From a misinformation scandal to a so-called trolling campaign, Kara and Scott discuss the first few days of Elon Musk's Twitter. Also, Apple beat earnings expectations, but how long can it depend on iPhone sales? Mark Zuckerberg will testify in a case brought by the FTC, and Lula da Silva takes back the Brazilian presidency. Friend of Pivot Margaret Sullivan talks about the state of journalism and her new book, Newsroom Confidential. You can find Margaret on Twitter at @Sulliview and Newsroom C...
Nov 01, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 351
Kara and Scott discuss the headwinds Elon Musk and Twitter employees will face, as well as disappointing earnings reports for big tech. Warner Bros. Discovery will pay $1 billion to downsize, and Adidas has terminated its partnership with Ye. Then, a listener question for (specifically) Kara. *Note: This episode was recorded on Thursday morning and reflects the news at that time. You can listen to Kara’s new show, On with Kara Swisher, here. Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nym...
Oct 28, 2022•51 min•Ep. 350
Elon Musk wants to layoff 75% of Twitter’s staff, and Republicans are suing Google. Amazon's getting in to home insurance, while Apple's getting in to home security. Friend of Pivot Dahlia Lithwick joins to discuss her book, “Lady Justice: Women, the Law, and the Battle to Save America,” and what the future holds for abortion rights. You can find Dahlia on Twitter at @Dahlialithwick and can find her book here. NEWS FLASH: Kara’s Twitter spaces on WTF is happening in England and about the rise of...
Oct 25, 2022•59 min•Ep. 349
Netflix beat estimates for Q3 and added two million subscribers. Meta has Super-App dreams for WhatsApp, and Mark Zuckerberg is ready to take on iMessage. Plus, Twitter freezes employees' stock accounts, and an activist investor grabs a significant stake in Salesforce. Friend of Pivot Ben Smith joins Kara and Scott to talk about the state of media, and the launch of his news platform, Semafor. You can find Ben on Twitter at @semaforben, and Semafor at semafor.com. You can listen to Kara’s new sh...
Oct 21, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 348
It’s been a big week in right wing media: Kanye’s buying Parler, Murdoch may re-merge Fox and News Corp, and whistleblowers are getting fired at Truth Social. Plus, Musk is under federal investigation, stemming from his attempt to buy Twitter. Also, Apple’s mixed reality headset will scan irises, Netflix’s ad-supported tier will launch November 3rd, and in Big Grocery news, Kroger has agreed to buy Albertsons. Author and historian Anne Applebaum joins to discuss the latest in Ukraine and Russia....
Oct 18, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 347
Elon Musk pushes back against reports that he had conversations with Putin, but Kara and Scott aren't having it. They also discuss Meta's new hardware and what it means for the company's overall strategy. Plus, the latest on the economy, and the $965 million Alex Jones owes Sandy Hook families. You can listen to Kara’s new show, On with Kara Swisher, here. Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 14, 2022•51 min•Ep. 346
Hey Pivot listeners! The Pivot team is off for the Monday holiday, so instead of your regularly-scheduled episode, you're getting an exciting surprise: an episode of our sister podcast, On with Kara Swisher! You're welcome, and we'll be back on Friday with more Pivot! Donald Trump has said journalist Maggie Haberman is like his “psychiatrist” — a remark she dismisses as a meaningless and failed attempt at flattery. Yet Haberman does have a deep understanding of what makes the former president ti...
Oct 10, 2022•1 hr
Kara and Scott give us a break down of the biggest themes of Q3, and wins and fails of the quarter. And of course, the latest with Elon and Twitter. Also, Amazon won’t make any new hires for the rest of the year, Uber’s former Security Chief has been convicted of obstructing justice, and OPEC voted to decrease oil production. A listener asks Kara and Scott to reveal their (news) sources. *NOTE: This episode was recorded on Thursday morning and reflects news at the time. You can listen to Kara’s ...
Oct 07, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 344
Kara and Scott are ready with the hot takes in reaction to the breaking news that Elon Musk has revived his offer to buy the social media company. They discuss everything from his possible motivations, to the financial and political implications, to whether Scott will lose his blue check mark. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 04, 2022•24 min
So many Elon texts. Kara and Scott discuss A-listers’ conversations with Musk, and TikTok’s wins and losses in Europe. Also, Liz Truss’s reversal on tax cuts for the wealthy, and Kim Kardashian’s crypto trouble with the SEC. Then, we’re joined by Friend of Pivot, Gabriel Debenedetti about his new book on the relationship between Joe Biden and Barack Obama. You can find Gabriel on Twitter at @gdebenedetti, and you can buy The Long Alliance: The Imperfect Union of Joe Biden and Barack Obama here. ...
