Pulse by AlphaWire

AlphaWire

Welcome to Pulse by AlphaWire, the podcast where science and education meet cutting edge technology and artificial intelligence.  My name is Aldo de Pape and each week I sit down with innovators, thinkers and doers who are working to change our world for the better.  Together, we explore their journeys, uncover the lessons they've learned and take the entrepreneurial pulse that drives them on their path to success.

  1. The Most Powerful Influence on Our Kids is the Media with Aly Jetha CEO of Big Bad Boo

    6D AGO

    The Most Powerful Influence on Our Kids is the Media with Aly Jetha CEO of Big Bad Boo

    What if the most influential teacher in a child’s life isn’t a teacher at all—but the stories they choose to watch, over and over again? This is a conversation about the power of storytelling—how it entertains, how it educates, and how, when done with intention, it can shape the values of an entire generation. Aldo de Pape sits down with Aly Jetha at WISE to discuss Big Bad Boo, the children’s media company he founded with his wife. Key Topics: Children don’t separate learning from play. The stories they return to—again and again—shape how they see the world. When done well, entertainment becomes education without resistance. At Big Bad Boo, behind every engaging story lies intentional design: psychologists, educators, and artists working together to embed empathy, resilience, and ethical thinking into narrative. Reaching hundreds of millions of children is not just a distribution challenge—it is a moral one. What we amplify at scale matters. In refugee camps and conflict zones, stories become tools for healing. Content, when paired with curriculum, can reduce trauma and restore a sense of possibility. While academic outcomes are measured rigorously, social-emotional development is often left behind. Yet the data tells a different story—declining happiness, rising bullying, and a growing need for human skills. Reflections What stories are shaping the next generation—intentionally or not?Where do we outsource education without realizing it?And what responsibility comes with creating at scale?

    22 min
  2. Fixing the Funding Gap in Women’s Health with Laura Minquini from Athena BIO

    MAR 19

    Fixing the Funding Gap in Women’s Health with Laura Minquini from Athena BIO

    In this episode, tech entrepreneur Aldo de Pape sits down with Laura Minquini, founder of Athena BIO (formerly Athena DAO), to explore one of the most overlooked problems in modern medicine: the massive funding gap in women’s health research. Laura explains how decentralized science (DeSci) can help fund translational research—the critical stage where discoveries in the lab turn into real treatments and drugs. Despite women driving enormous economic value globally, research focused specifically on female health conditions receives only a tiny fraction of global medical funding. The conversation dives into why diseases like endometriosis, menopause-related conditions, and polycystic ovarian syndrome remain under-researched—and how new funding models could finally change that. Key Topics Covered: Why women’s health is dramatically underfunded Only a small percentage of global biomedical funding goes toward female-specific conditionsEven common conditions like endometriosis affect millions yet lack effective treatmentsMany drugs historically were not properly tested on female bodies The “Valley of Death” in biotech funding. Laura explains the funding gap between: Early scientific discoveryTranslational researchActual drug development This gap prevents promising women’s health research from becoming real treatments. What Athena BIO Is Trying to Change Athena BIO is building a new model for funding scientific research by: Supporting early translational women’s health researchFunding scientists working on reproductive and hormonal healthUsing decentralized science models to involve a global community Their goal is simple but ambitious: move scientific breakthroughs out of the lab and into real treatments for women. Why Women’s Health Is Still a “Frontier Market” Laura shares a striking insight: Despite women driving massive consumer spending globally, investors still hesitate to fund women’s health innovation. Reasons include: Lack of historic data and market validationA biotech funding ecosystem that follows trends rather than creates themLeadership structures historically dominated by male decision-makers Yet Laura believes the opportunity is enormous—comparable to the early days of other major industries. The Future of Decentralized Science (DeSci) The conversation also explores how decentralized science could transform research funding. Key ideas include: Removing traditional funding bottlenecksEnabling communities to support scientific breakthroughsAccelerating innovation in neglected medical fields While crypto and blockchain tools are still evolving, the mission remains clear: fund better science faster. Books Mentioned The Art of Thinking Clearly – on cognitive bias and decision-making in businessThe Business of the Vagina – a deep look at innovation and opportunity in women’s health Final Takeaway Real change in women’s health will require long-term vision, funding, and persistence. As Laura puts it, the mission may take a decade or more—but the potential impact on global health could be enormous. This episode was brought together by AlphaWire: https://alphawire.xyz/

