Pulse by AlphaWire is a podcast where science and education meet cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence. Host Aldo de Pape sits down with innovators, thinkers, and doers who are working to change the world for the better. Together, they explore their journeys, uncover lessons learned, and take the entrepreneurial pulse that drives their path to success. Each episode offers insights into how technology and AI are shaping the future.
Episodes
The Future of Podcasting: Video, AI and the Human Connection with Carlie Bonavia
It has never been easier to start a podcast. So, why do so many podcasts disappear after just a handful of episodes? In this episode of Pulse, Aldo speaks with Carlie Bonavia, radio journalist and longtime host of ‘The Expat Focus Podcast’, about how podcasting has evolved over the past decade. We explore the rise of video podcasts. The challenge of finding and keeping an audience and how Artifici
50 Episodes of Pulse: Exploring Science, Education & Innovation
What do 50 conversations with people shaping the future of science, education, and innovation teach you about our world? For this special milestone episode of Pulse, Aldo is joined by our very own producer Natalie Pyles, as we take you behind the scenes. Aldo and Natalie reflect on five years of working together, how podcasting has evolved, and what they have learned from bringing remarkable voice
Breaking the Period Taboo: How AfriPads is Changing Millions of Lives with Michelle Tjeenk Willink
What happens when something as natural as menstruation becomes a barrier to education and equality for millions of girls and women?In this episode, Aldo speaks with Michelle Tjeenk Willink, CEO of AfriPads, about her journey from the Netherlands to Uganda and the organisation’s mission to transform menstrual health across Africa. They explore the stigma surrounding menstruation, the challenges of
Why Education Journalism Matters, Now More Than Ever with Elvis Boniface Founder of EduGist
Why does education receive so little media attention when it literally shapes the future of millions?In this episode of Pulse, Aldo speaks with Elvis Boniface, founder of EduGist, a pan-African newsroom determined to change the way we think about education. They discuss Elvis` entrepreneurial journey, the importance of independent education journalism, and the challenges of building a sustainable
The Science of Resilience: BioTech, AI and Entrepreneurship with Dr. Kimberley Mackenzie
Can failure be the greatest teacher in entrepreneurship?In this episode of Pulse, Aldo speaks with Dr. Kimberley Mackenzie about her journey from molecular biology into biotech entrepreneurship. They discuss the challenges of building startups and what it takes to start over.They also speak about Kimberley’s current venture for equine health and how AI can make a true difference in the health of m
The End of Average: Building Technology Around Every Child with Jelte de Jongh
Can data and AI make education more human rather than less? In this episode Aldo speaks with Jelte de Jongh, the founder of Leeruniek and the Mirror Foundation about his mission to help teachers see every child as an individual rather than an average.They talk about Jelte's journey from MIT-inspired ideas to building and scaling an EdTech company in his country, the Netherlands.They discuss w
Breaking the STI Stigma: The Race to Bring Rapid Testing Home
Why are sexually transmitted infections still so difficult to talk about and could better technology make testing easier? In this episode, Aldo speaks with Dr Ali T, co-founder of Lotus DX, about the stigma surrounding STIs and his mission to develop a rapid test that people can use entirely at home.They also talk about Ali's journey from Iran and Dubai to Scotland. The realities of building
Making Mathematics Available to Every Child in South Africa with Jo Besford and Mark Swartz
How do we make mathematics more accessible to every child, regardless of where they grow up?In this episode Aldo speaks with Green Shoots co-founders Jo Besford and Mark Swartz about their 15-year journey from supporting just 16 schools to reaching now more than 439,000 learners across South Africa. We discuss how technology and data help teachers spot learning gaps, why tech should support rather
The Future of Science in the Age of AI with Dr. Mark Hahnel
What happens to science when AI can accelerate discovery faster than ever before? In this episode, Aldo speaks with Dr Mark Hahnel, Vice President for Open Research at Digital Science, about how AI is reshaping scientific discovery. We explore the promise of open research and the growing role of AI and synthetic data, and ask some of the difficult questions that need to be answered sooner rather t
The Conversations that Shape Our Future with Bouchra Danwra
In this episode of Pulse, Aldo speaks with Bouchra Danwra, CEO of DHOW Marcom Agency and the founder of You Are What’s Next.We explore why human connection in an increasingly digital world is more relevant than ever and why Bouchra is bringing young students and CEOs together to share their experiences, to help young people find greater clarity about their futures.Bouchra also reflects on motherho
Writing and Happiness in the Age of AI with Dr. Michael Vlerick
In this 'Pulse' Episode, Aldo and Dr. Michael Vlerick explore the power of writing, why it sharpens thinking, and how it can create real value for readers and for the writer. They also dig into anxiety, social media, AI, and why new technologies should be judged by how well they help people rather than by hype or fear.Along the way, Michael shares how he structures books, what flow feels
The Hidden Science of a Healthy Mouth and Teeth with Carol Rafferty CEO of Dentherapy
In this episode of Pulse, Aldo sits down with Carol Rafferty, co-founder and CEO of Dentherapy, to explore how dentistry and dental hygiene is shifting from “drill and fill” towards prevention and personalised oral care.They discuss the fascinating connection between oral and whole-body health, the science of remineralisation, and Carol’s entrepreneurial story behind Tooth Boost.A fascinating conv
The Science of Personalized Nutrition and Women's Health with Dr. Monika Gostic
In this episode of Pulse, we're talking with Dr. Monika Gostic, geneticist, nutrition consultant, entrepreneur, and teaching fellow at the University of Aberdeen.We explore why one-size-fits-all approaches to health often fall short, and how genetics, gut health, hormones, nutrition, and exercise can all shape our wellbeing.Monika also shares her personal experience with endometriosis, her pe
The Empty Chairs That Uncovered A Hidden History with Cees Koole
In this episode of Pulse, Aldo sits down with Cees Koole, educator and creator of Empty Chairs in the Classroom, a project that explores how history can come alive in ways that profoundly impact both students and communities.They discuss how a simple discovery in a school archive grew into a powerful initiative that reconnects young people with the lives of students who disappeared during the Seco
How Do We Build Better Medicines Without Relying on Animal Testing? with Dr. Yassen Abbas from CN Bio
In this episode of Pulse, Aldo sits down with Dr. Yassen Abbas, Biology Group Leader at CN Bio, to explore how organ-on-a-chip technology is transforming the future of biotechnology, drug discovery, and personalised medicine.They discuss how these sophisticated human tissue models are helping researchers predict drug safety and effectiveness more accurately than traditional laboratory methods, why
Is There Life Beyond Earth? - with Dr. Alex Baker & Dr. Chris Rose
What if the next great discovery about life doesn't happen on Earth?In this episode of Pulse, I sit down with Dr. Chris Rose and Dr. Alex Baker, co-founders of Sent Into Space and Diatom Watches to explore how space exploration is changing the way we think about science, innovation, and the possibility of life beyond Earth.We discuss their incredible work launching experiments into the strato
From Oil to Innovation: Aberdeen's Next Chapter with Jennifer Craw MBE and Jen Scott from Opportunity North East
In this episode of Pulse, I have the great pleasure of sitting down with Jennifer Craw and Jen Scott from Opportunity North East (ONE) to explore how Aberdeen and the North East of Scotland are reinventing themselves for the future. We discuss the region's transformation beyond its oil and gas heritage, the rise of life sciences, entrepreneurship, and AI, and how initiatives like ONE BioHub a
Transforming Rare Disease Diagnosis with AI and Digital Innovation
Revolutionizing Rare Disease Awareness and Community Engagement with Rebecca Stewart of Rare RevolutionExplore the inspiring journey of Rebecca Stewart, founder and CEO of Rare Revolution, as she shares how personal experiences with rare diseases sparked a movement to improve awareness, advocacy, and community connectivity. Discover innovative approaches including publishing, storytelling, AI tech
The Future of Genomics: AI, Synthetic Data & Human Expertise
In this episode of Pulse, Aldo sits down with Dr. Vinh Tran, Lead Bioinformatician at NIOME & Researcher at the Goethe University in Frankfurt. Together we explore how AI and synthetic data are reshaping the future of genomics and life sciences.They discuss why data quality remains one of the biggest challenges in bioinformatics, how synthetic genomic data can accelerate research while protect
Personalizing the Future of Language Learning with AI with Diana Al Dajani founder of eduTechnoz
In this episode of Pulse, Aldo sites down with Diana Al-Dajani, founder and CEO of Edutechnoz. We explore how AI is transforming language learning and more particularly learning Arabic. We discuss why Arabic requires a different approach from traditional language learning apps, how AI can personalize learning while supporting teachers, and how Edutechnoz is building a scalable platform for learner
Education at Scale: What Actually Works with Janhvi Kanoria, Executive Director of Innovation Development at Education Above All
In this episode, Aldo sits down with Janhvi Maheshwari-Kanoria, Executive Director of Innovation Development at Education Above All, to explore what it really takes to expand access to quality education at a global scale.The conversation moves beyond technology to the deeper questions: How do we create solutions that governments can adopt? What does meaningful innovation look like in education? An
