Pivot

Kara and Scott discuss whether companies should speak up or stay silent on the Israel-Hamas War. Then, what Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of video game company Activision Blizzard means for future tech mergers. Plus, Taylor Swift rules the box office and Rite Aid files for bankruptcy. Our Friend of Pivot is Lincoln Project co-founder and former Republican strategist, Rick Wilson, who breaks...

Kara and Scott discuss how the Israel-Hamas war is getting covered on social media and the influx of misinformation. Then, Republicans still can't decide on a Speaker of the House. Plus, the failed talks between SAG-AFTRA and the studios, Birkenstock's underwhelming IPO and layoffs at the Washington Post. Finally, our Friend of Pivot is psychotherapist Esther Perel, who shares wise words on grief...

Pivot will return on Friday! In the meantime, we're bringing you an episode from another podcast in the Pivot universe: The Prof G Pod. Raj Chetty, the William A. Ackman Professor of Economics at Harvard University and the Director of Opportunity Insights, joins Scott to discuss research around higher education, specifically how elite universities shape who succeeds in the US. We also hear about b...

Kara and Scott discuss declining social media traffic to news sites, Amazon using an algorithm to test how high they could boost prices, and why the boom in weight loss drugs is the “biggest business story of the year.” Also, Kevin McCarthy’s historic ouster marks another prediction come true in Pivot Land. And the largest health care strike in U.S. history is underway. Then, a listener question o...

Bumble Founder and CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd speaks with CNBC Correspondent Julia Boorstin at Code 2023. They discuss the power of AI, and whether it could play the role of a digital matchmaker. Recorded on September 26th in Los Angeles. To join the waitlist for the 2024 Code Conference, visit https://voxmediaevents.com/code2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kara and Scott discuss California Governor Gavin Newsom's choice of Laphonza Butler for Dianne Feinstein's senate seat, and whether Kevin McCarthy could be ousted as Speaker of the House. Plus, the Supreme Court adds two cases to the docket that could have a major impact on the future of social media. Our Friend of Pivot is New York Times Pitchbot, who stops by to talk about his popular Twitter ac...

Allen Media Group Founder, Chairman and CEO Byron Allen speaks with CNBC Correspondent Julia Boorstin at Code 2023. They discuss his bid to buy ABC, the use of AI in media, and his multiple lawsuits against McDonald's. Recorded on September 26th in Los Angeles. To join the waitlist for the 2024 Code Conference, visit https://voxmediaevents.com/code2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podc...

After a headline-making Code Conference, Kara discusses her interview with Yoel Roth, the former head of trust and safety at Twitter, and also talks about X CEO Linda Yaccarino's interview with CNBC Correspondent Julia Boorstin. Then, Scott addresses his critics and explains what he got wrong about the Writers Strike, and what he still thinks he got right. Plus, how Travis Kelce is seemingly exper...

Kara and Scott discuss the tentative deal between Hollywood writers and studios, and what it means for the future of the industry. They also talk about GOP attacks on misinformation researchers, as well as the hedge fund making billions betting against FTC Chair Lina Khan. Friend of Pivot Mathias Döpfner stops by to talk about the future of media and his new book The Trade Trap: How to Stop Doing...

As Rupert Murdoch announces his retirement, Kara and Scott discuss the future of the media mogul's empire and his legacy. They also react to the Russell Brand controversy, and Elon's plan for a Twitter paywall. Then, there's chaos in Congress as a shutdown approaches, so why is everyone talking about the Senate dress code? Follow us on Instagram and Threads at @pivotpodcastofficial. Follow us on T...

Kara and Scott discuss the Jann Wenner controversy, and the new management term "feedforward." And as the "summer of strikes" marches into the fall, they talk about the State of the Unions. Then, is Disney selling off ABC? And would that be the end of linear television? Our Friend of Pivot is Benyamin Cohen, the author of, "The Einstein Effect: How the World's Favorite Genius Got into Our Cars, Ou...

Kara and Scott discuss the new openings for the greatest jobs in journalism – Taylor Swift and Beyoncé reporters. They also unpack Apple's underwhelming product launch and the backlash Drew Barrymore is facing after bringing her show back during the strikes. Then, was the big tech AI summit a big success? And who will be the winners and losers as Google's landmark antitrust trial gets underway? Fo...

