The UnPodcast

In this episode: Anthropic asks job applicants not to use AI, which is rich coming from an AI company. Scott and Alison unpack why scaling interviews strips the human part out of hiring. A study finds students using AI chatbots more often may be learning less, not more. AI layoffs are not delivering the financial magic CEOs keep pretending they will. Kevin O’Leary takes aim at work-life balance, a...

In this episode: The Pope gets hung up on by customer service. Ask Jeeves officially exits the internet. Google turns search into a zero-click AI answer machine. Iceland proves the four-day workweek is not a fantasy. Chipotle says the fix for smaller portions is “just ask for more.” Scott somehow makes this about Subway, lettuce, and sliced ketchup. Listen if you care about customer service rage,...

In this episode: Why “chance of rain” may be destroying everyone’s trust in weather forecasts The deeply upsetting existence of sliced ketchup, also known as k-chup The reminder that every mic is a hot mic, especially when you’re narrating your own crime An AI coding tool allegedly deleted a company’s production database in nine seconds Ontario government staff reportedly using unsecured AI tools...

In this episode: How EA Sports royalties, Delaware, and gamer culture could create unexpected wins for smaller schools Dua Lipa’s lawsuit against Samsung over allegedly using her face to sell TVs Why “our marketing partner did it” is not the magical legal forcefield brands think it is The Peloton mailing-list story that somehow involves porn in the family mail pile Why the first job offer is rarel...

In this episode: Scott makes a strong emotional case for recording the show from an ONroute because, apparently, snacks are now a business strategy. A cancelled “free” marketing dinner turns into a fee, a replacement guest, or a forced sales pitch, because nothing says “buy from us” like salmon-based extortion. Return-to-office mandates are called out for what they often are: control dressed up as...

In this episode: The Seven Syndicate: Scott floats a very UnPodcast plan to let the loyal “Seven” help syndicate the show, because apparently seven listeners can become a distribution empire. Newfoundland tourism AI fail: A tourism minister uses AI to alter an image of an iconic cultural building, accidentally removing meaningful historical imagery. Great start for National Tourism Week. Substack...

In this episode: BC Ferries somehow turns a missing pickle into a full customer-service philosophy, because apparently “nobody gets free pickles” is policy now. Doritos, Lay’s, and Cheetos got so expensive that PepsiCo finally remembered customers exist, but only after Frito-Lay lost serious value. Scott goes off on “greed inflation,” corporate profit, shrinkflation, and why companies should not g...

In this episode: Why Gen Z is going to the movies more than everyone expected, and why phones in theaters should maybe be legally actionable. How streaming-only movies and albums can just disappear forever because apparently permanence was too convenient. A $500,000 tropical company retreat somehow became E. coli, dead tarantulas, Navy SEAL drills, fire ants, and a falling porcupine. A CEO says cr...

In this episode: The McDonald’s CEO blames his mom for the world’s weirdest burger bite, because apparently even billion-dollar burger drama can become a family issue.  Google changes the review rules, because apparently businesses needed a reminder that “please say Brad was amazing” is not organic feedback.  Scott’s hilarious fake testimonial stunt for his own book proves that with enough Fiverr...

In this episode: Why animal shelter adoption data says more about business than most executives do Dropbox treating adults like adults should not feel revolutionary, and yet here we are. “Return to office” keeps pretending it’s about collaboration when it’s really giving control issues a corporate haircut. Ontario’s hiring rules are basically the government stepping in because too many employers r...

In this episode: Why a robot vacuum exposing thousands of cameras is deeply cursed The microwave analogy that perfectly explains AI hype and creative shortcuts How one CEO allegedly used ChatGPT to scheme around a massive payout How smart glasses turned a courtroom into a Black Mirror blooper reel Listen in if you care about: AI ethics, surveillance tech, smart devices, marketing culture, business...

In this episode: Why the infamous “You Wouldn’t Steal a Car” campaign is back in the spotlight Why AI-generated logos, copy, and strategy can create bigger business problems than they solve How marketers are being pressured to adopt AI even when it feels wrong Why Grammarly’s AI “expert” feature sparked major backlash from writers and journalists What businesses lose when they treat art like conte...

In this episode: Why “moist dog food” should never have made it past legal How AI-powered outreach is making bad marketing even worse Why using AI to help people process layoffs is as bleak as it sounds The podcasting shift marketers should absolutely be paying attention to Scott’s “fraudcast” idea for getting comfortable behind the mic before launching a real show Listen in if you care about: Mar...

In this episode of the UnPodcast, we talk about the why Drake is suing UMG because of Influencers, how influencers are reviving bookstores, and how influencers might have gotten scammed out of money. So, it’s mostly about influencers. But there’s more!

In this episode of the UnPodcast, everybody should stay calm because we’re live! We talk about a new thing Scott doesn’t like, Hulu and YouTube unstoppable ads, a grand realization made by Walgreen’s, and why paint drying is funny. All this and more.

In this episode of the UnPodcast, we talk about the release of an unquadrilogy, what is “UnLeadership” and why is it important, a 17-year-old story about “sexy batteries,” and why “No Pain, No Gain” works in the gym, but not in the workplace. All this and more.

In this episode of the UnPodcast, we take some feedback, talk about - surprise - QR codes, some crazy bee talk, the waste of solving problems we don’t have, AI feedback, and why we don’t have guests on the show. All this and more.

In this episode of the UnPodcast, we talk about a weird new trend in hotel room design; both sides of career catfishing; and how AI could be killing your HR Department.  All this and more!

In this episode of the UnPodcast, we talk about how an emoji can be contractually binding; how ill-informed chatbots can cost your company thousands of actual dollars (and millions of dollars in good will); the (hopeful) end of fake reviews; and the most extreme TOS we’ve ever heard of. All this and more!

In this episode of the UnPodcast, we talk about the very real dangers of using the word “charcuterie” irresponsibly; a coming Uncrustables revolution; the difference between working from home during a pandemic and just working from home; and how 100-80-100 is revitalizing office workers in Germany. All this and more!

In this episode of the UnPodcast, we are back and out of practice. We talk about LinkedIn, networks, and community, and how AI is (trying to) destroy them; the secret to a great year, apparently; Seeders and Leeches; and the dangers of chasing the Endorphin Dragon. All this and more.

In today's episode we give fair warning about Scott's new car habit. Hint: It involves braying. We also talk about the Amazon convenience store; Burger King's super fresh ad campaign; Disney and the PTA; a birthday party with a very specific Target; and when you've had enough of Yelp. All this and more!

In today's episode we talk about how Charmin is making the dream a reality. We also talk about standards for phone chargers; how Sonos is making up for a big oops; and incredibly fraudulent ways you can hack your mattress experience. All this and more!

In today's episode we go totally inappropriate. From birthday party issues, to "get out of jail free" cards, less than beauitufl beauty influencers, to IG job interview shaming. All this and more!

In today's episode we talk about some under the radar jackassery. We talk about voicemail pro-tips; Purple Bricks and their fake reviews; why lawyers often have drinking problems; and how Taco Bell is leading the way in managerial retention. All this and more!