Joe Lonsdale: American Optimist cover art
Podcast · 113 episodes

Joe Lonsdale: American Optimist, page 2

by Joe Lonsdale · English

American Optimist, hosted by Joe Lonsdale: entrepreneur, investor, and founder of four multi-billion dollar companies and other mission-driven organizations. American Optimist is an alternative to the fear, cynicism, and zero-sum thinking in mainstream media. Learn from the innovators and leaders who are solving our nation’s most pressing challenges, and doing it in a way that will lift everyone up. Hope should dominate our discourse, and American Optimist will show you why. blog.joelonsdale.com

All episodes, page 2

Ep 139: Make Government Beautiful & Functional Again with America's Chief Design Officer Joe GebbiaJoe Gebbia, America's Chief Design Officer20 Jan 2026 · 39 min · 19 chapters
Ep 138: AI, Space-Based Interceptors & the Bleeding Edge of Warfare with Pentagon R&D Chief Emil MichaelIn this episode, Joe Lonsdale interviews Emil Michael, the Pentagon's Chief Technology Officer and Under Secretary of War for Research & Engineering.9 Jan 2026 · 30 min · 14 chapters
Ep 137: Gov. Chris Sununu on AI vs Harvard, DOGE 2.0, and a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution Gov. Chris Sununu on AI vs Harvard, DOGE 2.0, and a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution30 Dec 2025 · 35 min · 23 chapters
Ep 136: OPM Director Scott Kupor on Launching the U.S. Tech Force & Bringing Merit Back to GovernmentScott Kupor, Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)18 Dec 2025 · 33 min
Ep 135: Philip Howard on Saving the American SpiritIn this episode of *American Optimist*, hosted by Joe Lonsdale, Philip Howard, founder of Common Good and author of "Saving Can-Do," discusses the dysfunction in the American government.11 Dec 2025 · 38 min
Ep 134: Inside the White House and the AI Race with OSTP Director Michael Kratsios In this episode of *American Optimist*, host Joe Lonsdale invites Michael Kratsios, the Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), to discuss the current landscape of…26 Nov 2025 · 18 min
Ep 133: Matt Ridley on the Fight to Save the UK & How Extraordinary Ideas Evolve The intersection of innovation, economics, and cultural issues in the UK and the broader implications for society.21 Nov 2025 · 44 min
Ep 132: Sen. Bill Hagerty on Saving Memphis & Designing Regulatory Frameworks for AI and Crypto Public safety initiatives in Memphis and regulatory frameworks for AI and cryptocurrency.6 Nov 2025 · 41 min
Ep 131: How AI + Incentives Can 10X Learning & Save American Education with Tech Legend Joe Liemandt Joe Liemandt - a notable figure in technology, founder of Trilogy and Alpha School, and a proponent of reforming the American education system using AI and innovative incentive models.17 Oct 2025 · 54 min
Ep 130: "Free speech is not enough" — UATX President Carlos Carvalho on Charlie Kirk, Fighting Communists & the Duty of a UniversityEntrepreneur, investor, and founder of multiple multi-billion dollar companies.9 Oct 2025 · 49 min
Ep 129: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt Steps Up to Save Tulsa — and Prove What's Possible In this episode, Joe Lonsdale interviews Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, who discusses his bold actions against homelessness and crime in Tulsa.3 Oct 2025 · 26 min
Ep 128: Hollywood Star Zachary Levi on Speaking Out for Trump, AI vs the Arts, and His $100M Texas Studio ProjectIn this episode, host Joe Lonsdale interviews actor Zachary Levi, known for his roles in *Chuck*, *Shazam!*, and Disney's *Tangled*.25 Sep 2025 · 59 min
Ep 127: Max Meyer, Arena Magazine, and the Battle for Truth, Beauty & ProgressEp 127: Max Meyer, Arena Magazine, and the Battle for Truth, Beauty & Progress15 Sep 2025 · 31 min
Ep 126: Will AI Spark A New Logistics Revolution? Harish Abbott Helped Pioneer Next-Day Shipping — And He’s Betting Yes.Will AI Spark A New Logistics Revolution? Harish Abbott Helped Pioneer Next-Day Shipping — And He’s Betting Yes.5 Sep 2025 · 42 min
Ep 125: Sen. Eric Schmitt on Exposing Mass Censorship & Outsmarting the Far-Left Sen. Eric Schmitt, U.S. Senator from Missouri29 Aug 2025 · 39 min
Ep 124: The Fearless Adversary of Venezuela's Dictators - A Special Interview with Maria Corina MachadoThis episode features Maria Corina Machado, a prominent Venezuelan opposition leader, often referred to as the "Iron Lady." Despite facing personal attacks, threats, and political challenges, she…21 Aug 2025 · 29 min
Ep 123: The New Space Age with Palantir Alum & Apex Space CEO Ian Cinnamon In this episode of *American Optimist*, Joe Lonsdale interviews Ian Cinnamon, the co-founder and CEO of Apex Space, a satellite platform company.13 Aug 2025 · 46 min
Ep 122: The AI Services Revolution with Shreyas Parab & Anton Lin of DayDreamIn this episode, Joe Lonsdale discusses the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in the dental billing sector with Shreyas Parab (co-founder & CEO) and Anton Lin (co-founder & CTO)…6 Aug 2025 · 31 min
Ep 121: Reid Hoffman on AI Optimism & How the Democratic Party Alienated Silicon ValleyDiscusses AI optimism, the intersection of technology and politics, and the challenges faced by Silicon Valley in relation to the Democratic Party.28 Jul 2025 · 40 min
Ep 120: OMB Director Russ Vought on the Big Beautiful Bill, Making DOGE Permanent & the Looming Battle over ImpoundmentEp 120: OMB Director Russ Vought on the Big Beautiful Bill, Making DOGE Permanent & the Looming Battle over Impoundment22 Jul 2025 · 27 min
Ep 119: Former Waymo Leader Boris Sofman on Autonomous Construction & Bringing AI into the Physical WorldIn episode 119 of "American Optimist," host Joe Lonsdale interviews Boris Sofman, co-founder and CEO of Bedrock Robotics, which aims to revolutionize the construction industry through automation and…16 Jul 2025 · 42 min
Ep 118: Marc Andreessen on AI, Robotics & America's Industrial RenaissanceIn this episode, Joe Lonsdale interviews Marc Andreessen, co-founder and general partner at Andreessen Horowitz, discussing pivotal transformations in America's economy, particularly as it relates to…3 Jul 2025 · 36 min
Ep 117: Dave Rubin on the Woke Right, Free Speech vs Conspiracy Theories & His New Tequila CompanyThe influence of AI on education and personal identities26 Jun 2025 · 49 min
Ep 116: California — the Next Revolution? A Conversation with Steve HiltonIn this episode, Joe Lonsdale hosts Steve Hilton to discuss California's political landscape, the impacts of left-wing governance, and Hilton's candidacy for governor.19 Jun 2025 · 51 min