Synopsis
Join Andrew Keen as he travels around the globe investigating the contemporary crisis of democracy. Hear from the world’s most informed citizens about the rise of populism, authoritarian and illiberal democracy. In this first season, listen to Keen’s commentary on and solutions to this crisis of democracy. Stay tuned for season two.
Episodes
-
Why 2023 was the year in which we finally got to converse with AI: Kevin Surace explains why creative artists must master AI technology in 2024
26/12/2023 Duration: 39minEPISODE 1903: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to renowned futurist Kevin Surace about why creative artists must master AI technology in 2024Kevin Surace is a Silicon Valley innovator, serial entrepreneur, CEO, TV personality and EDUTAINER. Kevin has been featured by Businessweek, Time, Fortune, Forbes, CNN, ABC, MSNBC, FOX News, and has keynoted hundreds of events, from INC5000 to TED and the US Congress. He was INC Magazines’ Entrepreneur of the Year, a CNBC top Innovator of the Decade, World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer, Chair of Silicon Valley Forum, Planet Forward Innovator of the Year nominee, featured for 5 years on TechTV’s Silicon Spin, and inducted into RIT’s Innovation Hall of Fame. Mr. Surace led pioneering work on the first cellular data smartphone (AirCommunicator), the first plastic multichip semiconductor packages, the first human-like AI virtual assistant (Portico), soundproof drywall, high R-value windows, AI-driven building management technology, Generative AI for QA, supply-chain multivar
-
The KEEN ON 2023 Fiction Awards: Bethanne Patrick's six favorite novels of the year
20/12/2023 Duration: 25minEPISODE 1902: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to the LA Times book critic, Bethanne Patrick, about her six favorite novels of the yearBethanne Patrick maintains a storied place in the publishing industry as a critic and as @TheBookMaven on Twitter, where she created the popular #FridayReads and regularly comments on books and literary ideas to over 200,000 followers. Her work appears frequently in the Los Angeles Times as well as in The Washington Post, NPR Books, and Literary Hub. She sits on the board of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation and has served on the board of the National Book Critics Circle. She is the host of the Missing Pages podcast. Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE A
-
In Defense of Henry Kissinger's "pragmatic realism": Charles Kupchan critiques the illusional idealism that he believes has undermined American foreign policy over the last decade
19/12/2023 Duration: 38minEPISODE 1901: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to Charles Kupchan, author of ISOLATIONISM, about the illusional idealism shaping American foreign policyCharles Kupchan is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and professor of international affairs at Georgetown University in the Walsh School of Foreign Service and Department of Government. From 2014 to 2017, Kupchan served as special assistant to the president and senior director for European affairs on the staff of the National Security Council (NSC) in the Barack Obama administration. He was also director for European affairs on the NSC during the first Bill Clinton administration. Before joining the Clinton NSC, he worked in the U.S. Department of State on the policy planning staff. Previously, he was an assistant professor of politics at Princeton University. Kupchan is the author of Isolationism: A History of America's Efforts to Shield Itself From the World (2020), No One's World: The West, the Rising Rest, and the Coming Global
-
Why the 21st Century will be the Asian Century: Kishore Mahbubani on the end of Western domination and the rise of Asian societies, economies and philosophies
19/12/2023 Duration: 41minEPISODE 1900: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to Kishore Mahbubani, author of THE ASIAN 21st CENTURY, about the end of Western domination and the rise of Asian societies, economies and philosophiesKishore Mahbubani is a Distinguished Fellow at the Asia Research Institute (ARI), National University of Singapore (NUS). Mr Mahbubani has been privileged to enjoy two distinct careers, in diplomacy (1971 to 2004) and in academia (2004 to 2019). He is a prolific writer who has spoken in many corners of the world. In diplomacy, he was with the Singapore Foreign Service for 33 years (1971 to 2004). He had postings in Cambodia, Malaysia, Washington DC and New York, where he twice was Singapore’s Ambassador to the UN and served as President of the UN Security Council in January 2001 and May 2002. He was Permanent Secretary at the Foreign Ministry from 1993 to 1998. As a result of his excellent performance in his diplomatic career, he was conferred the Public Administration Medal (Gold) by the Singapore Government in
-
International anarchy, murderous crime lords and the 21st century nation-state: Miles Johnson explains how the violence of today's international criminal gangs mirror the authoritarian politics of our age
