Peter Kafka
Appearances
Criminal
The Bottom of the Cliff
Hey, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, a podcast about technology and media and how they're both changing all the time. And this week, I'm trying to figure out how Donald Trump is changing the media in Washington, in the courtroom, and in the boardroom. On to help me figure it all out is Sarah Fisher, the excellent Washington-based media reporter for Axios.
Criminal
The Bottom of the Cliff
That's this week on Channels, wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
Criminal
The Butterfly Smuggler
And this week I'm talking about the state of the movies and the state of TV and how they all get melded together in the Oscars, a huge event that looks like it's going to get smaller every year. Here to explain what happened this year and what's going to happen in the future is Matt Bellany, the veteran Hollywood journalist from Puck.
Criminal
The Butterfly Smuggler
Matt is smart, and he's going to make you feel smart for listening in. You can hear our chat on channels from the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Decoder with Nilay Patel
Vimeo CEO Philip Moyer is betting on the human touch — and AI
Hey there, I'm Peter Kafka, the host of Channels, the podcast about tech and media and the way they're colliding. And this week I'm talking about the state of the movies and the state of TV and how they all get melded together in the Oscars. A huge event that looks like it's going to get smaller every year.
Decoder with Nilay Patel
Vimeo CEO Philip Moyer is betting on the human touch — and AI
Here to explain what happened this year and what's going to happen in the future is Matt Bellany, the veteran Hollywood journalist from Puck. Matt is smart, and he's going to make you feel smart for listening in. You can hear our chat on channels from the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Pivot
Monopoly Isn't A Game (with Lina Khan) - Stay Tuned with Preet
This is Peter Kafka, the host of Channels, the show about what happens when media and tech collide. And this week I'm talking to Katie Drummond, who runs Wired. She's found a way to breathe new life into that publication by covering news.
Pivot
Monopoly Isn't A Game (with Lina Khan) - Stay Tuned with Preet
That's this week on Channels, wherever you listen to your favorite podcast.
Pivot
Meta Tell-All, Elon's Daughter Speaks Out, Cybertruck Recall
Hey, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, a podcast about technology and media and how they're both changing all the time. And this week, I'm trying to figure out how Donald Trump is changing the media in Washington, in the courtroom and in the boardroom. On to help me figure it all out is Sarah Fisher, the excellent Washington-based media reporter for Axios.
Pivot
Meta Tell-All, Elon's Daughter Speaks Out, Cybertruck Recall
That's this week on Channels, wherever you get your favorite podcast.
Pivot
Democrats Divided, Market Roller Coaster, and Southwest Airlines
Hey, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, a podcast about technology and media and how they're both changing all the time. And this week, I'm trying to figure out how Donald Trump is changing the media in Washington and the courtroom and in the boardroom. On to help me figure it all out is Sarah Fisher, the excellent Washington-based media reporter for Axios.
Pivot
Democrats Divided, Market Roller Coaster, and Southwest Airlines
That's this week on Channels, wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
Pivot
On with Kara Swisher: Why Ben Stiller Made Severance
Hey there, I'm Peter Kafka, the host of Channels, the podcast about tech and media and the way they're colliding. And this week I'm talking about the state of the movies and the state of TV and how they all get melded together in the Oscars. A huge event that looks like it's going to get smaller every year.
Pivot
On with Kara Swisher: Why Ben Stiller Made Severance
Here to explain what happened this year and what's going to happen in the future is Matt Bellany, the veteran Hollywood journalist from Puck. Matt is smart. He's going to make you feel smart for listening in. You can hear our chat on channels from the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Pivot
Elon's OpenAI Bid, Trump's Judicial Strategy, and DOGE's Shock and Awe
Hey there, I'm Peter Kafka, the host of Channels, the podcast about tech and media and the way they're colliding. And this week I'm talking about the state of the movies and the state of TV and how they all get melded together in the Oscars. A huge event that looks like it's going to get smaller every year.
Pivot
Elon's OpenAI Bid, Trump's Judicial Strategy, and DOGE's Shock and Awe
Here to explain what happened this year and what's going to happen in the future is Matt Bellany, the veteran Hollywood journalist from Puck. Matt is smart, and he's going to make you feel smart for listening in. You can hear our chat on channels from the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Pivot
Elon's Drug Denial, Trump's Tariff Play, and Taylor Swift's Master Move
That's this week on Channels, wherever you listen to your favorite podcast.
Pivot
Elon's Drug Denial, Trump's Tariff Play, and Taylor Swift's Master Move
They know where I'm going.
