Podcasts about Critical mass

I'm excited to announce the fourth episode of our new series, What's New in Science, co-hosted by Sabine Hossenfelder. Once again, Sabine and I each brought a few recent science stories to the table, and we took turns introducing them before diving into thoughtful discussions. It's a format that continues to spark engaging exchanges, and based on the feedback we've received, it's resonating well with listeners.It was a bit of a slow month for science news, but we did find six stories worth examining, including what sounds like a preposterous claim, turning rain into electricity! It turns out it doesn't violate any laws of physics, but is not likely to address our energy needs. The Hype of the Month award goes to the claim of biosignatures on planet K2-18, which got worldwide coverage, even though experts were pretty certain it was wrong from the get go, and subsequent analysis finds no such evidence. A claim that gravity is just a computation is examined, and dismissed, while evidence for exotic antimatter nuclei at CERN is sound science, even if it is not earth shattering. It reminds us that exotic physics must be considered in exotic locations like the early big bang, or the cores of neutron stars. Sabine was excited about a new result regarding laser fusion, even if it is more likely to be useful for weapons production than commercial energy production, and this time, I was the one to bring up a new result in Quantum Computing, this time using ‘qu-quints' to simulate an actual physics system, although a simple one in two dimensions. It was another lively and thoughtful exchange, and I hope you'll enjoy it as much as we did.As always, an ad-free video version of this podcast is also available to paid Critical Mass subscribers. Your subscriptions support the non-profit Origins Project Foundation, which produces the podcast. The audio version is available free on the Critical Mass site and on all podcast sites, and the video version will also be available on the Origins Project YouTube. Get full access to Critical Mass at lawrencekrauss.substack.com/subscribe

Bacon Survives, Bikes Don't: The Turners' Hilarious Deer Hunt Journey | 100% Wild Podcast ep. 427 Welcome to another exciting episode of the 100% Wild Podcast, powered by DeerCast! In this episode, hosts Matt Drury and Tim Kjellesvik are joined by special in-studio guests Holly and Kelly Turner from Southern Illinois. Dive into their captivating hunting stories, from chasing big deer to hilarious mishaps, including a memorable e-bike crash! The Turners share their journey, from meeting at a hunting show to Holly's triumphant deer harvest after years of challenges. Plus, the crew debates the pros and cons of Georgia's proposed early firearm season for whitetail. Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just love a good outdoor tale, this episode is packed with laughs, insights, and real hunting passion. Subscribe for more hunting adventures, and don't miss new episodes airing on the Outdoor Channel every Tuesday at 9:30 PM Central, or catch up on MyOutdoorTV! Join our 100% Wild Rack Pack on Facebook for exclusive updates and community fun. Leave a 5-star review to support the show, and let us know your thoughts in the comments! Topics Covered: Holly and Kelly Turner's hunting journey and their meet-cute story at a hunting show Holly's triumphant deer harvest after years of bad luck Kelly's history with shows like Critical Mass and The Hit List The challenges and humor of hunting as a couple, including a chaotic e-bike crash Discussion on the pros and cons of Georgia's proposed early firearm season for whitetail Tips for hunting without over-relying on trail cameras The importance of woodsman skills and adapting hunting styles Updates on the new season of Critical Mass airing on the Outdoor Channel Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro and Welcome 1:07 - Introducing Holly and Kelly Turner 2:18 - How Holly and Kelly's hunting journey began 9:55 - Holly's hunting history and recent deer harvest 15:57 - Hunting as a couple: The highs and lows 20:07 - E-bike mishaps and bacon survival 24:31 - The big deer hunt: Strategy and success 52:17 - Holly's advice on hunting without overthinking 1:03:21 - Hit or Miss: Early firearm season debate 1:14:06 - Rack Pack shoutouts and podcast updates Join the Rack Pack Facebook Group : https://www.facebook.com/share/g/n73gskJT7BfB2Ngc/ Get ahead of your Game with DeerCast available on iOS and Android devices App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/deercast/id1425879996 Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.druryoutdoors.deercast.app Don't forget to stock up for your next hunt! 1st Phorm has you covered! Protein Sticks: https://1stphorm.com/products/protein-sticks-15ct?a_aid=DruryOutdoors Level-1 Bars: https://1stphorm.com/products/level-1-bar-15ct?a_aid=DruryOutdoors Energy Drinks: https://1stphorm.com/products/1st-phorm-energy?a_aid=DruryOutdoors Hydration Sticks: https://1stphorm.com/products/hydration-sticks?a_aid=DruryOutdoors Send us a voice message on Speakpipe! https://www.speakpipe.com/100PercentWild?fbclid=IwY2xjawHG5cpleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHS-OqetdhlMV6LGrV5KfUBO7fjYcduyut_LzgxrQnEgBbe_vPXGCMgF1Sw_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw For exciting updates on what's happening on the field and off, follow us on social Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OfficialDruryOutdoors Instagram: @DruryOutdoors Twitter: @DruryOutdoors Be sure to check out http://www.druryoutdoors.com for more information, hunts, and more! Music provided by Epidemic Sound http://player.epidemicsound.com/ 

With over 30 years of experience in wealth management, Rhonda Ducote is a respected leader and expert in the financial advisor industry. As President and Principal of Apriem Advisors, she is known for crafting personalized financial strategies that focus on both outstanding results and exceptional customer service. Rhonda's dedication to her clients goes beyond business, as she considers them an extended family, pouring her heart into ensuring their financial success. Rhonda is also passionate about empowering women in finance. Through the creation of Women of Wisdom, she provides a platform for women to take control of their financial futures, helping to bridge the gender gap in financial literacy and boosting confidence in financial decision-making. Rhonda's husband, children, granddaughter and two pups are the driving forces for everything Rhonda does! -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

Meghan Clem and Katie Webb Brundige are the creative forces behind Intertwined Inc., bringing decades of experience in hospitality, events, marketing, and design to the art of crafting luxury experiences. Their hospitality collection of brands offers wedding and event production services, social media marketing, and room block management. Known for their creativity, precision, and heart, they also lead RAD Camp, their nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities through life- changing and inclusive experiences. Meghan, a University of Southern California graduate with a degree in Public Relations, launched her career in event planning and public communications for the City of Anaheim, later expanding her talents into large-scale production, nonprofit consulting, and social media strategy. Katie, who holds a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management with a focus in Event Management from San Diego State University, began her journey planning major events for Fortune 500 companies before building a reputation for bespoke event design and multi-day productions across the globe. Together, they've woven social impact into the very fabric of their business model because they believe that luxury and generosity are not mutually exclusive. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

Craig Cooke is a successful entrepreneur who had the foresight to start a “digital first” company utilizing the Internet long before “digital first,” “digital transformation,” and other buzzwords of today were created. With extremely limited resources of $1,300 and an Apple computer, he started RhythmNet.com. Over the years of struggle, adaptation, and repositioning the brand, “Rhythm“ was sold to a world-class digital creative agency in 2019. Craig stayed with the company for just over 3 years, completing a 26-year marathon of running the company as CEO. During his tenure at Rhythm®, Craig worked with middle market to large enterprise companies, such as American Honda Motors, Beats by Dr. Dre, ZO Skin Health, Irvine Company, The Travel Corporation, Segway, U.S. Bank, FivePoint, Online Trading Academy, Allergan, Abbott Labs, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, and many other B2C and B2B brands. Craig has also participated as a speaker in many conferences and seminars, including “Connections” by ExactTarget, The “Res Conference” by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, The Integrated Marketing Forum, and numerous other events. He has also served on the boards of the California American Indian Chamber of Commerce as Vice-President and the American Advertising Federation as Interactive Chair. Today, Craig shares his business wisdom, experience, and expertise in three key areas: executive leadership, brand development, and marketing communications. He continues his training in martial arts, continuously learning and evolving his skills. Also, he has studied and served as a practitioner of Chinese Medical Qigong since 2015, bringing energy healing to hundreds of people. He has a Doctorate Degree of Chinese Energetic Medicine from the Temple of Change and Transformation. Craig incorporates his skills, knowledge, and expertise in energetic practices into the world of business to provide a truly unique perspective and method in working with professionals across a wide variety of industries. Outside of his consulting and qigong practice, Craig enjoys spending time with his wife, two kids, and two dogs in Southern California. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

