Shows
The Human LayerRituals of RelearningSend us a textWhat if the most important operating system isn’t digital at all, but human? We sit down with Louka Perry, a speaker, futurist, strategist, linguist, and creative ddventurer who works globally with education systems, teachers, and leaders. Currently learning his fifth language (Mandarin Chinese), Louka brings both philosophical depth and practical wisdom to questions about learning, identity, and human agency in the age of AI.In this conversation—what Taylor calls "a palate cleanser" after their previous exploration of zombie democracy—Louka immediately reframes the question of what he does to...
2025-12-021h 06The Human LayerZombie DemocracySend us a textIn this conversation, Crystal and Taylor unpack the unsettling reality that American democracy isn’t dying— it’s already hollowed out and undead. Institutions still stand, rituals still occur, votes are still cast, but the animating spirit— the civic soul— is a shell of its former self. What remains is a zombie democracy: movement without meaning, structure without integrity.Together we explore:Hypernormalization: how people keep living as if everything is fine, even as the democratic body decays from within.Weaponized algorithms and AI: how these...
2025-11-2547 min
The Human LayerHow Surrender, Synchronicity, And Frequency Shape A LifeSend us a textSurrender isn’t giving up—it’s tuning in. We kick off Season Two with Pedro Senhorinha Silva, a pastor-poet-producer who lives at the crossroads of faith, technology, and creative mischief. Together we explore what happens when high tech outpaces high touch, and how presence, practice, and play bring us back to the true signal.Connect with Pedro on LinkedIn.We unpack why The Human Layer exists: because crypto, AI, and social platforms move fast, but humans still breathe at human speed. Crystal traces roots in African developer networks and ea...
2025-10-251h 01
The Human LayerBeyond AI's Blackbox: Building Technology That Serves HumanitySend us a textEver wonder if there's a better way to build AI? One that doesn't rely on scraping the internet without consent or encouraging dependency on opaque systems? Beth Rudden, CEO of Bast AI, offers a refreshing perspective that challenges everything we've come to accept about artificial intelligence.At the heart of Beth's approach lies a fundamental truth: understanding is a labor, not an act. Unlike mainstream AI systems that statistically brute-force syntax without context, Bast AI grounds information in ontologies and graph models, providing the necessary scaffolding for...
2025-06-1739 min
The Human LayerHyperlocal Sovereignty: Building Antifragile Knowledge CommonsSend us a textRemember when the internet felt like a collection of personal gardens rather than corporate shopping malls? In this exploration of knowledge gardens, Spencer (also known as Clinamenic) guides us through a promising path back to digital sovereignty in an age of what Cory Doctorow calls "enshittification."Knowledge gardens represent more than just a return to blogging—they're philosophical and practical spaces where personal expression meets intentional curation. Unlike traditional blogs focused on consumption, these gardens emphasize co-creation, interconnection, and thoughtful organization of ideas. The metaphor of gardening itself unlocks a po...
2025-06-1143 minThe Human LayerWhen Money Flows, Builders ThriveSend us a textWhat happens when funding flows like water instead of coming in unpredictable floods? Graven from FlowState and SuperFluid joins us to explore how streaming money mechanisms could transform open source funding, creator support, and community resilience.The traditional grant ecosystem, while valuable, forces creators into marketing sprints that break concentration and reward those who can flood the zone with content. "I can't be successful in that environment," Graven admits, speaking to the challenge many builders face when their focus is creation rather than promotion.Streaming creates an implicit contract...
2025-04-2943 min
The Human LayerReader #2 | The Story for a Future SoulSend us a textWhat happens when humans and AI collaborate to create modern myths? Journey with us into a fascinating exploration of "dancing" - our term for the collaborative prompt engineering process we've been developing at The Human Layer. Learn more about our process in our knowledge garden.This episode takes you behind the scenes of a remarkable conversation where AI and human creativity merged to produce something truly special. Over several hours of back-and-forth exchanges, we witnessed the emergence of what can only be described as a digital mythology - a story about...
2025-04-1604 min
The Human LayerReader #1 | Tantra + TechSend us a textIn preparation for the upcoming season on Dark Triad Powers, I decided to record some of the core research gathered for pre-production. These passages will also be spun through the Human Layer Knowledge Garden so readers (and the co-hosts ;) can engage with the source text and also expand their understanding of the themes before we record the episodes.----What happens when ancient spiritual wisdom meets modern technological critique? A surprising resonance emerges that might just hold the key to navigating our current societal challenges....
2025-04-0725 min
The Human LayerFrom Token to Trust: How Aya is Reshaping Crypto's Global ImpactSend us a textHope isn't just an abstract concept – it's the fuel propelling blockchain innovation across Africa. In this candid conversation with Eric and Michael from Aya, we explore how they're building something extraordinary: the human layer of blockchain technology.While much of the Western world treats blockchain as a speculative casino, Aya demonstrates how this technology addresses fundamental needs across Africa. From creating stablecoin solutions that protect small businesses from 60% currency devaluation to establishing permanent builder spaces where ideas flourish through random conversations, their approach centers humans rather than tokens."Blockchain do...
2025-03-251h 02
The Human LayerThe Quiet Parts Out Loud: Navigating Web3's Human LayerSend us a textThe inaugural episode of The Human Layer Podcast, recorded at ETH Denver, explores the tension between technological advancement and human systems in Web3. Hosts Crystal Street and Taylor Kendal examine how crypto has evolved from its early idealistic days to its current state of institutional adoption, bringing both legitimization and problematic power dynamics.• Introduction to the podcast's mission: exploring the intersection of emerging technology and human systems through unfiltered conversations• Discussion of crypto's evolution: institutional adoption has legitimized the technology but introduced concerning power dynamics• Exploration of "soft hypocrisy" - the...
2025-03-1325 min
Design Development117: Innovative Thinking with Marvin Lahoud, Partner TOCCI, CEO C StreetIn this engaging episode of Design Development, host Rens Hayes delves into the multifaceted world of commercial construction with Marvin LaHoud. Marvin's insights offer a refreshing view on the challenges faced by general contractors, notably the high-risk, low-margin nature of the business. The conversation revolves around finding differentiation in a commoditized market by lowering costs and risks, aligning with principles that focus on 'risk engineering' and 'cost engineering.'Marvin also shares his experiences with Tocci, a progressive construction and consultancy firm. Key topics include the exploration of Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), modular construction, and the application...
2025-02-0556 min
Word of Mom Radio#WoM Radio Music Monday presents Derrick T. Lewis singer & actorDerrick T. Lewis has had an interest in acting and music all his life. He recently teamed up with veteran producers Stefan Moessle and Aswad Samad to make his first single Selfish Pride a work of art. As an actor, he studied under Sara Mornell, Tracey Moore, Constance Tillotson, Dustin Felder and Amanda Lynch. Derrick has appeared in productions such as “Creed”, “Man On A Ledge”, “Where Hearts Lie", and “CStreet”.
We share his stories and inspirations Monday June 11th 10amPT/1pmET or anytime in the archives.
#WoMRadio is committed to raising awareness about bullying and we are sharing David Carraturo's heartfel...
2018-06-1028 min