Steven Johnson

While the podcast team is taking a Radical Sabbatical, Kim is interviewing authors of the books that have had a big impact on her in the past two years. In this episode, Kim speaks with Steven Johnson , co-founder of Notebook LM, not about AI but about his book, The Infernal Machine : A True Story of Dynamite, Terror, and the Rise of the Modern Detective . They start with the story of how the Swiss dominated the watch industry for over a century, thanks to a highly decentralized network of cottage laborers in the Jura mountains. The culture of autonomy in the industry was so strong that it turned Swiss watchmakers into some of history's first anarchists, which in the 19th century simply meant self-organization. The movement became associated with disorder and violence after many anarchists adopted Nobel’s invention of dynamite as their weapon. The public outcry against their violent attacks on heads of state and industry led to many modern surveillance techniques, including wiretapping and fingerprinting.. Steven and Kim speculate that some approaches to company-building in Silicon Valley have embraced bottom-up self-organization principles of the Jura mountains. They explore how we might have a viable alternative to capitalism and socialism today if anarchists had not embraced dynamite. They agree it’s not too late to imagine that viable alternative–maybe one of them will write that book. Guest Background : Steven Johnson is the Co-Founder and Editorial Director, NotebookLM; Author of 14 books on science, technology, and innovation; co-creator and host of BBC/PBS series How We Got To Now and Extra Life. He is the host of the podcast The TED Interview and the author of the newsletter Adjacent Possible . He lives in Brooklyn, New York, and Marin County, California, with his wife and three sons. CHAPTERS (00:00) Introduction to Radical Sabbatical and Steven Johnson (03:02) The Relevance of History in Today's Context (06:02) The Evolution of Anarchism and Political Violence (09:03) Kropotkin and the Philosophy of Anarchism (12:06) The Watchmakers of Switzerland and Technological Innovation (15:02) The Irony of Kropotkin's Life and Legacy (18:05) The Influence of Anarchism on Modern Thought (21:01) Silicon Valley's Bottom-Up Ethos and Its Evolution (24:02) The Emergence of Google and Bottom-Up Systems (25:54) The Transformation of Pinkerton: From Idealism to Violence (30:27) Nobel and the Dual Nature of Dynamite (35:16) The Political Ramifications of Dynamite (40:34) The Ludlow Massacre and the Siege of Tarrytown (43:14) Lessons from History: Nonviolence vs. Violence Connect with the Radical Candor team: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of On the Clock , Tony Russo sits down with Steven Johnson, CFSP , a first-generation funeral director from Western New York who has overseen massive business growth, expanding from four to eight locations in just five years. Steven pulls back the curtain on his “secret weapon” for organic growth: Earned Media . He shares how funeral directors can stop “begging” for coverage and start becoming a primary source for local news, while also discussing his current run for the NFDA Board of Directors. Love deep dives into business growth? Subscribe for weekly insights that help you master your craft and stay ahead of trends. Key Takeaways * The Power of the Press Release: Steven explains how simple PR efforts for awards or events like the Pursuit of Excellence award or the NFDA Advocacy Summit provide opportunities to build community trust. * Growing through Acquisition & Intent: Learn how Steven tripled his call volume in five years through a mix of strategic acquisitions and organic community presence. * The Value of the NFDA: From world-class continuing education to networking with vendors (like mycelium/mushroom casket makers), Steven discusses why national involvement is vital for the modern director. * A New Generation of Leadership: Steven discusses his decision to run for an “At Large” seat on the NFDA Board and the importance of bringing a younger voice to the industry’s highest levels. Timestamped Chapters * [00:00] Introduction to Steven Johnson and H.E. Turner & Co. * [01:25] Scaling from 4 to 8 locations: The growth story. * [02:27] Why you must be your own biggest advocate in the media. * [03:26] Turning “boring” industry events into local news headlines. * [06:22] Dealing with “bad actors” and controlling the narrative. * [10:31] Why the NFDA matters (and yes, mushroom caskets). * [14:20] Running for the NFDA Board: The need for younger voices. Get full access to On Deathcare at ondeathcare.substack.com/subscribe

