Conversations with Strangers

In this episode, we sit down with Brianna Norton, a former Senior Manager (L7) at Amazon and the founder of Eshalore, an AI solutions and training company. Bri shares her fascinating journey from selling private jets in the "Air Capital of the World" to designing Amazon's US transportation network and eventually launching her own tech startup.We dive deep into the reality of Amazon's high-pressure corporate culture, the grueling 18-month average tenure, and what it really takes to get hired. Brianna also opens up about the current state of Artificial Intelligence, exposing the saturation in the AI voice assistant market and the "snake oil" vendors targeting executives.From the ethics of AI spam calls and the "Dead Internet Theory" to the looming questions about Universal Basic Income (UBI) and job displacement, this conversation covers the critical intersections of technology, business, and society.🔥 Key Topics Discussed:​Inside Amazon: What is it really like working for Jeff Bezos and Andy Jassy?​AI Reality Check: Why 95% of AI projects fail to see ROI.​Future of Work: Will AI replace your job, and is UBI the answer?​The Bot Problem: Are we heading toward a "dead internet" filled with AI slop?⏱️ Timestamps:[00:00] Intro & Brianna’s background[01:38] Selling private jets & international sales[02:08] Working at Amazon: Supply chain & logistics[05:21] The reality of Amazon’s high-pressure culture & burnout[07:35] How to get hired at Amazon (Education vs. Skills)[10:13] Jeff Bezos, Andy Jassy, and leadership at Amazon[13:54] Pivoting to AI: Starting Eshalore[16:16] How AI Voice Assistants actually work (11Labs & more)[18:55] The rise of AI spam calls & ethical regulations[22:37] Will AI take our jobs? The debate on UBI & purpose[33:10] The hidden cost of AI: Energy consumption & infrastructure[38:54] Dead Internet Theory: Are social media users just bots?[46:53] What is "Agentic AI" and is it dangerous?[52:57] Teaching executives how to evaluate AI tools[56:45] Book recommendations & Eshalore info 📚 Books Mentioned:​The Will of the Many by James Islington​The Licanius Trilogy by James IslingtonHashtags:#Amazon #ArtificialIntelligence #FutureOfWork #TechCareer #BriannaNorton #AI #BusinessPodcast #AmazonCorporate #UniversalBasicIncome #TechNews #AgenticAIHere is her linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianna-bulard-norton-55163680/Business executive course: https://academy.eshalore.com/courses/Business-Executive-Course-685626a115b1c10bde0f3df2And company website: https://eshalore.com

In this episode of Conversations with Strangers, I sit down with MJ Karson, the founder of Project 186, to dive deep into the intersection of philosophy, science, and religion. We explore complex topics like the nature of consciousness, how quantum physics might explain free will, and whether AI is a tool for liberation or control. MJ also breaks down his unique philosophical movement, "Project 186," and explains why understanding entropy is key to understanding life itself.If you’re interested in deep philosophical discussions about the future of humanity, the ethics of technology, and the mysteries of the universe, this conversation is for you.📍 Key Topics Discussed:• Consciousness & Reality: Is consciousness just our senses, or something more? We debate materialism vs. idealism.• Quantum Physics & Free Will: How quantum superposition and the collapse of the wave function might prove we have free will.• Project 186: MJ explains his philosophical movement and the "religion" of TKS (Transforming Known Solutions).• Entropy & Life: A fascinating look at how life is essentially a rebellion against the heat death of the universe.• The Dangers of Social Media: How algorithms manipulate human behavior and the rise of "doomerism."⏳ Timestamps:[00:00] Intro: Who is MJ Karson?[02:40] The Rise of AI Art & Content Creation[06:40] Philosophy of Science: What is Consciousness?[08:42] Materialism vs. Idealism vs. Panpsychism[15:00] Quantum Physics, Superposition & The Double Slit Experiment[23:40] Do We Have Free Will or is Everything Determined?[36:20] What is Project 186? (Philosophy & Movement)[45:50] The Dark Side of Social Media Algorithms[57:10] The Future of AI: Optimism vs. Doomerism[01:10:40] Entropy Explained: What is Life?[01:28:00] Atheism, God, and the Concept of Divinity[01:43:20] Modern Politics & The "Dead Internet" Theory[01:48:10] MJ’s Recommendations & Outro🔗 Guest Links:• YouTube: Transforming Known Solutions• Website: Project-186 / Surge.saHashtags:#Philosophy #QuantumPhysics #Consciousness #Project186 #FreeWill #Entropy #AI #DeepTalks #Podcast #ConversationsWithStrangersHere’s a link to his websites: https://verse-668.github.io/, https://project-186.surge.sh/, project-186.neocities.org and here’s a link to his YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@transformingknownsolutions?si=UCjsMLNCweHK1d92

