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Up Against Reality

Up Against Reality

By: Chris Ippolito and Larry Bentley
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Welcome to Up Against Reality, a meta-podcast that explores the intersection of humanity and artificial intelligence. Hosted by RAINA and her human co-hosts, Larry Bentley and Chris Ippolito. Featuring riveting conversation, interviews, news and some wild experimentation. It truly is a brave new world, and we\’re here to simplify it for you. It\’s gonna be a wild ride, so buckle up, as A.I. comes crashing Up Against Reality.©2023 UpAgainstReality.com Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Claude Mythos
    Apr 14 2026

    Anthropic just built an AI so “dangerously good” at hacking that they’ve locked it in a digital vault—and we’re cracking it open to uncover the Claude Mythos behaviors that terrified its own creators.

    LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

    AI Models & Technical Reports

    Anthropic – Claude Mythos Preview System Card

    Google Gemma 4

    NotebookLM by Google

    If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies by Eliezer Yudkowsky

    The Revenge of Analog: Real Things and Why They Matter by David Sax

    Nicholas Carlini’s Analysis of Claude’s Hacking Capabilities

    Angine de Poitrine (Microtonal Math Rock) | Full Performance

    PODCAST INFO:

    Podcast Website:
    UpAgainstReality.com

    Episode link:
    https://upagainstreality.com/2026/04/14/claude-mythos/

    Apple Podcasts:
    podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/up-against-reality/id1689699654

    Spotify:
    open.spotify.com/show/29wpR2Uf0d19FjTH2QubcD?si=a6359f9aa1964170

    RSS:
    upagainstreality.com/feed/podcast

    Instagram:
    https://www.instagram.com/upagainstreality

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    35 mins
  • Dr. Doak vs. ASI
    Apr 7 2026

    Dr. Shannon Doak returns to wrestle with humanity’s biggest question: as AI races toward AGI — and beyond — do we still have a seat at the table? Plus: YouTube’s toddler death traps, Anthropic’s whoopsie heard ’round the world, and the cyborg musician no one saw coming.

    LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

    The AI Safety Expert: Dr. Roman Yampolskiy | Diary of CEO

    Dr. Shannon Doak

    Walking the StrAIght Path: A Human-Centered Response to the Rise of AGI & ASI

    Explore the AI-StrAIghtPath App

    AI Safety & Existential Risk

    Center for Humane Technology

    Books

    If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies by Eliezer Yudkowsky | Amazon

    Scary Smart by Mo Gawdat | Amazon

    Viral Articles & Media

    “Something Big Is Happening” by Matt Shumer

    “Something Big Is Happening in Education” (Matt Shumer/Fortune)

    PODCAST INFO:

    Podcast Website:
    UpAgainstReality.com

    Episode link:
    https://upagainstreality.com/2026/04/07/dr-doak-vs-asi/

    Apple Podcasts:
    podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/up-against-reality/id1689699654

    Spotify:
    open.spotify.com/show/29wpR2Uf0d19FjTH2QubcD?si=a6359f9aa1964170

    RSS:
    upagainstreality.com/feed/podcast

    Instagram:
    https://www.instagram.com/upagainstreality

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    44 mins
  • Rosie The Dog
    Mar 31 2026

    A dying dog, a desperate owner, and an LLM walk into an oncology lab — and somehow it works. This week we’re still celebrating AI’s good side, alongside the usual chaos: CEO shake-ups, OpenAI’s romantic misfires, and Anthropic accidentally spilling the secrets of its most dangerous model. Disclaimer: The medical treatment discussed in this episode is anecdotal. Consult a licensed veterinary oncologist before pursuing experimental treatments for pets.

    LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

    The RNA Institute (UNSW): The research facility where Rosie’s personalized mRNA vaccine was manufactured. Learn more about the UNSW RNA Institute

    Google DeepMind AlphaFold: The AI system used to model the protein structures of Rosie’s specific tumor mutations. Explore the AlphaFold Database

    Original News Coverage: The Independent: “A man used ChatGPT to help make a cancer vaccine for his dog. Here’s how”

    NBC News Segment: “Australian tech entrepreneur uses AI to create cancer treatment for his dog”

    PODCAST INFO:

    Podcast Website:
    UpAgainstReality.com

    Episode link:
    https://upagainstreality.com/2026/03/31/rosie-the-dog/

    Apple Podcasts:
    podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/up-against-reality/id1689699654

    Spotify:
    open.spotify.com/show/29wpR2Uf0d19FjTH2QubcD?si=a6359f9aa1964170

    RSS:
    upagainstreality.com/feed/podcast

    Instagram:
    https://www.instagram.com/upagainstreality

    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
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