Best Podcast Episodes About TikTok

“When personal information, like an email or phone number, appears on a page, TikTok's identity module processes it, normalizes it, and converts it into an SHA-256-style hashed identifier before sending it out. Meta takes a similar approach, hashing a wide range of fields, including first and last names, locations, and external identifiers. The hashes are deterministic, meaning they produce the same output for the same input each time. And because the hash is built from predictable data like emails and phone numbers, it's easy …” “When personal information, like an email or phone number, appears on a page, TikTok's identity module processes it, normalizes it, and converts it into an SHA-256-style hashed identifier before sending it out. Meta takes a similar approach, hashing a wide range of fields, including first and last names, locations, and external identifiers. The hashes are deterministic, meaning they produce the same output for the same input each time. And because the hash is built from predictable data like emails and phone numbers, it's easy to re-identify them by matching those hashes against existing hash data. Meaning that if metadata, I mean, if meta has your email address and hashes it, they get the If they have your phone number and hash it, they get the same hash. So when those hashes later pop up out on the web, they know it's you. There's no mystery there. You are not …” View more

Ridealong summary

Meta and TikTok's tracking pixels are capturing sensitive user data without consent, including emails, phone numbers, and even checkout details. This data, hashed for anonymity, can easily be re-identified, allowing these platforms to build detailed user profiles. The implications for privacy are alarming, as many businesses unknowingly share extensive customer data with these tech giants.

▶ Listen now

Security Now (Audio) · SN 1071: Bucketsquatting - Meta and TikTok's Tracking Pixels · Mar 24, 2026

“… I watch it on my fucking phone every now and then. I mean, the highlights are good enough. You see the knockouts and the crazy stuff. It's great TikTok content. For sure. You watch someone get slapped, and they go forward, and their head hits the desk, and they fall backwards. But it's like it's a concussion. You're watching concussions. And you can't – there's no defense. There's no – you can't flinch. It's a penalty if you do it. That's crazy. That don't make any sense to me. I don't get it. But I think they've missed out on the opportunity to have a Muay Thai league. That's what I think. …” “… but man, it's just not my jam. Yeah. Yeah. When I fought my retirement in New Orleans, Mike Brown went to the power slap they had there, and he said it was awesome in person. Oh, sure. It's awesome to watch someone get slapped, but I'm not interested. I watch it on my fucking phone every now and then. I mean, the highlights are good enough. You see the knockouts and the crazy stuff. It's great TikTok content. For sure. You watch someone get slapped, and they go forward, and their head hits the desk, and they fall backwards. But it's like it's a concussion. You're watching concussions. And you can't – there's no defense. There's no – you can't flinch. It's a penalty if you do it. That's crazy. That don't make any sense to me. I don't get it. But I think they've missed out on the opportunity to have a Muay Thai league. That's what I think. America just doesn't buy into it that big. I don't think that's true. No? No. No. I just think they haven't served it correctly. Well, I mean one is doing it on Amazon and – Yeah. You know. But it's like who's watching Amazon? That's the problem. Yeah. You have a show on Amazon – like I know guys who've released comedy specials on Amazon. I'm like, …” View more

Ridealong summary

Dustin Poirier hilariously pitches the idea of MMA fighters boxing under Zufa, questioning if the UFC hates money for not allowing it. The banter about boxing training camps being a 'vacation' compared to MMA training leads to a comedic exploration of the absurdity of power slap competitions and the missed opportunities in combat sports.

▶ Listen now

The Joe Rogan Experience · JRE MMA Show #176 with Dustin Poirier · Mar 17, 2026

“… was like I mean people are weird right now man I don't know what's going on right now they've always been weird always We just have more cameras and TikTok.” “… confused if you had the understanding of what's happening grab and freaking twist grab the nuts and freaking twist I really don't run you should run that's crazy you should run that's a weird story to come to the table with Morgan I saw it and I was like I mean people are weird right now man I don't know what's going on right now they've always been weird always We just have more cameras and TikTok.” View more

Ridealong summary

In this wild segment, a woman’s grocery shopping trip turns bizarre when a man exposes himself and places his genitalia on her ear while filming. The hosts react with disbelief and humor, highlighting the absurdity of the situation and the increasing weirdness of the world. It's a shocking reminder of how strange people can be, especially in public places.

▶ Listen now

The Bobby Bones Show · MON PT 2: Bobby's Baby State Of The Union Address · Mar 30, 2026

“… Acosta out. John Dickerson out. Then he says, reforms. And he talks about true social booming. FCC broadcast accountability. There's Brendan Clark. TikTok saved. CNN has new ownership. ABC has a $15 million settlement. You know, it goes on and on and on. And then there's a segment for winning, which is just weird headlines. He obviously didn't make this graphic, but he did repost it. That top section, he's reshaping the media. The entire section pretty much is people who have lost their jobs, who have been pushed out or resigned because in some cases because his friends took over the media. I …” “… media. He says, President Trump is reshaping the media. There's one line that says, gone. PBS defunded. NPR defunded. Terry Moran out at ABC. Joe Rita out at MSNBC. Lester Holt. Massive layoffs at the Washington Post. Colbert out. Chuck Todd out. Jim Acosta out. John Dickerson out. Then he says, reforms. And he talks about true social booming. FCC broadcast accountability. There's Brendan Clark. TikTok saved. CNN has new ownership. ABC has a $15 million settlement. You know, it goes on and on and on. And then there's a segment for winning, which is just weird headlines. He obviously didn't make this graphic, but he did repost it. That top section, he's reshaping the media. The entire section pretty much is people who have lost their jobs, who have been pushed out or resigned because in some cases because his friends took over the media. I mean, and these are people that you and I know, you know, John Dickerson, Chuck Todd, Terry Moran. These are these are people who and and the headline tweeted by bleated by the president or re-bleated says Donald Trump is reshaping the media. That's it. The president of the United States is bragging about forcing certain journalists whose opinions, …” View more

Ridealong summary

Donald Trump is openly reshaping the media landscape, claiming credit for the ousting of journalists and the defunding of public broadcasting. This alarming trend reflects a broader authoritarian strategy where dissenting voices are silenced, and government narratives dominate public discourse. The implications of this manipulation reveal a dangerous cycle of censorship and credibility erosion in American media.

▶ Listen now

Bulwark Takes · Trump Says Iran Is Finished—Then Asks the World for Backup · Mar 15, 2026

“… they must be in some sort of pain and they're trying to communicate like i make it stop the university idaho professor who was the subject of this tiktoker so the professor made 10 million bucks his tiktokers were saying all this crap about him so remember that murder in ohio where they killed four people Idaho? Idaho State. What did I say, Ohio? Yeah. Yeah, sorry, Idaho. Thank you. A University of Idaho professor won million after a TikTok tarot influencer pushed a crazy fake conspiracy that they were behind the savage quadruple murders of four students A Boise jury in U.S. District Court …” “… just started learning to talk because it was like i want off plane like i felt really bad and they started pleading with his dad he's like daddy please make it stop is that because their ears hurt or just bored that's what i was thinking i feel like they must be in some sort of pain and they're trying to communicate like i make it stop the university idaho professor who was the subject of this tiktoker so the professor made 10 million bucks his tiktokers were saying all this crap about him so remember that murder in ohio where they killed four people Idaho? Idaho State. What did I say, Ohio? Yeah. Yeah, sorry, Idaho. Thank you. A University of Idaho professor won million after a TikTok tarot influencer pushed a crazy fake conspiracy that they were behind the savage quadruple murders of four students A Boise jury in U.S. District Court ordered fortune-telling Texas TikToker Ashley Gouliard on Friday to pay 10 million dollars after concluding she falsely accused professor Rebecca Schofield of having a secret romance with one of the four victims and orchestrated the killings. Oh wow. Good you can't just say crap yeah it affects people's lives uh okay good to know also 10 million dollars …” View more

Ridealong summary

In a hilarious twist, a new airline rule mandates that all passengers must wear headphones when using devices that make noise, leading to a comical discussion about a child pleading to get off a plane. The segment takes a sharp turn into the bizarre world of TikTok defamation, where a professor wins $10 million after being falsely accused of orchestrating a murder by a tarot card influencer. It's a wild ride through absurdity and free speech confusion!

▶ Listen now

The Bobby Bones Show · THURS PT 1: Bobby's Hard-Hitting Therapy Question + Bobby Brings Up Amy's Traumatic Past + Amy's Drunk Audio · Mar 05, 2026

“… oh, Chapel Roan comes from money, money. OMG. Oh, please. this little shtick has just got more corny. And these accounts start linking to this TikTok video, effectively claiming that like Chapel Rhone is secretly rich and an heiress and her entire backstory is like a lie. And this to me is like, at least I don't know your perception. This is when the floodgates opened to me because then it was like, OK, who cares that that was, you know, that there was this sort of like original controversy. Now it's just let's destroy Chapel Rhone time. And now the discourse is open of like, can we finally …” “with only 1,900 followers posted, oh, Chapel Roan comes from money, money. OMG. Oh, please. this little shtick has just got more corny. And these accounts start linking to this TikTok video, effectively claiming that like Chapel Rhone is secretly rich and an heiress and her entire backstory is like a lie. And this to me is like, at least I don't know your perception. This is when the floodgates opened to me because then it was like, OK, who cares that that was, you know, that there was this sort of like original controversy. Now it's just let's destroy Chapel Rhone time. And now the discourse is open of like, can we finally admit that like we don't like this woman. Yeah. People felt like they were losing steam that, OK, this original controversy, there's not enough here because too many people don't care, even if she had told a child that she can't take a photo with her. So, yeah, then they started to go. All right. Where else can we hit her? What else can we say here …” View more

Ridealong summary

The backlash against Chappell Roan is fueled by political motivations and a smear campaign rather than the hotel incident itself.

The viral TikTok backlash against Chappell Roan is fueled by baseless claims and misinformation, reflecting a broader trend of online smear campaigns masquerading as investigative journalism.

▶ Listen now

Taylor Lorenz’s Power User · Chappell Roan Did Nothing Wrong: The TikTok Smear Campaign Explained w/ Caroline Kwan · Mar 30, 2026

“Avery, it's nice to meet you. It's nice to meet you. I did something with you to get you up here that I haven't ever done. I saw one TikTok video and just commented and was like, you have to come up. And I went back looking before you came in to look at your TikTok just to see if there was anything I want to talk about. I never realized that you took that message and responded to it. Yeah, I did. That you doing Ozzy Osbourne, No More Tears. It's so cool. Thank you. Did you expect, and maybe you did, but I'm not sure the reaction you got from it. did you get a massive reaction from …” “Avery, it's nice to meet you. It's nice to meet you. I did something with you to get you up here that I haven't ever done. I saw one TikTok video and just commented and was like, you have to come up. And I went back looking before you came in to look at your TikTok just to see if there was anything I want to talk about. I never realized that you took that message and responded to it. Yeah, I did. That you doing Ozzy Osbourne, No More Tears. It's so cool. Thank you. Did you expect, and maybe you did, but I'm not sure the reaction you got from it. did you get a massive reaction from doing that song? I really did. It's been a big, it's been a popular topic of conversation. Why did you do that song? How did you know that song? How did you know to do that song? I just did. I don't know. I love Ozzy Osbourne. I grew up on Ozzy Osbourne in the car with my dad. He's like a drive fast, listen to some rock music type of guy. um and so …” View more

Ridealong summary

Avery Anna hilariously recounts how covering Ozzy Osbourne's 'No More Tears' turned into a viral sensation, sparking both love and hate from fans. She humorously reflects on the irony of her petite, blonde appearance versus the heavy rock song, revealing the unexpected backlash that comes with fame.

▶ Listen now

The Bobby Bones Show · BOBBYCAST - Avery Anna on Viral Success, Hate Comments & Rules of The Tour Bus · Mar 27, 2026

“… I'll do a piece. Always going to want to make you move. Hey, the Hannah Montana thing is coming back. We got to do the dance. Did you see that on TikTok? It only took us four hours to learn it. So you'll practice a long time for your TikToks? Well, that one was long. I didn't know it at all. and then we learned it. We're on the road. Boy, my legs are sore the next day. The Hannah Montana dance? Who says to you this should be the next TikTok that we do? I don't know. I don't know if we... Do you doom scroll on TikTok? I don't have time to scroll, but the one that dances with me sometimes will …” “… Believing. That's the end of this. Well, yeah, but you could have not said that part. I told you the name was in it. You know what I was going to guess, though? The climb Miley Cyrus. That was going to be my guess. Always going to be an uphill battle. I'll do a piece. Always going to want to make you move. Hey, the Hannah Montana thing is coming back. We got to do the dance. Did you see that on TikTok? It only took us four hours to learn it. So you'll practice a long time for your TikToks? Well, that one was long. I didn't know it at all. and then we learned it. We're on the road. Boy, my legs are sore the next day. The Hannah Montana dance? Who says to you this should be the next TikTok that we do? I don't know. I don't know if we... Do you doom scroll on TikTok? I don't have time to scroll, but the one that dances with me sometimes will have suggestions. Yeah, probably he would be the most. When you moved to town, how long until you had any sort of traction at all? Oh, four years. Did that four years feel like 40 years? It did. I remember my first year was all about trying to survive, finding a place to live, paying the bills. Like, I didn't sing. And there weren't as many places. …” View more

Ridealong summary

This segment features a hilarious exchange about the struggles of getting a record deal, with one artist humorously learning they only have 999 more rejections to go. The banter about TikTok dances and the ups and downs of talent contests adds a comedic layer to the artist's journey, making it relatable and laugh-out-loud funny.

▶ Listen now

The Bobby Bones Show · FRI PT 2: Jo Dee Messina In Studio! She Sings With Amy, Shares A Health Update And The Crazy Reason She Was Turned Down For A Record Deal · Mar 13, 2026

“… harms the brain five times worse than alcohol. And it dives in saying, emerging neuroscience warns that binging on short form videos like reels, TikTok, shorts can damage brain function more than alcohol. These bite-sized clips overstimulate the brain's reward pathways, reducing attention span, weakening memory retention, and increasing impulsive behavior. They also say that it really affects critical areas like the prefrontal cortex. I agree with this because I think I can feel when I do this, when I binge on shorts or reels, I feel myself getting dumber. I feel it. So I don't do it that …” “… it. Pretty soon, we're going to see a study about it. Always. Okay, speaking of studies, there's a new one that's going around that we need to talk about, which we kind of already knew, but it solidifies it. It says, watching short form content harms the brain five times worse than alcohol. And it dives in saying, emerging neuroscience warns that binging on short form videos like reels, TikTok, shorts can damage brain function more than alcohol. These bite-sized clips overstimulate the brain's reward pathways, reducing attention span, weakening memory retention, and increasing impulsive behavior. They also say that it really affects critical areas like the prefrontal cortex. I agree with this because I think I can feel when I do this, when I binge on shorts or reels, I feel myself getting dumber. I feel it. So I don't do it that often. Like I have really made a concentrated effort to spend a lot less time on social media consuming stuff like this. Cause I feel I feel like not only do I feel brain rot I feel like spiritual rot in it There just Whenever I just like hunkered down on my phone I like oh my God stop it put it down go live your life Live with the humans Live with the …” View more

Ridealong summary

A recent study reveals that consuming short form content, like TikTok and Instagram reels, can damage brain function five times worse than alcohol. This segment discusses how these bite-sized videos overstimulate the brain's reward pathways, leading to reduced attention spans and impulsive behavior. The speaker shares personal experiences and expresses hope that Gen Z is moving away from social media for better mental health.

▶ Listen now

I've Had It · American Grift Story · Mar 17, 2026

“… even ever start back before the internet? I'm not even sure. I was doing some research on your math books before you came in. And so you're on my TikTok algorithm now. And the episode of you doing the Mario Brothers television show. Oh, gosh. Do you remember that? Yes. It was live. It was live. Those two people are live. And you're a kid. Yes. It was a horrible episode. It was so lame. But look, I love Mario Brothers in general. So it's fine. And they're all lovely people. But I watched it and I'm like, what kind of story is this? I'm like lying, pretending to be an orphan. The plot was not the …” “… Saviano. And you will say that Josh is not Marilyn Manson. Correct. Did you ever hear that rumor? Oh, yeah. Well, years before the internet, I heard the rumor. Oh, really? Like in the 90s, I remember people talking about like, what? No. How did rumors even ever start back before the internet? I'm not even sure. I was doing some research on your math books before you came in. And so you're on my TikTok algorithm now. And the episode of you doing the Mario Brothers television show. Oh, gosh. Do you remember that? Yes. It was live. It was live. Those two people are live. And you're a kid. Yes. It was a horrible episode. It was so lame. But look, I love Mario Brothers in general. So it's fine. And they're all lovely people. But I watched it and I'm like, what kind of story is this? I'm like lying, pretending to be an orphan. The plot was not the best. But actually, my mom was friends with a producer. And that's why I did it. But now my son, Draco, who's 15, he has loved Super Mario Brothers since he was like five or six years old. He still does. And so he thinks it's hilarious. So just for that, I'm glad I did it. Does he watch the show? Has he watched the show He seen that one episode No …” View more

Ridealong summary

Danica McKellar hilariously reflects on the awkwardness of being someone's childhood crush, revealing how starstruck she was meeting Larry Hagman. The segment dives into the bittersweet ending of The Wonder Years, sparking a funny debate about how childhood nostalgia shapes our perceptions of fame and family dynamics.

▶ Listen now

The Bobby Bones Show · BOBBYCAST: #584 - 'Winnie Cooper' Danica McKellar on The Wonder Years, Breaking Rib on DWTS & Her 36-Hour Labor · Mar 15, 2026

“… by the sushi restaurant and we're there Morgan's there on time has her three bags because she has so much stuff and then she gets to editing her TikTok video that her and I did on the boat and she's so engrossed in her phone editing editing editing editing all All right, I got it posted. They're like, time to get off the boat. Morgan gets up, walks off the boat, and is loading her bags into the transportation to the airport. She goes, oh, my gosh. Where's my black bag? Where's my black bag? It has my computer and the $5,000 camera that belongs in our studio. Where is it? Oh, my gosh. I must …” “… gonna say oh i can go for you go ahead why is morgan irresponsible oh my gosh she is so irresponsible like it is time for morgan to grow up like we are it is what Friday morning and we got to get off the boat and they tell us to meet in this one spot by the sushi restaurant and we're there Morgan's there on time has her three bags because she has so much stuff and then she gets to editing her TikTok video that her and I did on the boat and she's so engrossed in her phone editing editing editing editing all All right, I got it posted. They're like, time to get off the boat. Morgan gets up, walks off the boat, and is loading her bags into the transportation to the airport. She goes, oh, my gosh. Where's my black bag? Where's my black bag? It has my computer and the $5,000 camera that belongs in our studio. Where is it? Oh, my gosh. I must have left it on the ship. Lunch. Take my bags. I got to go find it. She goes, running back. Like, they're going to let her go back on the ship. Oh, yeah, you can't get back on the ship. Like, we've already gone through customs. We've done it all. And she's just like, I'm out of here. And she just disappears. She left her bag on the ship with the two …” View more

Ridealong summary

In a hilarious cruise mishap, Morgan forgets her expensive bag with a computer and camera while engrossed in editing a TikTok video. The frantic search back on the ship leads to a comedic debate about responsibility and social media obsession, making for a laugh-out-loud moment.