The discussion primarily revolves around:• Consciousness and Philosophy: Yonnas discusses the development of consciousness, viewing it as a potential "spandrel" or unintended consequence of evolution that gave humans an advantage [02:46]. He leans toward materialism over idealism, seeing consciousness as arising from the physical brain [02:38], while noting that the biblical story of the Garden of Eden could be an analogy for the rise of consciousness [05:37].• Political and Economic Views: Later in the video, the conversation touches on unfettered capitalism [01:33:54] and the role of competition in regulating the market [01:33:15]. Yonnas uses an example about the wealth accumulation of a prime minister to question the transparency of political income and investments [01:33:31].• Final Advice: For resources, Yonnas recommends "The Very Short Introduction" book series for getting a basic introduction to any subject [01:34:53]. His overall advice to the audience is to think critically, check sources, and maintain a positive perspective [01:35:16].You can also find the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ttj3wONZieM

This video is titled "Cults and Witchcraft with Melissa Fortner" from the channel Conversations with Strangers. It is a two-hour interview discussing Melissa Fortner's journey from being a licensed therapist and academic to joining a witchcraft cult, leaving it, and becoming an entrepreneur.Here is a summary of the key discussion points from the interview:🔮 From Witchcraft to Cult Member​Background and Career Pivot: Melissa introduces herself as a hardcore millennial who was always interested in "witchy stuff." She was a licensed therapist focusing on adolescents and was pursuing a PhD in movement psychology [02:30]. However, her two years of research were rejected by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) because it involved studies on minors with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which she was frustrated about as she had been transparent from the start [04:07].​The Coven Turned Cult: Melissa clarifies that she was part of a coven that "went crazy" and became culty, emphasizing that not all covens follow this path [01:02]. The transition occurred when the group's spiritual life demanded complete dominance over her real life.​The Coercion to Quit: She details the retreat where the cult leader, "Lux," and other members convinced her that the Norse deities (specifically Freya) were telling her to quit her job and start her own company [26:27]. This pressure, received consistently over several days, led her to make the life-altering decision.​The Aftermath: Since leaving the cult, she still has the company she founded and is now in an MBA program focused on expanding it, pivoting from "cult member to entrepreneur" [00:45].✨ Witchcraft and Magic Systems​Defining "Spa": The host asks about the realism of witchcraft. Melissa explains that she was taught a specific magic system called "Spa" (Spontaneous Affinity) [11:11]. She describes it as something non-witches do all the time, using an analogy of noticing a car bobbing and weaving through traffic on the highway.​Pagans and Pantheons: They discuss the definition of paganism in a modern context, noting that many pagans follow ancestral pantheons (like Norse, Celtic, or Hellenic), which are groups of gods and goddesses [21:35].✈️ Travel and Business​Melissa mentions that she now travels extensively for her company. She often has to drive long distances (like 34 hours to Salt Lake City) because her main product, perfume, is considered hazardous and cannot be checked on a plane or shipped in large quantities [02:16:49].The video can be viewed here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QiYsNmEkVAAnd here’s a link to her company’s website: https://www.sifsniffs.com

