In this episode of Redefining Tomorrow, Zoltan Istvan joins David Goldsmith for a bold and wide-ranging conversation on transhumanism, the future of humanity, and the role of science and technology in reshaping what it means to be human.

Zoltan brings his perspective as a futurist, author, and political candidate to explore how advancements in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and human enhancement are challenging long-held assumptions about life, death, and identity. The discussion moves beyond surface-level futurism into the deeper philosophical and societal implications of extending human capability and lifespan.

Together, they examine the tension between technological progress and ethical responsibility, and what it means to consciously design the future of civilization rather than react to it.

Zoltan Istvan is a futurist, author, entrepreneur, and political figure known for advancing the global conversation around transhumanism and the role of science and technology in shaping humanity’s future.

With a background as a journalist for National Geographic and a career spanning over 100 countries, Zoltan has explored the intersection of technology, philosophy, and human potential. He is the author of The Transhumanist Wager, a #1 bestseller in philosophy, and has spoken at institutions including the World Bank, World Economic Forum, and UK Parliament.

Zoltan has advised organizations ranging from the U.S. Navy to international governments, and continues to write for major publications such as The New York Times, Newsweek, Vice, and Wired. He is currently running for California Governor in 2026 and remains a leading voice in the movement to rethink human capability, longevity, and the future of civilization.

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In this episode of Redefining Tomorrow, Dr. Olivia Ly Lesslar joins David Goldsmith for a deep exploration into the intelligence of the human body, the limits of conventional diagnosis, and the idea that the body is not broken but often trying to communicate.

As an Australian medical doctor working across psychoneuroimmunology, longevity, functional medicine, and complex-condition medicine, Olivia brings a systems-level view of health. She explains why symptoms are not always failures in the body, but signals shaped by environment, history, nervous system state, lifestyle, stress resilience, and evolutionary biology.

Together, David and Olivia explore what happens when medicine becomes too specialized, when patients lose agency, and when diagnosis becomes a label rather than a path to understanding. The conversation moves through the nervous system, placebo and nocebo, chronic illness, environmental toxicity, fertility, stress resilience, and the deeper question of how we learn to listen to the body before assuming it needs to be fixed.

Dr. Olivia Lesslar is an Australian medical doctor internationally recognized for her work in psychoneuroimmunology, longevity, and complex-condition medicine. With formal training in medicine and international relations, she brings an interdisciplinary perspective that bridges neuroscience, immunology, behavioral science, functional medicine, and systems-level thinking.

Often described as a “medical Sherlock Holmes,” Dr. Lesslar is known for her ability to investigate complex, multi-system health conditions that do not fit neatly into conventional diagnostic categories. Her work combines scientific rigor, pattern recognition, clinical intuition, and a patient-centered approach to understanding the deeper roots of chronic and multifactorial illness.

She is Director of Functional and Longevity Medicine at Cingulum Health in Sydney and holds academic appointments at Griffith University’s National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases and the Geneva College of Longevity Science. Her advisory work spans biotechnology, neurotechnology, longevity medicine, and integrative health organizations across multiple countries.

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In this deep and exploratory episode of Redefining Tomorrow, James Arbib joins David Goldsmith for a journey into the roots of civilization, the illusions we’ve inherited, and how they shape the futures we’re building. As co-founder of RethinkX and the Stellar World Initiative, James walks us through thousands of years of societal evolution—from the Neolithic revolution to today’s techno-environmental narratives—and asks us to consider whether we truly understand the systems we’re trying to fix.

They explore why scarcity thinking dominates global policy making, how civilizations have mirrored each other through to modern America, and why rethinking our assumptions—not just our tools—may be the only way forward.

James Arbib is a visionary thought leader, author, investor, and philanthropist dedicated to exploring how disruptive technologies can address humanity's greatest challenges. As co-founder of RethinkX and the Stellar World Initiative, James brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective that bridges technology, economics, history, and systems thinking.

With a background in history and finance, James moved into environmentalism and disruptive innovation, founding the philanthropic Tellus Mater Foundation to explore solutions for complex global problems. His intellectual journey led him from traditional environmental advocacy to a bold new view: that technological transformation—when deeply understood—offers the most profound opportunities to shape a better future.

He has co-authored Rethinking Humanity and Stellar with Tony Seba and helped lead groundbreaking research on disruptions in transportation, energy, and food systems.

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In This Episode

We explore the roles of engineering, game design, and creativity in solving technical and strategic challenges, and why understanding systems—technological, economic, or human—is the key to unlocking transformative change.

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Biography of the Guest

Paul’s background spans aerospace engineering, capital markets, and senior leadership roles at firms like Goldman Sachs, BNY Mellon, and Bank of America. He has contributed to DeFi, blockchain, and fintech discussions worldwide as a speaker and content creator. Dowding’s creative pursuits—game design, music production, and visual storytelling—blend with his strategic expertise to help leaders reimagine what's possible.

This is an episode of the Redefining Tomorrow podcast.

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In this episode, we explore how curiosity and storytelling fuel innovation, how creative chaos drives breakthroughs, and why narrative is the hidden infrastructure of strategic execution. From founding Australia’s top jingle house to developing real estate portals and investing in Kevin Costner’s geo-triggered audio platform, Simon takes us on a ride through a life defined by relentless exploration and reinvention.

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Biography of the Guest

Simon is a prolific writer with over 70 published works and has helped launch ventures like Kevin Costner’s Autio. He has served as Storyteller-in-Residence at McGraw Hill and runs investment projects through Ignition Capital. From engineering systems to crafting narratives, Mills shows how versatile minds shape the world.

This is an episode of the Redefining Podcast series

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We dive into what it means to create alpha in a climate-driven economy, why education leapfrogging in developing nations matters, and how AI is both a challenge and a key tool for achieving net-zero targets. Samer walks us through his strategic philosophy—blending hard infrastructure, clean tech, and digital transformation—to generate scalable impact while remaining deeply grounded in business fundamentals.

Episode Outlines

Biography of the Guest

Beyond finance, Samer co-founded the Valenture Institute in South Africa, providing accessible, online high school education at scale. He previously led World Links ME, a World Bank NGO aimed at integrating digital technology into mainstream education. A systems engineer by training, Samer designed the FAA’s remote maintenance system for U.S. air traffic control while at Lockheed Martin. Today, he’s focused on AI, electrification, and infrastructure solutions to transition to a low-carbon economy.

Join David Goldsmith as he welcomes Neil Smith, an expert in regenerative agriculture and ecological systems. Neil shares groundbreaking insights into the concept of EcoAgro, emphasizing the importance of integrating ecological principles into agricultural practices. Key moments include discussions on the historical context of agriculture, the impact of industrialization, and the need for a paradigm shift towards sustainable practices.

Neil illustrates how ancient civilizations, like the Incas, mastered land stewardship and water management, lessons that are increasingly relevant today. He also highlights the role of technology and data in modern agriculture, advocating for a balance between innovation and ecological health. The conversation takes unexpected turns as they explore the implications of Web 3 technology in agriculture and the necessity of transparency in food sourcing.

This episode ultimately connects personal choices to broader societal impacts, urging listeners to consider how their food consumption habits can contribute to a healthier planet.

Neil Smith is a leading figure in regenerative agriculture, with extensive experience in carbon sequestration, ecology, soil science, and permaculture. He has worked globally to promote sustainable farming practices that restore ecological balance while enhancing food production.

Neil's career highlights include his involvement with Project Moon Hut, where he applies innovative solutions to agricultural challenges. His educational background in environmental sciences equips him with a deep understanding of the interconnectedness between human activity and ecological health.

A passionate advocate for change, Neil emphasizes the need for a shift towards more sustainable agricultural systems that prioritize soil health and biodiversity. His work aims to inspire individuals and communities to take actionable steps towards a more resilient future.

Join David Goldsmith as he speaks with Ross Hamilton, COO of Space Network, who brings a wealth of experience from aerospace engineering to finance and enterprise software. In this enlightening episode, Ross shares key insights on rethinking complexity and adapting to constant change. He emphasizes the importance of understanding complexity from a management perspective, using real-world examples such as emergency response and the intricacies of financial options.

Throughout the conversation, Ross introduces his unique framework, "FUSED," which stands for Future, Usability, Supportability, Execution, and Distribution. He illustrates how each component interrelates to create a robust strategy for navigating complex environments. The discussion takes unexpected turns as they explore the implications of optionality in decision-making and the necessity of adaptability in leadership.

Listeners will gain practical insights into how to approach complexity in their own lives and organizations, making this episode a valuable resource for anyone looking to redefine their future amidst uncertainty.

Ross Hamilton is the Chief Operating Officer at Space Network, where he leverages his extensive background in aerospace engineering, finance, mobile technology, eCommerce, and enterprise software. With prior experience at JPMorgan Capital Markets Technology and GlobalScot, Ross has developed a unique perspective on managing complexity in various industries.

A graduate in aerospace engineering, Ross has been instrumental in driving innovative solutions that address complex challenges. He is passionate about fostering a culture of adaptability and collaboration within organizations. His recent projects focus on integrating advanced technologies into space exploration efforts while ensuring sustainability and operational excellence.

Ross's insights into financial options and strategic decision-making make him a valuable contributor to discussions on navigating uncertainty in today's fast-paced world.

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Join us as we redefine tomorrow with our guest, Philippe Kahn, a French American inventor, entrepreneur, and mathematician known for creating the world's first camera phone solution. Philippe shares his journey through innovation, spirituality, and the profound lessons learned from dogs. He emphasizes how dogs exemplify reinforcement and self-supervised learning, drawing parallels to artificial intelligence (AI) development.

Throughout the conversation, Philippe highlights key insights such as the importance of grounding ourselves in nature and emotions, the role of innovation in shaping a better future, and the need for a balanced approach to AI that considers ethical implications. He also discusses how our understanding of sleep can be enhanced through technology, ultimately improving our daily lives.

The discussion takes unexpected turns as we explore the relationship between spirituality and presence in our lives. Philippe encourages listeners to embrace the mysteries of life while recognizing the potential of technology to enhance human experiences.

Episode Outlines

Biography of the Guest

Philippe Kahn is an accomplished French American inventor, entrepreneur, and mathematician with over 235 issued patents across various fields including IoT, AI, and medicine. He is renowned for developing the world's first camera phone solution that paved the way for modern social media sharing.

Philippe's career highlights include being recognized by Byte Magazine as one of the top 20 most important figures in computer history. He has dedicated his recent work to understanding sleep through AI and machine learning, aiming to improve people's lives globally.

With a background steeped in innovation and a passion for enhancing human experiences, Philippe embodies the spirit of creativity and progress. His insights into the intersections of technology, nature, and spirituality make him a compelling voice in today's discourse on future possibilities.

In This Episode

Join host David Goldsmith as he welcomes Esther Dyson, a renowned investor, journalist, author, and philanthropist, to discuss the concept of the "court jester" and its implications in today's society. Throughout their engaging conversation, Esther shares her insights on the importance of truth-telling, the value of personal luck acknowledgment, and the necessity of making new mistakes. With captivating anecdotes from her diverse career—from her early days at Forbes to her work with Wellville—Esther illustrates how these themes connect to broader societal issues. The discussion takes unexpected turns, exploring the intersections of AI, human behavior, and the future of well-being.

Episode Outlines

Biography of the Guest

Esther Dyson is an influential investor, journalist, author, and philanthropist known for her work in technology and health care. She is the executive founder of Wellville, a nonprofit initiative aimed at improving equitable well-being across communities. Esther began her career as a fact-checker at Forbes before becoming a reporter and later owning her own business, EdVenture. With significant achievements in various sectors including space exploration and health care innovation, she has been an advocate for social impact through investment. Esther's educational background includes studies in Russian history and science, which have shaped her unique perspective on global issues.