Same Same but Tech

SSBT Season 2 is like an AI-Generated Dinner Party in Space Jun 29, 2021

Welp. Here we are with a bittersweet episode of Same Same but Tech: it’s the Season Two wrap up show. And after travelling up, down and all around the technosphere, what a season it was! From the highest of highs to the pits of despair, our guests brought us into their worlds, building technologies that are moving and shaking the foundation of culture and bringing us into the future, one brilliant analogy at a time. And while the good times always have to come to an end eventually, we thought we’d like to keep the party going for one more supercut to remind you, dear listeners, of how much awesomeness we had along the way. With a docket including: plant based meat, AI art, space tourism, virtual beings, NFTs (and more!), there’s a bit of ear candy for each one of you out there. So buckle up and put that car in drive, because we’re hitting the road. It’s the clip show! Hosted by Máuhan M Zonoozy, Head of Innovation at Spotify, Partner-alum at BCG Digital Ventures, and NYC-based angel investor and entrepreneur. Powered by BCG Digital Ventures.

Startups are like Cooking Without a Recipe (feat. Brad Feld, Techstars + REEF Technology) Jun 22, 2021

Joined by O.G. startup whisperer, Brad Feld, Co-founder of Techstars and Managing Director of the Foundry Group, we dive into the startup soup. This latest wave of startups is boooooming. Money is pouring in as startups as the pandemic actually births or accelerated many - from audio social networks to video conferences to ghost kitchens! But anyone who’s tried before knows how hard it is to actually start a company. It takes funding, confidence, and a team that can make it happen. But how does this all come together? In this episode of Same Same but Tech, we track the story behind the startup who went from parking lots to a “proximity as a service” revolution. We’ll get the inside scoop of all the ups and downs from REEF Technology Co-Founder, Philippe Saint-Just. You might just walk away with the emboldened drive to go start your own venture. To the moon! Hosted by Máuhan M Zonoozy, Head of Innovation at Spotify, Partner-alum at BCG Digital Ventures, and NYC-based angel investor and entrepreneur. Powered by BCG Digital Ventures.

Deepfakes are like Hollywood Body Doubles (feat. Descript + MIT Media Lab) Jun 10, 2021

The deepfakes are coming! The growing trend of AI manipulated media has been racking up views and making everyone from Tom Cruise to Nancy Pelosi say things they’ve never said before, blurring the line of trust in what’s actually real and what’s altered on the Internet. In this episode of Same Same but Tech, we go deep with a startup called Lyrebird, who revolutionized an audio deepfake technology called voice cloning. Co-Founder and Head of Research Kundan Kumar gives the inside look at how they developed their voice clones and shook the internet in 2017 with a demo featuring a faked conversation between Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Are we heading towards a future of distrust and suspicion for everyone we see and everything we do online? Has a voice clone already taken over hosting duties for this very podcast? We might just have to run a deepfake detection program on Mauhan to find out. With expert insight from MIT Media Lab Professor, Pattie Maes and Research Assistant, Pat Pataranutaporn. Hosted by Máuhan M Zonoozy (or is he a deepfake too?), Head of Innovation at Spotify, Partner-alum at BCG Digital Ventures, and NYC-based angel investor and entrepreneur. Powered by BCG Digital Ventures.

NFTs are like Trading Cards (feat. Dapper Labs + OpenSea) Jun 02, 2021

WTF is an NFT? Why are they worth so much? And what do they have to do with internet cats and the NBA? All of these questions and more answered on this edition of Same Same but Tech. NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are unique digital assets that can be bought and sold on the public ledger of the blockchain. In this episode, we trace the story of the rise of Dapper Labs, who’ve been on the front edges of advancing NFTs. In 2017 they started Cryptokitties, an NFT marketplace offering a digital den of kittens that are cute, unique and collectible. We’ll talk to Dapper’s CEO Roham Gharegozlou about how they evolved from novelty kittens to huge trades on NBA Top Shot, a highly lucrative market for NFT collectibles and highlights from the NBA’s hottest players. The age of the NFT is upon us, but before you shell out your hard earned crypto coins, is this latest blockchain trend a bubble? Or are we on the cusp of a paradigm shift -- where digital and physical items now hold the same value? With expert insight from Devin Finzer CEO of OpenSea, one of the biggest NFT marketplaces operating today. Hosted by Máuhan M Zonoozy, Head of Innovation at Spotify, Partner-alum at BCG Digital Ventures, and NYC-based angel investor and entrepreneur. Powered by BCG Digital Ventures.

