Somewhat Frank

On this episode of the Somewhat Frank Podcast, Frank Gruber (@FrankGruber), John Guidos (@JohnGuidos), and Jen Consalvo (@Noreaster) dive headfirst into the future of technology and societal trends, starting with our hands-on experience with the newly launched Apple Vision Pro. This cutting-edge headset, resembling a MacBook Pro for your face, promises an immersive experience unlike any other. We discuss its coolest features, from the ability to project multiple screens to its clear view of the surrounding environment, and weigh these against its less appealing aspects, such as its public perception and hefty price tag.

We also chat again about the Established House, which is scheduled to take place on March 10, 2024 in Austin, TX. It will be a networking and collaboration space for startups, investors, and entrepreneur support organizations. For more details, you can visit the official website: https://house.established.us 

But that's not all – we also bring you the latest from the GRAMMY Awards. Our reading list is just as intriguing, featuring discussions on the Enhanced Games concept, where performance-enhancing drugs are not just allowed but celebrated, and the pivotal role Toby Keith played in launching Taylor Swift’s career. Plus, we explore the rise of the Introvert Economy in post-pandemic America, a shift that's reshaping our social landscape and economic activities.

And for our tech enthusiasts, we delve into Disney’s VR Treadmill Holotile, a project by Lanny Smoot, Disney's most prolific inventor. This innovation could revolutionize virtual reality, offering a level of immersion previously unattainable.

As always, thank you for listening and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: somewhatfrank@est.us

Get updates like this in your inbox before they hit the web by subscribing to the newsletter here: https://frankgruber.me/newsletter/ 

On this episode of the Somewhat Frank Podcast, Frank Gruber (@FrankGruber), John Guidos (@JohnGuidos), and Jen Consalvo (@Noreaster) dive into an exciting mix of celebrations, upcoming events, and groundbreaking discoveries that are shaping our world.

We kick things off with a cheerful update: Groundhog Day brought us delightful news as the groundhog didn't see its shadow, heralding an early spring! Sunshine, flowers, and celebrations are just around the corner. Catch the full excitement of this cherished holiday on our live stream recap here.

As we bask in the post-Groundhog Day glow, the anticipation builds for the Grammy Awards happening this Sunday night at 8 pm EST. We're thrilled to see performances by Luke Combs and Tracy Chapman, and we're especially rooting for Noah Kahan, nominated for Best New Artist with his hit, "Stick Season." The Established team is all buzzed up about this one, and we've got our eyes peeled on the predictions here.

But that's not all on the horizon. We're also gearing up for the America’s Seed Fund Road Tours starting soon in Orlando and San Juan, Puerto Rico (https://www.americasseedfund.us/road-tour), and the excitement around SXSW. Join us as we host a day of events for innovators and startups at the Established House on March 10th, 2024. More details here.

Switching gears to a mystery that's potentially solved – the lost aircraft of Amelia Earhart might have been found in a $11 million effort by a private individual. Earhart, a fellow Purdue Boilermaker, planned much of her journey from the campus airport, and this discovery could be a historic find. Dive into the story here and here.

In the realm of technology and health, the first human has received a Neuralink brain implant, potentially revolutionizing the way we interact with technology and treat neurological conditions. The future of AI is also making waves in the smartphone industry, with Google, Samsung, and soon Apple, introducing generative AI capabilities that promise to transform our digital experiences.

Meanwhile, the digital world grapples with the ethics of AI, as explicit AI-generated images of Taylor Swift raise concerns about non-consensual content, spotlighting the urgent need for regulation.

Elon Musk's new AI venture is another hot topic, with reports suggesting he's aiming to raise as much as $6B for his startup, reflecting the immense potential and costs associated with developing generative AI.

Looking ahead to the Super Bowl, we preview what's expected to be the most expensive tickets ever for the game between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs in Las Vegas. Plus, we discuss Taylor Swift's logistical race against time to perform after her Tokyo concert, and we give you a sneak peek at this year's Super Bowl commercials. Check out the story here.

We wrap up with some personal updates, including the sleek Ridge Wallet and an intriguing way to explore global radio stations with Radio Garden. Plus, a shout out to "Suits," the most streamed show of 2023.

As always, thank you for listening and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: somewhatfrank@est.us

Get updates like this in your inbox before they hit the web by subscribing to the newsletter here: https://frankgruber.me/newsletter/ 

On this episode of the Somewhat Frank Podcast, Frank Gruber (@FrankGruber), John Guidos (@JohnGuidos), and Jen Consalvo (@Noreaster) talk about Jen’s fantastic birthday celebration, and we're thrilled to share it with you. Special guest, Kara Comparetto, played live piano at the party, and you won't want to miss her incredible talent. Check out her live piano shows on her YouTube channel and her albums on platforms like Apple Music: https://www.youtube.com/@KaraComparetto

We dive into a crucial topic—sleep! Did you know that the average American gets less than 7 hours of sleep per night? We discuss why sleep is essential for your brain's well-being and share some basic sleep hygiene tips. Read more here: https://www.axios.com/2024/01/18/sleep-tips-expert-hours# 

The Key to Relationship Success - https://fortune.com/well/article/predict-divorce-communication-style-gottman-institute/ 

Researchers have discovered a communication error that can predict divorce with a staggering 94% accuracy. We explore how couples can turn towards each other and improve their relationships.

FDA Approves DermaSensor - https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-fda-clears-dermasensors-ai-powered-skin-cancer-detecting-device-2024-01-17/ 

Host: In tech news, the FDA has approved the DermaSensor, an AI-powered skin cancer detection device. Learn how this innovative device can assist primary care physicians in identifying skin cancer with impressive accuracy.