The Future of Learning: Startups, AI and Human Agency with Houtan Froushan
In this episode of Pulse, Aldo sits down with Houtan Froushan, the driving force behind UCL EdTech Labs, to explore what happens when research, entrepreneurship, and education meet.We discuss why founders need evidence just as much as conviction, how educational impact can coexist with commercial sustainability, and why understanding your competition starts with understanding where people spend th
The Role of AI in Human Longevity with Dr. Johann Malawana
In this conversation, Aldo sits down with Dr. Johann Malawana—former physician, founder of Medics Academy and the Healthcare Leadership Academy (HLA), and Associate Dean for Innovation at the University of Lancashire—to explore the intersection of healthcare, leadership, technology, and AI.Together they discuss why innovation often happens outside traditional systems, how AI is accelerating change
Can AI Prevent a Mental Health Crisis Before It Begins? with Emmanuel Stiels, CEO of Reinhart
What happens when mental healthcare becomes proactive instead of reactive? If you're looking for a politically correct summary of AI and healthcare you won't find it here. In this thoughtful conversation, psychologist and Reinhart Group founder Emmanuel Stiels joins Aldo de Pape to explore the future of mental health, AI, and preventative care.From NHS backlogs to wearable health data, f
The Urgent Need for Computational Thinking in an AI World with Conrad Wolfram
In this episode of Pulse, host Aldo de Pape sits down with Conrad Wolfram, Mathematician, Technologist and Author of 'The Math(s) Fix: An Education Blueprint for the AI Age'. Aldo and Conrad explore how AI is transforming education, computation, and society itself. From the failures of traditional maths curricula to the urgent need for “computational literacy,” Conrad explains why school
Beyond Screen Time: What Parents Are Really Afraid of in the AI Era with Dr. Viola Liu
What happens when researchers, parents, and entrepreneurs ask a deeper question about technology and education?In this conversation, Aldo sits down with Dr. Viola Liu — learning science researcher, Harvard graduate, and AI-in-education expert — to reflect on our experience at MIT’s Entrepreneurship Development Program and the unexpected journey that led to the creation of Norie. Together, we explo
The Future of Brain Health: Scientific Innovation, Startups and AI with Dr. Craig Ritchie Founder of Scottish Brain Sciences
In this episode of Pulse, host Aldo de Pape sits down with Craig Ritchie, founder and CEO of Scottish Brain Sciences, for a deep conversation about brain health, Alzheimer’s disease, entrepreneurship, genetics, AI, and the future of healthcare innovation.Craig shares his journey from medical school in Aberdeen to becoming a globally recognized leader in neurodegenerative medicine. He discusses why
Unraveling the Story Behind Tony Mafia: An Artist and a Life of Freedom with Film Writer and Director, Sabine Lubbe Bakker
In this episode, Aldo sits down with the award winning Dutch filmmaker Sabine Lubbe Bakker for a deeply personal and reflective conversation about a man whose life resists simple definition. Through memory, research, and storytelling, we explore the world of ‘Tony Mafia‘ - a painter shaped by a restless pursuit of freedom - a troubled past, and a legacy carried as much by myth as well as fact.This
The Truth about Male Fertility: What Most Men Get Wrong with Karen Czeloth Urologist and Founder of Aspen Med Ltd
In this insightful interview from Aberdeen, Aldo sits down with Dr. Karen Czeloth, a Clinical Andrologist and specialist in men's health. She shares her journey from Germany to the UK, her expertise in male health, and her innovative approach to personalized medicine that's challenging how we think about healthcare as a whole.What begins as a discussion on fertility evolves into somethin
Rethinking How Children Learn: Beyond Screens, Toward Listening with Drew Vernon, Director of Education at Tonies
What if one of the most meaningful shifts in education isn’t visual—but auditory?In this conversation with Drew Vernon, we explore a deceptively simple idea: that listening—true, focused listening—may be one of the most underutilized tools in childhood development today.Drew’s work at Tonies began in product and marketing, but evolved into something deeper—rethinking how children engage with conte
The Limitless Mindset: How AI is Rapidly Transforming Preventive Medicine
In this episode, Alex Cardon shares his inspiring journey from founding multiple companies to building Limitless, a health-tech platform making preventive blood testing accessible across Europe. Discover his insights on entrepreneurship, health, family, and the Belgian startup ecosystem.Key TopicsAlex's motivation behind creating Limitless to democratize preventive healthThe concept and funct
AI, Neurodiversity, and the Future Classroom with Vijita Patel, Executive Director at the Qatar Foundation
