Shows
Modem FuturaWhy Human Craft and Creativity Still Wins in an Age of AIIn this end-of-year holiday episode of Modem Futura, hosts Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard take a rare pause from the usual existential weight of emerging technologies to reflect on creativity, craft, and community in a year defined by acceleration. The conversation opens with a thoughtful exploration of what platform “year-in-review” moments (like Spotify Wrapped) quietly reveal about culture, identity, and participation in algorithmic ecosystems. Sean shares behind-the-scenes insights into Modem Futura’s global reach, listener engagement, and surprising audience patterns, prompting a deeper reflection on what meaningful impact looks like beyond raw download numbers.The episode then pivots...
2025-12-2346 minModem FuturaIs Life a Simulation? AI, Games, and the Future of Reality with Rizwan VirkIn this expansive and playful episode of Modem Futura, hosts Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard welcome back futurist, game designer, and author Rizwan Virk to explore the rapidly evolving Simulation Hypothesis—and what it means in an era of AI, spatial computing, and increasingly immersive digital worlds. Building on the newly released second edition of The Simulation Hypothesis, Virk reflects on how advances in virtual reality, AI-driven characters, and gaming technologies are collapsing the distance between simulated and physical experience.The conversation weaves through Apple Vision Pro experiences, metaverse layers, and the idea of “foveated reality,” where only w...
2025-12-161h 20Modem FuturaThat Was Easy: The Hidden Cost of Frictionless AIIn this episode of Modem Futura, Sean and Andrew dive deep into the rising cultural tension between generative AI’s promise of instant production and the human need for meaningful creative friction. Prompted by frustrations with “AI slop” — low-effort, machine-generated content flooding professional and social spaces — the hosts examine why the “easy button” mentality poses risks to wisdom, craft, and our collective future. Drawing on examples from coding, design, and their own creative workflows, they unpack how frictionless creation can erode understanding, undermine expertise, and lead to a homogenized aesthetic where everything feels the same. They discuss the psychological pull toward ef...
2025-12-091h 02Modem FuturaAI Toys: Datafied Childhoods and the Future of PlayIn this toy-themed episode of Modem Futura, Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard start with an overnight stay aboard the USS Midway before segueing into the holiday toy season and a very 2020s concern: AI-powered toys. From chatty teddy bears running GPT-4 that cheerfully explain how to light matches and sexual kinks to kids, to the long lineage of “intelligent” toys like Teddy Ruxpin, Furby, Hello Barbie and Watson-powered dinos, they trace how our playthings have quietly become networked, data-hungry machines.They unpack two intertwined risks: the datification of childhood—toys that vacuum up children’s voices, feelings and habi...
2025-12-021h 06Modem FuturaMade by Humans: Inside the New Apple TV LogoIn this episode of Modem Futura, Sean and Andrew dive deep into the surprising story behind the new Apple TV logo and mnemonic—and why it matters in a world overrun by “AI slop.” They unpack how, in an age where everyone assumes animations are spun up in seconds by generative tools, Apple chose a radically different path: a practical, physical frosted-glass logo, carefully lit and filmed in real space, then paired with a handcrafted two-second audio chime composed by Finneas. Along the way, they explore why this kind of intentional, human-centered design still matters: from the hidden craftsmanship that m...
2025-11-2529 minModem FuturaThe AI Sustainability Paradox - Promise, Peril, and Planetary FuturesIn this episode of Modem Futura, Sean and Andrew explore one of the most urgent and complex questions of our time: Can AI meaningfully help humanity navigate climate change, biodiversity loss, freshwater scarcity, and the broader planetary pressures shaping the Anthropocene — without worsening them? Drawing on the new 2025 synthesis report AI for a Planet Under Pressure from the Stockholm Resilience Centre, the conversation unpacks how artificial intelligence is being used today to model ecosystems, accelerate scientific discovery, and surface hidden patterns that humans alone cannot easily see. At the same time, Sean and Andrew wrestle with the paradox at th...
2025-11-1853 minModem FuturaThe Metaverse - A Stack of Reality LayersIn this mind-bending episode of Modem Futura, Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard dive deep into the metaverse—not as a corporate brand or sci-fi fantasy, but as a living, evolving stack of realities. Drawing on their immersive experiences with Apple’s Vision Pro, they explore what happens when the physical and digital worlds begin to merge—when the headset comes off but the virtual persists. The hosts unravel how layers of spatial, augmented, and extended reality form a “metaverse stack” that blurs the line between presence and simulation, raising profound questions about identity, memory, and the nature of reality itself. Al...
2025-11-111h 08Modem FuturaThrough the lens: Spatial Computing with Apple Vision ProRecorded while actually wearing Apple Vision Pro headsets, Sean and Andrew go hands‑on with spatial computing to test what it’s good for today—and what it might become tomorrow. They compare “spatial” to VR and AR, unpack why Apple avoids the term “VR,” and explain pass‑through, eye/hand‑based interaction, and foveated rendering in plain English. The conversation moves from everyday use (multi‑monitor work setups, traveling with AVP, watching films and immersive video, viewing panoramas as if you’re back on location) to the human side: motion‑sickness thresholds, accessibility benefits, social norms and privacy (Ray‑Ban/Meta, the legacy...
2025-11-041h 04
Modem FuturaTech or Treat: A Haunted Futures Improv SpecialIt’s Halloween in the future — and things are getting weird. In this special Modem Futura mini-episode, Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard unleash a spooky edition of their improv game “Futures Improv: Tech or Treat.” Fueled by AI-generated prompts, the duo riffs on haunted algorithms, mirrors that remember, and nightmare-mode neural interfaces. What happens when defunct social-media bots resurrect long-dead posts to tag the living? Could a smart mirror one day show you not your reflection, but who you might have been in another timeline? And what if a brain-computer interface glitch traps you inside your worst fear?Equal...
2025-10-3123 minModem FuturaAtlas, Higher Education, and How We Really Feel About AIIn this episode Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard dive deep into how people really feel about AI—drawing on the latest Pew Research Center global survey of 25 countries. From curiosity to concern, they unpack why so many remain unaware of AI’s everyday presence and what this says about our collective future. The hosts explore the widening gap between the technological elite and the majority who’ve “heard little or nothing” about artificial intelligence, asking what it means for democracy, governance, and participation in shaping our shared futures. The conversation then expands into questions of trust: why Americans express the highes...
2025-10-281h 30Modem FuturaSora, Slop, and the AI Economy: When ChatGPT Meets WalmartIn this episode of Modem Futura, Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard dive into a wide-ranging and characteristically lively discussion that spans the launch of Andrew’s new book AI and the Art of Being Human, the rise of OpenAI’s Sora 2video platform, and the surprising partnership between Walmart and ChatGPT that could reshape the economics of online retail. They explore how AI is eroding traditional search and ad models, speculate on whether we’re living inside an “AI bubble,” and ask what happens when an entire digital economy is built on venture debt rather than real profit. Along the way, t...
2025-10-211h 16Modem FuturaWe Turned One - plus Liquid Media, Work Slop, and the Road AheadWe celebrate a full year of Modem Futura with an open, in‑studio debrief on what’s worked, what’s changed, and why we double‑down on being a relational—not transactional—podcast. Sean and Andrew look back on 52+ weekly episodes that turned the studio into a “living laboratory,” where listeners pull up a chair to conversations spanning AI and AGI, simulation hypotheses, autonomous mobility (including a ride in a Waymo), radical creativity, robots and bio‑hybrids, space futures, media theory, education, and more. We unpack how care became a guiding frame for our topics and tone; why parasocial dynamics matter wh...