▶ Listen now

The Bobby Bones Show · Best 7 Segments From The Bobby Bones Show This Week · Mar 14, 2026

“… like she would learn If true like big L for Jessie Yeah Because Chase and I feel like Chase has tried to rebrand himself Like it happens a lot on TikTok, so I know you don't know. But like he comments on all the girls stuff and he leaves like really funny comments. And it's like he's becoming like everybody's like looking, the comments on the Mormon wives Instagrams are like looking for Chase's comment. Making it about himself. Making it about himself. And I just want to say like he is awful. Like I don't forget. I don't think his content is like cute or funny. and he like makes a lot of like …” “… his podcast he started a podcast what did we say only dad right to like rebut all the clown on the girl i know and ride their coattails like he's truly awful so i mean jesse obviously has bad tasted men like marciano jordan um but like you would think like she would learn If true like big L for Jessie Yeah Because Chase and I feel like Chase has tried to rebrand himself Like it happens a lot on TikTok, so I know you don't know. But like he comments on all the girls stuff and he leaves like really funny comments. And it's like he's becoming like everybody's like looking, the comments on the Mormon wives Instagrams are like looking for Chase's comment. Making it about himself. Making it about himself. And I just want to say like he is awful. Like I don't forget. I don't think his content is like cute or funny. and he like makes a lot of like pro Miranda content because people love Miranda. So it's like you fumbled it. Like I just he doesn't get enough hate. He sucks. Like don't let his rebrand wash over you. He's doing just like whatever the audience wants. I think when he was like clowning on the girls and starting his podcast, he was like trying to like take attention and like, you …” View more

Ridealong summary

In a wild twist of reality TV drama, Jesse Draper kissed Chase McWhorter, sparking a social media frenzy and a flurry of apologies with flowers! The segment hilariously dissects the absurdity of their antics, questioning if this is a desperate attempt to keep their show alive amidst the chaos.

▶ Listen now

The Toast · Cojourner's Sister’s Truth: Friday, March 27th, 2026 · Mar 27, 2026

“… she grew up beyond. She's basically 12 years younger than I am. She did not get to experience Oasis. When they were reuniting, it was all up in her TikTok feed, and she was like, I think I'm into this. And so it was so much in her algorithm. She said, hey, they're getting back together in Manchester. Do you want to go to Manchester? It convinced her that quick. That's cool. Oasis stays in, right? Absolutely. Do not eliminate. Okay, we have five more. Pink. I'm coming up. That's the one you go to. Interesting. Yes. That's my first Pink song. So I was in radio whenever Pink started in like 98 or …” “… about oasis except they hit us right in our right time of our age of our life yes sure like what story morning glory yes when when wonder wall came out it's like what is that sound right Yeah, I love it. All. My wife, who is not an Oasis fan because she grew up beyond. She's basically 12 years younger than I am. She did not get to experience Oasis. When they were reuniting, it was all up in her TikTok feed, and she was like, I think I'm into this. And so it was so much in her algorithm. She said, hey, they're getting back together in Manchester. Do you want to go to Manchester? It convinced her that quick. That's cool. Oasis stays in, right? Absolutely. Do not eliminate. Okay, we have five more. Pink. I'm coming up. That's the one you go to. Interesting. Yes. That's my first Pink song. So I was in radio whenever Pink started in like 98 or so. There you go. Talking about – and she was signed to like La Face, which was – she was like a hip-hop artist at first, kind of. And that was kind of a presentation. And she's changed over the years because she's so – like just so talented. Pink's awesome. Man, I just don't even – you know what's weird about Pink is I don't feel she's old. That's …” View more

Ridealong summary

In a lively debate, Bobby hilariously navigates the complexities of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ballot, revealing his wife's surprising interest in Oasis after their reunion news flooded her TikTok feed. The banter around Pink's enduring relevance adds a comedic twist, as Bobby jokes about expediting the admittance of older artists before they 'die in the next week.'

▶ Listen now

The Bobby Bones Show · BOBBYCAST - Bobby & Eddie Vote on the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame! · Mar 31, 2026

“… like you chose not to do – what the fuck? Billie Eilish. Billie Eilish. I chose not to do theater as a kid and I always regretted it. And then like TikTok kind of gave me this lane back in that I never would have gotten. But you're doing everything. But I really – like TikTok was the way in. TikTok was the only reason I'm sitting here. You are TikTok. Thank you. I don't feel like I am, but thank you. I've been in love with my situationship for a year and a half, and he recently admitted to me that he feels the same and wants a future. Obsessed. The only problem is all of my friends genuinely hate …” “… you born? 1999, so I'm a 2000s baby as well, I would say, but I want to say, but I wouldn't have the job I have if I was born then. I would have had like the second chance I got. You know what I mean? Because like I could have pursued – as you said, like you chose not to do – what the fuck? Billie Eilish. Billie Eilish. I chose not to do theater as a kid and I always regretted it. And then like TikTok kind of gave me this lane back in that I never would have gotten. But you're doing everything. But I really – like TikTok was the way in. TikTok was the only reason I'm sitting here. You are TikTok. Thank you. I don't feel like I am, but thank you. I've been in love with my situationship for a year and a half, and he recently admitted to me that he feels the same and wants a future. Obsessed. The only problem is all of my friends genuinely hate him. And I get why, because we have been a little toxic. On and off again, we use each other as a crutch, etc. How do I either get them off my back or explain that it's going to be okay? Well, it's not going to be okay. It's not going to be okay. I prescribe tell me lies. You think? Have you ever been in a situationship? I've always said I've …” View more

Ridealong summary

In this hilarious segment, the hosts dive into the complexities of a toxic situationship, hilariously debating the allure of great sex versus the chaos of drama. One host comically prescribes the show 'Tell Me Lies' as the perfect escape for anyone caught in a messy relationship, leading to a lively discussion about the absurdities of love and attraction.

▶ Listen now

Therapuss with Jake Shane · Session 111: Maddie Ziegler · Mar 26, 2026

“… join the group. And I will pay you a commission for getting people into the group. And eventually he was getting billions and billions of views on TikTok, not from his own account, but from many different accounts. Eventually, Andrew Tate gets banned because he's racist, he's sexist, he's misogynistic. He says a ton of awful, awful things. TikTok decides to ban him. And yet his clips live on because he has a clipping army that is out there on TikTok, out on the platform that continues to post the clips for him. The same thing is true on Instagram. You'll notice a lot of these guys are actually …” “… you to post as many clips as humanly possible from those accounts. And at the end of each clip, you're going to add an affiliate link to Hustlers University. You're going to get people to join the group when you'll pay a little subscription fee to join the group. And I will pay you a commission for getting people into the group. And eventually he was getting billions and billions of views on TikTok, not from his own account, but from many different accounts. Eventually, Andrew Tate gets banned because he's racist, he's sexist, he's misogynistic. He says a ton of awful, awful things. TikTok decides to ban him. And yet his clips live on because he has a clipping army that is out there on TikTok, out on the platform that continues to post the clips for him. The same thing is true on Instagram. You'll notice a lot of these guys are actually banned from platforms. Nick Fuentes is banned from Instagram. He's banned from YouTube. So then the question is, why is Nick Fuentes all over Instagram? How is that possible? It's because other people, clippers, are posting his content all over Instagram. And that's how people who are on Instagram are finding Nick Fuentes, despite the fact that he …” View more

Ridealong summary

Andrew Tate pioneered the clip economy by leveraging his live streams and empowering followers to create viral content. By instructing them to clip his streams and post on social media, he generated billions of views, even after being banned from major platforms. This model not only made him a household name but also birthed a new ecosystem where clipping agencies thrive, paying clippers millions to promote content.

▶ Listen now

Galaxy Brain · How Short-Form Clips Took Over the Internet · Apr 24, 2026

“And for a while, that's kind of where everything sat. Of course, many people on TikTok were responding to her reporting, some questioning it, some thanking her for bringing these concerns to light, which, of course, as the three of us know, is very commonly the conflicting response journalists receive And of course at this time people are also theorizing on their own on TikTok Anyway at this point it mid and I thinking maybe this is it It been weeks since Tunnel Girl posted, right? And maybe she's done. Maybe the stop work order …” “And for a while, that's kind of where everything sat. Of course, many people on TikTok were responding to her reporting, some questioning it, some thanking her for bringing these concerns to light, which, of course, as the three of us know, is very commonly the conflicting response journalists receive And of course at this time people are also theorizing on their own on TikTok Anyway at this point it mid and I thinking maybe this is it It been weeks since Tunnel Girl posted, right? And maybe she's done. Maybe the stop work order was the end of it, and maybe we'll never hear from her again. Tunnel complete. Tunnel complete. And that was true until two weeks ago. I was on vacation and I'm literally smooth brain scrolling on TikTok when Kele popped back up on my FYP. Oh my God, she's back. I was floored. And at the time of this recording, she has posted three videos since …” View more

Ridealong summary

After weeks of silence, TikTok's 'Tunnel Girl' resurfaced with cryptic videos that left fans buzzing. While she hasn't updated on her tunnel project since receiving a stop work order, a local listener has stepped in to investigate her neighborhood, revealing a quiet scene with no sign of construction. This ongoing saga continues to captivate viewers as they eagerly await her next move.

▶ Listen now

Endless Thread · Rewind: Digging Deep with TikTok's "tunnel girl" · Apr 03, 2026

“… meta is at such a scale with over 3 billion users across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, then it's hard to see a competitor taking them down. TikTok had a moment for a bit, but Meta responded with Instagram Reels, which has been very successful. And beyond that, it's just hard to bet against Zuck. Despite how you might feel about the guy, he is a ruthless operator and he's shown the ability to adapt and pivot. His latest pivot is that he's betting the entire company on AI, which I think is a better bet than burning cash on the metaverse. The demand for AI is here. It continues to grow. And …” “… So what's my take here? Well, there's a lot of negative sentiment when it comes to meta right now with the lawsuits and the wild AI spending and the lack of an AI strategy. So I can see why the market is nervous right now. But I got to say, man, meta is at such a scale with over 3 billion users across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, then it's hard to see a competitor taking them down. TikTok had a moment for a bit, but Meta responded with Instagram Reels, which has been very successful. And beyond that, it's just hard to bet against Zuck. Despite how you might feel about the guy, he is a ruthless operator and he's shown the ability to adapt and pivot. His latest pivot is that he's betting the entire company on AI, which I think is a better bet than burning cash on the metaverse. The demand for AI is here. It continues to grow. And Meta has shown that AI is already starting to improve their core ads business. To me, the most compelling case for Meta is that even if they never develop a leading AI model, AI is still going to help Meta make more money. Now, does that justify spending all of the company's cash and more on building out AI infrastructure? I guess that's tough to …” View more

Ridealong summary

Despite facing significant challenges, Meta's advertising business is thriving, with a remarkable $201 billion in revenue for 2025, up 22% from the previous year. The company's innovative use of AI is enhancing ad targeting and could revolutionize how businesses advertise on its platform. With smart glasses gaining traction and a robust user base, Meta's future prospects remain compelling, even amidst skepticism.

▶ Listen now

The Rundown · Deep Dive: Is Meta Having an Identity Crisis? · Mar 28, 2026

“… And then once you do, you find that, you know, then we've got you. Then we've got you. So I remember the first time people were starting to use the TikTok algorithm, like the feedback was like it's creepily good basically within like five swipes. If you stopped and paused over a car video or a watch video for just one millisecond longer, your entire feed would be cars or watches or whatever you were into. And I'm wondering, of that customer journey that you're trying to funnel people towards the right content that they'll love, is it more of a user interface design problem or UX design problem? …” “… R in my browser, it would immediately populate R slash hip hop heads. I think that's actually the answer. you need to find one of those things that is uniquely Reddit, touches you and provides that experience that you can't get anywhere else online. And then once you do, you find that, you know, then we've got you. Then we've got you. So I remember the first time people were starting to use the TikTok algorithm, like the feedback was like it's creepily good basically within like five swipes. If you stopped and paused over a car video or a watch video for just one millisecond longer, your entire feed would be cars or watches or whatever you were into. And I'm wondering, of that customer journey that you're trying to funnel people towards the right content that they'll love, is it more of a user interface design problem or UX design problem? Or is it actually just a compute problem and you want to apply more machine learning, more modern AI tools to bring that content faster, learn what the user's interacting with or observing, and then help them along? I actually think it's both. We seen this over the years One of the things we can do most consistently to grow is make the product …” View more

Ridealong summary

Reddit's CEO, Steve Huffman, reveals that the key to retaining new users lies in helping them discover communities they love. By focusing on user experience and leveraging advanced machine learning, Reddit aims to ensure that newcomers find content that resonates with them, similar to TikTok's algorithmic success. This dual approach could redefine how users interact with the platform.

▶ Listen now

TBPN · 100 Billion Bezos, SMCI Fully Sends GPUs (To China), Reddit CEO Joins | R.F. Kenmore, Mitch Lee, Bucky Moore, Steve Huffman, Quaid Walker, Ankur Jain, Michael Kratsios · Mar 20, 2026

“… we've heard from a lot of people who say they're Southwest diehards, and now they're abandoning the airline because of these changes. You go on TikTok. I spent the night on TikTok last night, just scrolling through all of the doomsayers who are very unhappy. And I will say there were some people who were happy with the changes. So just to be fair there, but you know, when change happens, people let you know about it. We talked about that earlier. I wonder if you're seeing that any of that in the bookings, are people literally giving up or is it, are you still winning over people? No, you got …” “… despite what's going on? How do we keep them from being scared? How do we keep them informed? confirmed. So again, if the value is real, then it has to show up. I wonder about kind of the results you're seeing internally. You know, here at the journal, we've heard from a lot of people who say they're Southwest diehards, and now they're abandoning the airline because of these changes. You go on TikTok. I spent the night on TikTok last night, just scrolling through all of the doomsayers who are very unhappy. And I will say there were some people who were happy with the changes. So just to be fair there, but you know, when change happens, people let you know about it. We talked about that earlier. I wonder if you're seeing that any of that in the bookings, are people literally giving up or is it, are you still winning over people? No, you got to be careful always to, in terms of what we report around, you know, non-public information, but two things. No, business is strong. We've been very, very open about that. And then number two, we watch customer data every single day. Of course, we're seeing feedback because change is hard. We're not seeing any evidence that folks are booking away …” View more

Ridealong summary

Southwest Airlines' CEO Bob Jordan reveals that introducing bag fees could generate an extra billion dollars annually for the company. However, he emphasizes the challenge of balancing financial performance with the airline's cherished culture of free checked bags, which customers love. As the airline adapts post-pandemic, Jordan discusses the importance of maintaining core values amidst necessary changes.

▶ Listen now

Bold Names · Southwest’s $1 Billion Pivot: CEO Bob Jordan on Bag Fees And Other Changes · Mar 20, 2026

“of it going viral. So it was a viral topic. And then I put the TikToks out and it went viral again. So you have instances of like those, those four viral videos. It's what the creator on TikTok or They're like, if you have something that works, it goes viral. Just tweak it a little bit and post it again. Like you already know it works. There's no reason not to like keep hitting it. Well, what's so great about a viral post on LinkedIn that I posted four times. It's gone viral and got 100,000 views every time. …” “of it going viral. So it was a viral topic. And then I put the TikToks out and it went viral again. So you have instances of like those, those four viral videos. It's what the creator on TikTok or They're like, if you have something that works, it goes viral. Just tweak it a little bit and post it again. Like you already know it works. There's no reason not to like keep hitting it. Well, what's so great about a viral post on LinkedIn that I posted four times. It's gone viral and got 100,000 views every time. Nobody remembers. You might keep going. What's really interesting about this is it really goes back to memes and like really in the Marshall McLuhan, like 50 years ago, memes going way back, which is. Yeah the original idea was there was something inside of the idea that was so powerful that it would spread virally you know or like a virus from one …” View more

Ridealong summary

Viral posts can be reused and tweaked for maximum impact, as demonstrated by a creator's four videos that each garnered 100,000 views. This phenomenon relates to the concept of 'decision paralysis,' where too many choices overwhelm consumers, making concise ideas like 'flat white F off' more shareable than complex concepts like the 'tyranny of choice.' Understanding how to simplify choices can lead to more effective content creation.

▶ Listen now

This Week in Startups · One Genius Rule That Made This Coffee Brand Famous | EP 2262 · Mar 14, 2026

“… little tab that says hello on it. And that like the classic Mac font, like Apple has not been playful in a long time. Like truly has not, uh, their TikTok account is bananas, like literally pictures of bananas. Right. Do you see the TikTok they made of, of just a lime doing a FaceTime call? No. I mean, it's just like nonsensical avant-garde weirdo TikToks that they're making. They started another new Instagram account that, you know, it's just more branded content, but there's just a playfulness to Apple's like vibe around the Neo that I think connects directly to it costs $599. The more …” “… the positivity around this thing as I have? Not really. I think what I'm more intrigued by is the positivity around the sense that Apple is having a good time for the first time in years. Like when you, when you open the box for the Neo, it has the little tab that says hello on it. And that like the classic Mac font, like Apple has not been playful in a long time. Like truly has not, uh, their TikTok account is bananas, like literally pictures of bananas. Right. Do you see the TikTok they made of, of just a lime doing a FaceTime call? No. I mean, it's just like nonsensical avant-garde weirdo TikToks that they're making. They started another new Instagram account that, you know, it's just more branded content, but there's just a playfulness to Apple's like vibe around the Neo that I think connects directly to it costs $599. The more expensive one costs $699. It's colorful. It's fun. This thing is not taking itself very seriously. So then you run into and it's running an iPhone chip and has a gigs of RAM, but you're not supposed to take it seriously. So why did you take it seriously? And it turns out an iPhone chip with a gigs RAM, as we have known for a long time, is remarkably …” View more

Ridealong summary

Apple's MacBook Neo has garnered overwhelmingly positive reactions, marking a playful revival for the brand. Priced at $599, it combines an iPhone chip with a colorful design, appealing to users who understand its intended purpose. This shift in Apple's vibe is a refreshing change, showcasing their ability to blend fun with functionality.

