Podcast appearances and mentions of nicholas thompson

CEO of The Atlantic Nicholas Thompson shares how he builds training for ultramarathons into his scheduleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we speak with Nicolas Thompson -CEO of The Atlantic and author of the book, 'The Running Ground -A Father, A Son, and the Simplest of Sports'. Hear his reflection on how running helped him amid personal crises; getting faster after 40; and how he finds time to fit running into his day. [powerpress] [box] Links Mentioned in This Episode Run Coaching. Work with an expert MTA running Coach. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed to fit the natural shape of feet with room for your toes, for comfort, balance, and strength. So you focus on what really matters:  Getting out there. IQBAR brain and body-boosting bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffees. Their Ultimate Sampler Pack includes all three! Get 20% off plus FREE shipping. Just text “MTA” to 64000. MetPro.co -For the first time ever, MetPro is offering MTA listeners a full 30-day experience for just $95 with absolutely no strings attached! See what it's like working with your own metabolic coach. Limited to the first 30 people. [/box] Nicholas Thompson (born 1975) is an American technology journalist, author, and media executive. He has been the chief executive officer of the American magazine The Atlantic since February 2021. Thompson previously worked as editor-in-chief of Wired and The New Yorker's website. He is the author of two non-fiction books, is a contributor for CBS News, and regularly appears on CBS This Morning and CBSN. Thompson competed in running as both a high school student and briefly on his college team at Stanford. In 2021, Thompson set the American 45-49 age-group record at the 50-kilometer distance after running 3:04:36 at the Brooks Row River 50K in Oregon. As of 2025, he had completed the New York City Marathon 12 times, running his fastest time of 2:29 at the age of 44.

Nicholas Thompson, CEO and world-class runner, opens up about how he became one of the fastest amateur distance runners in the country while balancing a demanding career as the CEO of The Atlantic. He shares the full arc of his running journey along with his most actionable tips for getting faster at any age. Nicholas also breaks down how he leads a major media company in the era of AI, how he structures his days to fit in 70+ mile weeks, and the mindset shifts that help him excel in both business and sport. A grounded, inspiring conversation for anyone looking to improve as a runner or leader. Post Run High Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/postrunhigh/ Kate Mackz YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KateMackz Kate Mackz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katemackz/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicholas Thompson is the CEO of The Atlantic, an American magazine founded in 1857, which earned the top honor for magazines, General Excellence, at the National Magazine Awards in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Before joining The Atlantic, he was the editor in chief of Wired and an editor at The New Yorker. He has long been a competitive runner; in 2021, he set the American record for men 45+ in the 50K race. In 2025, he became the top-ranked runner in the world in his age group for the 50-mile run. His new book is “The Running Ground: A Father, a Son, and the Simplest of Sports”. Nick joins me for a truly enjoyable, insightful chat about his terrific new book and the many invaluable life lessons it offers. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

First up, the Atlantic's CEO Nicholas Thompson on hidden potential, aging well, and pushing past the limits we imagine. Then we hear from Washington Post sportswriter Sally Jenkins, whose 2023 book The Right Call examines what the greatest coaches and athletes can teach us about work, leadership, and life.

Few people embody the intersection of endurance and intellect quite like Nicholas Thompson.He's a runner, writer, and CEO of The Atlantic, and in his new book, The Running Ground: A Father, a Son, and the Simplest of Sports, Thompson explores how running has shaped his resilience, his leadership, and his pursuit of meaning in a relentless world.It's a story of motion–literal and metaphorical–from chasing split times on the road to navigating the fast-evolving media landscape.A lifelong competitor, Nicholas has defied convention by getting faster with age. At 44, he ran a blistering 2:29:12 marathon in Chicago; at 46, he set the American 45–49 age-group record in the 50K (3:04:36); and in April 2025, at 50, he won the Lake Waramaug 50-Mile in 5:43:08. His regular "run commutes" through New York and obsession with sleep have become trademarks of his disciplined, data-guided approach; one that keeps him thriving as both an athlete and executive.As CEO of The Atlantic since 2021, Thompson has led the publication into a new era of growth, championing thoughtful journalism amid a fractured digital age. But behind the boardroom and the headlines is a runner who sees training as a mirror for leadership–patience, discomfort, and long-term vision.He's here to reflect on the lessons behind The Running Ground:how running taught him to manage pain and purpose, how endurance builds empathy, and why mastering the miles has made him a better human. Whether you're chasing a PR or perspective, his story is a testament to running not just as a sport, but as a way of thinking–and living–in motion.Tap into the Nicholas Thompson Special.  If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word "PODCAST" below and I'll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!S H O W  N O T E S-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

Go to www.LearningLeader.com for full show notes This is brought to you by Insight Global. If you need to hire one person, hire a team of people, or transform your business through Talent or Technical Services, Insight Global's team of 30,000 people around the world has the hustle and grit to deliver. My guest: Nicholas Thompson is the CEO of The Atlantic and former editor-in-chief of WIRED. He's the author of the best-selling book (and one of my favorites of the year), The Running Ground. Nick shares why great leaders must balance being decisive with staying open to being wrong, how to build teams that challenge your thinking without creating chaos, and why the most important skill for the next decade is knowing what questions only humans can answer. Key Learnings Consistency Over Intensity Creates Results - If you go out there every day, six or seven days a week, and a couple days you push yourself really hard, you get faster. There's no two ways about it. If you don't do that, you don't get faster. It's a very good reminder that you can get a lot done if you just go and allot time to pushing yourself. Recommendation letter written by the Stanford faculty about Nick's dad to be a Rhodes Scholar: "Scotty Thompson is the kind of young man that comes along only once in approximately ten years. I cannot recall ever having known a student who possessed the same combination of intelligence, creativity, energy, drive, and dedication. He has attempted more, achieved more, than anyone we have studied– including some who now hold high office. He is generally conceded among those who have observed the student body since World War II to be the outstanding leader of the era. I think it likely that in the entire history of Stanford campus life, he has had no near rival since Herbert Hoover as an undergraduate." Also about Nick's Dad: Tracy Bennett, one of his graduate students, said, "He was flamboyant, gently endearing, annoyingly arrogant, piercingly intelligent, entertaining, and more. I'd never met a man, nor had a professor, who was clearly so brilliant and at the same time so precariously insecure." His grandfather, Frank Thompson, placed second in the Southern California extemporaneous speaking contest held at Whittier College. First place was Richard Nixon. Parenting — "Nothing makes me more worried about failure than parenting." "Parenting is suffused with regrets, confusion, and mistakes. But when I run by, I know my children are rooting for me to succeed with infinite love and enthusiasm." Running hard... Pushing yourself. Why do it? "Discipline builds discipline. Discipline is cumulative." Sometimes You Have to Trick Yourself - I ran 10:48 because the track was bigger than I thought, and I didn't realize how fast I was going. If I had known I was running at a 5:23 pace, I would've shut down. My body would've started to hurt. Sometimes you can't let yourself know what you're actually doing, or you'll get scared. Hiring at The Atlantic - The people he hires at The Atlantic share four must-have attributes: A spirit of generosity. A force of ideas. They're relentlessly hard workers. And they have an edge: an anxiety about getting great work done. That last one stuck with me. The best people aren't just talented... They're driven by a productive anxiety to do work that matters. Becoming CEO of The Atlantic: The Search & Selection: The Atlantic conducted a yearlong search after President Bob Cohn left in fall 2019. When owners Laurene Powell Jobs and David Bradley announced Thompsont in December 2020, they said "Nick is singular; we've seen no one like him" and that he brought "a surround-sound coverage of relevant experience." Move at an Uncomfortable Pace - You don't get anything you want by being comfortable. If you're working in a way that feels easy and setting deadlines where everything seems smooth, you're not growing, you're not learning, you're not getting there. That's a lesson from running, and it's a good lesson for work. Set Audacious Goals - We're setting two extremely big goals at The Atlantic. Our projections don't suggest we're going to hit them. But the same was true last time when I said we're gonna get profitable and a million subscribers in three years. We got there. Sometimes having a really big goal motivates you and forces all the tough choices. Continuous Forward Motion Matters Most - When I realized yesterday's marathon was going badly, I kept telling myself: continuous forward motion. Sometimes the goal becomes just finishing. It's better to make a full drop in pace and hold that than to slowly slide backwards every mile once you know you won't hit your goal. Every Extra Word Is an Opportunity to Lose People - Every extra word, every extra thought, every extra detail that doesn't propel the story needs to be removed. This book is 75,000 words, but there's 60,000 words I cut. Is this sentence absolutely essential? No? It's gone. That's storytelling, and that's leadership communication. The Cocktail Party Test for Storytelling - If you describe what you're writing at a cocktail party, do people come towards you or walk away? I can talk about my 2005 cancer diagnosis and 2007 marathon, and people lock in. I talk about my 2009 marathon, and no one cares. Test what has emotional resonance with your friends. Write and Speak To Help People SEE a Movie - When somebody's reading, they're visualizing it in their mind's eye. Can you see it? Can you feel it? If you can't run a movie in your head about what I'm writing, it shouldn't be on the page. Help them visualize it—the little white house in Concord, walking around Walden Pond. Hiring: Spirit of Generosity and Force of Ideas - Spirit of generosity means can they work with people? Will they be territorial or figure out what's best for the org? Force of ideas means are you smart and sharp? I also want edge—a little bit of productive paranoia. Not complacent, but kind to everybody. Discipline Can Show Up in Different Ways - My editor-in-chief hasn't run a mile in 25 years. Is he disciplined? Hell yeah. Works all the time, focused on every sentence. You can have mental discipline without physical discipline. I try to get the most out of different kinds of people with different strengths. Keep Going - This is the hardest time to graduate because of AI and uncertainty. Find things you're passionate about and really focus on them. My twenties weren't great professionally. I found journalism, but I wasn't good at it yet. Keep pushing, and eventually things turn out for the best. Reflection Questions What would happen if you moved at an uncomfortable pace in your most important work? Where are you setting deadlines that feel too easy and smooth? Are you ruthlessly cutting everything that doesn't propel your story forward? What sentence, meeting, or project exists simply because it always has, not because it's essential? Former Episodes Referenced #603 - Michael Easter - The Comfort Crisis #611 - Codie Sanchez - Main Street Millionaire #654 - Jake Tapper - Be So Good They Can't Ignore You Time Stamps: 02:05 Nick's NYC Marathon Experience 03:35 Nick's Father's Legacy 11:43  Running and Leadership 17:08 Overcoming Cancer and Running Again 19:24 The Importance of Setting "Stretch" Goals  21:30 Marathon Challenges and Lessons 27:09 The Warrior Athlete and Early Lessons 28:54 Nick's Role as CEO of The Atlantic 29:30 Unique Talents for a CEO Role 30:42 Balancing Multiple Interests 32:30 Writing 'The Running Ground' 37:37 Crafting a Compelling Story 41:24 Storytelling Tips for Leaders 44:15 Hiring the Right People 51:55 Running and Parenting 54:06 Advice for New Graduates 56:07 EOPC

