And We Feel Fine with Beth Rudden and Katie Smith

Katie Smith & Beth Rudden
  • 5.0 (1)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE

At the edge of collapse—and creation—two unlikely co-conspirators invite you into a radically honest conversation about the future. This isn’t just another tech or self-help podcast. It’s a story-driven exploration of who we are, what we value, and how we might reimagine the world when the systems around us stop serving us. We blend personal storytelling, cultural critique, and deep inquiry into what it means to be human in an age of AI, uncertainty, and transformation. We’re asking better questions—together. Because the world is changing fast, but maybe that’s precisely what we need. Hosted by Beth Rudden and Katie Smith, two builders of systems and challengers of the status quo. Beth is CEO of Bast.AI and a globally recognized expert in trustworthy AI, with decades of experience leading data and ethics at IBM. Katie is the founder of Humma.AI, a strategist who drove innovation and revenue growth at major global brands before turning to human rights and technology for social good. Together, they make complex issues, such as AI and its impacts on everyday people, clear, personal, and impossible to ignore. Beth Rudden is the CEO and Founder of Bast AI, a pioneering company building explainable, personalized AI for good. With over two decades of experience as a global executive and Distinguished Engineer at IBM, Beth blends anthropology, data science, and AI governance to create tools that amplify human dignity and intelligence—not replace it. Her work spans healthcare, education, and workforce transformation, using ontological natural language understanding (NLU) to make AI transparent, accountable, and accessible. Through Bast AI, Beth is reimagining how organizations deploy AI that’s not only accurate but aligned with ethical values, cultural context, and cognitive well-being. Beth is also the author of AI for the Rest of Us and a passionate advocate for AI literacy, epistemic diversity, and the right to understand the systems shaping our lives. She speaks globally on the future of AI, power, and social contracts—and believes we’re all stewards of the next intelligence. Katie Smith is the CEO and Founder of Humma.AI, a privacy-first platform building community-powered, culturally competent AI. With over two decades of experience leading digital strategy and social innovation, Katie blends systems thinking, Responsible AI, and storytelling to create tools that serve dignity, not domination. Their work spans mental health, civic tech, and digital rights, using participatory AI to make systems safer, fairer, and more accountable. Through Humma.AI, Katie is reimagining how people and businesses engage AI that’s accurate, inclusive, and governed by consent and care. Katie is also the author of Zoe Bios: The Epigenetics of Terrorism, a provocative exploration of identity, trauma, and transformation. They speak globally on the future of technology, power, and justice—and believe human empathy is the intelligence that will define our time. Subscribe to our Substack for bonus content: https://substack.com/@andwefeelfine

  1. Episode 16 | The Death of the 10x Coder: Empathy, Inclusion, and Tech Leadership with Autumn Patterson

    08/20/2025

    Episode 16 | The Death of the 10x Coder: Empathy, Inclusion, and Tech Leadership with Autumn Patterson

    What happens when we stop chasing the myth of the lone “10x coder” and start building engineering cultures rooted in empathy, predictability, and inclusion? In this candid conversation, we go deep with Autumn Patterson—VP of Technology, veteran engineering leader, and trans woman whose journey has redefined what leadership in tech can look like. Autumn shares how she learned to “climb the mountain,” moving fluidly from the details of code to the big-picture vision of business impact. Along the way, we explore: Why true agility is about context and predictability, not just speed.The three pillars of engineering stability: due consideration, understanding, and predictability.How transitioning unlocked Autumn’s empathy and made authentic leadership possible.The dangers of “10x coders” and cultures that exclude, versus teams that thrive on mentorship and balance.How AI tools like Claude, Cursor, and Lovable are reshaping engineering work—for better and worse.Why inclusion isn’t charity—it’s strategy.This episode is for anyone who wants to rethink leadership, connect code to culture, and build systems where both people and products can thrive. Find Autumn:LinkedIn: Autumn PattersonQuora: (if you can find her 👀) Brought to you by: Humma — Empathetic AI™ made by and for the community.Bast.ai — Building the trust layer for our AI infrastructure.Listen, subscribe, share — your support keeps these conversations going.

    1h 4m
  2. Episode 15 | Decentralizing the Future: Web3, Labor, and Life Beyond Extraction with Crystal Street

    08/13/2025

    Episode 15 | Decentralizing the Future: Web3, Labor, and Life Beyond Extraction with Crystal Street

    In this conversation, we go deep with Crystal Street — Naropa Institute graduate, journalist, photographer, and bridge-builder between the frontline of crypto and the ethics we desperately need in tech. From whistleblowing in Web3 to building decentralized communities in Web3, Crystal brings lived experience, clarity, and a healthy dose of "enough is enough" to our exploration of how technology can serve people, not extract from them. We talk endings and beginnings: Ending: extractive systems that consume our time, attention, and sovereignty.Beginning: a return to open, transparent, community-led tech — the promise of Web1 reborn through Web3. Along the way, we dig into: Why Web2's top-down hierarchies break inside blockchain's organic ecosystems.Hyperlocal currencies and cooperative governance as lifelines when old systems fail.Smart contracts — why lawyers side-eye them, and when they're worth fighting for.How DAOs like JournalDAO are reimagining journalism from the "basement of the casino."What voting on-chain could mean for real democracy.The quiet crisis of Gen X in the job market, and why bridges between generations matter now more than ever. Crystal also shares a raw look at the current labor reality — the silent suffering behind the job hunt, the collapse of safety nets, and why reinvention is both a necessity and a skill set we cannot afford to lose. This episode is for anyone who: Wants to understand Web3 without the crypto bro haze.Feels the strain of extractive work systems.Wonder how local communities can take back power from centralized platforms.Believes transparency and participation should be baked into the systems that shape our lives. Find Crystal: Twitter/X: @CrystalDStreet Podcast: The Human Layer Brought to you by: Humma — Empathetic AI™ made by and for the community.Bast.ai — Building the trust layer for our AI infrastructure. Listen, subscribe, share — your support keeps these conversations going.

    59 min
  3. Episode 14 | The Revolution Will Be Rested: Why Burnout Isn’t a Badge of Honor

    08/06/2025

    Episode 14 | The Revolution Will Be Rested: Why Burnout Isn’t a Badge of Honor

    Welcome back to And We Feel Fine—the radically honest podcast about what’s ending, what’s beginning, and how we build systems of care, not conquest. In this episode, co-hosts Beth Rudden and Katie Smith flip the script on self-care—from something commodified and individual to something collective, powerful, and deeply structural. We unpack why real rest is not separate from leadership—it's at the heart of it. From neurodivergent rhythms to exit strategies for grind culture, we explore what it looks like to plan your breakdown, build rituals instead of routines, and stop treating exhaustion like proof of worth. This one’s for anyone who’s held it all together for too long—and is ready to build something better. 🔍 Topics We Cover: Why “always on” leadership is a dead endHow neurodivergent and queer folks model new ways to rest and resetWhat the engagement economy steals from us (and how we reclaim it)The link between self-care, collective care, and actual system changeStories of dance parties, breakdowns, and radical boundary-setting🕰️ Timestamps: 00:00 – When leaders need to fall apart (and why that’s healthy)  05:00 – Neurodivergence, burnout, and boundaries at work  13:00 – “Always on” tech and the addiction economy  20:00 – Redesigning the workplace for psychological safety  32:30 – Building culture with rest, rituals, and care at the center 💥 Sponsors: ⁠Bast.ai⁠ — Explainable, transparent AI that keeps your data yours. ⁠Humma.AI⁠— Empathetic AI™ that starts with consent builds with community and delivers cultural relevance at scale. 🗣️ Join the conversation: ✔️ Subscribe for more radically honest talk on society, culture, technology and AI  💬 How do you build in breaks, joy, or boundaries? Tell us in the comments  ❤️ Like if you’re ready for a new model of leadership  🔔 Hit the bell so you never miss a new episode  📬 Want deeper dives and behind-the-scenes posts?⁠ andwefeelfine.substack.com

    54 min
  4. Episode 13 | Walking Out, Building Forward: Julia Pahina on Tech, Trust & Tending Systems

    07/30/2025

    Episode 13 | Walking Out, Building Forward: Julia Pahina on Tech, Trust & Tending Systems

    Welcome back to And We Feel Fine, where each week we ask what’s ending, what’s beginning—and what it means to build with care. In this episode, Katie Smith and Beth Rudden sit down with Pacific tech leader Julia Pahina for a radically honest conversation about the intersections of technology, culture, and systems change. We talk: Why ancestral wisdom and relational intelligence belong in AIHow to name capitalism and white supremacy in tech spacesWhat it means to “walk out” of harmful systems and create new onesThe invisible labor of systems change—and the trust it requiresData sovereignty, trauma-informed design, and the power of community-led innovationJulia shares her journey from surviving deep trauma to building systems change across Aotearoa and beyond—explaining why digital futures need care, not conquest. 📍 Follow Julia @lifeofjuliapahina 🔗 Learn more at Wolfe and Fibre Fale This episode is brought to you by: 🧠 Bast.ai — for trusted, explainable AI 💬 Humma.AI — building Empathetic AI™ rooted in consent and community 🎤 About the Hosts Beth Rudden (she/her) is the CEO of Bast.ai, a global data scientist and expert in trustworthy, explainable AI rooted in anthropology and care. Katie Smith (they/them) is the CEO of Humma.AI, a privacy-first AI company that redefines technology through empathy and consent. 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe. 💬 What systems are you walking away from—and what are you building in their place?

    53 min

  5. 07/24/2025

    Episode 12 | The End of the “Big Man”: How Leadership - and Abundance - Are Being Rewritten

    The era of the lone genius CEO is over. What’s rising now? Leadership that’s collaborative, culturally aware, and rooted in care. In this episode of And We Feel Fine, co-hosts Beth Rudden and Katie Smith unpack what leadership means in a world shifting from scarcity to abundance—and why it’s not about being in charge, but showing up with empathy, vision, and community. We explore how AI and systems change are challenging old paradigms, and how the most powerful leadership today might come from the most unexpected places. Whether you’ve led a company, a movement, a family—or are still figuring out what leadership means to you—this conversation offers perspective, challenge, and hope. Watch for: 💥 Why the “big man” leadership model is collapsing🤖 How AI could finally center empathy and equity🌱 The radical power of long-term thinking🏳️‍🌈 How queer, neurodivergent leaders are shifting culture📖 Real stories of rebuilding after burnout, and leading differentlySponsors: Bast.ai — Transparent, human-centered AI that reflects how people really liveHumma — Empathetic AI™ — Made by and for the CommunityTimestamps: 00:00 – What’s ending and beginning in leadership 06:32 – Scarcity thinking vs. abundance frameworks 13:15 – Community as a leadership engine 24:40 – Burnout, boundaries, and the myth of the hero 33:02 – Redefining what it means to lead—starting today Join the conversation: ✔️ Subscribe for weekly drops on AI, society, and transformation 💬 Share your stories and questions in the comments—we read them all ❤️ Like if you’re ready for leadership that centers care 🔔 Hit the bell so you never miss a bold take 📬 For deeper dives, exclusive posts, and behind-the-scenes:⁠andwefeelfine.substack.com

    58 min
  6. Episode 11 | Built to Heal: How AI, Community, and the Environment Could Save Us

    07/09/2025

    Episode 11 | Built to Heal: How AI, Community, and the Environment Could Save Us

    In This Episode Katie and Beth explore how AI, genomics, and healthcare are colliding—and what it means for the future of prediction, ethics, and our most personal data. They also delve into personal aspects of work-life rhythms and reimagine what it means to live in communities built for connection, not isolation. Why You’ll Want to Watch How predictive analytics can go dangerously wrong without quality inputWhy ownership and consent matter in genetic research and personal dataHow built environments shape our sense of belongingWhat ancient innovations can teach us about designing for dignityAnd: Why your vacation might need a vacationMeet Your Hosts Beth Rudden – CEO and Founder of Bast AI, former IBM Distinguished Engineer, and author of AI for the Rest of Us. Beth builds tools that make AI explainable, ethical, and human-centered, spanning healthcare, education, and workforce transformation.Katie Smith – CEO and Co-Founder of Humma.AI, and author of Zoe Bios: The Epigenetics of Terrorism. Katie blends two decades of leadership in tech commerce and social impact, building privacy-first systems rooted in equity, systems thinking, and human experience.Top Takeaways AI in healthcare is powerful—but it’s only as good as the data it’s built onPredictive tools need consent, context, and cultural competenceGenetic data must be owned, not extractedCommunity design impacts public health and connectionOffline spaces are still the future of meaningful interactionChapters 00:00 – Intro & Vacation Reflections 05:11 – The Intersection of AI and Healthcare 12:16 – Predictive Data and Bias 19:02 – Ethics in AI and Genetic Research 24:44 – Rethinking Scientific Breakthroughs 28:16 – Lessons from Ancient Infrastructure 30:37 – Longevity vs. Quality of Life 31:46 – The Role of Government in Research 34:30 – Consent and Ownership in Genomic Data 36:35 – How AI Affects Time Management 39:00 – Libertarianism and Public Good 40:00 – Transparency in Tax Systems 42:16 – Recycling and Community Ethics 43:37 – Cultural Shifts in Behavior 44:11 – Designing for Connection 47:41 – Co-Living, Shared Spaces, and Mental Health 51:27 – Healing Through Community 53:06 – Offline Belonging in a Digital World 56:30 – Outro

    57 min
  7. Episode 10 | How We Use AI to Read, Write, and Stay Human

    07/02/2025

    Episode 10 | How We Use AI to Read, Write, and Stay Human

    Katie and Beth on literacy, dyslexia, and the future of creativity in a tech-driven world. In this episode: Technology isn't just reshaping how we work—it's transforming how we read, write, and understand the world. Beth and Katie delve into the complex and multifaceted intersection of literacy, dyslexia, and generative AI. From personal reflections to provocative questions, they explore how AI can empower those with learning disabilities, shift the way we express ourselves, and reimagine what literacy looks like in the 21st century. But they don't stop at promise—they unpack the tension between authenticity and automation, and the risks of losing our humanity in the rush to digitize expression. This conversation moves from ethics to empathy, from accessibility to artistic integrity, and lands in the heart of what makes us human: the need to be heard, understood, and connected. Topics Covered The intersection of dyslexia, literacy, and generative AIWhy writing with AI can feel like cheating—and why it might not beThe evolution of reading, writing, and expression in a digital ageNavigating authenticity in AI-generated contentHow AI can support creative expression for neurodivergent thinkersTransparency and ethics in AI communication toolsArtistic integrity and the tension between automation and meaningWhy reading still matters—even as the tools changeCommunity, connection, and the future of communication Key Takeaways Generative AI can unlock expressions for people with dyslexia and other learning and cultural differences.Authenticity and creativity are still possible, even when AI is part of the process.AI tools should enhance, not replace, our (and others) voice and effort.The ethical design of AI requires transparency, care, and input from the community.The future of literacy must prioritize access, dignity, and human connection.Human-created content still carries a kind of value—and soul—that algorithms can't replicate. Chapters (Timestamps) 00:00 — Introduction and Personal Reflections 03:20 — Literacy, Dyslexia, and AI 06:13 — Generative AI and Its Impact on Communication 08:18 — The Role of AI in Writing and Creativity 11:26 — The Evolution of Language and AI 14:22 — The Future of Communication and Authentic Voices 17:18 — Navigating the Challenges of AI in Writing 20:16 — The Philosophical Implications of AI and Language 23:18 — The Balance Between Technology and Human Effort 26:22 — The Importance of Reading in a Digital Age 29:06 — Conclusion and Final Thoughts 31:19 — The Impact of Legislation on Health Insurance 33:51 — The Role of AI in Communication 36:53 — Human vs. AI: The Future of Reading and Writing 39:48 — The Cost of AI: A Discussion on Resources 43:03 — The Value of Human-Created Content 47:07 — Art and Authenticity in the Age of AI 50:41 — Navigating the Ethics of AI and Data Usage 54:57 — The Future of Community in a Tech-Driven World

    57 min
  8. Episode 9 | Rethinking Universal Basic Income: Why AI Disruption Demands a New Social Contract

    06/25/2025

    Episode 9 | Rethinking Universal Basic Income: Why AI Disruption Demands a New Social Contract

    Hosted by Beth Rudden and Katie Smith, two builders of systems and challengers of the status quo. Beth is CEO of Bast.AI and a globally recognized expert in trustworthy AI, with decades of experience leading data and ethics at IBM. Katie is the founder of Humma.AI, a strategist who drove innovation and revenue growth at major global brands before turning to human rights and technology for social good. Together, they make complex issues like AI and the impacts on everyday people clear, personal, and impossible to ignore. In this episode: The future of work is already being rewritten by systems, not people. As AI accelerates labor displacement and concentrates wealth in fewer hands, Universal Basic Income (UBI) has returned to the spotlight. But Katie Smith and Beth Rudden aren’t here to romanticize it. They break down what UBI really is, why it’s misunderstood, and how tech elites hijack the conversation. They challenge the moral logic of effective altruism and explore why true economic reform demands more than a payout—it requires listening to people on the ground and rewriting the social contract with the community at the center. From epigenetics and AI ethics to the shrinking middle class, this is not a handout discussion—it’s a call to design something radically better, together. Topics Covered What Universal Basic Income is—and what it isn’tAI’s role in accelerating economic collapse and job displacementThe branding problem: Why “basic” isn’t helping the causeEffective altruism and the failure of top-down solutionsEpigenetics, stress, and the physiological cost of povertyWhy UBI must be tied to systemic reform—not seen as a silver bulletThe future of work and the danger of being left behindCommunity-led responses to automation and inequalityHow reimagining contribution can strengthen the middle class Key Takeaways UBI isn’t the finish line—it’s a starting point.AI disruption is forcing urgent questions about labor, value, and equity.Effective altruism often centers the donor’s equation, not the community.The branding of UBI must shift from “basic needs” to shared contribution.Long-term economic health requires investing in people, not platforms.Real reform must be community-driven, transparent, and just. Chapters (Timestamps) 00:00 — Introduction to Universal Basic Income (UBI)  01:53 — Defining UBI and Its Implications  07:12 — The Floor vs. The Ceiling: Understanding UBI's Role  15:26 — Critique of Effective Altruism and Top-Down Solutions 24:54 — Systemic Issues and the Need for Reform  31:28 — Reimagining the Future of Work  34:47 — The Role of Universal Basic Income 37:29 — Understanding Epigenetics and Stress  41:47 — The Dangers of AI and Wealth Distribution  46:29 — Listening to Communities for a Better Future  50:08 — Evolving Capitalism and Effective Altruism

    55 min
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About

At the edge of collapse—and creation—two unlikely co-conspirators invite you into a radically honest conversation about the future. This isn’t just another tech or self-help podcast. It’s a story-driven exploration of who we are, what we value, and how we might reimagine the world when the systems around us stop serving us. We blend personal storytelling, cultural critique, and deep inquiry into what it means to be human in an age of AI, uncertainty, and transformation. We’re asking better questions—together. Because the world is changing fast, but maybe that’s precisely what we need. Hosted by Beth Rudden and Katie Smith, two builders of systems and challengers of the status quo. Beth is CEO of Bast.AI and a globally recognized expert in trustworthy AI, with decades of experience leading data and ethics at IBM. Katie is the founder of Humma.AI, a strategist who drove innovation and revenue growth at major global brands before turning to human rights and technology for social good. Together, they make complex issues, such as AI and its impacts on everyday people, clear, personal, and impossible to ignore. Beth Rudden is the CEO and Founder of Bast AI, a pioneering company building explainable, personalized AI for good. With over two decades of experience as a global executive and Distinguished Engineer at IBM, Beth blends anthropology, data science, and AI governance to create tools that amplify human dignity and intelligence—not replace it. Her work spans healthcare, education, and workforce transformation, using ontological natural language understanding (NLU) to make AI transparent, accountable, and accessible. Through Bast AI, Beth is reimagining how organizations deploy AI that’s not only accurate but aligned with ethical values, cultural context, and cognitive well-being. Beth is also the author of AI for the Rest of Us and a passionate advocate for AI literacy, epistemic diversity, and the right to understand the systems shaping our lives. She speaks globally on the future of AI, power, and social contracts—and believes we’re all stewards of the next intelligence. Katie Smith is the CEO and Founder of Humma.AI, a privacy-first platform building community-powered, culturally competent AI. With over two decades of experience leading digital strategy and social innovation, Katie blends systems thinking, Responsible AI, and storytelling to create tools that serve dignity, not domination. Their work spans mental health, civic tech, and digital rights, using participatory AI to make systems safer, fairer, and more accountable. Through Humma.AI, Katie is reimagining how people and businesses engage AI that’s accurate, inclusive, and governed by consent and care. Katie is also the author of Zoe Bios: The Epigenetics of Terrorism, a provocative exploration of identity, trauma, and transformation. They speak globally on the future of technology, power, and justice—and believe human empathy is the intelligence that will define our time. Subscribe to our Substack for bonus content: https://substack.com/@andwefeelfine

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