Ashlee Vance

The theme for this week’s episode is tick, tick, boom . America is running out of time to catch up with China on manufacturing, and we’re physically incapable of spending an hour together without bringing it up. Release the glorious machines please!! We also go behind the scenes on Kylie’s reporting on motors and actuators — the unglamorous parts that sit in every joint of a humanoid robot, account for roughly 60% of what that robot costs to build, and come almost entirely from China. Her piece profiles the two startups trying to change that. Plus a new proposed bill out of Congress that would kick Unitree’s robot doggies to the curb. Then the rockets send Ashlee off on his space tangents. Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin had an expensive mishap recently when an explosion took out the rocket, its launch pad, and possibly America’s dreams of beating China back to the moon. Ashlee walks through why a pad explosion can be a near-death moment for a rocket company, and why SpaceX — now flying roughly every two days while everyone else is grounded or behind — increasingly just wins by default. Plus the new Starfall capsule, SpaceX’s move into making medicine and maybe chips in orbit, and the wild logic behind a $1.77 trillion IPO. We also got into the media drama consuming our X timeline: the firing of Scott Pelley from 60 Minutes. Ashlee tweeted an opinion, the trolls came for him hard , and he pleads his case here. We’re a little biased since, well, we’re off building this whole new-media thing ourselves. Will there still be a ticking clock and a man in a suit raking in views twenty years from now? Tune in for what we think, and leave your hot take in the comments. The Core Memory podcast is on all major platforms and on our YouTube channel over here . If you like the show, please leave a review and tell your friends. ( Ed. Kylie - Don’t think I forgot to make you a playlist. “Lazy Eye” and “New Slang” were key to my college experience. I first crushed on Rivers Cuomo thanks to “Perfect Situation.” Listen to it here , and don’t forget to leave a comment to win tickets to their tour). OUR SPONSORS SendCutSend Do you make stuff? Do you need metal parts fast and believe in truth and justice? Then head on over to SendCutSend where you’ll get a 15 percent discount thanks to Core Memory on whatever you’re trying to build. We believe in you. Brex The Core Memory podcast is also sponsored by Brex , the intelligent finance platform built to help companies spend smarter and move faster. Did we go to Texas, find a telescope ranch and then obtain an entire nebula in Brex’s honor? Oh yes, we did. We run on Brex and so should you. Learn more about Brex right here . Timestamps * 00:00:00 – Intro * 00:02:05 – The American Actuator Crisis * 00:06:51 – WestMag vs. Atlas Motion Systems * 00:14:21 – Uncle Sam Pays Attention * 00:16:47 – Chinese Robot Ban * 00:21:16 – A Robot in Every Home * 00:24:29</stron

Everyone says they want better boundaries. More freedom. Less burnout. A stronger mindset. A business that doesn't depend on them every minute of every day. But when we recently polled salon owners, something surprising happened. The overwhelming majority chose mindset, boundaries, and balance as their biggest needs—while systems and automation landed at the bottom of the list. The problem? Systems are the very thing that create the boundaries, freedom, and stability everyone is searching for. In this episode, Ashlee Vance and Abigail Lacey unpack the paradox that keeps salon owners stuck in overwhelm. They discuss why so many leaders avoid systems, how emotional leadership creates unnecessary stress, and why structure is actually one of the most caring things you can provide for your team. You'll learn: • Why burnout is often a systems problem, not a motivation problem • How data removes emotion from leadership decisions • The connection between boundaries and business structure • Why stability feels uncomfortable for entrepreneurs • How to begin implementing systems without becoming overwhelmed If you've been chasing freedom but still feel tied to your business, this episode will help you understand what may be missing. Because boundaries aren't created by working harder. They're created by building better systems. www.instagram.com/heal.the.industry www.instagram.com/ashlee.n.vance www.instagram.com/abigail.ellesociety

