Slate Business

Kelsey Weekman, a Senior Entertainment Reporter for Yahoo News, joins the discussion fresh from VidCon 2025, where YouTube made a strong comeback. She contrasts YouTube's consistency with TikTok's rapid rise, delving into why TikTok can't dethrone the video giant. The conversation explores the nostalgic impact of iconic YouTube creators inducted into the Hall of Fame and highlights the evolution of VidCon from casual gathering to influencer mega-event. They also touch upon user experiences across platforms and the vibrant culture of TikTok.

James Frey, a bestselling author and founder of a unique content creation business, delves into the captivating allure of wealth in his new novel, Next to Heaven. He shares insights on how extreme wealth shapes identity and its intoxicating yet destructive nature. The conversation touches on the ethics of wealth accumulation and critiques the careless behavior often found among the rich. Frey also explores the psychological impacts of money, societal expectations, and the complex culture within affluent circles, offering a thought-provoking perspective on ambition and fulfillment.

Joseph Cox, co-founder of 404 Media and co-host of the 404 Media Podcast, dives deep into the unsettling practice of airlines selling passenger data to Customs and Border Protection without consent. He discusses the lack of transparency and ethical concerns surrounding this data transaction. The conversation highlights the troubling implications for personal privacy and the ability of law enforcement to access data without warrants. Public outrage is mounting as consumers realize their travel information is under constant government scrutiny.

The discussion opens with amusing trends in internet culture as audio clips replace traditional music. A viral Love Island moment provides comic relief, juxtaposed with celebrity antics. The spotlight shifts to Partiful, a popular event invite app facing backlash due to its co-founders’ ties to Palantir and ethical concerns over data privacy. The conversation also touches on the challenges of modern event planning and the fading options for suitable invite platforms, raising questions about corporate ethics in tech.

Dive into the world of crypto regulation as the hosts cheer on the Genius Act and its potential impact on stablecoins and payment processing. Discover the surprising pay rise of Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders and the cultural shifts behind it. Enjoy playful banter about AI-generated podcasting, including the creation of digital versions of the hosts. The discussion also touches on the physical demands of cheerleading and the evolving nature of workplace productivity, exploring how AI can help manage modern distractions.

This week: Warner Brothers and Discovery breakup again. Felix Salmon, Emily Peck and Elizabeth Spiers examine the undoing of the three-year-old merger. Then, the hosts discuss runaway AI valuations as Meta spends billions on AI and xAI raises equity off a multi-billion dollar valuation. And finally, what effects are Trump’s aggressive immigration policies having on the economy? In the Slate Plus episode: What happened to happy hour? Want to hear that discussion and hear more Slate Money? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Slate Money show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/moneyplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kate Lindsay and Candice Lim dive into the online workplace drama surrounding a millennial founder’s hot take about 9-to-5 workers. Lindsey Carter is the CEO of SET Active, an influencer-targeted athleisure brand you may have seen on Kaia Gerber and Kendall Jenner. Recently, Carter complained in a now-deleted TikTok about office workers who leave right when the clock strikes 5 p.m. This is not the first time Carter has come under fire for questionable workplace practices, but this time, she’s Substacking through the backlash and letting this become a marketing moment. And while posting through workplace drama may help her brand go viral, what will it do to her workers and their morale? Also, why CEOs should turn off the microphones and put some headphones on. This podcast is produced by Vic Whitley-Berry, Daisy Rosario, Candice Lim, and Kate Lindsay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Money Talks: Felix Salmon is joined by Barry Lam, host of Slate’ philosophy podcast Hi-Phi Nation to help him explain how the GOP sees the budget deficit in the “Big Beautiful Bill” using philosophical arguments.  Want to hear that discussion and hear more Slate Money? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Slate Money show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/moneyplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Jessamine Molli and Cheyna Roth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After years of bigger floats and bigger rainbow-ified logos, corporate sponsorship for Pride Month celebrations is dropping off this year. But, given that Pride is the commemoration of an uprising against police harassment, maybe that’s a good thing. Guests:   Christina Cauterucci, Slate senior writer and the host of Outward, Slate’s podcast about LGBTQ+ life, and Slow Burn: Gays Against Briggs. Tessa Skara, comedian, musician, host of annual comedy show “Corporate Pride.” Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Ethan Oberman, Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, Isabel Angell, and Rob Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater inherited the government’s antitrust case against Google and is eager to follow it through—but likely not for the same reasons as her predecessors.  Guest:  Nancy Scola, reporter and contributing writer at POLITICO.  Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices