thinkers on climate change policy today. This is his second time on the podcast. We covered many topics in 2022 which you can check out here.
This time I ask on:
How does it matter that we will pass 1.5c ?
What did we learn afte...
2023-02-241h 23
Ben Yeoh ChatsJade O'Brien: stock broker to teacher, reflections on finance and education, women in financeJade O’Brien was a stock broker (equity sales) for over 7 years. She then retrained as a teacher and has taught in both the state sector and the private sector in the UK.
Jade used to pitch me stock ideas and speak about the investment world. I was very curious on why she decided to change careers to become a teacher.
We chat about what drove Jade to the world of finance. What she viewed as the pros and cons, and what it is like as a woman in a male dominated world and advice she...
2023-02-031h 27
Ben Yeoh ChatsKanjun Qiu: AI, metascience, institutional knowledge, trauma models, structure of knowledge, creativity and danceKanjun is co-founder and CEO of Generally Intelligent, an AI research company. She works on metascience ideas often with Michael Nielsen, a previous podcast guest. She’s a VC investor and co-hosts her own podcast for Generally Intelligent. She is part of building the Neighborhood, which is intergenerational campus in a square mile of central San Francisco. Generally Intelligent (as of podcast date ) are looking for great talent looking to work on AI.
We get a little nerdy on the podcast but we cover AI thinking, fears on rogue AI, and the breakthroughs of Chat AI. We di...
2023-01-171h 39
Ben Yeoh ChatsFlorence Evans: Mud Larking, Art Collecting, Dealing and CuratingFlorence Evans is an art dealer, historian, curator, collector and mud larker. We chat on what does mudlarking tell us about history ? What does art tell us about being human ?
…we mustn't forget is that ultimately there's a real human connection with beauty. So conceptual art aside which serves an important purpose and helps us to think and challenges us in many ways. On the other hand, there's a human need, I think, a kind of nesting instinct to have art for the home, things of beauty to lift your spirits. I think that's really ele...
2022-12-291h 12
Ben Yeoh ChatsMichael Nielsen: metascience, how to improve science, open science, and decentralisationMichael Nielsen is a scientist at the Astera Institute. He helped pioneer quantum computing and the modern open science movement. He is a leading thinker on the topic of meta science and how to improve science, in particular, the social processes of science. His latest co-authored work is ‘A Vision of metascience: An engine of improvement for the social processes of Science’ co-authored with Kanjun Qiu . His website notebook is here, with further links to his books including on quantum, memory systems, deep learning, open science and the future of matter.
I ask: What is the most impor...
2022-11-151h 36
Ben Yeoh ChatsSaloni Dattani: making science better, important questions in science, open science, reforming peer review, vaccines and optimism.Saloni Dattani is a founding editor at Works in Progress, a researcher at Our World in Data and a commissioning editor at Stripe Press. She has recently been profiled by Vox as part of the Future Perfect 50. Saloni is an excellent thinker on progress and science with recent articles for Wired (on making science better) and Guardian (on challenge trials).
Saloni tells me what are the most important questions in science that we should be working on.
We discuss making science better and thinking around challenge trials, making science more open source, r...
2022-11-081h 06
Ben Yeoh ChatsJérôme Tagger: sustainability, ESG as a negotiation, impact, investing, preventable surprisesJérôme Tagger is CEO of Preventable Surprises. Jérôme is a thinker on long term ESG trends (a catch-all phrase for extra-financial environment, social and governance) and systemic risks. He was a Director at the Global Impact Investing Network, the founding COO of the UN-backed Principles for Responsible Investment, Head of Research at Eurosif and Chief Revenue Officer at ImpactAlpha.
Link to video and transcript: www.thendobetter.com/investing/2022/11/2/jrme-tagger-sustainability-esg-as-a-negotiation-impact-investing-podcast
We chat about the differing roles of companies, civil society and government. What Jérôme thinks about the most important levers and th...
2022-11-0251 min
Ben Yeoh ChatsMark Koyama: How the World Became Rich, economic history, intangibles, culture, progressMark Koyama is an Associate Professor of Economics at George Mason. Mark researches comparative national state economic development and the rise of religious tolerance. He is interested in how historical institutions functioned and in the relationship between culture and economic performance.
Transcript: www.thendobetter.com/investing/2022/10/9/mark-koyama-how-the-world-became-rich-economic-history-intangibles-culture-progress-podcast
I ask why it has taken economists and historians so long to form central views on how we have become rich?
Mark discusses what historic progress might tells us about economic development today. I ask about the interaction between the main factors behind economic progress such as: i...
2022-10-091h 12
Ben Yeoh ChatsJacob Soll: History of Free Market ideas, Adam Smith, Hamilton, Cicero, Machievelli, History of AccountingJacob Soll is a professor of philosophy, history and accounting. His latest book is Free Market: The History of an Idea. Jake has works on the history of accounting, The Reckoning: Financial Accountability and the Rise and Fall of Nations (2014); the influence of Machiavelli, "The Prince" (2005) and Louis XIV’s First minster, Jean-Baptiste Cobert, The Information Master (2009). Jake works on accounting standards and financial transparency as well as the history of ideas.
Transcript, video and links here: https://www.thendobetter.com/investing/2022/9/24/jacob-soll-the-history-of-free-market-ideas-cicero-adam-smith-hamilton-machievelli-podcast
We discuss is better accounting can save the world by looking at ex...
2022-09-241h 27
Ben Yeoh ChatsNaomi Fisher: home education, unschool, agency in learning, meltdowns, child-led learning, cognitive psychologyNaomi Fisher is a clinical psychologist. She has written a book: Changing Our Minds: How children can take control of their own learning. The book is an excellent look at self-directed education also known in the UK as home education, or in the US as home school or unschooling.
We discuss her background as a psychologist and her work with autistic people. We chat about her experience of eleven schools and why she has ended up asking questions about control. Why we control people and particularly why we control children.
Naomi discusses the different schools of...
2022-08-311h 22
Ben Yeoh ChatsKana Chan: living in a zero waste village in Japan, KamikatsuKana Chan is living in Kamikatsu which is Japan’s first “zero waste” village in rural Japan. She writes a substack at Tending Gardens and runs INOW which is an educational homestay programme to stay to at Kamikatsu. In 2021, she was selected as an Emerging Climate Leader Asia-Pacific through the ProSPER.Net Leadership Programme. She has lived and worked in Bangladesh, and travelled widely as a photographer and story teller. Kana cares deeply about climate action, sustainable tourism, and education.
I ask Kana about how she arrived in Kamikatsu.
I ask what people should understand or misund...
2022-08-1147 min
Ben Yeoh ChatsLarry Temkin (pt 2): Critiques of Effective Altruism, long-termism, potential problems of international aid, philosophyLarry Temkin is a moral philosopher. He has major works on inequality (book: Inequality); transitivity and social choices (when A > B > C, A > C ?; book: Rethinking the Good) and recently on the philosophies of doing good (critiquing some aspects of Effective Altruism, long-termism, international aid, utilitarianism | book: Being Good in a World of Need). As of 2022, he was Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Rutgers University.
The podcast is in two parts. The second part focuses on Effective Altruism (EA) ideas. The first part looks at transitivity, and other debates in philosophy through a pluralist lens. This is p...
2022-07-271h 26
Ben Yeoh ChatsLarry Temkin (pt 1): Moral Philosophy, transitivity, critiques of effective altruism, international aid, pluralismLarry Temkin is a moral philosopher. He has major works on inequality (book: Inequality); transitivity and social choices (when A > B > C, A > C ?; book: Rethinking the Good) and recently on the philosophies of doing good (critiquing some aspects of Effective Altruism, long-termism, international aid, utilitarianism | book: Being Good in a World of Need). As of 2022, he was Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Rutgers University.
The podcast is in two parts. The second part focuses on Effective Altruism ideas. The first part looks at transitivity, and other debates in philosophy through a pluralist lens. This is part 1.
2022-07-271h 30
Ben Yeoh ChatsLeigh Caldwell: cognitive economics, power of stories, how the mind consumes dreams and plans future actionsLeigh Caldwell is a cognitive economist. Leigh has done excellent work around the psychology of pricing and exploring how people consume intangible products with their mind. He has founded several software companies and is co-founder of the Irrational Agency.
We chatted on Leigh graduating from university at 18, what attracted him to the internet and wanting to start companies and what lead him to the path of psychology, behavioral economics and ultimately to cognitive economics.
How the question of “Why do we get so much of what's important to us from what is man...
2022-07-221h 30
Ben Yeoh ChatsDavid Finnigan: Making Theatre, Improving Creativity, Learning From Failure, Art In A Time Of ClimateDavid Finnigan is an award winning theatre maker, writer and games creator from Ngunnawal country, Australia. David produces performances and writing that explores concepts from Game Theory, Complex Systems science, Network Theory and Resilience. He has also had the dubious honour of performing on stage with me, in our performance lecture collaboration, Thinking Bigly. He has a show coming up at The Barbican, London, 27 September, 2022: You’re Safe Til 2024: Deep History.