The Future of Supersonic Travel - https://techcrunch.com/2024/01/12/x-59-quiet-supersonic-jet-from-nasa-and-lockheed-finally-rolls-out/ 

We delve into the world of supersonic travel, discussing NASA and Lockheed Martin's experimental X-59 aircraft, aiming to reduce sonic booms. We also touch on Boom, a company working on passenger supersonic jets.

US Tech Investment Landscape - https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-07/san-francisco-bay-area-nyc-boston-dominate-vc-investment-in-us?srnd=undefined&sref=OUxLpfXr 

Discover where tech investment is booming in the US, with surprising statistics on venture capital growth across different regions.

Humanoid Robots at BMW - https://www.axios.com/2024/01/23/humanoid-robots-bmw-automotive-manufacturing-figure

Humanoid robots are making their way into BMW's manufacturing plants. We discuss Figure, the California company behind these robots, and their role in the automotive industry.

Stanley Cups Craze - https://www.cnbc.com/2023/12/23/how-a-40-ounce-cup-turned-stanley-into-a-750-million-a-year-business.html 

Stanley Cups are more popular than ever! We explore how a simple 40-ounce cup has turned into a $750 million per year business.

Apple Vision Pro - https://youtu.be/Vb0dG-2huJE?si=2nP6KYQBOpuh48UV

We round off with a glimpse into the future of tech with the Apple Vision Pro headset and its potential for spatial computing.

What We're Watching and Texting Woes - hulu.com/series/death-and-other-details-1493a676-9e14-4e6a-ace8-914b39269f56

And before we go, our hosts share what they're currently watching, including Hulu's 

"Death and Other Details." Plus, we discuss the evolution of texting into an email-like form of communication and the idea of adding a "send later" feature to iMessage.

As always, thank you for listening and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: somewhatfrank@est.us

Get updates like this in your inbox before they hit the web by subscribing to the newsletter here: https://frankgruber.me/newsletter/

On this episode of the Somewhat Frank Podcast, Frank Gruber (@FrankGruber), John Guidos (@JohnGuidos), and Jen Consalvo (@Noreaster) talk about winter being in full swing across most of the country, with frigid temperatures causing chaos. We dive into the Midwest's cold snap and the challenges faced by Tesla and electric vehicle owners in this bitter weather (https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/tesla-owners-run-into-trouble-amid-bitter-cold/).

In New England, unprecedented storms and coastal flooding left a mark. But amidst the destruction, a shipwreck resurfaced in Bar Harbor, offering a glimmer of intrigue (https://www.cnn.com/travel/shipwreck-schooner-tay-acadia-maine?cid=ios_app). Meanwhile, we share our experiences from Las Vegas, where even the desert wasn't spared from the cold.

Join us as we take you through our CES 2024 adventure, where we rubbed shoulders with 150,000 tech enthusiasts. From AI-powered everything to flying cars, self-docking boats to inflatable gardens, we explore the remarkable trends that stole the show (https://www.ces.tech/innovation-awards/honorees/2024/best-of/a/airfarm.aspx). Discover the breakthrough in wearable tech with "Healing Pants," and the game-changers like autonomous mowers, electric cars, and more that are shaping the future.

We also highlight the CTA Foundation Pitch Competition winners, Augmental and Proxie, who showcased inclusive tech and caregiving support. Plus, take a break with a fun personality test (https://www.16personalities.com) and celebrate the Michigan Wolverines' national championship victory, which was also a win for us in Vegas!

As always, thank you for listening and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: somewhatfrank@est.us

Get updates like this in your inbox before they hit the web by subscribing to the newsletter here: https://frankgruber.me/newsletter/ 

Welcome back to the Somewhat Frank Podcast! In this episode, Frank Gruber (@FrankGruber), John Guidos (@JohnGuidos), and Jen Consalvo (@Noreaster) talk about the following topics:

Gaming Triumphs and Historical Trivia

• Dive into the fascinating world of Tetris. Hear about Willis Gibson, a 13-year-old from Oklahoma, who made history by defeating this iconic game. Discover the intriguing Soviet origins of Tetris and a must-watch film on Apple TV (Tetris Film).

Intellectual Property and Its Creative Freedoms

• Mickey Mouse enters the public domain after 95 years. We discuss what this means for creators and the fine line between copyright and trademark. Don't miss the discussion on the new "Steamboat Willie" horror movie and the Winnie The Pooh-themed "Blood and Honey."

Future of Transportation: Electrifying Roads

• Detroit's Corktown neighborhood introduces roads that charge vehicles wirelessly, a glimpse into the future of automotive technology.

AI and Copyright: A Legal Battleground

• The New York Times' lawsuit against AI creators like OpenAI sets a precedent in the world of automated content and copyright law.

Technology and the Human Mind: DeepSouth Supercomputer

• Learn about DeepSouth, the supercomputer that simulates the human brain, marking a breakthrough in neuroscience and computing.

Innovations in Energy: The Sodium-Based Battery

• JAC Motors is set to release an electric vehicle with a sodium-ion battery, heralding a new era in eco-friendly and efficient energy storage.

Health and Harmony: The Power of Sound Resonance Therapy

• Explore how music and sound frequencies can significantly improve mental and physical health, with insights from Psychology Today.

Sports QuickHits:

• Snoop Dogg's unique reporting style at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the climax of the NFL season, College Football Playoffs, and Shohei Ohtani's record-breaking move to the Dodgers.

Friendly Shoutouts:

• Reminiscing on holiday classics and celebrating Willie Nelson's 90th Birthday with a special vinyl edition (https://amzn.to/3TKXyA9).

Testing 1, 2, 3: Gadget Reviews

• A look at Wildgame Innovation’s Terra Cell Trail Camera (Product link), RYOBI's Snow Blower for the winter, and the Chef iQ Smart Thermometer (Find it here).

Join us for this riveting journey through technological advancements, legal landscapes, and the ever-evolving world of entertainment. Tune in, and let's start the year with curiosity and enthusiasm!

As always, thank you for listening and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: somewhatfrank@est.us

Get updates like this in your inbox before they hit the web by subscribing to the newsletter here: https://frankgruber.me/newsletter/ 

Welcome back to the Somewhat Frank Podcast! In this episode, Frank Gruber (@FrankGruber), John Guidos (@JohnGuidos), and Jen Consalvo (@Noreaster) explore a range of fascinating topics and events, from innovation summits to the changing landscape of social media, and even some exciting product recommendations. Join us on this journey of discovery as we navigate through these diverse subjects.

We kick off the episode by discussing the Innovation Ecosystem Summit, set to take place on December 13-14. Link to event. We also chat about the upcoming AFWERX virtual event titled “Wargaming & AI'' which is set to take place on December 12th (link to event) and the CTA Foundation Pitch Competition that will take place at the Consumer Technology Association Foundation on January 10th. Link to event.

The Future of Truth in the Age of AI and Social Media

In an era where truth can sometimes feel elusive we share our thoughts on the importance of reliable information sources and their concerns about the evolving landscape of truth.

Is social media a brainwashing machine? 

We delve into this question in light of recent events on TikTok, where a surprising connection to Osama Bin Laden emerged. Links to articles. We explore how viral moments can be based on historical events and their impact on public perception.

We also consider the changing social media landscape and the declining usage of platforms by millennials, as outlined in this Wired article.

Reading: 

Surge in Homeschooling Post-Pandemic

Homeschooling rates in the U.S. have seen a significant surge post-pandemic, with certain states experiencing remarkable increases. We discuss the implications for public school enrollment and the demographic shifts, especially the increase in homeschooling among Black families. (Read more)

Sports QuickHits: MLB News and NBA Mid-Season Tourney

Sports enthusiasts won't want to miss our quick hits on the latest MLB developments, including the introduction of the Vegas Athletics. (Read more) We also touch upon the possibility of the Chicago White Sox relocating to Nashville and the upcoming NBA Midseason Tournament Finals.

Friendly Shoutouts: 

Kiki World Marketplace - We give a warm shoutout to Alex Abelin, co-founder of Kiki Milk, on the launch of the Kiki World Marketplace. This marketplace aligns with Kiki Milk's mission to help individuals navigate illness, allergies, and overall health. (Link to Kiki World Marketplace)

Entertainment Recommendations: 

Jen introduces the captivating "Humans Decoded Podcast," which delves into the realms of fairies, elves, hobbits, gnomes, dwarfs, and humans. (Listen here)

Meanwhile, we chat about two engaging entertainment options: the series "Suits" on Netflix and the new Season 5 of "Fargo" on FX and Hulu.

Testing 1, 2, 3 - Product Reviews:

We put some products to the test, starting with BioLift, a beverage containing ingredients like Guarana, Ginkgo Biloba, Elderberry, and Carob, aimed at boosting energy and well-being. (Learn more)

John shares his excitement about the Ninja® CREAMi® Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream and Frozen Treat Maker, an innovative kitchen appliance perfect for creating a wide variety of frozen treats. (Check it out)

Final Thought: Tesla's CyberTruck Takes Center Stage

We conclude the episode with a fascinating insight into Tesla's CyberTruck, which is finally hitting the streets. We reminisce about the anticipation that began in 2019 and share some incredible videos showcasing the vehicle's durability and strength.

As we wrap up, we wish you all a fantastic Holiday season and encourage you to check out our podcast for more exciting updates and discussions. Thanks for tuning in!

As always, thank you for listening and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: somewhatfrank@est.us

Get updates like this in your inbox before they hit the web by subscribing to the newsletter here: https://frankgruber.me/newsletter/ 

Welcome back to the Somewhat Frank Podcast! It's the season of the sticks and of thanks, and amidst all the craziness and turmoil in the world, there's much to be grateful for. 

In this episode, Frank Gruber (@FrankGruber), John Guidos (@JohnGuidos), and Jen Consalvo (@Noreaster) delve into what we're looking forward to this Thanksgiving season while sharing some exciting stories and developments in the world of technology and entertainment.

First, we chat about the Colombian government finding treasure off its coast. Read more here: https://news.yahoo.com/colombian-president-orders-recovery-20-013019478.html 

Second, we explore a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional batteries that involves shellfish. Yes, you heard it right! Researchers at the University of Maryland have discovered a way to repurpose shellfish waste to create biodegradable batteries that are highly efficient. Read more here: https://www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/shellfish-batteries-crab-lobster-science-biodegradable 

Next, we dive into the fascinating world of memory manipulation and how scientists are working on editing and even deleting memories. While it may sound like science fiction, recent research has made significant strides in understanding memory formation and manipulation. Read more here: https://www.thedailybeast.com/meet-the-scientists-who-want-to-edit-and-delete-your-memories

Then, we introduce you to Mika, the world's first AI-powered human-like robot CEO. This unique collaboration between Hanson Robotics and Dictador, a rum company, has resulted in an AI CEO capable of making data-driven decisions, although with a notable processing delay. Read more here: https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/mika-worlds-first-ai-human-like-robot-ceo

We also take a look at the Humane AI Pin, a potential smartphone replacement. This innovative device attaches to your lapel and projects information onto your hand, allowing you to make calls, send texts, and access information through voice control and gestures. Read more here: https://hu.ma.ne/aipin

In our friendly shoutouts, we highlight an AI fact-checking tool by Chris Saad (https://www.getwingman.ai/) and celebrate Atlantic Sea Farms' recognition in the food industry (https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/trends/the-next-big-things-our-top-10-food-trends-for-2024). Plus, we share exciting news about the launch of Orange Bike Brewery, the first gluten-free brewery in Portland, Maine, founded by our friends Tom and Meg Ruff (http://orangebikebrewing.com). 

