Stephen Colbert on connection, discovery and human nature
What could we gain—and what might we lose—when technology begins to approximate the contours of human connection and presence? In this episode, Reid and Aria chat with comedian, actor, and political commentator Stephen Colbert. Best known for hosting The Colbert Report and The Late Show, Stephen combines a razor sharp satire with a sincere curiosity about the world. Together, Reid, Aria, and Stephen discuss the art of live performance, the many lessons one can learn from J.R.R. Tolkien, and the nature of creativity, humor, and imagination in the age of AI. The result is a meditation on discovery, empathy, and the bonds that make connection more than performance — but a shared act of being human.
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
Topics:
2:35 – Hellos and intros
2:53 – Stephen Riffs on humanity and Dungeons & Dragons
6:08 – Tolkien characters and desert island companions
7:02 – Creativity, empathy, and imagination in comedy
11:37 – Performing for a live audience
13:02 – Comedy as a third space
16:22 – Early ideas about interactive technology and improvisation
19:14 – Can AI art escape the uncanny valley
22:27 – The human “micronutrients” that AI cannot replace
24:05 – Parasocial relationships and the future of entertainment
26:50:– Midroll
26:58 – Responsibility and fact-checking
29:56 – Personalization versus discovery in AI storytelling
33:47 – Lessons from Tolkien
41:22 – AI as part of human evolution
44:51 – How AI can already be employed in health fields
48:46 – AI in video games and creative amplification
49:58 – Balancing skepticism and excitement about AI
50:06 – Rapid-fire Questions
Select mentions:
A Man Jumps Out of an Airplane by Barry Yourgrau
Exploring The Lord of the Rings with Dr. Corey Olsen
Letter 144 by J.R.R. Tolkien
Robert Heinlein
Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. These conversations also showcase another kind of guest: AI. Each episode seeks to enhance and advance our discussion about what humanity could possibly get right if we leverage technology—and our collective effort—effectively.
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56:35
Reid riffs on AI adoption, NVIDIA, and AI’s impact on entry-level jobs
This week, Reid and Aria discuss the challenges around integrating AI into organizations and workspaces, China’s recent pivot away from NVIDIA, and OpenAI’s new $50 million NGO-focused fund. Reid also offers his take on a recent Stanford study that looks at entry-level jobs at risk of AI replacement.
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
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23:11
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23:11
MacKenzie Price on AI-Powered K-12 Schools
Gains in the quality of America’s K-12 education in the late 20th and early 21st century have largely plateaued—and , in several instances, reversed—in the last few decades. This week, Alpha School co-founder MacKenzie Price joins the show to discuss her fast-expanding network of AI-powered private schools, which she says represent the reform the system so badly needs. She explains why Alpha students learn core academics in two hours a day via a personalized learning platform—not human teachers—and then devote the rest of the school day to passion projects, life skills, and real-world learning. Plus, we hear from Alex, a high school senior at Alpha’s Austin, TX location, about his experience.
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
Topics:
3:45 - Hellos and intros
4:12 – MacKenzie’s path from Stanford psychology to Alpha Schools
6:11 – Updating traditional school systems with AI
7:46 – What makes Alpha Schools different
12:01 – The 2-Hour Learning model
15:40 – Key lessons from AI in classrooms
18:11 – AI supercharges students with the “four C’s”: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity
20:47 – Teacher-student connection and mentorship
21:54 – Scaling Alpha Schools & lowering costs
25:47 – AI-driven assessment & personalized learning plans
29:38 – Midroll
29:47 – Alex shares his experience as an Alpha School student and entrepreneur
34:19 – Challenges of scaling
36:09 – Student incentives & using Alpha currency to teach kids financial literacy
38:55 – Alpha students learn life skills & develop entrepreneurial projects
41:44 – GT School for highly accelerated learners
44:55 – “Future of Education” podcast highlights
47:16 – Teachers vs. guides & redefining expertise in education
49:21 – Using AI for public speaking & coaching
51:02 – Rapid fire questions
Select mentions:
Alpha School, AI-Driven Education Founded in Austin, Is Coming to More Cities — New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/27/us/politics/ai-alpha-school-austin-texas.html
Future of Education Podcast: https://futureofeducationpod.com/
Berry: https://berryplush.com/
Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. These conversations also showcase another kind of guest: AI. Each episode seeks to enhance and advance our discussion about what humanity could possibly get right if we leverage technology—and our collective effort—effectively.
