The CEO Retort with Tim El-Sheikh

Athmetric

Bringing real experts and forward-thinkers out of the clickbait shadows for greater knowledge, purpose, and performance. The CEO Retort is a thought-provoking podcast that features leading experts, entrepreneurs, authors, journalists, and thinkers scrutinising how science, business, health, politics, technology, and AI influence our lives. Hosted by Tim El-Sheikh — a serial deeptech and AI entrepreneur since 2002, one of the first-generation AI pioneers at Google Campus London, a biomedical scientist, and ex-pro athlete. He is currently at the frontier of human-centric Augmented Intelligence.

  1. 5d ago

    Scott Lucas: Trump's Iran War Limbo Catastrophic for Global Economy and Your Cost of Living

    Professor Scott Lucas examines the economic realities of the Strait of Hormuz and why it remains a central point of tension in global trade. Here we are again, back to square one with the Iran conflict quagmire. Or, as Scott puts it in this episode: an ongoing limbo! Make no mistake, this limbo comes with catastrophic consequences to the global economy and to our cost of living. Thanks to the so-called memorandum of understanding, which Trump has signed, the Iranian regime has been given the key to controlling one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, the Strait of Hormuz.By reviewing the historical status of these waters before recent conflicts, you will understand the shift in maritime security and what it means for future economic dependence. This breakdown is essential for viewers tracking the intersection of energy markets and international policy. As a bonus point, the conversation also touches on how this crisis could become an imminent crisis for the GOP, as energy prices and instability continue to rise. With the death of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who played a critical role in defending Trump within the GOP, will we witness a potential retaliation against Trump? Support our independence by becoming a member to help us fight against this dangerous move by the UK government: ⁠⁠https://RetortMedia.com/Support⁠⁠ Timestamps: (00:00:00) – Preview (00:02:51) – We are now in a disastrous limbo with Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz and its impact on global oil markets (00:12:48) – Israel's current influence on the war, grooming a potential new Iranian leader (00:19:15) – Would Trump ever accept defeat to end the war, or will he allow the American economy to collapse to save face? (00:26:40) – Benjamin Netanyahu's internal political struggles from all sides, not just the left. (00:28:25) – What happened to the Iranian protesters that Trump was supposed to "save" before the Iran war? Scott shares shocking numbers of deaths and how this war empowered the Iranian regime (00:36:54) – What is the legal position of the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)? Was it ever valid? (00:38:48) – The strategic moves of Gulf states and their plans for alternative routes to the Strait of Hormuz, while the Houthis in Yemen threaten to shut down the Red Sea's Bab al-Mandab Strait (00:43:00) – A pessimistic picture of the global economy, made worse by the AI bubble which may blow up sooner thanks to SpaceX (00:45:42) – The death of Lindsey Graham and its political consequences for Trump and the internal struggles within the Republican Party (00:59:56) – The urgent need for pragmatic, results-oriented politics, empowered by local politics and community engagement, as we see in New York under Zohran Mamdani Episode Notes & Citations: https://retortmedia.com/podcasts/ceoretort/2026/07/27/scott-lucas-trumps-iran-war-limbo-catastrophic-for-global-economy-and-your-cost-of-living/ Subscribe to The CEO Retort: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@CEORetort⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ceo-retort/id1767132889⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5ytJdrSK0yGL2OZfTitnp8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Tim El-Sheikh: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/timelsheikh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Scott Lucas: Trump's Iran War Limbo Catastrophic for Global Economy and Your Cost of Living

  2. Jul 20

    Nicholas McGeehan: FIFA’s Corruption has Reached a Dangerous Level, Impacting more than Football

