LEVITY

This is our first — and probably our last — episode where the guest has brought with him an actual punch card and proceeds to explain why it is, in fact, caca (which is Spanish for 💩, by the way).Welcome to the wild world of José Cordeiro. Stick around and you might hear anecdotes about Robert Kennedy Jr. in Memphis 🎸, late-night karaoke sessions 🎤, and a man shouting “immortality!” to anyone and everyone. But behind the eccentric props and the shameless self-promotion (José didn’t just bring punch cards — he also brought his books 📚, his merch 👔, and his signature Death of Death tie — to the point where we had to clarify we’re not actually sponsored), there’s a deadly serious mission: José wants to end aging and defeat death.A futurist, MIT-trained engineer, and bestselling author, José Cordeiro argues that humanity is on the brink of longevity escape velocity 🚀 — the moment when medical advances will start adding more years to our lives than time takes away. In this episode, we explore his bold predictions, from reversing aging by 2045 to launching a global “war on aging.” We cover the science 🔬, the politics 🏛️, the money 💰, and the wild optimism driving the longevity movement — with cryonics ❄️, Martians 👽, and €10 immortality claims all making appearances.This might be our strangest — and most fascinating — conversation yet. Buckle up.-- IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN ABOUT --✅ Why longevity escape velocity may be closer than we think✅ How AI will aid longevity✅ Why technological optimism is rational✅ How the Covid pandemic was a relatively minor pandemic✅ How the concept of work will change✅ What the future of energy may be✅ A personal history of Marvin Minsky, Ray Kurzweil and José Cordeiro✅ Where to meet Cordeiro and demonstrate against aging✅ Why immortality is probable by 2045🚀 Special offer for our LEVITY audience: Join Vitalism today and receive a 30% discount on your membership using the code LEVITY at checkout. https://www.vitalism.io/membership🚀 Show notes for this episode will be available soon after this airs. Sign up for the LEVITY newsletter to get them straight to your inbox: reachlevity.com-- CHAPTERS --00:00 Introduction05:33 Cordeiro's struggle to end aging12:28 Traveling the world to spread the word of The Death of Death18:36 The small Covid Pandemic vs the huge aging pandemic26:00 Scientific optimism29:37 "Next time we meet we will be younger."32:28 The concept of work through history35:50 Exponentiality of progress - a personal history of computers43:30 Kurzweil and Cordeiro mentored by Marvin Minsky50:26 The future of energy57:56 When will we reach LEV and what happens 2045?01:03:00 Madrid as a Blue Zone01:06:30 AI coming and helping with science01:17:00 The amazing point of the human timeline we are on - biology can be immortal01:19:50 We are mostly water - immortality for 10 Euros per year01:22:40 Advanced bio engineering and disruption from outside01:24:30 Zuckerberg to cure all diseases in this generation - billionaires to the rescue01:28:40 Elon Musk will change his mind01:29:34 Trump administration and visiting Elvis with RFK01:36:40 The importance of campaigning for life - we need action now01:47:22 Cryonics01:51:56 Sing karaoke 01:53:00 What to read