Today on the show, the longest government shutdown in history finally ended this week. Fareed sits down with Bill Maher, comedian and host of HBO's Real Time, for a wide-ranging conversation about the end of the shutdown, the future of the Democratic Party, whether he would vote for a Republican, and President Trump's ties to Jeffrey Epstein.Then, the Trump administration did not send a delegation to COP 30, currently underway in Brazil. Fareed speaks with climate expert Jessica Green about the future of the fight against climate change without America's involvement.Finally, what life lessons can we learn from an elite runner who is also a journalist and businessman? Fareed sits down with Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic and author of a new memoir, "The Running Ground”.GUESTS: Bill Maher (@billmaher); Jessica Green (@greenprofgreen); Nicholas Thompson (@nxthompson) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, journalist, lifelong runner, and author of the brand-new book The Running Ground, joins Marni on the Marni On The Move podcast this week. Nicholas shares the inspiration behind his book and the many chapters of running in his life — from his training, evolution, and achievements to running as a family activity and a form of moving meditation. He talks about his favorite running routes through the city, the shoes he loves, memorable races, and how endurance, rhythm, and mindset fuel both his athletic and professional success. Marni and Nicholas also dive into the intersection of running and innovation — exploring how AI is transforming the media landscape, the future of storytelling, and the tools everyday users can tap into. Plus, Nicholas shares insights from his own show, The Most Interesting Thing in A.I., where he explores the latest developments shaping the world of AI. This is a thoughtful, inspiring conversation about movement, leadership, creativity, and staying grounded — in sport, in work, and in life. CONNECT Nicholas Thompson on Instagram Marni On The Move Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, or YouTube` Marni Salup on Instagram and Playlist on Spotify SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER Sign up for our monthly newsletter, Do What Moves You, for Marni on the Move updates, exclusive offers, invites to events, and exciting news! SUPPORT THE PODCAST Leave us a five stars and a review on Apple, it's easy, scroll through the episode list on your podcast app, click on five stars, click on leave a review, and share what you love about the conversations you're listening to. Tell your friends the episodes you are listening to on your social. Share a screen shot of the episode in your stories, tag us, we will tag you back!

Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic and the author of the memoir, The Running Ground: A Father, a Son, and the Simplest of Sports (Random House, 2025), talks about why he runs and joins listeners in sharing stories from Sunday's NYC Marathon. 

This week on Marginalia, Beth Golay speaks with Nicholas Thompson about his new book, The Running Ground, and Suzanne Perez reviews Wreck by Catherine Newman.

Runners (and aspiring runners!) looking for inspiration and erudite insight will love this episode with Nicholas Thompson, author of the just-released book The Running Ground: A Father, a Son, and the Simplest of Sports. This father runner and cancer survivor talks with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Tish Hamilton about: -the logistics of running to + from work in NYC;  -how he got a lot faster in his 40s;  -the reality (or not!) of pain during an endurance race; -a recent Grand Canyon adventure with his buddies; and, -a memorable 100-penny analogy to implement in your next race. Before Nick joins the conversation around 7:20, the hosts talk about two-a-day athletic activities.    When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR.We appreciate your—and their—support!   No more pins: Get 20% off, including AMR 3-pack, w/ code AMR2025 at BibBoards.com Use code AMR for up to 35% off first subscription order at livemomentous.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

American 800 star Josh Hoey and his coach Justin Rinaldi have parted ways after Rinaldi helped transform Hoey into one of the top 800m runners in the world, but Hoey didn't make Team USA for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. Rojo, Wejo & Jon discuss the reasons behind the split, disagreements over training intensities, and Hoey's tendency to push himself too hard. The hosts express their surprise and disappointment, debating the consequences of this decision on Hoey's future career. Was Josh Hoey's decision wise? Join our club to hear the rest of the podcast We're giving you the 1st 7 minutes of the podcast for free. The rest is for Supporters Club members. Join today https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe?from=public and if you sign up for the annual membership you get Nicholas Thompson's new book The Running Ground for free in addition to a LetsRun.com shirt. (If you'd prefer Sean Brosnan's book, email us podcast@letsrun.com after you sign-up). https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe?from=public Show notes: 00:00 Josh Hoey & Justin Rinaldi part ways 00:22 Introduction and Exciting News Teaser 02:48 Revealing the Big News 04:47 Analyzing the Decision 07:45 Statements from Both Sides 12:22 A greek tragedy? 18:13 Alan Webb comparison? 20:03 Josh's Relentless Training Regimen 27:19 Speculations on Josh's Future Show notes: Contact us: Email podcast@letsrun.com or call/text 1-844-LETSRUN podcast voicemail/text line. Want a 2nd podcast every week? And savings on running shoes? Join the LetsRun.com Supporters Club today for exclusive content, a bonus weekly podcast, shoe savings, and more. Cancel anytime .https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe Check out the LetsRun.com store. https://shop.letsrun.com/ We've got the softest running shirts in the business. Thanks for listening. Please rate us on your podcast app and spread the word to friend. Find out more at http://podcast.letsrun.com Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/letsrun/a4f22c1d-2f50-44c6-81d3-fadb353e761b

