Pivot

Kara and Scott talk about the latest interest rate hike, Mitch McConnell’s health scare, and whether the aliens are finally here or not. Plus, it’s earnings season, and the AI effect is making money moves for Big Tech. Then, should colleges do away with legacy admissions? And a listener question about the future of EV charging. We’ve got some more listener mail episodes coming your way soon, so se...

Kara and Scott discuss a huge weekend at the box office, and Jeff Bezos' renewed interest in The Washington Post. Plus, WTF is Elon doing with his Twitter re-brand? Also, Big Tech agrees to some AI safety commitments, will they be enough? Friend of Pivot Alondra Nelson led the development of the Biden Administration's Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights, she joins us to discuss. You can find Alondr...

Kara's got the latest from the Barbie premiere, where YES she saw Mr and Mrs. Gaetz. Scott has some more thoughts on who the real enemy is in the Hollywood strikes (and it's not him!) The government has Big Tech in its crosshairs with the latest proposed M&A guidelines, Google pitches an AI news writing product, and Scott really does think Trump will drop out. But above all, stick around for the l...

Kara and Scott discuss Tesla’s Cybertruck, Tucker Carlson’s new media company, and a drop in Threads engagement. Also, Bob One’s contract has been extended after a rough first year, and SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher has him in her crosshairs. Plus, Earth is experiencing its hottest days on record. What does that mean for politics and infrastructure? Then we’re joined by Friend of Pivot Ashlee...

Kara and Scott discuss actors joining writers on the picket line, and Ticketmaster vs. Taylor Swift fans, again.* Also, Threads hit 100 million users in just five days, does its success give Mark Zuckerberg a chance to atone for the sins of his other products? Or will Elon Musk just drag him down into a *checks notes* “literal dick measuring contest.” Plus, the FTC is on an antitrust losing streak...

Will Tesla’s Charging network provoke the FTC? Can writers take control of their intellectual property? Can our electrical infrastructure support EV expansion? And what global policies could help us prevent technological disaster? Kara and Scott open the listener mailbag…and find Scott a new nickname in the process. We’ve got some more listener mail episodes coming your way soon, so send us your q...

Kara and Scott discuss Apple hitting a $3 trillion valuation, China announcing export restrictions on minerals used in the production of semiconductors, and GQ pulling an article critiquing David Zaslav. Also: Meta’s Twitter competitor, Threads is officially here and racking in the downloads. A certain someone isn’t so happy about that. Plus, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction to proh...

Kai Ryssdal, the host and senior editor of Marketplace, joins Scott to discuss the state of the economy and his take on the media. We also learn how Kai approaches fatherhood and his thoughts on being a good partner. Follow Kai on Twitter, @kairyssdal.  Scott opens by discussing masculinity, his time at Cannes, and the fact that the number of billionaires in the world has increased five-fold over...

Donald Trump may soon return to Twitter, new F1 team owners, and Wheel of Fortune’s Vanna White wants a raise. Then, psychedelics have a hold on tech industry culture, and the US is considering restrictions on exports of AI chip to China. Plus, a listener question on how local governments can retain talent. Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or via Yappa, at nymag.com/pivot. Lea...

Breaking news: Kara Swisher will not referee the cage match between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. Also, SpaceX is looking to up its valuation, and Meta wants to shut down access to news in Canada. And this weekend’s insurrection in Russia revealed how unequipped social media is to cover breaking news. Plus, an investigation into the Titan submersible implosion may lead to new regulations. Will th...

Kara and Scott are live at Cannes! They discuss Tesla’s market value going up a quarter of a trillion dollars, and Meta letting advertisers know how it’s competing in the AI space. Plus, Twitter’s Head of Ad Sales attended Cannes to assure brands their ads wouldn’t appear near all the bad stuff, and meanwhile GLAAD named Twitter the most dangerous platform for LGBTQ+ people. Then, some questions f...

Nilay Patel, editor in chief of The Verge, talks to Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google and Alphabet about what he thinks of the future of search, and his vision for Google. Listen to more from Nilay in the feed of Decoder with Nilay Patel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kara has a pretty rave review of Apple's Vision Pro, but can she sell Scott on trying it out? Also, E.U is on a tear of technology regulation, including antitrust charges for Google over its advertising practices, and regulation for AI. Plus, Bud Light sales are in a slump following the brand’s handling of the Dylan Mulvaney controversy. And a listener question on what Kara and Scott would do if t...

