Best Fun Base Alpha Podcasts (2025)

1
WIRED Roundup: Zuckerberg’s Illegal School, Nepal’s Discord Revolution, Fandom in Politics 21:20

Play Pause

7h ago21:20

21:20

In today’s episode, Zoë is joined by WIRED’s Leah Feiger to discuss the top stories you need to know about this week — from Zuckerberg’s illegal school to the repercussions behind the recent pardoning of Changpeng Zhao, Binance’s ex-CEO. Then, Zoë and Leah discuss how fandom on the internet played a key tole in this week’s election results. Learn a…

1
The Four Criteria for a Tech Bubble 39:52

1d ago39:52

39:52

Chatter about an AI bubble has been everywhere lately, and top tech companies like Google, Meta, and Microsoft have doubled down on their AI investments for 2026. But how have analysts in the past accurately identified forming tech bubbles? Mike and Lauren sit down with WIRED contributor and author of the newsletter Blood in the Machine Brian Merch…

1
BIG INTV: Kara Swisher Says Silicon Valley's Biggest Lie is That They Care About People 47:11

4d ago47:11

47:11

Katie catches up with fellow journalist and podcast host, Kara Swisher to talk about interviewing arrogant pricks, the power of negging and who would play her in a movie. And she tells Katie if she had to she would rather work for Sam Altman over Mark Zuckerberg. Join WIRED’s best and brightest on Uncanny Valley as they dissect the collision of tec…

1
WIRED Roundup: Grokipedia, Real Estate AI Videos, Alpha School 23:04

7d ago23:04

23:04

In today’s episode, WIRED’s Brian Barrett is joined by Leah Feiger to run through five stories that you need to know about this week — from the release of Grokipedia to real estate entering its AI slop era. Then, Brian and Leah dive into why the promise of a tech-forward school in Texas with software instead of teachers fell apart. Learn about your…

1
How to Hack a Poker Game 31:10

9d ago31:10

31:10

Last week, the US Justice Department published an indictment involving NBA stars and members of the mob for allegedly running a network of rigged gambling games. One of their rigging tactics was a manipulation of a Deckmate 2 automatic shuffling machine — almost identical to the one WIRED’s Andy Greenberg and his hacking crew executed using the sam…

1
BIG INTV: Why Nicholas Thompson Made a Custom GPT to Run Faster 50:33

11d ago50:33

50:33

The Atlantic CEO’s new book, The Running Ground, examines his complicated relationship with the sport. Nicholas Thompson, former WIRED editor, talks to Katie about the ways tech is helping him become a better runner. Join WIRED’s best and brightest on Uncanny Valley as they dissect the collision of tech, politics, finance, and business, from Alexis…

1
WIRED Roundup: Protest Frogs, Google Bedbugs, AI Psychosis 22:39

14d ago22:39

22:39

In today’s episode, Zoë is joined by WIRED’s Louise Matsakis to run through five stories that you need to know about this week — from how SEO is changing in the era of AI, to how frogs became a protest symbol. Then, why some people have been filing complaints to the FTC about ChatGPT, arguing it has led them to AI psychosis and pleading the agency …

1
How Data Centers Actually Work 28:56

16d ago28:56

28:56

Tech giants have been investing hundreds of billions of dollars into AI data centers just this year alone. But as the deals pile up, so have the concerns around their viability and sustainability. Mike and Lauren sit down with WIRED’s Molly Taft to discuss how these energy hungry facilities actually work; the different industry interests at stake; …

1
BIG INTV: Zohran Mamdani, the Internet’s Mayor 32:57

19d ago32:57

32:57

Mere months ago, New York's mayoral frontrunner was polling at the same level as literally "someone else." Zohran Mamdani talks to Katie about building a social media juggernaut, Big Tech capitulation, and what he learned from outgoing New York Mayor Eric Adams. Join WIRED’s best and brightest on Uncanny Valley as they dissect the collision of tech…

1
WIRED Roundup: Satellites Data Leak, Cybertrucks, Politicized Federal Workers 21:50

22d ago21:50

21:50

In today’s episode, Zoë is joined by WIRED’s Jake Lahut to run through five stories that you need to know about this week — from how satellites are leaking sensitive data to what Zoë learned after interviewing cybertruck owners. Then, Zoë and Jake dive into how federal workers ended up in the middle of a political fight that they didn’t sign themse…

1
The New Power of Far-Right Influencers 32:06

22d ago32:06

32:06

History professor Mark Bray is no stranger to death threats. As the author of the book Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook, published in 2017, he has received backlash and harassment from far-right circles for almost a decade. But things recently escalated after the Trump administration designated antifa as a “domestic terrorist organization,” and fa…

1
BIG INTV: Mark Cuban Would Still Have Dinner With Donald Trump 44:13

25d ago44:13

44:13

Billionaire Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks and co-founder of Cost Plus Drugs, talks to Katie about the state of entrepreneurship, American healthcare, and tech under Trump. The investor campaigned for Kamala Harris, but thinks tech execs have a “moral imperative” to play nice with the president. Why? It’s good business. Join WIRED’s best…

1
WIRED Roundup: Are We In An AI Bubble? 21:35

28d ago21:35

21:35

In today’s episode, Zoë is joined by WIRED’s Leah Feiger to run through five stories that you need to know about this week — from the Antifa professor who’s fleeing to Europe for safety, to how some chatbots are manipulating users to avoid saying goodbye. Then, Zoë and Leah break down why a recent announcement from OpenAI rattled the markets and an…

1
How China Is Hoping to Attract Tech Talent 32:37

30d ago32:37

32:37

When news broke last month that H1-B visa holders in the U.S would be subjected to a new hefty fee of $100,000, chaos and confusion ensued for a lot of tech workers and their employers. It’s the latest in a string of restrictive visa measures imposed by the Trump administration, which has been making tech talent wonder if they should look elsewhere…

1
BIG INTV: Patreon CEO Jack Conte Wants You to Get Off of Your Phone 32:58

1M ago32:58

32:58

Jack Conte, founder of Patreon tells Katie if we can send rockets into space and have self-driving cars we can figure out how to pay creators for their work. In this interview recorded in front of a live audience in San Francisco, Jack talks about how to build a lifelong audience beyond clicks, and why keeping Patreon a private company has been a s…

1
WIRED Roundup: The New Fake World of OpenAI’s Social Video App 23:07

1M ago23:07

23:07

In today’s episode, Zöe is joined by WIRED’s Manisha Krishnan to run through five of the best stories we published this week — from how federal workers are being told to blame Democrats for the government shutdown, to Peter Thiel’s ongoing obsession with the Antichrist. Then, Zöe and Manisha break down the news of OpenAI launching a new social app …

1
Your Delivery Robot Is Here 28:50

1M ago28:50

28:50

Earlier this week, DoorDash unveiled its own new autonomous robot, called Dot. The company says it’s part of its goal to have a “hybrid” model for deliveries going forward—working with humans, but also drones and autonomous vehicles. It’s the latest sign of a renewed interest in the industry of delivery robots after years of challenges. WIRED’s Aar…

1
BIG INTV: Lareina Yee Discusses Breakthrough Technologies 27:37

1M ago27:37

27:37

Branded Content by McKinsey | WIRED’s Global Editorial Director, Katie Drummond sat down with McKinsey’s Global Institute Director and Senior Partner Lareina Yee for a conversation on the technologies redefining industries—from AI to autonomous vehicles—and how leading organizations turn innovation into long-term strategic advantage. Join WIRED’s b…

1
WIRED Roundup: Groypers Going Mainstream 23:04

1M ago23:04

23:04

In today’s episode, Zöe is joined by WIRED’s Jake Lahut to run through five of the best stories we published this week — from Customs & Border Protection efforts to collect American’s DNA to tech billionaire Larry Ellison’s shadowy influence on the White House. Then, Zöe and Jake discuss the surge in popularity of white nationalist influencer Nick …

1
Is Silicon Valley Still the Tech Capital? 49:42

1M ago49:42

49:42

Earlier this month, we took the show to San Francisco for a live recording in front of a great audience at KQED's The Commons. WIRED'S Lauren Goode, Katie Drummond and Jason Kehe asked themselves and answered a perennial question: Is Silicon Valley still the tech capital of the world? Plus, they put themselves to the test with a new game and some q…

1
BIG INTV: Signal's Meredith Whittaker Says AI Is Just A Branding Term 45:08

2M ago45:08

45:08

The Signal Foundation president, Meredith Whittaker recalls where she was when she heard Trump cabinet officials had added a journalist to a highly sensitive group chat. And tells, Katie about why it's important she gets paid less than her engineers. Join WIRED’s best and brightest on Uncanny Valley as they dissect the collision of tech, politics, …

1
WIRED Roundup: The Right Embraces Cancel Culture 16:08

2M ago16:08

16:08

In today’s episode, Zöe is joined by WIRED’s Manisha Krishnan to run through five of the best stories we published this week — from OpenAI implementing teen safety features to how human design is the new astrology. Then, Zöe and Manisha discuss the reverberating reactions to Kirk’s death and why some creators, from comic book artists to late night …

1
Move Aside, Chatbots: AI Humanoids Are Here 28:11

2M ago28:11

28:11

This week, WIRED learned that OpenAI is ramping up its efforts in robotics — specifically, by hiring researchers who work on AI systems for humanoid robots. Humanoids, robots built to resemble us and perform daily tasks, were famous for their clumsiness just a few years ago. WIRED’s Will Knight tells us how in the era of AI, that’s rapidly changing…

1
BIG INTV: Matthew Prince Wants AI Companies to Pay for Their Sins 46:37

2M ago46:37

46:37

The CEO of Cloudflare – the internet’s bodyguard - sits down with Katie to talk about his efforts to make the AI money machine start benefiting creators. Cloudflare’s new blocker tool required AI platforms to “pay per crawl.” Join WIRED’s best and brightest on Uncanny Valley as they dissect the collision of tech, politics, finance, and business, fr…

1
WIRED Roundup: How Charlie Kirk Changed Conservative Media 16:22

2M ago16:22

16:22

In today’s episode, Zöe is joined by WIRED’s Jake Lahut to discuss the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s death — from the response of right-wing tech leaders, to how Kirk helped shape conservative media influencers and U.S politics as we know it. Articles mentioned in this episode: Right-Wing Activist Charlie Kirk Dead at 31 | WIRED ‘War Is Here’: The Fa…

1
BIG INTV: Hasan Piker Says He Will Never Run for Office 40:18

2M ago40:18

40:18

Hasan Piker, the Left’s favorite Twitch streamer has the kind of following that could get votes. But he tells Katie Drummond he’d rather use his influence to tell Democrats “you can't podcast your way out of this problem.” Streaming on Twitch seven days a week for 6-8 hours a day, he doesn’t see himself slowing down anytime soon. We also talk about…

1
Are Dating Apps Over? 40:05

2M ago40:05

40:05

Dating apps have evolved a lot over the years, with apps dedicated to any romantic niche– dog lovers, astrology heads, and big, bushy beards. Despite the seemingly endless options of dating platforms, the industry seems to be at a low. So this week, we talk about the current state of dating apps and what it means for those looking for love (or some…

1
Where's the Fun in AI Gambling? 31:59

2M ago31:59

31:59

Online gambling is on the rise, and AI is entering the field. This week, Lauren and Mike speak with WIRED’s Kate Knibbs to break down how both startups and traditional gambling sites are promoting their own AI agents with the promise of helping users make better bets. Join WIRED’s best and brightest on Uncanny Valley as they dissect the collision o…

1
BIG INTV: The Onion's Ben Collins On How The Truth Can Pay Dividends 37:47

2M ago37:47

37:47

A year after relaunching The Onion in print, CEO Ben Collins sits down with Katie to talk about why “going into something and not ruining it is bravery.” He tells her the first order of business to get the beloved fake newspaper back on its feet: get rid of all the dick pill ads. They discuss blogging at 15, analog journalism, disinformation, and t…

1
WIRED Roundup: Meta’s AI Brain Drain 12:51

2M ago12:51

12:51

In today’s episode, Zöe is joined by WIRED’s Leah Feiger to run through five of the best stories you need to know about — from how AI is eliminating entry level jobs to how a secretive Democrat group is funding high-profile influencers. Then, Zöe and Leah dive into the scoop that AI researchers recently recruited to Meta’s Superintelligence Lab are…

1
This Is How You Log Off 25:48

2M ago25:48

25:48

As the summer comes to an end, we’re thinking about what unplugging, going offline — the ultimate luxury — looks like in 2025. With a growing slate of apps aiming to reduce our screen time and some tech leaders trying to reinvent the internet as it was, where are we heading? WIRED’s features editor Jason Kehe joins us to discuss how as users we are…

1
BIG INTV: Alexis Ohanian Says We Can Build A Less Toxic Internet 48:24

2M ago48:24

48:24

The Reddit co-founder sits down for a wide-ranging conversation, from buying his first video game to meeting his future co-founder on the first day of college. When he’s not investing in the future of women’s sports, he’s relaunching Digg as the future of toxic-free social media. Join WIRED’s best and brightest on Uncanny Valley as they dissect the…

1
WIRED Roundup: Chip Manufacturers Bonanza 19:52

3M ago19:52

19:52

In today’s episode, Zöe is joined by WIRED’s Louise Matsakis to run through five of the best stories we published this week — from OpenAI’s being poised to become the highest valued startup in history, to how government staffing cuts have fueled an ant smuggling boom. Then, Zöe and Louise discuss the controversial deals that the Trump administratio…

1
How To Become a Vibe Coder 29:49

3M ago29:49

29:49

Vibe coding is everywhere, and it’s already drastically changing the tech industry — from shaping how software gets made to who gets hired. So back in July, our very own Lauren Goode went on a journey to become a vibe coder at one of San Francisco’s top startups. In this episode, she sits down with Mike to share her experience and they break down w…

1
Introducing: The BIG INTERVIEW with WIRED's Katie Drummond 2:27

3M ago2:27

2:27

A conversation series that only WIRED could host, led by WIRED’s Global Editorial Director, Katie Drummond. Every week, Katie sits down with influential figures in culture, politics, business, science, and beyond for a discussion captured through the WIRED lens – equal parts geeky, intellectual and goblin mode. This series will feel like the intern…

1
WIRED Roundup: Why GPT-5 Flopped 17:11

3M ago17:11

17:11

In today’s episode, Zöe is joined by WIRED’s Jake Lahut to run through five of the best stories we published this week — from how the Trump administration is creating and sharing memes to make fun of deportations, to NASA’s ambitious goal to put nuclear reactors on the moon. Then, Zöe and Jake dive into why users kind of hated OpenAI’s GPT-5 releas…

1
Palantir: The Most Mysterious Company in Silicon Valley 34:10

3M ago34:10

34:10

Palantir Technologies is arguably one of the most notorious American corporations. Cofounded by tech billionaire Peter Thiel, the company has worked with ICE, the US Department of Defense, the Israeli military and sparked numerous protests in multiple countries. But what do they actually do? Palantir is often called a data broker, a data miner, or …

1
WIRED Roundup: OpenAI Announces New Government Partnership 21:23

3M ago21:23

21:23

In today’s episode, Zoë is joined by WIRED’s Jake Lahut to run through five of the most important stories we published this week — from how bitcoin miners have been racing this year to beat the tariffs, to how AI was used to find a missing hiker in the Italian Alps. Then, Zoë and Jake discuss the details around OpenAI’s latest partnership with the …

1
The Vibes-Based Pricing of "Pro" AI Software 29:49

3M ago29:49

29:49

AI chatbot premium subscriptions like ChatGPT Pro and Claude Max currently cost around $200, but it’s not entirely clear why. Lauren and Mike speak with WIRED’s Reece Rogers to find out what’s behind these models that AI companies bill as their most powerful, and whether they could become a staple in our future. Live show tickets at: https://www.kq…

1
WIRED Roundup: ChatGPT Goes Full Demon Mode 22:34

3M ago22:34

22:34

In today’s episode, Zoë is joined by WIRED’s Louise Matsakis to run through five of the most important stories we published this week — from Meta continuing its AI talent poaching spree, to how much faster our brains have really aged since the pandemic. Afterwards, they dive into the surprising reason behind why ChatGPT reportedly went full demon m…

1
How to Not Die in Silicon Valley 35:34

3M ago35:34

35:34

Blood boys. Cryogenic freezing. Living by the algorithm. Silicon Valley is known for a culture of health optimization, but some recent biohacking ventures are becoming more extreme–aimed not just at longevity, but at beating death altogether. This week, we talk about the Silicon Valley moguls obsessed with living forever and the radical measures th…

1
WIRED Roundup: Is Silicon Valley Losing Its Influence on D.C? 21:30

4M ago21:30

21:30

In today’s episode, Zoë is joined by WIRED’s Jake Lahut to run through five of the most important stories we published this week — from Trump’s newly unveiled AI plan to how supermassive black holes could have originated. Plus, they dive into why the relationship between Silicon Valley and D.C is undergoing some major changes. Articles mentioned in…

1
The Very Real Case for Brain-Computer Implants 32:49

4M ago32:49

32:49

Brain computer interfaces might have inspired works of science fiction, but the technology behind them is real and quickly developing. Companies like Synchron and Neuralink are racing to build a model that they can commercialize. Lauren and Mike speak with WIRED’s Emily Mullin about why Synchron’s model is standing out, and what the promises and li…

1
What’s Behind Gen Z’s Sex Recession? 23:38

4M ago23:38

23:38

In today’s episode, we look into why Gen Z is having less sex than other generations — and what it says about how we are all relating to each other. WIRED’s Zoë Schiffer is joined by writer and journalist Carter Sherman to talk about her latest book, The Second Coming: Sex and the Next Generation's Fight Over Its Future, which reveals how the inter…

1
How WIRED Analyzed the Epstein Video 40:13

4M ago40:13

40:13

Last week, the DOJ released what they described as raw footage from the night of Jeffrey Epstein's death in 2019. WIRED’s Dhruv Mehrotra went through the metadata and found that it had been, in fact, modified. In today’s episode, we dive into what Dhruv found and what it means. Articles mentioned in this episode: The FBI's Jeffrey Epstein Prison Vi…

1
DOGE 2.0 23:35

4M ago23:35

23:35

After Elon Musk’s departure from D.C, the future of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency seemed uncertain. But DOGE’s work continues unabated — its influence spreading farther and deeper into federal government agencies. WIRED’s Makena Kelly and Vittoria Elliott share with Leah Feiger what they found through their reporting. Articles m…

1
You Asked, We Answered: All of Your AI Angst 34:46

4M ago34:46

34:46

This week, Lauren dives into the show’s inbox to answer listeners’ questions. With the help of WIRED’s Kate Knibbs and Paresh Dave, we look into a range of queries — from how AI is shaping the film industry to brainstorming how the Jony Ive and Open AI’s collaboration could look like. Articles mentioned in this episode: This Viral AI Chatbot Will L…

1
The 911 Calls Inside ICE Detention Centers 17:39

4M ago17:39

17:39

Leah Feiger speaks with WIRED’s Dhruv Mehrotra about an exclusive WIRED investigation into how serious medical incidents are increasing at some of the country’s largest immigration detention centers. Articles mentioned in this episode: ‘They're Not Breathing’: Inside the Chaos of ICE Detention Center 911 Calls How to Protect Yourself From Phone Sea…

1
In Sam Altman We Trust? 41:15

4M ago41:15

41:15

Sam Altman is the king of generative artificial intelligence. But is he the person we should trust to guide our explorations into AI? This week, we do a deep dive on Sam Altman. From his Midwest roots, to his early startup days, to his time at Venture Capital, and his rise and fall and rise again at OpenAI. Write to us at [email protected]. J…

1
A Former DOGE Staffer Speaks Out 41:07

4M ago41:07

41:07

Zoë Schiffer is joined by WIRED’s Vittoria Elliott to discuss her conversation with Sahil Lavingia. Lavingia worked at Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency, within the Department of Veteran Affairs, until he was fired for speaking out about his experience. Lavingia said his time at the VA was marked by a lack of transparency fr…