Oct 04, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 343
Oprah and Apple TV cut the cord on their deal while Netflix's Dahmer series breaks records. Kara and Scott discuss what it all means for the streaming industry. Also, Apple rolls back iPhone production while Amazon rolls out new hardware. Advertisers blast Twitter after ads appear next to child abuse content, and Elon Musk and Parag Argawal’s depositions have been delayed. Plus, Italy’s recent turn to the far right. Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot. We’d really ...
Sep 30, 2022•49 min•Ep. 342
Tim Cook, Sir Jony Ive, and Laurene Powell Jobs unpack the life and work of Steve Jobs, the legendary Apple co-founder who changed consumer technology forever. Jobs was a regular guest at Code conferences, appearing at the first All Things D in 2003. Over the years on the Code stage, he predicted the end of the PC era, bantered with his arch-rival Bill Gates, and famously denied— and later teased— plans for the iPhone. Now, he’s remembered by three luminaries who knew him best: Cook, his protege...
Sep 28, 2022•1 hr 13 min
Kara and Scott discuss the growing protests in Iran, and what dramatic market declines mean for the future. They also chat about Elon's pre-trial deposition in Delaware, and how Meta allegedly bypassed Apple’s tracking transparency policy. Then, Friend of Pivot Jessica Yellin joins to discuss the neutral news trend, and her independent media company, News Not Noise. You can find Jessica on Twitter and Instagram at @jessicayellin. Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot...
Sep 27, 2022•58 min•Ep. 341
Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki speaks with Kara Swisher at Code 2022. They discuss Psaki's new career at MSNBC, the state of news, and her time in the White House. Recorded on September 8th in Los Angeles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 24, 2022•39 min
The Biden administration makes a full-court press at crypto. Could a digital dollar be next? Also, the FTC wants the dirt on the Amazon/Roomba deal. Trump says he can use the power of thought to declassify documents, but there's one thing he didn't think of: a new lawsuit from NY's Attorney General. Kara and Scott take a listener question about prioritizing your career and your clients. Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit po...
Sep 23, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 340
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy speaks with Kara Swisher at Code 2022. Kara and Andy discuss his thoughts on unionization, returning to the office, higher wages, and tech legislation. Recorded on September 7th in Los Angeles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 21, 2022•59 min
Kara and Scott discuss the impacts of a Texas social media law, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s bill to protect children’s data. Also, Adobe acquired Figma. Plus, a mega stock crash at Meta, a bizarre harassment case for eBay, and Russian troll’s impact on the Women’s March. Friend of Pivot, Marta Tellado, stops by to talk about her new book, “Buyer Aware: Harnessing Our Consumer Power for a Safe, Fair, and Transparent Marketplace.” You can find Marta on Twitter at @MLTellado. Send us your qu...
Sep 20, 2022•56 min•Ep. 339
Bob Iger, the former CEO and Chairman of The Walt Disney Company, speaks with Kara Swisher at Code 2022. Kara and Bob discuss the winners and losers in the streaming wars, the future of movies, that time he almost bought Twitter, and what he’s up to in retirement. Recorded on September 6 in Los Angeles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 17, 2022•47 min
It’s a big week on the Hill for tech companies. Kara and Scott discuss the testimonies of TikTok COO Vanessa Pappas and Twitter whistleblower, “Mudge.” Also, California’s Attorney General sued Amazon, Patagonia’s founder is giving the company away to help fight the climate crisis, and Kara's fired up about Link Rot. Plus, you'll want to stick around for our spiciest listener question yet. Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ...
Sep 16, 2022•54 min•Ep. 338
Frances Haugen, the former Facebook employee who turned over a trove of documents known as the Facebook Files, speaks with Kara Swisher and Casey Newton at Code 2022. What was the impact of Haugen’s disclosure, and what does she still wish to see? And, ultimately, was it worth it? Recorded on September 6 in Los Angeles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 14, 2022•39 min
Kara and Scott are back to discuss the demise of a journalism antitrust bill, as well as a potential deal between Vice and a Saudi media giant. Also, Twitter says payments to a whistleblower shouldn't affect its deal with Elon Musk. Then, Friend of Pivot Mark Bergen chats about his new book, “Like, Comment, Subscribe: Inside YouTube’s Chaotic Rise to World Domination.” Plus, Scott was on Bill Maher! You can read the statement we mentioned from Little People of America here. Mark Bergen is on Twi...