Pivot
Elon's Drug Denial, Trump's Tariff Play, and Taylor Swift's Master Move
This is Peter Kafka, the host of Channels, the show about what happens when media and tech collide. And this week I'm talking to Katie Drummond, who runs Wired. She's found a way to breathe new life into that publication by covering news.
Pivot
Hunter Biden Pardon, Kash Patel for FBI Director, and Guest Lauren Greenfield
Textagram, great name. You're making me regret telling you this. That's this week on Channels, wherever you listen to your favorite podcast.
Pivot
Hunter Biden Pardon, Kash Patel for FBI Director, and Guest Lauren Greenfield
Hey there, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, the show about what happens when tech and media collide. And this week, we're talking to Adam Mosseri, who runs Instagram and who also runs Threads. And he told me what Threads was originally going to be called. I called it Textagram as a joke, which unfortunately stuck as a name for months before I managed to kill it.
Pivot
Elon Merges Companies, WHCA Cuts Comedian, and Guest Co-Host Jen Psaki
Hey, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, a podcast about technology and media and how they're both changing all the time. And this week, I'm trying to figure out how Donald Trump is changing the media in Washington, in the courtroom, and in the boardroom. On to help me figure it all out is Sarah Fisher, the excellent Washington-based media reporter for Axios.
Pivot
Elon Merges Companies, WHCA Cuts Comedian, and Guest Co-Host Jen Psaki
That's this week on Channels, wherever you get your favorite podcast.
Pivot
DeepSeek Fallout, Meta Settles with Trump, and Guest Host Reid Hoffman
Hey, this is Peter Kafka, the host of Channels, a show about what happens when tech smashes into media. And this week I'm talking about Twitch. Not the thing my eye does when I don't get enough sleep, but the pioneering live streaming service that Amazon bought for a billion dollars back in 2014. Twitch is still a big deal in live streaming, but so are lots of other places.
Pivot
DeepSeek Fallout, Meta Settles with Trump, and Guest Host Reid Hoffman
So how is Twitch CEO Dan Clancy going to deal with that competition? And why exactly do I want to watch people talk live on the Internet anyway? I asked Dan Clancy all about that and more on this week's channels from the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Pivot
Signalgate, Auto Tariffs, and Trump's Crypto Empire
Hey, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, a podcast about technology and media and how they're both changing all the time. And this week, I'm trying to figure out how Donald Trump is changing the media in Washington and the courtroom and in the boardroom. On to help me figure it all out is Sarah Fisher, the excellent Washington-based media reporter for Axios.
Pivot
Signalgate, Auto Tariffs, and Trump's Crypto Empire
That's this week on Channels, wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
Pivot
Elon's First Cabinet Meeting, Trump's Gold Card, and Bezos' WaPo Revamp
Hey there, I'm Peter Kafka, the host of Channels, the podcast about tech and media and the way they're colliding. And this week, I'm talking about the state of the movies and the state of TV and how they all get melded together in the Oscars, a huge event that looks like it's going to get smaller every year.
Pivot
Elon's First Cabinet Meeting, Trump's Gold Card, and Bezos' WaPo Revamp
Here to explain what happened this year and what's going to happen in the future is Matt Bellany, the veteran Hollywood journalist from Puck. Matt is smart, and he's going to make you feel smart for listening in. You can hear our chat on channels from the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Pivot
Elon’s Politics Detox, the “Big, Beautiful” Bill's Next Phase, and Open AI's Big Bet
Hey there, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, the show about what happens when tech and media collide. And this week, we're talking to Adam Mosseri, who runs Instagram and who also runs Threads. And he told me what Threads was originally going to be called. I called it Textagram as a joke, which unfortunately stuck as a name for months before I managed to kill it.
Pivot
Elon’s Politics Detox, the “Big, Beautiful” Bill's Next Phase, and Open AI's Big Bet
Textagram, great name. You're making me regret telling you this. That's this week on Channels, wherever you listen to your favorite podcast.
Pivot
Roberts Criticizes Trump, FTC Firings, and White House Installs Starlink
Hey, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, a podcast about technology and media and how they're both changing all the time. And this week, I'm trying to figure out how Donald Trump is changing the media in Washington, in the courtroom and in the boardroom. On to help me figure it all out is Sarah Fisher, the excellent Washington-based media reporter for Axios.
Pivot
Roberts Criticizes Trump, FTC Firings, and White House Installs Starlink
That's this week on Channels, wherever you get your favorite podcast.
Pivot
DOGE’s Chaos Strategy, X’s New Valuation, and Guest Co-Host Katie Drummond
Hey there, I'm Peter Kafka, the host of Channels, the podcast about tech and media and the way they're colliding. And this week I'm talking about the state of the movies and the state of TV and how they all get melded together in the Oscars, a huge event that looks like it's going to get smaller every year.