    The leading corruption investigator and founder of FairSquare helps us explore the deep-rooted issues of corruption, governance, and ethics within FIFA and global sports organisations. Our discussion is centred on the growing influence of politics and money in sport, especially through FIFA and the World Cup. The conversation began with a reflection on the England vs Argentina match. Still, it quickly shifted into a broader critique of how football governing bodies can influence outcomes off the pitch through power, patronage, and public relations. The current president, Gianni Infantino, was described as a leader who accumulated more power, became more politically entangled, and used FIFA's platform to align with authoritarian figures and politically powerful allies, including Trump and Saudi interests. The other major thread was accountability and reform. Nick described FairSquare's complaints to FIFA's ethics committee and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over Infantino's political behaviour, including his public support for Trump and the "Peace Prize" episode. Join the conversation now and let us know what you think FIFA is doing to football. Has it damaged it permanently, from what we have witnessed with the 2026 World Cup? Support our independence by becoming a member to help us fight against this dangerous move by the UK government: ⁠https://RetortMedia.com/Support⁠ Timestamps: (00:00:00) – Preview (00:04:24) – General thoughts on the 2026 World Cup (00:07:50) – Nick shares the origins of FairSquare and its mission to go after corruption at FIFA and the sporting governing world (00:14:56) – The rise of "Sports Washing" – the new tool for political influence, power-grab and silencing by authoritarian regimes (00:17:20) – FIFA's corruption history. When did it all start (00:26:28) – How was the previous FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, caught in a corruption scandal and gave rise to the current president, Gianni Infantino? (00:33:17) – The danger of Gianni Infantino being the most politically biased president and its dangerous impact on Football and the sporting world in general (00:39:36) – Why Nick's organisation made the news recently as they launched an investigation into Gianni Infantino with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) (00:44:38) – Tim shares his concerns with the IOC as an ex-athlete. Are they any better than FIFA? The problem has reached further beyond FIFA and Football (00:51:10) – The political response to rising concerns of FIFA's corruption. Will governments and politicians deal with the problem? (00:58:02) – Why are fans of football clubs not taking proactive action against FIFA and their local Football associations and demanding change? (01:04:58) – How Regulations could change this situation, its impact on wider societies around the world, and will it ever happen? (01:11:33) – Why we need to be optimistic as the corrupt figures appear to be ignorant to the fact that people see their blatant corrupt behaviours. Change is coming! (01:19:54) – How can you get involved in reshaping the future of sport and governing organisations like FIFA? Episode Notes & Citations: ⁠https://retortmedia.com/podcasts/ceoretort/2026/07/20/nicholas-mcgeehan-fifas-corruption-has-reached-a-dangerous-level-impacting-more-than-football/ Subscribe to The CEO Retort: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@CEORetort⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ceo-retort/id1767132889⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5ytJdrSK0yGL2OZfTitnp8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Tim El-Sheikh: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/timelsheikh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Nicholas McGeehan: FIFA’s Corruption has Reached a Dangerous Level, Impacting more than Football

  3. Jul 18

    EMERGENCY: Independent Journalists and NGOs Face Potential Prosecution Under UK's New "State Threats" Terror Laws

    The UK government is rushing through new laws that could give it sweeping power over speech, reporting, and even what counts as “harmful” information. Folks, I’m genuinely worried about what’s happening in the UK right now, as the Labour government has rushed through the National Security (State Threats) Act, which completed its parliamentary stages and received Royal Assent on July 8, 2026. This bill grants the Home Secretary the power to designate state-backed organisations as “foreign power threat actors” under a framework modelled on terrorism proscription, rather than classifying them as terrorist organisations. What makes this so urgent is how broad these powers could be. From the way the laws are written, journalists, NGOs, and even ordinary people could be at risk if they share information the government doesn’t like, especially on sensitive international issues. If this happens, people won’t just lose access to certain opinions, but also to crucial reporting that challenges power. I cannot emphasise the seriousness of these shocking new developments, and why we need public pressure now. Support our independence by becoming a member to help us fight against this dangerous move by the UK government: https://RetortMedia.com/Support Timestamps: (00:00:00) – Preview (00:01:12) – Quick Scheduling Announcement (00:02:18) – The consequences of the UK Government's New National Security (State Threats) Act (00:17:28) – The UK government wants what it defines as "trusted" news sources promoted above the social media noise, pushing away independent sources (00:25:13) – How did we get here and why have we allowed it as a society?00:28:03 – Why public pressure is essential to prevent erosion of free speech rights is now critically important, and how you can help Episode Notes & Citations: https://retortmedia.com/podcasts/ceoretort/2026/07/18/emergency-independent-journalists-and-ngos-face-potential-prosecution-under-uks-new-state-threats-terror-laws/ Subscribe to The CEO Retort: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@CEORetort⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ceo-retort/id1767132889⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5ytJdrSK0yGL2OZfTitnp8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Tim El-Sheikh: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/timelsheikh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    EMERGENCY: Independent Journalists and NGOs Face Potential Prosecution Under UK's New "State Threats" Terror Laws

  4. Jul 9

    Jeltsje Boersma: Engineered Addiction Pioneered by Tobacco Companies, adopted by Tech and AI

