Some Future Day

• Soft Power & Terrorism in the Digital Age | Erez Zborowski & Marc Beckman

  Imagine a world where terrorists leverage social media, not merely as a tool for propaganda, but as a sophisticated weapon of influence, crafting messages that penetrate deeply into society, captivating minds and shaping global opinion. This isn't fiction. It's the chilling reality unfolding around us.Today, on Some Future Day, we dive deep into the hidden corridors of terror’s digital transformation with our guest, Erez Zborowski, an expert who has walked directly in the shadowy interactions of journalism, security, and intelligence.Erez began his career with a profound lesson on the cost of truth, inspired by the tragic story of journalist James Foley. His path led him from classrooms of journalism to the volatile streets of Israel, Africa, and the Middle East, operating as a fixer, a crucial role that placed him face to face with terrorist groups and gave him unique insights into their evolving strategies.That's right. A fixer. With firsthand experience, Erez witnessed how groups like ISIS revolutionized the concept of soft power, turning heinous acts into viral content designed to recruit sympathizers worldwide.In this eye-opening conversation, we'll uncover the alarming ways terrorist organizations use social media, gaming platforms, and encrypted apps to spread their message, recruit globally, and hide in plain sight.  We'll discuss the chilling role AI might play both as a threat and, potentially, a defense against this rising digital menace. Prepare yourself because this discussion with Erez will forever alter how you perceive the digital spaces we navigate every day. The future is already here, and it's more complex and more perilous than most of us realize.Erez, thank you for joining me on this episode of Some Future Day.Order Marc's new book, "Some Future Day: How AI Is Going to Change Everything"Sign up for the Some Future Day Newsletter here: https://marcbeckman.substack.com/Episode Links:Erez on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erez-zborowski-470977288/To join the conversation, follow Marc Beckman here: YoutubeLinkedInTwitterInstagramTikTok

  --------  

  58:00
• This Photographer Captured the Fall of the Assad Regime in Syria | Collin Mayfield & Marc Beckman

  In a nation scarred by years of civil war, the rapid collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024 marked a pivotal turning point. The Islamist terrorist group, HTS - once linked to Al-Qaeda - led a swift eleven-day offensive that toppled the government seizing key cities, including Damascus.However, this power shift unleashed a wave of sectarian violence with reports indicating that over 1,000 people have been killed in recent clashes, predominantly from the Alawite minority. Christian communities, too, face heightened threats under the new liberated Syria, with incidents of violence and kidnapping causing widespread fear.As HTS consolidates its control, the nation teeters on the brink with international observers expressing deep concern over the escalating humanitarian crisis and the uncertain future of Syria. Independent journalist Collin Mayfield was in Lebanon with Hezbollah when he learned of the Assad regime's collapse. Collin grabbed his gear and crossed into Syria just as HTS seized control.Mr. Mayfield witnessed and recorded Syria during these initial chaotic days. He visited the Damascus Public Hospital and saw corpses with evidence of severe torture, presumably recovered from Sednaya Prison. He encountered survivors from Sednaya Prison at the Ibn Sina Psychiatric Hospital who were severely traumatized. And of course, he visited Sednaya Prison, notoriously known as the “human slaughterhouse,” where he encountered evidence of extensive torture, extreme abuse, and female birth control pills. Collin even documented the Far’ Falastin Prison, notorious for sexual violence against women.Collin, thank you for taking the time to share your far-ranging Syrian experience, from Captagon drug factories to encounters with ISIS and HTS Militia at Assad's Presidential Palace. This interview is truly historic. Be sure to watch the video version on YouTube to see Collin's brutally stunning photographs.Order Marc's new book, "Some Future Day: How AI Is Going to Change Everything"Sign up for the Some Future Day Newsletter here: https://marcbeckman.substack.com/Episode Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collin_mayfield/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@collin_mayfieldLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collin-mayfield-b4487a1b0To join the conversation, follow Marc Beckman here: YoutubeLinkedInTwitterInstagramTikTok

  --------  

  1:10:25
• Frontline Truth: A Journalist's Odyssey in the Israel-Hezbollah Conflict in Lebanon | Collin Mayfield & Marc Beckman

