Byron Reese is a futurist, and technologist, who is most well known for exploring big questions about humanity’s place in the universe and our collective future. 

In his thought-provoking new book “We Are Agora”, he outlines a scientific hypothesis for viewing humanity as a conscious superorganism, raising fascinating questions about what this means for how we live and work together.

Expect to learn:

— The practical implications of seeing ourselves as part of a larger whole.

— How the internet might function as humanity’s “nervous system”.

— Why Byron sees cities, not countries, as the primary units of human evolution.

— How a shift in perspective could help to shape our future as a species.

And more.

You can learn more about Byron's work at https://byronreese.com.

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With over 25 years as a successful tech entrepreneur, Byron Reese is uniquely suited to speak on the transformative effect of technology on the workplace and society at large.

Byron delights audiences worldwide and has been invited to share his reasoned optimism and vivid and energetic presentations on the future with audiences on every continent, including Antarctica.

Known as the “Future of” guy, Byron has spoken on the future of AI, the future of work, the future of banking, the future of education, the future of the planet, the future of agriculture, the future of finance, and the list goes on. When not speaking, he writes books that explore the intersection of technology and humanity and covers topics such as robotics, consciousness, progress, natural resources, and superorganisms.

Bloomberg Businessweek credits Byron with having “quietly pioneered a new breed of media company.” The Financial Times of London reported that he “is typical of the new wave of internet entrepreneurs out to turn the economics of the media industry on its head.” Byron and his work have been featured in hundreds of news outlets, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Entrepreneur Magazine, USA Today, Reader’s Digest, NPR, and the LA Times Magazine. Byron holds numerous patents and has started and sold multiple companies, including two NASDAQ IPOs.

As a lifelong entrepreneur with multiple IPOs and successful exits, Byron frequently speaks to business audiences on how to excel in the world of tomorrow and how to deploy technology successfully.

He states: “Technology multiplies human ability. That’s its trick. It magnifies us. We can move more bricks with a forklift than we can on our backs. Technological advancement is not to be feared; rather, it should be welcomed, for by enhancing human ability, we enhance our productivity and, therefore, our standard of living. This is why we live so much more lavish and prosperous lives than our great-grandparents. An hour of our time is vastly more productive than was an hour of theirs.”

With a gift for storytelling, Byron captivates audiences worldwide with the message that technology is empowering us to build a better world, and he invites his listeners to imagine this better world and build it.

---

Interview Links:

— Byron’s website - https://byronreese.com

Is Humanity an Intelligent Superorganism? — Byron Reese

When exile—not exploration—becomes the driving force behind space colonization, what kind of civilizations will emerge? In this episode, we explore the forces that might send humanity’s unwanted, rebellious, or idealistic factions into the void, and what fate awaits them among the stars.

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Credits:
Exiled Space Colonies
Episode 490a; March 16, 2025
Written, Produced & Narrated by: Isaac Arthur
Edited by: Evan Schultheis, Ludwig Luska
Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images 
Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creator
Sergey Cheremisinov, "Labyrinth"
Chris Zabriskie, "Unfoldment, Revealment", "A New Day in a New Sector", "Oxygen Garden"
Stellardrone, "Red Giant", "Billions and Billions"

Exiled Space Colonies (Narration Only)

Exiled Space Colonies

Could we survive on a world where even lifting a coffee cup is a struggle? Discover how high-gravity planets shape life, technology, and the future of space colonization. From immense super-Earths to black holes, we examine the worlds where gravity rules all.

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Credits:
High-Gravity Worlds: The Planets That Crush You 
Episode 491; March 20, 2025
Written, Produced & Narrated by: Isaac Arthur
Graphics by: Jeremy Jozwik, Ken York, and Sergio Botero 
Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images 
Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creator
Chris Zabriskie, "Unfoldment, Revealment", "A New Day in a New Sector", "Oxygen Garden"
Stellardrone, "Red Giant", "Billions and Billions"

High-Gravity Worlds (Narration Only)

High-Gravity Worlds: The Planets That Crush You

Welcome to Provocative Conversations from Twice 5 Miles Radio. I’m your host, James Navé.  Today’s guest is PJ Ewing—a longtime friend, brilliant digital marketer, skilled podcast host of Lester the Nightfly, and one of the most thoughtful audio engineers I know.

This wide-ranging conversation explores the evolving intersection of sound, artificial intelligence, and American culture. From podcasting to tech ethics, it’s a deep dive into our digital future.

PJ and I dig into what makes good audio, the shifting podcasting landscape, how media influences identity, and whether we as a species can survive the next 400 years.

From the 1960’s Gunsmoke TV series to AI, from Alaska community radio to Malcolm Gladwell’s take on gun culture, we examine the deep questions—and share a few laughs along the way.

You’ll come away with fresh insights on creativity, society, and the risks we’re all taking to build whatever’s next.

Key Topics Covered in the Interview
The importance of high-quality audio in podcasting
Tips and gear for DIY podcasting (mics, software, editing tools)
Niche podcasting vs. general interviews
Podcast recommendations (including 20,000Hz, Pivot, Hard Fork, StarTalk)
PJ’s shift away from political media
Malcolm Gladwell and the cultural influence of Gunsmoke
Personal reflections on American gun culture
Local community resilience post-Hurricane Helene
The case for city-states over large national governments
Speculative futures: AI, gene editing, alien contact
Cultural evolution and the crisis of masculinity
Whether humanity can survive the next 400 years
The dual nature of capitalism as destructive and innovative

Aliens Are Coming: PJ Ewing on technology, culture, and the American Mind

Provocative Conversations from Twice 5 Miles Radio is a podcast devoted to candid, often surprising exchanges with artists, thinkers, and cultural instigators who speak from the core. Each episode dives beneath the surface to explore the stories and questions that shape our lives.

I’m James Navé—poet, storyteller, educator, and longtime creative collaborator. With an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts and decades of teaching experience across the globe, I help writers and performers tap into their authentic voices through public speaking, creative writing, and the Imaginative Storm method, which I co-developed with Allegra Huston.

My most recent book, 100 Days: A Poetic Memoir After Cancer (3: A Taos Press), documents a hundred days of healing and poetic reckoning. I’m also co-author of Write What You Don’t Know and How to Read for an Audience—practical guides for anyone seeking to speak and write with more truth and power.

I’ve directed festivals, hosted literary salons, taught with Julia Cameron, and memorized over 600 poems. I still believe in the power of a well-told story, the light through stained glass, and the open road with nothing but a podcast and a windshield full of stars.

Insights for Evolving Consciousness

In-depth interviews with leading thinkers at the intersection of psychology, neuroscience, culture, and spirituality.

This show is for you if you’re interested in:

– Reducing suffering — in yourself and others
– Continuously upgrading your perspective
– Realising more of your potential
– Experiencing a greater sense of awe, meaning, and connection in everyday life.

New episodes every Thursday.

New tracks tagged #FutureOfHumanity