Offline with Jon Favreau

Natalie Wynn, known as ContraPoints, explains how she de-radicalizes viewers with right wing politics. They discuss the internet's turn towards fascism in 2017, incentivizing reactionary beliefs, the power of persuasion, balancing seriousness and joy in politics, and cancel culture's impact on personal growth.

Jeff Stein, White House economics reporter at the Washington Post, joins Jon Favreau to discuss the $16 McDonald's meal that captivated the internet and the economic disconnect facing Biden's re-election. They explore why voters still disapprove of Biden's handling of the economy despite positive indicators, the impact of social media on perception, and the difficulties of political messaging during economic frustration.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.