▶ Listen now

The Vergecast · The MacBook Neo is a winner · Mar 13, 2026

“… Parents, coaches start rushing the court. This is the game you're at. This is the game I'm at, and my son's on the court. Not something you saw on TikTok. No, and my son is on the court. And I'm like, what is happening? And then parents are yelling. Dude, they start arguing for about a total of like two minutes. It finally gets sorted out. It had the vibe like someone had a gun. Kids were running to the benches. Parents were grabbing their kids. It was crazy. Your game. At our game. That was incident one. What's funny about that, though, is at the end of the game, the guy came up to the kid and …” “… he just got out of prison like he's bald tattoos all over his head uh he's got a like a towel hanging from the back of his um pants you know like and and He's probably in his 60s, and he gets up wanting to fight the kid. Like, did you flip me off? Parents, coaches start rushing the court. This is the game you're at. This is the game I'm at, and my son's on the court. Not something you saw on TikTok. No, and my son is on the court. And I'm like, what is happening? And then parents are yelling. Dude, they start arguing for about a total of like two minutes. It finally gets sorted out. It had the vibe like someone had a gun. Kids were running to the benches. Parents were grabbing their kids. It was crazy. Your game. At our game. That was incident one. What's funny about that, though, is at the end of the game, the guy came up to the kid and apologized. He was like, hey, man, that's on me. My bad. And the kid's like, okay, man, whatever. So that was crazy. And then the second one I saw was a fight between two kids on the court. So one of them grabbed the hair. They were like boxing each other out, right? And then it just got physical. And then one of them just like grabbed the other …” View more

Ridealong summary

In a wild AAU tournament, a kid flips off a tattooed dad, sparking chaos as parents rush the court like it's the NBA Finals. The absurdity escalates with a hair-pulling fight between two kids, leading to a full-on parental brawl, proving that for some, youth sports are a serious business. Who knew a sixth-grade game could turn into a scene from a reality show?

▶ Listen now

The Bobby Bones Show · 25W: Bobbys March Madness Newborn Dilemma + Eddie Witnessed 2 Fights at an AAU Tournament + Why NIL Has Ruined the Cinderella's of March Madness · Mar 23, 2026

“… are some cool girls Don't I have some cool ladies for Tom? I feel like it's not fair that only I get the cool guys. Let me see. I found a few on TikTok that I was sending you privately. You don't respond. There's an old lady who simulates dribbling cum out of her mouth and stuff. Is that on my TikToks? Jesus Christ. And the other day she goes, this is for Steve. Oh, I want to do some stunts with you. Oh, yeah. I saw that. And I tagged him and then he liked it. He did? He acknowledged it. Yeah, she wanted to do OnlyFans with him. That was cool. She's really old, too. No, she's rad. You think …” “225. Yeah, 225. You can get a little 225 action in there. He'd still give it to you. Cool. Thanks I feel better now But it be like a gift to you though Of course Yeah he be like I do you a favor You seem like a nice lady Bend over Yeah Where are some cool girls Don't I have some cool ladies for Tom? I feel like it's not fair that only I get the cool guys. Let me see. I found a few on TikTok that I was sending you privately. You don't respond. There's an old lady who simulates dribbling cum out of her mouth and stuff. Is that on my TikToks? Jesus Christ. And the other day she goes, this is for Steve. Oh, I want to do some stunts with you. Oh, yeah. I saw that. And I tagged him and then he liked it. He did? He acknowledged it. Yeah, she wanted to do OnlyFans with him. That was cool. She's really old, too. No, she's rad. You think old people... See, this is because we just think old people don't fuck anymore. No, I know they fuck, but when an old lady is like, I am putting myself on camera to make a living, it does kind of affect me. Yeah. Yeah, it's not my favorite. Let's try to have a giggle real quick Oh boy Oh no It's a new sport Oh Shit What a hit Oh Oh Oh Oh my god …” View more

Ridealong summary

This hilarious segment dives into the absurdity of a new sport where players collide like freight trains, leading to comparisons with car accidents. The funniest moment comes when they discuss an old lady on TikTok who wants to team up for OnlyFans, proving that age doesn't stop anyone from having fun and making a living in the wildest ways.

▶ Listen now

Your Mom's House with Christina P. and Tom Segura · Tom Is Home Here Now | Your Mom's House Ep. 850 · Mar 11, 2026

“… right there. Oh, is there like a tripod set up right there? Probably. That's pretty funny. Yeah. Oh, yeah. There's a tripod. Are they doing a TikTok? There's another dude taking a picture. It's funny because where we're at in the studio, we can see a lot of things happening. There's a track outside of here. There's lawn chairs. There's a basketball court. Yeah. It's kind of cruising. It's fun people watching. Yeah. Oh, they're doing TikTok. They're doing TikTok. oh we're watching it live they are doing a tiktok this better make it to our feed oh my gosh i feel like i should interrupt this …” “… see you right now. I know. It's a joke. But it was. It was multiple colors. We had a deep blue. There was a teal and a light blue. Yeah, and bingo. These two dudes out here are taking model pictures. They've been taking pictures for the last 30 minutes right there. Oh, is there like a tripod set up right there? Probably. That's pretty funny. Yeah. Oh, yeah. There's a tripod. Are they doing a TikTok? There's another dude taking a picture. It's funny because where we're at in the studio, we can see a lot of things happening. There's a track outside of here. There's lawn chairs. There's a basketball court. Yeah. It's kind of cruising. It's fun people watching. Yeah. Oh, they're doing TikTok. They're doing TikTok. oh we're watching it live they are doing a tiktok this better make it to our feed oh my gosh i feel like i should interrupt this and just like open you know here let me see something Well, don't ruin their TikTok. I'm not going to ruin it. I'm just going to show up in the door. And see if they laugh? Yeah.” View more

Ridealong summary

In this hilarious segment, the hosts stumble upon two guys taking an elaborate TikTok video on a cruise, leading to a comedic discussion about the absurdity of it all. The moment they consider crashing the shoot for a laugh adds a layer of spontaneity, showcasing their playful banter and the fun of people-watching while cruising.

▶ Listen now

The Bobby Bones Show · Morgan & Lunchbox Talk All Things Cruise From The Ship · Mar 07, 2026

“… going to rock with you even harder because of that. And the people who were never really watching or just casual or just sort of get their news from TikTok, they're going to unfollow you. They're going to say, now, things about you but those aren't the people i want at my audience anyway those aren't i'm not here to appease people or make as many fans as i possibly can i'm just here to make an impact on the people who are prepared to listen so yeah that's true there's a bunch of people out there who probably think a thing about me based on the eight second doctored edited video sure but frankly …” “… a false identity then i'd be really fucking nervous but anyone you know someone said to me that that video you made is authentic it feels like you and that's the type of video that anyone who truly watches your stuff, knows you in real life, they're going to rock with you even harder because of that. And the people who were never really watching or just casual or just sort of get their news from TikTok, they're going to unfollow you. They're going to say, now, things about you but those aren't the people i want at my audience anyway those aren't i'm not here to appease people or make as many fans as i possibly can i'm just here to make an impact on the people who are prepared to listen so yeah that's true there's a bunch of people out there who probably think a thing about me based on the eight second doctored edited video sure but frankly those aren't the people that i'm those aren't the people that are prepared to listen to my videos anyway they could have been could have been they could have been i i'm not sure” View more

Ridealong summary

In a recent episode of the podcast featuring mindset coach Michael Smoak, he discusses the intense backlash he faced after a video he posted sparked a storm of criticism and false accusations. Smoak argues that words can only hurt you to the extent that you believe them to be true, but he also emphasizes the psychological toll of fearing that others might believe the false narratives being spread about you.

▶ Listen now

Modern Wisdom · #1083 - Michael Smoak - 16 Brutal Life Lessons for Ambitious People · Apr 11, 2026

“… undefeated. Brutal. I'm a pangram truster. Trust the pangram. Trust the pangram. China's ByteDance got access to the top NVIDIA AI chips. Uh-oh. TikTok parent pushing global expansion plans to tap Blackwell processors that are barred for export to China. They're just flexing on us at this point. How did this leak? Fight Dance is working with a Southeast Asian company called Alani Cloud on plans to use some 500 Blackwell computing systems, totaling around 36,000 B200 chips. Is that a lot of chips? That's not as much as Elon's talking about, and I don't think that's at the scale of Frontier …” “… style. Let me see. How do I scan for AI? I need to create an account. Let's see. Let's see, John. I'm trying. Let's see. Send me the link. Okay, I got it. I got it. What's my role? Okay, it says 100% human written. I got roasted. Wow. Wow. Okay, Tyler undefeated. Brutal. I'm a pangram truster. Trust the pangram. Trust the pangram. China's ByteDance got access to the top NVIDIA AI chips. Uh-oh. TikTok parent pushing global expansion plans to tap Blackwell processors that are barred for export to China. They're just flexing on us at this point. How did this leak? Fight Dance is working with a Southeast Asian company called Alani Cloud on plans to use some 500 Blackwell computing systems, totaling around 36,000 B200 chips. Is that a lot of chips? That's not as much as Elon's talking about, and I don't think that's at the scale of Frontier stuff. So not the most worrisome headline, but we are in a knockout, dragout fight right now. How many B200s would you provision if you were at a frontier lab right now, Tyler? I mean, I have no idea, but in the next paragraph it says, I mean, this is like what a 25x increase” View more

Ridealong summary

ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has gained access to top NVIDIA AI chips, raising eyebrows in the tech community. This move is part of their ambitious global expansion plans, collaborating with Alani Cloud to utilize 500 advanced Blackwell computing systems. The implications of this access could shift the balance in the ongoing tech competition, especially concerning AI capabilities.

▶ Listen now

TBPN · Tall Poppy Syndrome, Bytedance Gets Blackwell Chips, WSJ Mansion Section | Diet TBPN · Mar 14, 2026

“… week. Maybe it could have been like something my old algorithm. She's very active on social media. She's leaving comments and reposting stuff on TikTok that are sort of like Team Taylor, like defending her side. What did she post? It's a video of her learning piano. That's giving listening and learning. I was just playing around and found I kind of like this. is this a thousand red balloons no it's like a tiktok song i mean it's pretty good if this is her first time playing i mean she's wearing a gray hoodie and it's from the back it literally could be anyone she said i learned this today for …” “… for a Monday morning, but just even Ben was like, what's on? And I was like, nothing. What would have been on? The Bachelorette. There's a gaping hole. Did you see that she posted? She's acting insane. I need to confirm that that was posted in the last week. Maybe it could have been like something my old algorithm. She's very active on social media. She's leaving comments and reposting stuff on TikTok that are sort of like Team Taylor, like defending her side. What did she post? It's a video of her learning piano. That's giving listening and learning. I was just playing around and found I kind of like this. is this a thousand red balloons no it's like a tiktok song i mean it's pretty good if this is her first time playing i mean she's wearing a gray hoodie and it's from the back it literally could be anyone she said i learned this today for no reason i think i have a real future in piano it's giving psychosis like what that's so crazy um that is really crazy do you think it's giving like i'm coming back i'm back y'all she never left you don't understand she's so active on tiktok right now no but there's a difference between like lurking and leaving comments and like posting content …” View more

Ridealong summary

In a hilarious twist, the hosts dissect a Bachelorette's TikTok video where she claims to have learned piano for 'no reason.' The absurdity of her newfound talent and the suggestion that playing piano could be a coping mechanism for her recent scandal leads to a riotous conversation about social media antics and the lengths people will go to stay relevant.

▶ Listen now

The Toast · Tsk Tsk Tiger: Monday, March 30th, 2026 · Mar 30, 2026

“You remember Snapchat and TikTok both settled out. The plaintiff was a 20-year-old woman who said, I got addicted early on. I think it was to Instagram primarily, but in general to social. And as a result, I've had a terrible, terrible life. and uh and it's their fault okay come on you're you're perhaps describing this in a slightly disingenuous way uh she began using youtube at age six instagram at age nine she just divided that she believed social media led to depression …” “You remember Snapchat and TikTok both settled out. The plaintiff was a 20-year-old woman who said, I got addicted early on. I think it was to Instagram primarily, but in general to social. And as a result, I've had a terrible, terrible life. and uh and it's their fault okay come on you're you're perhaps describing this in a slightly disingenuous way uh she began using youtube at age six instagram at age nine she just divided that she believed social media led to depression body dysmorphia anxiety suicidal thoughts self Yeah terrible terrible life Cutting herself at age 10. All of these, the jury ended up answering yes to every question that it was asked on negligence and finding failure to warn, voting 10 to 2 on each claim for each defendant. Now, I have to say. The thing that I think is interesting about this, before …” View more

Ridealong summary

The legal strategy against Meta and YouTube is groundbreaking, framing social media addiction as a product liability issue rather than a content moderation problem.

The ruling against social media firms is a significant legal precedent, but the damages awarded are negligible compared to the companies' revenues.

▶ Listen now

Intelligent Machines (Audio) · IM 863: Fire and Ash - Hot Takes on Tech Trials · Mar 25, 2026

Ridealong summary

In this hilarious segment, Kat expresses her overwhelming fear of stroller TikTok, leading to a comedic exchange about the absurdity of baby culture. The funniest moment comes when she highlights how her algorithm is filled with baby content while her friend Amy is left in the dark, showcasing the relatable stress of modern parenting trends.

▶ Listen now

The Bobby Bones Show · FEELING THINGS: Showing Up for Your Single Friends & Why We Still Don't Understand Dry Cleaning · Apr 26, 2026

“… where he was like, basically, screw you guys. It was like, this is why we can't have nice things. You people hate AI. You're all AI haters. The way TikTok works is if you get a certain number of followers and you making content that doesn violate the rules and you live in the right country they will add you to what called the creator rewards program where you get paid based on the number of views that your videos are getting and how people are engaging with it. Are they commenting a lot? Are they sharing it a lot? Are they watching the whole thing? Is it generating conversation? How much money …” “… Right. Within one week, this thing went huge, global, megaviral. It's the biggest thing in the world. And then crashed out. Right. People really objected to this concept. And then in the last couple of days, the creator of it did a final post where he was like, basically, screw you guys. It was like, this is why we can't have nice things. You people hate AI. You're all AI haters. The way TikTok works is if you get a certain number of followers and you making content that doesn violate the rules and you live in the right country they will add you to what called the creator rewards program where you get paid based on the number of views that your videos are getting and how people are engaging with it. Are they commenting a lot? Are they sharing it a lot? Are they watching the whole thing? Is it generating conversation? How much money can you make with that? You can make a ton of money, right like you can if you're moderately successful at this you it can start paying your rent depending on and like the rate that you get paid per video is different for different creators it's all very complicated there's not a lot of insight into how the rates are set but you can make a lot of …” View more

Ridealong summary

The creator of 'Fruit Love Island' faced backlash after his AI-generated content, which mixed lighthearted visuals with dark themes, went viral and then crashed. As TikTok users reported his videos, he was removed from the platform's rewards program, highlighting the precarious balance between entertainment and ethical responsibility in AI content creation.

▶ Listen now

The Interface · Why Can't People Stop Watching AI Fruit? · Apr 02, 2026

“… on Instant Messenger from a very early age. Do you really think that like messaging apps are like as addictive and harmful in the same way as like TikTok or Instagram? Oh my God, take me back to 1999. Put me on AOL Instant Messenger. I could not tear myself away from that thing. I had to put up a little message with, you know, Get Up Kids lyrics on it every time I left the computer because it was such a rare event. And I wanted my friends to know that I was away from keyboard. See, these things were addictive. The kid got up. It's a Get Up Kids joke. Yeah, look, I just think that like messaging …” “Like your hippocampus was formed. And I think... I was on Instant Messenger from a very early age. Do you really think that like messaging apps are like as addictive and harmful in the same way as like TikTok or Instagram? Oh my God, take me back to 1999. Put me on AOL Instant Messenger. I could not tear myself away from that thing. I had to put up a little message with, you know, Get Up Kids lyrics on it every time I left the computer because it was such a rare event. And I wanted my friends to know that I was away from keyboard. See, these things were addictive. The kid got up. It's a Get Up Kids joke. Yeah, look, I just think that like messaging apps are different from like these social platforms. And I think, you know, honestly, like I will be curious, you know, who knows if Instagram and TikTok will be what they still are in like 10 years, maybe when your son is ready or wants to use social media. But I just think that it probably just feels very different than when you're a parent. …” View more

Ridealong summary

AI chatbots are rapidly becoming the next frontier of addictive technology, with 64% of teens using them regularly, according to a 2025 Pew study. While traditional social media usage remains stable, the engaging nature of chatbots could lead to a significant shift in how we interact online. This could force social media platforms to adapt or face legal repercussions as the lines between these technologies blur.

▶ Listen now

Hard Fork · The Future of Addictive Design + Going Deep at DeepMind + HatGPT · Apr 03, 2026

“… Quoting TechCrunch, based on what the streamer previewed at a press event yesterday, Peacock's mobile app is about to look a lot more like a mix of TikTok, a casual gaming hub, and a streaming service. From an AI-powered Bravoverse vertical video experience narrated by a digital avatar of TV host Andy Cohen to vertical live NBA broadcasts and mobile games, Peacock is rolling out several new features designed to keep viewers entertained on their phones even longer. The biggest reveal was a new feature called Your Bravoverse aimed at viewers deeply immersed in Bravo fandom, home to addictive …” “All the streaming video apps are all becoming just like all the others. Peacock has added a new feature to its app that uses AI to curate personalized vertical video playlists narrated by a generative AI avatar of host Andy Cohen. Quoting TechCrunch, based on what the streamer previewed at a press event yesterday, Peacock's mobile app is about to look a lot more like a mix of TikTok, a casual gaming hub, and a streaming service. From an AI-powered Bravoverse vertical video experience narrated by a digital avatar of TV host Andy Cohen to vertical live NBA broadcasts and mobile games, Peacock is rolling out several new features designed to keep viewers entertained on their phones even longer. The biggest reveal was a new feature called Your Bravoverse aimed at viewers deeply immersed in Bravo fandom, home to addictive reality franchises like The Real Housewives and Vanderpump Rules. The feature pulls short-form clips from more than 5,000 hours of Bravo footage and stitches them into personalized playlists. The best part, arguably, is that your guide will be a generative AI avatar of Andy Cohen, the famous reunion host for The Real Housewives franchise. Users will …” View more

Ridealong summary

Peacock is transforming its app with AI-driven personalized playlists featuring a digital avatar of Andy Cohen, catering to Bravo fans. This innovation, along with Disney Plus's new short-form video feed, highlights a shift towards engaging mobile-first viewers and adapting to the TikTok trend, aiming to boost user engagement and discoverability of shows. With over 600 billion possible viewing variations, the future of streaming is becoming more tailored than ever.

▶ Listen now

Tech Brew Ride Home · Is Avocado… Toast? · Mar 13, 2026

“… games and TV shows. And they were like hype reels that were memes and mashups of what was happening. It was almost like fan edits that you'd see on TikTok, but like from the official White House account. And to me, that feels like the sensitivity to absurdity has gone up because the past 40 years of the internet have been mostly based on memes, jokes, making everything lighthearted, joking about anything absurd, and our capacity to watch something that is absurd and just accept it has gone through the roof. And now we have the White House, the government of the United States putting out video …” “… what happening or hype up the public what happening And something that we saw most recently is three days after the US strikes Iran, the official White House Twitter account began posting videos that were mixed real war footage with clips from video games and TV shows. And they were like hype reels that were memes and mashups of what was happening. It was almost like fan edits that you'd see on TikTok, but like from the official White House account. And to me, that feels like the sensitivity to absurdity has gone up because the past 40 years of the internet have been mostly based on memes, jokes, making everything lighthearted, joking about anything absurd, and our capacity to watch something that is absurd and just accept it has gone through the roof. And now we have the White House, the government of the United States putting out video game style edits of real war footage. This reminds me of when Call of Duty was becoming a big thing. You go back to YouTube, the early days of YouTube was people playing Call of Duty, like war edits, but from a video game. This is like... Yeah, it's a bizarre new world that we've entered into where this language of the internet, of these edits, is …” View more

Ridealong summary

The White House is now using video game-style edits of real war footage to communicate with the public, blending serious events with meme culture. This shift reflects a growing acceptance of absurdity in media, where traditional news coverage is replaced by playful, internet-inspired content. As our sensitivity to absurdity increases, the lines between entertainment and reality blur, showcasing a bizarre new era in communication.