We discuss how all art might be considered climate art. Thus we should consider jobs as jobs, why put green there? or health is health. This ca...
2022-07-051h 25
Ben Yeoh ChatsSophie Purdom: Climate Tech Investing, Brown Spinning, Venture, Sustainability, newsletters, investment philosophy, life adviceSophie Purdom co-writes a climate and innovation newsletter read by tens of thousands, ClimateTech VC. Sophie has worked in start ups as an operator. She is a venture capitalist investor. She has written widely on sustainable investing.
We speak on how Sophie came to climate tech investing, the importance of knocking on doors and being helpful.
What Sophie learned working for local government (Providence) and how climate has always been her through line into investing.
We discuss what areas of climate tech are over-invested in and under-invested in, and why she’s interested in...
2022-06-2655 min
Ben Yeoh ChatsFrancesca Sanderson: impact arts investing, social impact, creativity, living off-gridFrancesca Sanderson managed an ethical equities fund at JPMorgan as an asset manager but quit that to live for a year living off grid. She then became a social impact investor with Big Society Capital and now runs the Arts Impact programmes currently at Nesta.
We chat about what she learned, missed and loved about living off-grid. How she has a more pluralist world view.
Fran talks about what she learned at JP Morgan. The power and the weaknesses of institutional and organisational strength.
“when I w...
2022-06-2058 min
Ben Yeoh ChatsNadia Asparouhova: Future Of Philanthropy, Science Funding, Creator Economy, Family Stories and Independent Research.Nadia Asparouhova (previously writing under Nadia Eghbal) is an independent researcher with widely read essays on a range of topics most recently philanthropic funding including effective altruism and ideas machines, and recent ideas in funding science. She’s written books about the open source community. She has worked in start ups and venture. She set up and ran Helium grants, a microgrant programme. She is an Emergent Ventures fellow.
We speak about what she learned from microgranting and reviewing thousands of applications.
We discuss what she thinks about EA influenced philanthropy, and why she is per...
2022-06-111h 03
Ben Yeoh ChatsCarl Saxton-Pizzie: Building A £30m Sustainable Grocery Delivery Company, Mental Health, SustainabilityCarl Saxton-Pizzie trained as an actor and worked in tv before founding a sustainable grocery delivery company, Wholegood, in 2007 (with a van and £500). Wholegood is on track for £30m in revenue and employes 160 people. This is a small business success story, a start up in the “old economy” but very much touching “new economy” ideas such as sustainability and delivery services. You can find Wholegood products in most UK retailers, Ocado one of the largest examples.
We talk about Carl’s entrepreneur journey, what acting taught him and the importance of sustainability and purpose. I ask him what he wish...
2022-05-201h 09
The Sustainability StoryA Talk with ESG Renaissance Man, Ben Yeoh; Portfolio Manager, Educator, Podcaster, PlaywrightWe talk with Ben Yeoh, Senior Portfolio Manager, RBC Global Asset Management. Our wide ranging conversation includes discussions of ESG integration, ESG education, demographics, Economist Thomas Malthus, and the future of capitalism. We also talk about current and impending regulation and policy around ESG disclosure as well as the intersection of art and ESG. Listen to his personal podcast, Ben Yeoh Chats https://www.thendobetter.com/podcast Follow him on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-yeoh-445133/ Follow him on Twitter https://twitter.com/benyeohben
2022-04-2758 min
Ben Yeoh ChatsAnnemarie Naylor: Public Goods, Sovereign Health Fund, Technology And Future Of JusticeAnnemarie is Director of Innovation for the Seetec Group. Before that, she was, Director of Policy and Strategy at Future Care Capital - a national charity that uses the insight gathered through evidence-based research to advance ideas that will help shape future health and social care policy to deliver better outcomes for society.
We chat about what is under appreciated about libraries and how to think about public goods and common ownership of those goods.
Annemarie discusses the idea of a Sovereign Health Fund and how to think about healthcare data as a public good...
2022-04-221h 07
Ben Yeoh ChatsSophie Woolley: Deaf culture, hearing culture and her creative journeyWhat is it like to go deaf and then gain back your hearing? On this episode, I speak to Sophie Woolley.
Sophie is a writer, performer and theatre maker. We have been friends for a while and I have learned a lot about Deaf culture and from her personal journey and one as a creative.
