Best Grounded Geeks Podcasts (2025)

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257: Meta using tactics similar to those of digital criminals, AI models being developed for US national security, and Spaceballs 2 announced for 2027. with Guests James Riddle, and Nick Espinosa | Air ... 58:40

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2d ago58:40

58:40

Privacy invasions, robot surveillance, and the surprising return of beloved cult classics dominate this week's tech landscape. Meta has been caught red-handed using tactics similar to digital criminals to secretly harvest web browsing data from Android devices through a backdoor approach that even Google wasn't aware of. The technique mirrors malic…

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281 Burn Your Bridges 28:12

3d ago28:12

28:12

This week Shauna and Dan burn all the bridges behind them. And sometimes boats. Or maybe they'll light a river on fire. Bonus: Failure is always an option It's free to join our Patreon, patreon.com/bunnytrailspod On our Patreon you have direct access to reach Shauna and Dan, plus join our weekly chats and polls. Paid tiers have even more perks, lik…

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Fintech Takes: Are Stablecoins a Threat…or Just Better Infrastructure? 1:01:01

3d ago1:01:01

1:01:01

Welcome back to Fintech Takes. I’m Alex Johnson, and today we’re lucky enough to dig into stablecoins (again!) with James Wester, co-head of payments research at Javelin Strategy & Research, who previously led strategic communications for blockchain, crypto, and digital currencies PayPal and served as a market research analyst at IDC. Last time on …

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256: Stapling Your Way to Tech Disaster: GameStop's Switch 2 Fiasco, We Explore Nintendo's Power Play: Ownership, Privacy, and the Future of Gaming as Renter Instead of Owners | Air Date: 6/10 - 6/16/2025 ... 55:32

10d ago55:32

55:32

The concept of ownership is rapidly changing in our digital world, raising alarming questions about whether we truly own the technology we purchase. This episode dives deep into Nintendo's controversial Switch 2 terms of service, which grant them the power to render your console "permanently unusable" if you modify it in ways they don't approve. We…

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280 Upset the Apple Cart 31:41

10d ago31:41

31:41

This week Shauna and Dan try not to upset the apple cart. Bonus: The USA's earliest pen pals, wizardly cats, and Gudrun Lauret's disruptive creators (or possibly creative disruptors) It's free to join our Patreon, patreon.com/bunnytrailspod On our Patreon you have direct access to reach Shauna and Dan, plus join our weekly chats and polls. Paid tie…

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Not Fintech Investment Advice: Nekuda, Vontive, Atticus, & Affiniti 1:07:22

10d ago1:07:22

1:07:22

Welcome back to Not Fintech Investment Advice, where Simon Taylor and I talk about fintech companies that we're definitely not giving investment advice on! We kick things off with Nekuda. Human-not-present is the new card-not-present. Nekuda’s building SDKs (software development kits) for agentic checkout, so your AI assistant can securely store an…

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Interview – Serena and Sarah from The Fort Erie Library at DSBN Fan Con

13d ago

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At the DSBN fan con, Sara J spoke with two wonderful representatives from the Fort Erie library – Serena and Sara. We learned a lot about their library experience.

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255: AI Revolution in Gaming: How Grand Theft Auto 6 Will Change Everything, Plus, A Crypto Kidnapping. Then Amazon's Secret "ZeroOne" Team, and our Feature "LETTERS" Navigating the World of Digital Scams ... 1:01:33

16d ago1:01:33

1:01:33

Step into the future of gaming as we explore Rockstar's groundbreaking AI development for Grand Theft Auto 6. This isn't just another game upgrade—it's a fundamental shift in how virtual worlds respond to players. Imagine NPCs that remember your conversations, environments that evolve organically, and gameplay that adapts to your personal style. We…

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Data centers: The race to power AI 12:47

16d ago12:47

12:47

Leaders worldwide are moving fast to deploy AI at scale. But scaling AI means more data centers—and data centers consume vast quantities of energy. On this episode of The McKinsey Podcast, McKinsey’s Jesse Noffsinger and Pankaj Sachdeva speak with Global Editorial Director Lucia Rahilly about what needs to happen to build new, bigger data centers q…

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279 Flash in the Pan 33:50

17d ago33:50

33:50

This week Shauna and Dan explore the phrase, flash in the pan. Bonus: Hubble taking pictures of long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away, Epic burns of the 1600s, and Texas: the America of America. It's free to join our Patreon, patreon.com/bunnytrailspod On our Patreon you have direct access to reach Shauna and Dan, plus join our weekly chats and …

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Fintech Recap: Chime’s Rorschach Test, Fintech vs. Sand, and Crypto’s Legislative Makeover 1:21:38

17d ago1:21:38

1:21:38

In this week’s episode of Fintech Recap, Jason Mikula and I break down a surprisingly busy run of headlines. The IPO window is open after all: eToro priced above its range, Circle (the issuer of the USDC stablecoin) is eyeing a debut, and we can’t not dig into Chime’s S-1. First up: the S-1 heard round the world. Chime has finally filed to go publi…

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254: Military Veterans Are Becoming Cybersecurity's New Frontline Defenders, AI Claude Opus 4 Model Resorts to Bribery, Netflix's Rescue of Sesame Street, With "Two Truths and a Lie" as our Main Segment ... 58:42

24d ago58:42

58:42

Ready for a technological revolution in how we buy and sell stocks? X Stocks emerges as the disruptor traditional financial institutions fear most. This blockchain-powered trading system allows investors to purchase tokenized versions of real stocks with one-to-one backing, enabling 24/7 global trading regardless of when traditional markets close. …

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278 Pay the Piper 32:29

24d ago32:29

32:29

This week Shauna and Dan explore the phrase, Pay the Piper. Bonus: Multicolored musicians, English History, and Horror Stories It's free to join our Patreon, patreon.com/bunnytrailspod On our Patreon you have direct access to reach Shauna and Dan, plus join our weekly chats and polls. Paid tiers have even more perks, like early access and name reco…

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Fintech Takes: Gambling, Finance, and the Fallout 1:00:43

24d ago1:00:43

1:00:43

Welcome back to the Fintech Takes podcast. I’m your host, Alex Johnson, and today we’re digging into one of the most urgent (and underdiscussed) financial issues in America: gambling. My guest is Alex DeMarco, founder and CEO of MoneyStack, who’s helping reframe gambling addiction not just as a behavioral health issue, but as a financial systems cr…

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Our time at DSBN Fan Con 2025

26d ago

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We were honoured to have a table at a wonderful show called the DSBN Fan Con in Fort Erie on April 26th. We shared a table with our amazing author friend Jen Frankel. Despite the bad weather, we had a … Continue reading →

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Time to revisit your M&A strategy 20:56

30d ago20:56

20:56

M&A activity is down, as is private equity investment, and companies are facing a range of new geopolitical tensions. Still, there is a path to growth through M&A for those companies that maintain an active acquisition strategy, understand their capabilities, and avoid certain assets, says McKinsey Senior Partner Jake Henry. On this episode of The …

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253: AI Gone Wild - Google quietly unveils AI and accessibility upgrades. Phil Hennessy breaks down the unseen power of Large Language Modules. In the nugget, we dig into the secrets behind the upcoming ... 58:03

1M ago58:03

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The boundary between technological innovation and absurdity blurs in this fascinating exploration of AI's growing influence on our lives. We kick off with Google's latest accessibility features for Android and Chrome, where Gemini AI now helps visually impaired users understand images and captures not just what people say, but how they say it—recog…

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277 Throw Down the Gauntlet 28:16

1M ago28:16

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This week Shauna and Dan Throw Down the Gauntlet to see what origin story comes out on top. Bonus: Secret Societies, Wizardless Duels, and 80s movies Dan hasn't seen It's free to join our Patreon, patreon.com/bunnytrailspod On our Patreon you have direct access to reach Shauna and Dan, plus join our weekly chats and polls. Paid tiers have even more…

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Not Fintech Investment Advice: Cardamon, Sprive, Figg, & Glide 54:38

1M ago54:38

54:38

Welcome back to Not Fintech Investment Advice, the podcast where Simon Taylor and I (Alex Johnson) talk through fintech companies we’re intrigued by, puzzled by, and occasionally want to manifest into existence (but definitely not invest in). First up is Cardamon, the cozy-sounding AI copilot tackling the cold, hard world of compliance. They’re bui…

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252: The Arctic World Archive, a place for your data? Who misused $40,000 to fund mobile gaming addictions. Handbags using reconstructed T-Rex DNA. Gwen Way shares the "Interrupt" device, a network testing ... 58:39

1M ago58:39

58:39

Deep beneath the frigid Arctic landscape, humanity's digital legacy sleeps in a vault carved into frozen rock. The Arctic World Archive, nestled in a decommissioned coal mine near the North Pole, represents our most ambitious attempt to preserve crucial data against time itself. With deposits from over 30 countries—including Vatican manuscripts and…

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276 Run into the Ground 28:16

1M ago28:16

28:16

This week Shauna and Dan are feeling run into the ground. Join as they explore the possible origins of this phrase from farming to hunting and nautical to nonsense. Bonus: 17 less ads than Divorce Court in 1961 It's free to join our Patreon, patreon.com/bunnytrailspod On our Patreon you have direct access to reach Shauna and Dan, plus join our week…

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Fintech Takes: What the Hell’s Going On (Bank Regulation, Stablecoins, and Credit) 1:01:27

1M ago1:01:27

1:01:27

Welcome back to Fintech Takes. I’m your host, Alex Johnson, and joining me for his second spin on the podcast merry-go-round is Rob Blackwell (Chief Content Officer at IntraFi and host of the Banking With Interest podcast). There’s a whole lot of what the hell is going on in D.C. right now, so we’re officially codifying this recurring segment as Wh…

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251: OpenAI CEO Warns Courtesy is Costly. Apple Suffers a Courtroom Defeat over App Store Policies. Scammers Weaponize QR Codes to Hijack Phones. Visa Revolutionizes Payments with AI-Driven Wallet Access ... 1:00:26

1M ago1:00:26

1:00:26

A federal judge has just delivered a stunning blow to Apple's App Store dominance, permanently banning the tech giant from charging commissions on purchases made outside their walled garden. This landmark ruling in Epic Games' ongoing legal battle against Apple not only paves the way for Fortnite's return to iOS but signals a fundamental shift in h…

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Don’t get stuck in a rut—update how you operate 18:46

1M ago18:46

18:46

People are asked to update the operating systems on their phones all the time. What if leaders applied that same kind of polishing and bug fixing to themselves? McKinsey research shows that executives who periodically review and revise their priorities, roles, time, and energy tend to be more productive, work more consciously, and drive change more…

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Episode 73: '#1 Happy Family USA' Review 1:26:28

1M ago1:26:28

1:26:28

The Simpsons, South Park, Family Guy, American Dad, and more all-American animated adult tv comedies have graced our screens for decades, mercilessly interrogating the all-American life and if it's all it's cracked up to be. But rarely do we get one of these series from an Arab and Muslim perspective, until now with Ramy Youssef and Pam Brady's #1 …

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275 Pay the Ferryman 31:30

2M ago31:30

31:30

This week Shauna and Dan have to pay the ferryman. Well, not exactly. Bonus: Charon, Commodores, and Chris de Burgh It's free to join our Patreon, patreon.com/bunnytrailspod On our Patreon you have direct access to reach Shauna and Dan, plus join our weekly chats and polls. Paid tiers have even more perks, like early access and name recognition on …

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Fintech Recap: BaaS Breakdown, Super App Déjà Vu, and the Tomo Trainwreck 58:16

2M ago58:16

58:16

Welcome back to Fintech Takes. I’m Alex Johnson, joined by Jason Mikula, and we are once again unable to resist the siren call of Bass Island. Tour we must. First up on BaaS Island, Increase is trying to buy a tiny Washington state bank to build the BaaS Warp Core of the future: tight tech + charter in one stack. We explore what this means for infr…

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274 Mums the Word 32:22

2M ago32:22

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This week Shauna and Dan speak out against the silence with the phrase, Mums the Word. Bonus: Workers Rights, Charley's Men, and Stokyn Lyppis It's free to join our Patreon, patreon.com/bunnytrailspod On our Patreon you have direct access to reach Shauna and Dan, plus join our weekly chats and polls. Paid tiers have even more perks, like early acce…

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Fintech Takes: The Prodigal Return of Frank Rotman; On Financial Nihilism and Rebuilding The Game 57:47

2M ago57:47

57:47

Welcome back to the Fintech Takes podcast. I’m your host, Alex Johnson, and today, one of our favorite guests is making a triumphant return visit—Frank Rotman, founding partner and CIO at QED Investors. Frank has a theory: in his words, the game of life is getting “harder to win.” Debt is piling up, wages are stagnant, and folks are being told they…

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250: Navigating Digital Dangers: From Russian Hacks to Privacy Concerns. TikTok-Driven Phenomenon of "Grounding Sheets" to Nick Espinosa's Breakdown of WhatsApp's Misleading "Privacy Features" along with ... 59:37

2M ago59:37

59:37

The digital landscape is constantly shifting beneath our feet, and this week's deep dive into technology's most pressing issues reveals just how unprepared many of us are for what's coming next. Remember when you bought something and actually owned it? Google's decision to end support for Nest thermostats reminds us that in today's connected world,…

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249: Will We Have an AI Avatar Revolution? Digital Deception Happens With a New Wave of Scams in Person, Then Google is on Trial: Monopolies and Innovation. A New Amazon Holiday: "Amazon Primed, Squared ... 1:00:36

2M ago1:00:36

1:00:36

The line between technological innovation and dehumanization grows increasingly blurred as companies embrace AI solutions that fundamentally alter human interaction. At the forefront of this shift is Otter AI founder Sam Liang, who has developed an AI-powered avatar that attends 90% of his business meetings, complete with voice synthesis mimicking …

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Quantum computing: Game on 24:18

2M ago24:18

24:18

Quantum computing has long been technology’s white whale. But in recent months, new developments suggest practical applications for this elusive technology could finally be within reach. “Quantum has been five to ten years away from fruition for many, many decades,” says McKinsey Partner Michael Bogobowicz. “Now it feels three to five years away.” …

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Bank Nerd Corner: Trust, Charters, and the Cost of Uncertainty 1:02:00

2M ago1:02:00

1:02:00

Welcome back to Bank Nerd Corner, featuring yours truly and—plot twist—not Kiah Haslett. Today we’re flying without our usual co-pilot, but in her place we’ve got Jason Henrichs: CEO of Alloy Labs, Breaking Banks host, and longtime Fintech Takes favorite, first time BNC co-host. Jason knows he can’t out-nerd Kiah (who among us can?), so instead we’…

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RETRO 114 In the Same Boat 32:15

2M ago32:15

32:15

RETRO: This week Shauna and Dan ponder whether or not we are all in the same boat, or if we are just in the same body of water with some people on yachts while others are in little rowboats. Bonus: Egg frying, white-washed war bond ads, and Dan's great-great-grandmothers newspaper Originally aired June 23, 2021 It's free to join our Patreon, patreo…

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EP 248: Klarna has partnered with DoorDash to roll out Buy Now, Pay Later, and it’s stirring up serious debate. OpenAI is suing Elon Musk. Our main segment —LETTERS— is back! A false X post sent the market ... 1:01:40

2M ago1:01:40

1:01:40

When AI turns deadly, who's responsible? This week we explore how a simple "vibe coding" project led to an app generating lethal recipes like cyanide ice cream – highlighting the terrifying lack of safety guardrails in our rush to AI innovation. Meanwhile, financial technology continues its troubling evolution as Swedish firm Klarna partners with D…

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RETRO 118 Bob's Your Uncle 32:25

2M ago32:25

32:25

This week Shauna and Dan get near the bottom of this elusive phrase. Bob's Your Uncle has several origin stories, but there's always been a missing link between the most popular story and the first time it could be verified in print. Well, until now. Check out this breaking news in the world of 130-year-old phrases! Originally aired July 28, 2021. …

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Not Fintech Investment Advice: Ubyx, Codex, Agent AV, & Experian 54:48

2M ago54:48

54:48

Welcome back to Not Fintech Investment Advice, where Simon Taylor and I talk about fintech companies that we're definitely not giving investment advice on! The theme of this episode is infrastructure galore. We kick things off with Ubyx, who are essentially building the Visa for stablecoins–a network of merchants, issuers, and acquirers with a stan…

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The fashion industry faces a world in flux 27:35

2M ago27:35

27:35

One thing is clear for the fashion industry in 2025. Due to climate change, global trade uncertainties, and consumers focused on value, growth is expected to be slow. However, despite the negative environment, McKinsey Senior Partner, Gemma D’Auria says there are opportunities to mine. On this episode of The McKinsey Podcast, she speaks with Global…

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EP 247: TechTime with Nathan Mumm: Gaming Economics with Nintendo Switch 2's Detail, 1.5 Billion Crypto Heists, and Social Media Evolution with Guest Gwen Way Gadget "The Ring Mouse" | Air Date: 4/8 ... 55:27

2M ago55:27

55:27

The battle for TikTok's future heats up as Trump grants a second 75-day extension while major players like Microsoft, Blackstone, and Amazon circle the bidding arena. With 170 million US users hanging in the balance, we unpack the complex negotiations complicated by recent tariffs and international approvals. Nintendo Switch 2's announcement brings…

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273 Shoot for the Moon 34:24

2M ago34:24

34:24

This week Shauna and Dan shoot for the moon! Bonus: A man in a button factory, Debunking internet myths, and Steve Irwin saves the day It's free to join our Patreon, patreon.com/bunnytrailspod On our Patreon you have direct access to reach Shauna and Dan, plus join our weekly chats and polls. Paid tiers have even more perks, like early access and n…

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Fintech Recap: Klarna Goes Public, Mercury Splits, and Lending…Can Hurt 1:04:25

2M ago1:04:25

1:04:25

Welcome back to the Fintech Takes podcast. I’m Alex Johnson, and as always, I’m joined by my partner-in-crime, Jason Mikula. Today, we’re unpacking Klarna’s public debut, the growing rift between Mercury and Evolv, and why getting wrecked might just be the best education in lending First up, the BNPL giant Klarna has finally gone public, filing an …

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More geek themed cereal tasting madness

3M ago

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At long last, we have another couple of geek themed cereal tasting. This time out we try the Wednesday and Squishmallow cereals. Find out which one we loved and which one left a terrible aftertaste. http://wegotthegeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/cereal.mp3

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EP 246: How an AI Tool Helped Uncover a Rare Disease, 23andMe To Sell DNA Data. Then, Elizabeth Bieniek, joins us to share her journey and insights about her book. Plus, we'll explore Signal in depth ... 56:26

3M ago56:26

56:26

A groundbreaking AI application helped pull a hospice-bound patient back from the brink by identifying an unexpected treatment for a rare disease. By analyzing thousands of existing medications for potential side effects that could treat idiopathic multicentric Castleman's disease, researchers discovered a path to remission that human analysis migh…

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Episode 72: "Leila and the Wolves" Review 33:59

3M ago33:59

33:59

In Heiny Srour's 1984 film Leila and the Wolves, Leila and her husband live in London, and are making an exhibit on popular movements in Lebanon and Palestine. However, her husband has conveniently forgotten to include women in these movements. We then follow Leila traversing through history, learning the intricacies of the lives of these various w…

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272 Diamond in the Rough 29:21

3M ago29:21

29:21

This week Shauna and Dan look into diamond in the rough and the two contemporary phases that merged to give us this phrase. Bonus: Dan learns something new, Your hosts accidentally take on the diamond cartel, and Shauna talks about a prison newspaper Copyright 2025 All Rights ReservedBy Shauna Harrison, Dan Pugh

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EP 245: ChatGPT Has Fabricated Horrific False Claim, Our "Letters Segment" and Tech Scams Exposed: PayPal Exploitations That Bypass Spam Filters. Finally, Why Humans Fall for Digital Deception | Air Date ... 59:47

3M ago59:47

59:47

When technology goes wrong, the consequences can be devastating. This episode dives into the disturbing case of a Norwegian man who discovered ChatGPT had fabricated horrific false claims about him—specifically that he had murdered his two sons and served a 21-year prison sentence. His legal complaint against OpenAI raises profound questions about …

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When the career ladder breaks for women—and how to succeed anyway 26:56

3M ago26:56

26:56

Career advancement is tough for everyone—but for women, it can feel particularly elusive. There’s a reason for that, according to the new book The Broken Rung: for every 100 men promoted early in their careers, only 81 women experience that same opportunity. On this episode of The McKinsey Podcast, the book’s authors, McKinsey Senior Partners Kweil…

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271 Public Enemy Number One 35:55

3M ago35:55

35:55

This week is a wild ride as Shauna and Dan explore the phrase Public Enemy No 1. Bonus: Poetic lyrical sons, Al Capone, and that time President Lincoln was taken hostage by... John Dillinger? Told you it would be a wild ride. Copyright 2025 All Rights ReservedBy Shauna Harrison, Dan Pugh

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Fintech Takes: Will Stablecoins Disrupt Retail…or Just Disappear? 57:44

3M ago57:44

57:44

Welcome back to Fintech Takes! I’m Alex Johnson, and today we’re unpacking stablecoins with James Wester, co-head of payments research at Javelin Strategy & Research. James isn’t new to the space—he’s led strategic communications for blockchain, crypto, and digital currencies at PayPal (highly relevant to our conversation!) and has been a market re…

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The Geekly session for the week of March 24th to 29

3M ago

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JStew and Sara J were eating chilli so they decided to talk about some geeky news items. Also a bonus segment called “does JStew really need this DVD in his collection?”