In our tech and gadgets segment, we discuss SpotMyPhotos, a software that grants photographers and photo booths control over event photo sharing (https://www.spotmyphotos.com). We also introduce the DJI Mini 3 drone with extended battery life and intelligent features (https://store.dji.com/product/dji-mini-3?vid=128001). Plus, we chatted about the Clevr Blends Starter Kit with frother (https://amzn.to/3Gh49KJ). 

Finally, in the entertainment section, we explore The Beatles' final song "Now And Then" (https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/beatles-new-song-now-and-then-1234868643) and share our experience of watching Steve Martin and Martin Short live, offering a hilarious and memorable performance.

As we wrap up, we wish you all a fantastic Thanksgiving season and encourage you to check out our podcast for more exciting updates and discussions. Thanks for tuning in!

As always, thank you for listening and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: somewhatfrank@est.us

Get updates like this in your inbox before they hit the web by subscribing to the newsletter here: https://frankgruber.me/newsletter/ 

On this episode of the Somewhat Frank Podcast, Frank Gruber (@FrankGruber) and John Guidos (@JohnGuidos) discuss “Friday the 13th,” because many believe that the combination of Friday and the number “13” cancels out bad luck. According to a 2008 study by the Dutch Centre for Insurance Statistics, reported by National Geographic, "there were fewer accidents on Friday the 13th than on any other Friday." Read more about the history of Friday the 13th - www.history.com/topics/folklore/friday-the-13th

The guys also discuss the following topics and articles…

• California Bans Four Additives — it's about damn time! Let's go to America…we can demand better. https://www.npr.org/2023/10/10/1204839281/california-ban-food-additives-red-dye-3-propylparaben-candy 

• Americans eat long list of food banned in other countries - https://www.wthr.com/amp/article/money/consumer/american-europe-banned-foods-safety-fda-purdue-lab-experts/531-119bf785-1e68-49d7-bd60-720ce2b4c0ff

• ‘We’ll be living and working to 120 - and it will start within a decade’ says doctor. https://nypost.com/2023/09/23/doctor-stem-cells-will-extend-life-to-120-from-this-decade/ 

• How to get rid of “brain fog”? https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2023/10/06/what-is-brain-fog/70466894007/

They guys are testing these gadgets:

• Shiftwave chair — Shiftwave is a breakthrough Nervous System Training Technology delivering mental and physical restoration and optimization at the touch of a button. Benefits include improved sleep, recovery, immunity, etc. Pricing $10,500 online - https://shop.shiftwave.co/products/shift

• Adobe Photoshop (Beta) - Generative AI capabilities - https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html 

• Adobe Scan - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/adobe-scan-pdf-ocr-scanner/id1199564834 

Lastly, Frank and John are watching/listening to these shows/movies:

• Icon (https://www.iconbuild.com) - 3-D printing homes on earth and maybe the moon (60 Minutes) - https://youtu.be/dXUX6dv2_Yo?si=mHXpLzBRkhnEZlAj

• Radio Rental Podcast - https://radiorentalusa.com/ 

• “Totally Killer” slasher flick on Prime - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11426232/  

………..

As always, thank you for listening and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: somewhatfrank@est.us

Get updates like this in your inbox before they hit the web by subscribing to the newsletter here: https://frankgruber.me/newsletter/

On this episode of the Somewhat Frank Podcast, Frank Gruber (@FrankGruber) and John Guidos (@JohnGuidos) discuss their trip to Purdue homecoming and the Atlantic Sea Farm investment (www.atlanticseafarms.com). 

Frank also chats about his trip to Orange Bike Brewing’s open house (www.orangebikebrewing.com), while John went to the Saxsquatch concert in Indy (www.instagram.com/saxsquatch). They also discuss the following topics and articles…

• Apple Electric Car - Is The Apple Car A Computer On Wheels? - https://www.forbes.com/sites/timbajarin/2023/08/15/is-the-apple-car-a-computer-on-wheels/?sh=16667b9363e4 

• Asteroid Bennu - https://www.ndtv.com/science/nasa-predicts-asteroid-with-force-of-22-atomic-bombs-might-hit-earth-in-4449174 

• Nearly 2,000 reports of UFO sightings surface ranging from orbs, disks and fireballs - https://news.yahoo.com/nearly-2-000-reports-ufo-012353032.html?utm_campaign=later-linkinbio-yahoonews&utm_content=later-38292106&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkin.bio 

• Tom Hanks AI Concerns - https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2023/10/02/tom-hanks-ai-advertisement-without-permission/71030195007/ 

• Meta News of new AI Glasses https://about.fb.com/news/2023/09/new-ray-ban-meta-smart-glasses/ 

They guys are testing these gadgets:

• RayBans Smart Glasses - the news ones are coming soon and are currently for sale as a preorder ​​https://www.ray-ban.com/usa/ray-ban-meta-smart-glasses 

• Starlink - https://www.starlink.com/ 

Lastly, Frank and John are watching/listening to these shows/movies:

• No One Will Save you - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14509110/ 

• Only Murders in the Building Season 3 - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11691774/ 

• Yeti on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@yeticoolers 

• Haileywood podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/haileywood/id1582007311 

• Mo News Podcast - https://mo.news/ 

• The Kurty D Show - https://the-kurty-d-show.simplecast.com/episodes/051-somewhat-frank-with-frank-gruber

………..

