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Where What If Becomes What's Next

Carnegie Mellon University
Artificial Intelligence
Carnegie Mellon University
Robotics
Agriculture
Game Theory
Healthcare
Future Of Work
Machine Learning
Space Exploration
Job Market
Audio Technology
Theater Education
Rising Costs Of Education
Collaboration
Empathy
Technology In Theater
Workers
Economy
Pneumonia
Vera C. Rubin Observatory

Welcome to Season 3 of WHERE WHAT IF BECOMES WHAT’S NEXT. As Carnegie Mellon University celebrates its 125th anniversary, we’re spotlighting 15 CMU inventions that changed the world. From the origins of AI and robotics to innovations in the arts and sciences, join us as we trace the journey from “what if” to “what’s next.” With host Randy Scott, every other Thursday we’re going behind the scenes w... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes51Founded3 years ago
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Artwork for Where What If Becomes What's Next

Latest Episodes

How does a filmmaker who had no interest in computers end up producing the first computer-animated feature film – a movie that would change animation forever? That movie was “Toy Story,” and this is the story of the filmmaker, the technologies, and t... more

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A failed rubber substitute. A cloudy liquid that looked like a mistake. A robot that heals itself.

This episode looks at three chapters in Carnegie Mellon University's long history of materials science: two born from happy accidents, and one built e... more

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What happens when a kid who devours science fiction novels grows up to earn a PhD in robotics — and then writes the books he once dreamed of?

Daniel H. Wilson, a Cherokee citizen and Carnegie Mellon University alumnus, has spent his career moving b... more

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What if the coffee cup on your desk or the ketchup bottle in your fridge could become a symbol recognized around the world? For pop artist and Carnegie Mellon University alum Burton Morris, that's not a hypothetical — it's a career.

In this episode,... more

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Recent Guests

Carmel Majidi
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Head of the Soft Machines Lab at CMU
Carnegie Mellon University
Episode: Materials Science: From Silly Putty to Self-Healing Robots
Daniel H. Wilson
Robotics expert, New York Times bestselling author
Carnegie Mellon University, author of Robopocalypse, Hole in the Sky
Episode: Imagining the Future: One Story at a Time
Burton Morris
A globally recognized contemporary pop artist known for transforming everyday objects into iconic imagery
Burton Morris Studio
Episode: Bold Strokes: Making the Ordinary Pop
Po-Shen Loh
Professor of mathematical sciences at CMU; former coach of US IMO Team
Carnegie Mellon University
Episode: A New Equation: Teaching Math for an AI World
Leah Lizarondo
Founder of Food Rescue Hero and co-founder of 412 Food Rescue
Food Rescue Hero / 412 Food Rescue
Episode: Tech for Good: Rescuing Food to Fight Hunger and Climate Change
Melanie Lam
Director of the Alice Project at CMU's Entertainment Technology Center
Carnegie Mellon University
Episode: Down the Rabbit Hole: How Alice Turned Computer Coding Into a Wonderland
Kyle Haden
Senior Associate Head at the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama
Carnegie Mellon University
Episode: Encore: Curtain Up - What’s Next for Theatre Arts
Roshunda Jones-Kouumba
Recipient of the 2022 Excellence in Theatre Education Tony Award
George Washington Carver Magnet School, Houston
Episode: Encore: Curtain Up - What’s Next for Theatre Arts
Shanna Tellerman
Founder and entrepreneur at the intersection of design and technology; former Google Ventures partner; founder of Sim Ops Studios and Modsy
Modsy / Sim Ops Studios / Google Ventures
Episode: Bold Builds: How a Class Project Sparked World-Changing Startups

Host

Randy Scott
Host of Where What If Becomes What's Next; CMU interviewer

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 22 ratings
  • Thought provoking podcast

    Some great episodes on how AI is rocking our world. Thought-provoking.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Robster 7
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests bring credible expertise and practical insights.
Episodes that connect CMU history to modern innovation are highly valued.
Listeners praise the show for thoughtful tech storytelling.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#174
United States/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#78
Italy/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#82
Russia/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#139
India/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#187
Sweden/News/Tech News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Imagining the Future: One Story at a Time
Q: What started you thinking about the purpose of technology?
He argues that Western tech aims for exponential growth and domination, while Indigenous perspectives emphasize balance and sustainability, prompting a rethinking of why we build and for whom.
Bold Strokes: Making the Ordinary Pop
Q: What was your big break in your career?
The Absolute Vodka commission in 1992, earned through a gallery contact, which catapulted his visibility and associated him with a Warhol-era pop-art trajectory.
Bold Strokes: Making the Ordinary Pop
Q: How did CMU shape the artist you became?
He describes CMU's emphasis on thinking differently, developing technique, and finding a personal passion, along with exposure to Warhol and the broader pop-art lineage from Pittsburgh.
Bold Strokes: Making the Ordinary Pop
Q: What first got you interested in art and drawing as a kid?
Morris explains growing up in Pittsburgh, breaking his femur and being confined to a body cast, which led his father to encourage drawing; exposure to Batman and Spider-Man fueled a lifelong passion for art.
Down the Rabbit Hole: How Alice Turned Computer Coding Into a Wonderland
Q: When did Melanie first encounter Alice and see its potential as a learning tool?
She describes a pivotal moment during her time at CMU when she realized Alice could bridge creativity and coding, making programming accessible to non-technical students.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Where What If Becomes What's Next

What is Where What If Becomes What's Next about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A forward-looking tech and science podcast that centers CMU's history of invention and its modern impact across design, AI, robotics, space, and healthcare. Episodes often feature CMU researchers, alumni, and industry leaders discussing how curiosity and practical systems thinking drive breakthroughs—from ancient design philosophy to cutting-edge AI safety, gene therapy, and astronomical data infrastructure. Listeners likely include tech professionals, researchers, and product builders who want practical insights, historical context, and forward-looking perspectives on how science and engineering shape everyday life.

Noteworthy elements include owner CMU lineage, a strong emphasis on human-centered design and real-world impact, and a track... more

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1. Dwarkesh Podcast
2. The Gray Area with Sean Illing
3. The Daily
4. The 7
5. Up First from NPR

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Where What If Becomes What's Next launched 3 years ago and published 51 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 Where What If Becomes What's Next?

Recent guests on Where What If Becomes What's Next include:

1. Carmel Majidi
2. Daniel H. Wilson
3. Burton Morris
4. Po-Shen Loh
5. Leah Lizarondo
6. Melanie Lam
7. Kyle Haden
8. Roshunda Jones-Kouumba

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