In this urgent talk, Nick dismantles the illusion that most jobs in the recent past are actual sources of meaning and purpose.

With AI and automation rapidly replacing traditional labor, he argues that we must stop clinging to outdated notions of work and instead embrace the next phase of human potential: creation.

For too long, society has placed meaning in the exchange of money rather than the work itself—convincing us that our jobs are valuable because they allow us to provide for others or find fleeting personal happiness. But the work itself was rarely soulful; it was simply a means to an end. Now, as robots take over scaled production, logistics, and even knowledge work, we have an opportunity—and an obligation—to return to what makes us truly human.

Smoot lays out a vision where innovation, problem-solving, and creation become the backbone of our economy, where communities gather not around employment but around the act of building a future filled with beauty and value. It’s time to let the robots have the jobs. Our role is far greater: to shape the future itself through soulful work that matters.

About Nick Smoot

Nick is an entrepreneur, strategist, and founder dedicated to redefining the systems that shape our economic, social, and civic lives.

As a founder of build_, he has pioneered new models that transform cities into thriving hubs of creativity and innovation, unlocking the full potential of their residents.

His work has influenced governments, universities, and Fortune 500 companies, helping them navigate the rapidly changing landscape of AI, automation, and human-centered economic development.

His book Better explores how we can reclaim purpose through strategic community gatherings, appreciative inquiry, and behavioral psychology.

Smoot is on a mission to move humanity beyond the outdated model of jobs and into an era where creation is not just an economic driver—but our birthright.

Nick Smoot sits down with Brigadier General (Ret.) Blaine Holt for a deep-dive conversation on global power shifts, economic collapse, and the future of entrepreneurship.

Blaine shares firsthand insights from his time working with NATO, dealing with Russia and China, and witnessing the hidden mechanics of war and diplomacy.

They explore what comes next in a world where traditional systems are crumbling, and how entrepreneurs, investors, and community builders can prepare for the next chapter.

From the military-industrial complex to open-source defense tech, from DeFi to local innovation ecosystems—this episode is a must-listen for anyone thinking about the future of business, geopolitics, and human flourishing.

Click here to learn more about build_

Show Notes:

Introduction (00:00 - 02:13)

• Introduction to the American Dream Factory Podcast
• The mission of Build Cities and why this conversation matters
• Guest introduction: Brigadier General (Ret.) Blaine Holt
• Blaine’s background: NATO, global conflicts, entrepreneurship, and defense innovation
• Setting the stage: How geopolitics, economic shifts, and technology impact communities

From the Battlefield to the Boardroom (02:14 - 10:58)

• Blaine’s military journey: Learning leadership through war and diplomacy
• The question that changed everything: "Towards what?"—Blaine’s realization about the long-term impact of war
• Why community-building was key in Kyrgyzstan and how he applied cultural intelligence to diplomacy
• The intersection of military leadership and entrepreneurship

Navigating Global Superpowers: Russia, China, and the U.S. (10:59 - 23:58)

• Blaine’s direct experience being in the crosshairs of both Russian and Chinese interests
• The intelligence game: Psychological warfare, strategy, and negotiation
• Story: How Blaine “moved into” a Russian commander’s head rent-free
• The role of soft power and economic influence in global conflicts

The Neocon Agenda and The Business of War (23:59 - 41:51)

• The hidden incentives behind war and the military-industrial complex
• Why some people “never want the wars to stop”
• The shift from traditional power structures to a decentralized global economy
• The economics of war vs. the economics of innovation

The Coming Economic Collapse and New Business Models (41:52 - 55:00)

• The “apocalyptic Passover” Blaine sees coming
• Why the collapse of fiat currency is likely inevitable
• The rise of decentralized finance (DeFi), crypto, and new trade structures
• How startup founders and entrepreneurs can navigate the transition

Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Defense Tech (55:01 - 1:10:00)

• Blaine’s work in hypersonics, advanced materials, and drone manufacturing
• Why open-source defense technology is the future
• The role of AI, robotics, and quantum computing in reshaping industry
• How startup founders can position themselves for the coming shift