    If you’re like most people, you’ve probably assumed the tobacco industry is fading into the background. But the reality is alarmingly worse than we thought 😳 I had the great pleasure of meeting Jeltsje Boersma, a prominent anti-tobacco advocate and public health policy professional, serving as a Senior Policy Officer at Impact Unfiltered. She delivered her famous “I’m here today to make you angry” speech that went super viral on social media, exposing the shocking tactics of Big Tobacco. While many Western countries have reduced smoking through regulation and public health campaigns, tobacco companies have moved aggressively into lower- and middle-income countries, where young populations, weaker enforcement, and competing national priorities create ideal conditions for growth. Join the conversation now and share this message with your family, friends, and colleagues to help put an end to this exploitative industry. 🔥 Please ensure you subscribe to our YouTube channels and join us as a member here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://CEORetort.com/Support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Timestamps: (00:00:00) – Preview (00:02:17) – Jeltsje's idea behind her viral video. What was the trigger? (00:04:36) – Why the tobacco industry never really disappeared and how they took advantage of the smoking ban! (00:09:08) – The sudden growth of the vaping industry, offering big tobacco a new lifeline (00:12:34) – How the industry used culture and sport over the years, and now vaping, to target young people and normalise smoking (00:16:38) – How the tobacco industry pioneered behaviour-driven marketing, also applied by the AI sector through the "behaviour stack" and how to challenge it (00:21:37) – Public reaction to Jeltsje's viral video and the response from the tobacco industry (00:24:41) – The new market opportunity for the tobacco industry following the legalisation of Marijuana, powered by Crypto! (00:31:49) – Why can't governments ban nicotine altogether or classify it as a Class A drug, since it is as addictive as other Class A drugs? (00:37:59) – Jeltsje's personal journey that led her to dedicate he professional life to fight the tobacco industry: These companies influence democracy! (00:49:53) – Why do smart professionals and intelligent employees within corporations rarely speak out against unethical practices? (00:59:32) – Challenging influential politicians financially supported by the tobacco industry, which could also affect the petroleum, alcohol, food, and tech sectors. (01:04:07) – How big tobacco captured the global south with political influence and almost non-existent regulations (01:15:01) – With the rapid rise of vapes and vape promotions on social media, how to use simple counter messaging to ban nicotine – the core element behind smoking addiction? (01:26:26) – Big Tobacco's tactics of researching and developing "solutions" to nicotine addiction and the "tobacco-free future" (01:30:11) – How can you get involved in fighting off the tobacco industry and how to deal with their "Bullsh*t Bingo!" (01:36:16) – The rise of the crypto-powered betting markets masqueraded as "event contracts," "prediction markets," or financial tools targeting young people – yet another engineered addiction Episode Notes & Citations: ⁠https://retortmedia.com/podcasts/ceoretort/2026/07/09/jeltsje-boersma-engineered-addiction-pioneered-by-tobacco-companies-and-adopted-by-tech-and-ai-sectors/ Subscribe to The CEO Retort: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@CEORetort⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ceo-retort/id1767132889⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5ytJdrSK0yGL2OZfTitnp8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Tim El-Sheikh: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/timelsheikh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Jeltsje Boersma: Engineered Addiction Pioneered by Tobacco Companies, adopted by Tech and AI

  5. Jul 2

    Scott Lucas: 10 Years of Brexit and MAGA Made the Entire World Worse Off

    Scott Lucas delves into the political landscapes of the UK and the US, following 10 years of Brexit and MAGA, respectively, that led to international conflicts.I sat down with Scott Lucas to unpack a conversation that moved quickly from sports to politics to war, but kept returning to the same big idea: narratives shape power. And, arguably, the two biggest narratives that shaped the entire world's political and economic environments are Brexit and the Make America Great (MAGA) movement.We started with the New York Knicks' historic NBA Championship win and a standout speech by Zohran Mamdani that turned a basketball victory into a powerful message about resilience, unity and renewal. That set the tone for a wider discussion about how leaders use moments like these to connect emotion, identity, and public hope.From there, we got into the UK’s political crossroads, especially Brexit, Andy Burnham, and the failure of empty slogans of recent prime ministers: All 6 of them in under 10 years of trying to govern Brexit Britain!The core point was simple: Britain cannot fix its future with nostalgia or symbolic "sovereignty" talk alone. If the country wants growth, stability, and influence again, it has to re-engage with Europe in practical ways and stop pretending the damage from Brexit was anything other than real.We then discussed the US and under 10 years of MAGA influence, even while Biden was president. Our conversation turned to democracy, spectacle, and the danger of a political system that keeps rewarding division and lawlessness.From Iran to Trump to the endless fundraising cycle, the warning was clear: when politics becomes performance, real governance becomes ineffective, and the voters suffer. The thread running through the whole discussion was hope, but hope backed by action, because both the UK and the US are at a point where they have to choose between rebuilding and doubling down on the same failures.Join the conversation now and tell us what you think the next ten years of UK and US politics may look like, and whether we will ever be able to fix the multi-generational damage caused by the two monumental political bombshells.

