On a recent episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Guy Raz, the popular host of the hit podcast “How I Built This,” made a guest appearance to discuss Google’s self-driving cars and his new book, “Wow in Space.” Fallon kicked off the interview by expressing his gratitude for Raz making the trip from San Francisco to appear on the show.
Raz revealed that he is a beta tester for Waymo, Google’s self-driving car initiative. He explained that these driverless cars are all over San Francisco and can be ordered through an app, similar to requesting an Uber. The cars are sleek electric Jaguars equipped with cameras and sensors, and they are completely driverless. Raz described his initial unease when first using the service, comparing it to scenes from “The Fast and the Furious,” but he quickly adapted and now finds it to be a normal mode of transportation.
Although there are still some kinks to work out, Raz believes that self-driving cars will become commonplace in every city. He shared that people are already getting excited about the technology, often gathering around the cars to snap pictures. Fallon showed a video of Raz’s recent ride in a driverless car, sparking a discussion about the necessity of a steering wheel, which Raz and Fallon agreed could be eliminated entirely in the future.
In addition to his work in the tech industry, Raz revealed a surprising hobby – working in the hectic kitchens of fine-dining restaurants as a way to de-stress. He enjoys engaging in repetitive tasks like peeling tomatoes for hours, which he finds to be centering and gives him a newfound appreciation for the efforts put into creating a meal.
The conversation then turned to Raz’s successful podcast, “How I Built This,” which explores the journeys of various entrepreneurs and business leaders. Fallon expressed his admiration for the podcast, describing it as positive and uplifting. Raz announced that the podcast is now in its eighth season, an impressive milestone.
Furthermore, Raz’s other popular venture, the kids’ podcast “Wow in the World,” was also touted during the interview. Fallon congratulated him on the show’s immense popularity and introduced Raz’s new book, “Wow in Space,” available for pre-order.
Before wrapping up the segment, Fallon couldn’t resist pitching some business ideas to Raz. Among them were “cereal milk boosters,” which would add flavor and nutrition to mundane cereals, and “jumbotron gaming,” a new way to engage fans at stadium events. While Raz gave a thumbs-up to these ideas, the standout pitch was the dog toy called “Fetch ‘n Stretch,” where owners and dogs simulate playfully stretching a piece of grilled cheese.
As always, Guy Raz offered a charming and insightful interview, giving viewers a glimpse into the fascinating world of self-driving cars, his podcast success, and his unexpected culinary escapades. You can catch the full interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. And don’t forget to pre-order Raz’s new book, “Wow in Space,” for an astronomical adventure.