Lately, there's been growing pushback against the idea that AI will transform geroscience in the short term.When Nobel laureate Demis Hassabis told 60 Minutes that AI could help cure every disease within 5–10 years, many in the longevity and biotech communities scoffed. Leading aging biologists called it wishful thinking - or outright fantasy.They argue that we still lack crucial biological data to train AI models, and that experiments and clinical trials move too slowly to change the timeline.Our guest in this episode, Professor Derya Unutmaz, knows these objections well. But he’s firmly on Team Hassabis.In fact, Unutmaz goes even further. He says we won’t just cure diseases - we'll solve aging itself within the next 20 years.And best of all, he offers a surprisingly detailed, concrete explanation of how it will happen:building virtual cells, modeling entire biological systems *in silico*, and dramatically accelerating drug discovery — powered by next-generation AI reasoning engines.🧬 In this wide-ranging conversation, we also cover:✅ Why biological complexity is no longer an unsolvable barrier.✅ How digital twins could revolutionize diagnosis and treatment.✅ Why clinical trials as we know them may soon collapse.✅ The accelerating timeline toward longevity escape velocity.✅ How reasoning AIs (like GPT-4o, o1, DeepSeek) are changing scientific research.✅ Whether AI creativity challenges the idea that only biological minds can create.✅ Why AI will force a new culture of leisure, curiosity, and human flourishing.✅ The existential stress that will come as AI outperforms human expertise.✅ Why “Don’t die” is no longer a joke — it's real advice.🎙️ Hosted - as always - by Peter Ottsjö (tech journalist and author of Evigt Ung) and Dr. Patrick Linden (philosopher and author of The Case Against Death).🚀 Special offer for our LEVITY audience: Join Vitalism today and receive a 30% discount on your membership using the code LEVITY at checkout. https://www.vitalism.io/membership🚀 Show notes for this episode will be available soon after this airs. Sign up for the LEVITY newsletter to get them straight to your inbox: reachlevity.com-- CHAPTERS --00:00 Introduction to Derya Unutmaz05:22 Derya’s work at Jackson Laboratory09:37 The impact of AI on research15:04 AI as a collaborative partner20:50 The nature of creativity in AI30:21 Predictions for the future of AI and humanity37:46 The future of AI in medicine44:35 The impact of AI on professional identity47:45 Education in the age of AI01:01:32 The ethics of AI development01:14:46 Longevity and AI's role in accelerating science01:20:55 Virtual cells and digital twins01:29:02 Can we do it in silico all the way?01:33:08 Derya and Patrick will both talk at Vitalist Bay

Peter Fedichev is a visionary scientist, biotech entrepreneur, and physicist at the forefront of longevity research. With a background in theoretical physics, he has seamlessly merged cutting-edge science with real-world applications, making groundbreaking contributions to the fields of aging, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence in healthcare. As the co-founder and CEO of Gero, a pioneering biotech company, Fedichev is revolutionizing our understanding of biological aging, using AI-driven approaches to uncover ways to extend human lifespan and combat age-related diseases. His work has been featured in leading scientific journals, and his insights are shaping the future of personalized medicine and longevity science. Driven by a relentless curiosity and a passion for pushing the boundaries of human potential, Fedichev is not just studying aging - he’s working to redefine it.🚀 Special offer for our LEVITY audience: Join Vitalism today and receive a 30% discount on your membership using the code LEVITY at checkout. https://www.vitalism.io/membership🚀 Show notes for this episode is available here: https://reachlevity.com/p/age-reversal-will-never-work-a-controversial-take-from-a-physicist-5935af91034fd123-- EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS --✅ The founding of Gero✅ The physics of aging✅ Why age reversal will not work✅ What SENS gets right✅ What SENS gets wrong✅ AI and the longevity industry

In this episode of LEVITY, we speak with Laurence Ion, a tech entrepreneur whose experience with a rare genetic disease led him to tackle one of humanity's greatest challenges: aging.Starting as a shy coder who 'couldn't talk to strangers,' Laurence has become a movement leader pioneering a bold new approach: creating specialized cities where extending human lifespan isn't just a goal - it's the future of humanity.-- EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS --✅ Laurence's personal journey with multiple hereditary exostoses and how it shaped his perspective on aging and mortality.✅ The founding and evolution of VitaDAO, a decentralized science organization funding longevity research.✅ How crypto-based communities are accelerating anti-aging research outside traditional funding models.✅ The concept of special jurisdictions for medical innovation where regulatory frameworks can move at "warp speed".✅ Viva City's vision to create physical communities and hubs focused on longevity.✅ The $2 million recursive finder's fee for anyone who helps secure a location for the first major Viva City jurisdiction.✅ How living in community environments like Zuzalu and Aevitas House naturally promotes healthier lifestyle choices.✅ The Frontier Tower project - a 16-story "vertical village" designed for longevity-minded living.✅ JellyfishDAO's mission to change cultural narratives around aging through film and media.✅ The relationship between AI advancement and longevity research.✅ How decentralized clinical trials could dramatically reduce the cost and time of bringing treatments to people.✅ Real-world examples of companies already offering experimental longevity treatments in special jurisdictions.