18/12/2023 Duration: 34minEPISODE 1899: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to Miles Johnson, author of CHASING SHADOWS and host of the HOT MONEY podcast, about how today's international criminal gangs mirrors the authoritarian politics of our ageMiles Johnson is an investigative reporter for the Financial Times. He has written stories about Russian mercenaries, Mayfair casino heists, money laundering by the Italian mafia, Vatican financial scandals, and covert sanctions busting. He is the author of Chasing Shadows: A True Story of Drugs, War and the Secret World of International Crime (Little, Brown Book Group, 2023), a narrative non-fiction book about international organised crime, drug trafficking and terrorism. He joined the FT in 2008 and has reported from London and multiple other countries, including as a foreign correspondent in Rome, Madrid and New York.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he
-
How AI can fix the future of healthcare, education and climate: Mark Minevich imagines a planet positively powered by AI
17/12/2023 Duration: 42minEPISODE 1898: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to Mark Minevich, author of OUR PLANET POWERED BY AI, about how the AI revolution can fix the future of healthcare, education and climateMark Minevich is the President and founding partner of Going Global Ventures. He is a digital cognitive AI strategist, AI expert, investor, UN Advisor, and advocate with expertise in Artificial Intelligence. Mark is also a Co-Founder and Co-Chair of AI for Planet Alliance with UN Agencies, a Senior Advisor to BootstrapLabs Venture Capital, and an Executive Advisor to Artefact. Mark advises the public sector, large global enterprises, and brands in the US, EU, South America, Japan, and Gulf countries. Mark is a Chair of the Executive committee of AI for Good Foundation and is a member of the Executive committee of WorkingNation, a pioneering national organization focusing on the Future of Work. Additionally, he holds the role of Senior fellow of the US Council on Competitiveness in Washington, DC. He dedicates innovation effo
-
Among the Criminal Bros: Max Marshall on a Fraternity crime story that reflects the rigged system of money and power in 21st century America
16/12/2023 Duration: 37minEPISODE 1897: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to Max Marshall, author of AMONG THE BROS, about a Fraternity crime story that reveals the rigged system of money and power in 21st century AmericaMax Marshall Max Marshall is a writer and journalist. Raised in Texas, he attended Columbia University, where he graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in 2016. He served as a Princeton in Asia Media Fellow in Hanoi, Vietnam, and his work has appeared in GQ, Texas Monthly, Sports Illustrated, and the New York Times. He lives in Austin.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Liti
-
The victory of the gut over reason: Kevin Casas-Zamora worries about the fragile state of democracy around the world in 2023
16/12/2023 Duration: 41minEPISODE 1896: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to Kevin Casas-Zamora, Secretary General of International IDEA, about the fragile state of democracy around the world in 2023Dr Kevin Casas-Zamora, PhD has been the Secretary-General of International IDEA since August 2019. Casas-Zamora has more than 25 years of experience in democratic governance as a researcher, analyst, educator, consultant, and public official. He embodies the rare combination of a distinguished academic career—strongly focused on electoral systems and democratic institutions—with practical experience as a high-level public official in his home country as well as in multilateral organizations. Casas-Zamora is Senior Fellow at the Inter-American Dialogue, a Washington, DC-based policy research centre. Until recently, he was member of Costa Rica’s Presidential Commission for State Reform, and managing director at Analitica Consulting (Analitica Consultores). Previously, he was Costa Rica’s Second Vice President and Minister of National Planni
-
On the Dire State of the Free Press in 2024: Andy Lee Roth explains how "solutions journalism" offers a more truthful alternative to corporate owned media in America today
15/12/2023 Duration: 42minEPISODE 1895: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to the co-editor of PROJECT CENSORED's STATE OF THE FREE PRESS 2024, about how "solutions journalism" offers a more truthful alternative to corporate owned media in America todayANDY LEE ROTH is the associate director of Project Censored. He has co-edited thirteen previous editions of Project Censored’s yearbook, in addition to contributing chapters on Iceland and the commons (Censored 2014), the Military Commissions Act (Censored 2009) and news photographs depicting the human cost of war (Censored 2008). His research on topics ranging from ritual to broadcast news interviews and communities organizing for parklands has also appeared in journals including the International Journal of Press/Politics; Social Studies of Science; Media, Culture & Society; City & Community; and Sociological Theory. His articles have also appeared in YES! Magazine, Index on Censorship, Truthout, and In These Times. He holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of California
-
Why AI will radically disrupt traditional internet search engines: Keith Teare on Google, OPenAI and the crisis of online search economics
15/12/2023 Duration: 29minEPISODE 1894: In our weekly KEEN ON wrap of tech news with Keith Teare, author of the THAT WAS THE WEEK newletter, Keith explains why AI will radically disrupt traditional internet search engines like GoogleKeith Teare is a Founder and CEO at SignalRank Corporation. Previously he was Executive Chairman at Accelerated Digital Ventures Ltd - A UK-based global investment company focused on startups at all stages. He was also previously the founder at the Palo Alto incubator, Archimedes Labs. Archimedes was the original incubator for TechCrunch and since 2011 has invested, accelerated or incubated many Silicon Valley startups including Around (sold to Miro), Millicast (Sold to Dolby), InFarm, Miles, Quixey; M.dot (sold to GoDaddy); chat.center; Loop Surveys; DownTown and Sunshine. Teare has a track record as a serial entrepreneur with big ideas and has achieved significant returns for investors.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcast
-
How collaborating on #CrimeTime strengthened this couple's marriage: Jeneva Rose and Drew Pyne discuss their TikTok driven crime mystery based on an actual robbery in their Chicago apartment building
15/12/2023 Duration: 36minEPISODE 1893: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to Jeneva Rose and Drew Pyne about #CrimeTime, their TikTok driven real-life crime audiobook based on a true robbery in the Chicago apartment buildingJeneva Rose is the New York Times bestselling author of several novels, including the million-copy bestselling thriller, The Perfect Marriage. Her work has been translated into more than two dozen languages and optioned for film/tv. Originally from Wisconsin, she currently lives in Chicago with her husband, Drew, and her English bulldog, Winston. Drew Pyne received his MBA from Cornell and took enough credits to get one-sixth of an MFA (this apparently means something to him). Originally from Wisconsin, he now lives in Chicago with his talented wife, Jeneva Rose, and English bulldog. When he’s not working or cowriting, you can find him reacting to movies on TikTok or playing video games. #CrimeTime is his first cowritten project with his wife Jeneva. Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, And
-
Is there really rampant anti-semitism at elite American universities like Columbia? Shai Davidai on what these universities should be doing to confront anti-semitism and foster a two-state peace between Israelis and Palestinians
14/12/2023 Duration: 42minEPISODE 1892: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to the Columbia Business School academic, Shai Davidai, about what American universities should be doing to confront anti-semitism and promote a two-state peace between Israelis and PalestiniansShai Davidai is Assistant Professor in the Management Division of Columbia Business School. His research examines people’s everyday judgments of themselves, other people, and society as a whole. He studies the psychological forces that shape, distort, and bias people’s perceptions of the world and their influence on people’s judgments, preferences, and choices. His topics of expertise include the psychology of judgment and decision making, economic inequality and social mobility, social comparisons, and zero-sum thinking. His work has been published in top-tier journals, including the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, Science Advances, Scientific Reports, Nature Psychology Reviews, the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, the Journal of Experimenta
-
The 19th century American explorer who exposed the brutality of the Russian imperial system: Gregory Wallance on the original George Kennan and his epic journey through the frozen heart of Russia
13/12/2023 Duration: 33minEPISODE 1891: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to Gregory Wallance, author of INTO SIBERIA, about the original George Kennan and his epic journey through the frozen heart of RussiaGREGORY J. WALLANCE is a New York-based lawyer (a retired partner at Kaye Scholar and Arnold & Porter), writer, and former federal prosecutor and human rights activist. Gregory is the author of Papa's Game, about the theft of the French Connection heroin, which received a nonfiction nomination for an Edgar Allan Poe Award (The New York Times: “a colorful account [and] an inside look at an interesting, if ugly, period in the history of law enforcement.”); Two Men Before the Storm: Arba Crane’s Recollection of Dred Scott and the Supreme Court Case That Started The Civil War (The Boston Globe: “an evocative historical novel”); and America’s Soul in the Balance: The Holocaust, FDR’s State Department, and the Moral Disgrace of An American Aristocracy (Jewish Book Council: ''An important contribution to the debate surrounding the
-
Wall Street's Assault on Democracy: Georges Ugeux explains how today's financial markets exacerbate inequalities, create unsustainable government debt and foment authoritarianism
13/12/2023 Duration: 31minEpisode 1890: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to Georges Ugeux, author of WALL STREET'S ASSAULT ON DEMOCRACY, about how today's financial markets exacerbate inequalities, increase government debt and foment authoritarianismGeorges Ugeux is the founder of Galileo Global Advisors, which offers CEOs, boards of directors and governments independent advice on international business development, mergers and acquisitions, and capital raising. The firm specializes in cross-border transactions to and from emerging markets. Prior to founding Galileo, Ugeux was group executive vice president of International & Research at the New York Stock Exchange, where he built and managed the exchange’s international group. Ugeux, a dual American and Belgian national, began his career at Société Générale de Banque, the leading Belgian bank, where he became general manager of the investment banking and trust division. He was the managing director of Morgan Stanley’s mergers and acquisitions department in London, as well as th
-
Getting to Know Ella Fitzgerald Through Her Music: Judith Tick on the canonical jazz singer who transformed both American song and culture
