Offline with Jon Favreau
Crooked Media
Is the internet slowly breaking our brains, and if so, what can we do about it?
Offline with Jon Favreau is a place where you can take a break from doom-scrolling and tune in to deeper conversations about the impact of technology and the internet on our politics and culture.
Intimate interviews between Pod Save America host Jon Favreau and notable guests like Stephen Colbert, Hasan Piker, Chimamanda Adichie, ContraPoints, Margaret Atwood, and Rachel Maddow shed light on how our extremely online existence shapes the ways we live, work, and interact with one another. Together we’ll take on the most existential questions facing Americans right now, to figure out how to live happier, healthier lives, both on and offline.
New episodes drop every Saturday, wherever you get your podcasts and on the Offline YouTube channel.
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Episodes
Mentioned books
7 snips
Jul 28, 2024 • 55min
Kamala Harris’ Coconut-Pilled Brat Girl Summer
The latest discussions dive into the cultural phenomenon of Kamala Harris memes uniting diverse political factions. There's an exploration of how her candidacy has shifted public perception through meme culture, transforming her image from awkward to relatable. Engaging with social media is highlighted as a pivotal aspect of her strategy, contrasting her authenticity with chaotic opponents. Plus, the podcast examines the alarming trend of Silicon Valley aligning more with Republican ideologies, raising questions about tech's influence in modern politics.
10 snips
Jul 21, 2024 • 57min
Why Kamala Fandom is Rocking the Internet – and the Trump Assassination Isn't
Terrorism scholar J.M. Berger delves into the psychology of violent extremists and the role of the internet in their actions. The episode also discusses the online fandom around Vice President Kamala Harris and the unique support she has garnered, including the rise of the Coconut Coalition advocating for her presidency.
Jul 14, 2024 • 1h 6min
The Biden Reckoning Will Be Tweeted; plus, Interviewing Nazis with Elle Reeve
CNN commentator Elle Reeve discusses her new book 'Black Pill' on the podcast. Topics include white nationalism, alt-right radicalization, male loneliness, and the influence of social media on politics. The conversation also delves into the impact of online extremism and strategies for de-radicalization.
7 snips
Jun 30, 2024 • 54min
Why The Music Industry Is Embracing AI
Guest John Seabrook explores AI's impact on music industry as labels and artists like Drake embrace AI. Discusses AI vs. human creativity, songwriter future with AI, artist payouts, and record industry support for artists.
26 snips
Jun 23, 2024 • 1h 3min
Social Media Warning Labels, LA Kids Go Offline, and the Rise of Slop AI
Jon Lovett takes extreme Offline challenge in Fiji, Surgeon General's warning label for social media proposed by Vivek Murthy, Brian M discusses AI development slowdown and workers organizing against tech. Topics include AI progress plateau, AI monitoring in workplace, effects of automation on skilled workers, challenges of AI integration, and ethical implications in the tech industry.
Jun 16, 2024 • 52min
Have Smartphones Created an Anxious Generation? with Jonathan Haidt
Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt discusses how smartphones are fueling a teen mental health crisis on the podcast. They explore negative impacts on attention spans, relationships, and politics. They also touch on societal pressures, addictive nature of social media, and influence on political trust and polarization.
29 snips
Jun 9, 2024 • 1h 8min
How the Right Won the Internet and How the Left is Fighting Back
Journalist Sasha Issenberg discusses defeating conservatives in a truth-agnostic world with host Jon Favreau. They explore adapting to the Trumpy social media landscape, tackling disinformation, Democratic campaign strategies, countering misinformation, the challenges of online communication, and empowering supporters in a decentralized environment.
Jun 6, 2024 • 49min
How "Wall-E" Reveals Our Changing Feelings Toward Tech
Critic Emily St. James and Crooked’s Halle Kiefer discuss 'WALL-E.' They explore the film's portrayal of technology addiction, fatness, and cancel culture. Themes include human-technology relationships, eco-pocalypse, and changing perceptions of tech brands. The conversation reflects on society's reliance on technology post-pandemic and parallels between 'Wall-E' and modern films.
17 snips
Jun 2, 2024 • 1h 9min
Trump’s TikTok Edge and Why Birds May or May Not Be Real
Peter McIndoe, Birds Aren’t Real founder, discusses the allure of conspiracy theories and the impact of false realities. They also explore TikTok's influence on the election, Google's comical search results, and the 'Birds Aren't Real' movement's growth. The conversation delves into the power of social media activism and mobilizing young people for advocacy.
May 30, 2024 • 1h 15min
How "The Matrix" Created Modern Silicon Valley
Guests Jamelle Bouie and Erin Ryan discuss how 'The Matrix' shaped modern online culture, inspired tech bros, trans allegory, red pill concept, nightmare fan theory, societal interpretations, critique of internet personas, allegorical nature for social media, reimagining the movie for today, living in a simulation, iconic screensaver, reflections on cultural and economic conditions, exploring AI reactions and philosophical concepts.
