Whole Foods based its brand on a certain standard of quality—but there are some things that shoppers nevertheless want. Amazon believes it has found a way to keep the shelves looking like Whole Foods, while getting you the Tide PODS  and Cheez-Its you deeply desire.
Guest: Peyton Bigora, staff reporter for Grocery Dive
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Podcast production by Evan Campbell, and Patrick Fort.
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You can’t buy Tide PODS at Whole Foods. Amazon is trying to fix that.

What Next: TBD | Whole Shopping List

On today’s episode, host Kate Lindsay is joined by Gen Z expert and After School writer Casey Lewis to talk about how Gen Z TikTok users are switching up on Millennials. After years of mocking the generation for being “cringe” online, now people are longing to return to the 2010s and the culture that came with it. But were Millennials really as “optimistic” as the fancams make it seem? And what does Gen Z have, if anything, to be nostalgic about? 
This podcast is produced by Vic Whitley-Berry, Daisy Rosario, and Kate Lindsay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Gen Z is now romanticizing the Millennial culture they used to mock.

ICYMI | How “Millennial Cringe” Became “Millennial Optimism”

The good news is voters are more persuaded by factual claims than emotional appeals or appeals to fear. But the bad news is that A.I. chatbots, trying to convince you, will keep making factual claims long after it runs out of actual facts.
 
Guest: <a href="https://bowers.cornell.edu/people/david-rand">David Rand</a>, professor of information science, marketing and psychology at Cornell University
 
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Democracy dies in Chatbots.

What Next: TBD | Ready for Chatbot Canvassers?

Today’s TikTok influencers share every aspect of their lives: from their morning routines, to getting ready to go out, to their parents being detained and eventually deported by ICE.
Guest:  Tony Vara, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@itonyvara?lang=en">TikTok creator @itonyvara</a>
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Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, and Rob Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

How Tony Vara used his popular TikTok account to document his family’s separation.

What Next | His Mom Got Deported. Then He Went Viral.

On today’s episode, host Kate Lindsay is joined by senior reporter at Bloomberg Businessweek, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/authors/AW1_jD-e1dM/amanda-mull">Amanda Mull</a>, to talk about how the enshittification of online shopping came for Etsy. The platform used to be a thoughtful reprieve from the cheap, mass-produced products on Amazon, but now it’s plagued by a number of the same problems. With cheap junk and AI allegations abound, where can the Shein and Temu-haters go to actually find what they’re shopping for?
This podcast is produced by Vic Whitley-Berry, Daisy Rosario, and Kate Lindsay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Etsy was an escape from Amazon. Now where can we escape from Etsy?

ICYMI | Shopping on Etsy Sucks Now

Donald Trump—or at least the tech guys who have his ear—is ready to clear the regulatory runway for A.I. but other Republicans aren’t too sure. Can he bring them around? Or will the bubble burst first?
 
Guest: <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/gerrit-de-vynck/">Gerrit De Vynck</a>, tech reporter for the Washington Post.
 
Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at<a href="http://slate.com/whatnextplus"> slate.com/whatnextplus</a> to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

How AI is splitting the MAGA coalition.

What Next: TBD | ChatGOP?

On today’s episode, host Kate Lindsay is joined by culture writer Mikala Jamison to talk about the rise in online concern about celebrities’ bodies. Mikala writes the newsletter <a href="https://bodytype.substack.com/">Body Type</a>, and her forthcoming book <a href="https://bodytype.substack.com/p/big-news">The Forever Project</a> details her recovery from an eating disorder. Following the premiere of movies like Wicked: For Good, fan concern and speculation about celebrity bodies has culminated in a larger discussion about the return of “this is in.” But did “thin” really ever go away? And what is the right way, if any, to talk about it?
This podcast is produced by Vic Whitley-Berry, Daisy Rosario, and Kate Lindsay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

The Wicked: For Good press tour has prompted concern about celebrity bodies.

ICYMI | Okay. Let’s Talk About "Everyone" Getting Skinny

A tech mogul who made bank from Paypal with his Stanford buddies and has endeared himself to right-wing politicians and enriched himself the same way? No not him; this one’s South African..no, not him either.
Guest: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/ryan-mac">Ryan Mac</a>, reporter for the New York Times. 
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Podcast production by Evan Campbell, and Patrick Fort. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

David Sacks is making policy in Washington. And it benefits his firm.

