The Spiro Circle

In a world where AI is transforming industries, Israeli startup Verbit stands out by operating in the legal transcription space. Founded in 2017, Verbit has been at the forefront of AI-driven transcription and captioning, offering accuracy and insights.Today, Verbit’s technology is tailored for the legal sector, a field that’s famously slow to innovate and that demands precision and accountability. By leveraging AI, the company provides real-time transcription services that help legal professionals navigate complex cases by acting as a ‘second chair’ in the room. The platform, Legal Visor, can capture voice signatures and provide multilingual support, unlike generic transcription tools, and flag inconsistencies in testimonies. The technology is also being used at The Peres Center for Peace and Innovation Visitor Center, which features subtitles in four languages ​​with transcription using Verbit’s AI-based technology.The Impact of AI in Legal TranscriptionThe integration of AI in legal transcription has been a game-changer, but not without its complications. Verbit’s tools allow for real-time editing and insights, making it an invaluable asset in courtrooms and legal proceedings, but it never claims to make decisions on behalf of humans. The technology ensures that legal professionals can focus on their core responsibilities while AI handles the transcription with precision.“It doesn’t make any decisions,” explained Amsterdam. “It only transcribes in real time and provides insights like a ‘second chair’. Everything is done by the lawyer. The tool has zero aspects of replacing the lawyer or [making] any decisions for the lawyer.”As AI continues to evolve, Verbit remains committed to enhancing its offerings, ensuring that legal professionals have access to the best tools available. It’s a tool, Amsterdam claims, that beats out traditional transcription services. “Zoom doesn’t let you edit in real time. It doesn’t let you have a voice signature,” he added. “It doesn’t let you do many things that this tool allows you to do. This is a professional transcription tool. And that’s why we see the users really vote for this kind of tool. So while I have a lot of respect for what Zoom, Teams, and the rest of the platforms are doing, it’s not good for a court use case.”Beyond The CourtroomWe also spoke soon after the company announced an expansion of its dubbing offerings. Verbit Dub, in partnership with Deepdub, is designed to help content creators, broadcasters, and enterprises reach audiences worldwide — faster, at scale, and with more control than ever.For the content creators and podcasters out there, it helps them expand globally while keeping up with production schedules. “With Verbit Dub, we give creators the freedom to choose the level of AI dubbing, human refinement, and studio production they need, whether they’re tapping into new markets or delivering fully localized cinematic content, said Doug Karlovits, General Manager at Verbit. “The dubbing suite is designed for control, speed, and expanding audience reach without compromise.”Learn more about the tool in the video, and see for yourself how its Legal Visor can change the courtroom. Get full access to The Spiro Circle at www.thespirocircle.com/subscribe

When S Capital first backed Run:ai in 2018, there was no AI boom to ride. Large language models weren’t part of the mainstream vocabulary and ChatGPT was still far into the future. GPUs were powerful but inefficient, and the problem Run:ai set out to solve, orchestrating and optimizing GPU usage at scale, was largely invisible.“The word of AI was not as it is considered today,” investor Aya Peterburg recalled. “No one knew to say even ‘LLM’ or what that means.”Seen through that lens, NVIDIA’s ultimate 2024 acquisition of Run:ai was not a bet on hype, but the continuation of a strategy that began four years earlier with its purchase of Mellanox Technologies. It first embedded NVIDIA into Israel’s engineering ecosystem, anchoring its data-center, networking, and high-performance computing capabilities in the country. Run:ai and others would then extend that footprint into the software layer that determines how AI actually runs at scale.Together, the two acquisitions tell a coherent story: Israel is not just a distant satellite office for NVIDIA, but where some of its most critical infrastructure problems are solved.Run:ai identified a structural inefficiency at the heart of AI computing. Companies were paying for expensive GPUs while extracting only a fraction of their potential. As Peterburg explained, customers were “pay[ing] more money to NVIDIA… but they got back in the day only 15% of what they paid for” because GPUs running large workloads couldn’t communicate efficiently.The challenge was timing. “You couldn’t sell to startups as design partners,” Peterburg said. “You have to sell to those large organizations.” With no direct competitors and no clear market category, Run:ai had to wait for the AI world to grow into its necessity.That patience required a specific kind of investor. “We see ourselves as helping them to understand what they have in their hand,” Peterburg said. “It’s the founders who will be able to tell the story.” For her, that partnership is built outside formalities. “I never learned something new in board meetings,” she added. “We sometimes do a lot of walks on the beach… it makes you think of problems differently.”Like many companies in Israel, they faced a challenge during the war. Run:ai employees were called into reserve duty, some into active combat. Yet NVIDIA proceeded with the acquisition: a sign that its commitment to Israel is not contingent on stability, but on capability.That commitment is bearing fruit with a new 10,000-employee campus in Kiryat Tivon and plenty more expansion in the future. From Mellanox to Run:ai, NVIDIA has effectively stacked Israel into its core architecture: networking, hardware efficiency, and AI workload orchestration. For Peterburg, the lesson is clear. “As an investor, I believe that our role is being measured in the bad days,” she said. “Helping the founders find their way to a safe zone.”Run:ai’s story shows what happens when that philosophy aligns with corporate strategy. Israel is no longer just a place where companies are built. As NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang puts it, it is a “second home” where the future of global AI infrastructure is taking shape.Prefer YouTube? You can watch the same interview here: Get full access to The Spiro Circle at www.thespirocircle.com/subscribe

