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Where What If Becomes What's Next

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

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Artwork for Where What If Becomes What's Next

Latest Episodes

Thirty years ago, Carnegie Mellon University professor Randy Pausch asked a simple question: What if anyone could learn to program a computer?

Not just computer scientists, not just engineers. What if kids could learn coding the same way they learn... more

YouTube

Greatness is inevitable when focus marries passion, and theatre arts educator Freddie Hendricks lives by, and teaches, that mantra to his students.

On June 7, Carnegie Mellon University and the Tony Awards named Hendricks the winner of the 2026 Exc... more

What if a successful startup began with a collaborative class project instead of a business plan?

For CMU alum Shanna Tellerman that’s exactly what happened, and it sparked an entrepreneurial career that has reshaped how we design and experience spa... more

YouTube

What if the objects around you weren't just built, but carefully designed to shape how you live?

In this episode, we trace the origins of industrial design from Pittsburgh's factory floors to the iconic products defining modern life — and explore h... more

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Recent Guests

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
Rachel Delphia
Curator at the Carnegie Museum of Art and CMU alum
Carnegie Museum of Art / Carnegie Mellon University
Episode: The Shape of Everyday Life: How Carnegie Mellon Revolutionized Industrial Design
Fred Bould
Founder of Bould Design and CMU industrial design alum
Bould Design
Episode: The Shape of Everyday Life: How Carnegie Mellon Revolutionized Industrial Design
Roger Dannenberg
CMU emeritus professor of computer science and art and music, co-creator of Audacity
Carnegie Mellon University
Episode: Making Machines Make Music
Matt Rogers
Co-founder of Nest; CEO and co-founder of Mill; co-founder of Insight
Nest Labs, Mill, Insight
Episode: Designing for the Planet: The Clever Thermostat and the Odorless Food Recycler
Chris Messina
Silicon Valley technologist, product designer, venture capital investor; inventor of the hashtag
Independent/CMU alumnus
Episode: The Birth of the Hashtag: How a Simple Symbol Changed the World
Zico Kolter
Head of the Machine Learning Department at Carnegie Mellon University and newly appointed board member at OpenAI
OpenAI
Episode: Guiding a Safe Future for AI – Part 1

Host

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

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 16 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
#150
Italy/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#78
India/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#97
Taiwan/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#197
New Zealand/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#238
Switzerland/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#240
Japan/News/Tech News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Bold Builds: How a Class Project Sparked World-Changing Startups
Q: If you could look into a crystal ball, where do you see this space going in three to five years?
AI will further empower visualization and rapid prototyping, allowing people to design and iterate with minimal friction, while the real differentiator will be strong intent and design of the product that clearly solves a customer problem.
Bold Builds: How a Class Project Sparked World-Changing Startups
Q: What did Randy Pausch mean to you personally?
Randy Pausch was a formative mentor long before he became famous; he shaped my life trajectory by exemplifying how interdisciplinary work and mentorship can guide a creative learner toward impactful work.
Bold Builds: How a Class Project Sparked World-Changing Startups
Q: Hello, what attracted you to CMU in the first place?
I loved the combination of a strong arts program and rigorous math, science, and computer science; CMU offered a rare intersection where drawing and design could meet technical rigor, which was exactly what I wanted.
The Shape of Everyday Life: How Carnegie Mellon Revolutionized Industrial Design
Q: What was Fred Bould's design philosophy for Nest and how does it guide his team
Fred emphasizes starting with user behavior and function, saying his team should not worry about how something looks until its use and the technology are understood, using drawing and prototyping to communicate ideas before aesthetics or prompts.
The Shape of Everyday Life: How Carnegie Mellon Revolutionized Industrial Design
Q: When did Nest first come to Fred Bould and what was his initial reaction to the project?
The Nest opportunity arrived in 2010 via an CMU alum contact; Fred found the idea of a round thermostat with a modern LCD compelling and timely, recognizing it as a natural evolution of the Honeywell round and a smart leap for contemporary design.

Audience Metrics

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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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2. The Ezra Klein Show
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4. The Peter Attia Drive
5. The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart

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Where What If Becomes What's Next launched 2 years ago and published 45 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. Kyle Haden
2. Roshunda Jones-Kouumba
3. Shanna Tellerman
4. Rachel Delphia
5. Fred Bould
6. Roger Dannenberg
7. Matt Rogers
8. Chris Messina

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