Keen On America
Andrew Keen
Nobody asks sharper or more impertinent questions than Andrew Keen. In KEEN ON, Andrew cross-examines the world’s smartest people on politics, economics, history, the environment, and tech. If you want to make sense of our complex world, check out the daily questions and the answers on KEEN ON.
Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best-known technology and politics broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running show How To Fix Democracy and the author of four critically acclaimed books about the future, including the international bestselling CULT OF THE AMATEUR.
Keen On is free to listen to and will remain so. If you want to stay up-to-date on new episodes and support the show please subscribe to Andrew Keen’s Substack. Paid subscribers will soon be able to access exclusive content from our new series Keen On America. keenon.substack.com
Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best-known technology and politics broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running show How To Fix Democracy and the author of four critically acclaimed books about the future, including the international bestselling CULT OF THE AMATEUR.
Keen On is free to listen to and will remain so. If you want to stay up-to-date on new episodes and support the show please subscribe to Andrew Keen’s Substack. Paid subscribers will soon be able to access exclusive content from our new series Keen On America. keenon.substack.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 22, 2025 • 52min
The Virtuous Side Of Silicon Valley: How Jimmy Chen is Building Tech to Help the Poorest America
Jimmy Chen, the founder and CEO of Propel, shares his journey from food insecurity to launching an app that aids over 5 million low-income households in managing government benefits. He discusses how his personal struggles inspired a mission to create technology with social impact, challenging the stereotype of tech entrepreneurs. The conversation touches on the disconnection in Silicon Valley, the urgent need for equitable innovations, and how his app empowers SNAP recipients by modernizing outdated systems, proving that tech can indeed serve the poorest Americans.
Jun 21, 2025 • 31min
The Tragic Paradox of Survival in Auschwitz: The Mystery of Primo Levi
Joseph Olshan, a distinguished novelist known for exploring trauma and cultural understanding, dives deep into the life and tragic death of Primo Levi. He discusses the paradox of Levi's survival in Auschwitz contrasted with his later suicide, raising questions about the limits of human understanding. Olshan reflects on personal experiences shaping his literary themes, like witnessing a drowning as a child. The conversation further probes the complexities of suicide, self-knowledge, and how even intimate narratives can leave us unable to fully grasp another's inner world.
Jun 20, 2025 • 37min
A Known Unknown: Harry Freedman on Bob Dylan's Jewish Roots
Harry Freedman, a historian based in London and author of 'Bob Dylan, Jewish Roots, American Soil,' explores the profound impact of Dylan's Jewish upbringing on his art. He argues against the myth of the artist as a tabula rasa, highlighting Dylan's rich cultural heritage that influenced his songwriting and activism. Freedman analyzes Dylan's early efforts to conceal his identity, the shaping of his protest songs by Jewish values, and his complex relationship with musical legends like Guthrie and Seeger, revealing a multifaceted persona thrumming with cultural resonance.
Jun 19, 2025 • 57min
Burning Down The House: Do The Talking Heads Still Matter?
In this discussion, Jonathan Gould, a writer and former musician, reflects on the legacy of the Talking Heads, the quintessential art school band of the 1970s. He reveals how their agnostic approach reshaped rock music, prioritizing artistic evolution over commercial success. Gould emphasizes the band's unique roots in NYC's vibrant cultural scene and how their minimalist performances and the groundbreaking film 'Stop Making Sense' continue to influence modern artists. He argues that their questioning of norms makes them archetypes of alternative rock.
Jun 18, 2025 • 45min
Why Being a 'Good Woman' Is Making Women (and Men) Miserable
Elise Loehnen, a writer and editor, dives into the complexities of being a 'good woman,' exposing it as a 'misery trap.' She argues that societal expectations force women to suppress basic instincts, leading to exhaustion. Loehnen highlights how the seven deadly sins reflect harmful conditioning and discusses the toxic commercialization of the wellness industry. She also explores the Enneagram's potential to help women embrace their full selves and calls for breaking free from victim-villain-hero dynamics in personal relationships.
Jun 17, 2025 • 46min
The Haves and The Have-Yachts: Evan Osnos Explores the Minds of the Ultrarich
Evan Osnos, a Staff writer at The New Yorker and author of "The Haves and Have-Yachts," shares insights on the ultra-rich in America. He highlights how today's billionaires flaunt their wealth in a way that reshapes societal values. The discussion dives into the psychological complexities driving their behaviors, such as an obsession with immortality. Osnos contrasts past and present billionaires, revealing a stark shift in philanthropy and power, while emphasizing the concentration of wealth among a mere 19 individuals who influence our economy and politics.
11 snips
Jun 16, 2025 • 47min
The Vampire Economy: How Private Equity is Sucking the Blood out of the American Dream
Megan Greenwell, an accomplished journalist known for her work as the first female editor-in-chief of Deadspin, dives into the troubling impact of private equity on the American Dream. She reveals how her personal experience with Deadspin's acquisition by private equity companies illuminated broader issues like the debt transfer loophole and the invisible struggle of workers under these firms. Greenwell argues that private equity undermines free market principles, highlighting its role in decimating local economies and essential services, pushing for urgent regulatory reform.
Jun 15, 2025 • 41min
The Company That Ate the Web: Google's Quarter Century Journey from Bridge Builder to Web Destroyer
In this conversation, Keith Teare, co-founder of TechCrunch, dives into the seismic shifts at Google over its 25-year journey. He explains how AI is disrupting the traditional web model, breaking the 'simple bargain' that once benefited both Google and content creators. Teare also highlights the ramifications of AI-driven search, which bypasses links, fundamentally altering how we access information. He questions if the AI revolution might turn the tables and challenge Google's dominance in the digital landscape.
Jun 14, 2025 • 44min
Long Live the NO KING: An Anti-Fascist Handbook on How to Resist Trump
Mark Bray, a historian focused on human rights and political violence, explores the rise of American fascism linked to Trump's MAGA movement. He shares insights on how history’s racist backlash informs modern resistance, drawing connections to anti-fascist activism from the KKK to today. Bray emphasizes the importance of disruption over traditional politics for effective resistance, discusses the complexities of violence in movements, and highlights the impact of social media in organizing against authoritarianism. Happy NO KINGS DAY!
Jun 13, 2025 • 58min
An Existential Threat to American Freedom: Spike Cohen on Donald Trump's Betrayal of Libertarianism
Spike Cohen, a prominent libertarian activist and the Libertarian Party's 2020 vice presidential nominee, shares his views on the essence of libertarianism as the 'principle of human respect.' He critiques both major political parties, emphasizing how government overreach creates societal issues rather than solving them. Cohen also discusses the troubling federal funding schemes that facilitate family separations and argues that Donald Trump has failed libertarian values by expanding government debt and spending, betraying his supporters in the process.
