Podcasts about Xanadu

The Silk Road was the most influential network of trade routes to ever exist. This episode is related to our next series and a listener request!Sources:Marco Polo: From Venice to Xanadu by Laurence BargreenThe Travels of Marco Polo by Marco Polo and Rustichello da PisaGenghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford

The Eurowhat AV Club finishes out the 1980 Disco Musical Trilogy (which includes The Apple and Xanadu) with CAN'T STOP THE MUSIC. Spoiler: We would like to stop the music...

Boorman and the Devil director David Kittredge walks hosts Josh Olson and Joe Dante through the movies he loves that a lot of other people think are terrible! Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode Boorman and the Devil (2026) The Exorcist (1973) Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977) The Exorcist III (1990) The Godfather (1972) The Godfather Part II (1974) Blow-Up (1966) Rocky (1976) Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978) Apocalypse Now (1979) Excalibur (1981) Grease (1978) Gremlins II: The New Batch (1990) The Apple (1980) Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026) The Odyssey (2026) Barbie (2023) Oppenheimer (2023) The Thing (1982) E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) Sorcerer (1977) The Wages of Fear (1964) Cruising (1980) Bad Boy Bubby (1993) Taxi Driver (1976) Dangerous Men (2005) Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970) The Black Hole (1979) Star Wars (1977) 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) Condorman (1981) The Watcher in the Woods (1980) Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) Can't Stop the Music (1980) The Fabulous Allan Carr (2017) Xanadu (1980) Hudson Hawk (1991) A History of Violence (2005) The Adventures of Ford Fairlane (1990) Batman Returns (1992) Batman Forever (1995) Looker (1981) The Stepford Wives (1976) Rosemary's Baby (1968) Animal House (1978) Midnight Madness (1980) Meatballs (1979) 1941 (1979) Jaws (1975) It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) Dumbo (1941) Scavenger Hunt (1979) The Love Guru (2008) Southland Tales (2007) Room 237 (2012) Ghost Boy (TBD) Spice World (1998) A Hard Day's Night (1964) Black Narcissus (1947) Other Notable Items Our revamped Patreon!  The Hollywood Food Coalition The Aero Theatre in Hollywood Mark Kermode John Boorman Martin Scorsese Michael Schultz The A-Team TV series (1983-87) Victor Hsu Aerosmith Earth Wind and Fire Steve Martin Carol Channing The New Beverly Cinema in Los Angeles Richard Kelly Robert Evans IMAX TCL Chinese Theatre Christopher Nolan John Carpenter William Friedkin Menahem Golan Rolf de Heer  Nicholas Hope Cinefile Video The Cannon Group Joss Ackland Walt Disney Pictures Roddy Macdowall Slim Pickens Anthony Perkins Michael Eisner Jeffrey Katzenberg ILM TFH Guru Edgar Wright The Venice Film Festival Caitlyn Jenner Allan Carr Valerie Perinne Steve Guttenberg The Village People Tammy Grimes Paul Sand Bill Butler Nancy Walker Disco Jeffrey Schwartz The cursed 1989 Rob Lowe Oscars Michael Beck Brain Dead Studios in Los Angeles Bruce Willis  Danny Aiello Andie MacDowell  James Coburn David Caruso Sandra Bernhard  Richard E. Grant Steven de Souza Daniel Waters TFH Guru Michael Lehmann The Unmaking of Hudson Hawk by David Hughes (2026) David Hughes' Rogue Commentary podcast Tim Burton Batman Val Kilmer  Nicole Kidman Michael Crichton Albert Finney Susan Dey Leigh Taylor-Young  HBO Rick Rossovich  Tim Rossovich CinemaScope Barry De Vorzon Michael J. Fox David Naughton Stephen Furst Andy Tennant CalTech Eddie Deezen  The Exorcist TV series (2016-17) Steven Spielberg The Zoot Suit Riots William Fraker Treat Williams Ned Beatty Dan Aykroyd John Belushi Joe Flaherty Christopher Lee Toshiro Mifune Warren OatesRobert Stack Mickey Rourke Wendie Jo Sperber Nancy Allen Murray Hamilton Lorraine Gary Tim Matheson  Columbia Pictures Universal Pictures Samuel Fuller John Williams The Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles Dick Miller Vincent Price Richard Benjamin James Coco Scatman Crothers Ruth Gordon Cloris Leachman Cleavon Little Roddy McDowall Robert Morley Richard Mulligan Tony Randall Dirk Benedict Willie Aames Stephanie Faracy Richard Masur Meat Loaf Avery Schreiber Arnold Schwarzenegger Mike Meyers Cannes Film Festival Rodney Ascher  Steven Poster  Moby Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Sean William Scott Saturday Night Live TV series (1975- ) Cheri Oteri John Lovitz Nora Dunn John Larroquette Miranda Richardson Justin Timberlake Kevin Smith Janeane Garofalo Wallace Shawn Zelda Rubinstein The Spice Girls Richard O'Brien Michael Powell Emeric Pressburger SpectreVision Radio is a bespoke podcast network at the intersection between the arts and the uncanny, featuring a tapestry of shows exploring creativity, the esoteric, and the unknown. We're a community for creators and fans vibrating around common curiosities, shared interests and persistent passions. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠spectrevisionradio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/spectrevisionsocial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Master shaper, Coronado native, and lifelong surfer, Dan Mann, joins Dave Prodan on The Lineup to pull back the curtain on a career that has taken him from shaping his first boards in the 1990s to working alongside Kelly Slater, Firewire and Slater Designs on some of the most refined high-performance surfboards in the world. Dan Mann has spent nearly three decades chasing the perfect surfboard, and breaks down his path into shaping, the influence of legendary San Diego shapers, like Rusty and Xanadu, the evolution from hand shaping to CNC technology, and why consistency and engineering have become such important tools in modern surfboard design. He also goes deep on his decade-long relationship with Kelly Slater, including the development of models like the FRK, S-Boss and other Slater Designs boards. Mann also takes Dave behind the scenes of Stab in the Dark X, where he built a board for Kelly Slater under intense time pressure, and discusses the aftermath of seeing his work and personality portrayed in the series. He reflects on the follow-up Ethan Ewing edition, where his board earned major praise and helped showcase the depth of his shaping philosophy. The conversation gets deep into the details of surfboard design, from PU vs. EPS and Firewire construction technologies to twins, quads, rocker, bottom contours and fin placement. Dan talks about his current Mannkine and Firewire projects, the possibility of helping develop the next generation of CT surfers, and how “not thinking as much” is his next state of happiness. Follow Dan Mann here. Check out his latest Mannkine shapes on Firewire here. And shop the latest Outerknown merch here! Stay tuned to the Outerknown Tahiti Pro Presented by I-SEA, Aug 8-18. Stay up to date with the rankings. Get the latest merch at the WSL Store! Join the conversation by following The Lineup podcast with Dave Prodan on Instagram and subscribing to our YouTube channel. Get the latest WSL rankings, news, and event info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August 10, 2026"Chilling With Bill (Gates) | The Daily MoJo Ep:081026"This episode of The Daily Mojo with Brad Staggs and Ron Phillips covers a wide range of current events and societal observations. Topics include medication recalls, corporate website policies, reckless tourism, geopolitical tensions, and historical tech discussions. The hosts also delve into legal matters concerning minors, political commentary, and the evolution of social media and communication.Phil Bell's Morning Update - Phil continues to recover and will return as soon as he can! Send up a prayer if will, please. Ron's TWISI: Mystified? You Stole Secrets!: HEREBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-daily-mojo-with-brad-staggs--3085897/support.WATCH: TheDailyMoJo.comRUMBLE: HERESPONSORS:GetMojoCBD.comCODE: 'dailymojo' 40% OFF!MoJoLaserProsFreaking Lasers customize EVERYTHING!SmellMyMoJo.comClean up and smell your best! CODE: 'dailymojo' 15% OFFMoJoMyPillow.comMike Lindell is a patriot. If you'd like a great deal and also support him, just do it!PrepareWithMoJo50.comBe prepared for life's emergencies!

