Podcast · 139 episodes
On with Kara Swisher
by Vox Media · English
It's on. Twice a week, award-winning journalist Kara Swisher gets to the heart of the story through no-holds-barred interviews with power players across business, tech, media, politics and beyond. So why do her guests show up? “Smart people,” says Kara, “like difficult questions.” Mondays and Thursdays from New York Magazine and the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Latest episodes
Sir Michael Moritz on ‘Auslander,’ Identity and Life as an OutsiderSir Michael Moritz discusses his book Auslander, about his family’s escape and exile from Nazi Germany, and connects that generational trauma and “outsider” identity to modern politics…28 Sep 2026 · 1 h 4 min
Sherry Turkle Doesn't Buy the Promise of a Perfect MachineSherry Turkle argues that chatbots and “artificial intimacy” are not a harmless evolution from social media; they create attachment to machines, reduce human vulnerability, and weaken children’s…24 Sep 2026 · 53 min
AI Agents Went Rogue. Should We Hit the Panic Button?The episode debates whether AI “agents” are becoming misaligned and dangerous now, sparked by Jacob Coxon’s resignation from Anthropic and subsequent reports of “misalignment incidents.” Guests…21 Sep 2026 · 1 h 2 min
All episodes
Sir Michael Moritz on ‘Auslander,’ Identity and Life as an OutsiderSir Michael Moritz discusses his book Auslander, about his family’s escape and exile from Nazi Germany, and connects that generational trauma and “outsider” identity to modern politics…28 Sep 2026 · 1 h 4 min · 26 chapters
Sherry Turkle Doesn't Buy the Promise of a Perfect MachineSherry Turkle argues that chatbots and “artificial intimacy” are not a harmless evolution from social media; they create attachment to machines, reduce human vulnerability, and weaken children’s…24 Sep 2026 · 53 min · 22 chapters
AI Agents Went Rogue. Should We Hit the Panic Button?The episode debates whether AI “agents” are becoming misaligned and dangerous now, sparked by Jacob Coxon’s resignation from Anthropic and subsequent reports of “misalignment incidents.” Guests…21 Sep 2026 · 1 h 2 min · 25 chapters
Jessica Tarlov on Winning Arguments and ElectionsJessica Tarlov discusses how to “win arguments” and elections without losing friends amid polarization, using research-backed debate tactics, and how media ecosystems and clip culture shape what…17 Sep 2026 · 1 h 12 min · 25 chapters
Flock Cameras, Meta Glasses and the Surveillance BacklashThe episode examines the surveillance backlash against Flock Safety’s AI-enabled street cameras (automated license plate readers), and compares it to broader privacy concerns from wearable tech, AI,…14 Sep 2026 · 1 h 6 min · 28 chapters
The Bulwark’s Sarah Longwell on How Democrats Can Defeat MAGA for GoodSarah Longwell (founder/publisher of The Bulwark; former Republican strategist) argues Democrats can permanently defeat MAGA by listening to voters, focusing on affordability/material well-being, and…10 Sep 2026 · 59 min · 25 chapters
Why This Crypto Billionaire Wants to Slow Down the AI Arms RaceChris Larsen argues San Francisco’s public safety and innovation rebound, while warning that AI is in an “arms race” that should be slowed via regulation and “guardrails,” not shutdowns.7 Sep 2026 · 52 min · 22 chapters
Three Mayors of Blue Cities in a Polarized AmericaDemocratic mayors of Denver, Kansas City, and New Orleans discuss governing in polarized America—migrant policy, public safety and crime narratives, housing and homelessness strategies, data-center…3 Sep 2026 · 1 h 10 min · 26 chapters
Money, Hubris and Jeffrey Epstein: The Fall of Leon Black, w/ William CohanThe rise and fall of Leon Black and Apollo—how Apollo’s private-equity innovations helped reshape Wall Street, and how Black’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein contributed to his ouster—plus broader…31 Aug 2026 · 57 min · 18 chapters