As Atlantis faces sabotage from within, a deadly bomb and a hidden Goa'uld force tough decisions. With crossovers, moral dilemmas, and cultural contrasts, Victor Lams, Jeff Haecker, and Lisa Jones unpack this high-stakes episode. The post Critical Mass (SGA) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Drawing on years of hospitality industry expertise, Ms. Almada excels as the Chief Executive Officer of DKN Hotels. Since joining the organization in 1998, she has held various roles, including Vice President, Regional Director, General Manager, and Assistant General Manager. In this current capacity, she oversees all personnel, ensuring they have what they need to reach their goals. Additionally, Ms. Almada conducts site visits, manages growth strategies, and collaborates with team members to motivate and inspire them. An expert in her field, Ms. Almada earned a bachelor's degree in tourism and hotel management from Universidade Anhembi Morumbi before joining DKN Hotels as a front desk clerk. Subsequently, she expanded her professional knowledge by completing an MBA with emphasis in leadership and management from the University of San Diego. In conjunction with her work, she is aligned with Vistage Worldwide, Inc., a chief executive officer coaching and peer advisory organization through which she has dedicated herself to continued improvement and mentorship since 2009. Likewise, Ms. Almada has dedicated herself to her community through the Girl Scouts from a young age and the Woman's Leadership Council. In light of her professional achievements, Ms. Almada has received numerous awards and nominations for her dedication to industry excellence. Most recently Ana has been recognized as one of HOTEL MANAGEMENT Magazine's 2025 Forty Over 40! This distinction celebrates exceptional leaders who exemplify dedication, innovation, and influence within the hospitality industry. Ana's unwavering commitment and passion continue to inspire us all, shaping a legacy of excellence here at DKN Hotels.  DKN Hotels was also named the Best Place to Work in Orange County in 2017 and received the Nation's Top Workplaces through USA Today in 2024. While her career has been filled with highlights, she takes the most pride in developing DKN Hotels' company culture and establishing new hotels. Though hard work and dedication have brought her far in her career, she credits her success to the collective efforts of everyone she works with. Her team generously gives their time, knowledge, and patience to fulfill the company's desire to make a difference. She also notes that education, research, and drive have kept her on the path to success. Looking toward the future, Ms. Almada intends to ensure that DKN continues to develop and manage their portfolio of hotels, expands the business, extend its management services to other hoteliers, and inspire and develop more passionate individuals in the hospitality industry. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

As founder of OC Growth Advisors, Marla works with business owners and their employees to improve focus and processes for growth and greater profitability. She has run several successful organizations, including one she sold in 2015 for 15 times EBITDA. Marla has served on multiple non-profit boards as well as two for-profit Boards. She is also a chapter chair for WPO, Women Presidents' Organization, which is an international organization of women business owners. Marla's clients range from service industries to construction to manufacturing, in the $2 million to $50 million range. Her clients say she helps keep them focused on the business, versus working in the business. Her 14 years in Vistage and 11 years in WPO have trained her to be continuously looking for tools to help the businesses run more efficiently. She wants her clients to enjoy their business until they wish to sell or transition the business to employees or children. Marla is a CPA and an MBA and has taught at Chapman University and UCI. In addition, Marla volunteers to help new or developing businesses succeed. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

Susan Howington is the CEO and Founder of the outplacement and executive coaching firm called Power Connections Career Services, Inc, and equity owner of Career Partners International. She is a sought-after expert in the career management field due to her experiences as a career consultant, executive coach, author, and speaker. Her life-long goal is to help professionals manage and advance their careers through effective work relationships and strategic management growth, which ultimately leads to greater success for them and the companies for which they work. Susan made her mark in the industry throughout her executive tenure with the firm of Lee Hecht Harrison, a global player in outplacement and executive coaching services. Under Susan's leadership as Senior Vice President and Managing Director of the Southern California region, the company was branded as the premier Executive Coaching service in Orange County, California. She received Lee Hecht Harrison's Global Leadership Consulting Award and participated as a member of the Company's Executive Strategic Planning Committee. Widely recognized, Susan was profiled by OC Metro Magazine as one of “15 Orange County Women Who Inspire Others”. She has appeared in national and regional media outlets that include the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Times, and the Wall Street Journal. She is the author of the book on Amazon.com called “How Smart People Sabotage Their Job Search: 10 Mistakes Executives Make and How to Fix Them.” Susan is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC)™ through the International Coaching Federation. Her experience includes coaching C-level executives and key senior management. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

Chandan Shiroy brings over two decades of experience in manufacturing and engineering to his role as Vice President of Sales and Operations at S&D Industrial Tool Supply. Since joining the company in January 2023, he has spearheaded initiatives in digital transformation, talent development, and market expansion, including the implementation of vending solutions for customers. Chandan's strategic vision and leadership are instrumental in positioning S&D for sustained growth in the competitive industrial tool supply market. With over 30 years of experience in machining and sales, Darren Dives serves as Vice President of Sales at S&D Industrial Tool Supply. His deep understanding of shop floor applications and commitment to customer service have been pivotal in nearly doubling the company's annual sales. Darren has also led the expansion of S&D's product offerings, including MRO supplies, safety equipment, and advanced cutting tools, reinforcing the company's reputation for delivering comprehensive solutions to its clients. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

Dr. Sophia Nnenna Ononye, PhD MPH MBA is a Yale-trained Cancer Research Scientist, Entrepreneur, Podcaster, Speaker, Certified Corporate Director, Board Advisor, Women's Health/FemTech Strategist, NMQF 40 under 40 Minority Health Leader, and Mentor. Dr. Ononye has over 15 years of cross-functional experience in the biopharmaceutical industry across drug discovery, medical affairs, strategic marketing, and corporate communications with a specialty training and focus on oncology and women's health. A contributing writer to several leading outlets including Inc,, Entrepreneur, Life Science Leader, Cell & Gene, MIT Technology Review, and WebMD, Dr. Ononye is a Yale Entrepreneur in Residence, Daré Bioscience Board Advisor and previous Independent Board Director and Member of the Nomination and Corporate Government (NG&C) and Compensation Committees, EY Entrepreneurs Access Network inaugural member, Dell Women's Entrepreneur Network Advisory Council Member, and former President of the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA) New York Chapter. Dr. Ononye's list of honors includes a 2023 National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) 40 under 40 Minority Health Leader Award. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

Brandon is the Founder and CEO of AURA, a firm specializing in providing fractional controllers and CFO services to marketing agencies. With over 15 years of professional experience, Brandon helps marketing agencies scale and become more profitable by understanding the value of accurate data around their decision-making process. AURA has had several clients successfully sell with eight figure exits, and their professional experience eclipses nine figure businesses. Brandon is the treasurer of the Newport Beach Police Foundation, along with a member of the Entrepreneurs Organization where he serves on the Strategic Alliance Partners committee. In his spare time, Brandon loves to spend time with his three rambunctious young boys, as they drive the coast in search of a new park to explore. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

One of the best parts of hosting the Origins podcast is talking with remarkable scientists whose ideas have changed the way we understand ourselves and our world. My recent conversation with Neil Shubin was particularly enjoyable, not only because Neil is a friend whose insights I admire, but because our dialogue ranged across some of the most fascinating questions at the intersection of evolution, exploration, and human curiosity.Neil became widely known for discovering Tiktaalik, the fossil fish whose fins contain bones remarkably similar to the limbs of land animals, including us. He is currently the Robert R. Bensley Distinguished Service Professor of Organismal Biology and Anatomy at the University of Chicago and the bestselling author of Your Inner Fish and, most recently, The Ends of the Earth. But beyond his credentials, Neil embodies the careful, patient, and humble approach to discovery that value in science.Our discussion began with the unexpected paths scientists take, including Neil's own formative experiences. He described how museum visits and planetarium shows ignited his childhood fascination, and we talked about how a single course on vertebrate evolution at Harvard redirected his career from veterinary medicine to fossil hunting. Neil recounted, and we discussed at length, the meticulous thought and considerable risk that led him and his colleague, Ted Daeschler, to choose the Canadian Arctic for their famous expedition. It took six summers of tough fieldwork before their gamble yielded Tiktaalik, transforming our understanding of how life transitioned from water to land.But our conversation wasn't just about past discoveries. Neil and I explored broader themes about the nature of science itself: how hypotheses are formed, the patience and courage it takes to test bold ideas, and the critical importance of embracing failure. We agreed that stepping outside one's comfort zone is almost always necessary to achieve scientific breakthroughs, and Neil shared how his own career exemplifies precisely that.This kind of deeper dialogue, going beyond the headlines to explore the very human stories behind scientific discoveries, is one of the reasons I started the Origins podcast. I hope you find this conversation with Neil Shubin as enjoyable and thought-provoking as I did.As always, an ad-free video version of this podcast is also available to paid Critical Mass subscribers. Your subscriptions support the non-profit Origins Project Foundation, which produces the podcast. The audio version is available free on the Critical Mass site and on all podcast sites, and the video version will also be available on the Origins Project YouTube. Get full access to Critical Mass at lawrencekrauss.substack.com/subscribe