We have a meandering chat about her creative journey, how felt she had to write about her story of going deaf and then gaining hearing again via a cochlear implant. We recorded the podcast while Sophie is in Taiwan. She c...
2022-04-101h 04
Ben Yeoh ChatsStian Westlake on the intangible economy, recession, stagnation, inequality, BS jobs and new institutionsStian Westlake is the chief exec at the Royal Statistical Society, and before that he was a policy advisor to government and the executive director at Nesta. He is the co-author with Jonathan Haskel of Capitalism without Capital, and they have a new book out, Restarting the Future (22 March 2022).
Stian discusses how recessions might be different under an intangible economy. I ask him (H/T Tyler Cowen) how national security concerns might be different in a very intangible world. Part of his answer:
...if you are an interconnected, relatively open economy, and Russia was always the m...
2022-03-211h 18
Ben Yeoh ChatsStephan Guyenet On Diet, Obesity Models, and Obesity DrugsStephan Guyenet completed a PhD in neuroscience, then went on to study the neuroscience of obesity and eating behavior as a postdoc. He’s also been involved with Givewell and Open philanthropy projects. In 2017, he wrote the book the Hungry Brain.
We discuss two competing obesity models: one based around a model of energy balance with the brain as one of the main central controllers.
And one model which s based more around an insulin - carbohydrate pathway. The carbohydrate - insulin model emphasizes the role of insulin from glycemic load inputs.
While not...
2022-03-141h 20
Ben Yeoh ChatsAlec Stapp: policy for progress, under-researched areas, science of science, biosecurityAlec is the co-founder and co-CEO of the Institute for Progress. The IFP is dedicated to to accelerating scientific, technological, and industrial progress while safeguarding humanity’s future. Alec and co-founder Caleb Watney are supported by prominent progress thinkers such as Tyler Cowen and Patrick Collinson.
We discuss the competing interests that prevent physical infrastructure such as power lines, or cafe “parklet” structures from being easily built.
Alec explains how using a framework borrowed from Effective Altruism: impact (will it be impactful), tractability (is it possible?), under-researched (are many other people working on the challenge?) - is a...
2022-02-281h 29
Ben Yeoh ChatsChris Stark: CEO UK's Climate Change Committee; climate policy, NetZero, adaptation, innovation, cost-benefit and what we should be doingChris Stark is the Chief Executive of the UK’s Climate Change Committee. The committee is an independent statutory body which advises the UK and developed governments on emissions targets and preparing for and adapting to the impacts of climate change. I think he is one of the most important and thoughtful thinkers on climate change policy today.
We discuss what is most misunderstood about climate policy, the likely co-benefits and the scale of investments needed especially in the UK in replacing “old inefficient stock”.
What positives/negatives came out of COP26 (recent international climate confer...
2022-02-071h 14
Ben Yeoh ChatsDavid Spiegelhalter: COVID statistics, thinking about risk in life and medicineDavid Spiegelhalter is an expert on medical statistics. He was the president of the Royal Statistical Society and is Chair of the Winton Centre for Risk and Evidence communication. He is also a World Champion, in a version of pool called Loop and hosts his own podcast, Risky Talk. David has a new book out (with Anthony Masters), COVID by Numbers, which is an excellent book on COVID statistics. This follows his previous bestseller, the Art of Statistics.
David discusses what was most surprising and misunderstood about COVID statistics. David emphasises how numbers can be emotional and wea...
2022-01-111h 11
Ben Yeoh ChatsStephen Unwin: Theatre Over The Decades, What Disability Teaches UsSteve Uwin is a theatre director and writer. Amongst many accomplishments he has been the artistic director of the Rose theatre, founder of ETT, English Touring Theatre. He is also chair of the charity Kids, which provides services to children with disabilities.
We speak about whether we need language to be human and what non-verbal people teach us.
We chat on how theatre has developed over the decades and Steve’s appreciation of Brecht and the Berliner Ensemble. We touch on Steve’s experience of theTraverse theatre, dealing with the very different stakeholders of the Rose...
2022-01-051h 15
Ben Yeoh ChatsZeke Hausfather: State Of Climate Science, Energy Systems, Post COP26, Tipping Points, Tail RisksZeke Hausfather is a climate scientist and energy systems analyst whose research focuses on observational temperature records, climate models, and mitigation technologies. He spent 10 years working as a data scientist and entrepreneur in the cleantech sector, where he was the lead data scientist at Essess, the chief scientist at C3.ai, and the cofounder and chief scientist of Efficiency 2.0. He also worked as a research scientist with Berkeley Earth, was the senior climate analyst at Project Drawdown, and the US analyst for Carbon Brief. Follow his Twitter for his climate thoughts.