Sep 13, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 337
2022 has been a difficult year for Snap, Inc. Shortly after announcing layoffs, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel sat down with Kara and Scott to discuss the challenges facing his company, and why he thinks they can be overcome. Recorded on September 7 at Code 2022 in Los Angeles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 10, 2022•37 min
Scott Galloway is back! He joins Kara at Code 2022, where they spent the week interviewing the biggest names in tech (and some presidential hopefuls) about everything from regulation to TikTok to the legacy of Steve Jobs. It was busy week: Senator Amy Klobuchar and Amazon CEO Andy Jassy make their cases for and against antitrust bills. Former Disney CEO Bob Iger may have just opened himself to a subpoena from Elon Musk. And Tim Cook had a beautifully simple solution to the phone wars. Send us yo...
Sep 09, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 335
Today, we're sharing a special episode from Land of the Giants: The Facebook/ Meta Disruption. To listen to the full series from episode one, Follow Land of the Giants to get new episodes every Wednesday. https://podcasts.voxmedia.com/show/land-of-the-giants Facebook used to brag about how its tools helped politicians swing elections. Now, the platform’s relationship to politics is much more complicated. Today: the story of how one politician, again and again, forced Zuckerberg to confront his o...
Sep 06, 2022•32 min
George Hahn is back for our final Scott-Free August episode! Kara and George discuss Twitter's big changes (hello, Edit Button!), Snap’s disappearing staffers, and a photo shoot that may have laid Trump's secrets bare. Also, Elon Musk subpoenaed the Twitter whistleblower. Dr. Jeffrey Swisher joins to talk about long COVID, Monkeypox, and Kara's first cigarette. You can find George on Twitter at @georgehahn, and Jeffrey at @jeffreyswisher. Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or ...
Sep 02, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 334
Today’s co-host is William D. Cohan! He and Kara discuss a dire warning from the Fed, and a potential antitrust case against Apple. Plus, Truth Social is struggling, and the @WhiteHouse Twitter is getting feisty. Charter's Kevin Delaney joins to discuss the future of work. You can find William on Twitter at @WilliamCohan, and Kevin at @delaney .Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or via Yappa, at nymag.com/pivot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoi...
Aug 30, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 333
Sam Sanders (of Vulture's podcast "Into It") joins Kara to discuss the politics of Yellowstone, the return of MoviePass, and HBO's big win with "House of the Dragon." Also, President Biden makes a big move on student loan debt, and a whistleblower says Twitter isn't safe. Plus, a listener question about nostalgia. Check out "Into It: A Vulture Podcast with Sam Sanders" here. Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or via Yappa, at nymag.com/pivot. Learn more about your ad choices. ...
Aug 26, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 332
Monica Lewinsky co-hosts Pivot! She and Kara discuss Andrew Tate's ban from Meta and TikTok, Dan Price's exit from Gravity Payments amid assault allegations, and the latest in the Trump investigation. Also, CNN axes Brian Stelter and “Reliable Sources," and the Finnish Prime Minister’s party fallout. Then, a listener question on social media regulation. You can find Monica on Twitter at @MonicaLewinsky. Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or via Yappa, at nymag.com/pivot. Learn...
Aug 23, 2022•56 min•Ep. 331
Guest host Molly Wood joins Kara to discuss how social media platforms are preparing for the midterm elections, Elon Musk's Republican pajama party, and whether there's a capitalist solution to climate change. Also, an infamous ex-WeWork CEO gets a second chance... and $350 million. Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or via Yappa, at nymag.com/pivot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 19, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 330
Roxane Gay joins Kara as guest co-host! They discuss the growing threats of violence following the FBI’s search of Mar-A-Lago and Salman Rushdie's recovery after his on-stage attack. Also, Amazon turns surveillance into reality TV, and Al Franken endorses Liz Cheney. Friend of Pivot Ken Burns discusses his latest work, “The U.S. and the Holocaust.” You can find Roxane on Twitter at @rgay, and listen to "The Roxane Gay Agenda". “The U.S. and the Holocaust” premieres September 18th on PBS. Send us...
Aug 16, 2022•56 min•Ep. 329