As always, thank you for listening and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: somewhatfrank@est.us

Get updates like this in your inbox before they hit the web by subscribing to the newsletter here: https://frankgruber.me/newsletter/ 

On this episode of the Somewhat Frank Podcast, Frank Gruber (@FrankGruber) and John Guidos (@JohnGuidos) discuss the following topics and articles…

• Speaking of octopus  - https://bgr.com/science/octopus-brains-are-more-alien-than-we-previously-thought/

• Eggs — why are they so hot right now? https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2023/03/03/egg-prices-increased-70percent-over-the-last-yearheres-why-.html 

• Spy Balloons or Something Else? https://time.com/6255436/balloons-ufos-what-is-in-the-sky/

• Trends in Startup Names https://news.crunchbase.com/venture/startup-names-trends-cool/

• Scientist creates a device that cures hiccups https://futurism.com/neoscope/scientist-hiccup-cure

• Some tips on scaling a startup from $5M to $100M ARR from Tracy Young cofounder of PlanGrid https://tracy.posthaven.com/part-ii-the-failure-points-from-$5m-to-$100m-in-arr

• How leaders can open up to their teams without oversharing https://hbr.org/2019/02/how-leaders-can-open-up-to-their-teams-without-oversharing

• This bullet train could change the game for Las Vegas. https://abc7chicago.com/bullet-train-los-angeles-socal-to-las-vegas-brightline-west-high-speed-rail/12907290/

• Speaking of living… here are the healthiest states to live in. https://www.travelandleisure.com/best-places-to-live-in-the-us-healthy-lifestyle-7152170

We also hear about our upcoming trip to Austin for SXSW 2023! We’re headed down to SXSW on March 12th for a day filled with startup, ESO, and VC focused events and activities. Learn more about the event and register at: https://bit.ly/sxsw23est 

Lastly, we’re hosting another startup pitch event in April too. Find more here: https://soty.link/April25 

………..

As always, thank you for listening and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: somewhatfrank@est.us

Get updates like this in your inbox before they hit the web by subscribing to the newsletter here: https://frankgruber.me/newsletter/ 

On this episode of the Somewhat Frank Podcast, Frank Gruber (@FrankGruber) and John Guidos (@JohnGuidos) discuss the following topics and articles…

• AI is taking over everything…get ready! Here’s a good guide from a search engine analyst perspective. Google Faces a Serious Threat From ChatGPT - https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2022-12-07/chatgpt-should-worry-google-and-alphabet-why-search-when-you-can-ask-ai?tpcc=nltermsheet&utm_source=website&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=mobile_web_share

• AI taking over the news - https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/10/technology/ai-chat-bot-chatgpt.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

• AI taking over portrait art with viral Lensa app - https://news.northeastern.edu/2022/12/09/portrait-ai-app/

• Lensa.ai is pretty amazing - https://flip.it/jkdKZr

• ChatGPT can detect Alzheimer's disease with 80% accuracy - https://flip.it/sigJB_

• Frank talks about his work with TechStars and CICLA - https://cicla3d.cl

• Mia Consalvo, PhD, Professor and Canada Research Chair In Game Studies & Design, Communication Studies (https://www.miaconsalvo.com/) also chats about the implications of AI impacting education. 

Lastly, we hear about our upcoming trip to Las Vegas for the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show, where we'll be on the floor again at Eureka Park, where we'll be hosting the Consumer Technology Association Foundation Pitch Competition. Come join us at the Startup Stage on Friday, January 6th from 2 - 4 PM PT, for an electrifying pitch competition featuring startups with technologies that help people of all ages and abilities get out into the world, whether for work or play!

While in Las Vegas, we will also be hosting the Startup of the Year Coffee Meetup on Friday, January 6th from 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM Pacific Time at Off the Strip coffee joint. Please join us by registering at: https://soty.link/CES-Coffee 

………..

As always, thank you for listening and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: somewhatfrank@est.us

Get updates like this in your inbox before they hit the web by subscribing to the newsletter here: https://frankgruber.me/newsletter/ 

On this episode of the Somewhat Frank Podcast, Frank Gruber (@FrankGruber), John Guidos (@JohnGuidos), and Jen Consalvo (@Noreaster) discuss the Small Business Administration’s 2nd Innovation Ecosystem Summit, which is coming up on December 6th and 7th. 

The SBA Innovation Ecosystem Summit was curated to connect entrepreneur support organizations from around the country to learn from one another as we work together to build a thriving national ecosystem that promotes equitable access to capital and resources for innovators across the country. Learn more over at: https://est.us/ESOSummit2022 

We’re also busy getting ready for a startup event that we are hosting in which we will be showcasing five startups from our Startup of the Year community on December 13th. More details over at: http://soty.link/growpitch2022 

Lastly, we’re working with the CTA Foundation on their 5th Annual Pitch Competition which will take place on January 6th at CES in Las Vegas. Details can be found on the CTA Foundation’s website:  https://bit.ly/ctafpitch23 

The crew also talks about the following topics and articles…

• The first solar electric vehicle is in production - https://lightyear.one 

• Tesla has robot, and it’s real, not just a guy in a white body - https://techcrunch.com/2022/09/30/teslas-robot-is-a-real-robot-now-not-just-a-guy-in-a-suit 

• The FTX situation - https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/sam-bankman-fried-ftx-bankruptcy-what-happened.html

• Kanye West, now known as Ye, has completely lost it - https://www.newser.com/story/328645/kanye-west-to-alex-jones-i-love-nazis.html

• Olivia Pichardo, a Brown University freshman, is making history as the first female baseball player to be on an active NCAA Division I roster - https://atmlb.com/3tMNfgz 

• College football at 49? A North Dakota lineman has the right stuff - https://apnews.com/article/nfl-college-football-sports-north-dakota-795486fcc3892bbc8e250f0ed11eb5fa 

• What are the hottest gifts this holiday season? - https://shopping.google.com/m/holiday100/ 

………..

