Conversations for the Curious

Welcome to Aiming for the Moon.

We interview interesting people from a teenage perspective.

Taylor Bledsoe, host of Aiming for the Moon

Behind the Mic

Taylor Bledsoe

Taylor is the high school (now college student) host and creator of the Aiming for the Moon podcast, where she interviews interesting people from a teenage perspective. Her podcast strives to connect fascinating and successful people to the next generation.

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Dr. Arvind Narayanan, Princeton Computer Scientist | Coauthor of "AI Snake Oil" Episode 132

Most recent episode

AI Snake Oil and the Skills of the Future

Dr. Arvind Narayanan, Princeton Computer Scientist | Coauthor of "AI Snake Oil"

Stay for the question you did not expect.

Follow your curiosity.

Choose a topic to find your next conversation.

Showing 6 of 137 episodes

2026-07-23 AI Snake Oil and the Skills of the Future Dr. Arvind Narayanan
Tech & AIPolitics & SocietyEducation
2026-02-01 To Think, or Not to Think - The Sad Trajectory of Liberal Arts in Universities and UTulsa's Honors College Dr. Jennifer A. Frey
EducationPhilosophyPolitics & Society
2025-12-27 The Consolation of Philosophy - Boethius on Suffering and Hope Dr. Thomas M. Ward
PhilosophyFaithHistory
2025-07-23 AI Needs You Verity Harding
Tech & AIPolitics & SocietyEducation
2025-03-28 The Accursed Questions Prof. Gary Saul Morson
Arts & LiteraturePhilosophyFaith
2025-03-22 Connective Labor Prof. Allison Pugh
Politics & SocietyTech & AIPhilosophy
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Guest endorsements

“Sharp and insightful questions, combined with fantastic guests, has made Aiming for the Moon a must-listen in my podcast rotation!”

Dr. Cal Newport, New York Times bestselling author of Digital Minimalism and Deep Work

Listen to episode 47
Dr. Cal Newport
“Taylor and Mattie are a dynamic duo! Prepared, curious, and thoughtful. It was great fun to be on their show—and bring our oldest daughter as a guest.”

Dr. Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Think Again and Give and Take, 7x Top-Rated Wharton Prof.

Listen to episode 56
Dr. Adam and Joanna Grant
“It was a pleasure to chat with Mattie and Taylor about my book and talk about their teenage perspective. I’m hopeful for the next generation if they’re as smart and inquisitive as these two.”

Paul Jarvis, bestselling author of Company of One

Listen to episode 14
Paul Jarvis
“I love this podcast! Terrific energy and wonderful hosts!!”

Dr. Angela Duckworth, New York Times bestselling author of Grit and Professor of Psychology at Pennsylvania University

Listen to episode 21
Dr. Angela Duckworth
"I always find Aiming for the Moon to be a fascinating look at innovation. It’s a great podcast!"

Prof. Walter Isaacson, New York Times bestselling author of Steve Jobs, The Innovators, Leonardo da Vinci, Einstein: His Life and Universe, and others and the Leonard Lauder Professor of American History and Values at Tulane University

Listen to episode 34
Prof. Walter Isaacson
“Taylor and Mattie were professional, polite, and very clear about what they wanted to ask and why. One of my favorite interviews of the past few months!”

Dr. Adam Alter, New York Times bestselling author of Irresistible and Drunk Tank Pink

Listen to episode 18
Dr. Adam Alter
"I've done a ton of interviews on my latest book, but Taylor and Mattie nonetheless managed to ask me questions that I hadn't faced before. They're smart and funny, and I only hope they had as much fun talking to me as I did talking to them."

David Epstein, New York Times bestselling author of Range and The Sports Gene

Listen to episode 23
David Epstein
“Really enjoyed talking with Mattie & Taylor. So much of the future of social media is in the hands of their generation and I'm hopeful that they will continue to use their platform in fun and impactful ways.”

Tim Kendall, Former President of Pinterest, former Director of Monetization @ Facebook, and current CEO @ Moment

Listen to episode 25
Tim Kendall
"I had a great time chatting with Taylor and Mattie on Aiming for the Moon. Their questions and banter were thoughtful and compelling. A show about teens, made by teens is a perfect recipe for podcast success."

Charles “Chuck” W. Bryant, co-host of Stuff You Should Know podcast

Listen to episode 30
Charles "Chuck" Bryant
“Taylor and Mattie were smart, energetic, and polite – the best type of trifecta. They asked great questions, and the discussion was insightful and full. Take a listen!”

Naomi Bagdonas, Lecturer at Stanford, and Dr. Jennifer Aaker, General Atlantic Professor at Stanford

Listen to episode 46
Dr. Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas
"I am so impressed with this podcast. Taylor and Mattie have recruited an impressive array of guests, asked incisive questions, and done an all-around amazing job of producing this."

Stuart Gibbs, New York Times bestselling author of the children’s series Spy School, Moon Base Alpha, FunJungle, and more

Listen to episode 35
Stuart Gibbs
"Taylor and Mattie are professional, polite, and prepared. I enjoyed my time on the show, and I highly recommended listening to their podcast!"

Guy Kawasaki, Chief evangelist of Canva and formerly Apple, creator of the Remarkable People podcast, and author

Listen to episode 31
Guy Kawasaki
“I really enjoyed being interviewed by Taylor and Mattie. It was a fun, energetic, and vibrant discussion, perhaps only possible when the hosts are youthful and enthusiastic. Aiming For The Moon has interviewed many amazing people and I feel honoured to join that list. I highly recommend listening to the podcasts as they are engaging, entertaining, and very thought-provoking.”

Nathan Fa’avae, 6x World Adventure Race Champion and Winner of the World’s Toughest Race

Listen to episode 19
Nathan Fa'avae
“Taylor and Mattie are phenomenal interviewers and it was a joy to chat with them. Their energy and creativity are infectious and their questions are both fun and insightful. Aiming for the Moon is a must-listen!”

Dr. Erin Welsh and Dr. Erin Allmann Updyke, podcast hosts of This Podcast Will Kill You

Listen to episode 50
Dr. Erin Welsh and Dr. Erin Allmann Updyke
"I truly and wholeheartedly enjoyed my conversation with Taylor and Mattie. The interview was conducted in a very professional way while leaving room for a relaxed and informative exchange of ideas that I imagine will bring to the listener a vast amount of interesting information and fun anecdotes to remember."

Daniel Fernandez-Davila, Archaeologist and Anthropologist

Listen to episode 39
Daniel Fernandez-Davila
“Is your dream to do something fascinating? Why not learn from the people who’ve aimed for the moon themselves? Taylor and Mattie put their own creativity and youthful perspective on the stories behind really fascinating men and women in their podcast, Aiming for the Moon.”

Dr. Mark “Dr. Bugs” Moffett, author of The Human Swarm: How Societies Rise, Thrive, and Fall, biologist, and explorer

Listen to episode 38
Dr. Mark "Dr. Bugs" Moffett

Lessons from Interesting People

Taylor's Substack turns interviews, books, and big questions into essays for readers who want the conversation to keep going after the episode ends.

Read the Substack