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PODCAST

"Moment of Zen"

Erik Torenberg, Dan Romero, Antonio Garcia Martinez

Every week, Erik Torenberg, Dan Romero, Antonio Garcia Martinez and frequent special guests discuss what"s happening in technology, business, politics, and beyond. Moment of Zen is part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: turpentine.co

technology investing

All Episodes

47:15

Cartels vs. State: The Power Struggle in Mexico with...

"Moment of Zen" ·

2025/03/22

Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja discuss the complex relationship between Mexican drug cartels and the country's political system. Samo explains how cartels operate not as insurgencies but as business entities with deep connections to Mexican elites. The discussion covers the economic impact of drug trafficking, how legalization affects cartel operations, and comparisons with other countries' experiences, and explore potential solutions for Mexico's development and the geopolitical implications for

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62:45

Inflation, Elon's Competence, and Changes Democrats...

"Moment of Zen" ·

2025/03/15

Erik Torenberg and economist Noah Smith dissect the Democratic Party's path forward. Smith advocates for fiscal responsibility over progressive rhetoric, refocusing democracy concerns away from voter ID laws toward election integrity, and embracing patriotic messaging instead of identity politics. Their exchange ventures into Elon Musk's influence on Republican effectiveness, the merits of Japanese bureaucratic models, and building a more competitive political landscape where both parties can

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65:58

Free Speech in Europe & the Future of Western...

"Moment of Zen" ·

2025/03/08

Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja examine the pervasive fascination with American political dynamics and their far-reaching impact worldwide, especially across Western democracies and European nations. They analyze how digital connectivity has accelerated the harmonization of political discourse and cultural values across borders, while exploring the emerging shifts in European political frameworks that increasingly reflect American ideological patterns and media narratives— 📰 Be notified early when

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37:44

Victor Davis Hanson Predicts the Future: Trump,...

"Moment of Zen" ·

2025/02/28

This week, Erik Torenberg is joined by Dr. Victor Davis Hanson, classicist, political commentator, and Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford. Together they conduct a thought experiment: it's 2030, how can we expect to understand the legacy of Donald Trump, the shifting political landscape in Germany and the rest of Europe, the outcome of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, China's ambitions regarding Taiwan, Israel's strategic challenges, and the future of the Democratic Party?— 📰 Be

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47:54

Mapping the New Right w/ Jon Askonas

"Moment of Zen" ·

2025/02/22

Erik Torenberg and Jon Askonas talk about the emerging political realignment in tech, specifically how Silicon Valley has shifted away from Democrats. They discuss the "tech right," its relationship with MAGA and "MAHA" (Make America Healthy Again) movements, potential tensions within this new coalition, and how Democrats might respond to their 2024 electoral defeat.Check out the interviews Erik mentions in this episode: Ezra Klein on Supply-side Progressivism, Polarization, and What Silicon

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65:31

Delian Asparouhov & Nadia Asparouhova on Building a...

"Moment of Zen" ·

2025/02/15

This Valentine's Day weekend, we're airing the debut episode of Modern Relationships featuring Varda space founder Delian Asparouhov and repeat M.O.Z. guest Nadia Asparouhova. Delian and Nadia talk about how they make their relationship work, dating in San Francisco, and why overcommunication might do more harm than good.— 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess 🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at

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67:25

E117: Samo Burja on the Technology That Can Create...

"Moment of Zen" ·

2025/02/08

Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja examine how advancing desalination technology could reshape geopolitics and transform landscapes. They discuss how affordable desalination ($0.3 cents per liter) makes large-scale terraforming feasible, potentially enabling countries like Saudi Arabia or Australia to create vast green spaces and support larger populations. The technology's implications extend beyond water security to national development and climate resilience. The essay on desalination originally

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58:26

E116: Curtis Yarvin is now in the Overton Window w/...

"Moment of Zen" ·

2025/02/02

Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja analyze Curtis Yarvin's arguments about government inefficiency, comparing corporate and state governance structures. The conversation covers how bureaucracies decay over time, China's approach to governance, and Yarvin's influence in shifting Silicon Valley libertarians toward more right-wing positions. They also examine his evolution from a cancelled figure to a mainstream intellectual voice.— 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication:

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73:43

E115: Trump's Inauguration, Tech's Shifting Politics,...

"Moment of Zen" ·

2025/01/26

Today on Moment of Zen, we're bringing you the third episode of "This Won't Last", the newest show from Turpentine.Keith Rabois, Logan Bartlett, Kevin Ryan, and Zach Weinberg dissect the 2025 political landscape in a spirited discussion of Trump's evolved messaging and surprising tech industry backing. The conversation weaves through immigration policy, corporate political neutrality, and market dynamics - from Silicon Valley's rightward shift to urban crime challenges and insurance markets and

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58:24

E114: Scott Sumner & Noah Smith Debate the China...