Virtual Beings are like Mockumentaries (feat. Lil Miquela, Brud + Fable Studio) May 25, 2021

What will the future of celebrity look like? Here’s a scoop on the tiger beat: The next teeny-bop sensation might be a bot. No, we’re serious. An entirely new era of stardom is upon us, and the pop stars of the future are going to be, well, a little less human. All the instagram glitz and TikTok glam of today’s influencer culture without the human flaws? That’s the promise of the latest mind-blowing innovations in virtual beings technology. And what is a virtual being you ask? We’re going to answer that question by smashing the barrier between real and surreal and introducing you to Lil Miquela, a singing, dancing, live streaming sensation, and one of today’s hottest digital stars. On this episode of Same Same we talk with Nicole de Ayora, Chief Content Officer at Brud, the startup that introduced Lil Miquela to the masses. We’ll also hear expert analysis from Edward Saatchi, Founder and CEO of Fable Studio. Hosted by Máuhan M Zonoozy, Head of Innovation at Spotify, Partner-alum at BCG Digital Ventures, and NYC-based angel investor and entrepreneur. Powered by BCG Digital Ventures.

Social Audio is like a Buffet for your Ears (feat. Lullaby Club + Kaleido Insights) May 13, 2021

Since the pandemic drove the world indoors and “Work From Home” became the new mantra, a host of voice-first social networking apps like Clubhouse have busted through the interwebs and into our airpods, creating a buzz around Social Audio as the next frontier of social media. This week on Same Same, we track the rise of Clubhouse with one of its most prolific users: musician Axel Mansoor, who for the last several months was the literal face you see on the app icon. He started the Lullaby Club, one of the app’s most popular communities. The FOMO driving users to sign up for the invite-only app is real, but will the Social Audio trend last beyond lockdown? We’ll also get insight from Silicon Valley analyst Jeremiah Owyang on the future of this new audio-only mindset. Hosted by Máuhan M Zonoozy, Head of Innovation at Spotify, Partner-alum at BCG Digital Ventures, and NYC-based angel investor and entrepreneur. Powered by BCG Digital Ventures.

Space Tourism is like Scuba Diving (feat. Space Adventures + E2MC Ventures) Apr 27, 2021

How much money would you pay to go to space? With Virgin Galactic, SpaceX, and Blue Origin throwing billions at launching tourists into space, that question is less hypothetical than you’d think. This week on Same Same, get the inside track on what it takes to get into orbit and how it will shift our galactic perspective with guests Raphael Roettgen, space investor and founder of E2MC Ventures, and Richard Garriott, a video game pioneer and serial entrepreneur who risked everything he had to get to space. Hosted by Máuhan M Zonoozy, Head of Innovation at Spotify, Partner-alum at BCG Digital Ventures, and NYC-based angel investor and entrepreneur. Powered by BCG Digital Ventures.

AI Art is like a Photograph (feat. Obvious + Rutgers University AI Lab) Apr 20, 2021

Is AI-generated artwork “real” art? Is an artist using a computer a “real” artist? What is “art,” anyway? According to our guests, Dr. Ahmed Elgammal and Hugo Caselles-Dupré, generative art using AI is just like using a camera in the 1850s. As the popularity of AI-generated art grows, so does the debate of what is - and isn’t - considered art. Listen to the story of the team at Obvious, the creators of the first piece of generative artwork ever to be auctioned off at the venerable Christie’s Auction House. Hosted by Mauhan M Zonoozy, Head of Innovation at Spotify, Partner-alum at BCG Digital Ventures, and NYC-based angel investor and entrepreneur. Powered by BCG Digital Ventures.

Plant-based Meat are like Teslas (feat. Impossible Foods + IndieBio) Apr 13, 2021

Imagine trying to change a habit people have had for thousands of years: eating meat. That’s the human-engineering challenge ahead of the makers of plant-based meat -- create a burger that saves our climate, tastes incredible, and convinces humanity to trade in their beloved burgers for something . . . well, green. The story of the Impossible Whopper, from test kitchen to drive-thru. Hosted by Mauhan M Zonoozy, Head of Innovation at Spotify, Partner-alum at BCG Digital Ventures, and NYC-based angel investor and entrepreneur. Powered by BCG Digital Ventures.