▶ Listen now

The Colin and Samir Show · 3 Trends Reshaping the Creator Economy in 2026 · Apr 01, 2026

“… mean, but on Call Her Daddy, she said Jordan used escorts and went to orgy parties and blackmailed her with the Marciano stuff. She said he had the TikTok ready to blow up her life when she went to grab his phone. He started recording her saying, oh, you're going to tailor me now. Hmm. I mean, this is if you want to go to divorce, this is the show to go on. Well, any reality show, if you're not on stable ground and you're going on a reality show and you're I mean, obviously, none of these girls are most of these girls are not stable in their marriages. They're going to Vanderpump Villa and there …” “No. Is she going to rekindle that? No, I think she can do so much better. I think she solely did that because she was just in a desperate situation. Yeah. Well, we'll see. We can't. I mean, but on Call Her Daddy, she said Jordan used escorts and went to orgy parties and blackmailed her with the Marciano stuff. She said he had the TikTok ready to blow up her life when she went to grab his phone. He started recording her saying, oh, you're going to tailor me now. Hmm. I mean, this is if you want to go to divorce, this is the show to go on. Well, any reality show, if you're not on stable ground and you're going on a reality show and you're I mean, obviously, none of these girls are most of these girls are not stable in their marriages. They're going to Vanderpump Villa and there are two of them are having, you know, relations with one of the cast members while you're married. Like, that's not good. That is not. Do you think that a good outcome is going to come of that? No, you're going to get divorced. I mean, you knew this was going to happen. They knew it was going to happen. They knew it was going to happen, but I think …” View more

Ridealong summary

In a shocking revelation on the podcast 'Call Her Daddy', Taylor Frankie Paul disclosed that her ex-partner Jordan allegedly used escorts, attended orgy parties, and blackmailed her with damaging information. This drama unfolds amidst a backdrop of reality TV chaos where unstable relationships are the norm, particularly in shows like 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives'. As tensions rise, the question remains: can Taylor find stability, or is she trapped in a cycle of turmoil?

▶ Listen now

Two Ts In A Pod with Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge · The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From the Tree (SLOMW Recap) · Mar 26, 2026

“… He always really funny and charismatic And I think he eats a sandwich really funny I thought he was great I don know if you guys are seeing this on TikTok like I am It reminds me of this guy, John Kiriakou. He's the CIA guy. Oh, my whole feed is him. Dude.” “… did work tough you can't want them all uh you were talking i mean i guess you mentioned stuff that you like from this episode like the ending so anything else anybody liked We've been pretty negative the whole time I mean I love Matthew Lillard He always really funny and charismatic And I think he eats a sandwich really funny I thought he was great I don know if you guys are seeing this on TikTok like I am It reminds me of this guy, John Kiriakou. He's the CIA guy. Oh, my whole feed is him. Dude.” View more

Ridealong summary

Karen Page emerges as a surprising MVP in Disney+'s 'Daredevil: Born Again' Season 2. Her journey of vulnerability to strength is highlighted through her interactions with Matt Murdoch, showcasing the importance of friendship and purpose in a chaotic world. The segment critiques her martial arts training while appreciating the character's depth and development.

▶ Listen now

The Ringer-Verse · 'Daredevil: Born Again' Season 2 Premiere Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys · Mar 25, 2026

“… good qualities. And we all became fans of her. 100%. I think it's exactly what you were just saying. It started as, you know, she became, she was so TikTok famous and she had this swinging scandal that they were like, this makes it great for great TV. Let's have her talk about this. And that's the difference between talking a scandal that can make a great TV show and a scandal that's breaking families apart. Granted, that also caused a divorce. So I'm not saying that didn't do that, but it is very different when there's children involved. So I think that they saw this as a this is going to be …” “… this but that that's the premise and then the season one kind of opens up like Taylor Frankie Paul talking to the other women talking about her regret and her mistake. And then we all as fans kind of accepted that and then focused on all of Taylor's good qualities. And we all became fans of her. 100%. I think it's exactly what you were just saying. It started as, you know, she became, she was so TikTok famous and she had this swinging scandal that they were like, this makes it great for great TV. Let's have her talk about this. And that's the difference between talking a scandal that can make a great TV show and a scandal that's breaking families apart. Granted, that also caused a divorce. So I'm not saying that didn't do that, but it is very different when there's children involved. So I think that they saw this as a this is going to be great TV. And then once that happened in the first episode, they obviously did take a pause for 11 months before they even picked up filming again. But they realized their priority at that time was ratings and was they saw success in numbers. And ultimately, as you know from any producer, well, their main job is to get people to watch TV. So it's the …” View more

Ridealong summary

In the latest episode of 'The Viall Files,' the hosts discuss the troubling implications of featuring real-life scandals in reality TV, specifically focusing on Taylor Frankie Paul's situation. While the show initially aimed to portray themes of forgiveness, it ultimately highlighted the darker aspects of her life, raising questions about the ethics of using personal trauma for entertainment. The conversation reveals the tension between creating engaging content and the real-life consequences that can ensue, especially when children are involved.

▶ Listen now

The Viall Files · Ep1098 - The Bachelorette is Cancelled, Taylor Frankie Paul, and Age of Attraction's Leah and Vanessa · Mar 24, 2026

“… she needs help. T being on TV is not good for her. Yeah. It feels it. It excuses things. Um, yeah, like it's, but like, it's not just TV. It's TikTok too. Like she, she, I think that's a big part of it. Like this, this shit with, um, she posted a video this week where like, you see the arm of a guy. And I guess it was the guy who was going to have won the bachelorette or something like that. Like, I do think that she's not alone in this, but like, you know, it's proven like people feed off the attention and the feedback from social media. Like when you're as famous as her on TikTok, like …” “… to them, whoever that's with, not just where they are, but who that's with. And then two, she needs to go away and get help. And I hope that they're able to specifically target what that help is that she needs, whether it's one thing or multiple things, she needs help. T being on TV is not good for her. Yeah. It feels it. It excuses things. Um, yeah, like it's, but like, it's not just TV. It's TikTok too. Like she, she, I think that's a big part of it. Like this, this shit with, um, she posted a video this week where like, you see the arm of a guy. And I guess it was the guy who was going to have won the bachelorette or something like that. Like, I do think that she's not alone in this, but like, you know, it's proven like people feed off the attention and the feedback from social media. Like when you're as famous as her on TikTok, like it's to an extreme degree. It's like, she needs to just like have her phone taken away. Like she just needs to like, like, I like, she needs like a three month, like, like detachment from her world. And I hope that she can see her kids in a safe way through that. But other than that, like it's like a full detox that she needs. Because her identity is …” View more

Ridealong summary

Taylor Frankie Paul, a prominent figure in 'Mom Talk' and featured on 'The Bachelorette,' is facing significant personal challenges that have led to her being cut off by fellow cast members. The discussion highlights concerns for her children's safety and her need for help, suggesting that her reality TV presence may be detrimental to her well-being. As her identity becomes intertwined with social media fame, the panel emphasizes the urgency for a detox from her online world.

▶ Listen now

Bachelor Party · The End of The Bachelorette · Mar 19, 2026

“OK, I've got one more story. This one is super interesting. It went really viral on TikTok and it says Washington, as in the state, roasted for using AI feature with heavily accented English instead of actual Spanish on state helpline. And it says for months, callers to the Washington State Department of Licensing, who pressed two for Spanish, were greeted by an AI voice speaking English, but in a heavy Spanish accent. The voice would say things like, please press uno and enter the last quattro digits of your social. It went viral on …” “OK, I've got one more story. This one is super interesting. It went really viral on TikTok and it says Washington, as in the state, roasted for using AI feature with heavily accented English instead of actual Spanish on state helpline. And it says for months, callers to the Washington State Department of Licensing, who pressed two for Spanish, were greeted by an AI voice speaking English, but in a heavy Spanish accent. The voice would say things like, please press uno and enter the last quattro digits of your social. It went viral on TikTok with nearly two million views before the state fixed it. The woman who caught it said it was like a scene out of Parks and Rec. And I've got a video of this recording that people would hear. You have reached the driver licensing service line. If you are calling about a vehicle or boat please press one Please press one for English so thank …” View more

Ridealong summary

A viral TikTok story revealed that the Washington State Department of Licensing used an AI voice with a heavy Spanish accent to assist Spanish-speaking callers, instead of providing actual Spanish. This led to confusion and laughter online, as the AI's English phrases, like 'please press uno,' were deemed problematic by many. The incident highlights the pitfalls of relying on AI without proper oversight, reminiscent of scenes from 'Parks and Rec.'

▶ Listen now

I've Had It · Orange is the New Fascist · Mar 19, 2026

“… too much? Oh yeah. I'll like totally doom scroll. Like at the end of the day, Helen and I will be in bed together and like, you know, I'll be on TikTok or I'll be on X reading some like fake news. I mean, you don't know what's real on X, you know, with AI and like. I know the AI movie posters get me and I'm like, how does a guy in 10 days too? I can't wait. You know, like. Oh, it's not happening. Damn you, AI. The movie posters. Would you be down for like a romantic comedy? Like, I feel like. I love romantic comedies. Leading man in romantic comedy And I think I really thrive in that genre …” “… really late night, you feel like such crap about yourself. It's just like, it's never worth it. It's never worth it. So what is like a vice now since you're healthy, you're this, you're that, give me some bad. Social media probably. Really? Yeah. Like too much? Oh yeah. I'll like totally doom scroll. Like at the end of the day, Helen and I will be in bed together and like, you know, I'll be on TikTok or I'll be on X reading some like fake news. I mean, you don't know what's real on X, you know, with AI and like. I know the AI movie posters get me and I'm like, how does a guy in 10 days too? I can't wait. You know, like. Oh, it's not happening. Damn you, AI. The movie posters. Would you be down for like a romantic comedy? Like, I feel like. I love romantic comedies. Leading man in romantic comedy And I think I really thrive in that genre know I mean I actually have a small romantic comedy coming out on Roku like in the late spring early summer Oh amazing But obviously I done a fair share of work on the Hallmark Channel Right. And I've had a lot of success over there. I mean, like some of my movies are like some of the bigger movies that they've made, you know. So, yeah, I think I'm …” View more

Ridealong summary

Jesse Metcalfe reveals his struggles with addiction and how it has shaped his approach to social media as a current vice. He discusses his upcoming romantic comedy on Roku and his passion for music, highlighting his past success with original songs for the Hallmark series 'Chesapeake Shores.' Metcalfe's reflections provide a raw look at fame, personal growth, and creative aspirations in today's digital age.

▶ Listen now

Not Skinny But Not Fat · Jesse Metcalfe: The OG 2000s Heartthrob · Mar 17, 2026

“… that situation that's crazy but I was the other night I was laughing I was just on my phone because I get fed baby content now into my algorithm on TikTok and I was she was like what are you laughing at I was like you thought I was watching a video I said I was thinking about that nurse when she told us about the husband stitch she goes you need to stop laughing about that We all gone to the stage where we walk around with a big bucket of water in our life Like I going to drink all this water Oh yeah Like a big jug Eddie wants to be that guy now Oh gosh Here we go We all done it It annoying We …” “… at some point I'll be able to my wife and I my wife has a dark sense of humor like I do yeah but it's just funny yeah my wife's funny so anyways y'all have that kind of humor and even y'all were like even I was like yeah I would never say that in that situation that's crazy but I was the other night I was laughing I was just on my phone because I get fed baby content now into my algorithm on TikTok and I was she was like what are you laughing at I was like you thought I was watching a video I said I was thinking about that nurse when she told us about the husband stitch she goes you need to stop laughing about that We all gone to the stage where we walk around with a big bucket of water in our life Like I going to drink all this water Oh yeah Like a big jug Eddie wants to be that guy now Oh gosh Here we go We all done it It annoying We all done it though” View more

Ridealong summary

In this segment, the hosts react to the outrageous concept of the 'husband stitch'—a joke made by a nurse about adding an extra stitch during childbirth. The absurdity of the request and the hosts' horrified yet amused reactions create a hilarious discussion about the boundaries of humor in serious situations.

▶ Listen now

The Bobby Bones Show · TUES PT 1: Eddie And Amy Met Bobby's Baby + Bobby Answers Our Baby Questions + The Big Mistake Bobby Made Before Birth · Mar 24, 2026

“… is beautiful. I think she looks at herself as like a steward of his art. Yeah. And also putting him, I don't know if you guys follow her on TikTok, but like the videos of her and him together are so fucking. adorable and wholesome. Oh, I haven't seen it. They're so good. And so I had seen all that before the doc, knowing where he's at now, that didn't hit me as much. I was just grateful. I was grateful he made it out of the seventies. Most of the great guys out of the seventies never made it out. He spent a couple of years inside doing coke with fucking on the windows. A crazy man with …” “… for us. I'm very grateful for that because of the work he gave us. But also there is something now about like seeing him with Francesca now and his daughter. And it feels like he is at peace now. He is connected to his family. I think their relationship is beautiful. I think she looks at herself as like a steward of his art. Yeah. And also putting him, I don't know if you guys follow her on TikTok, but like the videos of her and him together are so fucking. adorable and wholesome. Oh, I haven't seen it. They're so good. And so I had seen all that before the doc, knowing where he's at now, that didn't hit me as much. I was just grateful. I was grateful he made it out of the seventies. Most of the great guys out of the seventies never made it out. He spent a couple of years inside doing coke with fucking on the windows. A crazy man with coke and asthma condition and like going crazy. And so I'm just grateful that he made it out. Can you imagine if he didn't? We'd never had Goodfellas. It would be such a shitty world. So my takeaway was just like, I'm so happy for him. I know it sounds crazy for a guy that I worked with for like five hours one day, but my takeaway was like, he's a …” View more

Ridealong summary

In this segment, Ike Barinholtz hilariously reflects on Martin Scorsese's chaotic past, joking about the director's wild lifestyle filled with drugs and asthma. The twist comes when he expresses profound gratitude for Scorsese's survival, emphasizing how the world would be worse off without classics like 'Goodfellas.' It's a blend of humor and heartfelt appreciation that keeps the audience engaged.

▶ Listen now

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard · Ike Barinholtz #4 · Mar 30, 2026

“… in your house and you need to burp it in order to get fucking and you know every time she said burp i cringed yeah and i was just like i love that tiktok could really send her down a path yeah she went fully down like that's not the first time that's happened I love her to death, but she is, like, very susceptible to those, like, TikTok trends. But, like, yeah, she was like, I saw a TikTok, and they said you have to burp your house once every couple weeks. That is a real thing, though. Not that you have to burp your house. I've never heard that term. But, like – I mean, if you have a working …” “… that terminology dude i fucking i was like disgusted by your own home i mean i i mean i hate the word burp it is a shitty word burping is worse than burp but i was just like i was like what and she's like i saw a thing that like there's stale air in your house and you need to burp it in order to get fucking and you know every time she said burp i cringed yeah and i was just like i love that tiktok could really send her down a path yeah she went fully down like that's not the first time that's happened I love her to death, but she is, like, very susceptible to those, like, TikTok trends. But, like, yeah, she was like, I saw a TikTok, and they said you have to burp your house once every couple weeks. That is a real thing, though. Not that you have to burp your house. I've never heard that term. But, like – I mean, if you have a working ventilation system, doesn't that do that? I don't know. I mean, if you have, like – what's that called? Central? Central Air. I don't I think that's like more of like an AC unit that's kind of distributed it's not necessarily like bringing air from the outside I sure there is air like I mean I think I think that is exactly what it does like because …” View more

Ridealong summary

In this hilarious segment, the hosts dive into the absurdity of 'burping' your house to freshen the air, sparked by one host's partner's TikTok-inspired antics. The comedic banter around the cringe-worthy terminology and the chaos of open windows creates an entertaining mini-story that resonates with anyone who's ever had a strange home remedy suggested to them.

▶ Listen now

The Basement Yard · #547 - A Scientist Joins The Show · Mar 23, 2026

“… build your own playlist using English language. You're literally writing your own algorithm. So if you want a playlist that goes out and looks at TikTok and what's trending right now, then takes that, filters it to your taste on Spotify, then removes any track you've already heard, you can literally do that today. and you can schedule it to update daily or weekly. So that's what we've done so far. And then today, what I talked about is sort of the next step, which is taste profile. This is what you have been asking us for forever. So hidden in all these systems, we have a view of who you are, …” “… to Spotify. You can ask, you can say, you know, I want to go for a run. give me some EDM playlists with big drops at 160 BPM for my running cadence. And then earlier this year, we launched Promptive Playlists, which takes it one step further. You can build your own playlist using English language. You're literally writing your own algorithm. So if you want a playlist that goes out and looks at TikTok and what's trending right now, then takes that, filters it to your taste on Spotify, then removes any track you've already heard, you can literally do that today. and you can schedule it to update daily or weekly. So that's what we've done so far. And then today, what I talked about is sort of the next step, which is taste profile. This is what you have been asking us for forever. So hidden in all these systems, we have a view of who you are, musically and podcast-wise and audiobook-wise, but you could never actually see that. You can see hints of it in Wrapped, but you can never actually see it. So the idea is pretty simple. We're just going to let you see who we think you are, and then we're going to let you edit it in English and just say, no, that's not true. I'm not like that …” View more

Ridealong summary

Spotify is revolutionizing music personalization with generative AI, allowing users to communicate their preferences in plain English. With features like AIDJ and Promptive Playlists, users can easily create custom playlists based on their specific tastes, while the upcoming taste profile feature will let listeners see and edit their musical identity. This marks a significant shift in how we interact with music streaming services.

▶ Listen now

TBPN · Travis Kalanick Joins, Spotify CEO, Nikesh from Palo Alto Networks, xAI Rebuild, Apple Faces Slop Allegations · Mar 13, 2026

“… you can create your own world here on this. And you don't have to go out of this. It provides all the entertainment you need, escapism you need, TikTok you need, whatever it is. So why why get complicated and why, you know, get involved with stuff that's hard and people aren't going to like you and maybe somebody will scorn you when you can every day pick this thing up and lose yourself? You make you have to make a living to eat, although in New York, Vandami will give you food if you can find the food place. But that's it. And it just drains all kinds of civic involvement, all kinds of …” “… And that Los Angeles right Yep That why people are going to Arizona So I don know how many people are going to go up You know, this is a very interesting phenomenon here. The phone. It can drain all public concern right out of your body. Yes. Because you can create your own world here on this. And you don't have to go out of this. It provides all the entertainment you need, escapism you need, TikTok you need, whatever it is. So why why get complicated and why, you know, get involved with stuff that's hard and people aren't going to like you and maybe somebody will scorn you when you can every day pick this thing up and lose yourself? You make you have to make a living to eat, although in New York, Vandami will give you food if you can find the food place. But that's it. And it just drains all kinds of civic involvement, all kinds of outrage that shouldn't be happening. I'm outraged, and I don't live in San Francisco. When I saw there, I was angry. This should not be happening. And I, of course, name names. You know me. We're naming names across the board of people that are responsible for this. But that phone is a dangerous item. And in Iran, people don't think about Iran, uranium …” View more

Ridealong summary

In a hilarious rant, the host compares California's societal issues to a teenage son with serious drug problems, questioning why we wait for a crisis before taking action. The absurdity of living in a bubble and ignoring pressing issues while being glued to our phones adds a comedic twist to a serious topic, making the listener both laugh and think.

