A podcast about progress, possibility, and building a better future.
Set against the near-future backdrop of Jesse Thoeming’s speculative novel God Bless You, Mr. Trump, Only Advance explores how we might rise from the chaos of the “Terrible Twenties” into the promise of the “Fabulous Forties.” Each episode pairs the show’s central question—How do we get there from here?—with an expert voice offering insight from their field.
From technology and artificial intelligence to politics, gender equity, business, education, philanthropy, and more, host Jesse Thoeming sits down with subject matter experts to examine how their discipline could be vastly improved over the next 10 to 20 years. These conversations are less about punditry and more about potential—cutting through the noise to highlight what’s working, what’s broken, and what’s worth building.
Drawing inspiration from shows like Sam Harris’ Making Sense, Only Advance combines grounded conversation with forward-looking curiosity. It’s a space for deep thinking, practical imagination, and hopeful realism—where every discussion ties back to the idea that things can be better if we’re bold enough to shape them.
Whether you’re a future-focused leader, a restless idealist, or simply someone who believes we can do better, this show invites you to think beyond the moment—and imagine what it would look like if we actually advanced.
New episodes launch weekly beginning November 2025.
https://www.jessethoeming.com/ (https://www.jessethoeming.com/)
Affordability, the American Dream & Building Wealth in a Changing World
Is the American Dream still within reach for the next generation?
In this episode of Only Advance, Jesse sits down with Matt McCurdy—real estate investor, broker, entrepreneur, mentor, and author of Cornfed Millionaire—for a wide-ranging conversation about affordability, housing, wealth creation, and what it takes to build financial freedom in a rapidly changing world.
Matt shares the story of leaving a successful Fortune 500 career to bet on himself and build a future in real estate, before the conversation turns to a much bigger question: could a young person starting out today realistically follow the same path?
From the housing affordability crisis and the state of commercial real estate to growing wealth inequality, capitalism, passive income, social media, and the potential disruption of AI, Jesse and Matt explore both the obstacles facing the next generation and the opportunities that remain.
And, in keeping with the premise behind Only Advance, they eventually jump ahead to 2049 and consider what America would have to get right between now and then for affordability, upward mobility, and the American Dream to once again feel attainable for almost everyone.
22 May 2026
AI, Society, and the Next Technological Revolution
In this episode of Only Advance, I sit down with business technologist Joshua McNary for a wide-ranging conversation on artificial intelligence and what may prove to be the most consequential technological revolution in human history.
We discuss the current state of AI adoption, the growing divide between “Doomers,” “Scouts,” and “Accelerationists,” and whether humanity is prepared for increasingly powerful systems that could reshape the workplace, education, creativity, and society itself.
We also dive into the immediate cultural consequences of AI—particularly for children and critical thinking—along with the lessons we failed to learn during the rise of social media and smartphones.
Finally, we explore AGI, the alignment problem, concentrated technological power, and whether the future of AI ultimately leaves Josh optimistic or deeply concerned about the trajectory of civilization.
A thoughtful, grounded, and timely conversation about the opportunities and dangers that lie directly ahead.
10 Apr 2026
The Most Important Moment in Human History
In this solo episode, I reflect on the strange paradox of the modern world: by nearly every meaningful metric, there has never been a better time to be alive—yet we find ourselves more divided, anxious, and uncertain than ever.
I explore how advances in technology, communication, and global connectivity have transformed daily life, while also amplifying polarization, distorting our perception of reality, and eroding our ability to engage with one another productively.
From there, I introduce a framework for understanding our current moment: the idea that we are operating with paleolithic minds, medieval institutions, and godlike technology and the imbalance that creates.
I then examine Fermi Paradox and the concept of the Great Filter as a way to think about the long-term trajectory of intelligent civilizations, and what it might mean for our own.
This is not a prediction, but a reflection on responsibility... on what it would take to navigate this moment successfully, and what kind of future we might build if we do.
At its core, this episode is about perspective, intention, and the idea that despite the risks we are living through one of the most important and opportunity-rich moments in human history.
31 Mar 2026
Rethinking Work, Identity, and What Actually Matters with Lindsay Leahy
In this episode, I speak with Lindsay Leahy—author of Take It All Apart and founder of The Restoration Project—about how we think, how we assign meaning to our lives, and what it takes to live and lead with intention in a rapidly changing world.
