On this special episode of the Somewhat Frank Podcast, Frank Gruber (@FrankGruber), John Guidos (@JohnGuidos), and Jen Consalvo (@Noreaster) were live with special guest Sam Jordan from the Established House at SXSW in Austin, Texas. Sam is the Head of Computing and Technology at the Future Today Institute (https://www.linkedin.com/in/samcjordan/). 

The crew discussed all of the trends that they encountered during the week and SXSW, including the groundbreaking work of Colossal Biosciences and their audacious project to bring the woolly mammoth back from extinction. CEO Ben Lamm, alongside actor Seth Green, shared their vision to combat extinction and reshape our future. Discover how this Dallas-based startup is turning elephant cells into mammoth-like embryos, marking a pivotal step in de-extinction technology. Read more about their efforts on NPR.

Frank, Jen, John, and Sam also spotted a shift in travel patterns at SXSW, reflecting broader societal changes. With more weekend travelers and a split in attendance, they explored what this means against the backdrop of Americans socializing less, driven by pessimism, technology, and a surge in loneliness.

They also shined a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of women, including a powerful SXSW panel featuring Meghan Markle, Katie Couric, and others discussing the challenges women face in media.

The gang also discussed the legal battle between Elon Musk and OpenAI’s Sam Altman, which raises critical questions about the future of AI and its impact on humanity.

Lastly, they concluded with a fascinating discussion on a simple test that could predict your longevity. Can standing on one leg for 10 seconds reveal the secrets to a longer, healthier life? 

As always, thank you for listening and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: somewhatfrank@est.us

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