Today’s episode looks at HS2 — the UK’s massive high-speed rail project that promised to connect London with major cities across the country.HS2 was meant to boost economic growth, cut travel times, and modernize the transit network. Instead, it became a lightning rod for political debate: skyrocketing costs, environmental concerns, shifting government commitments, and fierce disagreement about whether the benefits justify the price.For those who haven’t been following: In 2009, HS2 was sold as a £40 billion high-speed railway connecting the Northern cities of Leeds, York, and Manchester with Birmingham and London.But almost 17 years later, the route will only be a fraction of the original, linking the suburbs of Birmingham with London.According to the government, HS2 has already spent £40.5 billion in nominal prices, but once adjusted for inflation, financing costs, and subsidies, experts project HS2’s total cost will be significantly north of £100 billion.The move from fixed-price contracts to cost-plus contracts has caused a 90% cost increase since 2020, allowing developers and contractors to profit enormously at taxpayers’ expense with an extraordinary human toll: 20,000 people were forcibly displaced from their homes and businesses, facing inadequate compensation and intimidation.One of them is Michael Gross, a self-made real estate billionaire and founder of Sydney and London Properties. He owned the Euston Station estate when it was compulsorily purchased by HS2, making him the largest CPO claimant in British history.Michael says he experienced firsthand how major institutions involved in the project tried to bury mistakes, silence criticism, and push ahead at any cost. Our talk begins by explaining what Michael lived through, what he tried to expose, and what his experience reveals about how billion-pound national projects can go wrong — and how ordinary people can get hurt along the way.We then speak about what this means for the decline of the UK more generally. At the time of recording:* Half of Britons support scrapping HS2 to plug budget shortfall - The Times* UK unemployment rate rises to 5.1% - BBC News* Its economy shrank unexpectedly, and GDP fell by 0.1% - The Guardian* A net 110,000 British people aged 16 to 34 emigrated - The Telegraph* 45% of Britons believe the UK is ‘an unsafe place for Jewish people’ - The Jewish ChronicleWhether you’ve never heard of HS2 or think you already know the story, Michael’s perspective will make you rethink everything. And hearing what impact all of this is having on the future of the country will make you concerned for how we can ultimately turn things around. Get full access to The Spiro Circle at www.thespirocircle.com/subscribe

Recently, I spoke to Yonatan Sela, Partner at Square Peg. Today, he invests in Israeli companies, but he used to be an entrepreneur and founder himself. Before Square Peg, Yonatan helped build YouNow into a consumer live-streaming platform; he co-founded Props, a decentralized protocol designed to give users ownership in consumer apps; and he worked across early-stage investing, consulting, and product leadership roles.I could relate to that idea of ‘crossing the picket fence’ - starting your career in one area and then flipping it to the other. Before I was a journalist, I was in public relations; I can understand how those two worlds work together and complement each other.In some ways, we are two of the same: not only do the investors and founders look for good stories, but the journalists and the public relations professionals also work on crafting stories for clients or tech companies.“In my view, the personal story is the icing on the cake, and that can separate someone from a 9/10 to a 10/10 and touch emotionally in a deeper way,” said Sela. “I think the story must relate to tectonic shifts that are happening in the world.”We also spoke about the Israeli tech scene more generally, and I really benefited from hearing his unique perspectives about it. Together, we explored the nuances of Startup Nation and the transformative power of storytelling in business. Specifically, Sela highlighted the innovative spirit that positions Israeli startups for success in the AI era - and the resilient qualities in local founders that are fostered in this unique environment. “Because of the level of uncertainty you experience here, I think people are just better suited for that than most of their counterparts in other parts of the world,” he explained. “If you don’t know if you’re gonna live next week, of course, you operate differently than if you’re operating in a perfectly stable environment: If you don’t know if you need to get a funding round done before a war breaks out, you operate differently with a different sense of urgency.”The resilience that Israelis demonstrated in these last few years has amounted to historic deals like the $32 billion acquisition deal between Google and Wiz, or the IPO for eToro. “The tech ecosystem held up during the war and came out a lot stronger. And I think there’s renewed interest from international investors in Israel,” Sela said.I gleaned valuable insights hearing about Yonatan’s journey from entrepreneur to investor, and how it mirrored my own trajectory. For anyone navigating the tech landscape, you can watch the entire exchange in the video above. Prefer YouTube? You can watch the same interview here: Get full access to The Spiro Circle at www.thespirocircle.com/subscribe