Pivot
DOGE’s Chaos Strategy, X’s New Valuation, and Guest Co-Host Katie Drummond
Here to explain what happened this year and what's going to happen in the future is Matt Bellany, the veteran Hollywood journalist from Puck. Matt is smart. He's going to make you feel smart for listening in. You can hear our chat on channels from the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Pivot
Tariff Turmoil, Trump’s Tesla Ad, and Newsom’s Bannon Interview
Hey, this is Peter Kafka, the host of Channels, a show about what happens when tech smashes into media. And this week I'm talking about Twitch. Not the thing my eye does when I don't get enough sleep, but the pioneering live streaming service that Amazon bought for a billion dollars back in 2014. Twitch is still a big deal in live streaming, but so are lots of other places.
Pivot
Tariff Turmoil, Trump’s Tesla Ad, and Newsom’s Bannon Interview
So how is Twitch CEO Dan Clancy going to deal with that competition? And why exactly do I want to watch people talk live on the Internet anyway? I asked Dan Clancy all about that and more on this week's channels from the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Pivot
Tariff Turmoil, Trump’s Tesla Ad, and Newsom’s Bannon Interview
I've never been to Puerto Rico.
Pivot
Trump’s Putin Call, Inflation Rises, and Sam Altman Strikes Back at Elon Musk
Hey there, I'm Peter Kafka, the host of Channels, the podcast about tech and media and the way they're colliding. And this week I'm talking about the state of the movies and the state of TV and how they all get melded together in the Oscars. A huge event that looks like it's going to get smaller every year.
Pivot
Trump’s Putin Call, Inflation Rises, and Sam Altman Strikes Back at Elon Musk
Here to explain what happened this year and what's going to happen in the future is Matt Bellany, the veteran Hollywood journalist from Puck. Matt is smart, and he's going to make you feel smart for listening in. You can hear our chat on channels from the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Pivot
Trump's Tariff Pause, Apple's Highs and Lows, and Musk v. Navarro
And my tried and true hiccup here is... Pour a glass of water, light a match, put the match out in the water, drink the water, throw away the match.
Pivot
Trump's Tariff Pause, Apple's Highs and Lows, and Musk v. Navarro
President Trump on Truth Social has been suggesting that he's open to deals to end the trade war that he started by levying tariffs on U.S. trading partners. The administration says these Liberation Day tariffs will bring manufacturing jobs back to America. Why is that so important? There are some really dumb ways to answer that question.
Pivot
Trump's Tariff Pause, Apple's Highs and Lows, and Musk v. Navarro
When you sit behind a screen all day, it makes you a woman. Studies have shown this. Studies have shown this. And some much smarter ones.
Pivot
Trump's Tariff Pause, Apple's Highs and Lows, and Musk v. Navarro
Coming up on Today Explained, the best minds. The White House advisor who's gone ham on tariffs defends his position. Weekday afternoons. Today Explained helps you make sense of the mess.
Pivot
Trump's Tariff Pause, Apple's Highs and Lows, and Musk v. Navarro
Well, I thought that people were jumping a little bit out of line. They were getting yippy, you know? They were getting a little bit yippy, a little bit afraid.
Pivot
CEO Shooting, Bitcoin Surge, and Bezos’s Trump Optimism
This special series from The Verge is presented by Adobe Express. Hey there, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, the show about what happens when tech and media collide. And this week, we're talking to Adam Mosseri, who runs Instagram and who also runs Threads. And he told me what Threads was originally going to be called.
Pivot
Liberation Day, Elon Exit Rumors, and Guest Co-Host Jon Lovett
It's exhausting. And so, like, the...
Pivot
Liberation Day, Elon Exit Rumors, and Guest Co-Host Jon Lovett
It seems as though this is, is it just drumming up a misunderstanding from years ago to find a way to talk about you? Is that what this is?
Pivot
Liberation Day, Elon Exit Rumors, and Guest Co-Host Jon Lovett
I want to look up the Galloping Gourmet.
Pivot
Liberation Day, Elon Exit Rumors, and Guest Co-Host Jon Lovett
Do these people leave the compound? Are you going to see him at the restaurants? They just don't leave their houses, right?
Prof G Markets
Unpacking Germany’s Historic U-Turn on Spending — ft. Carsten Brzeski
Get it? Because I was having sex with an animal?
Prof G Markets
Unpacking Germany’s Historic U-Turn on Spending — ft. Carsten Brzeski
Hooters is shifting away from its iconic skimpy waitress outfits and bikini days, instead opting for a family-friendly vibe. They're vowing to improve the food and ingredients, and staff is now being urged to greet women first when groups arrive.
