Joe Lonsdale: American Optimist cover art
Podcast · 113 episodes

Joe Lonsdale: American Optimist, page 3

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 3

Ep 115: Scott Wu, Devin, and a Trillion-Dollar OpportunityFocus on innovators and leaders solving pressing challenges while promoting hope and optimism in contrast to mainstream negative narratives.12 Jun 2025 · 44 min
Ep 114: Flying Cars Are About to Change the World — Joby CEO JoeBen BevirtIn this episode, Joe Lonsdale interviews JoeBen Bevirt, Co-Founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, a pioneering company in the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft space.4 Jun 2025 · 39 min
Ep 113: Why Sam Lessin Believes AI Isn't Disruptive & Venture Capital Is Fundamentally Changing Why Sam Lessin Believes AI Isn't Disruptive & Venture Capital Is Fundamentally Changing17 May 2025 · 46 min
Ep 112: Peter Thiel on DOGE, Tariffs, Building Generational Companies & the Future of CivilizationIn this episode, Joe Lonsdale interviews Peter Thiel, a prominent entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of companies such as PayPal and Palantir.17 Apr 2025 · 47 min
Episode 111: Sen. Tom Cotton on DOGE, TikTok, and "Seven Things You Can't Say About China"In this episode, Sen. Tom Cotton discusses various pressing issues, including cryptocurrency (Doge), TikTok, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and insights from his new book, "Seven Things You Can't…3 Apr 2025 · 43 min
Ep 110: Dr. Mike Israetel on Miracle Drugs, the Aesthetic Revolution, Living to 200 & New Frontiers in AI-Powered MedicineMiracle drugs, the aesthetic revolution, longevity and AI in medicine.14 Mar 2025 · 42 min
Ep 109: Anson Frericks on the Rise & Fall of Budweiser; Milton Friedman vs Klaus Schwab; and How to Save Corporate AmericaIn this episode, host Joe Lonsdale speaks with Anson Frericks, former president at Anheuser-Busch and author of "Last Call for Bud Light." The discussion revolves around the drastic changes at…21 Feb 2025 · 43 min
Ep 108: Tim Urban on Superintelligence, Mars, Fermi Paradox & How to Conquer a Society In this episode of American Optimist, Joe Lonsdale interviews Tim Urban, an influential writer and public intellectual known for his blog Wait But Why and book What's Our Problem?14 Feb 2025 · 56 min
Ep 107: Off-Road Autonomy & Saving Soldiers' Lives with Overland AI CEO Byron BootsIn this episode of "American Optimist," Joe Lonsdale interviews Byron Boots, the Co-Founder and CEO of Overland AI.30 Jan 2025 · 34 min
Ep 106: Zac Bookman on Advice for DOGE & Building OpenGov into a $1.8 Billion GovTech LeaderJoe Lonsdale, entrepreneur and investor23 Jan 2025 · 50 min
Ep 105: What Can Aristotle Teach Us About AI? Training "Philosopher Builders" with Brendan McCord of the Cosmos Institute Brendan McCord, founder and chair of the Cosmos Institute14 Dec 2024 · 50 min
Ep 104: Will AI Replace Coders? Terminal Co-Founder & CEO Dylan Serota Dylan Serota, Co-Founder & CEO of Terminal6 Dec 2024 · 28 min
Ep 103: Raj Bhakta Created WhistlePig; Now He's Reinventing the Whiskey Industry (Again) In this episode of *American Optimist*, Joe Lonsdale interviews Raj Bhakta, a multifaceted entrepreneur known for founding Whistlepig Whiskey and his ventures into politics, reality TV, and education.29 Nov 2024 · 55 min
Ep 102: "If You're Not Blowing Stuff Up, You're Not Innovating!" — Stanford Professor Steve BlankSteve Blank, a serial entrepreneur, Stanford professor, and influential author in the innovation ecosystem.22 Nov 2024 · 50 min
Ep 101: Gov. Kevin Stitt — the Businessman Governor Standing Up to Special InterestsIn this episode of "American Optimist," host Joe Lonsdale interviews Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, who embodies the role of a businessman governor.15 Nov 2024 · 25 min
Ep 100: Why AI Is Underhyped with Elad GilIn this milestone 100th episode of *American Optimist*, host Joe Lonsdale engages with Elad Gil, a prominent figure in Silicon Valley known for his insight into technology and investment.2 Nov 2024 · 50 min
Ep 99: The Myth of American Inequality with Senator Phil Gramm In this episode, Joe Lonsdale interviews Senator Phil Gramm, an economist and former U.S. Senator, discussing the prevalent narrative surrounding income inequality in America.26 Oct 2024 · 42 min
Ep 98: How Wokeness Foments Antisemitism; a Conversation with ADL's Jonathan Greenblatt American Optimist, hosted by Joe Lonsdale, aims to provide an alternative to mainstream media's fear and cynicism.18 Oct 2024 · 36 min
Ep 97: Jimmy John Built a Restaurant Empire; Government Almost Destroyed It In this episode, Joe Lonsdale hosts Jimmy John Liautaud, the founder of the Jimmy John's sandwich chain.3 Oct 2024 · 30 min
Ep 96: Harvard Economist Roland Fryer on the Truth Behind Police Shootings & Using Data to Supercharge Meritocracy Roland Fryer is a Harvard economist known for his courage in following data, even when it leads to controversial conclusions.20 Sep 2024 · 39 min
Ep 95: Navy SEAL & Saronic CEO Dino Mavrookas on the Race for Autonomous Ships and Naval DominanceJoe Lonsdale (Entrepreneur and Investor)12 Sep 2024 · 29 min
Ep 94: A Conversation with Turnaround King & U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur RossIn this episode of the American Optimist podcast, host Joe Lonsdale engages in an insightful conversation with Wilbur Ross, a prominent turnaround artist in finance and former U.S.30 Aug 2024 · 44 min
Ep 93: Cold War II & the Race for Technological Supremacy with CrowdStrike Co-Founder Dmitri AlperovitchChairman of the Silverado Policy Accelerator22 Aug 2024 · 55 min
Ep 92: High-Power Microwave & the Rise of Electronic Shields with Epirus CEO Andy LoweryThis episode discusses the evolution of warfare and the development of high-power microwave (HPM) technology as a solution to modern threats like drone swarms.16 Aug 2024 · 44 min