This Week In Startups is made possible by: Gusto - https://www.gusto.com/twist Lemon IO - https://lemon.io/twist Quo - http://quo.com/TWiST Today’s show: We keep hearing about how AI is killing our ability to think, filling our media with slop, and ruining our kids’ ability to learn. It seems the internet is filled with negative sentiment about the future AI is bringing. Jason is joined by Grant Lee, CEO and co-founder of Gamma, as well as Steven Johnson, editorial director of NotebookLM to tackle these questions on today’s AI roundtable! Grant and Steven break down how they are using AI to push forward their own productivity as well as their teams. Both say that AI makes you more creative! Steven points out that it helped him write his books by having AI do the “chore work” while he got to focus on the valuable insights and higher level thinking. One valuable tip was that AI can be used to uncover customer insights in a new medium. Steven and Grant both put customer feedback into an LLM, allowed them to have high level conversations with their whole user base about what features and products they each enjoy. If that isn’t creative, then what is? Learn about all this and more in today’s roundtable! Timestamps: (00:00) Introducing Steven Johnson and Grant Lee! (10:12) Gusto: Check out the online payroll and benefits experts with software built specifically for small business and startups. Try Gusto today and get three months FREE at https://www.gusto.com/twist (11:28) How Jason and the TWiST team uses NotebookLM (12:37) Will AI replace lawyers in startups and VC? Should they? (16:08) How the Gamma team uses AI understand their consumers (19:43) Lemon.io: Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://lemon.io/twist (22:38) How the Google team uses AI to “talk” to their whole user base. (24:45) Is AI replicating our brains and consciousness? (28:18) The ways that AI is changing how companies process information. (30:39) Quo (formerly OpenPhone) gives you a clean, modern way to handle every customer call, text, and thread all in one place. Try it free at http://quo.com/TWiST (31:43) Jason thinks groupchats are the modern coffee shop for interesting ideas! (32:48) Why Steven thinks AI makes creatives MORE ORIGINAL (40:02) HALF of US adults think AI makes you less creative (43:20) Grant defends using AI for doing research + making business decisions (45:28) Superforecasting — How to think about your thinking (53:00) Is education going back to blue books and oral exams? (56:30) Jevons Paradox and How AI will increase jobs for all! (59:50) Edison put whale hunters out of business but brought in electricians and movie industry (1:02:36) Jason coaches his employees to 10x themselves with AI tools to push value (1:05:54) Jason’s call to join the AI revolution * Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com Check out the TWIST500: https://twist500.com Subscri

📍 Staffordshire, England 📍 Banff, Alberta, Canada 🎧 Chapter 28: The Final Trace of Steven Johnson & Lucie Turmel In 1990, on opposite sides of the world, two taxi drivers began ordinary night shifts — and never made it home. Steven Johnson was murdered in rural England. His case remains unsolved. Lucie Turmel was murdered in Banff, Alberta — and years later, science revealed her killer. Though they never knew each other, their stories share chilling similarities: last fares, isolated roads, and clues left behind in the dark. In this episode, we explore both cases side by side — one solved, one still waiting — and ask whether the same advances that brought justice for Lucie could one day bring answers for Steven. 🔎 EPISODE RESOURCES & FURTHER READINGSteven Johnson — Staffordshire, England (1990) BBC Crimewatch (case appeal & coverage) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mg3c (Search archives reference Steven Johnson case; Crimewatch featured the murder in 1991) Staffordshire Police – Cold Case Appeals https://www.staffordshire.police.uk (Search: “Steven Johnson taxi driver murder”) Unsolved UK Taxi Driver Murder Summary https://www.unsolved-murders.co.uk/murder-content.php?key=660 (Independent UK cold case archive referencing Steven Johnson) Lucie Turmel — Banff, Alberta, Canada (1990) Taxi-Library.org – Lucie Turmel Case File https://www.taxi-library.org/canada/turmel-l.htm (Detailed timeline, evidence, conviction, and parole history) Global News – Ryan Jason Love parole coverage https://globalnews.ca (Search: “Ryan Jason Love Banff taxi driver murder parole”) Secrets of Forensic Science (2001 dramatization) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0274295/ (Episode dramatizing the forensic investigation; victim renamed in reenactment) Forensic & Legal Context RCMP & DNA Evidence in Canadian Law https://www.justice.gc.ca (Criminal Code amendments influenced by forensic cases like Lucie Turmel’s) DNA Collection & Cold Case Breakthroughs https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3547805/ (Peer-reviewed overview of DNA’s role in cold case investigations)

