Straight To It

In this episode, I interview Peter Wicks. Peter is a scholar-in-residence at the Elm Institute whose research focuses on the contemporary applications of Aristotle’s ethical and political thought, the history and philosophy of higher education, and the psychology and ethics of argument and persuasion. Recently, Peter co-edited Alasdair MacIntyre on Practical Philosophy: Essential Works, which was published by the University of Notre Dame Press in 2026. Peter is a faculty affiliate of the Yale Program for Biomedical Ethics and a fellow of Davenport College. We discuss his course at Yale on the psychology and ethics of persuasion, the philosophy of one of the century's most important thinkers (Alasdair MacIntyre), and more!Enjoy the interview!

In this episode, I interview Tony Haile. Currently, Tony is the CEO of Filament, a company that aims to revolutionize professional networking through smaller, private spaces for connection.  Previously, Tony was on Twitter's Global Leadership Team, the Founding CEO of Scroll (which Twitter acquired), and the Founding CEO of Chartbeat. Tony got his education at St. Andrews and spent a semester studying at a Palestinian university in the West Bank. He is also an accomplished adventurer; Tony has done Arctic expeditions and a sailing race around the world. We discuss his experience living in the West Bank, his adventures, and what eventually led him to technology entrepreneurship. Finally, he shares his vision for Filament with us. Enjoy the interview!

In this episode, I interview Sherri Franklin. Sherri is the founder of Muttville, a senior dog rescue in San Francisco. After understanding how wonderful senior dogs can be and seeing how inhumanely they are treated in the shelter system, Sherri started a grassroots dog rescue that eventually grew into Muttville. Every year, Muttville rescues over 1,000 senior dogs. Sherri and I discuss Muttville’s unique philosophy of emphasizing the happiness of dog rescue, how Sherri got Muttville off the ground, and what excites her about the future of senior dog rescue. 

In this episode, I interview Janet Lindow. Janet founded the Rural Behavioral Health Institute to address the startling issue of rural youth suicide. For the past 12 years, Janet's career goal has been to improve the health of populations with limited access to effective treatment, with a primary focus on those experiencing mental disorders. After finishing her doctoral work, she taught a science course in Botswana, which widened her understanding of health disparities and left her with a fervent desire to help improve the health of people globally. Janet is currently a Research Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Kansas Medical School. We had an insightful, wide-ranging conversation covering Janet's personal journey with mental health, her experience of coming to understand the issue of rural youth suicide, and how she and RBHI are working to combat it.

In this episode, I interview Matt Zeitlin, the Co-Founder of Rookly. Matt and his co-founder, Amir Moazami, have known each other since they were six. They played chess together growing up, and both eventually won National Championships.Rookly works to make school chess more fun and accessible by offering easy online competition. Students can see their opponents, play with friends, and connect with other schools while staying on campus. We discuss Matt’s experience with chess, what chess can do for education, and the journey of building Rookly. Enjoy the interview!

Our guest today, Sunni Khalid, is the News Editor at KALW, a public radio station that has been broadcasting for over 80 years in the San Fransico Bay Area. He has reported from over thirty-five different countries at outlets including: TIME, USA TODAY, The Wilmington News-Journal, The Baltimore Sun, and National Public Radio. We dig into the shift from the heyday of print media to today's fragmented digital ecosystem--from a journalist who has been practicing his craft at each stage. You will hear about the power of local journalism, Sunni's personal journey, and reflections from his storied career. Enjoy the interview!

In this episode, I interview Sam DeMello. Sam founded Evive, the leading digital health platform for gambling behavior change, serving partners across the nation. They bridge the critical gap in care by reaching the 99.5% of people experiencing gambling harm who never access traditional state-funded support services. Through an evidence-based platform and state partnerships, they have built a national digital infrastructure that makes personalized support accessible to everyone, anywhere, anytime. During our conversation, Sam shares his personal experience with gambling addiction, how it led him to found Evive, and his optimism for stemming the rising tide of addiction in the U.S.gambling addiction, how it led him to found Evive, and his optimism for stemming the rising tide of addiction in the U.S.

Earlier this month, I was lucky to have an awesome conversation with David Steinberger. David has over 25 years of experience in the publishing industry. He has served as CEO of Arcadia Publishing and the Perseus Books Group, and as both President of Corporate Strategy and President of Adult Trade at HarperCollins. Over the course of his career, David has led the acquisition and transformation of numerous publishers and publishing services companies, with a focus on bringing the power of digital innovation to the world of books. David also serves as Chairman of the National Book Foundation, which presents the National Book Award.During our conversation, we cover what makes a great book, how the publishing industry works, and how Open Road uses data-driven technologies to connect books with readers who will enjoy them. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did!P.S.:I highly recommend listeners check out David's podcast, The Open Book Podcast with David Steinberger.