As always, thank you for listening and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: somewhatfrank@est.us

Get updates like this in your inbox before they hit the web by subscribing to the newsletter here: https://frankgruber.me/newsletter/ 

On this episode of the Somewhat Frank Podcast, Frank Gruber (@FrankGruber), John Guidos (@JohnGuidos), and Jen Consalvo (@Noreaster) chat about the following topics and articles…

• Did you know it is National Coffee Day? Health benefits of coffee - https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/14/well/eat/coffee-health-benefits.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
• Health benefits of decaf - https://coffeeaffection.com/benefits-of-decaf-coffee/ 
• Queen Elizabeth II passed away. She had a pretty impressive life and reign as monarchy. - https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61585886 
• Serena Williams retired but went out with a bang with a pretty impressive match. - https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/03/sports/tennis/serena-venus-williams-us-open.html 
• NASA shared video and images of its first ever planetary defense mission. - https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci_hwGVNHGG/?igshid=MmIxOGMzMTU=
• The genes of a jellyfish show how to live forever. - https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2022/08/31/the-genes-of-a-jellyfish-show-how-to-live-forever
• Could ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ in Chicago really be done? We found out. - https://twitter.com/FrankGruber/status/1570921161768443907 
• Child Predators Are Using Twitch To Track Kids Livestreams. - https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2022-twitch-problem-with-child-predators/?curator=MediaREDEF
• AI art generator - www.Craiyon.com 
• AI creates "New" Nirvana song “Drowned In The Sun” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf6eOSJgN0Y 

………..

As always, thank you for listening and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: somewhatfrank@est.us

Get updates like this in your inbox before they hit the web by subscribing to the newsletter here: https://frankgruber.me/newsletter/ 

On this episode of the Somewhat Frank Podcast, Frank Gruber (@FrankGruber), John Guidos (@JohnGuidos), and Jen Consalvo (@Noreaster) chat about the following topics and articles…

• Adam Neumann has a new backer - https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/15/business/dealbook/adam-neumann-flow-new-company-wework-real-estate.html

• U.S. demands more water cuts as Colorado River hits dire lows - https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2022/08/16/colorado-river-bureau-of-reclamation/

• Jupiter Images Released By NASA Showcase Auroras, Hazes - https://blogs.nasa.gov/webb/2022/08/22/webbs-jupiter-images-showcase-auroras-hazes/

• What alcohol does to your body, brain, and health - https://hubermanlab.com/what-alcohol-does-to-your-body-brain-health/

• 'Very distinct' dinosaur tracks made 113 million years ago revealed by severe Texas drought - https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/08/23/texas-drought-reveals-dinosaur-tracks/7879831001/?fbclid=IwAR0U3XZydjdtc2Azawr9JIzOVqS7Ze4Ombo3KoS9jH7QWIyL6WSYa3a9RTE

• The space race for your cell phone - https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-space-b7819bcb-2c9b-4064-b6bd-f02e1ebcd75d.html?chunk=0&utm_term=emshare#story0

• Rumors are also swirling that Apple might be set to announce its own direct-to-satellite iPhone partnership with Globalstar next week - https://www.macrumors.com/2022/08/26/apple-globalstar-iphone-14-satellite-rumor/ 

………..

As always, thank you for listening and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: somewhatfrank@est.us

Get updates like this in your inbox before they hit the web by subscribing to the newsletter here: https://frankgruber.me/newsletter/ 

On this episode of the Somewhat Frank Podcast, Frank Gruber (@FrankGruber), John Guidos (@JohnGuidos), and Jen Consalvo (@Noreaster) chat about Frank and Jen’s first bout with Covid.The group also chats about the following topics and articles…

1. Can Pickleball Save America? https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/07/25/can-pickleball-save-america
2. HQ is wherever you are, and it’s not going back to a specific city anytime soon.  https://twitter.com/FrankGruber/status/1550158895594741760 
3. Costa Rica Just Made It Ridiculously Easy To Live There as a Digital Nomad. https://matadornetwork.com/read/costa-rica-digital-nomad-visa/
4. Text your Friends. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/11/well/family/check-in-text-friendship.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
5. 9-8-8 is a new phone number for anyone having harmful thoughts about themselves. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/12/well/988-suicide-prevention-hotline.html
6. Scientists have picked up a radio signal 'heartbeat' billions of light-years away. https://www.npr.org/2022/07/14/1111471532/space-science-stars-radio-waves-signals-galaxy-lightyears-mit
7. Scientists Discover Space Travel Accelerates Aging. https://www.slashgear.com/946243/scientists-discover-space-travel-accelerates-aging/
8. Earth Is Suddenly Spinning Faster. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2022/07/28/earth-is-suddenly-spinning-faster-why-our-planet-just-recorded-its-shortest-day-since-records-began/amp/
9. What if the pavement you drive on charged your car? https://www.mywabashvalley.com/news/regional-news/purdue-researchers-are-developing-pavement-that-can-charge-electric-vehicles-as-they-drive/

………..

As always, thank you for listening and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: somewhatfrank@est.us

Get updates like this in your inbox before they hit the web by subscribing to the newsletter here: https://frankgruber.me/newsletter/ 

On this episode of the Somewhat Frank Podcast, Frank Gruber (@FrankGruber), John Guidos (@JohnGuidos), and Jen Consalvo (@Noreaster) chat about America’s Seed Fund Week 2022. 

