Welcome to Rapid Riffs, a recurring mini-series of Question Everything (Except This Podcast!) where Sunay and Chirag swap links, pick the juiciest ones, and riff.

This week Sunay and Chirag riff on four hits from their link-exchange: Scott Galloway’s take on friendship and the loneliness crisis among men; the Alpha School in Austin and whether AI can compress learning into two-hour days; Kyla Scanlon’s argument about zero-sum thinking in today’s labor market; and Cal Newport’s riff on the “reverse Flynn effect” and why reading and deep work still matter. Expect empathy, skepticism, and a few practical takeaways.

In this conversation, Sunay and Chirag discuss insights from the AI4 conference, focusing on the contrasting perspectives of keynotes by Dr. Fei-Fei Li and Dr. Jeffrey Hinton regarding the future of AI. They explore the implications of AI agents in the workforce, the complexities of societal systems, and the need for responsible AI development. The discussion also touches on the nostalgia for analog experiences in a tech-driven world and the paradox of productivity in the age of AI.

In this episode, we unpack Mountainhead — a sharp satire about tech billionaires, buzzwords, and just how far we’ll justify progress when guardrails disappear. From net worth contests on snowy peaks to AI’s breakneck pace, we ask: can we keep our humanity when the race to build never slows down? With a nod to Reid Hoffman’s Super Agency and a detour through The Lord of the Rings, we wonder if the answer is simpler than we think — maybe the secret to surviving the AI age is to stay a little more like hobbits in the Shire: grounded, connected, and a lot less impressed by our own power.

Who is Satoshi Nakamoto, really? In this episode, we dive into the mystery behind the elusive creator of Bitcoin — spurred by HBO’s provocative documentary Money Electric. Chirag and Sunay explore the origins of cryptocurrency, its utopian promise, and its ethical quandaries, while unpacking what decentralization really means and where digital currencies might take us next. Is crypto the future of finance… or just the latest digital tulip bubble?

As technology reshapes education, what happens to the human side of learning? In this episode, Rachel Guerrero shares her journey through the quiet challenges of teaching today — and why preserving empathy, connection, and character in the classroom is the true work of education’s future.

Join us with educator and youth coach Jared Posey as we explore the powerful concept: "Don't steal the revelation." In this thought-provoking conversation, we discuss how parents and educators can create environments where kids experience their own moments of discovery rather than receiving pre-packaged wisdom. Jared shares insights on reimagining education beyond its industrial-era roots, the healing power of nature, and the importance of community involvement in nurturing the next generation. From classroom structures to the potential of AI, this episode challenges us all to consider our responsibility in fostering environments where students can find their own path to what Martin Luther King Jr. called "intelligence plus character" - the true goal of education.

Is life just one long, repetitive loop? Or do we have the power to break free and change? In this episode of our brand new series,Reel Philosophy, we dive into the time-looping, mind-bending, and surprisingly deep world ofGroundhog Day.

🔹 What makesGroundhog Day such a philosophical film?
🔹 Is Phil stuck in fate or shaping his own reality?
🔹 The existential dread of repetition—why does life sometimes feel like a loop?
🔹 Hedonism vs. purpose: How do we find meaning in the mundane?
🔹 Lessons from the film: Can we learn to live in the moment and truly evolve?

Join us as we analyze this classic through the lenses of free will, personal transformation, and the meaning of life—all with our signature mix of humor and deep thought.

In this thought-provoking episode, we team up with NYC teacher Lauren Escobar-Phani to tackle one of the most critical questions of our time: What is the true purpose of education in the age of AI? From the challenges of teaching at-risk youth to the profound ways technology is reshaping classrooms, this conversation dives deep into the intersection of education, personalization, and values.

Lauren shares her journey of nearly two decades in teaching, the shifts she’s seen in student engagement, and how tools like ChatGPT are both an opportunity and a challenge. Is it enough to prepare students for the workforce, or should schools focus more on creativity, empathy, and critical thinking? As the world races toward technological advancement, this episode examines what we should hold onto—and what we should let go—in the classroom of the future.

Grab your coffee, pull up a chair, and join the debate. Education’s future depends on it.