Nate and Maria sit down with the elite amateur runner Nicholas Thompson (who also happens to be the CEO of The Atlantic) to talk about his new book The Running Ground. They discuss what running can teach about productivity and fulfillment, his favorite brand of gels, and…his late-father’s brothel in Bali. For more from Nate and Maria, subscribe to their newsletters: The Leap from Maria Konnikova Silver Bulletin from Nate Silver See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicholas Thompson is a writer, a father, a CEO, and a champion long-distance runner. Nick says that running has taught him how to navigate the hardest things in life. This conversation is about running, but it's really about what changes when we commit to doing hard things. Running has been a part of Nick's life since his childhood, but it wasn't until his forties that his running career skyrocketed. Even as he took on the demanding role as CEO of The Atlantic, Nick continued to break records as an elite runner. Together, Leah and Nick discuss the cumulative effects of discipline, why you should challenge yourself outside of work, and how developing strong habits will impact every area of your life. You can find Nick's new book ‘The Running Ground' here. If you liked this episode, check out our conversation with Michael Gervais, one of the world's top high performance psychologists.Follow Leah Smart and Nicholas Thompson on LinkedIn.

The Atlantic CEO's new book, The Running Ground, examines his complicated relationship with the sport. Nicholas Thompson, former WIRED editor, talks to Katie about the ways tech is helping him become a better runner. Join WIRED's best and brightest on Uncanny Valley as they dissect the collision of tech, politics, finance, and business, from Alexis Ohanian's newest tech venture to the effects of inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots on social protests.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In the running  world, Nick Thompson is known for accomplishments like his 2:29:13 in the 2019 Chicago Marathon at age 44, and his outright win in last April's Lake Waramaug 50-mile in Connecticut at age 49. In the business world, he is more known as the past editor-in-chief of Wired magazine, and the current CEO of The Atlantic, founded in 1857. He is almost certainly the fastest marathon runner among CEOs of a significant company.In late October, Penguin Random House published Thompson's running memoir, titled The Running Ground: A Father, a Son, and the Simplest of Sports. It traces the evolution of his own running, his relationship with his complex, multi-faceted dad, and other interesting runners he has met on the road, including Bobbi Gibb.In this podcast with George and Amby, Thompson discusses his busy life, his growing interest in ultras, his thoughts on health and aging, and his views of high-tech running devices-- both those he likes and those he doesn't like. For more about Thompson, visit his website. To read a free selection of his running essays, visit this page. Topics range from how to run fast past age 40 to why the Boston Marathon is a deceptively difficult course.Here, also, are some recent video interviews with Thompson. Seven minutes on CBS Sunday Morning, and 2 hours with Rich Roll.WHERE TO FIND "RUNNING: STATE OF THE SPORT"Use your smartphone to download our podcast from Apple, Spotify, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for "running state of the sport."With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links.AppleSpotifyAudiblePandoraI Heart RadioYouTube"Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world's leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels."Run Long, Run Healthy" is a weekly newsletter focused on the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. It was launched by Amby in 2021, and is now edited by Brady Holmer, exercise physiologist and 2:24 marathon runner.

Hosted by Jane Pauley. Featured: Combatting phobias; Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom; country superstar Kenny Chesney; “Frankenstein” director Guillermo del Toro; Ford CEO Jim Farley; and Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic and an avid long-distance runner. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nicholas Thompson is the CEO of the Atlantic and an avid runner. He holds the American 50 KM record (age 45–49): In 2021, Thompson set an American record for his age group in the 50K (31 miles), finishing in 3:04:36. Nicholas Thompson: nicholasthompson.com | IG: @nxthompson | X: @nxthompson Endurance Training Simplified Series ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off) LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Training Peaks: trainingpeaks.com/hpopodcast (free 14-day trial) Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo  Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter   

In this episode of In AI We Trust?, EqualAI President and CEO Miriam Vogel sits down with Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, for a fascinating discussion about the “AI hurricane coming through” and how he sees the role of journalists when it comes to reporting on new technological developments and promoting AI literacy. During the episode, Nicholas shares his wish list of AI policies and regulations, the most interesting thing in tech he has seen recently, his thoughts on the most important things people should be paying attention to as they work to understand new developments in the AI space, and much, much more.

Nick Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, led one of the first major content licensing deals with OpenAI in 2024. In this conversation, he joins Azeem to unpack how AI is transforming media – and what that means for every business navigating the shifting economics of attention, trust, and discovery. We cover: (01:49) Journalism's four horsemen (5:33) The collapse of search (9:07) Cloudflare's counterattack (13:56) Is this the search-traffic fix? (17:42) Rise of the sovereign creator (22:57) Do great writers need editors? (26:22) Why conservatives win new media (27:17) How Substack drives discovery (31:08) East Coast vs. West Coast ethics (35:11) How Nick uses AI in writing (42:13) Is AI friend or foe to journalism? (45:32) The Atlantic's survival plan Nick's links: The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasxthompson/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/nxthompson Substack: https://nxthompson.substack.com Azeem's links: Substack: https://www.exponentialview.co/ Website: https://www.azeemazhar.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azhar Twitter/X: https://x.com/azeem ----Produced by supermix.io and EPIIPLUS1 Ltd

In this episode, I sit down with Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, for a candid conversation about leading through disruption. From implementing a tighter paywall strategy that turned the publication profitable, to navigating career pivots from editor to executive, Nick shares the lessons he's learned in data-driven leadership and reinvention.We dig into the evolving identity of journalists in the Substack era, the ethics of using AI in reporting, and how media companies can remain trusted institutions in a time of fragmentation. Plus, Nick reflects on why resting after a marathon—and in life—is harder than it sounds.If you're a journalist, entrepreneur, or just trying to make sense of a changing information landscape, this episode will give you clarity, grounded insights, and a little inspiration.

In America's Cold Warrior, James Graham Wilson traces Paul Nitze's career path in national security after World War II, a time when many of his mentors and peers returned to civilian life. Serving in eight presidential administrations, Nitze commanded White House attention even when he was out of government, especially with his withering criticism of Jimmy Carter during Carter's presidency. While Nitze is perhaps best known for leading the formulation of NSC-68, which Harry Truman signed in 1950, Wilson contends that Nitze's most significant contribution to American peace and security came in the painstaking work done in the 1980s to negotiate successful treaties with the Soviets to reduce nuclear weapons while simultaneously deflecting skeptics surrounding Ronald Reagan. America's Cold Warrior connects Nitze's career and concerns about strategic vulnerability to the post-9/11 era and the challenges of the 2020s, where the United States finds itself locked in geopolitical competition with the People's Republic of China and Russia. Short Bio: James Graham Wilson is a Supervisory Historian in the Office of the Historian at the Department of State. He has compiled 11 volumes in the Foreign Relations of the United States series, including the sequence of National Security Policy volumes covering 1977–1992. He is the author of America's Cold Warrior: Paul Nitze and National Security from Roosevelt to Reagan (Cornell Press, 2024) and The Triumph of Improvisation: Gorbachev's Adaptability, Reagan's Engagement, and the End of the Cold War (Cornell Press, 2014). He received his PhD from the University of Virginia in 2011, where he studied with Melvyn Leffler. Mentioned: Susan Colbourn, Euromissiles: The Nuclear Weapons That Nearly Destroyed NATO (2022). Robert F. Kennedy, Thirteen Days (1969). Nicholas Thompson, The Hawk and the Dove (2010). Also mentioned: Foreign Relations of the United States Volumes, here. The President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection, here. Luca Trenta is an Associate Professor in International Relations at Swansea University, in Wales (UK). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