In today’s tech landscape, deeptech has emerged as a critical player in shaping the future.To understand this better, I recently sat down with Doron Zauer, General Partner at Earth and Beyond Ventures. Together, we discussed the significance of deeptech and its growing influence, particularly in Israel and Startup Nation.Deeptech refers to technologies based on significant scientific advances and engineering innovation. Unlike ‘traditional’ tech, which often focuses on software or consumer gadgets, deeptech leans heavily on core scientific concepts in areas such as quantum computing, biotech, spacetech, or materials science.“There’s more demand around bandwidth, connectivity, energy, data storage, because of generative AI, ChatGPT, all those companies,” explained Zauer. “They need masses of electric power, processing power, and amounts of storage. At the end of the day, software sits on something; it sits on something physical and we’re really pushing the boundaries of what we’re demanding of software in other use cases such as driverless cars and connectivity in the areas of communications.”For Zauer, the need for robust physical hardware is what will drive the call for these solutions. “It’s not as if we in Israel just came up with deeptech and decided it was a good thesis. Around the world, you can see more deeptech funds being raised, more allocations to deeptech from generalist funds. You can see all sorts of AI companies that are buying amounts of hardware and processing power because that’s what they know they’re going to need in the years to come.”Zauer explained that deeptech companies possess a unique competitive advantage derived from their technologies, rather than just their business models. The fund invests at the early stage, and portfolio companies include QuamCore, Spiral Photonics, SkyPearl, and CoolVOC, among others.The rise of deeptech was partly a response to the overvaluation of software companies during the tech boom, he claimed. As the market shifted towards a more substance-based approach, investors began prioritizing companies with sound business models and stronger advantages over their competitors. This shift has positioned deeptech as a vital sector for future investment and growth.During our chat, Zauer highlighted various sectors that heavily utilize deeptech, including compute, climatetech, new energy, and defense. He also noted how even though Israel has long been recognized as a leader in sectors like cybersecurity and software, deeptech is equally critical to Israel’s future in the tech landscape.“In terms of where the Israeli market is and how we’re bringing foreign investors… we’re not just selling specific technology, we’re selling the Israeli market,” he said. “We’re telling them that Israel’s open for business again. More open for business than it was before, because we never closed… We’re very optimistic. There are a lot of studies that show that economies come out of war and conflict bigger, better than ever.”While software might dominate current investment trends, the balance is shifting, with more funds being allocated to hardware and deeptech solutions.You can listen to all the insights in the conversation above.Prefer YouTube? You can watch the same interview below: Get full access to The Spiro Circle at www.thespirocircle.com/subscribe

Exciting news has hit The Spiro Circle: We have partnered with Forbes to broadcast stories from Israel’s high-tech sector. We start with Salt Security. Meet Co-Founder and CEO Roey Eliyahu: he turned a meeting with Sam Altman into a $1.4 billion cyber company.In 2016, Salt Security Co-founder and CEO Roey Eliyahu spotted a risk few others were focused on. As the internet evolved and companies became increasingly dependent on APIs to power their digital services, he recognized that vulnerabilities hidden in those interfaces would soon become one of the most significant threats facing businesses across every sector.Read the whole article on Forbes Israel… You can watch the full discussion in the video above. Get full access to The Spiro Circle at www.thespirocircle.com/subscribe

In the evolving world of healthcare and pharmaceuticals, the intersection of AI and drug discovery has become a focal point for innovation - especially in Israel. This week, I spoke to AION Labs CEO Mati Gill, who shares insights on how the venture studio is transforming the landscape of drug development through collaboration and cutting-edge technology. Founded by global pharmaceutical partners Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Merck, and Teva, AION Labs is located in Israel and leverages AI while fostering collaboration among legacy giants, emerging startups, and local government support. Israel’s unique position as a center for biotech innovation is underscored by its scientific research capabilities and strong tech ecosystem. We discuss how the country’s rich history of Startup Nation and advancements in life sciences create an ideal environment for new ideas to flourish. The collaboration between academia and industry is paving the way for breakthroughs in drug discovery, positioning Israel as a key player in the global pharmaceutical landscape.Learn more about them in the video above. Get full access to The Spiro Circle at www.thespirocircle.com/subscribe

This week, I spoke to Keshet CEO Maya Natan about Israel’s philanthropic efforts and how it helps citizens and corporations donate money and assets.Keshet is a donor-advised fund that offers a wide range of services to facilitate philanthropic giving, including advisory, operational, and strategic services. In 2024, it reached NIS 880 million ($270 million) of assets managed, and helped 155 donors grant NIS 420 million to more than 1,100 Israeli organizations.Our conversation explores the significant role of the civic sector in Israel following the events of October 7, highlighting how NGOs and philanthropy stepped up to support the nation during a time of crisis.We also discuss the unprecedented financial contributions made to address urgent community needs and the impact of these efforts on the country’s recovery.Some takeaways:* The civic sector was crucial in supporting Israel post-October 7th.* Individuals and NGOs filled the gaps left by the government.* Philanthropy recognized the urgent need for support in Israel.* There was a significant increase in financial contributions to NGOs.* The response from the community was unprecedented in scale.* Organizations mobilized quickly to address national needs.* Collaboration between NGOs and individuals was vital.Watch a preview here: Get full access to The Spiro Circle at www.thespirocircle.com/subscribe

In this episode, Founder and CEO of Foodini, Dylan McDonnell, shares his journey from being a corporate lawyer to founding a tech company focused on providing transparency in food ingredients for those with dietary restrictions. There are 33 million Americans who live with a variety of dietary restrictions, whether it’s an allergy, a religious choice, or even women who are pregnant. Dylan himself has Celiac disease, an autoimmune condition where the immune system reacts to gluten, sometimes causing damage to the small intestine, along with 3.2 million Americans.Foodini has created a Dietary Intelligence Platform that creates AI-driven ingredient transparency and tagging solutions for foodtech and hospitality, from dining rooms to stadiums. Its API helps large menu datasets and empowers food delivery and hospitality platforms to cater to diners with specific dietary needs. Together, we discuss the challenges faced by individuals with food allergies, the tech behind Foodini, and the importance of compliance with food safety regulations. Dylan also touches on the political landscape surrounding food safety legislation, such as the new California law requiring establishments with more than 20 locations to list all nine allergies. If you’re reading this from the EU, you might think it’s obvious that menus would list allergies, but no mandate in the US requires this. The California legislation may be the catalyst the country needs to expand that obligation to other US states, similar to how California copied Europe’s GDPR law with its own CCPA, only for it to trickle down into other states as well. Finally, Dylan offers advice for aspiring founders looking to make a similar leap into entrepreneurship - something that resonated with me strongly due to my recent move from traditional media into a fully independent creator.Highlights* Dylan’s transition from a corporate lawyer to a foodtech entrepreneur.* How Foodini addresses the lack of transparency in food ingredients by using AI to personalize dining experiences based on dietary needs.* 33 million Americans have food allergies, highlighting a significant market. * Lobbying for California’s new legislation, which may pave the way for more states to follow.* Personalization is key to customer loyalty in the food industry, especially among those with allergies.* The importance of passion in entrepreneurship.You can learn more about Foodini here: https://foodini.co/PREVIEW: Lobbying the American Political System: California food bill & MAHA The Spiro Circle is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Spiro Circle at www.thespirocircle.com/subscribe

I’ve been interested in deepfake technology recently.We’ve all been exposed to it: fraudulent audio or video content usually created by AI. Our aunts and uncles might believe every meme they see on Facebook or other social media channels, but it can be a lot more nefarious. Deepfakes can trick us into believing fake news, they can mimic our voices to trick banks or insurance companies, or they can create untrue documentation designed to destroy the reputation of politicians, business leaders, or celebrities. But then there are more traditional use cases. This week, I spoke to Michael Matias, co-founder and CEO of Clarity. The AI cybersecurity startup protects against deepfakes, as well as new social engineering and phishing attack vectors in the context of recruitment: it makes sure that companies hire people who really are who they claim to be. “You have nation states that are targeting enterprises in other states where they want to learn information, they want to steal money, they want to disrupt critical infrastructure,” Michael explained. “One of the reasons hiring fraud has become top of mind for many companies is that a lot of Fortune 500s over the last few months have discovered that they accidentally hired North Korean IT workers… Those specific talents did not disclose they were from North Korea, and they posed as US citizen employees earning critical access to sensitive information.”This week, we discuss the evolution of deepfake technology and AI voice duplication, highlighting the advancements made in the last three years, basically when ChatGPT was launched. This isn’t the first time that Michael and I have connected with a podcast. For a few years, I helped publish his podcast, 20 Minute Leaders on CTech - over the years we produced more than 100 episodes together.It was a pleasure to speak with him today on my new platform. I hope you enjoy it. Learn more about Clarity here: https://www.getclarity.ai/More ways to watch/listen: Get full access to The Spiro Circle at www.thespirocircle.com/subscribe

