Dive into the world of semiconductors and Automatic Test Equipment with our educational podcast, Advantest Talks Semi, where we explore the power of knowledge in this dynamic field. Hosted by Keith Schaub, Vice President of Technology and Strategy and Don Ong, Director and Head of Innovation for Advantest Field Service Business Group, at Advantest, this series features insightful conversations with experts and thought leaders in the industry. In today's fast-paced environment, continuous lea ...
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Semiconductor Test Podcasts
The podcast about micro and nano technicians: Who they are, what they do, and how they got there. Hosted by Peter Kazarinoff and supported by the Micro Nano Technology Education Center (MNT-EC) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program.
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Hey we are the Mere Mortals and we review books of all genres/styles but with an emphasis on those that have stood the test of time (the 'classics' if you will). Join us on Weekly live episode on Thurs 11am AEST (Thurs 1am UTC+0) plus bonus episodes from my cohost Juan.
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Urgency Is Non-Negotiable | Crocodile Tears Book Review
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8:10A new villain and a new frontier. Crocodile Tears throws Alex Rider into the jaws—literally. We open in Scotland, meet philanthropist-on-paper Desmond McCain of the First Aid charity, and quickly discover a disaster-profit scheme that weaponises tragedy for donations. From GM-food labs and biodomes to fake cops, forced travel and a crocodile interr…
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Enemy Within: Alex Rider’s Darkest Test | Snakehead Book Review
7:58
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7:58By Kyrin Down & Juan Granados
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When a Teenage Spy Goes to Space | Ark Angel Book Review
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8:19Into space we go! Ark Angel takes Alex Rider higher, literally, as he stumbles from a hospital bed into a conspiracy that leads straight into orbit. Anthony Horowitz throws his young spy into billionaire plots, CIA entanglements, and finally, a space station showdown that decides the fate of nations. (00:00) – Welcome: Alex Rider in Ark Angel (00:1…
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Alex Rider’s Identity Crisis | Scorpia Book Review
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8:11Scorpia isn’t just another Alex Rider adventure, it’s the book where everything shifts. Darker, grittier, and more morally complex, this is where Alex discovers the terrifying legacy of his father, the manipulative power of Scorpia, and the harsh truth that both MI6 and his enemies will use him as a pawn. In this review, I explore how Scorpia raise…
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Careful what you wish for: Eagle Strike Book Review
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10:07In this review, we dive into Eagle Strike, the fourth Alex Rider book by Anthony Horowitz. Alex finds himself on his own against the billionaire villain Damian Cray, with MI6 refusing to back him. Packed with action, foreshadowing of Scorpia, and a surprising philosophical twist, this book marks the bridge between the light beginnings of the series…
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Debunking Quacks & Biased Media | Bad Science (Ben Goldacre) BOOK REVIEW
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38:02There will always be someone selling BS, but you can learn how to spot it. 'Bad Science' by Ben Goldacre is an expose of sorts showcasing instances of media (individuals & as a whole) distorting statistics & scientific data. He explains the various errors they commit while examining the various reasons as to why they occurred. There are 16 chapters…
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S06-E03 Special Episode: Cross-over with Trouble Shooting Technicians
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27:29This special episode is a crossover episode with the Troubleshooting Technicians Podcast. Troubleshooting Technicians is a podcast about how technicians troubleshoot and solve problems in their work. This episode features Sean from Pfeiffer Vacuum. Sean describes general troubleshooting steps and then goes into a specific example of how to troubles…
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Inference is shaping a major role in AI's future
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48:31Bringing AI to the Edge: Dr. Bannon Bastani on Enterprise Computing's New Frontier Thanks for tuning in to "Advantest Talks Semi"! If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love to hear from you! Please take a moment to leave a rating on Apple Podcast. Your feedback helps us improve and reach new listeners. Don't forget to subscribe and share with your fri…
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What It Takes To Lead | Lee Kuan Yew (Allison & Blackwill) BOOK REVIEW
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40:21The future of Asia is interesting but even more so is the man who created it! 'Lee Kuan Yew' by Allison & Blackwill is a compiled selection of speeches & quotes from Lee Kuan Yew bundled together to come across as a single interview. The focus is on his opinions over the years on what he imagines the future will look like. It's split into 10 chapte…