In America's Cold Warrior, James Graham Wilson traces Paul Nitze's career path in national security after World War II, a time when many of his mentors and peers returned to civilian life. Serving in eight presidential administrations, Nitze commanded White House attention even when he was out of government, especially with his withering criticism of Jimmy Carter during Carter's presidency. While Nitze is perhaps best known for leading the formulation of NSC-68, which Harry Truman signed in 1950, Wilson contends that Nitze's most significant contribution to American peace and security came in the painstaking work done in the 1980s to negotiate successful treaties with the Soviets to reduce nuclear weapons while simultaneously deflecting skeptics surrounding Ronald Reagan. America's Cold Warrior connects Nitze's career and concerns about strategic vulnerability to the post-9/11 era and the challenges of the 2020s, where the United States finds itself locked in geopolitical competition with the People's Republic of China and Russia. Short Bio: James Graham Wilson is a Supervisory Historian in the Office of the Historian at the Department of State. He has compiled 11 volumes in the Foreign Relations of the United States series, including the sequence of National Security Policy volumes covering 1977–1992. He is the author of America's Cold Warrior: Paul Nitze and National Security from Roosevelt to Reagan (Cornell Press, 2024) and The Triumph of Improvisation: Gorbachev's Adaptability, Reagan's Engagement, and the End of the Cold War (Cornell Press, 2014). He received his PhD from the University of Virginia in 2011, where he studied with Melvyn Leffler. Mentioned: Susan Colbourn, Euromissiles: The Nuclear Weapons That Nearly Destroyed NATO (2022). Robert F. Kennedy, Thirteen Days (1969). Nicholas Thompson, The Hawk and the Dove (2010). Also mentioned: Foreign Relations of the United States Volumes, here. The President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection, here. Luca Trenta is an Associate Professor in International Relations at Swansea University, in Wales (UK). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/military-history

In America's Cold Warrior, James Graham Wilson traces Paul Nitze's career path in national security after World War II, a time when many of his mentors and peers returned to civilian life. Serving in eight presidential administrations, Nitze commanded White House attention even when he was out of government, especially with his withering criticism of Jimmy Carter during Carter's presidency. While Nitze is perhaps best known for leading the formulation of NSC-68, which Harry Truman signed in 1950, Wilson contends that Nitze's most significant contribution to American peace and security came in the painstaking work done in the 1980s to negotiate successful treaties with the Soviets to reduce nuclear weapons while simultaneously deflecting skeptics surrounding Ronald Reagan. America's Cold Warrior connects Nitze's career and concerns about strategic vulnerability to the post-9/11 era and the challenges of the 2020s, where the United States finds itself locked in geopolitical competition with the People's Republic of China and Russia. Short Bio: James Graham Wilson is a Supervisory Historian in the Office of the Historian at the Department of State. He has compiled 11 volumes in the Foreign Relations of the United States series, including the sequence of National Security Policy volumes covering 1977–1992. He is the author of America's Cold Warrior: Paul Nitze and National Security from Roosevelt to Reagan (Cornell Press, 2024) and The Triumph of Improvisation: Gorbachev's Adaptability, Reagan's Engagement, and the End of the Cold War (Cornell Press, 2014). He received his PhD from the University of Virginia in 2011, where he studied with Melvyn Leffler. Mentioned: Susan Colbourn, Euromissiles: The Nuclear Weapons That Nearly Destroyed NATO (2022). Robert F. Kennedy, Thirteen Days (1969). Nicholas Thompson, The Hawk and the Dove (2010). Also mentioned: Foreign Relations of the United States Volumes, here. The President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection, here. Luca Trenta is an Associate Professor in International Relations at Swansea University, in Wales (UK). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science

In America's Cold Warrior, James Graham Wilson traces Paul Nitze's career path in national security after World War II, a time when many of his mentors and peers returned to civilian life. Serving in eight presidential administrations, Nitze commanded White House attention even when he was out of government, especially with his withering criticism of Jimmy Carter during Carter's presidency. While Nitze is perhaps best known for leading the formulation of NSC-68, which Harry Truman signed in 1950, Wilson contends that Nitze's most significant contribution to American peace and security came in the painstaking work done in the 1980s to negotiate successful treaties with the Soviets to reduce nuclear weapons while simultaneously deflecting skeptics surrounding Ronald Reagan. America's Cold Warrior connects Nitze's career and concerns about strategic vulnerability to the post-9/11 era and the challenges of the 2020s, where the United States finds itself locked in geopolitical competition with the People's Republic of China and Russia. Short Bio: James Graham Wilson is a Supervisory Historian in the Office of the Historian at the Department of State. He has compiled 11 volumes in the Foreign Relations of the United States series, including the sequence of National Security Policy volumes covering 1977–1992. He is the author of America's Cold Warrior: Paul Nitze and National Security from Roosevelt to Reagan (Cornell Press, 2024) and The Triumph of Improvisation: Gorbachev's Adaptability, Reagan's Engagement, and the End of the Cold War (Cornell Press, 2014). He received his PhD from the University of Virginia in 2011, where he studied with Melvyn Leffler. Mentioned: Susan Colbourn, Euromissiles: The Nuclear Weapons That Nearly Destroyed NATO (2022). Robert F. Kennedy, Thirteen Days (1969). Nicholas Thompson, The Hawk and the Dove (2010). Also mentioned: Foreign Relations of the United States Volumes, here. The President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection, here. Luca Trenta is an Associate Professor in International Relations at Swansea University, in Wales (UK). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biography

In America's Cold Warrior, James Graham Wilson traces Paul Nitze's career path in national security after World War II, a time when many of his mentors and peers returned to civilian life. Serving in eight presidential administrations, Nitze commanded White House attention even when he was out of government, especially with his withering criticism of Jimmy Carter during Carter's presidency. While Nitze is perhaps best known for leading the formulation of NSC-68, which Harry Truman signed in 1950, Wilson contends that Nitze's most significant contribution to American peace and security came in the painstaking work done in the 1980s to negotiate successful treaties with the Soviets to reduce nuclear weapons while simultaneously deflecting skeptics surrounding Ronald Reagan. America's Cold Warrior connects Nitze's career and concerns about strategic vulnerability to the post-9/11 era and the challenges of the 2020s, where the United States finds itself locked in geopolitical competition with the People's Republic of China and Russia. Short Bio: James Graham Wilson is a Supervisory Historian in the Office of the Historian at the Department of State. He has compiled 11 volumes in the Foreign Relations of the United States series, including the sequence of National Security Policy volumes covering 1977–1992. He is the author of America's Cold Warrior: Paul Nitze and National Security from Roosevelt to Reagan (Cornell Press, 2024) and The Triumph of Improvisation: Gorbachev's Adaptability, Reagan's Engagement, and the End of the Cold War (Cornell Press, 2014). He received his PhD from the University of Virginia in 2011, where he studied with Melvyn Leffler. Mentioned: Susan Colbourn, Euromissiles: The Nuclear Weapons That Nearly Destroyed NATO (2022). Robert F. Kennedy, Thirteen Days (1969). Nicholas Thompson, The Hawk and the Dove (2010). Also mentioned: Foreign Relations of the United States Volumes, here. The President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection, here. Luca Trenta is an Associate Professor in International Relations at Swansea University, in Wales (UK). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/national-security

In America's Cold Warrior, James Graham Wilson traces Paul Nitze's career path in national security after World War II, a time when many of his mentors and peers returned to civilian life. Serving in eight presidential administrations, Nitze commanded White House attention even when he was out of government, especially with his withering criticism of Jimmy Carter during Carter's presidency. While Nitze is perhaps best known for leading the formulation of NSC-68, which Harry Truman signed in 1950, Wilson contends that Nitze's most significant contribution to American peace and security came in the painstaking work done in the 1980s to negotiate successful treaties with the Soviets to reduce nuclear weapons while simultaneously deflecting skeptics surrounding Ronald Reagan. America's Cold Warrior connects Nitze's career and concerns about strategic vulnerability to the post-9/11 era and the challenges of the 2020s, where the United States finds itself locked in geopolitical competition with the People's Republic of China and Russia. Short Bio: James Graham Wilson is a Supervisory Historian in the Office of the Historian at the Department of State. He has compiled 11 volumes in the Foreign Relations of the United States series, including the sequence of National Security Policy volumes covering 1977–1992. He is the author of America's Cold Warrior: Paul Nitze and National Security from Roosevelt to Reagan (Cornell Press, 2024) and The Triumph of Improvisation: Gorbachev's Adaptability, Reagan's Engagement, and the End of the Cold War (Cornell Press, 2014). He received his PhD from the University of Virginia in 2011, where he studied with Melvyn Leffler. Mentioned: Susan Colbourn, Euromissiles: The Nuclear Weapons That Nearly Destroyed NATO (2022). Robert F. Kennedy, Thirteen Days (1969). Nicholas Thompson, The Hawk and the Dove (2010). Also mentioned: Foreign Relations of the United States Volumes, here. The President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection, here. Luca Trenta is an Associate Professor in International Relations at Swansea University, in Wales (UK). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, offers a sweeping and deeply personal exploration of how AI is reshaping creativity, leadership, and human connection. From his daily video series The Most Interesting Thing in Tech to his marathon training powered by ChatGPT, Nicholas shares how he integrates AI into both work and life—not just as a tool, but as a thought partner.He reflects on the emotional complexity of AI relationships, the tension between cognitive augmentation and cognitive offloading, and what it means to preserve our “unwired” intelligence in an increasingly automated world. The conversation ventures into leadership during disruption, the ethics of AI-generated content, and the future of journalism in a world where agents may consume your content on your behalf.Nicholas also shares how he's cultivating third spaces, building muscle memory for analog thinking, and encouraging experimentation across his team—all while preparing for an uncertain future where imagination, not automation, might be our greatest asset.Whether you're a tech-savvy leader, a content creator, or just trying to stay grounded in the age of generative AI, this episode is full of honest reflections and hard-earned insights on how to navigate what's next.Key Takeaways:Your “unwired” intelligence is your AI superpower — The more human skills you build—like deep focus, emotional presence, and analog thinking—the better you'll be at wielding AI. Thompson argues that cultivating these unwired abilities isn't just about staying grounded—it's about unlocking the full potential of the tools.Don't fight the storm—gear up and adapt — AI is already transforming media and creative industries. Thompson compares it to a coming storm: you can't stop it by yelling at the clouds. Instead, embrace it, understand it deeply, and make strategic decisions based on where it's heading.Leadership means showing, not just telling — As a CEO navigating disruption, Thompson doesn't just advocate for AI exploration—he models it. From training staff on GPTs to walking the halls and testing ideas live, he treats leadership as a practice of visible experimentation and continuous learning.AI relationships can't replace real connection—but they can confuse it — Whether it's logging meals with a bot or losing a personalized Enneagram coach to a reset, Thompson highlights the emotional pull of AI and the dangers of relying on digital companions over human ones. Staying socially connected, especially through “third spaces,” is more important than ever.LinkedIn: Nicholas Thompson | LinkedInThe Atlantic: World Edition - The AtlanticWebsite: Home - Nicholas ThompsonX: nxthompson (@nxthompson)Strava: Cycling & Biking App - Tracker, Trails, Training & More | StravaCaitlin Flanagan – Sex Without Women: Article:SexWithoutWomen-TheAtlantic00:00 Introduction to Nicholas Thompson00:11 Navigating the Information Overload01:10 Daily Tech Insights and Tools02:10 Using AI for Content Creation04:39 AI as a Personal Trainer08:02 Emotional Connections with AI12:12 The Risks of AI Relationships16:17 Preparing for AGI and Cognitive Offloading30:26 AI's Impact on Leadership31:10 Navigating AI Competitors32:01 Internal AI Strategies32:49 Ethical Considerations in AI Usage34:07 AI in Journalism and Writing36:32 Practical AI Applications40:27 Balancing AI and Human Skills49:27 Future of AI in Media53:50 Final Thoughts and Reflections

When government officials accidentally included The Atlantic's editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg in a Signal group chat discussing U.S. military plans, all hell broke loose. The Atlantic's CEO, Nicholas Thompson joins Rapid Response to discuss the scandal now known as “Signalgate”, revealing insider details about how the story came to be and sharing how the publication managed to capitalize on the business opportunities that sprouted. Thompson also breaks down the implications of Trump's latest tariff turnaround and what Elon Musk's plan to merge X with his AI company means for the future of your digital life.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the show, guest anchor Bianna Golodryga is joined by Yaroslav Trofimov, the Wall Street Journal's chief foreign affairs correspondent, to discuss President Trump's call with President Putin, and the potential for peace talks that exclude Ukraine. Then, Bianna speaks with Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, about how this is playing out in Moscow.    Next, former Palestinian negotiator and senior fellow at the Washington Institute Ghaith al-Omari joins the show to discuss Trump's plan to “take over” Gaza, and how Egypt and Jordan are responding.    After that, Quinta Jurecic, senior fellow at Brookings, speaks with Bianna about whether the Trump administration will comply with the various court orders blocking some of their more controversial actions, and whether the US is in the midst of a constitutional crisis.    Finally, The Atlantic's CEO Nicholas Thompson joins to discuss Elon Musk's unprecedented influence on the Trump administration and threats to freedom of the press in the United States.    GUESTS: Yaroslav Trofimov (@yarotrof); Alexander Gabuev (@AlexGabuev); Ghaith al-Omari; Quinta Jurecic; Nicholas Thompson (@nxthompson)  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.We are revisiting a conversation on Talking ESG that was originally recorded in September at NYC Climate Week to highlight our host and guest appearing together on The Atlantic's podcast, The Most Interesting Thing In A.I. In both episodes, they examine the intersection of two trending topics: AI and sustainability, discussing the environmental impact of AI and the balance between AI's benefits and its environmental footprint.Listen in to this reissued episode in which Scott Likens, PwC Global Chief AI Engineer, and host Heather and Horn discuss:3:17 – How AI is impacting sustainability8:54 – Why AI and sustainability aren't necessarily opposing forces17:28 – Practical examples of utilizing AI to optimize energy usage28:22 – The broader benefits of using AI to impact sustainability31:05 – Balancing AI's benefits with its environmental footprint38:32 – Advice for both companies and individuals leveraging AIAlso listen as Heather and Scott were guests on The Atlantic's The Most Interesting Thing In A.I. podcast hosted by Nicholas Thompson. In that episode, they expanded the dialogue on AI and its role in addressing climate concerns to further examine the balance between leveraging AI for progress and mitigating its environmental impact.Looking for more from PwC on AI? Check out PwC's 2024 US Responsible AI Survey and 2025 AI Business Predictions.Scott Likens is the Global and US Chief AI Engineer leading and overseeing the AI Engineering and Emerging Technology teams in the United States. With more than 30 years of emerging technology experience, he has helped clients transform their customer experience and enhance their digital operations across all aspects of their business.Heather Horn is the PwC National Office Sustainability and Thought Leader, responsible for developing our communications strategy and conveying firm positions on accounting, financial reporting, and sustainability matters. In addition, she is part of PwC's global sustainability leadership team, developing interpretive guidance and consulting with companies as they transition from voluntary to mandatory sustainability reporting. She is also the engaging host of PwC's accounting and reporting weekly podcast and quarterly webcast series.Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.com. 