▶ Listen now

Adam Carolla Show · Bill O’Reilly on Trump’s Next Move & Why America Is at a Turning Point · Mar 25, 2026

“One of the things I like to watch is, and again, I'm going to keep referencing TikTok. I am not a public account. you won't don't find me don't look for me don't look at me if anyone's pretending to be you they're fake it's fake yeah um but i like to watch videos of people either doing or learning or trying to teach beyonce's homecoming dance break so either someone who can do it or i love it when it's a person who you don't expect them to be able to do it and then they do it like they're holding holding like a laundry basket …” “One of the things I like to watch is, and again, I'm going to keep referencing TikTok. I am not a public account. you won't don't find me don't look for me don't look at me if anyone's pretending to be you they're fake it's fake yeah um but i like to watch videos of people either doing or learning or trying to teach beyonce's homecoming dance break so either someone who can do it or i love it when it's a person who you don't expect them to be able to do it and then they do it like they're holding holding like a laundry basket yeah so they're just like yeah they're a mom and they're in their laundry room and then they do it. I have tried to watch tutorials to try to do, I'm not a great dancer. And I, I know that if I was given from now to the end of my life, I could not learn the first 16 counts of that dance. But I love watching people do it. And then the other day I was …” View more

Ridealong summary

Imagine a mom in her laundry room suddenly busting out Beyoncé's iconic dance moves! The segment hilariously captures the unexpected joy of watching people, especially those who seem unlikely, nail dance challenges on TikTok. Plus, the twist of the algorithm serving up more 'rugby build' videos adds a comical layer to the story.

▶ Listen now

Good Hang with Amy Poehler · What Makes the Guests of 'Good Hang' Laugh · Mar 10, 2026

“So Adam goes on to note that ironically, looks maxing and a lot of its terms and ideas get brought to TikTok first, probably by young women who had picked up the terminology from Rate Me and similar subreddits. beauty influencers start adopting a lot of these terms in order to rate each other on their application of eyeliner or whatever, right? Oh, this did a good job of reducing the interocular distance or whatever. You know, like that's the way in which it's being used. Often this is ironic and satiric, right? Like these ladies are kind of making …” “So Adam goes on to note that ironically, looks maxing and a lot of its terms and ideas get brought to TikTok first, probably by young women who had picked up the terminology from Rate Me and similar subreddits. beauty influencers start adopting a lot of these terms in order to rate each other on their application of eyeliner or whatever, right? Oh, this did a good job of reducing the interocular distance or whatever. You know, like that's the way in which it's being used. Often this is ironic and satiric, right? Like these ladies are kind of making fun of this stuff, right? And kind of making fun of themselves a little gently, but it's also done genuinely sometimes. And it doesn't really matter whether it's being done ironically or genuinely in any individual case, the words and some of the concepts are spreading. Yeah, there's a lot of really cool community on the internet where like there's …” View more

Ridealong summary

Looks maxing, a trend gaining traction on TikTok, is reshaping beauty standards through ironic and genuine takes on self-improvement. Originating from online forums, terms like 'jester gooning' and 'frame mogging' illustrate a complex interplay of humor and toxicity within beauty influencer culture. As these concepts spread, they highlight the tension between community support and harmful ideologies in the digital age.

▶ Listen now

Behind the Bastards · Part Two: From Elliott Rodger to Clavicular: The Story of Incel Evolution · Mar 12, 2026

“… to you where you know when you think about like the fame of it all and how powerful it is i've often thought one of the most genius things that tiktok did that i don't think any other social media platform ever did but i i i watched it on tiktok tiktok allows everyone to go viral if you look at old social media there was sort of like the hierarchy that existed in and old media moved into it. So on Instagram, it was still like, oh, the most video, the most watched, this is the Kardashian, this is this actor, and this is, you know what I mean? It was very difficult to just be- Random. Random No …” “the more that i drink this the thirstier the more dehydrated they get exactly right it's it's it's also it also does this thing to you where you know when you think about like the fame of it all and how powerful it is i've often thought one of the most genius things that tiktok did that i don't think any other social media platform ever did but i i i watched it on tiktok tiktok allows everyone to go viral if you look at old social media there was sort of like the hierarchy that existed in and old media moved into it. So on Instagram, it was still like, oh, the most video, the most watched, this is the Kardashian, this is this actor, and this is, you know what I mean? It was very difficult to just be- Random. Random No no no TikTok go to people accounts watch how there one video almost everyone has that is an outlier that a blip in their world and then watch how their usage and posting exponentially jumps off this is this is vegas it works it works the brain in the same way so las vegas yeah so the the way to get rich is to work really hard and get a good …” View more

Ridealong summary

TikTok revolutionizes social media by allowing anyone to go viral, contrasting with older platforms where fame was limited to celebrities. This segment explores the addictive nature of TikTok, comparing it to gambling in Las Vegas, and discusses strategies like using grayscale on phones to combat addiction. The conversation highlights personal experiences and the psychological impacts of social media on users.

▶ Listen now

What Now? with Trevor Noah · Arthur C. Brooks: Are We Happy Yet? · Mar 12, 2026

“… the company paid $185 million to acquire Friendly TV, a streaming service that offers live TV, on-demand video, and cloud-based DVR. On Tuesday, TikTok announced that it's introducing new ad formats, including one that displays another brand's logo alongside TikTok's on the launch page when users open the app. Now, the new Logo Takeover ad format allows companies to co-brand with TikTok in a way that captures users' attention from the second they open the app. TikTok says that the ad format showcases partnership, credibility, and cultural relevance while giving advertisers a broad reach. A new …” “… standalone Prime Video subscription. The expansion to Prime Video doesn't come as, well, a surprise, as Roku CEO and founder Anthony Woods said at CES in January that Howdy would be coming to other platforms. Roku's launch of Howdy came two months after the company paid $185 million to acquire Friendly TV, a streaming service that offers live TV, on-demand video, and cloud-based DVR. On Tuesday, TikTok announced that it's introducing new ad formats, including one that displays another brand's logo alongside TikTok's on the launch page when users open the app. Now, the new Logo Takeover ad format allows companies to co-brand with TikTok in a way that captures users' attention from the second they open the app. TikTok says that the ad format showcases partnership, credibility, and cultural relevance while giving advertisers a broad reach. A new Primetime ad format allows brands to show a series of ads at specific times whether that during a live event or another engagement period With this ad format three sequential ads from one advertiser will be shown to the same user within a designated 15 time window TikTok says brands can use this format to tell a continuous story during high …” View more

Ridealong summary

Roku has launched its $3 Howdy streaming service on Prime Video, featuring titles from major partners like Disney and Sony. Meanwhile, TikTok is introducing new, disruptive ad formats that could annoy users by showing multiple ads in quick succession, despite claiming they enhance brand visibility. This dual development highlights the evolving landscape of streaming and advertising strategies in 2023.

▶ Listen now

TechCrunch Daily Crunch · TikTok ads are about to get a tad more disruptive · Mar 25, 2026

“… and being mean. And then they're like, whoa, this is bad for the industry if Amish start fighting back. Yeah. Although there's probably someone on TikTok like espousing the values of the ice cream facial and doing this to themselves on purpose. But there are these little moments where you like right this guy one thing is that like and that this is why he a cop He got this kind of like weird righteous streak but there like a rage to him Yeah And that why it so good for him to be on the farm Yeah And you can feel him kind of finding an equilibrium that he maybe doesn have He doesn't exactly cover …” “… that's the quiet thing in this movie is that he's a really angry guy. Yeah. And you see these moments, obviously the biggest being late in the movie when he punches the mean tourist guy. Who, by the way, fuck that guy. Fuck that guy. Fuck ice cream and being mean. And then they're like, whoa, this is bad for the industry if Amish start fighting back. Yeah. Although there's probably someone on TikTok like espousing the values of the ice cream facial and doing this to themselves on purpose. But there are these little moments where you like right this guy one thing is that like and that this is why he a cop He got this kind of like weird righteous streak but there like a rage to him Yeah And that why it so good for him to be on the farm Yeah And you can feel him kind of finding an equilibrium that he maybe doesn have He doesn't exactly cover himself with glory in the first 15 minutes. The whole like let's stop by a local Philly bar and just like pull out some black guys that we know, you know, and try to arrest them. Not not good. Not by the book. Yeah, exactly. The guy's name is John Book. So that's really weird. actually kind of ironic uh isn't there a line in the movie where they …” View more

Ridealong summary

Harrison Ford's character in 'Witness' is a layered portrayal of an angry cop finding equilibrium in Amish country. The film not only showcases Ford's charm but also highlights the complexities of his character, particularly through his interactions with children and his judgments of others. This unique dynamic adds depth to the narrative, making 'Witness' a compelling watch.

▶ Listen now

Blank Check with Griffin & David · Witness with Amanda Dobbins · Apr 12, 2026

“… like... Yeah. It's totally different. Which I like that they talk about that too. Taylor's like, I cannot believe that us doing cringy dances on TikTok have now led to me being the bachelorette and two of us being on Dancing with the Stars. What is happening? I know It is crazy I like that is really crazy Whitney is thriving Whitney seems so happy and like as a result is much nicer Way nicer I like Whitney right now. Me too. I'm into it. I'm really into it. I'm happy. I don't know what's going on with Demi. Well, Brett is like just awful. I can't stand Brett. I mean, the worst thing in the …” “… feels like a lot of the relationships aren't going to be like based off the previous, a lot of the relationships are in turmoil. Yeah, because they get married so young and now these also these women have like international fame. They just didn't have like... Yeah. It's totally different. Which I like that they talk about that too. Taylor's like, I cannot believe that us doing cringy dances on TikTok have now led to me being the bachelorette and two of us being on Dancing with the Stars. What is happening? I know It is crazy I like that is really crazy Whitney is thriving Whitney seems so happy and like as a result is much nicer Way nicer I like Whitney right now. Me too. I'm into it. I'm really into it. I'm happy. I don't know what's going on with Demi. Well, Brett is like just awful. I can't stand Brett. I mean, the worst thing in the season was them singing. I mean, that was like just unbearable. i forgot about it till right now what was that it was like vanderpump season three kind of shit but just not as entertaining it was brett is so unbearable like demi should leave him he is so awful and demi correcting him every two seconds i was just like why is he why is he there you can …” View more

Ridealong summary

Taylor's fashion choices on 'The Bachelorette' spark discussions about her style and the pressures of reality TV fame. Contestants like Demi and Brett face relationship turmoil, highlighted by cringe-worthy moments that leave viewers entertained yet shocked. As the season unfolds, the dynamics of young relationships in the spotlight are examined, making it a must-watch for fans.

▶ Listen now

Bachelor Party · The Explosive 'Love Is Blind' Reunion and 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' Is Back! · Mar 13, 2026

“… now you'd be like oh my god fucking influencers are the shittiest. I was about to say, unfortunately, I would assume it's some incredibly irritating TikTok thing or whatever, some fucking viral bullshit or something. I don't want to be a part of your fucking videos, weirdo. Yeah, I'd be a huge asshole about it. I would absolutely. You guys suck anyways. I don't even want to listen to this. Fuck you for making music in public. I'll kill you. So, the group was eventually renamed the Ronettes, a name that captured their identity and ronnie's emerging role as a front woman you know ronnie and the …” “… practice constantly singing in school hallways street corners in their apartments that's like a thing that still happens in this time period people like out do walking on the corner and everything yeah just singing in public bro if you saw that shit now you'd be like oh my god fucking influencers are the shittiest. I was about to say, unfortunately, I would assume it's some incredibly irritating TikTok thing or whatever, some fucking viral bullshit or something. I don't want to be a part of your fucking videos, weirdo. Yeah, I'd be a huge asshole about it. I would absolutely. You guys suck anyways. I don't even want to listen to this. Fuck you for making music in public. I'll kill you. So, the group was eventually renamed the Ronettes, a name that captured their identity and ronnie's emerging role as a front woman you know ronnie and the ronettes it's very sure normal coded absolutely yeah you know uh but you know ronnie's lead vocals really do become the the defining characteristic of this whole thing um their early performances were energetic glamorous and slightly rebellious ronnie developed distinctive stage presence that blended confidence with vulnerability she wore dramatic eye …” View more

Ridealong summary

Ronnie Bennett, born in Spanish Harlem in 1943, overcame a tumultuous family background to become the iconic frontwoman of The Ronettes. With her unique vocal style and striking stage presence, she helped shape the sound and aesthetic of 1960s pop culture, making the beehive hairstyle a symbol of that era. Their journey from struggling performers to cultural icons highlights both their ambition and the challenges they faced in the music industry.

▶ Listen now

Behind the Bastards · Part Two: The Phil Spector Episodes · Apr 02, 2026

“… Keith Urban finalized his divorce from Blank on Monday. Nicole Kidman. Right. This week, a man in Italy sued a restaurant after their promotional TikTok video showed him blanking. Chewing really in an awful manner with his mouth open. No more embarrassing. The TikTok video they put out to advertise their restaurant showed this man having an affair. The man thought he was far enough away from his house when he chose the restaurant where he'd have dinner with his mistress. But didn't realize they were filming a promotional video for TikTok, which his wife saw shortly after it was posted. The next …” “… stand that the donation bucket was hanging from. On Thursday, researchers said that regular exercise may be as effective as therapy at treating Blank. Moping around. I'm going to give it to you. It's depression. Depression. After 19 years of marriage, Keith Urban finalized his divorce from Blank on Monday. Nicole Kidman. Right. This week, a man in Italy sued a restaurant after their promotional TikTok video showed him blanking. Chewing really in an awful manner with his mouth open. No more embarrassing. The TikTok video they put out to advertise their restaurant showed this man having an affair. The man thought he was far enough away from his house when he chose the restaurant where he'd have dinner with his mistress. But didn't realize they were filming a promotional video for TikTok, which his wife saw shortly after it was posted. The next time he cheats, he's sworn to do it somewhere where there are too many people around him for him to be picked out of a crowd. You know, like a Coldplay concert. That was a fun day. Bill, how did Roy do in our quiz? Well, he got 5 rights, 10 more points, total of 12, which puts him in the lead.” View more

Ridealong summary

A man in Italy faced an unexpected consequence when a promotional TikTok video revealed his affair to his unsuspecting wife. He thought he was discreetly dining with his mistress, only to be filmed by the restaurant for their advertisement. Now, he's vowed to be more careful about where he cheats next time, even considering crowded places like a Coldplay concert.

▶ Listen now

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! · WWDTM: Delroy Lindo · Jan 10, 2026

“… got too long to keep up with. Once you start looking for him, you'll find him everywhere. Whether it's a song lyric, or a politician's speech, or a TikTok about Matilda that has tens of millions of views. Even if you just look for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory references, you'd be overwhelmed. A recent obituary I read in the New York Times for a pizza maker described him as the Willy Wonka of cheese. A profile and vulture of Jay Leno called the comedian's garage the chocolate factory, and he's Willy Wonka. Literally just this morning, I opened an email newsletter that I subscribed to on the …” “… he's still everywhere over 35 years after his death is a legacy in itself. I started keeping a list of every time Dahl or one of his creations popped up in something random I was watching or reading during the months that I made this show. The list got too long to keep up with. Once you start looking for him, you'll find him everywhere. Whether it's a song lyric, or a politician's speech, or a TikTok about Matilda that has tens of millions of views. Even if you just look for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory references, you'd be overwhelmed. A recent obituary I read in the New York Times for a pizza maker described him as the Willy Wonka of cheese. A profile and vulture of Jay Leno called the comedian's garage the chocolate factory, and he's Willy Wonka. Literally just this morning, I opened an email newsletter that I subscribed to on the science of happiness that referenced a golden ticket to well-being. I defy you to find anywhere near the same number of references to any other writer, with the possible, possible exception of Shakespeare. Here's what I think Dahl's enduring presence in culture really means. The stories we tell our kids are so powerful, so foundational to who we …” View more

Ridealong summary

Roald Dahl's influence endures over 35 years after his death, with his stories permeating contemporary culture in surprising ways. His 1953 story 'The Great Automatic Grammatizator' eerily predicts today's AI writing capabilities, highlighting the tension between technological convenience and the unique voice of an author. This legacy signifies that the stories we share with children are so foundational that they transcend their creator's flaws, establishing Dahl's work as an integral part of childhood itself.

▶ Listen now

The Secret World of Roald Dahl · The Writing Life · Mar 23, 2026

“… thought. How many times have you had like multiple conversations with different people and they all say the exact same sentence that they saw on TikTok or Instagram? They're regurgitating something that the algorithm's been feeding them. Maybe they added their own twist to it. But it basically the exact same thought So the algorithm which is AI has gotten into their fucking heads and they don even this is like in psychology apparently You remember facts, but you tend to not remember where you got the fact from. So you don't forget where you got the fact from. You don't remember there was some …” “The concept of original thought, right? Like a truly original thought. How many times have you had like multiple conversations with different people and they all say the exact same sentence that they saw on TikTok or Instagram? They're regurgitating something that the algorithm's been feeding them. Maybe they added their own twist to it. But it basically the exact same thought So the algorithm which is AI has gotten into their fucking heads and they don even this is like in psychology apparently You remember facts, but you tend to not remember where you got the fact from. So you don't forget where you got the fact from. You don't remember there was some fucking dude on TikTok covered in Vaseline, covered in glitter and Vaseline. what a fucking image that would be so scratchy imagine if she has a glitter and vaseline to be like oh god here's what makes a marriage work you you don't remember that you're talking to your wife babe you know what makes a marriage work and this so this idea of ai …” View more

Ridealong summary

Duncan Trussell hilariously critiques how AI influences our thoughts, likening it to a TikTok algorithm that feeds us the same regurgitated ideas. He paints a vivid picture of a man covered in glitter and Vaseline, humorously illustrating how we forget the source of our 'original' thoughts. This segment is a wild ride through the absurdity of modern information consumption.