How can technology truly support neurodiverse learners without replacing the human connections they rely on? In this episode, Aldo de Pape speaks with Vijita Patel of the Qatar Foundation to explore how thoughtful tech integration is transforming special needs education. From sensory-friendly innovations to ethical AI use, this conversation dives into what it really means to create inclusive, huma
Psychological Liberation: What if Stress isn't the Problem but Your Thinking is? A Conversation with Dr. Michael Vlerick
In this 'Pulse' interview, Dr. Michael Vlerick explores the profound concepts of happiness, psychological liberation, and the transformative power of ancient wisdom traditions. Discover practical insights on meditation, the nature of emotions, and the future of technology in enhancing human well-being.Keywordshappiness, psychological liberation, meditation, ancient wisdom, mindfulness, e
The Most Powerful Influence on Our Kids is the Media with Aly Jetha CEO of Big Bad Boo
What if the most influential teacher in a child’s life isn’t a teacher at all—but the stories they choose to watch, over and over again? This is a conversation about the power of storytelling—how it entertains, how it educates, and how, when done with intention, it can shape the values of an entire generation.Aldo de Pape sits down with Aly Jetha at WISE to discuss Big Bad Boo, the children’s medi
Fixing the Funding Gap in Women’s Health with Laura Minquini from Athena BIO
In this episode, tech entrepreneur Aldo de Pape sits down with Laura Minquini, founder of Athena BIO (formerly Athena DAO), to explore one of the most overlooked problems in modern medicine: the massive funding gap in women’s health research.Laura explains how decentralized science (DeSci) can help fund translational research—the critical stage where discoveries in the lab turn into real treatment
Rewiring AI for Education: Data, Ethics and Better Outcomes with Paul Atfield of The Education Outcomes Fund
Recorded live at the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) in Doha, this episode of the AlphaWire podcast features a fascinating conversation with Paul Atfield, Data & AI Lead at the Education Outcomes Fund.Paul brings more than 20 years of experience working with data — from building systematic trading platforms in global finance to now applying those same data and AI capabilities to i
Scams in the Age of AI: What Recovery Looks Like After Digital Fraud ft. Carmel King Partner at Grant Thornton
In this interview, Carmel King, Partner and Head of Digital Assets at Grant Thornton, discusses the evolving landscape of digital assets, the risks of fraud and scams, and the importance of regulation and swift action. She shares expert insights on how law enforcement and private sector can combat digital asset fraud, the impact of AI, and practical advice for victims.Major trauma, bankruptcy and
Don't Buy Your Child A Best Friend: Parenting in the AI Era ft. Anne-Sophie Seret Cofounder of everyone.AI
This episode underscores the urgent need for collaborative efforts among parents, industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers to ensure AI benefits children safely and ethically.In this interview, Anne-Sophie Seret from Everyone.ai discusses the opportunities and risks of AI, especially for children and young people. She emphasizes the importance of proactive regulation, ethical considerations
How Technology is Changing Education in Latin America with Rosalia Arteaga Serrano Founder of Fidal Foundation
In this engaging conversation, Aldo De Pape interviews Rosalia Arteaga, a prominent figure in education and politics. They discuss the importance of education, science, and technology, as well as the challenges faced by teachers in Ecuador. Rosalia shares her experiences in training teachers, addressing violence in education, and the need for collaboration among education ministers. The conversati
Luck, Timing, and Tenacity: The Hidden Drivers of Startup Success with Peter Hui Cofounder of Coinpilot
In this conversation, Aldo talks to Peter about the journey of entrepreneurship, highlighting the inevitable ups and downs that come with it. They emphasizes the importance of resilience and adaptability in navigating challenges, sharing personal anecdotes about unexpected opportunities that arise when least expected. Peter reflects on the significance of networking and refining products to meet c
Navigating Your Emotions in a Time of Rapid Change ft. Marc Brackett Executive Director of the Yale Centre for Emotional Intelligence
Aldo speaks to Dr. Marc Brackett, an expert in emotional intelligence, and dives into the significance of understanding and regulating emotions in our lives. He shares his personal journey, the challenges he faced, and how they shaped his work in promoting emotional awareness. The discussion also explores the impact of technology and AI on emotional well-being, the importance of building human rel
Governing the Future: Where AI & Education Collide with Sayasat Nurbek Minister of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan
In this insightful interview, Sayasat Nurbek, the Minister of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan, discusses the challenges and opportunities in aligning education with the labor market, the role of digital platforms in transforming education, and Kazakhstan's ambition to become an academic hub. They emphasize the importance of AI literacy and the need for fast decision-making in gover
Balancing Intelligence with Trust: AI and Blockchain, featuring Thomas Rush Partner at ConsenSys Mesh
In this conversation, Aldo and Thomas Rush discuss the evolution of blockchain technology and its intersection with AI, focusing on the investment landscape, ethical practices, and the importance of human relationships in a tech-driven world. They explore the challenges and opportunities within the blockchain space, the impact of AI on user interfaces, and the need for secure data management in he
The WISE Prize for Education Finalists
For this Episode of Pulse I am talking to not one, not two, not three but four different guests from four completely different corners of the world. And not just any guests - but all absolute hurricanes in the world of Education.So for this Episode we will take you to:Qatar speaking to Ramy Abdulzaher who is doing incredible work with Bonocle, a portable, "phygital" (physical + digital)
Building a Better Future: How DeSci and AI are Helping Save the Planet ft. Albert Anis Founding Steward of ValleyDAO
In this conversation, Aldo interviews Albert Anis, Founding Steward of ValleyDAO, discussing the intersection of decentralized science and climate biotechnology. They explore the evolution of decentralized science, the role of ValleyDAO in funding innovative research projects, and the impact of AI on synthetic biology. Albert shares his insights on challenges and opportunities in the field, partic
AI and Our Imagination: Insights from the XPrize Foundation featuring Anousheh Ansari CEO of XPrize
In this episode, Aldo de Pape interviews Anousheh Ansari at the World Innovation Summit for Education, discussing the synergy between WISE and XPRIZE, the role of AI in competitions, and the importance of imagination and responsible innovation.Takeaways:Collaboration between WISE and XPRIZE drives educational innovation.XPRIZE competitions leverage AI for societal benefits.Anousheh Ansari emphasiz
Your Dark Consent: The Hidden Value of Health Data and How Blockchain Protects it ft. Caspar Barnes Founder of AminoChain
KeywordsAminoChain, healthcare, biotechnology, data privacy, AI, crypto, bioethics, patient autonomy, genomics, consentSummaryIn this conversation, Aldo de Pape interviews Caspar Barnes, founder and CEO of AminoChain, exploring his diverse background, the origins of AminoChain, and the intersection of healthcare, biotechnology, and blockchain technology. Casper shares his personal journey, includi
Humanity at a Crossroads: WISE on AI's Global Impact on Education ft. Stavros Yiannouka
In this episode, Aldo de Pape interviews Stavros Yiannouka, parting CEO of the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), discussing the role of human values in education, the impact of AI, and the importance of collaboration. They explore the challenges and opportunities AI presents in education, emphasizing the need for regulation and human-centric approaches. The conversation also touches on
Decentralization: The Key to Global Innovation? An Investor's Perspective with Cosmo Jiang, General Partner at Pantera Capital
Aldo talks to Cosmo Jiang, General Partner at Pantera Capital, discussing the intersection of blockchain technology and science, the challenges faced by blockchain entrepreneurs, and the potential of decentralized AI. Together they explore the role of token incentives, the importance of accessibility through decentralization, and the future of ETFs in democratizing access to crypto investments. Co
Early Childhood in the AI Age: The Power of Relationships with Isabelle C. Hau of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning
Aldo de Pape and Isabelle Hau discuss the transformative power of care and connection in early education, as highlighted in Hau's book, 'Love to Learn.' They explore the role of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning in bridging research and practical applications in education, emphasizing the importance of relationships in child development. The discussion also addresses the challen
Decentralizing Science with Patrick Joyce & Dr. Jeffrey Koury from Research Hub
Aldo de Pape speaks with Patrick Joyce and Dr. Jeffrey Koury about the challenges and opportunities in the field of decentralized science. They discuss the need for a new economic model in science due to the replication crisis, personal frustrations in academia, and the impact of financial pressures on research integrity. The discussion also covers the role of the ResearchHub and its foundation in
Welcome to Pulse by AlphaWire
Welcome to Pulse by AlphaWire, the podcast where science and education meet cutting edge technology and artificial intelligence. My name is Aldo de Pape and each week I sit down with innovators, thinkers and doers who are working to change our world for the better. Together, we explore their journeys, uncover the lessons they've learned and take the entrepreneurial pulse that drives them on t