Trump Heads to Court (Again), Tesla's Autopilot Danger, and Guest Jennifer Pahlka Kara and Scott talk about George Soros' succession plan, Twitter’s new “odd couple,” and Trump's latest legal battle over classified documents. Then Friend of Pivot Jennifer Pahlka stops by to talk about her critically-acclaimed new book, Recoding America: Why Government Is Failing in the Digital Age and How We Can D...

The SEC is coming for crypto’s biggest players, Fox News says Tucker Carlson broke his contract with a new Twitter show, and Chris Licht is out at CNN. Then, Instagram’s algorithms are promoting accounts sharing child sexual abuse material, and the PGA Tour announced a merger with Saudi-backed LIV Golf. Plus, a listener question on Reddit charging for access to its API. Send us your questions! Cal...

The Directors Guild avoids a strike, Amazon may join the wireless market, and tech companies prepare for 2024 by acting like it's 2020. Also, Apple finally unveils its headset. Kara and Scott talk about the weird world of Washington with Friend of Pivot Ben Terris, author of "The Big Break: The Gamblers, Party Animals, and True Believers Trying to Win in Washington While America Loses Its Mind." F...

Elizabeth Holmes goes to prison, the Sackler family escapes liability, and Twitter's valuation drops even lower. Also, Congress votes to raise the debt ceiling, but did Speaker McCarthy get floored? Leading AI scientists and entrepreneurs warn of possible extinction. Kara and Scott weigh the odds. Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot. Learn more about your ad choices....

AI is amazing… or terrifying, depending on who you ask. This is a technology that elicits strong, almost existential reactions. So, as a Memorial Day special, we're running an episode of Recode Media with Peter Kafka that digs into the giant ambitions and enormous concerns people have about the very same tech. First up: Joshua Browder (@jbrowder1), a Stanford computer science dropout who tried to...

Meta will sell Giphy in an antitrust loss, and the man who ran a Twitter account tracking Elon Musk’s private jet is now tracking Ron Desantis. Also, the latest in the culture wars: A Florida school has limited access to Amanda Gorman’s poetry, and Target will remove some Pride merch after a backlash. Plus, Governor Ron DeSantis announced his presidential run on Twitter Spaces… and it didn’t go qu...

The EU deals Meta a record-breaking fine, Jeffrey Epstein reportedly attempted to blackmail Bill Gates, and the debt ceiling is looming closer. Also, Disney is cancelling plans to build a complex in Florida. Kara and Scott discuss ChatGPT and Apple’s AI efforts. Friend of Pivot Chasten Buttigieg joins to discuss coming of age as a young gay man in the Midwest, and the continuing challenges to LGBT...

EU regulators say 'game on' for the Microsoft-Activision deal, WeWork's CEO is stepping down, and the latest call for AI regulation is coming from inside the house. Kara and Scott discuss the weak plan to ban TikTok in Montana. And Elon Musk continues to Elon Musk, saying he’s willing to lose money to say what he wants to say. Also, a prediction about the writer's strike. Listen to On with Kara Sw...

Kara and Scott discuss Taylor Swift's economic impact, and why there are troubles at Disney Plus and Netflix. Meanwhile, over at Twitter: a new CEO, and a censorship controversy. Also, the Trump Town Hall stirs up internal politics at CNN. Our Friend of Pivot, Senator Mark Warner, stops by to talk TikTok, AI, and the Kids Online Safety Act. You can find Senator Mark Warner at @MarkWarner on Twitte...

Tucker Carlson says he's moving to Twitter, Google cuts a deal with the New York Times, and the Biden administration might make airlines pay their customers. Kara and Scott unpack the Trump verdict and CNN town hall, and the charges against Representative George Santos. Friend of Pivot Dan Lyons talks about his book STFU, and why we talk too much. Find Dan Lyons on Twitter, and check out STFU here...

Kara and Scott talk about the coronation, CNN's Trump town hall, and Elizabeth Holmes. Also, Twitter is bleeding blue checks, and Tucker Carlson reportedly spoke to Elon Musk about his next moves. Then, which party will come out ahead in the debt ceiling negotiations?  And, Friend of Pivot Claire Hughes Johnson to talk about what managers get wrong. You can find Claire on Twitter at @chughesjohnso...

Kara and Scott on interest rates, new Airbnb features, and the text that got Tucker Carlson fired. AI CEOs are headed to the White House as the FTC puts the industry in its crosshairs, and Scott redefines LLM. Plus: the growing movement to censor kids' theater programs. Today's Friend of Pivot is Anne Applebaum, staff writer at The Atlantic, with the latest on Ukraine. You can find Anne on Twitter...