In this episode, I interview Jim Irizarry. Jim has been working in elections for over fourty years, and currently, he is the Asst. Assessor-Clerk-Recorder & Asst. Chief Elections Officer for San Mateo County. We had an a wide-ranging conversation covering the importance of youth civic engagement, the power of one vote, and the threats he sees to elections in the near future regarding AI. I really enjoyed the conversation with Jim, and I hope you will listening!Show notes:Key wordsvoting, registration, civic responsibility, informed voter, Voters' Choice Act, election challenges, misinformation, youth engagement, democracy, electoral procesChapters00:00 The Importance of Voting03:30 Steps to Register to Vote06:39 Becoming an Informed Voter09:32 Innovations in Voting: The Voters' Choice Act13:33 Challenges in Implementing New Voting Systems17:56 The Threat of Misinformation in Elections20:42 Final Thoughts on Civic Engagement

For the past forty years, Steve Staiger has worked as a historian at the Palo Alto Historical Society. He works in PAHS' archives, helping others research information about Palo Alto, and he promotes information about the city's history. During our conversation, we discussed Palo Alto's founding, Stanford's impact on Palo Alto history, and some of Palo Alto's more curious characters.

In this episode, I interview Mark Polizzotti. Mark has translated over sixty books from French to English, including works from authors such as Jean Echenoz, Gustave Flaubert, and Patrick Modiano. Mark leads publishing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He is also the author of many books, including Sympathy For The Traitor: A Translation Manifesto and Why Surrealism Matters. We discuss the art of translation, creativity, and why he fears one day there may not be anything left to translate (culturally speaking). Enjoy the interview!

In this episode, I interview the Legal Director of the Northern California American Civil Liberties Union: Shilpi Agarwal. Shilpi, formerly a senior staff attorney, has worked as the Legal Director for 5 years, managing litigation and advocacy. We had a wide-ranging conversation covering the case surrounding the deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles, the Trump administration's handling of immigration enforcement, and what she recommends listeners do in order to protect civil liberties. I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation with Shilpi, and I am sure you will as well!

In this episode, I interview Micah Hauser. Micah is a Story Editor at the New Yorker, where he has worked for the past seven years. We discuss Micah's career at the New Yorker, where he started as a Fact Checker. We cover the fact-checking process and how each New Yorker issue comes together. We also hear Micah's writing advice and what he thinks makes writers great. I hope you enjoyed this interview as much as I did!

In this episode, I interview Charlotte Howard, Executive Editor and New York Bureau Chief of The Economist. Charlotte has been working at The Economist for over 20 years and co-hosts the Checks and Balance podcast. We discuss what makes The Economist special, its transformation into the digital age, and how each issue comes together. Enjoy!

In this episode, I interview Risto Uuk, the EU Research Lead at the Future of Life Institute in Brussels. He researches European Union Artificial Intelligence policy, including the EU Artificial Intelligence Act. Risto is a PhD researcher at KU Leuven studying the assessment and risk-mitigation of general purpose AI models. We have an expansive conversation covering the most groundbreaking parts of the EU AI Act, the negotiations behind it, and the broader applications and risks of artificial intelligence throughout the world. I hope you enjoy this episode!

In this episode, I interview Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, a legendary leader in the Bay Area. In her 32 years in Congress, Congresswoman Eshoo has passed over 70 bills, benefiting not only the Bay Area but the entire country. Congresswoman Eshoo joins us on Straight To It to reflect on some of her biggest accomplishments, like securing over a billion dollars to electrify CalTrain. We also discuss how to change our current political climate. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did!

In this episode, I interview Nicole Sorger. Nicole is head of the History Department at Crystal Springs Uplands School. An expert in the Israel-Palestine Conflict, Nicole teaches Middle Eastern History. As we explore the past and present of the Israel-Palestine conflict, we go through Israel's founding, previous wars, and the lead-up to the current conflict. We also discuss the current Israeli government as well as how the conflict is affecting Jews around the world.

