The DSTLLD Podcast

The Future Of Personal AI - Cristian Cibils Bernardes

Cristian Cibils Bernardes is building something rare in tech—an AI product that helps people feel more human. In this conversation, we explore how his company, Autograph, is reimagining memory itself: weekly voice calls that become a living record of who you are, told in your own voice, so your loved ones can still ask you questions long after you’re gone. We talk about what it means to preserve identity in the age of AI, the moral line between imitation and immortality, and how storytelling can help us reconnect with the parts of ourselves we’ve forgotten. Cristian shares how Autograph is fighting against the “AI slop” era by building something deeply personal, private, and purposeful—a product that doesn’t just remember for you, but helps you remember why you matter. 00:00 - Intro 00:41 - What is Autograph? 04:13 - Potential Network Effects of Autograph 07:51 - The Importance of Socratic Discussion 10:28 - The Signal/Noise Problem 13:24 - The Roadmap For Autograph 20:09 - Minimum Viable Preservation 21:58 - Ethics, Alignment, Slop and Driving Positive AI 26:47 - Dunbar's Number and Leveraging The Knowledge of People Like You 33:09 - Become The Protagonist 34:42 - Cultural Drift and The Historian's Fallacy 38:00 - The Lost Family Stories 41:57 - Agency Through Storytelling 48:13 - The Relationships Between Humans And Personified AI  52:02 - The Last Opinion Or Belief Cristian Changed His Mind About 55:58 - Try Autograph

The Power Of Being Wrong - Dr. Stefani Ruper

Step into the evolving world of Dr. Stefani Ruper, a philosopher who journeyed from fierce atheism to exploring faith, meaning, and the power of intellectual vulnerability. Once set on a career in science and astrobiology, Stefani found herself questioning the limits of rationalism and discovering a richer, more complex relationship with truth, belonging, and belief. In this conversation, Stefani shares how her early identity as a “rationalist” collided with the realization that dismissing the cherished beliefs of billions was its own form of arrogance. She opens up about her ongoing process of deconstructing and rebuilding worldviews, the emotional weight of aloneness, and the pursuit of safety and connection at the heart of human life. We explore her concept of intellectual vulnerability — going beyond humility to actively invite others into reshaping our ideas — and how it can transform conversations, families, and even political divides. Along the way, Stefani reveals how storytelling, curiosity, and the willingness to say “I don’t know” can soften conflict and unlock deeper meaning in our lives. Be inspired by Stefani’s radical openness, her call to celebrate not knowing, and her vision for a world where curiosity and compassion lead us closer to truth. 00:00 - Intro 02:08 -  The Journey from Atheism to Faith 07:49 -  The Quest For Meaning and Belonging 12:12 -  Lessons from Religious Study 19:25 -  Exploring Intellectual Vulnerability 23:20 -  Approaching Conversations with Humility 27:33 -  Intellectual Humility vs. Intellectual Vulnerability 28:33 -  Rationalism and Its Limitations 35:11 -  The Journey of Learning 36:55 -  The Power of Storytelling 41:11 -  Truth, Lies and Self Perception 45:51 -  Untangling Beliefs and Self Discovery 50:52 -  Frameworks for Intentional Change 57:45 -  The Role of Belief in Interpersonal Relationships 1:03:38 -  Embracing Uncertainty and Love 1:09:23 -  The Last Thing Stefani Changed Her Mind About 1:13:03 -  Where to Find Stefani

How To Intentionally Design Your Life - Jennie 'Adrenajen' Milton

Dive into the daring world of Jennie Milton as she shares her thrilling extreme sports adventures, including surviving a polar bear attack and heli-skiing in Alaska. Discover how being raised by adventurous parents and a Paralympic gold medalist brother shaped her fearless approach to life and sports. Jennie details her journey into the remote backcountry of Alaska, discussing the critical safety lessons, mindset, the value of community and continuous learning she has gained. The episode also covers her choice to live in an RV and how this minimalist lifestyle enhances mental clarity and freedom. Be inspired by the "Wind Warriors," an all-female group planning a challenging kite crossing of Greenland, and learn about the impact of climate change on winter sports. 0:00 - Introduction 1:48 - Alaska Backcountry Adventures 3:45 - The Origin Of Jennie's Passion 6:16 - From Retail to Adventure: What Lessons Did You Learn? 9:10 - Why is it Important to Stop and Enjoy the View? 9:54 - What Has Your Family Taught You About Resilience? 14:42 - Bigfoot 16:43 - How Has RV Living Changed Your Perspective on Life? 21:45 - Embracing Seasonality: What Is This Season of Life About for You? 25:20 - Who Are the Wind Warriors? 31:59 - Environment Change in Alaska Over 20 Years? 36:31 - Why is Valdez the Best Spot in Alaska for Snow Kiting? 45:22 - How Important is Community to Any Pursuit? 47:35 - What Is the Most Rewarding Part of Teaching? 51:01 - The Last Question & Where To Find Jennie Let's connect! Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlakeBottrill Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dstlld