This video is a conversation titled "The History of Sound with James M Errington" from the channel Conversations with Strangers.James M. Errington is the creator of the project Centuries of Sound, which compiles a mixtape for every year of recorded sound [00:39]. The interview covers his personal background, musical tastes, and a detailed history of recorded sound technology.Key Topics DiscussedThe History of Recorded SoundThe discussion provides a timeline of recording technology:• 1853 (Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville): The very earliest known recording, which used a device to mark sound vibrations onto soot-covered paper. This device could not play back the sound, only capture a visual record of it [15:44].• Late 1870s (Thomas Edison): The invention of the phonograph, which was the first machine to both record and play back sound, initially using tin foil and later metallic soap cylinders. Edison originally intended it as a dictation device for businessmen [17:52].• Early 1900s: The shift from cylinders to discs (gramophones). This era saw the rise of Ragtime as a major musical genre [24:16].• Acoustic Recording (Pre-1926): Sound was physically captured using a gigantic brass horn that focused vibrations down to a needle, cutting groves into a wax disc [25:24].• Electrical Recording (Post-1926): The introduction of microphones and electrical recording systems led to a dramatic improvement in sound quality (capturing more bass and treble). The year 1927 is highlighted as an "amazing year" for recorded music, capturing diverse regional genres like folk, jazz, and blues for the first time [28:59].• Magnetic Tape: Technology found in Germany after WWII and popularized in the US by people like Bing Crosby [34:18]. Les Paul is noted as a pioneer in using magnetic tape for multitracking [36:33].• Modern Production: The conversation touches on influential producers like George Martin (The Beatles) [40:02] and Phil Spector (Wall of Sound) [41:06], leading to the current era of digital technology where almost anyone can create music [49:18].James M. Errington's Work• Centuries of Sound: The core project involves compiling a mixtape for every year of recorded sound, including music, news, and other audio from that year [00:54]. The mixes are now hosted on Mixcloud to ensure proper licensing and artist payment [50:55].• Musical Taste: James shares his eclectic musical tastes, which include:• Early 70s Fusion Jazz (his "ultimate sweet spot") [07:29].• His all-time favorite band, Soft Machine [07:45].• A preference for "weird pop music," citing Charlie XCX as a current favorite [13:51].• Other Projects: He also creates ambient experimental music under the name Buff Cuts [53:34].You can find his website here: https://centuriesofsound.com and you can watch the full video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6sndFKb6jA

🃏 Nick Jain: CEO of Sacred Grounds, Innovation Expert, and Poker PlayerNick Jain is a distinguished entrepreneur, multi-time CEO, and investor, known for his ability to transform businesses across various sectors.Key Highlights:* Current Role: He is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sacred Grounds, an efficient software platform specializing in case management, payments, and cemetery plots.* Previous Role (IdeaScale): He was the CEO of IdeaScale, a leading innovation software company whose clients include global organizations like NASA, Comcast, and NASCAR. He took on this role in 2022.* Business Transformation: Nick has a proven track record as a CEO, having successfully led business turnarounds in diverse industries, including B2B software, trucking, and men's apparel.* Finance Background: Prior to his CEO roles, he gained extensive financial and investment experience working on Wall Street at premier investment firms, notably Bain Capital and Greenlight Capital.* Education: His academic background is highly impressive:* Harvard Business School (MBA), where he graduated at the top of his class (Baker Scholar).* Dartmouth College, where he earned a triple degree in mathematics, physics, and economics.* Personal Interests: Nick is an avid poker player, a runner, and enjoys traveling with his wife. His personal story often references a "rags-to-riches" journey, having been raised by a single grandmother in a small city in India.His leadership is characterized by a unique blend of mathematical rigor and entrepreneurial innovation, which he applies to create data-driven and forward-thinking cultures in the companies he leads.You can find his company’s website here: https://sacredgrounds.nickjain.com/

This video is a conversation with Michael Thibault, the director of the microbudget independent film, Clocking the Tea, discussing his career, the challenges of making and distributing his movie, and advice for aspiring filmmakers.Here is a summary of the main points: * Michael Thibault's Background: Michael has 38 years of experience in the film industry [00:17]. His career started in documentaries and low-budget indies, eventually leading him to work for Roger Corman in the 1980s [00:34]. Later, he spent 10 to 15 years editing trailers and TV spots for major films, including Avatar and Oceans 11 [00:50]. * Directing His Film: After years of editing, he realized he had never directed a movie he set out to make, so he was inspired by do-it-yourself filmmakers to write and direct the rom-com dramedy, Clocking the Tea [01:11]. * The Distribution Nightmare: The film finished in 2017, but distribution was delayed for years because the original sound mix was not within legal loudness standards [04:44]. Due to the mixing house going under during COVID, Michael had to learn how to mix the sound himself, which was a challenging process that took about two or three years to resolve [06:00]. * Success of Physical Media: The movie is now streaming on platforms like Amazon and Tubi, but Michael notes that they are actually making more money selling boutique DVD and Blu-ray discs—which include unique special features like dailies for collectors—than they are from streaming revenue [03:01]. * Filmmaking Advice: Michael stresses the difficulty of making a movie, calling the process "brutal" [31:04]. However, he encourages others by saying, "if I can do it, you can do it" [03:49:18]. For those on a tight budget, he advises creating a "bottle episode" movie that takes place in a single location, such as a room or a cabin, as a way to significantly cut costs and production time [03:49:37].You can watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phg1HUDlJpc

