Cars are no longer just machines—they have become rolling computers. Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs) mark a major shift from hardware-based controls to flexible, updatable software platforms. This new approach enables rapid innovation and continuous upgrades, similar to how smartphones evolve over time. However, this flexibility introduces significant risks. Open-source components and increased connectivity create more opportunities for cyberattacks. Automakers now face a new challenge: acting as software managers, thoroughly reviewing every line of code and overseeing external contributions to ensure safety and reliability. In this episode, Ken discusses how the industry is actively addressing these issues, learning from past high-profile recalls caused by hacking vulnerabilities—and highlights why cybersecurity vigilance is crucial for the future of connected mobility.

As electric vehicles become widespread, a major challenge is what happens to their batteries at the end of their lifespan. Current recycling methods, like shredding, are costly, inefficient, and waste valuable materials. MIT researchers may have discovered a breakthrough. Their new method uses an innovative organic solvent process that makes it much easier to disassemble batteries, simplifying and reducing the cost of recycling. With EV battery waste expected to increase rapidly in the coming years, this approach could turn recycling into a multi-billion-dollar industry within the next decade. In this episode, Ken discusses how these innovations are creating a circular battery economy, where old EV packs are not just discarded but repurposed for everything from new batteries to stationary energy storage—transforming an environmental challenge into a huge opportunity.

Across the country, especially in the Northeast, many historic churches face a difficult reality: shrinking congregations and the challenge of what to do with their aging buildings. Instead of selling to developers for profit, more and more of these faith communities are choosing a different path—turning their sacred spaces into low-income housing or shelters for the homeless.

Driven by a desire to stay true to their mission of service, these churches are addressing local housing crises while revitalizing structures that once stood at the center of their neighborhoods. IRS rules prevent them from profiting personally from the sale of church property, but nonprofit solutions are proving to be an effective way to create lasting community benefits.

This episode explores the balance between social responsibility and financial gain, asking listeners to consider what legacy we leave when we prioritize people over profit.