What will the future of tech policy look like in a second Trump administration? And how will changes in the tech world—everything from the proliferation of AI and bots to the fragmentation of social media—impact how people talk, interact, and find information online? On the GZERO World Podcast, Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, joins Ian Bremmer to discuss the intersection of technology, media, and politics as Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House. Trump had a contentious relationship with the tech industry in his first term, but this time around, tech leaders are optimistic Trump 2.0 will be good for business, buoyed by hopes of loosening AI regulations, a crypto boom, and a more business-friendly administration. What does Big Tech stand to gain–or lose–from a second Trump presidency? Will Elon Musk help usher US tech policy into a new era, or will he create more chaos in the White House? And how concerned should we be about the dangers of AI-generated content online? Thompson and Bremmer break down the big changes in Big Tech and where the industry goes from here. Subscribe to the GZERO World with Ian Bremmer Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform, to receive new episodes as soon as they're published.

What will the future of tech policy look like in a second Trump administration? And how will changes in the tech world—everything from the proliferation of AI and bots to the fragmentation of social media—impact how people talk, interact, and find information online? On the GZERO World Podcast, Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, joins Ian Bremmer to discuss the intersection of technology, media, and politics as Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House. Trump had a contentious relationship with the tech industry in his first term, but this time around, tech leaders are optimistic Trump 2.0 will be good for business, buoyed by hopes of loosening AI regulations, a crypto boom, and a more business-friendly administration. What does Big Tech stand to gain–or lose–from a second Trump presidency? Will Elon Musk help usher US tech policy into a new era, or will he create more chaos in the White House? And how concerned should we be about the dangers of AI-generated content online? Thompson and Bremmer break down the big changes in Big Tech and where the industry goes from here. Subscribe to the GZERO World with Ian Bremmer Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform, to receive new episodes as soon as they're published.

Nicholas Thompson is the former editor-in-chief of Wired and current CEO of The Atlantic. There, he negotiated a controversial partnership with OpenAI that The Atlantic’s newsroom referred to as “a devil’s bargain.” In his free time, he uses AI to help himself run faster and write better. Through it all, he maintains a worldview perhaps best described as “techno-enthusiasm.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Get to know Western Province Junior IPT player Nicholas Thompson of Westlake Golf Club.

We're diving into a challenge that's been brewing in the world of intellectual property (IP) for quite some time: The public's misunderstanding of IP, particularly trademarks. Earlier this year, an INTA Presidential Task Force published a report titled Unlocking IP. The report shed light on a critical issue: the consequences of inaccurate or incomplete IP reporting in mainstream media. The message was clear—the media bears a responsibility to educate the public accurately on IP matters.In this episode of Brand and New, we're turning the tables.  We're exploring the perspective of a visionary media CEO and a seasoned IP journalist, both experts at navigating and communicating intricate subjects in our rapidly evolving media landscape. Nicholas Thompson is the CEO of The Atlantic and Trevor Little is Managing Editor of IAM and World Trademark Review. Mr. Little is also a long-time INTA member and one of two INTA members who led the Unlocking IP Presidential Task Force.Related Resources About Nicholas Thompson About Trevor Little Unlocking IP Presidential Task Force Report  Unlocking IP Press Release Unlocking IP: INTA's Media Mission (INTA Bulletin, July 2024)

On this episode, CEO of The Atlantic Nicholas Thompson joined Josh to discuss:* Having a good day at the 2024 Boston Marathon (2:40)* Running, his father, and how he came to the sport (4:54)* Did he chase three hours because it was his father's goal or his own goal? (13:21)* Was the feeling of breaking the three-hour barrier what he hoped it would be? (18:17)* Balancing running, career, and family (23:57)* Why? (34:33)* Going after longer distances (39:26)* What he's currently chasing (51:04)And a whole lot more!Read Nicholas' piece mentioned in the podcast here.Thanks to Greg Weintraub for photo!Thanks to Fleet Feet Omaha for being the title sponsor of Chasing Three Hours! Stop by one of their two Omaha locations, or Fleet Feet Lincoln, for $15 off your first pair of shoes at regular price.Thanks to Javi's Tacos for being the newest sponsor of Chasing Three Hours! Stop by one of their three Omaha locations and mention the podcast for 10% off your order!Support St. Jude and Josh's 2024 Chicago Marathon fundraiser!Like what you hear? Please rate, review, subscribe, and share with a friend.Read Josh's weekly newsletter at chasingthreehours.com.Know anyone that would be a great fit for the pod or just want to drop Josh a note? Email chasingthreehours@gmail.com.Music, production assistance, and sound design: Ian AeilloCover art: Marissa Peterson Get full access to Chasing Three Hours at joshtweeterson.substack.com/subscribe