This podcast is sponsored by Learning Quest. As parents, we all want to set our children up for success—but when it comes to planning for their education, the options can feel overwhelming. One powerful tool to consider is a 529 account, which allows you to invest in your child’s future education no matter what path they choose. In this episode, we’re joined by Kansas State Treasurer Steven Johnson, an expert on 529 programs and the Kansas Learning Quest® plan. He shares insights on how families can make the most of these accounts and confidently plan for their children’s educational journeys. Topics we cover include: What a 529 plan is, along with its uses and key benefits The best time to open a 529 account Who can contribute to a 529 plan and contribution limits Guidance on setting up a 529 account Tune in for an informative conversation designed to help you better understand 529 plans and how they can support your child’s educational future. Kansas State Treasurer Steven Johnson Kansas State Treasurer Steven Johnson was born and raised on a cattle and grain farm near Assaria, Kansas. After graduating from Southeast Saline High School, Steven went on to study Agricultural Economics at Kansas State University, where he was elected Student Body President and graduated with honors. Steven began his career in the financial services sector while remaining involved in the family farm. He continued his education at the University of Chicago where he received a Masters in Business Administration with an emphasis in finance and business policy. Steven’s financially-focused education was a valued tool in the financial services sector when he led the development of an asset allocation software program that calculated the highest return of investment for a particular need. His interest and expertise in financial issues during the economic downturn of 2008-09 was a catalyst in his decision to enter public service. Steven ran for the state legislature and was elected in 2010. His financial and agricultural background led to committee appointments including Chairman of the Tax Committee, Chairman of Insurance and Pensions Committee, and a member of committees including Appropriations and Agriculture and Natural Resources. Steven was elected the state’s 42nd state treasurer in 2022 and assumed office on January 9, 2023. Before investing, carefully consider the plan's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This information and more about the plan can be found in the Learning Quest Handbook, available by contacting American Century Investment Services, Inc., Distributor, at 1-800-579-2203, and should be read carefully before investing. If you are not a Kansas taxpayer, consider before investing whether the beneficiary's or your home state offers a 529 Plan that provides its taxpayers with state tax and other benefits not available through this plan. Notice: Accounts established under Learning Quest and their earnings are neither insured nor guaranteed by the state of Kansas, the Kansas State Treasurer or American Century. Administered by the Kansas State Treasurer, Steven Johnson. Managed by American Century Investment Management, Inc. The availability of tax or other state benefits (such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors) may be conditioned on meeting certain requirements, such as residency, purpose for or timing of distributions, or other factors. As with any investment, it is possible to lose money by investing in this plan. The value of your Learning Quest account may fluctuate, and it is possible for the value of your account to be less than the amount you invested. The earnings portion of non-qualified withdrawals is subject to federal and state income taxes and a 10% federal penalty. Please consult your tax advisor for more detailed information regarding the Roth IRA or for advice regarding your individual situation. Taxes are deferred until withdrawal if th

