Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast

Ania Lichtarowicz
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Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast - Tech That Actually Matters If you’re tired of hype, gadgets-for-gadget’s-sake, and the same recycled tech headlines, welcome to Somewhere on Earth (SOEP) - the weekly global tech podcast that digs way deeper. Made by and hosted by the ex-BBC World Service Digital Planet team (yes, the award-winning crew behind 21+ years of world-leading tech journalism and 1.5M annual downloads), SOEP uncovers the untold stories shaping our digital world. This isn’t a show about the latest shiny toy. It’s about technology that changes lives, cultures, and global societies. Each episode explores: ⚡ The real-world impact of emerging tech 🌍 New innovations driving social good 🔍 Under-the-radar digital trends you should be paying attention to 🧠 How tech is reshaping communities, culture, and the way we live 📰 The technology behind the week’s biggest world stories - explained simply Our mission? To build a tech-for-good ecosystem where new ideas, powerful insights, and meaningful innovation can grow. If you want smart, globally minded tech storytelling from journalists who’ve been doing this longer (and better) than almost anyone else - SOEP is your new must-listen podcast. 🌎 Somewhere on Earth: Where tech meets humanity. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support.

  1. The Cooling Revolution: How Technology Could Cut Refrigeration Emissions by 50%

    1H AGO

    The Cooling Revolution: How Technology Could Cut Refrigeration Emissions by 50%

    Refrigeration’s Climate Problem and the Startup Trying to Solve It Refrigeration is responsible for a huge share of global carbon emissions but Colombian startup NanoFreeze believes biotechnology could change that. Founder and CEO Isabel Pulido explains how her company’s bio-nanotechnology is designed to dramatically reduce energy use in cooling systems, improve cold-chain access and lower costs for industries from food transport to pharmaceuticals. We also discuss why she’s been selected for the Cartier Women’s Initiative, one of the world’s leading programmes for female entrepreneurs.  Why Is Tech Still Failing People with Disabilities? From inaccessible apps to AI systems that overlook disabled users, inclusive design is still missing from much of today’s technology. Inclusive design expert and author Reginé Gilbert joins us to discuss why accessibility continues to be treated as an afterthought — and how emerging technologies like AI, virtual reality and spatial computing risk deepening exclusion if companies don’t build inclusivity in from the beginning. She’s co-author of a new book: “Digital Accessibility Ethics: Disability Inclusion in all Things Tech.” The proramme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support. Production manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz   Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing. 🎥 Learn more about what we do:  ➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/  📩 Contact us or book a project: hello@somewhereonearth.co  ➡️ Email: hello@somewhereonearth.co    📱 Follow us on socials: ➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en)  ➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co) ➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)     If you like our show please rate and review us. Production manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz   Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing. 🎥 Learn more about what we do:  ➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/  📩 Contact us or book a project: hello@somewhereonearth.co  ➡️ Email: hello@somewhereonearth.co    📱 Follow us on socials: ➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en)  ➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co) ➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)     If you like our show please rate and review us.

    25 min
  2. The AI Contact Lens That Could Prevent Blindness and The Women Rewriting Silicon Valley

    MAY 12

    The AI Contact Lens That Could Prevent Blindness and The Women Rewriting Silicon Valley

    The Smart Contact Lens That Could Change Medicine Forever Glaucoma affects around 80 million people worldwide and remains one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness. But what if managing chronic disease no longer required constant hospital visits, manual medication schedules or invasive monitoring? This week on Somewhere on Earth, we explore a groundbreaking AI-powered smart contact lens capable of continuously monitoring eye pressure, automatically delivering treatment and remotely sharing real-time health data with clinicians, all without batteries or electronics. Why Silicon Valley Still Doesn’t See Women as “Founder Material” We also dive into one of the biggest conversations shaping the future of technology and entrepreneurship: why women remain underrepresented in the venture capital world despite building some of the world’s most successful companies. From AI and digital healthcare to leadership, mentorship and the changing culture of startups, this episode explores where innovation meets humanity and who gets to shape the future. The programme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support. Production manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz   Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing. 🎥 Learn more about what we do:  ➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/  📩 Contact us or book a project: hello@somewhereonearth.co  ➡️ Email: hello@somewhereonearth.co    📱 Follow us on socials: ➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en)  ➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co) ➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)     If you like our show please rate and review us. Production manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz   Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing. 🎥 Learn more about what we do:  ➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/  📩 Contact us or book a project: hello@somewhereonearth.co  ➡️ Email: hello@somewhereonearth.co    📱 Follow us on socials: ➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en)  ➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co) ➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)     If you like our show please rate and review us.