2025-10-141h 16Modem FuturaAI and the Art of Being Human: How to Thrive with AIThis week, Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard welcome venture capitalist and AI Salon founder Jeffrey Abbott to launch the new book AI and the Art of Being Human—a practical, hands‑on guide to thriving with AI while rediscovering what matters most. Together, they unpack where the idea came from, why they fast‑tracked the project, and how they co‑created with AI (moving from ChatGPT to Anthropic’s Claude) using a “shared compass,” voice training, and a living “lore book” to keep characters and story arcs consistent. Instead of dry case studies, the book uses vivid, cinematic global vignettes and 21 s...
2025-10-071h 13Modem FuturaAI in Elementary Education: Teaching Tech to Our Youngest LearnersIn this episode of Modem Futura, Sean and Andrew sit down with veteran educator Tara Menghini to explore how artificial intelligence is shaping the formative years of K–6 learning. Tara brings over 25 years of classroom experience and a passion for helping young learners build healthy technology habits from the very start. Together, they discuss the growing comfort children have with iPads compared to pencils and scissors, the tension between hands-on physical learning and digital fluency, and the importance of teaching balance rather than banning screen time. Tara shares vivid classroom examples—from coding without screens to design-thinking projects—that cultiv...
2025-09-301h 22Modem FuturaSloppy Clankers: Is This AI’s Frankenfood Moment?In this lively milestone episode of Modem Futura, Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard dive into the strange cultural moment where AI hype collides with social backlash. The conversation begins with Apple’s latest tech updates—live translation in AirPods and cinematic filmmaking features in the iPhone 17 Pro—before shifting gears into the growing online phenomenon of the term “clanker.” Originally a Star Wars slur for battle droids, “clanker” has become a pejorative for AI systems—and increasingly, for people who use them. Sean and Andrew unpack how this meme-like insult is evolving into a marker of distrust, frustration, and resistance towar...
2025-09-231h 02Modem FuturaFutures Thinking: Foresight You Can UseStuck in traffic and daydreaming about an eVTOL escape, Sean and Andrew use “flying cars” (and a new Blackmagic URSA spatial camera that gobbles terabytes) to make a larger point: tech doesn’t fix congestion—or much else—without a systems view that includes people, policy, and behavior. From there, they unpack futures thinking as a mindset, not fortune‑telling: exploring possible, probable, and preferable futures to make better choices today. You’ll hear how horizon scanning (signals, trends, megatrends), scenario building, and backcasting turn uncertainty into actionable paths—while avoiding “used futures,” reducing future shock, and stress‑testing for unintended harms...
2025-09-161h 04Modem FuturaFilms from the Future: Moviegoer’s Guide to TomorrowIn this episode of Modem Futura, hosts Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard dive into Andrew’s book Films from the Future: The Technology and Morality of Sci-Fi Movies, and the course it inspired, The Moviegoer’s Guide to the Future. Together, they explore how blockbuster films—from Jurassic Park and Minority Report to Limitless, Ex Machina, Elysium, and Contact—become more than entertainment: they serve as mirrors reflecting society’s hopes, fears, and ethical dilemmas around technology. The conversation ranges from the philosophical weight of Never Let Me Go and its meditation on mortality, to the prescient warnings of predictive...
2025-09-091h 21Modem FuturaUp in the Air: The Future of eVTOLs and Urban Air MobilityIn this episode of Modem Futura, Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard take to the skies—literally exploring the promise and pitfalls of eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft). From personal one-seat “flying pod” drones to futuristic air taxis, eVTOLs are being touted as the next leap in personal and urban transportation. But do they represent a bold solution to gridlock and emissions, or a risky Jetsons-inspired fantasy?We dive into the history of flying car dreams dating back to the 1940s, the technological advances in drones, batteries, and sensors that make eVTOLs possible today, and the regula...
2025-09-021h 08Modem FuturaAgentic AI in Education & the Art of Becoming with Punya MishraSean Leahy and Andrew Maynard welcome ASU’s Punya Mishra back to unpack what “agentic AI” could—and shouldn’t—mean in education. After a nostalgic cold open on AOL’s September 30, 2025 dial‑up shutdown and why the show’s intro samples the 56K handshake, they question recent AI “study” and “agent” releases and the industry’s habit of mistaking prompts and dashboards for pedagogy. Mishra contrasts gamified nudges with deep, personal motivation, sharing how he used AI to begin reading Odia so he could finally engage with his mother’s writing—learning driven by belonging, not badges. Grounding the conversation in John Dewey’s...
2025-08-261h 15Modem FuturaAI, Not AI: Riding the Hype CycleSummer-mode serendipity turns into a sharp tour of today’s tech hype and what actually matters. Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard open with the rapid-fire AI news cycle—GPT-5 rumors, Claude 4.1, and OpenAI’s new open‑weight releases (120B/20B under Apache 2.0 license)—and why running local models (think Whisper on M‑series Macs, or other local models) is accelerating “garage‑scale” experimentation. From there, Andrew shares a candid writer’s-eye view of co‑authoring with AI: Claude can produce moving, “too perfect” drafts, but the human editor’s job is to re‑introduce voice, variation, and those unmistakable personal “tells.” The conversa...
2025-08-1956 minModem FuturaShow Me the Receipts: the Futures of AI Super-intelligenceIn this wide‑ranging summer episode, Sean and Andrew begin with the strange calm of an almost‑empty university campus and ponder how AI‑assisted “digital twins” could let us re‑imagine academic spaces once the students return. A quick shout‑out to Modem Futura’s growing global audience segues into a critical look at the latest AI headlines—especially Mark Zuckerberg’s claim that “developing super‑intelligence is now in sight.” The hosts unpack what super‑intelligence and AGI actually mean, tracing the gap between marketing hype, investor pressure, and the messy reality of today’s large language models. They explore technologic...
2025-08-121h 12Modem FuturaLiving Machines: Inside the Future World of Bio‑Hybrid RoboticsWhat happens when living organisms become components of our machines—and our machines become partly alive? In fact – how do we tell when or if something is ALIVE? In this episode, hosts Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard sit down with guest Sean Dudley (Associate Vice President, ASU Knowledge Enterprise) to unpack the rapidly emerging field of bio‑hybrid robotics. Dudley breaks the field into four sub‑domains: (1) micro‑robots that harness algae or bacteria for propulsion, (2) living‑tissue–integrated robots that marry 3‑D‑printed scaffolds with cultured muscle to create bio‑actuators, (3) cyborg systems where neural or electrical interfaces steer insects, eels, jelly...
2025-08-051h 13Modem FuturaFutures of Agentic AI and the 2025 AI Action PlanIn this episode, Sean and Andrew dissect the newly released U.S. 2025 AI Action Plan, exploring its three pillars—accelerating innovation, building U.S. AI infrastructure, and leading global AI diplomacy. They probe the plan’s “build‑baby‑build” ethos, the push for deregulation, massive energy demands, and semiconductor incentives, and the geopolitical chess game with China. From there, the conversation pivots to the hype‑cycle around “agentic AI.” Sean tests OpenAI’s new Agent Mode live, while Andrew compares it with Chinese platform Manus, asking whether these tools truly deliver—or just search the web more slowly than a human. The conversation...