America’s Seed Fund Week is a free and virtual opportunity for small businesses to learn about non-dilutive funding available through America’s Seed Fund that delivers $4 billion annually to small businesses in R&D. Learn more at: www.americasseedfund.us

The group also chats about the following topics and articles…

1. Comparing Hubble to James Webb: The Difference in Detail is Astounding - https://petapixel.com/2022/07/11/comparing-hubble-to-james-webb-the-difference-in-detail-is-astounding/
2. Three Drivers of the Lifeguard Shortage - https://finance.yahoo.com/news/3-drivers-critical-lifeguard-shortage-200905442.html
3. Psychosis, Addiction, Chronic Vomiting: As Weed Becomes More Potent, Teens Are Getting Sick - https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/23/well/mind/teens-thc-canabis.html?referringSource=articleShare
4. Scientists Turn Nuclear Waste Into Diamond Batteries Which Last 1,000's of Years - https://www.thebrighterside.news/post/scientists-turn-nuclear-waste-into-diamond-batteries-which-last-1-000-s-of-years
5. New drug increases the human lifespan by 30%, according to Mayo Clinic -  Senolytic drugs boost key protective protein - Mayo Clinic Press
6. It is summer in Maine and this is one that is close to home…Massive Lobster Found in Maine May be 100 Years Old  - https://weather.com/science/nature/video/massive-lobster-found-near-maine-may-be-100-years-old

………..

As always, thank you for listening and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: somewhatfrank@est.us

Get updates like this in your inbox before they hit the web by subscribing to the newsletter here: https://frankgruber.me/newsletter/ 

On this episode of the Somewhat Frank Podcast, Frank Gruber (@FrankGruber), John Guidos (@JohnGuidos), and Jen Consalvo (@Noreaster) chat about the following topics and articles…

1. VC Funding for Black-Founded Startups Slows Dramatically As Venture Investors Pull Back - https://twitter.com/frankgruber/status/1537824149195849730?s=21&t=ltk9Nj_FRC9kvuKfv2pStw
2. Trash found on Mars - https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article262582962.html
3. Fashion is going Meta - https://www.inputmag.com/style/meta-balenciaga-prada-thom-browne-avatar-store-facebook
4. Growing skin on robots - https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-have-made-this-creepy-as-heck-living-skin-for-robots
5. Cannes Lions is in full swing for the first time since 2019 and focused on creativity in film and advertising. - https://nypost.com/2022/06/22/cannes-lions-international-festival-of-creativity-moments/ and https://www.businessinsider.com/cannes-lions-festival-of-creativity-2022-live-blog-2022-6

………..

As always, thank you for listening and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: somewhatfrank@est.us

Get updates like this in your inbox before they hit the web by subscribing to the newsletter here: https://frankgruber.me/newsletter/ 

On this episode of the Somewhat Frank Podcast, Frank Gruber (@FrankGruber), John Guidos (@JohnGuidos) chat about the following topics and articles…

1. America's gun culture - in seven charts https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41488081 - Gun violence has returned to the US post-pandemic and it’s hard to stomach. Something has to be done. It’s gotten out of hand. We’re basically at war within our country every day. It’s scary to walk into Wal-Mart or send your child to school or attend a large festival. We’ve turned a blind eye for years and lived with it but now is the time to make some change.
2. Could you live on a cruise ship? https://wgme.com/news/nation-world/couple-lives-permanently-on-cruise-ships-because-its-cheaper-than-housing-angelyn-burk-richard-burk-seattle-australia-mortgage-retirement-plans-vacation-travel-escape-retire-living-on-a-boat - A retired couple sold their home so they could permanently live on cruise ships for less than $43 a day. Could you do that?
3. Insider trading on jpegs https://techcrunch.com/2022/06/01/former-opensea-exec-arrested-and-charged-with-insider-trading-of-nfts/  - NFT (non-fungible tokens) are securities regulated by the SEC. So just like stocks you can insider trade on NFTs too.
4. The moon race https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2022-05-17/china-us-are-in-a-space-race-to-make-billions-from-mining-the-moon-s-minerals  - China and the US Are Racing to Make Billions From Mining the Moon's Minerals. Speaking of NASA, have you seen you can send your name to space? NASA Artemis | Send Your Name to Space - https://www.nasa.gov/send-your-name-with-artemis/
5. Plant Milk Is Coming for Your Kids https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2022-06-03/plant-milk-markets-to-kids-as-big-dairy-pushes-back - We’ve got a baby formula shortage. Is plant milk here to save the day?
6. Driverless taxis were approved in California for the first time – but the rollout will be gradual https://www.businessinsider.com/driverless-taxis-california-for-the-first-time-2022-6  - Cruise is the first company to have an autonomous vehicle contract in San Francisco.

BONUS - The Harlem Globetrotters of Baseball https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2022-05-16/savannah-bananas-baseball-revolution-mlb-rules  - Meet the Savannah Bananas, who’ve captivated fans and MLB. ‘We exist to make baseball fun’

………..

As always, thank you for listening and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: somewhatfrank@est.us

Get updates like this in your inbox before they hit the web by subscribing to the newsletter here: https://frankgruber.me/newsletter/ 

On this episode of the Somewhat Frank Podcast, Frank Gruber (@FrankGruber), John Guidos (@JohnGuidos) chat about the following topics and articles…

- The 4 Day Work Week - An article by Jennifer Liu of CNBC examines the idea of the 4 Day Work Week and the book by Andrew Barnes of the same name. It explores studies that support the work shift. https://twitter.com/FrankGruber/status/1517207313500749830

- Bill Gates TED Talk - So at this year’s TED conference, Bill Gates drew from his new book, How to Prevent the Next Pandemic, and talked about the steps we need to take. Watch the TED Talk here: https://www.gatesnotes.com/Health/Talking-about-the-last-pandemic-at-TED?WT.mc_id=20220421110000_HTPTNP-TED_BG-EM-A_&WT.tsrc=BGEM

- Cities Are Shrinking - https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2022/04/metro-areas-shrinking-population-loss/629665/

- Child Car Seats Are Disposable - https://www.sheknows.com/feature/what-to-do-with-an-expired-car-seat-966293/ 12M Child Passenger Safety Car Seats Are Thrown Away In The U.S. Every Year. The vast majority are thrown away at the end of their life cycle because they are hard to recycle. Also, check out https://carseatrecycling.com/

- Snap launched a new product, the Pixy a personal drone for selfies. https://twitter.com/FrankGruber/status/1520049574685122561

- Would you clone your pet? Cloning your pet could be a thing for the future. https://twitter.com/frankgruber/status/1515342252855414785?s=21&t=kJeJZMfbaFcwNq3bq6FH0g

- WHOOP wristband - WHOOP monitors your sleep, recovery, and daily effort around the clock to deliver actionable insights on how you can optimize your performance. https://www.whoop.com/

………..

