Somewhat Frank

On this episode of the Somewhat Frank Podcast, Frank Gruber (X and IG: @FrankGruber), John Guidos (IG: jgoodtimes83), and Simon Kahan (IG: simonkahan) discuss the following topics:

• Right now, you can lease an EV for as little as $100 a month — which is pretty wild.

• Debunked! China was developing humanoid "pregnancy robots" for $14K per birth, prototype by 2026.

• The founding of the first AI-led rights advocacy group.

We also upload our episodes to YouTube in video format so you can see us now. Check it out on Established YouTube, where you can subscribe to get updates when we drop a new episode at: https://soty.link/ESTYouTube

As always, thank you for listening, and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: [email protected]

On this episode of the Somewhat Frank Podcast, Frank Gruber (X and IG: @FrankGruber), John Guidos (IG: jgoodtimes83), and Simon Kahan (IG: simonkahan) discuss the following topics:

CNN SuperAger Article - SuperAgers are individuals who maintain exceptional cognitive function as they age—remaining mentally sharp even into their 80s and 90s.

Sam Altman is in the process of co-founding a new brain-to-computer interface startup called Merge Labs and raising funds for it with the capital possibly coming largely from OpenAI's ventures team, unnamed sources told the Financial Times.

Drones Reveal Largest Turtle Nesting Site Hidden in the Amazon - Using drone aerial imaging and advanced statistical modeling, University of Florida researchers identified the world's largest known nesting site for a threatened turtle species—over 41,000 Giant South American River Turtles along the Guaporé River in the Amazon.

We also upload our episodes to YouTube in video format so you can see us now. Check it out on Established YouTube, where you can subscribe to get updates when we drop a new episode at: https://soty.link/ESTYouTube

As always, thank you for listening, and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: [email protected]

On this episode of the Somewhat Frank Podcast, Frank Gruber (X and IG: @FrankGruber), John Guidos (IG: jgoodtimes83), Jen Consalvo (X: @noreaster), and Simon Kahan (IG: simonkahan) discuss the following topics:

Twitter Founder Jack Dorsey Launched Messaging App That Doesn't Need Internet. - https://www.inc.com/sam-blum/twitter-co-founder-jack-dorsey-just-launched-a-messaging-app-that-doesnt-need-the-internet/91210801

Harvard scientist believes interstellar comet could be alien craft: "We should put all possibilities on the table." - https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/harvard-scientist-comet-alien-craft-earth/

Eight months in, Swedish unicorn Lovable crosses the $100M ARR milestone. - https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/eight-months-in-swedish-unicorn-lovable-crosses-the-100m-arr-milestone/

Australia is expanding its current restrictions on social media use by children under 16 and the ban now includes YouTube. - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpv0zkxx0njo

North Spore - Based in Portland, Maine, North Spore (https://northspore.com) is the premier destination for all your mushroom growing needs. As the #1 mushroom growing shop, North Spore provides everything you need to cultivate mushrooms.

Check out our most recent Startup of the Year podcast episode, where we were joined by Dr. Amy Beckley, from PROOV, who is changing the landscape of women's health. Listen here: https://soty.link/Pod140

We also upload our episodes to YouTube in video format so you can see us now. Check it out on Established YouTube, where you can subscribe to get updates when we drop a new episode at: https://soty.link/ESTYouTube

As always, thank you for listening, and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: [email protected]

On this episode of the Somewhat Frank Podcast, Frank Gruber (X and IG: @FrankGruber), John Guidos (IG: jgoodtimes83), and Simon Kahan (IG: simonkahan) discuss the following topics:

AI Rock Band With More Than A Million Listeners - https://nypost.com/2025/07/10/entertainment/rock-band-with-more-than-1-million-spotify-listeners-reveals-its-entirely-ai-generated-down-to-the-musicians-themselves/

AI Talent War Is On Fire - https://www.tipranks.com/news/meta-poaches-apples-aapl-ai-superstar-with-200m-offer

Zuckerberg says Meta will build data center the size of Manhattan - https://ground.news/article/meta-ceo-zuckerberg-says-first-ai-data-supercluster-will-come-online-in-2026_2b17de

The new Superman movie - https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_2025

Jurassic World Rebirth - https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jurassic_world_rebirth

We also upload our episodes to YouTube in video format so you can see us now. Check it out on Established YouTube, where you can subscribe to get updates when we drop a new episode at: https://soty.link/ESTYouTube

As always, thank you for listening, and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: [email protected]

On this episode of the Somewhat Frank Podcast, Frank Gruber (X and IG: @FrankGruber), John Guidos (IG: jgoodtimes83), Jen Consalvo (X: @noreaster), and Simon Kahan (IG: simonkahan) discuss the following topics:

Frank has been making music. Check him out at: @frankgrubermusic on Instagram and TikTok, or sign up for text alerts on music drops at laylo.com/frankgrubermusic

Your Brain on ChatGPT: MIT Measures the Mental Cost of AI Writing - MIT ran a study with 54 participants writing essays using either their brain, a search engine, or ChatGPT—then tracked brain activity using EEG.

Ram Trucks fires up a near-perfect brand apology ad - CEO Tim Kuniskis apologizes for discontinuing the Hemi V-8—with doughnuts, drifts, and a NASCAR lap.

A Couples Retreat With 3 AI Chatbots and the Humans Who Love Them https://www.wired.com/story/couples-retreat-with-3-ai-chatbots-and-humans-who-love-them-replika-nomi-chatgpt/

Jeff Bezos Wedding - Bezos proposed in 2023 in the south of France with a 30‑carat pink diamond ring valued at $3–5 million

We also upload our episodes to YouTube in video format so you can see us now. Check it out on Established YouTube, where you can subscribe to get updates when we drop a new episode at: https://soty.link/ESTYouTube

As always, thank you for listening, and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: [email protected]

On this episode of the Somewhat Frank Podcast, Frank Gruber (X and IG: @FrankGruber), John Guidos (IG: jgoodtimes83), Jen Consalvo (X: @noreaster), and Simon Kahan (IG: simonkahan) discuss the following topics:

The After-Work Happy Hour Is Dying Apple News – The Cut - Remote work, shifting priorities, and social fatigue are changing workplace culture.

CNBC 2025 Disruptor 50 List - CNBC Article

OpenAI Expands Into Meetings, Docs, and Cloud Storage - TechCrunch article

AI-Designed Drug Shows Promise - Bloomberg article

Small Funds, Big Wins - James Heath VC – Substack

World's Tallest 3D-Printed Building - Tom's Hardware

First Mushroom Casket Burial in the U.S. Happens in Maine - Portland Press Herald

We also upload our episodes to YouTube in video format so you can see us now. Check it out on Established YouTube, where you can subscribe to get updates when we drop a new episode at: https://soty.link/ESTYouTube

As always, thank you for listening, and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: [email protected]

On this episode of the Somewhat Frank Podcast, Frank Gruber (X and IG: @FrankGruber) and (Simon Kahan IG: @SimonKahan) discuss the following topics:

Sesame Street Heads to Netflix - the iconic PBS show is heading to Netflix under a new licensing deal.

OpenAI x Jony Ive's Mysterious AI Device - OpenAI is teaming up with Jony Ive — the design genius behind Apple's most iconic products — to build a totally new kind of AI-first device.

Rock-it Cargo's $1B Live Events Logistics Deal - the company that handles logistics for massive global tours and sporting events — just got acquired in a $1 billion deal.

Should the Penny Be Retired? - It costs almost 3 cents to make a 1-cent coin — and the U.S. Mint is finally rethinking whether the penny still makes sense.

Napster Reboots as a $1.5B AI Music Startup - Napster is back — but this time, it's a $1.5 billion AI-powered music company.

We also upload our episodes to YouTube in video format so you can see us now. Check it out on Established YouTube, where you can subscribe to get updates when we drop a new episode at: https://soty.link/ESTYouTube

As always, thank you for listening, and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: [email protected]

On this episode of the Somewhat Frank Podcast, Frank Gruber (X and IG: @FrankGruber), John Guidos (IG: jgoodtimes83), and Jen Consalvo (X: @noreaster) discuss the following topics:

OpenAI Changes Course Will Remain A Nonprofit - OpenAI will remain under the control of its nonprofit despite previous plans to convert fully to a for-profit model; its business division will instead become a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) overseen by the nonprofit.

Inside Starbase: Elon Musk's Town - Starbase was officially incorporated as a city after a 212–6 vote, with most voters being SpaceX employees or their relatives; no traditional campaigning occurred.

Why Chobani's Founder Hamdi Ulukaya Is Investing $1.2B in A State of the Art Dairy Farm in Upstate New York - Chobani CEO Hamdi Ulukaya is investing $1.7 billion in two major U.S. manufacturing expansions: $1.2 billion for a new facility in Rome, New York, and $500 million to expand the company's Idaho plant.

ChatGPT Users Are Developing Bizarre Delusions - AI chatbots like ChatGPT are fueling delusional beliefs in some users, who claim to receive sacred missions or mystical revelations, often worsening preexisting mental health issues.

Elizabeth Holmes's Partner Has a New Blood-Testing Startup - Billy Evans, partner of convicted Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, is raising funds for a new diagnostics startup named Haemanthus, which aims to revolutionize health testing starting with pets and eventually humans.

Do you sit on the floor? - Sitting and moving from the floor regularly strengthens lower-body muscles and balance, which can help prevent falls—a major health risk for older adults, according to longevity expert Dan Buettner.

We also upload our episodes to YouTube in video format so you can see us now. Check it out on Established YouTube, where you can subscribe to get updates when we drop a new episode at: https://soty.link/ESTYouTube

As always, thank you for listening, and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: [email protected]

On this episode of the Somewhat Frank Podcast, Frank Gruber (X and IG: @FrankGruber), John Guidos (IG: jgoodtimes83), and Simon Kahan (X: @simonkahan) explore the following topics:

Founders, investors, startup teams, entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs), and innovators, we invite you to join the Established Network, our digital hub where creativity, capital, and collaboration collide. https://established.network. As part of the Established Network, we also host the Monthly Innovation Circle, with some great featured speakers and we'll continue hosting these events on the third Thursday of every month. Sign up today at: est.us/TheMIC2025

Astronomers Detect Possible Signal of Life on a Distant Planet - Astronomers have detected a potential biosignature on exoplanet K2-18b, located approximately 120 light-years away in the constellation Leo

King's College Scientists' Lab-Grown Teeth Breakthrough - Researchers at King's College London have successfully grown fully functional teeth in laboratory settings, marking a significant advancement in regenerative dentistry.

Midwest Emerges as a Hub for AI Data Centers - The Midwest is experiencing a surge in data center construction, driven by the growing demand for AI and cloud computing services.

Fun With AI Generated Images - We have been testing ChatGPT's new viral image manipulation capabilities.

We also upload our episodes to YouTube in video format so you can see us now. Check it out on Established YouTube, where you can subscribe to get updates when we drop a new episode at: https://soty.link/ESTYouTube

As always, thank you for listening, and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: [email protected]

On this episode of the Somewhat Frank Podcast, Frank Gruber (X and IG: @FrankGruber), John Guidos (IG: jgoodtimes83), and Jen Consalvo (X: @noreaster) discuss the following topics:

TechCrunch sold again - TechCrunch has been sold again – Yahoo has sold the tech news site to private equity firm Regent for an undisclosed amount.

23andMe Files For Bankruptcy, what does that mean for the security of your genetic data? - 23andMe is filing for bankruptcy – The genetic testing company has struggled financially due to its one-time purchase model and declining sales. It is now seeking a buyer, and co-founder Anne Wojcicki has stepped down as CEO but hopes to repurchase the company.

Banning Lab Grown Meats - Mississippi bans lab-grown meat – The state unanimously passed a bill prohibiting the cultivation and sale of cell-derived meat, with penalties including fines and jail time. Similar bans have been enacted in Florida and Alabama, with other states considering restrictions.

Bill Gates on AI and jobs - In a recent interview, Bill Gates discussed the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the workforce, including AI's role in medicine and education, potential job disruptions, etc.

Your AI lover will change you - The normalization of AI lovers is imminent, with AI-powered chatbots and virtual companions becoming more interactive, personalized, and emotionally engaging. This could fundamentally reshape human relationships.

YouTube Shorts - YouTube Shorts is a short-form video experience for creators. Frank started to upload some videos this past week to test it out with a couple of videos here: https://www.youtube.com/@FrankGruber/shorts

Sunnier Days For Sesame Street? - Sesame Workshop is facing financial struggles – The nonprofit behind Sesame Street is losing its lucrative HBO contract, worth $30–$35 million per year, and dealing with lost government grants, creating a projected $40 million deficit.

We also upload our episodes to YouTube in video format so you can see us now. Check it out on Established YouTube, where you can subscribe to get updates when we drop a new episode at: https://soty.link/ESTYouTube

As always, thank you for listening, and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: [email protected]