2025-07-291h 25Modem FuturaSummer School with AI: Rethinking Learning in the Age of GPTIn this “summer session” of Modem Futura, Sean is joined by the newly minted Dr. Rachna Mathur—artist, engineer, dancer, and Senior STEM Strategist at ASU Preparatory Academy—for a candid, big‑picture conversation about what emerging AI means for schools, work and humanity. Recording from a toasty Arizona studio, the pair trace Mathur’s path from semiconductor algorithm architect to K‑12 AI advocate, then dive into how today’s generative‑AI “Cambrian explosion” is reshaping childhood, parenting, and classroom practice. They probe questions many educators are wrestling with: Will large‑language models erode reading, writing and critical‑thinking skills, or can they become catalysts for...
2025-07-221h 23Modem FuturaSummer Movies, liquid media, and alien AI languagesEpisode 40 of Modem Futura is a true summer grab‑bag. Sean and Andrew kick things off a conversation that ricochets from popcorn flicks to philosophical deep dives. First up is a spoiler‑free reaction to the new Superman film—praised for its Dolby Atmos spectacle and nostalgic cameos—followed by Andrew’s unexpected enthusiasm for Megan 2, a techno‑thriller sequel that riffs on AI value‑alignment, neural chips and the “paperclip maximizer” thought experiment. The pair then pivot to teaching with cinema, describing how blockbuster movies become springboards for ethics, innovation and sticky learning moments in the classroom. That segues into a lively tal...
2025-07-1556 minModem FuturaSummer Vibes & Spatial Rides: Inside Vision Pro, F1 & Jurassic RebootsIn this laid‑back summer installment, Sean and Andrew sweat it out in the studio to deliver a free‑flowing “potpourri” of future‑focused topics. They compare practical effects vs. CGI through the lens of the original Jurassic Park and the new Jurassic World: Rebirth; share hands‑on insights from months of experimenting with the Apple Vision Pro, spatial video rigs, and multi‑cam podcast production; and preview Xbox Cloud Gaming inside mixed‑reality headsets. The conversation then shifts to blockbuster tech culture—from Brad Pitt’s immersive Formula 1 film and IMAX storytelling to Meta’s smart‑glasses push—before turning serious with fresh take...
2025-07-0854 minModem FuturaFuture Vibes: Sean & Andrew’s 2025 Summer Reading ListIn this laid-back “summer reading list” edition of Modem Futura, Sean and Andrew swap stacks and playlists to prove that great ideas don’t always hide in weighty nonfiction tomes. After comparing the pleasures (and pitfalls) of audiobooks, narrator chemistry, and the lost art of radio drama, they dive into a dozen page-turners that feed futurist imaginations. On Sean’s side you’ll find propulsive series such as Martha Wells’ Murderbot Diaries; Hugh Howey’s silo saga (Wool, Shift, Dust); the psychologically eerie Solaris by Stanisław Lem; Dennis E. Taylor’s clone-happy Bobiverse opener We Are Legion (We Are Bob); John Sc...
2025-07-0154 minModem FuturaWorld Economic Forum Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2025In this episode of Modem Futura, Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard cover the World Economic Forum’s newly-released “Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2025” report, unpacking what makes each breakthrough matter and how foresight professionals can turn hype into actionable insight. After a quick update on recording in Apple’s Spatial Video, the hosts explore the WEF’s rigorous selection methodology—crowdsourced nominations, AI-assisted clustering, and a STEEP (social, technological, environmental, economic, policy) readiness map—before running down this year’s stand-outs:Structural Battery Composites – load-bearing parts that double as energy storage.Osmotic Power Systems – harvesting electricity at salt-freshwater b...
2025-06-241h 31Modem FuturaOsaka Expo 2025 Futures Lab: an inside look with Jamey WetmoreFresh off a 10-day immersion at Osaka’s 2025 World Expo, returning guest Dr. Jamey Wetmore joins Sean and Andrew to unpack the spectacle, surprises, and sociotechnical undercurrents he witnessed alongside 17 ASU students. Jamey explains why today’s expos feel less like gadget bazaars and more like “collaboration theme-parks,” spotlighting national visions of cooperative problem-solving rather than single, shiny inventions. He walks us through standout pavilions—from Jordan’s multisensory Bedouin-camp of real sand, stars and cardamom coffee, to Belgium’s uncanny AI-driven “digital-twin” ballet, to the Future-of-Life pavilion’s three-torso android that left visitors wondering whether immortality is nightmare or nirvana. We hear...
2025-06-171h 06Modem FuturaMurderbot: Futures of AI Superintelligence, Rogue Robots, and CareHosts Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard kick off this episode with a behind-the-scenes reveal: they’re now capturing each conversation in Apple’s easy-to-edit spatial video—and debating what immersive podcasting might become. From there the discussion rockets into the cultural obsession with AI super-intelligence and “rogue” robots, sparked by Apple TV+’s new adaptation of Murderbot. Sean and Andrew unpack why stories from Terminator and Ex Machina to Westworld and Her keep returning to machines that betray us—and contrast them with gentler robot narratives like Bicentennial Man, Spielberg’s A.I., After Yang and WALL-E. Along the way they revisit...
2025-06-1058 minModem FuturaLiving Circuits and Biofoundries: Ethics and Care of Synthetic Biology with Emma FrowWhat does it really take to engineer life—and should we? In this wide-ranging conversation, Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard sit down with ASU colleague Dr. Emma Frow to unpack the promise and perils of synthetic biology. Emma traces the field’s origins—from the early “DNA-as-code” dream of rational genetic design to today’s reality of brute-force experimentation and highly automated biofoundries—and explains why biology stubbornly resists plug-and-play engineering. The trio dive into the tensions between control vs. care, showing how metaphors borrowed from electronics can miss the messy, evolving nature of living systems. They discuss emerging industrial pla...
2025-06-031h 12Modem FuturaFutures of Learning: AI in Education with Punya MishraIn this lively round-table, hosts Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard sit down with renowned educational-technology scholar Dr. Punya Mishra to untangle the hype and hope around AI in education. Together they probe why “personalized learning” promises often miss the messy, human heart of learning; explore Sean and Punya’s shared devotion to John Dewey's natural impulses for learning—inquiry, communication, construction, expression—as a practical compass for designing AI-infused classrooms; and wrestle with the double-edged sword of chatbots that can both super-charge creativity and erode critical friction. The trio dig into cheating, caring, the myth of control, universal basic income, an...
2025-05-271h 25Modem FuturaSymbiotic Futures: Megatrends, foresight, and Futures ThinkingSean Leahy and Andrew Maynard reunite after Sean’s trip to Lisbon’s Future Days conference to riff on everything from testing an Apple Vision Pro on an 11‑hour flight to the Iberian‑Peninsula blackout that plunged Portugal and Spain into darkness. They use those real‑world anecdotes to explore “symbiotic futures,” the fragility of complex socio‑technical systems, and why futures thinking — complete with megatrend scanning and human‑centered foresight — belongs in every profession. Along the way they celebrate reaching listeners in 74 countries, read a heartfelt note from Isabel in Zurich, and issue a friendly call for ratings and reviews to help Modem Futura crack...
2025-05-2059 minModem FuturaSevered Minds: Brain Implants, AI, and the Future of Being HumanIn this episode of Modem Futura, Sean L and Andrew M examine Apple TV+’s hit series Severance, using its mind-bending premise of surgically split consciousness to explore real-world questions around emerging science and technology, identity, and ethical responsibility. They unpack the show’s depiction of “innies” and “outies” as a metaphor for how modern workers often compartmentalize personal values from corporate expectations, and consider what brain-computer interfaces, memory editing, and AI welfare research might mean for the future of being human. Along the way they riff on Sam Altman’s tongue-in-cheek claim that polite prompts cost “tens of millions,” debat...