We have another amazing guest for this episode: Anders Sandberg is a visionary philosopher, futurist, and transhumanist thinker whose work pushes the boundaries of human potential and the future of intelligence. As a senior research fellow at Oxford University’s Future of Humanity Institute until its closing in 2024 Sandberg explores everything from cognitive enhancement and artificial intelligence to existential risks and space colonization. With a background in computational neuroscience, he bridges science and philosophy to tackle some of the most profound questions of our time: How can we expand our cognitive capacities? What are the ethical implications of radical life extension? Could we one day transcend biological limitations entirely? Known for his sharp intellect, playful curiosity, and fearless speculation, Sandberg challenges conventional wisdom, inviting us to imagine—and shape—a future where humanity thrives beyond its current constraints.00:00 introduction04:18 exersise & David Sinclair06:10 Will we survive the century?18:18 Who can we trust? Knowledge and humility23:17 Nuclear armaggedon39:51 Technology as a double-edged sword44:30 Sandberg origin story56:54 Computational neuroscience01:00:30 Personal identity and neural simulation01:05:24 Personal identity and reasons to want to continue living01:09:39 The psychology of behind different philosophical intutions and judgments01:17:48 Is death bad for Anders Sandberg?01:25:00 Altruism and individual rights01:31:29 Elon Musk says we must die for progress01:35:10 Artificial Intelligence01:55:08 AI civilization01:02:07 Cryonics02:04:00 Book recommendations

In this in-depth conversation, Dr. Aubrey de Grey discusses his Robust Mouse Rejuvenation (RMR) studies at the LEV Foundation and why he believes we're close to achieving the crucial RMR milestone within just three years - a breakthrough that could transform aging research forever.You'll also hear about:His predictions for reaching Longevity Escape Velocity by the late 2030sWhat he would change about Bryan Johnson's longevity algorithmHow reaching RMR could trigger a global "war on aging"Why AI won't solve aging without proper experimental dataHow Demis Hassabis is the smartest person Aubrey's ever metHis involvement in designing the XPRIZE Healthspan competitionHis rebuttal to Mark Hamalainen's "replacement strategy" approachThe divide-and-conquer approach to aging and why it's superior🚀 Show notes for this episode will be available soon after this airs. Sign up for the LEVITY newsletter to get them straight to your inbox: https://peterottsjo.beehiiv.com/-- CHAPTERS --00:00 Introduction and Welcome03:15 The Background to LEV Foundation and the Robust Mouse Rejuvenation Studies12:05 The Robust Mouse Rejuvenation Studies18:10 Latest Results from the Mouse Rejuvenation Experiments25:42 Reaching RMR soon and LEV in 12-15 years33:47 Healthspanners in public - lifespanners in private?37:03 The Replacement Strategy Debate with Mark Hamalainen45:40 The Very, Very Difficult Challenge of Gradually Replacing the Brain54:46 Advanced bioengineering57:34 The Debate with Peter Fedichev01:11:57 Understanding Aging from an Evolutionary Perspective01:17:05 Artificial Intelligence and Longevity Research01:26:42 Is believing in AI hopium?1:28:27 Aubrey’s Involvement in the XPRIZE Healthspan Competition1:38:56 Special Economic Zones and Regulatory Challenges1:47:27 What Aubrey would do with Bryan Johnson’s algorithm1:50:49 What Excites Aubrey Most About the Future1:51:57 Book Recommendations and Closing Thoughts

