George Takei’s Journey Through Fear, Silence, and Activism
Star Trek legend George Takei has spent a lifetime confronting injustice: his family was sent to internment camps during World War II, he fought for civil rights in the 60’s, and later in life he became an activist in the LGBTQ+ community. Takei talks with Audie about his new graphic book, “It Rhymes with Takei,” a story about the experiences that shaped him, and what they say about patriotism, protest, and the state of American democracy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
3 Juli 26min
Alaska’s Senator: 'You’re Roadkill in the Middle’
Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski spent the past two decades making a name for herself as a Republican who regularly straddles party lines. In a new book, Far from Home, Murkowski delves into her journey navigating hyper-partisan politics -- from the Tea Party to the Trump era. She sits down with Audie Cornish for a conversation about whether there’s still room for pragmatism and consensus-building in the modern-day GOP. Watch this conversation on YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
26 Juni 30min
Can Weight Loss Drugs and Body Positivity Coexist?
Just a few years ago, ‘body positivity’ was everywhere. Then came Ozempic. Audie talks with Virginia Sole-Smith, who spent the past decade writing about ‘diet culture.’ She weighs in on the future of the body positivity in an Ozempic world, and whether the movement and the revolutionary new class of weight loss drugs can coexist. Virginia Sole Smith’s book is called “Fat Talk: Parenting in the Age of Diet Culture.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
19 Juni 33min
Can Protestors Manufacture a Tipping Point?
Protest has long been a tool for change in American life. But in an age of political gridlock and viral outrage, what actually works? Leah Greenberg, co-founder of Indivisible— one of several progressive groups organizing “No Kings Day” protests —joins Audie to talk about their strategy, and how they are preparing considering the Trump Administration’s reaction to ICE protests in Los Angeles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
12 Juni 27min
Is OpenAI Building an Empire or a Religion?
Some companies just build products. Others build empires — with innovative leaders who inspire fierce devotion. But when does innovation become something more like faith? Tech journalist Karen Hao joins Audie Cornish to talk about the rise of Sam Altman, the near-religious culture growing around AI, and what it all means for our future — whether you’re feeling hopeful, skeptical, or somewhere in between. Karen Hao’s book is called Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI Listen to our interview with the CEO of Microsoft AI, Mustafa Suleyman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
5 Juni 35min
Klarna's CEO On Why You Should Buy Now, Pay Later
Should you put your DoorDash burrito on a payment plan? Probably not. But Klarna co-founder and CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski argues the rise of "buy now, pay later" -- or BNPL -- services like his are a good thing. He joins Audie to talk about his “healthier” credit alternative, and whether the rise of BNPL is a sign of larger economic strain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
29 Maj 33min
Explaining Diddy’s Domination and Downfall
As Sean “Diddy” Combs stands trial in New York, the music industry is reckoning with a hard truth: how did he stay untouchable for so long? Music journalist Sowmya Krishnamurthy—who once interned at Bad Boy Records—joins Audie to unpack how hip-hop missed its Weinstein “Me Too” moment. Krishnamurthy is the author of Fashion Killa: How Hip-Hop Revolutionized High Fashion. Get a recap of the Combs trial in your podcast feed, subscribe to "Trial By Jury: Diddy” from CNN Audio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
22 Maj 31min
Why We Believe Crazy S**t —And What We Can Do About It
Conspiracy theories are not new. They’re as old as time itself. But if you feel like they’re everywhere right now, you’re not alone. So, what do you do when somebody you love has fallen down a rabbit hole? CNN’s Donie O’Sullivan has been covering the world of misinformation for more than a decade, but now he's less interested in what people believe than why they believe it. So, he’s trying to find out. Listen to Persuadable and follow The Account from CNN here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
15 Maj 32min
