Decoder with Nilay Patel

Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor and whistleblower, shares his transformative journey from government patriot to privacy advocate. He discusses his motivations for leaking classified info in 2013 and the mislabeling of whistleblowers versus leakers. Snowden critiques the evolution of the internet into a space dominated by surveillance capitalism and warns against the dangers of government overreach. He also highlights the essential role of journalism in holding power accountable and the importance of protecting personal digital rights.

Ben Horowitz, co-founder of the influential venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, dives into tech's evolving landscape and company culture. He discusses the ramifications of SoftBank's massive Vision Fund and why he's skeptical about investing in social or mobile startups today. Horowitz shares insights on Uber’s cultural missteps and highlights the importance of authenticity in workplace values. He emphasizes the need for true inclusivity in tech and critiques superficial diversity initiatives, advocating for meaningful change in company culture.

Bill Kristol, a conservative analyst and director of Defending Democracy Together, discusses the current political crisis with insights on the impeachment efforts against Trump. He warns of a 'crisis of truth' fueled by media and social platforms, stressing the need for election integrity ahead of 2020. Kristol suggests that Trumpism may persist beyond Trump, raising concerns for future elections. He also highlights China's growing technological influence and expresses skepticism about the Republican Party's future viability.

Gary Cohn, former Director of the National Economic Council and ex-chief economic advisor to President Trump, shares insights from his post-administration life. He discusses his investment in a mobile security company focusing on protecting sensitive information and advancing digital wallets. Cohn critiques the overvaluation of companies like WeWork and reassures listeners about the economy's stability despite recession fears. He also reflects on Trump's social media presence and the regulatory challenges facing big tech.

Heidi Schreck, renowned for her play 'What the Constitution Means to Me', digs deep into how the Constitution affects marginalized communities. Sharyn Rothstein and Seema Sueko, creators of 'Right to Be Forgotten', tackle the complexities of online reputation and the rights individuals should have to erase their past misdeeds. Together, they explore the intersection of personal narratives and technological dilemmas, emphasizing storytelling's power in addressing societal issues while considering the evolving nature of communication in the digital age.

Ronan Farrow, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of 'Catch and Kill,' joins the conversation to delve into his groundbreaking work exposing sexual abuse in Hollywood. He shares the challenges he faced while revealing the Harvey Weinstein story, shedding light on the powerful efforts to silence victims. Farrow discusses the systemic issues in media organizations that failed to protect women and offers insights into the ongoing struggle for accountability. He also reflects on the Me Too movement and hints at potential adaptations of his compelling book.

Ken Burns, an acclaimed documentarian known for his deep dives into American history, discusses his latest series on country music. He reveals the genre's storytelling power and highlights the significant contributions of women like Dolly Parton. Burns explores the cultural intertwining within country music, emphasizing its diverse influences and emotional depth. He also introduces his online platform Unum, which curates historical narratives, and shares insights on the technological evolution of documentary filmmaking and hints at exciting upcoming projects.

Brittany Kaiser, former business development director at Cambridge Analytica and whistleblower, shares insights from her book, TARGETED. She narrates her journey from supporting Barack Obama's campaign to realizing the dark side of data usage in politics. Kaiser discusses the ethical pitfalls of online campaigning, the implications of Facebook’s data mishandling during the 2016 election, and warns that the 2020 elections could be even worse. She highlights the urgent need for regulatory reforms to protect democracy from misinformation and data exploitation.

Matt Hulett, president of Rosetta Stone, shares insights from his tech journey as the company shifts from CDs to a user-friendly mobile app. He discusses the challenges of childhood literacy and the importance of personalized education through innovative software. The conversation explores how language learning is evolving globally, emphasizing the role of AI and digital platforms. Hulett also speculates on future technologies that could transform language acquisition, touching on cultural motivations and the significance of maintaining linguistic diversity.

Eric Wu, the CEO of OpenDoor, shares insights on how technology is revolutionizing the real estate market, emphasizing the need for transparency and automation in transactions. He discusses OpenDoor's innovative approach to simplifying home buying and selling. Meanwhile, Victor Cho, Evite's CEO, reflects on the challenges of adapting to digital disruptions reminiscent of Kodak's past. He explores new revenue models for Evite while navigating the evolving landscape of event planning in a competitive market.