We discuss:
What is...
2021-11-221h 11
Ben Yeoh ChatsAella: escort work, home school, rationalism, circling, working in a factory, losing faith, polls and endless questions | PodcastAella is perhaps most famous on twitter for shining a light on the life and economics of Camgirls and escorts; and asking challenging questions. But her independent research is larger than that and has encompassed reporting on LSD and psychedelics use, circling, the nature of faith, and enlightenment. She grew up homeschooled in a fundamental Christian household before leaving home at 17.
The transcript and conversation includes adult themes and mild profanity from Aella and is recommended 18+.
We discuss what is most misunderstood about escort work and the additional needs of men such as emotional intimacy...
2021-11-141h 14
Ben Yeoh ChatsJason Mitchell: poetry, sustainable investing, hedge funds, carbon tax, offsets, regulation, activism and stakeholder capitalismJason Mitchell is Co-Head of Responsible Investment at Man Group. He was a hedge fund manager and he is a poet. He’s a deep thinker on all things sustainable and finance. He hosts a brilliant podcast on sustainability, A Sustainable Future.
We chat on his poetry and how he witnessed refugees in the Mediterranean sea.And what poetry has taught him.
“rescued by our boat one morning, the man asked me, is it true what they tell us, the traffickers, about these waters, that the sea has no bottom? I told him no, there is i...
2021-11-081h 10
Ben Yeoh ChatsDan Goodley: what disability teaches us about being human, social models, technology, interdependence, medicalisation and adviceDan Goodley is a professor of disability studies and education at the School of Education, University of Sheffield. Dan co-directs iHuman, which sits at the intersections of Critical Disability Studies and Science and Technology Studies. iHuman is addressing ome significant questions of contemporary society including: what does it mean to be human?
Dan has written the thought provoking book: Disability and Other Human Questions.
We chat about who and how do we decide who gets to be human? I pose what thinking about the rights (or lack of) that Britney Spears has is relevant to d...
2021-11-011h 07
Ben Yeoh ChatsBec Hill: Comedy, The Right To Offend, Faith, Arts And Crafts, ADHD And Best Uses For Duct TapeBec Hill is an actor, comedian and writer famous for flip charts with misheard music lyrics. She has a wide array of talents including as a writer, a recent children’s book series: Horror Heights, The Slime and hosting make-away takeaway for children's ITV. She has her own podcast A Problem Squared which she co-hosts with Matt Parker.
We speak about the use of arts and craft in comedy and thinking about children’s comedy. How she found acting as a “straight actor” in David Finnigan’s Kill Climate Deniers.
How she met her partner and how he...
2021-10-241h 08
Ben Yeoh ChatsMeaghan Kall, epidemiologist: COVID advice, Long COVID, vaccine waning, disability, HIV, social determinants of health; career adviceMeaghan Kall is an epidemiologist at what used to be known as Public Health England but is now the UK Health Security Agency. She and her colleagues have been working flat out for two years producing some of the world's best COVID data.
We speak about annoying and funny COVID myths.
She gives her view on COVID vaccine waning, Long COVID and risk in children; and how we are going to come to terms with COVID as an endemic disease (think about managing flu, although with different outcomes).
We dive into what it m...
2021-10-111h 20
Ben Yeoh ChatsClare Montagu: Running a hospice during COVID, how to die well, being a special advisor to government; economics of a hospice.Clare Montagu was the Chief Operating Officer of one of London’s largest hospice groups, Trinity Hospice. Before that, she was a UK government minister special advisor.
We talk about the challenges and joys of running a hospice. Much of great hospice care is looking after people in their own homes and in the community. Hospice care goes beyond the medical. For instance, letting a patient die in the garden under a tree because that’s their wish. This is care a hospital can not give. The hospice is staffed 24/7, pets can come, family can stay. The hosp...
2021-10-031h 17
Ben Yeoh ChatsJonathan Wolff: valuing life, philosophy, COVID, disability models, society of equals, musical performance, life adviceJonathan Wolff is the Alfred Landecker Professor of Values and Public Policy. Before he was Professor of Philosophy and Dean of Arts and Humanities at UCL. He is currently developing a new research programme on revitalising democracy and civil society. His other current work concerns equality, disadvantage, social justice and poverty, as well as applied topics such as public safety, disability, gambling, and the regulation of recreational drugs. He has had a long-standing interest in health and health promotion, including questions of justice in health care resource allocation, the social determinants of health, and incentives and health behaviour. He...
