SpaceTomatoes

SpaceTomatoes-podcast

Welcome to Space Tomatoes, the podcast where we boldly go where no logic has gone before, armed with nothing but an unhealthy amount of enthusiasm and a profound lack of focus. Here, we discuss everything and nothing, jumping from topics like quantum physics to why pineapple is (or isn’t) a pizza topping—sometimes in the same sentence. Join us as we dive deep into the void of random musings, irrelevant trivia, and obscure pop culture references that are guaranteed to make you giggle, cringe, or wonder if we’ve lost touch with reality (spoiler: we have).

  1. 5h ago

    Human First AI Why Replacing Humans Is a Terrible Business Strategy with Derek Crager S3-EP5

    In this episode of The Space Tomatoes Podcast, Havok and LX sit down with Derek Crager, founder and CEO of Practical AI, creator of Pocket Mentor, and author of Human First AI, for a refreshingly pragmatic conversation about AI that actually serves humans instead of trying to replace them. Derek makes a compelling case that the current AI will take all the jobs narrative is both overhyped and dangerously shortsighted. He argues that the real opportunity lies in using AI to think with humans, not for them, empowering people to make better decisions outside the box while keeping businesses resilient. We dive into the psychology of AI adoption, why 95 percent of corporate AI projects are failing, the critical role of entry level jobs in the economy, and how Derek's own neurodivergence (autism, ADHD, and dyslexia) shaped his approach to building tools that actually work. We also get the origin story of Pocket Mentor, the worlds first AI based vocational mentor designed specifically for trades and skilled workers, and hear how Derek built Amazons highest rated internal training program from scratch during the pandemic. If you're tired of the AI hype cycle and want practical, human centered thinking on how to actually use these tools without destroying your own customer base, this ones for you. Chapters: 00:00 Intro and Guest Welcome 00:46 What Is Human First AI? 02:23 The Third Path Neither God Nor Devil 05:23 Why Replacing Humans Destroys Your Own Market 08:50 Historical Tech Displacement Calculators, Electricity, Agriculture 18:11 Building Amazons Best Training Program from Scratch 27:57 Pocket Mentor AI That Fits in Your Pocket Literally 46:50 Late Diagnosis Autism, ADHD and Dyslexia at 50 01:13:40 Shoutout to Kim Chavez and Final Thoughts Links and Resources: Practical AI: practicalai.app Human First AI free first chapter: humanfirstai.net Derek on the web: search Derek Crager Practical AI Want to be a guest on Space Tomatoes? Send us a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/spacetomatoes

    Human First AI Why Replacing Humans Is a Terrible Business Strategy with Derek Crager S3-EP5
  2. Jul 24

    The Liberty Solution Why the State Can't Coexist With Freedom with Derek Wills S3-EP4

    This week on Space Tomatoes, Havok and LX sit down with Derek Wills (AncapAir), author of The Liberty Solution. Derek walks us through his journey from hardcore Republican → constitutional conservative → libertarian → full ancap, and how reading Murray Rothbard completely rewrote the book he was working on. We dive deep into why the state is inherently incompatible with liberty, the myth of "necessary evil," reputation as the ultimate enforcement mechanism in a stateless society, and why IP is not only invalid but actively stifles innovation. We also tackle the classic objections: roads, fire departments, police, dispute resolution, immigration, welfare, and what a voluntary society actually looks like in practice. Derek makes a strong case that ostracism and reputation are far more powerful (and ethical) than state violence. Topics covered: The brutal reality of writing a book (and rewriting 90% of it) Why "small government" is a myth Reputation, ostracism, and private arbitration as real enforcement IP, chocolate chip cookies, and why you can't own an idea Roads, hospitals, and the free-market solutions nobody talks about Why the Libertarian Party keeps embarrassing itself The power of voluntary association vs. coercive hierarchy Links: Derek on X: https://x.com/ancapair The Liberty Solution on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09K81FQN5 Derek on Nostr: npub1ymkmqpz2jd9h2wm7xllh0yc7gusm6fszaavxeuapgpljsndz34zsqafgr0 Want to be a guest on Space Tomatoes? Hit us up on PodMatch: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/spacetomatoes

    The Liberty Solution Why the State Can't Coexist With Freedom with Derek Wills S3-EP4
  3. Jun 5

    Terrence Rotering - Flight and Fiction The Trinian Chronicles Unveiled S2-EP23

    Retired Air Force WSO Terrence “Roter” Rotering on Low-Level Flying, Writing a 10-Book Multiverse, and AI Havok and LX interview Terrence “Roter” Rotering, a retired Air Force weapons systems officer who flew as a backseater in the F-15E and previously in the F-111, describing demanding training, extreme low-level terrain-following flights, and a dangerous incident dropping through a stack of F-111s. Rotering explains how he began writing to inspire his children, ultimately creating a 10-book, 6,000+ page connected universe spanning fantasy, sci-fi, time tunnels, wormholes, multiverse “wheels,” and spiritual warfare themes. He outlines his voice-to-text writing process, use of Gemini AI for continuity and reference (not for writing), and discusses a recurring AI antagonist character, “Blok.” The conversation touches on UFO speculation, Hollywood adaptation concerns, personal “God wink” coincidences, and he credits his wife Theresa for her support while sharing where to find his books and site. 00:00 UFOs And AI Tease 00:39 Meet The Guest 01:18 Life As A WSO 03:08 Low Level Flying Stories 06:41 Training Reality Check 08:32 Why He Started Writing 11:46 Voice Notes Writing Process 13:57 Building A Linked Universe 17:51 Continuity Checks With AI 25:40 Spiritual Themes And God Winks 29:33 Favorite Character Blok 33:47 UFOs Time Travel Theories 35:20 Reading From Forever 38:04 Hollywood Adaptation Talk 39:49 Retirement Mission Writing Sprint 42:21 Real Stories In The Backmatter 43:31 Seven Wheels Return To Earth 45:01 Worldbuilding With Wheel Stones 49:10 Science Grounded Time Travel 53:38 Writing Lessons And Hope 57:19 Cold War F-111 Freefall 01:05:13 War Deterrence And Human Nature 01:08:41 John 316 God Winks 01:13:37 Shout Outs And Marriage 01:17:38 Where To Find The Books 01:20:26 Final Sign Off Want to be a guest on Space Tomatoes? Send us a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1767024435775999c3b686d39

    Terrence Rotering - Flight and Fiction The Trinian Chronicles Unveiled S2-EP23

About

Welcome to Space Tomatoes, the podcast where we boldly go where no logic has gone before, armed with nothing but an unhealthy amount of enthusiasm and a profound lack of focus. Here, we discuss everything and nothing, jumping from topics like quantum physics to why pineapple is (or isn’t) a pizza topping—sometimes in the same sentence. Join us as we dive deep into the void of random musings, irrelevant trivia, and obscure pop culture references that are guaranteed to make you giggle, cringe, or wonder if we’ve lost touch with reality (spoiler: we have).