Conversations about frontier tech, AI, Aesthetics, and Culture in SF
In Conversation With
Claim This Podcastby Ashe Magalhaes
14 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
Podcast Overview
Conversations about frontier tech, AI, Aesthetics, and Culture in SF
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
2/17/2026
1 verified contact email on file for In Conversation With
Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.
Recent Episodes
July 8, 2026
On the Frontier of Ocean Robotics
<p>Will O'Brien, founder of Ulysses, is building underwater robots and autonomous drones to do the important work of the ocean, for industry, researchers, and the U.S. Navy. In this episode we go deep (literally) on ocean tech, underwater autonomy, illegal fishing, mine detection, UFOs in the ocean, faith, growing up Irish, and why he thinks reading is overrated in San Francisco.We cover the frontier of subsea robotics: why only ~2,000 underwater drones are built each year vs. 50 million aerial drones, the unsolved problem of underwater communications (acoustics vs. optical), decoding whale and dolphin song with AI, and the USS Nimitz "Tic Tac" UFO case. Plus: spearfishing invasive lionfish in the Cayman Islands, the Irish language, trad music, Catholicism, and building a company culture that takes the work seriously but not itself.If you're into ocean technology, robotics startups, marine science, defense tech, or founder stories, this one's for you.🌊 Ulysses is hiring across engineering and more.⏱️ CHAPTERS0:00 Cold ocean dips & morning swims01:05 What is Ulysses? Underwater robots for industry, researchers & the Navy03:38 Growing up by the sea in Ireland05:37 Speed-running friendships from Twitter/X07:44 The Irish language10:58: Will's aesthetic inspiration13:22 The state of underwater autonomy (2,000 vs. 50 million drones)15:08 Decoding whale & dolphin acoustics with AI17:23 Hot take: reading is overrated in SF19:34 Faith journey: Catholic → Buddhism in Nepal → back to Catholicism23:14 UFOs, disclosure & non-human intelligence27:01 Illegal fishing, mine detection & the Strait of Hormuz29:38 The frontier: autonomous subsea robotic manipulation31:07 Scuba diving & spearfishing lionfish (closest call underwater)34:37 Ulysses is hiring🔗 LINKSUlysses: https://www.theoceancompany.com/Follow Will on X: https://x.com/Willob📲 CONNECTSubscribe for more founder interviews on ocean tech, robotics & AI: https://www.youtube.com/@ashe_aiInstagram: https://instagram.com/ashebytesX / Twitter: https://x.com/ashebytes#OceanTech #UnderwaterRobots #Robotics #StartupFounder #DefenseTech #MarineTech #AI #Ulysses #UFO #Ireland #DeepTech #Autonomy #Podcast #SanFrancisco</p>
June 25, 2026
From Math to Mysticism: On AI's Acceleration of Spirituality
<p>What happens to meaning when AI accelerates faster than our nervous systems can handle? In this episode of In Conversation With, I sit down with Nicole, astrologer, writer, and rationalist, to trace the path from math to mysticism: why engineers, physicists, and tech builders are turning to astrology, tarot, psychedelics, and the occult during a moment of profound uncertainty.We get into synchronicity and Jung's scarab, the spiritual vacuum left by the Enlightenment, plant medicine and ego death, Rudolf Steiner's warning about Ahriman and the cold mechanistic intellect of technology, non-duality and the singularity, manifestation vs. the shadow, quantum physics and the observer effect, and what really happens when people have deep spiritual experiences with LLMs like Claude and ChatGPT, including local models and "parasitic AI."If your nervous system feels shot to hell and you're searching for something bigger than yourself to hold onto, this one's for you.🔮 Connect with Nicole: X https://x.com/digitlartifacts & Substack https://substack.com/@digitalartifacts🔮 DM Nicole on X to learn more about her chart readings📩 My weekly newsletter: https://ashe.ai/newsletter🐺 Follow me: X https://x.com/ashebytes • Instagram https://instagram.com/ashebytesRecorded during Edge City, Healdsburg @JoinEdgeCity ⏱️ Chapters00:00 Intro: synchronicity & the spiritual vacuum AI is opening up01:21 Why the Enlightenment left us without shared meaning04:23 Where to start when your nervous system is shot to hell07:27 Plant medicine: the real upside and the real risks09:16 Astrology as a mirror, not a fate sentence11:33 Spiritual emergency & overwhelming synchronicity13:42 Rudolf Steiner predicted AI in 1919 (Ahriman & Lucifer)17:46 The 60s, decentralized truth & the loss of a mainstream18:53 Erik Davis, the occult resurgence & conspiracy going mainstream22:11 Reality glitches: Jung's golden scarab story29:12 Manifestation, the shadow & hyperstition31:54 Quantum physics & the observer effect35:40 Ego death, psychedelics & dying before you die39:25 Escape velocity, longevity & SF's relationship with death42:35 Richard Tarnas: the myth of progress vs the myth of the fall44:44 Approaching reality as a mystery, not a machine46:54 How frontier labs constrained spiritual & creative use48:53 Local models, "parasitic AI" & seed phrases between models50:47 Edge City & why in-real-life community matters52:28 The chart reading & astrology as intimate mirror55:17 Esalen, relationships & you can't heal someone for them1:00:09 Tarot, the hero's journey & the tower before the star1:02:11 Religion, Catholicism & the drive toward self-betterment1:03:16 Gender-war content, psyops & emotional manipulation#AIandSpirituality #Astrology #Synchronicity #Psychedelics #TechAndMeaning #Tarot #Consciousness #NonDuality #Manifestation #SanFrancisco</p>
May 31, 2026
On the Frontier of Peptides in 2026
<p>on the frontier of peptides & community in conversation with Tori Pastore @bonecondor <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNB_uU3gIZU&t=55s">00:55</a> an intro to peptides <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNB_uU3gIZU&t=493s">08:13</a> on peptides removing food noise: tori’s experience <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNB_uU3gIZU&t=870s">14:30</a> dosing and combatting food engineering <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNB_uU3gIZU&t=974s">16:14</a> on the verge of shapeshifting <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNB_uU3gIZU&t=1230s">20:30</a> bending attention, corporate surrealism, and Tori being a fan of Roy Lee<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNB_uU3gIZU&t=1775s">29:35</a> the post-atomic bomb societal shift and the origins of “hipster” <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNB_uU3gIZU&t=2117s">35:17</a> techno optimism</p>
14 total episodes available
Deep-dive analytics for In Conversation With
Frequently asked questions
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- What is In Conversation With?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
Legal Disclaimer
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.