American Dream Factory (ADF)

If you knew you’d live past 100 how would that change the way you plan your money, your career, and your purpose?

EnterCurtis Estes, the financial visionary redefining how we prepare for a world where 120 is the new 60.

As a top financial planner and the genius behind theAnti-Retirement Club (ARC), Curtis has built a thriving community of forward-thinkers who refuse to let outdated financial models dictate their future.

In this episode, Curtis unveils his revolutionary120-Year Wealth Plan, blending cutting-edge longevity science with innovative financial strategies to help people thrive—physically, socially, and financially—for the long haul.

From wealth creation to health optimization, Curtis shares his blueprint for ensuring you don’t justlive longer—youprosper.

If you believe the future belongs to those who plan for it, this conversation will change the way you think about money, aging, and what it truly means to live well.

About Curtis: Curtis is an author, community leader, financial planner, and longevity entrepreneur. As a hyper connector, Curtis is one of the "people to know" in L.A. For free assessments and his booksvisit here.

About build_: build_ is an global community that connects local entrepreneurs and creatives to each other.Learn more.

00:00 Curtis's Journey to Financial Planning

17:03 Building a Personal Brand in Financial Services

24:56 The Power of Connection and Community

31:44 Creating a Personal Board of Advisors

38:57 Exploring Longevity and Its Impact on Financial Planning

41:20 The Quest for Longevity: Health and Quality of Life

43:06 Building Community: The Anti-Retirement Club

44:28 Financial Security in the Age of Longevity

46:25 Exploring the Future of Health and Technology

49:27 Faith and Longevity: Balancing Beliefs and Science

54:12 The Business of Longevity: Strategies and Opportunities

56:21 Creating a Longevity Fandom: Engaging Communities

01:03:10 The 90-10 Strategy: Value Creation and Implementation

01:09:54 Gamifying Longevity: Making Health Fun

01:12:21 The Journey of Personal Branding and Content Creation

01:19:47 Exploring Passion and Profit

01:21:13 Building Community and Accessing Opportunities

Nick and Jamie jam about the future of work, venture capital, overlooked startup ecosystems, and more.

Check out Jamie and his work at Parallel 18.

Join us over at build_

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Relocation to Puerto Rico

07:25 Investment Ecosystem in Puerto Rico

09:59 Government-Backed Venture Capital

12:46 Bridging Cultures in Venture Capital

15:41 The Anthony Bourdain Analogy

18:21 Rise of the Rest and Community Engagement

21:04 Experiences at Revolution and WeWork

24:06 Building Startups in Sacramento

31:57 Innovative Engagement in Sports and Community

36:49 The Journey to Innovation and Entrepreneurship

41:03 Building Innovation Centers in Rural Areas

44:13 Social Entrepreneurship and Community Impact

51:06 Cultural Insights and Economic Opportunities in Puerto Rico

54:15 Overcoming Obstacles in Puerto Rico's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

58:52 The Importance of Community and Culture in Business

01:03:45 The Evolution of Venture Capital and Entrepreneurship

01:09:15 Building with Empathy and Understanding

01:16:55 Strategies for Startups to Gain Market Traction

01:21:47 Introduction to Jamie and Parallel 18

01:22:41 Building a Community in Puerto Rico

In this conversation, Nick Smoot talks with Lenny Mendonca as they explore the themes of decentralization, community empowerment, and the evolution of economic systems.

They discuss the importance of local governance, the role of innovation in economic growth, and the challenges posed by AI and automation.

The conversation also touches on universal basic income, the need for civic engagement, and the future of education and economic mobility.

Mendonca emphasizes the importance of community conversations and the need to listen to each other to create opportunities for all.

Check out Build_ for more

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 Lenny's Journey: From Farm to Civic Leadership