Why do most recruitment companies stall at 10 to 20 people, while others scale to 100+ across continents? In this episode, you'll hear directly from someone who's done it. STR Group is a family of specialist recruitment brands focused on STEM sectors. As co-founder, Clive Hutchings has spent over two decades growing the business to more than 120 staff across the UK, Europe, and the US—all while staying profitable, adaptable, and values-driven. In this interview, Clive breaks down what it really takes to build a multi-brand, international recruitment group, the leadership philosophy behind STR's culture, and the gritty truths behind scaling a business beyond yourself. Episode Outline and Highlights [3:05] The early days: how Clive started in recruitment and his story of practicing his pitch in front of a mirror in the office. [11:37] The operational and leadership shifts needed to grow from 10 to 100+ employees [19:19] Why many recruitment founders plateau—and how to avoid it [21:09] Discussion on the best approach to train a new recruiter. [27:33] The value of having a support network around you. [32:50] What is the formula for knowing when to make your next hire? [40:00] Impact of AI: “Sales people being more sustainable, resourcing people less so.” [41:45] Clive reveals their tech stack and how AI impacts their current operations. [45:00] The relevance of cold calling in the age of AI. [52:00] Big differences between hiring in the US and the UK. [1:02:10] Learnings on expanding globally. [1:07:00] Culture and mantra that work. Leadership That Scales One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is the importance of evolving your role as a founder. Clive credits much of STR's growth to the fact that he didn't try to do everything himself. Instead, he and his co-founder took on complementary leadership roles, allowing each to focus on their strengths while building out a business that could scale beyond them. If you're stuck juggling billing, management, and strategy, this is your sign to rethink your leadership structure. Building a scalable firm means building scalable leadership, and that starts with letting go of being the bottleneck. He also elaborated on the following: 1. Multifaceted Leadership Structure 2. Team Composition and Talent Strategy 3. High Energy and Personal Drive 4. Resilience Through Early-Stage Challenges 5. Realistic Growth Mindset Clive's success as a leader came from building a balanced team, maintaining high personal energy, fostering a resilient and realistic culture, and adapting roles and structures to match the stage of the business. Decision Factors When to Make Your Next Hire With Clive's success in scaling his team globally, I wanted to pick his brains on his thought process when deciding to make a new hire. As a recruitment business owner, this is a critical decision to make, as doing it too slowly can impede your business's growth, while doing it too rapidly can lead to longer-term problems that cost more to fix. Clive shared the following decision factors: Strategic Forecasting & Business Planning - Hiring plans are based on quarterly forecasts developed by each brand's leadership. Critical Mass & Team Size Considerations - A certain headcount is needed to reach operational momentum, but hiring must be sustainable. Smaller teams (e.g.,

How does God enact change when the mainstream seems lost?  In this episode, we explore Chapter 3 of Richard Rohr's The Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage, "A Critical Mass: The Secret of the Remnant." After our conversation with Richard about God's work from the edges, we're joined by Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, pastor, author, and host of our sister podcast Love Period. Rev. Jaqui helps us explore what it means to embody the remnant today through fierce love, fierce freedom, and the call to un-empire Christianity. Additionally, this conversation helps us to recognize God's work in unexpected places, the prophetic call to anti-scapegoating, finding the "7,000" others, and how the small-but-mighty actions of the remnant can become a catalyst for transformation. Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here.

In this episode, I connect with Cyprine Odada Mitchell, the former Director of the Nairobi Critical Mass and a passionate advocate for more livable communities that promote active mobility and independence for All Ages & Abilities. Thank you so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend and subscribe to the podcast on your preferred listening platform. Also, don't forget to check out the Active Towns Channel for video content.Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):

Six months or so ago, I had a fascinating interview/discussion with Stephanie Canizales about her book, Sin Padres, Ni Papeles, which described her five year PhD project interviewing young people who had migrated from Central America as undocumented and unaccompanied minors in pursuit of a better future. These children were sent by their parents because they had no other choice, either to protect their lives from violence or because they had no means to support them at home. Once these children arrived in the US they were met by either impoverished relatives who often couldn't support them. With no access to education or any legal means of supporting themselves they were forced to take low-wage jobs just to survive. I believe our society should be judged not by how well we keep people out, but how well we treat people when they are here. The story of these children is heart wrenching, and raises many complex issues, which may challenge previous notions you may have about such things as child welfare laws, about how we treat these young people who were driven here not out of choice, but through necessity, and who our society largely abandons once they arrive. Because of the vicissitudes of international affairs and other unexpected factors, we were not able to release this dialogue before now. But perhaps there could be no more opportune time to address this issue. Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia came to this country as a 16 year old, a minor sent by his family to protect him from local gangs. In the intervening 14 years in the United States he was never charged or convicted of a crime, just as he had never been so charged or convicted in his home country of El Salvador. He had a job, and had several children with his US citizen wife. Nevertheless, he was recently illegally deported, without any trial, back to a maximum security prison in El Salvador, leading to a vigorous public debate. During the public discussions, Kilmar, and other illegal immigrants have been vilified for the acts of desperation that led them to enter the US illegally. But very little has been discussed about the harrowing challenges people like Kilmar met when they arrived here, alone, as children. My discussion with Stephanie will hopefully add a new dimension to the current public debate on this issue, focusing on real people rather than statistics, and on both the causes for the recent illegal migration to the US, and also the actual impact both on the country and on the immigrants while they live in the US. In so doing, I hope this expands your perspective of this complex problem, which is, after all, one of the purposes of this podcast, and of the Origins Project Foundation.As always, an ad-free video version of this podcast is also available to paid Critical Mass subscribers. Your subscriptions support the non-profit Origins Project Foundation, which produces the podcast. The audio version is available free on the Critical Mass site and on all podcast sites, and the video version will also be available on the Origins Project YouTube. Get full access to Critical Mass at lawrencekrauss.substack.com/subscribe

I'm excited to announce the third episode of our new series, What's New in Science, co-hosted by Sabine Hossenfelder. Once again, Sabine and I each brought a few recent science stories to the table, and we took turns introducing them before diving into thoughtful discussions. It's a format that continues to spark engaging exchanges, and based on the feedback we've received, it's resonating well with listeners.This time, we covered a wide range of intriguing topics. We began with the latest buzz from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument suggesting that dark energy might be changing over time. I remain skeptical, but the possibility alone is worth a closer look. We followed that with results from the Euclid space telescope, which has already identified nearly 500 strong gravitational lensing candidates—an impressive yield from just the early data.We also returned to quantum computing, comparing the hype around Microsoft's recent claims to Amazon's quieter but arguably more meaningful development—a chip with built-in error correction, which could mark real progress toward scalable systems. From there we went to Earth, where a team at Princeton reported a result that almost sounds like a perpetual motion machine: using the Earth's magnetic field to generate electric current. It's not going to power the grid, but it raises fascinating questions.And of course, we couldn't resist discussing a new round of exotic claims about hidden structures beneath the Pyramids of Giza, before wrapping up with a reanalysis of decade-old data from the Curiosity rover on Mars. It suggests the presence of organic compounds that might hint at life—but as always, the story is more complicated.It was another lively and thoughtful exchange, and I hope you'll enjoy it as much as we did.As always, an ad-free video version of this podcast is also available to paid Critical Mass subscribers. Your subscriptions support the non-profit Origins Project Foundation, which produces the podcast. The audio version is available free on the Critical Mass site and on all podcast sites, and the video version will also be available on the Origins Project YouTube. Get full access to Critical Mass at lawrencekrauss.substack.com/subscribe