As always, thank you for listening and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: somewhatfrank@est.us

Get updates like this in your inbox before they hit the web by subscribing to the newsletter here: https://frankgruber.me/newsletter/ 

On this episode of the Somewhat Frank Podcast, Frank Gruber (@FrankGruber), John Guidos (@JohnGuidos) chat about …

1.) Mushrooms Communicate - Apparently, they use up to 50 words to communicate among themselves. Makes me wonder the same about trees. (https://twitter.com/frankgruber/status/1513690113968070664?s=21&t=gtQR6J3MYyOudT0Hr0eqy)

2.) Microplastics are found in human blood for the first time - Well, this is disrupting. What can we do about it? (https://twitter.com/frankgruber/status/1507007332600848384?s=21&t=i5jozVp7_dN0ldD5ipC6Ug)

3.) Elon Buying Twitter? Elon Musk made big moves a week ago buying a majority share of Twitter and then proposing to buy the whole company for $43B. Since then there has been a movement by the other largest investor Vanguard Group to buy just a little more of the company to take back over as the largest owner of Twitter. Of course, Twitter exploded with conversations about the situation and I polled on what should be done. Looks like most people voted for Elon to take over Twitter. I see it a lot like how media companies like newspapers were run by the wealthy in the past and you have seen that pattern return with Jeff Bezos owning the Washington Post for example. It also reminds me of the wealthy owning sports franchises. But all that aside, will Elon be good for Twitter or would his full ownership have negative impacts? (https://twitter.com/frankgruber/status/1514953746274566150?s=21&t=gtQR6J3MYyOudT0Hr0eqyg)

4.) NFT Discussion & A NFT Predictions - The NFT sales peaked in September 2021 but there are lots of new projects picking up steam and there are new ways people are using NFTs to fund projects. 

The big ones that you hear a lot about are Bored Ape Yacht Club, Doodles, and Crypto Punks, but projects like Moonbirds and VeeFriends are picking up steam as they’ve been rolling out. 

For example, there is a company dropping NFTs to mine meteors. (https://twitter.com/frankgruber/status/1508556287071633412?s=21&t=2GvKmsVQZ19r96wcBViDhg)

I just heard of a couple of political candidates dropping NFTs to support their efforts which led me to a prediction that every major political campaign will have an NFT. (https://twitter.com/frankgruber/status/1514969414474608648?s=21&t=gtQR6J3MYyOudT0Hr0eqyg)

Is there a web3 or NFT project you are working on? I’d love to hear about it. 

5.) Work & Culture trend: The Two-Shift Workday - We have adopted the two-shift juggle in 2020 as soon as the pandemic hit. It went on pretty regularly until school was back in session and things got back to normal but it’s not going away. We all are connected to our phones 24x7 so if we don’t make a conscious effort to unplug then you may see ourselves falling into this routine and it can’t be healthy long term. (https://twitter.com/frankgruber/status/1511093005012320269?s=21&t=gtQR6J3MYyOudT0Hr0eq)

6.) Rise of the Rest has a tour, fund & now a book - Steve Case announced a new book, titled Rise of the Rest after the tour and fund that he kicked off in 2015 through three or four dozen cities since. I have been a partner and bus rider on a bunch of the stops on the tour and either interviewed Steve or hosted the startup pitch competition on those various stops along the way so it’s in much anticipation I await the launch of the book. You can preorder it here. (https://twitter.com/frankgruber/status/1512145798129143811?s=21&t=i5jozVp7_dN0ldD5ipC6Ug)

Also, you might want to check out my interview with Anna Mason of the Rise of the Rest Fund that we dropped recently over on the Startup of the Year Podcast. (https://podcast.startupofyear.com/0081-anna-mason-from-the-rise-of-the-rest-fund-is-passionate-about-investing-between-the-coasts)

7.) New Safe tool for startups by AngelList - For all the startup founders raising funding from VCs or angels, you will need a SAFE term sheet and this new free tool can help you generate it. Y Combinator introduced the safe (simple agreement for future equity) in late 2013, and since then, it has been used by lots of startups as the main instrument for early-stage fundraising. (https://twitter.com/frankgruber/status/1514927687541927937?s=21&t=gtQR6J3MYyOudT0Hr0eqyg)

Bonus:

Finally, my latest guilty pleasure was binge-watching 1883 on Paramount+. I have to say, I am so thankful that we have modern medicine these days. It was only 139 years ago but life back then was pretty hard compared to today. And the Oregon Trail was brutal. It’s a great series, and I loved it. The actors all did an amazing job making me care for them. That said, it’s also super sad and violent so it’s not for the faint of heart. It took me two days to shake the series finale and I would bet I am not alone. (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13991232/)

As always, thank you for listening and feel free to reach out and let us know what you think at: somewhatfrank@est.us

Get updates like this in your inbox before they hit the web by subscribing to the newsletter here: https://frankgruber.me/newsletter/