Innovation Uncovered

Some of the most groundbreaking ideas and discoveries are happening around us, transforming how we play, connect, what we consume and more. Join the culture critic Kristen Meinzer for a new season of “Innovation Uncovered.” This season, Meinzer explores new approaches to business and technology with agents of innovation whose work is reshaping our world in extraordinary ways — from a pair of young entrepreneurs who invented a robotic quarterback to the chief executive who’s giving vinyl records a new spin. Stay tuned for so much more this season on “Innovation Uncovered,” a podcast by Invesco QQQ. Invesco Distributors, Inc.

What do rocket science and basketball have in common? Hosts Corey S. Powell and Kristen Meinzer explore how the data revolution has fundamentally altered modern basketball, both on and off the court. Technology used to track missiles is now being adapted to track passes and three-point shots, inform coaches’ calls and help amateur players perfect their practice. Episode Guests: Ivana Seric, Data Analyst for Professional Basketball Team, Gal Oz, SportVu Cofounder, and Alex Wu, Founding Team Member and Vice President of Strategy, MarComm, and Partnerships of HomeCourt. [Invesco Distributors, Inc.]

Can special effects in film make reality more … real? Hosts Corey S. Powell and Kristen Meinzer enter the world of movie magic and investigate how it’s changing our perception of reality. Popular films use special effects to alter the appearance of actors, blurring the line between reality and special effects. And especially now when actors and camera crews can’t be in close proximity to one another, innovations in visual effects technology can fill the gaps that physical actors and real-life sets cannot. Episode Guests: Josh Rothkopf, Film Critic, Pablo Helman, Visual Effects Supervisor and Second Unit Director of Industrial Light & Magic, Johnny Fisk, Vice President and Head of LA Studio at FuseFX. [Invesco Distributors, Inc.]

Can V.R. help older people feel more connected to the world — and those who love them? Hosts Corey S. Powell and Kristen Meinzer dive into the new V.R. technology that’s helping seniors feel less isolated. Being lonely and isolated can worsen health conditions when you’re older, studies show, but innovations in virtual travel can provide a tangible sense of connection and love that can mitigate those stressors. Episode Guests: Isaac Lien, Co-Founder, Head of Innovation & Employee Experience at GrandPad, Laura Zettel-Watson, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Psychology and chair of the Aging Studies Program at California State University, Fullerton, and Kyle Rand, Co-Founder and CEO of Rendevor. [Invesco Distributors, Inc.]

Can artificial intelligence write pop songs? Hosts Corey S. Powell and Kristen Meinzer discuss how A.I. and algorithms are changing how music is created and shared — and how musicians are adapting. Concerts are happening virtually. Apps are curating playlists that match the speed of your run. And A.I. is helping artists compose song. Episode Guests: Holly Herndon, composer, performer and sound artist and Lars Rasmussen, Co-Founder and CTO of Weav Music. [Invesco Distributors, Inc.]

A focus on nature is breathing new life into how we design our homes — even our cities. Hosts Corey S. Powell and Kristen Meinzer explore the principles of biophilia: the foundation of a design practice that incorporates the living patterns of the outdoor world into the places where we live and work. Human beings gravitate to nature, studies show, and “natureful” designs improve our mood and wellbeing — a necessity with people spending more time at home. Episode Guests: Bethany Borel, WELL AP, Senior Associate at COOKFOX Architects and Tim Beatley, Professor of Sustainable Communities, Urban and Environmental Planning at the University of Virginia and Founder of Biophilic Cities. [Invesco Distributors, Inc.]

What does innovation mean right now, in light of everything that’s changed — and is still changing? Some of the most groundbreaking ideas and discoveries are unfolding close to home, shifting how we play, what we consume, how we connect. Join science journalist Corey S. Powell and culture critic Kristen Meinzer as they explore what innovation looks like today — and where we’re headed in the future. “Innovation Uncovered” is a new podcast by Invesco QQQ and T Brand at The New York Times. Invesco Distributors Inc.