As President of the C.W. Driver family of companies, Karl is responsible for the overall direction and leadership of three leading construction firms: C.W. Driver, Driver SPG, and Good & Roberts. C.W. Driver was established in 1919 and is the longest-operating contracting firm in Southern California. The firm provides sophisticated preconstruction/estimating and construction services with a focus on technology and innovation. Karl understands that outstanding leadership involves bringing out the unique qualities and abilities each person brings to the company. His vision for the company is to set the "gold standard" for service in the construction industry while also providing a work environment that people enjoy and where they can succeed. C.W. Driver Companies' purpose is "Building Better Communities and Lives Together."  Karl is a catalyst at C.W. Driver Companies, inspiring the team to think big, work hard, and work together. Karl serves as the Board Vice Chairman on the Executive Committee with Discovery Science Center, Home Aid Orange County Board of Directors, Cal State University Fullerton Center of Leadership Board of Directors, and Cal State Long Beach College of Engineering Dean's Advisory Council. He enjoys meeting challenges head-on, overcoming adversity, and succeeding as a team. Karl has found that it doesn't matter whether it's work, coaching, or playing sports; being a great leader means motivating, mentoring, and supporting his team members.   -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

Grapes: the final frontier. These are the recordings of The Maker & The Merchant. Their continuing mission: to explore strange new wines; to seek out new puns and new levels of humour; to boldly go where no pod has gone before! That's right. Ferg hasn't just attended the Next Gen Fruit Conference, he IS the Next Gen fruit conference. Wearing his finest starfleet dress uniform, Ferg gave a talk on growing grapes in the UK to some of the finest agricultural minds in the industry. But just what is The Next Gen Fruit Group? What is its Prime Directive, and can they redirect all power to forward shields? Joking aside we learn from Ferg about the differences in knowledge, understanding, and potentially foresight between UK fruit growers and grape growers. What are his key takeaways? Where can grape growers learn from those who grow top fruit and soft fruit (and, err, what is the difference between those two things?)   As well as this we take a quick look at the large news of Majestic purchasing Enotria & Coe and what this may or may not mean for the trade and the UK wine consumer. There's also something about Ferg causing trouble in the middle east.   TM&TM: A Critical Mass Of Talent available to beam down to the planet's surface from stardate 030425.

Carlo Odicino is the CEO and Founder of One TEAM Partners. He specializes in helping early-stage companies bring their innovations to market without succumbing to the burnout often faced by start-ups. With 24+ years of experience scaling businesses of all sizes, he guides CEOs and leadership teams through complex challenges to achieve extraordinary results. Carlo holds an MBA from the University of Notre Dame and directs high school theater in his spare time. He lives in Costa Mesa, CA, with his wife and two sons. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

Caecilia Gotama earned her Bachelor and Master's Degrees in Mechanical Engineering from California State University, Fullerton and a Master's in Business Administration from the Graziadio School at Pepperdine University. She is also an LEED-accredited professional due to her passion for sustainable engineering. Caecilia is a licensed Mechanical Engineer who is a Fellow of American Society of Mechanical Engineers, where she served on the Board of Governors. Ms. Gotama was awarded the “Vision and Visionary” award from California State University, Fullerton, signifying her achievements as a successful business owner in the engineering field, as well as her contribution to her community. The world needs more engineers, and Caecilia realized that the engineering profession can be much more inclusive in its design approach. Her drive to contribute to her community and her entrepreneurial nature has led her to start BRDG - bridge to connect, a social non-profit organization that provides a bridge program for first generation STEM college students. With the contribution of highly qualified volunteers, this program benefits these young students, as well as the people they will serve in their professional lives. “The ability to solve problems and create knows no boundaries, class, race or gender. And yet, the training to be able to effectively invent and solve problems is still mostly available to those who know someone in this field. As the world needs more people with critical thinking ability, it becomes the duty of all of us in the technical fields to reach out and open doors for this next generation.” Caecilia Gotama -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

Hernan Ricaurte is the President of Ricaurte Precision Inc. (RPI), an Orange County based contract manufacturer specializing in precision (CNC) machining for the aerospace, space, defense, and medical device industries. RPI works with some of the world's most advanced and demanding OEMs. Hernan has over 20 years of international experience spanning manufacturing and healthcare including a decade living and working in Japan. His commitment to leveraging advanced technologies, streamlining processes, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement has driven RPI's year-over-year growth of more than 20% for the past three years. Hernan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from San Diego State University and is certified in advanced Japanese language proficiency. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

Jessica Huang is a seasoned restaurant marketing expert with over 10 years of experience in brand strategy, digital marketing, and third-party delivery optimization. She has worked with a diverse range of restaurant concepts, from quick-service and fast-casual brands to full-service and multi-unit operators, helping them develop strong, sustainable marketing strategies that drive growth and customer engagement. As the founder of Restaurant Marketing, Jessica leads a team specializing in comprehensive marketing solutions for the hospitality industry. Her expertise includes brand development and management, social media strategy, food photography and media production, influencer and partnership marketing, and third-party delivery strategy. She has consulted for renowned brands such as Yogurtland, Wood Ranch, and Finney's, among many others. Additionally, she has orchestrated high-impact co-marketing initiatives with major brands including Cheetos Corporate, Bear Naked, Inc., and DreamWorks, bringing innovative collaborations to life. Before launching her agency, Jessica was a key part of the Postmates team, where she worked closely with enterprise brands such as Panda Express, Papa John's, Applebee's, IHOP, and The Halal Guys. She played a crucial role in executing national and regional co-marketing campaigns, developing go-to-market strategies, and optimizing restaurant performance on the Postmates platform, ensuring maximum visibility and profitability for partner brands. With a deep understanding of restaurant operations and consumer behavior, Jessica and her team continue to help brands navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape, create compelling brand narratives, and implement data-driven marketing strategies that elevate their presence in a competitive market. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

Frank M. Campbell is a financial services veteran with over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry. He holds designations as a Chartered Life Underwriter, Licensed Life & Disability Analyst, and Chartered Financial Consultant. Frank's primary focus is ensuring his clients' life insurance policies deliver the necessary protection and financial stability, providing peace of mind to families nationwide. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

The Origins Podcast began with a bang, a Big Bang. Over the first month of our recording, we traveled to two continents, and 4 cities and recorded 16 episodes in 22 days. It was a whirlwind, and one of the most amazing experiences I can recall. While in London, we took advantage of the amazingly gracious acceptance by Ricky Gervais to appear on the podcast. It was a day I will always remember. Ricky had appeared in our film, The Unbelievers, which followed me and Richard Dawkins around the world. Gus and Luke Holwerda, who directed and filmed that movie helped create The Origins Podcast, and for the first year, filmed all the episodes. Ricky graciously agreed to appear in front of their cameras one more time, and joined us at what was then New College of Humanities, where I was a visiting Professor. From the moment he arrived, it was clear it was going to be great. As he had been when we filmed The Unbelievers Ricky claimed to be nervous and was worried he would appear ignorant. He needn't have worried. Maybe that is one of the reasons he is so good at what he does, because he worries about rising to the challenge. We discussed his early life, his love of science, his early interest in biology and then philosophy, then the science of comedy, the comedy of religion, and the need for free speech. He then proceeded to demand a mind-bending, personal science lesson from me. It was amazing. He was amazing. Enjoy this, our first rebroadcast of a classic Origins Podcast Episode that is worth watching once again. Enjoy. As always, an ad-free video version of this podcast is also available to paid Critical Mass subscribers. Your subscriptions support the non-profit Origins Project Foundation, which produces the podcast. The audio version is available free on the Critical Mass site and on all podcast sites, and the video version will also be available on the Origins Project YouTube. Get full access to Critical Mass at lawrencekrauss.substack.com/subscribe

