This podcast episode focuses on the importance of ambition and challenging conventional wisdom to achieve groundbreaking results, building on work by Global Strategist, Sophie Krantz. The episode uses the story of Katalin Karikó, winner of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Medicine, to illustrate this concept. Karikó faced many setbacks in her career, including being ousted from her research position at the University of Pennsylvania. However, with support from her family, she persevered and ultimately made a groundbreaking discovery that changed the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The podcast also highlights the achievements of other individuals who have defied expectations, including:
Avi Schiffmann, who designed a website that provided real-time pandemic tracking during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Gitanjali Rao, who invented a device to detect lead contamination in water and an app to detect cyberbullying.
Wolf Cukier, who discovered a new planet while interning at NASA.
These stories demonstrate that innovation can come from anyone, regardless of their age, background, or qualifications. The podcast argues that traditional accolades and recognition systems may need to be updated to reflect this new reality. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of curiosity, ambition, and a willingness to challenge the status quo in driving progress.
When you change the way you see the world, you change the way you can shape it.
*Season one of The Global Edge podcast with Sophie Krantz is AI generated. Season two, launching early in 2025, will be hosted by Sophie Krantz.
