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Junto Club

Every Monday, three robotics Ph.D.s discuss the news of the day, philosophy and anything else that might interest them in an effort to better understand themselves along with the people and the world around them.
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Episodes

Epic Company. Epic Founder. Epic Systems

Welcome to meeting 59 of Junto Club, recorded June 8, 2025. On this episode, we begin with a quote from Einstein about how to think when problem solving. Matt goes on a rant about energy and admits he may have been wrong on an episode from years ago. Shu covers Epic Systems for our main topic, focusing on the company's leader, Judy Faulkner.

Jun 14, 20251 hr 16 minEp. 56

The Nvidia Way

Welcome to meeting 58 of the Junto Club (recorded March 16, 2025). On this episode, we start by talking about the best way to give council. For our main topic, Shu teaches us all about the Jensen Huang and the Nvidia Way. We wrap by discussing a highly controversial quote on time.

Mar 22, 20251 hr 33 minEp. 55

Claude Shannon

Welcome to meeting 57 of the Junto Club recorded on December 15, 2024. On this episode, Shu shares some wise words from a modern, up-and-coming philosopher. Then he teaches us all about the most important genius you may never have heard of, Claude Shannon.

Dec 25, 20241 hr 39 minEp. 54

U.S. General Election 2024

Welcome to meeting 56 of the Junto Club, recorded on November 3, 2024. Today is Election Day. On Sunday, we discussed the race, some background on how the U.S. elections work, and we guessed at who was going to win.

Nov 05, 20241 hr 4 minEp. 53

Game Theory

Welcome to meeting 55 of the Junto Club, recorded on July 14, 2024. On this episode, we talk a lot about finding success in competitive situations. This begins with our quote discussion on how in some situations success can beget success, and it concludes with our main topic, the prisoner's dilemma game and game theory, where we discuss one-off situations as well as repeated games.

Nov 05, 20241 hr 16 minEp. 52

Charlie Munger

Welcome to Meeting 54 of the Junto Club recorded on April 21, 2024. On this episode, we discuss how some of the shortest words we say require the most consideration, and Shu teaches all he can about the wisdom of Charlie Munger.

May 11, 20241 hr 44 minEp. 51

Green Tech

Welcome to meeting 53 of the Junto Club (recorded March 31, 2024). On this episode, we begin by talking about the need for clear communication in any relationship and the tv show the Physical 100. Our main topic covers advancing green technologies.

Apr 09, 20241 hr 24 minEp. 50

Because I'm (trying to be) Happy

Welcome to Meeting 52 of Junto Club (recorded March 10, 2024). On this episode, we talk about when to go at things alone and when a team is needed. We also discuss recent news about humanoid robots and Reddit's IPO. Finally, our main topic is how live happier lives through mindfulness. Email: juntoclubpodcast@gmail.com

Mar 17, 20241 hr 37 minEp. 49

How to Get Rich in 2024

Welcome to Meeting 51 of the Junto Club. This was our first recording in over 8 months (recorded February 18, 2024). On this episode, we talk briefly about the Super Bowl, enhanced sporting, and generative AI. Shu leads the discussion on our main topic, generating wealth, based on a book by Eric Jorgenson

Feb 20, 20241 hr 32 minEp. 48

Outlive - A Discussion on Longevity

This is meeting 50 of the Junto Club. It was recorded June 19, 2023. On this episode, we talk about science vs. religion. We also talk about the book Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Bill Gifford and Peter Attia.

Feb 13, 20241 hr 12 minEp. 47

ChatGPT

This is the 49th meeting of the Junto Club recorded April 9, 2023. On this episode, we discuss the generative large language AI model that took the world by storm ChatGPT.

Jan 28, 20241 hr 6 minEp. 46

Thinking Fast and Slow

This is meeting 48 of the Junto Club (recorded February 5, 2023). On this episode, we examine how people think.

Jan 16, 202454 minEp. 45

Turn the Ship Around

Recorded almost a year ago (January 8, 2023), Shu discusses L. David Marquet's book, Turn the Ship Around!: A True Story of Turning Followers into Leaders. This is the 47th meeting. Meetings 44-46 are unfortunately lost to time.