2021-09-261h 34
Ben Yeoh ChatsDiane Coyle: innovation, intangibles, inequality, sustainability and measuring beyond GDPEconomist Diane Coyle is the Bennett Professor of Public Policy, Cambridge University. She co-directs the Bennett Institute, where she heads research under the themes of progress and productivity. Her work has touched innovation, technology and intangibles; sustainability, inequality and measuring beyond GDP.
We discuss the challenges of the current narrowness in economics both in terms of the diversity of people it attracts and the paucity of wider ranging interdisciplinary thinking.
Diane’s 1997 book (The Weightless World) was prescient over many technology, innovation and intangibles trends but sustainability was a missing hole. We discuss sustainability and what...
2021-08-311h 09
Ben Yeoh ChatsMark Ravenhill: Making Theatre, Curiosity, Listening and Stories Under the Rainbow FlagMark Ravenhill is one of our greatest living theatre makers. I claim this in part because of the length of his writing career, 25 years+ and still going strong, and in part because of the variety of form and type of work. His work has extended into directing and performing Mark will be co-artistic director (with Hannah Price) of the Kings Head theatre where he is outlining plans to portray stories that would fly under the rainbow flag (an allusion to multitude types of queer stories out there).
Podcast notes: Mark articulates why representation now for all kinds of...
2021-08-231h 33
Ben Yeoh ChatsSally Phillips: clowning, comedy, family life, disability and faithSally Phillips is well known for her award winning acting, writing and comedy. She had roles in 'I'm Alan Partridge', 'Smack the Pony', 'Green Wing', and 'Miranda'; and in the US, Veep. In 2016 she fronted the documentary 'A World Without Down's Syndrome?' (BBC2). I think she should also be better known for her disability rights advocacy.
We talk about types of clowning and why the clown always says ‘yes’; the challenges of older women roles in the entertainment industry and discuss the differences between US comedy and British comedy.
We chat about the importance of fa...
2021-08-181h 24
Ben Yeoh ChatsCatherine Howarth on shareholder activism, growing back better and change makersHow does individual shareholder activism work? How does personal agency and systems change work together in a theory of change? How do we become change makers? What did Catherine's mother teach me?
Catherine is Chief Executive of ShareAction. She coordinates civil society activism to promote responsible investment Catherine was recognised by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader in 2014. ShareAction campaigns have significantly altered corporate strategy and government policy. For instance, on HSBC establishing environmental targets and Tesco making healthy food commitments.
We chat about Catherine’s journey into activism and the theories of chan...
2021-07-251h 18
Ben Yeoh ChatsTassos Stevens on making theatre, play and creative processesTassos Stevens is artistic director of Coney. The transcript of the podcast here. Prior to Coney, he did a doctorate in Psychology, won the inaugural James Menzies-Kitchin Award for theatre directors, did the NT Studio Directors Course, ran the ROAR platform to support new work and new artists on the London fringe, and also worked as critic, teacher, many flavours of researcher, salesman, and chef.
We chat about pivotal moments of theatre and explore what interactive and immersive mean for theatre.
The importance of play and “making belief’ as opposed to “suspending disbelief”
How to in...
2021-07-1856 min
Ben Yeoh ChatsMatt Clancy on innovation, progress studies and remote work.Matt Clancy is a progress fellow at Emergent Ventures. He teaches at Iowa State University and writes on Substack a newsletter called New Things Under the Sun, which you should subscribe to if you are interested in anything innovation related. Matt has also synthesised many of the emerging studies on remote working. Transcript and video links here.
We discuss whether progress has been stagnating and the importance of moral and social progress as well as technological.
Whether small team or large teams are better for invention.
How important are agglomeration effects and how...
2021-07-152h 05
Ben Yeoh ChatsTrailer: Ben Yeoh Chats for people curious about the world.Short introduction to Ben Yeoh Chats.
If you are curious about the world this show is for you.
I have extended conversations across humanities and science with artists, philosophers, writers, theatre makers, activists, economists and all walks of life.
Episodes include:
-What is like to go to Columbia University at 15 and be valedictorian with Leopold Aschenbrenner?
-What should worry us about gamification with philosopher Thi Nguyen ?
-What sparks invention with innovation historian, Anton Howes ?
-What do story telling and improvisation tell us about being human...
