The Connect2 Podcast

A conversation between Mark and Jeff, two information junkies, about a wide range of contemporary issues. We discuss current events, nerdy things, business concepts, marketing, technology, media and photography. As we are based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, there are lots of local topics. The podcast is generally upbeat and often covers current events and we occasionally have guests. Each episode typically has a central focus for most of the podcast but also lots of other regular topics including what they learned in the last week and what media they are consuming.
A conversation between Mark and Jeff, two information junkies, about a wide range of contemporary issues. We discuss current events, nerdy things, business concepts, marketing, technology, media and photography. As we are based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, there are lots of local topics. The podcast is generally upbeat and often covers current events and we occasionally have guests. Each episode typically has a central focus for most of the podcast but also lots of other regular topics including what they learned in the last week and what media they are consuming.
Episodes
Episodes



May 6, 2025
The Rise of Superhuman AI
May 6, 2025
May 6, 2025
1hr 4 min
A research group is predicting the rise of Superhuman AI and what the implications are for the world. There are two paths, a dystopian one and a utopian one. The timing is closer than everyone thinks and the consequences will reshape our world. What's more disturbing is that this group has a track record for their predictions previously and most of them were correct. Mark and Jeff discuss this in detail.



Apr 29, 2025
Carol Cadwalladr and the Digital Coup
Apr 29, 2025
Apr 29, 2025
1hr 1 min
Carol Cadwalladr is an investigative journalist that published information about the Cambridge Analytics data breach and reporting related to Brexit. She was hit with a SLAPP (Strategic lawsuits against public participation) lawsuit, about her Brexit reporting, specifically related to a TED talk she did. Although she won most of the case, she did lose an aspect on appeal and ended up having to pay damages to a billionaire she discussed. She is now in the news again because she has published a new TED talk about the current digital coup going on



Apr 22, 2025
Buying a New Car?
Apr 22, 2025
Apr 22, 2025
1hr 6 min
Purchasing a new car is a large and tricky investment that people do relatively infrequently but it is a lot of money and there is a lot of sales pressure from the various dealerships. Right now with all the new US tariffs, this makes things even trickier for the manufacturers and trying to find the cars can be a challenge depending upon where they are made. Mark is in the process of buying a car and is going through that experience right now and shares some of his thoughts



Apr 15, 2025
Mental Health During Traumatic World Events
Apr 15, 2025
Apr 15, 2025
1hr 5 min
The world is going through an epochal event and the trauma from the constant stream of bad news from ever changing world events is difficult to manage. This is especially true with all the significant self inflicted damage that the US is currently doing to its own population. It may be the fall of the American Empire. This is a pretty difficult thing to watch because there are negative consequences for almost everyone. In this episode, we discuss how to maintain your mental health and what you can do to protect yourself from these difficult times.



Apr 8, 2025
Waymos!
Apr 8, 2025
Apr 8, 2025
1hr 3 min
Mark took several Waymo rides (self driving cabs) in Los Angeles. It was an awesome experience. Mark and Jeff discuss the state of Autonomous self-driving taxis



Apr 1, 2025
Travelling to the US as a Canadian in 2025
Apr 1, 2025
Apr 1, 2025
1hr 1 min
Mark just returned from travelling to the USA and times are difficult between the two nations. The current administration is also very tough on many visitors with some visitors being detained or deported from the USA for limited reasons and with little due process. As it stands is it not hostile to Canadians yet... but that might change if things get difficult in the US and they are looking for a scapegoat. Mark describes his experience while Mark and Jeff discuss current challenges being reported in the news for travellers from abroad.



Mar 18, 2025
Tell me a Story - The Importance of Storytelling
Mar 18, 2025
Mar 18, 2025
1hr 10 min
Mark and Jeff discuss the importance of storytelling to conveying concepts, engaging people, and helping to remember life events. Stories change how your brain works and is critical to connecting to the information being conveyed.



Mar 11, 2025
What is going on with Measles?
Mar 11, 2025
Mar 11, 2025
1hr 5 min
Mark and Jeff discuss the current outbreaks of measles, a disease that was considered eradicated decades ago in Canada. This is particularly relevant to travellers and to individuals that were originally vaccinated in the 1960's



Mar 4, 2025
Antartica 101
Mar 4, 2025
Mar 4, 2025
1hr 5 min
Mark and Jeff discuss something as far away as possible from politics.... Antarctica!



Feb 25, 2025
The Bond Between Humans and Dogs
Feb 25, 2025
Feb 25, 2025
1hr 5 min
In this episode, Mark and Jeff discuss the unique bond between humans and dogs and compares them to humans and cats as well as humans and horses. The differences might surprise you