Nancy and Sarah discuss the Hulu/FX series The Shards, the new Bret Easton Ellis and Ryan Murphy jam. The 1981 LA vibes are right in Sarah's sweet spot (Bonne Bell! Xanadu! The Go-Gos!). For Nancy, not so much, maybe because she lived it. They talk ennui and heroin overdoses and young people trying to prove nothing matters. Then it's onto the recent shocking Perez Hilton livestream. Celebrity is a mask that eats into the face, in this case (all cases?), tragically.Also discussed:* Nightie Day!* “My mom's poochie.”* Studio 54 days * Rich Angeleno kids = meh* Smoke ‘Em: Banned in Belarus!* Sarah doesn't read Nancy's existing books but asks her to write others* Wes Bentley's eyebrows * Rich kid names (Homer, Igby, Kaia)* “Touch it!”* Who IS Perez Hilton?* Attention monsters of the Internet* Women with long and thick silver hair, swoonPlus, This Week in Kyle Chandler, a dystopic LA short story from Nancy (NB: which was just too gd long to post; it's “X-Girl” in the collection), and much more!Attention please: Send us your letters! Subscribe to the YouTube. Buy Sarah's book! Sign up for Sarah's Substack LOVE ANYWAY. Do something.This one's a freebie - go ahead and subscribe!Nancy tells the story of a destroyed Jamie Slovak showing up in her yard at 6am on a June morning in 1988. His brother Hillel, guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, had just overdosed, and Jamie, who spent a lot of time at Nancy's West Hollywood house those days, needed comfort. Nancy has not seen Jamie in decades and was glad to learn just now that he is involved in this doc, which came out earlier this year.Episode Notes: “‘The Shards' Soundtrack Is Incredible – Here's Every Song From The First Two Episodes” (Elle/Yahoo)“Ryan Murphy and Bret Easton Ellis Team Up for FX's Predictably Excess-Soaked Tale of Prep-School Sex, Drugs and Murder” (Hollywood Reporter)The Bad Mother: A Novel, by Nancy Rommelmann“Perez Hilton ‘Will Require Surgery' After Live Stream Incident, Family Demands Media ‘Cease Photographing Perez's Children'” (Variety)Official Family Statement on PerezHilton.comThis Week in Kyle Chandler: What's in your hot box?Nancy: Nike Training Club appSarah: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit smokeempodcast.substack.com/subscribe

1. Xanadu, Sweet Lady & Dave Lee - Rappers Delight (Dave 'Love' Lee Sureshot Mix) 2. Saucy Lady - Why (7' Edit) 3. Michael Gray - Don't Want Anybody (feat. Kelli Sae) [Opolopo Remix] 4. Mike T & Dave Lee - Do It Any Way You Wanna (Dave 'Love' Lee Jazz Funk Revival Mix) 5. Oscar P, Chris Herrera & DJ Mike T Brown - Lets Get It (Norty Cotto Unreleased Remix) 6. Young Pulse & ELASI - Milano Formentera 7. Ken@Work - Je suis un Superstar 8. Saucy Lady & U-key - Butter (monolog Funkhouse Vamp) 9. Morttimer Snerd III - U & I (Miggedy's Full Dizko Slap) 10. Jaegerossa - Spirit (feat. Suki Soul) [Moodena Remix] 11. 40 Thieves - Don't Turn It Off (feat. Qzen) [Dam Swindle Remix] 12. Nova Fronteira - Everybody Loves the Sunshine (Emmaculate Extended Remix) 13. Walter G & Jay Caruso - From East to West (Soul Disco Extended Mix)

Send us Fan MailAre you ready for some stages in the Summer? First up, Brett Cullum talks with Denise Fennell Pasqualone about becoming a habit as Sister at Stages, now in her 19th year! Then he talks to Marco Comacho about being impossibly gay and incredibly tall in MEAN GIRLS. Finally, Kristen Herink and Miles Estes share their insights into bringing XANADU to life. Queer Voices airs in Houston Texas on 90.1FM KPFT and is heard as a podcast here.  Queer Voices hopes to entertain as well as illuminate LGBTQ issues in Houston and beyond.  Check out our socials at:https://www.facebook.com/QueerVoicesKPFT/ andhttps://www.instagram.com/queervoices90.1kpft/

Bobbin Headcast 242 - By Husky – 06/08/2026Follow us on the social links below www.facebook.com/bobbinheadmusicwww.soundcloud.com/bobbinheadmusicwww.twitter.com/bobbinheadmusicwww.instagram.com/bobbinheadmusic Track listing 1. Xanadu & Sweet Lady – Rappers Delight (Dave Lee's Mix) – Z Records 2. Husky & Akeem Raphael – Get It Down – Bobbin Head Music 3. Random Soul – Lay It On The Line (Jay Bhana Remix) – Random Soul Recordings4. Sio – Serious – Soul Quest Records 5. George Sida & Oliver Knight – Do You Believe – Large Music 6. Dave Mayer & Husky Feat Rona Ray – Bear With Me – Bobbin Head Music 7. Sonic Soul Orchestra Feat Mishell Ivon & Mr. V – Sueno Latino 26 (Groove P Remix) – People Watching8. Sante – You Don't Feel Me – Jackies Music 9. Random Soul – No Credit (Husky's Re-Groove) – Random Soul Recordings 10. Tseba & Cavi – It's Love – Sweat It Out 11. Husky– Breathe – Bobbin Head Music12. Francesco Capodaglio – It's All About Love – Fool's Paradise 13. The Trip – Body Talk – Tessellate 14. Jay Vegas – Makin Luv – Hot Stuff 15. Alaia & Gallo – Lipstick (Tony Romera Mix) – Toolroom 16. Dam Swindle – Do What You Want - PIV

The Eurowhat Movie Club celebrates the legacy of Olivia Newton-John's film career with a detour into the roller disco classic(?) Xanadu. And OH BOY do we have questions...

Send us Fan MailIt's a mean girl roller disco for old folks on Queer Voices this week! Brett Cullum talks to Kathryn Jacobson about playing Regina George at Queensbury Theatre starting up in August. R. Lee Ingalls talks to financial expert Tim Stokes about fraudsters targeting the elderly, and what we can do to protect them. And finally, Logan Vaden talks to Brett about resurrecting XANADU just in time for the Pride Parade! MEAN GIRLS: https://www.queensburytheatre.org/meangirlsXANADU:  https://matchouston.org/events/2026/xanaduQueer Voices airs in Houston Texas on 90.1FM KPFT and is heard as a podcast here.  Queer Voices hopes to entertain as well as illuminate LGBTQ issues in Houston and beyond.  Check out our socials at:https://www.facebook.com/QueerVoicesKPFT/ andhttps://www.instagram.com/queervoices90.1kpft/

Elizabeth is, by her own admission, an indoor cat in summer — sunburns in 15 seconds, prefers her outside time at dawn or dusk. This July she built a whimsy plan: 31 movies, a boundaried digital detox, and a running list of little things that delight her, to make sure her summer felt “summery”. In this episode:* The 31-movies-in-July project: a fast no on Fitzwilly, a charming surprise in The Reluctant Debutante, and a full roller-skating Xanadu spiral (plus a Kenny Ortega fact that connects way more dots than expected)* Two documentary recs: Martin Short and Billy Idol* What “boundaried” digital detox actually looks like — camera on for whimsical walk photos, podcasts off* Curating a weekly soundtrack with zero logic required* A soft, nostalgic detour into sprinkler summers, pajama dinners, and slipping into bed with nothing left to optimizeWhat's she's found so far is that plan was never really about the movies. It was about letting rest be simple again. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.radiantbadass.com

Theatre Victoria's T3 Showcase Saturday, June 27, 2026 - Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts 10:30 AM "Alice in Wonderland" 2:00 PM "XANADU"

Three years hence the War of the Knights...The old ways rang of their death knell, a fresh wind began to blow. The path the one knight chose, he continued being a knight even after.This week on Retro Encounter, our panel returns to discuss the second half of Falcom's oft-forgotten dark fantasy action RPG Xanadu Next. We cover the game's creative boss fights, the emergence of Castle Strangerock from the depths of Lake Orwell, and wax poetically about the bittersweet ending sequence. Give it a listen and find out why Xanadu Next remains one of Falcom's all-time classic titles.Featuring: Aleks Franiczek, Ben Love, Audra Bowling; Edited by Zach WilkersonOpening and ending music by Miles MorkriGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom

Miss Heard celebrates Season 7, Episode 356, where we revisit Olivia Newton-John with the 1980 hit "Xanadu," a song that became Electric Light Orchestra's only UK #1 single and one of Jeff Lynne's personal favorites.. We'll explore the song's surprising origins, the movie's journey from critical flop to cult classic, and some fascinating casting "what ifs," with male lead character Sonny Malone.   You can listen to all our episodes at our website at: https://pod.co/miss-heard-song-lyrics Or iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and many more platforms under Podcast name “Miss Heard Song Lyrics”   Please consider supporting our little podcast via Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/MissHeardSongLyrics or via PayPal at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/MissHeardSongLyrics   #missheardsonglyrics #missheardsongs #missheardlyrics misheardsonglyrics podcastinavan vanpodcast #OliviaNewtonJohn #Xanadu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKSB2O2Shts https://www.songfacts.com/facts/olivia-newton-john/xanadu https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xanadu_(Olivia_Newton-John_and_Electric_Light_Orchestra_song) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Lynne https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xanadu_(film) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Beck