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55:34
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55:34
Reid riffs on GPT-5, Figma's IPO, and the end of AOL dial-up
This week, Reid and Aria discuss the much-anticipated launch of GPT-5, Figma's blockbuster IPO, Perplexity’s bid to acquire Google Chrome, and the end of AOL’s dial-up internet service. Plus, Reid offers his take on why some companies find explosive growth and others fade just as fast.
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
Select mentions:
For the Hamilton v.s. Satoshi Bitcoin Rap Battle: https://reid.medium.com/bitcoin-rap-battle-hamilton-vs-satoshi-de3058b3dff0
The innovator’s dilemma by Clayton Christensen
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18:28
Audrey Tang and Divya Siddarth on Outfitting Democracy for the AI Era
How can we take digitally-empowered democracy straight out of science fiction into reality?
This week, Reid and Aria are joined by two digital democracy pioneers, Audrey Tang and Divya Siddarth. Audrey Tang is a cyber ambassador-at-large and former inaugural Minister of Digital Affairs for Taiwan. Their pioneering initiatives like the Sunflower Movement, g0v, and vTaiwan have fought misinformation and influenced policy decisions. Audrey is also a senior research fellow for the Collective Intelligence Project, co-founded and directed by Divya Siddarth. Divya leads projects worldwide that give voice to the public in building better AI.
Audrey and Divya have spent years investigating how people converge on uncommon ground and how to beat polarization. They discuss the power of collective input and collaboration to create a cycle of collective intelligence. Plus, how AI tools—informed by public input—can enhance governance, digital life, and bring out the best in all of us.
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
Topics:
3:07 - Hellos and intros
3:38 - Audrey and Divya's partnership backstory
7:06 - Challenges and surprises with AI in governance
10:19 - What problems do CIP's projects aim to solve?
13:04 - Breakthroughs in collective intelligence
15:08 - Fighting polarization in the age of social media
16:50 - Capitalizing on innate collective intelligence
18:51 - The difference between collective intelligence and democracy
20:33 - Design principles for democracy-forward AI
23:30 - Involving the public in AI model building
26:18 - Midroll
28:32 - Bringing Taiwan's civic wins worldwide
30:41 - Radical transparency in digital tools
35:18 - Why aren't Taiwan's initiatives landing in the U.S.
38:09 - Creating digital twins
39:52 - Reid and Aria's outlook on AI and democracy relations
42:04 - Who would Reid delegate AI centralization to?
45:05 - Rapid-fire
Select mentions:
Plurality by E. Glen Weyl, Audrey Tang, and Community
Global Dialogues — The Collective Intelligence Project
Alignment Assemblies — The Collective Intelligence Project
“Anthem” by Leonard Cohen
A Half Built Garden by Ruthanna Emrys
The Dispossessed: An Ambiguous Utopia by Ursula K. Le Guin
Terra Ignota series by Ada Palmer
Taiwan’s Digital Minister Knows How to Crush Covid-19: Trust | WIRED
What Could BG Be?
Engaged California
How the Sunflower movement birthed a generation determined to protect Taiwan
Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. These conversations also showcase another kind of guest: AI. Each episode seeks to enhance and advance our discussion about what humanity could possibly get right if we leverage technology—and our collective effort—effectively.
What if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Possible is an award-winning, weekly podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Hosts Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger explore what’s possible with forward-thinking leaders, deep thinkers, and ambitious builders across many fields, such as technology, art, education and healthcare. These conversations center on the ways technology—and, in particular, AI—is shaping the future. In episodes, AI tools such as OpenAI’s GPT-4 and Inflection’s Pi are at work, offering informational asides, prompting guests, or demoing what they can do. Lastly, between guest episodes, Aria interviews her co-host Reid on his latest takes on what’s possible if we use technology—and our collective effort—effectively.
Netherlands