Impact in the 21st Century

Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life

Welcome to Impact in the 21st Century. This is a show about innovators, entrepreneurs, founders, and authors, and the positive impact they create. Each episode, Host Aaron Friedland sits down with these inspiring guests to unpack how they found their purpose, the work they're doing to make a positive difference, and what it takes to lead a more impactful life in the 21st century. Impact in the 21st Century is brought to you by Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life. Each episode is recorded from https://waterfall.farm/ Learn more at www.simbifoundation.org/podcast

  1. Apr 15

    EP #34: David Abram - The Spell of the Sensuous | Perception, Language, and the Living Earth

    David Abram is an ecologist, philosopher, and sleight-of-hand magician whose work sits at the intersection of phenomenology, linguistics, and our embodied relationship with the more-than-human world. Author of The Spell of the Sensuous and Becoming Animal, David is one of the most original and necessary voices asking what we lose when language severs us from the living land and what it takes to find our way back. In this rich and unhurried conversation, David and Aaron explore: Why tracking, reading wind, footprint, and silence, is humanity's original literacy, and what alphabetic writing cost us when it displaced that older way of knowing How oral, place-based cultures encode intelligence in the landscape itself, and why that wisdom cannot survive transplantation into a book The phenomenology of perception: how breath, texture, and animal encounter invite a kind of participation with the world that abstract thinking actively forecloses The animism underlying Indigenous cosmologies, not as superstition, but as a precise description of how attention actually works What it means to be a body among bodies, and why the ecological crisis is, at its root, a crisis of the senses How the alphabet quietly re-routed human attention away from the living world and toward a self-enclosed human conversation The rise of AI and what it means when the dominant intelligence shaping our language, perception, and knowledge is no longer rooted in a body, a place, or the breathing earth Practical, grounded ways to reawaken sensory presence, and why this is not a romantic retreat from modernity, but its most urgent frontier This is a conversation about the oldest question: what does it mean to be fully alive and fully here? And it arrives at exactly the right moment. Learn more about David's work at davidabram.org 🎙️ What is Impact in the 21st Century? Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast that celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals behind it. 👤 Who hosts the podcast? Aaron Friedland is a National Geographic Explorer, PhD Candidate in Econometrics at UBC, and Founder of the Simbi Foundation. 🦻 Who makes it sound good? Tom Foster is an Award-Winning Recording Engineer and Cinematographer, Up-and-Coming Composer, Film Scoring Student at Berklee College of Music, and Head of Audio & Music for the Sea Change Project. This podcast is brought to you by Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life.

    1h 42m

  2. Mar 11

    EP #33: Valdemar Danry - Your Brain on ChatGPT & Cognitive Debt | AI Exoskeletons | The Future of Critical Thinking

    Valdemar Danry is a PhD researcher in the Fluid Interfaces group at the MIT Media Lab, a 2025 Google PhD Fellow in Human-Computer Interaction, and one of the most important voices at the intersection of artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and philosophy of mind. His landmark study, Your Brain on ChatGPT: Accumulation of Cognitive Debt when Using an AI Assistant for an Essay-Writing Task, sparked a global conversation about what happens to human cognition when we delegate our thinking to machines. In this rich and urgent episode, Valdemar unpacks the science behind AI's effect on the brain, exploring: The difference between cognitive offloading and cognitive debt, and the moment one quietly becomes the other What EEG brain data revealed when people wrote essays with versus without ChatGPT, and why the sequence of tool use matters enormously Why AI systems that hand us answers rather than ask us questions may be slowly eroding our capacity for independent thought "Desirable difficulties," the intentional friction that makes learning stick, and two simple habits that keep AI as a thinking aid rather than a thinking replacement Whether the reasoning traces and thinking steps now visible in tools like Claude, Grok, and Gemini genuinely help people reason, or simply create a more sophisticated illusion of understanding A plain-English glossary of key terms: cognitive offloading, cognitive debt, transactive memory, extended cognition, epistemic hygiene, and more Three possible futures, Assistive Renaissance, Dependency Drift, and Captured Cognition, and what determines which path we take What Orwell and Huxley each got right about the world we're now living in This is an honest, grounded, and deeply important conversation about one of the defining questions of our time: as AI gets smarter, do we get sharper, or do we quietly outsource the very faculty that makes us human? Learn more about Valdemar's research at valdemardanry.com. 🎙️ What is Impact in the 21st Century? Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast that celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals behind it. 👤 Who hosts the podcast? Aaron Friedland is a National Geographic Explorer, PhD Candidate in Econometrics at UBC, and Founder of the Simbi Foundation. 🦻 Who makes it sound good? Tom Foster is an Award-Winning Recording Engineer and Cinematographer, Up-and-Coming Composer, Film Scoring Student at Berklee College of Music, and Head of Audio & Music for the Sea Change Project. This podcast is brought to you by Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life.

