Trailblazers with Walter Isaacson

Latest Episodes:

Recycling: Turning Trash into Treasure Mar 03, 2021

Show notes

Recycling used to just be called "scrap metal salvage" and it was thought of as an unsavory practice. That all changed as recently as the 1970s, when it became the curb side amenity it is today and part of a multi-billion-dollar industry. Now, the question isn't can we recycle, but can we recycle everything? Innovators in the field are trying to find out.

Find out more about these innovators like Carl Zimring, Tom Szaky, Martin Bourque, Jim Puckett, Peter Christensen and Veena Sahajwalla on an all-new episode of Trailblazers. For more on the podcast go to delltechnologies.com/trailblazers

Cryptography: The Key to Sending Secret Messages Feb 17, 2021

Show notes

From highly sensitive material to an emoji-filled text messages, we expect all of our communications to be private in this day and age. That wouldn't be possible without codes, ciphers and cryptography.

Over the years, cryptography has gone from simple letter-shifting to deep, uncrackable protections that can't be broken by the most sophisticated codebreakers. It's been necessary, to keep unwanted eyes out, but it has taken some real innovation to make it happen.

Encryption has been improved over the years by many, many people, some of whom are featured here — experts such as Phil Zimmermann, Whitfield Diffie, Steven Levy, Andrew Hodges and Alex Stamos.

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

Happy Holidays from Trailblazers with Walter Isaacson Dec 23, 2020

Show notes

Happy Holidays from Walter Isaacson! We'll be back in 2021 with more great stories.

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

Genomics: Rewriting Our Health Dec 16, 2020

Show notes

Recombinant DNA. The double helix. Mapping the human genome. You know these are all related to our genes, but you might now know how, or what connects them.

In this episode of Trailblazers, we answer those questions while exploring the world of genomics.

Gain a deeper understanding of our genetic code and how that knowledge is changing how we think about our health with experts like Hallam Stevens, Glenn Cohen, Rick Myers, Eric Green, Amit Khera and Jennifer Doudna.

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

Beauty: More Than Skin Deep Dec 02, 2020

Show notes

Beauty might only be skin deep, but the rivalry that helped create the industry is much deeper. And today's cosmetics trailblazers are helping reach new depths when it comes to the techniques and technology they're developing, all in the name of beauty care.

In this episode, you'll hear from industry innovators and thought leaders like Lindy Woodhead, Gabriela Hernandez, Linda Johnson-Rice, Lauren Luke, Anne Wetter and Parham Aarabi.

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

eSports: More Than Just a Game Nov 18, 2020

Show notes

With legacy sports leagues drastically modified or on hiatus, something had to step up to take their place. For many, that is eSports.

eSports might seem incredibly new but the industry is more storied than you might think and it's already racking up big revenues. This year alone, it's brought in over $1 billion. So what is fuelling this increased interest in competitive gaming?

Hear from current and former eSports competitors like Jonathan "Fatality" Wendel, Stephanie "missharvey" Harvey, Daniel "FunnyAstro" Hathaway and those studying this young industry like James Dean, Jon-Paul Dyson and Robert Overweg.

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

Ocean Exploration: Into the Deep Nov 04, 2020

Show notes

For most of human history, what goes on under the surface of the ocean has been a complete mystery. A fascinating one, but a mystery nonetheless. In fact, only 20% of the ocean's depths have been explored.

But we're developing the technology to finally uncover what lies beneath thanks to innovators like Jacques Cousteau, Sylvia Earle, Mark Dalio and Ron Allum.

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

Scams: The Oldest Tricks in the Book Oct 21, 2020

Show notes

Scams and cons have been around since the dawn of currency. Wherever there is money, there is likely someone trying to get it through illicit means.

Technology, with its corresponding oversharing of personal information, has only made this more prevalent in the recent past.

Hear expert insights about the history of scams and how they've evolved from Maria Konnikova, Frank Abagnale, Karl Rock, Joshua Browder and Ken Gamble. For more on the podcast go to delltechnologies.com/trailblazers

Offices: The Evolving Workplace Oct 07, 2020

Show notes

Office design was originally focused on getting the most productivity out of every worker, but as ideas like creativity and employee satisfaction began to gain prominence, changes needed to be made.

And then the 2020 pandemic came along and changed everything.

On this episode, you'll hear from Nikil Saval, Ryan Mullinex, Kate Lister, Ben Waber and Tanuj Mohan. These trailblazers are helping create and study the modern workplace.
For more on the podcast go to delltechnologies.com/trailblazers

Podcasts: A Storytelling Breakthrough Aug 26, 2020

Show notes

Podcasts are everywhere right now and this new mode of storytelling is only getting more popular. In fact, 73 million Americans now listen to podcasts regularly. How did this happen over such a remarkably short period of time?

And, more importantly, what comes next?

On this episode of Trailblazers, you'll hear from the people who have shaped the past, present and future of podcasting including Derek Vaillant, Dave Winer, Julie Shapiro, Ben Calhoun, Marshall Williams and Jacob Weisberg.

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