We are back with another episode of Ashlee and Kylie gossiping about the latest in Silicon Valley. First, a re-cap of our Alexandr Wang interview — his first real sit-down in eleven months — and what it actually revealed about Meta’s AI play. Wang seemed nervous hashing out the strategy in the studio, and we both keep circling the same puzzle: Meta has endless compute and top talent in Nat Friedman and Daniel Gross, so why does the model still feel underwhelming? We get into Eric Schmidt getting booed off a commencement stage at the University of Arizona, which becomes a longer conversation about the generational fury aimed at AI. Everyone Kylie’s age seems to hate it, but is it due to misinformation or legitimate anger about jobs and data centers? Ashlee admits he’s more confused by this moment than anything he’s covered in tech: the predicted Wall Street collapse hasn’t come, the models keep getting better, and the valuations still make no sense. Then, the news that broke minutes before we hit record: OpenAI won the Musk lawsuit on statute-of-limitations grounds. We dig into whether OpenAI’s shift from open-source nonprofit to for-profit was an original sin or just the only way to pay for the compute. Also, Ashlee’s texts with Sam Altman being part of discovery?! In more Musk news, Bloomberg reported that Musk’s xAI stiffed staff on the $420 they were promised for feeding their tax returns into Grok. One host would decidedly not trust a chatbot with their financials, and the other already has. We also get into the strange new bedfellows: SpaceX selling compute to Anthropic, a company Musk has long been philosophically against. We even take you behind the scenes at Core Memory — so study up and watch our latest videos on Phantom Neuro and Starfront Observatories . Consider this your homework on mind-controlled arms and galaxy photography. Essay due on our desk by morning. Don’t forget you could win tickets to the Weezer tour by leaving an amazing review for our podcast wherever you listen. The Core Memory podcast is on all major platforms and on our YouTube channel over here . If you like the show, please leave a review and tell your friends. OUR SPONSORS SendCutSend Do you make stuff? Do you need metal parts fast and believe in truth and justice? Then head on over to SendCutSend where you’ll get a 15 percent discount thanks to Core Memory on whatever you’re trying to build. We believe in you. Brex The Core Memory podcast is also sponsored by Brex , the intelligent finance platform built to help companies spend smarter and move faster. Did we go to Texas, find a telescope ranch and then obtain an entire nebula in Brex’s honor? Oh yes, we did. We run on Brex and so should you. Learn more about Brex right here . This is a public episode. If you'd like to

We’re trying something new. Ashlee and Kylie dishing on Tech Land and dishing hard. The Core Memory podcast you didn’t know you needed but now can’t live without. We dove into our recent sit-down with Sam Altman and Greg Brockman: why Greg seems to have stepped back into a real leadership role at OpenAI, our biggest takeaways from the episode, and why the startup has become its own telenovela. We had to unpack the state of American manufacturing. Ashlee makes the case that we’re screwed on actuators — the motors that move every humanoid robot — and walks through who’s actually trying to fix it. LA as the secret manufacturing capital , Texas as the emerging center of gravity, SendCutSend (our newest sponsor!) as the closest thing America has to China for fast parts, and the hardware cult in central Texas that you should probably watch our video about . We get into SpaceX’s $10B partnership with Cursor that may or may not be a Hail Mary for xAI. Whether space data centers are real or window dressing. Why Apple under Tim Cook feels creatively bankrupt and who actually builds the next computer for the AI era. Also, Anthropic quietly becoming a trillion-dollar company while Google somehow escapes scrutiny. Plus: organs grown in mouse wombs (yes, really — go read the KindBio piece ), merch is finally live , and a very special listener contest. Leave the most creative review on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube and we’ll send you two tickets to The Shins/Weezer tour. Do it!!! Er, please!!!! The Core Memory podcast is on all major platforms and on our YouTube channel over here . If you enjoy the show, please leave a review and tell your friends. This podcast is sponsored by Brex, the intelligent finance platform built to help companies spend smarter and move faster. We run on Brex and so should you. Learn more about Brex right here . This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.corememory.com/subscribe

Scarcity has quietly shaped the beauty industry for far too long — teaching stylists to fear time off, compete instead of collaborate, and tie their worth to overworking and survival. In this episode, Ashlee Vance sits down with Aleta Plajer , owner of AMP Hair Extension Studio , to name the patterns we’ve inherited and begin the work of releasing them. Together, they explore what it looks like to heal scarcity at the root — through making shifts that removes scarcity by potential issues in the business and setting it up for ultimate success. This conversation invites stylists to step out of burnout, redefine success, and choose community over competition. If you’ve felt the weight of hustle, anxiety, or constant pressure behind the chair, this episode offers a gentle but honest invitation: you don’t have to survive your career — you’re allowed to build one that sustains you. @aleta_marquez_plajer Want to be a guest on the podcast?? Connect with me on instagram @heal.the.industry

In this episode of Heal The Industry , Ashlee Vance speaks to the deeper shifts required to truly change the beauty industry—starting with ourselves. From faith and identity to leadership and responsibility, this conversation invites you to pause, reflect, and question the patterns you may have normalized in your career. This episode isn’t about doing more—it’s about becoming more aligned, more grounded, and more intentional in how you lead, serve, and build. If you’ve felt the tension between success and peace, this conversation is for you. Reflection Exercise: 1. Three industry norms you’re ready to rewrite (Examples: glorifying burnout, avoiding boundaries, overworking for approval) 2. Three things that drained you this past year Not to dwell — to identify patterns 3. Three intentions you’re taking into the new year Simple, realistic, sustainable Be on the podcast: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScbH_mfVtUd2lh-AdJTLKBD1UafjL0XzA3Uxj2_jzzo_mjc1w/viewform?usp=dialog Follow us on Instagram @heal.the.industry

In this powerful episode of Heal The Industry , Ashlee Vance sits down with Kansas City salon owner Jodalyn Gadwood to share a story of deep healing, faith, and true transformation. Just two years into salon ownership, Jodalyn opens up about a season marked by feeling lost, navigating trauma, strain in her marriage, and the pressure of building a suite after leaving a commission salon. What changed everything wasn’t a new strategy—it was a decision to fully center her life and leadership by embracing faith and asking God to come into her life. Through that shift, Jodalyn experienced freedom from drinking, lost 78 pounds, rebuilt her confidence, restored her marriage with her husband Bobby, and stepped into purpose beyond the salon. Today, they co-lead a relationship group at their church, and her business has grown into a faith-aligned salon attracting like-minded stylists—with her fourth team member joining this January. This conversation is a reminder that healing the industry starts within—and when you build from faith, everything else begins to rise with it. Follow Jodalyn on instagram @jodalyngadwood @keysalon_kc

Freedom in Commission – with Breyanna Remington** What happens when a stylist chooses security, support, and sustainability over the industry’s obsession with “being independent”? In this episode, Ashlee Vance sits down with NOVA STRANDS stylist, educator, and manager Breyanna Remington to talk about her courageous decision to move from booth rental back into commission — and why it was one of the best decisions she’s ever made. Breyanna shares openly about: • The moment she realized booth rent was no longer aligned • How commission actually matched (and protected) her income • Why benefits like health insurance and a 401k changed everything • The relief of letting go of overhead, rent, inventory, and taxes • Stepping into leadership inside a supportive “we” culture • The stigma around commission — and why it’s outdated • How community, growth, and transparency helped her heal her career If you're a stylist feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or burned out as a booth renter… this conversation will give you hope, clarity, and permission to choose what truly supports your life. Follow Breyanna on Instagram at @bre.nova.strands and learn more about NOVA STRANDS extensions education at @nova.strands.extensions . This episode is a reminder that freedom isn’t always found in independence — sometimes it’s found in support. Let’s heal the industry, together.

In this episode of Heal The Industry , Ashlee Vance sits down with salon owner and educator Abigail Lacey of Elle Society for a real conversation on leadership, ownership, and the culture shifts happening in today’s salon world. Abigail shares her journey from stylist to owner, the wake-up call that changed everything, and what it truly takes to build a healthy, aligned team. Together they unpack the hard parts of leadership—delegation, boundaries, commission vs. rental culture, and the courage to make decisions that support long-term growth even when there’s backlash. If you’re a stylist or salon owner navigating change, building a team, or stepping into deeper leadership, this episode will ground you and give you clarity for the season you’re in. Follow Abigail and her beautiful example of stepping in and Leading her salon on Instagram @abigail.ellesociety Apply to be a guest on Heal The Industry podcast https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScbH_mfVtUd2lh- AdJTLKBD1UafjL0XzA3Uxj2_jzzo_mjc1w/viewform?usp=dialog Follow our movement on Instagram @heal.the.industry

The Heal The Industry Podcast is back—refined, reawakened, and ready to move with intention. In this special kickoff episode, host Ashlee Vance , salon owner, educator, and founder of the Heal The Industry Movement , opens her heart to share the deeper why behind the podcast’s evolution. After months of stillness, prayer, and divine redirection, Ashlee reveals the next chapter: a community-led platform where beauty professionals can share their truths, testimonies, and transformations . What began as her personal obedience to God’s call is becoming a collective voice —a movement powered by those who believe the beauty industry can be more: more healed, more honest, more whole. This episode sets the tone for what’s ahead—real conversations with real people who are boldly standing in faith and truth to create lasting change in our industry. You’ll hear Ashlee’s heart for stylists at a crossroads, her journey through obedience and overwhelm, and her reminder that this calling was never meant to be walked alone. 🌿 In this episode, you’ll hear: Why Heal The Industry is becoming a “we” mission, not a “me” one How stillness and obedience led to a divine reset for the podcast The power of sharing testimonies to inspire healing and transformation How you can join the conversation and use your story to bring light If you’ve ever felt unseen, burnt out, or questioning your purpose in the beauty industry—this is your invitation to rise, heal, and rebuild together. 🎧 Tune in, subscribe, and share this episode with a stylist, friend, or creative who needs to know: they are not alone in this. 💫 Apply to be a guest and share your story here → https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScbH_mfVtUd2lh-AdJTLKBD1UafjL0XzA3Uxj2_jzzo_mjc1w/viewform?usp=dialog