Jan 05, 20241 hr 23 minEp. 44

Use Your Energy Wisely

Welcome to the 43rd meeting of Junto Club. On this episode, we’re talking about how energy is the finite resource we need to use wisely. We discuss how the world is becoming increasingly chaotic: there’s claims of sentient AI, another crypto bust, the recent Supreme Court decisions, trash cans reaching a new level of dirty and an opportunity for near instantaneous delivery. We sort through the good, bad, frustrating and smutty. For any questions, comments or if you’d like to rant on something im...

Jul 10, 20221 hr 46 minEp. 43

Someday I Will Be Out of My Head

Welcome to the 42nd meeting of Junto Club. On this episode, we’re all over the place. Michael sings. We talk about what it means to live in a fair world. We talk about the NBA finals and how literally contributing even more background noise to the world can help make you money. AI is becoming more and more artistic and creative, and Michael is trying to keep up. For any questions, comments or if you’d like to rant on something important to you, email: juntoclubpodcast@gmail.com This is the Junto...

Jul 02, 20221 hr 59 minEp. 42

The Many Most Important Things About Investing

Welcome to the 41st meeting of Junto Club. Today’s meeting starts with discussing losing the forest in the trees. Now this is a Shu led meeting, so we’re going financial for a lot of it. The focus of the episode is “The Most Important Thing”, a book by Howard Marks that gives some good tips for new investors. For any questions, comments or if you’d like to rant on something important to you, email: juntoclubpodcast@gmail.com This is the Junto Club....

Jun 21, 20221 hr 24 minEp. 41

An Episode with Inflated Expectations

Welcome to the 40th meeting of Junto Club. On this episode, we learn why people may need to start focusing on envy instead of greed, and we discuss a hot topic of the day, inflation. For any questions, comments or if you’d like to rant on something important to you, email: juntoclubpodcast@gmail.com This is the Junto Club.

Jun 14, 20221 hr 18 minEp. 40

Junto Club in Your Area

Welcome to the 39th meeting of Junto Club. It’s been a bit because Michael has been bad about posting episodes, and this is an episode the world most definitely needed. In today’s meeting, we talk about printing your favorite drink, and a global phenomenon that everyone should be getting behind, K-Pop. For any questions, comments or if you’d like to rant on something important to you, email: juntoclubpodcast@gmail.com This is the Junto Club....

Jun 05, 20221 hr 43 minEp. 39

Remember the T in Team

Welcome to the 38th meeting of Junto Club. On this episode, Shu teaches us the importance of understanding a decision before critiquing it and what needs to be in place to make the most out of any team. For any questions, comments or if you’d like to rant on something important to you, email: juntoclubpodcast@gmail.com This is the Junto Club.

Mar 06, 20221 hr 38 minEp. 38

Into the Metaverse

Welcome to the 37th meeting of Junto Club. This episode has two spirited discussions. We start by taking up the conversation asking what is science and can science be trusted. We also dive into the Metaverse. What is it? What can it be? Are we excited for it? For any questions, comments or if you’d like to rant on something important to you, email: juntoclubpodcast@gmail.com This is the Junto Club.

Jan 29, 20221 hr 35 minEp. 37

Did You Catch the Game?

Welcome to the 36th meeting of Junto Club. We’re back after an extended break due to holiday travel, illness and moving. I start out with a rusty introduction before we move on to talk about learning from someone who knows, the launch of the James Webb Telescope, Betty White, and making classic cars electric. Our main topic is on sports and society. We discuss how sports can have a profound role in shaping identity and invite you to worship at the alter of some of the country’s best franchises. ...

Jan 08, 20221 hr 12 minEp. 36

It All Just Seems Like a Gamble

Welcome to the 35th meeting of Junto Club. On this episode, Si comes by to talk blockchain. We cover the Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana white papers. To start the episode, we discuss a Benji quote about doing you, a college experience that leaves you prepped for isolation in San Quentin, and how listening to a hamster could’ve made you rich. For any questions, comments or if you’d like to rant on something important to you, email: juntoclubpodcast@gmail.com This is the Junto Club....

