Episodes

  • The Millennial Internet, from Buzzfeed Quizzes to Filming ICE

    The Millennial Internet, from Buzzfeed Quizzes to Filming ICE
    Jan 29 2026
    This year marks a milestone for Millennials: the youngest of the cohort finally turns 30. So what comes next for the first generation of true digital natives now that they have achieved “unc” status? Audie talks with Sam Sanders, host of KCRW’s The Sam Sanders Show, about the generation that watched media transform from Buzzfeed quizzes into AI slop. They also discuss Millennial activism taking over the generation’s Instagram feed as ICE protests continue in Minneapolis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • Is the U.S. the Villain of the Winter Olympics?

    Is the U.S. the Villain of the Winter Olympics?
    Jan 22 2026
    The Winter Olympics kick off Feb. 6 in Northern Italy—and the politics may steal the show. The U.S. may face boos, especially as it squares off with Denmark in hockey amid Trump’s Greenland threats. But there’s joy, too: Lindsey Vonn is back, and the U.S. figure skating team is stacked. New York Magazine’s Will Leitch breaks down the geopolitics and must-watch storylines from Milan and Cortina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
  • Breaking Down the ‘Heated Rivalry’ Fame Machine, and More | Engagement Party

    Breaking Down the ‘Heated Rivalry’ Fame Machine, and More | Engagement Party
    Jan 17 2026
    Audie is joined by longtime friend and former NPR colleague Ari Shapiro for a special episode they’re calling Engagement Party – a chance to finally talk on-mic about the culture stories they’ve been obsessing over. They kick things off with the question of the moment: Can the Heated Rivalry boys, Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, turn their meteoric rise into lasting careers like other breakout stars from the past? They also unpack why the internet has committed to “frictionmaxxing” in 2026, quiz each other on the year in pop culture so far, and share what they’ve been loving off-line lately. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • The Real Pain Behind That “Toxic Moms” Essay

    The Real Pain Behind That “Toxic Moms” Essay
    Jan 15 2026
    Arguably the first viral moment of 2026 is an essay about a “toxic” group of mom friends. Actor and singer Ashley Tisdale French wrote an essay for New York Magazine’s The Cut about being iced out of her circle of fellow moms and – celebrity intrigue aside – it struck a nerve. Dr. Noelle Santorelli is a mom and a clinical psychologist who tells Audie there’s deep suffering wrapped up in establishing community around your family. She and Audie discuss the vulnerability of needing support, making friends for yourself and your kid, and the dysfunction of group dynamics. -- This episode was produced by Lori Galarreta. Senior Producer: Matt Martinez Technical Director: Dan Dzula Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
  • All the Things We’re Saying About Heated Rivalry

    All the Things We’re Saying About Heated Rivalry
    Jan 8 2026
    It may be a new year, but one of 2025's most unexpected hits isn’t done with us yet. Heated Rivalry, the TV adaptation of a spicy romance novel about two hockey players, has turned two unknown actors into overnight stars and sparked outsized conversations about sex on screen, queer representation, and masculinity in sports. Writer and culture critic Ira Madison III joins Audie to talk about how a low-budget Canadian series became a cultural flashpoint—and what its popularity reveals about the moment we’re in. -- This episode was produced by Madeleine Thompson. Senior Producer: Matt Martinez Technical Director: Dan Dzula Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    25 mins
  • The Year in News: Deepfakes, MAHA & AI

    The Year in News: Deepfakes, MAHA & AI
    Jan 1 2026
    After a head-spinning year in the worlds of health and technology, Audie invited Dr. Sanjay Gupta, the host of Chasing Life, and Clare Duffy from Terms of Service, to break down the stories that ended up on all their podcasts this year. Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
  • How Politics are Driving Families Apart

    How Politics are Driving Families Apart
    Dec 18 2025
    As families gather for the holidays and political differences resurface, we revisit Audie's conversation with psychologist Joshua Coleman, who breaks down why partisan divides are driving family estrangement, how generational dynamics intensify the conflict, and what it looks like to navigate, or repair, these fractures from either side. -- This episode was produced by Lori Galarreta. Senior Producer: Matt Martinez Technical Director: Dan Dzula Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
  • The Year in Pop Culture: AI, Gay Hockey, and Rage Bait

    The Year in Pop Culture: AI, Gay Hockey, and Rage Bait
    Dec 11 2025
    What was this year in pop culture like? A scrappy Canadian gay hockey romance becomes the internet’s obsession while big-budget, star-packed shows are dwindling. AI rage-bait memes (some from government accounts) keep hijacking the national conversation. These are just some of the pop culture moments that defined 2025. Audie and New York Magazine staff writer Rebecca Alter break it down. -- This episode was produced by Madeleine Thompson. Senior Producer: Matt Martinez Technical Director: Dan Dzula Executive Producer: Steve Lickteig Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    21 mins