INFLUENCE
Matt Silverman
What does it really take to make a living (and an impact) on the Internet today?Join Matt Silverman (who has been covering online culture for 15+ years) in conversation with YouTubers, musicians, podcasters, streamers, journalists, TikTokers and more about turning creativity into a job, building community on ever-changing platforms, and their complex relationships with huge online audiences.INFLUENCE is the relaunch of 2 GIRLS 1 PODCAST, a weekly comedy/interview show about fascinating online communities, which ran for 7 years and nearly 300 episodes.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 13, 2018 • 1h 10min
45 Twitter Is the Last Social Network Left for Nudists
Most social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube have firm restrictions on nudity. Twitter is much more lax, making it a digital haven for the nudist community. Taylor Lorenz, a journalist for the Atlantic, breaks down the difference between sexual and non-sexual nudity, and the double standards many tech companies have when it comes to the human body. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 6, 2018 • 1h 18min
44 The Grandma Guildmaster of Ultima Online
The multiplayer RPG "Ultima Online" came on the scene in 1997, and it remains a thriving, persistent world to this day, two decades later. Those who prefer the "classic" version host private servers (shards) where longtime players congregate. Alli and Jen speak with Alyssa Schnugg, a grandmother in real life, and a veteran guildmaster in "Ulima Online Forever." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 30, 2018 • 1h 22min
43 Rise of the Airbnb Superhost
Airbnb has completely revolutionized tourism, but the legal and regulatory battles around whom you can rent your room to rage on. Alli and Jen speak with Evelyn Badia, an Airbnb "Superhost" who makes her living by renting her home to strangers -- often while she's still in it. She shares what makes a great host, and how the rise of Trump changed New York tourism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 23, 2018 • 1h 18min
42 Bronies: Combating toxic masculinity, one Little Pony at a time
The reboot of "My Little Pony" has reached fans far beyond the "little girls" demographic. Thousands of adult men self-identify as Bronies: Dudes who love the stories, characters and themes of the whimsical cartoon. Alli and Jen speak with Charlie Worthley, a Brony convention organizer, about this far-reaching community built on acceptance and gender empowerment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 16, 2018 • 1h 4min
41 Bug Facebook: The Unlikely Social Media Home for Insect Lovers
There are Facebook groups for everything -- even jumping spiders. Alli and Jen talk with bug enthusiast and writer Melissa McEwan about the passionate communities that form around insects, insect rights, and cute/terrifying pics of creepy crawlies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 9, 2018 • 1h 7min
40 Ecosexuality: Because Mother Earth is the hottest MILF of all
Most people love the Earth. But some people really LOVE the Earth. You know, in *that* way. Alli and Jen speak with Jennifer Reed, a PhD studying the rise of ecosexuality -- from performance art to sex with trees, and everything in between. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 2, 2018 • 1h 11min
39 Who is Chuck Tingle? Meet the charming king of self-published gay erotica
Erotic author and online sensation Chuck Tingle joins us for a candid conversation about his inspiration for "Pounded In the Butt by My Own Butt" and "Space Raptor Butt Invasion," the idiocy of the Alt-Right, and how the internet transformed his passion for "bud on bud kissing" into a sprawling Tingleverse: Hugo Award-nominated science fiction, a celebrity-powered podcast, and perhaps a feature film. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 25, 2018 • 1h 9min
38 The psychological price we pay for social media
Even while you're sleeping, your social media persona is engaging with the world. This "always on" mentality is shaping the psychology of a generation. Alli and Jen talk to Dr. Leora Trub, a psychology professor at Pace University, who has authored numerous studies about the power our phones have on mental wellness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 18, 2018 • 1h 19min
37 Jediism: A Star Wars religion for your real spiritual life
Small collectives of Star Wars fans all over the world follow the spiritual path of the Jedi. But this isn't about fandom or cosplay. They live, train, and work by the Jedi Code. And while this philosophy is rooted in modern science fantasy, the tenets are not much different from the core of Buddhism or Christianity. Alli and Jen speak with the organizer of California Jedi, Katie Mock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 11, 2018 • 1h 16min
36 Ten facts about internet history you probably don't know
Matt cancels this week's guest and challenges Alli and Jen to the ultimate fan-requested trivia showdown. The stakes could not be higher. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
