Today, we explore the perils of social media on kids and the way families are fighting back against big tech. First, how the experience of Candace Wuest and her daughter CeCe show the consequences of social media on kids. Then, journalist Kara Swisher takes us through the long view on big tech companies, and finally, Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut ... Show More
Aug 28
Television's Prestige Hangover Era Is Here
Television's golden age is over, replaced by one that’s decidedly more, as they say, “mid.” Audie and Ari weigh in on whether TV really got worse, the industry's post-prestige identity crisis, and the ingredients for making some of your favorite shows with TV’s best director, Hir ... Show More
38m 24s
Aug 21
RushTok is Southern Soft Power
This week, the internet turned its eyes to an annual 2020s tradition: watching freshman girls rush sororities at big Southern state schools via an endless stream of social videos. What does our obsession with RushTok tell us about the South, the internet, and America? Plus, what' ... Show More
32m 12s
May 2023
A New Chief Twit, CNN Fallout, and Senator Mark Warner
Kara and Scott discuss Taylor Swift's economic impact, and why there are troubles at Disney Plus and Netflix. Meanwhile, over at Twitter: a new CEO, and a censorship controversy. Also, the Trump Town Hall stirs up internal politics at CNN. Our Friend of Pivot, Senator Mark Warner ... Show More
1h 22m
Oct 2021
October 31, 2021: Brian Stelter's ominous prediction about 2022 and beyond; David Leonhardt talks Covid-19 and 'bad news bias'
Plus: Kara Swisher dissects Facebook and YouTube; David Sirota critiques coverage of DC budget battles; Julie Roginsky discusses Rupert Murdoch's televised conspiracy theories. Astead Herndon, Bill Carter, Kara Swisher, David Leonhardt, Julie Roginsky, David Sirota, and Stewart B ... Show More
40m 51s
Apr 2022
A tumultuous week in media: From CNN to Disney, Netflix to Twitter, WaPo to NYT
Brian Stelter covers the end of CNN+, Elon Musk's bid for Twitter and other media stories with Mara Schiavocampo, Oliver Darcy and Sara Fischer. Plus, Jonathan Haidt makes the case that social media has made American life "uniquely stupid;" White House Correspondents Association ... Show More
42m 1s
Jan 2022
The story of January 6 keeps getting bigger
Two reporters open up about lingering trauma from covering the Jan. 6 attack. Plus, David Frum analyzes the rise in political violence and addresses America's "new normal." Later, Kara Swisher shares where Big Tech is taking us in 2022. Guests: Grace Segers, Hunter Walker, Nicole ... Show More
46m 39s
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
Jan 2023
The escalating fight over Big Tech and kids
Seattle Public Schools are suing big tech for helping cause a youth mental health crisis. The school district is going after TikTok, Meta, Snap and other companies, and this is just one of many cases that seek to hold social media platforms responsible for harm to children. Plus, ... Show More
11m 9s
Nov 2024
Joe and Mika's Mar-a-Lago Visit, Big Tech Derails KOSA, and Guest Kristy Caylor
Kara and Scott discuss Morning Joe anchors Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski revealing they paid a visit to Donald Trump to "restart communications," and the sheer brilliance of The Onion buying Alex Jones's Infowars. Then, the news of RFK, Jr.'s HHS Secretary nomination rattle ... Show More
1h 15m