    1h 28m

  3. Jan 20

    EP #32: Frank Solomon - Riding Giants | Facing Fear | Protecting the Ocean

    Frank Solomon is a world-renowned big wave surfer, ocean adventurer, and the founder of Sentinel Ocean Alliance. Raised on the rugged coastline of South Africa, Frank has ridden some of the most dangerous waves on Earth, from Mavericks in California to the legendary Dungeons in Hout Bay. But beyond pushing the limits of human courage, he has dedicated his life to protecting the ocean and empowering coastal communities through education, safety, and conservation. In this powerful and grounded episode, Frank takes us deep into the world of big wave surfing and ocean stewardship, exploring: What it takes mentally, physically, and emotionally, to ride waves over 50 feet tall The unique danger and beauty of Dungeons, one of the world’s most feared big wave surf breaks How fear becomes a tool rather than an obstacle in extreme environments Why the ocean is not just a playground, but a living system under real threat How Sentinel Ocean Alliance is transforming coastal communities through ocean education, safety training, and conservation initiatives What everyday people can do to reconnect with, respect, and protect the sea, even if they never surf This is a raw, reflective, and inspiring conversation about courage, humility, and responsibility, where adventure meets advocacy, and where loving the ocean means standing up for it. 🎙️ What is Impact in the 21st Century? Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast that celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals behind it. 👤 Who hosts the podcast? Aaron Friedland is a National Geographic Explorer, PhD Candidate in Econometrics at UBC, and Founder of the Simbi Foundation. 🦻 Who makes it sound good? Tom Foster is an Award-Winning Recording Engineer and Cinematographer, Up-and-Coming Composer, Film Scoring Student at Berklee College of Music, and Head of Audio & Music for the Sea Change Project. This podcast is brought to you by Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life.

    37 min

  4. 12/19/2025

    EP #31: Nelson Dellis - Unlocking Superhuman Memory | Building Memory Palaces | Remembering Everyone's Name

    Nelson Dellis is a six-time USA Memory Champion, Grandmaster of Memory, and one of the world’s foremost experts on training the mind. Driven by his grandmother’s struggle with Alzheimer’s, he turned an average memory into a world-class superpower using ancient techniques and now teaches others to do the same. As founder of Climb For Memory, he scales the planet’s highest peaks, including multiple Everest expeditions, to fund Alzheimer’s research and prove that mental and physical resilience go hand in hand. In this mind-expanding episode, Nelson reveals how anyone can transform their memory from forgetful to unforgettable, including: The ancient origins of the memory palace and why these techniques powered civilizations long before writing existed Step-by-step guidance on building your first memory palace and mastering the Major System for numbers Instant hacks for remembering names, speeches, grocery lists and a live demo that will blow your mind Why memory training builds focus, presence, and creativity in an age of endless digital distraction The future of human memory as AI takes over storage and how keeping this skill sharp could define our humanity This is a thrilling, practical conversation for anyone ready to reclaim their mind, boost daily performance, and discover that superhuman memory isn’t a gift. It’s a skill waiting to be unlocked. 🎙️ What is Impact in the 21st Century? Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast that celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals who are behind it. 👤 Who hosts the podcast? Aaron Friedland is a National Geographic Explorer, PhD Candidate in Econometrics at UBC, and Founder of Simbi Foundation. 🦻 Who Makes It Sound Good? Tom Foster is an Award-Winning Recording Engineer and Cinematographer, Up-and-Coming Composer, Film Scoring Student at Berklee College of Music, and Head of Audio & Music for the Sea Change Project. This podcast is brought to you by Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life.

