Social Media Sobriety | Revamped

What if the biggest problem with modern dating isn't the people using dating apps... but the apps themselves? In this episode of Social Media Sobriety, I sit down with Rik Foote, founder of HAEVN, to explore how technology has transformed the way we build relationships. We discuss why many dating platforms are designed to maximize engagement rather than meaningful connections, and what that me...

What is the real purpose of sports? In this episode of Social Media Sobriety, I sit down with former Olympian and mental performance coach Zach Penprase to discuss the challenges athletes face both on and off the field. We explore the pressure athletes place on themselves, the growing influence of social media in sports, why comparison can be so damaging to confidence, and how parents can best sup...

In this episode, I reflect on my experience building Social Media Sobriety, the surprising relationship between creativity and validation, and the lessons I've learned from putting my work online. From chasing views to finding purpose, this is an honest conversation about what content creation has taught me about attention, technology, and myself. I talk about the tension of building an audien...

What happens when a college student lives on less than 30 minutes of phone use a day? In this episode, I sit down with Claire Debok to talk about intentional living, life without social media, and what it means to build real connection in a world dominated by screens. From deleting distractions and limiting entertainment to learning how to sit with stillness, Claire shares a perspective that feels...

Men and women both use social media every day… but that doesn’t mean they experience it the same way. In this episode, we dive into how social media shapes confidence, validation, relationships, communication, and self-worth differently for men and women in today’s world. From dating apps and comparison culture to attention online and modern expectations, we explore how the internet has quietly ch...

Social media has connected the world… but it has also changed the way we see ourselves. In this episode, I talk about how constant comparison, unrealistic standards, and algorithm-driven content are quietly shaping the way people think, feel, and live. From fitness and relationships to success and self-worth, we’ve reached a point where many people compare their entire lives before breakfast. We d...

Is AI already taking over social media… or are we closer than we think? In this episode, we dive into the rapidly changing world of AI and how it’s beginning to shape everything we see online. From the idea of an AI-only social media platform to the possibility that most content could soon be generated—not created—we explore where this is all heading. We break down: What happens when feeds are dri...

Short-form content is changing your brain—and your attention span. In this episode, I’m joined by former co-host Charles Lachman to break down how TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts are reshaping the way we think, focus, and consume content. Why does scrolling feel addictive? Why is it harder to watch long-form videos? And why does social media feel worse… but keep us hooked? This episode...

In this episode, we break down one of the internet’s most viral and controversial moments—and ask the questions no one else is asking. Was it legal? Was it ethical? And more importantly… should it have ever been shared? We dive into the reality of recording someone in a moment like this, whether a space like that is truly private, and where the law actually draws the line. But beyond legality, we...

What if the most powerful connections aren’t happening online? In this episode, I sit down with Maddie Meyer, the founder of Leftovers With Love — a student-driven initiative turning unused dining dollars into real donations that make a difference. We talk about how her idea started, how she used social media to spread the word… and why the real growth didn’t come from likes or views — it came fro...

What happens when you completely remove social media from your life? In this live episode, I’m breaking down why deleting social media was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made — from mental clarity and focus to relationships, productivity, and overall happiness. We’ll talk about:The hidden impact social media was having on my lifeWhat changed almost immediately after quittingThe hardest part a...

What happens when attention becomes the goal at all costs? Social media doesn’t just reflect reality—it shapes it. I sat down with David Harris to discuss how online platforms can amplify harmful ideas, reward outrage, and push extreme content to the forefront. We break down why this happens, how it affects different communities, and what users can do to be more intentional with what they consume...

What happened to youth sports? In this episode, I break down how the culture around sports has shifted—from development and enjoyment to pressure, anxiety, and performance. Kids today aren’t just playing to get better…they’re often playing not to mess up. We talk about:The rise of anxiety in young athletesThe pressure to win at all costsHow social media and filming are changing the experienceThe r...

Is social media helping you… or quietly hurting your mental health? In this episode, we break down how scrolling can drain your focus, increase comparison, and leave you feeling stuck — even when it feels productive. But it’s not all bad. We also talk about how to turn social media into a tool for motivation, take back your time, and actually start building toward your goals. If you’ve ever felt i...

In this episode of Social Media Sobriety, I sit down with Dr. Becky Achen to break down the psychology and marketing strategies behind social media platforms. Why is it so hard to stop scrolling? Why does the algorithm show us content that makes us emotional or angry? And where is the line between marketing and manipulation? This conversation explores how platforms compete for our attention, how a...

KU journalism professor Steve Bien-Aime joins Social Media Sobriety to discuss media bias, division in society, and the coverage of Iran. We discuss how the media covers major global events, the role journalists play in shaping public perception, and the ongoing tension surrounding coverage of Iran and international conflict. If you've ever wondered why different news outlets seem to tell comp...

Can a relationship survive — or even thrive — without social media? In this episode I answer questions about dating without Instagram, being in a relationship while off social media, and whether posting your partner actually matters. We dive into:How to stay connected in a long-distance relationship without social mediaThe truth about “Happy National Girlfriend Day” and anniversary postsComparing...

What happens when you make history… and the internet finds you overnight? Sam Salz became the first Orthodox Jewish Division I football player — and after one social media post, his story was everywhere. In this episode of Social Media Sobriety , Sam opens up about what it’s really like to go viral overnight. We talk about the pressure of representing something bigger than yourself, dealing with h...

In this episode of Social Media Sobriety, we explore what happens when two completely different relationships with social media collide. Charles Lachman (old co-host of the podcast) never wavered — he deleted it and never looked back. Lauren Richey once hated social media… and now can’t imagine life without it. We talk about:LinkedIn and professional networkingStaying connected with friends after...

In this episode of Social Media Sobriety, my guest, Trevor Butler, opens up about experiencing college burnout, the pressure to constantly push through, and why he quickly left school when he got the chance. We break down how burnout doesn’t always look like failure — sometimes it looks like functioning while completely exhausted. We also explore how social media fuels burnout, from constant compa...

What is it like when social media isn’t just entertainment… but your job? In Episode 2 of Social Media Sobriety, I sit down with Katie Acosta, the social media manager for the University of Kansas baseball team to talk about what really goes on behind the posts you scroll past every day. We get into:⚾ What her day-to-day life looks like running social for a college athletics program📱 How she sep...

Welcome to the new chapter of the SMS Podcast. In this episode, I share a recap of the past year of my life and why this podcast is coming back with a different perspective. I talk about returning to social media — but with purpose. I redownloaded Instagram for professional reasons while serving as the KU Baseball announcer last season, and I used X as a tool to get information faster and stay con...

“This episode features my former cohost; new episodes will be solo with a different format.” We're back -- finally! In this episode, Charles and Tyler discuss their previous semesters, including the delay in episode production, overcoming challenges, and what to do when you find yourself in a slump.

“This episode features my former cohost; new episodes will be solo with a different format.” No phone, no social media, 100% presence. How does that change a person? In today's episode, returning guest Julianna Brandberg talks about her experience working at a summer camp where she had no phone, and the impact it had on her.

“This episode features my former cohost; new episodes will be solo with a different format.” What happens when you don't want to have social media, but it helps you with your job? In today's episode, we have on Ryan Diamond, a sophomore who works for a newspaper and has his own sports podcast, to discuss how he has transformed his social media presence into something extremely beneficial t...