2025-05-131h 10Modem FuturaAI on Campus: How Gen Z Is Redefining College with ChatGPTIn this “student-takeover” episode, hosts Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard sit down with Arizona State University sophomores Caleb Lieberman and Bella Faria to explore what it’s really like to be “AI-native” undergraduates. The conversation ranges from their day-to-day use of tools like ChatGPT Plus (Caleb’s personalized “Arthur Ivan”), Spotify’s DJ, Perplexity, and Google’s Notebook LM podcast summaries, to the cultural dynamics of AI-assisted learning—when it feels taboo, when it builds community, and how it reshapes reading, research, and creativity. They tackle perennial fears about academic integrity, share strategies for checking hallucinations, and reflect on AI’s role in adaptive...
2025-05-061h 04Modem FuturaDire Wolves and Dinosaurs: The Bioscience of De-ExtinctionIn this deep dive of Modem Futura, Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard tackle the sensational claims surrounding the "de-extinction" of the dire wolf by Colossal Biosciences. Using the hype-heavy headlines as a jumping-off point, the hosts explore the real science behind resurrection biology, CRISPR gene editing, and the ethics of engineered evolution. From Jurassic Park references to cutting-edge synthetic biology, the episode unpacks what’s happening in labs today, what it means for biodiversity and conservation futures, and how the line between fact and science fiction is increasingly blurred. Along the way, they probe big questions about responsibility, scientific hu...
2025-04-291h 01Modem FuturaBeyond the Hero’s Journey: AI, Protopia & the Future of Film with Taryn O'NeillIn this lively, idea‑packed episode of Modem Futura, Sean and Andrew sit down with Taryn O’Neill—filmmaker, futurist, and impact storyteller—whose work bridges entertainment, emerging technology, and climate action. They trace the (nostalgic) arc from DVD‑by‑mail and the early YouTube web‑series boom to today’s streaming ecosystem, unpacking how residuals, budgets, and community engagement have all been up‑ended.Taryn explains why AI‑assisted production will slash visual‑effects costs while opening the door for global, community‑driven studios and more inclusive narratives, and the challenge of Hollywood to balance tent‑pole spectacle with ethically trained gene...
2025-04-221h 23Modem FuturaElectronic Vehicles and the Future of Transportation with Jamey WetmoreIn this episode of Modem Futura, co-hosts Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard sit down with special guest Dr. Jamey Wetmore, Associate Professor at Arizona State University and author of the Substack The Tech Skeptic Goes Electric. They explore the intricacies of owning an electric vehicle, including the joys of quick acceleration, the challenges of charging infrastructure, and the privacy concerns tied to data collection. Jamey offers insights into how skepticism can inform better decisions on adopting new technologies, highlighting the need for thoughtful governance and a realistic view of the EV lifestyle. Drawing from personal stories and broader societal...
2025-04-151h 14Modem FuturaVibecasting: Studio Ghibli and AI Redefining Creativity and Intellectual PropertyIn this episode, Sean and Andrew navigate the complex landscape of generative AI image tools, using the new OpenAI image generator and its Studio Ghibli–style outputs as a springboard for broader ethical questions. They discuss the rapid evolution of AI capabilities, and the complicated relationship between intellectual property and emerging AI tools. Weighing both practical and philosophical perspectives, they debate whether these tools undermine human creativity or open new doors for artistic expression. The conversation also touches on fan art, the value of authorial intent, and whether the right to learn and replicate styles should extend to AI. Ul...
2025-04-081h 12
Learning FuturesFOLC Fest 2025 featuring Michael J SorrelIn this special FOLC Fest 2025 episode of the Learning Futures podcast, host Sean Leahy sits down with Michael J. Sorrell, president of Paul Quinn College, who delivered the conference’s opening keynote, “From Chaos to Clarity: Innovation Strategies for Leading Through Uncertainty.” Dr. Sorrell recounts his early challenges at Paul Quinn when the institution had only 30 days of cash on hand and highlights the pivotal mindset shifts and empathy-driven leadership decisions that helped transform the college into a model for academic excellence and innovation. He stresses the importance of listening, transparency, and authentic connection with those you serve, while noting...
2025-04-0445 minModem FuturaWhen AI Takes the Wheel: Rethinking Education for a Post-Scarcity WorldIn this episode that features the shortest cold open to date, Sean face-plants the introduction hard with a good laugh. Sean and Andrew quickly shift into a deep dive on the state of AI-innovation by navigating the complexities of AI literacy, cultural responsiveness, and educational reform. Drawing on the launch of OpenAI Academy and insights from Andrew's keynote address from the Yidan Prize Conference, they question how rapid innovation cycles can be harnessed responsibly while warning that society risks chaos if change outpaces our readiness. Using a driving lesson metaphor, they illustrate the importance of structured guidance in mastering...
2025-04-011h 02Modem FuturaTech Trends 2025: Exploring Futures of Living IntelligenceGrab your flip flops and beach gear and join is us on this laid-back spring break episode, Sean and Andrew cover Apple’s latest hardware announcements, spotlighting the MacBook Air’s new M4 processor and the powerhouse M3 Ultra chip in the Mac Studio—both of which promise to accelerate AI workloads and offer impressive longevity. Andrew does his best to keep Sean from spending big $$$ on new computer hardware. Reminiscing about early computing nostalgia, they also explore the Future Today Strategy Group’s 2025 Tech Trends Report, discussing the merging of physical, digital, and biological technologies, the rise of humanoid...
2025-03-251h 09Modem FuturaAI and the Natural Impulses for LearningIn this episode, Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard explore the impact of technology on everyday life and education. They discuss the rising costs and exaggerated hype surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) subscription services, and reflect thoughtfully on the potential consequences of overpromising on AI capabilities, emphasizing the need to strike a healthy balance between innovation and practical usefulness.A significant focus of the conversation revolves around the transformative potential of AI in education. Sean and Andrew discuss how AI can enhance learning experiences, rather than merely replacing traditional methods. They highlight the crucial role educators play in thoughtfully...
2025-03-1859 minModem FuturaAI and Technological Change: the Postman Always DeliversIn this insightful episode, Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard frame ways of thinking and processing the increased speed of technological change, examining the complexities of AI (and other emergent technologies) and its profound implications for society. Drawing historical parallels and reflecting on cultural narratives, the hosts discuss technology's dual nature—both beneficial and harmful—referencing Neil Postman’s critical perspectives as presented in his 1998 talk "Five Things We Need to Know About Technological Change". They explore the 'Faustian bargain' of technological trade-offs, the winners and losers, embedded biases, ecological impact, and mythic status of technologic innovations and change. Through their...
2025-03-111h 07Modem FuturaComputational Photography: AI & Creative ProcessIn this episode, Sean and Andrew dig into the intersection of photography and technology, focusing on the evolution of cameras, the impact of smartphones, and the rise of computational photography. The hosts discuss how AI is transforming the creative process and the implications for human expression in photography. In this conversation, the hosts explore the evolution of photography, focusing on the impact of technology, particularly AI, on the art form. The hosts explore the balance between capturing reality and artistic expression, the philosophical questions AI introduces, and the importance of the photographer’s unique perspective in a world where te...
2025-03-041h 13Modem FuturaThe Art of Doing NothingIn this episode Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard discuss AI fatigue, the philosophical implications of technology, and the storytelling behind technological progress as they ponder the quote from Oscar Wilde does 'life imitate art, or does art imitate life'? Their conversation covers the allure and nostalgia of new technologies, the way technology builds community, and the intricate relationship between consumerism, authenticity, and personal narratives. Rich with references to Oscar Wilde and personal anecdotes, they examine the influence of big corporations and AI, emphasizing the importance of intentionality, creative space, and reflective boredom in our fast-paced digital world. They also...
