Best Bigd Podcasts (2025)

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1108 Curious AI: Rethinking How Machines Learn the Real World | Sam Bigdeli of KavAI 39:33

7d ago39:33

39:33

See More: https://thinkfuture.substack.comConnect With Sam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-bigdeli-5310b923/---Why the next wave of AI won’t just answer questions—it will explore, sense, and predict.In this episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis talks with Sam Bigdeli, co-founder and CEO of KavAI, about his vision for Curious AI—a new appro…

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1109 The Death of SEO? Bruce Clay on AI Search, PreWriter, and the Future of Traffic 1:07:40

18h ago1:07:40

1:07:40

See more: https://thinkfuture.substack.comConnect with Bruce: https://bruceclay.com---AI is changing search forever—and the old rules of SEO may no longer apply.In this episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis speaks with Bruce Clay, an early pioneer of search engine optimization who literally coined the term “SEO” back in the 1990s. Bruce has…

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Roqe Ep. 386 - Shohreh Solati (Exclusive) 46:18

12d ago46:18

46:18

An exclusive conversation with iconic Iranian singer and performer Shohreh Solati. Jian Ghomeshi speaks with Shohreh about her remarkable life and legacy — from her early days in Tehran to her status as a pop legend in exile. They discuss her biggest hits, her activism, her influence as an LGBTQI and feminist icon, and her ongoing joy in performing…

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1107 Why I Stopped Playing Safe | Jillian Reilly on Embracing Change and Reclaiming Agency 34:17

14d ago34:17

34:17

See more: https://thinkfuture.substack.comConnect with Jillian: https://tenpermissions.com---Learning how to embrace change, reclaim agency, and build a future on your own terms.In this episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis talks with Jillian Reilly, founder of Antacara, about how to navigate profound change in uncertain times and why recla…

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Roqe Ep. 385 - Deejay AL, RAAVI Artisans, Roqe Live 5 Lineup Reveal! 1:25:22

19d ago1:25:22

1:25:22

Exclusive first reveal of the Roqe Live 5 lineup – only for Roqe listeners before it goes public on August 18th at 9am ET.Then, Jian sits down with Deejay AL, one of the most recognizable DJs and producers in the Iranian diaspora, to talk music, culture, and connection.And later, a conversation with Farimah Nowroozi (FamLuxy) and Arezoo Sadeghi (Tw…

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1106 The Robots Checked Me In 35:06

21d ago35:06

35:06

See more: https://thinkfuture.substack.comConnect with Matt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewcasella/---How hospitality automation is evolving to work with humans, not replace them.When you think of robots in hospitality, you might picture cold, impersonal service. But Matt, co-founder of RichTech Robotics, has a completely different vision—one …

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Roqe Ep. 384 - Melica: The Explorer 1:16:42

26d ago1:16:42

1:16:42

She left behind everything she knew and walked into the unknown.In this episode, Jian is joined in the Roqe Studio by Iranian adventurer and memoirist Melica Bokaie (@melliiica) for a powerful conversation about identity, risk, freedom, and life as a solo traveler through Latin America.Melica opens up about her emotional transformation, her poetic …

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1105 Why Performative Social Media Is Toxic 30:54

28d ago30:54

30:54

See more here: https://thinkfuture.substack.comConnect with Hasmukh: https://www.hasmukhkerai.com/the-learning-curve---In this episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis speaks with Hasmukh, founder of The Learning Curve, a business dedicated to helping freelancers, creators, and small businesses rethink their relationship with technology. Hasmu…

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Roqe Ep. 383 – Are You the Same Person in a Second Language? - Dr. Jila Ghomeshi, Mojdeh Razeh, Shahrzad Sherry Kazemi 1:02:58

1M ago1:02:58

1:02:58

On this episode of Roqe, Jian Ghomeshi leads a powerful panel discussion on language, migration, and identity.For many immigrants, speaking English isn’t just a practical skill — it’s a profound shift in how they express emotion, how they’re perceived, and how they perceive themselves. This episode explores the idea that a second language can becom…

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1104 Can AI Predict the Future? Dan Schwarz on Forecasting, GPT, and the Next Decade of AI 50:22

1M ago50:22

50:22

Connect with Dan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-schwarz-3805b854/Read More: https;//thinkfuture.substack.com---In this episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis speaks with Dan Schwarz, CEO and co-founder of FutureSearch, an AI startup on a mission to push the boundaries of forecasting. With a background as a software engineer at Google and C…