Still...An ancient castle that only appears in the mist, and a holy sword that rests therein...It's like a fairy tale! Just hearing about it makes my heart beat faster!This week on Retro Encounter, a panel of Falcom afficianados (and one relative newcomer) explores the ruins of Xanadu Next's Harlech Island. Released all the way back in 2005 (and brought to US shores courtesy of XSEED Games in 2016), Xanadu Next is one of Falcom's oft-forgotten classics, with a dark, somber tone and slower pace influenced by Yasumi Matsuno's Ivalice universe (Vagrant Story in particular). We discuss Charlotte Wells and our unnamed protagonist knights' inauspicious start to their investigation of Harlech Island's ancient mysteries, how the game's combat compares to other isometric action RPGs like Diablo, and the merits of interconnected world design. Give it a listen if you love Falcom's golden era of PC releases, or if you're curious about the game's ingenious (at times frustrating) key economy.Featuring: Aleks Franiczek, Ben Love, Audra Bowling; Edited by Zach WilkersonOpening and ending music by Miles MorkriGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom

Today, I'm thrilled to announce my interview with Tony nominee Elizabeth Stanley, who will be starring in the newly announced production of Disruption. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including John Rando's mantra for ON THE TOWN, the unique vibe of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, what Stephen Sondheim changed about “You Could Drive A Person Crazy” in COMPANY, memories of Mark Brokaw and Adam Schlesinger, why CRY-BABY didn't succeed on Broadway, learning to skate for XANADU, performing THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY across the country, collaborating with Suzan-Lori Parks on THE RED LETTER PLAYS, her journey with JAGGED LITTLE PILL before and after the pandemic, what drew her to ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE, the genius of Savion Glover and Andy Blankenbuehler, and so much more. Don't miss this wide-ranging conversation with one of Broadway's best leading ladies.

Glenn Goodall is the winemaker for Xanadu Wines and took out the Prime Ministers Trophy for wine of show at the National Wine Show. He chats with Simon Nash and Jill Upton.@thewineshowaustralia @xanaduwines @nationalwineshow

Sports Xanadu bonus 743 Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:12:18 +0000 jn849xDv6Ivc6tneMWCmKFjz47d6i17I sports Sports Daily sports Sports Xanadu Wichita's popular morning local sports talk radio show is Sports Daily with Jacob Albracht and Tommy Castor. Listen live M-F 7a-11a on KFH! 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. Sports https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?feed-link=https%3A%2F%2Frss.amperwave.net%

"Everywhere I go, BetaKit is there. They grill me. Every time I say something, I say 'I wish I didn't say that' because BetaKit recorded it." Couldn't attend BetaKit Most Ambitious: Town Hall? Don't worry. Enjoy our Vantage Points panel on Canadian defence and dual-use tech, featuring leaders from Dominion Dynamics, Sentinel R&D, and Xanadu, followed by a fireside chat with AI Minister Evan Solomon. -- Amid global uncertainty, the path forward is clear: Canada's moment to build is now. Presented by Uber Canada, DMZ, and National Bank of Canada, BetaKit Most Ambitious is back, telling stories of nearly 100 Canadian innovators strengthening our nation's autonomy, security, and prosperity. Read BetaKit Most Ambitious now.

This Episode originally premiered on August 20th 2022 Xanadu, The Transformers Movie, Dirty Work, what do these movies have in common? These are the last films of famous movie actors?Join the X Millennial Man as they talk about the tragic stories of actors taking from us far too soon.Download the episode for free.

In this episode of Tank Talks: The Rundown, Matt Cohen and John Ruffolo break down a huge week across Canadian tech, quantum computing, SPACs, AI infrastructure, vertical SaaS, and the reported SpaceX IPO filing. They start with Xanadu's $300 million at-the-market equity facility and what it reveals about the funding challenge facing Canadian quantum companies that need billion-dollar scale capital to compete globally.John argues that Xanadu should use current market hype to fully fund the business now, even if short-term shareholders hate the dilution. From there, Matt and John unpack why quantum remains a long-term binary bet, why SPACs may be coming back for Canadian growth companies like UniUni, and why Clio's jump from $100 million to more than $500 million in ARR proves vertical SaaS is far from dead, especially when the product is mission-critical and deeply embedded.The episode then shifts to OpenAI, Anthropic, and the AI infrastructure boom, with John warning that massive top-line revenue can hide dangerous burn and accounting optics. Matt and John close with a deep debate on the reported SpaceX IPO, Starlink's growth, Starship risk, xAI, and Cursor being folded into the story, SPV cap table chaos, and whether trillion-dollar tech IPOs could pull capital away from the Mag Seven.Listen to this episode for a sharper read on where capital is really flowing across AI, quantum, SaaS, and space. Matt and John cut through the hype to show which tech narratives are built to last, and which ones could crack under pressure.Xanadu's $300M ATM Facility and the Quantum Funding Problem (00:49)Matt opens with Xanadu's $300 million at-the-market equity facility, explaining how the structure gives the company access to capital while raising questions about dilution, public market volatility, and the long-term cost of funding a quantum data center.John Ruffolo's Advice: Fund the Business While the Market Is Hot (02:45)John explains why Xanadu should take advantage of momentum in the public markets and raise as much primary capital as possible, even if short-term shareholders dislike the dilution.Why SPACs Are Coming Back for Canadian Growth Companies (07:17)Matt brings up UniUni's $1 billion SPAC agreement to list on the TSX, and John explains why companies struggling to raise late-stage private capital may see SPACs as their best path to primary money.Could Clio Be Canada's Next Major Tech IPO? (10:56)As Clio's valuation grows, John argues that the universe of private equity buyers gets smaller, making an IPO one of the more realistic paths for investor liquidity.The Accounting Trick John Says AI Investors Need to Watch (12:23)John criticizes the capitalization of compute, infrastructure, sales, marketing, and partnership costs, arguing that burn may be a better proxy for the real economics than adjusted profitability claims.The Reported SpaceX IPO and the $1.75 Trillion Valuation Debate (14:20)Matt introduces the reported SpaceX IPO valuation and breaks down how much of the story depends on Starlink growth, Starship launches, and the company's ability to scale space-based broadband.Why Everything Hinges on Starship (18:51)John explains that Starship is the key dependency behind the SpaceX story, because Starlink's ability to scale depends heavily on launch capacity, satellite economics, and execution.SpaceX vs. Canadian Banks: The Scale Shock (22:37)Matt points out that the reported SpaceX valuation could be roughly twice the combined market cap of Canada's big six banks, underscoring the staggering scale of the next wave of tech IPOs.The Early Investors Who May Win Big (25:26)Matt and John close by highlighting early institutional bets from Washington State University's endowment and Ontario Teachers, showing how patient capital in breakthrough companies can create generational outcomes.Connect with John Ruffolo on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/joruffoloConnect with Matt Cohen on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/matt-cohen1Visit the Ripple Ventures website: https://www.rippleventures.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tanktalks.substack.com

It's time to return to that place where nobody dared to go and that love we came to know... A place called Xanadu. Yes, it's time for Film Seizure to revisit another movie from the early days of our little show. This time with 100% more Chuck... and 0% less love for this kooky musical from Geoff! Episodes release on Wednesday at www.filmseizure.com "Beyond My Years" by Matt LaBarber LaBarber The Album Available at https://mattlabarber.bandcamp.com/album/labarber-the-album Copyright 2020 Like what we do? Buy us a coffee! www.ko-fi.com/filmseizure Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/filmseizure/ Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/filmseizure.bsky.social Follow us on Mastodon: https://universeodon.com/@filmseizure Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/filmseizure/ You can now find us on YouTube as well! The Film Seizure Channel can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/c/FilmSeizure

Our 242nd episode with a summary and discussion of last week's big AI news!Recorded on 04/22/2026Hosted by Andrey Kurenkov and Jeremie HarrisFeel free to email us your questions and feedback at andreyvkurenkov@gmail.com and/or hello@gladstone.aiRead out our text newsletter and comment on the podcast at https://lastweekin.ai/In this episode:OpenAI released a new ChatGPT image model that excels at accurate text and screenshot-like generations, suggesting a transformer-style approach aligned with agentic “computer use” ambitions.Chinese model activity accelerated with Alibaba's Qwen 3.6 Max Preview moving to an API-only offering, plus open releases from Moonshot AI (Kimi K2.6, a 1T-parameter MoE) and Minimax (Minimax M 2.7) showing strong benchmark results.Google expanded Deep Research with a “Max” option built on Gemini 3.1 Pro and MCP support for accessing proprietary data, while Mozilla reported using Anthropic's Claude to find and fix 271 Firefox bugs. Business and policy updates include a reported SpaceX–Cursor deal with a $60B buy option, Cerebras filing for an IPO, Amazon adding $5B to Anthropic alongside a $100B AWS spending pledge, and platform responses to synthetic media like AI music spam and YouTube deepfake takedown requests.Timestamps:(00:00:10) Intro / Banter(00:01:05) News Preview(00:01:41) Sponsors(00:04:41) Response to listener commentsTools & Apps(00:09:40) ChatGPT's new Images 2.0 model is surprisingly good at generating text | TechCrunch(00:16:02) Alibaba Drops Qwen 3.6 Max Preview—Its Most Powerful Model Yet - Decrypt(00:19:26) Google launches Deep Research and Deep Research Max agents to automate complex research(00:25:00) Mozilla Used Anthropic's Mythos to Find and Fix 271 Bugs in Firefox | WIRED(00:28:35) Ordering with the Starbucks ChatGPT app was a true coffee nightmare | The VergeApplications & Business(00:29:48) SpaceX is working with Cursor and has an option to buy the startup for $60B | TechCrunch(00:34:11) AI chip startup Cerebras files for IPO | TechCrunch(00:38:23) Two startups want to replace how AI learns: one just raised $180M, another is seeking up to $1B(00:38:56) Months-old start-up Recursive Superintelligence raises $500mn for self-teaching AI(00:41:36) Anthropic takes $5B from Amazon and pledges $100B in cloud spending in return | TechCrunch(00:45:09) Kevin Weil and Bill Peebles exit OpenAI as company continues to shed 'side quests' | TechCrunch(00:46:04) Meta hires five Thinking Machines Lab founders including a reported $1.5 billion engineer - Meta cuts 198 Bay Area jobs as even larger layoffs reportedly loom(00:50:12) Meta employees are up in arms over a mandatory program to train AI on their mouse movements and keystrokes(00:51:43) Chinese fabs import record volumes of US chipmaking equipment via Singapore and Malaysia — homegrown tool makers booked record 2025 revenues as price competition squeezes margins(00:54:01) Google Eyes New Chips to Speed Up AI Results, Challenging Nvidia(00:54:20) Canadian quantum company Xanadu soars to $16 billion valuation after Nvidia releaseProjects & Open Source(01:00:13) Moonshot AI releases Kimi-K2.6 model with 1T parameters, attention optimizations - SiliconANGLE(01:05:22) MiniMax Just Open Sourced MiniMax M2.7: A Self-Evolving Agent Model that Scores 56.22% on SWE-Pro and 57.0% on Terminal Bench 2 - MarkTechPostPolicy & Safety(01:06:25) Infusion: Shaping Model Behavior by Editing Training Data via Influence Functions(01:10:25) Scoop: NSA using Anthropic's Mythos despite blacklist(01:11:03) Unauthorized group has gained access to Anthropic's exclusive cyber tool Mythos, report claimsResearch & Advancements(01:17:21) Parcae: Scaling Laws For Stable Looped Language Models(01:24:20) OccuBench: Evaluating AI Agents on Real-World Professional Tasks via Language Environment SimulationSynthetic Media & Art(01:27:01) Deezer says 44% of songs uploaded to its platform daily are AI-generated | TechCrunch(01:29:47) Celebrities will be able to find and request removal of AI deepfakes on YouTube | The VergeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Tank Talks, Matt Cohen and John Ruffolo break down one of the biggest economic policy announcements in Canada's innovation economy: Mark Carney's proposed $25 billion Canada Strong Fund, a sovereign wealth fund designed to invest in nation-building projects, strategic industries, Canadian technology companies, and long-term economic sovereignty. John, who previously argued for this type of fund in his Substack piece Canada's Missing Pot of Gold, explains why Canada's biggest structural problem is undercapitalization and why relying on foreign direct investment for critical industries creates serious sovereignty risks.Matt and John dig into the hard questions behind the fund: Where does the money come from? Can Canada borrow at low rates and invest for long-term returns? How should the fund be governed so it does not become a political slush fund? And can this vehicle finally force a more serious conversation around Canadian pension funds, domestic capital formation, and backing companies like Cohere, Kepler, and Xanadu before they are pushed toward foreign capital markets?The episode also covers Cohere's acquisition of German AI firm Aleph Alpha, the rise of sovereign AI alternatives outside the U.S. and China, Xanadu's volatile post-SPAC quantum stock run, SpaceX's reported Cursor acquisition talks, Meta's 8,000-person AI-driven workforce reduction, and Thoma Bravo's massive Medallia equity wipeout. From sovereign wealth and AI infrastructure to quantum financing and private equity pain, this episode asks the real question: can Canada build the capital systems needed to own its future?Canada Strong Fund: Carney's $25B sovereign wealth fund announcement (00:31)Matt opens the episode by laying out the breaking news: Mark Carney has launched the proposed Canada Strong Fund, a $25 billion sovereign wealth fund aimed at giving Canadians a stake in strategic national projects and critical industries.Why John Ruffolo says Canada is dangerously undercapitalized (01:22)John argues that Canada's core economic problem is not a lack of ideas, talent, or companies, but a lack of domestic capital formation. He explains why foreign-controlled capital in sovereign industries is a bad idea and why Canada needs its own funding mechanism.The biggest risk: governance or political slush fund? (03:14)John explains that the Canada Strong Fund will only work if it is independently governed, similar to CPPIB or CDPQ. Without strong governance, he warns, the fund could collapse into politically motivated pet projects.Can Canada borrow at 3.5% and earn 7% long term? (04:59)John breaks down the financial logic behind using Canada's strong credit rating to borrow at lower rates and invest through a professionally managed fund targeting long-term returns similar to major pension funds.Why the fund fails if returns do not materialize (08:15)Matt raises concerns about launching a sovereign wealth fund during a deficit environment. John says the idea only works if the fund is independently managed and capable of generating real long-term returns.No more grants: John's blunt plan for government funding (14:02)John calls for Canada to stop giving grants, especially to foreign-based companies, and instead convert government support into equity investments that create long-term ownership and capital recycling for the country.Cohere acquires Aleph Alpha and makes a sovereign AI play (16:12)Matt breaks down Cohere's acquisition of German AI firm Aleph Alpha, the new Berlin European headquarters, and the reported $600 million financing commitment from Schwarz Group as part of a broader sovereign AI strategy.Xanadu's quantum stock surge and post-SPAC volatility (19:59)Matt explains Xanadu's post-SPAC trading action, including its sharp rise, options activity, and SEC filing registering nearly 300 million Class B shares for sale after the lockup period expires.SpaceX, Cursor, and peak AI paper-deal froth (24:25)Matt and John react to reports that SpaceX could acquire AI coding startup Cursor for $60 billion, with John arguing that SpaceX shareholders should be furious about the growing complexity and governance concerns.Meta layoffs and the real cost of AI capital spending (27:56)Matt highlights Meta's reported 10% workforce reduction tied to massive AI capital spending. John argues the “AI efficiency” explanation often masks bad capital allocation and failed strategic bets.Thoma Bravo's $5.1B Medallia equity wipeout (29:55)The episode closes with Thoma Bravo handing Medallia back to creditors after a major private equity software deal collapses, raising questions about SaaS valuations, debt structures, and exit assumptions in the AI era.Connect with John Ruffolo on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/joruffoloConnect with Matt Cohen on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/matt-cohen1Visit the Ripple Ventures website: https://www.rippleventures.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tanktalks.substack.com

Canada's biggest movie theatre chain, Cineplex, is exploring a potential sale or merger — a move that could put much of Canada's box office in foreign hands. Plus, Toronto wellness darling Nutbar heads to New York as the green-juice boom keeps booming. In the big picture: Xanadu's stock volatility, OpenAI's new drug discovery model, and a major $9B Canadian real estate deal.The Peak Daily is produced in partnership with reframevid.com

