Social media is one of the biggest and most controversial disruptions in the last decade, arguably the last several decades. More than 5 billion people, or 62% percent of the world's population, have joined Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and other platforms. These platforms are providing marketers greater visibility into consumer needs and creating more opportunities to build brand loyalty. And, they give consumers greater access to shared interest forums, critical health information, and local communities. Yet, there are serious concerns. Last year, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory on the negative effects of social media on teen mental health. Algorithms, meant to create a more personalized experience, are isolating users from diverse opinions and news sources.

Mike and Yael speak with UVA Darden alum Travis Nixon (MBA '16), Machine Learning Engineer with Meta, about how we might use AI and data to redefine the user experience on social media to achieve healthier outcomes.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines companion as “one that accompanies another” and “one that keeps company with another”. From physical training and therapy to friendships and personal assistance, people are increasingly looking to AI companions for support.

Still, there is something missing. These AI companions are designed to support the individual but what is the impact on broader society? Don’t we as humans get something out of supporting each other?

Mike and Yael talk with Allison Pugh, author of The Last Human Job: The Work of Connecting in a Disconnected World, whose research suggests that people working in more empathetic jobs find purpose in motivating others and that two-way human connection creates social trust and feelings of belonging not easily replaced by AI.

Allison Pugh is a Professor of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University and the 2024-25 Vice President of the American Sociological Association. At the time of this recording, Allison was a Professor of Sociology and Chair of the Department of Women, Gender and Sexuality at the University of Virginia.

Let’s talk lettuce. Every year Americans consume 30 pounds of lettuce per capita, a fivefold increase from the previous century, with more than 90% of it grown in California and Arizona. What happens when that supply chain is threatened?

We saw a glimpse of the disruption in 2021, when US production dropped 11% and prices rose 17% because of pests, severe weather, and increased demand during the pandemic. With rising temperatures and more extreme weather patterns forecasted for the years to come, it’s time we rethink how we grow and distribute food.

Beanstalk Farms co-founder Jack Ross joins Mike and Yael for this episode to talk about the nutritional and environmental benefits of indoor, vertically farmed produce and the need to build a more resilient, decentralized US food system that prioritizes fresh over processed.