ChatGPT has at least 500 million weekly users. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says that number is growing extraordinarily fast.When the chatbot went through an update a couple weeks ago, it brought to light how many users were relying on AI for their emotional wellbeing and even as a companion.People using AI for intimate, personal reasons is a phenomenon that we are only beginning to understand. There are reports of AI inducing delusional thinking and even psychosis. One survey by Sentio University found that 63 percent of people involved said AI improved their mental health.With such a powerful tool being privy to our deepest secrets, what guardrails exist to protect users’ wellbeing and privacy? And why are so many people leaning on artificial intelligence for connection in the first place?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.
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The Gist - Not Even Mad: Rikki Schlott and Isaac Saul
New York Post columnist Rikki Schlott and Tangle founder Isaac Saul join Mike to discuss policing Washington, D.C.—who's in charge, who gets blamed, and why federal takeover is more problem multiplier than solution. Then: scalpel or a chainsaw on the syllabus for higher ed. Plus, using the concept of toxic empathy to explain both a recidivist subway-jacker and a diplomatic move toward Palestinian statehood. In Goat Grinders, air travel with babies, The Naked Gun while lying down, and airlines that lie—but only once you’re already trapped in seat 27B. Produced by Corey Wara
Production Coordinator Ashley Khan
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Federalist Radio Hour - ‘The Kylee Cast’ With Kylee Griswold, Ep. 6: A Word From The Russia Realists
On this episode of “The Kylee Cast,” Federalist Senior Editor John Davidson joins Managing Editor Kylee Griswold to discuss efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Plus, Kylee breaks down the D.C. crime crisis and offers food, leisure, and music recommendations from her New England getaway.
If you care about combating the corrupt media that continue to inflict devastating damage, please give a gift to help The Federalist do the real journalism America needs.
If you care about combating the corrupt media that continue to inflict devastating damage, please give a gift to help The Federalist do the real journalism America needs.
The Bulwark Podcast - Garry Kasparov and Jerusalem Demsas: Democracy Can’t Defend Itself
While Trump keeps working hard on his own monetization and glorification—and delivers a Watergate practically every hour—the pro-democracy coalition must stay focused on winning next year's midterm elections. Trump is at the point of no return, Congress is becoming the only institution that can stop him, and holding onto that lever of power is his top priority. Meanwhile, not only did Trump look weak in Alaska, he also looked unpresidential. Plus, a new publication focused on the threats from the post-liberal right and left.
Jerusalem Demsas and Garry Kasparov join Tim Miller.
show notes
Jerusalem Demsas and Garry Kasparov join Tim Miller.
show notes
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Garry's Substack, "The Next Move"
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Jerusalem's "The Argument"
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Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen slamming the table after losing in June
- Trump comparing himself to Nixon
- Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to joindeleteme.com/BULWARK and use promo code BULWARK at checkout.
Bad Faith - Episode 502 – “Join Us, We’re Libbing Out” (w/ Nathan J. Robinson & Alex Skopic)
Subscribe to Bad Faith on Patreon to instantly unlock our full premium episode library: http://patreon.com/badfaithpodcast
Founder and editor-in-chief of Current Affairs Nathan J. Robinson returns to Bad Faith along with CA associate editor Alex Skopic to discuss the buzz around the new Substack "magazine" The Argument, which makes the case that "liberalism deserves better." This collection of former Atlantic and Vox journalists (including Derek Thompson and Matt Yglasias) has $4 million in backing, has launched with a piece against cash payments to the poor, and is led by a woman who earlier this year famously wrote the case for Democrats to support DOGE. Nathan and Alex weigh in on the battle independent journalism like Current Affairs is waging against well-funded, billionaire-backed media, and whether outlets like The Argument will successfully launder a Newsom 2028 candidacy to the left -- even though Gaza has emerged as a litmus test that has already tripped up Mayor Pete. Why are liberals so damn gullible, why is the left always right before the libs, and why are conservatives so much better at ideological consistency when compared to the empty, superficial takes coming out of liberals? We discuss Zach Beauchamp's latest piece on that very question ("How conservatives help their young thinkers — and why liberals don’t"), along with Alex's "The Left is Always Right Too Early," and CA's takedown of Gavin Newsom.
Subscribe to Bad Faith on YouTube for video of this episode. Find Bad Faith on Twitter (@badfaithpod) and Instagram (@badfaithpod).
The Commentary Magazine Podcast - Here’s Some Stuff We Don’t Like
On another special summer podcast, the crew delves into great works of art that leave us cold or angry or depressed or that we just don't enjoy. Give a listen.
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The Daily - The Right-Wing Provocateur Who Has Trump’s Ear
Warning: This episode contains strong language.
In President Trump’s second term, Laura Loomer has emerged as the most influential outside adviser, telling the president whom to fire and shaping major policy decisions.
Ken Bensinger, who covers media and politics, explains how a social media provocateur became Mr. Trump’s favorite blunt instrument.
Guest: Ken Bensinger, a New York Times reporter covering media and politics.
Background reading:
- Ms. Loomer is Mr. Trump’s blunt instrument.
- Her role in firings at the National Security Council showed a rising sway of fringe figures on the president.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Photo: Greg Kahn for The New York Times
Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
First Things Podcast - The Death of the Oxford Don (ft. Jaspreet Singh Boparai)
In this episode, Jaspreet Singh Boparai joins Rusty Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, "Waugh Against the Fogeys," from the August/September 2025 issue of the magazine.
In the Bubble with Andy Slavitt - Introducing: The Dan Buettner Podcast
We’re excited to share a new podcast from Lemonada Media: The Dan Buettner Podcast. In his groundbreaking Blue Zones research, National Geographic explorer and bestselling author Dan Buettner uncovered the secrets to longevity and happiness from the world’s longest-lived populations. Now, in his new show, The Dan Buettner Podcast, he’s sharing the practical habits, mindsets, and wisdom that can set the stage for a longer, more fulfilling life—at any age.
Dan sits down with extraordinary doctors, explorers, thought leaders, and actors from around the world, including the incomparable actor Laura Dern, a passionate advocate for living well.
You’re about to hear a special sneak peek of their conversation. After you listen, search for The Dan Buettner Podcast in your favorite podcast app or YouTube, or head to https://lemonada.lnk.to/TheDanBuettnerPodcastfd
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
array(3) { [0]=> string(150) "https://www.omnycontent.com/d/programs/796469f9-ea34-46a2-8776-ad0f015d6beb/202f895c-880d-413b-94ba-ad11012c73e7/image.jpg?t=1651590667&size=Large" [1]=> string(10) "image/jpeg" [2]=> int(0) }Tech Won't Save Us - Why Countries Must Fight For Digital Sovereignty w/ Cecilia Rikap
Paris Marx is joined by Cecilia Rikap to discuss how countries’ dependence on US tech companies is harming them and why they need to get serious about digital sovereignty.
Cecilia Rikap is Associate Professor in Economics at University College London and Head of Research at the Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose.
Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Support the show on Patreon.
The podcast is made in partnership with The Nation. Production is by Kyla Hewson.
Also mentioned in this episode:
- Cecilia (and Paris!) worked on a report offering a roadmap to reclaiming digital sovereignty.
- The UK Labour Party forced the chair of the Competition and Markets Authority to step down earlier this year to promote its pro-growth agenda.
- A Microsoft executive told a French Senate committee that it could not guarantee data sovereignty if the US government requested information stored on its servers in Europe.
- Alexandre de Moraes is the Brazilian judge pushing back against big tech.
- The US is sanctioning judges from the ICC (as well as Alexandre de Moraes)