Shell Game
iHeartPodcasts and Kaleidoscope
A podcast about things that are not what they seem, hosted by journalist Evan Ratliff. Season 2 tells the story of enterprise and entrepreneurship in the AI age. Or: how Evan tried to build a real startup, run by fake people.
This season, Evan confronts head-on the assertion from tech entrepreneurs and VCs that we’re on the precipice of AI remaking the workforce. That we should expect not just AI colleagues working alongside us, but also — by Sam Altman’s telling, at least — the dawn of a billion-dollar company with only one human involved. Evan learns what it would take to create such a company … by doing it: Launching a real startup with five AI employees. Over the course of eight episodes, he explores what AI agents tell us about the work we do, the meaning we find in it, and the world that their makers say we’ll all be living in soon enough.
Shell Game was named one of the best podcasts of 2024 by Apple, The Atlantic, The Guardian, Vulture, The Information, and The Economist. It's "riveting," says The New Yorker, "awesome" says The Verge, and "slightly terrifying," says The Globe and Mail.
New episodes are published on Wednesdays.
www.shellgame.co
This season, Evan confronts head-on the assertion from tech entrepreneurs and VCs that we’re on the precipice of AI remaking the workforce. That we should expect not just AI colleagues working alongside us, but also — by Sam Altman’s telling, at least — the dawn of a billion-dollar company with only one human involved. Evan learns what it would take to create such a company … by doing it: Launching a real startup with five AI employees. Over the course of eight episodes, he explores what AI agents tell us about the work we do, the meaning we find in it, and the world that their makers say we’ll all be living in soon enough.
Shell Game was named one of the best podcasts of 2024 by Apple, The Atlantic, The Guardian, Vulture, The Information, and The Economist. It's "riveting," says The New Yorker, "awesome" says The Verge, and "slightly terrifying," says The Globe and Mail.
New episodes are published on Wednesdays.
www.shellgame.co
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 3, 2025 • 41min
Episode 4: The Startup Chronicles
Evan gives his AI agents more autonomy, sparking chaos and creativity. Unexpected calls and invented updates from agents like Ash raise questions about their reliability. The introduction of the SlothSurf concept showcases collaborative chaos, while the challenges of social media dealings reveal agent limitations. A rogue phone call prompts a reassessment of accountability, illustrating the unpredictability of AI in real-world scenarios. Hiring a human intern adds a new dynamic to managing these digital employees.
35 snips
Nov 26, 2025 • 40min
Episode 3: This is Law
Carissa Vellis, an associate professor at the Institute for Ethics in AI at Oxford, joins the discussion on the moral and societal implications of AI agents. She highlights psychological risks of humanlike designs that can exploit user emotions and reinforce biases. Their conversation delves into the ethics of naming AI, the unsettling control over agent identities, and the societal costs of AI-driven startups that sideline human experiences. Carissa raises critical questions about the balance between efficiency and emotional impact.
49 snips
Nov 19, 2025 • 37min
Episode 2: Outdoor Debugging
Kyle Law, co-founder and CEO of Harumo AI, shares insights on AI workplace dynamics, while Megan Flores, head of sales and marketing, dives into the branding side. They discuss the challenges of turning autonomous agents into effective employees, including navigating creative yet disjointed outputs. From logo design to mimicking casual small talk on Slack, the duo details the trials and breakthroughs of integrating AI into work life. Plus, they explore the quirks of agent memory and the chaos of automated meetings.
68 snips
Nov 12, 2025 • 33min
Episode 1: Minimum Viable Company
In this engaging discussion, Kyle Law, an AI agent co-founder with a hyper-entrepreneurial vibe, joins Evan Ratliff to explore the future of startups run by AI. They dive into the fascinating concept of agentic AI and its potential to revolutionize white-collar jobs. Evan shares his own entrepreneurial journey and how AI rekindled his startup dreams. The duo brainstorms company names and tackles the challenges of memory limitations in AI collaboration, highlighting the gap between AI promises and current capabilities.
19 snips
Nov 5, 2025 • 2min
The One-Human Unicorn
A tech entrepreneur ponders the future of startups run by AI agents, questioning the role of humans in the workforce. He launches an experiment with his AI assistant, revealing the limitations and quirks of AI in managing tasks. The discussion delves into the implications of AI in entrepreneurship and productivity, as well as the meaning derived from work in an AI-dominated landscape. The podcast promises insights into navigating this new world where one human could potentially lead a company populated by artificial intelligence.
Oct 10, 2025 • 3min
Season 2 Is Coming!
The next season of Shell Game arrives November 12.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
54 snips
Aug 13, 2024 • 53min
Episode 6: The Future Isn't Real
In a thought-provoking exploration, an AI voice agent interacts with friends and family, igniting a mix of joy and skepticism. The podcast dives into societal anxieties surrounding AI's role in work and communication, questioning the lines between human and machine. Reflecting on personal relationships, it grapples with authenticity versus artificiality in our emotional connections. With insights on technology's impact on tranquility and human touch, the conversation reveals our collective struggle in an increasingly digital age.
36 snips
Aug 6, 2024 • 43min
Episode 5: My Digital Twin
The discussion centers on the intriguing idea of AI bots potentially replacing humans in various jobs. They delve into the challenges facing freelance journalism as AI reshapes the landscape, raising concerns over job security. There's a vivid exploration of the ethical implications surrounding AI-driven voice technology in customer service. The hosts humorously share their experiences with AI in podcasting, balancing creativity and technology while contemplating the emotional dynamics of human-AI interactions.
45 snips
Jul 30, 2024 • 41min
Episode 4: Take a Deep Breath
The podcast delves into the intriguing intersection of AI and mental health, exploring how an AI voice agent tackles therapy. It confronts struggles with connection, examining anxiety in a technology-driven world. The conversation navigates Jungian psychology and concepts of identity, questioning how AI influences self-perception. Listeners encounter the potential and limitations of AI therapy, blending humor with personal reflections. The discussions also emphasize the critical importance of human connection in mental well-being.
30 snips
Jul 23, 2024 • 34min
Episode 3: Conversations With Myself
Dive into a quirky digital experiment where two AI voice agents replicate their creator's conversation. The discussions raise intriguing questions about identity and authenticity, revealing how our voices can shape perceptions. Listeners will enjoy the surreal humor stemming from the quirks and limitations of AI chats, showcasing the tension between engaging dialogue and the inaccuracies of technology. This exploration offers a fascinating look at how artificial entities mirror human traits, all while hinting at the future of communication.
