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We’re Not Kidding with Mehdi & Friends

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TEST NOW Mehdi Hasan and friends pull no punches as they dissect the absurdities of politics, media, and power with sharp wit and zero tolerance for spin. Equal parts incisive commentary and irreverent humor, this show proves that holding the powerful accountable can actually be fun. If you've ever wanted someone to say what everyone else is thinking — loudly and unapologetically — this is your podcast.

This episode is sponsored by Ellydee. To sign up, go to ellydee.ai/mehdi Riz Ahmed is the man of the moment. The Oscar and Emmy award-winning actor is currently on the press tour for not one but two new projects: his TV series 'Bait', and a film adaptation of William Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'. But the 

Could Riz Ahmed Be the First Brown James Bond?

Altman personally endorsed Ashlee as the sole author allowed inside OpenAI's meetings — that's an extraordinary level of access that raises real questions about independence. Mehdi's show is exactly the place to stress-test whether a journalist can stay critical when the subject holds the keys.

SUBMITTED AS DLOGOS Sam Altman gave Vance the only behind-the-scenes OpenAI access

Ashlee quit a legacy institution in early 2025 to run his own tech-focused media company, and he's been open about thinking mainstream tech journalism is too hostile. Mehdi built Zeteo for similar reasons of independence — this pairing could produce a genuinely spiky conversation about what 'independent media' actually means.

Leaving Bloomberg to build Core Memory — indie media or Silicon Valley PR?

Ashlee wrote the definitive Musk biography, Musk then tried to 'destroy his family,' they reconciled — and now Musk ran DOGE and feuded with Trump. No journalist has a more tangled personal history with the most consequential tech-political figure of the moment. Mehdi's audience will want Ashlee to reckon with all of it.

The Musk biography decade later: prophet, enabler, or both?

Ashlee produced a Netflix documentary on Bryan Johnson's anti-aging obsession and is now shooting a doc on brain-computer interfaces — two frontiers that Mehdi's politically sharp audience will want to hear critiqued, not just celebrated. Who funds this science, and who benefits?

Don't Die, brain-computer interfaces, and the billionaire longevity industrial complex

Ashlee publicly said a lot of tech journalism 'feels like activism' and comes from a 'hostile starting point,' while also saying Trump and Musk were 'expressly clear about what they were going to do' and voters chose it. On a show built around speaking uncomfortable truths, this worldview deserves a proper interrogation.

Vance called mainstream tech coverage 'activism' — does he mean it?

Ashlee made this comment publicly but has never been pressed to spell out its full implication on a politically engaged show. Mehdi's audience, which has covered DOGE's impact closely, will want a real answer — not a both-sides hedge.

You wrote that Trump and Musk were 'very expressly clear about what they were going to do' and voters chose it — does that mean you think the press should have covered DOGE's dismantling of federal agencies as a legitimate mandate rather than a scandal?

This forces Ashlee to take a personal moral position on Musk's transformation that goes beyond the careful reporter's detachment he usually maintains. It's the human question underneath all the tech coverage that Mehdi's format is uniquely suited to draw out.

You said Elon tried to 'destroy your family' after the biography, you reconciled, and now you've watched him run a government agency from the inside — do you think the person you wrote about in 2015 still exists, or did power change him into someone else entirely?

Ashlee has never publicly stated whether he feels any responsibility for helping build the cultural halos around figures who later moved into politics in deeply controversial ways. This is a position he hasn't stated, and it's one Mehdi's audience is desperate to hear.

You've spent your career making tech founders legible and even likable to a general audience — is there a version of that work you now regret, given where some of those founders have ended up politically?

Ashlee's stated editorial philosophy at Core Memory is friendlier to tech founders than the mainstream press. Mehdi, who built Zeteo explicitly to be adversarial toward power, is the perfect host to make that tension explicit rather than letting it slide.

You quit a major institution to build Core Memory because you believe tech journalism is too hostile to its subjects — but isn't 'optimistic curiosity' toward people with unprecedented wealth and political power just a more polished form of access journalism?

Ashlee has never directly addressed whether Altman's explicit endorsement compromises his ability to publish unflattering findings. This is the conflict-of-interest question his fans want asked but nobody in tech media has pushed him on directly.

Sam Altman personally endorsed your OpenAI book as the only one he cooperated with — at what point does that level of access stop being journalism and start being authorized biography?