What If The Internet Was Pay-Per-Truth Instead Of Pay-Per-Click? - Alex Fink

Learn how to navigate the evolving media landscape and consume news wisely with our guest, Alex Fink, founder of OtherWeb. We discuss the shift in journalism from informing to affirming biases and explore strategies to maintain information integrity amidst the democratization of news. We address the challenges of fact-checking, from the limitations of human fact-checkers to the potential of AI in improving transparency and accuracy. Alex and I share insights on using technology to stay well-informed, especially during crises, and emphasize the importance of structured news consumption. The episode also examines the effects of business models on news accuracy and the impact of narrative-driven journalism on public perception. We discuss the dangers of media bubbles, the importance of accessing diverse news sources to understand multiple viewpoints, and the influence of influencer culture. Tune in for a conversation that aims to enhance your approach to media consumption. 0:00 - Introduction 2:03 - What is PostJournalism? 3:30 - How Do We Incentivize Truth in Media? 7:23 - Combining Community and AI for Effective Fact-Checking 10:16 - Do We Have an Obligation to Be Informed Citizens? 12:30 - Personal Heuristics For Content Consumption 15:48 - Recognizing Propaganda Techniques 17:08 - What Makes OtherWeb Unique? 20:18 - Consequences of the Race for Clicks 22:52 - Does a Background in the Soviet Union Provide a Critical Thinking Advantage in Media? 24:21 - Finding Common Ground in a Divided Media Landscape 27:41 - Why Do Trusted News Sources Lose Audience Trust? 34:30 - Will Generative AI Replace Journalists? 41:04 - What Does a Post-SEO World Look Like? 43:23 - The Rise of Influencer Culture: Regression or Progression? 51:04 - Do Books Need to Be Long to Be Valuable? 53:50 - AI is Just One More Layer of Compute 55:34 - News Consumption & Gambling? 57:55 - The Last Question & Where To Find Alex Let's connect! Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlakeBottrill Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dstlld

11 Alternative Health Ideas You Aren't Thinking About - Jim Laird

Explore health and wellness from a fresh perspective with Jim Laird, who transitioned from a strength and conditioning coach in the USA to a wellness enthusiast in rural Nicaragua. Jim shares how embracing morning and evening sun, connecting with local cultures, and integrating into foreign communities reshaped his life. He highlights the importance of building meaningful relationships and engaging in local activities. Experience the simple life in Nicaragua through Jim's experiences, where a low cost of living enhances financial freedom and reduces stress. Jim discusses his motivations for moving, including seeking health freedom, access to real food, and reducing technology reliance. He stresses the importance of fundamental life aspects like quality sleep, physical exercise, and whole foods, and shares how he handles criticism and makes tough decisions for his well-being. Jim also delves into modern resilience, advocating for spending time outdoors, managing stress with low-level physical activities, and minimizing wireless device exposure. His insights emphasize the power of small, consistent actions to create positive changes. 0:00 - Introduction 1:43 - What’s the Expat Situation Like in Nicaragua? 3:43 - Integrating into a New Community 6:54 - Transitioning to a Simpler Life: Challenges and Insights 10:30 - How To You Know What You Want in Life? 14:10 - Why Choose A Simpler Life 16:02 - What Are The Pennies Of Health Improvement? 23:35 - What Are We Missing About Being in Touch with Nature? 24:41 - Is Being Overworked a Myth? 27:25 - The Paradox of Modern Workouts and Health 28:08 - What Do People Make Into Big Things That They Shouldn’t? 40:07 - What Do Most People Not Know About Vitamin D? 49:56 - How Could Jim Be Wrong? 54:40 - The Last Question & Where To Find Jim Let's connect! Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlakeBottrill Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dstlld