This episode of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is our contribution to #Podcasthon2025, the world's largest podcast charity initiative, bringing together podcasters globally to raise awareness for charitable cause. Craig Kausen is the Chairman of the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering creativity through educational programs and community outreach. As the grandson of Chuck Jones, the renowned animation director behind Looney Tunes classics such as What's Opera, Doc? and Duck Amuck, Craig has worked extensively to preserve and perpetuate his grandfather's creative impact on generations. He also oversees Linda Jones Enterprises and the Chuck Jones Galleries, which showcase animation and fine art inspired by Jones' and other animation luminaries' work. In addition to his role at the Center, Craig has a background in computer engineering, business management and entrepreneurship. He has been involved in various ventures, including retail, licensing, and experiential events, with a focus on combining creative content with commercial applications. His work has included developing partnerships with museums, educational institutions, and corporations to expand the reach of innovative education and creative development initiatives. Craig frequently speaks on topics related to animation history, creative process, and the impact of art in education and business. He has presented Keynote presentations and lectures at industry conferences, universities, museums, and corporate events, sharing insights on how creativity can be applied to problem-solving and innovation. His experience in both business, technology and the arts provides a practical perspective on the value of creative thinking across many diverse fields. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

The response to our first What's New in Science has been very strong. What was not clear however, is that in this new series, Sabine Hosenfelder is my co-host, not my guest. As a result, we have changed things up a bit, and we are thrilled with the results. Both Sabine and I separately chose three science news items, and we alternated introducing them. After the introduction we had a spirited discussion about each. The topics included, the buzz around topological quantum computers, search for water on the moon, a new Google AI scientist, new optimistic models suggest a major ocean current may not be near its tipping point due to Climate change, searching for quantum fluctuations in space and time with interferometers, and the purported discovery of the very first stars in the Universe. We had a spirited discussion of these developments, and then topped it off with a discussion about a video that Sabine had posted that went viral, about the present and future of particle physics. Our discussion was exactly what I think is needed, and not present elsewhere on the internet, namely, in depth discussions of topics in the news where the details are fleshed out and the wheat separated from the chaff—no holds barred. In addition, the news is so topical that it changes between our recording, and the episode release. For example, on the day of our recording, a new private spacecraft had just successfully landed near the South Pole of the Moon to drill for evidence of water. We discussed why this is of interest, and it still is. However, the spacecraft isn't. The day after our discussion it was announced that the spacecraft had since toppled over and its batteries had died. While this mission failed, the purpose of the mission remains important, and therefore the discussion we had can provide useful perspective to assess future mission claims. We look forward to getting your feedback on our new format, and also encourage you to send us ideas for news items in our next podcast. With your support, I believe this new monthly addition to the Origins Podcast lineup may become one of the most valuable parts of our whole program. Enjoy!As always, an ad-free video version of this podcast is also available to paid Critical Mass subscribers. Your subscriptions support the non-profit Origins Project Foundation, which produces the podcast. The audio version is available free on the Critical Mass site and on all podcast sites, and the video version will also be available on the Origins Project YouTube. Get full access to Critical Mass at lawrencekrauss.substack.com/subscribe

Jenny Zhan, CEO, founded and leads all areas of business and operations for Beyond International. She brings more than 20 years of investment experience focused on institutional investing and managing multi-asset strategies. As a Charted Financial Analyst (CFA), she specializes in international wealth management and has managed investments in real estate assets and global equities markets for large institutional investors. Previously, Ms. Zhan was a portfolio manager and managing director at GMO, a Boston-based global investment leader (AUM $68B), from 2002 to 2011, where she was recognized for the firm's successful Greater China equity research and emerging market portfolio management. Prior to founding Beyond, she was the President of Good Hope Investment, a subsidiary of CreditEase Corporation. With her initiative and leadership, Good Hope quickly established its position as a top player in global investment immigration during her five-year tenure. Ms. Zhan also served as Chief Strategy Officer of Ambow Education Holding Ltd. She is recognized as one of the most influential and powerful leaders in the investment migration industry globally. Ms. Zhan earned her B.E. from East China University of Science and Technology and her M.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maryland. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

Agnieszka Sosnowska | Bryan Schutmaat | FÖR Bryan Schutmaat and Agnieszka Sosnowska join me today to talk about the process of publishing Agnieszka's monograph, FÖR (Trespasser). Agnieszka shares her journey from Poland to Boston to Iceland, and how she considers herself a teacher and a provider before thinking of herself as a photographer. Bryan and Agnieszka detail their time together looking at the work, along with Trespasser's co-founder Matthew Genitempo, and the book was later designed by Trespasser's designer, Cody Haltom. We also have a wide ranging conversation about the legacy implications of publishing your work, the differences in editing color photography, and the importance of being a smaller imprint. https://www.sosphotographs.com ||| https://www.bryanschutmaat.co ||| https://trespasser.co/shop/for This podcast is sponsored by the Charcoal Book Club Begin Building your dream photobook library today at https://charcoalbookclub.com Agnieszka Sosnowska was born in Warsaw, Poland and was raised in Boston, Massachusetts. She earned a BFA from Massachusetts College of Art and a MFA from Boston University. She is currently an elementary school teacher. She lives on farm in East Iceland. Sosnowska has been the recipient of a number of grants, including a Fulbright Scholars Fellowship to Poland and an American Scandinavian Fellowship to Iceland. She was awarded the Hjálmar R. Bárðarson Photography Grant awarded by the National Museum of Iceland. Her series was awarded the Director's Choice by the Center awards in 2017 and she has been in the Top 50 of Critical Mass on 3 occasions. Her work has been exhibited in the National Museum of Iceland and The Reykjavik Museum of Photography. Sosnowska's monograph, FÖR (Trespasser) was published in 2024. Bryan Schutmaat is a photographer based in Austin, Texas whose work has been widely exhibited and published. He has won numerous awards, including a John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship, the Aperture Portfolio Prize, and an Aaron Siskind Fellowship. Bryan's prints are held in many collections, such as Baltimore Museum of Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Pier 24 Photography, Rijksmuseum, and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. He co-founded the imprint, Trespasser.

With over 30 years in the industry, Daren Lauda is a highly accomplished and versatile professional with a rich background in the technology and business sectors. Daren began his career as an Infantry Team Leader in the US Army. Leveraging his military experience, he transitioned into the corporate world and made a lasting impact in senior leadership roles at Fortune 500 technology companies like Fortive, PTC, and Salesforce. He also helped grow notable start-up companies, including Arbortext, Tririga, Mavenlink, and DispatchTrack. He is also the Founder of two companies, Outset and Second Step. Daren holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Pepperdine University. He also has an MBA from California State University at Long Beach. Daren is married with two children and lives in Southern California. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

Send feedback for the showIn this episode, Nick Rizzo sits down with Tom Ryder, founder of Applied Nutrition, and Aaron Heidebreicht, CEO of AN USA, to unpack the explosive growth of one of Europe's fastest-rising sports nutrition brands. Fresh off a $450 million IPO on the London Stock Exchange, Tom shares the journey from his days as a scaffolder to building a global wellness powerhouse, while Aaron dives into the strategic push to conquer the U.S. market. From securing Walmart listings to launching the innovative AN Performance Series, this conversation reveals the grit, vision, and bold moves driving Applied Nutrition's stateside expansion. Tune in for an inside look at how a British-born brand is flexing its muscles on the world stage.00:00 From Retailer to Nutrition Brand Reviver03:13 Product Revamp Sparks Sales Growth09:02 "Success in U.S. Market Entry"09:52 Relentless Ambition and Family Ties14:53 "Embrace Failure: Keep Showing Up"16:12 Expanding Applied Nutrition's Audience Reach20:02 "Execute Ideas: Lessons from Tom"25:18 Global Expansion with Kraft Partnership27:07 "Future of Applied Nutrition"Support the showYouTubeInstagram Tik Tok We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Feel free to share your favorite moments or any questions you have for Darren. Thank you for being part of the Rizzology community. Your support means the world to us!