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Worldbuilding on Steroids: Fellowship of the Ring, Book Review
11:46
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11:46Tolkien doesn’t write chapters; he builds civilisations. The Fellowship of the Ring is a slow, deliberate march through languages, histories and the lived feel of time, a marathon of meaning more than a sprint of action. I respect the scope, loved the journey, but prefer punchier reads. (00:00) “You shall not pass.” (00:09) Welcome & why review Fel…
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Semiconductors Shape The World | Chip War (Chris Miller) BOOK REVIEW
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33:37A world changing industry that kind of happened by coincidence. 'Chip War' by Chris Miller is a detailed history of the semiconductor industry from its origins in the 1950's to the present day. Important individuals/companies rise and fall as it goes from a new emerging technology created by theorists/tinkers to the global powerhouse companies infl…
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Strength Without Noise: Lessons from Skeleton Key’s Villain
10:01
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10:01In this Mere Mortals book review, we revisit Skeleton Key, the third Alex Rider novel, blending teenage espionage with lessons on stoicism, discipline, and composure. Beyond the action-packed spy drama, I explore how the book’s villain, the General, embodies a powerful, minimalistic strength that shaped my early understanding of discipline and quie…
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Historians Attempting Poetry | The Lessons Of History (Will & Ariel Durant) BOOK REVIEW
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17:40Not only is history written by the victors, but it's altered by the academics! 'The Lessons Of History' by Will & Ariel Durant is a small book that attempts to sum-up the history of humanity across several categories of human activity. They use examples from ancient civilisations but also add their own personal opinions into the mix. 13 chapters on…
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Who's Going To Man The Boats? | Lords Of The Sea (John R. Hale) BOOK REVIEW
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29:58Move aside Sparta, there's a new power in town! 'Lords of the Sea: The Epic Story of the Athenian Navy and the Birth of Democracy' by John R. Hale is a historical book that recounts the period from 483-322 BC of Ancient Greece and in particular the navy armada of Athens. We witness the rise and fall of Athenian power via not only sea battles with o…
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S06-E02 Ashley is an RDA process technician at Micron
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22:55Ashley is an RDA process technician at Micron in Manassas, Virginia. Ashley describes her role in inspecting wafers for imperfections and ensuring high-quality chips. She works shifts from Wednesday to Saturday, earning a starting wage of $20-$25 per hour, with potential differentials for night shifts. Benefits include excellent healthcare and reti…
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Cloned to Conform: Point Blanc and the Death of Individuality
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15:04In this Mere Mortals book review, we dive into Point Blanc by Anthony Horowitz, a fast-paced youth fiction novel that sparks deeper questions about cloning, perfectionism and identity. Using the wild plot as a springboard, the episode unpacks modern obsessions with filtered personas and asks: what do we lose when we trade uniqueness for conformity?…
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Good Man, Corrupt Businessman | The Wizard Of Wall Street & His Wealth (Trumbull White) BOOK REVIEW
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28:24Be wary of association with the Wizard Of Wall St .... unless you are family or friends! 'The Wizard Of Wall Street & His Wealth' by Trumbull White is a biography detailing the life of Jay Gould, at one point one of the wealthiest individuals in the world. It starts from his childhood and shows how he rose from poverty in the 1800's to become one o…
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The Hobbit Review: Why This Classic Still Hits Hard in 2025
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11:25In this episode, we dive into The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, the timeless tale that launched the modern fantasy genre. You'll hear why Bilbo Baggins’ unlikely hero’s journey still resonates today, what Tolkien nailed in his storytelling, and how this short adventure carries deep philosophical punch. From dragons to dwarves to life-changing quotes, t…
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Earn Money By Testing The Ticker | Reminiscences Of A Stock Operator (Edwin Lefevre) BOOK REVIEW
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34:33The fun side of rather questionable behaviour. 'Reminiscences Of A Stock Operator' by Edwin Lefevre is a fictional 1st person account of a Wall St trader in the early 1900's, but largely based on the real life operator of Jesse Lauriston Livermore. He describes his early life trading in bucket shops before moving into more high leverage trading and…
