Moonshot Radio

Linda Du

Moonshot Radio is a show for people who believe the future can be bigger, weirder, and better than what we’ve been told. Hosted by Linda Du, a globetrotting investor, founder and adventurer, the show dives into the ideas, technologies, and unconventional thinkers shaping the world ahead. From AI misfits and out-of-this world founders to radical thinkers and identity hackers, every episode asks: What happens next, and what does it mean to be human in the age of technology? If you’re obsessed with the edge of innovation, or the cultural shifts defining our century, you’ll feel right at home.

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  1. 23.12.2025

    Moonshot Radio [S1:E4] - Luke Iseman: Weather Hacking: Make Sunsets, Solar Geoengineering & Climate Urgency

    Who gets to control the Earth’s thermostat? In this episode of Moonshot Radio, host Linda Du speaks with Luke Iseman, founder of Make Sunsets, a startup experimenting with solar geoengineering by releasing reflective particles into the stratosphere to cool the planet. Luke’s work has ignited global debate about ethics, governance, risk, and radical action in the face of climate collapse. This conversation goes deep into the science, philosophy, and urgency behind a technology many consider taboo. Themes: Solar geoengineering explained How releasing sulfur dioxide (SO₂) into the stratosphere mimics volcanic eruptions to reflect sunlight and reduce global temperatures. From science fiction to startup reality How Termination Shock inspired Luke to investigate geoengineering—and why scientific consensus existed long before public action. Why entrepreneurs act when institutions stall The tension between academic caution, government inaction, and founder-led experimentation in an accelerating climate crisis. Cloud seeding vs. stratospheric aerosols The difference between traditional cloud seeding (using silver iodide) and high-altitude aerosol reflection, and why Make Sunsets chose the latter. Regulation (or lack thereof) in the stratosphere Why international airspace law remains unresolved above ~20km, and what Luke learned from engineers who worked on Project Loon. Cooling credits & climate economics How Make Sunsets sells “cooling credits” directly to individuals, why governments and corporations have been slow to engage, and what this reveals about carbon markets. Carbon markets, fraud & moral hazard A critical look at voluntary carbon credits, including findings that large portions may be ineffective or fraudulent. Public backlash & political controversy From scrutiny by the Environmental Protection Agency to reactions from climate activists and regulators. Is geoengineering playing God? Why Luke argues that everything we already do, from flying planes to burning fossil fuels, is geoengineering, just in the wrong direction. Scaling planetary infrastructure What it would take to meaningfully cool the planet, from balloon launches to military-grade deployment by G20 nations. Other frontier climate ideas Including space-based sunshades like those proposed by the Planetary Sunshade Foundation, nuclear power revival, and climate-aligned AI infrastructure. Activism, blockchain & coordination at scale Reflections on movements like Extinction Rebellion, DAOs, crypto-enabled coordination, and what GameStop-style collective action could mean for climate. Work, automation & post-scarcity futures Drawing on ideas from David Graeber, including critiques of “bullshit jobs” and what people might build if survival wasn’t the constraint. Immigration, innovation & global growth Why openness to migration, experimentation, and building may matter more than any single technology. This episode doesn’t offer easy answers, but it confronts the uncomfortable reality that not acting may be the most dangerous choice of all.

    57 Min.
  2. 16.12.2025

    Moonshot Radio [S1:E3] - Andrew Hessel: Programming Life & the Future of Genomics

    What happens when life itself becomes programmable? In this episode of Moonshot Radio, host Linda Du speaks with Andrew Hessel: futurist, synthetic biologist, and co-founder of GP-write; about the radical shift underway in biology, where DNA is increasingly treated like software and living systems can be designed, edited, and built from scratch. Andrew explains how synthetic (or “digital”) biology is transforming medicine, food, and industry, and why the ability to read and write genetic code could reshape evolution itself. From cancer-fighting viruses and personalized “n-of-one” gene therapies to human cloning, longevity, and biological banking, this conversation explores both the promise and the peril of engineering life. We also dive into the ethical, regulatory, and security challenges that come with unprecedented biological power: – Who regulates programmable life? – How do we prevent misuse, lab leaks, or bio-engineered pandemics? – What happens when individuals — not governments — can design viruses or proteins? Andrew shares insights from his work on Humane Genomics, the future of personalized cancer treatments, and why biodefense and global cooperation are now existential priorities. The conversation expands beyond biology into big questions about mortality, digital twins, cloning, AI-assisted parenting, and what it might truly mean to pursue immortality. At its core, this episode asks a fundamental question: As we gain god-like powers over life, are we ready for the responsibility? 🎙️ Guest: Andrew Hessel 🧬 Topics: Synthetic Biology, Genomics, Biosecurity, Longevity, AI & Life, Ethics of Engineering Life 🌍 Part of Moonshot Radio, a podcast exploring the people and technologies reprogramming our future. Subscribe for more conversations on what it means to be human in the age of technology.

    53 Min.

Info

Moonshot Radio is a show for people who believe the future can be bigger, weirder, and better than what we’ve been told. Hosted by Linda Du, a globetrotting investor, founder and adventurer, the show dives into the ideas, technologies, and unconventional thinkers shaping the world ahead. From AI misfits and out-of-this world founders to radical thinkers and identity hackers, every episode asks: What happens next, and what does it mean to be human in the age of technology? If you’re obsessed with the edge of innovation, or the cultural shifts defining our century, you’ll feel right at home.