Progress Reimagined

Kathleen Chu

Progress Reimagined explores innovative ideas, technologies, and emerging economic models that put humanity and our planet first. The show challenges assumptions to reshape how we think about progress and prosperity, through conversations with people making a real impact. New episodes every other week.

  1. Jun 9

    Blind Faith in Tech Is Over. What Comes Next?

    We trusted the people in the spotlight to have all the answers. We handed them our data, our attention, our cities, our public squares — and assumed the market would sort out whatever followed. It didn't. This episode asks what blind faith in technology actually cost us — and what it would take to build something better. From a WeWork launch party in Tokyo to the Rohingya crisis. From an Uber driver in Istanbul with no seat at the table, to the Vatican calling for AI to be disarmed. From Silicon Valley's 278 billion dollar tax gap to Europe's first serious push for digital sovereignty. We dive into the story of extreme capitalism without oversight, and the people already voting with their feet.  In this episode: The WeWork warehouse and the end of the tech god eraHow social media went from the Arab Spring to genocide in MyanmarThe Uber driver generating value for a platform worth hundreds of billionsSilicon Valley's 278 billion dollar tax gapWhy people are already voting with their feetAlternatives already being built — Mastodon, Proton, and beyondProgress Reimagined What does real progress actually look like? Progress Reimagined explores innovative ideas, technologies and economic models that put humanity and our planet first. Each episode asks the questions that move us forward — not just can we, but should we. Through solo reflections and conversations with thinkers, innovators and changemakers, we examine the ideas shaping our world and the ones that could reshape it for the better.  Subscribe to Progress Reimagined https://substack.com/@progressreimagined https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressReimagined Host:  Kathleen Chu progressreimagined at proton.me ❤️ Thank you for listening! If you know anyone who would benefit from today's episode, please share it and help spread the word. © 2025 Progress Reimagined. All rights reserved.

    25 min

  2. May 13

    A Dystopia Trap That Feels Like a Delicious Meal | Huxley vs Orwell

    In Spirited Away, Chihiro's parents stumble upon an empty town, find fresh steaming food, and just... eat. One comfortable choice at a time. Until it's too late. I think that scene describes something happening in our world right now. This episode explores what we are quietly trading away — our attention, our capacity to think deeply, and our tolerance for anything difficult or slow. Drawing on Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, Neil Postman's Amusing Ourselves to Death and a 2025 MIT Media Lab study on AI and cognitive decline, I ask the question that sits at the heart of Progress Reimagined: what does real progress actually look like when comfort becomes the trap?  Progress Reimagined What does real progress actually look like? Progress Reimagined explores innovative ideas, technologies and economic models that put humanity and our planet first. Each episode asks the questions that move us forward — not just can we, but should we. Through solo reflections and conversations with thinkers, innovators and changemakers, we examine the ideas shaping our world and the ones that could reshape it for the better.  Subscribe to Progress Reimagined https://substack.com/@progressreimagined https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressReimagined Host:  Kathleen Chu progressreimagined at proton.me ❤️ Thank you for listening! If you know anyone who would benefit from today's episode, please share it and help spread the word. © 2025 Progress Reimagined. All rights reserved.

    22 min

  3. Season 2, Episode 1 Trailer

    Progress Reimagined Is Back | Season 2 Trailer

    Season 2 of Progress Reimagined is here. This season features conversations with thinkers reimagining our economy, technology, and planet, plus solo episodes where I sit with a book and an idea worth exploring. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and find me on Substack for written reflections and book recommendations. https://substack.com/@progressreimagined/posts Progress Reimagined What does real progress actually look like? Progress Reimagined explores innovative ideas, technologies and economic models that put humanity and our planet first. Each episode asks the questions that move us forward — not just can we, but should we. Through solo reflections and conversations with thinkers, innovators and changemakers, we examine the ideas shaping our world and the ones that could reshape it for the better.  Subscribe to Progress Reimagined https://substack.com/@progressreimagined https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressReimagined Host:  Kathleen Chu progressreimagined at proton.me ❤️ Thank you for listening! If you know anyone who would benefit from today's episode, please share it and help spread the word. © 2025 Progress Reimagined. All rights reserved.

