Factually! with Adam Conover

Austin Frerick, an expert on agriculture and antitrust policies, discusses monopolies in the food industry leading to increased costs and lower quality products. Topics include hog barons in the pork industry, impact of agricultural practices, exploitation of labor, environmental concerns like almond milk production, and historical ties between monopolist finance and fascism.

Law professors Leah Litman and Kate Shaw from the 'Strict Scrutiny' podcast join Adam to dissect recent Supreme Court decisions, delving into the erosion of accountability, presidential immunity, climate change, and democracy. They discuss the implications of conservative courts limiting agency power, call for institutional reforms, and analyze the Democratic Party's cautious stance on altering the Supreme Court.

Journalist and influencer Ed Zitron discusses the impending burst of the AI bubble, the hubris of Silicon Valley, and the challenges faced by big tech with AI investments. Topics include the ROT economy, limitations of AI technology, concerns about the tech industry's high valuations, and predictions of a potential burst in the AI bubble with repercussions on the broader economy.

Natalie Wynn, YouTuber behind ContraPoints, discusses gender, conspiracy, and academia’s role in the digital age with Adam Conover. Topics include exploring sexuality through Twilight, controversial themes in the series, connections between philosophy, comedy, and sexuality, gender roles, academic background, content creation challenges on YouTube, protecting personal information, and the value of creativity in media content creation.

Bioscientist Kelly Clancy discusses the essential role games play in development, history, and the natural world. Topics include the evolution of play in animals, the influence of games on society, the impact of war games on empathy, and the appeal of decision-making in games versus real life struggles.

Author Zoë Schlanger enlightens us on the intriguing world of plant intelligence, discussing how plants store information, solve problems, develop social networks, and exhibit adaptive behaviors. The conversation challenges human-centric views, exploring concepts like plant communication, kin recognition, and adaptive behavior. It delves into the moral implications of recognizing plant intelligence and its potential impact on dietary choices and legal perspectives.

Shefali Luthra, author of Undue Burden, discusses the challenges of post-Roe abortion healthcare in America. Topics include personal stories of abortion bans, economic and emotional impacts, unintended consequences, political landscape, Democrats' stance on abortion rights, and the connection between abortion restrictions and IVF access.

Adam Conover discusses with Margot Susca, a professor at American University, how private equity firms have dismantled journalism, leading to a decline in investigative reporting, loss of accountability, and conflicts of interest. They explore the detrimental impact of capitalism on journalism, emphasizing the urgent need for public awareness and regulatory guardrails to address the crisis.

The podcast discusses how Google has transformed from a helpful search engine to an ad-driven platform cluttered with irrelevant content. It explores Google's shift towards advertising, its impact on search results and user experience, and the necessity of antitrust actions to promote a diverse online environment.

Political philosopher Ingrid Robeyns discusses the negative impact of extreme wealth on society, advocating for wealth limitations. Topics include the addictive nature of wealth accumulation, billionaire influence on media and democracy, setting wealth caps for the ultra-rich, and reevaluating societal values. Robeyns' book 'Limitarianism' is promoted at the end.