On the Media

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas's controversial luxury gifts from billionaire Harlan Crow are discussed, highlighting his relationships with money and power. The podcast delves into Thomas's past acceptance of expensive gifts and the implications for his jurisprudence. Progressives are seeking hearings on Thomas, but his position on the court may remain unaffected. The episode also explores the evolution of business activities as speech and the correlation between money and politics.

Judd Legum, author of Popular Information, exposes a right-wing outlet spreading false narratives about President Biden. Mark Joseph Stern discusses factual errors in a Supreme Court decision on guns. Allison Orr Larsen highlights the impact of misleading amicus briefs on Supreme Court rulings and proposes reforms for a more transparent process.

Explore the intricate communication of sperm whales with a phonetic alphabet similar to human languages. Learn about the impact of understanding whale communication on conservation efforts. Hear the inspiring tale of a rescued sperm whale calf named Digit. Discover the power of effective communication in conservation movements and the social behavior of sperm whales.

Cory Doctorow discusses the decline of the internet, antitrust practices, and solutions for a better web. They explore privacy laws, interoperability, and the 'right-to-exit.' The episode also touches on industries immune to 'enshittification.'

Explore the tumultuous times at The Washington Post, from financial woes to leadership turmoil. Delve into allegations of unethical behavior, corporate espionage, and questionable journalistic practices. Uncover the uncertainties and challenges facing one of America's iconic newspapers.

Jonathan Freedland, a Guardian columnist, discusses how US and UK elections influence each other. The podcast explores the British Post Office Scandal, where postal workers were wrongfully prosecuted. The Redstone family's complicated dynamics behind Paramount Global are also explored, shedding light on the media empire's history and internal conflicts.

Exploring the toxic work environment on the set of 'Love Is Blind' reality TV show, with lawsuits revealing lack of sleep, food, and alleged abuse. Discussion on the need for union protections for reality-TV stars to address mistreatment in the industry. Insights on the allure and impact of reality TV on society, labor practices, legal battles, and efforts towards unionization for contestants.

Former disinformation reporter turned CEO of The Onion, Ben Collins, discusses his transition to running a satirical site. They also delve into the Birds Aren't Real movement, the psychological aspects of conspiracy theories, and the use of stories for psychological warfare in American culture.

Jimmy Donaldson, popularly known as Mr. Beast, has become the most subscribed YouTuber with 271 million followers. His clickbaity game-show style videos and extravagant sets have defined this era of YouTube. The history of YouTube's top spot is filled with rivalry, including Mr. Beast overtaking T-Series, setting a new milestone in online content creation.

Trump's guilty verdict in the hush money trial caught some press off guard, but the right-wing media had prepared for it. Trump strategically uses Truth Social to spread talking points to influencers. The rocky history of Trump Media as the latest memestock is discussed. Award-winning photojournalist Lynsey Addario talks about reporting on conflicts abroad and the accuracy of Alex Garland's film 'Civil War'.