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10 Lessons From Ryan Holiday’s Most Honest Book Yet
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12:34In this Mere Mortals Learnings episode, I unpack the raw insights from Right Thing, Right Now by Ryan Holiday. This book, focused on the Stoic virtue of justice, might not be his most thrilling but it’s undoubtedly the one that digs the deepest. From power and personal responsibility to kindness and selfishness, these lessons challenge you to live …
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Philosophical Essays & Nihilism | Readings From The Road
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36:50We're back from travelling, wiser & thankfully not sad about it. In this special episode we are covering 3 books of essays/philosophical investigations by written by 3 authors in the 20th century. The books themselves are 'What Does It All Mean?' by Thomas Nagel, 'What Is Man & Other Essays' by Mark Twain & 'The Foundation Pit' by Andrey Platonov. …
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Right Thing, Right Now: The Stoic Virtue We Avoid
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10:42In this Mere Mortals book review, I tackle Right Thing, Right Now by Ryan Holiday, the third in his Stoic Virtue series. It’s a slower, deeper, more reflective book centred on justice, the virtue that’s hardest to sell and hardest to live by. I share why this wasn’t my favourite read, but why it might be the most meaningful one for the long game of…
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S06-E01 Joey is a Equipment Engineer at Micron
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26:06In this episode of Talking Technicians you’ll meet Joey, an equipment engineer at Micron in Boise, Idaho. Joey details his professional journey from being a technician to an engineer, the operations at Micron, and the skills required to excel in the semiconductor industry. Joey shares insights on salary expectations, benefits, and the importance of…
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Jose, a technician at the Kavli Nanoscience Institute (KNI) at Caltech, discusses his role in microfabrication, using equipment like ellipsometers and atomic force microscopes. He describes his daily routine, including wearing a bunny suit for safety. Jose shares his educational journey, starting from Pasadena City College, and his plans to transfe…
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Adapt or Die: The Youth Spy Who Sparked a Passion for Discipline | Stormbreaker BOOK REVIEW
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8:25A 14-year-old is thrust into the shadow world of espionage, where every move is a fight to survive—and grow up fast. My book review on an oldie but a goodie, Stormbreaker by Anthony Horrowitz (00:00) – You're Never Too Young to Die (00:47) – First Encounter at 14 (02:15) – Spy Fantasy Meets Realism (03:38) – Plot Recap & Absurd Action (05:41) – Phi…
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S05-E09 Justin is a test engineer at Entegris
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15:50Justin, a test engineer at Entegris in Prior Lake, Minnesota, discusses his career progression from working as technician to becoming an engineer. As a test engineer, Justin tests materials and designs using metrology and microscopy. Previously, Justin worked as an applications technician at Optima, where he demonstrated aerosol jet technology to c…
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You Can’t Pour From an Empty Bucket: Real-World Laws for Life & Leadership
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12:52In this episode, I explore the concrete takeaways from The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett. These aren’t abstract ideals—they're raw, lived-in lessons. From why your mind and body are your first foundation, to how meaningful questions shape behaviour, this reflection dives deep into the book’s most impactful ideas and challenges conventional wisd…
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33 Laws For Life & Business: A Tactical Review of Steven Bartlett's Philosophy
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9:33In this Mere Mortals book review, we dive into The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett—an energetic, story-driven guide to business and life. This isn’t your typical theory-heavy read; it’s a tactical, quote-filled journey through 33 digestible laws forged from real experience. From mastering your skill set to navigating reputation and network, this …
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S05-E08 Logan is a Quality Tech 3 at Renewal by Andersen
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17:28Logan is a Quality Tech 3 at Renewal by Anderson in Ellsworth, Wisconsin. Logan highlights career development opportunities at Anderson, including promotions to technologist positions. Logan notes that technicians can earn around $25 an hour and can secure benefits like 401(k) plans and PTO. Logan contrasts his experience at a large company with hi…
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Mobs & Crazes | Extraordinary Popular Delusions & The Madness Of Crowds (Charles Mackay) BOOK REVIEW