There is so much in life that can be broken down into the simple understanding that everything is a form of storytelling - and that communication rests on the ears of the receiver. It was a lesson I first learned while I was reading Surrounded by Idiots: The Four Types of Human Behavior by Thomas Erikson. And it was reinforced this week when I spoke with Ben Wiener, Managing Partner at Jumpspeed Ventures. What is something we have in common? We both get pitched by tech founders!But one of us is an investor and the other is a journalist - so it’s only normal that we look for different things and expect different messaging. We are the same coin, but on opposite sides. We both know from experience how wrong a pitch can go if it’s not tailored for the right ears. So Ben has developed the H.E.A.R.T framework to help founders perfect their pitches. He is also the author of Fever Pitch: A Novel About Selling Your Vision, Raising Venture Capital, and Launching Your Startup. It’s a business-fiction novel that follows founder Mark Edmond and his journey to launch his startup while avoiding the mafia - two high-stress environments!I read the book over the recent holiday period, and we discussed why he felt he could best teach these insights in the form of a novel. We also discuss storytelling, communication, and the importance of understanding the ‘why’ behind a founder’s story. Takeaways: * The H.E.A.R.T framework is a five-part structure for pitching startups.* Journalists and Investors both get pitched; the trick is tailoring your message to the right ears. * Storytelling is crucial in both business and personal contexts.* The protagonist’s struggles in ‘Fever Pitch’ reflect real entrepreneurial challenges.* Founders often struggle to communicate their ‘why’ effectively.* Investors are looking for specific elements in pitches that resonate with them.* Effective pitches can be condensed into a one-minute format.Those interested in learning more about the H.E.A.R.T method can access the playbook here: https://feverpitchbook.com/ You can also buy Fever Pitch on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Fever-Pitch-Selling-Raising-Launching/dp/B0F72ZR4RS Get full access to The Spiro Circle at www.thespirocircle.com/subscribe

This episode is sure to raise a few eyebrows.I wanted to better understand society’s reaction to feminism, but through the experience of women who are balancing their work and personal life. No better person expressed concern for the current infrastructure in place more than Dr. Stephanie Wilson, founder of She’s In Business, a global not-for-profit business platform.Dr. Wilson is a PhD in Business, an autistic domestic abuse survivor turned award-winning entrepreneur, and her platform has helped more than 14,000 women across 85 countries move “from welfare to wealth” through fully funded, accredited business training.Her work specifically takes aim at the rise of what she describes as “performative” female empowerment: think the glossy panels, hashtags, and campaigns that claim progress but rarely deliver real backing. UK government data shows women-led businesses have dropped from 19% in 2021 to 15% in 2023. Instead of true innovation, many women are pushed into franchises or survivalist side hustles that function more as jobs than scalable enterprises.Dr. Wilson argues that this performance feminism doesn’t just fail women, it actively segregates men and women, fostering a false narrative of empowerment while leaving systemic inequities untouched. She describes how we, as a culture, are happy to celebrate women on stage but fail to fund them in practice. And with only 2% of global venture capital reaching women, the cost isn’t just to women themselves but to society, innovation, and GDP growth.In our chat, Dr. Wilson discusses the complexities of female empowerment and entrepreneurship, highlighting the challenges women face in the business world. She shares her personal journey of overcoming adversity and the systemic issues that lead to gender disparities in business and critiques performative empowerment initiatives that fail to address the genuine needs of women entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of recognizing women’s contributions beyond their monetary value. The discussion also explores “survivalist entrepreneurship”, which is a term I had never heard of, and the role of policy and societal change in fostering authentic female leadership.Takeaways:* Dr. Wilson’s journey began in an addictive household, leading to her advocacy for women’s empowerment.* Many women start businesses out of necessity rather than innovation, termed ‘survivalist entrepreneurship.’* Performative empowerment initiatives often fail to deliver real support for women entrepreneurs.* Women contribute significantly to the economy through unpaid labor, which is often overlooked.* The narrative around women’s roles in the economy needs to shift from monetary value to holistic contributions.* Women face systemic barriers in accessing funding and support for their businesses.* The majority of women entrepreneurs operate in low-profit sectors, making them vulnerable to economic crises.* Societal expectations often place a dual burden on women to balance work and caregiving responsibilities.* Data shows that women are often at a financial disadvantage compared to men, especially in retirement.* Policy changes are needed to create a more equitable environment for women in business.This episode addresses some hard truths that many people may find uncomfortable… but if you think someone may enjoy it, then please share it with a friend or family member. Get full access to The Spiro Circle at www.thespirocircle.com/subscribe