2021-07-0100 min
Ben Yeoh ChatsLee Simpson on improvisation, story telling and what improv tells us about being human.Lee Simpson is a founder member of Improbable (theatre makers and improvisers), a long time Comedy Store Player (since the 1980s) and one of Paul Merton's Impro Chums. He’s also been a croupier, cinema projectionist and breakfast show DJ. He’s written plays, appeared in sit-coms and in some films, been on some Radio 4 panel shows and once did a very poor poodle act at the London Palladium. That vast range highlights two strong threads one in the world of improv and another in the world of theatre making. Transcript available here and video version available here.
-I...
2021-06-291h 20
Ben Yeoh ChatsLeopold Aschenbrenner on existential risk, German Culture, Valedictorian efficiencyI had an excellent chat with Leopold Aschenbrenner. Leopold is a grant winner from Tyler Cowen’s Emergent Ventures. He went to Columbia University, aged 15, and graduated in 2021 as valedictorian. (Contents below ↓ ↓ ). He is a researcher at the Global Priorities Institute, thinking about long-termism. He has drafted a provocative paper encompassing ideas of long-termisim, existential risk and growth.
For some of our conversation we were joined by phantom Tyler Cowen imagining what he might think. We discussed Leopold’s critique of German culture and whether he’d swap German infrastructure for the American entrepreneurial spirit.
Whether being a...
2021-06-231h 47
Ben Yeoh ChatsC Thi Nguyen on games philosophy, agency, real world gamification and what drinking games tell you about humanityI chat with C. Thi Nguyen who used to be a food writer and is now a philosophy professor at University of Utah. Thi thinks about trust, art, games, and communities.
We discuss his first book, Games: Agency as Art. The book is about how games are the art form that work in the medium of agency. We chat about the difference between play and games and wider games philosophy.
Thi worries about the problems on trusting experts, if oneself is not an expert and how none of us are experts in most domains. We discuss...
2021-06-211h 08
Ben Yeoh ChatsAnton Howes on innovation history, the improving mindset and progress studies.Anton Howes on innovation history, the improving mindset and progress studies. Anton Howes is an innovation historian and policy thinker, we have a fascinating wide ranging conversation on innovation. Transcript and video available here.
We discuss raising the prestige of innovators today, but consider it easy to say but harder to enact.
Anton argues for the benefits of a “great Exhibition” as a direct mechanism to inspire an “improving” mindset - the type of mindset that leads to innovation.
Anton shares what he has discovered about how invention has happened in history; and whether sta...
2021-05-211h 26
Ben Yeoh ChatsTom Gosling On Incentives, Corporate Purpose, Netzero; Singing and HappinessTom Gosling was a partner at PwC, and an advisor to boards around executive pay and incentives, governance, and strategy. He's currently an Executive Fellow at London Business School and helps steer the work of the purposeful company collaboration.
Tom speaks about the benefits of purpose and the risk of corporate puff. We touch on audit reform and the challenges of regulation. We discuss the importance of democractic process and the role of government compared to the role of business. We underrate/overate carbon taxes, diversity targets, Milton Friedman and financial incentives.
On a personal not...
2021-05-171h 05
Ben Yeoh ChatsJonathan Meth on disability arts, dramaturgy and asking questionsJonathan Meth is a dramaturg, extraordinaire, director, curator, very involved in the European theatre and disability arts. He's a lecturer at Goldsmiths. He's worked with many of the major theatre organizations in Britain, and he's a fascinating theatre thinker.
We speak about dramaturgy and theatre as playwright lead and theatre as colloboration lead. We discuss disability arts and a little about what autism has taught us. Jonathan looks at theatre funding and infrastrucutre and what it might mean to build back differently.
We discuss his work with Fence and what he has learned teaching a...
2021-05-131h 18
Ben Yeoh ChatsRishi Dastidar on life, poetry, and writing.Rishi Dastidar and I chat about life, poetry, writing and poets always having another job. Rishi gives advice on how to be a poet, embracing Insta poets and whether last lines are harder than first lines, or second books harder than first books; and why we love lists and why we need to pay more attention to verbs.
He is open to offers from companies seeking a Chief Poetry Officer.
A fascinating and wide ranging chat from this leading British poet.
Transcript at the blog here with video.
L...
2021-04-2842 min
Ben Yeoh ChatsMya-Rose Craig, BirdgirlI chat to Mya-Rose Craig, aka Birdgirl, about her love of birding touching upon birdsong and the mysteries of migration. We discuss accessibilty to nature, activism what in birding terms is a “lifer” and how to “pish”.