This month, Rae, Andi, and guest Colin tackle Xanadu, the 1980 neon‑drenched musical that “only vaguely refers to preservation” but somehow opens the door to a surprisingly rich conversation about what's worth saving—and why. From roller‑skating muses to a once‑grand auditorium begging for a second life, the team digs into how even the most chaotic cult films reflect our shifting ideas about memory, place, and cultural value. It's preservation with leg warmers on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scott and Michael take a trip back to an entire decade of animation from director Don Bluth, looking at each of his animated projects from the 1980s: the short subject, "Banjo, the Woodpile Cat," the feature films, "The Secret of NIMH," "An American Tail," "The Land Before Time," and "All Dogs go to Heaven," as well as an animated segment in "Xanadu," and the video games "Dragon's Lair," and "Space Ace." They also discuss animation they've been catching up on, such as classic cartoons on Tubi and Disney/Pixar's latest, "Hoppers." Find more From Pencils to Pixels: The Animation Celebration Podcast at: www.rf4rm.com Follow the show on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BH6dKaVMe/?mibextid=LQQJ4d Follow the hosts on social media: Scott on X/Twitter: @scotthopkins76 Michael on X/Twitter: @mlyonsfl I Michael's website: www.wordsfromlyons.com Rate, review, & subscribe to From Pencils to Pixels on Apple podcasts I Google Play I Stitcher      

In this episode of Tank Talks, Matt Cohen and John Ruffolo unpack a major week across Canadian venture capital, deep tech liquidity, sovereign investment strategy, and the rapidly shifting AI software stack. The conversation opens with Ontario's newly announced $4 billion Protect Ontario Account investment fund, designed to back artificial intelligence, defence, manufacturing, and growth-stage businesses while shielding jobs from trade disruption. John breaks down the real strategic question beneath the headline: whether Ontario should centralize capital with one fund manager or use a multi-manager, co-investment model that mirrors the Canada Growth Fund and Quebec's long-standing institutional playbook.The episode then shifts into a stacked run of liquidity events reshaping tech markets. Xanadu's public debut becomes a lens into Canada's capital formation challenges, while the looming SpaceX IPO raises bigger questions about how billions in founder and employee liquidity could flood back into deep tech, defence, and space infrastructure. The discussion sharpens further with CoolIT Systems' $4.75B acquisition by Ecolab, a staggering private equity outcome fueled by AI data center demand, before closing on a real-time operating lesson from inside the Tank Talks fund: why Claude has overtaken OpenAI for enterprise workflows, coding agents, and operational leverage. From sovereign capital to AI agents, the throughline is clear: infrastructure, liquidity, and execution are redefining where value compounds.Ontario's $4B Protect Ontario Fund & the Single-Manager Debate (00:44)Ontario unveils a $4 billion investment vehicle targeting AI, defence, manufacturing, and job protection. Matt and John unpack whether concentrating capital under one GP creates governance risk or strategic efficiency.Why Ontario Is Finally Playing Offense in Capital Formation (02:06)John explains why Ontario's vulnerability to trade shocks and weak co-investment capacity made this move overdue, especially compared to Quebec's institutional investing model.Xanadu Goes Public: A Canadian Deep Tech Financing Milestone (05:33)Xanadu begins trading on both TSX and Nasdaq, giving Canadian deep tech founders a new case study in alternative financing structures through SPACs.SpaceX's IPO Could Trigger a Deep Tech Liquidity Supercycle (09:12)SpaceX's rumored IPO filing and potential $1.75T valuation spark a discussion about how recycled liquidity may turbocharge space, defence, and physical AI startups.CoolIT's $4.75B Exit & the AI Infrastructure Gold Rush (12:14)CoolIT Systems' sale to Ecolab highlights how AI data center infrastructure is driving some of the fastest PE returns in Canadian tech history.The 15x Private Equity Return Nobody Saw Coming (13:17)KKR's three-year hold turns into a stunning 15x equity return, proving that “feature businesses” can become platform-scale winners when AI demand rewrites infrastructure economics.Why Claude Is Beating OpenAI in Enterprise Workflows (15:32)Matt breaks down how Claude-powered agents now run finance audits, subscription cleanup, workflow automation, and internal ops, saving real dollars and flipping AI usage across the portfolio.Consumer AI vs Enterprise AI: The Real Claude vs OpenAI Story (18:20)The closing thesis: OpenAI may dominate consumer mindshare, but Claude is winning where workflows, coding, and high-value enterprise execution matter most.Connect with John Ruffolo on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/joruffoloConnect with Matt Cohen on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/matt-cohen1Visit the Ripple Ventures website: https://www.rippleventures.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tanktalks.substack.com

In today's Peak Daily: Canada hits NATO's 2% defence spending target for the first time, committing $84B over five years as Ottawa rethinks reliance on the U.S. Then, a blistering new report finds major gaps in the federal Indigenous procurement strategy, raising concerns about oversight and shell companies. Plus, quantum computing standout Xanadu goes public, the Liberals table election-law reforms to curb foreign interference and deepfakes, and Canada's competition watchdog reviews a potential Paramount–Warner Bros. merger.The Peak Daily is produced in partnership with reframevid.com

In this week's mini-sode, we are shining the spotlight on the Broadway musical Xanadu! This movie to stage musical is a fun cult classic filled with roller skates, fake Australian accents, Greek mythology, and more! If that doesn't check all the boxes, then I don't know what does!!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

Front Row Classics is taking a look at a movie that's a little off-the-beaten-path for the show. Brandon is joined by film historian Sloan De Forest to chat about 1980's Xanadu. The movie, one of the most popular "bad films" of all time, remains a cult classic with many classic film inpirations. Brandon and Sloan discuss the influence of the late 70s/early 80s, the allure of Olivia Newton-John and the legendary presence of Gene Kelly. 

Xanadu Front Row Classics is taking a look at a movie that’s a little off-the-beaten-path for the show. Brandon is joined by film historian Sloan De Forest to chat about 1980’s Xanadu. The movie, one of the most popular “bad films” of all time, remains a cult classic with many classic film inpirations. Brandon and … Continue reading Ep. 432-Xanadu →

368 Venita Ozols-Graham InterviewSteven had the extreme pleasure of interviewing filmmaker, Venita Ozuls-Graham! Ms. Ozuls-Graham an assistant director on many great movies and TV series over the years. Here a few that we talk about on this episode: The Main Event, Xanadu, Grease 2, On Golden Pond, The Ice Pirates, The Bionic Woman, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Alien Nation! We also talk about her wonderful films that she has done for her production company, Wanderlust Films LLC. The ones we talk about are The Ossan, Who Want Dessert?, Amy's in the Freezer, and Used Body Parts. Please visit their Facebook page to watch them and the others too!To support her latest film, Angelique, go to the link below.seedandspark.com/fund/angelique-1#storyPlease send feedback to DieCastMoviePodcast@gmail.com or leave us a message on our Facebook page.Thank you for listening!

As part of our Quantum computing series, we're talking with leadership from our sponsor Xanadu, a company building photonic quantum technology aimed at real-world use. We'll get into what quantum computing actually is, where the industry stands today, and touch a bit on where the hype may be running ahead of the reality. Before we get started, this episode is brought to you by Xanadu, but that does not imply a direct endorsement of the company. Nothing in this interview should be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any security, and you should always do your own research or confer with your financial advisor before making any investment decisions in any companyJoining me is the founder and CEO of today's sponsor Xanadu, Dr. Christian Weedbrook. Xanadu is a Toronto-based photonic quantum computing company he launched in 2016 with the goal of making quantum computers useful and broadly accessible. Originally from Australia, he took an unconventional path into the field, moving from film and advertising into mathematics, physics, and ultimately quantum science. He earned his PhD in Quantum Information Theory from the University of Queensland and later completed postdoctoral work at both MIT and the University of Toronto.Sponsored by XanaduAI: xanadu.aiJoined by Christian Weedbrook: https://x.com/_cweedbrookHosted by: Nicholas FNS: https://twitter.com/NicholasFNSUnusual Whales: https://twitter.com/unusual_whalesThis Pod is not financial advice. Unusual Whales Inc. is not registered as a securities broker-dealer or an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) or any state securities regulatory authority. The stock market is risky, and any trade or investment is expected to have some, or total, loss. Please do research before any trade. Do not use this information for financial decisions or for investing. You should consult your legal or tax professional regarding your specific situation.

Yuval Boger interviews Christian Weedbrook, founder and CEO of Xanadu. They discuss Xanadu's photonic approach to gate-based quantum computing, the advantages of room-temperature operation, and the company's plan to scale through optical networking. Christian also describes PennyLane, photonic error correction, customer engagements, and Xanadu's target of building a 500-logical-qubit system by 2029–2030. The conversation also touches on partnerships, manufacturing, likely early applications in chemistry and materials, and much more.