I’ve been thinking a lot about trauma recently.As we reach the second anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, we can see now the effect and damage that the war is having on the country and its people, not just on a macro level, but on the single, granular level felt by each person.Trauma can manifest both collectively and individually, and how we respond to that trauma comes in how we can identify and treat it to avoid it getting worse. When our body fails to register its ‘fight or flight’ reflex, trauma can set in and activate symptoms such as anxiety, sweats, that lump in your throat, or even OCD.Personally, I found the days after October 7 incredibly traumatic: not only in the sense of the physical safety for myself and my loved ones, but also by seeing the response in the West to Israel’s reaction, the explosion of antisemitism that followed, and the disassociation between Israel and its allies. We felt alone.On today’s episode, I’m joined by Gina Ross, a trauma specialist, author, and founder and president of The International Trauma Healing Institute. Her new book, October 7: A Call to Action for Israel, Jews, and the World, explores how the Hamas attacks were not just a national tragedy, but also a turning point for Israel, the Jewish people, and the broader world. Drawing on her expertise in trauma, Gina frames antisemitism and radical violence as cycles of unhealed collective trauma—and argues that October 7 offers a chance for healing, unity, and moral clarity.In this conversation, we talk about what redemption looks like in practice, the transformations she believes are necessary for Israel and its allies, and how ordinary people can play a role in answering this call to action.Some key takeaways:* How trauma can manifest both collectively and individually.* Healing trauma is essential for peace.* The October 7 attack highlighted unresolved issues.* Collective trauma can repeat across generations.* Understanding trauma helps in addressing violence.* Israel’s military strength contrasts with its historical vulnerability.* Awareness of antisemitism is crucial in today’s context.You can order a copy of Gina’s book, October 7: A Call to Action for Israel, Jews, and the World, here: https://www.amazon.com/October-Action-Opportunity-Redemption-Century/dp/1956381899If you or someone you know is suffering from trauma, you can watch Gina’s free 10-minute EmotionAid video, teaching how to release stress and trauma on the spot quickly. Follow the link here: https://emotionaid.tabs.designThe Spiro Circle is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.More ways to watch: Get full access to The Spiro Circle at www.thespirocircle.com/subscribe

Note: This episode is the final of three recorded interviews conducted on the same day using a new platform. Some growing pains were expected, and this final edit is a bit rougher than I’d like, including some intermittent sound issues that could not be removed. Thanks for your patience as we refine the process — future episodes will appear smoother. - JS.A few weeks ago, I spoke with Erel Herzog, co-founder of Combatica, a company specializing in advanced tactical training simulators that utilize VR technology. We discussed the evolution of training technologies, the impact of VR on defense training, partnerships with law enforcement, and the potential for dual-use applications in entertainment.The conversation was, in some ways, an update to some time we spent together last year, when I first became aware of the company and its devices. I visited its offices in Israel and experienced firsthand how the technology can help armies and soldiers in training. One of the perks of being a tech journalist in Startup Nation!I was thrown into a virtual school and had to react to a live shooter, who was attacking students in several classrooms. It was pretty impressive (and, I’m told, it has only improved). Those interested in reading my in-depth review can see more on CTech, but here is a preview:Whereas the Vision Pro was an impressive piece of technology, I wouldn’t rush to walk around with it on my face. The device is heavy and cabled, immersive but somewhat disorientating. Here, Combatica’s Quest technology and AI scenarios are the complete opposite: the light headpiece is barely noticeable and I felt no problems running, ducking, and navigating the artificial environment. It felt like I was inside the computer games I used to play or as if I had upgraded from the laser tag playgrounds I used to visit as a child.More: Soldiers are getting an XR boost for training on the battlegroundThis time around, Erel shared insights on the future of immersive technologies more generally, as the company is expanding into the gaming space - think paintballing without all the bruising! We also spoke about Israel’s role in the growing industry, and emphasized the importance of real-world applications and community engagement.Some takeaways from our talk:* How Combatica aims to enhance tactical training for military and law enforcement.* VR technology allows for realistic training scenarios without physical consequences.* His time in the IDF helped him recognize a gap in simulation training technology.* The company has a high satisfaction rate among users - 97%!* Israel is positioned to lead in applied AI and immersive tech.Feel free to check out the interview above, and follow them for more updates. Get full access to The Spiro Circle at www.thespirocircle.com/subscribe

Anyone who knows me understands just how much I love food. Good cuisine is nice, but bad dishes are sometimes even better! Anything from dining out with friends to ordering in on a lonely evening gets me excited to try new things.But another thing people know about me is that I absolutely hate to cook!It’s not that I don’t appreciate it, but I just find it too stressful, creative, and consuming. I leave it to close family and friends to explore a kitchen on my behalf. I’ll enjoy some time operating a BBQ, but my expertise stops there. But there’s so much more to food than just mealtime. It can offer insight into someone’s heart, mind, and heritage. It can form a community and connect with culture. I wanted to speak with someone who truly understood this. This week, I spoke with Maricel Gentile. In this episode, she shares her journey from growing up in the Philippines to becoming a celebrated chef and culinary educator in the United States. She can claim to be Hulu’s Recipe Rumble Holiday Champion as well as the author of Maricel’s Simply Asian Cookbook. Over the years, she has also appeared on Food Network and PBS, and served as a Chef Ambassador for Korea’s Ministry of Fisheries (K-Seafood).In our conversation, we discussed the deep connections between food, culture, and personal history, emphasizing how her grandmother's influence shaped her passion for cooking. Maricel highlights the uniqueness of Filipino cuisine, her decision to leave a corporate career to pursue her culinary dreams, and the recognition she has received in the food industry. We then discuss the role of food in building community and preserving cultural identity.Some takeaways include:* How food encompasses migration, parenthood, and belonging.* Simplicity in cooking can lead to better dishes.* Teaching Filipino cuisine is a way to share culture.* How food triggers emotional memories.* Quitting a corporate job can lead to personal fulfillment.* Cooking can be a bridge between generations.* How her cookbook can simplify the process of learning Asian cuisine.Those interested can check out her website or purchase her cookbook, both of which can be found below. https://maricelskitchen.com/chef-maricel/ https://www.amazon.com/Maricels-Simply-Cookbook-Maricel-Gentile/dp/B0F79Q684CFollow Maricel on social media: Get full access to The Spiro Circle at www.thespirocircle.com/subscribe

