Podcasts about VR

Paranormal researcher and podcaster Morgan Knudsen joins Jim to explore some of the deepest questions in the field. Morgan shares her unique family connection to the history of parapsychology, her early inspirations, and how she came to develop her “Teaching the Living” approach to hauntings. She explains why our own consciousness and emotions may play a bigger role in paranormal experiences than we realize, and why hauntings often act as mirrors of unresolved wounds. The conversation ranges from the nature of reality itself to the possibility that we may be living in something like a simulation. Morgan describes a powerful VR experience that shifted her perspective on consciousness, and she and Jim discuss the balance between frightening encounters and uplifting ones, the “trickster” element in the paranormal, and why humor and hope are essential in this field. Morgan also gives a look into her podcast Supernatural Circumstances and her work at EntitySeeker, which bring rigorous research and fresh insight to the mysteries that continue to fascinate us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Simone 'Funi' Fougnier is a visual artist from Northern Italy, built a 15-year career in the music industry, collaborating with icons like Deadmau5 and Anderson Paak as an illustrator, designer, and motion artist. In 2019, Fougnier co-founded Studio Syro to pioneer unexplored artistic mediums. This vision birthed 'Tales from Soda Island,' an award winning VR animated series for Meta, where Fougnier served as writer, designer, and director. As the field of VR evolves, Funi consistently explores its untapped artistic potential with a host of fresh, immersive projects underway. His last project, 'The Art of Change' was selected in the Immersive section at the 81st Venice Immersive Biennale and won the 2024 XR Experience Award. Funi Links   Mr. Bill's Links 

September 2025 Edition Hosted by Thomas Domville, Dave Nason, and John GassmanWelcome to the September 2025 edition of Apple Crunch, where we break down the biggest Apple stories and explore what they mean for the blind and low-vision community. This month, we dive into a wide range of updates—from AppleVis itself getting a major facelift, to a critical VoiceOver bug fix in iOS 26.0.1, to Apple's highly anticipated September hardware event with its mix of bold moves and controversial compromises.We also take a closer look at rumors of a new budget-friendly MacBook that could redefine Apple's entry-level lineup, while across the tech landscape Meta is making aggressive plays in AR, VR, and AI that may shape the competition for years to come. Rounding things out, we announce the launch of two exciting new AppleVis series: Gamers Corner, a podcast dedicated to accessible play, and AnonyMouse's App Pick of the Month, a blog feature highlighting standout apps.There's a lot happening this fall, and we're here to make sure you don't miss the updates that matter most.Mentions in This Show: The Crunchy ChaptersA Fresh Look for AppleVis The redesigned AppleVis website brings a cleaner interface, smoother navigation, and a better mobile experience for the accessibility community. Early feedback highlights easier movement across devices, though some longtime users are already looking ahead to future refinements like personalization and faster forums.Apple's Quick Save: VoiceOver Users Get Relief in iOS 26.0.1 Apple wasted no time releasing iOS 26.0.1, a vital patch that fixed a critical VoiceOver bug. For blind and low-vision users who rely on consistency, the update restores confidence and underlines Apple's responsiveness when accessibility issues arise.Apple's Big Reveal: Hits, Misses, and Maybes The September event delivered the lightweight iPhone Air, the redesigned iPhone 17 Pro with its shift from titanium to aluminum, and the upgraded AirPods Pro 3. While innovation was on display, compromises in display, materials, and battery life sparked spirited debates about Apple's direction.The Ghost MacBook: Hiding in Plain Sight? Rumors of a budget-friendly MacBook powered by Apple's upcoming A18 chip hint at a big play for students and first-time Mac buyers. History, however, shows Apple's “affordable” MacBooks often struggle to last. Could this be the one that sticks—or another ghost in the product vault?Meta Moves In: Beyond the Headset At Meta Connect 2025, new Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses, expanded AI companions, and mixed reality initiatives showed the company doubling down on mainstream wearables. The contrast with Apple's high-end Vision Pro is striking: Apple pursues polish, while Meta races for ubiquity.Announcing Gamers Corner: A Podcast for Accessible Play We're thrilled to introduce Gamers Corner, a new AppleVis podcast dedicated to the world of gaming and accessibility. Hosted by passionate gamers from within the community, this show brings together reviews, insights, and discussions about the latest accessible titles, platforms, and trends. It's designed as a space for blind and low-vision players to stay informed, share experiences, and celebrate how far accessible…

In this Talk Dizzy to Me episode, vestibular physical therapists Dr. Abbie Ross, PT, NCS and Dr. Dani Tolman, PT sit down with Dr. Mike Studer, DPT, MHS, NCS, CEEAA, CWT, CSST, CSRP, CBFP, FAPTA to unpack neuroplasticity—what it is, how it works, and how to apply it in vestibular rehabilitation. We cover dual tasking, prediction error, fear-avoidant vs. fear-adapted movement, motivational interviewing, and patient-directed dosage using the OPTIMAL theory of motor learning. Mike shares practical clinic and real-life examples (driving, grocery stores, cooking), mic-drop lines you'll quote to patients, and how to talk to insurers using objective measures.If busy visuals or movement bother you, consider listening on Apple Podcasts/Spotify.Neuroplasticity = learning. It's not just more pathways; it's stronger, faster, better-fed pathways that consolidate during sleep.Dose the meaningful. Intensity, repetitions, salience, and task specificity drive consolidation (“put a post-it on that memory”).Exposure works. Habituation/adaptation creates prediction error (“that wasn't as bad as I expected”), reinforcing change via dopamine.Fear shows up in movement. Beyond fear-avoidant behavior, watch for fear-adapted movement (reduced head turns, co-contraction, slow/over-intentional strategies).Dual tasking is two goals, not ‘think-and-move' toward one goal. Use cognitive+motor or visual+motor loads that are personally salient.Autonomy accelerates progress. Let patients choose dosage (keep, dial down, or push), using motivational interviewing and OPTIMAL theory.No expiration date. Neuroplastic change remains possible well beyond 1 year—set expectations and use objective measures to justify care.Connect with MikeEmail: mike@mikestuder.comWebsite: mikestuder.comInstagram: @MikeStuderDPTBook: The Brain That Chooses ItselfTime Stamps03:29 Neuroplasticity defined 05:21 Core principles: intensity, repetitions, salience, task specificity, sleep consolidation09:35 Zooming into vestibular rehab10:06 VR as proof of neuroplasticity; predictive processing 11:32 Habituation/adaptation as exposure-based therapy; links to pain & psychology13:32 Fear, expectations, and patient education14:28 Therapeutic alliance: precision starts with the person17:42 Treating fear: exposure-response prevention & prediction error (dopamine wins)20:05 Dosage variables + motivational interviewing + OPTIMAL theory21:27 Threat perception, amygdala, and “roadblocking” fear pathways24:13 Fear-avoidant vs. fear-adapted movement (new concept in progress)26:11 Cognitive load, exhaustion, and dual-task intolerance29:32 Building alliance between sessions (check-ins)30:00 What dual tasking is (and isn't): two separate goals31:32 Clinic examples: cognitive+motor; visual+motor with busy backgrounds34:51 Real life: driving with kids, grocery stores, cooking; task switching vs. dual tasking38:40 Overtraining in clinic to empower life outside39:10 Progression: patient-controlled dosage (autonomy)43:27 Neuroplasticity at any age; caveats for degenerative conditions45:26 “Road crew at night” metaphor; why sleep matters47:13 The “1-year” myth; talking to insurers with objective measures49:27 Mic-drop linesHosted by:

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan, Simon, and Ashley explore the powerful relationship between nature, neurodivergence, chronic pain, and seasonal change. Recorded after a neurodivergent getaway in the Lake District, the trio reflect on the healing power of natural environments, the sensory overwhelm of urban life, and how embracing seasonal rhythms can support mental health and regulation for autistic and ADHD adults.Through candid storytelling and humour, they unpack the challenges of pain management, executive dysfunction, and winter transition, and share personal rituals, mindset shifts, and unexpected joys found in the natural world.Together, they explore:How nature acts as a powerful regulatory tool for neurodivergent brainsWhy modern urban environments can overwhelm autistic and ADHD sensory systemsThe role of barefoot grounding, light exposure, and circadian rhythms in daily wellbeingPractical strategies for navigating winter transitions, layering, and seasonal overwhelmPain, fatigue, and adapting outdoor experiences to fit different physical needsUsing photography, VR, and creative rituals to stay connected to nature indoors Embracing cosiness, Christmas lights, and simple joys during the winter monthsWhether you find winter draining, chronic pain exhausting, or city life overstimulating, this episode offers practical strategies and heartfelt conversation to remind you that neurodivergent people aren't broken—the environments we live in often are.Our Sponsors:

Send us a textIn this special episode, we spotlight the Global EdTech Prize 2025 with founder Vikas Pota of T4 Education and six inspiring finalists from around the world.

Upon arriving at Gaotteland, Kray's request for an audience is denied by the gate guards. He responds not with force, but with history, revealing his name and his role as the former tutor to the current king's father, forcing a standoff as they await the Crown's response.Some secrets are worth dying for. Some are worth killing for.---Intimidated that you're dozens of episodes behind and afraid to start listening? Don't be. Here's a handy Listener's Guide that let's you know spots where you can start listening further in the story.---If you would like to view a map of Ness, you can find it here.----Grab some Thieves Guild merch!https://store.podcastalchemy.studioBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-thieves-guild--6141933/support.Want to support The Thieves Guild and show runner Jake Kerr? Join our Supporter's Club on Spreaker. In early 2026, we'll be providing ad-free episodes and other special content. You can find out more here.---Check out all of our drama podcasts!Artifacts of the ArcaneA historical urban fantasy set at the beginning of World War Two. The world has abandoned magic, but magic hasn't abandoned the world.https://podcastalchemy.studio/arcaneThursdayA cyberpunk VR thriller.No one can be trusted when nothing is real.https://podcastalchemy.studio/thursday----Find out more about writer Jake Kerr: https://www.jakekerr.comFollow Jake on Bluesky @jakekerr.com

This is the Way... to a massive discussion! Join us in the Escape Pod as we dive deep into the first trailer for The Mandalorian & Grogu. We'll go shot-by-shot to break down all the big action, returning characters like Zeb, what the new Razor Crest means, and how this is positioned as Star Wars' triumphant return to the big screen. Plus, we'll discuss The Mandalorian's cultural impact—from the helmet on every t-shirt to the meme-able nature of the adorable foundling—and how a sci-fi character becomes a true household name. Then, buckle up for lightspeed as we cover the shocking news about Spaceballs 2! We break down the cast returns and what it means for the greatest Star Wars parody of all time to finally get a sequel. Finally, we look into the future: with VR headsets becoming the new frontier of at-home cinema, what will movie-watching look like in 20 years? And what radical, immersive new experiences could this technology bring to the galaxy far, far away? Hyperspace jump with us for all the news, analysis, and speculation you need! WATCH THE TRAILER! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pa1KLXuW0Y EMAIL US YOUR REQUESTS AND QUESTIONS! ———————————————————————— Have you checked out our flashcast called Star Wars Launch Pad? https://www.youtube.com/@SWLaunchPad https://open.spotify.com/show/1v0naAAJZMW0nig3OkFToJ?si=8014aef1647f4da5 Found on any platform in the galaxy! ———————————————————————— Star Wars Escape Pod

Waar is de massa in de Oudheid... en wie zijn het? Professor dr. Daniëlle Slootjes van de Universiteit van Amsterdam doet al tien jaar onderzoek naar een hele grote groep mensen in Romeinse steden die in de bronnen nou juist zo onzichtbaar zijn. Hoe kunnen we de mensen die op de tribunes zaten bij gladiatorenspelen, die langs de kant stonden bij processies door Rome of die stonden te luisteren naar een speech tóch een gezicht geven? Daniëlle neemt ons mee in haar onderzoek: van bronnen tot methoden, VR tot 'crowdcontrol' in het Colosseum.Shownotes

I did an interview with Finn Staber at Meta Connect 2025 reflecting about on his journey into VR from co-founding The Wave VR to then forming Chicken Waffle to developing the games of Baby Hands, Cowbots and Aliens, Shadow of Valhalla, Blazer League, and MarsXR. We also reflect on the current state of VR gaming with Meta, and some of the feedback he's been providing to them from the perspective of an independent, third-party game developer. You can see more context in the rough transcript below. This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