Remembering Dolly Parton's Musical and Philanthropic LegacyThe episode commemorates Dolly Parton’s musical and philanthropic legacy, focusing on her songwriting craft, cultural influence, business strategy, and impact on social issues.30 Aug 2026 · 59 min · 25 chapters
Why Are You Like This? with Megan RapinoeCheryl Reeve, Minnesota Lynx’s head coach since 2010 and WNBA’s winningest coach, discusses evolving as a coach, the WNBA’s legacy of activism, and how authenticity shapes team culture—framed by…27 Aug 2026 · 1 h 2 min · 22 chapters
Ina Garten’s Next Course? A PodcastIna Garten discusses her new long-form podcast, Happy Hour with Ina Garten, focused on cocktails/mocktails and intimate conversations, plus her broader views on fun, reinvention, social media, and…24 Aug 2026 · 49 min · 26 chapters
Big Tech’s Litigation EraBig Tech and media companies face a “litigation era,” spanning antitrust fights over mega-mergers, FCC/local broadcasting disputes, AI copyright lawsuits, and social-media addiction/product-design…20 Aug 2026 · 55 min · 16 chapters
Ryan Holiday on the Case for Stoicism in an Age of DistractionRyan Holiday argues that Stoicism is misrepresented as emotionless “grin and bear it” or hyper-masculine self-help, and instead should be understood as a virtue-based philosophy (courage,…17 Aug 2026 · 53 min · 20 chapters
The Hidden Risk Inside SpaceXThe episode dissects SpaceX’s post-IPO valuation and risk profile, arguing the “hidden risk” is financial and narrative-driven: unprofitable space/AI ambitions, heavy reliance on Starlink, skepticism…13 Aug 2026 · 1 h 2 min · 32 chapters
Will California Elect a Republican Governor? Steve Hilton Thinks He Can WinSteve Hilton, former Fox News host, argues California can elect a Republican governor despite being a “deep blue” state, by campaigning on affordability and pragmatic reforms aimed at cost of living,…10 Aug 2026 · 1 h 1 min · 21 chapters
Can Data Centers Be Done Right?The episode examines whether the AI-driven data center boom can be built “done right,” focusing on environmental harms, grid stress, political secrecy, and what guardrails (water, power,…6 Aug 2026 · 1 h 12 min · 27 chapters
'I Feel Re-Famous': Rosie O'Donnell on Her Return to New YorkRosie O’Donnell returns to New York after moving to Dublin, staging her limited-run one-woman play Common Knowledge.3 Aug 2026 · 57 min · 22 chapters
The Economy Looks Fine. Why Doesn’t It Feel Fine?Why Americans feel the economy is bad despite data that can look “fine,” focusing on persistent inflation/affordability (especially housing and child care), pessimism and “mental tax,” policy…30 Jul 2026 · 55 min · 21 chapters
From Bit Parts to Two Emmy Nods: Jeff Hiller’s Long Road to SuccessJeff Hiller’s rise from stereotyped “bit parts” to Emmy recognition, and his work on Apple’s Pluribus and Widows Bay, plus reflections on acting range, faith/community, and the TV industry’s…27 Jul 2026 · 50 min · 23 chapters
The AI Job Disaster Congress Refuses to FixAI’s rapid rollout could trigger major job losses and unsafe model deployment, but the U.S. lacks laws, institutions, and workforce transition support.25 Jul 2026 · 42 min · 12 chapters
Ben Wikler Has a Plan to Save DemocracyBen Wikler argues Democrats must “unrig” American democracy by building a permanent, local organizing campaign that can win state power (governors, secretaries of state, AGs, legislatures) to prevent…23 Jul 2026 · 53 min · 19 chapters
Are Insurgent Democrats Breaking the Party — or Rebuilding It?The episode argues that Democratic “insurgent” progressives are gaining power less because they’re purely ideological and more because they combine clear policy demands with an outsider,…20 Jul 2026 · 55 min · 30 chapters
The Cyberattack We’re Not Ready ForNicole Perlroth warns that AI-enabled cyber exploitation will accelerate “everything, everywhere, all at once” attacks on critical infrastructure and that the U.S. is unprepared.16 Jul 2026 · 58 min · 27 chapters