Elizabeth Weiss's recent book, On the Warpath, chronicles her efforts to keep anthropology from falling prey to ideology, even as she curated a collection of ancient skeletons at San Jose State University. She and I had a chance to discuss her new book, and some of the ridiculous ways in which myth and superstition, and modern PC nonsense are intruding on the scientific study of humans and their ancestry. These included having a session the sex of skeletons being cancelled from a meeting of the American Anthropological Association because its leadership now insisted sex isn't binary, and the fact that the American Museum of Natural History warns visitors that certain artifacts have powerful supernatural characteristics. Many of her efforts have been to fight inappropriate repatriation of ancient bones to groups whose genetic relationship to these distant hominid ancestors is tenuous at best. It was this that caused her to lose her curations position at her University and eventually to retire from academia.It was a pleasure to talk common sense, and the importance of science for our understanding of the human condition with her. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. As always, an ad-free video version of this podcast is also available to paid Critical Mass subscribers. Your subscriptions support the non-profit Origins Project Foundation, which produces the podcast. The audio version is available free on the Critical Mass site and on all podcast sites, and the video version will also be available on the Origins Project YouTube. Get full access to Critical Mass at lawrencekrauss.substack.com/subscribe

Zarina Bahadur is the CEO & Founder of 123 Baby Box, a monthly subscription box for babies. Zarina received a full scholarship to the University of California Irvine for both her bachelors and masters degree. She founded the company while a masters student in business school.  Zarina has won 1st place in five national pitch competitions and has scaled her company to international markets reaching parents all over the world. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

Gernado G. Abrams is the entrepreneur and independent business owner of Bungi Enterprises, a full-service creative executive professional management and accounting services company. He has been a creative professional for over twenty-five (25+) years, working in the music, entertainment, and broadcasting network industries for decades. From a radio host to creating an independent record label, “Boss Music Online B.M.O.”, producing music, releasing street mix tapes, singles, EPs, and LPs. He is also a solo artist that manages other artists on the label—artists that write music on relatable topics about life, pain, loss, happiness, love, overcoming struggles, and success. This independent record label has a catalog of commercial, upbeat feel-good music within the genre of hip-hop, reggae, R&B, and gospel. From being a CEO, artist, producer, and songwriter to founding a not-for-profit corporation, ‘Stop The Violence Use Your Talents', a movement that was developed after losing two brothers in the streets of Florida. Stop The Violence Use Your Talents (S.T.V.U.Y.T.) was created to expose talents through multimedia, from community events, documentaries, and TV shows such as ‘Stop The Violence TV Show | S.T.V. TV.' As the producer and host of the TV show, he also created a series of Stop The Violence Public Service Announcements (PSA) commercials placed into TV broadcast and cable network rotations to help send a positive message of hope to audiences throughout U.S. public broadcasting stations, reaching millions of viewers. He is a U.S.-born Floridian artist living bi-coastal, a true sunshine boy hailing from the northern coastal parts of the sunshine state of Florida to the southern shores of the great golden state of California. He is not the average entrepreneur but a multi-talented businessman. He is also an established author who has written and published several self-help books through his independent self-publishing company, Bungi Abrams Publishing. Currently in the process of releasing more material—from music and books to an animation series and film—he is truly a brand all to himself, an original ‘G' being useful and never giving in. The meaning behind the name of his enterprise, BUNGI. He is also the CFO / Controller for two companies in Orange County, Cal Pac Sheet Metal and OC Metals, Inc. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

Alexander Harmsen, a tech entrepreneur passionate about AI, finance, and autonomy. He founded PortfolioPilot.com, an AI Financial Advisor with over $30 billion in assets on platform. Previously, he founded and sold Iris Automation, worked on NASA's Mars Helicopter, and went through Y Combinator. He's raised over $30M in venture capital and was recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

Shelley Iocona is the Founder of ON ITS AXIS, a consultancy that helps companies achieve sustainable growth through digital and operational transformation. With over 20 years of experience in product development, operations, and strategic leadership, Shelley blends technical expertise with a deep understanding of organizational dynamics to deliver results-oriented solutions. As a General Partner at 360 Venture Collective, Shelley invests in early-stage startups, offering strategic guidance and operational insights to help them scale. Her passion for innovation and impact shines through in ArcAccelerator, a distinctive offering from ON ITS AXIS designed to empower entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs to unlock growth opportunities and scale their companies with a focus on wellness and responsible innovation. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

Kristin Epperson is the driving force behind Charity Matterz, an organization dedicated to strengthening the structural foundation and sustainability of nonprofits. Charity Matterz empowers organizations by providing strategic guidance in leadership development, operational optimization, and fostering long-term sustainability. By embedding social equity into every aspect of its work, Charity Matterz ensures that its solutions are inclusive and impactful. As the Founder and CEO, Kristin brings a wealth of expertise in nonprofit management and business strategy. Her skills in negotiation, organizational design, and data-driven decision-making have positioned Charity Matterz as a trusted partner for nonprofits aiming to build sustainable and resilient systems. Kristin's innovative approach emphasizes the importance of developing structures that enable nonprofits to achieve their missions effectively and sustainably. In addition to leading Charity Matterz, Kristin holds influential roles such as President of the Laguna Niguel Rotary Club and U.S. Ambassador to FODEMA in Malawi and LifeLink Rwanda. Her work with nonprofits like Otra Mas has been transformative, where she has implemented robust systems, optimized resource allocation, and fostered strategic partnerships that promote long-term viability. Charity Matterz is driven by a mission to build sustainable nonprofit organizations that uplift all aspects of human life. By fostering a culture of collaboration and addressing the needs of the most vulnerable, the organization envisions a future where effective structures and partnerships lead to lasting and meaningful change. Charity Matterz celebrates the intrinsic value of every individual, creating a legacy of empowerment, compassion, and sustainable impact. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

In his role as COO and Co-Founder at Stratus Financial, Brandon Martini spearheads strategic initiatives and oversees day-to-day operations to drive growth and ensure operational excellence. Together with Stratus FInancial's exceptional team, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the company's vision and implementing a customer-centric approach. Stratus' mission is to revolutionize the financial landscape by offering comprehensive and intuitive solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of its clients. Brandon has been flying since 2014 and holds Commercial Pilot Certificates along with CFI/CFII/MEI instructor ratings. He has a deep knowledge of part 141 and part 61 flight school operations in addition to training guidelines set forth by syllabuses and the FAA. With expertise in flight instruction and a deep understanding of pilot student loans and private finance, Brandon leverages his skills to create innovative solutions in the aviation industry. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

Ashleigh Louis, PhD, and Jeff Soilson, JD, co-founded Quantum ADR to help people stay out of court and avoid legal fees through mediation. As a dual-licensed psychologist and marriage and family therapist alongside a former family law litigator, they weave together their combined five decades of psychology and family law experience to facilitate negotiation, insight, and value-aligned decision-making. Their fully online practice meets clients where they are in order to support them through conflict as effectively and efficiently as possible. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

“Science is the only News” -Steward BrandSteward Brand may have been exaggerating, but not by much. So Sabine Hossenfelder and I decided it is high time to take him at his word. Sabine is one of the most watched science popularizers online, and a physicist I enjoy listening to and discussing science with. She is opinionated, as am I, and we don't always agree, which makes things even more interesting. I am very happy that she has agree to collaborate on a new and exciting series for The Origins Podcast. Once a month Sabine and I will pick 4-5 science stories that have been in the news, and discuss them. We will try and dispel hype, cut through confusion, and give a deeper context to stories that might otherwise simply end up as soundbites on major news networks. We agree on fundamentals, but we each have our own way of thinking about them. What most people don't realize is that science, including theoretical physics, is a social activity, with an active dialectic between scientists working at the forefront. Watch our real time discussions to get a sense of how different physicists approach outstanding problems, how we elaborate on them with each other, and how we sometimes differ on what approaches we think are likely to be fruitful. Our first discussion both lively and illuminating, and got us off to a very good start for this new podcast segment that I high hopes for. From the recent hype about quantum computing and many worlds, to panspermia, commercial nuclear fusion, and the politics of climate change, hang on to your hats, and enjoy!As always, an ad-free video version of this podcast is also available to paid Critical Mass subscribers. Your subscriptions support the non-profit Origins Project Foundation, which produces the podcast. The audio version is available free on the Critical Mass site and on all podcast sites, and the video version will also be available on the Origins Project YouTube. Get full access to Critical Mass at lawrencekrauss.substack.com/subscribe