    23 min
  3. RightsCon 2026 Cancelled Last Minute: Global Tech Summit Shock + The New Gateway to Doing Business in Africa

    MAY 5

    RightsCon 2026 Cancelled Last Minute: Global Tech Summit Shock + The New Gateway to Doing Business in Africa

    What the Collapse of a Global Summit Means for Digital Rights Thousands of delegates were preparing to gather in Zambia for one of the world’s biggest digital rights events until it was abruptly cancelled days before kickoff. Nikki Gladstone, Director of RightsCon at Access Now, explains how months of planning unravelled in a matter of hours and what triggered the decision. Why Nigeria Could Be Your Launchpad into Africa With access to a large market and growing regional trade links, Nigeria is increasingly seen as a gateway to the continent. Victor Famubode discusses how Itana, a digital platfrom, is helping companies not just enter Nigeria, but scale across Africa using partnerships and new trade frameworks. The programme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support. Production manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz   Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing. 🎥 Learn more about what we do:  ➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/  📩 Contact us or book a project: hello@somewhereonearth.co  ➡️ Email: hello@somewhereonearth.co    📱 Follow us on socials: ➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en)  ➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co) ➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)     If you like our show please rate and review us. Production manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz   Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing. 🎥 Learn more about what we do:  ➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/  📩 Contact us or book a project: hello@somewhereonearth.co  ➡️ Email: hello@somewhereonearth.co    📱 Follow us on socials: ➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en)  ➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co) ➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)     If you like our show please rate and review us.

    20 min
  4. AI Voice Clones Are Clearer Than Humans, and Satellites Are Transforming Fishing

    APR 28

    AI Voice Clones Are Clearer Than Humans, and Satellites Are Transforming Fishing

    AI Voice Cloning; Clearer Speech, Growing Risks New research reveals that AI-generated voice clones can be up to 20% more intelligible than real human speech in noisy environments. While this could revolutionise public announcements, accessibility, and communication, it also raises serious concerns. Experts warn that cloned voices can sound more authoritative and trustworthy, making them a powerful tool not just for innovation, but also for scams and audio deepfakes that are increasingly hard to detect. Space Tech Meets the Sea; AI Tools for Sustainable Fishing A new generation of startups is using satellite Earth observation and AI to support fishing communities facing climate change, regulation, and economic pressure. By combining real-time ocean data with insights from fishers themselves, companies like Orbiventure are helping to track catches, protect marine ecosystems, and improve long-term coastal resilience, showing how space technology can deliver practical solutions on the ground. The programme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support. Production manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz   Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing. 🎥 Learn more about what we do:  ➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/  📩 Contact us or book a project: hello@somewhereonearth.co  ➡️ Email: hello@somewhereonearth.co    📱 Follow us on socials: ➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en)  ➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co) ➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)     If you like our show please rate and review us. Production manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz   Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing. 🎥 Learn more about what we do:  ➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/  📩 Contact us or book a project: hello@somewhereonearth.co  ➡️ Email: hello@somewhereonearth.co    📱 Follow us on socials: ➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en)  ➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co) ➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)     If you like our show please rate and review us.

    22 min
  5. Driverless Taxis Are Here 🚕 No Humans, No Steering Wheel. And the Hidden Fiber Network Powering It All

    APR 21

    Driverless Taxis Are Here 🚕 No Humans, No Steering Wheel. And the Hidden Fiber Network Powering It All

    Driverless Cars Take the Wheel Driverless taxis are no longer a future concept, they’re already operating in cities worldwide, and even in Zagreb you can now book a ride with no driver at all. With the UK preparing for a rollout as early as September, the shift is accelerating fast. Backed by new laws and regulatory frameworks, the technology is moving from trials to real-world adoption. But safety remains the key question, as comparing autonomous systems to human drivers isn’t straightforward. The big issue now isn’t just capability it’s public trust. We were at the launch of the Institute for Driverless Transport to find out more. The Invisible Network Behind It All Behind the rise of autonomous vehicles is a reality most people overlook: the internet doesn’t run on satellites, but on fibre optic cables carrying light across the globe. This physical infrastructure powers the real-time data needed for navigation, communication, and control. And it’s not being replaced, it’s evolving, with innovations like hollow-core fibre pushing speeds even further. As driverless tech scales, it’s this hidden network that will define performance. The future of mobility depends as much on glass as it does on code. The podcast is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support. Production manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz   Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing. 🎥 Learn more about what we do:  ➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/  📩 Contact us or book a project: hello@somewhereonearth.co  ➡️ Email: hello@somewhereonearth.co    📱 Follow us on socials: ➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en)  ➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co) ➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)     If you like our show please rate and review us. Production manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz   Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing. 🎥 Learn more about what we do:  ➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/  📩 Contact us or book a project: hello@somewhereonearth.co  ➡️ Email: hello@somewhereonearth.co    📱 Follow us on socials: ➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en)  ➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co) ➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)     If you like our show please rate and review us.