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40:37The best example of human madness is found across the ages. 'Extraordinary Popular Delusions & The Madness Of Crowds' by Charles Mackay is a mammoth examination of the most ridiculous crazes across history, whether they be funny, bad or horrendous. Charles details some of the more well known financial bubbles (South Sea, Mississippi, Tulip Mania) b…
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How I Choose Books | Techniques To Find & Prefilter Enjoyable Reads
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35:34Why don't I read recently published books? Today is a special episode where I am going over how I find new books, ways I actively try to avoid wasting my time & some little tricks & tips to get the most out of your reading. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :) Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:11) Finding …
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S05-E07 Ani is an intern at the Cal Tech Nano Lab
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24:13Ani, an intern at Caltech's KNI clean room, discusses her role in nanotechnology fabrication. Ani trained on various machines, including the Orion metal deposition equipment and an ellipsometer. Ani emphasizes the importance of protective gear and the challenges of working in a loud environment. She recounts her first day and the impact of the Cali…
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Small Snippets Of Counter-Wisdom | A Primer For Forgetting (Lewis Hyde) BOOK REVIEW
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23:25What was I reviewing again? 'A Primer For Forgetting' by Lewis Hyde is a collection of intimate thoughts, stories, poems, mythological tales & quips. The primary theme is around forgetting & how this can be beneficial for an individual or groups, particularly when it relates to trauma. It's split into 4 parts (that he calls notebooks) about myth, s…
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Mixing The Weird & The Mundane | Metamorphosis & Other Stories (Franz Kafka) BOOK REVIEW
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27:03
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27:03Boy are cockroaches gross! 'Metamorphosis & Other Stories' by Franz Kafka is a collection of prose poems, short stories, sketches, allegories, and novelettes. The longest is of Gregor Samsa, the travelling salesman who wakes up in his bed as a cockroach. You'll find others about conflict on a ship, dealing with annoying people on the street, etc. A…
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Cyberpunk At It's Very Coolest | Neuromancer (William Gibson) BOOK REVIEW
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26:57
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26:57I'm jacking into cyberspace for some pain and pleasure. 'Neuromancer' by William Gibson is a sci-fi classic that was right at the beginning of the cyberpunk genre. We follow Case in a futuristic techno world where he is hired to hack into a wealthy family's lair. He is part of a motley crew each with their own specialty, hired by an AI to free itse…
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S05-E06 Ian is a maintenance technician at Polar Semiconductor
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16:44Ian, a maintenance technician at Polar Semiconductor in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, discusses his career path and work as a maintenance technician. Ian troubleshoots equipment and tools, including those for low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LP CVD) at high temperatures. Ian transitioned from running his own business to becoming a technician aft…
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Annoying Flying Assholes | Peter Pan (J.M. Barrie) BOOK REVIEW
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24:15We've got it all wrong, there's no good guys & bad guys .... they're all bad! 'Peter Pan' by J.M. Barrie is a classic story of a child who never grows up. Peter lives in Neverland, a mystical island where pirates, Indians and wild beasts roam. He commands a gang of Lost Boys and takes them on adventures along with Wendy, Tinkerbell, John & Michael.…
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Buddhist Meditation Practices For Healing | Radical Acceptance (Tara Brach) BOOK REVIEW
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30:51
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30:51Strategies to accept your suffering & heal yourself with compassion. 'Radical Acceptance' by Tara Brach is a guide of various meditation & framing practices to recognise the root cause of emotional distress. These are derived from Buddhist principles and serve to help accept the current pain & suffering. There are 13 chapters that begin with a stor…
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S05-E05 Gabriel is a Field Service Engineer at Applied Materials
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20:14Gabriel is a field service engineer at Applied Materials in Hillsboro, Oregon. In this episode, Gabriel discusses his career path. He attended the Early College High School Program, focusing on microelectronics technology automation. Gabriel works inside Intel's Ronler Acres campus, troubleshooting and maintaining semiconductor equipment. Gabriel a…
