Welcome to today’s podcast. “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it rhymes.” Now President Trump faces a stark choice: should he dispatch American B-2 bombers armed with 30,000-pound bunker busters against Fordo, Iran’s mountain-hidden uranium enrichment site? Since 1979, Iran’s theocracy has repressed its own people and poured resources into a nuclear program that Karim Sadjadpour calls a strategic “albatross.” It sustains just one percent of Iran’s energy demand at a cost approaching half a trillion dollars. After October 7th, Israel struck Iranian military and nuclear scientists, and Prime Minister Netanyahu declared, “We are doing what we need to do.” Now he’s looking to Trump’s pilots. Yet Trump, who admits, “Nobody knows what I’m going to do,” has sidelined much of his National Security Council and is torn between isolationist and interventionist camps. With a two-week deadline looming, he must resist the siren call of “shock and awe” and pursue negotiation to avert another costly Middle East disaster.
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Welcome to Uncanny Valley. Today we’re asking the question on everyone’s mind: “What is superintelligence?” Meta has just announced a major move in its AI efforts—“investing in Scale AI and building a superintelligence AI research lab.” After trailing big names like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google, Meta is dropping serious cash to acquire talent and accelerate research. But what exactly is superhuman intelligence? Is it an AI that outthinks us in every domain, from science to creativity? Or a system that learns and adapts faster than any human could imagine? We’ll break down the deal between Meta and Scale AI, explore what Meta hopes to achieve with this investment, and probe the frontier where machine smarts may eclipse our own. Stick around as we unpack the promise—and the risks—of machines that could think faster, learn deeper, and maybe even surprise their creators.
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Welcome to today’s Middle East Minute. A week of Israeli airstrikes inside Iran has upended daily life, hitting fuel depots, airports and public buildings from Tabriz to Tehran. Ordinary Iranians say the attacks shattered any sense of safety. “They want to scare us,” a shopkeeper told reporters. At the same time, crippling sanctions have drained cash reserves, leaving long ATM lines and families scrambling for banknotes. Rolling power cuts and intermittent internet blackouts only add to the anxiety. “We never imagined war would reach us here,” said a university student in northern Iran. As Tehran’s leaders issue stern warnings of retaliation, citizens brace for mounting economic pain and the possibility of further conflict. That’s your one-minute update. I’m [Host Name]. Thanks for listening.
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Welcome to Productivity Power. I’m your host. Ever feel mentally drained before lunch? That’s decision fatigue, and it’s real.

As Fast Company puts it, “Routine isn’t boring. It’s strategic.” Automate your first 60 minutes: pick your breakfast, outfit, and workout ahead of time, then follow a fixed morning ritual to reserve brainpower.

The article advises making your to-do list the night before because “a prepared mind is a focused mind.” Jot down your top three priorities and one quick win to seize the morning.

Fuel up with a protein-rich breakfast—eggs, Greek yogurt, or nuts—to stabilize blood sugar and maintain focus. Then use time blocks to limit options: deep work from nine to ten-thirty, admin tasks until eleven-thirty, and leave reactive chores for later.

Minimize micro-decisions with environmental cues: silence notifications, clear your desk, and use a “focus zone” marker like headphones. Finally, build a “noon reset” ritual—pause for ten minutes of reflection or a short walk to recharge. Protect your mental energy by spending it on what matters most.
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Welcome back to Newel of Knowledge. Today we’re tackling how to make new friends—no cold-calling strangers required. First, lean into your existing circles. Tap into coworkers, classmates or neighbors. “Shared routines breed shared trust,” and a simple coffee break or study session can spark a genuine connection. Next, join interest-based groups—book clubs, cooking classes or weekend sports leagues. Here you’re walking into a community that already shares your passion. As one expert puts it, “Friendship blossoms when experiences are shared, not forced.” Third, volunteer. Giving your time alongside others creates natural teamwork and conversation. Finally, nurture casual acquaintances. Next time you bump into someone in line or on a morning run, simply say, “Hey, I really enjoy our chats—would you like to grab a coffee sometime?” Small invitations build real rapport far more easily than cold approaches. That’s your quick guide to making friends the natural way. Thanks for listening, and see you next time on Newel of Knowledge!
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Welcome to Longevity Lowdown. Today we ask: Do longevity drugs work?

“As elixirs of life go, long-term fasting is a surprising candidate. Yet it seems to work.” Experiments on species from nematode worms to rhesus monkeys show that near-starvation prolongs lifespan, and “short-term ones suggest similar physiological changes happen” in humans.

Drugs promise an easier route. Rapamycin, an immune suppressant, blocks a key growth pathway and has extended mouse lifespans by up to 25 percent. Metformin, a decades-old diabetes pill, is now in a major trial to see if it can delay ageing in people.

Then there are senolytics, designed to clear out worn-out cells. Early human tests hint they might ease arthritis and lung disease. Yet most evidence still comes from animals or small studies. Whether these treatments can safely boost our healthspan—or lifespan—remains an open question.
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Welcome back to Quick Career Tips. Today, we’re unpacking advice from a Principal Engineer at Amazon on how to stand out without breaking a sweat.

First, he says, “Focus on delivering high-impact solutions that others will notice.” In practice, this means picking projects that align with big business goals and seeing them through end to end.

Next, he urges you to “think bigger than your role.” That means proactively spotting problems outside your immediate tasks and offering to solve them.

Collaboration is key. He reminds us, “Helping your peers—through code reviews, mentoring, or simply sharing knowledge—builds your reputation faster than any self-promo.”

He also stresses the power of written artifacts: “Blog posts, internal docs, and demos outlive us and showcase our work.” Regularly document your wins and learnings so that leadership can see your impact.

Finally, consistency wins. “You don’t need to shout—let your track record speak.” Small, steady contributions earn trust and visibility over time.

That’s your one-minute blueprint to stand out effortlessly. Thanks for listening!
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Welcome to today’s show. David and Jake are joined by Dominic Preston to unpack Trump Mobile. They warn that while launching a carrier is “easy” and can be lucrative, Trump Mobile is “a pretty bad deal.” The promised $500, “made-in-America,” “coming-soon device” may not even exist. We dive into the rise of MVNOs, debate what “made in the USA” really means, and ask if there’s any redeeming quality behind this obvious grift.

Next, TV is dying faster than anyone expected. We explore the unstoppable growth of Netflix and YouTube, the surprising success of FAST networks, and what this shift means for Hollywood. We even predicted a new feature in Max—and we were right.

In our lightning round, we cover the Senate’s confirmation of Olivia Trost to the FCC, the onrushing of ads into WhatsApp, the GENIUS bill shaking up crypto, the Threads-fediverse saga, and our take on the Framework Laptop 12. Thanks for listening.
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