PODCAST · news
A Random Walk with Ben Kohlmann
by Ben Kohlmann
Our world is filled with fascinating ideas and people that often get lost in the noise of modern living. A Random Walk explores a wide range of topics in science, politics, investing, and economics with people that are not yet widely known...but should be.
Episodes
-
44 - "Absolute Equality": The Story of Juneteenth (Ed Cotham, Historian and author)
This week, the United States government delared a new federal holiday: Juneteenth. But many Americans don't know the backstory behind this momentous day. On June 19th, 1865, a Federal General leading the occupation of Galveston issued an order setting all enslaved people free in the state of…
more -
43 - FinTech in Africa (Benjamin Fernandes - Founder and CEO, Nala)
Benjamin Fernandes grew up in humble circumstances in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. His life changed when he was given a scholarship to Haven of Peace Academy, but struggled academically. His sister, however, found her way to an American university, and Benjamin knew he had to follow in her footsteps....
-
42 - From Navy SEAL to Cannabis CEO (George Hodgin, CEO - Biopharmaceutical Research Company)
After spending most of his 20s as a Navy SEAL deploying overseas, George Hodgin found himself at Stanford Business School. While helping a fellow veteran navigate challenges with PTSD, despite significant anecdotal evidence touting marijuana's benefits to those recovering from mental illness,...
-
41 - Inspiration 4: The First Commercial Space Mission (Jared Isaacman, Inspiration 4 Mission Commander and Shift4 Payments CEO)
In late January, SpaceX announced that they would launch the first civilian-only commercial flight no earlier than Q4 2021. Jared Isaacman, CEO of Shift4 Payments, was named as the mission commander and sponsor. Dubbed Inspiration 4, Jared is crewing his mission with 3 other individuals. The…
more -
40 - Fighting for Democracy in an Authoritarian Hong Kong (Baggio Leung and Daniel Wong)
In 2016, a young Baggio Leung was elected to the Hong Kong Legislature on a Pro-democracy platform. After modifying the oath of office during his swearing in, he was expelled from the body shortly thereafter. His advocacy became a thorn in the side of the Chinese Communist Party. Baggio was...
-
39 - Income Insurance for College Graduates (Wade Eyerly and Dennis Murashko, Co-Founders of Degree Insurance)
30-40% of freshmen who start college don't return for their second year. And in the process, many accrue debt without the degree to bolster future earnings. Even those who do get a degree end up with tens of thousands in debt that takes an average of 21 years to pay off. Colleges don't guarantee...
-
38 - From Poverty to "Luxury" Beliefs (Rob Henderson, Cambridge PhD Candidate)
Rob Henderson grew up in poverty, foster care, and was a poor student. To escape, he joined the Air Force at 17, getting a top score on the military entrance exam, and discovered a love for understanding what makes people tick. A few years later, he was at Yale, and is now a Gates Cambridge…
more -
37 - How to negotiate your next job offer (Stephanie Young, Founder and CEO of Riva)
After getting her first job offer out of college, Stephanie Young didn't even think to negotiate her initial salary offer. She was grateful to have a job and didn't want to offend the hiring manager. Yet, it turns out she left thousands of dollars on the table that compounded over time. Learning...
-
36 - Saving Children in Firefights (Dave Eubank, Founder, Free Burma Rangers)
What kind of man hikes 80 miles in 3 days from the middle of Burma to fly to Iraq and provide humanitarian assistance to ISIS-besieged populations? Dave Eubank, the founder of the Free Burma Rangers. After a career with U.S. Special Forces, Dave heard a calling to help the people of Burma. He...
-
35 - Bitcoin and the future of money (Nelson Rosario)
After a nearly 20x run up in 2017, the digital currency Bitcoin hit all time highs and was valued at nearly $20,000 per coin. It quickly collapsed down to ~$4000. Yet, as we approach the end of 2020, it's value is back to the 20k level, and mainstream adoption is increasing. What does the rise of...
