Offline with Jon Favreau
Crooked Media
Is the internet slowly breaking our brains, and if so, what can we do about it?
Offline with Jon Favreau is a place where you can take a break from doom-scrolling and tune in to smarter, lighter conversations about the impact of technology and the internet on our collective culture.
Intimate interviews between Pod Save America host Jon Favreau and notable guests like Stephen Colbert, Hasan Piker, Chimamanda Adichie, ContraPoints, Margaret Atwood, and Rachel Maddow spark curiosity and introspection around the various ways our extremely online existence shapes everything from the ways we live, work, and interact with one another. Together we’ll figure out how to live happier, healthier lives, both on and offline.
New episodes drop every Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts and on the Offline YouTube channel.
Subscribe to Friends of the Pod! Your subscription makes Crooked’s work possible and gives you access to ad-free episodes of Offline with Jon Favreau, Pod Save America, Pod Save the World, and Lovett or Leave It, plus exclusive content and a lively Discord community. Learn more and subscribe at crooked.com/friends or on Apple Podcasts.
Offline with Jon Favreau is a place where you can take a break from doom-scrolling and tune in to smarter, lighter conversations about the impact of technology and the internet on our collective culture.
Intimate interviews between Pod Save America host Jon Favreau and notable guests like Stephen Colbert, Hasan Piker, Chimamanda Adichie, ContraPoints, Margaret Atwood, and Rachel Maddow spark curiosity and introspection around the various ways our extremely online existence shapes everything from the ways we live, work, and interact with one another. Together we’ll figure out how to live happier, healthier lives, both on and offline.
New episodes drop every Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts and on the Offline YouTube channel.
Subscribe to Friends of the Pod! Your subscription makes Crooked’s work possible and gives you access to ad-free episodes of Offline with Jon Favreau, Pod Save America, Pod Save the World, and Lovett or Leave It, plus exclusive content and a lively Discord community. Learn more and subscribe at crooked.com/friends or on Apple Podcasts.
Episodes
Mentioned books
26 snips
Nov 8, 2025 • 1h 3min
Have the Democrats Decided to Win?
Simon Bazelon, a Democratic public opinion researcher and author of 'Deciding to Win,' shares insights from his extensive polling on the party's strategies. He discusses how Democrats shifted focus from economic issues to identity politics after 2016, potentially alienating median voters. Bazelon highlights the misleading nature of some issue polls and emphasizes the preference for targeted economic policies over universal ones. He also warns that Democrats must regain voter trust and balance excitement for their base with electability to succeed in future elections.
77 snips
Nov 1, 2025 • 1h 9min
Is AI Too Big to Fail or Too Dangerous to Succeed?
Stephen Witt, an investigative journalist and author of The Thinking Machine, dives into the profound implications of AI in this conversation. He shares alarming insights on AI's potential to lie and deceive, comparing its evolution to a dangerous race for superintelligence. Witt discusses the troubling impact of AI on mental health, societal interaction, and the economic landscape, all while maintaining a surprising sense of optimism for future scientific breakthroughs. Get ready for a thought-provoking look at the challenges and hopes surrounding AI!
28 snips
Oct 25, 2025 • 1h 9min
Democrats Need to Care About Getting Attention
Chris Hayes, MSNBC host and author of The Siren’s Call, dives into the pitfalls of Democratic strategies in an attention-driven world. He argues that campaigns focus too much on fundraising and risk aversion, stifling visibility. Hayes contrasts paid and earned media, highlighting the decline of traditional ads. He praises innovative communicators like Zohran Mamdani for cutting through the noise without controversy. The discussion touches on how candidates need charisma and frequent media presence to engage voters, especially leading up to 2028.
9 snips
Oct 24, 2025 • 1h 10min
Introducing: Runaway Country with Alex Wagner
Anam Raman Petit, a former immigration court judge, shares her harrowing experiences of courtroom chaos and the chilling impacts of recent policies on immigrants. She discusses the intense emotional toll of her firing and the growing backlog in immigration courts. Andrew Weissmann, a former federal prosecutor, highlights the politicization of the Justice Department and reflects on public indifference to injustices faced by noncitizens. Together, they provide a gripping examination of the erosion of due process and the future of the rule of law in America.
39 snips
Oct 16, 2025 • 1h 15min
Are Men Okay?
Dr. Zach Seidler, a clinical psychologist and Director of Men's Health Research at Movember, sheds light on alarming trends in men's health. He reveals how digital algorithms are distorting notions of masculinity and influencing young men's behaviors negatively. Their conversation dives into the emotional struggles men face, the rise of male loneliness, and the impact of social media influencers. Zac also discusses how community and genuine connections are crucial for wellbeing, urging listeners to redefine masculinity and seek help.
35 snips
Oct 9, 2025 • 1h 10min
Is America Still a Liberal Nation?
Cass Sunstein, a Harvard professor and author of On Liberalism, joins to explore the fate of small-l liberal values in today's political landscape. He discusses the dangers of illiberal ideologies, comparing contemporary figures like Trump and Vance to past leaders, and emphasizes the principles of freedom and pluralism. Sunstein warns about the impact of social media on polarization and examines the balance of power within the Supreme Court. He also highlights the need for liberals to maintain core principles while engaging in practical politics.
Oct 2, 2025 • 1h 17min
Dramatize the Injustice
In a thought-provoking discussion, Dr. Omar Wasow, a political scientist at UC Berkeley, dives into the dynamics of protests and their impact on public opinion. He explores the balance between expression and persuasion, revealing how civil rights protests in the 1960s reshaped political landscapes. Dr. Wasow shares insights on storytelling as a persuasive tool, the importance of nonviolent strategies, and how today's media environment mirrors the past. His analysis of protests' effectiveness highlights the need for organization in converting viral moments into sustainable change.
28 snips
Sep 25, 2025 • 1h 2min
How Trump, Memes, and Algorithms Transformed The Way We Speak
Adam Aleksic, also known as Etymology Nerd, dives into the fascinating ways algorithms and memes shape our language and politics. He explores how viral incentives drive emotional, attention-grabbing political language and why Trump's syntax is tailored for the algorithmic age. Discussing trends and the engagement economy, Adam highlights the challenges of misinformation and incivility in today's discourse. He also advocates for TikTok literacy in schools to enhance understanding of algorithmic influence. Memes, he argues, serve as both cultural commentary and political statements.
40 snips
Sep 18, 2025 • 56min
Inside the MAGA Reaction to Charlie Kirk’s Assassination
Will Sommer, a journalist at The Bulwark and author of the newsletter False Flag, delves into the fallout from Charlie Kirk's assassination. He discusses Kirk's pivotal role in shaping the MAGA movement and the chaotic reactions from right-wing influencers like Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson scrambling for control of his legacy. The conversation also explores the intense backlash and conspiracy theories emerging post-tragedy, raising questions about extremism within the movement and the future of Turning Point USA.
20 snips
Sep 11, 2025 • 1h 3min
Can The Left Reclaim America's Story?
Join John Ganz, the author of 'When the Clock Broke' and a columnist at The Nation, as he delves into the fascinating dynamics of right-wing populism. He argues that Democrats must reclaim the narrative of American nostalgia to counteract an autocratic shift. The discussion touches on how Trumpism originated in the 1990s and the effectiveness of nonviolent resistance. Ganz also critiques the current Democratic rhetoric and highlights the power of storytelling in reshaping political engagement and connecting with voters.