    54 min
  3. Rewiring AI for Education: Data, Ethics and Better Outcomes with Paul Atfield of The Education Outcomes Fund

    MAR 12

    Rewiring AI for Education: Data, Ethics and Better Outcomes with Paul Atfield of The Education Outcomes Fund

    Recorded live at the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) in Doha, this episode of the AlphaWire podcast features a fascinating conversation with Paul Atfield, Data & AI Lead at the Education Outcomes Fund. Paul brings more than 20 years of experience working with data — from building systematic trading platforms in global finance to now applying those same data and AI capabilities to improve education systems worldwide. In our conversation, we explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping organizations, not by replacing people, but by helping them work smarter, faster, and more collaboratively. Paul shares how AI can dramatically reduce the time it takes to process complex education data — turning work that once took months into something that can now happen in hours. But the real opportunity, he argues, lies in something even bigger: what he calls “collective organizational intelligence.” The idea is simple but powerful — when information flows freely through an organization, people can make better decisions together. AI becomes the tool that helps teams move more like a coordinated system rather than isolated departments. We also dive into some of the big questions surrounding AI today: • How do we implement AI responsibly?  • What role should ethics play in designing these systems?  • Could AI widen the global accessibility gap in education — or help close it?  • And how do we ensure humans remain in the driver’s seat? It’s an optimistic but thoughtful discussion about where AI might take us — particularly in education — and why deliberate, human-centered implementation will matter more than ever. If you’re interested in the intersection of AI, education, data systems, and global impact, this episode is well worth a listen. Paul also discusses his newly released research article “Outcomes AI,” which explores practical ways organizations and governments can safely introduce AI into education systems. This episode was brought together by AlphaWire: https://alphawire.xyz/

    33 min
  4. Scams in the Age of AI: What Recovery Looks Like After Digital Fraud ft. Carmel King Partner at Grant Thornton

    MAR 5

    Scams in the Age of AI: What Recovery Looks Like After Digital Fraud ft. Carmel King Partner at Grant Thornton

    In this interview, Carmel King, Partner and Head of Digital Assets at Grant Thornton, discusses the evolving landscape of digital assets, the risks of fraud and scams, and the importance of regulation and swift action. She shares expert insights on how law enforcement and private sector can combat digital asset fraud, the impact of AI, and practical advice for victims. Major trauma, bankruptcy and in some cases even suicide can be the devastating consequences of people who lost a lot by fatally engaging with that one person or organisation who unfortunately did not turn out to be who they claimed to be leaving you with a trail of destruction and disbelief.  It is our sincere hope that this Episode educates you but also empowers you to speak up if you ever were the victim of a scam.  Hoping that your voice forever lifts the blame from the victim and places it on the perpetrator, allowing you to get rid of  unnecessary feelings of guilt from you whilst at the same time helps others to fall into the same potential trap. You can read more about Carmel and how she can help others here: https://www.grantthornton.co.uk/people/carmel-king/ If you believe you are based in the UK and are the victim of a cyber crime you can report it to the police here: https://www.reportfraud.police.uk We discuss: Why we should stop calling it “crypto fraud”The global industrialization of scam operationsWhy victims are not naïve — and shame must shift to perpetratorsThe legal reality of asset tracing and civil recoveryThe role of social media platforms in preventionHow blockchain technology is unfairly stigmatizedWhy governance and regulation are critical for long-term legitimacyThe future of financial transparency under new reporting frameworksWhy blockchain innovation extends far beyond speculationCarmel also shares practical advice: If something feels too good to be true — pause. Think. Act quickly if something goes wrong.  Recommended Reading Tracers in the Dark by Andy GreenbergCryptoasset Tracing by Nick FurneauxThere’s No Such Thing as a Crypto Fraud by Nick Furneaux Keywords Digital Assets, Crypto Fraud, Cybersecurity, Regulation, Asset Recovery, AI Fraud, Cryptocurrency Scams, International Cooperation, Blockchain Analytics, Financial Crime Key Topics Digital asset security and fraud Legal and law enforcement strategies for asset recovery Impact of AI on digital scams This episode was brought together by AlphaWire: https://alphawire.xyz/