In this episode I interview Dr. Bruno Verdini, who has taught leadership, diplomacy, and communication techniques for stakeholders from over 80 countries. He created, then earned a unique Ph.D. at MIT, and then designed two MIT courses, The Art and Science of Negotiation and Leadership in Negotiation: Advanced Applications. Both courses have been in the top 1% of MIT’s most popular courses for 8 years running. Dr. Verdini also wrote Winning Together, an award-wining book on how to approach natural resource negotiations, including in-depth examples between the U.S and Mexico. In a special, longer than usual interview, Dr. Verdini and I cover many topics, including negotiation and how it relates to empathy, the importance of vulnerability, and the collaborative nature that must take shape for an impactful outcome. We also cover leadership, moral compass, what Dr. Verdini thinks makes a great leader as well as the mentors and leaders he admires. I thoroughly enjoyed learning from Dr. Verdini, and I hope you enjoy the interview!

In this episode, I interview Nani Jansen-Reventlow, a human rights lawyer who formerly argued free speech cases with Media Defense, a non-profit defending journalism around the globe. Now, Nani works on Systemic Justice, a non-profit she founded with the purpose of making change through litigation. We discuss some of her biggest cases, the importance of journalism, and why she wanted to become a lawyer. Enjoy the episode!

In this episode, I interview Yoav Saarony, a tennis coach who has coached players at all 4 grand slams, over a 30-year career. Yoav grew up in Israel and immigrated into the US at eight years old. When not on the court, Yoav is also an amazing DJ! As we dig into his tennis journey, we focus a good bit on mental toughness and how he helps players develop it. Enjoy the episode!

In this episode, I interview Laker Newhouse, an AI and Mathematics Major at MIT. This past summer, Laker taught at a program in Barcelona to teach Ukrainian high school students about AI. We discuss how AI works, its potential and risks, and his experience at MIT. Enjoy the episode!

I am very excited to announce, the changing of Explain It To Me Like I'm a Ten Year Old to Straight To It with Charlie Zeitlin. Listen to learn more! Also, look forward to new episodes coming out this month with an MIT AI student, a psychiatrist, and more!

In this episode, I interview Guy Friedman, the CEO and founder of SteadyMD. SteadyMD is a telehealth service that connects patients with licensed clinicians. Guy also was the founder of HigherNext, one of the first online proctoring services. We discuss his story, what he loves about entrepreneurship, and the future of healthcare. I really enjoyed speaking with Guy - and I hope you enjoy the episode.

In this episode, I interview Alex Grodd, Founder of BetterLesson, one of the first platforms for teachers to share lesson plans. Now, Alex is building Mainstem Media, a company dedicated to creating podcasts and documentaries to facilitate productive disagreement. Alex is a former teacher and alum of Teach for America. We discuss what he learned from Teach for America, BetterLesson, and his vision for Mainstem. I really enjoyed speaking with Alex and hope you enjoy the episode!

Introducing: Explained! This is the start of a new series on the podcast where we are spending a half-hour with experts breaking down an important - and complex topic. In the first episode, we're speaking with Dr. Kevin Trenberth, climate scientist and an author of the Nobel Prize Winning 2007 IPCC report on Climate Change as well as Mark Reynolds, Executive Director of the Citizens Climate Lobby. I really enjoyed this new format and I learned a lot. I hope you enjoy the episode!

In this episode, I interview Ward Horton, an actor who has had roles in movies and shows such as Annabelle and Pure Genius, as well as in the Broadway show, Torch Song. He has appeared in movies like Ford vs. Ferrari and The Wolf of Wall Street. We discuss the ongoing actors strike, fair compensation, and his fascinating career. I really enjoyed speaking with Ward. Enjoy the episode!!!

In this episode, I interview Jeff Wise, a science and aviation journalist and MH370 expert. Jeff was featured in the Netflix documentary, MH370: The Plane That Disappeared. Jeff's writing has appeared in outlets such as the New York Times, Business Week and Popular Mechanics, and he has spoken about MH370 on CNN, MSNBC and Fox. We discuss that Jeff thinks happened to flight MH370, the documentary, misinformation and modern day journalism. I really enjoyed speaking with and learning from Jeff - I hope you enjoy listening!

In this episode, I interview Julie Lythcott-Haims. Julie is an NYT best selling author, former Stanford dean and current Palo Alto City Council Member. Julie first was a corporate lawyer, but finding herself unfilled, she left her job to join Stanford. As a Freshman Dean, Julie noticed the effect of helicopter parenting on students, and decided to write How to Raise an Adult. We discuss the negative impact of helicopter parenting, her journey, and her service on the Palo Alto City Council. I really enjoyed recording this episode with Julie and hope you will enjoy listening!

