Valdemar Danry is a PhD researcher in the Fluid Interfaces group at the MIT Media Lab, a 2025 Google PhD Fellow in Human-Computer Interaction, and one of the most important voices at the intersection of artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and philosophy of mind. His landmark study, Your Brain on ChatGPT: Accumulation of Cognitive Debt when Using an AI Assistant for an Essay-Writing Task, sparked a global conversation about what happens to human cognition when we delegate our thinking to machines.

In this rich and urgent episode, Valdemar unpacks the science behind AI's effect on the brain, exploring:

This is an honest, grounded, and deeply important conversation about one of the defining questions of our time: as AI gets smarter, do we get sharper, or do we quietly outsource the very faculty that makes us human?

Learn more about Valdemar's research at valdemardanry.com.

🎙️ What is Impact in the 21st Century?

Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast that celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals behind it.

👤 Who hosts the podcast?

Aaron Friedland is a National Geographic Explorer, PhD Candidate in Econometrics at UBC, and Founder of the Simbi Foundation.

🦻 Who makes it sound good?

Tom Foster is an Award-Winning Recording Engineer and Cinematographer, Up-and-Coming Composer, Film Scoring Student at Berklee College of Music, and Head of Audio & Music for the Sea Change Project.

This podcast is brought to you by Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life.

Frank Solomon is a world-renowned big wave surfer, ocean adventurer, and the founder of Sentinel Ocean Alliance. Raised on the rugged coastline of South Africa, Frank has ridden some of the most dangerous waves on Earth, from Mavericks in California to the legendary Dungeons in Hout Bay. But beyond pushing the limits of human courage, he has dedicated his life to protecting the ocean and empowering coastal communities through education, safety, and conservation.

In this powerful and grounded episode, Frank takes us deep into the world of big wave surfing and ocean stewardship, exploring:

This is a raw, reflective, and inspiring conversation about courage, humility, and responsibility, where adventure meets advocacy, and where loving the ocean means standing up for it.

🎙️ What is Impact in the 21st Century?

Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast that celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals behind it.

👤 Who hosts the podcast?

Aaron Friedland is a National Geographic Explorer, PhD Candidate in Econometrics at UBC, and Founder of the Simbi Foundation.

🦻 Who makes it sound good?

Tom Foster is an Award-Winning Recording Engineer and Cinematographer, Up-and-Coming Composer, Film Scoring Student at Berklee College of Music, and Head of Audio & Music for the Sea Change Project.

This podcast is brought to you by Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life.

Nelson Dellis is a six-time USA Memory Champion, Grandmaster of Memory, and one of the world’s foremost experts on training the mind. Driven by his grandmother’s struggle with Alzheimer’s, he turned an average memory into a world-class superpower using ancient techniques and now teaches others to do the same. As founder of Climb For Memory, he scales the planet’s highest peaks, including multiple Everest expeditions, to fund Alzheimer’s research and prove that mental and physical resilience go hand in hand.

In this mind-expanding episode, Nelson reveals how anyone can transform their memory from forgetful to unforgettable, including:

This is a thrilling, practical conversation for anyone ready to reclaim their mind, boost daily performance, and discover that superhuman memory isn’t a gift. It’s a skill waiting to be unlocked.

🎙️ What is Impact in the 21st Century?

Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast that celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals who are behind it.

👤 Who hosts the podcast?

Aaron Friedland is a National Geographic Explorer, PhD Candidate in Econometrics at UBC, and Founder of Simbi Foundation.

🦻 Who Makes It Sound Good?

Tom Foster is an Award-Winning Recording Engineer and Cinematographer, Up-and-Coming Composer, Film Scoring Student at Berklee College of Music, and Head of Audio & Music for the Sea Change Project.

This podcast is brought to you by Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life.

Dr. Raoul Goldberg is a renowned integrative medicine practitioner with decades of experience blending conventional medical expertise with holistic approaches to empower individuals toward optimal health. As a leader in integrative health practices, he has inspired countless people through his innovative methods, combining physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of healing. His work emphasizes patient empowerment, preventive care, and the transformative potential of addressing the root causes of illness.

In this enlightening episode, Dr. Goldberg shares his insights on revolutionizing health and wellness, including:

This is an inspiring conversation for anyone curious about the future of medicine, the power of holistic health, and the path to a vibrant, balanced life.

Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast that celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals who are behind it.

Aaron Friedland is a National Geographic Explorer, PhD Candidate in Econometrics at UBC, and Founder of Simbi Foundation.

Tom Foster is an Award-Winning Recording Engineer and Cinematographer, Up-and-Coming Composer, Film Scoring Student at Berklee College of Music, and Head of Audio & Music for the Sea Change Project.

This podcast is brought to you by Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life.

Most world-changing startups don’t die from lack of money or market fit. They die because the founder never becomes the CEO the mission needs.

Jonathan Lowenhar has spent 10 years helping hundreds of founders make that leap before it’s too late.

In this episode he gives you the exact tools that decide whether your mission lives or dies:

Want to make the leap yourself? Jonathan just opened CEO Bootcamps built exactly for this moment: → (December 2 & 3, 2025): https://enjoythework.com/a-new-kind-of-ceo-bootcamp/

Required pre-reading (5 minutes that will change everything): From Founder to Master Operator – the blog post that started it all https://enjoythework.com/blog/from-founder-to-master-operator

If you’re building something that has to outlive you, this episode + bootcamp combo is the fastest way to guarantee it does.

🎙️ What is Impact in the 21st Century?

Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast that celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals who are behind it.

👤 Who hosts the podcast?