A humorous and provocative take by Ashlee Vance on the future of 'good' cocaine, sparking debates and reactions that reveal his witty side suitable for a light-hearted yet edgy show.

Ashlee Vance hosts OpenAI founders Sam Altman and Greg Brockman in their first joint podcast, diving into AI drama and future predictions, demonstrating his prowess in facilitating high-profile tech conversations.

Ashlee Vance and Jonathan McDowell discuss the evolving space race and private companies like SpaceX, providing insightful analysis on topics Vance is renowned for, appealing to fans of innovative storytelling.

Dive into the raw, unfiltered world of The Joe Rogan Experience, where comedian Joe Rogan hosts marathon conversations with trailblazers from AI innovators and political firebrands to philosophers and pop icons like Taylor Swift, unpacking everything from ethical tech dilemmas to mind-expanding futurism. This podcast thrives on its no-holds-barred style, blending humor, controversy, and deep insights that challenge listeners to question the status quo in an era of AI upheavals and cultural shifts. Whether dissecting quantum breakthroughs or debating free speech in media, it's the ultimate auditory adventure for those craving authentic, boundary-pushing dialogue.

The Joe Rogan Experience

The Tucker Carlson Show is your beacon of free speech and honest reporting.

The Tucker Carlson Show

This is what the news should sound like. The biggest stories of our time, told by the best journalists in the world. Hosted by Michael Barbaro, Rachel Abrams and Natalie Kitroeff. Twenty minutes a day, five days a week, ready by 6 a.m. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

The Daily

Join comedian Theo Von for a wild ride through the week's weirdest events, blending hilarious personal stories, offbeat observations, and candid chats with eclectic guests that turn everyday absurdities into laugh-out-loud moments. This podcast captures the chaos of modern life with Southern charm and unfiltered wit, making it a must-listen for anyone craving comedy that's equal parts insightful and unpredictable. Whether recapping weekends or diving into random days, it's a refreshing escape that leaves you pondering and chuckling long after.

This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von

Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday.If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

Crime Junkie

NPR's Up First is the news you need to start your day. The three biggest stories of the day, with reporting and analysis from NPR News — in 10 minutes. Available weekdays at 6:30 a.m. ET, with hosts Leila Fadel, Steve Inskeep, Michel Martin and A Martinez. Also available on Saturdays at 9 a.m. ET, with Ayesha Rascoe and Scott Simon. On Sundays, hear a longer exploration behind the headlines with Ayesha Rascoe on "The Sunday Story," available by 8 a.m. ET. Subscribe and listen, then support your local NPR station at donate.npr.org. Support NPR's reporting by subscribing to Up First+ and unlock sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org/upfirst

Up First from NPR

Hi, I’m Dax Shepard, and I love talking to people. I am endlessly fascinated by the messiness of being human, and I find people who are vulnerable and honest about their struggles and shortcomings to be incredibly sexy. I invite you to join me as I explore other people’s stories. We will celebrate, above all, the challenges and setbacks that ultimately lead to growth and betterment. What qualifies me for such an endeavor? More than a decade of sobriety, a degree in Anthropology and four years of improv training. I will attempt to discover human “truths” without any laboratory work, clinical trials or data collection. I will be, in the great tradition of 16th-century scientists, an Armchair Expert.Follow Armchair Expert on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch new content on YouTube or listen to Armchair Expert early and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting <a href="http://wondery.com/l

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

Hosted by former Navy SEAL and CIA contractor Shawn Ryan, this podcast delivers raw, unfiltered stories from extraordinary individuals across all walks of life, exploring their triumphs, struggles, and profound insights in candid conversations. It's more than entertainment—it's a deep dive into the human spirit, resilience, and the real challenges that shape us. Perfect for listeners craving authentic narratives that inspire and provoke thought.

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The most-listened to podcast by women, Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy has been creating conversation since 2018. From deep, honest discussions to laugh-out-loud moments, Cooper cuts through the BS with exciting guests and bold topics. New episodes drop every Wednesday, with throwback episodes every Friday. Want more? Join the Daddy Gang @callherdaddy.

Call Her Daddy

The most important stories about money, business and power. Hosted by Ryan Knutson and Jessica Mendoza. The Journal is a co-production of Spotify and The Wall Street Journal. Get show merch here: <a href="https://wsjshop.com/collections/clothing">https://wsjshop.com/collections/clothing</a>

The Journal.

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