Trailer: Season 2 is like a Story Feb 26, 2021

Season 2 of Same Same but Tech is en route with stories about how technology is changing every element of our culture - from commercial space flight to AI-generated art to plant-based burgers.

Bonus: SSBT Season 1 is like Hanging Out with your Best Friends (featuring Corinne + Lee) Sep 23, 2020

What makes our podcast tick? Join us behind the scenes with Corinne Javier and Lee Schneider (Producers @ Same Same but Tech) to recap our first season of Same Same But Tech. We discuss our favorite episodes, dream guests, and preview Season Two! Sound effect medley, anyone? Hosted by Mauhan M Zonoozy. Powered by BCG Digital Ventures. Thank you to our Season 1 guests: Justin Kan, Dennis Mortensen, Quentin Hardy, Kimberly Zenz, Anthony Johnson, Andrey “reynad” Yanyuk, Matthew Cohen, Christian Guirnalda, Andrew Lewman, Gary Alford, Boris Sofman, Ted Schilowitz, Greg Sullivan, Alexis Hancock, Jeanine Hightower-Sellitto, Shawn Cheng, Matt Salzberg, Gabby Cohen, Sanjay Amin, Kevin Bethune, and Bill Burnett.

Human-Centered Design is like your Favorite Grandma (featuring Stanford d.School + dreams • design + life) Sep 10, 2020

What makes the Apple Pencil every illustrator's favorite toy? Kevin Bethune (Founder + Chief Creative Officer @ dreams • design + life ) and Bill Burnett (Executive Director of the Design Program @ Stanford University) join us as we dissect human-centered design, and learn how to design a new product that people really, deeply love. Hint: it all starts with empathy... Hosted by Mauhan M Zonoozy. Powered by BCG Digital Ventures.

The Subscription Economy is like a Las Vegas Buffet (featuring YouTube + Rent the Runway) Aug 13, 2020

What’s better - YouTube or Apple Music? Disney+ or Netflix? How does Spotify make money? Gabby Cohen (Chief Brand Officer at Rent the Runway) and Sanjay Amin (Head of YouTube Music Subscription Partnerships) join us to dissect the subscription economy vs the sharing economy, and provide the real reason why we don’t “own” anything anymore - not even our clothes. Hosted by Mauhan M Zonoozy. Powered by BCG Digital Ventures.

Mini-Ep: Supply Chains are like Old School Fire Departments (featuring Blue Apron) Aug 04, 2020

Matt Salzberg (Founder + Chairman @ Blue Apron) joins us to answer “Why did we run out toilet paper during the pandemic?” In this Mini Episode, we break down supply chains and discuss the coronavirus supply chain, the food supply chain, and how consumers can influence ethical production practices, like Apple’s commitment to go carbon neutral. Hosted by Mauhan M Zonoozy. Powered by BCG Digital Ventures.

Cryptocurrencies are like Legos (featuring Gemini + ConsenSys Mesh) Jul 14, 2020

Jeanine Hightower-Sellitto (Managing Director @ Gemini) and Shawn Cheng (Partner @ ConsenSys Mesh) join us for a two-for-one episode to explain the hottest buzzwords since “the internet” - cryptocurrency and blockchain. In this episode, we answer “what are cryptocurrencies” and explain blockchain technology applications. Hosted by Mauhan M Zonoozy. Powered by BCG Digital Ventures.

Mini-Ep: Mobile Eavesdropping is like Searching for Someone in a Dark Room (featuring Electronic Frontier Foundation) Jul 07, 2020

Alexis Hancock (Technologist @ Electronic Frontier Foundation) joins us to answer Mauhan’s favorite question, “Is my phone listening to me?!” In this Mini Episode, we discuss ambient listening, mobile GPS, and everyone’s favorite app, TikTok. Hosted by Mauhan M Zonoozy. Powered by BCG Digital Ventures.