-
34 - The Future of American Conservatism (David Azerrad)
Who hoists the banner for conservatives following Donald Trump's 2020 election loss? David Azerrad, current Hillsdale College professor and former Heritage Foundation scholar, explores the history of American conservatism and what the future may hold. In this episode, we discuss: +The shift in...
-
33 - A Hero's Journey (Mike McClellan, Author of "The Sand Sea")
Mike McClellan had a vision. Inspired by his love of late-19th century history, he wanted to a write a story the brought forth a clash of civilizations amidst rapid technological change. Twelve years, and 1.2 million words later, "The Sand Sea" was published. Mike's debut novel is a smashing...
-
32 - Running a woman-owned construction company (Julissa Carielo - CEO of Tejas Premier)
Just before the great recession in 2008, Julissa Carielo decided to start a construction company. During the decade prior, she had internalized the lessons of project management and knew she could build something better on her own. She had a vision and executed. 12 years later, Julissa has a...
-
31 - The State of American Manufacturing (Jason Ray, CEO PaperLess Parts)
Jason Ray went from Navy Supplier officer to CEO of a company dedicated to bringing American manufacturing into the 21st century. In this episode we discuss: +How lessons from the military supply chain apply to metal workshops +Where American manufacturing stands out in a competitive world market...
-
30- The State of American Veterans (Jared Lyon, President of Student Veterans of America)
As Veterans Day 2020 approaches, how are our nation's Veterans faring? In this episode, I speak with Navy veteran and Student Veterans of America President Jared Lyon. We explore a number of issues related to veterans including: +How veterans compare to the general population in achievement +What...
-
29 - In Defense of the Electoral College (Tara Ross)
Calls to abandon the Electoral College are increasing. Is this core part of the American experiment still relevant? Tara Ross is a historian and author who has written extensively in defense of the Electoral College. In this episode, we discuss: +Why our Founding Fathers selected this method to...
-
28 - The Microschool movement and its discontents (Joe Connor, COO and co-founder of Schoolhouse)
In the wake of COVID, alternative forms of primary and secondary education are emerging. Schoolhouse, co-founded by Joseph Connor earlier this year, is bringing educational "pods" to the mainstream. Reviled by teachers unions, but seeing massive growth, collaborative, homeschool-like platforms…
more -
27 - What's going on with journalism? (Isabel Gonzalez Whitaker)
Beset by disruption, falling revenues, an exploding number of platforms, and a faster-than-ever news cycle, journalism in the 21st century is undergoing a revolution. Isabel Gonzalez Whitaker, an accomplished freelancer and former Features Editor at InStylw, dives into what it means to be a...
-
26 - How Political Campaigns Know Everything About You (Will Long, CEO of Numinar Analytics)
Will Long is the CEO of Numinar Analytics, a political data-aggregation firm focused on providing voter insights to state house and Congressional races. He is a recent graduate of Harvard College. In this episode we discuss: +The types of personal data campaigns have access to for individual…
more -
25 - Networked Tribalism (John Robb - The Global Guerrillas Report)
The combination of social media and partisan tribes is creating movements at a pace far beyond anything humanity has ever imagined. John Robb has been thinking about the impact of social networks since early 2000, when he saw the implications for warfare. John is a rare thinker - prescient,...
-
24 - The Future of Capitalism: Finding Product-Market Fit while "Doing Good" (Davis Smith - CEO of Cotopaxi)
Award winning Cotopaxi CEO Davis Smith is a life-long entrepreneur. From going on Mission to South America to selling pool tables, he's driven impact throughout his life. His current, and most successful venture, is a B-Corp that creates unique outdoor gear, while giving back to the community. We...
