Episodes

As we navigate the tumultuous currents of the startup world, we're thrilled to welcome back Peter Walker, Carta’s Head of Insights. He comes with a treasure trove of data shedding light on the twists and turns of 2023 and wha...

How does innovation show up at SXSW? Is it all carefully crafted, or the result of spontaneous interactions among artists, musicians, technologists, and more? That is the key question that we dive into with Monica Sack and Ch...

Is an entrepreneur a high-status position or are true innovators actually counter-cultural icons? This intriguing question forms the heart of my conversation with Tyler Norwood, Managing Partner at Antler. We discuss the role...

The next phase of AI's evolution focuses on its convergence with the real world and the built environment, a key theme in my discussion with Amir Husain, Founder and CEO of SparkCognition. We explore the intersection of digit...

We shift focus from the broad, macro-level implications of AI to its tangible effects on the ground, as Austin increasingly becomes a hub for educational innovation. Joining me are Principal Keith Moore of Austin's Campbell E...

In this thought-provoking episode, we are joined by Byron Reese, author of 'We are Agora,' and Brett Hurt, serial entrepreneur, to explore the intersections of superorganisms, technology, and human potential. The ideas presen...

The impetus for this episode was a recent viral tweet stating that "Austin desperately needs another real pre-seed fund." This sparked fierce debate around the health and scalability of Austin's earliest-stage investing lands...

As Austin continues to attract leading tech players and establish itself as a magnet for innovation, the role of new entrants becomes increasingly pivotal in shaping its future. In this episode, I talk with Kevin Parakkattu, ...

An update since our original episode aired on May 9, 2023: The University of Austin is now accepting applications for their first undergraduate class starting fall 2024. To mark this milestone, we are resharing our interview...

Roy Spence is the co-founder and chairman of GSD&M, an Austin-based advertising agency. With his significant background in the advertising industry, Roy and his team have played a pivotal role in shaping Austin's reputation a...

Today I explore how AI is reshaping learning and challenging traditional expertise. Through my own experiences with my 10-year-old son, we'll look at the potential of AI as a new educational frontier. Don't miss this intimate...

In this special solo episode, I dive into what makes Austin not just another 'Silicon Something' and about how we can transform into a generational ecosystem. After defining our region’s superpowers, I introduce a new mental ...

In this live episode from the Texas Venture Crawl, I'm joined by Kaitlyn DeBernardo of Next Coast Ventures and Aaron Perman of S3 Ventures to delve into Austin's entrepreneurial landscape. We unpack the shifts in venture capi...

In today's rapidly evolving entrepreneurial landscape, technology is the great equalizer, opening new avenues for innovation and challenging traditional notions of business scalability. We sit down with Sameer Gulati, CPO at ...

What makes a city truly great? In this episode, we dive into the tapestry of cities that have shaped human history with Chelsea Follett, author of 'Centers of Progress: 40 Cities That Changed the World.' From the invention of...

What is decentralized science and what will be its impact on research and innovation? Joined by experts from Arcadia Science, VitaDAO, and the Foresight Institute, we discuss the challenges posed by traditional scientific mod...

Fostering connectivity within an innovation ecosystem is crucial for its ongoing vitality and growth. Often revolutionary concepts emerge from the most unforeseen origins. My guest, Elle Beecher, founded The Board Walks, wher...

Innovation ecosystems thrive not just on groundbreaking ideas, but also on the stories that bring them to life. In this episode, I chat with Walt Maciborski, the main anchor for CBS Austin News and an Emmy and Edward R. Murro...

In this episode, we unpack the idea that innovation transcends the mere creation of new solutions. Through the lens of healthcare, and with insights from Dr. Isaac Turner, Co-founder and CTO of Curative, we delve into two key...

In this episode, we dive deep into the AI wave and the nexus between academic research and commercial applications. Joining us is Risto Miikkulainen, an esteemed computer science professor at the University of Texas at Austin...

Why is Austin leading the charge as a beacon for creative minds and how are cities like it rewriting the blueprint for our economic future? Dive into this episode with Richard Florida, the trailblazer behind the "Creative Cla...

The startup ecosystem in Austin is experiencing a dynamic transformation, influenced by an influx of talent and marked changes in fundraising trends. Carta, an equity management platform that offers a distinctive lens into pr...

How do defined tracks and cultural status symbols passed on from previous generations affect a person’s life choices? When we break with those paths is that being self-employed, an entrepreneur, a creative, or something else?...

In this culminating episode of Austin Next's first era, Jason engages with AndiBot, the AI-powered chatbot that amalgamates the insights of 19 innovation thinkers. Together, they explore AndiBot’s perspectives on how Austin c...