2025-02-251h 01Modem FuturaAI: the Medium is the MessageJoin Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard as they navigate the evolving landscape of technology and its influence on our personal and professional lives. The conversation addresses OpenAI’s Deep Research and others growing role in academic work, highlighting both its value in accelerating research and its limitations—particularly around citation accuracy and the need for genuine human interpretation. Drawing on concepts like Marshall McLuhan’s “the medium is the message” and historical analogies such as the electric light, they illustrate how one technological leap can trigger vast societal changes in the 'adjacent possible' space. Throughout, they consider the balance of gains a...
2025-02-181h 08Modem FuturaArtisanal Intellectual: a response to OpenAI's Deep ResearchIn this episode of Modem Futura, hosts Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard discuss the evolving landscape of AI and its implications for humanity. This episode highlights the challenges and frustrations faced when using AI tools, particularly in academic contexts, while also emphasizing the exciting possibilities that arise from the partnership between humans and AI. In this episode the hosts take a close look at their experience with the newly released Deep Research from OpenAI Pro and share initial impressions and some suggestions for much needed improvement. They discuss how AI can generate new ideas, challenge traditional academic perspectives, and...
2025-02-111h 05Modem FuturaGoing Pro with ChatGPT and DeepSeek - with Mark DaleyAndrew Maynard, Sean Leahy, and special guest Mark Daly explore the rapid advancements in AI technology with a spotlight on OpenAI's 01 Pro model. They examine how AI is reshaping game development, creative industries, and research, and discuss the urgent need for academia to adapt to these changes. The panel also tackles ethical issues in education, emphasizing the importance of maintaining human values amid rapid technological progress.Highlighting AI's transformative potential for Gen Z, the conversation explores experiential learning and the benefits of personalized AI tutors (evoking Neal Stephenson's 'The Diamond Age'). The discussion further explores the impact...
2025-02-041h 10Modem FuturaStargate AG-IIn this conversation, Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard discuss the rapid developments in AI technology, particularly focusing on the newly announced Stargate AI initiative. They explore the implications of the inauguration week, the political landscape surrounding AI regulation, and the potential economic impacts of this massive investment in AI infrastructure. The discussion also touches on historical parallels, public perception, and the ambitious claims made during the press conference announcing the initiative. Andrew and Sean also explore the transformative potential of AI and mRNA vaccines in medicine, the ethical implications of tech companies' responsibilities, and the societal risks associated with...
2025-01-281h 05Modem FuturaAGI, Superintelligence, Synthetic Personas, and is the Internet dead?In this engaging conversation, Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard explore the rapid developments in technology as we enter 2025. They discuss the implications of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), the potential for superintelligence, and the ethical considerations surrounding these advancements. The conversation also touches on the creation of synthetic personas in social media and the challenges of distinguishing between real and artificial interactions. The hosts explore the implications of synthetic personas and data, the concept of the dead internet, and the future of AI technology. They discusses the potential dangers of social media manipulation, the ethical considerations of using synthetic data...
2025-01-211h 12Modem FuturaAutonomous Vehicles and Systems with Brunno MorettiSean and Andrew are joined by Brunno Moretti (President of ADAS Solutions, Ascential Technologies) for a conversation that explores the current state and futures of autonomous vehicles, particularly focusing on RoboTaxis, the challenges faced in their development, and the implications of public testing. We get Brunno's expert input on the differences between LIDAR and camera systems in autonomous driving technology, the levels of autonomy, and the role of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in enhancing vehicle safety. In this enlightening conversation, we discuss and emphasize the importance of designing systems that not only match human capabilities but exceed them...
2025-01-141h 18Modem FuturaHumans in Space with Astronaut Cady ColemanIn this engaging conversation with Sean and Andrew, Cady Coleman, a former NASA astronaut, shares her experiences and insights from her time in space, the importance of recognition in the space culture, and the evolving dynamics between human and robotic roles in space exploration. The discussion also touches on the significance of efficiency in operations, the personal touch of bringing books to space, and the challenges faced in preparing humans for deeper space missions. Cady's new book, 'Sharing Space', offers a glimpse into her journey and the lessons learned along the way. In this episode, Cady shares her experiences...
2025-01-071h 16Modem Futura2024 Retrospective ProspectiveIn this engaging conversation, Sean and Andrew are joined by Joe O'Rourke and Caitlin Roe to explore a variety of topics ranging from the new ChatGPT phone feature to significant advancements in space exploration in 2024. They discuss the Europa Clipper mission, the implications of feminist theory in space exploration, and the importance of care in technology development. The dialogue is filled with humor and insightful commentary on the future of technology and space missions. In this conversation, the panel discusses various themes surrounding technology, particularly focusing on the Apple Vision Pro, virtual reality, and its implications for education and...
2024-12-311h 21Modem FuturaLive Holiday Special: Futures Speed RoundIn this lively and thought-provoking episode, Sean and Andrew team up with Ed Finn, Ruth Wylie, and Bob Beard from ASU’s Center for Science and the Imagination for a rapid-fire discussion on the future of humanity. Together, they explore themes like the values that will shape our future, the role of kindness in communities, AI's potential role in governance, and how humor evolves alongside technology.The conversation delves into fascinating intersections between technology, nature, and human experience. Topics include plant communication, the Gaia hypothesis, the future of transportation and tourism, the evolution of universities, and the ex...
2024-12-2454 minModem FuturaLive from the Pub! Exploring Digital RealitiesIn this episode of Modum Futura Live, Sean and Andrew explore the concept of digital realities and simulated worlds. They discuss the technological advancements that have made immersive virtual and augmented realities possible, the ethical implications of creating such environments, and the potential impact on human experiences and growth. The conversation gets into the balance between the allure of simulated experiences and the necessity of real-life challenges for personal development. In this engaging conversation, Sean and Andrew explore the complexities of human growth, the implications of simulated realities, and the ethical considerations surrounding technology. They discuss the necessity of...
2024-12-1739 minModem FuturaRadical Creativity: A Future of Unconventional PossibilitiesIn this episode of Modem Futura, Sean and Andrew dive into the concept of radical creativity, examining its definition, significance, and transformative potential for the future. They challenge conventional thinking, champion unconventional ideas, and explore how creativity can address societal issues. The discussion spans the implications of AI on work, the role of universal basic income (UBI) in a post-scarcity society, and the reimagining of education and career aspirations. They also tackle interplanetary colonization, the scientific value of space exploration, and the psychological challenges of extreme environments. Finally, they emphasize fostering creativity and innovation in future generations, envisioning a...
2024-12-101h 03Modem FuturaEnvisioning Tomorrow: The Power of Futures Thinking with Ruth WylieIn this engaging conversation, Sean, Andrew, and Ruth explore the themes of visualization, futures thinking, and the importance of agency in shaping personal and collective futures. They discuss the challenges individuals face in visualizing concepts and the role of lived experiences in imagining future scenarios. The conversation also gets into the significance of introducing futures thinking in education, particularly for young people, to foster resilience and empower them to shape their own futures. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the evolving role of educators, emphasizing the need for futures thinking in classrooms. They explore the importance of empathy and...
2024-12-031h 10Modem FuturaCan AI Reason Like Humans?Sean and Andrew explore the challenges and limitations of AI reasoning, especially in large language models (LLMs). They discuss recent Apple research questioning LLMs' true reasoning abilities, emphasizing that these models rely heavily on pattern recognition rather than genuine understanding. Their conversation addresses the hype around AI, its inherent fragility, and the importance of fostering AI literacy to avoid misplaced trust. They examine AI's potential as a writing partner, the critical need for accuracy in sensitive areas like healthcare and education, and the ethical implications of AI's role in digital communication, advocating for a nuanced, responsible approach to AI...