I did an interview with VRChat co-founder and CEO Graham Gaylor at Meta Connect 2025 where we talk about the various different monetization strategies that VRChat has been exploring with their user-generated content platform. VRChat announced layoffs for 30% of their employees back on June 12, 2024, and so this is the first time I've had a chance to interview any of the VRChat executives since then. I used to have a pretty consistent streak of interviewing either VRChat leaders or employees at various VR conferences running from 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, but after the pandemic they were not giving as many public interviews. I did however recently cover the VRChat Avatar Marketplace as well as a conversation with VRChat's new Trust and Safety lead Jun Young Ro about his plans to overhaul and modernize VRChat's Trust and Safety processes, especially as users like Harry X were pointing out some gaps in their moderation processes. I had a chance to chat with Gaylor about some of the early decisions in VRChat for making custom avatars easily uploadable since version 0.3.5 on March 16, 2014 when co-founder Jesse Joudrey made his first public contributions to the project. Joudrey elaborated on his vision of what he considered to be "one of the corner stones of virtual reality and any cyberpunk offshoot... Customization. I don't want any limit on who or what I can be in virtual reality." I had dug up these dates and posts in the write up for episode #1408 where I went down a deep rabbit hole of tracing down some of the origin story for VRChat. Gaylor had actually passed along some early emails and documentation of the early days of VRChat for that write-up. The decision to make avatars completely customizable has been part of the magic and success of VRChat. But centralized and controlled identity has traditionally been one of the core pathways for monetization. In a conversation with VRChat community members after the June 2024 layoffs, qDot told me, "You cannot put the asset genie back in the bottle for VRChat. They can't just come up with an asset system that works this sort of centrally-regulated way now. Everyone is used to throwing these assets around, selling them on Gumroad, selling them on Booth." So I had a chance to talk with Gaylor about his paradox of customizable identity being both the secret sauce of VRChat, but also the clearest traditional path for monetization. You can see more context in the rough transcript below. This also happens to wrap up my coverage of Meta Connect 2025, and here's a recap of the different stories and coverage if you'd like to dig into more details of other things that were announced this year. #1652: Kick-off of Meta Connect Coverage with Meta Ray-Ban Display Glasses Insights from Norm Chan #1653: XR Analyst Anshel Sag on Meta's AI Glasses Strategy #1654: CNET's Scott Stein's Reflections on Meta Ray-Ban Display Glasses Implications #1655: Meta Horizon Studio News and Virtual Fashion with Paige Dansinger #1656: Kiira Benz Part 1: "Runnin'" Large-Scale Volumetric Music Video (2019) #1657: Kiira Benz Part 2: "Finding Pandora X" Bringing Immersive Theatre to VRChat (2020) #1658: Kiira Benz Part 3: Immersive Storytelling Career Retrospective (2025) #1659: VR Gaming Career Retrospective of Chicken Waffle's Finn Staber #1660: Enabling JavaScript-Based Native App XR Pipelines with NativeScript, React Native, and Node API with Matt Hargett #1661: State of VR Gaming with Jasmine Uniza's Impact Realities and Flat2VR Studios #1662: Meta Connect Highlights & Meta Horizon News with JDun and JoyReign #1663: ShapesXR Updates & Neural Band Design Implications of Transforming Your Hand into a Mouse #1664: Resolution Games CEO on Apple Vision Pro Launch + Gaze & Pinch HCI Mechanic in Game Room (2024) #1665: Resolution Games' "Battlemarked" Blends Mixed Reality Social Features with Demeo and D&D Gameplay

I did an interview with Michael Markman at Meta Connect 2025 talking about all of the latest updates to the VR design and prototyping tool of ShapesXR, and then we start to dive into some of his hot takes after getting a chance to try out the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses and associated Neural Band. He sees that the neural band is essentially transforming your hand into a mouse that is providing a simplified navigation system (probably closer to a D-pad on a TV remote), but the index-finger-to-thumb serves as a functional left click and middle-finger-to-thumb serves as a functional right click, which has been enough to build the foundation of most modern HCI for computer software for the last 57 years since The Mother of All Demos debuted the mouse in 1968. See more context in the rough transcript below. This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

I did an interview with JoyReign and JDun talking about all of the latest announcements from Meta Connect 2025 focusing a lot on the biggest news from Meta Horizon including their new Studio and Engine. We also talk a bit about the other VR demos that were being shown at Meta Connect, and what they're the most excited about coming out of Meta Connect 2025. JoyReign also talks about developing the VR game Crystal Frenzy within Horizon Worlds, and which parts of GenAI she found to be the most helpful. They also won the Amplifier Award at the Meta Horizon Creator Summit that was being held ahead of Connect. We also chat a bit about how Meta was also promoting different mobile phone games on their Horizon platform including Super Strike, Battle Kin, Shovel Up, Smash Golf early access, and Bumble Dudes. You can also see more context in the rough transcript below. This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

I did an interview with Jasmine Uniza at Meta Connect 2025 where we talk about her journey from being a robotics engineer for the Mars Rover to doing a career pivot into the VR games industry with the founding of Impact Reality marketing firm for games as well as Flat2VR Studios that is porting popular 2D games into VR. We also reflect upon the current state of VR gaming with Meta and their store curation strategies and emphasis on free-to-play games, while focusing on premium VR games. You can see more context in the rough transcript below. This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

I did an interview with Norm Chan at Meta Connect about the Meta Ray-Ban Display Glasses and Meta Neural Band. Be sure to watch Chan's full 58-minute Tested.com report including an interview with Meta CTO Andrew "Boz" Bosworth as his hands-on impressions of the biggest announcement at Meta Connect 2025. You can also see more context in the rough transcript below. This kicks off my Meta Connect 2025 coverage, and I'll be including about a dozen interviews that I did on site that will also be unpacking different news and reactions to Meta's emphasis of AI-driven wearables, and what's happening within the broader XR industry and VR gaming ecosystem. Here's links to all of the interviews that are a part of my Meta Connect 2025 coverage: #1652: Kick-off of Meta Connect Coverage with Meta Ray-Ban Display Glasses Insights from Norm Chan #1653: XR Analyst Anshel Sag on Meta's AI Glasses Strategy #1654: CNET's Scott Stein's Reflections on Meta Ray-Ban Display Glasses Implications #1655: Meta Horizon Studio News and Virtual Fashion with Paige Dansinger #1656: Kiira Benz Part 1: "Runnin'" Large-Scale Volumetric Music Video (2019) #1657: Kiira Benz Part 2: "Finding Pandora X" Bringing Immersive Theatre to VRChat (2020) #1658: Kiira Benz Part 3: Immersive Storytelling Career Retrospective (2025) #1659: VR Gaming Career Retrospective of Chicken Waffle's Finn Staber #1660: Enabling JavaScript-Based Native App XR Pipelines with NativeScript, React Native, and Node API with Matt Hargett #1661: State of VR Gaming with Jasmine Uniza's Impact Realities and Flat2VR Studios #1662: Meta Connect Highlights & Meta Horizon News with JDun and JoyReign #1663: ShapesXR Updates & Neural Band Design Implications of Transforming Your Hand into a Mouse #1664: Resolution Games CEO on Apple Vision Pro Launch + Gaze & Pinch HCI Mechanic in Game Room (2024) #1665: Resolution Games' "Battlemarked" Blends Mixed Reality Social Features with Demeo and D&D Gameplay #1666: VRChat CEO Graham Gaylor on Exploring Various UGC Monetization Strategies This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

I'm featuring a trilogy of interviews with Kiira Benz (formerly known as Kiira Benzing) with this first part covering her Runnin' music video piece that showed at Sundance 2019 and won the top prize at SXSW 2019. I'll follow up with an interview about her immersive theatre piece that won a prize at Venice Immersive 2019 called Finding Pandora X. And the final I did with her at Meta Connect 2025 doing a bit of a career retrospective, including some work she did in Horizon Worlds and her latest piece focusing on accessibility and dance performance. Also be sure to check out the second recorded interview that I did in 2019 about her hybrid theater and VR piece Love Seat, which showed at Venice 2019. See more context in the rough transcript below. This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

This episode of ABA On Call features an engaging discussion with Jennifer Shahin and Nicole Lockerman, co-founders of Social Wise VR, a company pioneering the use of immersive virtual reality to teach social skills. Drawing from backgrounds in applied behavior analysis and education, the guests describe how outdated methods, such as worksheets and role-plays, often fail to generalize to real-life contexts. Social Wise VR addresses this challenge by providing realistic, actor-driven scenarios in controlled VR environments, allowing learners to safely practice social interactions, build confidence, and experience the natural consequences of different choices. The conversation explores the development journey, the integration of ABA principles and curriculum design, expansion into workplace and safety scenarios, and the future of VR and AR technologies in behavioral intervention. This dialogue highlights the potential of technology to bridge critical gaps in social skills training for individuals with autism and beyond. To earn CEUs for listening, click here, log in or sign up, pay the CEU fee, + take the attendance verification to generate your certificate! Don't forget to subscribe and follow and leave us a rating and review.   Show Notes: SocialWise VR creates authentic social experiences in the virtual world helping people feel confident in real-life situations. https://www.socialwisevr.com/  

On this week's episode, host Bree Mills is joined Penny Barber, Lilly Bell, & Max Fills! Hot off of wrapping the latest PURE TABOO feature ‘THE SECRETS WE SHARE,' the trio sit down to talk through their experiences filming the most challenging film roles they've encountered yet! Lauded as the most disturbing role they've each held, the cast discuss bringing their characters to life, the challenge of performing “rock bottom”, and how they flip the switch to film different scenes. Tune in to hear the gang discuss hot mean girls, go-to goon fuel, Penny Barber's 40th birthday tribute, and SO MUCH MORE!Penny Barber: https://www.instagram.com/penny.barber.truly/Lilly Bell: https://www.instagram.com/bellofthe_ball/Max Fills: https://www.instagram.com/maxfills1/Bree Mills: https://www.instagram.com/thebreemills/ The ADULT TIME Podcast: ⁠https://linktr.ee/TheADULTTIMEPodcast ABOUT ADULT TIME:Adult Time is a digital subscription platform for a new era of adult entertainment. We are a brand built by people who believe in a future where mature audiences can safely, securely, and proudly have a place in their lineup for premium adult content. In addition to our addictive programming, Adult Time is dedicated to creating a personalized content experience for all our viewers with 400+ channels, 60,000 episodes, and VR and interactive toy integration.

In this episode of CrossButton VR, hosts Reece and JammyHero discuss their experiences at a recent VR gameplay event, focusing on the Thief game and its mechanics. They share insights on the gameplay, voice acting, and the challenges of using VR mechanics like the bow and arrow. The conversation highlights the importance of player choice and the excitement for future updates in the VR gaming world.-Meta Quest Affiliate: 10% off all Quest Games Here - https://tinyurl.com/39mxmkcv - or use code CBVR on the Meta store for a discountAll links, including Discord: https://linktr.ee/crossbuttonvr-Chapters00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview01:29 Gameplay Premiere and Event Experience05:29 Thief Gameplay Discussion10:26 Thief Game Mechanics and Experience19:53 Voice Acting and Franchise Connection22:12 The Anticipation of Thief's Return24:40 Gameplay Mechanics and Stealth Strategies28:56 Navigating the Mansion: Puzzles and Challenges32:30 Reflections on Bow Mechanics and Combat35:27 Final Thoughts and Expectations for Thief43:54 Anticipation for Battlefield 6 and VR Gaming44:53 Hitman World of Assassination Updates47:04 Exploring the Freelancer Mode in Hitman49:45 Microsoft Flight Simulator Coming to PSVR257:35 Upcoming Games for PSVR2 and Other Platforms59:31 Game Reviews: Blade and Sorcery and Alien Rogue Incursion

In Part 2 of this Wavelengths conversation, host Daniel Litwin continues his discussion with Chuck Girt, Chief Technology Officer at FiberLight, diving deeper into the broader ecosystem of education connectivity. While Part 1 focused on building resilient networks inside the classroom, this episode looks outward, examining how education networks must extend into homes, public spaces, and communities to truly close the digital divide. Girt shares how funding shifts, cybersecurity challenges, and new technology trends are reshaping how districts think about connectivity beyond school walls. With decades of experience in telecommunications and education infrastructure, Girt outlines a blueprint for designing networks that support students wherever learning happens, from classrooms to Chromebooks at home to roaming connections in libraries and community centers. Key Discussion Highlights: • Extending Learning Beyond School Walls: Girt emphasizes that education doesn't stop at the classroom door. Reliable fiber must power home connectivity, bus Wi-Fi, and community hotspots to ensure equitable access for all students. • The Funding Pendulum: The episode explores how shifting definitions of “community anchor institutions” and the push-and-pull of BEAD, E-Rate, and state funding complicate planning—but also create new opportunities for strategic investment. • Cybersecurity in the Age of AI: With ransomware attacks on schools rising 23% year-over-year, Girt stresses that security must be built into network design, supported by operators, MSPs, and AI-driven defenses that protect students and their data. • The Eduroam Example: Expanding secure roaming networks for students introduces new benefits—and new risks. Girt explains how smart certificate management and network-wide threat detection can safeguard roaming access. • Last Mile Upgrades that Matter: From moving content closer to the edge, to modernizing in-building infrastructure, Girt outlines practical, district-level strategies that deliver immediate improvements while waiting for larger-scale rollouts. • Trends to Watch: Looking ahead, Girt sees AI as the most powerful driver of education connectivity, enabling immersive learning, VR classrooms, and cross-institution collaboration that demands higher bandwidth. This episode offers practical insights for school district CIOs, administrators, and broadband providers alike. Girt makes clear that future-ready education networks require not just classroom connectivity, but a holistic approach that extends into communities, anticipates cybersecurity threats, and leverages funding to fuel long-term growth.