Jamie Justice takes us inside the $101M XPRIZE Healthspan competition - one of the world's largest efforts to develop therapeutics that could reverse aging.As Executive Vice President of XPRIZE Healthspan, Jamie reveals how teams must demonstrate they can restore muscle, cognitive, and immune function in older adults within just one year. The stakes? $81M for achieving a 20-year reversal of aging markers, with $71M and $61M prizes for lesser but still remarkable achievements.Jamie shares her fascinating journey from studying crickets' lifespans in elementary school to leading groundbreaking aging research, including work on the TAME trial with metformin. She explains why they chose these specific biological systems to measure, how they'll determine success, and what kinds of interventions teams are exploring - from repurposed drugs to gene therapies.We discuss:* Why Peter Diamandis pushed for more ambitious goals* How over 550 teams from 55 countries are approaching the challenge EDIT: Since we recorded this in late 2024 they've now reached over 600 teams.* The role of biomarkers in measuring aging* Why they chose to measure actual restoration rather than just preventing decline* The challenges and opportunities in aging clinical trials* Her vision for an integrated, multi-generational society that values aging populations🚀 Special offer for our LEVITY audience: Join Vitalism today and receive a 30% discount on your membership using the code LEVITY at checkout. https://www.vitalism.io/membership🚀 Show notes for this episode will be available soon after this airs. Sign up for the LEVITY newsletter to get them straight to your inbox: https://peterottsjo.beehiiv.com/CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction03:00 background21:30 XPRIZE sculpted by experience25:20 Collaborating with the entrant teams29:00 Why muscle, mind and immune functions as targets36:30 What if no one wins in 7-years?41:05 Investors attracted45:01 Does this give us increased longevity?51:05 What kind of approaches have been entered?01:00:30 AI01:09:20 Composit end-points01:13:10 TAME trial stuck because ...01:19:10 Biomarkers of aging01:26:50 AI and Biomarkers01:29:02 The longbio track (be lucky)01:36:20 Optimism about what?01:41:00 3 book you have to read

A pediatric cardiac surgeon turned longevity pioneer, Dr. David Luu shares his journey from humanitarian medical missions to building a global network of physicians focused on prevention. Learn about critical health markers your doctor might be missing, how AI is transforming healthcare, the truth about longevity interventions, and why the future belongs to prevention rather than treatment. Plus, discover the vital link between community, lifestyle, and longevity, and why creating modern "blue zones" might be key to living longer, healthier lives.🚀 Special offer for our LEVITY audience: Join Vitalism today and receive a 30% discount on your membership using the code LEVITY at checkout. https://www.vitalism.io/membership🚀 Show notes for this episode will be available soon after this airs. Sign up for the LEVITY newsletter to get them straight to your inbox: https://peterottsjo.beehiiv.com/CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction 02:33 A Family Legacy in Medicine 10:41 From Heart Surgeon to Tech Innovator with JuiSci and Hearty 13:47 Building AI-Powered Medical Platforms 21:33 The Heart Fund: Surgery for Those in Need 35:06 The Role of AI in Healthcare 45:22 Creating Longevity Docs Community 01:07:13 Hidden Cardiovascular Risk Factors 01:10:38 The Lp(a) Test Everyone Should Know About01:18:50 Why Call it ”Longevity Docs” When We Have No Approved Aging Interventions? 01:28:14 Different Levels of Longevity Interventions 01:38:42 Risk vs. Reward in Preventive Medicine 01:43:30 Building Modern Blue Zones 01:47:11 The Future of Medicine 01:52:07 Connecting with David

🚀 Special offer for our LEVITY audience: Join Vitalism today and receive a 30% discount on your membership using the code LEVITY at checkout. https://www.vitalism.io/membership🚀 Show notes for this episode will be available soon after this airs. Sign up for the LEVITY newsletter to get them straight to your inbox: https://peterottsjo.beehiiv.com/Meet one of the true legends of the longevity space, James Strole, the visionary founder of RAADfest who embodies relentless optimism and dedication to advancing the frontiers of longevity and human potential. His passion for creating a world where individuals can live longer, healthier lives shines through in every aspect of RAADfest, inspiring countless people to embrace the possibilities of radical life extension.We will learn about RAADfest and the history of the longevity movement. We will also explore Strole's philosophy of immortality.- CHAPTERS --00:00 introduction to James Strole04:20 RAADfest is the largest longevity event in the world11:50 personal awakening and the early days of the longevity movement22:00 longevity as a counter-culture23:00 death-program vs superlongevity26:30 1960s spreading the word and rebirthing31.00 people unlimited and science of superlongevity33:00 a holistic approach science of mind-set34:00 alternative medicine not always taken seriously37:40 the immortality mindset38:50 aged by culture44:20 optimism vs pessimism46:10 optimism about longevity science?58:50 death-program runs deep01:03:30 Ray Kurzweil's optimistic prognosis01:11:00 social consequences of longevity01:12:30 cryonics is an ambulance to the future01:15:05 imaginary mortality01:18:18 immortality via children01:19:19 is superlongevity egoistic?01:23:10 handle the loss of near and dear as an immortalist01:37:50 advice on health and where to be in contact with People Unlimited and James Strole