    3 min

  4. 05/20/2025

    Breaking Free From Social Media Silos With The Fediverse

    Discover a refreshing digital experience that is free from attention manipulation and platform lock-in while helping you connect with others. In a digital landscape dominated by profit-driven tech giants that monetize attention and exploit user data, Mastodon's Andy Piper presents a liberating alternative. This episode explores how the Fediverse, with Mastodon at its center, is creating a more open, user-controlled social media ecosystem. Discover how decentralized networks let you own your digital presence, connect across platforms, and escape the engagement-maximizing algorithms designed to keep you scrolling. Join Andy, Head of Communications at Mastodon and formerly with Twitter (now X) and IBM, as he explains why distributed, community-owned social networks offer more resilience, control, and authentic connection than closed corporate platforms like Facebook and X. Learn how the Fediverse empowers users to take back control of their attention and data while fostering diverse communities with localized moderation. This conversation offers essential insights for anyone tired of being the product in surveillance capitalism and ready to reimagine their social media experience. Key Insights -How the Fediverse lets you communicate across platforms instead of being locked in walled gardens -Why data portability matters: Move your account without losing followers -How decentralized networks create resilience against manipulation and single points of failure -Why community-specific moderation creates safer, more inclusive spaces than global rules -How current platforms manipulate attention through algorithms and content insertion -Why the "everything app" approach serves corporate interests, not users -How interoperability and open standards foster collaboration and innovation -The importance of consciously choosing where you spend your digital attention -Why resilient, distributed infrastructure matters for our digital future -How nonprofit models can create sustainable alternatives to surveillance capitalism Connect with Andy Piper and Mastodon Mastodon: @andypiper@macaw.social Website: https://andypiper.co.uk Mastodon website: https://joinmastodon.org Mastodon blog: https://blog.joinmastodon.org FediForum Event (June 5-7, 2025): https://fediforum.org/ Recommended Reading "The Internet Con" by Cory Doctorow "Chokepoint Capitalism" by Rebecca Giblin and Cory Doctorow     Progress Reimagined What does real progress actually look like? Progress Reimagined explores innovative ideas, technologies and economic models that put humanity and our planet first. Each episode asks the questions that move us forward — not just can we, but should we. Through solo reflections and conversations with thinkers, innovators and changemakers, we examine the ideas shaping our world and the ones that could reshape it for the better.  Subscribe to Progress Reimagined https://substack.com/@progressreimagined https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressReimagined Host:  Kathleen Chu progressreimagined at proton.me ❤️ Thank you for listening! If you know anyone who would benefit from today's episode, please share it and help spread the word. © 2025 Progress Reimagined. All rights reserved.

    49 min

  5. 04/28/2025

    Why Think Small Is The Future of AI: Mozilla.ai Engineer on Building Your Own Timeline

    In a digital world dominated by algorithms designed to maximize engagement rather than serve users, Davide Eynard presents a refreshing alternative. This episode explores how "thinking small" with purpose-built AI can transform our social media experience. Discover BYOTA (Build Your Own Timeline Algorithm), a project that lets you create personalized social media timelines without sharing your data. Join Davide, machine learning engineer and researcher at Mozilla.ai, as he explains why smaller, specialized AI running locally on your device can often outperform massive models for specific tasks. Learn how the "think small" philosophy and open source approach offer more privacy, control, and meaningful experiences than corporate algorithms designed to keep you scrolling. This conversation offers essential insights for anyone interested in taking back control of their digital experience or exploring how purpose-built AI can serve individual needs rather than corporate metrics.              Connect with Davide Eynard and Mozilla.ai Mozilla.ai website: https://mozilla.ai Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mozilla-ai X: @MozillaAI https://x.com/MozillaAI Mastodon: @MozillaAI@mastodon.social BlueSky: @mozilla.ai https://bsky.app/profile/mozilla.ai YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mozilla.ai1 BYOTA Project   Blog post: https://blog.mozilla.ai/build-your-own-timeline-algorithm-a-blueprint-2/  Live demo: https://huggingface.co/spaces/mozilla-ai/byota GitHub repo: https://github.com/mozilla-ai/byota Mastodon thread about BYOTA: https://fosstodon.org/@mala/113967540546211928 More on Mozilla.ai Blueprints: https://mozilla.ai/blueprints Davide’s talk at FOSDEM: https://fosdem.org/2025/schedule/event/fosdem-2025-5601-build-your-own-timeline-algorithm/ Why open-source matters: Ada & Zangemann - A Tale of Software, Skateboards, and Raspberry Ice Cream https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac3ZZ7WUuZM Progress Reimagined What does real progress actually look like? Progress Reimagined explores innovative ideas, technologies and economic models that put humanity and our planet first. Each episode asks the questions that move us forward — not just can we, but should we. Through solo reflections and conversations with thinkers, innovators and changemakers, we examine the ideas shaping our world and the ones that could reshape it for the better.  Subscribe to Progress Reimagined https://substack.com/@progressreimagined https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressReimagined Host:  Kathleen Chu progressreimagined at proton.me ❤️ Thank you for listening! If you know anyone who would benefit from today's episode, please share it and help spread the word. © 2025 Progress Reimagined. All rights reserved.

    54 min

  6. 04/07/2025

    Social Movements in Dangerous Times: How This App Helps Activists Stay One Step Ahead