With the hunters left to their fear in the darkness, the journey continues. Raef and Kray must navigate a forgotten and dangerous dwarven ford to cross the mighty Dragon's Tear river and enter the new realm of Gaotteland. They've escaped the shadows, but Kray gives a grim warning: walking in the light can be a far more dangerous path.Some secrets are worth dying for. Some are worth killing for.---Intimidated that you're dozens of episodes behind and afraid to start listening? Don't be. Here's a handy Listener's Guide that let's you know spots where you can start listening further in the story.---If you would like to view a map of Ness, you can find it here.----Grab some Thieves Guild merch!https://store.podcastalchemy.studioBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-thieves-guild--6141933/support.Want to support The Thieves Guild and show runner Jake Kerr? Join our Supporter's Club on Spreaker. In early 2026, we'll be providing ad-free episodes and other special content. You can find out more here.---Check out all of our drama podcasts!Artifacts of the ArcaneA historical urban fantasy set at the beginning of World War Two. The world has abandoned magic, but magic hasn't abandoned the world.https://podcastalchemy.studio/arcaneThursdayA cyberpunk VR thriller.No one can be trusted when nothing is real.https://podcastalchemy.studio/thursday----Find out more about writer Jake Kerr: https://www.jakekerr.comFollow Jake on Bluesky @jakekerr.com

In this episode of Future of Film, Alex talks with David Neumann, CEO of Newmation, a talent management and production company working with some of the world's leading writers, directors and TV creators in both animation and live action. David shares his journey from ICM and CAA to founding Newmation, and why he bet early on global and independent animation. He discusses how to balance creativity with business, what makes a project stand out, and why IP ownership matters more than ever. The conversation explores: - How international co-productions and new funding models are reshaping animation - Why African and global voices are essential for the next generation of stories - The impact of technology — from Flow's Blender breakthrough to AI disruption - How creators can pitch, package and protect their dream projects It's an inspiring, candid look at where the animation industry is heading — and how new storytellers can succeed within it. About David Neumann David Neumann is a Producer, Talent Manager and CEO of NEWMATION. Newmation represents Academy award winning animation writers, directors and TV creators, spanning 5 continents and produces animated and live action films & series. He previously was an agent at Hollywood mega-agency, CAA, growing global animation in New York. Between his agent career at CAA and ICM, he's represented Oscar winning filmmakers such as David Yates (Harry Potter), Tom Hooper (Les Miserables, The King's Speech), Sir Stephen Frears (The Queen, Philomena) Arlene Klasky (Rugrats), Todd Komarnicki (Sully), and Anthony McCarten (Bohemian Rhapsody) to name a few. In 2020, Neumann launched his own company and was honored on Observer's Entertainment Power 50 List, alongside Dwayne Johnson, Will Smith, JJ Abrams, Margot Robbie, and more.

Ads pay for the internet—and they're about to change again. a16z General Partner Erik Torenberg, entrepreneur and author Antonio García Martínez, and Meta CMO Alex Schultz dive into growth and performance marketing, privacy myths, retail media, and the AI future of “audience-of-one” advertising—plus Instagram what-ifs, WhatsApp as a super-app, and how Meta's feed shifted from social graphs to AI-ranked content. Timecodes:0:00 Introduction 0:38 Book Inspiration & Positive Perspective on Advertising4:43 Critiques of Online Advertising & Data Privacy7:34 The Evolution of Media Business Models10:12 Content Moderation and Platform Shifts11:43 Connected vs. Unconnected Content & The Rise of AI13:34 The Future of AI, Personalization, and Advertising28:18 Retail Media Networks & First-Party Data38:18 Alternative Histories: Instagram, Libra, and Industry What-Ifs46:31 The Impact of AI on Jobs and Company Structure55:00 The Metaverse, VR, and Future PlatformsResources:Make sure to get Alex's book here!Follow Alex on X: https://x.com/alexschultzFollow Alex on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexschultzFollow Alex on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@alexorigFollow Antonio on X: https://x.com/antoniogm Stay Updated: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your friends!Find a16z on X: https://x.com/a16zFind a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16zListen to the a16z Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYXListen to the a16z Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenbergPlease note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.   Stay Updated:Find a16z on XFind a16z on LinkedInListen to the a16z Podcast on SpotifyListen to the a16z Podcast on Apple PodcastsFollow our host: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Ruff Talk VR podcast we have a quick but loaded list of news to cover! Including Forefront announcing an upcoming open beta. Microsoft Flight Sim coming to PS VR2 next week. Hitman World of Assassination geting a big PCVR update. Another Gran Turismo 7 update. A new course from Golf+. A Thief VR teaser. New VR games such as Super RC. PCVR games being lsited natively in v81 of the Quest OS. A new Beat Saber song drop. Valve Link coming to Pico headsets. Physical stores from Meta! And much more!Use code RUFFTALKVR at checkout to save on any game or hardware on the Meta Quest store and help support the show!Showcase form: https://forms.gle/HxwkK9zuwydwbkKM8Big thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! Become a supporter of the show today at https://www.patreon.com/rufftalkvrDiscord: https://discord.gg/9JTdCccucSPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/rufftalkvrIf you enjoy the podcast be sure to rate us 5 stars and subscribe! Join our official subreddit at https://www.reddit.com/r/RuffTalkVR/0:00 - Episode start5:45 - Forefront Open Beta09:40 - Microsoft Flight Simulator PS VR219:30 - Golf+ New Course36:00 - Hitman World of Assassination PCVR update38:15 - Super RC40:45 - Hideo Kojima / Niantic43:50 - Thief VR upcoming announcement44:35 - PCVR games showing on Quest OS v8146:30 - Beat Saber new song48:50 - Valve Link on Pico49:30 - Meta new physical stores51:30 - Upcoming VR GamesSupport the show

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In our main topic this week we talk some of our favorite funniest moments in tv shows & movies! A virtual reality robot boxing match was held recently in San Francisco. In our, “Ask An Idiot” segment, we ask ourselves if we are interested in VR robot boxing and if we think it will grow in popularity!Pop Culture headlines includes the return of talk show host Jimmy Kimmel and the first Wrestlepalooza on ESPN!Warning as usual for some explicit language & content from us Idiots!Have a drink with us and listen weekly for pop culture talk, nerdy debates, personal insults & questionable jokes on your favorite podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Vurbl, Goodpods, Podvine & more! Watch us on our YouTube channelhttps://youtube.com/@convincingidiots?si=SWpsPG0wUhBwr-UkShow info can be found on our website: Convincing Idiots – We are a podcast of pop culture talk, nerdy debates & personal insults!Find show links on our Link Tree:https://linktr.ee/ConvincingIdiotsEmail us at ConvincingIdiots@gmail.com. Main Podcast Page:Convincing Idiots • A podcast on Spotify for CreatorsEnjoying the show? Consider becoming a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ConvincingIdiots Show merch store here:https://www.teepublic.com/stores/convincing-idiots?ref_id=33680Come be dumb with us! Listen and subscribe!

The revelation of the Guildmaster Thief's vote changes the game, but Karch is skeptical. He tests the new alliance, forcing Maela and Vesper to reveal the deep-seated betrayals that will guarantee Ralan's support, solidifying their treacherous path to power.Some secrets are worth dying for. Some are worth killing for.---Intimidated that you're dozens of episodes behind and afraid to start listening? Don't be. Here's a handy Listener's Guide that let's you know spots where you can start listening further in the story.---If you would like to view a map of Ness, you can find it here.----Grab some Thieves Guild merch!https://store.podcastalchemy.studioBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-thieves-guild--6141933/support.Want to support The Thieves Guild and show runner Jake Kerr? Join our Supporter's Club on Spreaker. In early 2026, we'll be providing ad-free episodes and other special content. You can find out more here.---Check out all of our drama podcasts!Artifacts of the ArcaneA historical urban fantasy set at the beginning of World War Two. The world has abandoned magic, but magic hasn't abandoned the world.https://podcastalchemy.studio/arcaneThursdayA cyberpunk VR thriller.No one can be trusted when nothing is real.https://podcastalchemy.studio/thursday----Find out more about writer Jake Kerr: https://www.jakekerr.comFollow Jake on Bluesky @jakekerr.com

Eastern Lariat Special: GAEA Girls   25 years after it's release, Dylan is joined by his Wrestle Update co-host and film major, game designer, director Nello de Angelis to give his insights from a directorial standpoint. Hear the two break down the film as well as the content of it as well which focuses on the GAEA Dojo led by legendary Joshi wrestler Chigusa Nagayo which at times devolves into psychological analysis as well as a look at possibly separating the kayfabe from the real   The Kim Longinotto & Jana Williams film documents the life of multiple trainees of GAEA over the course of the summer of 1999 eventually centering around rookie wrestler Saika Takeuchi and her October debut and her quest to "become someone" and her intense training with (a 19 year old) Meiko Satomura as well as Chigusa Nagayo and others including cameo appearances from Sakura Hirota, Toshie Uematsu, Sonoko Kato and even a young Thanomsak Toba!? Among others. It is a journey that sees many fall off and quit, but we discuss the capabilities of the bread truck and if Satomura could have become a J-Pop star so...it's not all bad I guess. Except for Wakabayashi. It was pretty much all bad. But we respect her and her University of Marquette shirt.   Hopefully you enjoy this unique edition of the Eastern Lariat going beyond the dropkick everyone knows and examining the contents of this very well done documentary about a legendary Joshi promotion and the undercurrent at the turn of the century.   In addition if you would like to watch Saika Takeuchi's debut match from the movie against Satomura in full check that out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qjEKUa5Zx4   If you would like to watch Saika's last match available on YT, check out her match tagging with Uematsu vs. POLICE & Sakura Hirota on Dylan's birthday! In 2001, her retirement year (and also with way better gear than that atupid singlet): https://youtu.be/OymmbVMzohQ?si=R-SZnYXLRmX0LjBb   If you would like to check out Nello and his work with me talking US based wrestling, listen to Wrestle Update, available weekly on cagematch.net and Spotify and our YT page!   https://www.cagematch.net/?id=128&series=Wrestle+Update   https://open.spotify.com/show/1rM5efgHIaHnNbv1AjO1zA?si=9gBQCkJyQtShJNhaX-7XLQ   https://youtube.com/@wrestleupdatepod?si=_zer8HZ9yhwRdpjh     If you would like to reach Nello specifically send him a message on BlueSky: @aniellooo.bsky.social   And check out his VR horror based video game Deep Cuts: https://www.meta.com/en-gb/experiences/deep-cuts/6888594277865616/   For more coverage of Japanese wrestling, and wrestling past and present please check out our Patreon for literally 1000s of hours of audio and written content as well: https://www.patreon.com/easternlariat    Follow us on Twitter/X:     https://www.twitter.com/easternlariat    https://www.twitter.com/strigga       https://www.twitter.com/viva_zero   Follow us on BlueSky: @easternlariat.bsky.social @vivazero.bsky.social @strigga.bksy.social   Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/easternlariat

THIS WEEK: Disclosure (1994), Virtuosity (1995) and The Thirteenth Floor (1999)With the end of days imminent, we're jacking back in to look at another trio of bonkers 90s VR films and yearn for the future that wasn't.Donate to Palestinian Medical Aid Support Optimism Vaccine on Patreon