Prof G Markets
Unpacking Germany’s Historic U-Turn on Spending — ft. Carsten Brzeski
Hey, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, a podcast about technology and media and how they're both changing all the time. And this week, I'm trying to figure out how Donald Trump is changing the media in Washington, in the courtroom, and in the boardroom. On to help me figure it all out is Sarah Fisher, the excellent Washington-based media reporter for Axios.
Prof G Markets
Unpacking Germany’s Historic U-Turn on Spending — ft. Carsten Brzeski
That's this week on Channels, wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
Prof G Markets
Why Tariffs Could Crush Canada’s Economy — ft. Mike Moffatt
Hey, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, a podcast about technology and media and how they're both changing all the time. And this week, I'm trying to figure out how Donald Trump is changing the media in Washington and the courtroom and in the boardroom. On to help me figure it all out is Sarah Fisher, the excellent Washington-based media reporter for Axios.
Prof G Markets
Why Tariffs Could Crush Canada’s Economy — ft. Mike Moffatt
That's this week on Channels, wherever you get your favorite podcast.
Prof G Markets
Searching For Value Outside the U.S. — ft. Lyn Alden
Hey, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, a podcast about technology and media and how they're both changing all the time. And this week, I'm trying to figure out how Donald Trump is changing the media in Washington, in the courtroom, and in the boardroom. On to help me figure it all out is Sarah Fisher, the excellent Washington-based media reporter for Axios.
Prof G Markets
Searching For Value Outside the U.S. — ft. Lyn Alden
That's this week on Channels, wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
Prof G Markets
Why Chaos Has Become an Economic Strategy — ft. Kyla Scanlon
Hey, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, a podcast about technology and media and how they're both changing all the time. And this week, I'm trying to figure out how Donald Trump is changing the media in Washington and the courtroom and in the boardroom. On to help me figure it all out is Sarah Fisher, the excellent Washington-based media reporter for Axios.
Prof G Markets
Why Chaos Has Become an Economic Strategy — ft. Kyla Scanlon
That's this week on Channels, wherever you get your favorite podcast.
Prof G Markets
A Nightmare Tariff Scenario for the Auto Industry — ft. Tim Higgins
Hey, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, a podcast about technology and media and how they're both changing all the time. And this week, I'm trying to figure out how Donald Trump is changing the media in Washington, in the courtroom, and in the boardroom. On to help me figure it all out is Sarah Fisher, the excellent Washington-based media reporter for Axios.
Prof G Markets
A Nightmare Tariff Scenario for the Auto Industry — ft. Tim Higgins
That's this week on Channels, wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
Prof G Markets
Has a Global Market Rotation Begun? + Inside the Ultra-Luxury Hotel Industry
Hey, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, a podcast about technology and media and how they're both changing all the time. And this week, I'm trying to figure out how Donald Trump is changing the media in Washington and the courtroom and in the boardroom. On to help me figure it all out is Sarah Fisher, the excellent Washington-based media reporter for Axios.
Prof G Markets
Has a Global Market Rotation Begun? + Inside the Ultra-Luxury Hotel Industry
That's this week on Channels, wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
Prof G Markets
Is Breaking Up Intel The Right Move? + The New Gold Rush
Hey, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, a podcast about technology and media and how they're both changing all the time. And this week, I'm trying to figure out how Donald Trump is changing the media in Washington and the courtroom and in the boardroom. On to help me figure it all out is Sarah Fisher, the excellent Washington-based media reporter for Axios.
Prof G Markets
Is Breaking Up Intel The Right Move? + The New Gold Rush
That's this week on Channels, wherever you get your favorite podcast.
Prof G Markets
The S&P 500 Enters Correction Territory
Hey, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, a podcast about technology and media and how they're both changing all the time. And this week, I'm trying to figure out how Donald Trump is changing the media in Washington, in the courtroom, and in the boardroom. On to help me figure it all out is Sarah Fisher, the excellent Washington-based media reporter for Axios.
Prof G Markets
The S&P 500 Enters Correction Territory
That's this week on Channels, wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
Prof G Markets
Is Reddit Undervalued? + Netflix Goes After Podcasts
Hey, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, a podcast about technology and media and how they're both changing all the time. And this week, I'm trying to figure out how Donald Trump is changing the media in Washington and the courtroom and in the boardroom. On to help me figure it all out is Sarah Fisher, the excellent Washington-based media reporter for Axios.
Prof G Markets
Is Reddit Undervalued? + Netflix Goes After Podcasts
That's this week on Channels, wherever you get your favorite podcast.
Prof G Markets
Spotify’s First Year of Profitability + Is Google Losing its Edge?
Hey, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, a podcast about technology and media and how they're both changing all the time. And this week, I'm trying to figure out how Donald Trump is changing the media in Washington, in the courtroom, and in the boardroom. On to help me figure it all out is Sarah Fisher, the excellent Washington-based media reporter for Axios.
Prof G Markets
Spotify’s First Year of Profitability + Is Google Losing its Edge?
That's this week on Channels, wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
Prof G Markets
Nvidia Earnings are the Super Bowl of Business + Trump’s $5 Million Gold Card
The bottom line is if they can beat $38 billion in sales for the quarter, it's going to be a great quarter.
Prof G Markets
Nvidia Earnings are the Super Bowl of Business + Trump’s $5 Million Gold Card
Hey, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, a podcast about technology and media and how they're both changing all the time. And this week, I'm trying to figure out how Donald Trump is changing the media in Washington and the courtroom and in the boardroom. On to help me figure it all out is Sarah Fisher, the excellent Washington-based media reporter for Axios.
Prof G Markets
Nvidia Earnings are the Super Bowl of Business + Trump’s $5 Million Gold Card
That's this week on Channels, wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov
Trump’s Cabinet Chaos Continues
Hey there, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, the show about what happens when tech and media collide. And this week, we're talking to Adam Mosseri, who runs Instagram and who also runs Threads. And he told me what Threads was originally going to be called.
Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov
Trump’s Cabinet Chaos Continues
That's this week on Channels, wherever you listen to your favorite podcast.
Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov
Trump’s Controversial Cabinet Picks
Hey there, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, the show about what happens when tech and media collide. And this week, we're talking to Adam Mosseri, who runs Instagram and who also runs Threads. And he told me what Threads was originally going to be called. I called it Textagram as a joke, which unfortunately stuck as a name for months before I managed to kill it.
Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov
Trump’s Controversial Cabinet Picks
Textagram, great name. You're making me regret telling you this. That's This Week on Channels, wherever you listen to your favorite podcast.
Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov
Peering Into the Crystal Ball (feat. Larry Sabato)
Hey there, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, the show about what happens when tech and media collide. And this week, we're talking to Adam Mosseri, who runs Instagram and who also runs Threads. And he told me what Threads was originally going to be called. I called it Textagram as a joke, which unfortunately stuck as a name for months before I managed to kill it.
Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov
Peering Into the Crystal Ball (feat. Larry Sabato)
Textagram, great name. You're making me regret telling you this. That's This Week on Channels, wherever you listen to your favorite podcast.
Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov
Can the Courts Stop Trump’s Power Grab? (Feat. Marc Elias)
Hey there, this is Peter Kafka, the host of Channels, a show about tech and media and what happens when they collide. And this week I'm talking to PJ Vogt, who used to have a big podcast with a big audience and lots of resources. And then he didn't. So he had to figure out how to start again.
Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov
Can the Courts Stop Trump’s Power Grab? (Feat. Marc Elias)
That's this week on Channels from the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov
Desi Lydic on Comedy, Chaos, and Covering Trump (Again)
Hey there, this is Peter Kafka, the host of Channels, a show about tech and media and what happens when they collide. And this week I'm talking to PJ Vogt, who used to have a big podcast with a big audience and lots of resources. And then he didn't. So he had to figure out how to start again.
Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov
Desi Lydic on Comedy, Chaos, and Covering Trump (Again)
That's this week on Channels from the Vox Media Podcast Network.
The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
Raging Moderates: Trump's Deportation Plans Backfire as Dems Hit Record Low
Hey there, this is Peter Kafka, the host of Channels, a show about tech and media and what happens when they collide. And this week I'm talking to PJ Vogt, who used to have a big podcast with a big audience and lots of resources. And then he didn't. So he had to figure out how to start again.
The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
Raging Moderates: Trump's Deportation Plans Backfire as Dems Hit Record Low
That's this week on Channels from the Vox Media Podcast Network.
The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
Raging Moderates: What’s Trump’s Endgame in Ukraine?
Hey there, I'm Peter Kafka, the host of Channels, the podcast about tech and media and the way they're colliding. And this week I'm talking about the state of the movies and the state of TV and how they all get melded together in the Oscars, a huge event that looks like it's going to get smaller every year.
The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
Raging Moderates: What’s Trump’s Endgame in Ukraine?
Here to explain what happened this year and what's going to happen in the future is Matt Bellany, the veteran Hollywood journalist from Puck. Matt is smart, and he's going to make you feel smart for listening in. You can hear our chat on channels from the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Today, Explained
A comedian tries to fix aviation
That's this week on Channels, wherever you listen to your favorite podcast.