    50 min

  5. 12/02/2025

    EP #30: Dr. Raoul Goldberg - Integrative Medicine & Empowering Health

    Dr. Raoul Goldberg is a renowned integrative medicine practitioner with decades of experience blending conventional medical expertise with holistic approaches to empower individuals toward optimal health. As a leader in integrative health practices, he has inspired countless people through his innovative methods, combining physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of healing. His work emphasizes patient empowerment, preventive care, and the transformative potential of addressing the root causes of illness. In this enlightening episode, Dr. Goldberg shares his insights on revolutionizing health and wellness, including: The principles of integrative medicine and how they bridge conventional and holistic approaches How the PATH method helps break free from addictive behaviors by addressing underlying emotional and psychological patterns The role of nutrition, lifestyle, and emotional well-being in preventing and healing chronic conditions Practical tools for fostering resilience and vitality in the modern world The future of healthcare in integrating holistic practices with cutting-edge medical advancements This is an inspiring conversation for anyone curious about the future of medicine, the power of holistic health, and the path to a vibrant, balanced life. 🎙️ What is Impact in the 21st Century? Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast that celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals who are behind it. 👤 Who hosts the podcast? Aaron Friedland is a National Geographic Explorer, PhD Candidate in Econometrics at UBC, and Founder of Simbi Foundation. 🦻 Who Makes It Sound Good? Tom Foster is an Award-Winning Recording Engineer and Cinematographer, Up-and-Coming Composer, Film Scoring Student at Berklee College of Music, and Head of Audio & Music for the Sea Change Project. This podcast is brought to you by Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life.

    1h 9m

  6. 11/13/2025

    EP #29: Jonathan Lowenhar - Great Founder ≠ Great CEO | The Leap That Saves 90% of Missions | Staying Curious Over Toxic Certainty

    Most world-changing startups don’t die from lack of money or market fit. They die because the founder never becomes the CEO the mission needs. Jonathan Lowenhar has spent 10 years helping hundreds of founders make that leap before it’s too late. In this episode he gives you the exact tools that decide whether your mission lives or dies: The critical difference between being a great founder and a great CEO Why 90 % of startups fail, and the day-one patterns that predict it Venture funding vs. philanthropic capital: how to choose the model that protects your mission The live 5-minute exercise Jonathan used to stress-test Aaron’s own clarity and blind spots Staying Curious Over Toxic Certainty: the mindset that turns conflict into alignment Aligning leadership, systems, and purpose from day one The daily ritual Jonathan has kept for twelve years that prevents burnout Real examples of founders who recovered after hitting hidden failure modes Want to make the leap yourself? Jonathan just opened CEO Bootcamps built exactly for this moment: → (December 2 & 3, 2025): https://enjoythework.com/a-new-kind-of-ceo-bootcamp/ Required pre-reading (5 minutes that will change everything): From Founder to Master Operator – the blog post that started it all https://enjoythework.com/blog/from-founder-to-master-operator If you’re building something that has to outlive you, this episode + bootcamp combo is the fastest way to guarantee it does. 🎙️ What is Impact in the 21st Century? Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast that celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals who are behind it. 👤 Who hosts the podcast? Aaron Friedland is a National Geographic Explorer, PhD Candidate in Econometrics at UBC, and Founder of Simbi Foundation. 🦻 Who Makes It Sound Good? Tom Foster is an Award-Winning Recording Engineer and Cinematographer, Up-and-Coming Composer, Film Scoring Student at Berklee College of Music, and Head of Audio & Music for the Sea Change Project. This podcast is brought to you by Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life.