A "massive attack" by Ukraine - this is how Russia describes a daring incursion by Ukrainian troops into its Kursk region. And while Russia claims it has stopped the incursion, evidence from the ground suggests fighting is ongoing. This comes as Russian forces creep closer to the strategically important city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, threatening a vital supply line for Kyiv. Bianna discusses with Rose Gottemoeller what Kyiv's strategy might be, and what its US ally makes of it.  Also on today's show: WSJ reporter Emily Glazer and Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic; Raj Chetty, Director, Harvard's Opportunity Insights; USA Today sports columnist Christine Brennan  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today I'm talking to Nicholas Thompson, the CEO of The Atlantic. I was really excited to talk to Nick. Like so many media CEOs, including Vox Media's, he just signed a deal allowing OpenAI to use The Atlantic's vast archives as training data, but he also has a rich background in tech. Before he was the CEO of The Atlantic, Nick was the editor-in-chief of Wired, where he set his sights on AI reporting well before anyone else. I was also really interested in asking Nick about the general sense that the AI companies are getting vastly more than they're giving with these sorts of deals — yes, they're paying some money, but I've heard from so many of you that the money might now be the point — that there's something else going on here – that maybe allowing creativity to get commodified this way will come with a price tag so big money can never pay it back. If there is anyone who could get into it with me on that question, it's Nick. Links:  Vox Media and The Atlantic sign content deals with OpenAI | The Verge Journalists “deeply troubled” by OpenAI's content deals with Vox, The Atlantic | Ars Technica What the RIAA lawsuits mean for AI and copyright | The Verge Perplexity plagiarized our story about how Perplexity Is a bullshit machine | Wired How to stop Perplexity and save the web from bad AI | Platformer The text file that runs the internet | The Verge OpenAI, WSJ owner News Corp strike content deal valued at over $250 Million | WSJ The media bosses fighting back against AI — and the ones cutting deals — WashPo The New York Times spent $1 million so far in its OpenAI lawsuit | The Verge AI companies have all kinds of arguments against paying for copyrighted content | The Verge Credits: Decoder is a production of The Verge, and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network. Our producers are Kate Cox and Nick Statt. Our editor is Callie Wright. Our supervising producer is Liam James. The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hat Tip to this week's creators: @leopoldasch, @JoeSlater87, @GaryMarcus, @ulonnaya, @alex, @ttunguz, @mmasnick, @dannyrimer, @imdavidpierce, @asafitch, @ylecun, @nxthompson, @kaifulee, @DaphneKoller, @AndrewYNg, @aidangomez, @Kyle_L_Wiggers, @waynema, @QianerLiu, @nicnewman, @nmasc_, @steph_palazzolo, @nofilmschoolContents* Editorial: * Essays of the Week* Situational Awareness: The Decade Ahead* ChatGPT is b******t* AGI by 2027?* Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI's former chief scientist, launches new AI company* The Series A Crunch Is No Joke* The Series A Crunch or the Seedpocalypse of 2024 * The Surgeon General Is Wrong. Social Media Doesn't Need Warning Labels* Video of the Week* Danny Rimer on 20VC - (Must See)* AI of the Week* Anthropic has a fast new AI model — and a clever new way to interact with chatbots* Nvidia's Ascent to Most Valuable Company Has Echoes of Dot-Com Boom* The Expanding Universe of Generative Models* DeepMind's new AI generates soundtracks and dialogue for videos* News Of the Week* Apple Suspends Work on Next Vision Pro, Focused on Releasing Cheaper Model in Late 2025* Is the news industry ready for another pivot to video?* Cerebras, an Nvidia Challenger, Files for IPO Confidentially* Startup of the Week* Final Cut Camera and iPad Multicam are Truly Revolutionary* X of the Week* Leopold AschenbrennerEditorialI had not heard of Leopold Aschenbrenner until yesterday. I was meeting with Faraj Aalaei (a SignalRank board member) and my colleague Rob Hodgkinson when they began to talk about “Situational Awareness,” his essay on the future of AGI, and its likely speed of emergence.So I had to read it, and it is this week's essay of the week. He starts his 165-page epic with:Before long, the world will wake up. But right now, there are perhaps a few hundred people, most of them in San Francisco and the AI labs, that have situational awareness. Through whatever peculiar forces of fate, I have found myself amongst them.So, Leopold is not humble. He finds himself “among” the few people with situational awareness.As a person prone to bigging up myself, I am not one to prematurely judge somebody's view of self. So, I read all 165 pages.He makes one point. The growth of AI capability is accelerating. More is being done at a lower cost, and the trend will continue to be super-intelligence by 2027. At that point, billions of skilled bots will solve problems at a rate we cannot imagine. And they will work together, with little human input, to do so.His case is developed using linear progression from current developments. According to Leopold, all you have to believe in is straight lines.He also has a secondary narrative related to safety, particularly the safety of models and their weightings (how they achieve their results).By safety, he does not mean the models will do bad things. He means that third parties, namely China, can steal the weightings and reproduce the results. He focuses on the poor security surrounding models as the problem. And he deems governments unaware of the dangers.Although German-born, he argues in favor of the US-led effort to see AGI as a weapon to defeat China and threatens dire consequences if it does not. He sees the “free world” as in danger unless it stops others from gaining the sophistication he predicts in the time he predicts.At that point, I felt I was reading a manifesto for World War Three.But as I see it, the smartest people in the space have converged on a different perspective, a third way, one I will dub AGI Realism. The core tenets are simple:* Superintelligence is a matter of national security. We are rapidly building machines smarter than the smartest humans. This is not another cool Silicon Valley boom; this isn't some random community of coders writing an innocent open source software package; this isn't fun and games. Superintelligence is going to be wild; it will be the most powerful weapon mankind has ever built. And for any of us involved, it'll be the most important thing we ever do. * America must lead. The torch of liberty will not survive Xi getting AGI first. (And, realistically, American leadership is the only path to safe AGI, too.) That means we can't simply “pause”; it means we need to rapidly scale up US power production to build the AGI clusters in the US. But it also means amateur startup security delivering the nuclear secrets to the CCP won't cut it anymore, and it means the core AGI infrastructure must be controlled by America, not some dictator in the Middle East. American AI labs must put the national interest first. * We need to not screw it up. Recognizing the power of superintelligence also means recognizing its peril. There are very real safety risks; very real risks this all goes awry—whether it be because mankind uses the destructive power brought forth for our mutual annihilation, or because, yes, the alien species we're summoning is one we cannot yet fully control. These are manageable—but improvising won't cut it. Navigating these perils will require good people bringing a level of seriousness to the table that has not yet been offered. As the acceleration intensifies, I only expect the discourse to get more shrill. But my greatest hope is that there will be those who feel the weight of what is coming, and take it as a solemn call to duty.I persisted in reading it, and I think you should, too—not for the war-mongering element but for the core acceleration thesis.My two cents: Leopold underestimates AI's impact in the long run and overestimates it in the short term, but he is directionally correct.Anthropic released v3.5 of Claude.ai today. It is far faster than the impressive 3.0 version (released a few months ago) and costs a fraction to train and run. it is also more capable. It accepts text and images and has a new feature that allows it to run code, edit documents, and preview designs called ‘Artifacts.'Claude 3.5 Opus is probably not far away.Situational Awareness projects trends like this into the near future, and his views are extrapolated from that perspective.Contrast that paper with “ChatGPT is B******t,” a paper coming out of Glasgow University in the UK. The three authors contest the accusation that ChatGPT hallucinates or lies. They claim that because it is a probabilistic word finder, it spouts b******t. It can be right, and it can be wrong, but it does not know the difference. It's a bullshitter.Hilariously, they define three types of BS:B******t (general)Any utterance produced where a speaker has indifference towards the truth of the utterance.Hard b******tB******t produced with the intention to mislead the audience about the utterer's agenda.Soft b******tB******t produced without the intention to mislead the hearer regarding the utterer's agenda.They then conclude:With this distinction in hand, we're now in a position to consider a worry of the following sort: Is ChatGPT hard b**********g, soft b**********g, or neither? We will argue, first, that ChatGPT, and other LLMs, are clearly soft b**********g. However, the question of whether these chatbots are hard b**********g is a trickier one, and depends on a number of complex questions concerning whether ChatGPT can be ascribed intentions.This is closer to Gary Marcus's point of view in his ‘AGI by 2027?' response to Leopold. It is also below.I think the reality is somewhere between Leopold and Marcus. AI is capable of surprising things, given that it is only a probabilistic word-finder. And its ability to do so is becoming cheaper and faster. The number of times it is useful easily outweighs, for me, the times it is not. Most importantly, AI agents will work together to improve each other and learn faster.However, Gary Marcus is right that reasoning and other essential decision-making characteristics are not logically derived from an LLM approach to knowledge. So, without additional or perhaps different elements, there will be limits to where it can go. Gary probably underestimates what CAN be achieved with LLMs (indeed, who would have thought they could do what they already do). And Leopold probably overestimates the lack of a ceiling in what they will do and how fast that will happen.It will be fascinating to watch. I, for one, have no idea what to expect except the unexpected. OpenAI Founder Illya Sutskever weighed in, too, with a new AI startup called Safe Superintelligence Inc. (SSI). The most important word here is superintelligence, the same word Leopold used. The next phase is focused on higher-than-human intelligence, which can be reproduced billions of times to create scaled Superintelligence.The Expanding Universe of Generative Models piece below places smart people in the room to discuss these developments. Yann LeCun, Nicholas Thompson, Kai-Fu Lee, Daphne Koller, Andrew Ng, and Aidan Gomez are participants. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thatwastheweek.com/subscribe

He emphasizes the goal of reaching new audiences, citing New Hampshire as an example. By conducting surveys and pinpointing these pockets, Thompson aims to expand The Atlantic's reach and impact. Watch the full episode here

Join a conversation on shaping a future where AI serves the greater good while navigating the challenges it presents! During today's conversation, Nathan and Scott unpack the diverse range of perspectives surrounding AI's impact on society, particularly its role in addressing global challenges outlined in the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reflecting on their experiences at a recent conference, AI for Good Global Summit -2024. From insightful interviews with industry leaders to eye-opening sessions on digital well-being, Nathan and Scott candidly discuss the dichotomy of promise and perils inherent in AI advancement. They highlight key takeaways, such as the urgent need for responsible AI development and prioritizing humanity over utility. With a blend of humor and introspection, Nathan and Scott navigate complex topics, including the influence of technology on youth, ethical considerations in AI governance, and the role of corporate incentives in driving AI innovation. Drawing from personal anecdotes and expert insights, they offer valuable perspectives on the evolving landscape of AI and its implications for society. Episode Highlights [00:55] Reflecting on the AI for Good Global Summit: Insights and Surprises [06:48] Unpacking the SDGs and the Role of AI: Challenges and Opportunities [12:24] The Promise and Perils of AI [15:25] Insights from the Interview of Nicholas Thompson, the CEO of the Atlantic, with Sam Altman, CEO of Open AI [21:09] The Impact of Technology on Youth [25:36] Balancing AI for Good with Corporate Incentives Resources:  Connect with Nathan and Scott: LinkedIn (Nathan): linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/ LinkedIn (Scott): linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans Website: fundraising.ai/