▶ Listen now

The Joe Rogan Experience · #2481 - Duncan Trussell · Apr 09, 2026

“… sort of went mainstream, people were like, wait a minute, you know, you can make a lot of money on the Internet. Short form video can be monetized. TikTok launched their creator fund. A lot of people were like, well, I'm inherently not interested. Like, I'm not a good influencer. So there's that barrier there. Then we saw the rise of faceless accounts. And now it's like, actually, anybody can participate, as you said, in the influencer economy. You just kind of need to use AI to generate the right script. Yes. Yes. So it's kind of a degraded form of the influencer or creator economy where what …” “… monetizes just the same. Like you don't need to put yourself on camera anymore. Yeah. And you can hyper optimize it. Like, I think that, I mean, especially in 2020 with the rise of the creator economy in 2021, when all the VCs and tech people and it sort of went mainstream, people were like, wait a minute, you know, you can make a lot of money on the Internet. Short form video can be monetized. TikTok launched their creator fund. A lot of people were like, well, I'm inherently not interested. Like, I'm not a good influencer. So there's that barrier there. Then we saw the rise of faceless accounts. And now it's like, actually, anybody can participate, as you said, in the influencer economy. You just kind of need to use AI to generate the right script. Yes. Yes. So it's kind of a degraded form of the influencer or creator economy where what you're creating is the AI output. And I mean, it reminds me in a way of VTubers also, the anime avatar YouTuber community, because that was also a kind of displacement of your own identity. And that was an avatar. But in this case, you don't need an avatar. You don't need a human. You just need to be creative enough to write a script for a fruit slop …” View more

Ridealong summary

AI fruit slop is revolutionizing content creation, allowing anyone to monetize their creativity without being on camera. This new trend, driven by young creators globally, has turned into a lucrative industry where faceless accounts thrive, democratizing the influencer economy. As AI-generated content floods the internet, it’s reshaping how we think about social media and income generation.

▶ Listen now

Taylor Lorenz’s Power User · AI Fruit Slop Is The New Greek Mythology w/ Kyle Chayka · Apr 01, 2026

“… And second, you need to be consistent in the vibes that you put off and what people can expect from your account. Nobody knows this better than TikTok and Instagram influencer Kat Norton, aka Miss XL. now. So how soon did things take off for you? Like, did you go viral right away? Did it take months, years? Like, what was it like for you? So the whole thing happened pretty quickly. And I do attribute a lot of that to the energetics that happened behind the scene where I was able to actually show up fully authentically in what I wanted to create and was ready to receive the attention back …” “… to execute them. When it comes to growing on social media and getting attention online, you've got to be ready to receive it and you've got to bring the right energy. First off, you need to believe in yourself as a person who is worthy of a following. And second, you need to be consistent in the vibes that you put off and what people can expect from your account. Nobody knows this better than TikTok and Instagram influencer Kat Norton, aka Miss XL. now. So how soon did things take off for you? Like, did you go viral right away? Did it take months, years? Like, what was it like for you? So the whole thing happened pretty quickly. And I do attribute a lot of that to the energetics that happened behind the scene where I was able to actually show up fully authentically in what I wanted to create and was ready to receive the attention back where normally I grew up with an anxiety disorder. I hated having any attention on me. I had to do a lot of overhauling to get to a spot where I wasn't going to subconsciously limit what was able to come into my field. So it was by the fourth video to that DMX song, X, go and give it to you. I did the X lookup function. And that one, it was so good. …” View more

Ridealong summary

Kat Norton, known as Miss Excel, reveals how her energetic shift led to her TikTok success. Initially struggling with anxiety and self-doubt, she transformed her mindset and went viral within weeks, amassing 100,000 followers. This story highlights the crucial role of self-belief and consistent energy in content creation.

▶ Listen now

Young and Profiting with Hala Taha (Entrepreneurship, Sales, Marketing) · Turn Content Creation Into Your Most Powerful Tool for Business Growth | Marketing | YAPCreator Replay | E4 · Apr 01, 2026

“… media best practices or addictive and harmful neurobiological techniques if you want to use the course language. Sora app was basically the same as TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, Snap, in terms of UI and UX design. It had infinite scroll. It had algorithmic recommendations. It had notifications. It had a like button and it didn't have IG beauty filters, But like the whole thing is a filter because I could go in there and say, make me look like a bodybuilder. And it did a good job. And I looked great in the videos. It gave me crippling body dysmorphia. Obviously, I dream for the for the …” “… Yeah. The prompt was not make something that will retain users. And it wouldn't have been funny. if the person hadn't been escalating like the scene, every new prompt and then stringing them together. Sora absolutely used all of the social media best practices or addictive and harmful neurobiological techniques if you want to use the course language. Sora app was basically the same as TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, Snap, in terms of UI and UX design. It had infinite scroll. It had algorithmic recommendations. It had notifications. It had a like button and it didn't have IG beauty filters, But like the whole thing is a filter because I could go in there and say, make me look like a bodybuilder. And it did a good job. And I looked great in the videos. It gave me crippling body dysmorphia. Obviously, I dream for the for the day when I will look like my Sora avatar, my my what do they call it?” View more

Ridealong summary

The recent shutdown of OpenAI's social network Sora sparked a debate on whether social media features or content itself are more addictive. Initially praised for its engaging format, Sora faced backlash as users compared its addictive qualities to established platforms like TikTok and Instagram. This raises existential questions about the future of social media and its impact on mental health.

▶ Listen now

TBPN · Is Meta Really Addictive?, Jetsons Prediction, Artemis II: Back to the Moon | Diet TBPN · Mar 31, 2026

“… you're anxious, you want to numb, you want to escape, or you're just bored, then you'll fall back to the phone. So just telling someone don't be on TikTok so much. Yeah. It doesn't solve the problem because they're going there for a reason. So I ended up having to talk about this is why, like, I love having you on the show is because actually what you're talking about, the meaningful life, right. Is something that you have to figure out if you want to figure out how do I not stare at like a video game or a phone all day? Are we, Are we aligned on this? Yeah this is not a book about I mean it …” “… caught up into these sort of webs of distractions, I realized you can't just talk about that directly. You have to talk about what's the bigger, better offer. That's somewhere you fall if you don't have anywhere else to go. You're lacking meaning, you're anxious, you want to numb, you want to escape, or you're just bored, then you'll fall back to the phone. So just telling someone don't be on TikTok so much. Yeah. It doesn't solve the problem because they're going there for a reason. So I ended up having to talk about this is why, like, I love having you on the show is because actually what you're talking about, the meaningful life, right. Is something that you have to figure out if you want to figure out how do I not stare at like a video game or a phone all day? Are we, Are we aligned on this? Yeah this is not a book about I mean it wouldn be original if it was about the fact that phones are addictive and that technology is a problem I mean there plenty in this book about that fact What this is a book about is what you deeply want and that you can get and that you need to go and get. This is about the bigger, better offer. That's really what it comes down to, exactly what we're …” View more

Ridealong summary

To escape the grip of smartphone addiction, we need a 'bigger, better offer'—a life filled with meaning and intention. Arthur Brooks argues that simply telling people to stop using their phones won't work; instead, we must address the underlying needs driving that behavior. By understanding what truly fulfills us, we can replace distractions with a deeper sense of purpose.

▶ Listen now

Deep Questions with Cal Newport · Ep. 398: How Do I Find Purpose in a Distracted World? (W/ Arthur Brooks) · Mar 30, 2026

“… word, the images, testing new formats. I call it pack platforms. So I need to know everything that's happening on Substack X, Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, shorts, all that. That's algorithms within those. What kind of content, what format, what kind of, is it a real? Is it a full? Like with on LinkedIn, is it right now? Imagery is doing incredibly well. Video crushed last year. It's declining a little bit this month. Like just, so what's the algorithm within the platforms doing? And then C, culture. Like what is happening in popular culture across everything? Like the, you know, America has long …” “… sure I'm feeding the LLMs of Gemini with my content. Why Shorts, not long form? Both. But Shorts allows me to pump out a lot of how to, why, right? There's a little bit of a different thing there. So just hyper fixation on the craft of the written word, the images, testing new formats. I call it pack platforms. So I need to know everything that's happening on Substack X, Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, shorts, all that. That's algorithms within those. What kind of content, what format, what kind of, is it a real? Is it a full? Like with on LinkedIn, is it right now? Imagery is doing incredibly well. Video crushed last year. It's declining a little bit this month. Like just, so what's the algorithm within the platforms doing? And then C, culture. Like what is happening in popular culture across everything? Like the, you know, America has long in popular culture fed from black culture. Now we're seeing Hispanic culture. We're seeing Korean culture impact so much of US pop culture. slang terms, quarter zip, uh, la boo boo's in then out, uh, the Starbucks bear tumbler for three weeks, then not Stanley cups, then not. I love your passion when you're talking about this. Like I see pop cold, …” View more

Ridealong summary

Gary Vaynerchuk emphasizes that adapting your social media strategy isn't solely about leveraging AI; it's about understanding the nuances of each platform. He shares his approach of focusing on long-form content and the importance of pop culture relevance in connecting with audiences. This method ensures that even if the landscape shifts dramatically, he can quickly regain his footing.

▶ Listen now

Silicon Valley Girl · Why You're Missing the AI Opportunity (And How to Fix It) | Gary Vee · Mar 30, 2026

“… enormous social pressure when you're in high school to use these products. I'll give you a specific example. Our rule is you cannot get Instagram or TikTok until you're 16. I would love it to be 18, but we all agreed 16 and we're able to maintain that rule. But then high school comes around and I have two kids in high school now. Oh, we need Snapchat. No, you don't. No, yes, we do. No, you don't. Okay, great. We'll have no friends. Thanks a lot. We'll just sit here in our room, darkened there. and you know there's an enormous amount of social pressure so when you talk to the other parents it's …” “… ever kids are cool. No, and then they love it. I don't think it's that great. I'll tell you why our school does the phone condoms. I don't know what they're called. But like you put it in the bags and you whatever. The real problem is that there's enormous social pressure when you're in high school to use these products. I'll give you a specific example. Our rule is you cannot get Instagram or TikTok until you're 16. I would love it to be 18, but we all agreed 16 and we're able to maintain that rule. But then high school comes around and I have two kids in high school now. Oh, we need Snapchat. No, you don't. No, yes, we do. No, you don't. Okay, great. We'll have no friends. Thanks a lot. We'll just sit here in our room, darkened there. and you know there's an enormous amount of social pressure so when you talk to the other parents it's like hey guys can we all agree that we don't need snapchat you just can't get uniform agreement across all parents because everybody views this problem differently and so i had to change the rule now when you get to high school you're allowed snapchat but not instagram and you know when you're 16 you get instagram and that's the best we could do and …” View more

Ridealong summary

Parents often face tough choices about social media for their kids, especially when it comes to platforms like Snapchat and Instagram. With immense social pressure in high school, one parent shares their struggle to enforce rules about when their children can use these apps. The reality is, as kids grow older, parents must navigate the slippery slope of social media usage while trying to maintain some control.

▶ Listen now

All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg · Anthropic's Generational Run, OpenAI Panics, AI Moats, Meta Loses Lawsuits · Mar 27, 2026

“… have these same issues where these creators are gaining notoriety. Some of them have millions of followers. Josh, for example, has over 4 million TikTok followers. He had an exclusive contract with Party, which is a Web 3.0 streaming platform that aims to be a competitor with Twitch. But it's uncertain about how much power he actually has in his role as a digital worker and as a creator that has a pretty prominent following. And really what is speculated is that his handlers or the streamers that kind of steer him around the country from event to event are the ones that have the power. It seems …” “And many times that's structural. You are kept out of being part of the social structure. You You don't really have a say in how you're exploited, even if that's what it appears to be. And so a thousand years later or so, we still have these same issues where these creators are gaining notoriety. Some of them have millions of followers. Josh, for example, has over 4 million TikTok followers. He had an exclusive contract with Party, which is a Web 3.0 streaming platform that aims to be a competitor with Twitch. But it's uncertain about how much power he actually has in his role as a digital worker and as a creator that has a pretty prominent following. And really what is speculated is that his handlers or the streamers that kind of steer him around the country from event to event are the ones that have the power. It seems like the image that is emerging here is of an infrastructure needed to both support the popularity of and the logistics of being a content creator at the scale of a Josh Block, as well as, I think, murkier areas of guiding and possibly enabling. And I think even taking the original analogy here of the medieval court, the characters that have to …” View more

Ridealong summary

Josh Block, a TikTok star with over 4 million followers, navigates a complex web of handlers influencing his life and content. While they provide support and shape his public persona, questions arise about whether they genuinely help him or exploit his vulnerabilities. Following a recent legal issue, the dynamics of his relationships are more crucial than ever.

▶ Listen now

Never Post · Lolcows and the Internet's "Digital Freakshow" · Mar 26, 2026

“… I don't know, right? But I would really encourage you to want to take a step back, not fall for the highlight reels you might see on Instagram and TikTok, especially at your age. Everyone's trying to look and be cool and do these things that they're not. Yes, there are people out there who are successful and are very young. I get that. But what is much more important is what Robert said, which is you have a really, really great income. And if you can optimize your spending against that income to aggressively save three, four, $5,000 a month, you're going to be in a really, really great spot when …” “… a year is great. How does it turn into 60? How does it turn into a hundred? Is the side gig scalable? I mean, obviously it's working for you right now? Can you hire people to work underneath of you so you can build it into a full-fledged business? I don't know, right? But I would really encourage you to want to take a step back, not fall for the highlight reels you might see on Instagram and TikTok, especially at your age. Everyone's trying to look and be cool and do these things that they're not. Yes, there are people out there who are successful and are very young. I get that. But what is much more important is what Robert said, which is you have a really, really great income. And if you can optimize your spending against that income to aggressively save three, four, $5,000 a month, you're going to be in a really, really great spot when you are 40, 45 years old, like millions of dollars. That's how you retire early. You don't retire early by getting a helicopter, Lambo, sell some courses and be this, you know, fly by night grifter. You retire early by laying a great foundation at a young age and consistently investing, allowing wealth to become inevitable. 100%. Luis and anyone …” View more

Ridealong summary

Chasing flashy lifestyles on social media won't lead to financial freedom. Instead, focus on optimizing your income and investing wisely to build real wealth over time. By prioritizing savings and smart investments, you can set yourself up for a comfortable retirement without falling for the allure of quick riches.

▶ Listen now

Rich Habits Podcast · Q&A: The Rich Habits Retreat, Investing Your First $100K, & Accelerating Retirement Timeline · Mar 26, 2026

“… do. We need to force these big platforms to allow for middleware. We need to make it a law that you can use something to give you more control over TikTok or Facebook or something along those lines. Second, we would do interoperability. So if you don't want to use TikTok's app to see TikTok, you can still get the content out of it, but you can do it through a browser on your phone that you control. And then third, we got to get people psyched about building and governing their own online spaces. Right now, social.coop is not a good alternative to Twitter or to Blue Sky. There just aren't enough …” “… not going out and buying super bowl ads and we got to tell the story we got to get on podcasts and tell people that there's another way to do this. It doesn't have to suck as bad as it does. It really doesn't. So here are three things that we can do. We need to force these big platforms to allow for middleware. We need to make it a law that you can use something to give you more control over TikTok or Facebook or something along those lines. Second, we would do interoperability. So if you don't want to use TikTok's app to see TikTok, you can still get the content out of it, but you can do it through a browser on your phone that you control. And then third, we got to get people psyched about building and governing their own online spaces. Right now, social.coop is not a good alternative to Twitter or to Blue Sky. There just aren't enough people on Mastodon. But if I have a client on my phone that I control and I can merge them all together, hey, let me see what people are talking about on Twitter. Let me see Facebook. Let me see Insta. Let me see all of it and my own little social network at the same place. And I can go in and say, you know what, and prioritize my local news. And …” View more

Ridealong summary

You can take control of your online experience today by exploring alternatives like Blue Sky and Mastodon. While Blue Sky offers customizable feeds for a more tailored community, Mastodon presents a cooperative model that empowers users to govern their own spaces. It's time to demand better options and reshape how we connect online.

▶ Listen now

kill switch · he monetized the web. now he has a plan to fix it · Mar 25, 2026

“… ago that was progressive for the time yeah like what the see but his brain was probably working he had nothing else to do that was his thing no tiktok scrolling no instagram scrolling no slide indians no beating off you think we've got it hard huh if no if there's no porn we have it easy but there are challenges to that you can fall victim to like myself so you think we have make it i think we You have it too easy. You have it too easy. So you're saying if porn existed, Spider-Man doesn't. My life is too easy to the point where it depresses me. And I'm lost. I love it. So if TikTok doesn't …” “matter what age at all and he had that thought 50 60 years ago that was progressive for the time yeah like what the see but his brain was probably working he had nothing else to do that was his thing no tiktok scrolling no instagram scrolling no slide indians no beating off you think we've got it hard huh if no if there's no porn we have it easy but there are challenges to that you can fall victim to like myself so you think we have make it i think we You have it too easy. You have it too easy. So you're saying if porn existed, Spider-Man doesn't. My life is too easy to the point where it depresses me. And I'm lost. I love it. So if TikTok doesn't exist, you would be the next Sam Lee. TikTok doesn't exist. I'm probably... Or Adrian Peterson. I'm probably Kono owner of Alpha Elite. Or like Raw Nutrition with Chris Bumstead. Or... But like TikTok did exist. Maybe designing Halo 7. Yeah, go ahead with what you're going to say. I think I know where you're going. TikTok did exist while all this is …” View more

Ridealong summary

Many believe modern life is too easy, leading to feelings of depression and aimlessness. The discussion highlights how past creators thrived without today's distractions like TikTok and porn, suggesting that their mental strength allowed them to achieve great things. In contrast, the speaker reflects on their own struggles with focus and ambition in a world full of distractions.

▶ Listen now

The Flycast · We Took Daltoosh on a Ferris Wheel | The Flycast Ep. 183 · Mar 24, 2026

“… but there's a new sheriff in town, K-pop Demon Hunters, which became the most watched Netflix movie ever. Meanwhile, short form video platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube have disrupted the traditional music discovery and album promotion process. But early signs indicate the BTS boys still have it. Just look at what went into the concert logistics on Saturday. Seoul deployed 7,000 police officers to the performance area, including SWAT units, closed down three subway stations nearby, and controlled entry through 31 points with metal detectors. South Korea's government even raised its …” “… their mandatory South Korean military service and released solo projects. Now, they're set to embark on an 82-date, more than 30-city tour that will test their pull in a world music culture that's gone through major changes. K-pop is still popular, but there's a new sheriff in town, K-pop Demon Hunters, which became the most watched Netflix movie ever. Meanwhile, short form video platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube have disrupted the traditional music discovery and album promotion process. But early signs indicate the BTS boys still have it. Just look at what went into the concert logistics on Saturday. Seoul deployed 7,000 police officers to the performance area, including SWAT units, closed down three subway stations nearby, and controlled entry through 31 points with metal detectors. South Korea's government even raised its terror alert a notch in preparation. Toby, this was the biggest ban in the world four years ago, rewriting the playbook on fandom and serving as an important source of Korean soft power on the global stage. There's a lot riding on this tour. There is, and I'm not sure it got off to the best start. Reuters said that a far smaller crowd materialized than …” View more

Ridealong summary

BTS made a highly anticipated comeback with a massive concert in Seoul, but only 40,000 fans showed up instead of the expected 260,000. Despite the smaller crowd, their new album sold four million copies on its first day, indicating strong demand. This tour could rival Taylor Swift's for record-breaking ticket sales, but the initial turnout raises questions about their current appeal.