06:05 Navigating Education: Harvard to Stanford

08:41 McKinsey & The Financial Sector: Early Career Insights

11:33 Transitioning to Government: A New Role

14:39 California's Economic Boom: Lessons from the Past

17:10 The Challenges of Rapid Growth: Infrastructure and Inequality

20:10 AI and Automation: The Future of Work

22:50 Universal Basic Income: A Controversial Solution

25:43 Rethinking Safety Nets: A Systems Approach

28:20 Progressive Federalism: A Path Forward

31:11 The Role of Meaningful Work in Society

33:57 Restructuring Systems for Community Engagement

36:52 The Promise of Innovation and Collaboration

47:21 The Narrative Around Immigration and Crime

48:16 Innovation and Positive Narratives in AI

50:59 Civic Responsibility and Moral Backbone

51:59 Changing Incentives for Positive Outcomes

55:07 Community Engagement Through Local Businesses

01:00:28 Bridging Political Divides

01:05:19 Listening and Engaging with Communities

01:08:56 Rethinking Education and Economic Mobility

01:11:50 Decentralizing Decision-Making in Democracy

01:17:09 Stories of Community Renewal

01:24:17 The Importance of Progressive Federalism

01:26:38 Building New Systems for Democracy and Economics

In this conversation, Nick Smoot and Taylor Black of Microsoft discuss the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, its implications for the workforce, and the importance of maintaining human connections in an increasingly automated world. They explore the balance between leveraging AI for productivity while ensuring that it does not diminish the human experience. The discussion also touches on corporate responsibility, the future of work, and the ethical considerations surrounding AI technology.

Takeaways:

Chapters

02:53 Exploring Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Challenges

11:48 The Human Experience in the Age of AI

21:41 The Philosophical Implications of AI and Work

28:47 Cultural Perspectives and AI's Limitations

30:30 The Dual Nature of AI: Work vs Morality

32:04 Corporate Responsibility in AI Development

34:27 Catholic AI: Bridging Tradition and Technology

36:04 Understanding AI's Black Box

38:38 Expectations vs Reality: The Dance with AI

41:10 Anthropomorphizing AI: The Dangers of Trust

44:06 Raising Children in an AI-Driven World

58:32 Entrepreneurship in the Age of AI

59:52 Innovative Business Models and Rapid Exits

01:04:34 The Entrepreneurial Landscape in the Age of AI

01:09:10 Navigating Job Displacement and Workforce Transformation

01:13:43 The Future of AI: Small Models and Household Applications

01:17:44 Corporate Responsibility and Job Creation in AI

01:23:04 Security Concerns and the Ethics of AI

Back in 2015 I hosted a conference where a true innovator and friend, Burt Rutan, poked fun at modern innovation and continued to challenge us all to bring the "cowboy energy" to the world of innovation.

In this talk you will hear from an AI expert who is now at Microsoft, the former COO of the world's #1 autonomous delivery company, former CEO of a self driving car company, and NYT best selling author and now AI startup founder.

Watch Black Sky

Sign up for more info from us

This conversation with Nick Smoot and Robert @Scobleizer was wild!

🔑 Key Takeaways (from @123wimi)

Check out Robert Scoble's lists here.

If you'd like to stay in touch or get involved with us please fill this out.

Head over to AesopIndustries.com to learn more about our work and how we can help you build your community and economy.

If you have ever wondered how you can build an innovation economy in a rural ag town... well then this is the podcast you do not want to miss.

Liam is running one of the most successful innovation hubs in the country of Ireland and doing it in a town of 2,100 people!

Please check out his work through the RDI Hub and ask for tips, tricks, and insights from the team there. They are fantastic!

If you'd like to learn more about our work, get email updates, or maybe even be on the podcast, fill this out.

In this episode you will be inspired, challenged, and laugh due to the stories of The Founder and 20 year CEO of The North Face; Hap Klopp.

If you want to be aware of these live events and more like them please fill out this form and we will get back to you. We are a wild community of creators who meet online and in-person to build the future together and have fun. https://forms.gle/qzvzCH8zuzFUudwB6

Reach out if you have questions, [email protected] and as always, go sign up at BuildCities.com.

Let's go!!!

In this episode, Maria Effertz, the director of community services in the North Dakota Department of Commerce shares incredible and timely insights about the need and power of community development to boost economies.

The work she is doing within the North Dakota Department of Commerce is incredible. This conversation covers policy, grassroots efforts, and the why behind community.

Enjoy and please rate 5 stars.

Former Bank Executive and now... Interim Executive Director of the Spokane Symphony... Yes, that is what Russ Lee is doing in his "retirement"

He took the bank he was leading through a $160M exit and now is leading a movement of music in the town he loves, Spokane, Wa.

Listen as Russ tells stories of his childhood, career, and family. The honesty and humbleness of being clear about areas he wasn't good at as a young man are refreshing and insightful.

Subscribe and share the episode.

Check out the platform at www.BuildCities.com