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Western Stories/Eastern Philosophy | The Tao Of Pooh & The Te Of Piglet (Benjamin Hoff) BOOK REVIEW
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30:07You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. 'The Tao Of Pooh & The Te Of Piglet' by Benjamin Hoff is a light read interpreting Taoism through the lens of A. A. Milne's 'Winnie The Pooh' characters. Core concepts such as The Way & Wu Wei are explored and why certain characters embody various aspects of the re…
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The Metaverse Matrix: Transforming Semiconductors with Digital Twins
47:26
47:26
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47:26Join us on "Advantest Talks Semi" as we explore the transformative impact of the industrial metaverse with Don Ong and his guest, Sanjeev Kumar. Sanjeev Kumar is a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and advisor specializing in enterprise AI, data management, tech-bio, and industrial automation. With over seven years of investment experience, he has worked…
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New Language, New You | The Bilingual Brain (Albert Costa) BOOK REVIEW
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28:40What happens inside the head when you learn a 2nd language? 'The Bilingual Brain' by Albert Costa is a quick summary of academic research on bilingual vs monolingual speakers. He looks at effects that knowing a 2nd language can have on the physical wiring as well as behavioural differences. So things like response times, vocab limits, gray matter d…
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S05-E04 Matt is a Senior Research Technician
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13:40Matt is a senior research technician at the University of Kentucky's Institute of Sustainable Manufacturing. He shares his career path, starting from Somerset Community College, where he earned a 3D printing technician certificate, to working at Blue Origin in Washington State and then returning to Kentucky. Matt emphasizes the importance of proble…
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Mastering Power: The Secrets Behind the 48 Laws
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28:25By Kyrin Down & Juan Granados
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God Grant Me My Independence | Common Sense (Thomas Paine) BOOK REVIEW
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25:45Isn't it common sense to go wild & fight!!! 'Common Sense' by Thomas Paine is a small pamphlet distributed just before the start of the American Revolution. In it he makes arguments for why they should break away from English governance to become their own independent country and not a colony. These focus on religious views of kings, the illegitima…
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The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene – Book Review & Analysis
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17:28By Kyrin Down & Juan Granados
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Interest Is Kind Of Interesting | The Price Of Time (Edward Chancellor) BOOK REVIEW
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28:50Out of interest, what price do you put on your time? 'The Price Of Time' by Edward Chancellor is a look at interest rates across history and what effects they have had on human behaviour & therefore economic activity. His central argument is that the current rates of interest seen in modern times are too low and have led to distorted & unproductive…
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S05-E03 Eldon is an Additive Manufacturing Project Specialist
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30:12Eldon shares his journey from high school in McCreary County, Kentucky, to his current role as an Additive Manufacturing Project Specialist at Somerset Community College. Eldon initially pursued a 3D printing certificate at Somerset Community College, which prepared him for a technician role at Fast Radius. Despite initial challenges, including mov…
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Love Intrigues & Speculation | The Gilded Age (Mark Twain & Charles Dudley Warner) BOOK REVIEW
39:09
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39:09Everybody is out for money ... politicians just want yours as well. 'The Gilded Age' by Mark Twain & Charles Dudley Warner is a fictional tale of the money, speculation & intrigue of American politics. It has two main branches of the story that intersect. The first is about a cast of small town people who seek out the riches of Washington (Laura, W…
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Data Management Frontiers: Navigating the Semiconductor Landscape with Joe Addiego of Brave Capital
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39:16Join us on "Advantest Talks Semi" as we explore the critical importance of data management in the semiconductor industry with our guest, Joe Addiego. Joe Addiego is a seasoned operating executive and investor with over 20 years of operating experience in technology. His executive leadership contributed to two successful Initial Public Offerings (IP…
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