What happens when an author, not a computer scientist, helps design one of the most innovative AI tools of our time? In this episode of AI to the DNA , the podcast for everyone who wants to really understand and apply AI, I sit down with Steven Johnson, co-founder of NotebookLM, currently one of the hottest tools in the AI world. Together, we explore how a writer’s perspective shaped a product that’s redefining how we think, research, and create with artificial intelligence. You can also watch this podcast as a video on my YouTube channel. We talk about how NotebookLM went from a “broken prototype” to a breakthrough and why its core idea, “make anything interesting” , might just capture the essence of creative AI collaboration. Steven shares the story of building the tool ahead of its time, designing for the future of models like Gemini, and the moment when everything finally clicked. We dive into how AI can turn routine knowledge work into moments of discovery, why conversation sits at the heart of understanding and what it means to move from using tools to co-creating with them. We also explore the unexpected lessons from bringing audio and video overviews to life and how curiosity, creativity, and constraint together drive true innovation. Just dive right into this worthwhile episode with Steven Johnson! I'm Christoph Magnussen and at AI to the DNA , I'm not just asking how to use AI. I’m asking why it works the way it does. This podcast is for everyone who wants to move beyond tool-tourism and master the real craft of AI: Learning to think, work, and build side by side with intelligent systems! Die Blackboat AI Summer School: Vier Wochen Online-Sprint mit Hands-on-Aufgaben, um vom Kl-Ausprobieren zu echten Pro-Skills zu kommen. Vom Tool-Tourist zu eigenen Agent-Systemen mit unserer AI Summer School! Spare jetzt 250€ mit dem Gutscheincode: ATTD-SUMMER -> Jetzt anmelden auf https://academy.blackboat.com Wenn dir AI to the DNA gefällt, freuen wir uns über eine 5-Sterne-Bewertung . Damit hilfst du uns enorm, den Podcast sichtbarer zu machen und noch mehr Menschen mit unseren Themen zu erreichen. Danke für deinen Support! (00:00) - Intro: Steven Johnson & NotebookLM (02:17) - The Challenge: Designing Software for the AI of the Future (04:57) - From Author to Google Founder: Steven's Unconventional Path (09:05) - The Origin Story: 8,000 Quotes and the Idiosyncratic User (16:49) - Team Design and the Audio Overviews Story (25:14) - From Boring Work to Magical Research (29:04) - The Slogan: Make Anything Interesting (31:28) - A Look Under the Hood: Gemini Models and System Instructions (36:57) - Champions League: Two Pro-Tips for NotebookLM (43:51) - The Future: NotebookLM as a Publishing Platform

Episode Summary In this episode of Groundbreakers, Steven Johnson, founder of JS Summit Global, shares how he walked away from landlord headaches to build a passive income empire through mortgage note investing. With a background in mobile home parks and single-family rentals, Steve explains why he pivoted to buying debt—and how the shift gave him more time, more control, and less stress. Steven also talks about his mission to help beauty and wellness entrepreneurs build generational wealth through real estate, drawing on lessons from his own entrepreneurial journey in Miami. Key Points Discussed Why He Left Traditional Rentals: After years of managing tenants, repairs, and property headaches, Steven turned to buying mortgage notes to earn passive income without being a landlord. How Note Investing Works: Steven breaks down what a mortgage note actually is, how to buy one, and why distressed debt can be a hidden gem for savvy investors. Helping Beauty Entrepreneurs Build Wealth: Through JS Summit Global, Steven teaches hair stylists, barbers, and other wellness professionals how to break out of the cash flow trap and become business owners and investors. Scaling Without Burnout: Steven shares how he’s building a business that funds his freedom and supports others—without overextending or chasing every opportunity. Guest Information Name: Steven Johnson Role: Founder of JS Summit Global LinkedIn: Steven Johnson Website: jssummitglobal.com Conclusion Steve Johnson’s journey is a powerful reminder that wealth building doesn’t have to mean burnout. By shifting from ownership to control, Steve found a smarter path to financial freedom—and now he’s helping others do the same. Tune in to learn how mortgage notes work, why they’re gaining traction, and how you can start leveraging debt as an asset.