Vergesst Google Glass: Die aktuellen Smart Glasses machen fast alles anders, und zwar besser. Sie sind alltagstaugliche Brillen mit überraschenden Funktionen, aber auch einigen Kinderkrankheiten. c't-Redakteur Nico Jurran hat die drei aktuellen getestet, die Ray-Ban Meta, die Even Realities G1 und ein Vorserienmodell der Rokid Glasses. Und er kennt die angekündigten Modelle etwa von Meta, TCL oder L'Atitude 52°N. Im Podcast klären wir zuerst die Begriffe: Diese Smart Glasses sind im Alltag unterstützende Brillen, die Zusatzinformationen akustisch oder optisch einblenden – im Unterschied zu VR- oder AR-Brillen, die man eher ausschließlich nutzt, die einen ins Geschehen hineinziehen. Und dann gibts noch reine Datenbrillen, die eher tragbare Monitore sind. Die Smart Glasses unterscheiden sich deutlicher als manch andere Produktkategorie in ihren Funktionen: Die Ray-Ban teilt sich nur akustisch mit, die G1 nur per Einblendung, die Rokid kann beides. Alle haben Mikrofone, aber nicht alle eine Kamera. Die Technik sitzt in den Bügeln, ein Großteil der Intelligenz ist bislang aber aufs Handy mit die Brillen-App ausgelagert. Auch der Datenschutz kommt zur Sprache, sowohl für die Träger selbst als auch für die von ihnen beobachtete Umgebung. Nico erklärt ausführlich, was die Brillen leisten: Übersetzung von Bild und Ton, Einblenden von Texten, Navigationshilfen, Schnappschüsse und Videos aufzeichnen, Teleprompter-Dienste, Apps steuern. Er berichtet von seinen Erfahrungen und er schätzt ein, wo die kommenden Modelle besser sein könnten, beispielsweise farbige Displays. Tatsächlich geht die Entwicklung derzeit stark voran: Wer Interesse an einer smarten Brille hat, sollte vielleicht gerade noch keine kaufen, sondern zukünftige Modelle abwarten. Eine Kinderkrankheit aktueller Modelle ist beispielsweise ihre kurzen Laufzeiten. ► Die c't-Artikel zum Thema (Paywall): Was die neue Generation kann: https://www.heise.de/tests/Smart-Glasses-Was-die-neue-Generation-smarter-Brillen-kann-10337741.html Even Realities G1: https://www.heise.de/tests/Im-Test-Smarte-Brille-Even-Realities-G1-mit-Projektion-10397430.html Rokid Glasses: https://www.heise.de/tests/Rokid-Glasses-Smarte-Brille-mit-Projektion-und-Kamera-im-Vorabtest-10622486.html?seite=all Ray-Ban Meta: https://www.heise.de/tests/Im-Test-Smarte-Brille-Ray-Ban-Meta-nach-KI-Update-10372935.html Was Brillenträger beachten müssen: https://www.heise.de/tests/Smart-Glasses-Was-Brillentraeger-beachten-muessen-10392376.html IFA-Neuigkeiten: https://www.heise.de/news/Smart-Glasses-in-Berlin-mal-wasserdicht-mal-sylisch-mal-mit-farbigem-Display-10634590.html Ray-Ban Meta 2: https://www.heise.de/news/Zweite-Generation-der-klassischen-Ray-Ban-Meta-kommt-raus-10660670.html Ray-Ban Meta Display: https://www.heise.de/news/Meta-enthuellt-Ray-Ban-Display-Smart-Glasses-mit-Bildschirm-und-sEMG-Armband-10660806.html Meta Oakley Vanguard: https://www.heise.de/news/Meta-Oakley-Vanguard-des-Sportlers-neues-Must-have-10648889.html

Andy Riesmeyer dives into Hour 2 with the viral failed prophecy fueling #RaptureTok and a breakdown of LA County's official review of the Eaton and Palisades fires. Then Andy lightens things up with a personal tequila story and a look at why Margaritas remain LA's favorite cocktail, before exploring VR-controlled robot battles in San Francisco. Then, KTLA's own Glen Walker joins live from his home for a rare personal chat, and Andy wraps the hour with a take on the slow death of self-checkout.

On this week's episode of Long Time No See: The Podcast! we're blindfolding two more incredible comedians with lots to talk about!Moses Storm is an actor and comedian who recently starred in Half Baked 2, as well as the Paramount+ series Players. In 2022 Variety called him one of their 10 Comics to Watch -- the same year Team Coco released his debut special Trash White. Moses has toured with Conan O'Brien and made numerous appearances on TBS's Conan, and he's also been featured in shows like Arrested Development, This Is Us and Sunnyside. Maybe you saw him in the Hulu horror film Bad Hair, or Unfriended, or Father of the Year with Adam Sandler, but if you haven't seen him then it's your turn to take off the blindfold!Mike Falzone started as one of the first creators to establish themselves on YouTube in 2006 and has maintained a busy career performing stand-up ever since. He's the creator and executive producer of Surrounded, a crowd work show in-the-round that's been showcased at Just For Laughs in Montreal, Moontower, the Netflix is a Joke Festival, and has now been licensed to Meta as a VR experience. His voice can be heard on Adult Swim's Final Space and he's currently hosting two podcasts, Dynamic Banter and Welcome to Our Podcast with his wife Zoja.Together, Mike and Moses open up about their careers and personal lives and what it means to pursue the art of comedy. They get into the growing popularity of crowd work, the challenges of maintaining personal relationships as a touring comedian, and Mike discusses the emotional toll of giving up hosting Surrounded when he licensed it to Meta. The conversation is drenched in heartfelt humor and sharp wit, providing an in-depth look into the lives and minds of two of today's most talented comedians.Make sure to follow Long Time No See: The Podcast! wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please give us a review on Apple Podcasts to keep the laughs coming!You can also keep up with Moses Storm and Mike Falzone on Instagram.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this inspiring episode of The Trades Podcast, hosts Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres talk with Levi Torres, President and Owner of High Five Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, and Electric. Levi shares how he took his roots as a second-generation plumber and built one of Denver's most dynamic service companies.The conversation highlights High Five Plumbing's unique culture, which emphasizes positivity and customer connection through the power of a high five. Levi also explains the company's strategic expansion into HVAC and electrical services, their innovative training programs (including virtual reality for apprentices), and the importance of grassroots marketing in achieving growth.Beyond business, Levi talks about the company's deep commitment to community—donating over $145,000 to local nonprofits—and his long-term vision of becoming a national brand.What You'll Learn:Why a simple high five creates a lasting customer experienceHow High Five Plumbing transitioned into HVAC and electrical with strategy and purposeWhy training programs and VR tools are critical for developing skilled techniciansHow grassroots marketing and culture drive long-term business growthThe importance of giving back and building a community-focused brandLevi's vision for scaling High Five Plumbing nationally

Send us a textIn this episode of The Cultural Curriculum Chat, host Jebeh Edmunds explores how Virtual Reality (VR) can be a powerful tool to build empathy and cultural competence in classrooms and workplaces.Imagine walking through a bustling marketplace in another country—where even greetings and eye contact feel unfamiliar. VR offers this kind of immersive perspective-taking, helping learners recognize assumptions and practice inclusive responses. But, as Jebeh emphasizes, VR is not a cure-all—it's most effective when paired with skilled facilitation, reflection, and real-world action.You'll also learn how to use VR safely and ethically, with practical tips for opt-in alternatives, accessibility supports, and ensuring psychological safety for all participants.

Vesper and Karch form an uneasy alliance against Polo. Karch lays out the political board and makes an audacious proposal: to make Vesper the new Craft Guildmaster. When Vesper's cold logic proves the plan is doomed, Mayla reveals a hidden player who holds the deciding vote.Some secrets are worth dying for. Some are worth killing for.---Intimidated that you're dozens of episodes behind and afraid to start listening? Don't be. Here's a handy Listener's Guide that let's you know spots where you can start listening further in the story.---If you would like to view a map of Ness, you can find it here.----Grab some Thieves Guild merch!https://store.podcastalchemy.studioBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-thieves-guild--6141933/support.Want to support The Thieves Guild and show runner Jake Kerr? Join our Supporter's Club on Spreaker. In early 2026, we'll be providing ad-free episodes and other special content. You can find out more here.---Check out all of our drama podcasts!Artifacts of the ArcaneA historical urban fantasy set at the beginning of World War Two. The world has abandoned magic, but magic hasn't abandoned the world.https://podcastalchemy.studio/arcaneThursdayA cyberpunk VR thriller.No one can be trusted when nothing is real.https://podcastalchemy.studio/thursday----Find out more about writer Jake Kerr: https://www.jakekerr.comFollow Jake on Bluesky @jakekerr.com

Dirtybird Radio invites house music maven Blakkat to come on board for a guest set to celebrate the release of his recent collab with Sacha Robotti -- "The Flood" out now on Dirtybird Records. Expect to hear the deepest vibes from his own label Shaboom Records as well as a few unreleased treats. VR warm-up set:Oliver Dollar & Brillstein - "Pill Popper (La Boix Dubb)" [Rekids]Eric David Hoegemeyer - "Root And Stem (John Tejada Remix)" [Mishbaka Records]RaeCola - "No Time To Talk" Bessey - "The Future" [Confession]Blakkat guest set:Yeah Yeah Yeah – Blakkat & BodaciousThang – (Blakkat Dark Dub) – Shaboom RecordsYeah Yeah Yeah – Blakkat & BodaciousThang – (Vocal Mix) – Shaboom RecordsWoman Cry – Shaboom feat Mark Bell – (DJ Sneak Remix) – Shaboom RecordsMy House – Mia Moretti feat Shaman Durek (Extended Edit) Shaboom RecordsHouse Of Love – FOMO feat Chaka Khan, Taka Boom, Mark Stevens (DJ Sneak remix) Shaboom RecordsThe Night – Lucas Frota & Taka Boom (Blakkat Dark Night Dub) – Shaboom RecordsSet Me Free – Doc Martin (Lucas Frota Remix) – Shaboom RecordsShaboom – Sweet Sensation (DJ Sneak Dub) – Shaboom RecordsBabyGirl Feat Blakkat – Designer Drugs – Zone 64 Music (Unreleased)BabyGirl – With You – San Fran Sci Fi Dub – Shaboom RecordsGood Times – Blakkat Remix - (Unreleased)BabyGirl – Make More - Zone 64 Music (Unreleased)The Flood – Sacha Robotti & Blakkat - DirtyBird

智能可穿戴设备正加速闯入我们的生活。但无论是沉浸式的VR头显，还是场景受限的AR设备，都难以真正成为日常的随身伴侣。即便是被外界视为AI最理想载体的智能眼镜，也陷入了佩戴舒适度与智能体验两全的瓶颈。对于这个问题，一家叫做Gyges Labs的AI硬件公司写下了自己的答案。凭借创新光学路径和首创的主动式AI，Gyges Labs希望让智能眼镜成为人类必备的「隐形」装备，并以此为契机，逐步打开对于智能可穿戴设备的更多想象空间。本期节目，我们邀请到Gyges Labs的创始人、CEO贾捷阳，揭秘智能眼镜「隐形」背后的逻辑。设计全球最小近眼显示方案DigiWindow，需要克服哪些技术障碍？搭载主动式AI的智能眼镜，能在生活中解锁哪些应用场景？将创新光学显示和AI整合进眼镜，技术研发和资源的投入怎么平衡？而在智能眼镜之外，Gyges Labs又将如何解锁AI可穿戴设备的更多可能性？【03:09】愿景是「让每一个人都成为超人」【06:09】DigiWindow光学模块背后的技术难点【07:35】智能眼镜的近远视调节，与VR设备不同【10:28】戴上AI眼镜的日常是什么样？【14:04】一副“好的眼镜”是智能眼镜的基础【15:11】智能硬件行业首创主动式AI【20:15】光学、AI、硬件产品，如何平衡三者资源投入？【22:53】一位连续创业者眼中的消费电子变迁【26:36】智能眼镜之外，Gyges Labs对可穿戴设备的探索【29:12】Gyges Labs的人才招聘需求《创业内幕》粉丝群已经开通，在这里，你可以跟节目制作人/主持人直接沟通，也可以第一时间了解到纪源资本线下活动动态，见到纪源资本的投资人，结交其他互联网圈子里的小伙伴。 入群方式：1）添加微信号“JiyuanFans”为好友，并在好友请求中标注“创业” 2）把你的全名和职称发给创业小助手；如果您想约访谈，请添加小助手微信，并附上访谈嘉宾简介，小助手将帮您对接。