    1h 36m

  7. 10/20/2025

    EP #28: Jamie Brooker - Revolutionizing Learning with Kahoot! | Crafting Tech for Global Good | Igniting Purpose with Project Align

    Jamie Brooker is the co-founder of Kahoot!, the game-based learning platform that has transformed education for over 70 million users worldwide, and the visionary behind We Are Human, a collective dedicated to building values-driven tech for social good. Now, with his latest venture, Project Align, Jamie is helping organizations realign teams and leaders around transformative, purpose-led goals. His innovative approach to behavioral design and habit formation has sparked positive change across education, health, and beyond. In this inspiring episode, Jamie dives into the power of intentional tech design, sharing: How Kahoot! revolutionized learning by blending fun with lasting behavioral change Lessons from Nir Eyal’s Hook Model and building “tech for good” that fosters positive habits The mission of We Are Human and its focus on values-based solutions for global challenges The mission of We Are Human and its focus on values-based solutions for global challenges How Project Align empowers organizations to reconnect with their core purpose The magic of working with the same trusted team across Kahoot!, We Are Human, and Align This is a must-listen for anyone curious about using technology to drive meaningful impact, align teams, and create a better world through purposeful innovation.   🎙️ What is Impact in the 21st Century? Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast that celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals who are behind it. 👤 Who hosts the podcast? Aaron Friedland is a National Geographic Explorer, PhD Candidate in Econometrics at UBC, and Founder of Simbi Foundation. 🦻 Who Makes It Sound Good? Tom Foster is an Award-Winning Recording Engineer and Cinematographer, Up-and-Coming Composer, Film Scoring Student at Berklee College of Music, and Head of Audio & Music for the Sea Change Project. This podcast is brought to you by Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life.

    1h 41m

  8. 09/30/2025

    EP #27: Colleen Dwyer - Breaking Free from Addiction and Rewiring the Brain

    Colleen Dwyer is a Senior Therapist with Allen Carr’s Easyway (20+ million copies sold), a globally recognized program for smoking and vaping cessation, with over 20 years of experience helping individuals overcome addiction through innovative behavioral change methods. As a leader in online programs, international seminars, and therapist training, she has empowered countless people to reclaim their health and freedom from nicotine and digital dependencies. Her compassionate approach and deep insights into human behavior make her a transformative figure in the fight against addiction in the 21st century. In this thought-provoking episode, Colleen takes us into the heart of addiction and recovery, sharing: The unique Allen Carr’s Easyway method and how it rewires the mind to break free from smoking and vaping The rise of vaping and digital addiction, and their surprising parallels in today’s tech-driven world How corporate wellbeing initiatives and community-driven programs can transform lives and workplaces Practical strategies for overcoming addiction and fostering lasting behavioral change The future of addiction cessation in an era of evolving habits and technologies This is an inspiring conversation for anyone curious about the psychology of addiction, the power of behavioral change, and the path to a healthier, freer life. 🎙️ What is Impact in the 21st Century? Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast that celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals who are behind it. 👤 Who hosts the podcast? Aaron Friedland is a National Geographic Explorer, PhD Candidate in Econometrics at UBC, and Founder of Simbi Foundation. 🦻 Who Makes It Sound Good? Tom Foster is an Award-Winning Recording Engineer and Cinematographer, Up-and-Coming Composer, Film Scoring Student at Berklee College of Music, and Head of Audio & Music for the Sea Change Project. This podcast is brought to you by Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life.

    1h 2m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to Impact in the 21st Century. This is a show about innovators, entrepreneurs, founders, and authors, and the positive impact they create. Each episode, Host Aaron Friedland sits down with these inspiring guests to unpack how they found their purpose, the work they're doing to make a positive difference, and what it takes to lead a more impactful life in the 21st century. Impact in the 21st Century is brought to you by Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life. Each episode is recorded from https://waterfall.farm/ Learn more at www.simbifoundation.org/podcast

Information

  • Creator
    Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2020 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Impact in the 21st Century