2024-11-261h 01Modem FuturaWaymo we go! - Navigating the Future of Autonomous DrivingIn this conversation, Sean and Andrew explore the future of transportation, particularly focusing on driverless cars and the implications of autonomous vehicles. They discuss the current state of technology, the various levels of automation, and the societal changes that may arise from widespread adoption of self-driving cars. The conversation also touches on personal experiences with Waymo, the challenges of public perception, and the potential benefits for individuals with disabilities. In this conversation, the hosts explore the experience of riding in an autonomous vehicle, specifically a Waymo, discussing its driving behavior, safety features, and the implications of self-driving technology. They...
2024-11-121h 02Modem FuturaFuture of AI: Can Machines Think?Hosts Sean and Andrew reflect on the challenges of defining human identity in the context of advancing technology and the responsibilities of society in managing these innovations. In this conversation, our hosts explore the evolving landscape of AI, particularly focusing on OpenAI's transition to a for-profit model. They discuss the ethical implications of AI development, the ecological impact of technological changes, and the societal responsibilities that come with innovation. The conversation emphasizes the need for transparency, public engagement, and a balanced approach to harnessing technology for the greater good, while also addressing the potential risks and unintended consequences of u...
2024-11-0557 min
Modem FuturaHalloween edition featuring War of the WorldsIn this Halloween special Sean and Andrew are joined by Ed Finn, the founding director of the Center for Science and the Imagination. The conversation explores the historical impact of Orson Welles' radio adaptation of H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds, the role of technology in storytelling, and the cultural significance of Halloween. They discuss how speculative fiction can inspire collective imagination for better futures, while also reflecting on societal fears and anxieties. In this engaging conversation, the speakers explore themes of colonial anxieties, the power dynamic, and the unsettling nature of narratives in literature and media. They...
2024-10-3142 minModem FuturaFutures and Ethics of Bio HackingIn this episode, hosts Sean and Andrew jump right into the complex themes surrounding biohacking, data ownership, and the ethical implications of genetic data. They explore the historical context of data ownership, the evolution of biohacking, and the responsibilities that come with technological advancements. The conversation also highlights the case of 23andMe, discussing the potential risks and benefits of personal data collection and the need for regulations to protect individuals. Ultimately, they emphasize the importance of balancing innovation with ethical considerations as we navigate the future of technology and humanity.Links:Andrew's 23andMe Substack article K...
2024-10-2936 minModem FuturaWhat does it mean to be human in the future?In this episode of Modem Futura, hosts Andrew and Sean get into the complexities of the future of being human, exploring the role of technology, innovation, and individual perspectives in shaping our collective futures. They discuss the importance of curiosity, creativity, and inclusivity in futures studies, while also reflecting on the historical context provided by figures like H.G. Wells. The conversation emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to navigating technological advancements and the responsibility of individuals in co-creating the future.Links:H.G. Wells 1902 / 1913 "The Discovery of the future" (available via HathiTrust)Key...
2024-10-1547 minModem FuturaThe Pilot - Exploring the Future of Being HumanIn this pilot episode of Modem Futura, hosts Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard explore the intersection of technology, society, and the human experience. They discuss the origins of the podcast, the significance of the Future of Being Human Initiative, and the importance of inclusive conversations about the future. The episode highlights personal journeys into futurism, the need for diverse voices in discussions about emerging technologies, and the wonder of scientific exploration. The hosts also tease future topics and themes for upcoming episodes, emphasizing the podcast's goal of inspiring curiosity and dialogue. Key takeawaysT...
2024-10-0821 minModem FuturaHello World! [it's a trailer]Welcome to Modem Futura, where we journey into the future to explore the dynamic intersection of technology, society, and humanity. In this trailer, get a glimpse of how we dive into the innovations shaping our world and challenge the myths and narratives that define what it means to be human in a rapidly changing landscape. Tune in for an adventurous exploration of the ideas that will inspire new ways of thinking about tomorrow.
-----Modem Futura is a production of the Future of Being Human initiative at Arizona State University. Be sure to subscribe...
2024-10-0102 minLearning FuturesGenerative AI 2023 a Year in ReviewThis episode takes a retrospective review on 2023 and one of the most transformative technologies of our time - generative AI. Our panel of experts, including Punya Mishra, Sean Leahy, Rachna Mathur, and Kellie Kreiser, explores the impact of AI on various fields and reflects on personal experiences with this transformative technology. From academic conferences to real-life applications and philosophical musings, this discussion is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of AI, education, and daily life.What does this all mean - and where is it going?Key Episode Highlights include: Introduction t...
2023-12-191h 00
Learning FuturesSc(AI)ry StoriesIn the spirit of Halloween - Sean (with the help of producer extraordinaire Jake) pull together a fun compendium of short stories from some of our colleagues and listeners for a special “spooky” episode of the Learning Futures Podcast. The Challenge: Create an original short story (about, with, or through) Generative AI, in the spirit of emerging technologies, AI, the future of humanity etc. in the spirit of Halloween. These can be any genre, they can be spooky, funny, creepy, suspenseful, thought provoking, thoughtful, or any combination of the lot. Have fun with this idea. It could be cre...
2023-10-3138 minLearning FuturesThe Metaverse, Implantable Tech, and AI with Katina MichaelIn this episode, host Dr. Sean Leahy engages in a captivating conversation with Dr. Katina Michael. Dr. Michael's unique journey, transitioning from the telecommunications industry to academia and technology/society research, sets the stage for a thought-provoking discussion.The conversation delves into a wide spectrum of emergent technologies, beginning with an exploration of the metaverse. Dr. Michael offers insights into its definition and current progress, while also pondering its future implications. A significant focus is directed towards the convergence of digital and biological technologies, particularly in the context of implantable tech. The episode also delves into crucial c...
2023-10-171h 08Learning FuturesSeason 6 PreviewDive into Season 6 with host Dr. Sean Leahy as we navigate the dynamic, fast-paced, and rapidly changing technological landscape, delving deep into its transformative impact on society and education. This season promises enriching dialogues with international thought leaders operating at the crucial intersection of technology, cognition, and society.
2023-10-1002 minLearning FuturesSelects: Exploring the Constructs of EdTech (S4E5)This Selects episode was originally published on July 12, 2022. --- Original Show Notes --- Hosts Clarin Collins and Sean Leahy talk with Leigh Wolf and Audrey Watters about the futures of educational technology, how we have come into an era where technologies are present in almost all classrooms and how that has changed teaching and learning in significant ways. Our guests chat about how we could create a more humanistic approach to existing and emerging EdTech, and how EdTech can become a roadblock for teachers. Our panelist help us unpack what EdTech really means, and...
2023-08-2244 minLearning FuturesSelects: Reinventing K12 Education (S4E2)This Selects episode was originally published on June 21, 2022 --- Original Show Notes ---Clarin Collins, Sean Leahy, Robin Lake, and Brent Maddin come together to discuss the current landscape of challenges facing public education. The worldwide pandemic opened many eyes to the current struggles teachers face and encouraged many institutions to change their education models, one such example being the NEXT Education Workforce. Through discussion we are guided along the possibilities of where public education can lead, as well as the current challenges that many school districts are facing. In this ep...