A kid builds a website for Game Boy Advance tips. Then another one. Then a racing game with a contact form he didn't think twice about. Until, someone hit it with a SQL injection. That moment cracked open a door he never planned to walk through. Years later, he's still walking. Past classical computing, past the ones and zeros we all know and into a space where a bit doesn't have to choose. One where particles hold their breath until someone measures them. This is the story of someone who cut their teeth building websites about gaming tips and a comedy sketch audio site that hit number one on G4TV. Now he's volunteering at DEF CON's Quantum Village, building browser-based quantum simulations, and trying to make the most complex frontier in computing feel a little less sci-fi.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction to Robert Covington and His Journey00:51 From Web Projects to Security Awareness03:51 Diving into Quantum Computing06:22 Understanding Quantum Concepts08:31 Making Quantum Accessible with Qubitide.dev11:13 Quantum in Enterprise: Use Cases and Costs13:14 Involvement with Quantum Village and Community Initiatives15:17 Emerging Job Opportunities in Quantum Computing17:27 Learning Resources for Quantum Computing19:31 Understanding Q Day and Its Implications23:16 The Role of Quantum Random Number Generators25:38 Unique Bar Experiences and Quantum ThemesSYMLINKS[Robert Covington – LinkedIn] – https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-covington-2693a914b[A LinkedIn profile where Robert Covington shares posts about quantum computing, security conferences, and experiments with quantum simulations and QPU workflows.][QubitIDE] - https://qubitide.dev[A quantum computing learning and experimentation platform created by Robert Covington. It aims to make quantum computing more accessible by allowing developers to explore simulations in the browser and eventually integrate quantum processing workflows.][Amazon Braket] - https://aws.amazon.com/braket/[A cloud-based quantum computing service from Amazon Web Services that allows developers and researchers to run quantum algorithms on simulators and real quantum hardware without needing to own physical quantum machines.][PennyLane] - https://pennylane.ai/[An open-source Python library developed by Xanadu for quantum computing and quantum machine learning. It enables users to build and run quantum programs on simulators or real quantum hardware.][Qiskit] - https://qiskit.org/[An open-source quantum computing software development kit created by IBM. It provides tools for building quantum circuits, running simulations, and executing programs on IBM quantum computers.][D-Wave Systems] - https://www.dwavesys.com/[A quantum computing company specializing in quantum annealing hardware and optimization systems. Their machines are used by research institutions and organizations exploring practical quantum applications.][IBM Quantum Learning] - https://quantum.ibm.com/learn[IBM's official learning platform that provides tutorials, documentation, and educational resources for beginners and developers who want to learn quantum computing and use IBM quantum tools.][Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C)] - https://quantumconsortium.org/[An industry consortium focused on strengthening the quantum technology ecosystem through collaboration, workforce development, and industry initiatives.][Barcode Security Podcast] - https://barcodesecurity.com/[The official website of the Barcode podcast hosted by Chris Glanden, featuring discussions on cybersecurity, emerging technologies, and interviews with experts in the field.]

How close are we to the moment when quantum computing moves from scientific curiosity to real-world infrastructure? In today's episode of Tech Talks Daily, I speak with Christian Weedbrook, Founder and CEO of Xanadu, a company pushing the boundaries of what quantum computers might soon achieve. Xanadu has taken an unconventional route in the race to build practical quantum systems. Instead of relying on electronic approaches used by many others in the field, the company builds quantum computers using photonics, effectively computing with particles of light. Christian explains why this matters and how working with photons could unlock advantages in energy efficiency, scalability, and networking as quantum machines grow into large data center–scale systems. The conversation also arrives at a fascinating moment for the company. Xanadu has announced plans to go public through a SPAC deal that values the company at around $3.1 billion. Christian shares what that milestone means, not only for Xanadu but for the broader quantum ecosystem. According to him, the excitement surrounding quantum computing is no longer limited to research labs. Governments, enterprise partners, and investors are increasingly paying attention as the technology edges closer to commercial relevance. One of the most engaging parts of our conversation is Christian's own journey into the world of quantum physics. Before earning a PhD in photonic quantum computing, he began as a film student who admits he once dreamed of becoming a filmmaker. That winding path eventually led him into physics and entrepreneurship, where he founded Xanadu in 2016 with a mission to make quantum computers useful and accessible to everyone. We also discuss PennyLane, the open-source quantum programming framework developed by Xanadu that has quietly become one of the most widely used tools in the quantum developer community. Now taught in universities across more than 30 countries, PennyLane plays an important role in building the next generation of quantum talent. Christian also shares a realistic timeline for where the industry stands today. Quantum computers already exist, but they remain smaller than what is needed for commercial breakthroughs. Xanadu's roadmap points toward large-scale quantum data centers by the end of the decade, systems capable of tackling problems in drug discovery, materials science, logistics, and finance that traditional computers struggle to simulate. For enterprise leaders listening today, the message is clear. The quantum future is closer than many people assume, and organizations that begin exploring use cases now will be far better prepared when these systems mature. So how should businesses prepare for a computing paradigm based on the mathematics of quantum physics rather than traditional software logic? And what lessons can founders learn from a journey that began with filmmaking ambitions and led to building one of the most ambitious quantum companies in the world? Let's find out together.

These days, country and pop acts regularly invade each other's territory. But in Nashville during the 1970s, “crossover” was a dirty word. Then came two rising stars who offered up a new hybrid of Americana-style pop.John Denver infused his folk balladry with homespun lyrics about country roads and wide-open skies. Olivia Newton-John sang over twangy melodies that belied her British-Australian roots. Both faced backlash—especially when they started topping the country and pop charts simultaneously and winning prizes that used to go to Nashville legends.Eventually, both artists outgrew country music. Denver became a ubiquitous entertainer and beloved Muppet wingman. Newton-John dazzled in the film Grease, then reinvented herself as a leather-clad siren unafraid to get physical.Join Chris Molanphy as he traces the parallel rise of two country-pop titans from the Rocky Mountains to Xanadu.Get more Hit Parade with Slate Plus! Join for monthly early-access episodes, bonus episodes of "The Bridge," and ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Visit slate.com/hitparadeplus to get access wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

These days, country and pop acts regularly invade each other's territory. But in Nashville during the 1970s, “crossover” was a dirty word. Then came two rising stars who offered up a new hybrid of Americana-style pop.John Denver infused his folk balladry with homespun lyrics about country roads and wide-open skies. Olivia Newton-John sang over twangy melodies that belied her British-Australian roots. Both faced backlash—especially when they started topping the country and pop charts simultaneously and winning prizes that used to go to Nashville legends.Eventually, both artists outgrew country music. Denver became a ubiquitous entertainer and beloved Muppet wingman. Newton-John dazzled in the film Grease, then reinvented herself as a leather-clad siren unafraid to get physical.Join Chris Molanphy as he traces the parallel rise of two country-pop titans from the Rocky Mountains to Xanadu.Get more Hit Parade with Slate Plus! Join for monthly early-access episodes, bonus episodes of "The Bridge," and ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Visit slate.com/hitparadeplus to get access wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

