Best Trevor Rhodes Podcasts (2024)

1
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber: The connection between AI and energy 35:01

23d ago35:01

35:01

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber is the President of COP28, the UN Climate Change Conference hosted by the UAE last year. He's also the CEO and Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), where he leads efforts to produce cleaner energy today and invests in sustainable energy solutions for the future. In this episode, Dr. Sultan shares how …

1
Bill Anderson: Using AI to combat hunger 32:33

3M ago32:33

32:33

Bayer CEO Bill Anderson considers himself a scientist at heart, a chemical engineer by training, and a lifelong student of biotechnology. Now at the helm of a 160-year-old German pharmaceutical and agriculture company, he's employing science and technology with a bold mission — Health for All, Hunger for none. In this episode, Bill discusses AI’s r…

1
The New AI Economy 23:53

4M ago23:53

23:53

Gutenberg's invention of the printing press led to a new economy, which created a new sector of businesses, industries, and jobs. Generative AI is providing a similar opportunity today. In this episode, Brad Smith draws on the lessons from the printing press and supporting industries to illustrate how different technologies are coming together to c…

1
Yves Ubelmann: Saving our heritage, one digital twin at a time 19:38

5M ago19:38

19:38

Yves Ubelmann is a technologist, artist, and architect who is on a mission to digitally preserve the world’s cultural and natural heritage. He is the founder and CEO of Iconem, a company that creates stunning 3D models of endangered sites and environments. In this episode, Brad and Yves take a boat trip through Venice, touring the subject of his mo…

1
U.S. Ambassador Nate Fick: Choosing a radio over a rifle in combat 38:12

6M ago38:12

38:12

As the United States’ first Ambassador-at-Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy, Nathaniel Fick is leading a tech-centered global diplomatic mission. Nate brings extraordinary depth to this important role in contemporary foreign policy – not as a career diplomat, but from a wide range of experiences: a Classics graduate from Dartmouth, a Marine l…

1
Ben Rhodes: The enduring power of language in the era of AI 32:14

8M ago32:14

32:14

Ben Rhodes had a front-row seat to one of the great transformations of our time - how people consume and react to information on social media. From his post as Deputy National Security Advisor and speechwriter serving under Barack Obama, Ben watched, as this technology evolved from a democratizing force of the Arab Spring to a weapon used to spread…

1
His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama: The journey from gaming to government 38:12

9M ago38:12

38:12

As a young child, His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama developed his confidence and leadership skills through video games, which sparked his passion for history, strategy, and problem-solving. Today, he’s putting these skills to use as the first in the world to hold a cabinet level position on AI as the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence,…

1
U.S. Ambassador Meg Whitman: Leading with the right questions 32:41

11M ago32:41

32:41

Throughout her impressive career leading businesses, nonprofits, and now as the U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman has been driven by a simple question: "What are we going to do about it?" This relentless focus on action propelled her as she transformed eBay from a fledgling startup into a global e-commerce powerhouse and guided her as CEO navig…

1
Kevin Scott: Putting AI into the hands of people everywhere 33:27

12M ago33:27

33:27

Microsoft’s Chief Technology Officer, Kevin Scott, believes that for AI to benefit everyone, humans must be at the center of its development. His philosophy was shaped by his rural Virginia roots, where he belonged to a hardworking community that used creativity, perseverance, and curiosity to support each other and tackle practical challenges. In …

1
First Vice President Nadia Calviño: Architecting Spain’s AI future 31:57

1y ago31:57

31:57

Nadia Calviño is a world leader who has earned a reputation for getting things done. As Spain’s First Vice President and Minister of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, she created the first national agency for regulating AI. In this episode, she explains how she rearchitected Spain’s economy to embrace AI in every sector while protecting …

1
Governing AI: A blueprint for our future 42:24

1y ago42:24

42:24

AI may be the most consequential technology advance of our lifetime. Rapid advances are creating new opportunities, challenges, and questions that require the public and private sectors to come together to ensure that this technology serves the public good. In this special episode, recorded as part of an event hosted by Microsoft in Washington D.C.…

1
Strive Masiyiwa: A vision to connect Africa’s greatest asset — its youth — to the world 35:36

1+ y ago35:36

35:36

At a time when most Africans had not yet heard the sound of a ringing telephone, Strive Masiyiwa, an impatient young engineer, successfully challenged Zimbabwe’s state-run telecoms monopoly to get the licenses he needed to launch Econet Wireless. The court’s decision reverberated across Africa, clearing the way for private sector operators to enter…

1
Carol Ann Browne: Turning the tables on Brad Smith 34:12

1+ y ago34:12

34:12

Brad and Carol Ann discovered that riding in an autonomous vehicle as it learns to navigate the streets of London can be a bit nerve-wracking. But these hands-on experiences are crucial to understanding the impact that AI's sudden surge has on everyday life at the intersection of technology and society. In this episode, Brad's co-author, chief of s…

1
Father Paolo Benanti: Finding the heart and soul of AI 31:35

1+ y ago31:35

31:35

As a young engineer, a simple question about life’s meaning directed Paulo Benanti’s journey to an unexpected destination – living in a monastery next to the Vatican. Now known as Father Benanti, he’s a Franciscan monk, but he’s also a technology and bioethics professor who advises Pope Francis on the ethics of artificial intelligence. In this epis…

1
Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece: Digital transformation for the people, by the people 26:47

1+ y ago26:47

26:47

As Greece’s Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis has put digital technology to work to drive economic resurgence, develop a vibrant tech sector, and transform the way everyday citizens interact with the government. In this episode, we cover Greece's ambition to be an energy hub for Europe, its efforts to digitally preserve ancient cultural sites, an…

1
Satya Nadella: Earning the skeptics’ trust 27:04

1+ y ago27:04

27:04

Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, says a multinational company’s license to do business is earned by creating “local surplus” wherever it operates. In this episode, Brad and Satya unpack what this means, how it connects to the company’s mission, the responsibility that companies have to create inclusive growth, and how software is one o…

1
Kara Swisher: It’s time for tech to mature 34:02

2y ago34:02

34:02

When it comes to reporting on the tech industry, nothing escapes Kara Swisher. For four decades, the influential journalist has used the power of her pen and microphone to not only report the news, but influence the events of the day. Sharing insights from her career, they explore patterns that help her see what’s coming in tech before others, the …

1
Mathias Döpfner: Can democracy survive without independent journalism? 32:28

2y ago32:28

32:28

Why does the head of a global media powerhouse still give his occupation as “journalist?” Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Axel Springer SE, is driven by deep convictions about journalism’s role in safeguarding democracy – a perspective forged in his youth after viewing the American miniseries Holocaust. In this episode, Brad and Mathias dive into the worry…

1
Kai-Fu Lee: How AI teaches us what it means to be human 32:50

2y ago32:50

32:50

In 2017, leading AI expert Kai-Fu Lee shared a dire prediction: half of all jobs – both blue collar and white collar – could be automated within ten years, replacing the workforce with solutions built on artificial intelligence. Brad and Kai-Fu discuss what this coming change means for national economies and for people who care about their work. Ka…

1
Thomas Friedman: It's not what we know, but how well we listen 37:47

2y ago37:47

37:47

Thomas Friedman believes if you want to understand human nature, live with people in extreme situations. And if you want to know the future, hang around people inventing it. As a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, Thomas Friedman has spent a career reporting from a civil war in Beirut, observing some of the world’s leading companies from the inside…

1
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern: Can we work together to end violent extremism online? 24:29

2y ago24:29

24:29

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is determined to stop the spread of extremism and radicalization online. In the aftermath of the 2019 terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, she saw the livestream of the tragedy go viral across social media feeds, including her own. In response, she led the creation of the Christchurch Call, a co…

1
Trevor Noah: Who do you trust (when you don’t trust the news)? 39:03

2y ago39:03

39:03

Since his first night anchoring The Daily Show in 2015, Trevor Noah has used comedy to connect the dots between local events and global issues. In this episode, Brad and Trevor discuss the intersection of the news of the day and technology. Focusing on the rise of disinformation, they explore how we become susceptible to it, the threat of ”cybertri…

1
Coming Soon: Tools and Weapons 1:43

2y ago1:43

1:43

With things heating up around the world—environmentally, socially, and politically, now is the time to discuss the role technology plays – for good and bad – as we work together to solve our biggest challenges.  Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith speaks with leaders in government, business, and culture to explore the world’s most critica…

1
Who Watches the Watchmen? - The United States Park Police 34:04

4y ago34:04

34:04

The clearing of #BLM protesters in D.C. on 06/01 shocked the world. What you may not know is that the Park Police have a long history of disorganization, violence, and a lack of oversight. This department in disorder is just one case study of the systemic lack of police accountability in the United States today.…

1
These #$%!ing Words - The History of Swearing 41:39

4y ago41:39

41:39

The past two months of hiatus has had Trevor and Katie swearing up a storm, so we thought this would be a good time to delve into a more lighthearted episode on the history of swearing, why we swear, and how swearing has been criminalized in history. From Vikings to Shakespeare, the English language has evolved to keep ahead of criminal codes invol…

1
(BONUS) The End is (Not) Nigh - What Historical Pandemics Teach Us About COVID-19 38:20

4+ y ago38:20

38:20

The world has turned upside down in a manner of weeks. As COVID cases rise, the economy falls, and society grinds to a halt, Trevor has a surprisingly optimistic message – the end is NOT nigh. History teaches us that pandemics are era-ending, but they’re also era-beginning. We look at pandemics throughout history to gauge the economic, psychologica…

1
Human - Nazi Reserve Police Battalion 101 43:55

4+ y ago43:55

43:55

How do you take 500 ordinary men and train them to kill 83,000 human beings? In 1942 Poland outside the village of Jozefow, the men of the Nazi Reserve Police Battalion 101 found out that all it takes is a single push.By The High Crimes Team

1
Violence is the Answer - Why the West is Fascinated by Violence 44:04

4+ y ago44:04

44:04

We take some time to delve into a common listener question we get – why is Western history so violent? Trevor dives into the systems of justice, honor, shame, religion, and entertainment that helped fuel a fascination with violence that still exists today. Tying all these systems together is the example of the execution of Damiens in 1757, the pinn…

1
The Line in the Sand - The Trial at the OK Corral 48:20

4+ y ago48:20

48:20

The gunfight of the O.K. Corral didn't end with the Earp brothers and Holliday riding into the sunset. They had been charged with murder. In a preliminary trial, the twists and turns of the prosecution and defense helped craft the legend of the Earp brothers. But at what cost? As you'll find out, the Earp brothers aren't the heroes in this story. D…

1
Thirty Seconds, Thirty Shots - Gunfight at the O.K. Corral 48:59

4+ y ago48:59

48:59

If history is a narrative, then it stands to reason that where a story starts and ends is just as important as the events itself. The traditional narrative of the famous shootout at the O.K. Corral in 1881 is that of the Earp brothers and Holliday, lawmen of Tombstone, AZ, facing down the Cowboy gang in a classic Western gunfight. Thirty seconds. T…

1
Fact From Fiction - Pierre Picaud 34:05

4+ y ago34:05

34:05

How do historians separate fact from fiction? Sometimes it’s almost impossible to do so. Take the case of Pierre Picaud – a Frenchman sentenced in 1807 for crimes he didn’t commit on the hearsay of his own friends. Upon his release, he sought his revenge. The basis for the classic The Count of Monte Cristo, Trevor attempts to unravel a case that st…

1
Annihilating an Empire - The Century of Humiliation 49:24

4+ y ago49:24

49:24

Deep in the jungle in the Vietnam War, an American soldier overdoses on heroin. That overdose can be traced back to the Century of Humiliation that the Chinese faced after the start of the Opium Wars. In the face of a Second Opium War and numerous rebellions, the Chinese are forced to engage in an opium trade with Europeans and their own commercial…

1
Assaulting an Empire - The First Opium War 55:10

4+ y ago55:10

55:10

What would it look like if a modern army clashed with a medieval army on the battlefield? The First Opium War answers that question. In order continue their illegal opium trade in China, Britain engaged in a series of naval battles and fort assaults against the Chinese Empire, who was woefully underprepared for a modern war. When rifles meet bows a…

1
Addicting an Empire - The Opium Trade in China 45:36

4+ y ago45:36

45:36

The opioid crisis in the United States has reached historic levels and remains one of the worst drug epidemics in history, but it is far from the first country to be addicted. The Qing dynasty of China struggled in the face of an illegal opium trade that swept the country in the 19th and 20th centuries. Pushed by Britain and exploited by European p…

1
Grab Bag Anniversary Episode! 28:20

4+ y ago28:20

28:20

In our anniversary episode we answer listener questions, including why history is so violent, whether historians can diagnose mental illness, why Trevor can’t pronounce anything right, and whether our cats are furry little bastards. Spoilers: they are, but we still love them. Thank you to everyone who has been there this past year! Here’s to anothe…

1
Cruel and Unusual - Executions in Ancient Persia 31:22

5y ago31:22

31:22

What is the worst way to die? Ancient Persia invented many of the methods of execution used throughout history. Some are still used today. Others were so horrific they were never used again. These cruel and unusual punishments kept power in the hands of the kings and struck fear in the hearts of their enemies. Whether fact or fiction, one thing is …

1
The "I" Word - Andrew Johnson's Impeachment 59:29

5y ago59:29

59:29

He was a man who clashed with House leadership in a war of words, violated acts of Congress as a show of force after previous investigations on impeachable charges were inconclusive, and was potentially motivated to action in order to influence his upcoming presidential election. No, he was not our current president. He was President Andrew Johnson…

1
The Pretender - Perkin Warbeck 31:56

5y ago31:56

31:56

In 1491, England was in for a shock. Edward IV’s youngest son, Richard of Shrewsbury, was alive. That was a problem for three reasons. One, if Richard was alive then he was the rightful heir to the English throne. Two, he was already dead. And three, the man protested that he was Richard in the first place. In order to understand why, we need to kn…

1
Easy Money - Resurrection Gangs of Victorian England 35:37

5y ago35:37

35:37

How far would you go to make a comfortable living? Faced with a shortage of bodies for dissection, medical schools in Victorian England turned to resurrectionists. Gangs of men exhumed and stole bodies to sell to medical practitioners, operating a practice that flirted between legal and criminal.By The High Crimes Team

1
Fear of the Horizon - Corsair Piracy and the Mediterranean Slave Trade 49:55

5y ago49:55

49:55

Corsair slavery in the 16th and 17th centuries does not fit into the modern model of the slave trade. White European Christians were enslaved in the hundreds of thousands by North African Muslim pirates. A controversial historical topic in today’s current events, the truth is more complicated than race. Religious and economic warfare fueled a massi…

1
The Art of the Duel - Dueling in America (Reupload) 48:46

5y ago48:46

48:46

Men have always had a biological need to compete, and that need can turn deadly, but rarely was it socially acceptable. However, at one point in time it was not only commonplace for gentlemen to take that competition to the dueling field, but in America it was the ultimate proving ground, even when it was illegal. From politicians to pioneers, for …

1
A Matter of Honor - The 47 Ronin 38:52

5y ago38:52

38:52

Some legends are larger than life. The question is where to separate fact from fiction. We dive into another famous crime in history - the Ako incident in 1703, in which 47 samurai conspired to take revenge for their master's death in Edo Japan. But are they the heroes of this story, as fiction paints them to be? Or are they morally ambiguous murde…

1
Stranger Than Fiction - Werewolf Trials in Europe 42:11

5y ago42:11

42:11

Werewolves have long been a horror trope in literature, but historically many people have claimed to have committed crimes as lycanthropes. Their journey has been one of tragedy and heroism, of champions and murderers, of the sane and the insane. Whether under duress or delusion, the history of the werewolf trial takes Trevor and listeners to weird…

1
The Rogue - John Hawkwood 42:19

5y ago42:19

42:19

The lovable rogue, a trope in pop culture today. Break the law, charm the audience. But most historical rogues were not good, nor were they lovable. John Hawkwood, an English mercenary in the 14th century Italian Wars, was such a rogue. As the head of armies he committed multiple atrocities, extorted sums of money greater than entire nation-states,…

1
Nine Shots - The Caman Band Massacre, 1st Mass Shooting in America 38:52

5y ago38:52

38:52

How does history help us identify mass shootings and solve the epidemic? On August 14th, 1903 in Winfield, KS, Gilbert Twigg shot nine shots: eight indiscriminately into a concert crowd, and once to take his own life. The first well documented mass shooting in American history fits into our understanding of the psychology of mass shooters today, an…

1
BONUS: Revisiting "The Evilest Man in the World" - Gilles de Rais 33:35

5y ago33:35

33:35

In our very first bonus episode we look back at Gilles de Rais and his trial records to ask an important question: was Gilles de Rais innocent? We examine possible theories of Gilles’ psychopathy, the disturbing problems with his trial records, and the confession that ultimately convicted him. Trevor discusses defining historical narratives and ran…

1
The Entertainment of Murder - London, Murder, and the Making of Scotland Yard 38:39

5y ago38:39

38:39

Victorian London – a grim-dark, pre-noir city of violence and murder. Except it wasn’t. London was safer than most first-world countries today, yet newspapers and broadsides sensationalized every murder, gruesome or not, and the public consumed them all. However, without the entertainment of murder London’s Scotland Yard would have never been creat…

1
Un-American - Amish and Mennonite COs in WWI 39:23

5y ago39:23

39:23

To refuse to fight for one's country is often seen as cowardly, treasonous, and un-American. But what happens when a whole religious community practicing nonresistance is forced into the draft? As the Amish and Mennonite populations of Holmes and Wayne County found out in 1917, refusal to serve branded them criminals by military law and traitors by…

1
The Breaking Point - WWI French Army Mutinies 42:17

5y ago42:17

42:17

Every person's will has a breaking point. But what happens when it's not one man, but a whole army? In 1917 the French army had reached the limit of their morale. Ordered into the trenches, entire units mutinied, and the fate of the war suddenly hinged on the relationship between commander and recruit. The result almost cost the Allies the war.…

1
The Doppelganger - Martin Guerre 30:19

5+ y ago30:19

30:19

How well do you think you could recognize a person in a society with only your memory to recall someone’s identity? In sixteenth century France, peasant Martin Guerre returned after almost a decade away from his village and family. He looked the same, talked the same, and even recounted the same memories, but something was off. It was almost as if …

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