Dec 18, 20211 hr 47 minEp. 35

Pick a Side or Stay Out

Welcome to the 34th meeting of Junto Club. On this episode, Shu stumps us with a Benji quote that has something to do with friends, enemies, life and death. We talk about a how crypto and our government are both trying to fix our roads….or at least Miami’s roads. Finally, we dive into polarization in politics. We learn about how political parties were not a source of human tribalism in recent history, and we discuss how our political system might be able to function better even in the face of th...

Nov 07, 20211 hr 35 minEp. 34

Everything from Kentucky to Niagara Falls

Welcome to the 33rd meeting of Junto Club. We return after over a month off thanks to Matt’s travel and Mike’s COVID On this episode, we talk about the Shu’s soon to be gambling addiction, the Dave Chappelle controversy, and Matt’s experience at the DARPA Subterranean Challenge. For any questions, comments or if you’d like to rant on something important to you, email: juntoclubpodcast@gmail.com This is the Junto Club....

Oct 25, 20211 hr 32 minEp. 33

The Calm Before the DARPA and Cytokine Storms

Welcome to the 32nd meeting of Junto Club. This episode was recorded over a month ago. On this episode, Matt gave us the down low on the upcoming DARPA challenge and talked about Tesla’s humanoid robot. Michael talked about sleep. When return with newly recorded content next week, Matt will talk about holding a million dollar check thanks to the DARPA challenge, and Michael will talk about sleeping thanks to a breakthrough case of COVID. For any questions, comments or if you’d like to rant on so...

Oct 17, 20211 hr 14 minEp. 32

The Many (?) Applications of Cryptocurrency

Welcome to the 31st meeting of Junto Club. We begin this episode without a quote from Benji; instead, hearing what Charlie Munger has to say about Bitcoin. This is in honor of our main topic, the practical applications of cryptocurrency. Shu tries to convince us that crypto will democratize and fundamentally reshape numerous financial industries and that crypto will not simply remain a store of value or a hustle. We also get a little bit of a Matt rant on affordable housing in U.S. cities. For a...

Sep 25, 20211 hr 28 minEp. 31

Understanding What is Critical Race Theory?

Welcome to the 30th meeting of Junto Club. On this milestone episode, we start with Benji teaching us to be savers, and we wonder why more Olympic Games don’t force you to use your feet. For our main topic, Matt, after much research and consideration, discusses critical race theory. For any questions, comments or if you’d like to rant on something important to you, email: juntoclubpodcast@gmail.com This is the Junto Club....

Sep 18, 20211 hr 20 minEp. 30

A to C Thinking - The Art of Being Good Surprising

Welcome to the 29th meeting of Junto Club. Shu and Matt start this episode with their minds in the gutter with an overly simplistic take when discussing a Benji quote about how to ride a man. Mike elevates their thinking in an episode-long discussion of A to C thinking. A to C thinking is the notion that humor and the ability to keep people engaged lives not in the immediately obvious response to a prompt, setup, or question, but in something one step removed from that obvious response. For any ...

Sep 11, 20211 hr 24 minEp. 29

I Have a Robot to Sell You

Welcome to the 28th meeting of Junto Club. On this episodes, we talk about industries that can benefit from robots, businesses that are working to address those needs, and where Shu might be able to jump in with his own company. For any questions, comments or if you’d like to rant on something important to you, email: juntoclubpodcast@gmail.com This is the Junto Club.

Aug 01, 20211 hr 38 minEp. 28

I Can Tell I'm Older...My Blood Is Changing

Welcome to the 27th meeting of Junto Club. On this episode, we briefly talk about doing what you should, getting energy from fusion rather than fission, and the mental model of first principle thinking. Our main topic is aging, healing, and physical resiliency. For any questions, comments or if you’d like to rant on something important to you, email: juntoclubpodcast@gmail.com This is the Junto Club.

Aug 01, 20211 hr 43 minEp. 27
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