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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
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

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Artwork for Where What If Becomes What's Next

Latest Episodes

What is the purpose of learning math in a world where AI can solve any equation in seconds?

Carnegie Mellon mathematician Po-Shen Loh has spent his career arguing that math was never really about memorizing formulas — it's about learning how to thi... more

What if the surplus food restaurants and grocery stores throw away every day could instead feed the millions of people who don't know where their next meal is coming from? That question sent Leah Lizarondo down a path that reshaped how communities th... more

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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

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Recent Guests

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
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

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
#192
United States/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#158
France/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#244
Italy/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#159
Taiwan/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#232
New Zealand/News/Tech News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

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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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1. The Ezra Klein Show
2. The Daily
3. Up First from NPR
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Where What If Becomes What's Next launched 2 years ago and published 47 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. Po-Shen Loh
2. Leah Lizarondo
3. Melanie Lam
4. Kyle Haden
5. Roshunda Jones-Kouumba
6. Shanna Tellerman
7. Rachel Delphia
8. Fred Bould

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