Steven Johnson, author of 14 books on the history of science and technology, discusses Google’s new writing and research tool, NotebookLM. He elaborates on how walking influences creativity, the importance of play in innovation, and shares insights into using AI for augmenting thought and memory. The conversation covers his role in co-creating NotebookLM with Google Labs, the importance of uploading sources for effective use, and the potential of AI to enhance both authorship and readership. Johnson also touches on potential future developments, such as recommending additional sources and addressing privacy concerns. The dialogue highlights the revolutionary potential of AI-driven tools in research and content creation. 00:00 Introduction to Steven Johnson 00:20 The Role of Walking in Creativity 02:27 The Importance of Play and Uselessness 04:35 Notebook LM: A New Research Tool 07:02 The Genesis of Notebook LM 09:29 Building and Innovating at Google Labs 12:48 Using Notebook LM for Writing and Research 22:24 Exploring New Book Ideas with Notebook LM 25:27 Exploring AI's Role in Research 25:56 Future of AI in Recommending Sources 26:44 Tone and Style in AI Writing 29:20 Privacy and Copyright Concerns 30:26 AI's Impact on Writing and Creativity 36:05 New Forms of Reading and Books 40:29 Practical Tips for Using NotebookLM 44:34 Reflections on the Future of Authorship 📜 Read the transcript for this episode: Transcript of The Future of Books and Improving Your memory with AI: Steven Johnson (Author and Google Labs) | For more prompts, tips, and AI tools. Check out our website: https://www.beyondtheprompt.ai/ or follow Jeremy or Henrik on Linkedin: Henrik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/werdelin Jeremy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyutley Show edited by Emma Cecilie Jensen.

A very special episode this week with actor Steven Johnson who has been touring the country with the Broadway production of To Kill a Mockingbird. He's been to over 70 cities across 40 states, and he's got some incredible stories to share. From bustling food trucks to Michelin-worthy hidden gems, Steven's journey has not only expanded his palate but also challenged his preconceptions about various regions. He'll be dishing out his favorite places to eat, what makes each spot special, and the surprising culinary treasures he’s found in cities you might not expect. Join us as we explore the rich and diverse food landscape of the United States, learn about the regional nuances, and hear firsthand how travel has broadened Steven's perspectives on food and culture. You won't want to miss his recommendations and the unique experiences he's gathered along the way. Check if To Kill a Mockingbird is coming to a theater near you TAKE THE QUIZ TO SEE IF YOU’VE BEEN PLANNING YOUR TRAVEL ALL WRONG! ***Looking to experience the flavors we've explored firsthand? Skip the stress of travel planning and work with a trusted professional to take care of all of that for you! Travel Trails specializes in crafting unforgettable travel experiences tailored to your taste for adventure. Don’t miss out on tasting these delicious dishes because you don’t have the time to plan. Visit https://travel-trails.com/ to learn more and follow @TastyTrailsTravelPod and @Travel.Trails___ on Instagram to stay up to date on episodes and all things food & travel

We use it to find bestselling author Steven Berlin Johnson’s next project. I sat down with bestselling author Steven Johnson to see if we could come up with a concept for his next project—using AI. The results were amazing. We loaded 200,000 words of NASA transcripts and all of Steven’s reading notes since 1999 into NotebookLM, Google’s personalized research assistant. We wanted to see if it could help us explore the Apollo 1 fire and find relevant and surprising ideas from history that could work to explain it. NotebookLM condensed disparate 200,000 words of NASA transcripts into readable formats like FAQs and chronological timelines. It sifted through the material to identify the catalyst for the fire. The model even went through Steven’s Readwise notes to find a relevant, and unexpected, story from history that we could use to explain the history and origins of the fire If you’re a fan of Steven Johnson’s work or you’re interested in AI as a creative tool, you need to watch this episode. All of this happens as a live exploration of NotebookLM, and it’s a seriously wild ride. If you found this episode interesting, please like, subscribe, comment, and share! Want even more? Sign up for Every to unlock our ultimate guide to prompting ChatGPT. It’s usually only for paying subscribers, but you can get it here for free . To hear more from Dan Shipper: Subscribe to Every Follow him on X Links to resources mentioned in the episode: Follow Steven Johnson NotebookLM Steven’s newsletter, Adjacent Possible Steven’s latest book about the rise of the modern detective: The Infernal Machine A few of Steven’s other books: How We Got to Now Where Good Ideas Come From The Ghost Map Emergence The Invention of Air