He raises a crucial question as tech giants profit from the vast content created by media houses, who truly benefits? Thompson delves into the complexities of this relationship, questioning whether media houses should have greater ownership or benefit more directly from the use of their content in training large language models. Watch the full podcast here

Nicholas addresses the notable differences between old and new articles, highlighting the question that often arises: why are articles written in this manner? Join the discussion as we unravel the art and science behind writing styles. Watch the full podcast for secrets of great writing

In this bonus episode of Media Voices, we hear from Nicholas Thompson, CEO at The Atlantic. We first had Nicholas as a guest on the podcast back in 2019 when he was WIRED's Editor in Chief, about what he'd learned a year after introducing a paywall to the brand.  Nicholas has since been credited with being a driving force behind The Atlantic's recent return to profitability and subscriber strategy success. So we were keen to invite him back on for a wide-ranging conversation about how he achieved the turnaround, as well as what happened to their paid newsletter scheme, Apple News+, and his thoughts on wider industry trends like AI. Nicholas spoke about the experiments The Atlantic has run around its paywall strategy over the past few years, transforming the business holistically, and doing less but in much more depth. He also shares his outlook for the rest of 2024 - including the election effect - and how he's setting his next goals for the publication after meeting both the 1 million subscriber and profitability milestones earlier this month. Find out more here about tickets and the agendas of the Publisher Podcast and Newsletter Summits in London on 12th June.

Join us for the latest episode of @art.wank featuring the talented artist Nicole Kelly (@nk_nk_). Congratulations to Nicole on becoming a new mum! In our recent Zoom interview before the Xmas, we delved into her painting techniques, past exhibitions, and her unique approach to color. Nicole is a very generous artist and offers dedicated mentoring through workshops and classes. Visit her website today to learn more and reserve your spot.Represented by Arthouse gallery in Sydney and Nicholas Thompson gallery in Melbourne.‘Kelly creates paintings that linger between the essence of a subject and the experience of being. Clouded by the romanticism of remembering, her paintings are imbued with experience captured in vibrant strokes of colour and with swift brushwork. Kelly's works, informed by an interest in literature and the discipline of painting, cast moments of shared stillness in an atmosphere of light. She says of her works “my desire is to push painting beyond a surface likeness of any subject and into the realm of poetics”. Winner of the prestigious Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship (2009) and the Hurford Hardwood Portrait Prize (2018), Kelly is well recognised for her landscape, portraiture and still life painting. She has undertaken residencies in France (2019, 2018, 2017, 2010) and Spain (2016) and has completed major public commissions for the Sutherland and St George Hospitals in Sydney. Her work has been selected for inclusion in the Lester Prize for Portraiture at the Art Gallery of WA (2019, 2018, 2017, 2015), Portia Geach Memorial Award (2021, 2020, 2019, 2015, 2014), Salon des Refusés (2023, 2020, 2019) and Wynne Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW (2015). ‘.Thanks Nicole! Listen wherever you get podcasts or link in bio :#Podcast #artpodcast #artwank #abstract #art #artistsoninstagram #artwork #artist #artgallery #nicolekelly 

In episode 111 of The Gradient Podcast, Daniel Bashir speaks to Nicholas Thompson.Nicholas is the CEO of The Atlantic. Previously, he served as editor-in-chief of Wired and editor of Newyorker.com. Nick also cofounded Atavist, which sold to Automattic in 2018. Publications under Nick's leadership have won numerous National Magazine Awards and Pulitzer Prizes, and one WIRED story he edited was the basis for the movie Argo. Nick is also the co-founder of Speakeasy AI, a software platform designed to foster constructive online conversations about the world's most pressing problems.Have suggestions for future podcast guests (or other feedback)? Let us know here or reach us at editor@thegradient.pubSubscribe to The Gradient Podcast:  Apple Podcasts  | Spotify | Pocket Casts | RSSFollow The Gradient on TwitterOutline:* (00:00) Intro* (02:12) Nick's path into journalism* (03:25) The Washington Monthly — a turning point* (05:09) Perspectives from different positions in the journalism industry* (08:16) What is great journalism?* (09:42) Example from The Atlantic* (11:00) Other examples/pieces of good journalism* (12:20) Pieces on aging* (12:56) Mortality and life-force associated with running — Nick's piece in WIRED* (15:30) On urgency* (18:20) The job of an editor* (22:23) AI in journalism — benefits and limitations* (26:45) How AI can help writers, experimentation* (28:40) Examples of AI in journalism and issues: CNET, Sports Illustrated, Nick's thoughts on how AI should be used in journalism* (32:20) Speakeasy AI and creating healthy conversation spaces* (34:00) Details about Speakeasy* (35:12) Business pivots and business model trouble* (35:37) Remaining gaps in fixing conversational spaces* (38:27) Lessons learned* (40:00) Nick's optimism about Speakeasy-like projects* (43:14) Social simulacra, a “Troll WestWorld,” algorithmic adjustments in social media* (46:11) Lessons and wisdom from journalism about engagement, more on engagement in social media* (50:27) Successful and unsuccessful futures for AI in journalism* (54:17) Previous warnings about synthetic media, Nick's perspective on risks from synthetic media in journalism* (57:00) Stop trying to build AGI(59:13) OutroLinks:* Nicholas's Twitter and website* Speakeasy AI* Writing* “To Run My Best Marathon at Age 44, I Had to Outrun My Past” in WIRED* “The year AI actually changes the media business” in NiemanLab's Predictions for Journalism 2023 Get full access to The Gradient at thegradientpub.substack.com/subscribe

Healthcare is a difficult environment to work in, where decisions literally mean life or death. Combine that pressure with diverse roles, shift-based workers and difficulty getting time away from the frontline - and you have less-than-ideal conditions to promote learning and career development. So how do you support colleagues if you have an L&D role in such an organisation? In this week's episode of The Mind Tools L&D Podcast, Ross Garner is joined by UMass Memorial Health's Liz Ferro, Diana Avery and Matt Pfleger to discuss:  the role of digital in engaging non-desk-based workers how to create space for people in stressful jobs to learn and develop whether working in an evidence-based environment leads to more evidence-based learning design. During the discussion, Matt referenced a project that the team worked on with Ross. You can see an overview of that project on YouTube and in our case study. In ‘What I Learned This Week', Matt referenced a Family Guy clip, which is available online. Liz discussed how you can remove a background from a video in After Effects, even when you didn't use a green screen. Diana referenced UMass Memorial Health's mindfulness programs. And Ross discussed President Joe Biden's Executive Order on AI, as well as Nicholas Thompson's concerns that it would stifle competition. For more from us, including access to our back catalogue of podcasts, visit mindtools.com/business. There, you'll also find details of our award-winning performance support toolkit, our off-the-shelf e-learning, and our custom work.   Connect with our speakers    If you'd like to share your thoughts on this episode, connect with our speakers on LinkedIn: Ross Garner Liz Ferro Diana Avery Matt Pfleger

Nick Thompson is the CEO of The Atlantic. Prior to that, he was editor-in-chief of Wired and a senior editor at The New Yorker.Nick and Auren discuss the evolving relationship between tech and media and the impact of social media platforms like Twitter on these industries. Nick shares insights into the tech industry's self-narratives and its influence on politics. They also delve into the world of AI and its implications for journalism, from generating news stories to creating children's books. Nick discusses advertising challenges in the journalism industry, the dynamics of tech billionaires owning media companies, and the potential of conversation platforms like Speak Easy AI to foster positive conversations and political diversity.World of DaaS is brought to you by SafeGraph & Flex Capital. For more episodes, visit safegraph.com/podcasts.You can find Auren Hoffman on Twitter at @auren and Nick on Twitter at @nxthompson