In this episode, I interview Barrington Irving, pilot and Founder of Experience Aviation and The Flying Classroom. Barrington became the youngest person and first African-American to fly around the world solo. Barrington flew 30,000 miles around the globe, with 27 stops, moving through monsoons, blizzards and sandstorms in a single-engine plane. He went on to start Experience Aviation and The Flying Classroom, programs dedicated to helping teens get interested in STEM by doing exciting projects like building an airplane or a race car. We discuss his legendary flight, how he makes STEM fun for young people and what he hopes his legacy will be.

In this episode, I interview Nancy Coupal, founder of Coupa Café. Nancy moved with her family from Venezuela to Palo Alto, and saw the need for an authentic, delicious café. Coupa has become a Palo Alto institution, with nine locations (and appearances in The Social Network, The Dropout and 60 Minutes). We discuss Nancy's story, what it takes to run a successful café and why Coupa is so iconic. I loved speaking with Nancy and hope you enjoy the episode.

In this episode, I interview Sunny Vanderbeck, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Satori Capital. Sunny Vanderbeck and his partner Randy Eisenman founded Satori in 2008. Satori invests into companies with outstanding leadership and sustainability practices. After serving as an Army Ranger, Sunny founded his own company, Data Return, one of the first web hosting businesses, and led the company to a highly successful IPO. We speak about Satori's purpose, why companies that are sustainable and treat employees well do better, and his highest hopes for Satori in 20+ years. I truly enjoyed speaking with Sunny - and I hope you enjoy the episode.

In this episode, I interview Celine Halioua, founder and CEO of Loyal, a company dedicated to keeping man's best friend around for longer. Loyal is developing drugs to slow aging in large and small dogs, and has done a number of pilot studies. They aim to release their first drug in 2025. Celine studied Neuroscience at UT Austin and the health economics of gene therapy at Oxford. We discussed how Loyal's drugs work, why big dogs live shorter lives and her vision and goals for Loyal. I learned so much from this conversation, and I hope you will too! Enjoy!

In this episode, I interview Dr. Robert Cialdini, Emeritus Professor of Marketing and Psychology at Arizona State University. In his bestselling book, Influence, Dr. Cialdini draws on his experience studying the principles of influence and simplifies them in seven universal principles. Robert shares his stories from over 40 years of research and what he is must proud of from his career. 

In this special (50th!) episode, I am very lucky to be interviewed by my dad, Zac Zeitlin. Zac has been my mentor and guide on my podcastsing journey and has helped me from day one! I really enjoyed being the guest this time, and Zac did a great job preparing questions. We have the opportunity to discuss the vision for the podcast and process of doing the interviews, and we talk about guests we would love to have on future episodes. Enjoy!

In this episode, I interview Erin Thorkilsen, former teacher at Greens Farms Academy in Connecticut, and founder of Heart in Education. Erin has be teaching in the classroom for over 20 years and started Heart in Education to train and inspire teachers to fill their classrooms  with joy, enthusiasm and mindfulness. I was lucky enough to have been taught by Erin, and I really enjoyed catching up and hearing more about her amazing work today. 

In this episode, I interview Josh Balk. Josh started working at the Humane Society in 2005, and has successfully led many companies like McDonalds and Walmart to treat animals better. He also was instrumental in helping pass Prop 12 in California, which prohibits cruel confinement for mother pigs. Josh is the Co-Founder of Eat Just, the makers of Just Egg, an incredibly popular egg substitute, as well as the first government-approved cultured meat. Josh recently left HSUS to start The Accountability Board, dedicated to ensuring companies fulfill their ESG commitments. We discuss the state of animal welfare, his work at HSUS and how The Accountability Board holds companies accountable for their actions. I really enjoyed this interview, and I hope you do too! 

In this episode, I interview Pete Shadbolt, the Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of PsiQuantum, a company working to build the world's first one million qubit quantum computer. We discuss how quantum computing works, its real world applications, and Pete's story of moving to America to start PsiQuantum. I enjoyed talking to Pete, who really knows how to explain a complex topic! Enjoy the interview!

Over the past two years, we’ve been lucky to interview over forty amazing leaders, from the worlds of sports, entertainment, food, healthcare, social impact and technology. After many conversations with these entrepreneurs and new ones you will hear from soon, I’m happy to announce a new, short-form version of Explain it to me like I’m a ten year old. In this case, I focus entirely on helping founders and CEOs tell the story of their businesses. Though this product is just getting started, I’m excited about the possibility of helping companies all around the world better communicate their mission to the world. Please get in touch with me at [email protected] if you’re interested in making an episode.