We begin with the concept of “framing” and how the lens through which we view reality can dramatically shape our experience of it—from personal finances to broader societal challenges. From there, we explore the future of work in an age of AI and automation, including what happens when our sense of identity is no longer tied to our occupation.
We also discuss emerging concerns around cognitive development in younger generations, the tension between ideas and deeply held beliefs, and how individuals can remain open, curious, and adaptable without losing their core sense of self.
Finally, we examine the idea that meaningful progress doesn’t always require something new—that sometimes the most powerful form of innovation is simply recovering what has been lost.
This is a conversation about perspective, responsibility, and the choices we make in shaping both our personal lives and the broader culture around us.
27 Feb 2026
The Digital Public Square: Reforming Social Media Before It Reforms Us
Kyle Steele joins Only Advance for a wide-ranging discussion on the future of social media and its impact on culture, politics, and the next generation. The episode tackles bots and anonymity, youth access and warning labels, algorithm regulation, deep fakes, and the growing tension between platforms and publishers. In an era where AI can fabricate reality and attention is the most valuable currency, this conversation asks what a healthy digital life could look like by the 2040's... and whether we have the courage to build it.
17 Feb 2026
The Future of Storytelling: Memory, Meaning & the Machines Among Us
Playwright and filmmaker Rob Merritt joins Jesse for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of storytelling in an increasingly AI-saturated world. They explore how emerging technology might reshape the creative process, reflect on Rob’s acclaimed sci-fi drama The Summerland Project, and dig into timeless questions around memory, identity, and what it means to be human. In an age of algorithms, this episode asks: will storytelling save us—or be swallowed by the machine?
10 Feb 2026
Workforce Futures & the Rural-Urban Divide
Doug Neumann, longtime leader of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, joins Jesse to discuss the future of work in Iowa and beyond. They explore the accelerating impact of AI on jobs, how to support both urban and rural economies, and the systemic changes needed to prepare the next generation for long-term success. From medtech to Main Street, this episode asks: how do we build a workforce that thrives in the Fabulous Forties?
16 Dec 2025
Rebuilding Trust: Politics, Policy, and the Road to 2049
Ron Corbett, former Iowa House Speaker and Cedar Rapids Mayor, joins Jesse to tackle the crisis of political trust and polarization in America. They dive into how reforming primaries, strengthening institutions, and embracing principled leadership could guide us out of the “Terrible Twenties” and into a more functional democracy.
9 Dec 2025
Built to Last: Business, Wealth, and the Workforce of the Future
Entrepreneur and investor Courtney Wooge reflects on America’s evolving business climate. From leading remote-first teams to navigating AI disruption, he shares lessons on leadership, wealth inequality, and why creating opportunity—especially for the next generation—will define business success in the decades ahead.
2 Dec 2025
Local Lens, National Lessons: A City Leader’s View of Progress
Dale Todd, longtime Cedar Rapids City Councilman, shares his grounded perspective on American politics—from local government challenges to broader threats to democracy. The episode covers leadership fatigue, rebuilding bipartisan trust, and how neighborhood-level change can scale into national transformation.
25 Nov 2025
The Future is Female: Women in Leadership and What Comes Next
Nikki Wilcox, strategic development consultant and civic leader, discusses the current state and future of women in leadership. The conversation spans maternity policy, gender-balanced governance, tech disruption, and raising resilient daughters in a digital age—all through the lens of someone doing the work daily.
18 Nov 2025
The Next Leap: AI, AGI, and the Tech Trajectory
John Osako, CEO of Informatics, joins Jesse to explore the rise of artificial intelligence and the future of commercial tech in America. They reflect on Moore’s Law, ChatGPT's breakout moment, the looming potential of AGI, and what a successful human-tech partnership might look like by 2049.
10 Nov 2025
Giving Better: Rethinking Charity in a New Era
In this inaugural episode, Nick Dusil, founder of Iowa Giving Crew, unpacks what’s broken—and what’s working—in the nonprofit space. This episode explores the psychology of giving, the need for humility in service, the balance between storytelling and ego, and why effective altruism must meet local compassion head-on.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
4.9 / 5
8 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
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