Mixed Reality is like having Superpowers (featuring Microsoft Hololens + Paramount Pictures) Jun 30, 2020

Ted Schilowitz (Futurist @ Paramount Pictures) and Greg Sullivan (Director of Mixed Reality @ Microsoft Hololens) take us on a journey through our new digital realities: virtual reality (“VR”), augmented reality (“AR”), mixed reality (“MR”), and the catch-all extended reality (“XR”). In this episode of SSBT, we hear virtual and augmented reality examples, and learn how mixed and virtual reality headsets like Hololens, Oculus Quest, and the upcoming Apple Glasses work. Hosted by Mauhan M Zonoozy. Powered by BCG Digital Ventures.

Mini-Ep: Autonomous Vehicles are like Email (featuring Waymo) Jun 16, 2020

Boris Sofman (Head of Trucking @ Waymo) invites us into the future at Google’s self-driving car project in this SSBT Mini Episode. Together, we consider all the profound implications autonomous vehicles will have on cities, travel, and our day-to-day lives. Hosted by Mauhan M Zonoozy. Powered by BCG Digital Ventures.

Dark Web is like the Bad Part of Town (featuring Tor Project + the IRS) Jun 09, 2020

Andrew Lewman (Co-Founder/CEO @ Tor Project) and Gary Alford (Supervisory Special Agent @ IRS) take us on a journey to the anonymous internet, and recount the incredible story of the Silk Road aka “the Amazon for drugs.” In this episode of SSBT, we answer the question, “What is the dark web?” and discuss what it reveals about humanity. Hosted by Mauhan M Zonoozy. Powered by BCG Digital Ventures.

Mini-Ep: 5G is like a Supercomputer in your Pocket (featuring Verizon) Jun 02, 2020

Christian Guirnalda (Director @ Verizon 5G Labs) helps us answer “What is 5G?” in this SSBT Mini Episode. Together, we take a peek into a 5G future full of crazy-fast download speeds and augmented reality in grocery stores. Hosted by Mauhan M Zonoozy. Powered by BCG Digital Ventures.

Esports is like Regular Sports, but Not (featuring CAA + Reynad) May 26, 2020

Andrey “Reynad” Yanyuk (esports star + owner @ TempoStorm) and Matthew Cohen (Gaming @ CAA) dissect the video game industry. While explaining gaming, streaming, and esports, they help answer “What is esports?” and “Are esports like 'real' sports?” Hosted by Mauhan M Zonoozy. Powered by analogies.

Mini-Ep: GIFs are like Moments in Time (featuring GIPHY) May 19, 2020

Can Anthony Johnson (CTO @ GIPHY) explain GIFs using words? On the heels of Facebook’s $400 million acquisition of GIPHY, Anthony joins SSBT for a “Mini Episode” to answer “What is a GIF?” and explain their cultural significance. Hosted by Mauhan M Zonoozy. Powered by analogies.

The Cloud is like a Magic Closet (featuring Google + DCSO) May 12, 2020

Quentin Hardy (Head of Editorial @ Google Cloud) and Kimberly Zenz (Head of Threat Intelligence @ DCSO) explain the most popular tech buzzword of the past decade, and answer your questions about cloud computing basics like, “How does cloud computing work, and is my online identity safe?” Hosted by Mauhan M Zonoozy. Powered by analogies. This episode was recorded before the pandemic.

AI is like your Cousin from Europe (featuring x.ai + Atrium) May 05, 2020

Justin Kan (Co-Founder + CEO of Twitch and Atrium) and Dennis Mortensen (Founder + CEO of x.ai) kick off Season 1 by helping us answer, “What is artificial intelligence and how does it work?” Hosted by Mauhan M Zonoozy. Powered by analogies.

Same Same but Trailer Apr 27, 2020

Introducing Same Same but Tech, a podcast where the smartest people in the universe explain tech buzzwords, one analogy at a time. Featuring guests from Google Cloud, Microsoft HoloLens, Twitch, Gemini, CAA, Tor, Verizon, YouTube, x.ai, Paramount Pictures, ConsenSys, GIPHY, and more. Every week, we join host Mauhan M Zonoozy, a seasoned startup founder and angel investor, as he asks the brightest minds in tech to de-jargon the industry’s biggest buzzwords. The twist? We have our guests explain the technology using analogies. Sort of like a dictionary for tech, but quirkier and with a better soundtrack.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected