Stepchange tells the stories of human progress through the lens of transformative technologies, systems, and infrastructure. Each episode unpacks a crucial innovation that fundamentally changed how we live, work, and relate to one another.
From the steam engine to semiconductors, from railways to refrigeration, history is marked by technological leaps that rippled through society, reshaping not just our capabilities but our very way of life. These are step changes—profound transformations that mark clear befores and afters in human history.
But progress isn't simple. Each leap forward brings both breakthroughs and breakdowns, winners and losers, intended and unintended consequences. Through deep research, expert interviews, and storytelling, we examine these pivotal technologies from multiple angles:
Their technical evolution and scientific foundations
The visionaries, laborers, and communities that brought them to life
Their far-reaching impacts on society, economics, and the environment
The complex legacies they leave behind
Your hosts are Ben Shwab Eidelson and Anay Shah. They spend their days investing in today’s step changes with a venture fund, Stepchange.vc.
New episodes release every couple of months. Subscribe at Stepchange.show to receive them directly in your inbox, along with additional content exploring the themes and stories behind each episode.
Want to share thoughts or suggest a topic? Email us at hi@stepchange.show
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