    Scott Lucas: 10 Years of Brexit and MAGA Made the Entire World Worse Off

  6. Jun 26

    Josh Paul: Biden and Trump Administrations Allowed Israel to Target Innocent Civilians

    Josh Paul is the former Director of the U.S. Congressional and Public Affairs for the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. He was responsible for overseeing U.S. defence diplomacy and global arms transfers. Today, Josh is one of the world's most avid human rights campaigners, exposing how the US is not just "involved" in the Israel-Palestine conflict, but rather actively shaping the outcome through military support, political cover, and a long habit of avoiding real accountability. From his perspective as an insider, this position has turned policy into a moral and legal failure, not just a strategic one. But what stood out to me is his insistence that this was never an inevitable stance on Israel. It was a choice! Please ensure you subscribe to our YouTube channels and join us as a member here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://CEORetort.com/Support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Timestamps: (00:00:00) – Preview (00:03:33) – Josh Paul’s explosive resignation under Biden and the impact of U.S. policy on Israel (00:11:41) – Biden's ideological stance on Israel and its legal implications leading to the genocide in Gaza (00:16:55) – Could the U.S. ever stop Israel from committing war crimes and sanction its government? (00:19:58) – The Role of AIPAC in influencing politics in the U.S. and Europe (00:22:45) – Corporate media's and social media platforms’ role in shaping and reshaping the public perception of Israel and the Palestinians (00:28:34) – What had caused the apparent mass radicalisation of the Israeli society, particularly their younger generations (00:37:06) – Will there ever be peace in the Middle East? (00:40:32) – How the Iran war may force the Trump Administration to stop or sanction Israel (00:42:49) – The anti-corruption and anti-Epstein class populism and the changing political landscape (00:53:16) – The impact of Elon Musk’s DOGE on civil service and global security, with a potential criminal-level of overreach, manslaughter and corruption (00:59:20) – What would a new policy for Palestine look like and how will Josh and his organisation implement it? (01:08:21) – Josh’s call for the business community's and civil servants’ role in advocacy. Stop your “neutrality” excuses! (01:12:58) – The role of the tech sector and AI labs in propping up Israel's military threats throughout the Middle East and beyond (01:20:11) – Defining success in advocacy and campaigning for human rights Episode Notes & Citations: https://retortmedia.com/podcasts/ceoretort/2026/06/26/josh-paul-biden-and-trump-administrations-allowed-israel-to-target-innocent-civilians/⁠ Support our independence by becoming a member: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://CEORetort.com/Support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out The Retort news outlet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://RetortMedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to The CEO Retort: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@CEORetort⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://newsletter.ceoretort.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ceo-retort/id1767132889⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5ytJdrSK0yGL2OZfTitnp8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Tim El-Sheikh: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/timelsheikh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Josh Paul: Biden and Trump Administrations Allowed Israel to Target Innocent Civilians

  7. Jun 19

    Scott Lucas: Right Wing's Desperate Power Spectacle: UFC, MAGA and Brexit

    Professor Scott Lucas returns to discuss why we are attracted to chaotic events and how they blur the lines between reality and spectacle, reshaping our perceptions. It may seem weird how entertainment and today's geopolitics intertwine, using recent events like Donald Trump's Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) spectacle at the White House as a case study of how the right-wing movement is running out of ideas, not only in the US, but also in Brexit Britain and throughout the West. Scott highlights in detail how the spectacle is not merely a distraction; it actively constructs realities that serve those in power and creates new paths to power. As citizens, we invite you to join the conversation, recognise the broader narratives being pushed at us by the techbros, their platforms and their political shills, and advocate for constructive, non-divisive political discourse. We need to value truth over mere entertainment, even if we are huge fans of the UFC! Please ensure you subscribe to our YouTube channels and join us as a member here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://CEORetort.com/Support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Timestamps: (00:00:00) – Preview (00:02:34) – Looking at the current timeline that connects some strange events, from the UFC in the White House, to Brexit 10 anniversary, to SpaceX IPO, to the rumoured "rent boys" attacking Kier Starner's homes. WTF? (00:07:07) – The right wing's, and Trump's, art of throwing spectacle in politics (00:11:17) – Trump's Iran deal spectacle, for his 80th birthday! (00:14:50) – The spectacle of Elon Musk's new "trillionnaire" status and his role in spreading anti-UK government right-wing propaganda – The same right-wing movement influenced by Russia! (00:23:46) – The Russian influence of the dark side of hard-right racist campaigns and street violence in Britain, featuring Tommy Robinson and Errol Musk (00:33:22) – The role of biased mainstream media and social media platforms in shaping narratives, building their own spectacles (00:38:25) – The current political dynamics in the EU, with Hungary's hard-right Orbán anointed as leader of his lost party while Ukraine's path to join the EU is now open (00:44:50) – The toxic and delusional public perception of immigration, the economy, and social responsibility. Another spectacle Episode Notes & Citations: https://retortmedia.com/podcasts/ceoretort/2026/06/19/scott-lucas-right-wings-desperate-power-spectacle-ufc-maga-and-brexit/ Support our independence by becoming a member: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://CEORetort.com/Support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out The Retort news outlet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://RetortMedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to The CEO Retort: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@CEORetort⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://newsletter.ceoretort.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ceo-retort/id1767132889⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5ytJdrSK0yGL2OZfTitnp8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Tim El-Sheikh: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/timelsheikh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Scott Lucas: Right Wing's Desperate Power Spectacle: UFC, MAGA and Brexit