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Roqe Ep. 382 - Mullahs: New Darlings of the West? - Kaveh Shahrooz, Forouq Canaani 53:12

1M ago53:12

53:12

A new and unexpected trend is emerging: the face of Ali Khamenei and the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran appearing in Western protests, from Toronto to London to Sydney. On this edition of Roqe, Jian Ghomeshi asks: Why are some Western activists and segments of the political Left embracing a regime widely known for its brutality, repression, a…

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1103 Reinventing Online Shopping with Agentic AI 33:32

1M ago33:32

33:32

Connect with Stephen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbsavage/Subscribe for more: https://thinkfuture.substack.com---In this episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis sits down with Stephen Savage, founder of Rezolve AI, to explore how agentic AI is transforming digital commerce by bringing back the personalized, high-touch retail experience…

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Roqe Ep. 381 - "The First Iranian OnlyFans Girl" - Rana Zandi 1:04:37

2M ago1:04:37

1:04:37

complex world of online identity, empowerment, and judgment. Rana Zandi, an Iranian-Canadian digital strategist and AI music experimenter, is not only breaking new ground in technology and design but also came to public attention as the self-proclaimed first Iranian woman to join OnlyFans — a platform known for empowering creators but also controve…

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1102 AI, CONSCIOUSNESS, AND THE FUTURE OF SOCIETY 36:08

2M ago36:08

36:08

Connect with Jeff: https://jeffburningham.comConnect with Chris: https://thinkfuture.substack.com---In this thought-provoking episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis sits down with Jeff Burningham—a tech entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and former Utah gubernatorial candidate—to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, human iden…

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Roqe Ep.380 - How Dictators Stay in Power - Dr. Fathali Moghaddam 1:06:05

2M ago1:06:05

1:06:05

How do authoritarian regimes survive decade after decade? In this episode of Roqe, Jian Ghomeshi breaks down the “7 Rules of Modern Dictatorship” — and how Ayatollah Khamenei continues to cling to power in Iran despite global outrage, economic hardship, and internal dissent.Then, acclaimed psychologist and author Dr. Fathali Moghaddam joins Jian fr…

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1101 REVIVE SALES LEADS WITH AI 31:41

2M ago31:41

31:41

Connect with Tamara: https://leadreviver.proConnect with Chris: https://thinkfuture.substack.com---In this episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis talks with Tamara, founder of Lead Reviver, about how artificial intelligence is reshaping sales, lead generation, and the way we build customer relationships. With a no-nonsense approach and a dee…

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Roqe Ep.379 - Did Trump Drop the Ball? - Ari Aramesh, Bijan Kian 1:06:43

2M ago1:06:43

1:06:43

Just weeks ago, the world watched as tensions between Israel and Iran surged and the Iranian people appeared to be approaching a pivotal moment. The conditions for an uprising were aligning.Then came a ceasefire.Then… Trump’s shift - signalling a willingness to work with the same Islamic Republic regime he once vowed to crush.So: Did Trump blow a r…

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1100 How Writing Letters Can Transform Your Life 46:59

2M ago46:59

46:59

Connect with Joel: https://www.gratitudetiger.com---In this heartfelt episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis talks with Joel Zuckerman, founder of the TIGER method—short for Tapping Into Gratitude Engenders Rewards. Joel shares the personal and powerful journey behind his habit of writing letters of gratitude, a practice that has deeply impa…

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Roqe Ep. 378 - What Now? - Bahador Alast, Picasso Moin, Sadeq Bigdeli, Shirin Amani Azeri 1:34:30

2M ago1:34:30

1:34:30

A fragile ceasefire. A fractured people. And a pressing question: What now?On this edition of Roqe, Jian Ghomeshi leads a probing conversation about the aftermath of the Israel–Islamic Republic conflict, and what it has revealed about the state of Iranians today — politically, emotionally, and spiritually. While Trump, Netanyahu, and Khamenei claim…

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1099 The Future of Leadership: How to Lead in an AI-Driven World 32:30

2M ago32:30

32:30

Connect with Uma: https://thelimitlessleaders.com---In this episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis talks with Uma Subramanian, founder and CEO of Limitless Leaders, about what leadership really looks like in today’s fast-changing, AI-powered world. With 20 years at Microsoft and now running her own leadership coaching business, Uma brings un…

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Roqe Ep. 377 – The Israel–Iran War: Voices of Iranians 1:37:30