EXCLUSIVE: Quantum’s SpaceX Moment? Ashlee Vance on PsiQuantum’s Moonshot Core Memory creator, Silicon Valley’s Science Expert, & once–quantum skeptic Ashlee Vance sits down with PsiQuantum’s Co-Founder & CSO Pete Shadbolt for a candid, wide-ranging conversation. After touring PsiQuantum’s secretive labs—more than five years after first covering the company—Ashlee found his skepticism shaken, likening PsiQuantum’s ongoing uphill climb to SpaceX’s decade-long, near-death march toward liftoff. Pete reveals why mission, mindset, and his mantra “always be impressive” are non-negotiables for a team attempting a moonshot that may take years to fully realize. If PsiQuantum succeeds, this may be remembered as the conversation where skeptics began to believe. 1. Pete Shadbolt : https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-shadbolt-4b7541126/ 2. Ashlee Vance : https://x.com/ashleevance 3. Molly O’Shea : ⁠ https://x.com/MollySOShea⁠ 4. Sourcery : ⁠ https://x.com/sourceryvc⁠ Brought to you by: • Brex —The modern finance platform, combining the world’s smartest corporate card with integrated expense management, banking, bill pay, & travel. As a Sourcery Listener you get: 75,000 points after spending $3,000 on Brex card(s), white-glove onboarding, $5,000 in AWS credits, $2,500 in OpenAI credits, & access to $180k+ in SaaS discounts. On top of $500 toward Brex travel, $300 in cashback, plus exclusive perks (like billboards..) visit → https://brex.com/sourcery • Turing —Turing delivers top-tier talent, data, and tools to help AI labs improve model performance—and enables enterprises to turn those models into powerful, production-ready systems. Visit: https://turing.com/sourcery • Kalshi —The largest prediction market and the only legal platform in the US where people can trade directly on the outcomes of future events: https://kalshi.com/sourcery Follow Sourcery for the latest updates! https://www.sourcery.vc/ Chapters: (00:00) Intro: Molly welcomes Pete & Ashlee (00:53) Ashlee’s history covering quantum since 2007 (03:11) What makes PsiQuantum different (05:11) Touring PsiQuantum labs: hardware challenges & scale (07:20) Why Ashlee trusted PsiQuantum’s story (08:43) Pete: “Come and see the wafers” (10:23) The academic → startup culture gap in quantum (13:24) Ashlee’s “mind palace” shoot in chaotic engineer’s office (16:12) How PsiQuantum keeps its team motivated for a decade-long mission (17:02) Apollo 11 as a model for focus & alignment (20:01) Pete’s management mantra: “Always be impressive” (20:25) The mud-slinging problem in quantum pitches (22:51) Hardware timelines: SpaceX as a 10–15 year lesson (24:47) Closing reflections: Quantum’s future and PsiQuantum’s place in histo

Ashlee Vance , best known as Elon Musk’s biographer, and now the creator of Core Memory, a frontier podcast and video series exploring space, science, and technology, joins Sourcery for a fun behind-the-scenes (BTS) on his most high profile guests. We talk about why Ashlee shifted from journalist to founder, his vision for Core Memory, and the guests who have defined the show — including Palmer Luckey, Bryan Johnson, and Priscilla Chan . Ashlee also reflects on his relationship with Elon Musk and the lessons he’s learned from him on persistence, prioritization, and relentless focus. Notable Guests: • Palmer Luckey (Anduril founder) • Bryan Johnson (Kernel, Blueprint, Don’t Die) • Priscilla Chan (Chan Zuckerberg Initiative) Connect with us: 1. Ashlee Vance: https://x.com/ashleevance 2. Molly O’Shea: ⁠https://x.com/MollySOShea⁠ 3. Sourcery: ⁠ https://x.com/sourceryvc⁠ Brought to you by: • Brex —The modern finance platform, combining the world’s smartest corporate card with integrated expense management, banking, bill pay, & travel. As a Sourcery Listener you get: 75,000 points after spending $3,000 on Brex card(s), white-glove onboarding, $5,000 in AWS credits, $2,500 in OpenAI credits, & access to $180k+ in SaaS discounts. On top of $500 toward Brex travel, $300 in cashback, plus exclusive perks (like billboards..) visit → https://brex.com/sourcery • Turing —Turing delivers top-tier talent, data, and tools to help AI labs improve model performance—and enables enterprises to turn those models into powerful, production-ready systems. Visit: https://turing.com/sourcery • Kalshi —The largest prediction market and the only legal platform in the US where people can trade directly on the outcomes of future events: https://kalshi.com/sourcery Follow Sourcery for the latest updates! https://www.sourcery.vc/