  8. Jun 11

    AI Architect Reacts: Siri AI May Burst the Multi-Trillion-Dollar AI Bubble!

    Apple AI might be disrupting the industry without massive data centre spending. See how Siri AI is challenging current expectations for generative AI and obscene data centre spending. This discussion breaks down why Apple's approach to local processing could change the AI market landscape, once it understands the basic science of AI efficiency. We examine the current state of Apple's AI ("Apple Intelligence") and why the company may not need the same infrastructure investments as its competitors to deliver powerful results. You will learn the specifics of how Siri AI functions compared to standard large language models. Spoiler alert, it doesn't. It is effectively Google's Gemini built into Apple's operating systems with an Apple flavour and UX all over it.  However, it seems to rely much less on data centre compute and more on the iPhone's capabilities. This raises the key question: what is the point of spending hundreds of billions of dollars on data centres if the same generative AI models can run locally on smartphones? By prioritising on-device capabilities, Apple is firmly positioning itself differently in the generative AI race, as I discussed at WWDC 2024. This episode explains the implications for both hardware requirements and software performance for everyday users. Join the conversation now and let me know if you think Apple's strategy will succeed against other AI market leaders. Will it kill the AI bubble? Support our independence by becoming a member: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://CEORetort.com/Support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Timestamps: (00:00:00) – Preview (00:01:03) – WWDC 2026: Apple Intelligence, their shift to On-Edge AI and the strategy of a privacy-first model (00:04:21) – Reviewing Apple’s philosophy on private, helpful, and, what they call, personal AI (00:07:14) – Apple's AI Architecture Deep Dive: The clear evidence why you don’t need massive data centres spread all over the place! (00:10:06) – LLMs as the future of Conversational User Interfaces – The new UX replacing GUI! (00:14:39) – Reviewing Siri AI in action: Personal context and onscreen awareness, with enhancements to voice, expressivity, and integration with Spotlight and files (00:33:24) – Post-Bubble Thinking: Why Apple chose Google as a partner? (00:36:26) – Apple's EU Problem: Why Siri AI is delayed due to the EU's DMA policy, and what is the UK's position? (00:46:36) – Final Verdict: Did Apple just pop the AI bubble? Episode Notes & Citations: https://retortmedia.com/podcasts/ceoretort/2026/06/11/ai-architect-reacts-siri-ai-may-burst-the-multi-trillion-dollar-ai-bubble/ Support our independence by becoming a member: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://CEORetort.com/Support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out The Retort news outlet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://RetortMedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to The CEO Retort: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@CEORetort⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://newsletter.ceoretort.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ceo-retort/id1767132889⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5ytJdrSK0yGL2OZfTitnp8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Tim El-Sheikh: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/timelsheikh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    AI Architect Reacts: Siri AI May Burst the Multi-Trillion-Dollar AI Bubble!
See All (70)

About

Bringing real experts and forward-thinkers out of the clickbait shadows for greater knowledge, purpose, and performance. The CEO Retort is a thought-provoking podcast that features leading experts, entrepreneurs, authors, journalists, and thinkers scrutinising how science, business, health, politics, technology, and AI influence our lives. Hosted by Tim El-Sheikh — a serial deeptech and AI entrepreneur since 2002, one of the first-generation AI pioneers at Google Campus London, a biomedical scientist, and ex-pro athlete. He is currently at the frontier of human-centric Augmented Intelligence.

Information

You Might Also Like