    24 min
  6. AI, Music & Accessibility: How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing Creativity and Communication

    APR 14

    AI, Music & Accessibility: How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing Creativity and Communication

    From streaming royalties to AI tools: how musicians are navigating a rapidly changing industry Artificial intelligence is reshaping the music industry, but not always in the ways people expect. Researchers at the Oxford Internet Institute have been speaking with musicians across several countries about life in the streaming era and how AI fits into their creative work. Many artists say they are using AI as a practical tool, for example to overcome writer’s block or experiment with new ideas, while still believing that human emotion and authenticity remain central to music.  Using artificial intelligence to break communication barriers for deaf communities AI is also being used to tackle accessibility challenges. At Web Summit Qatar, the Polish company Migam showcased technology designed to translate spoken language into sign language in real time. The aim is to make digital platforms - from streaming services to video calls - more accessible for millions of deaf users around the world, demonstrating how AI could expand communication as well as creativity. The programme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support. Production manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz   Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing. 🎥 Learn more about what we do:  ➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/  📩 Contact us or book a project: hello@somewhereonearth.co  ➡️ Email: hello@somewhereonearth.co    📱 Follow us on socials: ➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en)  ➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co) ➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)     If you like our show please rate and review us. Production manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz   Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing. 🎥 Learn more about what we do:  ➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/  📩 Contact us or book a project: hello@somewhereonearth.co  ➡️ Email: hello@somewhereonearth.co    📱 Follow us on socials: ➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en)  ➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co) ➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)     If you like our show please rate and review us.

    20 min

  7. APR 7

    AI Beyond Business: Digital Rights, NGOs, and the Fight Against Food Waste

    How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing the Work of NGOs AI is increasingly shaping the work of non-profits and civil society groups. In this episode we speak with experts from Access Now about how NGOs are using AI to strengthen cybersecurity analysis and digital protection, while also navigating serious concerns around privacy, misinformation, and the safe handling of sensitive data. Using AI to Reduce Waste in the Global Food Supply Food waste remains a major global challenge, often caused by poor coordination across the supply chain. We speak with the founder of WadyAI, a platform using artificial intelligence to help suppliers and restaurants digitise orders, analyse demand, and order food more accurately - with the goal of reducing waste and improving efficiency in the food system. The programme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support. Production manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz   Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing. 🎥 Learn more about what we do:  ➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/  📩 Contact us or book a project: hello@somewhereonearth.co  ➡️ Email: hello@somewhereonearth.co    📱 Follow us on socials: ➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en)  ➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co) ➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)     If you like our show please rate and review us.

    21 min

  8. MAR 31

    The Dark Side of the Kill Switch: Inside 2025's Record-Breaking Internet Shutdowns

    313 blackouts. 52 countries. One global crisis. Internet shutdowns are no longer just blunt nationwide blackouts. From Uganda to Iran, governments are now using sophisticated tools to cut off Starlink, exempt their own institutions, and silence critics—while ordinary citizens are left completely offline. In Iran, a blackout has now lasted 30 days, on track to become the longest complete internet shutdown ever recorded. So what can people actually do to fight back? The VPN paradox; why the UK wants to restrict teens from using a tool its own government relies on every single day. The UK government wants to restrict VPNs for teens, but it uses them itself. That's the paradox at the heart of a new investigation from TechRadar. The UK is consulting on "Growing Up in the Online World" – which could see consumer VPN apps face age-verification rules, making it harder for teenagers to bypass online checks. But here's the twist: multiple UK government departments and public bodies regularly purchase and use VPN services.  Sam Woodhams, VPN Managing Editor at TechRadar has been investigating. The programme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support. Production manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz   Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing. 🎥 Learn more about what we do:  ➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/  📩 Contact us or book a project: hello@somewhereonearth.co  ➡️ Email: hello@somewhereonearth.co    📱 Follow us on socials: ➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en)  ➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co) ➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)     If you like our show please rate and review us.

    25 min
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4 Ratings

About

Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast - Tech That Actually Matters If you’re tired of hype, gadgets-for-gadget’s-sake, and the same recycled tech headlines, welcome to Somewhere on Earth (SOEP) - the weekly global tech podcast that digs way deeper. Made by and hosted by the ex-BBC World Service Digital Planet team (yes, the award-winning crew behind 21+ years of world-leading tech journalism and 1.5M annual downloads), SOEP uncovers the untold stories shaping our digital world. This isn’t a show about the latest shiny toy. It’s about technology that changes lives, cultures, and global societies. Each episode explores: ⚡ The real-world impact of emerging tech 🌍 New innovations driving social good 🔍 Under-the-radar digital trends you should be paying attention to 🧠 How tech is reshaping communities, culture, and the way we live 📰 The technology behind the week’s biggest world stories - explained simply Our mission? To build a tech-for-good ecosystem where new ideas, powerful insights, and meaningful innovation can grow. If you want smart, globally minded tech storytelling from journalists who’ve been doing this longer (and better) than almost anyone else - SOEP is your new must-listen podcast. 🌎 Somewhere on Earth: Where tech meets humanity. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support.

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