These days, country and pop acts regularly invade each other's territory. But in Nashville during the 1970s, “crossover” was a dirty word. Then came two rising stars who offered up a new hybrid of Americana-style pop.John Denver infused his folk balladry with homespun lyrics about country roads and wide-open skies. Olivia Newton-John sang over twangy melodies that belied her British-Australian roots. Both faced backlash—especially when they started topping the country and pop charts simultaneously and winning prizes that used to go to Nashville legends.Eventually, both artists outgrew country music. Denver became a ubiquitous entertainer and beloved Muppet wingman. Newton-John dazzled in the film Grease, then reinvented herself as a leather-clad siren unafraid to get physical.Join Chris Molanphy as he traces the parallel rise of two country-pop titans from the Rocky Mountains to Xanadu.Get more Hit Parade with Slate Plus! Join for monthly early-access episodes, bonus episodes of "The Bridge," and ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Visit slate.com/hitparadeplus to get access wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Tank Talks, Matt Cohen sits down with Christian Weedbrook, founder and CEO of Xanadu, and Bill Fradin, CEO of Crane Harbor Acquisition Corp., to explore the historic SPAC merger that is bringing Xanadu to the public markets. With a focus on photonic quantum computing, Xanadu has rapidly advanced in the quantum tech space, positioning itself as a leader in both hardware and software innovation.The merger, which values Xanadu at $3 billion, will not only help accelerate the company's growth but also raise significant capital, enabling it to expand its groundbreaking quantum computing solutions. Christian and Bill dive into why they chose the SPAC route, the strategic value behind their merger, and what sets Xanadu apart in the competitive quantum ecosystem.In addition, the episode takes a deep dive into Xanadu's PennyLane software, which is already making waves in academia and the broader quantum community, and explores how the public market debut will position the company for future commercialization and innovation. Whether you're an investor looking to understand quantum tech's potential or someone interested in cutting-edge science, this episode is a must-listen.Introduction to Xanadu's Quantum Computing Vision (01:23)Christian Weedbrook gives a quick overview of Xanadu's mission to build useful quantum computers with their photonic modality using lidar photons. Learn how they're positioning themselves in both hardware and software through their PennyLane software stack.Xanadu's Decision to Go Public (04:09)Christian explains why going public was always part of Xanadu's strategy and how the company transitioned from private funding rounds to a SPAC merger, raising $275 million in just four weeks.Why Choose a SPAC (10:02)Christian and Bill discuss the advantages of a SPAC over traditional IPOs, particularly for deep-tech companies like Xanadu, where the usual metrics for IPOs aren't always applicable.The Power of PennyLane (14:43)Christian highlights the growing adoption of PennyLane, Xanadu's quantum software, which is already being used across 150 universities worldwide and growing. Learn how going public will further accelerate its adoption.Strategic Partnerships and the Path to Commercialization (16:20)Bill shares insights on how going public will help Xanadu expand its industry partnerships, including major players like Volkswagen and Rolls-Royce, and how these collaborations could lead to breakthroughs in areas like electric vehicle batteries and pharmaceuticals.Energy Efficiency and the Future of Quantum Computing (24:39)Christian explains how quantum computing can drastically reduce energy consumption in computing, using Xanadu's Borealis quantum computer as an example. This new approach promises significant energy savings, especially in industries like AI, drug discovery, and material design.Xanadu's Road Ahead in the Public Market (27:27)Christian reflects on the monumental journey Xanadu has been on, comparing it to the early days of the internet and digital computing. He also discusses how this milestone will change the company's trajectory and impact the quantum computing ecosystem.About Christian WeedbrookChristian Weedbrook is the founder and CEO of Xanadu, a leading quantum computing company based in Toronto. With a passion for quantum technology, Christian has spearheaded the development of Xanadu's groundbreaking photonic-based quantum computers. His leadership has positioned Xanadu as one of the pioneers in quantum computing, not only through its hardware advancements but also with the development of its PennyLane software platform. Christian's vision is to build quantum computers that are both useful and accessible to people around the world, and he is committed to driving forward the next era of quantum technology.Connect with Christian Weedbrook on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianweedbrook/Visit the Xanadu website: https://www.xanadu.ai/About Bill FradinBill Fradin is the CEO of Crane Harbor Acquisition Corp., a SPAC focused on identifying and merging with innovative companies in the tech sector. With over 20 years of experience in the financial industry, Bill has been at the forefront of numerous successful SPAC transactions, specializing in high-growth, disruptive technology companies. His leadership has been integral to bringing Crane Harbor to the public markets, and he has built a strong reputation for identifying companies with significant long-term potential. Bill's experience in both private and public markets has made him a trusted partner for visionary companies like Xanadu, helping them navigate the complexities of the SPAC process and positioning them for success in the public arena.Connect with Bill Fradin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-fradin-83196b3/Visit the Crane Harbor Acquisition Corp website: https://www.craneharboracquisition.com/Connect with Matt Cohen on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/matt-cohen1Visit the Ripple Ventures website: https://www.rippleventures.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tanktalks.substack.com

After two weeks off, I'm back. This week I'm discussing my Rose and Thorns, and realities of the week which include my opinions on finding projects vs. being lazy, not liking loud venues, unpacking now vs. later, Xanadu and the Olympics. I then jump into reality TV where I discuss the current Bravo shows, RHOP, Southern Charm, Summer House, RHOBH and The Valley: Persian Style. To end the podcast I recap episodes 9 & 10 of Traitors as well as the first 9 episodes of Love is Blind season 10. I've got you entertained with a lot this week!!YouTube link: https://youtu.be/I6kuO8N2PygIntro Music, www.bensound.com "Happy Rock"

Mar-a-Lago has had two owners in its existence: Marjorie Merriweather Post, and Donald Trump. This week, we explore the origins of the infamous home, the city that brought Marjorie to the Sunshine State, and the legacy the building is burdened with a century after its completion. Thank you to our guest this week, Les Standiford, for his help. Read more of Les' work right here. Thank you to Chelsea Rice for her incredible design of our logo! Follow Chelsea on Instagram here!   All of the music was originally composed.

These days, country and pop acts regularly invade each other's territory. But in Nashville during the 1970s, “crossover” was a dirty word. Then came two rising stars who offered up a new hybrid of Americana-style pop.John Denver infused his folk balladry with homespun lyrics about country roads and wide-open skies. Olivia Newton-John sang over twangy melodies that belied her British-Australian roots. Both faced backlash—especially when they started topping the country and pop charts simultaneously and winning prizes that used to go to Nashville legends.Eventually, both artists outgrew country music. Denver became a ubiquitous entertainer and beloved Muppet wingman. Newton-John dazzled in the film Grease, then reinvented herself as a leather-clad siren unafraid to get physical.Join Chris Molanphy as he traces the parallel rise of two country-pop titans from the Rocky Mountains to Xanadu.Get more Hit Parade with Slate Plus! Join for monthly early-access episodes, bonus episodes of "The Bridge," and ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Hit Parade show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/hitparadeplus to get access wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

These days, country and pop acts regularly invade each other's territory. But in Nashville during the 1970s, “crossover” was a dirty word. Then came two rising stars who offered up a new hybrid of Americana-style pop.John Denver infused his folk balladry with homespun lyrics about country roads and wide-open skies. Olivia Newton-John sang over twangy melodies that belied her British-Australian roots. Both faced backlash—especially when they started topping the country and pop charts simultaneously and winning prizes that used to go to Nashville legends.Eventually, both artists outgrew country music. Denver became a ubiquitous entertainer and beloved Muppet wingman. Newton-John dazzled in the film Grease, then reinvented herself as a leather-clad siren unafraid to get physical.Join Chris Molanphy as he traces the parallel rise of two country-pop titans from the Rocky Mountains to Xanadu.Get more Hit Parade with Slate Plus! Join for monthly early-access episodes, bonus episodes of "The Bridge," and ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Hit Parade show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/hitparadeplus to get access wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