There’s a transcript (unedited) here plus links to topics we talk about. Links:
Black2Nature, Charity fighting for equal access to nature for Visible Minority Ethnic people.
Mya-Rose Craig’s website.
Get Birding, podcast.
2021-04-1535 min
Ben Yeoh ChatsRebecca Giggs. Fathoms: the world in the whale.We discuss the award winning book, Fathoms: the world in the whale by Rebecca Giggs. Our conversation covers seeing the history of humanity through the lens of the whale, activism movements, and the poetic in writing.
Whales as an extractive industry and why the book is not prescriptive in what we might do. We play overrated/underrated. Rebecca rates: cicadas, snails, worms and plankton. We end with the process of writing. Why mechanical keyboards might help, and writing in bursts.
Rebecca's essays and writing have been in The Atlantic, Granta, The New York Times Magazine. Her...
2021-04-1149 min
Agape Community ChurchApr 5 - The Cross For A Crown - Rev. Benjamin YeohPastor Benjamin shared on the cross and the crown as we all prepare for communion.
2020-04-0529 minAgape Community ChurchMar 29 - Disconnect to Connect - Rev. Benjamin YeohWith MCO in placed, we were all disconnected to each others physically, but we still can be connected to church, to family, to each other virtually. Most important, connected to God.
2020-03-2918 minAgape Community ChurchMar 22 - Services cancelled; Worship continues - Rev. Benjamin YeohOur Senior Pastor, Rev Benjamin Yeoh addresses the church during the Movement Control Order.
2020-03-2220 minAgape Community ChurchMar 8 - Experiencing God's Peace in Uncertain Times - Rev. Benjamin YeohListen to Rev. Benjamin Yeoh on the topic of "Experiencing God's Peace in Uncertain Times" .
2020-03-0947 minAgape Community Church9 Feb Why We Worship the Way We Do ( Rev. Benjamin Yeoh )Everything we do serves as an act of worship unto Him. It may look different in different people. There is no true worship without relationship — so let us be reminded to worship with sincerity and heart!
2020-02-0955 minAgape Community ChurchFeb 2 What is Worship ( Rev. Benjamin Yeoh )What is worship? We’re going to kickstart our Worship Month by sharing to you what is actual worship!
2020-02-0241 minAgape Community Church5 Jan Vision Sunday ( Rev. Benjamin Yeoh )As we step into the new year, let us challenge ourselves to commit time to pray for God’s church — trusting that He will lead us where He has planned for us to go in 2020!
2020-01-0950 minAgape Community Church25 Dec - The Gift ( Rev. Benjamin Yeoh )Dec 25 - The Gift ( Rev. Benjamin Yeoh )
2019-12-2933 minAgape Community Church15 Dec Go Small To Grow ( Rev. Benjamin Yeoh )15 Dec Go Small To Grow ( Rev. Benjamin Yeoh )
2019-12-1745 minAgape Community Church14 Oct The Extraordinary in the ordinary ( Rev. Benjamin Yeoh )14 Oct The Extraordinary in the ordinary ( Rev. Benjamin Yeoh )
2019-10-141h 00Agape Community ChurchJun 23 - A Seeking God ( Rev. Benjamin Yeoh )Sunday Service 23rd June : A Seeking God by Pastor Benjamin Yeoh
If I could give you one thing in life, I would give you the ability to see yourself through my eyes, only then will you realise how special you are to me. -Anonymous-
God initiates us into a relationship and when we mess up, God dresses us up.
2019-06-2348 min
Das E&U-GesprächFolge 048 – Sonderfolge – Star Trek DiscoveryNach ihrer ersten gemeinsamen E&U-Sonderfolge über Star Trek haben Nils (@ngeisemeyer) und Markus nun erneut zusammengefunden, um wie angekündigt über die erste Staffel der neuen Serie Star Trek Discovery zu sprechen.
Folge 048 – jetzt abspielen
Die Podcasts Discovery Panel, Kompendium des Unbehagens, Highly Logical: A Star Trek Podcast und Women at Warp, TOS (The Original Series, 1966-69), Star Trek: Enterprise (2001-05), die Sprengung von Vulcan im Abrams-Film Star Trek (2009), Walter Moers und seine Zamonien-Bücher, das Redesign der Klingonen, die alten Star Trek-Filme I-VI (1979-91), der Ceti-Aal, Pavel Chekov, Tribbles und der Gorn, The Troubl...
2018-04-2700 min