Best Brian Merchant Podcasts (2025)

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Andy Levy & Brian Merchant 50:19

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21d ago50:19

50:19

As The World Churns’ Andy Levy examines the fallout from the Trump and Musk feud. Blood in the Machine author Brian Merchant details how AI is already quietly killing job prospects in America. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

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The Story: Selfhood in the Digital Age w/ Vauhini Vara 34:33

15h ago34:33

34:33

Writer and journalist Vauhini Vara has been entangled with the tech world for most of her life — first as a kid in the Seattle suburbs and a college student in the Bay Area, and then as a reporter covering Silicon Valley for The Wall Street Journal. But it wasn’t until she turned to creative writing that Vara began to see just how deeply technology…

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Will Trump's Tariffs Fuel or Foil the Degrowth Movement? 47:52

16h ago47:52

47:52

As Trump’s tariffs kick in, the Republican party is suddenly spouting anti-consumerist rhetoric that would make the Lorax smile. Should we cheer on this accidental experiment in economic shrinkage, or will this ham-fisted set of trade policies cause a backlash against the proponents of degrowth? As political confusion reigns, we offer eco-localism …

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E. Jean Carroll & Bridget Read 30:16

20h ago30:16

30:16

New York Magazine’s Bridget Read details her new book Little Bosses Everywhere: How the Pyramid Scheme Shaped America. Journalist E. Jean Carroll examines her new book Not My Type. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

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NBA Free Agency Roundup. Plus, the Maclean Brothers on Their Journey Across the Pacific Ocean. 1:23:22

1d ago1:23:22

1:23:22

Russillo starts the show by sharing his thoughts on the biggest signings to start free agency (0:48). Then, the Maclean brothers come on to explain why they’re rowing across the Pacific Ocean, how logistics work aboard the boat, and what they’re most looking forward to once they finish (20:27). Plus, Life Advice with Kyle (41:53)! Should I tell my …

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#235 Outliers: Jimmy Pattison — Building a $16B Empire Without Connections, Capital, or Credentials 1:13:12

1d ago1:13:12

1:13:12

At 96 years old, Jimmy Pattison still runs his $16 billion empire personally. He’s built it over 63 years without outside capital or a college degree. He owns 100% of car dealerships, billboards, radio stations—even Ripley’s Believe It or Not—with a philosophy of: "No partners, no shareholders, no relatives." This episode reveals the principles beh…

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Patreon Preview: Mountainhead Exposes the Minds of the Tech Elite 4:36

2d ago4:36

4:36

This is a preview of System Crash’s monthly bonus episode, where Paris and Brian present the first System Crash Culture Club by interrogating the new film Mountainhead and how it gets into the minds of our Silicon Valley oligarchs. To get the full bonus episode, become a supporter on Patreon. Support the show…

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Jacob Silverman, Matthew O’Neill & Perri Peltz 37:08

3d ago37:08

37:08

Substack’s Jacob Silverman examines Trump’s bizarre plan to turn cities into deregulated dystopias. Bloomberg’s Matthew O’Neill and Perri Peltz detail their new documentary Can’t Look Away, about tech’s stranglehold on our children. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

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"4 Questions Journalist Spotlight" with Michelle Hall, Forsyth County News 28:40

4d ago28:40

28:40

This week, our "4 Questions Journalist Spotlight" shines on Michelle Hall, Managing Editor of the Forsyth County News. Coolest Thing About Michelle: Acted and did commercials when she was young and loves dancing and comedy shows! Last Book Read: Nate Bargatzy "Big Dumb Eyes: Stories from A Simpler Mind" Favorite Local Restaurant: PITA Mediterranean…

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Evan Osnos, Meredith Shiner & Rebecca Katz 1:04:44

5d ago1:04:44

1:04:44

The New Yorker’s Evan Osnos examines the petty tantrums of the richest people on Earth and why they’re no longer serving the public the way they once did. Meredith Shiner details her article on why we need to primary every sitting Democrat. Plus, we have a special bonus interview with Democratic strategist Rebecca Katz about how Democrats can win. …

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AI Has Its Day in Court and Tesla’s Robotaxis Are Already a Dangerous Menace in Austin 57:56

6d ago57:56

57:56

This week on System Crash: A court rules Anthropic can train on copyrighted works as long as they’re not pirated, and Elon Musk rolls out Tesla’s Robotaxi service in Austin — with all the problems you’d expect. Plus, Australia’s social media ban for under 16s moves forward, a new Fairphone is coming soon, Brian has a new series, and more! Subscribe…

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159. The Folksinging Anarchist Tradition -- Willi Carlisle 57:24

6d ago57:24

57:24

In celebration of his new album Winged Victory, Folksinger Willi Carlisle joins me to discuss the connections between folk music and leftism, especially anarchism. I love all of Willi's albums. Here's his website: https://www.willicarlisle.com/By Graham Culbertson

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Week in Tech: The Music Industry Strikes Back 35:49

6d ago35:49

35:49

How can you detect AI music? This week in the News Roundup, Oz and Karah unpack the music industry's scramble to build tech that labels AI-generated tracks. And the MIT study that took the internet by storm. On TechSupport, Politico’s Maggie Miller explains how the conflict between Iran and Israel was fought in cyberspace. See omnystudio.com/listen…

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What Were the Pelicans Thinking? Plus, Full NBA Draft Breakdown With Jay Bilas. 1:17:42

6d ago1:17:42

1:17:42

Russillo starts the show by trying to make sense of the Pelicans trading up for Derik Queen (1:56). Then, Jay Bilas comes on to share his favorite picks, what to make of the Nets' five selections, and who tops his big board heading into Round 2 (14:53). Plus, Life Advice with Kyle (47:59)! I’m a sexual athlete but I’m not satisfied with my partner.…

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Chatbots Are Repeating Social Media’s Harms w/ Nitasha Tiku 53:48

7d ago53:48

53:48

Paris Marx is joined by Nitasha Tiku to discuss how AI companies are preying on users to drive engagement and how that’s repeating many of the problems we’re belatedly trying to address with social media companies at an accelerated pace. Nitasha Tiku is a technology reporter at the Washington Post. Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective o…

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Justin Wolfers & David Daley 48:54

7d ago48:54

48:54

Think Like an Economist podcast’s Justin Wolfers examines our newly widened trade deficits. FairVote’s David Daley details why ranked choice voting should be implemented everywhere. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

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The Story: Big Tech, Small Town w/ Yasmin Green 37:53

8d ago37:53

37:53

When Yasmin Green joined Google almost two decades ago, she knew she wanted to focus on the complex problems facing humanity in a technological world – from violent extremism to political censorship. As the CEO of Jigsaw, a unit within Google that’s dedicated to understanding global challenges and applying technological solutions, she’s been able t…

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George Conway & Shannon Watts 46:01

8d ago46:01

46:01

George Conway examines Trump’s disastrous strategy in the Middle East. Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts details her new book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

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Simons-Holiday Trade Thoughts and the Value of a Top-10 Pick. Plus, Kevin Boyle on the Draft. 1:23:06

8d ago1:23:06

1:23:06

Russillo starts the show by looking at the impact that the Anfernee Simons–Jrue Holiday trade will have on both teams (1:54). Then, Kevin Boyle comes on to share what it was like coaching Cooper Flagg, analyze Derik Queen’s game, and explain why he’s stayed at the high school level (18:52). Plus, Life Advice with Kyle (45:14)! Can I mow my lawn shi…

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#234 Indra Nooyi: Lessons from the Top of PepsiCo—and the Cost of Getting There 1:36:38

9d ago1:36:38

1:36:38

On her first day as CEO of PepsiCo, Indra Nooyi fired her general counsel. Then rehired him before dinner. It wasn’t a stunt. It was a signal. She ran a $200 billion empire the same way she ran her life: with surgical precision, uncompromising standards, and an allergy to corporate theater. But here's what separates this conversation from every oth…

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Rick Wilson & Michael Waldman 45:01

10d ago45:01

45:01

The Lincoln Project’s Rick Wilson examines regime change and the potential for a new world war. The Brennan Center’s Michael Waldman details efforts to protect the vote in the midterms. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

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Mary Trump & Randi Weingarten 50:53

12d ago50:53

50:53

The Mary Trump Show’s Mary Trump examines Trump’s devolving mental state. American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten details her departure from the DNC. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

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Pacers Dominate to Force Game 7! Plus, Full NBA Draft Breakdown With Sam Vecenie and Rutgers Coach Steve Pikiell 1:52:39

12d ago1:52:39

1:52:39

Russillo starts the show by looking at how the Pacers were able to dominate in Game 6 (1:55). Then, he’s joined by Sam Vecenie to break down Cooper Flagg’s game, share their favorite prospects, and discuss which team has the most trustworthy front office (13:33). Next, Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell comes on to explain what it was like having two lott…

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The Rise of the AI Military Industrial Complex, Trump’s Scam Phone, and Israel-Iran Slop 48:49

13d ago48:49

48:49

This week on System Crash: A new player is about to take the smartphone world by storm, the AI industry is forging deeper partnerships with the military, and the Iran-Israel conflict is already overrun with AI slop. Plus, Tesla pauses production again, AI is creating problems for libraries, some Danish governments want to get off Microsoft, and mor…

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Week in Tech: There's No Place Like AI 32:20

13d ago32:20

32:20

What does Google Search sound like? This week in the News Roundup, Oz explores Google’s new AI-generated audio summaries — and why a simple question like “what’s two plus two?” triggered a two-minute podcast. Then, Wikipedia tried its own AI experiment and faced backlash from editors. On TechSupport, Semafor’s Reed Albergotti recasts Big Tech as ch…

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Putting the Thunder’s Season in Historical Context With Bob Ryan. Plus, Keegan Bradley From the Travelers Championship. 1:32:07

13d ago1:32:07

1:32:07

Russillo is joined by Bob Ryan to discuss Rick Carlisle’s brilliance, the best NBA teams of all time, and the sale of the Lakers (1:53). Next, Keegan Bradley joins from the Travelers Championship to share his thoughts on his early career, winning a major championship, and the difficulties of the U.S. Open (33:54). Plus, Life Advice With Kyle (51:52…

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Brazil's Battle to Rein In Big Tech w/ Laís Martins 57:52

14d ago57:52

57:52

Paris Marx is joined by Laís Martins to discuss the recent enforcement measures against tech companies like X and Rumble in Brazil, how the country is grappling with the overreach of US tech companies, and the wider discussion about tech policy in Brazil. Laís Martins is a technology reporter at The Intercept Brasil. Tech Won’t Save Us offers a cri…

1
Al Franken & Colonel Bree Fram 43:21

14d ago43:21

43:21

The Al Franken Show’s Al Franken examines how the cruelty of Trumpism is affecting the way the Senate operates. Colonel Bree Fram details Trump’s trans military ban and how it’s impacting the military’s competence and those who serve our country. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

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Blinded by the Light - Facing Reality with Renewable Energy 56:39

15d ago56:39

56:39

Solar panels and other modern energy technologies can be really useful, but the belief that we can technologize our way to a bigger and better society powered by clean energy is tragically flawed. Asher, Rob, and Jason dig into the up-and-down story of the Ivanpah concentrated solar power plant, review the Harry Potteresque thinking behind complex,…

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TechSupport: The Two Sides of Biometric Data w/ Adam Clark Estes 26:44

15d ago26:44

26:44

Adam Clark Estes is a senior technology correspondent at Vox and the author of the User Friendly newsletter. Estes sits down with Oz to discuss Amazon’s expanding use of palm scanners and what that might mean for the future of healthcare and our biometric data. They also dive into Estes’ months-long experiment of trying about a dozen health tracker…

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Josh Marshall & Malcolm Kenyatta 48:23

15d ago48:23

48:23

Talking Points Memo’s Josh Marshall examines how Trump is overplaying his hand with an unpopular agenda. Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee Malcolm Kenyatta details the drama inside the DNC and his vision for the organization. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

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Jalen Williams’s Game 5 Takeover, Canadian Grand Prix Winner George Russell, and Jon Scheyer on Duke’s NBA Draft Hopefuls 1:47:03

15d ago1:47:03

1:47:03

Russillo starts the pod by breaking down the Thunder’s Game 5 win and Jalen Williams's 40-point performance (1:59). Then, he’s joined by George Russell, fresh off his win at the Canadian Grand Prix, to discuss his communication with his team and what he envisions for his future in the sport (17:23). Next, Jon Scheyer comes on to preview next week’s…

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#233 Outliers: Anna Wintour – Vogue 1:12:06

16d ago1:12:06

1:12:06

The job was editor-in-chief. The goal was to become the platform. And she did. Once she made it to the top, she didn’t just edit Vogue. She reinvented the power structures beneath it. This episode unpacks how a British girl who couldn’t type built the most bulletproof career in media, survived five decades of disruption, and made herself indispensa…

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Rick Wilson & James Kimmel 45:19

17d ago45:19

45:19

The Lincoln Project’s Rick Wilson examines the No King Protest, Trump’s sad birthday fascist display, and the rise of political violence. James Kimmel details his new book The Science of Revenge: Understanding the World's Deadliest Addiction—and How to Overcome It. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Patreon Preview: Palmer Luckey Wants to Arm the West With AI Weapons 5:16

17d ago5:16

5:16

This is a preview of System Crash’s monthly bonus episode, digging into Anduril CEO Palmer Luckey’s scary vision for the future of warfare — and how he plans to profit off the whole thing. To get the full bonus episode, become a supporter on Patreon. Support the showBy Paris Marx, Brian Merchant

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Charlie Sykes & Ed Luce 47:27

19d ago47:27

47:27

To The Contrary newsletter author Charlie Sykes examines the escalation of Trump’s actions since his first administration. Ed Luce details his new book Zbig: The Life of Zbigniew Brzezinski, America's Great Power Prophet. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

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Donald Trump and Elon Musk Clash While Protesters Burn Waymos in Los Angeles 47:23

20d ago47:23

47:23

This week on the show: The Donald Trump/Elon Musk feud continues into a second week and protests torch Waymos as Trump ramps up an authoritarian clampdown of Los Angeles. Plus, Ohio state mandates AI use to make undergrads “bilingual” in AI, video game performers have a tentative union agreement, Chinese tech companies are restricting AI tools, and…

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Week in Tech: AI’s Problem Solving Problem 30:16

20d ago30:16

30:16

What’s inside AI’s black box? This week in the News Roundup, Oz unpacks the uncomfortable truth that even the people building today’s AI models often can’t explain how they work — or why they behave the way they do. But that hasn’t stopped tech companies from pushing colleges and universities to embrace chatbots. On TechSupport, 404 Media’s Jason K…

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The Pacers Continue to Find a Way to Win. Plus, a Stanley Cup Check-In With John Buccigross and Justin Williams on the Changes to College Sports. 1:40:52

20d ago1:40:52

1:40:52

Russillo starts the pod by dissecting how Indiana took over late in its Game 3 win (1:56). Then, he’s joined by John Buccigross to discuss what makes the Panthers difficult to defend, the Oilers' goaltender decision, and Connor McDavid’s legacy (18:00). Next, Justin Williams comes on to break down the guardrails that have been placed around NIL mon…

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We All Suffer from OpenAI’s Pursuit of Scale w/ Karen Hao 51:18

21d ago51:18

51:18

Paris Marx is joined by Karen Hao to discuss how Sam Altman’s goal of scale at all costs has spawned a new empire founded on exploitation of people and the environment, resulting in not only the loss of valuable research into more inventive AI systems, but also exacerbated data privacy issues, intellectual property erosion, and the perpetuation of …

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"4 Questions Journalist Spotlight" with Blake DeVine, WANF/Atlanta News First 29:08

21d ago29:08

29:08

This week, our "4 Questions Journalist Spotlight" shines Blake DeVine, a reporter with WANF TV/Atlanta News First. Coolest Thing About Blake: He's got a big A Cappella choir background! Last Podcast: "Acquired" podcast, it goes behind the scenes of the biggest tech IPOs and acquisitions Last Book Read: Dave Ramsey "Total Money Makeover" Favorite Lo…

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158. Tolkien's Romantic Anarchy -- Meredith Veldman 1:01:49

22d ago1:01:49

1:01:49

Everyday Anarchism goes back to where it all began: the romantic anarchism of J.R.R. Tolkien. Meredith Veldman, author of Fantasy, The Bomb, and the Greening of Britain, joins me to talk about the romantic protest underlying The Lord of the Rings. We discuss the romantic quest for reintegration at the heart of the novels, the appeal that romanticis…

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The Story: Are the US and China in a Tech War? w/ Jake Sullivan 43:16

22d ago43:16

43:16

When the Biden administration announced the CHIPS and Science Act back in 2022, it was seen as a pivotal move to boost the US semiconductor industry and maintain America’s leadership in AI development. But the legislation was just one piece of a broader, multi-year strategy to counter China’s AI ambitions — and leading the way was Jake Sullivan, fo…

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Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, Mayor Karen Bass & Jacob Rubashkin 54:59

22d ago54:59

54:59

Inside Elections’ Jacob Rubashkin examines his new report on how the House is shaping up for the midterms. Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries details the status of the Big Beautiful Bullshit Bill. Plus, we have a special bonus interview with L.A. Mayor Karen Bass on the status of Donald Trump unleashing chaos in her city. See omnystud…

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OKC’s Suffocating Defense, Rick Carlisle’s Adjustments, and Reactions to Thibodeau's Firing With P.J. Carlesimo 1:11:07

22d ago1:11:07

1:11:07

Russillo is joined by P.J. Carlesimo to break down what makes the Thunder defense so great, discuss how Rick Carlisle will make adjustments to make the Pacers more competitive, and share their thoughts on the Knicks' firing of Tom Thibodeau (1:53). Plus, Life Advice with Kyle (43:35)! Should I go on a first date in a different country? Check us out…

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#232 Netflix Founder Reed Hastings on Scaling High-Trust Culture & Bold Judgment 1:12:25

23d ago1:12:25

1:12:25

How do you build a high-performance culture without turning your company into the Hunger Games? Reed Hastings, co-founder and former CEO of Netflix, shares lessons from a career spent rewriting the rules—from severance as a management tool to “big-hearted champions who pick up the trash.” In this episode, he reveals how Netflix scaled trust, made b…