John Robertson: Into The Dark Room - From Australian Idol to Comedy Anarchy

In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey sits down with Jérôme Giacomoni, co-founder and Chairman of AEROPHILE, the world leader in tethered gas balloons and immersive aerial experiences. Jérôme shares the story of how AEROPHILE began with a simple idea, to “make everybody fly” and grew into a global company operating in multiple countries, including France and the U.S.Tune in to hear about the company's signature attractions, including tethered balloon flights, the innovative Aerobar concept, and high-profile projects such as how you can experience flying the Olympic cauldron in Paris. Jérôme also shares how AEROPHILE has leveraged its unique platform to explore scientific initiatives like air-quality and climate-change monitoring and how he Integrates unique revenue streams from sponsorship and advertising.Skip the Queue is brought to you by Rubber Cheese, a digital agency that builds remarkable systems and websites for attractions that helps them increase their visitor numbers. Your host is Paul Marden, with co host Andy Povey and roving reporter Claire Furnival.If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm.If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on LinkedIn. Show references:  https://www.aerophile.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerome-giacomoni-3074b7/Jérôme Giacomoni is co-founder of Groupe AEROPHILE and Chairman of AEROPHILE SAS. Since 1993, he has led the company to become the world leader in tethered gas balloons and balloon flights, operating iconic sites in France, the U.S., and Cambodia, and flying over 500,000 passengers annually. He also pioneered “flying food-tainment” with the Aerophare and Aerobar. Jérôme is a member of IAAPA, serves on the board of SNELAC, and is a Team France Export ambassador, earning multiple awards for entrepreneurship and innovation. Plus, live from the Day 2 of the IAAPA Expo Europe show floor, we catch up with:Rheanna Sorby –Marketing & Creative Director,  The Seasonal Grouphttps://theseasonalgroup.co.uk/https://www.linkedin.com/in/rheanna-sorby-seasonal/Sohret Pakis – Polin Waterparkshttps://www.polin.com.tr/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sohretpakis/Thomas Collin – Sales Manager, VEX Solutionshttps://www.vex-solutions.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-collin-18a476110/Peter Cliff – CEO // Founder, Conductr.https://conductr.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-cliff/Laura Baxter – Founder, Your CMOhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-baxter-4a756466/Josh Haywood – Resort Director, Crealy Theme Park & Resorthttps://www.crealy.co.uk/https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-haywood-68463630/ Transcriptions:  Paul Marden: Welcome to Skip the Queue, the podcast about the world's best attractions and the people that work in them. I'm your host Paul Marden, and with my co-host Andy Povey and roving reporter Claire Furnival, we're here at IAAPA Expo Europe. In today's episode, I go on a trip on Santa's Enchanted Elevator with the Seasonal Group, and Claire meets Peter Cliff from Conductr. But before all that, let's head over to Andy.Andy Povey: Good morning, everybody. I'm joined today by Jerome Giacomoni from AEROPHILE for our French listeners. I hope I've got that right. Jerome is the chief exec of AEROPHILE and has been the co-founder and president of AEROPHILE. And AEROPHILE supply helium-based balloon observation opportunities. I probably got the marketing on that completely wrong, Jerome. So please, can you share with our listeners what AEROPHILE is all about?Jerome Giacomoni: So AEROPHILE is a company I created with Mathieu Gobbi, my partner, 32 years ago, with a very simple idea, make everybody fly, you know, and we use a balloon to fly. So we have a tethered balloon. We have a huge, big balloon inflated with helium, a gas lighter than air. And we go up to more or less 150 meters high. up to 30 passengers. So we are linked to the ground with a cable, and the cable is linked to a winch. So you have to imagine that you have a winch that— when we go up—pulls when we go down. This is the exact opposite of an elevator because the balloon wants to go higher and higher. We have a lifting force of four tons.Andy Povey:Wow.Jerome Giacomoni:Yes, it's a big one. And so we need a cable to keep it. And thanks to this lifting force, we can fight against the wind.Jerome Giacomoni: And so the balloon can swing when you have some wind because the balloon is just pulled by the cable itself.Andy Povey: And trust me, listeners, they look absolutely spectacular. Just before we started recording, I was admitting to Jerome that I'm scared of heights. So I've stood and watched. The dining balloon, Futuroscope, never managed to pluck up the courage to try it myself.Jerome Giacomoni: This is another concept, Andy. So we have built two concepts. One is a tethered balloon, a real one with helium, with a cable, with a winch, and we fly by ourselves. The balloon flies by itself, okay? We did another concept 20 years after we created our company, so 10 years before now, in 2013, which is what we call the aero bar. It's a flying bar, and you have an inflatable balloon. to cover the gondola, but it's a fake. This is a real elevator, and you have a gondola with some winches and a metallic structure, and you go up and down. So what you saw in Futuroscope is not a balloon. It's a real elevator.Jerome Giacomoni: And the one you can see in Disneyland Paris, Disney World, Orlando or San Diego Zoo are a real balloon named a tethered balloon. So I'm glad you fell down into the trick. You caught me. Yes, I'm glad about that. But we have really two different concepts.Andy Povey: But the concept, the thing that the guest is experiencing, isn't really related to whether it's a balloon or a lift.Jerome Giacomoni: No. i think it's very different okay i think the aerobar is fun and you have the feet in the sky you feel the thrill of height and everything but you stop at 35 meters it's it's quite high for a ride but it's not a real flight And I think the balloon is a real flight. We have a balloon in Paris. We have a balloon in Budapest, Berlin. And you see the city from the sky at 150 meters high, which is very high. So you really experience a flight. With the aerobar, you have a ride, okay? So both of them are related to the sky, are related to the view, but one is really a flight, the other one is really a ride.Andy Povey: That makes absolute sense.Andy Povey: It doesn't reassure me on my fear of heights anymore, that I would like to go up three times, four times taller, higher than the one I saw first. Very interesting. So, listeners, we're often talking about technology and attractions. There's a huge amount of talk about augmented reality, about AI, about motion simulators. The reason, Jerome, we asked you to come and talk to us is because you don't do any of that. No—your experience is fantastic and it's new and it's unique, but there's no technology or very little obvious technology.Jerome Giacomoni: Yes, quite little. You know, it's amazing because we do this for now 32 years, as I told you. The first balloon was inflated in 1994. We have sold 120 balloons in more than 40 countries. And each time with the balloon, you have a magical effect, you know, because the balloon itself is very nice— because the balloon itself is a show from people looking at it from the ground. And because... The flight experience is amazing because you are really in the sky. You are really looking at the ground, at the landscape. You have no noise, you know, when you take a helicopter or plane. You have a lot of noise. You are in an enclosed airplane or helicopter. Here you are outside. You are on a balcony flying at 150 meters. And wherever we are, always we have like a magical effect of the flight. And with the flying bar, we decided to do something different— where we say, 'Why drink on ground where you can drink in the sky?'Jerome Giacomoni: So we add the drink to the ride, you know. So you are on a table and you have what we say in French conviviality. So we share a drink. We go at 35 meters and you have the thrill of the view of the height and also the conviviality of drinking. So this is another concept, but both of them are universal. And wherever we do it, we have sold 20 aero bars worldwide.Jerome Giacomoni: Everybody is very happy to have this kind of ride. I would say we are on the side of the main market. You know, we have two niche products. The balloon is a niche product. And the AeroBar is a niche product where we have another experience than a normal ride, like a roller coaster or a flume or a spinning coaster.Andy Povey: You say you're a nice product, but the balloon in Paris for the Olympics, where you lifted the cauldron, had phenomenal numbers of visitors watching. That wasn't something you could go on.Jerome Giacomoni: Yes, it was an amazing opportunity. You know, sometimes life gives you some presents.Jerome Giacomoni: And imagine that we were contacted by the Olympic Organisation Committee one day, and we believed it was a joke. And they said, 'We need to talk to you.' And then we discovered that instead of flying humans, they asked us to fly a cauldron. So the Olympic cauldron. And we have like one year and a half of design and manufacturing.Jerome Giacomoni: And then, at 11 pm, 25, the balloon has to fly in front of everybody. I can tell you it was a very stressful time. But so nice and so amazing to have experiences. So, yes, the balloon suddenly was visible by everybody. And that's back now in Paris, isn't it? Yes. First of all, the balloon has to stay only twice— 15 days. You know, you have the Olympics and the Paralympics. So we were open only 30 days in total. And the success was so huge that every night, you have dozens of thousands of people coming to look at it. That's why the mayor of Paris and the French president decided to keep it.Jerome Giacomoni: And just after the deflation of the balloon, they call us back and say, 'Jerome and Mathieu, we would like to have the balloon back.' So we work again with the city of Paris and the French presidency, and we agreed to put the balloon.Jerome Giacomoni: Three times, three months. So from June 21st, in France, this is a music event, you know, the Day of Music. To September 14th, which is a day of sport. So every year until the Olympic game of LA, we will operate the balloon for three months in the summertime. Fantastic.Andy Povey: So, Jerome, you operate in lots and lots of different countries all over the world. I think it's 14 countries that you've been.Jerome Giacomoni: No, we sold, but we operate only in the US and in France.Andy Povey: Ah, okay. Interesting.Jerome Giacomoni: We own ourselves, we operate ourselves, six balloons in the 120 we have sold. So we operate three in Paris region. One, the Parc André Citroën, where we have the Generali balloon since 1999. One in Disneyland Paris since 2005. So we are in Disneyland Paris for now 20 years. Time is flying. And the last one, the Cold Run, which is a very specific event that we operate now for one year and for the next two years. And in the US, we operate Disney World Orlando in Disney Spring since 2009, and San Diego Zoo Safari Park since 2005, and Irvine. South of LA since 2007. So we operate now six balloons for a long, long time, except the cold run. And we keep selling balloons.Jerome Giacomoni: We sell more or less five to six balloons every year.Andy Povey: And how do you find the differences between the French culture and you're on either side of America, so the differences between the different coasts of America and France?Jerome Giacomoni: Yes, we... We are in the US, but we are also in Mexico, in a lot of countries in Asia. In the Middle East, we have a beautiful balloon in Dubai. We have a beautiful balloon in Seoul. So we work a lot with very different cultures. You know, it's very interesting to sell the same product to different cultures. So I would say... The main difference probably lies in the contract. It's very funny when you make the contract. I would say a 'yes' is not the same 'yes' depending on the culture. But everybody is, you know, you... You love people when you work worldwide. You learn a lot, you discover a lot. You have to learn with different cultures. And I have the chance in my professional life to experience that and to meet people from all over the world. And, you know, my job is to go on site, and discuss with someone, and see if it's possible or not to have a balloon at this place.Jerome Giacomoni: So it's always a beautiful job because I travel in a lot of countries in beautiful spots.Jerome Giacomoni: We don't succeed a lot because, if not, I would have sold thousands of balloons. We have always constraints with local authority, with food traffic, etc. But always, it's a pleasure to meet people. And once... The balloon is accepted by the local authority when the customer has a finance for it. Then start more or less a one-year work together between installation, work on site, inflation, and training of the team. And after... They fly with their own wings, even if we have no wings with our balloons.Andy Povey: Very good. And I imagine that you don't put balloons into ugly places.Jerome Giacomoni: We did, sometimes for specific contracts. Ugly, I won't use this name, but not very obvious, logical site. But it has happened. Sometimes we do for small events or for specific needs.Jerome Giacomoni: But yes, most of the time, the sites are very interesting.Andy Povey: So there are other things you're doing with the balloons. So the air quality messaging that you have above Paris. Tell us more about your opportunities to influence in other areas.Jerome Giacomoni: Yes, you know, the balloon is not only a ride, a passenger ride, but it's also an amazing opportunity for communication and for advertisement. So in the city center, like Paris, Berlin, or Seoul, the balloon is used also as a giant advertising billboard. So you have two revenues. You have the revenue of the passenger, but you have also the sponsor revenue.Jerome Giacomoni: When we started the balloon in Paris, it was extremely difficult to get the authorisation to have a balloon in Paris centre. We are two kilometres south of the Eiffel Tower. But you remember, we had the famous Millennium, the Y2K. uh and and so the mayor faris was looking for a new idea and we propose a balloon And they gave us only a one year and a half contract. And the investment was quite huge. And we told him, OK, we can do it, but we cannot do it for only one year and a half. Except if you accept that we have a name on the balloon, a naming and a sponsor on the balloon. And the mayor say yes. And we start another business where we put sponsor on the balloon. And this is a very good business because it makes a... activity immediately profitable so we did that in Paris in 1999 and in 2008 the balloon was like 10 years old because when you fly you have your the balloon is huge we talk about a 32 meters high balloon we talk about like a 12-story building.Jerome Giacomoni: So everybody knows the balloon in Paris. Everybody can see it. And so, when we fly, we have 400,000 people who immediately see us. So we decided to give citizen aspect. And we start— pour changer le couleur de la balle selon la qualité de l'air. C'était en 2008. Et parce que nous l'avons fait, nous avons des scientifiques... coming to us and say, 'Hey, this balloon is a wonderful platform to measure air quality because you make like a carrot of the air from zero to 150 meters. Jerome Giacomoni:  Can we bring some scientist instrument on the gondola? And we say yes. And then we start to make science. And then we start to make scientific publications, scientific publications. And then we start a new business where the balloon is not only a tethered gas balloon for passenger, it's only... advertising billboard and now it's only a scientific platform and so this is very interesting and the last things we have done in 2024 no this year in 2025 is to use the balloon for global climate change. As you know, we have two main gas pollutants for the climate change, CO2 and CH4. And the balloon is a perfect platform to measure evolution on CO2 and CH4. So we are working with a European group named ICOS. gathering all the best laboratories in Europe, who are making a huge study on how CO2 and CH4 how they are in each city.Jerome Giacomoni: And Paris has been chosen as a pilot city. So we are very glad to work with them. And so now the Balloon is also working on climate change. And we will have big, big, big LED screen. So we make some technology sometime, as you said, to inform people on the temperature elevation in Europe and in the world. And the news are very bad, as everybody knows.Andy Povey: But that's fascinating. I love the integration you've been able to take from this unique proposition and apply it to different markets, different problems.Jerome Giacomoni: You know, Andy, I think we have to exit from the box. My message to... all people who are listening to us.Jerome Giacomoni: Okay, passenger rides is very important. It's a key market for many of us. But sometimes we can use... another way to find new flow of revenue, like advertising, and we can be also helpful to our other citizens, like working freely for scientists to make measurements on pollutants of the air. This helps with both air quality and also climate change.Andy Povey: It's a beautiful concept, Jerome. I love it. Love it.Andy Povey: So, final question. Your experiences are obviously very unique. What advice would you have for a venue and possibly a smaller venue that doesn't have the resources to be able to build something 150 metres high or put something 150 metres into the air? What advice would you give them on how to make a compelling experience for visitors?Jerome Giacomoni: I really believe that you have to stick on your roots, okay? I mean that people want authenticity.Jerome Giacomoni: And as you know, we are very keen on balloons, as you can imagine. So we make in our, you know, Paris, it's in Paris where you have the first flight. Yeah. In 1783. Montgolfier, brothers. Yes, with the Montgolfier brothers, with Charles, the scientist. So we really stick on our roots. And I think where you are in Brittany, where you are in Japan, you have to follow your own road and your own path. By feeling what could be the good idea, but also what is your feeling inside you. You need to have something different that you feel very confident with.Andy Povey: Beautiful final thought, Jerome, I like it a lot. So listeners, stay authentic and be passionate.Jerome Giacomoni: Exactly, the right word is passionate.Paul Marden: Next up, let's get some soundbites from the show floor.Rheanna  Sorby: My name's Rheanna. I'm Marketing and Creative Director for the Seasonal Group. We are curators of Christmas magic all year round. Wow, wow.Paul Marden: So you make Christmas special?Rheanna  Sorby: We're the Christmas elves.Paul Marden: Awesome, awesome. I can see you've got such a great set of stands. What have you got here that you're exhibiting for the first time?Rheanna  Sorby: We have Santa's Enchanted Express, which is a three-minute experience that transports customers and guests from a very festive train station to the North Pole in just under three minutes. So it's quite a Christmas miracle. And it also transports on nine pallets. So it's a great return on investment for customers there if it's 24 people on. We also have our elevator experience, which went viral last year. And then we have VR, animatronics, and a lot of our famous items, like the snowman here, just dressed as a little, it's some sort of operator.Paul Marden: Yeah, yeah, yeah, absolutely. So we don't have a lot of luck with lifts at the moment because the team got stuck in a lift yesterday for about 45 minutes. Stop it. We got rescued by the... Well, I didn't get in the lift. I walked because there wasn't enough room. But two of them had to be rescued by the fire brigadeRheanna  Sorby: Okay, so this might be triggering. Well, you know.Paul Marden: Oh, no, I found it hilarious.Paul Marden: I was hugely supportive on the outside, yelling into them.Paul Marden: But Santa won't let me get stuck in a lift today, will he? Absolutely not.Rheanna  Sorby: No, there's an emergency exit. Excellent.Paul Marden: So what's new and innovative then about the Santa Express? What are you bringing to market?Rheanna  Sorby: So a lot of our clients, we sell business to business. They're struggling to get people into shopping centres and we're finding that we need to create retail theatre. So that is something I see as a massive trend moving forward. People want nostalgia. They want an experience, something memorable. But also our customers need a way to return investment as well. So they hopefully will spend something with us and then ticket the experience. So that's something that we're pivoting our business towards. Trying to create a brand new experience every year. A lot of people are struggling nowadays, cost of living.Paul Marden: Yeah, absolutely.Rheanna  Sorby: It's difficult, so we're trying to find a way that brings the Christmas magic to people's doors.Paul Marden: We are, where are we at the moment? We're in September, so we've still got a couple of months left before Christmas 2025, but that must be over for you.Rheanna  Sorby: No, the quality of the street is on the shelves. It's already happening. The install season starts literally on Monday for us. Really? Yes. When we get back, we land and then we start installing.Paul Marden: And so this is the busy time. So let's talk about Christmas 2026. What are the trends that you see coming along at that point?Rheanna  Sorby: Whimsical, whimsical. So we've got Wicked number two coming out. And we've also had all like the Whoville, that sort of style, the Grinch. So imagine pastels, furry trees, things that don't quite make sense, a lot of whimsical wonderland, I would say, trend-wise. But equally immersive experiences and how we can bring magic to you.Paul Marden: Wonderful, wonderful. Thank you ever so much. Rheanna, it's been lovely to meet you. Thank you for coming on the podcast. And let's go and visit Santa in his lift, shall we? Yeah, excellent.Paul Marden: And here it is. So we are surrounded by suites in an old-fashioned lift. And there's our doors closed.Paul Marden: Oh, how amazing is this? We're going up.Paul Marden: Ice like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The Great Glass Elevator. This is amazing. We're up over the clouds. Just stunning. There's a train there. I think we're going to follow into the tunnel after the train. Yes.Paul Marden: Got cold, now we're underground. Now we're in the tunnel.Paul Marden: And I think this might be Santa's factory.Paul Marden: Let's get ready.Paul Marden: Merry Christmas. The big man's chair as well. Can I take a seat in the big man's chair? Ho, ho, ho.Sohret Pakis: Hi, Paul. My name is Shorhet Pakis. I'm the brand ambassador for Polin Waterparks.Paul Marden: What are you launching this year at IAAPA? What's new for you?Sohret Pakis:Last year, we have won two big awards for a themed water slide, which is... Stingray it was in Nantes in France and it was something big because you know it was like Europeans best water slide number one and I have a brass ring award winner about two million number one but last night in Porta Ventura Stingray has won the second time best water slide of Europe award. But we have something new about it. Last year when I was telling about Stingray, it was an eight-person slide. This year we have something new. Now the capacity went up to 10, especially when we're talking about all these queue management issues. So that's something wonderful. And also, you ask, what is new? This year, we have something very exciting. A parrot-themed stingray. It's the same slide, but it's parrot-themed.Sohret Pakis: It's coming to Dubai by January. It's going to be open.Paul Marden: So can I ask you, what makes that innovative? What's new about that?Sohret Pakis: Actually, it's a very specifically themed waterslide. You know that POLIN has been pioneer in RTM manufacturing and U-texture. It's kind of a composite material technology which we can make waterslides look.  Look like a character, actually. We are the company who did this first because we said that storytelling is very important. Yes, but you know, slides are just slides. So we just wanted the slides look like the characters in that story. Of course, behind that, there is huge material technology, composites technology, design technologies. Actually, that's the time when we introduced King Cobra years ago. And now with Stingray, we took it much further. So actually, the team looks perfectly like a Stingray, but at the same time, it's a water slide with so many features. It has two big towers and between the towers, there's a bridge. From each tower, two slides start with a very special mist roofing and very special bridge where you can just see what's happening all over the slide.Paul Marden: So the queuing experience is enriched so it doesn't feel quite so long and boring because you can watch what everyone is doing.Sohret Pakis: It is, yes.Paul Marden: Super impressive. So we have been asking everybody to think about what are their predictions for 2026?Sohret Pakis: Everybody is talking about AI. Everybody is talking about immersive. So AI, of course, will make a huge difference in operation, especially.Paul Marden: In what way?Sohret Pakis: Actually, in guest satisfaction, because personalisation is very important in our industry. Whoever comes to the park, they are the heroes at the park. And so actually, if the park can make them feel that they are the heroes, truly— if that's their birthday, if that's their wedding anniversary, so whatever. If the park can make you feel that you're special, and thanks to technology, now it's possible.Paul Marden: Absolutely. That's so interesting. Thank you so much for your insights and for joining us on Skip the Queue. Thank you.Thomas Collin: I'm Thomas, I'm from VEX Solutions, so we are a VR company at the start, and now we're going to the arcade with mixed reality as well. Okay, so that's a nice link. What are you launching here at IAFA? So here for the first time we are introducing VEX Party Dash. The Party Dash is a mixed reality arcade machine. So automated, people can go on it, play on it. You have two huge screens that are really highly interactive. You can walk on the screen, you can touch the screen. The goal is really to make you moving. So that's what we want to do with the Dash.Paul Marden: That's amazing, isn't it? So we're watching people at the moment. You can see lights up on the floor that they're stepping on and on the wall.Thomas Collin: What is really the key aspect of this product is that it's highly attractive. People, they just go around, they stop by it, they want to try it. Actually, we can say, 'Hey, come and try it,' because we watch you, we see you. So we can say, 'Hey, come and try it.' And people stop by, they play it. It's highly immersive, but also highly active. Yes. You're just not standing on an arcade, sitting down. No, you're really moving around. So, this is really good for kids and families. Absolutely. That's what we see.Paul Marden: So, where do you see this being used? What sort of attractions will take this?Thomas Collin: Actually, with this product, it can go either in the attraction side or either at the arcade side. So, you can play it as one game, and you can play a three-minute game like an arcade, or you can actually book for 15 minutes. Since there is not a single game, but multiple games, you can play different games, you can play different levels inside the main gate. So you have a high replayability. Because we want you to come back, we want to attract the gamers, and then make them come back.Paul Marden: 15 minutes with this much activity sounds like quite a tall order. It's a workout.Thomas Collin: It's a workout. It's a workout. Yeah, yeah, yeah.Peter Cliff: Hi, my name is Pete Cliff. I'm from Conductr. We're here in Barcelona and it's so exciting to be back at IAAPA. Now, what we're super excited about this year is talking about our collaboration with Norwegian Cruise Lines on Great Stirrup Cay. It's their new water park. It's a great project. We're excited to talk to people about it. It's also lovely to be back in Barcelona. It's been, I think, about six years since we were last back here, and it's always one of my favourite European cities for IAPA. It's great to meet with people from the industry, reconnect with old colleagues and friends, and really see what's happening. There's a huge amount of innovation and special projects that are launching all over the show floor. So yeah, great to be back, and can't wait to see what the future of the themed entertainment industry has to offer.Laura Baxter: My name is Laura Baxter. You may know me as the girl with the purple jumpsuit on LinkedIn. I am the head of marketing for Black Gang Shine, but have most recently just announced that I've gone into freelancing and I've launched your CMO.Paul Marden: And I have to say, the jumpsuits work because I was about 50 metres behind you earlier on and I spotted the Your CMO logo on the back of the jumpsuit, so well done for that. We've talked to a lot of suppliers with stands that are exhibiting. From your perspective, this is your first time stepping over to the dark side and coming to an IAPA. What's the experience like for you? What are you here to get out of the show?Laura Baxter: I'd say it's twofold. Mainly it is for networking. Obviously anybody who's anyone in the industry is here. But also, it's inspiration because I want to be able to talk about new and exciting stuff with... Potential clients that I may have and ideas still for Black Gang as well. So, when you walk around show floor, which is just so vibrant and there's so much going on everywhere—you turn, you can draw inspiration from so many of the suppliers here.Paul Marden: What have you seen that's innovative?Laura Baxter: There's a huge amount of stuff being done with tech and it's very interesting because I think that's where a lot of people are going to think that they need to go, because that's the way of the world now, and the next generation don't know life off of a screen and they're expecting to have these incredible digital experiences.Laura Baxter: I'm not convinced that is the way to go. But yes, it's still impressive tech. So for me, there are things that I stand back out and look at and I'm like, 'Whoa, that's really, really cool.'Laura Baxter: I'm not so sure it's potentially what consumers want, though, controversially.Paul Marden: It's really hard, isn't it? Because as a parent of young kids, you want them off the tech as much as you possibly can. But you need a hook. To be able to attract them, don't you? So there's been some amazing stuff here that bridges that gap between the real world and the tech world. So, summer season 2025 is over. What are your predictions about summer 26 and what operators should be thinking about right now?Laura Baxter: It's a really tough market, we all know that. Budgets are tight for households, so there is an awful lot more thought going into their spending and what they're doing and where they're choosing to take that little bit of disposable money that they do have. Therefore actually I don't think next year operators should be thinking about huge innovations or new attractions. I think they need to strip back to basics and nail their customer service. I think guest expectations now are so high. because they're parting with money that is a little bit more precious to them than perhaps if they don't leave at the end of that day having had a good experience they feel ripped off they're going to go straight to review platforms they're going to let it all out and actually you need to be focusing on making sure that every single touch point with that customer is bang on and we're talking pre-visit as well from the your website journey to buying it to the follow-up emails to the pre-visit emails to that first person they meet on front of house to the ride operators to the events team if you have that kind of entertainment on park if you are not nailing your experienceLaura Baxter: You are going to lose out well.Paul Marden: I think we should end it right there. That there is a nugget of gold.Paul Marden: So I am here with co-host Andy Povey and our good friend Josh Haywood from Crealy down in Devon.Josh Haywood: Hello.Paul Marden: It's the end of day two. What have you seen, Josh? What's blown your socks off?Josh Haywood: Good couple of days so far. We're probably into 40,000 steps, which is great. I think technology is the thing that struck me this week so far. Just the small changes that some of the operators and some of the manufacturers are putting into their existing kits. So, for example, I attended a seminar this morning about bowling. and normally temping bowling is temping bowling. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But now there's augmented reality, and they've got features on the lanes, and it's not about just taking all the pins down, it's taking pin one and six out, and all those things they're trying to do to reinvent older, more traditional attractions, which I think I find really interesting. Yeah. I think some of the seasonality stuff, the Christmas and Halloween stuff has been really good. We sat on a train and went on a journey and the seats rumbled and the sound and the visual effects, they were great.Paul Marden: I saw that. There was no room for me to go and sit on that train. It was amazing.Josh Haywood: I thought that was really good. And, you know, I've been really impressed with generally the show. I think you can get around it all as well. It feels really friendly. I think the sun shining always helps as well. It's not too tough, is it?Paul Marden: I mean, the last time we were in Barcelona, we were all wearing face masks. Absolutely, yes. So it's really refreshing to be back here. And not have that.Josh Haywood: Absolutely. And not have to queue to get in as well. I think that was interesting on the first day.Paul Marden: Oh, did they see you and then just wave you through?Josh Haywood: Red carpet was up for, of course, award-winning theme park and resort. Paul Marden: Mr. Hayward. Did you say award? Winnie and obviously you're on the back of your two awards in the theme park awards last week. How was that? And then we've got some really exciting news from Creeley.Josh Haywood: I saw it at the press this morning. Yes, so a couple of things happened last week. So first of all, we had our anniversary 25 years of Maximus the Coaster. The Vekoma Coaster, 25 years. The first coaster in Devon. It was Devon's first coaster, over half a million riders later. It's done 2 million miles around the track. It's great. So we did a sort of event for that, and we used it to sort of make some announcements about future attractions, which I'll tell you about in a minute. But then we went to the Theme Park Awards last week at Wickste Park, where... We've been the recipients of a few bronze and silvers, and we go being little old us and hope for the best. And then the award I really wanted to win was one of two: the best for families and the best for value. And when the family award came up, they said, 'In bronze is such and such, in silver.' And I was like, 'Well, there you go.' That's all that's left for another year. And then when they said the win at gold was cruelly for best for families, we were delighted. I got a bit emotional about it. I think we would just work so hard over the years to be the best in the Southwest, certainly. And certainly since we put Sootyland in as well. We won the award for Toddlers.Josh Haywood: So it was a double wham. And within 10 minutes as well. It wasn't separated. Within 10 minutes, I just got my breath back from the first one. And then we were up on stage again taking that second award. Oh, it's tough, isn't it? Which was great, yeah. Multi-award winning. Multi-award winning theme parking resort. Devon's finest. Most right in Devon. We're just going to... absolutely bleep the hell out of this for the next 12 months because who knows we may not win it again so we'll just shout from the treetops about this and then we also won thanks to martin rose and rose events uh silver for best entertainment event for the city show It's still very popular, the legacy brand. People love the Sooty show. And as I said at the awards, we sell loads of those puppets. People love a Sooty and a Sweep. So it's been a really good collaboration for us.Paul Marden: We were at our first away day for our Merak team back a few months ago down at Creeley, and I found a little sooty puppet underneath the lectern. I was absolutely chuffed to bits. And there he was, just sitting at the front of the away day, watching everything going on with Sue next to him.Josh Haywood: He's still popular. We understood when we put Cityland in, it wasn't going to be Peppa Pig. world and we didn't think for a minute we'd even sort of get to those heights of Thomas Land at Drayton Manor but it certainly hit a chord with the older market certainly the nannies and the granddads who remember such from when they were kids and you know it's a legacy brand and it works but what we have done really well is sort of corner that market for younger children and toddlers and we Sort of took some comments over the last 12 to 18 months that we may be missing the mark when it comes to the 8 to 12-year-olds, which we were pretty good at five or six years ago. So we've decided this year that we're going to invest in some thrill attractions. So we've just launched news that we've got two new rides going in next year. One, I can't tell you exactly because we're still going under. Got some planning issues, but we're going to have the Southwest tallest ride and the Southwest first inverted ride. So a multi-million pound investment going in and hopefully that will give us another boost that we need to kick on again. We've still got new accommodation going in. We'll still be doing new events and shows for next year.Josh Haywood: So it's going to be a bumper year for Crealy. Absolutely.  I really look forward to that.Paul Marden: I look forward to you being on the launch ride.Paul Marden: Me down on the ground watching and videoing.Josh Haywood: What they have said, which is really interesting, we spoke to an operator, there's only one other ride like it in the UK, and that operator said, whatever you do, make sure when you put the ride in, you fit a hose pipe and a tap right in. Because you may be washing the seats down more than you would usually on your current ride. So, yeah, it certainly will add that next level of ride experience to our family market.Paul Marden: Yeah, I think that's super important, isn't it? Mr. Povey, what have you seen today that has blown your socks off?Andy Povey: I'm really looking for the place to go and get some more soft, comfortable socks. I've walked so much. I've stood around and listened to so many fantastic talks, had so many brilliant conversations. I'm done. My feet hurt. I need to sit down and have a beer.Paul Marden: Well, I hate to break it to you, but there's another day left. And there's still more interviews to do. Still more opportunities for us to get some interesting stories on Skip the Queue.Andy Povey: Look forward to that.Paul Marden: Gentlemen, I think we're about done. So thank you ever so much. It has been a joy. And Mr. Povey, see you back here tomorrow. Josh, wonderful as always.Josh Haywood: Maybe see you at OrlandoPaul Marden: Oh. Absolutely, yeah.Josh Haywood: We'll do it againPaul Marden: Thanks for listening to today's episode. If you liked it, leave a comment in Spotify or Apple Podcasts. If you didn't, let us know on hello@skipthequeue.fm. Today's episode was a team effort for Sami and Emily from Plaster, Steve from Folland Co., as well as Claire and Wenalyn from Skip the Queue HQ. We're back again tomorrow for more fun from IAAPA, including Andreas Andersen from Liseberg, one of Scandinavia's most visited parks. See you all tomorrow. The 2025 Visitor Attraction Website Survey is now LIVE! Dive into groundbreaking benchmarks for the industryGain a better understanding of how to achieve the highest conversion ratesExplore the "why" behind visitor attraction site performanceLearn the impact of website optimisation and visitor engagement on conversion ratesUncover key steps to enhance user experience for greater conversionsTake the Rubber Cheese Visitor Attraction Website Survey Report