These days, country and pop acts regularly invade each other's territory. But in Nashville during the 1970s, “crossover” was a dirty word. Then came two rising stars who offered up a new hybrid of Americana-style pop.John Denver infused his folk balladry with homespun lyrics about country roads and wide-open skies. Olivia Newton-John sang over twangy melodies that belied her British-Australian roots. Both faced backlash—especially when they started topping the country and pop charts simultaneously and winning prizes that used to go to Nashville legends.Eventually, both artists outgrew country music. Denver became a ubiquitous entertainer and beloved Muppet wingman. Newton-John dazzled in the film Grease, then reinvented herself as a leather-clad siren unafraid to get physical.Join Chris Molanphy as he traces the parallel rise of two country-pop titans from the Rocky Mountains to Xanadu.Get more Hit Parade with Slate Plus! Join for monthly early-access episodes, bonus episodes of "The Bridge," and ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Hit Parade show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/hitparadeplus to get access wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, host Stewart Alsop sits down with Larry Swanson, a knowledge architect, community builder, and host of the Knowledge Graph Insights podcast. They explore the relationship between knowledge graphs and ontologies, why these technologies matter in the age of AI, and how symbolic AI complements the current wave of large language models. The conversation traces the history of neuro-symbolic AI from its origins at Dartmouth in 1956 through the semantic web vision of Tim Berners-Lee, examining why knowledge architecture remains underappreciated despite being deployed at major enterprises like Netflix, Amazon, and LinkedIn. Swanson explains how RDF (Resource Description Framework) enables both machines and humans to work with structured knowledge in ways that relational databases can't, while Alsop shares his journey from knowledge management director to understanding the practical necessity of ontologies for business operations. They discuss the philosophical roots of the field, the separation between knowledge management practitioners and knowledge engineers, and why startups often overlook these approaches until scale demands them. You can find Larry's podcast at KGI.fm or search for Knowledge Graph Insights on Spotify and YouTube.Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Knowledge Graphs and Ontologies01:09 The Importance of Ontologies in AI04:14 Philosophy's Role in Knowledge Management10:20 Debating the Relevance of RDF15:41 The Distinction Between Knowledge Management and Knowledge Engineering21:07 The Human Element in AI and Knowledge Architecture25:07 Startups vs. Enterprises: The Knowledge Gap29:57 Deterministic vs. Probabilistic AI32:18 The Marketing of AI: A Historical Perspective33:57 The Role of Knowledge Architecture in AI39:00 Understanding RDF and Its Importance44:47 The Intersection of AI and Human Intelligence50:50 Future Visions: AI, Ontologies, and Human BehaviorKey Insights1. Knowledge Graphs Combine Structure and Instances Through Ontological Design. A knowledge graph is built using an ontology that describes a specific domain you want to understand or work with. It includes both an ontological description of the terrain—defining what things exist and how they relate to one another—and instances of those things mapped to real-world data. This combination of abstract structure and concrete examples is what makes knowledge graphs powerful for discovery, question-answering, and enabling agentic AI systems. Not everyone agrees on the precise definition, but this understanding represents the practical approach most knowledge architects use when building these systems.2. Ontology Engineering Has Deep Philosophical Roots That Inform Modern Practice. The field draws heavily from classical philosophy, particularly ontology (the nature of what you know), epistemology (how you know what you know), and logic. These thousands-year-old philosophical frameworks provide the rigorous foundation for modern knowledge representation. Living in Heidelberg surrounded by philosophers, Swanson has discovered how much of knowledge graph work connects upstream to these philosophical roots. This philosophical grounding becomes especially important during times when institutional structures are collapsing, as we need to create new epistemological frameworks for civilization—knowledge management and ontology become critical tools for restructuring how we understand and organize information.3. The Semantic Web Vision Aimed to Transform the Internet Into a Distributed Database. Twenty-five years ago, Tim Berners-Lee, Jim Hendler, and Ora Lassila published a landmark article in Scientific American proposing the semantic web. While Berners-Lee had already connected documents across the web through HTML and HTTP, the semantic web aimed to connect all the data—essentially turning the internet into a giant database. This vision led to the development of RDF (Resource Description Framework), which emerged from DARPA research and provides the technical foundation for building knowledge graphs and ontologies. The origin story involved solving simple but important problems, like disambiguating whether "Cook" referred to a verb, noun, or a person's name at an academic conference.4. Symbolic AI and Neural Networks Represent Complementary Approaches Like Fast and Slow Thinking. Drawing on Kahneman's "thinking fast and slow" framework, LLMs represent the "fast brain"—learning monsters that can process enormous amounts of information and recognize patterns through natural language interfaces. Symbolic AI and knowledge graphs represent the "slow brain"—capturing actual knowledge and facts that can counter hallucinations and provide deterministic, explainable reasoning. This complementarity is driving the re-emergence of neuro-symbolic AI, which combines both approaches. The fundamental distinction is that symbolic AI systems are deterministic and can be fully explained, while LLMs are probabilistic and stochastic, making them unsuitable for applications requiring absolute reliability, such as industrial robotics or pharmaceutical research.5. Knowledge Architecture Remains Underappreciated Despite Powering Major Enterprises. While machine learning engineers currently receive most of the attention and budget, knowledge graphs actually power systems at Netflix (the economic graph), Amazon (the product graph), LinkedIn, Meta, and most major enterprises. The technology has been described as "the most astoundingly successful failure in the history of technology"—the semantic web vision seemed to fail, yet more than half of web pages now contain RDF-formatted semantic markup through schema.org, and every major enterprise uses knowledge graph technology in the background. Knowledge architects remain underappreciated partly because the work is cognitively difficult, requires talking to people (which engineers often avoid), and most advanced practitioners have PhDs in computer science, logic, or philosophy.6. RDF's Simple Subject-Predicate-Object Structure Enables Meaning and Data Linking. Unlike relational databases that store data in tables with rows and columns, RDF uses the simplest linguistic structure: subject-predicate-object (like "Larry knows Stuart"). Each element has a unique URI identifier, which permits precise meaning and enables linked data across systems. This graph structure makes it much easier to connect data after the fact compared to navigating tabular structures in relational databases. On top of RDF sits an entire stack of technologies including schema languages, query languages, ontological languages, and constraints languages—everything needed to turn data into actionable knowledge. The goal is inferring or articulating knowledge from RDF-structured data.7. The Future Requires Decoupled Modular Architectures Combining Multiple AI Approaches. The vision for the future involves separation of concerns through microservices-like architectures where different systems handle what they do best. LLMs excel at discovering possibilities and generating lists, while knowledge graphs excel at articulating human-vetted, deterministic versions of that information that systems can reliably use. Every one of Swanson's 300 podcast interviews over ten years ultimately concludes that regardless of technology, success comes down to human beings, their behavior, and the cultural changes needed to implement systems. The assumption that we can simply eliminate people from processes misses that huma...

Jareth skulks through the castle and out the front gates while listening to their favorite podcast, hair somehow bopping to and fro while also locked into its gravity-defying shape. As he makes his way towards the lillies, a new song idea slams its way into his frontal lobe. It's a riff on another song he sang long ago. He croaks it into existence. Discussed: strange recording arrangements, Persona 4 Golden, the final bosses of Persona, Tokyo Xanadu Ex+, the potential of a sequel, DnD with Brendon, 428: Shibuya Scramble, Code Vein II Demo, dreams of Tomodachi Life, and a handful of Switch gamesVideo essay mentioned about ToseWe encourage those who are able to donate to:Immigrant Law Center of MinnesotaMinnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee"How To Help If You Are Outside Minnesota" from Naomi Kritzer's BlogFind us everywhere: https://intothecast.onlineBuy some merch, if you'd like: https://shop.intothecast.onlineJoin the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/intothecast---Follow Stephen Hilger: https://bsky.app/profile/stephenhilger.bsky.socialFollow Brendon Bigley: https://bsky.app/profile/bb.wavelengths.onlineProduced by AJ Fillari: https://bsky.app/profile/ajfillari.bsky.social---Season 8 cover art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/Theme song by Will LaPorte: https://ghostdown.online/---Timecodes:(00:00) - Intro (00:19) - Into the recording setups (04:53) - Persona 4 Golden | A well-balanced meal (12:45) - Tokyo Xanadu ex+ | The third pillar of Falcom (40:15) - Break (40:17) - 428: Shibuya Scramble | Video games, but real???? (49:03) - PARANORMASIGHT SPOILERS (49:11) - 428: Shibuya Scramble | Video games, but real???? (54:57) - Code Vein II | Secretly made by our favorite developers (maybe???) (01:02:52) - Many games and the Switch 2 | A salve from the universe (01:15:02) - Wrapping up (01:16:59) - Fuck ICE, stand with your neighbors ---Thanks to all of our amazing patrons, including our Eternal Gratitude members:SuperThisWayNick GStarfallrondoSusan H0nlygh0stsVincent JPatrick KEd AJ-RockSamantha DNorth HeroSam HSnzznJ-RockGregory Mark SCmndr BiscuiticemanChristian HRydan BCaleb HArden FEye of the DuckKaleNathan EJ. H. AjoelchronoMellowMatthew BRobin LPSeekingSeakingJimmerszoey!Vinny MMattKerry KBrian MNoah DZach DChristopher TDHugo WToddChris BLukerfuffleStephen YDaniel GEric FTaran WBrendan OChris ZClayton MZach RDylan NFederico VTigerz RevengeLogan HAlan RJohn AMike LmattjanzzDavid MHeavyPixelsKaleb HTyler JCorey ZSusan HBarry TRobert RChris JBrett Allen HDan SJack SGarrett CjimiiboJohn HDirch FJim EJim WTristan LEvan BAwfulHanzomin2Aaron GJean HTodd Nred_wagonNeilPeter BJohn VvErik MRedmage77Joshua JTony LDanny KGibson GKate Duncan BRichard MDaniel NSeth MJamesAndy HDemoEmmaLyn ECorey TCaleb WJake LJesse WMike TCodesMatt BWesleymebezacAlex LSergio LninjadeathdogRory BA42PoundMooseRobert MMichael WAndrewthis_JUSTINRyan O14.3 billion yearsBrendan KMegan BSecretAgentKoalaNoah OArcturusAndrew WhepaheChase ALoveDiesNick QChris MRBKaren HAdam FScott HAlexander SMatt HMurrayDavid PJason KMicah OKamrin HAndrew DKyle SPhilip N  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★