-
23 - Can the Dept of Defense Actually Innovate? (Josh Marcuse, former Exec Director of the Defense Innovation Board)
Josh Marcuse is a serial entrepreneur - within government. As the young founder of Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, he sought to give emerging leaders a voice and network they previously lacked. Within a decade, he was the inaugural director of the Defense Innovation Board, helping the…
more -
22 - How income pooling reduces earnings volatility (Charlie Olson - CEO of Pando)
Charlie Olson and Eric Lax founded Pando with the idea of smoothing individual earnings within winner-take-all industries. Just as venture capitalists and sports agents spread their bets across numerous assets, individuals can now do the same with self-selected peers. In this episode, Charlie and…
more -
21 - Graduate Ed in a Post-COVID World (Stanford GSB Dean Jonathan Levin)
Universities faced a monumental task this summer as they debated whether to re-open. As school kicks off, a number of institutions have made hard choices to move back to remote. Stanford Business School Dean Jonathan Levin gives us the inside scoop. Levin took over the helm at Stanford's Business...
-
20 - Leadership Lessons from TOPGUN (Guy Snodgrass)
Tom Cruise made the school famous, but the real action at TOPGUN is with the pilots who actually graduated in real life. Retired F/A-18 pilot and TOPGUN instructor Guy Snodgrass gives us an inside look at what makes TOPGUN tick - from both the student and instructor perspective. In our...
-
19 - Bridging ideological divides in a partisan age (Jordan Blashek and Chris Haugh)
Jordan is conservative. Chris is liberal. At Yale Law School in 2016, they struck up an unexpected friendship. Since then, they've made 5 joint road trips across the United States, spending time with truckers, prisoners, day laborers, and everyday Americans trying to get a better sense of our…
more -
18 - Architecture and the Built Environment (David and Mikaela Pearson)
David and Mikaela Pearson are the husband and wife powerhouse behind the architecture and design firm PALO in San Diego. Both graduated with honors from Harvard Graduate School of Design, with David focusing on physical buildings and Mikaela on landscape architecture. In this episode we discuss:...
-
17 - Should we defund the police? Part 2 (Philip Williamson)
Attorney Philip Williamson discusses race in America, and along the way we explore: +How faith informs racial conversations +The forgotten history of the 1880s and the rising prospects of black Americans during Reconstruction +How to cultivate consistency in political and ethical views +How to...
-
16 - Should we defund the police - Part 1 (Alanah Odoms Hebert)
In the wake of George Floyd's killing, protests erupted across the country as many communities assessed how to address concerns over police brutality and overreach. One of the loudest calls by advocates for change was to "defund the police." Join us as we discuss police reform proposals with the...
-
15 - SCOTUS Year in Review (Ilya Shapiro)
Abortion. Immigration. Presidential Tax Returns. Health Care. Public funding for religious schools. The 2019-2020 Supreme Court docket was busy - and the rulings released over the past few weeks have charted a new course for our country. We will explore a number of these decisions in depth with...
-
14 - Power Trip: Energy in the 21st Century (Michael Webber)
Energy is the lifeblood of our economy and culture. As legacy sources come under pressure from new technologies, how should we think about powering our society? What emerging trends will impact our future? Michael Webber has been thinking about these topics for decades. His most recent project…
more -
13 - Adopting a child from China ("Robert")
Globally, hundreds of thousands of children need good homes. Matching them with suitable parents is a significant challenge. In today's episode, I sit down with "Robert" to discuss his family's journey in adopting two children from China - one of whom had an unexpected special need. We explore…
more -
12 - Astronaut Victor Glover, next to fly on Crew Dragon
In two months, along with 3 other astronauts, Navy Commander Victor Glover will pilot the first operational Crew Dragon to the International Space Station. When he arrives, he will become the first African-American to live on the ISS. Join us as we discuss the path to becoming an astronaut, what...
-
11 - The Rise and Fall of the XFL (John Scheler)
In February 2020, the newly revamped XFL kicked off its inaugural season. Fan enthusiasm was high across the country. Then COVID-19 hit, the league collapsed, and the XFL filed for bankruptcy. What does it take to build a major league sports team from scratch? What does it take to bring one down?...
