Trailblazers with Walter Isaacson

Latest Episodes:

Pets: Our Closest Companions Nov 03, 2021

Show notes

Humanity's connection with pets goes back thousands of years. In fact, evidence indicates we've been keeping dogs for at least 14,000 years. Today, more than two-thirds of American households own a pet. We love our fluffy companions and the technology we've developed to adopt, relocate, resurrect and communicate with them is proof that the value of their companionship is immeasurable.

Featuring Katherine Grier, Elizabeth Holmes, John Polimeno, Blake Russell and Con Slobodchikoff. For more on the podcast go to delltechnologies.com/trailblazers

The Electrical Grid: Keeping the Lights On Aug 25, 2021

Show notes

The electrical grid is the most important innovation of the 20th century. What started out as a series of micro grids powering small areas eventually grew into what is now widely considered the world's biggest machine. But this machine needs a tune-up.

Our energy demands are on the rise and severe weather events caused by climate change are becoming more frequent. Luckily, renewable energy and modern smart technology are helping us reimagine the grid so we can keep the lights on.

Hear from from Gretchen Bakke, Peter Asmus, Bryan Hannegan, Andres Carvallo and Gregory Poilasne.

For more on the podcast go to delltechnologies.com/trailblazers

Parenting: It Takes a Village Aug 11, 2021

Show notes

You’ve probably heard the proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.” That's because for most of human history, when it came to child-care, people had the daily support of family, friends and neighbours.
Today, that's not the reality for many young parents. Not only that, parents are raising their kids in a much more technologically complex world. So the question becomes, with a smaller support network, how can parents use technology to help raise their children, without letting it get in the way.
Featuring Jennifer Traig, Alison Gopnik, Mike Rothman, Dr. Harvey Karp, Jill Gilkerson and Dana Porter.

For more on the podcast go to delltechnologies.com/trailblazers

Snacks: Delight in Every Bite Jul 28, 2021

Show notes

Take a look in your pantry. Chances are, there are at least a few different snacks in there right now. Sweet, savory, salty, we all love them all. From the invention of the potato chip bag to high-tech machine-learning algorithms that predict the flavors of the future, snacking and science are deeply intertwined. We talk to experts to find out why we love snacks and what we can expect from the snack foods of tomorrow.
Featuring Nadia Berenstein, Howard Moskowitz, Daniel Lubetzky, Heather Daniell and Jason Cohen.
For more on the podcast go to delltechnologies.com/trailblazers

Vaccines: An Injection of Hope Jul 14, 2021

Show notes

Vaccines are headline news all over the world these days. The rapid development of several COVID-19 vaccines during the last year has save countless lives. From smallpox and polio to ebola and HPV, scientists have done amazing things to prevent the spread of lethal viruses. But recent advancements in vaccine technology might just change the way we fight disease forever.

Hear from some of these researchers, doctors and scientists like Michael Kinch, David Oshinsky, Stanley Plotkin, Ian Frazer, Heinz Feldmann and Stephen Hoge.

For more on the podcast go to delltechnologies.com/trailblazers

Eyesight: Vision's Visionaries May 12, 2021

Show notes

Vision problems have always affected humanity, but until the invention of eyeglasses, there wasn't much that could be done. Now, with lasers, retinal implants, AR, gene therapy and more, we may have the technology it takes to permanently solve many vision problems.

Featuring innovators like Mike Marmor, Lisa Nijm, Mark Humayun, Drew Perkins and Jean Bennett. For more on the podcast go to delltechnologies.com/trailblazers

Poverty: Economic Advancement in the Developing World Apr 28, 2021

Show notes

Poverty is a challenge facing over one billion people across the globe so, as far as challenges go, this is a big one. So big, it will take a multi-faceted, multi-dimensional set of solutions involving banking, food production, internet access and more. All across the developing world, inspired trailblazers are finding innovative ways to use technology new and old to help lift people out of poverty.
Featuring solution builders like William Kamkwamba, Angus Deaton, Ram Kiran Dhulipala, Ken Njoroge, Nivi Sharma and Alexandria Lafci.

For more on the podcast go to delltechnologies.com/trailblazers

Reviews: Empowering the Consumer Apr 14, 2021

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Before the internet, we largely depended on professional reviewers to tell us what movies to see and products to buy. But consumer review sites and social media changed that. Now we seek out the opinions of other customers.

It's almost impossible to buy anything today without seeing thousands of ratings and reviews. But fake reviews are muddying the water. How do we know whose opinion to trust?

In this episode, we trace the evolution of the modern review.

Featuring Kim Kleeman, Liza Featherstone, R.V. Guha, Patrick Lee, Saoud Khalifah and Marques Brownlee, aka MKBHD.

For more on the podcast go to delltechnologies.com/trailblazers

Sports Medicine: Pushing Ourselves to the Limit Mar 31, 2021

Show notes

As long as there have been sports, there have been sports injuries. Sports medicine is relatively new, but the high stakes nature of athletics and the profitability of professional leagues are catalyzing technological innovation in the field.

Meet the doctors, scientists, educators and innovators helping predict, prevent and repair injuries so athletes can push themselves to new limits.

Featuring experts such as Jack Berryman, Rob Neyer, James Noble, Marcus Elliott and Andy Etches. For more on the podcast go to delltechnologies.com/trailblazers

Dan Rather Talks CRISPR with Walter Isaacson Mar 17, 2021

Show notes

CRISPR gene-editing technology has been all over the news lately, and not just because of its application in coronavirus detection and vaccine development.

Walter Isaacson's new book, The Code Breaker, tells the story of CRISPR and Nobel Prize winning scientist Jennifer Doudna who helped developed this revolutionary new technology.

In this special episode of Trailblazers, world-famous journalist Dan Rather interviews Walter about the past, present and future of CRISPR and its potential to change the future of the human race.

For more on the podcast go to delltechnologies.com/trailblazers