    44 min
  5. How Technology is Changing Education in Latin America with Rosalia Arteaga Serrano Founder of Fidal Foundation

    FEB 19

    How Technology is Changing Education in Latin America with Rosalia Arteaga Serrano Founder of Fidal Foundation

    In this engaging conversation, Aldo De Pape interviews Rosalia Arteaga, a prominent figure in education and politics. They discuss the importance of education, science, and technology, as well as the challenges faced by teachers in Ecuador. Rosalia shares her experiences in training teachers, addressing violence in education, and the need for collaboration among education ministers. The conversation also touches on the Eco-Museum project and the role of communication in education, concluding with personal reflections and morning rituals. Takeaways: Persistence is key to achieving your goals. Teachers can inspire and teach us resilience. Technology is essential for modern education. Violence in society impacts education significantly. Collaboration among education ministers is crucial. International perspectives can enhance local education systems. Scientific development is necessary for progress. Communication is vital in education and society. The Eco-Museum project aims to engage youth in science. Personal growth and learning should be lifelong pursuits. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Rosalia Arteaga 01:37 Rosalia's Journey in Education and Politics 05:21 The Role of Teachers and Resilience 10:24 Technology's Impact on Education 15:51 Addressing Violence in Education 21:26 International Collaboration and Challenges 26:47 The Eco-Museum Project 32:08 The Importance of Communication and Lifelong Learning Keywords: education, science, technology, resilience, teachers, violence, communication, Eco-Museum, Latin America, Rosalia Arteaga This episode was brought together by AlphaWire: https://alphawire.xyz/

    44 min
  6. Navigating Your Emotions in a Time of Rapid Change ft. Marc Brackett Executive Director of the Yale Centre for Emotional Intelligence

    FEB 5

    Navigating Your Emotions in a Time of Rapid Change ft. Marc Brackett Executive Director of the Yale Centre for Emotional Intelligence

    Aldo speaks to Dr. Marc Brackett, an expert in emotional intelligence, and dives into the significance of understanding and regulating emotions in our lives.  He shares his personal journey, the challenges he faced, and how they shaped his work in promoting emotional awareness. The discussion also explores the impact of technology and AI on emotional well-being, the importance of building human relationships, and the future of emotional intelligence education. Dr. Brackett emphasizes the need for emotional skills in navigating life's challenges and achieving personal growth. Takeaways: Emotions are crucial for achieving our goals. All emotions provide valuable information. Emotional regulation is essential for well-being. Vulnerability can enhance connection and understanding. Trauma can be managed with emotional intelligence skills. Technology can both help and hinder emotional awareness. Building relationships is key to emotional health. Education in emotional intelligence is vital for future generations. Personal experiences can drive professional passion. Mindfulness and self-awareness are critical for emotional growth. You can find out more about Dr. Marc Brackett here: The Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence:  https://medicine.yale.edu/childstudy/services/community-and-schools-programs/center-for-emotional-intelligence/ Marc's Personal Website:  https://marcbrackett.com/ Permission To Feel:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Permission-Feel-Unlocking-Emotions-Ourselves/dp/1250212847 Dealing with Feeling (Book) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dealing-Feeling-Harness-Emotions-Create/dp/0241718430 Dealing with Feeling (WebCast)  https://www.youtube.com/@MarcBrackett How We Feel App  https://howwefeel.org This episode was brought together by AlphaWire: https://alphawire.xyz/

    47 min

About

Welcome to Pulse by AlphaWire, the podcast where science and education meet cutting edge technology and artificial intelligence.  My name is Aldo de Pape and each week I sit down with innovators, thinkers and doers who are working to change our world for the better.  Together, we explore their journeys, uncover the lessons they've learned and take the entrepreneurial pulse that drives them on their path to success.