Jonathan Rauch is one of the clearest thinkers writing today about the philosophical and sociological interconnections between democracy and science, as detailed in his last book, The Constitution of Knowledge, about which we had a fascinating podcast discussion a year or two ago. When I heard his newest book was due to appear this month, I was eager to have him back on. This new book, Cross Purposes, Christianity's Broken Bargain with Democracy was released yesterday. It was a surprising take on the subject. Rauch is an atheist, a Jew, and homosexual, so one might have expected an attack on the failings of Christianity. Nothing could be further from the truth. Rauch argues that Christianity offers moral bases that mesh well with Madisonian democracy, and that it is necessary for the Christian community to tap into these if democracy in the US is to be resuscitated. There is a lot to unpack there, and that is precisely what we did. He and I share atheist and Jewish roots, and we agree on many features of both philosophy and religion. But our perspectives on both the actual moral fabric of Christianity, and the extent to which society should give special treatment to religious teaching, and to what extent the positive aspects of Christian religious theology, including the theology of groups like the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, means that we should respect that theology, differ. Because I respect Rauch as a writer and a thinker so much, I thought it would be useful to take time to explore these differences, in order to ascertain to what extent his thesis was viable, and also to allow listeners access to a thoughtful and respectful discussion of to what extent Christian religious teachings have a key role to play in the moral framework of a healthy democratic society in the United States.As always, the discussion was educational, and illuminating. It is an important issue at the current time, and I am very happy we could have a deeper dive into it with someone so thoughtful and knowledgeable. I hope you enjoy the discussion, including the animated give and take at times, as much as both Jonathan and I did.As always, an ad-free video version of this podcast is also available to paid Critical Mass subscribers. Your subscriptions support the non-profit Origins Project Foundation, which produces the podcast. The audio version is available free on the Critical Mass site and on all podcast sites, and the video version will also be available on the Origins Project YouTube. Get full access to Critical Mass at lawrencekrauss.substack.com/subscribe

Naushad Huda is a Senior Principal at Slalom, a global management consulting firm, where he leads customer strategy for Contact Center Transformations. He leads with a passion for research, problem-solving, and actionable insights. His career is marked by an unwavering belief in human potential, a trait that fuels his optimism and commitment to creating meaningful connections. Naushad's curiosity is boundless, driving him to explore new ideas and continuously learn. This insatiable curiosity has not only propelled his professional achievements but also inspired his passion project, VINOPOP™. This unique venture's mission is to “bring the tasting room experience out of the tasting room”, offering intimate wine-tasting events led by winemakers. By understanding the nuances of why people love visiting winery tasting rooms, Naushad crafted an experience that blends storytelling with personal enjoyment. The success of these pop-up events has led to the launch of VINOPOP™ Private, which offers personalized wine-tasting experiences for both home gatherings and corporate events. Naushad attributes much of his success to three key qualities: curiosity, humility in acknowledging what he doesn't know, and a strong commitment to trust and integrity. He encourages others to nurture their curiosity, embrace the learning process, and maintain a reputation of honesty and reliability. His journey is a testament to the power of asking questions, embracing new challenges, and building trust. Through VINOPOP™, Naushad continues to create memorable and educational experiences, emphasizing that it's not just about the wine, but the stories, connections, and moments shared. As Naushad looks to the future, he remains excited about expanding VINOPOP™ and bringing the magic of the tasting room to more people in innovative and engaging ways. His story exemplifies the impact of curiosity, integrity, and human connection in both personal and professional realms. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

Anoushka Mirchandani is the founder of SIMMER, a financial literacy platform designed to make managing money simple and approachable. With almost two decades of experience in the financial services industry, including leadership roles at Morgan Stanley and BlackRock, Anoushka has a proven track record of driving innovation and building strategic solutions. At SIMMER, Anoushka focuses on offering bite-sized lessons and interactive tools through a gamified approach, helping users build confidence and take control of their financial futures. With the platform set to launch in 2025, Anoushka is dedicated to making financial literacy accessible and actionable for the next generation. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

Steve Healis graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with an engineering degree but quickly realized he did not want to be an engineer. Procter & Gamble only hired engineers for their entry-level supervisory positions because engineers would have a better understanding of the technology – BUT they had to find engineers who also had people skills. Steve started as a supervisor in the laundry detergent (Tide, Bold, etc.) packaging department and, after two years, was promoted to warehouse manager. During this time, he learned how to hire, fire, discipline, motivate, and manage professionally. Later, he was recruited by Frito-Lay as the Sales Operations Manager, overseeing distribution facilities and the truck fleet in the Pacific Northwest. His last corporate job was as Sales and Customer Service Manager for Technicolor Videocassette in Newbury Park, CA. They duplicated videocassettes for all the major studios (Disney, Warner Brothers, MGM, etc.), and it was here that Steve learned about corporate sales and customer service. Six years of corporate jobs, combined with his engineering background, prepared him perfectly for business ownership. In 1988, a friend from Procter & Gamble asked Steve to join him in growing his part-time janitorial business. Steve said yes, and in six years, they grew the company from one employee to 50. Seeking more, they split in 1994, and Steve started Avalon Building Maintenance, Inc. with 20 employees. Over the next five years, he grew it to 450 employees, making the Inc. 500 list. Engineers with Steve's degree were known as “efficiency experts,” and he incorporated a limousine as a mobile office, equipped for work on the go. In 2002, Steve was approached to sell his company but declined because key employees would be let go. Instead, in 2003, he sold the company to his top employees with a 50-year royalty agreement. This allowed Steve to create a unique way to sell businesses that gives the seller a lifetime of residual income while enabling employees to buy the business with no money down. He has since helped many other businesses sell their companies this way (PassTheBaton.com). This reduced schedule over the last 21 years has allowed Steve the time and resources to launch various businesses, including an employment agency, a computer company, and a home cleaning company. He has started 25 total businesses with 28 partners, employing over 1,500 people, and recently launched a logistics company that helps people receive, inspect, store, deliver, and install high-end furniture in their new home or office. Steve lost his only daughter to mental illness and got divorced in 2018. In 2021, Steve met Andressa in Brazil, and they got married in 2023. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

Mark T. Hebner is the founder and CEO of Index Fund Advisors, Inc., (IFA), author of the highly regarded book Index Funds: The 12-Step Recovery Program for Active Investors, focused on investor education. Mark's current book and previous editions received praise from financial industry experts and academic luminaries, including John Bogle, David Booth, Burton Malkiel, and Nobel Laureates Harry Markowitz and Paul Samuelson. The book has been nominated as one of the three all-time greatest investment books, along with the writings of John Bogle and Warren Buffett. This book details the possible perils associated with stock picking, mutual fund manager picking, market timing, and other wealth-depleting behaviors. Hebner's 12-Step Program teaches the differences between active and passive investing, explains the emotional triggers that impact investment decisions, and offers an enlightening education on evidence-based investing that may forever change the way an investor perceives the stock market. Hebner is a respected speaker, frequent news contributor and authority on investing. His life's mission is to “change the way the world invests by replacing speculation with education.” Hebner is especially knowledgeable about index funds, portfolio construction and the research indexes designed by Nobel Laureate Eugene Fama and Kenneth French. These indexes provide the building blocks for the prudent evidence-based investment strategies that Hebner implements for his IFA clients. Mark is a Wealth Advisor (Series 65) and has an MBA from the University of California, Irvine and a Bachelor's in Nuclear Pharmacy from the University of New Mexico. He was a member of the Young Presidents' Organization for over 20 years and is currently a member of the World Presidents' Organization and the Chief Executives Organization. Prior to founding Index Fund Advisors in 1999, Mark was President, CEO and co-Founder of Syncor International (previously a public company - SCOR) from 1975 to 1985. In Jan. 2003, Cardinal Health acquired Syncor for approximately $850 million. As a division of Cardinal Health, it is the world's leading provider of nuclear pharmacy services. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