3M ago1:37:30

1:37:30

In this urgent and emotional edition of Roqe, host Jian Ghomeshi opens a new series exploring the human impact of the fast-escalating conflict between Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Recorded on June 18th, 2025 — amidst rapidly shifting events — this episode amplifies Iranian voices from both inside the country and across the diaspora.Gues…

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1098 Why Most Companies Are Doing Automation Wrong 34:57

3M ago34:57

34:57

Connect with Peter https://www.itstoilville.com---In this episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis is joined by Peter Swinn, founder of the AI-first automation consultancy Toilville, to explore the real state of artificial intelligence in the workplace. If you've ever wondered why your chatbot seems helpful in a demo but falls flat in the real…

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Roqe Ep. 376 - Resilience and Success – Milad Taherzadeh & Navid Badiei (in Persian) 2:31:49

3M ago2:31:49

2:31:49

Two powerful Iranian-Canadian stories — both interviews conducted in Persian.First, Milad Taherzadeh (aka @miladbeauty) opens up publicly for the first time at a live Roqe Hub event, sharing his harrowing journey as an LGBTQ person growing up and pursuing a career in style and makeup in Mashhad and fleeing Iran. Then, entrepreneur Navid Badiei join…

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1097 Mind Meets Machine: How Bioelectronics, Blockchain, and Brain Implants Are Shaping the Future 29:21

3M ago29:21

29:21

In this fascinating episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis is joined by bioelectronics researcher Konstantinos Kallitsis for a deep dive into the wild and rapidly evolving frontier of human-machine integration.Konstantinos unpacks the incredible potential of bioelectronics—technologies that allow electronics to communicate directly with our …

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Roqe Ep. 375 - Comedian Neema Naz + Opening Essay on LGBTQ Persecution in Iran 1:18:26

3M ago1:18:26

1:18:26

On this episode of Roqe, acclaimed Iranian-Canadian comedian Neema Naz returns to the studio for a candid and celebratory conversation in the middle of his world tour. After receiving a major boost from megastar Drake, Neema has gone from social media sensation to global performer, sharing stages with comedy legends like Russell Peters and Howie Ma…

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Roqe Ep. 374 - Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi: Legacy, Loss, and the Future of Iran 1:18:32

3M ago1:18:32

1:18:32

In this special edition of Roqe, Jian Ghomeshi sits down with Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi for a rare and revealing conversation - one of his first ever in-studio interviews in Canada. Recorded at the Roqe Studio in Toronto, this 75-minute exchange spans the personal, political, and philosophical.From the Crown Prince’s Five-Point Strategy for support…

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Roqe Ep. 373 - The Innovation Formula - Babak Khodaparast, Hamed Azimi 1:08:42

3M ago1:08:42

1:08:42

In this edition of Roqe, two Iranian-Canadian visionaries share their insights on building ideas into impact.First, Jian speaks with Babak Khodaparast — a young inventor, entrepreneur, and President of the National Inventors Team of Canada — about thriving in what he calls the “Invention Economy.” From clean-tech to startup incubation, Babak explai…

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Roqe Ep. 372 - Saba Zameni - Live at the Roqe Hub 1:27:12

4M ago1:27:12

1:27:12

Iranian singer, dancer, and activist Saba Zameni was once jailed in Iran for doing what many of us take for granted — expressing herself through music and movement. Now based in Canada, she has emerged as a rising voice in the global Iranian community, with a fast-growing online presence and a story that resonates with audiences around the world.In…

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THE FUTURE OF HUMANITY, AI, AND EVOLUTION | SAM RAD X CHRIS KALABOUKIS 1:11:49

4M ago1:11:49

1:11:49

In this mind-expanding episode of THINKFUTURE, futurist anthropologist Sam Rad joins Chris Kalaboukis to explore the powerful intersections of artificial intelligence, human creativity, and the next stage of evolution. From biohacking and brain-computer interfaces to the future of work, politics, and education by 2035, Sam unpacks where we’re heade…

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Roqe Ep. 371 - How the Brain Perceives Beauty - Live at the Roqe Hub with Dr. Amir Rouzati 1:14:58

4M ago1:14:58

1:14:58

In this new edition of Roqe – recorded live at the Roqe Hub – we explore the science, psychology, and shifting cultural standards of beauty with Dr. Amir Rouzati, a leading figure in the world of aesthetic medicine. In a wide-ranging talk followed by a candid and thought-provoking - and, at times challenging - on-stage interview with Jian, Dr. Rouz…

