In today’s episode:

🎶 KCRW’s Top 30 Songs of 2024: From Jamie xx to Brainstory, Aili to St. Vincent, we’re diving into the tracks that defined the year and kept us grooving.

🛠️ Why Nothing Seems to Work: A deep dive into why companies design products that don’t last and how inefficiencies in markets, outsourcing, and consumer decision-making are holding us back.

🪑 Dezeen’s Best Designs of 2024: From inflatable gaming chairs and cob bricks to a car with no rear window, explore the year’s most innovative (and bizarre) product designs.

🤖 AI and The Pope: What happens when artificial intelligence reimagines the secret life of the pontiff? Spoiler: It’s as weird as it sounds.

Join us for the music, innovation, and thought-provoking insights you need to feed your brain today!

In today’s episode:

🏎️ F1’s Marketing Masterstroke: How Formula 1 gained 50M new fans (including me!) with Netflix’s Drive to Survive, driver influencer strategies, and fan-first global expansion.

🧲 Revolutionary Magnetism: Discover “altermagnets,” the groundbreaking new class of magnetism that could redefine digital devices, quantum computing, and more.

🎶 Best Music Documentaries: From Don’t Look Back to 20 Feet From Stardom, we’re spotlighting 11 of the most iconic music docs you can stream now.

🇰🇪 Swahili Country Music?: Meet the Alan Jackson of Swahili, blending traditional country vibes with East African flair—and his people are jamming!

Get ready for innovation, culture, and a few surprises. Let’s feed your brain!

Happy Friday! In today’s episode, we’re exploring groundbreaking tech, futuristic travel, and the surprising benefits of nature:

• AI Clones in Meetings: Discover Pickle, a service that lets your AI clone attend meetings on your behalf, ensuring you’re always present—even when you need a break.

• Microsoft’s AI Strategy: Why their focus on reducing human costs might be missing the real potential of AI to drive innovation and growth.

• The Lightship AE1: A self-propelled, solar-integrated RV redefining sustainable travel. With features like bi-directional charging and its own electric powertrain, this is the future of adventure.

• Touching Grass: The science behind how tactile interaction with nature can improve mental health, reduce stress, and even enhance your physiological well-being.

Tune in for stories that spark curiosity, challenge the norm, and leave you inspired!

In today’s episode, we celebrate record-breaking achievements, explore emerging trends, and revisit iconic moments in culture:

• Taylor Swift’s $2 Billion Tour: Breaking every concert tour record in history, we dive into the jaw-dropping stats behind The Eras Tour. From $4.2 million per hour on stage to $197 million in staff bonuses, this is a masterclass in scale and success.

• Caitlin Clark’s Impact on the WNBA: How one athlete sparked a meteoric rise in attendance, viewership, and engagement for women’s basketball, driving the league to new heights.

• The Realities of Self-Driving Cars: With Hollywood hype vs. technological hurdles, we unpack what’s next for autonomous vehicles and why full self-driving may be further away than we think.

• Punk Rockers on the Pitch: A nostalgic look at the 1970s charity football matches featuring London’s punk rock icons.

Tune in for a mix of groundbreaking stories, cultural moments, and thought-provoking insights that will keep your mind buzzing!

In today’s episode, we dive into the dynamic intersection of sports, technology, and creativity:

• MLS Cup Highlights: Behind the scenes of ACF’s pre-game and post-game shows for the MLS Cup. From LA Galaxy’s electric energy to Red Bulls’ fan celebrations, it’s a glimpse into the magic we bring to the field every year.

• Google’s Quantum Leap: Meet Willow, Google’s groundbreaking quantum chip that solves problems in minutes that would take supercomputers septillion years. We break down why quantum computing matters and how it could revolutionize industries from drug discovery to climate solutions.

• Art Spotlight: Celebrate the vibrant and relevant work of @calvinclauselljr, whose creativity captures the essence of urban culture.

Stay tuned for insights that keep you ahead of the curve and immersed in the stories shaping the world today. Let’s feed your brain!

It’s officially holiday music season, and we’re bringing you the ultimate playlist to elevate your celebrations! Join Shelby Erickson as he shares a handpicked collection of unique and unexpected holiday tracks.

This playlist features:

• Legends like Coltrane and Hendrix

• Fresh vibes from Khruangbin and Tyler the Creator

• The surprisingly festive sounds of Snoop Dogg and Eazy-E

Discover familiar songs by unfamiliar artists and surprising takes on holiday classics. Whether you’re hosting a party or just vibing at home, these tracks will add a cool, unexpected twist to your holiday soundtrack.

Tune in, groove out, and let us know your favorite tracks!

Listen to the playlist on Music

Listen to the playlist on Spotify

Dive into today’s #BrainFood as we explore fascinating stories that connect culture, innovation, and personal growth:

• Bitcoin’s $100k Milestone: What does Bitcoin’s future hold? Shelby Erickson breaks down why $100k isn’t the ceiling and how global commerce could shape its trajectory toward $250k per coin. Plus, hear AI’s take on Bitcoin as a global currency.

• Your Brain on Music: Discover how music can lower stress, boost cognitive skills, and strengthen family bonds. Whether you’re singing in the car or jamming to your favorite playlist, music is a powerful tool for holistic wellness.

• Cartel to Hibachi Success: The son of “El Mago,” a Sinaloa cartel legend, shares his father’s journey from the drug trade to building a $12 million hibachi business and his own plans to rewrite the family legacy.

• 2024 ViewSonic ColorPro Awards: A celebration of breathtaking photography and the stories behind the winning images.

From deep dives to quick hits, this podcast is your daily dose of curated knowledge and inspiration. Tune in for thought-provoking insights and unexpected connections that will leave your mind buzzing!

Welcome to #BrainFood, the podcast where curiosity meets culture. Each episode delivers bite-sized insights into fascinating stories, from the quirky behaviors of orcas to the versatile history of the word “f*ck,” the wild world of OnlyFans, and Hollywood’s love for sequels.

We dive into unexpected revelations, cultural phenomena, and thought-provoking ideas:

• Discover how Pokémon Go players are shaping AI.

• Unpack the rise of electric scooters with Harley-Davidson.

• Explore the shopping cart as a test of self-governance.

Hosted by Shelby Erickson, this podcast blends humor, history, and humanity for a daily dose of knowledge you didn’t know you needed.

Tune in for fresh takes, curious stories, and a little something to feed your brain—every day.

Kendrick dropped a surprise album.

Kendrick dropped a surprise album.

Kendrick dropped a surprise album.

Kendrick dropped a surprise album.

Kendrick dropped a surprise album.

Music | Spotify

In this episode of 🧠 #BrainFood, we’re diving into a mix of thought-provoking and entertaining stories that showcase creativity, technology, and cultural insights.

• MF DOOM’s Album Art Revolution: Celebrating the 20th anniversary of MM..FOOD, we explore how DOOM and artist Jason Jägel redefined hip-hop visuals. The re-release cover by Sam Rodriguez adds a Norman Rockwell twist, honoring DOOM’s legacy of innovation in both music and art.

• Podcasts and Health: A study reveals how health-focused podcasts inspire positive behavioral changes, making them a powerful tool for public health communication and personal growth.

• The Shopping Cart Theory: A whimsical yet profound take on self-governance—why returning a shopping cart could be the ultimate measure of societal responsibility.

• Pokémon Go’s Role in AI Development: Niantic has turned Pokémon Go into a training ground for AI navigation, using player data to build advanced geospatial models with applications in AR, robotics, and beyond.

• Harley-Davidson’s Electric Pivot: From roaring motorcycles to sleek electric scooters, Harley-Davidson evolves to reach a new generation of eco-conscious riders.

• Minivans Get Their Moment: A hot take on why minivans, like the 1984 Dodge Caravan, are criminally underrated icons of practicality and coolness.

From culture and creativity to ethics and innovation, we’ve got you covered. Tune in and feed your brain!