Lawrence Wright has produced some of the most seminal pieces of journalism on scientology, terrorism and – now – the Silicon Valley invasion of his hometown: Austin, Texas. Kara and Larry taped this interview in front of a live (outdoor) audience in Austin. They talk about recent transplants – from Elon Musk to Joe Rogan and Emma Stone – and the city’s trans ... Show More
Jan 8
Venezuela After Maduro: Can Trump Control Caracas From Afar?
The arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, on Saturday, sent shockwaves across the globe. And although the targeted military operation was a success, the repercussions of ousting the authoritarian leader will be long-lasting and hard to predict. To make sense of the new w ... Show More
55m 24s
Feb 2023
The dark history of Silicon Valley
Sean Illing speaks with Malcolm Harris, a journalist, critic, and author of the new book Palo Alto: A History of California, Capitalism, and the World. Together, they discuss the weird history of the city that's birthed Stanford University, Hewlett Packard, Theranos, and the mode ... Show More
58m 13s
Mar 2011
SYSK Live from SXSW: How UFOs Work
<p>In this episode, Josh and Chuck ditch the studio and head west -- south by southwest, in fact -- to record a live podcast in Austin, Texas. Tune in and learn more Stuff You Should Know about SXSW and UFOs.</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.ih ... Show More
37m 48s
Feb 2024
Social Media & Child Safety, Elon's Paycheck, and Guest Conor Dougherty
Kara and Scott talk Apple Vision Pro, Disney’s failed lawsuit against Ron DeSantis, and a $100 million deal for the Smartless podcast. Also, will Elon Musk move Tesla to Texas after a Delaware judge voided his $55 billion compensation package? Plus, the upshot of the social media ... Show More
1h 11m
Mar 2024
The Billionaires’ Secret Plan to Solve California’s Housing Crisis
<p>For years, a mysterious company has been buying farmland on the outskirts of Silicon Valley, eventually putting together a plot twice the size of San Francisco.</p><p>At every step, those behind the company kept their plans for the land shrouded in secrecy. Conor Dougherty, an ... Show More
28m 13s
Sep 2021
San Francisco and the American nightmare
<p>Since the internet boom in the mid-90s, San Francisco has become a tech superpower, overtaking Silicon Valley. The city has more billionaires per square mile than anywhere in the US, but it also has more homeless people. Danny Fortson meets the residents of its tent citie ... Show More
32m 37s