2023-08-1552 minLearning FuturesSelects: Futures Thinking (S4E1)Drs. Clarin Collins and Sean Leahy have a very engaging conversation with Dr. Ruth Wylie, Dr. Danah Henriksen, and Maricel Lawrence about Futures Thinking. Each panelist discusses how they engage in different types of futures thinking and give tips for others to become engaged in this work. They also discuss how topics such as creativity, play, and wellness integrate with futures thinking. --- Original Show Notes --- Clarin Collins, Sean Leahy, Ruth Wylie, Danah Henriksen, and Maricel Lawrence discuss Futures Thinking and how that may look throughout our working spaces and how it af...
2023-08-011h 07Learning FuturesSelects: Futures of Equity in Education (S4E7)This re-released episode features the full audio recording and notes from the original broadcast: July 26, 2022. We (Jake) hopes you'll enjoy revisiting this ever timely topic for the Futures of Learning! --- Original Show Notes ---Hosts Clarin Collins and Sean Leahy talk with Jill Koyama and Daniel Liou about the continuing disparities that are present in education. Starting out on a global level, our guests react to the UNESCO report on reimagining the future of education, talking about the importance of recognizing and building curriculums that represent the diversity of the current student and teacher p...
2023-07-2555 minLearning FuturesSeason 5 Trailer - Learning Futures CollaborativesWe're back! Season 5 kicks off with a short introduction from co-hosts Sean Leahy and Punya Mishra on what Season 5 has in store. Punya and Sean discuss the newly formed Learning Futures Collaborative, and why they are so important to the futures of learning, and how they frame the arch of Season 5 – as a catalyst for getting involved with futures in your own contexts.Hosts & Guests:– Dr. Sean M. Leahy ASU Bio @seanthenerd– Dr. Punya Mishra ASU Bio @punyamishraLinks and Resources:– Learning Futures Website: https://learningfutures.education.asu.edu/– Learning Futures Collaborati...
2023-02-2812 min
Learning FuturesEducating for Sustainable FuturesIn this bonus episode Dr. Sean Leahy talks about the importance of educating for sustainable futures, discussing the opportunities and challenges. Dr. Leahy explores the urgency created by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and the need to prepare for the uncertainty by engaging in futures thinking and other futures methodologies. In this episode Dr. Leahy discusses:Elements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and what set it apart from the previous three.Disruptions and global mega trendsThree pressing Challenges of FIR - building upon the work of Klaus Shwab (Shaping the Future of the Fourth Industrial Revolution)Preparing f...
2022-11-2322 minLearning FuturesFutures of Equity in EducationHosts Clarin Collins and Sean Leahy talk with Jill Koyama and Daniel Liou about the continuing disparities that are present in education. Starting out on a global level, our guests react to the UNESCO report on reimagining the future of education, talking about the importance of recognizing and building curriculums that represent the diversity of the current student and teacher population. They invite us to think about a more humanistic approach to teaching and learning and to reimagine what schools will look like in the future.You can learn more about our guest´s work by visiting t...
2022-07-2655 minLearning FuturesResponding to UNESCO’s Futures of EducationIveta Silova leads a roundtable conversation with international doctoral scholars Prince Kwarase, Esther Pretti, and Shagun Singha about the most recent UNESCO education report. The report outlines goals intended to create a new social contract for education, fueling the discussion on whether these goals are sufficient for our new post-pandemic world. In thinking towards the future, the guests discuss what topics they anticipate being in the next UNESCO report on education and how it could be approached.Link to UNESCO report Reimagining our futures together: a new social contract for educationMore Responses to UNESCO’s...
2022-07-1947 minLearning FuturesExploring the Constructs of EdTechHosts Clarin Collins and Sean Leahy talk with Leigh Wolf and Audrey Watters about the futures of educational technology, how we have come into an era where technologies are present in almost all classrooms and how that has changed teaching and learning in significant ways. Our guests chat about how we could create a more humanistic approach to existing and emerging EdTech, and how EdTech can become a roadblock for teachers. Our panelist help us unpack what EdTech really means, and define it in a broader sense than a “computerized” or “digital” tool only. They invite us to think critical...
2022-07-1243 minLearning FuturesFutures of ESportsBen Scragg from eFuse joins host Sean Leahy to talk about the ins and outs of ESports - and the connection to education and learning. Ben and Sean explore some of the emergent ways in which Esports are becoming more mainstream and what opportunities that might hold for future generations of educators and young people.History and background of startup company eFuse Building a role around education and learning in an esports company State of eSports and online gamingGaming leading to educational opportunitiesRole of eSports on literacies in educational systems Academic and scholarship opportunitiesStatistics of eSports and growth mar...
2022-07-0554 minLearning FuturesFutures of Teacher Candidates and Residency ExperiencesTammy Reithmann and Erika Flores join our hosts Drs. Clarin Collins and Sean Leahy to discuss the state of preparing educators in Arizona and how the pandemic has provided new opportunities and challenges. Although an undisputed tragedy, COVID-19 had some unlikely positive effects on the education system, such as bringing teachers together as a team and demonstrating the resilience of their students. As the state of the world slowly returns to a new “normal”, the discussion turns to how we can retain and build off of these positive changes to bring educators across Arizona (and by extension the others) toge...
2022-06-2845 minLearning FuturesReinventing K12 EducationClarin Collins, Sean Leahy, Robin Lake, and Brent Maddin come together to discuss the current landscape of challenges facing public education. The worldwide pandemic opened many eyes to the current struggles teachers face and encouraged many institutions to change their education models, one such example being the NEXT Education Workforce. Through discussion we are guided along the possibilities of where public education can lead, as well as the current challenges that many school districts are facing. In this episode you can learn about the work that is being done through the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College and t...
2022-06-2151 minLearning FuturesFutures ThinkingClarin Collins, Sean Leahy, Ruth Wylie, Danah Henriksen, and Maricel Lawrence discuss Futures Thinking and how that may look throughout our working spaces and how it affects the decisions we make regarding education. Our guests engage in a round table discussion on how we might look at our futures, the different categories of futures that exist and many more interesting points. (6:40)- What is Futures Thinking (FT)? What do we mean when we say that? (14:19)- Maricel´s choice of ASU´s PhD program, why did she choose it? Imagining new universities. (20:17)- Defin...
2022-06-141h 06
Learning FuturesShapingEDU Virtual Summer Space CampThis bonus episode is all about the ShapingEDU Global Virtual Summer Camp - that invites changemakers from around the world to convene for an experimental fusion of hands-on learning, storytelling, tech hacks and the good kind of shenanigans!Sean, Stephanie, and Ruben chat about the origins of the ShapingEDU community and the history that brought about this innovative and forward focused organization. We explore this new virtual free event in detail and encourage people to sign up or access the resources after the fact, if you are not able to attend, or learn about this e...
2022-06-1038 minLearning FuturesLearning Futures Season 4 TrailerThe Learning Futures Podcast is produced at the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University. The Executive Producer is Dr. Sean Leahy, the show is produced by Dr. Clarin Collins and Karina Muñoz Baltazar, with technical production provided by Jacob Snider.
2022-06-0902 minLearning FuturesBioSense Network: exploring biotech with computational microscopesJoin Dr. Sean Leahy for this bonus episode of the Learning Futures podcast to discuss the BioSense Network, a newly funded research project aimed at establishing a community of learners exploring biotechnology with a computational microscope.Sean interviews his colleagues about this innovative research grant in collaboration with the Arizona State University School of Molecular Sciences, the ASU Biodesign Institute, and the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at ASU. Panel members: Host: Dr. Sean Leahy - twitter: @seanthenerdDr. Abhishek Singharoy - twitter: @abhisekhsingha1Dr. Punya Mishra - twitter: @punyamishraCassandra Kellaris Details (in case you...