    For activists and organizers worldwide, digital tools have become vital infrastructure for creating change. Yet most rely on platforms designed for other purposes, with business models that don't prioritize movement needs. Emil Vincentz, Executive Director at Acter, discusses how their encrypted organizing app is building technology that truly serves social movements rather than extracting value from user data and attention. This conversation explores the challenges of digital organizing in an era of increased authoritarianism, the importance of secure and usable tools, and how decentralized technology can help preserve activist spaces. Whether you're an activist, community organizer, or simply concerned about digital rights, this discussion offers valuable insights on creating technology that puts people before profit. -- Key Topics: -The difference between mobilizing vs. organizing in social movements -How current digital tools shape activist organizing (often not for the better) -Matrix protocol and decentralized technology for movement security -Designing technology that respects user attention and privacy -Security challenges for activists in restrictive environments -Creating sustainable movement structures that don't rely on individuals -Balancing usability with security in activist technology -- 📖 Further Reading Polycrisis Digital Hygiene Digital Security Tips for Protesters Mesh Network Gen Z Has Regrets About Matrix -- Connect With Acter: Acter App available on iOS and Android app stores Digital Activism Podcast: https://acter.global/podcast/ Reach out to Emil: emil at acter.global or hello at acter.global Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/acter-global/posts/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/acterglobal.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acterglobal/ Progress Reimagined What does real progress actually look like? Progress Reimagined explores innovative ideas, technologies and economic models that put humanity and our planet first. Each episode asks the questions that move us forward — not just can we, but should we. Through solo reflections and conversations with thinkers, innovators and changemakers, we examine the ideas shaping our world and the ones that could reshape it for the better.  Subscribe to Progress Reimagined https://substack.com/@progressreimagined https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressReimagined Host:  Kathleen Chu progressreimagined at proton.me ❤️ Thank you for listening! If you know anyone who would benefit from today's episode, please share it and help spread the word. © 2025 Progress Reimagined. All rights reserved.

    50 min

  7. 03/10/2025

    Turning Trash into Treasure: How One Network Is Creating Environmental Gold

    From organic waste to fast fashion, tune in to this episode to discover how we can collectively transform trash into resources, curb wasteful production, and decarbonize our planet. Discover how our linear "take-make-dispose" system wastes limited resources and how the circular economy transforms waste to resource opportunities. Join Ian McKee, founder of the Carrot Network, as he reveals how environmental economics and sustainable business models revolutionize resource management. Learn why organic waste which accounts for more than half of global waste is fully recyclable, how Extended Producer Responsibility creates corporate accountability, and how climate finance solutions like liquidity pools drive sustainability investment. This conversation offers essential insights for anyone interested in waste management innovation or transforming environmental challenges into economic opportunities.  Listen to Discover: -How environmental economics reveals hidden value in waste streams -How waste to resource thinking fundamentally changes economic models -The sustainable business models emerging from circular economy principles -Why composting organic waste is the foundation of circular systems -How Extended Producer Responsibility programs are creating economic incentives for proper waste management -Why putting a price on waste is essential for driving system-wide change -The innovative liquidity pool solution to the climate capital trilemma -How the circular economy could be our most powerful tool for decarbonization -The importance of connecting all participants in the waste management ecosystem -How small individual actions compound into significant environmental impact --- Connect with Carrot Network Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/carrot-network/people/ Website: https://www.carrot.eco/ --- Progress Reimagined What does real progress actually look like? Progress Reimagined explores innovative ideas, technologies and economic models that put humanity and our planet first. Each episode asks the questions that move us forward — not just can we, but should we. Through solo reflections and conversations with thinkers, innovators and changemakers, we examine the ideas shaping our world and the ones that could reshape it for the better.  Subscribe to Progress Reimagined https://substack.com/@progressreimagined https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressReimagined Host:  Kathleen Chu progressreimagined at proton.me ❤️ Thank you for listening! If you know anyone who would benefit from today's episode, please share it and help spread the word. © 2025 Progress Reimagined. All rights reserved.

    1h 7m

  8. 02/24/2025

    How to Protect Your Online Privacy in 2025: A Guide to Tor Browser and Digital Freedom

    Learn how to take control of your online privacy - even if you're not tech-savvy. Discover essential digital privacy tips and practical cybersecurity strategies with Pavel Zoneff from The Tor Project. Learn how to protect your online privacy and secure your digital footprint without being a tech expert. From understanding internet security basics to implementing privacy tools, this episode guides you through the fundamentals of staying safe online.    --- Key Insights: -Why your online privacy matters (even if you have "nothing to hide") -Simple steps to protect your personal information online -How to browse the internet safely without sacrificing convenience -Real stories of how privacy tools protect everyday people  --- Tor Project: https://www.torproject.org/ https://www.torproject.org/download/ https://donate.torproject.org/ https://snowflake.torproject.org/ Progress Reimagined What does real progress actually look like? Progress Reimagined explores innovative ideas, technologies and economic models that put humanity and our planet first. Each episode asks the questions that move us forward — not just can we, but should we. Through solo reflections and conversations with thinkers, innovators and changemakers, we examine the ideas shaping our world and the ones that could reshape it for the better.  Subscribe to Progress Reimagined https://substack.com/@progressreimagined https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressReimagined Host:  Kathleen Chu progressreimagined at proton.me ❤️ Thank you for listening! If you know anyone who would benefit from today's episode, please share it and help spread the word. © 2025 Progress Reimagined. All rights reserved.

    40 min
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Trailers

About

Progress Reimagined explores innovative ideas, technologies, and emerging economic models that put humanity and our planet first. The show challenges assumptions to reshape how we think about progress and prosperity, through conversations with people making a real impact. New episodes every other week.

Information

  • Creator
    Kathleen Chu
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Progress Reimagined
  • Show Website
    Progress Reimagined