We use it to find bestselling author Steven Berlin Johnson’s next project. I sat down with bestselling author Steven Johnson to see if we could come up with a concept for his next project—using AI. The results were amazing. We loaded 200,000 words of NASA transcripts and all of Steven’s reading notes since 1999 into NotebookLM, Google’s personalized research assistant. We wanted to see if it could help us explore the Apollo 1 fire and find relevant and surprising ideas from history that could work to explain it. NotebookLM condensed disparate 200,000 words of NASA transcripts into readable formats like FAQs and chronological timelines. It sifted through the material to identify the catalyst for the fire. The model even went through Steven’s Readwise notes to find a relevant, and unexpected, story from history that we could use to explain the history and origins of the fire If you’re a fan of Steven Johnson’s work or you’re interested in AI as a creative tool, you need to watch this episode. All of this happens as a live exploration of NotebookLM, and it’s a seriously wild ride. If you found this episode interesting, please like, subscribe, comment, and share! Want even more? Sign up for Every to unlock our ultimate guide to prompting ChatGPT. It’s usually only for paying subscribers, but you can get it here for free . To hear more from Dan Shipper: ⁠Subscribe to Every⁠ Follow him on ⁠X⁠ Links to resources mentioned in the episode: ⁠Follow Steven Johnson ⁠ ⁠NotebookLM⁠ Steven’s newsletter, ⁠Adjacent Possible⁠ Steven’s latest book about the rise of the modern detective: ⁠The Infernal Machine⁠ A few of Steven’s other books: ⁠ How We Got to Now ⁠ ⁠Where Good Ideas Come From ⁠ ⁠The Ghost Map ⁠ ⁠Emergence ⁠ ⁠The Invention of Air

This year, 2023, marks the hundredth anniversary since chemical engineer Thomas Midgley, Jr. made the discoveries that led to the invention of leaded gasoline. Of all the many harms that the automobile has caused the environment and humanity over the last century, the effects of leaded gasoline have to be pretty close to the top of the list. Science and industry were well aware of the dangers of lead in the 1920s. But adding small amounts of it to motor fuel made internal combustion engines work better, and that made it possible to turn the automobile into a viable mass market product. As a result, pretty much every American born between 1960 and 1980 was, to some extent, poisoned by lead. In this episode, bestselling author Steven Johnson joins Aaron Naparstek to talk about Midgley, his legacy, and what his story can teach us about our technological inventions and their future consequences. *** Support The War on Cars on Patreon and receive access to ad-free versions of all our episodes, exclusive bonus content and stickers .*** This episode is produced with support from Cleverhood . Listen to the episode for the latest Cleverhood discount code. LINKS: " The Man Who Broke the World " by Steven Johnson for the New York Times Magazine, March 15, 2023. Find more of Steven Johnson's work on his website . Subscribe to Steven's newsletter, Adjacent Possible . Find all thirteen of Steven's books here . War on Cars fans will enjoy The Ghos t Map -- it's a page-turner of a mystery/thriller about urban planning and epidemiology. You can buy Steven's books at our Bookshop.org store . Interested in digging deeper into the history of leaded gasoline? Check out Toxic Truth by Lydia Denworth. Buy official War on Cars merch at our store . Find us on Mastodon , Bluesky , Instagram , Facebook , Threads , and whatever godforsaken new social media platform pops up next. Follow and review us on Apple Podcasts . TheWarOnCars.org