Note: This episode is the first of three recorded on a new platform. Some growing pains were expected, and the final edit is a bit rougher than I’d like. Thanks for your patience as we refine the process — future episodes will appear smoother. - JS.For 45 years, non-profit Beit Issie Shapiro has been a pioneering leader and innovator in the field of disabilities, and championed equal opportunity, full community involvement, and improved quality of life for people with disabilities.They believe in the ability of people with disabilities and provide “innovative services, programs, knowledge-sharing models, and policy advocacy” to help them lead a full life and be actively involved in every part of Israel and globally.Ahmir Lerner is its CEO. He joined The Spiro Circle to share his experience in the defense of Israel and his transition to social resilience, focusing on the work of Beit Issie Shapiro. He discusses innovative therapeutic techniques, the organization's response to the recent war, and the importance of addressing mental health needs for people with disabilities.The episode was recorded as we approach the two-year mark of Israel’s ongoing war with Gaza following the Hamas attack on October 7. Since then, thousands of soldiers have been injured in war, with many of them facing life-changing recoveries. Like many other sectors in Israel, it adjusted its strategies and has since offered 1,500 free hours of therapy.In our talk, Lerner emphasized the impact of their work on society, the legislative changes they have initiated, and the future initiatives aimed at improving inclusion and accessibility in Israel.Some takeaways from our conversation:* The organization provided over 1,500 hours of free therapy during the war.* It aims to change societal attitudes towards disability and inclusion.* Mental health services for people with disabilities are crucial and often overlooked.* Legislation is a key tool for creating societal change.* The organization is working on early intervention for children with disabilities.* Community involvement and support are essential for success.You can learn more about Beit Issie Shapiro and consider making a donation to its cause via its website: https://beitissie.org.il/enThe Spiro Circle is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Spiro Circle at www.thespirocircle.com/subscribe

This week, I sat down with Derek Crager for a conversation on the intersection of neurodiversity and artificial intelligence. Both topics are often misunderstood by the wider public, sometimes leading to misinformation, stigma, or even apprehension. We explore how embracing different ways of thinking can unlock new opportunities in technology, why AI might be uniquely positioned to support neurodiverse communities, and what it means to build tools and workplaces that value every kind of mind. The Spiro Circle is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.It wasn’t until Derek was 50 years old that he himself was diagnosed with ADHD, Dyslexia, and Autism. Before that, he knew he was a bit different.He described himself as the ‘weird’ kid in the classroom, but he never quite knew the core differences that he had compared to others. He didn't quite understand where he fit in the world. But his diagnosis completely changed his life and hs outlook. I wanted to speak a bit more with Derek about what it meant to be neurodiverse, and what it meant to be neurodiverse in a world that's being immersed in artificial intelligence. What are some of the best ways that people can learn or develop in a world that's being completely engulfed by technology?Well, Derek is an AI Solutions Architect and the Founder of Practical AI . Its Pocket Mentor product sets out to be an AI voice tool for those seeking assistance in some of their workplace tasks. Some of the company’s core beliefs include that: * AI should be practical* Shared learning fuels growth* Shared earning rewards effort* Transparency and fairness matter* Neurodiversity is a strengthWe also discuss some of the nuances that neurotypical and neurodiverse people experience each day. He cites studies from the New England Journal, and we each share what kind of tech helps us thrive in our environments. Please feel free to also catch this episode on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple - it has gone live there, too. Get full access to The Spiro Circle at www.thespirocircle.com/subscribe

This week I listened to a podcast about the virtue of justice. It was hosted by Ryan Holiday and featured a conversation with Rutger Bregman - two of my favorite writers!The conversation was called “You’re Not Wasting Time, You’re Wasting Your Life,” and it talked about moral ambition, the truth about success, work, and impact. It tied in nicely with a separate conversation I had with my recent guest, climate entrepreneur Josh Dorfman, which took place for The Spiro Circle this week. “The idea always has been how I can identify solutions to help a consumer or an individual become more sustainable in their lifestyles - in a way they're going to want to do it,” Josh explained in the episode. “[Where] it's not about sacrifice, it's not about suffering, it's not about inconvenience, because if it is those things, very few people are going to stick with it.”Josh is the creator of The Lazy Environmentalist and Co-Founder and CEO of Plantd, which produces carbon-negative building materials made from fast-growing plant fibers. He is also the host of the Supercool podcast, which showcases scalable, profitable climate solutions. It’s all well and good to strive to become a powerful CEO or influential world leader, but if you’re not living up to your full potential or trying to make the world a better place, are you truly succeeding? I wanted to hear more about Josh’s mission of climate entrepreneurship and how the world is benefiting from scientific and technological innovation.We discussed the following things:* Climate Entrepreneurship and how it differs from regular entrepreneurship * $2.2 billion of investment globally into clean energy technologies in 2025* Cultural and societal shifts toward climate innovation * The ‘ring’ of countries around the equator helping boost innovation* How storytelling influences climate technology adoption * Emerging technologies in the space * Companies that are revolutionizing antiquated servicesI love it when different topics and ideas that I explore converge like this. I urge you all to listen to Holiday’s episode and check out Bregman’s books (I’ve read his first two, “Utopia for Realists: How We Can Build The Ideal World” and “Humankind: A Hopeful History”. His newest, “Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference”, is on my list, and I am starting it soon!READ: The time I visited Ryan Holiday’s bookstore in Bastrop, Texas Of course, I also encourage you to check out Josh’s work in the space and to listen to this episode to learn more about how our actions can help improve the world. You can subscribe for more updates and to be notified when more episodes go live. Get full access to The Spiro Circle at www.thespirocircle.com/subscribe

Welcome back to The Spiro Circle, where today I want to dive deep into identity, culture, and the people shaping Jewish life today.With Tu B’Av right around the corner (for those who don’t know, think ‘Israel’s Valentine’s Day’), I was excited to speak with Aleeza Ben Shalom: Matchmaker, dating coach, author, and star of Netflix’s Jewish Matchmaking.She has helped thousands of Jews navigate the complex, emotional, and challenging world of modern Jewish dating. Aleeza is also a Voice of the People Council Member and is working with them on a new series exploring the emotional, cultural, and generational challenges that define Jewish relationships in 2025.We discuss everything from traditional matchmaking techniques vs. modern-day AI dating apps, spiritual connections and family pressures, and what the global Jewry is facing post-October 7.This episode also included this podcast’s first ‘lightning round’ - hang around until the end to hear some surprising insights. If you haven’t subscribed to The Spiro Circle yet, now’s a great time. If you upgrade to become a paid subscriber, you will get the first three months free — with full access to comment sections, exclusive articles, and special perks. Your support is always appreciated. - JS Get full access to The Spiro Circle at www.thespirocircle.com/subscribe

Today, I wanted to dive into another episode from the CTech BiblioTech archive. This time, I am highlighting my conversation with Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, author of “I, Human: AI, Automation, and the Quest to Reclaim What Makes Us Unique”, which was recorded in August 2023.The book is an exploration of how AI will change our lives and what we can do to ensure we maintain our personalities and uniqueness. Many of the topics we address in the conversation relate to how different generations might respond to the algorithms living beside us. For example, he cites tech leaders like Bill Gates and Elon Musk, who present concerning views of AI, but also respond positively to how Gen-Z might learn to adopt such technologies.“One of the things that the digital age has introduced is ever more and more ADD-like behaviors,” he said. “We are pressed to do things quicker and quicker. And therefore, there are few rewards for pausing and thinking.”Even though he believes humans are “perfectly capable” of stopping and taking time to consider their thoughts and actions, most decisions made today in the AI age are so rapid that they become predictable and therefore easily outsourced to machines.“Gen-Z and the next generation will need to showcase their expertise in a different area or a different way,” he told me during the recording for CTech. “Expertise is mutating from knowing a lot of answers to asking the right questions - from memorizing and retrieving facts to knowing how, why, and where the facts are wrong… Demonstrating and cultivating expertise is a big challenge for the young generations.”MORE: I asked Eric Weinstein about my baby's future in an AI world.Tomas is an organizational psychologist who works mostly in the areas of personality profiling, people analytics, talent identification, the interface between human and artificial intelligence, and leadership development. He is the Chief Innovation Officer at ManpowerGroup, a professor of business psychology at University College London and at Columbia University, co-founder of deepersignals.com, and an associate at Harvard’s Entrepreneurial Finance Lab.Those interested in an extended written interview with Tomas can find it on CTech by following this link.You can also buy your own copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Human-Automation-Quest-Reclaim-Unique/dp/1647820553 Get full access to The Spiro Circle at www.thespirocircle.com/subscribe