Aaron Friedland is a National Geographic Explorer, PhD Candidate in Econometrics at UBC, and Founder of Simbi Foundation.

🦻 Who Makes It Sound Good?

Tom Foster is an Award-Winning Recording Engineer and Cinematographer, Up-and-Coming Composer, Film Scoring Student at Berklee College of Music, and Head of Audio & Music for the Sea Change Project.

This podcast is brought to you by Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life.

Jamie Brooker is the co-founder of Kahoot!, the game-based learning platform that has transformed education for over 70 million users worldwide, and the visionary behind We Are Human, a collective dedicated to building values-driven tech for social good. Now, with his latest venture, Project Align, Jamie is helping organizations realign teams and leaders around transformative, purpose-led goals. His innovative approach to behavioral design and habit formation has sparked positive change across education, health, and beyond.

In this inspiring episode, Jamie dives into the power of intentional tech design, sharing:

This is a must-listen for anyone curious about using technology to drive meaningful impact, align teams, and create a better world through purposeful innovation.

🎙️ What is Impact in the 21st Century?

Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast that celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals who are behind it.

👤 Who hosts the podcast?

Aaron Friedland is a National Geographic Explorer, PhD Candidate in Econometrics at UBC, and Founder of Simbi Foundation.

🦻 Who Makes It Sound Good?

Tom Foster is an Award-Winning Recording Engineer and Cinematographer, Up-and-Coming Composer, Film Scoring Student at Berklee College of Music, and Head of Audio & Music for the Sea Change Project.

This podcast is brought to you by Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life.

Colleen Dwyer is a Senior Therapist with Allen Carr’s Easyway (20+ million copies sold), a globally recognized program for smoking and vaping cessation, with over 20 years of experience helping individuals overcome addiction through innovative behavioral change methods. As a leader in online programs, international seminars, and therapist training, she has empowered countless people to reclaim their health and freedom from nicotine and digital dependencies. Her compassionate approach and deep insights into human behavior make her a transformative figure in the fight against addiction in the 21st century.

In this thought-provoking episode, Colleen takes us into the heart of addiction and recovery, sharing:

This is an inspiring conversation for anyone curious about the psychology of addiction, the power of behavioral change, and the path to a healthier, freer life.

🎙️ What is Impact in the 21st Century?

👤 Who hosts the podcast?

🦻 Who Makes It Sound Good?

This podcast is brought to you by Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life.

Dr. Patricia Wright is a world-renowned primatologist, conservationist, and National Geographic Explorer whose groundbreaking work has redefined our understanding of lemurs and their fragile habitats. As the founder of Centre ValBio in Madagascar, she has discovered new species, championed biodiversity, and empowered local communities to protect one of the planet’s most unique ecosystems. Her passion for lemurs and tireless advocacy for conservation have made her a global icon in the fight to preserve our natural world.

In this captivating episode, Dr. Wright takes us deep into the rainforests of Madagascar, sharing:

This is an inspiring conversation for anyone passionate about wildlife, conservation, and the delicate balance of our planet’s ecosystems.

🎙️ What is Impact in the 21st Century?

Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast that celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe, and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals who are behind it.

👤 Who hosts the podcast?

Aaron Friedland is a National Geographic Explorer, PhD Candidate in Econometrics at UBC, and Founder of Simbi Foundation.

🦻 Who Makes It Sound Good?

Tom Foster is an Award-Winning Recording Engineer and Cinematographer, Up-and-Coming Composer, Film Scoring Student at Berklee College of Music, and Head of Audio & Music for the Sea Change Project.

This podcast is brought to you by Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life.

Rita is a visionary member of Project Kamp, a Portugal-based research community dedicated to prototyping a sustainable way of living in harmony with the planet. As a key collaborator in this innovative experiment, Rita has helped transform a 9-hectare plot of abandoned land and kick start a research place for sustainable practices, from upcycling plastic waste with Precious Plastic to building communal spaces with recycled materials. Her work embodies a bold reimagination of how humans can live, eat, and connect within nature.

In this inspiring episode, Rita shares the journey of Project Kamp and her insights on sustainable living, including:

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone curious about sustainable living, community-driven innovation, and the power of collective action to reshape our world.

🎙️ What is Impact in the 21st Century?

Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast that celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals who are behind it.

👤 Who hosts the podcast?

Aaron Friedland is a National Geographic Explorer, PhD Candidate in Econometrics at UBC, and Founder of Simbi Foundation.

🦻 Who Makes It Sound Good?

Tom Foster is an Award-Winning Recording Engineer and Cinematographer, Up-and-Coming Composer, Film Scoring Student at Berklee College of Music, and Head of Audio & Music for the Sea Change Project.

This podcast is brought to you by Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life.

Alberto Manguel is the acclaimed author of A History of Reading, The Library at Night, and dozens of other works exploring literature, memory, and the profound human need for stories. A lifetime reader and former Director of the National Library of Argentina, Manguel has lived a life shaped by books - reading to Jorge Luis Borges as a teenager, curating libraries across continents, and writing deeply about the roles books play in our personal and collective lives.

In this episode, Manguel offers a masterclass on the power of reading in shaping empathy, identity, and civilization itself. We explore:

This is a timeless conversation for lovers of language, ideas, and the written word.

🎙️ What is Impact in the 21st Century?

Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast that celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe, and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals who are behind it.

👤 Who hosts the podcast?

🦻Who Makes It Sound Good? 

Tom Foster is an Award-Winning Recording Engineer and Cinematographer, Up-and-Coming Composer, Film Scoring Student at Berklee College of Music, and Head of Audio & Music for the Sea Change Project.

This podcast is brought to you by Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life.