Today, Explained
A comedian tries to fix aviation
This is Peter Kafka, the host of Channels, the show about what happens when media and tech collide. And this week, I'm talking to Katie Drummond, who runs Wired. She's found a way to breathe new life into that publication by covering news.
Today, Explained
Eggs aren't expensive enough
Hey there, I'm Peter Kafka, the host of Channels, the podcast about tech and media and the way they're colliding. And this week I'm talking about the state of the movies and the state of TV and how they all get melded together in the Oscars, a huge event that looks like it's going to get smaller every year.
Today, Explained
Eggs aren't expensive enough
Here to explain what happened this year and what's going to happen in the future is Matt Bellany, the veteran Hollywood journalist from Puck. Matt is smart, and he's going to make you feel smart for listening in. You can hear our chat on channels from the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Today, Explained
The minerals that rule our world
Energizer E-squared lithium, the world's longest lasting AA battery and digital cameras.
Today, Explained
The minerals that rule our world
This is Peter Kafka, the host of Channels, the show about what happens when media and tech collide. And this week I'm talking to Katie Drummond, who runs Wired. She's found a way to breathe new life into that publication by covering news.
Today, Explained
The minerals that rule our world
That's this week on Channels, wherever you listen to your favorite podcast.
Today, Explained
Quid pro bros
Hey there, I'm Peter Kafka, the host of Channels, the podcast about tech and media and the way they're colliding. And this week I'm talking about the state of the movies and the state of TV and how they all get melded together in the Oscars, a huge event that looks like it's going to get smaller every year.
Today, Explained
Quid pro bros
Here to explain what happened this year and what's going to happen in the future is Matt Bellany, the veteran Hollywood journalist from Puck. Matt is smart, and he's going to make you feel smart for listening in. You can hear our chat on channels from the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Today, Explained
A live-forever diet?
That's This Week on Channels, wherever you listen to your favorite podcast.
Today, Explained
A live-forever diet?
Hey there, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, the show about what happens when tech and media collide. And this week, we're talking to Adam Mosseri, who runs Instagram and who also runs Threads. And he told me what Threads was originally going to be called.
Today, Explained
The UnitedHealth CEO shooting
This is Peter Kafka, the host of Channels, the show about what happens when media and tech collide. And this week, I'm talking to Katie Drummond, who runs Wired. She's found a way to breathe new life into that publication by covering news.
Today, Explained
All eyes back on Gaza
That's this week on Channels, wherever you listen to your favorite podcast.
Today, Explained
All eyes back on Gaza
This is Peter Kafka, the host of Channels, the show about what happens when media and tech collide. And this week I'm talking to Katie Drummond, who runs Wired. She's found a way to breathe new life into that publication by covering news.
Today, Explained
Should women be in combat?
Textagram, great name. You're making me regret telling you this. That's This Week on Channels, wherever you listen to your favorite podcast.
Today, Explained
Should women be in combat?
Hey there, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, the show about what happens when tech and media collide. And this week, we're talking to Adam Mosseri, who runs Instagram and who also runs Threads. And he told me what Threads was originally going to be called. I called it Textagram as a joke, which unfortunately stuck as a name for months before I managed to kill it.
Today, Explained
Robert Fluoride Kennedy Jr.
Textagram, great name. You're making me regret telling you this. That's this week on Channels, wherever you listen to your favorite podcast.
Today, Explained
Robert Fluoride Kennedy Jr.
Hey there, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, the show about what happens when tech and media collide. And this week, we're talking to Adam Mosseri, who runs Instagram and who also runs Threads. And he told me what Threads was originally going to be called. I called it Textagram as a joke, which unfortunately stuck as a name for months before I managed to kill it.
Today, Explained
Vatever you vant, Vladimir
Hey there, I'm Peter Kafka, the host of Channels, the podcast about tech and media and the way they're colliding. And this week I'm talking about the state of the movies and the state of TV and how they all get melded together in the Oscars, a huge event that looks like it's going to get smaller every year.
Today, Explained
Vatever you vant, Vladimir
Here to explain what happened this year and what's going to happen in the future is Matt Bellany, the veteran Hollywood journalist from Puck. Matt is smart, and he's going to make you feel smart for listening in. You can hear our chat on channels from the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Today, Explained
How Gen Z found religion
This is Peter Kafka, the host of Channels, the show about what happens when media and tech collide. And this week I'm talking to Katie Drummond, who runs Wired. She's found a way to breathe new life into that publication by covering news. We started covering Doge, like several stories a day, every single day.
Today, Explained
How Gen Z found religion
That's this week on Channels, wherever you listen to your favorite podcast.
Today, Explained
Is science in danger?