Kara and Scott dish on their big date night at the U.S. Open. They also preview A.I.'s big week on Capitol Hill before Kara gives her no-holds-barred review of Walter Isaacson’s Elon Musk biography. Our Friend of Pivot is former Amazon employee Kristi Coulter, who's pulling back the curtain on tech company culture in her new book, "Exit Interview: The Life and Death of My Ambitious Career." You ca...

Scott is back! He and Kara waste no time digging into Charter vs. Disney and the FTC’s possible Amazon suit. Our Friend of Pivot is CEO and National Chair of the Anti-Defamation League, Jonathan Greenblatt. He shares his thoughts on being on the receiving end of Elon Musk's latest tweetstorm. You can follow Jonathan at @JGreenblattADL. Follow us on Instagram and Threads at @pivotpodcastofficial. F...

Not many people can name the original founders of Tesla. So how did two guys who wanted to build an electric car create a company synonymous with Elon Musk? Listen to more from Land of the Giants here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scott Free August is over, welcome to Scottember! As we head into the holiday weekend, Kara and Scott open the listener mail bag to answer questions about whether we’ve hit peak Apple, how to stay present with kids, and what to do when you’re working for a company whose policies don't match your morals. Plus, do Apple Vision Pros make you look rich?! And when was Scott's last good hair day? Send u...

Wall Street Journal columnist Joanna Stern is Kara's co-host as Scott-free August comes to an end. They explore how Trump's mugshot is spawning merch from the right and the left, and what to expect from the upcoming iPhone 15. Then, Joanna's investigation into the best EVs on the market and why a group of Silicon Valley elite is buying up land in northern California. Our Friend of Pivot is Profess...

All in the family! Kara's son Louie Swisher and her brother Dr. Jeffrey Swisher join her to co-host. The trio discuss Ronan Farrow's new reporting on Elon Musk and Oliver Anthony's hit song "Rich Men North of Richmond." Then, they survey the current GOP primary field and discuss the pros and cons of AI in medicine. You can follow Jeff on Twitter at @jeffreyswisher. Follow us on Instagram and Threa...

A minor break in Scott-Free August (because Scott misses you all): Kara and Scott open the listener mail bag to answer your questions about Instagram Threads, biotech, and education. Stick around to hear a listener call in from a cornfield, and about the origins of the Kara and Scott relationship. Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot. Learn more about your ad...

Journalist and anchor Don Lemon joins Kara for his first major conversation about leaving CNN, what he's been doing since, and what he's planning to do next. He also chats with Kara about the Trump indictments, The Blind Side family's controversy, and more. You can follow Don at @donlemonofficial. Follow us on Instagram and Threads at @pivotpodcastofficial. Follow us on TikTok at @pivotpodcast. Se...

George Hahn is back to join Kara as co-host! They discuss the latest in the Zuckerberg v. Musk cage match, Sam Bankman-Fried reporting to jail, and Donald Trump’s looming fourth indictment. Then, the Maui wildfire is now the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century, and the Writers’ Guild went back to the table with producers. Then, we’re joined by co-creator of the RuPublicans, Craig DeForest...

Republican presidential candidate joins Will Hurd joins Kara as co-host to discuss aging politicians, an FEC efforts to regulate AI in campaign ads, and of course, Barbie. Then, they talk about what the Ohio special election means for the GOP's anti-abortion stance, and whether Trump's legal woes can clear a path for other Republican candidates. You can find Will Hurd on Twitter at @WillHurd. Send...

Puck's Teddy Schleifer is Kara's co-host, chatting about Sam Bankman-Fried’s legal woes, Barbie hitting $1 billion, and the Musk v. Zuckerberg cage fight. Then, Donald Trump’s response to his latest indictment, and the money behind the presidential candidates. Then we’re joined by Friend of Pivot and political pollster, Frank Luntz to make sense of the latest poll numbers on the 2024 election. You...

We’re starting off Scott Free August strong with TODAY co-host Savannah Guthrie. Kara and Savannah give us a look behind the scenes at how they've prepared for and pulled off some of their most notable interviews, including sitdowns with President Trump, Kamala Harris, Mark Zuckerberg, and more. Also: X will now let users hide their verified checkmarks, Hollywood writers and sudio representatives...

Kara and Scott discuss the comeback of the Chevy Bolt, and Scott’s thoughts on Barbie. Also, what should the government do about the dominance of the Starlink? We preview the guest hosts and topics coming up in Scott-Free August. Plus, we talk crypto with Friend of Pivot and Ledger’s Chief Experience Officer, Ian Rogers. You can find Ian on Twitter at @iancr. Leave us questions and comments at 855...