What Next: TBD | The AI & Crypto Czar’s Conflicts

On today’s episode host Kate Lindsay is joined by senior supervising producer Daisy Rosario to unpack the 25-part TikTok saga titled the “Danish Deception.” After a former Bachelor contestant came forward with a story about her scamming ex, TikTok turned on her instead. Why didn’t Onyeka get the Reesa Teesa treatment? And who is the real villain of this story?
This podcast is produced by Vic Whitley-Berry, Daisy Rosario, and Kate Lindsay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

A former Bachelor contestant came forward with a scammer story. TikTok turned on her instead.

ICYMI | “Danish Deception” or Danish Delusion?

As the U.S. upgrades and updates its defense and military systems, the question isn’t whether A.I. will be integrated, but where, how much, and how much decision-making are we ceding to the machine?
Guest: <a href="https://www.vox.com/authors/joshua-keating">Josh Keating</a>, senior correspondent at Vox and a fellow at the Outrider Foundation where he’s reporting on nuclear weapons and AI.
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Don’t worry. Computers can’t decide to drop a bomb. Yet.

What Next: TBD | If You Give A.I. a Nuke

On today’s episode host Kate Lindsay is joined by creator and social media manager <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@carmscrolls">Carmen Vicente</a> to chat about the rise of offline hobbies, and how crafts, DVDs, and something called an “analog bag” are being used as acts of rebellion against an overly plugged-in society. But does this really mean the beginning of the end of social media? Probably not. Instead, Carmen shares how apps as we know them are about to change. 
This podcast is produced by Vic Whitley-Berry, Daisy Rosario, and Kate Lindsay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

From physical media to “analog bags,” being offline is now trendy…online.

ICYMI | Everyone Online Is Going Analog

Note: This episode was originally published on July 27, 2025. 
There’s an entire economy devoted to seeing what products are trending—clothing, skin care, even Greek Islands—and delivering you a cheaper knock-off to buy.
Guest: <a href="https://www.miasato.com/">Mia Sato</a>, reporter for The Verge
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Podcast production by Evan Campbell and Patrick Fort.
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Is your skincare/skirt/vacation island as good as the real thing?

What Next: TBD | Rebroadcast: Dupes!

On today’s episode host Kate Lindsay is joined by <a href="https://www.iheartmess.com/">I &lt;3 Mess</a> writer Emily Kirkpatrick to discuss the influx of celebrities joining Substack. As two long-time Substack newsletter writers themselves, the pair dive into all of these new celebrity publications…including the parts they may not know readers can see. What does it say about the state of celebrity that so many are becoming writers—and do they even have anything to say?
This podcast is produced by Vic Whitley-Berry, Daisy Rosario, and Kate Lindsay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Charli xcx is the latest to spill her guts on the buzzy newsletter platform.

ICYMI | Why Are So Many Celebrities Joining Substack?

Hosts <a href="https://www.splitzoneduo.com/">Alex Kirshner</a>, <a href="https://lindsaygibbs.com/">Lindsay Gibbs</a>, and <a href="https://www.theringer.com/authors/ben-lindbergh">Ben Lindbergh</a> speak with the Athletic’s <a href="https://x.com/PaulTenorio">Paul Tenorio</a> on why Apple TV and MLS revised their deal and removed the paywall for viewers. They’re then joined by Massachusetts state senator <a href="https://senatorjohnkeenan.com/">John Keenan</a> about his proposal to regulate online sports betting and why he’s changed his views on the issue. Finally, they wrap with a discussion of Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini, the young hockey phenoms leading the NHL in scoring. Lindsay has an Afterball on the one New York team that is actually good: Gotham FC.
On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the panel discusses the abysmal football on display from both the New York Jets and Giants.
Apple and MLS (6:00): Tear down the wall
Regulating Big Gaming (25:41): Mass. state senator John Keenan wants to rein in sports betting
Hockey’s Young Guns (51:36): Shooting it out for the Art Ross trophy
Afterballs (1:07:04): The Bats win it
(Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad-free.)
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Podcast production and editing by Kevin Bendis, with production assistance from Patrick Fort. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Why the tech giant tore down its MLS streaming paywall.

Hang Up | Apple’s Soccer Shakeup

Tracking a license plate across the country has never been easier, which is good news if your car has been stolen, but in an era of ICE and Border Patrol raids, these warrantless searches feel increasingly invasive—and unconstitutional.
Guest: <a href="https://www.404media.co/author/joseph-cox/">Joseph Cox</a>, co-founder of 404 Media and host of the 404 Media podcast.
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

ICE is watching how and where you drive.

What Next: TBD | The Surveillance Interstate

On today’s episode host Kate Lindsay is joined by porn historian <a href="https://www.instagram.com/all_day_breakfast_/?hl=en">Noelle Perdue</a>, author of the <a href="https://noelleperdue.substack.com/">Porn World</a> newsletter. OpenAI announced that they’d allow adult users to have erotic conversations with ChatGPT, just one more way AI and porn are becoming intertwined. As sex becomes more online, not only does it become more solitary, but also more surveilled. Both of these things are intended to divide us, but Noelle is confident that AI’s attempted sex-takeover will fail. 
This podcast is produced by Vic Whitley-Berry, Daisy Rosario, and Kate Lindsay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Technology and porn are becoming disturbingly intertwined.

ICYMI | AI Is Changing How We Have Sex

Trump promised to stop the “persecution” of the cryptocurrency industry. He did call off the SEC investigations that began under Biden, and pardoned Binance cofounder and ex-CEO Changpeng Zhao. But is the crypto industry ultimately better off because of that? 
Guest: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/david-yaffe-bellany">David Yaffe-Bellany</a>, tech reporter for the New York Times.
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Podcast production by Evan Campbell, and Patrick Fort.
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Even with a crypto president, these guys can’t stop doing shady stuff.

What Next: TBD | Crypto Keeps Criming

On today’s episode host Kate Lindsay is joined by New York Magazine feature writer, <a href="https://nymag.com/author/rebecca-jennings/">Rebecca Jennings</a>, to discuss the two internet villains currently trying to get back in the internet’s good graces. First, there’s former Try Guy Ned Fulmer, who was ousted from the group after having an affair with an employee, and has now relaunched his YouTube channel as well as his own podcast. Then, Colleen Ballinger, also known as MirandaSings, appeared on Tea Time with Raven Symone and Miranda Maday to discuss allegations that she had interacted inappropriately with her fans. In both cases, fans have rejected their attempts to return. So why do they keep coming back?
This podcast is produced by Vic Whitley-Berry, Daisy Rosario, and Kate Lindsay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Why won’t Ned Fulmer and Colleen Ballinger get the hint?

ICYMI | The Two Internet Villains Staging a Comeback

The parent company of Facebook and Instagram, Meta, doesn’t (just) have a scam problem—with 10 percent of its revenue coming from scam ads, and a third of all successful scams in America using a Meta platform at some point, it’s more an interdependence with scammers.
Guest: <a href="https://www.reuters.com/authors/jeff-horwitz/">Jeff Horwitz</a>, tech reporter for Reuters.
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There’s a big financial incentive for Facebook and Instagram to tolerate scammers.

What Next: TBD | How Meta Profits Off Fraud

On today’s episode host Kate Lindsay is joined by writer and content creator Josh Lora, who also goes by <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@tellthebeees?lang=en">TellTheBees</a>. Josh’s Substack essay, <a href="https://tellthebeees.substack.com/p/boyfriendland">Boyfriendland</a>, was cited in the viral Vogue article written by Chanté Joseph, “<a href="https://www.vogue.com/article/is-having-a-boyfriend-embarrassing-now">Is Having a Boyfriend Embarrassing Now?</a>” Many women are hiding their boyfriends online, or losing followers if they hard-launch. Some go as far as to say having a boyfriend “feels republican.” Is this heterofatalism gone too far, or a long-overdue correction to the patriarchy?
This podcast is produced by Daisy Rosario, Vic Whitley-Berry, and Kate Lindsay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

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