Hey there, I'm Peter Kafka, the host of Channels, the podcast about tech and media and the way they're colliding. And this week I'm talking about the state of the movies and the state of TV and how they all get melded together in the Oscars, a huge event that looks like it's going to get smaller every year.
Today, Explained
Is science in danger?
Here to explain what happened this year and what's going to happen in the future is Matt Bellany, the veteran Hollywood journalist from Puck. Matt is smart, and he's going to make you feel smart for listening in. You can hear our chat on channels from the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Today, Explained
The Good, the Bad, and the Biden
Hey there, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, the show about what happens when tech and media collide. And this week, we're talking to Adam Mosseri, who runs Instagram and who also runs Threads. And he told me what Threads was originally going to be called. I called it Textagram as a joke, which unfortunately stuck as a name for months before I managed to kill it.
Today, Explained
The Good, the Bad, and the Biden
Textagram, great name. You're making me regret telling you this. That's This Week on Channels, wherever you listen to your favorite podcast.
Today, Explained
What Bill Belichick’s relationship tells us
Without being in love, right? I mean, you weren't physically.
Today, Explained
What Bill Belichick’s relationship tells us
That's this week on Channels, wherever you listen to your favorite podcast.
Today, Explained
What Bill Belichick’s relationship tells us
This is Peter Kafka, the host of Channels, the show about what happens when media and tech collide. And this week, I'm talking to Katie Drummond, who runs Wired. She's found a way to breathe new life into that publication by covering news.
Today, Explained
The messiest Oscars category
Hey there, I'm Peter Kafka, the host of Channels, the podcast about tech and media and the way they're colliding. And this week I'm talking about the state of the movies and the state of TV and how they all get melded together in the Oscars, a huge event that looks like it's going to get smaller every year.
Today, Explained
The messiest Oscars category
Here to explain what happened this year and what's going to happen in the future is Matt Bellany, the veteran Hollywood journalist from Puck. Matt is smart, and he's going to make you feel smart for listening in. You can hear our chat on channels from the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Today, Explained
Breaking up with your parents
That's this week on Channels, wherever you listen to your favorite podcast.
Today, Explained
Breaking up with your parents
Hey there, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, the show about what happens when tech and media collide. And this week, we're talking to Adam Mosseri, who runs Instagram and who also runs Threads. And he told me what Threads was originally going to be called.
Today, Explained
Snow White and the Seven Controversies
You're progressive in one way, but you're still making that fucking backward story of seven dwarves living in a cave. What the fuck are you doing, man?
Today, Explained
Mar-a-Lago makeover
And it's working. That's on Channels, wherever you hear your favorite pods.
Today, Explained
Mar-a-Lago makeover
Hey, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, a show about media and tech and lots of other stuff. And this week I learned about how to make money in media and specifically how to do that in Washington, D.C. in 2025. My guest, Jake Sherman, the co-founder of Punchbowl News. That's the fast-growing, super-inside, the Beltway pub that covers Congress and Congress and nothing else.
Today, Explained
When docs cry
That's this week on Channels, wherever you listen to your favorite podcast.
Today, Explained
When docs cry
Hey there, this is Peter Kafka. I'm the host of Channels, the show about what happens when tech and media collide. And this week, we're talking to Adam Mosseri, who runs Instagram and who also runs Threads. And he told me what Threads was originally going to be called.
Today, Explained
AI Video Killed the Video Star
Support comes from ServiceNow. We're for people doing the fulfilling work they actually want to do. That's why this ad was written and read by a real person and not AI. You know what people don't want to do? Boring, busy work.
Today, Explained
AI Video Killed the Video Star
Now with AI agents built into the ServiceNow platform, you can automate millions of repetitive tasks in every corner of your business, IT, HR, and more, so your people can focus on the work that they want to do. That's putting AI agents to work for people. It's your turn. Visit ServiceNow.com.
Today, Explained
Pray for Hooters
Yeah, well, actually, I was nursing a hangover in a small Colorado airport when I was just looking through Twitter and saw a report from Bloomberg that they were considering filing for bankruptcy. And it was at that point that, while I was hurtin', Waiting for my plane, I shared a story about a lunch that I had with my grandfather more than a decade ago at a Florida Hooters.
Today, Explained
Pray for Hooters
It was an annual tradition. I would fly down to Florida before the rest of my family, just a few days before Thanksgiving, so I would get to hang out with my grandfather a bit. He would pick me up at the airport. And we would then go out to lunch and chat about politics, chat about my soccer season, chat about changes to the Fox News primetime lineup. And this particular trip, I was 14 or 15.
