What's Your Problem?

Ben Bloom is the co-founder and CEO of Atom Computing, a company building quantum computers out of individual atoms. Ben’s problem is this: How do you build a quantum computer that is actually useful for everything from discovering new medicines to building better batteries?
In this episode, Ben explains:
The practical applications of quantum computers
Atom Computing’s approach using individual neutral atoms as qubits
The key engineering challenge of scaling while maintaining accuracy
The playbook for commercializing quantum computing
Connect with us:
Follow Jacob Goldstein on LinkedIn, X and Instagram
Email us at [email protected]
Follow Pushkin on Instagram, LinkedIn or X
Listen to Jacob’s other show, (00:21:23) Business History
To listen to the show early and ad free, sign up for Pushkin+
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jonny Dyer is the founder and CEO of a satellite company called Muon Space. The company’s first big project is a satellite constellation called FireSat.
Jonny’s problem is this: How do you  capture data from space to help manage wildfires around the world in near-real time?
In this episode, Jonny explains:
How smartphone tech inspired smaller, cheaper satellites.
Why fighting wildfires is still shockingly primitive.
Why China does not distinguish between commercial and military satellites.
Why data centers in space might arrive by 2035.
Connect with us:
Follow Jacob Goldstein on LinkedIn, X and Instagram
Email us at [email protected]
Follow Pushkin on Instagram, LinkedIn or X
Listen to Jacob’s other show, Business History
To listen to the show early and ad free, sign up for Pushkin+
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After bacteria were discovered, it took scientists 200 years to figure out that they cause disease. If scientists had made the link sooner, hundreds of millions of lives could have been saved.
In his recent book So Very Small, Tom Levenson, a professor of science writing at MIT, tells the amazing story of germ theory, and argues that our worldview can prevent us from seeing what is right in front of us – even when lives are at stake.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Evan Ratliff co-founded a publishing startup in 2011. Now he hosts a podcast called Shell Game. In the latest season of the show, Evan creates a company run by AI agents. The project is absurdly funny – Evan calls it an office satire – but it also illuminates the power and limits of AI agents.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patrick Hsu is the co-founder of Arc Institute, which is integrating AI models and biological research. Patrick’s problem is this: How can you use AI to make biological research more efficient – and ultimately to find cures for Alzheimer’s and other complex diseases?
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.