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Artwork for Joe Lonsdale: American Optimist

Joe Lonsdale: American Optimist

Joe Lonsdale
Artificial Intelligence
China
United States
Innovation
Education
Cybersecurity
Meritocracy
Taiwan
Russia
Palantir
Trump Administration
Education Reform
Social Media
Silicon Valley
Healthcare
Free Speech
University Of Austin
Police Shootings
Racial Bias
Economic Mobility

American Optimist, hosted by Joe Lonsdale: entrepreneur, investor, and founder of four multi-billion dollar companies and other mission-driven organizations. American Optimist is an alternative to the fear, cynicism, and zero-sum thinking in mainstream media. Learn from the innovators and leaders who are solving our nation’s most pressing challenges, and doing it in a way that will lift everyone u... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes155Founded5 years ago
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BusinessTechnology

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Artwork for Joe Lonsdale: American Optimist

Latest Episodes

Jacob Helberg is leading the State Department's efforts to secure critical supply chains and win the global AI race. How is the U.S. shifting from dependency on China to building new partnerships around energy, minerals, and infrastructure? Which eco... more

Shyam Sankar is one of my favorite American innovators. As CTO of Palantir, he's been a key leader for over 20 years and built much of what the company stands for. He's also a patriot, and recently commissioned as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Arm... more

Ben Black is the CEO of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). Backed by a $205 billion budget, his mandate is to invest in U.S. strategic interests, build new markets, and deliver real returns for taxpayers. What projects is t... more

Michael Milken revolutionized American finance and democratized access to capital for thousands of companies that Wall Street had previously written off. Yet he was unjustly attacked in the 1980s in one of the most controversial prosecutions in U.S. ... more

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Recent Guests

Shyam Sankar
CTO of Palantir, Lieutenant Colonel in the Army, author
Palantir Technologies
Episode: Ep 153: Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar on Heretics, AI Weapons, and Rebuilding the Arsenal of Democracy
Ben Black
CEO of the International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)
DFC
Episode: Ep 152: Ben Black Runs America's $200B Foreign Investment Fund; Here's His Plan to Counter China & Rebuild American Influence
Richard Sandler
Partner at Maron & Sandler, author of Witness to a Prosecution
Maron & Sandler
Episode: Ep 151: The Myth of Michael Milken with Richard Sandler
John Melas-Kyriazi
CEO of Standard Metrics, AI/passionate technologist
Standard Metrics
Episode: Ep 150: How AI Is Transforming Diligence, Decision-Making & the Future of Investing with John Melas-Kyriazi
Will Fry
CEO and founder of American Operator
American Operator
Episode: Ep 149: Will Fry on the Small Business Succession Crisis & New Opportunities in the AI Age
Joe Ben Bevirt
Founder and CEO of Joby Aviation
Joby Aviation
Episode: Ep 148: JoeBen Bevirt, Founder & CEO of Joby Aviation — Flying Cars Have Arrived
Scott Wu
CEO and founder of Cognition
Cognition
Episode: Ep 147: Scott Wu & Russell Kaplan on the New Era of Software Abundance
Russell Kaplan
Co-founder of Cognition
Cognition
Episode: Ep 147: Scott Wu & Russell Kaplan on the New Era of Software Abundance
Jake Paul
Boxer, content creator, entrepreneur
Anti Fund / Betr / Polymarket (investor/creator activities)
Episode: Ep 146: Jake Paul & Geoff Woo on Building Anti Fund, the Future of the Creator Economy & How to Change the Culture

Host

Joe Lonsdale
Host of American Optimist; entrepreneur, investor, and founder with focus on optimism-driven discourse and technology/government innovation.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 312 ratings
  • Nice

    Podcast Addict
    4
    Dee
    3 months ago
  • Spying on us

    A Palantir tech bro was just made Corporal in our military with not even basic training. What exactly are they planning, aside from spying on us. it’s definitely not good for Americans. This is what an oligarchy looks like.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    JOYDIVISIONJG
    United Statesa year ago
  • Pretentious Amateur

    Host and guest love the sound of their own voices and annoyingly agreeable mostly anecdotal less analytical name dropping narcissist and reductive

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Transmogrification
    United Statesa year ago
  • Innovative

    If you want innovative ideas, this is the show for you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Vance Ginn
    United States2 years ago
  • I never miss an episode

    American Optimist is an incredibly well-suited name for this podcast. In a time of incredible cynicism, Joe Lonsdale brings a stark clarity of thinking and objectivity to his interviews and his analysis of different markets and opportunities. I think what sets this podcast apart is a. the quality of the interviewees that Joe is able to get on the show, and b. the objective, insightful manner in which he interviews these individuals. Given his track record as founder of Palantir and as also as an... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Alden Guy
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Thought-provoking guests and ideas; clear value in optimistic takes on complex topics.
Some listeners feel the host could give guests more space to speak.
A refreshing, solution-oriented perspective in a crowded media landscape.
High-quality guest lineup and insightful conversations that challenge conventional wisdom.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#89
United States/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#86
Canada/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#185
United Kingdom/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#84
France/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#122
Italy/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#122
Australia/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep 153: Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar on Heretics, AI Weapons, and Rebuilding the Arsenal of Democracy
Q: Why did you decide to join the Army Reserves and how does that relate to your work at Palantir?
Joining the Army Reserves was a way to honor family sacrifice and give back to a country that provided opportunity; it also reflects a personal commitment to service and to applying discipline and leadership lessons learned in business to national security challenges.
Ep 153: Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar on Heretics, AI Weapons, and Rebuilding the Arsenal of Democracy
Q: You're the CTO of Palantir. How did Palantir's early culture help it survive and grow against skepticism?
The core was a mission-driven focus, combining extraordinary technical talent with a relentless orientation to solving customer problems, which created a culture that valued outcomes over sales and empowered engineers in the field to learn, adapt, and deliver real impact.
Ep 151: The Myth of Michael Milken with Richard Sandler
Q: What lessons does this episode offer about engaging with the government and the media?
Be cautious about partners and business practices, actively manage a public narrative before it dominates perception, and recognize prosecutors' power while maintaining the resolve to pursue trials when possible, as well as preparing for the emotional and reputational toll of investigations.
Ep 151: The Myth of Michael Milken with Richard Sandler
Q: How did Milken respond to the charges and the prospect of trial?
Milken's team pursued a defense focused on the legality of their actions, sought to avoid betrayals in plea deals, and ultimately settled on certain charges, while maintaining that Milken personally did not engage in the most serious alleged misconduct.
Ep 151: The Myth of Michael Milken with Richard Sandler
Q: What were the core factors that led to the initial investigations into Milken and Drexel?
They point to regulatory attention surrounding high-yield bonds, market disruptions, and aggressive prosecutorial strategies, including the use of RICO, which broadened the scope of charges and put pressure on Milken and affiliates.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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1. All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg
2. The a16z Show
3. Sourcery
4. Uncapped with Jack Altman
5. Moonshots with Peter Diamandis

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Joe Lonsdale: American Optimist launched 5 years ago and published 155 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Joe Lonsdale: American Optimist?

Recent guests on Joe Lonsdale: American Optimist include:

1. Shyam Sankar
2. Ben Black
3. Richard Sandler
4. John Melas-Kyriazi
5. Will Fry
6. Joe Ben Bevirt
7. Scott Wu
8. Russell Kaplan

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