Rephonic
Artwork for Modem Futura
Artificial Intelligence
AI Ethics
Education
Openai
Generative AI
Electric Vehicles
Sustainability
Climate Change
Virtual Reality
AI In Education
Creativity
Future Of Work
Futures Thinking
Space Exploration
Technology
Future Of Being Human Initiative
Simulation Hypothesis
Quantum Computing
Chatgpt
Blockchain

Modem Futura is your weekly guide to the future of science, technology, and society—where futures and foresight meets real-world impact. Hosts Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard—educators, futurists, and public scholars—dive into the breakthroughs and big questions shaping tomorrow: AI ethics, space exploration, climate tech, bio-engineering, digital media, STEM education, and the shifting future of wo... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes93Founded2 years ago
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Social SciencesScienceTechnology

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Artwork for Modem Futura

Latest Episodes

Every year, the World Economic Forum releases its Top 10 Emerging Technologies list — and this year, Andrew shares his front-row history with it: he was in the room in Dubai back in 2011 when the whole thing began. In this episode, Sean and Andrew wa... more

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School's out, the studio's packed into boxes, and Modem Futura is officially on summer roadshow — broadcasting from Andrew's home studio with returning guest Jeff Abbott, founding partner at Blitzscaling Ventures, founder of AI Salon, and Andrew's co... more

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What do we actually mean when we say we've made life in a lab? In this episode, Sean and Andrew welcome back ASU's Emma Frow — a researcher working at the rare intersection of bioengineering, governance, and care — to wander into one of the strangest... more

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We're back for another round of Futures Improv — the segment where an AI-generated scenario lands on the table and we improvise our way through what it might mean for the rest of us. This time the spinner sends us into three very different futures, e... more

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Recent Guests

Punya Mishra
Professor, researcher, author, artist, and designer
Mary Lou Fulton College of Teaching and Learning and Innovation, Arizona State University
Episode: The Dawkins Effect: Why Even Skeptics Fall for AI Consciousness
Clark Miller
Professor and director for the Center for Energy and Society
Arizona State University
Episode: Technosphere and Solarpunk: Designing Energy Futures That Let Us Thrive with Clark Miller
Rizwan Virk
PhD, author of The Simulation Hypothesis
Penguin Random House
Episode: Is Life a Simulation? AI, Games, and the Future of Reality with Rizwan Virk
Jeffrey Abbott
Venture capitalist, founding partner at Blitzscaling Ventures, and community builder at AI Salon.
Blitzscaling Ventures
Episode: AI and the Art of Being Human: How to Thrive with AI
Tara Menghini
Tech and computer science teacher at Knox Gifted Academy, educator for 26 years
Knox Gifted Academy
Episode: AI in Elementary Education: Teaching Tech to Our Youngest Learners
Sean Dudley
Associate Vice President of ASU Knowledge Enterprise, leading the Research Technology Office.
Arizona State University
Episode: Living Machines: Inside the Future World of Bio‑Hybrid Robotics
Emma Frow
Associate professor in the School for the Future of Innovation in Society and the School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering at Arizona State University.
Arizona State University
Episode: Living Circuits and Biofoundries: Ethics and Care of Synthetic Biology with Emma Frow
Caleb Lieberman
Sophomore studying Innovation in Society
Arizona State University
Episode: AI on Campus: How Gen Z Is Redefining College with ChatGPT
Bella Faria
Second-year student studying Innovation Society and Public Policy
Arizona State University
Episode: AI on Campus: How Gen Z Is Redefining College with ChatGPT

Hosts

Sean Leahy
Host of Modem Futura; involved in Future of Being Human Initiative at Arizona State University; co-host guiding conversations.
Andrew Maynard
Co-host of Modem Futura; educator and futurist; affiliated with the Future of Being Human Initiative at ASU.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 57 ratings
  • AI in Elementary Education

    Is an episode every parent needs to listen to. So many things were brought up that I never even considered. Thoughtful, helpful, insightful. As always fun to listen to.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Molkaysabay
    United States8 months ago
  • The Podcast You Didn’t Know You Needed!

    I love Modem Futura! Andrew & Sean bring a perfect blend of humor, insight and genuine curiosity to every episode. They dive into big questions about tech, society, and humanity with fresh perspectives that are compelling and often unpredictable! What I appreciate most is unlike a lot of tech shows, it’s thought-provoking without being too heavy. If you want a podcast that’s both smart AND fun, this is a must-listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MS🎸
    United Statesa year ago
  • Interesting, engaging, and impactful discourse!

    Interesting conversations that engage with concepts and ideas that will impact all of us!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Artistic Nomad
    United Statesa year ago
  • My favorite!

    I look forward to each new podcast. Sean and Andrew are so engaging and they make technologies so accessible to the lay person. My favorite one so far was about EVs. Their guest was engaging and brought up things about Electric Vehicles I never even thought about. And they do that each week. I can’t wait for the next episode!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Molkaysabay
    United Statesa year ago
  • So interesting!

    What a great podcast. I love listening to Sean’s voice ♥️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kamalazoo
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Banter and curiosity make big concepts approachable without sacrificing depth.
Listeners appreciate humanity-focused approach to AI and future of work topics.
Thoughtful, insightful tech-society discussions that are accessible to non-experts.
Guests and topics consistently feel relevant and engaging for professionals and students alike.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#244
South Korea/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Synthetic Cells, Mirror Life, and the Future of Engineered Biology — with Emma Frow
Q: What are the main use cases researchers see for synthetic cells today?
Applications span drug delivery, biomanufacturing, agriculture (biofertilizers), and environmental sensing, with ongoing development aimed at controllability and programmable responses.
Synthetic Cells, Mirror Life, and the Future of Engineered Biology — with Emma Frow
Q: What is a synthetic cell, and why is there no single definition?
A synthetic cell can range from a lipid-encapsulated set of enzymes to a genome-booted system; the lack of consensus comes from the diverse approaches (bottom-up, top-down, and middle-out) and the varying philosophical questions about what constitutes life.
AI and the Art of Being Human: How to Thrive with AI
Q: What inspired the book AI and the Art of Being Human?
There were multiple influences converging, including the speed at which AI has emerged and the importance of human connection in our increasingly digital world.
AI, Not AI: Riding the Hype Cycle
Q: How has the writing process felt different this time with using AI tools as opposed to no AI?
Using AI tools has enhanced the authors' ability to synthesize and enhance ideas, creating a unique writing process that combines human input with AI-generated text.
Osaka Expo 2025 Futures Lab: an inside look with Jamey Wetmore
Q: What stood out from the features of the Expo?
Most exhibited emphasis on collaboration, inspiration, and creativity rather than just technology.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Modem Futura

What is Modem Futura about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, accessible exploration of how science and technology shape society, futures thinking, and everyday life. Episodes balance big questions about AI, energy, education, space, and ethics with practical implications for policy, culture, and personal decision-making. Listeners can expect cognitively engaging discussions, relatable banter, and a focus on human values, responsibility, and future-ready skills. The show stands out for its blend of rigorous ideas with clear storytelling, and its willingness to connect academic insights to real-world impact across education, technology, and governance.

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How many listeners does Modem Futura get?

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What are the audience demographics for Modem Futura?

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How many subscribers and views does Modem Futura have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Modem Futura?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Modem Futura:

1. Uncanny Valley | WIRED
2. StarTalk Radio
3. Planet Money
4. Stuff You Should Know
5. Fresh Air

How many episodes of Modem Futura are there?

Modem Futura launched 2 years ago and published 93 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Modem Futura?

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What guests have appeared on Modem Futura?

Recent guests on Modem Futura include:

1. Punya Mishra
2. Clark Miller
3. Rizwan Virk
4. Jeffrey Abbott
5. Tara Menghini
6. Sean Dudley
7. Emma Frow
8. Caleb Lieberman

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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