2021-11-2443 minLearning FuturesCreative Acts for Curious People with Sarah Stein GreenbergRonald Beghetto has a conversation with Sarah Stein Greenberg about how important it is to shift students’ mindsets from one based on a structured idea of what school and learning is, to one that is open, creative, iterative, adaptive, and able to improvise as they keep learning. Stein Greenberg also talks about her book “Creative Acts for Curious People,” which she wrote with the goal of bringing skills and methods used at the d school to a much wider audience. Stein Greenberg sees this book as a handbook for people to realize the creative power they already possess, emphasizing that e...
2021-11-0230 minLearning FuturesJustice and Love through Education with Kaleb RashadRonald Beghetto and Kaleb Rashad have a meaningful conversation about how school tends to strip people away from their identities and cultural backgrounds, and how important it is for schools to highlight and celebrate identities rather than diminish them. Rashad poses the question of how we can we design learning in such a way that it does not divorce you from who you are, your culture, race, and identity? Rashad also believes in the power of listening to young people, and using their questions to learn with them in a democratic process. Rashad imagines a future where learning is...
2021-10-2636 minLearning FuturesKinship and Community with Amanda TachineRonald Beghetto and Amanda Tachine talk about Tachine’s journey growing up in a Navajo community and how that inspired her to work to affirm native presence in school settings. Tachine mentions how native people’s ideologies have been excluded consistently in the creation of what we now call school and how there needs to be a change in the ways that native people are represented, to sustain indigenous presence in schools. Tachine imagines a future where education is love-centered, and where exclusion has no place, especially for all the native people who deserve to have their culture respected and...
2021-10-1927 minLearning FuturesMentoring and Coaching 4 Change with Marquis TaylorRonald Beghetto and Marquis Taylor from Coaching 4 Change have a conversation about the power of college students serving as mentors to the K12 students and how Taylor sees this model as a tool, and a means to build a talent pipeline in schools. Taylor explains that college students enhance what the teacher is already doing well, but the collaboration allows teachers to think differently about how to best serve and support the needs of each student. Taylor imagines a future where school districts begin using mentoring as a tool to recruit and create amazing talent. You can l...
2021-10-1225 minLearning FuturesThe Education We Want for the Future of Arizona with Amanda BurkeRonald Beghetto and Amanda Burke discuss the importance of listening to a community’s perspective on current issues, and how that can really transform the work being done to solve said issues. Burke speaks of her experiences listening to Arizonians’ opinions on matters of education, and notices the similarities on what they believe are key issues--such as moving education towards a learner-centered approach and creating personalized learning for children. Burke imagines a future where we aim to nurture and support the development of whole human beings who can thrive in all areas, and are equipped to pursue their passions. ...
2021-10-0535 minLearning FuturesWonder Beyond Words: Humanizing Learning with Abhi NangiaRonald Beghetto and Abhi Nangia have a conversation about how Nangia’s nonprofit Better World Ed is changing people’s perspectives on what it is like when we see or meet someone, who has a very different life than us, for the first time. Better World creates wordless videos that showcase a person’s life story, which guide students into questioning and being curious about the world and the people around them. Nangia hopes that these stories will change the hearts and minds of people from a very young age by experiencing different cultures and dismantling biased judgement. Nangia imagin...
2021-09-2831 minLearning FuturesCollaborative Problem Solving with Meaningful Action with Lindy Elkins-TantonRonald Beghetto talks with Lindy Elkins-Tanton about how her different work and life experiences made her realize the importance of knowing how to work in teams, and to create ones that foster equality instead of competition. She mentions how bringing the idea of teams into the classroom, where every voice and perspective is listened to, removes competition. This not only allows students to engage with uncertainty, but ultimately develops stronger outcomes, products, and solutions. Elkins-Tanton imagines a future where learning is more active (rather than what she calls “learned helplessness”) and based around the team’s plurality of perspectives, and vie...
2021-09-2124 minLearning FuturesBuilding Learning Around the Future We Want with Susan SantoneRonald Beghetto talks with Susan Santone about two pressing issues that the world is currently facing: environmental issues and social justice, and how those can be remedied through education. Santone shares how she pushes for students to learn more about these issues within the various courses she teaches, including how they can play a role in changing discourses. Santone mentions the necessity of bridging these issues and creating spaces that help people understand their roots, and realize we have more core beliefs in common than we often think. She imagines a future where schools become a true community where...
2021-09-1432 minLearning FuturesEquity beyond Access with Kwaku AningRonald Beghetto talks with Kwaku Aning about the different issues that education is currently facing because of the pandemic, such as access to technology devices and the internet. Aning tells us how technologies have become increasingly important for students inside the classroom especially during COVID times, and he talks about his work helping teachers bridge what they are doing online with what is happening in the classroom. Aning imagines a future where equity and access are not an issue for students around the world, and also one where creating curriculums that combine subjects like politics and art, become a...
2021-09-0725 minLearning FuturesReimagining substitute teaching with Jill Vialet and Amanda von MoosDr. Ronald Beghetto is joined by Jill Vialet and Amanda von Moos of Substantial Classrooms to discuss the opportunity that exists (and is necessary) to rethink substitute teaching. Von Moos and Vialet invite listeners to reimagine substitute teaching, providing ideas about the impact that these individuals can have on school climate, students’ lives, and more. Substitute teachers are present for roughly 10% of a student’s education, and by recognizing substitutes for their professionalism and varied areas of expertise, the school community benefits. You can learn more about Jill and Amanda’s work by visiting substancialclassrooms.org website for res...
2021-08-3146 minLearning FuturesLearning Futures Season 3 TrailerThe Learning Futures Podcast is produced at the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University. Executive Producers are Dr. Sean Leahy and Claire Gilbert. The show is produced by Dr. Clarin Collins and Karina Muñoz Baltazar. Audio production provided by Claire Gilbert.
2021-08-2405 minLearning FuturesTurn it Around - Flashcards for Education FuturesThis Bonus episode hosted by Dr. Sean Leahy explores the creative project Turn it Around - Flashcards for Education Futures with the innovative team from ASU including Dr. Iveta Silova, Adriene Jenik, Belen Sanchez, and Saiarchana Darira. From the projects website https://www.turnitaroundcards.org/ “Calling Young Artists, Thinkers, and Leaders - We invite you to reimagine our approach to education, our relationship with nature and our connection to the living world during this time of crisis. Help us design a deck of flashcards that show how ecological justice can be achieved.” Turn it Aroun...
2021-07-1628 minLearning FuturesLearning Futures Season 2 TrailerThe Learning Futures Podcast is produced at the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University. . Executive Producers are Dr. Sean Leahy and Claire Gilbert. The show is produced by Dr. Clarin Collins and Karina Muñoz Baltazar. Audio production provided by Claire Gilbert.
2021-03-3011 min
Puck SoupSean Leahy, Puck Daddy FarewellGreg and Dave welcome Sean Leahy for some Puck Daddy memories and general hockey silliness. Plus discussions about Jaromir Jagr to the Calgary Flames, the Blackhawks' controversial decision on Marian Hossa, "Mike and The Mad Dog" give you the over/unders for the NHL 2017-18 season, some thoughts on Las Vegas, Martin Brodeur as Yoda, the return of "Curb Your Enthusiasm," Greg's surreal post-Breitbart announcement on leaving Yahoo and some thoughts on manhood. Sponsored by Seat Geek, Blue Apron and Draft Kings!
2017-10-041h 40