▶ Listen now

Morning Brew Daily · Travelers Face Hours-Long TSA Delays & BTS Makes a Comeback · Mar 23, 2026

“… you're spending on it. So there's just more nuance there. The report drew a line between algorithm driven visual platforms. Think Instagram, think TikTok, even X versus communication first platforms, which are things like WhatsApp. They actually found a seven in a 17 country, a Latin America study. WhatsApp and Facebook were linked to higher life satisfaction because you felt closer to your community. You felt closer to your family compared to Instagram, TikTok and X, which led to lower happiness. So there also is like – there's like a Goldilocks zone of the type of social media and the amount …” “… countries like Iceland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway were all in the top 10. Toby, what stood out to you? Thanks for asking. What stood out to me is it's not social media itself as a blanket concept. It's the type of social media and the amount that you're spending on it. So there's just more nuance there. The report drew a line between algorithm driven visual platforms. Think Instagram, think TikTok, even X versus communication first platforms, which are things like WhatsApp. They actually found a seven in a 17 country, a Latin America study. WhatsApp and Facebook were linked to higher life satisfaction because you felt closer to your community. You felt closer to your family compared to Instagram, TikTok and X, which led to lower happiness. So there also is like – there's like a Goldilocks zone of the type of social media and the amount of time that you're spending on it. If you spend under an hour a day on communication-based social media, you actually are happier than a baseline person who doesn't spend time on social media. But unfortunately, the average teenager was clocking upwards of two and a half hours on social media. So not a lot of people are in that Goldilocks zone. …” View more

Ridealong summary

The latest World Happiness Report reveals that social media is significantly harming the well-being of young people in English-speaking countries, with life satisfaction scores dropping nearly one point over the last decade. Notably, teenage girls who spend over five hours a day on social media report the steepest declines in happiness. This alarming trend has seen no English-speaking country ranking in the top 10 for happiness, while Finland continues to reign supreme.

▶ Listen now

Morning Brew Daily · English-Speaking Nations Are Sadder Than Ever & USPS is Running Out of Cash · Mar 20, 2026

“… in terms of your own psychological wellbeing, hands down is finding the right partner. And what I don't like is all this shit that's especially on TikTok telling women that, you know, he doesn't open your door, he's out of there. Like find red flags and everything. Well, that's not helpful either. But the question is, all right, how do you select a good partner if that's the most important thing? And I think most people would probably say, okay, that makes sense. One, it's sex and affection. You're saying I choose you. I think it's really important. And I think you constantly need to reaffirm …” “… made good money. He was talented. He ended up, at the age of 60, ended up broke without a pot to piss in because he got married and divorced four times, which, so it goes both ways. One, you, the most important decision you will make financially and in terms of your own psychological wellbeing, hands down is finding the right partner. And what I don't like is all this shit that's especially on TikTok telling women that, you know, he doesn't open your door, he's out of there. Like find red flags and everything. Well, that's not helpful either. But the question is, all right, how do you select a good partner if that's the most important thing? And I think most people would probably say, okay, that makes sense. One, it's sex and affection. You're saying I choose you. I think it's really important. And I think you constantly need to reaffirm that and work on it and express physical desire. I think, let me say I think women want to be wanted. And I think sex, it brings peace and harmony to a relationship and says, I choose you. Two values. I think it's important that you're generous and very open with each other about things like religion as it relates to your kids, how close you want to …” View more

Ridealong summary

Choosing a competent partner is the most crucial financial decision you can make, impacting both your wealth and psychological well-being. Scott Galloway shares his journey and insights on how a supportive partner can elevate your life, while also emphasizing the importance of actively seeking out the right person. He recounts how he met his partner, highlighting the need to put yourself out there to find love.

▶ Listen now

The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway · Is AI Killing Advertising? & Scott’s Best Financial Decision · Mar 20, 2026

“… booths. There are also big mirrors for selfies and coffee staging areas with peak social media lighting. Overall, Bloomberg writes, it's loaded with TikTok catnip. Blank Street says the new format will be used for all its future locations, while existing stores will either be converted to the larger scale format or moved. It is all in. And it's a big bet that could easily flop. These days, the coffee shops growing the fastest are leaning into no frills and super fast service, precisely the strategy that Blank Street is moving away from. However, Blank Street thinks Starbucks has a right that, at …” “… visited a new location in lower Manhattan and described the new digs. At 1,300 square feet, it's triple the size of many current stores, which often don't have seats. Now there are seats, including what Blank Street is calling, quote, conversation booths. There are also big mirrors for selfies and coffee staging areas with peak social media lighting. Overall, Bloomberg writes, it's loaded with TikTok catnip. Blank Street says the new format will be used for all its future locations, while existing stores will either be converted to the larger scale format or moved. It is all in. And it's a big bet that could easily flop. These days, the coffee shops growing the fastest are leaning into no frills and super fast service, precisely the strategy that Blank Street is moving away from. However, Blank Street thinks Starbucks has a right that, at least in cities, young professionals want to break from their screen dominated lives and simply want to yap for two hours at a coffee shop. Toby, are people going to Blank Street and chill? I think the unexpected variable here was the rise of matcha because Blank Street didn't necessarily think that it would be known for its matcha, but it's been a …” View more

Ridealong summary

Blank Street is betting big on becoming the 'Gen Z Starbucks' by launching larger stores designed for socializing. With seating, conversation booths, and Instagram-friendly features, they're shifting from quick to-go orders to creating a cozy hangout vibe. This pivot may redefine coffee culture for younger generations, especially with the rising popularity of matcha boosting afternoon sales.

▶ Listen now

Morning Brew Daily · Polymarket Bettors Threaten Israeli Journalist & Blank Street Wants to Become “Gen Z Starbucks” · Mar 18, 2026

“… Now they're on there like once in a blue moon compared to whatever, but like you should be relevant to Facebook audience. You should be relevant to TikTok audience. Snapchat's culture is slightly different than TikTok. TikToks and TikToks. It's all different rooms out there and you want to be in every room. There you go, folks. As Gary puts it so well, you have to be in every room. To have an effective brand message today, you've got to be relevant. You need to know your audience” “… person are very different. So like, but that was television. You didn't have the internet. Now that we have the internet, like everybody who's listening should be posting on Facebook. It's huge still. I'm getting 25, 30 year old audience on Facebook. Now they're on there like once in a blue moon compared to whatever, but like you should be relevant to Facebook audience. You should be relevant to TikTok audience. Snapchat's culture is slightly different than TikTok. TikToks and TikToks. It's all different rooms out there and you want to be in every room. There you go, folks. As Gary puts it so well, you have to be in every room. To have an effective brand message today, you've got to be relevant. You need to know your audience” View more

Ridealong summary

To connect effectively, you must know your audience deeply, even within niche topics. By tailoring content to specific cohorts, like first-time moms or young Hispanic entrepreneurs, you create relevance that resonates. Gary emphasizes that being relevant in today's digital landscape requires understanding the diverse segments of your audience.

▶ Listen now

Young and Profiting with Hala Taha (Entrepreneurship, Sales, Marketing) · The Social Media Strategies Top Creators Use to Build Loyal Audiences | Marketing | YAPCreator Replay | E2 · Mar 18, 2026

“… were making memes of their friends. But because the videos were exportable, what would happen is that the best Sora videos would get uploaded onto TikTok or Reels. And then they would compete against the best human-made videos. And so the overall feed experience was just kind of strictly better on one of those platforms than on Sora alone. Downloads are way down to that point. I think it hasn't become the social network that they maybe hoped it has. Where it is succeeding is as a creative tool because the model is quite good. So they still have 3 million DAOs and it's actually, you know, …” “… realism on both the audio and the video. Their big unlock, which was super smart, was the cameo feature. So that was why like every other Sora was like Jake Paul because he granted them the right to like use the cameo. And it go viral because people were making memes of their friends. But because the videos were exportable, what would happen is that the best Sora videos would get uploaded onto TikTok or Reels. And then they would compete against the best human-made videos. And so the overall feed experience was just kind of strictly better on one of those platforms than on Sora alone. Downloads are way down to that point. I think it hasn't become the social network that they maybe hoped it has. Where it is succeeding is as a creative tool because the model is quite good. So they still have 3 million DAOs and it's actually, you know, slightly climbing over time. Daily active users. Yes, daily active users. Yes. So people are still really using it as a creative model, but they're not using it as like a social graph product. We haven't seen anyone crack AI social yet. I think it's going to be really tricky. Now, you know, last thing I want to talk to you about as we come to a close …” View more

Ridealong summary

AI companies are rapidly evolving, with incumbents like Google launching new products to compete with AI-native startups, but the transition is fraught with challenges like cannibalizing existing products.

▶ Listen now

The a16z Show · AI Startups vs. Big Chatbots — With Olivia Moore · Mar 16, 2026

“… stop using the service. And it's not as hard as people think. Well, also the rage bait thing kind of bothers me because I've covered the rise of TikTok extensively and TikTok the way, I mean, part of the reason it got the massive user base that it did is because it was delivering hyper-targeted and it was harvesting a massive amount of data and delivering a hyper-targeted experience where it was actually based primarily around your interests. So if you like food, you could watch food. TikTok is not really known as like a rage bait app. Like that's really affiliated with Twitter, which is …” “And again, the way to deal with that is to, you know, to make it clear to the companies. Some of that is by using other sites and services, which again, I'll encourage. But then the other thing is too, is like, if you're just getting rage bait, stop using the service. And it's not as hard as people think. Well, also the rage bait thing kind of bothers me because I've covered the rise of TikTok extensively and TikTok the way, I mean, part of the reason it got the massive user base that it did is because it was delivering hyper-targeted and it was harvesting a massive amount of data and delivering a hyper-targeted experience where it was actually based primarily around your interests. So if you like food, you could watch food. TikTok is not really known as like a rage bait app. Like that's really affiliated with Twitter, which is actually like one of the least popular of all the major social networks, especially even under Elon Musk, it's like declined. So I just think this idea that like, oh, we're all getting outraged on social media. No, most of what you're watching is actually like highly engaging content that's hyper tailored to your interests based on all the data that …” View more

Ridealong summary

If Section 230 is repealed, we risk losing the internet as we know it, including the tailored experiences that platforms like TikTok provide. Users are starting to demand more control over their algorithms, leading to innovations in platforms like Blue Sky and Threads. This shift showcases how consumer preferences can drive change, but without Section 230, those opportunities could vanish.

▶ Listen now

Taylor Lorenz’s Power User · How Section 230 Became Political : The Secret Campaign To Seize Power Over the Internet · Mar 16, 2026

“… you had interactions that like offset how simple the games were your dopamine wasn't fried yet yeah and it's like yeah you're not scrolling through tiktok where it's like you need you need something like every 35 seconds it's like you could sit in this room for five minutes and just talk shit yeah and just wait for the game yeah yeah i think i think the fact that we used to sit in lobbies it seems like such a pointless part of it now But nowadays, it seems like every game, you get out of the lobby and you're back into another game before you can even think about getting off. You're just on this …” “… actually better games, or if it's nostalgia. Yeah. yeah um i think the gaming experience was better regardless of the if the game was better or not i think there was there was a more sense of like community people were talking in game chat so like you had interactions that like offset how simple the games were your dopamine wasn't fried yet yeah and it's like yeah you're not scrolling through tiktok where it's like you need you need something like every 35 seconds it's like you could sit in this room for five minutes and just talk shit yeah and just wait for the game yeah yeah i think i think the fact that we used to sit in lobbies it seems like such a pointless part of it now But nowadays, it seems like every game, you get out of the lobby and you're back into another game before you can even think about getting off. You're just on this constant loop of TikTok brain, no matter what you're doing. It used to actually be a thing to where you're waiting for a match, especially if you were higher ranked or some shit. And then you get a match and you're like, we got a match. We got a match. And it was like, oh, the fucking. Yeah. You would search for like two to three minutes. Yeah. …” View more

Ridealong summary

The gaming community has lost its sense of connection, with players now rushing through matches instead of enjoying downtime in lobbies. This shift has led to a more isolating experience, contrasting sharply with the camaraderie of earlier Call of Duty games. The nostalgia for simpler times highlights how modern gaming often prioritizes speed over community interaction.

▶ Listen now

The Flycast · BasicallyIDoWrk on The Fall of Gaming | Flycast Ep. 183 · Mar 14, 2026

“… to see any good or has what he's done completely tainted him and as the human he is uh I don't think I'm there yet although some of these edits on TikTok that come on my for you page that have like ceilings that ceiling song is playing and it's like cute clips of uh I'm like like I can't because I feel like I mean in that regard I'm like oh that's maybe almost getting me there but I feel like I mean he even said oh because I've done this then that negates everything else And I was kind of like, I mean, it kind of does.” “… don't want them to be like oh this girl sucks at picking guys a date yeah although I mean no we're we're leveling up Ariana okay like it's it's getting better I've seen it's gotten a lot better um when you look back on your time together are you able to see any good or has what he's done completely tainted him and as the human he is uh I don't think I'm there yet although some of these edits on TikTok that come on my for you page that have like ceilings that ceiling song is playing and it's like cute clips of uh I'm like like I can't because I feel like I mean in that regard I'm like oh that's maybe almost getting me there but I feel like I mean he even said oh because I've done this then that negates everything else And I was kind of like, I mean, it kind of does.” View more

Ridealong summary

In this segment, the host hilariously navigates the murky waters of relationship trust, questioning if checking a partner's phone is sanity or paranoia. The comedic twist comes when they ponder whether being 'too trusting' makes you a bad partner or just a 'psycho'—a relatable and laugh-out-loud moment for anyone who's ever doubted their partner's fidelity.

▶ Listen now

Call Her Daddy · Ariana Madix: The Vanderpump Affair (FBF) · Mar 13, 2026

“… that's their thing to be mean, you know. Eminem. Yeah. There we go. He can't be nice. Yeah. He can't be nice. He's Eminem. I watched, speaking of TikTok, I watched all the battle rap scenes from 8 Mile last night. Just the battle scenes? Yeah, I don't know, watching the whole movie. On TikTok, I just watched, it was like a nine-minute compilation of B-Rabbit doing all the battle rap scenes. The final scene where he's up rapping against Anthony Mackie, who ended up being Captain America. Oh, wow, I didn't realize that. Yeah. Dang. So that is like that one of my favorite scenes of any movie of …” “… So unfortunately, if you have a bad experience, that's what you're left with. If it's a paid meet and greet, they should at least be nice because you paid to take that. Oh, for sure. Yeah. Like suck it up. Yeah. And suck it if you're mean. Unless that's their thing to be mean, you know. Eminem. Yeah. There we go. He can't be nice. Yeah. He can't be nice. He's Eminem. I watched, speaking of TikTok, I watched all the battle rap scenes from 8 Mile last night. Just the battle scenes? Yeah, I don't know, watching the whole movie. On TikTok, I just watched, it was like a nine-minute compilation of B-Rabbit doing all the battle rap scenes. The final scene where he's up rapping against Anthony Mackie, who ended up being Captain America. Oh, wow, I didn't realize that. Yeah. Dang. So that is like that one of my favorite scenes of any movie of all time and he like he says everything bad about himself so he can say anything about him in the final scene But yeah and I would watch some interviews with Anthony Mackie talking about that And Eminem was using personal things against Anthony Mackie in that scene to get a reaction from him that didn't make sense about the character. Wow, that's …” View more

Ridealong summary

In a hilarious twist on celebrity encounters, a fan's expectations of meeting Drake are hilariously crushed when Drake offers him a ride on his plane instead of a simple photo. The segment dives into the absurdity of celebrity interactions, highlighting how fans often put stars on a pedestal, only to be let down by reality. The banter about Eminem's mean persona adds another layer of humor.

▶ Listen now

The Bobby Bones Show · TUES PT 1: Bobby Did Something With His Daughter For The First Time + Did Lunchbox Get A New Job? + Awkward Barking Dog Situation · Mar 31, 2026

“Well, not, you know how like TikTok, you like respond to it? Yeah. So he actually wrote a song that sounded like a real song you'd hear on country radio. And it's like, it ain't all baby. And so he's singing that lyric and it went viral. Like he ended up having, I have no idea, millions, hundreds, thousands. I don't know what viral is. but he literally got a record deal because of it. Toby Keith? He ended up going into the studio with this song, giving this girl writers credit. …” “Well, not, you know how like TikTok, you like respond to it? Yeah. So he actually wrote a song that sounded like a real song you'd hear on country radio. And it's like, it ain't all baby. And so he's singing that lyric and it went viral. Like he ended up having, I have no idea, millions, hundreds, thousands. I don't know what viral is. but he literally got a record deal because of it. Toby Keith? He ended up going into the studio with this song, giving this girl writers credit. She's a writer? Yes! Stop it! Because it was her line, and then they turned it into a song and released it. Wait, is she on the song? No. Have they met in real life? She's a music teacher somewhere. No, they've never met in real life. Stop it. But have spoken several times. Is she stoked that she's on the song? Yes. She, like, reached out to him the …” View more

Ridealong summary

Imagine a music teacher whose lyric goes viral, leading to a record deal! This segment captures the hilarity of George Birge's unexpected journey in the music industry, complete with humorous anecdotes about his cheerful demeanor and a joke about naming their son after Luke Bryan.

▶ Listen now

The Bobby Bones Show · Getting Real with Kara Birge: Trusting God, Having Fun, Raising Boys, and Riding the Wild Road with George Birge · Mar 18, 2026

“… and say, we care about, you know, diversity and equity. Like, that's what we care about. And people have such short memories. Like, everyone has TikTok brain and goldfish memory. And no one's going to remember the Palisades fire. And also, it was very specific to California. I see Gavin Newsom as a serious threat. Well, certainly in that there's nobody else on the bench, really. I mean, Kamala Harris, who actually is a dope.” “… are killing people in the streets, but yet they break out in applause when you go in front of the dais and talk to like-minded idiots. Yes. But think about it. That's a lot of the left. It's just a bunch of clapping seals that will see him go on stage and say, we care about, you know, diversity and equity. Like, that's what we care about. And people have such short memories. Like, everyone has TikTok brain and goldfish memory. And no one's going to remember the Palisades fire. And also, it was very specific to California. I see Gavin Newsom as a serious threat. Well, certainly in that there's nobody else on the bench, really. I mean, Kamala Harris, who actually is a dope.” View more

Ridealong summary

In this segment, the comedian hilariously dismantles the idea of politicians who just point out problems without offering solutions, calling them 'sociopathic liars.' The banter about 'clapping seals' on the left adds a comedic edge, making the critique of political narratives both sharp and funny.