Reeling from Rebecca's departure, Raylan expects a final lecture from his father. Instead, he receives a piece of shockingly profound advice about love and duty, comparing Rebecca's fire to his mother's and urging him to build a fortress worth returning to.Some secrets are worth dying for. Some are worth killing for.---Intimidated that you're dozens of episodes behind and afraid to start listening? Don't be. Here's a handy Listener's Guide that let's you know spots where you can start listening further in the story.---Interested in the development of the complex story and want to know how writer Jake Kerr puts it together every week? Want an ad-free experience? Subscribe to his Patreon. Love world building? Want ongoing updates? Free members get ongoing story updates with interesting reference material about the guild hierarchy, geography, and history. Free Patreon members also receive copies of the first Thieves Guild ebook. The next book will be released in 2025 and Patreon members will also receive that book (and all subsequent books!) for free, too. Want to go directly to get your free books? Click here.---If you would like to view a map of Ness, you can find it here.----Grab some Thieves Guild merch!https://store.podcastalchemy.studioBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-thieves-guild--6141933/support.Want to support The Thieves Guild and show runner Jake Kerr? Join our Supporter's Club on Spreaker. In early 2026, we'll be providing ad-free episodes and other special content. You can find out more here.---Check out all of our drama podcasts!Artifacts of the ArcaneA historical urban fantasy set at the beginning of World War Two. The world has abandoned magic, but magic hasn't abandoned the world.https://podcastalchemy.studio/arcaneThursdayA cyberpunk VR thriller.No one can be trusted when nothing is real.https://podcastalchemy.studio/thursday----Find out more about writer Jake Kerr: https://www.jakekerr.comFollow Jake on Bluesky @jakekerr.com

Ralan returns to the Thieves Tower to find a thriving, integrated community and two mysterious new arrivals who speak of magic. But his welcome is cut short by a grim warning: in his absence, a new, ambitious leader has risen who believes the guild is better off with him in charge.Some secrets are worth dying for. Some are worth killing for.---Intimidated that you're dozens of episodes behind and afraid to start listening? Don't be. Here's a handy Listener's Guide that let's you know spots where you can start listening further in the story.---If you would like to view a map of Ness, you can find it here.----Grab some Thieves Guild merch!https://store.podcastalchemy.studioBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-thieves-guild--6141933/support.Want to support The Thieves Guild and show runner Jake Kerr? Join our Supporter's Club on Spreaker. In early 2026, we'll be providing ad-free episodes and other special content. You can find out more here.---Check out all of our drama podcasts!Artifacts of the ArcaneA historical urban fantasy set at the beginning of World War Two. The world has abandoned magic, but magic hasn't abandoned the world.https://podcastalchemy.studio/arcaneThursdayA cyberpunk VR thriller.No one can be trusted when nothing is real.https://podcastalchemy.studio/thursday----Find out more about writer Jake Kerr: https://www.jakekerr.comFollow Jake on Bluesky @jakekerr.com

Follow me @samirkaji for my thoughts on the venture market, with a focus on the continued evolution of the VC landscape.Welcome back to another episode of Venture Unlocked, the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of the business of venture capital.In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Mercedes Bent about her fascinating journey from a tech-driven upbringing to becoming a leading venture capitalist. We discussed how her unique background informs her investment philosophy and the importance of originality and non-consensus thinking in today's VC landscape. Our conversation also covered the challenges and opportunities in consumer technology, the transformative impact of AI, and strategies for portfolio construction. One of my key takeaways was the critical role of intuition in identifying exceptional founders, as well as the value of building compounding networks and staying ahead of platform shifts. It was an insightful discussion that offered practical lessons for anyone interested in the future of venture capital. We hope you enjoy the conversation.Thanks for listening to another episode of Venture Unlocked. We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Mercedes. If you'd like to get Venture Unlocked content straight to your inbox, go to ventureunlocked.substack.com and sign up, or go to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and subscribe. Thanks again for listeningAbout Mercedes BentMercedes Bent is a Venture Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners and Co-Founder of venture firm Premise. At Lightspeed, she focused on early-stage investments in consumer, fintech, multicultural markets, and Latin America. She began her career at the Federal Reserve and Goldman Sachs before moving into the education technology sector with General Assembly. At General Assembly, she helped expand one of the company's key product lines from $2M to $100M in revenue over four years. She joined Lightspeed in 2019 after developing a strong investment perspective in areas such as edtech, VR, and multicultural consumer products. At Lightspeed, she has invested in and worked with companies including Stori, Honeylove, Forage, Magic Eden, Outschool, and Flink. She has also been recognized in industry publications for her contributions to venture capital and efforts to broaden access to entrepreneurship.Lightspeed Venture Partners, founded in 2000, is a global venture capital firm managing over $25 billion in assets with offices across the U.S., Europe, Israel, India, and Southeast Asia. The firm invests from seed to growth stage across enterprise, consumer, fintech, healthcare, and emerging tech. Over the years, Lightspeed has backed more than 500 companies, including Snap, MuleSoft, Affirm, Carta, and Anthropic, and has been part of notable exits like AppDynamics and Nest. With a strong record of helping founders scale and succeed, Lightspeed is recognized as a leading partner for building category-defining companies.During the conversation, we discussed:* Mercedes's Background, Upbringing, and Early Career (1:45)* How Background Informed Firm Values/Culture (4:19)* The Gap in Consumer Technology Investing & Identifying Founders (8:40)* Non-Consensus Investing in Early Stage VC (10:01)* Startup Mentality and KPIs in Fund Management (15:06)* Sourcing vs. Winning Seed Deals – What Matters? (16:19)* Seed Manager vs. Large Fund Business Models (21:21)* Gifted TVPI vs. Earned TVPI, Portfolio Philosophy (26:22)* Consumer Sector's VC Downturn & New Tech Cycles (32:21)* The AI Consumer Technology Wave & Opportunity (35:33)* Identifying Product-Market Pull and Early Leading Indicators (37:08)* Shifts in Distribution Channels in AI (40:09)* Future-casting, Platform Shifts, and AI Companions (43:50)* Lessons from Years in VC & Trusting Intuition (44:27)* Final Thoughts and Takeaways (47:46)I'd love to know what you took away from this conversation with Mercedes. Follow me @SamirKaji and give me your insights and questions with the hashtag #venture unlocked. If you'd like to be considered as a guest or have someone you'd like to hear from (GP or LP), drop me a direct message on X. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ventureunlocked.substack.com