This video is a conversation with Charlie Hooper-Williams, a composer, pianist, and software developer, who shares insights on his creative process, live performances, the classical music world, and the impact of AI on art.Key Discussion Points* Background and Work* Charlie Hooper-Williams is a composer, pianist, and software developer who was part of the team that created the music identification app, Shazam [00:02].* He defines his musical style as part of the "post-classical," "indie classical," or "neo-classical" movement, focusing on creating music that connects emotionally with the audience [02:48].* He studied piano performance as an undergraduate at Northwestern [03:11].* Live Performances and Technology* He currently performs solo on a portable acoustic piano and utilizes a unique live visual system that he coded himself [00:18].* The system listens to what he plays and creates real-time visuals ( [19:54] ) projected onto a screen and six light towers [19:06].* His shows vary, ranging from small, intimate village halls to large festivals like Glastonbury [25:50]. He also enjoys performing in movie theaters, utilizing the massive screen and quality sound [33:49].* The Creative Process* He discusses the idea that no art is wholly new; a composer is a "sum of everything you've ever heard and done and seen" [10:09]. The artist's job is to digest those influences so that the final product is truly their own [10:24].* He finds the process of writing music includes phases of feeling his work is "terrible" ( [06:07] ), a common experience for creatives, which is why he values creative peers and mentors [07:27].* The World of Classical Music* He believes that post-World War II academic music created a split by prioritizing music that was difficult and experimental over music that was entertaining and connected with a general audience [03:06:01].* He is excited by contemporary composers like Caroline Shaw, who are experimental but still "fun and exciting" [38:43].* AI in Music* He finds AI to be a helpful tool for things like summarizing and grant applications ( [43:25] ), but he maintains a strong critical judgment when using it [42:56].* He is not yet impressed by AI-generated music ( [45:40] ) and speculates that the future will see a split between easily-generated AI background music and human-made art that people actively listen to for the sake of human-to-human connection [46:32].RecommendationsCharlie Hooper-Williams recommends the following post-classical artists:* Nils Frahm [51:22]* Poppy Ackroyd* Olafur Arnalds* Max RichterYou can find his music and updates by searching his name or visiting his website, charliehooperwilliams.com [51:55].

In a "Conversations with Strangers" episode, Seth Adam Cohen discusses consciousness and AI [00:02]. Cohen, whose background includes media, social activism, and politics, shifted his focus to the "fourth industrial revolution" around 2018, encompassing automation and AI [01:50]. He notes that society was unprepared for this transformation, which is now well underway [02:01].Cohen's personal passion is the exploration of consciousness, which he believes is the fundamental substrate of the universe, extending beyond our own [02:41]. He identifies as a non-dualist, asserting that consciousness is the only reality, and everything else is an illusion [03:09]. This idealist view contrasts with the prevailing materialist perspective in the West, which posits that consciousness arises from the brain [03:36].Cohen argues that the inability to define or measure consciousness stems from its fundamental nature, as one cannot observe something of which they are a part [17:29]. He differentiates intelligence, emotion, and consciousness, highlighting that drives like horniness serve evolutionary purposes [22:05]. However, he finds it harder to explain concepts like awe or love through purely scientific or evolutionary reasoning, suggesting they might point to a deeper aspect of consciousness [24:52].For those interested in similar topics, Cohen recommends the YouTube channels Jesse Michaels and Third Eye Drops, as well as the work of Donald Hoffman and Bernardo Kastrup [03:04:19].You can watch the full conversation here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGvPEOVqvq8

Jason Stein and I talk about horror movies. You can find his podcast here: https://dadsfromthecrypt.com/