Today, Explained
Pray for Hooters
This was when I was just beginning to question my sexuality. I was just beginning to realize that I was gay. I don't think I had quite admitted it to myself yet, but it was certainly top of mind. And then to walk into a Hooters, it was an experience. The Hooters waitress is not your average waitress. They are, objectively speaking, beautiful women. and they tend to be rather scantily clad.
Today, Explained
Pray for Hooters
They are extremely friendly, extremely welcoming, and all I can say is eating a meal at Hooters is unlike any dining experience I had ever had previously, and I can't quite compare it to anything I've done since. So we sat down for lunch. The meal was good, as I recall. We had chicken wings. Later on, my grandfather at one point gets up to use the restroom.
Today, Explained
Pray for Hooters
And I remember just sweating and feeling so uncomfortable. And then out of the corner of my eye, I see our waitress who was very tall, was very blonde, a caricature of the caricature of the Hooters waitress. And she slides into the booth across from me. And I wish I remember exactly what she said, but I know it was something along the lines of, you're perfect just the way you are, kid.
Today, Explained
Pray for Hooters
Yeah. I mean, who knows if it was how I held myself or how my voice quivered when I responded to her or how I never quite met her gaze or how I was just sweating my way through the lunch. But she could tell that I was not comfortable. And I don't know if that's because she actually clocked me as gay, but she... could tell that I was hurting in that moment, and she wanted to help.
Today, Explained
Pray for Hooters
And you shared this story while you were at the airport, hungover. I did. I really didn't think about it much. And then, of course, I get on the airplane. I don't have access to Wi-Fi. I land at LaGuardia some five hours later, and I think it was already over 100,000 likes.
Today, Explained
Pray for Hooters
Part of the response I anticipated. I thought that folks would be charmed by the story, would find it sweet and sentimental. The part of the response that I did not anticipate was the deluge of direct messages from queer people who described very similar dynamics, very similar experiences. I describe it in the piece as a baptism into manhood.
Today, Explained
Pray for Hooters
Time and again, I saw the exact same refrain, conversion therapy with a side of ranch. These young men who... didn't know what they were being brought into, being coaxed into the family sedan and driven to Hooters to ogle some breasts.
Today, Explained
Pray for Hooters
A lot of them were similar, but there was a great deal of diversity as well. I note in the piece, Mike Dare... grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and his father would take him to Hooters quite regularly. Mike told me that he was a very flamboyant little boy. It was clear from an early age that he was queer. And this one particular meal was seared into his memory.
Today, Explained
Pray for Hooters
He recalled his dad asking two Hooters waitresses to take a photo with him, kissing him on the cheeks. And... As he recounts it to me, they look at him, can tell he's uncomfortable, and say, we think he'd prefer this instead. They gave him bunny ears. And then as they're walking away, one of them turns around to wink at him.
Today, Explained
Pray for Hooters
And as he describes it to me, from that moment forward, he viewed Hooters as his safe space. And I'm quoting him there. He said it was his quote-unquote safe space. After that dinner, he looked forward to going to Hooters.
Today, Explained
Pray for Hooters
Amazing. This one gentleman I spoke with shared how when he was just nine years old, his parents took him to a Hooters in Atlantic City. And as he expressed it to me, it was very obvious that he was gay. And his parents kept encouraging him to flirt with their waitress. In fact, they... pushed the waitress to flirt with him, again, a nine-year-old child.
Today, Explained
Pray for Hooters
And later in the meal, he excuses himself to use the restroom. The waitress finds him, kneels down and asks him if he's okay. He says, yes, she smiles. And as he puts it to me, it was one of the most important moments of his life. And he still lives in Atlantic City. And every time he passes that Hooters, he thinks back on it and reflects on that moment.
Today, Explained
Pray for Hooters
I spoke to a number of Hooters waitresses too who echoed all of these accounts. Lucy Wilkinson, who's quoted in the piece, who's been a server at Hooters for a number of years, said that she has witnessed this phenomenon many, many times to the extent that she now goes out of her way to comfort the queer kids that she sees being brought in by their family members.
Today, Explained
Pray for Hooters
Yeah, what I've learned in the past week or so is that there is a hell of a lot of love for Hooters out there, particularly from queer folks. And it's especially funny because I think if you just look at pop culture from Saturday Night Live to American Dad to Joe Rogan, the Hooters waitress is not presented well. She is depicted as a dim person.
Today, Explained
Pray for Hooters
I say in the piece, vacant-eyed succubus, a wannabe Stepford wife. And what I heard time and again from all of these queer people in my inbox was that perception is a slander as lazy as it is persistent. These women genuinely care, earnestly care about the folks who come into their restaurants and go out of their way to make everyone feel as comfortable and as welcome as possible, queer or not.