The Future of Communities and Collaboration (1:10:01 - 1:27:00)

• Why building local and regional innovation ecosystems is the way forward
• The importance of bonded and bridged communities
• How cities can prepare for the unbundling of global economies
• The role of software and technology in creating resilient, decentralized systems

Final Thoughts and Takeaways (1:27:01 - 1:50:03)

• Why Blaine is bullish on the future despite the challenges ahead
• Lessons from history: The parallels between Rome, China, and the modern world
• How entrepreneurs can turn crisis into opportunity
• Parting words: "If there's one thing we can all do, it's manage our little neighborhoods and add more beauty and value to the world."

🔥 AI is eating politics alive—and two founders from the backwoods of Idaho are leading the charge.

What happens when artificial intelligence meets democracy?

When cold, hard data replaces political spin?

When people get real-time transparency on what their government is actually doing?

This isn’t some Silicon Valley utopian fantasy. This is happening right now—built by a team who isn't in DC, aren’t in the Ivy League, and definitely aren’t taking marching orders from political overlords.

Luke Dupin and his team are applying AI to politics in a way that’s never been done before.

It’s about radical transparency, political accountability, and cutting through the noise so citizens can make real, informed decisions—not just every four years, but every damn week.

🔥 In This Episode

🚀 AI Eats Politics for Breakfast – Why government (from local to federal) is wildly inefficient, and how AI is slicing through the legalese to actually tell people what’s going on.

🤖 From C-SPAN to Chaos Mode – Mystery Science Theater for legislation? Live-streamed bill breakdowns? AI-powered public engagement that doesn’t suck? Yeah, that’s happening.

🏛️ The Death of Traditional Politics – Why both the Left and the Right are completely missing the point—and how data-driven, decentralized decision-making is the only way forward.

💰 Polymarkets, Blockchain, and Betting on Policy – What if we let people bet on legislation outcomes? (Hint: It already works better than any polling system we have today.)

🎯 AI for True Representation – Forget lobbyists. Forget media spin. What happens when your AI assistant helps you track every bill, every vote, and every politician in real time?

🛠️ How We Fix This – Real solutions, not just angry rants. From direct democracy to AI-driven voting tools, this is the blueprint for the next political revolution.

🎙️ About Our Guests

Luke Dupin – AI engineer, political systems disruptor, and co-founder of Anchor, the AI-powered engine reshaping how people interact with legislation. Play with wonk here.

Nick Smoot – Serial entrepreneur, systems thinker, and community builder on a mission to gamify civic engagement and make politics actually work for people. Sign up to be a member of build_ here.

Together, they’re proving that you don’t need to be in DC to change the system—you just need the right tech, the right mindset, and the guts to build it.

00:00 Navigating Startup Life in Non-Traditional Tech Hubs

07:11 The Challenges of Being a Technical Founder

10:11 The Importance of Customer Engagement

13:08 Introducing Wonk: AI in Politics

15:56 Understanding Legislation with AI

18:37 The Role of Personal Anchors in Political Engagement

21:24 The Future of Democracy and Civic Participation

24:27 Decentralization and Direct Democracy

27:20 Innovations in Voting and Representation

30:00 The Intersection of Data and Politics

37:17 Engaging the Public: The Challenge of Awareness

38:26 Innovative Ideas for Political Engagement

40:10 Understanding Complex Healthcare Policies

44:02 Using AI to Predict Legislative Outcomes

46:44 The Role of AI in Political Decision-Making

55:30 Reimagining Education for the Future

01:01:47 Decentralization and Economic Models

01:09:01 The Decline of Home Ownership

01:11:53 Innovative Ideas for Community Ownership

01:17:42 Digital Twins and Urban Planning

01:21:38 Decentralized AI and Its Implications

01:25:07 Rethinking Economic Models for the Future

01:31:11 The Future of Work and Human Flourishing

01:36:49 Building Meaningful Products in Niche Markets

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.