-
10 - Ad Astra: The Future of Space Travel (Ezinne Uzo-Okoro)
With the return of Americans to space aboard an American-built platform, enthusiasm for the space program is rebuilding. We will engage Ezinne Uzo-Okoro on a wide ranging conversation about the role of NASA in our modern society, what the next frontiers of space travel might reveal, and discuss…
more -
7 - Post-pandemic education implications (Stephanie Saroki Garcia)
Colleges fear reduced enrollment - and the cascading budget implications. Some high schools have thrived under a Zoom classroom, while other students are left behind. What does the post-COVID educational landscape look like? What tools are emerging to reach remote students? Will homeschooling...
-
6 - COVID's impact on the homeless and food insecure (John Siburt)
What happens when the government mandates social distancing, but you're homeless? What would you do if you lost your job in the midst of a pandemic and could no longer feed your kids? John Siburt is the CEO of Dallas-based CitySquare, a non-profit dedicated to alleviating four persistent…
more -
5 - COVID's impact on small businesses (Derek Turner and Buddy Bengal)
The physical distancing required to prevent community spread of COVID-19 has devastated small businesses across the country. Come hear from two small business owners about their journey over the past few months and how they are preparing for the future. We'll talk about the heartwrenching…
more -
4 - How to find your next job (Tina Tran)
Whether the current crisis has you involuntarily looking for your next job you're happy where you are, knowing what employers look for and how to market yourself is an evergreen skill. Tina Tran joins us to talk about strategies for making your profile stick out among the crowd. Her techniques…
more -
3 - How should companies prepare to return to work after COVID? (Paloma Ahmadi)
With our economies opening up, and folks potentially headed back into the office, what should employers and employees be thinking about? What safety and legal protocols must be followed? How should organizations think about different requirements across different state and local jurisdictions?…
more -
2 - Developing Mental Resilience in Crisis (Brian Ferguson)
Two years ago, I peered over the shoulder of a world-renown cardiac surgeon as he made precise incisions into a still-beating heart. My guest this week, Brian Ferguson, facilitated the observation. Brian and I will explore the mental models and habits that enable people to thrive in the midst of...
-
1 - Black Swans, Risk, and Exponentials (Dan Rasmussen)
Our inaugural guest is my friend Dan Rasmussen, who runs Verdad Capital - an actively managed investment fund that provides incisive weekly commentary on markets and risk. Dan frequently writes about investing in the midst of crisis and preparing for the unimaginable. In this conversation, we...
-
Ep. 6 - Minority Report: Dissent in Crisis (Yinon Weiss)
When the world's consensus seems one-directional in a time of global pandemic, how should we perceive contrarian views? Which voices, data, and models should we trust? Does Free Speech matter when unified action is required? This week, I interview Yinon Weiss. He's spent much of the past few…
more
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Our world is filled with fascinating ideas and people that often get lost in the noise of modern living. A Random Walk explores a wide range of topics in science, politics, investing, and economics with people that are not yet widely known...but should be.
HOSTED BY
Ben Kohlmann
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does A Random Walk with Ben Kohlmann have?
A Random Walk with Ben Kohlmann currently has 43 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is A Random Walk with Ben Kohlmann about?
Our world is filled with fascinating ideas and people that often get lost in the noise of modern living. A Random Walk explores a wide range of topics in science, politics, investing, and economics with people that are not yet widely known...but should be.
How often does A Random Walk with Ben Kohlmann release new episodes?
A Random Walk with Ben Kohlmann has 43 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to A Random Walk with Ben Kohlmann?
You can listen to A Random Walk with Ben Kohlmann on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts A Random Walk with Ben Kohlmann?
A Random Walk with Ben Kohlmann is created and hosted by Ben Kohlmann.
URL copied to clipboard!