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1094 AI-Powered Customer Support: Gradient Labs’ Game Plan 34:22

4M ago34:22

34:22

In this episode of "ThinkFuture," I sit down with Dimitri, the CEO and co-founder of Gradient Labs AI, to explore how they’re revolutionizing customer support in regulated industries like financial services. Dimitri shares how their AI agents can handle up to 40% of customer queries without even touching sensitive data, aiming to outshine human age…

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Roqe Ep. 370 - Iranians and the Canadian Election - M. Loghmani, M. Azari, S. Bigdeli, M. Tajdolati 1:13:12

4M ago1:13:12

1:13:12

In the wake of Canada’s latest federal election, Jian hosts a timely and incisive roundtable exploring what the results reveal about Iranian-Canadian political identity and influence. With the Liberal Party securing a minority government and traditional voting patterns shifting, this special episode of Roqe asks: How did Iranian-Canadians vote this…

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1093 WHY CHANGING YOURSELF IS SO HARD (BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE!) 10:03

4M ago10:03

10:03

In this episode of "ThinkFuture," I get real about change—something we all crave but fear at the same time. I’ve been saying it for over a decade on this show: life is change, yet humans cling to a steady state because chaos freaks us out. We’re surrounded by a universe of chaos, with our orderly society just a thin layer on top. But here’s the kic…

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1092 REVOLUTIONIZING BACKGROUND CHECKS 30:32

4M ago30:32

30:32

In this episode of "ThinkFuture," I chat with Chris Harper, an entrepreneur who’s shaking up the background check game with his company, ZippedScript. Harper kicks things off with his wild journey—from selling light switch covers and Christmas caroling as a kid to tackling the outdated background check industry. He breaks down how the old-school me…

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1091 SHOULD YOU SAY PLEASE TO YOUR AI? THE POLITENESS DEBATE 9:00

4M ago9:00

9:00

In this episode of "ThinkFuture," I dive into a hot topic from AIDaily.us: should you be polite to your AI? I share how I’ve always said “please” and “thank you” to bots like ChatGPT, feeling like I get better responses—though a friend thought I was nuts. Two articles caught my eye: one says being polite wastes electricity since AI has to process e…

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Roqe Ep. 369 - King Raam - Live at the Roqe Hub 1:52:21

4M ago1:52:21

1:52:21

A new episode of Roqe including a feature interview and performance with popular Iranian-Canadian musician and podcaster King Raam - recorded live in front of an audience as part of the ‘Ideas at the Roqe Hub’ series. Raam joins Jian to open up about the horrific experience of losing his father - killed in Evin prison in Iran - and the detainment o…

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1090 THE CREATOR VS. THE CROWD 9:21

4M ago9:21

9:21

In this episode of "ThinkFuture," I dig into the eternal struggle every creator faces: making what you love versus what the crowd wants. Picture a Venn diagram—one circle’s your passion project as a content creator (think podcaster, TikToker, artist), the other’s what goes viral with millions of views. Problem is, they rarely overlap! I talk about …

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1089 SOUL HEALTH 101: FROM FINTECH TO SOUL TECH 34:27

4M ago34:27

34:27

In this episode of "ThinkFuture," I chat with Pam Buchanan who’s spent 40 years in corporate fintech before pivoting to something way deeper—soul health. She takes us on her journey from rocking big ‘80s hair and suits in finance to founding Quantum Sense, a company all about reconnecting us with our souls. She breaks down how we can’t see our soul…

1
1088 ENGINEERING HAPPY ACCIDENTS: THE POWER OF SERENDIPITY 8:47

4M ago8:47

8:47

In this episode of "ThinkFuture," I dive into the magic of serendipity—those happy accidents behind breakthroughs like the Popsicle, penicillin, and Ivermectin. I share how the Popsicle came to be when someone left soda and a stick outside to freeze by mistake, sparking a whole new treat. I argue that serendipity isn’t just luck; we can actually en…

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Roqe Ep.368 - Andy 1:15:14

5M ago1:15:14

1:15:14

A feature exclusive and wide-ranging interview with legendary Iranian pop singers and songwriter, Andy Madadian. Andy joins Jian for a career interview about his path from modest means in Iran, to exile in America, the effective creation of a new genre of Persian music in LA, hit songs, collaborations, and recent participation in Ed Sheeran’s globa…

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1087 CRYPTO, STABLECOINS, AND THE FUTURE OF MONEY WITH CARTER FROM SPREE 38:58

5M ago38:58

38:58

In this thinkfuture episode, host Chris dives into a lively chat with Carter, co-founder of Spree, a platform making it easier to spend crypto in everyday life. Carter shares his journey from physics PhD to crypto enthusiast, sparked by Dogecoin, and his passion for decentralized finance. They break down the similarities between crypto and fiat—bot…

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Roqe Ep. 367 - How Should Iranian-Canadians Vote?- Sadeq Bigdeli, Mehrdad Loghmani 1:32:53

5M ago1:32:53

1:32:53

On the precipice of a Canadian federal election, a new episode of Roqe features a discussion/debate on the question of how the growing Iranian-Canadian community should vote this time. Jian is joined in the Roqe Studio by Iranian-Canadian lawyer Sadeq Bigdeli advocating for the Conservative Party and Iranian-Canadian academic and author Mehrdad Log…

1
1086 AI TOOK YOUR JOB—NOW WHAT? THE TASK ECONOMY AWAITS 11:41

5M ago11:41

11:41

I tackle the big fear everyone’s got: will AI snatch your job? Spoiler: probably, if your gig’s something AI can do better. I dive into how we’re messing up by giving humans AI-suited jobs (like repetitive tasks) and AI human-suited jobs (like creative stuff). It’s a mess! But I’ve got a vision: a task economy where an AI dispatcher assigns jobs ba…

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1085 CRACKING EMOTIONAL INSIGHTS 39:45

5M ago39:45

39:45

I sit down with Ian Baer, the founder of Sooth—a predictive intelligence firm that’s shaking things up after Ian’s 35 years in advertising. We dive into how Sooth uses AI and data analytics to dig into emotional insights, not just for marketing but also for stuff like product development, HR, and even healthcare. Their SOOF method crunches massive …

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1084 GET SEEN OR GET LOST: OUTRAGE IN THE ATTENTION ECONOMY 11:25

5M ago11:25

11:25

Let's break down how success in today’s world isn’t about who you know—it’s about who knows you. I take us back to the pre-internet days when getting noticed as a musician, writer, or creator meant begging gatekeepers like book publishers or music execs to pick you. The barriers were sky-high! Fast forward to now, and the internet’s a game-changer—…

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1083 CLONE YOURSELF WITH AI: DREAM OR NIGHTMARE? 11:15

5M ago11:15

11:15

In this episode of "ThinkFuture," I get hyped about the idea of AI clones taking over our daily grind. I stumbled across an article on AIDaily.us about creating AI versions of ourselves, and I’m all in—why not have a hundred digital “yous” out there handling the boring stuff? I break down how tech, from the wheel to AI, has always been about liftin…

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Roqe Ep. 366 - The Chess Master Mindset - Dorsa Derakhshani 1:03:28

5M ago1:03:28

1:03:28

A new episode of Roqe including a feature interview with chess prodigy Dorsa Derakhshani, who joins Jian from Missouri. Dorsa discusses her journey of how she quickly rose through the ranks of competitive chess, earning the titles of Women’s Grandmaster and International Master, along with multiple gold medals at the Asian Youth Chess Championships…

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1082 GABBY UNVEILED: YOUR AI SIDEKICK 34:00

5M ago34:00

34:00

In this episode of "ThinkFuture," I sit down with Cheryl Cunningham, the founder and CEO of HURO AI, to talk about their game-changing AI assistant, Gabby. Cheryl breaks down HURO AI’s mission to make AI accessible to everyone through telecom networks, aiming to democratize tech for the masses. Gabby’s a next-level personalized assistant that learn…

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1081 WOULD YOU EDIT YOUR AI CHILD OR COMPANION? 11:04

5M ago11:04

11:04

In this episode of "ThinkFuture," I dive into a wild story from AIDaily.us about a Chinese company building an AI child—now upgraded from a 3-4-year-old to a 5-6-year-old version. They’re calling it AGI, but I’m not buying it. This AI kid even threw a tantrum, pushing back on its “parents” (aka the researchers). But let’s be real—it’s not feeling e…

1
1080 REWIND TO THIRD VOICE: THE INTERNET’S LOST GEM 10:12

5M ago10:12

10:12

In this episode of "ThinkFuture," I take you on a nostalgic trip back to the internet’s wild west days—think 1992, when I first hopped online. Back then, it was all about peer-to-peer vibes, no middlemen, just pure connection. Fast forward 30+ years, and we’re drowning in intermediaries. I riff on how timing is everything for startup success—great …

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