In this episode, I interview Alden Mills, a Navy SEAL, founder of Perfect Fitness and author of Be Unstoppable and Unstoppable Teams. When Alden was diagnosed with asthma at age 12 and told he couldn't do anything athletic, he focused even more on fitness and eventually became a collegiate rower and a Navy SEAL. Alden shares incredible stories about his time in the SEALS; how with $25,000 left in the bank, he was able to successfully launch the Perfect Push-Up; and how he coaches people to keep persisting to achieve their dreams. I loved talking to Alden and hope you learn as much as I did from this interview!

In this episode, I interview Ross Greenburg, CEO of Ross Greenburg Productions and former President of HBO Sports. Ross has won 56 Emmys and 8 Peabody Awards as the producer of many amazing sports documentaries and movies, including Miracle, Hard Knocks, and 61*. We discussed Ross' love of sports, the stories behind some of his legendary shows and how the TV and movie industries have evolved in the past 30 years. I really enjoyed meeting Ross and I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did.

In this episode, I interview Chris Voss, the former FBI lead hostage negotiator, founder of the Black Swan Group and author of Never Split The Difference. He also teaches a Masterclass about Negotiation. Chris is a really smart and incredible person. In the interview, we discuss his career and do an hostage role play -in which Chris handily defeated me. He also talks about strategies you can use in your own negotiations and personal relationships. I really enjoyed talking to Chris and learned so much! Enjoy!

In this episode, I interview Ryan Springer, a Founding Partner of Midnight Ventures and Founder of High Desert Cactus Vodka. Midnight Ventures is an awesome VC fund investing in the future of wellness. High Desert Cactus Vodka makes Vodka from the cactus! We discuss some of the unique wellness products Ryan has invested in, his journey, and how he sees the wellness industry evolving. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did! 

In this episode, I speak with Pat Burt, the Mayor of Palo Alto, CA. With a population of over 60,000, Palo Alto is home to Stanford University and countless technology companies. Mayor Burt is a champion of sustainability who has helped turn Palo Alto into one of the greenest cities in the country. Mayor Burt is serving in his third term and has been on the City Council for over a decade. We look back on Mayor Burt's accomplishments, and discuss housing, climate change and his goals for the future. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did!

In this episode, I interview Maria Kim, CEO of REDF. REDF is a venture philanthropy that invests in businesses that are dedicated to providing employees a second chance, including homeless or formerly incarcerated individuals. Maria talks about how REDF works, some of the businesses they support, and how we can build a more inclusive economy. 

In this episode, I interview Mona Lisa Wallace, Founding Partner of the law firm Wallace & Graham. Mona has dedicated her career to obtaining justice for people harmed by corporate giants. We discuss the case against Smithfield Foods, which is described in detail in the amazing book Wastelands by Corban Addison - it is truly a must read! I really enjoyed talking to and learning from Mona, and I hope you do too!

In this episode, I interview Tom Costley, the founder of Overland Summers, an adventure group that takes kids on amazing trips to places like Yellowstone, the Swiss Alps and Iceland. Overland has had 40,000 kids go through its program over 40 years. Tom founded Overland with his wife, Liz. We discuss the story of Overland, the challenges and how Overland works. I really hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

In this episode, I interview Eren Harris,  Admissions Manger at Prep Scholar and Founder of True North Academix. Eren has over 10 years of experience in college counseling. We discuss what makes a good application, how to find the right college for you and the future of college admissions. I learned so much from Eren and really enjoyed our conversation!

In this episode, I interview Nolan Bushnell, the Founder of Atari and Chuck E Cheese. Nolan also founded 20 other businesses and has plans for many more. We get to hear Nolan share the story of Atari along with his thoughts on the video game industry, VR and the future of education. I really enjoyed learning from Nolan and I hope you enjoy this interview too!

In this episode, I interview Esther Wojcicki, a teacher at Palo Alto High School for 36 years, a California Teacher of the Year award winner and the founder of Tract and Moonshots in Education. We discuss Esther’s legendary journalism program at PALY, her work in changing schools for the better and her recent book, How to Raise Successful People. I really enjoyed talking to Esther and learning so much more about journalism, education and parenting.  

In this episode, I interview Mary Lemmer, the founder of Improve and Iorio Gelato. Improve teaches employees from companies such as Google, CBS and Lyft in the art of Improv. Iorio sells artisanal gelato in 3 stores in Michigan. Mary founded Iorio when she was only 14 with her brother Nick. During the interview we discussed improv, Mary's goals for Improve and her story of starting her gelato business. I really enjoyed talking to Mary and hope you enjoy this episode!