In this episode of TechMagic, host Lee Kebler is joined by Nic Hill, co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Sawhorse Productions, to explore the latest tech developments shaping our digital world. Together, they break down Meta Connect's memorable moments and mobile-first pivot with Horizon Worlds, Intel's surprising $5B partnership with NVIDIA, and Lee's first-hand experience with Waymo's autonomous vehicles. The discussion also covers TikTok's potential acquisition by Oracle and the future of AR glasses and spatial computing. With insider insights and thoughtful analysis, Lee and Nic unpack how legacy tech companies are navigating rapid innovation, offering a must-listen guide for tech enthusiasts and professionals alike. Cathy is away this week and will rejoin the show next week.Come for the tech and stay for the magic!Lee Kebler Bio:Lee has been at the forefront of blending technology and entertainment since 2003, creating advanced studios for icons like Will.i.am and producing music for Britney Spears and Big & Rich. Pioneering in VR since 2016, he has managed enterprise data at Nike, led VR broadcasting for Intel at the Japan 2020 Olympics, and driven large-scale marketing campaigns for Walmart, Levi's, and Nasdaq. A TEDx speaker on enterprise VR, Lee is currently authoring a book on generative AI and delving into splinternet theory and data privacy as new tech laws unfold across the US.Lee Kebler on LinkedInNic Hill Bio:Nic Hill is the Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Sawhorse Productions, a full-service production and post house specialising in branded content, commercials, and scripted and non-scripted shows. With over 12 years of experience, Nic has assembled a talented team of experts in video production, editing, and comedy. Passionate about immersive metaverse experiences that blur the line between film and gaming, he delivers innovative content for leading brands, studios, and agencies worldwide. Previously, Nic worked as an independent film director and editor, creating internationally acclaimed documentaries. Based in Los Angeles, he enjoys DJing, biking, and family time.Nic Hill on LinkedInKey Discussion Topics:00:00 Intro & Welcome from LA05:31 Inside MetaConnect: A Front Row Perspective08:15 Meta's Smart Glasses Evolution & Design Strategy21:27 Horizon Worlds' Mobile-First Transformation33:35 First-Hand Experience with Waymo's Self-Driving Cars40:45 NVIDIA's $5B Investment in Intel: Gaming's Future44:30 Oracle's TikTok Acquisition & Social Media Shifts51:25 The Smart Glasses Arms Race: Amazon & OpenAI Enter55:31 Final Thoughts: Alien Earth & AI Evolution Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this REWIND episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Mat Collishaw (recorded: Nov 2018). Mat Collishaw was a key figure in Damien Hirst's legendary Freeze exhibition, as well as Charles Saatchi's controversial [at the time] Sensations exhibition at the Royal Academy. Mat has used the latest VR technology to recreate William Henry Fox Talbot's 1839 photography exhibition, even including the Chartist's prodest. In his 2018 work, Mask of Youth, Mat collaborated with cutting-edge special effect designers to create a 'truer' interpretation of what Queen Elizabeth I may have looked like around the time her Armada Portrait was painted (the two works sit opposite each-other at The Queens House, Greenwich, London). To Support this podcast from as little as £3 per month: www.patreon/ministryofarts For full line up of confirmed artists go to https://www.ministryofarts.co.ukEmail: ministryofartsorg@gmail.comSocial Media: @ministryofartsorg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode of The Therapy Crouch, Abbey and Peter dive headfirst into some of the wildest Instagram threads you've heard. With outrageous weekly whines about VR porn addictions and kids who won't relax with the infamous “Shabba”. Expect fiery debates over Scousers vs. Wools and plant of laugh-out-loud moments.Things take a more heartfelt turn when they read a moving listener message about how the podcast has genuinely helped someone through a dark time—reminding us all of the power of laughter and connection.The pair also weigh in on relationship psychology tips from Instagram, parenting debates, and even the dangers of topless selfies popping up mid-work. In the Agony Abs, listeners write in with dilemmas ranging from messy friendship hook-ups to dropping hints for proposals, giving Abbey and Pete plenty to get stuck into with their no-nonsense advice.00:00 – Outrageous cheating confessions and VR porn horror stories00:20 – Abbey and Pete banter about fitness setbacks and wanky caviar crumpets04:24 – Abbey reads a moving listener message about mental health and survival07:29 – The couple discuss the importance of checking in on loved ones09:41 – Scousers vs. Wools: the postcode war heats up13:40 – The “Shabba” parenting nightmare—when kids take things too far14:26 – VR porn headset thrusting story sparks disbelief17:06 – Abbey and Pete react to Instagram ‘relationship psychology' tips22:08 – The massage vs. masturbation debate takes a hilarious turn28:02 – Do women really sleep worse next to men?38:25 – Awkward friendship hookup threatens to ruin everything42:01 – A listener begs for proposal tips and ring-shopping adviceEmail: thetherapycrouch@gmail.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetherapycrouchpodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetherapycrouch Website: https://thetherapycrouch.com/ For more from Peterhttps://twitter.com/petercrouchFor more from Abbeyhttps://www.instagram.com/abbeyclancyOur clips channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZntcv96YhN8IvMAKsz4Dbg#TheTherapyCrouch #AbbeyAndPete #RelationshipAdvice #Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

9/21/2025https://lordsofgaming.net/1) ADVANCEDGG Use Code "IRONLORD30" for 10% off https://advanced.gg/pages/partner-ironlords?_pos=1&_psq=ironl&_ss=e&_v=1.02)  ILP VALARI PILLOW Use Code "ILP15" valari.gg/?ref=ironlordspodcastroundtable3)  ILP MERCH: https://ironlordspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/allsofgaming.net/4) NZXT & IRON LORDS PC Use Affiliate LINK: https://nzxt.co/Lords5) HAWORTH Gaming Chairs & ILP Use Affiliate LINK: https://haworth.pxf.io/4PKj7M*********************************************************ILP Road to TokyoGameShow2025 ShowPremiered 9/21/2025*********************************************************Welcome to The Iron Lords Podcast!Be sure to visit www.LordsOfGaming.net for all your gaming news!ILP Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/6XRMnu8Tf1fgIdGlTIpzsKILP Google Play:play.google.com/music/m/Iz2esvyqe…ron_Lords_PodcastILP SoundCloud: @user-780168349ILP Itunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/iron-…uiR-IgF6cE9EQicIILP on Twitter: twitter.cm/IronLordPodcastILP on Instagram: www.instagram.com/ironlordspodcast/ILP DESTINY CLAN:www.bungie.net/en/Clan/Detail/178626The Iron Lords and the Lords of Gaming have an official group on Facebook! Join the Lords at:www.facebook.com/groups/194793427842267www.facebook.com/groups/lordsofgamingnetwork/Lord COGNITO--- twitter.com/LordCognitoLord KING--- twitter.com/kingdavidotwLord ADDICT--- twitter.com/LordAddictILPLord SOVEREIGN--- twitter.com/LordSovILPLord GAMING FORTE---twitter.com/Gaming_ForteILP YouTube Channel for ILP, Addict Show & all ILP related content: www.youtube.com/channel/UCYiUhEbYWiuwRuWXzKZMBxQXbox Frontline with King David: www.youtube.com/@xboxfrontlineFollow us on Twitter @IronLordPodcast to get plugged in so you don't miss any of our content.

Computer graphics pioneer Ken Perlin invented Perlin noise, a foundational tool used in nearly every area of computer graphics. In this episode of CG Garage, Ken shares his unique journey, starting with a childhood love for both art and mathematics. He recounts how his early work on the film Tron inspired him to invent Perlin noise and the foundational concepts of shaders, a breakthrough that laid the groundwork for modern GPUs and the photorealistic visuals we see today. His presentation of this work at SIGGRAPH in 1984 directly influenced companies like Pixar and permanently altered the landscape of visual effects. The conversation extends beyond historical innovation to a compelling discussion about the future. Perlin draws a sharp distinction between VR and XR, predicting that true mass adoption of immersive technology will only happen when devices become socially invisible, much like the iPhone's impact on personal communication. He posits that the future of technology is not about escaping reality but enhancing it, and that the ultimate "killer app" will be the ability to connect with others in a shared virtual space. We also dive into the role of AI as a creative tool, with Perlin arguing that while it's a powerful new medium, it remains a “recombinant” engine that lacks sentience and is ultimately a vehicle for human creativity and expression. Ken Perlin's Blog > Ken Perlin on Wikipedia > NYU Holodeck: Future Reality Lab > Future Reality Lab - Github >  

VR 7 - Part 1 of 2. Vapid Response Wednesday has been blessed with a surplus of truly awful takes in the days following the murder of MAGA luminary Charlie Kirk. After a brief reminder of who this man actually was in his own words, we go on to see who has achieved honors in categories ranging from Worst Obituary to Most Pretentious Response and beyond. (Next up: more of the worst, but also some of the best responses to this moment.) You can also watch this episode on YouTube! “Charlie Kirk: The American Socrates,” Owen Anderson, The Blaze (9/14/25) “Je Suis Charlie Kirk,” The Editors, The Free Press (9/12/25) “Charlie Kirk's Assassination Should Herald the End of the American Left,” John Daniel Davidson, The Federalist (9/12/25) “He May Have Pulled the Trigger But Charlie Kirk's Suspected Killer Didn't ‘Act Alone',” M.D. Kittle, The Federalist (9/12/25) “We must not posthumously sanitize Charlie Kirk's hateful life," Erin Reed, The Advocate (9/11/25) “Charlie Kirk's Legacy Deserves No Mourning,” Elizabeth Spiers, The Nation (9/12/25) Check out the OA Linktree for all the places to go and things to do! To support the show (and lose the ads!), please pledge at patreon.com/law!

SPONSORS: - Head to https://acorns.com/BEARS or download the Acorns app to get started. - Upgrade your wardrobe and save on @trueclassic at https://trueclassic.com/BEARS! #trueclassicpod - Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at https://shopify.com/bears. - Order a bottle of Por Osos and some killer merch online https://drinkporosos.com Hey look, it's your favorite podcast hosts, Tom Segura and Bert Kreischer! This week in the cave Bert kicks things off with a brand-new joke he swears is the best thing he's ever written, before diving into an emotional (and hilarious) story about his late bull mastiff, and the wild twist involving the family dog's long-lost sister. From there, the Bears riff on straight cat dads, Bert's “sleep divorce,” VR porn addictions, childhood prank calls, and even the lost art of memorizing phone numbers. Bert even calls his dead grandma and chit chats with scam caller live on air. The episode only gets wilder as Tom and Bert review real OnlyFans submissions from fans, debate who should be the first official “2 Bears OF star,” and spiral into some truly insane pitches that only these two maniacs could come up with. Plus: speech impediments, Elmer Fudd racism, trolling stories, gambling breakdowns from NFL Week 1, and Bert trying to recruit Zac Efron into a shirtless golf fantasy with their new NIL athlete. This might just be the best episode of this show in a long ass time, don't miss it. 2 Bears, 1 Cave Ep. 306 https://tomsegura.com/tour https://www.bertbertbert.com/tour https://store.ymhstudios.com Chapters 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:41 - Dogs & Cats 00:08:59 - VR Corn 00:17:30 - Memorizing Geography 00:23:24 - Memorizing Phone Numbers 00:31:35 - Prank Calls 00:37:59 - We Got Some OF Prospects 00:49:50 - Speech Impediments 00:53:45 - NFL Week 1 Gambling 00:59:51 - Bert Wants To Adopt Athletes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My guest is Dr. Christof Koch, PhD, a pioneering researcher on the topic of consciousness, an investigator at the Allen Institute for Brain Science and the chief scientist at the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation. We discuss the neuroscience of consciousness—how it arises in our brain, how it shapes our identity and how we can modify and expand it. Dr. Koch explains how we all experience life through a unique “perception box,” which holds our beliefs, our memories and thus our biases about reality. We discuss how human consciousness is changed by meditation, non-sleep deep rest, psychedelics, dreams and virtual reality. We also discuss neuroplasticity (rewiring the brain), flow states and the ever-changing but also persistent aspect of the “collective consciousness” of humanity. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AGZ by AG1: https://drinkagz.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman Our Place: https://fromourplace.com/huberman Helix: https://helixsleep.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Timestamps (0:00) Christof Koch (2:31) Consciousness; Self, Flow States (8:02) NSDR, Yoga Nidra, Liminal States; State of Being, Intelligence vs Consciousness (13:14) Sponsors: BetterHelp & Our Place (15:53) Self, Derealization, Psychedelics; Selflessness & Flow States (19:53) Transformative Experience, VR, Racism & Self; Perception Box, Bayesian Model (28:29) Oliver Sacks, Empathy & Animals (34:01) Changing Outlook on Life, Tool: Belief & Agency (37:48) Sponsors: AGZ by AG1 & Helix Sleep (40:23) Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) & Higher Power (42:09) Neurobiology of Consciousness; Accidents, Covert Consciousness (51:09) Non-Responsive State; Disability Bias, Will to Live, Resilience (55:34) Will to Live, Akinetic Mutism, Neural Correlates of Consciousness (57:43) Conflicting Perception Boxes, Meta Prior, Religion, AI (1:06:47) AI, Violence, Swapping Perception Boxes, Video (1:12:19) 5-MeO-DMT, Psychedelics, Light, Consciousness & Awe; Loss of Self (1:20:54) Death, Mystical Experience, Ocean Analogy; Physicalism & Observer (1:27:57) Sponsor: LMNT (1:29:29) Meditation, Tool: Spacetime Bridging; Ball-bearing Analogy; Digital Twin (1:36:16) Mental Health Decline, Social Media, Pandemic, Family & Play, Tool: Body-Awareness Exercises (1:41:34) Dog Breeds; Movement, Cognitive Flexibility & Longevity (1:47:17) Cynicism, Ketamine, Tool: Belief Effect; Heroes & Finding Flaws (1:52:46) Cynicism vs Curiosity, Compassion; Deaths of Despair, Mental Health Crisis (1:57:26) Jennifer Aniston, Recognition & Neurons; Grandmother Hypothesis (2:03:20) Book Recommendation; Meaning of Life (2:09:10) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices