Future Optimist Ross Palmer

David Brown is the CEO of CounterCraft, deception-powered cybersecurity solutions that go beyond detection and response. 
In this talk, David tells me about the challenges and opportunities within the cybersecurity landscape. Although he's optimistic about humanity's capacity to overcome adversity, David also expresses concerns about the potential for global conflict and the increasing sophistication of cyber threats.
Whether we realize it or not, David Brown's work is at the heart of one of the most important and underdiscussed issues of our time.
➡️ https://www.countercraftsec.com
➡️ Follow me on Instagram: @therosspalmer
➡️ Watch this Episode on YouTube: @therosspalmer

Chris Tolles is the CEO of Yardstick, an eco-tech company focused on measuring soil carbon that just raised $12MM in Series A funding.
In this episode, we talk about climate challenges, and the potential of addressing climate change through improved agricultural practices. Exploring a niche within a niche, Yardstick aims to create a market by offering a method to measure soil carbon cheaply and effectively, thereby enabling better carbon dioxide removal techniques. 
My talk with Chris Tolles covers the importance of accurate measurement in soil health, the financial and environmental incentives for sustainable agriculture, and how Yardstick navigates the complexities of market creation and the voluntary carbon market. Featuring customer success stories and insights into the startup’s journey, this script unfolds the intersection of climate science, agriculture, and entrepreneurship towards a more sustainable future.
➡️ Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mvVrjyMCsx0
➡️ https://www.useyardstick.com
 
 

Nik Ershov is  the CEO of Waverox, makers of brain-monitoring headphones and headbands that help you de-stress and be more productive.
Nik Ershov shares his journey from experiencing severe burnout in the advertising and marketing industry to founding a startup focused on combating stress and increasing productivity through a mind-tracking device and wellness app.
He explains how his personal battle with burnout, depression, and anxiety led him to explore neuroscience and develop a technology that utilizes EEG to monitor and improve mental states. We talk about the Waverox device, including tracking brain activity, emotional states, and offering personalized training sessions to enhance stress resilience and productivity.
Ourconversation touches on broader topics such as the impact of AI on jobs, the importance of self-care, and philosophical questions about work/life balance.
➡️ https://waverox.com
➡️ Follow me on Instagram: @therosspalmer
➡️ Subscribe on YouTube: @therosspalmer

Dr. Gordon Chiu has 41 patents and recently won Harvard Business School's "Tough Tech" Prize in 2023. He is a graphene pioneer, investor, AI entrepreneur and deep tech expert.
In this episode, we discuss various topics including a utopian/dystopian future, the importance of authenticity, the future of technology, and the healing power of music.
Join me for a deep philosophical conversation with a man who has raised many millions of dollars in his life for a staggering number of influential projects, including work on the combination of graphene and AI and the possibilities it presents.
➡️ https://phenegra.com
➡️ Follow me on Instagram: @therosspalmer
➡️ Subscribe on YouTube: @therosspalmer

John Hacker is a biomedical engineer and the CEO of NeurGear. His latest innovation is the ZenBud, the market's first ultrasonic vagus nerve stimulator, designed to promote relaxation and combat stress.
In this episode, Jon Hacker discusses the underlying technology, its decades of research, and its implications for future wellness applications. He sheds light on the challenges and excitement surrounding new tech developments, emphasizing the blend of existing scientific knowledge with innovative application methods to enhance user experience. Our conversation dips into the broader topic of technological advancements in the medical field, touching upon ethical considerations, potential impacts on pharmaceutical dependencies, and the importance of scientific rigor and regulatory compliance in bringing devices like the ZenBud to market.
➡️ https://zenbud.health
➡️ Follow me on Instagram: @therosspalmer
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Joining us today is Alan Liu, the co-founder of Persperion Diagnostics, an innovative startup based in San Diego that aims to revolutionize diabetes management with its non-invasive glucose monitoring technology.
Founded in 2022 by Alan Liu and Lu Yin, the company leverages cutting-edge touch-based sweat-sensing technology to detect a wide range of biomarkers from a simple fingertip touch. This technology was developed in the nanoengineering lab of UCSD Professor Dr. Joseph Wang, with whom Liu previously worked as a research assistant.
After securing a substantial $4 million in venture capital seed funding in June, Persperion is now gearing up for a series of funding rounds to scale up manufacturing and prepare for clinical trials. The company, which has recently expanded to a hybrid lab and office space in Kearny Mesa, aims to start its pilot trial in Q1 of this year and seeks FDA approval later.
Liu and Yin, who also co-founded the flexible battery startup Ocella, have been recognized for their pioneering work, making the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the Science category in 2024. As they continue to develop their diagnostic platform, Persperion Diagnostics remains focused on making health monitoring more accessible, affordable, and accurate for millions of people worldwide.
➡️ https://persperiontech.com
➡️ Follow me on Instagram: @therosspalmer
➡️ Subscribe on YouTube: @therosspalmer