▶ Listen now

Adam Carolla Show · From Wall Street to Stand-Up: Arynne Wexler on Comedy & Why More Liberals are Turning Right · Apr 08, 2026

“… hit completely different. I mean it took that thing and smashed it because we thought airplane and fire truck Airplane going to win I will say that TikTok really helps with that kind of giving you a visual of the stuff we talk about because, yeah, you think about it, you're like, oh, that's crazy. But once you see it, helicopter crashes, plane crashes, stuff like that, like, wow, it really makes it real. Another story about a girl, she was 11 years old. She vanished in 2020. And then after a while, you just kind of, you don't give up, but you just assume the worst. It's a bit of the Savannah …” “Yeah. Oh, that is a terrible story. And again, we talked about it yesterday. It's just different until you see it. Then it's a different. It just hit completely different. I mean it took that thing and smashed it because we thought airplane and fire truck Airplane going to win I will say that TikTok really helps with that kind of giving you a visual of the stuff we talk about because, yeah, you think about it, you're like, oh, that's crazy. But once you see it, helicopter crashes, plane crashes, stuff like that, like, wow, it really makes it real. Another story about a girl, she was 11 years old. She vanished in 2020. And then after a while, you just kind of, you don't give up, but you just assume the worst. It's a bit of the Savannah Guthrie's mom story where at this point she's not back. She's old. This story happened in 2020 with an 11-year-old, except they found her living in North Carolina under a different name. Lunchbox, you know about this story? Yeah, so her mom is the one that had custody, and she quit communicating with, I guess it's Child Services of California, had …” View more

Ridealong summary

In a bizarre twist, an 11-year-old girl who vanished in 2020 was found living under a different name in North Carolina, thanks to a tip-off. The hosts hilariously dissect how the mom must have drilled the new name into her daughter, making it a wild and darkly comedic exploration of a strange situation.

▶ Listen now

The Bobby Bones Show · TUES PT 2: Bobby Thought He Was Having A Heart Attack + Bobby And Amy Make A Bet + Amy Got The Worst Call Ever · Mar 24, 2026

“… he had sex with the cop's wife. He was just saying all this stuff. So they all sue him. All the cops sue him. And so all of this trial was up on TikTok because there were cameras in the room He won nearly million Grammy nominated rapper I know he wow that the story here He nominated for a Grammy Did you know he nominated for a Grammy No. For that song? But then I got high? I don't know what it was for. Won a nearly $4 million lawsuit filed by seven Ohio deputies who claimed his songs, videos, and merchandise about a 2022 police raid on his home defamed them and invaded their privacy. Okay, I …” “… So Afro Man has a song called Lemon Pound – Lemon Pound Cake. And he used the melody to under the boardwalk, we'll be having some fun. And so this song, Lemon Pound Cake, and he has a whole record of them. And some of it's like he was talking to – like he had sex with the cop's wife. He was just saying all this stuff. So they all sue him. All the cops sue him. And so all of this trial was up on TikTok because there were cameras in the room He won nearly million Grammy nominated rapper I know he wow that the story here He nominated for a Grammy Did you know he nominated for a Grammy No. For that song? But then I got high? I don't know what it was for. Won a nearly $4 million lawsuit filed by seven Ohio deputies who claimed his songs, videos, and merchandise about a 2022 police raid on his home defamed them and invaded their privacy. Okay, I think. So I don't think he won any money. I think he just didn't have to pay the money. Right. They were suing him for that. If you get sued, you don't win money, right? He won a nearly – that feels a bit misleading. Right. The raid, which turned up no chargers, was captured on security footage that he later used in a comedic music video recounting …” View more

Ridealong summary

In a wild twist, the Duggars are back in the headlines, but not for their wholesome family values. As the podcast crew hilariously stumbles through the details of child endangerment charges, the conversation takes a turn to the absurdity of Afro Man's legal battles with the cops, including a song about lemon pound cake that has everyone laughing. The blend of serious topics with comedic commentary keeps the segment both engaging and entertaining.

▶ Listen now

The Bobby Bones Show · MON PT 2: Amy's Birthday Dinner With A Country Artist + Eddie’s Birthday Sucked + Team Tour Bus Ride Stories · Mar 23, 2026

“… met me at a very strange time in my life. It blew up as this absurdist meme phrase online, kind of riding on the coattails of this other viral TikTok from a few years ago. It's captioned, when you get to heaven, but it's Chinese. No, it's fine. I just, I just didn't think it would be Chinese at all. So to become Chinese has kind of become a joke online. Speaking as a Chinese-American, I think a lot of the surface level jokes are just Orientalism repackaged into a meme format. No, drinking hot water and wearing slippers in the house does not make you Chinese. But then there's this other meme …” “You've met me at a very Chinese time in my life. This phrase became a meme late last year. It's a twist on this line in the final scene of Fight Club. You've met me at a very strange time in my life. It blew up as this absurdist meme phrase online, kind of riding on the coattails of this other viral TikTok from a few years ago. It's captioned, when you get to heaven, but it's Chinese. No, it's fine. I just, I just didn't think it would be Chinese at all. So to become Chinese has kind of become a joke online. Speaking as a Chinese-American, I think a lot of the surface level jokes are just Orientalism repackaged into a meme format. No, drinking hot water and wearing slippers in the house does not make you Chinese. But then there's this other meme that's been around for a long time. It's called Chinese food, Chinese herbalism, Chinese city infrastructure, Chinese tech, Chinese languages, Chinese Internet culture and memes, and most of all, Chinese high-speed rail. Welcome to Chinamaxing. Absolutely not. Let's go back to last year, to when American TikTok refugees fled to Red Note. There was …” View more

Ridealong summary

Americans are flocking to the Chinese platform Red Note, seeking a freer internet experience amid growing censorship at home. This ironic shift highlights how the American internet has become more restrictive, prompting a cultural obsession with China's technological advancements and infrastructure. The phenomenon reflects deeper American anxieties about its own declining digital freedom.

▶ Listen now

Close All Tabs · Lessons for U.S. Netizens from Behind China’s Great Firewall · Feb 18, 2026

“… yeah. And would you post like six-second videos if you just like singing? Basically. Like I would – you know how the tactic now is like you make a TikTok, you put the absolute best engagement part of the TikTok right at the front. Oh. And then it cuts away and then the video starts over. You're familiar with this. You may have seen it. No. Is it like when you see somebody like doing a cooking video and they're like – And then they make the whole thing. Or it would be like, let's say we're doing this little interview and you're clipping it up. And I said something like super canceled or whatever …” “… a song and basically tell you if it's going to be a hit or not because if it just if it starts to go insane on the internet i mean that's basically that's the new version of having a hit well you know the internet while you were on Vine. I was. I was, yeah. And would you post like six-second videos if you just like singing? Basically. Like I would – you know how the tactic now is like you make a TikTok, you put the absolute best engagement part of the TikTok right at the front. Oh. And then it cuts away and then the video starts over. You're familiar with this. You may have seen it. No. Is it like when you see somebody like doing a cooking video and they're like – And then they make the whole thing. Or it would be like, let's say we're doing this little interview and you're clipping it up. And I said something like super canceled or whatever it is. Oh, no, we'd cut that. Don't worry. In a completely toxic world, you would put whatever I said that was canceled as the very first thing in the video. And then it would start. Then the video would start. And people go, when's he going to say the thing? I know he's going to say it because I've already seen it. Right. Okay. It's like watering …” View more

Ridealong summary

In this hilarious segment, Luke Combs reflects on how social media has transformed music promotion, joking about the absurdity of needing to show the 'good part' right away to grab attention. His playful banter about the potential return of Vine and the ridiculousness of TikTok trends adds a layer of humor that resonates with anyone who's ever scrolled through endless videos.

▶ Listen now

Therapuss with Jake Shane · Session 110: Luke Combs · Mar 19, 2026

“… and it could kind of bring the show back to almost like this almost dramatic center and now that Kimiko has learned how to talk by watching a lot of TikTok videos I'm like oh she's just another mini butcher and that's not a bad thing it's more so I'm like oh if you throw more Gen V characters into this We get even less of that. Yeah, and I just kind of I'm like at this point. I'm like dog You got to give us the meat and potatoes focus on the characters like focus on the main crew I like him to go talking man care for car one of one of our great actresses voice actually shout out keep on the wonder …” “… the choice that she's talking now but because it was rushed i'm like you don't actually have that emotional thing anymore where I was like Frenchie and Kimiko always were kind of like this emotional core where their love was somber and confusing and it could kind of bring the show back to almost like this almost dramatic center and now that Kimiko has learned how to talk by watching a lot of TikTok videos I'm like oh she's just another mini butcher and that's not a bad thing it's more so I'm like oh if you throw more Gen V characters into this We get even less of that. Yeah, and I just kind of I'm like at this point. I'm like dog You got to give us the meat and potatoes focus on the characters like focus on the main crew I like him to go talking man care for car one of one of our great actresses voice actually shout out keep on the wonder beasts and She Princess of Power Y wasn locked in It cool I definitely watched a season of She Princess of Power, and I did not get it. I didn't really get it. Y'all saying She-Ra? Yeah, She-Ra. Is She-Ra not She-Ra? Is it She-Ra? Is it She-Ra? It definitely is She-Ra. It's my African accent. I'm sorry. I feel like black people say She-Ra. Nah, we …” View more

Ridealong summary

Homelander's chilling display of power in 'The Boys' highlights his danger, as he casually threatens A-Train while rubbing his Adam's apple, a vulnerable part of the body. This juxtaposition of soft moments and brutal violence underscores the character's terrifying nature, especially as the series approaches its final season. The discussion also touches on the crossover with 'Gen V', raising questions about character development and narrative focus.

▶ Listen now

The Ringer-Verse · ’The Boys’ Season 5 Premiere Reactions | The Midnight Boys · Apr 10, 2026

“… If you're just listening, even the audio is great on these, but if you're just listening, you're missing some of the, it's the Apple account on TikTok. On TikTok, yeah. What's smart about how they did that particular video that we just watched was They showed it and it was framed so it could look like it's an iPhone and you're seeing your iPhone, iPhone, uh, iMessage notifications come in and they scroll out and you see it's a Mac. I think that's important because this is going after, again, to Jason's point. Subliminal stuff going. Again, this is all going to people who have not been Mac …” “… day. And then they have kind of a gender reveal. I'm not sure exactly what's, what's going on here. It's just, well, it's like an actual message thing. Oh, yeah. And there's like candles and it's like emoji and iMessage facts and stuff. It's very cute. If you're just listening, even the audio is great on these, but if you're just listening, you're missing some of the, it's the Apple account on TikTok. On TikTok, yeah. What's smart about how they did that particular video that we just watched was They showed it and it was framed so it could look like it's an iPhone and you're seeing your iPhone, iPhone, uh, iMessage notifications come in and they scroll out and you see it's a Mac. I think that's important because this is going after, again, to Jason's point. Subliminal stuff going. Again, this is all going to people who have not been Mac users. You know, there are way more iPhone users than Mac users. And I noticed this in the marketing on their own homepage and some of their videos, like the ads they made, like they made a really big deal. Like you can iMessage on your laptop. That is a huge, that's another selling point. Like for five, $600, like you can't, that's a thing you can't …” View more

Ridealong summary

Apple's recent TikTok campaign cleverly targets Gen Z by showcasing features like iMessage on Mac, appealing to a younger audience that primarily uses iPhones. The campaign utilizes engaging aesthetics and humor, including a character known as the 'finder guy,' to resonate with potential customers. With 7.7 million followers in just a week, the strategy appears to be paying off with impressive engagement rates.

▶ Listen now

MacBreak Weekly (Audio) · MBW 1015: Who Shot Apple Intelligence? - The MacBook Neo · Mar 10, 2026

Ridealong summary

TikTok's evolution shows how the quest for attention stifles creativity and collaboration. Initially a playground for Gen Z's innovative expression, the platform has transformed into a competitive arena where users police each other's content for 'cringe' and fear of cancellation. This shift has led to a culture where sharing and collaboration are discouraged, ultimately harming the very creativity that once thrived.

▶ Listen now

Panic World · Gen Z vs. Millennials · Feb 25, 2026

“… of the BuzzFeeds of the world and share revenue, all that. That was wrong. Because that was user-generated content. The actual answer is what TikTok did, which is, TikTok's not a social network at all. It is a harvesting, and YouTube is the same sort of idea. It's like personalized TV, yeah. What actually matters, and this is a key thing, people get hung up on relative numbers, and what matters is absolute numbers. So it is better to have 0.1% of your content is good if your content is in the billions or trillions, as opposed to, oh, 10% of our content is good, but you only have 100 pieces …” “Now- The move from kind of peer content to- Well, so that was, if I might say so myself, a very brilliant insight. The bad insight was my prescription, which was they needed to do more with professional content makers, like more funding of the BuzzFeeds of the world and share revenue, all that. That was wrong. Because that was user-generated content. The actual answer is what TikTok did, which is, TikTok's not a social network at all. It is a harvesting, and YouTube is the same sort of idea. It's like personalized TV, yeah. What actually matters, and this is a key thing, people get hung up on relative numbers, and what matters is absolute numbers. So it is better to have 0.1% of your content is good if your content is in the billions or trillions, as opposed to, oh, 10% of our content is good, but you only have 100 pieces of content, that's actually worse. You have a better hit rate. And so spurring lots of creation, writing the algorithms to capture the good stuff, put it up there, that actually solves the Paul Krugman fax machine problem, and Facebook was blindsided by that. They were so stuck on their identity of being a social network that they let TikTok take …” View more

Ridealong summary

TikTok's approach to content creation has completely reshaped social media by prioritizing sheer volume over traditional engagement metrics. Instead of focusing on professional content, TikTok harnesses user-generated content to create a vast library that captures attention. This strategy blindsided Facebook, allowing TikTok to seize a significant market share and redefine entertainment online.

▶ Listen now

Cheeky Pint · Ben Thompson from Stratechery on AI ads, the end of SaaS, and the future of media · Feb 12, 2026

“… I think that post resonated with people so well because I was almost selling them on a pitch to be like hinge and bumble aren't working, but TikTok might work. Dating app algorithms are very much like Instagram. Like everyone really curates their profiles. Whereas I feel like people on TikTok are a lot more comfortable in being careless. That kind of just develops this opportunity for people to not feel like there's so much pressure. Like it is a casual interaction. You either connect or you don't. While a lot of people did put themselves out there in the comments, they weren't getting …” “and also put some of their music taste. Jojo's doom scroll speed date video got thousands of comments overnight. I think that post resonated with people so well because I was almost selling them on a pitch to be like hinge and bumble aren't working, but TikTok might work. Dating app algorithms are very much like Instagram. Like everyone really curates their profiles. Whereas I feel like people on TikTok are a lot more comfortable in being careless. That kind of just develops this opportunity for people to not feel like there's so much pressure. Like it is a casual interaction. You either connect or you don't. While a lot of people did put themselves out there in the comments, they weren't getting many replies. Like nobody wanted to make the first move, essentially. All the comments that were coming in were largely women. The comments are full of baddies but I'm not seeing a male in New York City. The straight men were not making moves. I actually left a reply to somebody who had asked where are all the men at? And I think one of my comments …” View more

Ridealong summary

Jojo Manzo's TikTok speed dating experiment sparked thousands of comments, showcasing a new way to connect amidst dating app fatigue. Unlike traditional platforms, TikTok allows for casual interactions where users can be more authentic and less pressured. Despite the excitement, the challenge remains: will the right people step up to make the first move?

▶ Listen now

Close All Tabs · Love In The Time Of Doom Scrolling · Feb 11, 2026

“… assume that if you have money, you have no problems, and you're certainly not going to do anything like kill your parents. Now, suddenly, enter TikTok. Amazing. The Menendez story going viral in 2021. I don't believe they go on trial. They don't deserve to live the rest of their life in prison. I think they're seen as the victims of a less enlightened time. I would say people of my generation predominantly do believe that it was an act of self-defense. Just hold on. Who could imagine 30 years after a double murder that Gen Z on TikTok would take on the Menendez case? Okay. TikTok has been …” “Welcome to the 2020 True Crime Vault, where heart-stopping headlines come to life. People assume that if you have money, you have no problems, and you're certainly not going to do anything like kill your parents. Now, suddenly, enter TikTok. Amazing. The Menendez story going viral in 2021. I don't believe they go on trial. They don't deserve to live the rest of their life in prison. I think they're seen as the victims of a less enlightened time. I would say people of my generation predominantly do believe that it was an act of self-defense. Just hold on. Who could imagine 30 years after a double murder that Gen Z on TikTok would take on the Menendez case? Okay. TikTok has been this hub for Gen Z in so many ways. And now we're seeing them kind of turn their eye towards the criminal justice system. Calling all true crime fans. It's not supposed to happen in Beverly Hills. A movie executive and his wife were brutally slain in their million dollar mansion. As I went into the room, I just started firing. What was in front of …” View more

Ridealong summary

The Menendez brothers, once seen as spoiled rich kids, are now being reexamined by Gen Z on TikTok as victims of a dysfunctional family and childhood abuse. This resurgence in interest highlights how social media is reshaping narratives around past crimes, prompting younger audiences to question the justice system and the complexities of their case. As millions engage with their story, the Menendez brothers’ legacy is being redefined through a modern lens of empathy and understanding.

▶ Listen now

20/20 · True Crime Vault: Inside the Menendez Movement · Jan 06, 2026

“… call right back? But this time I'm going to record it. And she goes, yeah. I'm on lunch break. So we called, recorded everything. And I posted it on TikTok and didn't think anything of it. And then I woke up the next day, I had like a million views. And then what the heck happened? So then DM like, can you call mine? Can you call my insurance? I'm like, sure, I guess. So you started in the insurance industry. That's correct. Selling term insurance, which is different than indexed universal life policies, which we will talk about. What excited you about being in insurance? Is seeing how many people …” “… where the light bulb went. I'm like, he's literally telling me everything. What you guys hear is like, this is what he was telling me. And this client was just very difficult to get a hold of. So after the phone call, I go, do you mind if we just call right back? But this time I'm going to record it. And she goes, yeah. I'm on lunch break. So we called, recorded everything. And I posted it on TikTok and didn't think anything of it. And then I woke up the next day, I had like a million views. And then what the heck happened? So then DM like, can you call mine? Can you call my insurance? I'm like, sure, I guess. So you started in the insurance industry. That's correct. Selling term insurance, which is different than indexed universal life policies, which we will talk about. What excited you about being in insurance? Is seeing how many people that did have life insurance are paying for whole life insurance and IU indexed universal life and how it's like 10 times more expensive than term insurance. And I'll give you a perfect example. My aunt, right? She's one of those know-it-all aunts. I don't know if you could relate to that. And it's kind of a good thing. Like, ah,” View more

Ridealong summary

Jonathan Aguilera stumbled upon a life insurance scam while helping a client, leading him to record a revealing phone call that went viral on TikTok. This unexpected exposure shed light on the differences between term insurance and costly whole life policies, igniting a movement to hold insurance companies accountable. Aguilera's journey from selling insurance to advocating for consumer rights showcases the power of social media in uncovering financial truths.

▶ Listen now

Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin · Caught on Tape: A $100K Insurance Shock Uncovered · Jan 06, 2026

Best Podcast Episodes About TikTok

Top Podcast Clips About TikTok

Top Podcasts About TikTok

Stories Mentioning TikTok

Best Podcast Episodes About TikTok

Top Podcast Clips About TikTok

Top Podcasts About TikTok

Stories Mentioning TikTok

Topics Related to TikTok