13/12/2023 Duration: 34minEPISODE 1889: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to Judith Tick, author of BECOMING ELLA FITZGERALD, on the jazz singer who transformed both American song and cultureJudith Tick is professor emerita of music history at Northeastern University. She has published award-winning books and articles about American music and women’s history in music, including Ruth Crawford Seeger: A Composer’s Search for American Music. She lives in Brookline, Massachusetts.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children. This is a public episode. If yo
-
Five of the Non-Fictional Best: Bethanne Patrick picks her favorite non-fiction books for 2023
12/12/2023 Duration: 36minEPISODE 1888: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to the LA Times book critic Bethanne Patrick about her five favorite non-fiction books of the yearBethanne Patrick maintains a storied place in the publishing industry as a critic and as @TheBookMaven on Twitter, where she created the popular #FridayReads and regularly comments on books and literary ideas to over 200,000 followers. Her work appears frequently in the Los Angeles Times as well as in The Washington Post, NPR Books, and Literary Hub. She sits on the board of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation and has served on the board of the National Book Critics Circle. She is the host of the Missing Pages podcast. Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS
-
How Not To Age: Dr Michael Greger offers a simple dietary approach to getting healthier as we get older
11/12/2023 Duration: 36minEPISODE 1887: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to Michael Greger, author of HOW NOT TO AGE, about a dietary approach to getting healthier as we get olderMichael Greger, M.D. FACLM is a physician, New York Times bestselling author, and internationally recognized professional speaker on a number of important public health issues. Dr. Greger has lectured at the Conference on World Affairs, the National Institutes of Health, and the International Bird Flu Summit, among countless other symposia and institutions; testified before Congress; has appeared on shows such as The Colbert Report; and was invited as an expert witness in defense of Oprah Winfrey at the infamous "meat defamation" trial. In 2017, he was honored with the American College of Lifestyle Medicine with its Lifestyle Medicine Trailblazer Award. Dr. Greger's most recent scientific publications in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Critical Reviews in Microbiology, Family and Community Health, and the International Journal of Food Safety, N
-
Why it's time stop declaring war on everything: David Keen on the "Wreckonomics" of how we now find ourselves locked into so many failed economic, environmental and political policies
11/12/2023 Duration: 40minEPISODE 1886: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to David Keen, author of WRECKONOMICS, about why we find ourselves locked into so many failed and counterproductive economic, environmental and political policiesDavid Keen is a professor of conflict studies at the Department of International Development at the London School of Economics and Political Science. He has researched civil wars, global wars and disasters. He is the author of The Benefits of Famine (1994) and Useful Enemies (2012), among other books, and winner of the Edgar Graham prize.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google'
-
How our brains mirror the history of human evolution: Min W. Jung on the neuroscience of imagination and abstract thinking
11/12/2023 Duration: 39minEPISODE 1885: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to Min W. Jung, author of A BRAIN FOR INNOVATION, about the neuroscience of imagination and abstract thinking Min W. Jung is the author of A Brain for Innovation: The Neuroscience of Imagination and Abstract Thinking. He is a vice director of the Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions at the Institute for Basic Science in South Korea and a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. He received his PhD from the University of California, Irvine. His primary interests are the neural mechanisms of memory, imagination, and decision making.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT TH
-
A Return to Normal Abnormality in Silicon Valley: Keith Teare on why even some of the most highly capitalized AI start-ups are now running out of runway and will not survive
10/12/2023 Duration: 33minEPISODE 1884: In our weekly KEEN ON wrap of tech news with Keith Teare, author of the THAT WAS THE WEEK newletter, Keith talks about why even some of the most highly capitalized AI start-ups are now running out of runway and will not surviveKeith Teare is a Founder and CEO at SignalRank Corporation. Previously he was Executive Chairman at Accelerated Digital Ventures Ltd - A UK-based global investment company focused on startups at all stages. He was also previously the founder at the Palo Alto incubator, Archimedes Labs. Archimedes was the original incubator for TechCrunch and since 2011 has invested, accelerated or incubated many Silicon Valley startups including Around (sold to Miro), Millicast (Sold to Dolby), InFarm, Miles, Quixey; M.dot (sold to GoDaddy); chat.center; Loop Surveys; DownTown and Sunshine. Teare has a track record as a serial entrepreneur with big ideas and has achieved significant returns for investors.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst