
Chris Colin
Writer and editor who has written for the New York Times, the Atlantic, and the New Yorker. Author of the Atlantic article 'That Dropped Call with Customer Service? It Was on Purpose'.
Best podcasts with Chris Colin
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28 snips
Jul 25, 2025 • 44min
EP 313 Chris Colin on Why Customer Service Sucks
Chris Colin, a seasoned writer featured in top publications like the New York Times, shares insights on customer service frustrations, drawing from his Atlantic article. He discusses his own customer service nightmare with Ford, illuminating the systemic issues that create consumer dissatisfaction. The episode digs into the concept of 'sludge' and its bureaucratic barriers, the impact of short-tenured CEOs on service quality, and possible consumer actions. Colin highlights the psychological toll on individuals navigating these challenges and the urgent need for reform.

Jul 14, 2025 • 56min
Is Customer Service a Bad Model?
In this engaging discussion, journalist Chris Colin from The Atlantic dives into the world of customer service, describing the pervasive issue known as 'sludge.' He explores how businesses often design inefficiencies to deter consumer assistance rather than facilitate it. With entertaining anecdotes about harrowing phone menus and frustrating automated systems, Colin reveals the emotional toll on customers. He emphasizes the need for genuine human interaction and solutions to navigational challenges in modern service experiences.