As promised we are extremely excited to release our newest podcast, with acclaimed angel investor and silicon valley visionary, Cyan Banister. As I described in my last substack post, she is actually so much more. She found herself homeless in Northern Arizona at the age of 13, and undaunted, eventually became a self taught software engineer, and then moved on to become a legend in Silicon Valley.We did a deep dive into her origins, from her early childhood, through abandonment at 13, homelessness as a teenager, the key developments that led her to become a self-taught software engineer, and eventually to have the opportunity to become an angel investor, leading her to become among the first investors in SpaceX, Uber, and many more companies, and then to her thoughts about nature, technology and the future. It was a remarkable discussion with a remarkable individual. Cyan defies any stereotype and we are very pleased that she regarded our 3.5 hr discussion as the most comprehensive and enlightening podcast she has done. We even made several discoveries together about how developments when she was young affected her approach to business and life today, and also how what she views as her purposes in life perhaps reflect key gifts that helped raise her up in her own story. And, in the true spirit of connecting science and culture that is at the heart of the Origins Podcast, we also explored how she actually approaches both life and business with a true scientific attitude—exploring, experimenting, letting nature and experience guide her, and a willingness to change her mind. Everyone who has heard anything about Cyan's story has been inspired. We feel that our dialogue, which takes her story to a whole new level, will touch anyone who has faced what seem to be insurmountable challenges, and inspire people to think more creatively about their own futures, and how what we can do to help people better achieve their aspirations, and of course better address the challenges of the 21st Century. If it isn't clear already, I think this podcast could, in the long run, be one of the most significant discussions we have ever done. Enjoy. As always, an ad-free video version of this podcast is also available to paid Critical Mass subscribers. Your subscriptions support the non-profit Origins Project Foundation, which produces the podcast. The audio version is available free on the Critical Mass site and on all podcast sites, and the video version will also be available on the Origins Project YouTube. Get full access to Critical Mass at lawrencekrauss.substack.com/subscribe

John Forsyte has led Pacific Symphony since 1998, during which time it has emerged as the largest orchestral institution founded in the U.S. in the past 50 years. Under his leadership, the Symphony has grown in national and international stature. Pacific Symphony made its debut at Carnegie Hall in 2018 as one of two orchestras invited to perform in Philip Glass' 80th birthday celebration. That same year, the Symphony embarked on its first tour of China, performing in five major cities. The 2017-18 season culminated with the Symphony's first nationally televised appearance on PBS's Great Performances. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Forsyte spearheaded innovative community engagement efforts, including hundreds of video productions for schoolchildren and nonprofit partners. The Symphony also launched Symphony on the Go, a mobile stage concert series offering free performances in neighborhoods throughout the region. For its dedication to serving the community during this challenging time, Pacific Symphony was recognized as the Nonprofit of the Year for the Central/South Orange County region. Forsyte's decades-long collaboration with Music Director Carl St.Clair has pioneered new concert formats and audience engagement methods, helping build an audience base that better reflects the demographics of Orange County. These initiatives include semi-staged opera productions, annual children's offerings, the innovative Café Ludwig chamber music series with Orli Shaham and Pacific Symphony principal musicians. A major milestone in Forsyte's tenure was the creation of the American Composers Festival (ACF). The festival has featured thematic and contextual programs, world premieres, commissioned works, and performances of rarely heard pieces, highlighting the Symphony's commitment to innovative and compelling programming. Over the years, the ACF has garnered critical acclaim and featured prominent composers such as John Adams, Philip Glass, and William Bolcom, and has attracted a wide range of audiences, further solidifying Pacific Symphony's reputation as a leader in promoting American music. During Forsyte's tenure, Pacific Symphony became the only orchestra in California to receive a James Irvine Foundation New California Arts Fund Grant. This supported the creation of the Building Communities Concert Series, featuring cultural celebrations such as Lunar New Year, Nowruz, and a free family festival around the Lantern Festival, further expanding the Symphony's engagement with the region's diverse communities. Pacific Symphony has expanded its community engagement programs, creating transformative initiatives like arts-X-press (a middle school arts immersion camp), Heartstrings (a partnership with 47 nonprofit organizations), the free Lantern Festival, Strings for Generations in partnership with the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center, and Santa Ana Strings. Under Forsyte's guidance, the Symphony's award-winning music education offering, the Freida Belinfante Class Act program, has grown from 7 to 30 schools. A strategic priority during Forsyte's tenure has been the expansion of the Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles program. This initiative now includes four distinct groups: Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra, Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble, Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings, and Pacific Symphony Youth Concert Band. Together, these ensembles serve over three hundred students annually, offering exceptional training and performance opportunities for young musicians across Southern California. The program's transformative impact is demonstrated by the high rate of students accepted into leading music conservatories and universities. Under Forsyte's leadership, Pacific Symphony has maintained a balanced budget for more than two decades while significantly increasing its fundraising efforts. Contributed income has grown fivefold, and the organization has raised an additional $35 million for its endowment during this period. Forsyte's contributions to the arts have been widely recognized. He has been honored with the Helen M. Thompson Award from the American Symphony Orchestra League and the Helena Modjeska Cultural Legacy Award by Arts Orange County. He currently serves on the Chief Executive Roundtable at UC Irvine and the boards of Arts Orange County and Orange County Music and Dance. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County.

Jennifer Doudna changed the world. She didn't do it intentionally. She pursued her curiosity about the structure and functioning of RNA as a research scientist, one who had been trained by some of the most impactful geneticists at the time, including two Nobel laureates. In the process, however, she and her collaborators discovered a genetic tool that has dwarfed all others for its potential to change both the human condition, but also what it may mean to be human. I am referring of course to CRISPR, the tool that Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier helped develop and for which they were awarded the Nobel Prize. In our in-depth conversation we covered the scientific origins of Jennifer's discoveries, and some of their possible implications. In a time when there is a misplaced notion that support for scientific research needs to be applied directly for certain goal-oriented activities, it is refreshing to have such a clear example of the benefits of fundamental research for our society, along with the need to prepare our minds for the possibilities of the future. It is exactly what the Origins Podcast, and the Origins Project Foundation are designed to highlight—the joy, benefits, and challenges of human intellectual inquiry for our society and our future. It was a pleasure and privilege to spend 90 minutes discussing these issues with this world-renowned biochemist and advocate for science. Our conversation was both a tutorial about modern genetics, and also an opportunity to discuss issues that society as a whole will have address as we come to grips with the new power of science in this century. With great power comes great responsibility, and I hope discussions such as the one I had with Jennifer will provoke and enlighten. Enjoy. As always, an ad-free video version of this podcast is also available to paid Critical Mass subscribers. Your subscriptions support the non-profit Origins Project Foundation, which produces the podcast. The audio version is available free on the Critical Mass site and on all podcast sites, and the video version will also be available on the Origins Project YouTube. Get full access to Critical Mass at lawrencekrauss.substack.com/subscribe

A year ago, John Richards the head of the Atheist UK approached me about the idea of celebrating Christopher Hitchens with a Hitchmas event, near Christmas, and on or about the anniversary of Christopher's death, on Dec 15, 2011. I realized that to do it right would require time and organization, and the proper panelists. I was thrilled that Christopher's friends and mine, Stephen Fry, Richard Dawkins, and Douglas Murray agreed to be part of the event, and that the HowTo Academy, which organizes wonderful events in London, several of which I had done before, agreed to coordinate the logistics with The Origins Project Foundation. A year later, the sold-out event happened, and we decided in advance to record it appropriately, with 5 cameras, and to have Gus and Luke Holwerda, who directed and filmed The Unbelievers, and with whom I began The Origins Podcast, edit the final product.As a special Holiday gift, we are making the advert free video version available to both paid and free subscribers here on Critical Mass. This post has the audio version for those who prefer that. If you want to watch the video, open the other Critical Mass post we are releasing this morning. Our YouTube channel will also host the video, and I encourage you to subscribe to that channel as well if you wish. No matter how you watch it, or listen to it (we will make the audio available on iTunes etc), we hope you find this set of reminiscences and the ensuing discussion a wonderful reminder of a remarkable man, and that it inspires you as much as Christopher inspired us. Happy Holidays to you all. Lawrence M. Krauss Get full access to Critical Mass at lawrencekrauss.substack.com/subscribe