  The Middle East. Death. Destruction. Hostages. Torture. Regime change. Terrorists. Religious war. Hatred.  Enter Collin Mayfield, an independent journalist from Alabama who runs into fires. Brave Colin has reported from Iraq, Ukraine. Myanmar, Nigeria, Haiti, and several other hotbeds across the globe, most recently with Hezbollah in Lebanon and then into Syria as HTS took control.On this episode of Some Future Day, Collin documents his firsthand account in Lebanon as Hezbollah and Israel engaged in war. For those listening, I highly suggest you watch the video version of the show on YouTube as Collin shares his stunningly disturbing, never-before-seen photographs from this experience. They are incredible!Collin, thank you for joining me on this special edition of Some Future Day.Order Marc's new book, "Some Future Day: How AI Is Going to Change Everything"Sign up for the Some Future Day Newsletter here: https://marcbeckman.substack.com/Episode Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collin_mayfield/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@collin_mayfieldLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collin-mayfield-b4487a1b0To join the conversation, follow Marc Beckman here: YoutubeLinkedInTwitterInstagramTikTok

  --------  

  34:00
• Million-Dollar Carts: How Shopify is Creating Ecommerce Fortunes | Jessica Williams & Marc Beckman

  Today, we're diving deep into the future of commerce, technology, and retail with an industry leader who sits at the intersection of innovation and entrepreneurship: Jessica Williams, the Head of Brand and Partnerships at Shopify.If you've ever purchased brands like Skims by Kim Kardashian or Gymshark, you've already interacted with Shopify, the second largest ecommerce platform in the world, just behind Amazon. Shopify is the engine behind thousands of brands from household names to emerging startups, helping businesses scale at unprecedented rate.Jessica brings over two decades of experience in marketing, ecommerce, and partnerships, spanning powerhouse brands like Visa, Coinbase, and now Shopify. She's been at the forefront of major shifts in retail, whether it's the rise of social commerce, AI-powered shopping assistants, or the reinvention of brick and mortar experiences.In this conversation, we'll explore how technology is shaping retail, the explosive growth of TikTok Shop, Instagram commerce and AI-driven personalization, and most importantly, how Shopify is empowering entrepreneurs worldwide.Whether you're an aspiring business owner, a seasoned retailer, or just fascinated by how tech and commerce collide, this episode is packed with insights you don't want to miss!Jessica, thank you so much for being a great friend. You're seriously a leader and it's such a pleasure to have you on this episode of Some Future Day.Order Marc's new book, "Some Future Day: How AI Is Going to Change Everything"Sign up for the Some Future Day Newsletter here: https://marcbeckman.substack.com/Episode Links:Jessica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicafwilliamsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicafwilliams/Shopify: https://www.shopify.com/To join the conversation, follow Marc Beckman here: YoutubeLinkedInTwitterInstagramTikTok

  --------  

  50:50
• How AI Audio Will Impact Culture: Movies, Gaming, Legacies | Dustin Blank & Marc Beckman

  Voice is power. Voice is identity. And now voice is evolving. Why does this matter? AI is redefining storytelling, audiobooks, and gaming. Synthetic voice will preserve legacies, empower creators, and may even fuel international crime syndicates. Dustin Blank is the head of partnerships at ElevenLabs, a key figure in advancing AI solutions surrounding voice cloning. Dustin, thank you for joining me on this episode of Some Future Day. The hyperrealistic versions of the celebrities in this episode were developed by ElevenLabs, the company pioneering human-like voice synthesis with unprecedented accuracy.Order Marc's new book, "Some Future Day: How AI Is Going to Change Everything"Sign up for the Some Future Day Newsletter here: https://marcbeckman.substack.com/Episode Links:Dustin Blank on X: https://x.com/DustinBlankDustin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustin-blankElevenLabs: https://elevenlabs.io/To join the conversation, follow Marc Beckman here: YoutubeLinkedInTwitterInstagramTikTok

  --------  

  54:51

More Technology podcasts

Trending Technology podcasts

About Some Future Day