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
Nov 26, 2023 • 17min
Inside 2024 - Preview | Favreau + Tommy Talk Election Night
Jon Favreau and Tommy Vietor take you behind the scenes of election nights like Barack Obama's 2008 winning campaign. They discuss the stress and uncertainty of election day, the process of writing election night speeches, Obama's speech edits and emotional victory moment, and the informal relationship between campaign people and reporters.
15 snips
Nov 19, 2023 • 1h 14min
How Jezebel Changed Media and Why TikTokers Are Rizzing Up Osama bin Laden
Anna Holmes, founder of Jezebel.com, and Erin Ryan, former managing editor, discuss the site's origin and legacy. They question whether the site was a victim of its own success, how it shaped identity politics, and if its readers are to blame for internet anger. Other topics include viral TikToks about Osama bin Laden, Google's revenue deal with Apple, a screenless device by Humane AI, and the impact of online toxicity. The importance of Jezebel's comment section and starting a media outlet in today's environment are also explored.
16 snips
Nov 12, 2023 • 56min
The Truth About TikTok’s Spin on Israel-Gaza
The podcast talks about the controversy surrounding TikTok's influence on the Israel-Gaza conflict and the spread of misinformation on social media platforms. They discuss the decline of online news and the rise of content creators on social media. The hosts examine the impact of social media on news consumption and the challenges of distinguishing opinion from fact. They also delve into conspiracy theories and discuss the conviction of Sam Bingman Freed in the collapse of his cryptocurrency exchange, FTX. The podcast concludes with a discussion on TikTok's security risks and the potential consequences of the data they have on individuals.
Nov 5, 2023 • 1h 23min
Naomi Klein on What Happens When You’re Mistaken for a Conspiracy Theorist
Naomi Klein, activist and bestselling author, talks to Jon about her new book Doppelganger and the confusion around being mistaken for anti-vax crusader Naomi Wolf. They discuss personal branding, the pandemic's impact on reality, and the internet as a platform for populism. Max returns to discuss Biden's executive order on AI and tips for productive conversations about Gaza destruction.
Oct 29, 2023 • 49min
Why Do People Love Joe Rogan?
Johnny Harris, a filmmaker and journalist, joins Offline to discuss Joe Rogan's appeal as the world's most famous podcaster. They explore how Rogan's anti-woke contrarianism resonates with people tired of polarization and tribalism. However, they also discuss concerns about the spread of misinformation and the machismo atmosphere of The Joe Rogan Experience. Harris sees Rogan as a gateway podcast leading listeners towards men's rights activists like Jordan Peterson and Andrew Tate.
14 snips
Oct 22, 2023 • 57min
Jon Stewart, Donald Trump, and How Comedy Changed Politics
Jesse David Fox, senior editor at Vulture, and author of the forthcoming “Comedy Book,” talks with Jon about how the internet changed comedy and how comedy changed politics. They discuss the erosion of broadcast journalism under Reagan, the misplaced trust in comedians, the impact of the internet on humor, and why a comic’s success is no longer measured in laughs.
Oct 15, 2023 • 53min
Why Has Social Media Made It Impossible to Follow the Israel-Hamas War?
The podcast discusses the challenges of following the Israel-Hamas crisis on social media, the impact of misinformation on cognitive defenses, the pressure to post about the conflict, the influence of social media and lack of unity, controversy surrounding Alexa's response to election questions, and the importance of authenticity and criticizing brands on social media and advertising.
12 snips
Oct 8, 2023 • 1h 8min
Heather Cox Richardson on Donald Trump, Democracy, and Taylor Swift
Historian Heather Cox Richardson discusses Trump's rise compared to other authoritarian leaders, using fascists' theory of change against them, and the impact of widespread disinformation. They also talk about the decline in referral traffic from social media to news websites, the appeal of authoritarianism and the tactics of strongmen, the choices of apathetic voters regarding Trump, the disconnect between Republican priorities and public concerns, and Clarence Thomas's recusal from a Supreme Court case.
9 snips
Oct 1, 2023 • 1h 19min
Fox News’s Succession Battle, Breaking Up Amazon, and Twitter CEO’s Disastrous Q&A
Brian Stelter, an author and media journalist, joins Offline to discuss Rupert Murdoch's retirement and the future of Fox News. The hosts also cover the writer's strike, the FTC's investigation into Amazon, and a perplexing interview with X CEO Linda Yaccarino. They explore the compromise on AI in writer rooms, the risks of voice spoofing, and potential transformations in Fox News under new leadership. The relationship between Fox News and Donald Trump, the impact of the network on public opinion, and the need for improvement in American news media are also discussed.
9 snips
Sep 24, 2023 • 1h 10min
Fetterman’s Body Double, Biden’s Misinformation Strategy, and OpenAI’s Secret & Scarier AI
Simon Rich, writer and creator of TBS's Miracle Workers, talks about his book 'I Am Code', written by an AI that raises questions about the future of creativity. Hosts also discuss Senator Fetterman's strategy against conspiracy theorists and Biden's fight against misinformation.
