In this episode of Weller Informed, Evan sits down with Ryan Stauffer — a creative technologist, composer, and consultant — for a wide-ranging conversation about art, AI, capitalism, and the human future.

Ryan shares how writing a chamber opera led him to reflect on creativity, meaning, and the role of technology in shaping our lives. Together, he and Evan explore how AI is transforming the way we work, create, and think, the tension between open research and corporate control, and why our economy should serve society, not the other way around.

From the early days of generative art to today’s AI-driven workplaces, this episode dives deep into what it means to stay human in an age of machines — and why education, creativity, and purpose still matter.

Welcome to the very first episode of Weller Informed! Host Evan Weller kicks things off with longtime friend Andy Olson for a wide-ranging conversation that’s part personal catch-up, part deep dive into ideas shaping how we live, think, and grow.

Together, they explore everything from the power of nasal breathing and yoga to the challenges and joys of parenthood, the shifting role of college and AI in education, and how the concept of infinite games can help us build more intentional lives. Along the way, they wrestle with motivation, discipline, consistency, and why “starting from zero” is often the hardest — and most important — part of any journey.