"Moment of Zen" ·

2025/01/18

As China surges past the combined manufacturing might of Western democracies, economists Scott Sumner and Noah Smith square off on America's industrial future. While agreeing on economic fundamentals, they clash over the gravity of China's rise - Sumner advocating measured engagement while Smith warns of an unprecedented shift in global power requiring bold policy action.— 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess 🙏 Help shape our

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77:20

E113: Understanding Trump: From Immigration to Elon...

"Moment of Zen" ·

2025/01/11

Editor of Arena magazine Maxwell Meyer and pseudonymous writer Indian Bronson join Erik Torenberg for part 3 of the immigration series. They discuss the evolving dynamics between Trump's tech and MAGA supporters, cutting through online drama to examine how both sides might find common ground on immigration, talent, and America's future. This is part 3 to Bronson's earlier Moment of Zen episodes, Debating Immigration Policy and Bronson vs Everyone: H-1B Wars, Elon, and Trump — 📰 Be notified early

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46:06

E112: Bronson vs Everyone: H-1B Wars, Elon, and Trump

"Moment of Zen" ·

2025/01/03

From Elon's immigration takes to Silicon Valley's clash with MAGA nationalists, this conversation between Erik Torenberg and Indian Bronson, a pseudonymous writer, dives deep into tech's newest culture war. Indian Bronson breaks down why Trumps's coalition has split over this issue and why America's elite and working class can't see eye to eye. This is part 2 to Bronson's earlier Moment of Zen episode, Debating Immigration Policy. — 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication:

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107:46

E111: NEW: Marc Andreessen on Trump, the vibe shift,...

"Moment of Zen" ·

2024/12/27

Marc Andreessen, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) returns to Moment of Zen to discuss Trump's new administration, the political vibe shift for Silicon Valley, why San Francisco may be the cultural center of the universe, and what comes after wokeness.— 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess 🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse — SPONSORS: VANTA | SQUAD Vanta

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59:57

E110: Samo Burja on Elon Musk, X and Political...

"Moment of Zen" ·

2024/12/22

Samo and Erik explore Twitter's evolution, digital politics, and Europe's societal constraints. The conversation weaves through topics of online influence, cultural shifts, and the future of political discourse in the digital age. — 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess 🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse — SPONSORS: GIVEWELL GiveWell spends 50,000 hours every year doing

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64:23

E109: Samo Burja on the Future of the Middle East

"Moment of Zen" ·

2024/12/14

Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg dissect the complex web of religion, nationalism, and power that shapes Middle Eastern politics. In this analysis, Samo reveals why traditional solutions have failed and offers a look at how demographic shifts and emerging ideologies will transform the region's future.— 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess 🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at

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64:45

E108: Debating Immigration Policy with Indian Bronson

"Moment of Zen" ·

2024/12/08

In this episode of Moment of Zen, Erik Torenberg engages Indian Bronson, a pseudonymous writer, for a debate about immigration policy, national identity, and the future of American society. For full shownotes, visit highlight: https://highlightai.com/share/a08fc2a5-ff40-4d3b-8f2c-7174fde876cf-- 🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse. -- SPONSORS: NETSUITE More than 40,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud

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75:08

E107: The future of the left and Advice for...

"Moment of Zen" ·

2024/11/30

In this episode, hosts Erik Torenberg and Noah Smith dive into a mailbag session, tackling pressing questions on government efficiency, libertarianism, immigration, housing, military spending, and the future of American politics. For full shownotes, visit highlight: https://highlightai.com/share/150a6b58-03ac-4eb2-b99a-803f577b1815-- 🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse. -- RECOMMENDED PODCAST: 🎙️ Unpack Pricing - Dive into the dark arts of

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58:49

E106: Can Populism Beat the Administrative State? |...

"Moment of Zen" ·

2024/11/23

In this episode of "Moment of Zen," hosts Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja delve into the concept of populism and its impact on modern politics. For full shownotes, visit highlight: https://highlightai.com/share/0a17c191-56ca-43f0-b169-614198ecbc29— 🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/TurpentinePulse. — RECOMMENDED PODCAST: 🎙️ Unpack Pricing - Dive into the dark arts of SaaS pricing with Metronome CEO Scott Woody and tech leaders. Learn how strategic pricing

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62:16

E105: Samo Burja and Rudyard Lynch | The Left's...

"Moment of Zen" ·

2024/11/16

In this episode of Moment of Zen, host Rudyard Lynch engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Samo Burja, exploring the breakdown of traditional power structures and drawing parallels between modern times and the religious wars of the 1600s. They delve into topics such as the aftermath of Trump's election victory, the rise of private military companies in Africa, and the evolving dynamics of global power. For full shownotes, visit highlight:

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53:55

E104: Will Shadow President Elon Save Us? | Noah Smith

"Moment of Zen" ·

2024/11/09

Noah Smith joins Erik Torenberg to discus the aftermath of Trump's election and discuss the conditions why Kamala Harris lost. For full shownotes visit https://highlightai.com/share/59de7631-50e2-4e47-b135-317b057b8434-- Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess -- 🎙️ Dealcraft | Insights from Great Negotiators https://link.chtbl.com/3CG3TbHY?sid=Turpentine is the brand new weekly podcast that features interviews with world’s greatest

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144 results

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